Black & Decker, Dewalt-so long.

[QRTRHRS]

Per the March issue of Fine Homebuilding magazine, Black & Decker is closing the Easton, Md. plant that produces Dewalt power tools. Most manufacturing of Dewalt will go to Mexico although some will remain in North Carolina. Black & Decker hopes to save $100 million annually by moving production to low wage plants in Mexico, Brazil, China and the Czech Replublic.



Whoopee! I have Milwaukee, Bosch, Porter Cable and Dewalt, Sears and Delta hand held and stationary power tools. I try to keep an open mind. My Dewalt tools consist of an 18V Drill, 10" portable table saw and a power planer. I long ago gave up on regular Black & Decker.



My attitude is thus, if I am going to buy foreign made power tools or foreign owned but domestically produced, I may as well buy Hitachi or Makita or whatever. Kiss off Black & Decker!

 

[illflem]

I kissed off Dewalt after they merged with B&D, quality was only downhill from then on.

 

[LSMITH]

Careful, a lot of the Milwaukee stuff is made in Germany, and some in Mexico. I used to do some work with them.



If you want 100% made in the USA you have Porter Cable and Makita to choose from, yes Makita.

 

[Camara]

Porter Cable all the way!

 

[willyslover]

loaned my "borrowing neighbor" who keeps my stuff until I go ask for it back... my Makita belt sander, he broke it and came back with a new B & D sander to replace it with... . I asked him what he thought he was doing and he said he was buying me a 'brand new sander" to replace my old one... I said thanks but no thanks and went and bought myself a new one... guess hell figure it out next time he comes a borrowing

 

[HVAC]

Milwaukee

I broke a lot of tools until I switched to exclusively Milwaukee stuff. I've had very good service from these tools. I have about 10 items that I've used in day to day activities while working as a contractor. I prefer to buy American if at all possible.

 

[Hohn]

Yes! Milwaukee!!

I am not a professional, just someone who really admires (and will pay for) a product that is simply made better.



I just bought a 1/2" Milwaukee corded drill. I had an 18V B&D cordless that I have now relegated to overglorified electric screwdriver status.



I love this 1/2 inch Milwaukee! It's about the same size as a 3/8" drill, so it's easy to handle. Lord, this thing has TORQUE, which for me (like other CTD owners) is a major turn-on. It's got an extra handle and an 11 AMP motor-- about double what I was seeing on homeowner-size drills from others. This thing runs and feels like a Rolex. It only cost about $130, about double what a cheaper drill might run. Can't really describe what it is I like so much about the drill-- gives me the same vibe my truck does, and that is worth almost any price... .



HOHN

 

[Hohn]

OH, and I prefer to buy American, but I will buy what is the best QUALITY, I don't care where it's made. In those cases where American made means what it used to (the best there is) then I will buy American. But I will not give my money to some lazy lard butt who expects me to by his stuff just because he's an American, even if it is clearly inferior.



We hear these stories about people who are worries about foreigners taking away American jobs, yet they aren't willing to do what it takes to be competitive. When the Japanese starting making good, cheap, efficient cars in the 70's, the American manufacturers got off their butt and got busy, instead of crying and moaning. We need more of that.



HOHN

 

[LSMITH]

I am EXTREMELY hard on power tools. I cannot stand Milwaukee tools, they just don't last. I have burned up three 1/2" Holeshooter drills in one day, from brand new out of the box to the service center for a trade-in. I believe the cooling on the Milwaukee tools is inadequate, they just can't take constant 100% loads. Motor smoking in less than a half hour of hard use is BS. The older DeWalt stuff would take it fine, as will Porter Cable and Makita. What good is your Super Sawzall when it won't run for 15 minutes without overheating? I buy tools to use, if it is rated for 10 amps then it darn well better take 10 amps for HOURS on end if that is what I need. I only have one Milwaukee tool left, and it will not be replaced with another red tool.

 

[RustyJC]

Originally posted by Hohn

OH, and I prefer to buy American, but I will buy what is the best QUALITY, I don't care where it's made

My last 2 Dodge 3500's (1996 and 2002) have been built in Mexico. These have probably been among the best built, most trouble-free vehicles I've ever owned, and I've been buying my own (both domestic and foreign) since 1965. Sad, but true.



The 2003 Acura 3. 2TL-S I bought to drive back and forth to work was built in the Marysville, OH Honda plant. Hasn't been back to the dealer for any warranty work since I bought it in May 2002. American built, and built well.



Rusty

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by Hohn

OH, and I prefer to buy American, but I will buy what is the best QUALITY, I don't care where it's made. In those cases where American made means what it used to (the best there is) then I will buy American. But I will not give my money to some lazy lard butt who expects me to by his stuff just because he's an American, even if it is clearly inferior.



We hear these stories about people who are worries about foreigners taking away American jobs, yet they aren't willing to do what it takes to be competitive. When the Japanese starting making good, cheap, efficient cars in the 70's, the American manufacturers got off their butt and got busy, instead of crying and moaning. We need more of that.



HOHN

I agree to a point. Often though, work going off shore is being unfairly subsidized. And, when was the last time you saw someone take their manufacturing overseas and offer you the savings? In B&D's case, they have a record of dirty dealing's with both their workers and the public they sell to.

 

[daveshoe]

Check model number on milwaukee

I have been told that milwaukee tools sold at wholesale electric and plumbing houses have a different model number than the ones you buy at big box lumberyards. I personally have had a super sawzall take a crap twice in two years. Second time was a goner. I have a first genner all metal sawzall that will burn your hands from heat building up from hard use and the motor itself does not overheat.

Part of this is our own fault for playing ''beat the price'' on products by shopping the wharehouse clubs for name brand tools. the wharehouse owners demanded lower prices and the manufacturers responded by building knockoffs of their own products. a good example of this is a Delta faucet purchased at Lowes will have a plastic ball instead of stainless steel.

Check it out for yourself.