[TheForge] Re: Taiwanese Machine Tools - and some Yak

[Steve Smith]

I too have a hard time believing that machines made on the same line 
with different labels are significantly different. One difference does 
show up once the machine gets here in the company's support. If you dig 
around in the internet news archives, it's pretty easy to find excellent 
support stories after the sale concerning Jet (for instance). Try 
finding a similar story about Harbor Freight (for another instance).

So there are some differences. I still like used industrial tools over 
the lighter built new Asian import stuff, but used often means you wait 
until it shows up.

David, your point about "They also copy each other very closely" is a 
good one that I hadn't thought of. I should know this from the consumer 
electronics industry (that we sell chips into), it is same. Identical 
appearance machines aren't necessarily made in the same place. I've seen 
a couple of machines that I wondered how the line made one brand so 
nicely and the other brand so poorly--your point probably explains it.

Steve Smith

Mike Linn wrote:
> I wont tell you about the time I stood on one of the production lines
> for one of the largest automotive battery manufacturers in the world.
> I watched Sears Diehard batteries pass down the line with Pep Boys and 
> Wal-Mart Batteries
> 
> Only difference was the label,the warrantee ......  and the price...
> 
> 
> mike
> 
> 
> 
> At 06:52 PM 9/22/2003, you wrote:
> 
>> As to the Jet 17 inch drill press and Sears being the same -- well they
>> might be.  The machine tool plants in Taiwan will make tools for 
>> anyone --
>> and the same plant, same production line and same folks may have made 
>> both.
>> They also copy each other very closely, (different plants making very
>> similar tools.)  Tools can also be made on the mainland and look very 
>> much
>> like the Taiwanese tools.  Best you can do is take a very careful look at
>> one and then pay your money.
> 
> 
> 
>            Mike Linn
>      Artist Blacksmith
>          McCalla, AL
>        AFC Webmaster
> http://afc.abana-chapter.com
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