Big box stores: Inferior tools?

[Carl Bert]

That's not what I said. They work for the retailers, not the tool companies. I'm not going to say where on the off chance it could get them in trouble with their employers.
Eddie, I thought you would have been above resorting to sarcasm.
I'm done with this topic.
You all believe whatever you want to believe. I believe what I know to be fact.

Pops, don't waste your time trying to help these two out. They are beyond help. What you stated, most of us know to be true, but some people still believe the earth is square, and you are not going to change their minds, no matter what you say.

 

[EddieWalker]

Pops, don't waste your time trying to help these two out. They are beyond help. What you stated, most of us know to be true, but some people still believe the earth is square, and you are not going to change their minds, no matter what you say.

For those of us who are not as knowledgable as you, why wont you share with us an example of a tool that is sold at the box store and the mom and pop store with the same model number, but different serial number that has different parts inside of it?

Eddie

 

[Chilly807]

Y'all are gettin' hot under the collars here !

I'm pretty sure the model numbers won't match on a lot of items, since there really are some differences. Welders are a good example.. Lincoln makes several different 220V mig welders, some are designed for casual use, some for semi-pro, and then there are the really good (read expensive) ones. If you do your research before you buy, there's a good reason why the Home Depot model is a fair bit cheaper than the one you buy at a welding supply shop. Things like aluminum windings, plastic drive gearboxes, gas hookups, etc.

Grinders are the same. I used to think that length of warranty was a good indicator, but it really isn't. If you were making industrial use angle grinders that were going to be used for 4 or more hours a day, how long would you warrant them for? A year is typical in the industry. If they warrant it for life, you're paying for at least three of them right up front.

Most home use angle grinders won't see 4 hours of use in their lifetime. That's why you can buy them for $19.99 on sale at Canadian Tire, with a three year warranty. I'm on my 2nd or 3rd.. under warranty of course. Doesn't help much when it packs it in 2/3 of the way through a welding job on Sunday evening and I'm an hour drive from the store, even if it WAS open, which it isn't.

Box stores can sell for less on the same identical item if they get enough of a discount buying in large numbers, but it usually isn't a huge difference from the small operation, depending on how greedy everyone is.

That's my :2cents:

Sean

 

[LD1]

I think where we have gone astray is on the model number thing.

An earlier post eluded to grinders from dewalt ranging from 4 amp to 15 amp and everything inbetween. And obviously there is a price difference.

But the point is, that the CHEAPER 4a Dewalt will CERTAINLY have a different model # than the 10 or 11a model. So you are NOT comparing apples to apples.

Model numbers can be CLOSE, like others have mentioned with having an extra letter or number at the end of the model.

I dont think ANYONE is arguing that if the model numbers are different, than the tools are different and one might very likely be a cheaper version even if it looks the same.

What I have NOT seen and find VERY hard to believe that anyone can get away with is....IF the model number is IDENTICAL, then they use cheaper parts in some

Its just one of those things that I havent seen, and would "have to see to believe". IE: to of whatever with IDENTICAL model numbers setting side by side torn appart.

 

[wedge40]

I've read most of these, and I find it hard to believe that ANY company would produce a tool and mark it with the same model number, but put different guts inside. Technically easy to do, but this has law-suit written all over it. Where's Jerry Gallo when you need him?

Wedge

 

[k0ua]

I think where we have gone astray is on the model number thing.

An earlier post eluded to grinders from dewalt ranging from 4 amp to 15 amp and everything inbetween. And obviously there is a price difference.

But the point is, that the CHEAPER 4a Dewalt will CERTAINLY have a different model # than the 10 or 11a model. So you are NOT comparing apples to apples.

Model numbers can be CLOSE, like others have mentioned with having an extra letter or number at the end of the model.

I dont think ANYONE is arguing that if the model numbers are different, than the tools are different and one might very likely be a cheaper version even if it looks the same.

What I have NOT seen and find VERY hard to believe that anyone can get away with is....IF the model number is IDENTICAL, then they use cheaper parts in some

Its just one of those things that I havent seen, and would "have to see to believe". IE: to of whatever with IDENTICAL model numbers setting side by side torn appart.

LD1, yes my thoughts exactly. However some have put forth good arguments that this may be happening. When some of the professionals on here state for a fact they have torn apart the items and they are different, I have to take notice. I am certainly not a plumbing professional (yes the thread went off into plumbing and I believe it started with tools!) so I feel the need to listen to those that are. BUT I would still like someone to take the time and money to get two identical model number Kohler faucets, one from a plumbing supply, and one from Home Depot, and two Dewalt drills one from a local industrial supply, and one from Home Depot, making sure the model numbers were exactly the same, and tear them down and with photo's please show us the differences. I just don't know, and gut feelings and logic are not going to prove anything at this point when we have so many good people on each side of this issue. What say, someone?

James K0UA

 

[LD1]

making sure the model numbers were exactly the same, and tear them down and with photo's please show us the differences.

exactally. That is the only way I will be a believer. No offense to the pros in the various trades, but I have to see to believe.

In my limited experience, I just have not seen it. The cheaper and inferior version, allthough looking identical and even having the same model "name", were ALWAYS a different PN if the internals were different.

I am not saying its not possible, again no offense, I just have to see to believe.

 

[aczlan]

exactally. That is the only way I will be a believer. No offense to the pros in the various trades, but I have to see to believe.
In my limited experience, I just have not seen it. The cheaper and inferior version, allthough looking identical and even having the same model "name", were ALWAYS a different PN if the internals were different.
I am not saying its not possible, again no offense, I just have to see to believe.

I agree for items manufactured in the same timeframe (ie: excluding items that have been sitting on the shelf for 2-3 years at the local HW store vs 2 week/month old ones at the big box store).

Aaron Z

 

[Soundguy]

Grinders are the same. I used to think that length of warranty was a good indicator, but it really isn't. If you were making industrial use angle grinders that were going to be used for 4 or more hours a day, how long would you warrant them for? A year is typical in the industry. If they warrant it for life, you're paying for at least three of them right up front.

I kow some companies give a different warranty period, onth same item, whether it is home or work use.

campbel hausfeld air comps are that way.

as for the angle grinders .. 4 hrs lifetime?

really?

I love them things.. tehy are like swiss army knives. every time HF puts them on sale for 10$ i buy one. i think I still have 2 un opened ont he shelf and about 3 in use.

I use the heck out of them. including the extra brushes..

I've got some going on 17+ys old.. frankensteined up from parts from several units.. repalced cords and switches and stuff.

On a typical tractor restoration.. I figure I have 16 hours of grinder use I know I can go thru a stack of grind and cutoff discs and a wire wheel or two..

I factor inthe price of a cheap 10$ grinder as a throw away on each job like that.


i'm probably not in the average user category though..

 

[mikehaugen]

LD1, yes my thoughts exactly. However some have put forth good arguments that this may be happening. When some of the professionals on here state for a fact they have torn apart the items and they are different, I have to take notice. I am certainly not a plumbing professional (yes the thread went off into plumbing and I believe it started with tools!) so I feel the need to listen to those that are. BUT I would still like someone to take the time and money to get two identical model number Kohler faucets, one from a plumbing supply, and one from Home Depot, and two Dewalt drills one from a local industrial supply, and one from Home Depot, making sure the model numbers were exactly the same, and tear them down and with photo's please show us the differences. I just don't know, and gut feelings and logic are not going to prove anything at this point when we have so many good people on each side of this issue. What say, someone?

James K0UA

alright, lets all pool some money together and nominate a member to do just this. I have paypal and will put up some money to satisfy my curiosity. I say we go for home depot, and maybe grainger or fastenal.