Let's post our Made in USA tool finds (yard sales, old store stock, auctions etc)

[Happy Gilmore]

Hey "dude"... I'm not advertising for anyone. But buying old US made stuff does nothing for US jobs now. If we demand US made products the tide will eventually change towards domestic made products that support our labor force which improves our economy. I'm assuming you would know that if you are really from Motown.

I get what you're saying PP, I was hoping we could have a interesting thread here. Can we keep it on topic.

 

[mikehaugen]

My dad had an old porter cable belt grinder in the garage for as long as I can remember. It didn't work and he said there was something wrong with the motor and it just sat there in the corner (at least 20 years. Finally, recently, I decided I would take it off his hands. I figured I would just buy a new motor for it if I had too, though I really didn't want to replace that good 'ole cast iron motor... even considered having it rebuilt.

Anyway, I brought it home and started checking it out. There is a board inside with a terminal strip that you could choose 220 or 110v. Behind that board the windings were wired wrong. I rewired it and the motor worked! I still haven't gotten it all back together because I want to strip it down and repaint it. It is a beast, it's a model g4 with 4" x 54" belt. My work just recently purchased a combination belt/disk grinder (jet) and it was around $1400 iirc.... made in Taiwan! This one is way more robust and just in general a higher quality piece of machinery. I am quite happy with my "garage find" to say the least.

 

[ultrarunner]

I won't argue... many hf tools are adequate and there warranty is hard to beat. My hf purchasing went from about 60% when I was 16 to less than 1% of my total money investment currently. I, admittedly, will go in the store about once a year and grab a couple cheap things that wouldn't be able to be found not made in China anyway.

To me it is more about principle that keeps me out of the store, not that some of their stuff wouldn't serve it's purpose for me.

I probably go about twice a year...

Last time I had a lot of things to shuffle around at work... bought 10 of their cheaply 4 wheel skids for $6.99 each...

 

[ultrarunner]

Tell him you want a set of Klein's to replace your tools that he STOLE from you! Klein is American made and top notch quality.

I'd take the tool thief to HR.

That's

Did not get very far... the person that got the key was the number 2 person at the Hospital and was in charge when it happened...

It still strikes a nerve... just like a neighbor who is wheel chair bound was having some work done at his home and asked if I have caulking gun... I have a good one that I've had for years in the truck... several days past and I needed... went over to the house and he was beaming... had a brand new one for me... made in China junk...

 

[ultrarunner]

One of my best finds ever for pure utility is a FORGED WWII pick/mattock made by Plumb for digging foxholes...

Love that tool and only cost $2

Like it so much I went online and found a couple more at military surplus stores...

Not to be confused with the identical appearing cast ones at the local box stores that I broke already

 

[Happy Gilmore]

One of my best finds ever for pure utility is a FORGED WWII pick/mattock made by Plumb for digging foxholes...

Love that tool and only cost $2

Like it so much I went online and found a couple more at military surplus stores...

Not to be confused with the identical appearing cast ones at the local box stores that I broke already

Any pics of it it Ultra?

 

[Happy Gilmore]

Agreed about HF and I have started the thread . There's actually quite a lot of tools available.

Cool, good thread, I like it.

 

[DuckSlayer1017]

Here is what I picked up off craig's list tonight. Paid $80 for all of it.

 

[deerseeker001]

Thats a good deal

Here is what I picked up off craig's list tonight. Paid $80 for all of it.
View attachment 391150
View attachment 391148

 

[BethelHntr]

I am a sucker for vintage american made tools and was looking for a drill press that can use morse taper drill bits up to 2", I found a champion blower and forge 21" DP on craigslist that was heading for scrap if someone didn't want it. I paid $200 and brought it home. This thing had sixty years of crud and multiple paint layers, When I bought it, It had been sitting outside with the rain sun and snow for who knows how long but as I mentioned before I am a sucker.


Thank You