The nice feeling of not buy Chinese tools.

[Oaktree]

That’s true, but you might be missing the bigger picture.
Yes, everything made in China IS cheaper and everyone wants everything cheap because inflation is crushing the middle class.
However, I think what many desire (including myself) is for the USA to go back to making more things here again for jobs, national security, and having a bloodline of citizens still able to craft tools and machinery moving into the future.

We cant have an underclass working for Amazon and WalMart and an upper class alone.

I agree in principle, but unfortunately that bus left the station a long time ago. We Americans priced ourselves out of the market for most manufacturing.

 

[jyoutz]

I agree in principle, but unfortunately that bus left the station a long time ago. We Americans priced ourselves out of the market for most manufacturing.

The US middle class is now doing technology related jobs, professional careers, or skilled trades.

 

[mapper]

Back to the Bosch tool quality question. I have a number of Bosch tools, corded and cordless. I have been very happy with the quality of them.
But recently I had to replace a 1.5 hp plunge router, a Porter Cable that I have owned for at least 30 years (another made in America brand that isn't anymore).
I acquired a Bosch router to replace it, I soon found that I was unable to center the base plate so it would not work with template guides.
I returned it and bought a different highly rated brand, about the same price and came with template guides and centering tool which were not included with the Bosch.
First Bosch tool that I have been disappointed in.

 

[Oaktree]

But recently I had to replace a 1.5 hp plunge router, a Porter Cable that I have owned for at least 30 years (another made in America brand that isn't anymore).
I acquired a Bosch router to replace it, I soon found that I was unable to center the base plate so it would not work with template guides.
I returned it and bought a different highly rated brand, about the same price and came with template guides and centering tool which were not included with the Bosch.

Curiously, what brand did you end up getting? I'm considering getting a plunge router myself.

 

[Oaktree]

The US middle class is now doing technology related jobs, professional careers, or skilled trades.

But those tech jobs require a specialized education/background, unlike the old manufacturing jobs where you could learn on the job and make decent money. Not everyone's cut out for 4+ years of college.
Dunno about where you are, but trades people are in short supply here, and a lot of them are boomers/older Gen X who'll be retiring over the next 10 years.

 

[jyoutz]

But those tech jobs require a specialized education/background, unlike the old manufacturing jobs where you could learn on the job and make decent money. Not everyone's cut out for 4+ years of college.
Dunno about where you are, but trades people are in short supply here, and a lot of them are boomers/older Gen X who'll be retiring over the next 10 years.

I mentioned skilled trades, but today even those have community college certificates. Not all technology jobs require degrees. Intel has some large chip manufacturing facilities in my area, and there are lots of job opportunities there that don’t require degrees. And there are lots of solar installation and maintenance jobs in my area also.

 

[Hay Dude]

The US middle class is now doing technology related jobs, professional careers, or skilled trades.

Which is the never ending mistake of “putting all your eggs in one basket”
If covid taught us nothing, its that we need to be able to build our own needs here.
But we won‘t and will continue to suffer shortages or worse, be in a situation where we need something we used to produce and an unfriendly supplying nation wont let us have.

 

[jyoutz]

I mentioned skilled trades, but today even those have community college certificates.

Which is the never ending mistake of “putting all your eggs in one basket”
If covid taught us nothing, its that we need to be able to build our own needs here.
But we won‘t and will continue to suffer shortages or worse, be in a situation where we need something we used to produce and an unfriendly supplying nation wont let us have.

I agree with you on this, but I’m skeptical that manufacturing will return to the US for low value consumer goods, and what does occur will be highly automated to avoid high labor costs.

 

[Hay Dude]

I agree with you on this, but I’m skeptical that manufacturing will return to the US for low value consumer goods, and what does occur will be highly automated to avoid high labor costs.

Low value?
Try everything.

 

[jyoutz]

Low value?
Try everything.

We still manufacture aircraft, automobiles, caterpillar equipment, steel panels, computer chips, and many other high value products.