Quote:
Originally Posted by KNS
My own experience on how most everything has cheapened and quality fallen:
Cleaning out my Dad's shop a couple of years ago my Dad had a bunch of tools handed down from his father who was a tool and die maker. I found a bunch of old tools, some, precision instruments dating from the 1920s and 30s. Many were Craftsman from Sears & Roebuck. Holding them in your hands you felt a certain weight and heft. I was astounded at the high standard of their construction and quality of materials. Some came in protective cases constructed out of wood or steel that were almost fit to serve as presentation cases for jewelry. Everything made in USA. Clearly these tools were from a different era.
It made me a bit sad to think what we've lost and that subsequent generations will only be familiar with what can be purchased at places such as Harbor Freight (certainly useful in it's own right).
Apologies for getting off topic...
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Not "off topic" in the least, Kurt. What you describe is precisely what I have been trying to explain to David. Even simple items like tools used to be manufactured to a standard, not a price. I own many tools that were once my father's, many that were once my grandfather's. Everyday, workaday tools, nothing "high grade" or "fancy" by any stretch. Stuff the common working man purchased at his local hardware store. All of which puts today's "expensive" tools to shame. All of which were manufactured by companies who put quality ahead of absolute profitability.
Yes, indeed, we have lost a good deal. So thoroughly lost, it appears, that some will argue that it never existed.