On Nov 22, 11:50 pm, John Horner wrote:

Where to the rest of you sit with this question?

Some tools are needed immediately for a specific job with an intended
"one time" use (A).
Others are considered useful with a foreseeable use over time, but no
immediate need/demand/requirement. (B).
Then there are those you will use regularly with some hope of
precision and "repeat-ability." (C)
Of course there are those tools that are cheaper to replace than
sharpen/repair given the intended or experienced frequency of
use." (D)
Lastly(?) there are tools you just want to experiment with to see if
the investment in the FEIN version might be worth the 10X price
differential over the chink rip-off. (E)

When you are on a tight budget, you might find the one-time biscuit
joiner from HFT will get you through the project, allow you to learn
about the tool generally and the important and superfluous features to
should you ever decide your craftsmanship warrants a fine version of
the tool. The subsequent time(s) you go to pull it out will hint at
the need for a quality replacement - e.g. can you find it, recall
where you put it as much as will the ease of use, repeatability and
the finished work.

Those eight-dollar 4" Grinders can clean a weld as well as the $50
Sears model for a fellow with a dusty Arc Welder hidden in the dark
recesses of his shop. But might not prove cost-effective for a welding
shop with a fancy TIG, arc stabilizer, etc.

A good link belt and sharp blade will go a long way toward making
theat Craftsman table saw a "gem."

My grandfather's expression "'tis a poor workman that blames his
tools," holds true today and watching that fellow on PBS ho uses
1700's versions of tools (including a foot-operated scroll saw!)
should prove that point.

Its a balance of budget, craftsmanship and need in my view and the geo-
political angle is nice cocktail talk, but impractical and unlikely to
kill NAFTA etc.