Leon wrote:

"Andrew" wrote in message
....
You'd think at least frugal woodworkers
like myself would rather have a cheapie Ryobi than no tool at all.

Some do.
....

That's what keeps the Walmarts of the world happy at night...they know
the bulk of the buying public is interested in initial cost only...

Manufacturers trying for a piece of that market have to try to produce
product at a price point often actually mandated to them by the retailer
and hope they can keep enough quality to not be total junk. For those
who want to target the higher end amateur and the professional market as
well as the cost-conscious market, this becomes a losing battle--one
either has to have the resources to support two product lines or give up
and chase the low-ball market.

IMO, $0.02, etc...