I read the article a while back in FWW about bar clamps and saw the
Rockler scored very well with its many features. Rockler was nice
enough to go and put them on special, even offering free shipping in
their latest catalog and I was ready to lay down the cash with an
order. Then I had to go and do a damn fool thing like ask where they
were made. I've always been a bit persnickity about that but even more
so as my toy er I mean tool collection grows. Unfortunately the reply
came back "Tiawan".

Oh well, off to Menards tomorrow to take advantage of their "bag sale"
and pick up some Jorgensen Ponies. They were runner up in the article
as I recall and they are made in the US

Daryl

On 16 Feb 2005 19:12:04 -0800, wrote:

I read the article a while back in FWW about bar clamps and saw the
Rockler scored very well with its many features. Rockler was nice
enough to go and put them on special, even offering free shipping in
their latest catalog and I was ready to lay down the cash with an
order. Then I had to go and do a damn fool thing like ask where they
were made. I've always been a bit persnickity about that but even more
so as my toy er I mean tool collection grows. Unfortunately the reply
came back "Tiawan".

Oh well, off to Menards tomorrow to take advantage of their "bag sale"
and pick up some Jorgensen Ponies. They were runner up in the article
as I recall and they are made in the US

Daryl

Assuming your concerns about stuff made in Taiwan have nothing to do with
the current gov't there making noises about declaring independence from the
mainland... Just out of simple curiosity -- certainly not trying to pick a
fight about anything -- I'm wondering if you ever felt the same way about
stuff made in Japan? I do recall that there was a time when their stuff
was of crappy quality. Is your concern that you want to buy Made in the
USA? What if they were made in Japan? Or, have you simply had so many bad
experiences with Taiwanese quality that you won't buy their stuff?
Something else? I asking as might a market researcher (which I am not).
TIA. -- "Curious near the Capitol" (Igor)

wrote in message
oups.com...
I read the article a while back in FWW about bar clamps and saw the
Rockler scored very well with its many features. Rockler was nice
enough to go and put them on special, even offering free shipping in
their latest catalog and I was ready to lay down the cash with an
order. Then I had to go and do a damn fool thing like ask where they
were made. I've always been a bit persnickity about that but even more
so as my toy er I mean tool collection grows. Unfortunately the reply
came back "Tiawan".

Oh well, off to Menards tomorrow to take advantage of their "bag sale"
and pick up some Jorgensen Ponies. They were runner up in the article
as I recall and they are made in the US

Daryl


I just don't understand. You were excited at the low price they were being
offered, then abandoned them when you found out why they were being offered
at a low price.
Tiawan has the worlds finest manufacturing processes, bar none.

I'm not suggesting everything manufactured there is of the highest quality,
but much of it is.
Their electronics and computer chip plants are the worlds best.

Of course some things made in the US are premium quality as well, and
sometimes at a decent price. However in my clamp collection I have 6 36" bar
clamps (low priced) which are by far the worst clamps I've ever used. They
are no-name but clearly stamped "Made in USA"

I'm with Igor- are your reason's political, or are you seeking the
best quality? Taiwanese products can usually be differentiated from
mainland Chinese stuff.

If your reasons are political, fine. I can not speak to that, it may
be that we should all boycott their products, and buy from our
neighbors.

But in today's world- who are our neighbors?


-Dan V.


On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 03:46:50 GMT, igor wrote:

On 16 Feb 2005 19:12:04 -0800, wrote:

I read the article a while back in FWW about bar clamps and saw the
Rockler scored very well with its many features. Rockler was nice
enough to go and put them on special, even offering free shipping in
their latest catalog and I was ready to lay down the cash with an
order. Then I had to go and do a damn fool thing like ask where they
were made. I've always been a bit persnickity about that but even more
so as my toy er I mean tool collection grows. Unfortunately the reply
came back "Tiawan".

Oh well, off to Menards tomorrow to take advantage of their "bag sale"
and pick up some Jorgensen Ponies. They were runner up in the article
as I recall and they are made in the US

Daryl

Assuming your concerns about stuff made in Taiwan have nothing to do with
the current gov't there making noises about declaring independence from the
mainland... Just out of simple curiosity -- certainly not trying to pick a
fight about anything -- I'm wondering if you ever felt the same way about
stuff made in Japan? I do recall that there was a time when their stuff
was of crappy quality. Is your concern that you want to buy Made in the
USA? What if they were made in Japan? Or, have you simply had so many bad
experiences with Taiwanese quality that you won't buy their stuff?
Something else? I asking as might a market researcher (which I am not).
TIA. -- "Curious near the Capitol" (Igor)

Fine Woodworking already spoke to the quality so that was not of
concern and personally, I am not overly concerned with the politics
either. I am just one the growing numbers that find value in shopping
as local as possible. I am not passing judgment on those who choose
otherwise I am just put the info out there for those who would like to
know.

Daryl

Dan Valleskey wrote:
I'm with Igor- are your reason's political, or are you seeking the
best quality? Taiwanese products can usually be differentiated from
mainland Chinese stuff.

If your reasons are political, fine. I can not speak to that, it may
be that we should all boycott their products, and buy from our
neighbors.

But in today's world- who are our neighbors?


-Dan V.


On Thu, 17 Feb 2005 03:46:50 GMT, igor wrote:

On 16 Feb 2005 19:12:04 -0800, wrote:

I read the article a while back in FWW about bar clamps and saw the
Rockler scored very well with its many features. Rockler was nice
enough to go and put them on special, even offering free shipping
in
their latest catalog and I was ready to lay down the cash with an
order. Then I had to go and do a damn fool thing like ask where
they
were made. I've always been a bit persnickity about that but even
more
so as my toy er I mean tool collection grows. Unfortunately the
reply
came back "Tiawan".

Oh well, off to Menards tomorrow to take advantage of their "bag
sale"
and pick up some Jorgensen Ponies. They were runner up in the
article
as I recall and they are made in the US

Daryl

Assuming your concerns about stuff made in Taiwan have nothing to do
with
the current gov't there making noises about declaring independence
from the
mainland... Just out of simple curiosity -- certainly not trying to
pick a
fight about anything -- I'm wondering if you ever felt the same way
about
stuff made in Japan? I do recall that there was a time when their
stuff
was of crappy quality. Is your concern that you want to buy Made in
the
USA? What if they were made in Japan? Or, have you simply had so
many bad
experiences with Taiwanese quality that you won't buy their stuff?
Something else? I asking as might a market researcher (which I am
not).
TIA. -- "Curious near the Capitol" (Igor)

On 17 Feb 2005 11:32:00 -0800, wrote:

Fine Woodworking already spoke to the quality so that was not of
concern and personally, I am not overly concerned with the politics
either. I am just one the growing numbers that find value in shopping
as local as possible. I am not passing judgment on those who choose
otherwise I am just put the info out there for those who would like to
know.

Daryl

Thanks. -- Igor

I don't know what Rockler said about these clamps but I have yet to see a
pipe clamp made in Taiwan that was worth a D---. Most opions by the likes of
Rockler are tainted by the $. I made some bad mistakes buying US made
Craftsman Pipe clamps years ago that are very poor also, good pipe clamps
are worth their money, others are just so much junk, to me.

Walt Conner

Fine Woodworking already spoke to the quality so that was not of
concern and personally, I am not overly concerned with the politics
either.

Wise decision.

Quality can be had from Taiwan or china. It all depends on who they are
being made for and what was ordered.
You can buy made in USA crap and you can get made in Usa quality. Just
how much do you want to support your country. And keep the dollar here.
If the US and china were in a basketball game who would you want to win?
Guess the other think is, if you don't want to help support my job, why
should I try to help your job.
Maybe we buy everything overseas and walk down our roads paved in gold.

"Walt Conner" wrote in message
nk.net...
I don't know what Rockler said about these clamps but I have yet to see a
pipe clamp made in Taiwan that was worth a D---. Most opions by the likes
of Rockler are tainted by the $. I made some bad mistakes buying US made
Craftsman Pipe clamps years ago that are very poor also, good pipe clamps
are worth their money, others are just so much junk, to me.

Walt Conner

I've been using the Rockler clamps for about a year now, and I prefer them
to the old orange ones. Making something as simple as this is easily within
the capabilities of both Americans and Taiwanese so there doesn't appear to
be much difference. The Rocklers are just as secure (they're virtually
copies) but simply raising them above the work surface makes them much
easier to use. The wider feet are a definite plus, and their faces are
drilled so you can add a wood or plastic face that won't scratch. Both
clamps are good for almost any type of work and I really haven't had any
need for the $35 German clamps (not that they're not excellent) so I pick up
a set everytime Rockler has them on sale.

Bob

I really haven't had any need for the $35 German clamps

Neither have I, I have not paid anyway near that.

If you say so, I am sure the Rockler clamps are OK. Being simple to make of
course is not at all an indication that anything will be made acceptable.
The last Taiwan "C" clamp I was foolish enough to buy, the casting broke in
two with just very slight pressure. Now I pick up used made in USA clamps at
public auctions, garage sales.

Walt Conner