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New AMERICAN Skilsaw?

dustinpockets | Posted in Tools for Home Building on March 11, 2009 06:00am

I’ve finally saved enough change for a new saw, a 15 amp, 7-1/4″ Magnesium Skilsaw (Mod. SHD77M) that I’ve wanted for a long time. Unfortunately, most are made in China, Arghh. One distributor called Skil and was told they’re made in Alabama–well not the one they shipped me. There it was hidden on the bottom “Assembled in China”, on the motor plate too. Back it went.

Six internet retailers I talked to didn’t seem interested enough to dig into the subject enough to make a sale. I’ve seen the standard 77’s at Menard boasting an American flag, but are any of the Mag one built here?

Can anyone point me to a retailer that will sell me a Skilsaw made in America?

TIA

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Replies

  1. User avater
    Sphere | Mar 11, 2009 05:27pm | #1

    With robotic assembly and our lousy workforce in manufacturing, you think it makes any difference?

    Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

    Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

     

    They kill Prophets, for Profits.

     

     

    1. MSA1 | Mar 11, 2009 08:48pm | #5

      It makes the biggest difference. I have a friend that will only buy American and I try to whenever possible.

      No stimulus package in the world will do what buying American will.  

      Family.....They're always there when they need you.

      1. stamejm | Mar 13, 2009 05:52pm | #19

        I am not really sure I understand what "buying American" really means. Especially when it comes to global products like consumer electronics (tools too), cars, etc. Does it mean, products assembled in America, raw materials mined/grown/pumped in America? Perhaps it means companies headquartered in America, or is it founded in America? Truthfully, I think that it would be impossible to find any mass produced product that doesn't have some ties to at least one country other than America. Its very confusing to me.

        1. MSA1 | Mar 14, 2009 02:44am | #29

          To me, i'd say that American Made refers to products that put Americans to work. I know thats a broad statement but whatever puts more people in this country to work would be good with me.

          The more people working here will mean more people that can afford to buy things here. The spiral works both up and down.

          Having said that, it would still be a cold day in hell before i'd buy a toyota or nissan.  

          Family.....They're always there when they need you.

          1. stamejm | Mar 14, 2009 02:57am | #30

            That seems like a fair way to look at it. So does the Chinese made plywood sold at my home depot count? It was unloaded by American dock workers, hauled by American Truckers. I am not saying I disagree I just wonder what your definition of "worked on" is.

          2. MSA1 | Mar 14, 2009 03:16am | #31

            Good question. I guess I would like to see a little manufacturing back on our side of the pond.

            Not saying its gonna happen but what if there were a war with China, they'd win by simply by cutting off our their imports. I guess its a problem of our country not being self sufficient anymore.  

            Family.....They're always there when they need you.

  2. JAlden | Mar 11, 2009 05:52pm | #2

    Have you looked at the Bosch? I'm not sure if they're made here though.

    One of my buddies works for Skil/Bosch as a design engineer. He goes to their China plant all the time. According to him, they're built as well as the American ones were.

  3. RickD | Mar 11, 2009 06:04pm | #3

    A Dewalt sales rep told me that the company that makes the most tools in the US now is Makita -

    My recent strategy on buying anything, tools included, is to try to steer towards coutries that are at least alleged "democracies" - Germany, Japan, or even Mexico is better than China -

    1. User avater
      basswood | Mar 13, 2009 04:03pm | #16

      Last year I was looking at sliding compound miter saws the only one Made in the USA was Makita. Dewalt has saws made in Mexico. Otherwise they come from overseas.

      1. RickD | Mar 13, 2009 06:10pm | #22

        Bosch has two models of its jigsaw which are almost the same - one built in China (the 1587AVSK 5 Amp)  that sells on Amazon for $95 and one built In Germany that sells for $145 (1590EVSK-6.4 amp) .   I don't think the 1.4 amps is the sole basis for the $50 jump.

        Again, though I'd prefer buying "locally", I'm happy to buy EU made goods because I'm confident that they are produced under good political, enviornmental, and worker protection laws.

        1. User avater
          basswood | Mar 13, 2009 06:29pm | #24

          I own Bosch products made in USA, Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia, and China... they have all been good tools.Skil is now owned by Bosch and is a German Co. Since this happened, Bosch now makes a good wormdrive CS. Bosch seems to do a good job with quality control, regardless of where they have their tools made.

  4. Phat | Mar 11, 2009 06:38pm | #4

    A few years ago I was shopping for a table saw - as I recall it was a Powermatic.

    It had a sticker proudly saying it was "Made in USA." Upon further investigation, I discovered that it was the cast iron ingot that was made in the USA, not the actual tool...

    Phat

    Backtage - where high-tech meets low-life

  5. MSA1 | Mar 11, 2009 08:49pm | #6

    We need more of you. You're the stimulus package this country needs.

     

    Family.....They're always there when they need you.

  6. danski0224 | Mar 11, 2009 09:10pm | #7

    Lots of luck.

    They have moved production to China.

    If you find one on a shelf that says "Made in USA" it is old stock.

    A victim of consumers that want to spend as little as possible, stores afraid to raise prices, and stores that want a lower wholesale price point.

    I couldn't tell you who is making a saw in the USA anymore as I have not seen anything new that isn't made in China.

     

    1. dovetail97128 | Mar 11, 2009 09:22pm | #8

      You left the investors who demand a return on their money off your list of culpable people.
      They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

      1. danski0224 | Mar 11, 2009 10:02pm | #9

        Thanks for covering that :)

        1. dovetail97128 | Mar 11, 2009 10:10pm | #10

          No problem ... seems they often get left off the list of who is responsible for down sides of things.
          They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

  7. fingers | Mar 12, 2009 01:12am | #11

    I hear ya!  I try to buy USA made stuff but it isn't easy sometimes.  A few years back I needed/wanted a new fishing reel.  At the time most of the stuff was made in Taiwan.  Then I saw it . . . a decent looking Shakespeare reel with an American flag sticker on the box.

    I bought it, got it home and when I took it out of the box I noticed it said "made in Taiwan" under the "foot" part that attaches to the rod.  I looked all over the box (the box with the American Flag sticker on it) again and then I saw the fine print.

    "Proudly Packaged in the U.S.A."  As I said it isn't easy sometimes.

    Somewhere there's a website that has just USA made stuff for sale.  Maybe someone here has seen it.

    One more little interesting fact.  My Bosch jigsaw (is it the 1583 or 1591 . . . anyway the top-handled one) is made in Switzerland, my brother-in-law's is made in the USA and I think now they're all made in China.  They all seem to work about the same.



    Edited 3/11/2009 6:17 pm ET by fingers

    1. calvin | Mar 12, 2009 03:00am | #12

      I'm shopping for new tires for my van.  I am replacing the Michelins that have given me great service for over 6 yrs.  Price is important, but handling and "life" are more of a concern.

      Akron, the rubber city.  Perhaps some made in the U.S., but one of the companies is owned by Bridgstone-not american.

      Anyone with a suggestion to look at?

      225 75  16  E-rating (10 ply)?

      back to the original post...........still running my rockwell 315's from 1973.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

      Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

      http://www.quittintime.com/

       

      1. DCCarpenter | Mar 13, 2009 07:03am | #13

        My Bosch skil saw died a few years back in the middle of a project and I had to run right out and buy a saw, not knowing what I wanted I bought the cheapest Skil saw they had just to use until the end of the day. 3 years later and it's still running strong..right around that time I got real conscious of always checking where things are made and sure enough my cheap-o Skil was made here in the US. I looked at the newest low end Skil at Home Depot today..of course it's made in China and was much worse than my saw at $10 more(when I saw worse it had more plastic, a worse handle, worse depth adjustment with no numbers, a worse plate).

        Recently I've wanted to try a wormdrive and was hoping to get the Skil77, usually I buy used but I wanted to support a US made product so I was going to make an exception to buy a new made in the US Skil saw. I guess I can't now.

        1. User avater
          Dam_inspector | Mar 13, 2009 02:06pm | #14

          I bought a Craftsman saw that is made in the USA a year or two ago for $59 on the clearance table. It's pretty nice, it's the identical twin to the Skil 77. Great saw. I didn't even need it, still new in the box. I had bought another that was "open box" but unused several years ago for $90. Sad to see what has happened to manufacturing, but I'm old enough to remember the horrendously high prices for power tools in the 60's - 80's.

        2. User avater
          Dam_inspector | Mar 13, 2009 02:08pm | #15

          As far as buying american, you may find a used one. Or a new old stock somewhere. It'll be a collectors item someday.

      2. RickD | Mar 13, 2009 05:58pm | #20

        I have Michelin X-Radials on my old truck that wear like iron.  Got them at Costco.  I think Michelin just makes a superior product - and I'm pretty sure the Michelin factory workers have a pretty decent thing going - I'll give them my money any day.

         

      3. unTreatedwood | Mar 13, 2009 10:07pm | #25

        Cooper tire is All-American...unless someone from overseas has bought out the founding family...
        At its most basic level, capitalism offers people the freedom to choose where they work and what they do � the dignity that comes with profiting from their talent and hard work. � The free-market system also provides the incentives that lead to prosperity -- the incentive to work, to innovate, to save and invest wisely, and to create jobs for others.� -President George W. Bush

        In other words, free-market capitalism is the best path to prosperity.

        1. calvin | Mar 14, 2009 01:29am | #27

          Yes, but the reports on the LT tires from Cooper were not good.  Cars maybe ok, but the trucks-hydroplane/snow no good. 

          Got a call from my mechanic, Sale on the Michelins-and made in Canada, so for the price and the N.A. manufactured-and I know and love the ride-done deal.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

          Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

          http://www.quittintime.com/

           

          1. Henley | Mar 14, 2009 01:56am | #28

            They wear out very fast too.

          2. calvin | Mar 14, 2009 06:26am | #34

            This past set of LXT-MS 65,000 and not near bald with heavy load.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            http://www.quittintime.com/

             

          3. Henley | Mar 14, 2009 02:59pm | #38

            Glad to be wrong, but I've never gotten
            40K on Coopers.

          4. calvin | Mar 14, 2009 05:03pm | #45

            You are probably not wrong.  I thought you were commenting on the Michelin wear.  I decided to not look at coopers LT's because of poor wear and tracking/traction in rain/snow.

            I just had the new Michelin's mounted.  The good news, all for a couple hundred  less than the initial Michelin estimate due to the sale price passed on to me by my close friends and mechanics.  Sale cost on tires repays my cost on their corian counters.  God I love friends.  Some friends you can do this with.  Some "friends" you cant.A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            http://www.quittintime.com/

             

          5. JAlden | Mar 14, 2009 04:04am | #32

            We bought Yokohamas for my wife's minivan in the fall. Very happy with their wet and snow handling. Had a lot of rain and snow this winter season. I pushed then to see how they were too.Made in the USA. Don't know where the plant is, guess I could find out if it mattered.Anyways, highly recomended.Edit for spelling and gramarEdited 3/13/2009 9:04 pm ET by JAlden

            Edited 3/13/2009 9:05 pm ET by JAlden

          6. stamejm | Mar 14, 2009 05:28am | #33

            how many rubber trees you seen in the US?

          7. calvin | Mar 14, 2009 06:28am | #35

            None that I know of.

            Why?A Great Place for Information, Comraderie, and a Sucker Punch.

            Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.

            http://www.quittintime.com/

             

          8. stamejm | Mar 14, 2009 02:46pm | #37

            Just another example of a product which cannot be totally American made. Some body buys rubber that is harvested abroad to make American tires.

          9. User avater
            Dam_inspector | Mar 14, 2009 03:02pm | #39

            I'd rather buy tires made of imported rubber than imported Chinese tires. The Chinese tires are known to be disastrous.I did have some Michelin tires once that made 80,000 miles on an Aerostar before wearing through but the factory Firestones on the Ranger went about as far. And I know Yokohama and some other Asian tires are great. My cousin had a job at a local tire manufacturer until they ceased operations. It's not nice work, but it paid his bills. He never finished high school. Where are people like him going to find work? He runs a towmotor at a warehouse now moving Chinese goods.

          10. DavidxDoud | Mar 14, 2009 05:34pm | #46

            is there any natural rubber in tires anymore? - I don't think so - all petro-chemical wizardry - I grow fruit and sell locally - but my inputs are from all over - dunno - but I always figured that 'free trade' would be a race to the bottom - and it still appears that way to me - -"there's enough for everyone"

          11. JohnCujie | Mar 14, 2009 06:52pm | #47

            I often wondered which is better for the country:1. A foreign owned company that has plants here, like Honda.or 2. A domestic company that outsources manufacturing, such as Powermatic now.The worlds largest floating crane, manufactured for construction of the new SF Bay Bridge at a cost of $50 million, just arrived in SF. Made in China. It never ends.John

  8. hammer102 | Mar 13, 2009 05:01pm | #17

    I my self am only 27 years old and only in the last 2 years got my head far enough out of my a**  to care about where products I bought were made.  I am disgusted with the way corporations have sold out the american worker, who is the foundation of what his product name was built upon.  Now they are supporting foreign economies in which workers are paid CRUMBS a day to work in crud conditioins with cheap materials.  Then the American government gives these companies tax incentives to do so??????  I am so sickened by this.  And where does that leave the american worker?  God damn the corporate greed that has brought this country from an industrial titan to a nation borrowing money from the new king of industry-CHINA-just to pay its damn bills.  Help Help.  Somebody Help!  How long until the food you buy at the supermarket comes from another country?  It seems like thats the one thing the corporate slime hasn't found a way to outsource....yet.

    1. Henley | Mar 13, 2009 05:34pm | #18

      All in the name of twelve pair of tube socks for $2.99 Given a long enough perspective, China's growth is self
      defeating also. Our history of economic growth and resulting
      gluttonous lifestyles is very probably there future. Coupled with internal strife and international competition
      for natural resources, I don't see them enjoying forty years
      of easy expansion as we have. The situation wherein it is cheaper to ship goods around the globe
      then to manufacture them locally is predicated on false assumptions and short sightedness.

      1. Danno | Mar 14, 2009 03:15pm | #41

        And those 12 pair of socks will last through at least three washings! Some of their clothing, including shoes, is like "wear once and throw away."

        1. Henley | Mar 14, 2009 03:19pm | #42

          Don't wash em :)

    2. dovetail97128 | Mar 13, 2009 06:08pm | #21

      Just a thought. Ever think about just where the US shipped all of it's product when we were the giant? yep, to the rest of the world... pay backs are hell aren't they.
      They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.

      1. PapaHeiser | Mar 14, 2009 09:46pm | #49

        "Just a thought.Ever think about just where the US shipped all of it's product when we were the giant?yep, to the rest of the world... pay backs are hell aren't they."Another thought...Maybe it's because they didn't have products that were comparable to the quality and price of what we were producing at the time. Again, just a thought.

    3. User avater
      Sphere | Mar 13, 2009 06:11pm | #23

      Shoot, LOTS of food is from elsewhere..Grapes from Chile, peppers from Mexico, garlic from China, cheese from Italy and France.

      It IS a global economy these days, like it or not.  As I said earlier, how many things do you think are robotically assembled vs. "hand made". You would be amazed at the amount of American jobs , lost to automation..and the reason automation is effective is that robots don't get vacation, complain about health ins, hours, pay, retirement, come in hungover, take smoke breaks, use the can, or even eat lunch.

      Add the quality and reliablity in and whats not to love? Oh yeah, your brother in law that dropped out of school can't get a job on a production line..oh well. Learn how to program robots, and suddenly he has job again, but that means he has to actually complete some education..some don't or can't fathom that.

      There really is no good or bad about American vs "other country" made..its all inbetween..for one thing, shipping alone provides jobs for the unpackers. More transport, more oil..see where this is going?

      If you are a die hard "Made In the U.S.A." you better plan on making it your self, from the raw materials to recycle what ya have left over. Hardly likely it's gonna happen now.Spheramid Enterprises Architectural Woodworks

      Repairs, Remodeling, Restorations

       

      They kill Prophets, for Profits.

       

       

    4. Dan612 | Mar 14, 2009 12:11am | #26

      I am frustrated too.  But, look closely at the food labels you buy.  Especially produce.  Apples from New Zealand, squash from Mexico, etc.  The only way to beat it is to buy local food as often as possible.

      My awakening was in 1992- I was 19, driving around with a group of friends and two packs of firecrackers.  (I did a little whooping it up in my youth).  My friends and I started looking at the package and sure enough, it was from China.  That wasn't the problem.  The problem was that these things are produced in China, shipped to New Hampshire, passing through middle men every step of the way who all mark the price up, and still they are being sold for less than a penny a piece.  My concern was, how much quality control goes in for that price?  What guarantee do I have that this thing isn't going to blow my fingers off?  My friends and I called it the "Cheap fire cracker economic principle." 

      Here I am 16 years later and I often think about that argument.  Just how much quality control is in these factories?

       

      (Follow up on that day- One United States made mailbox will contain the blast of 12 Chinese fire crackers.  Sorry Mr. Billings)I meditate, I burn candles, I drink green tea, and still I want to smack someone.

    5. Danno | Mar 14, 2009 03:13pm | #40

      Sorry to tell you, (I haven't read past your post, so maybe others have already popped your bubble), but lots of food comes from other countries--lots of produce from Mexico (hence the problems with fecal contamination), lots of grapes come from South America (maybe other fruits?), many apples come from Japan. I live in Michigan where I can get fresh apples in season that are grown within 10 miles of my house, yet the stores are full of apples from Washington. If I want locla apples, my best bet is to go to the Farmers Market on Wednesday and Saturday mornings (better produce there anyway!).

      Someonw should do everyone a favor and start a web site with a name like Americanmade or something and list all the products made in the USA. Sort of like Snopes and they would research to make surew the products weren't just packaged in USA (or I've even heard of "Made in USA" on a box because the box (and only the box) was made in America!

      1. hammer102 | Mar 14, 2009 04:41pm | #43

        http://www.shopforamerica.com

        http://www.madeinusa.org

        http://www.madeinusa.com

        http://stillmadeinusa.com/

        http://www.usstuff.com

        http://www.unionlabel.org

        http://www.allamericanclothing.com

        http://www.uaw.org/uawmade/index.cfm

        http://www.shopunionmade.org/

        http://www.unionlabel.com/           -a personal favorite-

        You can see that there are many american made products  still available.  The problem is that no one knows how to buy them.  Nor do they understand the serious problem that globalization and outsourcing of jobs is creating.  When they lose their job to a China man, they'll get the picture.  If all of us joined togeather and bought american made goods, the spread sheets would tell the corporate slime that we have smartened up and if they want to sell it, americans better be making it.  And you know what, I'll pay the extra buck or two for quality product that won't wear out in 2 months of use for something that lasts a year!  I'll support my country men, support the LOCAL economy.  In doing so I support my future and my family's future.

        They can take their $3 tube socks and shove them up their a**.

        Watch this video- it helps you to understand if you don't.

        http://www.carpenters.org/home/welcome.html         - click on the link below the short one minute video for the full 10 minute version.  No matter your stance on union labor, this video is relevant to you as a tradesman.

        Here's a direct link(i think, im no computer genius)----

        http://api.smugmug.com/gallery/6604539_3EfpM#420905964_9Kfcg-A-LB

        God bless the labor unions.  I was non union for 6 years.  Things have improved dramatically for me since then.  Maybe there are some guys reading this that feel like they can't get a fair shake-  you are not alone.  You deserve more- and there is a real way to get it.  I am worth EVERY PENNY.

        Edited 3/14/2009 9:48 am ET by hammer102

        Edited 3/14/2009 10:02 am ET by hammer102

        1. hammer102 | Mar 14, 2009 04:53pm | #44

          That video boils my blood...  We need to open the eyes of others if we are to see a change in the state of affairs.  God Bless America.

        2. Danno | Mar 14, 2009 10:28pm | #50

          Thanks for the links. Good to have them--I printed your post so I can check the web sites (if I can ever afford to buy anything again!). I do have change in my pocket though, thanks to our new take care of you from cradle to grave government. Yup, he gave us change all right!

    6. PapaHeiser | Mar 14, 2009 09:41pm | #48

      "I my self am only 27 years old and only in the last 2 years got my head far enough out of my a** to care about where products I bought were made. I am disgusted with the way corporations have sold out the american worker, who is the foundation of what his product name was built upon. Now they are supporting foreign economies in which workers are paid CRUMBS a day to work in crud conditioins with cheap materials. Then the American government gives these companies tax incentives to do so?????? I am so sickened by this. And where does that leave the american worker? God damn the corporate greed that has brought this country from an industrial titan to a nation borrowing money from the new king of industry-CHINA-just to pay its damn bills. Help Help. Somebody Help! How long until the food you buy at the supermarket comes from another country? It seems like thats the one thing the corporate slime hasn't found a way to outsource....yet."I was in the grocery store the other day and they had signs up in the meat department proclaiming that the meat could come from USA, Canada, or Mexico - not to mention the produce coming from South America. It's happening everywher my friend. It makes me just as sad...

  9. bobbys | Mar 14, 2009 06:56am | #36

    Years ago i went to pawn shops and bought old worm drives.

    I like the old ones.

    My tool guy said the worm gears were much better back then.

    I know its not the Mag, Light ones but i like the 6 and one half inch saws, A bit lighter and shorter.

    I still use my dads worm drive he bought in 1947.

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