Thanks for sharing, I totally agree with the statements in this post. I am not wealthy by any means, but all of my hand tools if not vintage are Lie-Nielsen, Clifton, Veritas and lost art press, blue spruce and so forth. I do not believe in buying a tool twice, spend the money buy it once and it will last a lifetime, not to mention we are supporting great tool makers in the USA and UK. 👍👍👍👍👍❤️
First, I couldn't agree more. But also, the title of the post immediately takes me back to the Kingston Trio and their MTA song - citizens, this could happen to you!!
I've bought a number of Lie Nielsen planes and tools over the years and have never been disappointed. I'm proud to say that I have never, and will never buy any of the Wood River crap. I was so incensed at Woodcraft when they dropped LN that I walked out and have hardly set foot in a Woodcraft store since.
I love old tools, and old machines, so when I find them, I fix and restore them. Then, I use them. I expect to have about six fully equipped wood shops for my various kids and grandkids before long. It's not about the money. I find it almost spiritual to restore a century old tool, and then make new things with it. If they could only talk, who owned this, what was it used for. BTW, you, my dear sir, have contributed to this expanding tool collection with your writings. I only wish I had heard the words "complete sets are for suckers" sooner. Still, a complete set of unused brace bits was irresistible, but I will only buy one woodowl, for the meantime. Keep up the good work, for all of us.
This post really resonates with me. My experiences do isn’t quite the same, but as one who won’t soon have the space for a 14” bandsaw, or the resources to fix up an old Delta, I was all too eager to pick up the 10” Rikon bandsaw that CS recommended at some point. The first time something went wrong (due to user error, I’m aware) I called the company and connected quickly with a guy who lives and works maybe thirty minutes from me in northern Massachusetts.
I’m not one to go the jingoistic route and BUY AMERICAN on the assumption that anything made overseas is inherently inferior. But I won’t deny it was a pleasant surprise and no small relief to find (in the spare parts dept, fwiw) someone who could explain not only what my mistake was and how I could avoid replicating it, but also why the part that failed was designed to do so - a mechanical fuse, which was an unfamiliar term until that moment. He then offered to sell me a replacement, but shipping would have been 500% of the part cost - so I found that part in a local shop.
Having built motors for Rockwell in a former life, I’m under no delusions that the manufacturing jobs are ever going to come back. But there’s a certain comfort in knowing the company is headquartered just up the road. After this experience, I imagine Rikon will be my first call should I ever be in a position to upgrade my machines.
You might want to update your allusions (delusions?). There are a number of industries that are moving manufacturing back to North America as has been noted by another commenter.
Miserable economics will, eventually, have its way ... American/European wages (especially US) are high. People in far poorer countries -- with the same desperate need to put food on their families' tables -- will work for far lower wages. If you are making/selling a technologically simple product like a hand tool, you need to innovate astonishingly well if you want to keep ahead. With the best will in the world, I am doubtful about LN's ability to do that (maybe a little more hopeful that Veritas might be able).
I live in one of Africa's poorest countries. I see every day the hardship and pain that results from poverty. I understand the desire to protect jobs and livelihoods 'at home' by supporting local manufacturers in the developed world. But every job lost in the US from exposure to global competition amounts to several jobs gained in the developing world ... and several more families fed.
Another few makers to support as a source of quality European style planes and workbenches are ECE and Ulmia, who are still making the same quality product.
In Switzerland we used to have Lachappelle who closed in 2000 after 160 years. The deathblow apparently was when schools stopped buying benches.
I reckon that part of the problem is that their stuff is so good that it almost never wears out, and people can find what they need from the ample second hand supply.
I was just considering the MTC router plane over the LN.
Reminds me of my days managing a ski shop in the early 2000's. A regular customer of ours could get skis/bindings online for less than what my shop was charging. I knew this customer. He was a carpenter, trying to get the best price he could. I said well, you can get the skis cheaper online. But then I make a less, subsequently saving less toward that new deck I wanted to hire you to build. He wrote a check right there. And I saved up enough for the deck. The timing of this post was incredible. A LN router plane is in my future.
You are on the money Chris. Buy old Stanley and learn…if you love the craft enough, save and buy the best…you can tell the caliber of a craftsman by his tools…I’ve been at it for over 50 years and can tell you if we don’t support our own who buck the $ trend, they will get swallowed up by greedy corporations
In a similar vein… why eat at global chains instead locally owned? Department stores have become impossible to find as locally owned, but everything I can find in a locally owned store, I buy that way. Unfortunately, I did NOT realize at the time that the Wood River planes I bought from the locally owned Woodcraft franchise were ripoffs. I try, but sometimes still reward the crooks
Thanks for sharing, I totally agree with the statements in this post. I am not wealthy by any means, but all of my hand tools if not vintage are Lie-Nielsen, Clifton, Veritas and lost art press, blue spruce and so forth. I do not believe in buying a tool twice, spend the money buy it once and it will last a lifetime, not to mention we are supporting great tool makers in the USA and UK. 👍👍👍👍👍❤️
First, I couldn't agree more. But also, the title of the post immediately takes me back to the Kingston Trio and their MTA song - citizens, this could happen to you!!
A difficult lesson to learn… unless I/we/others learn from history (and you) and strictly follow your advice!
I've bought a number of Lie Nielsen planes and tools over the years and have never been disappointed. I'm proud to say that I have never, and will never buy any of the Wood River crap. I was so incensed at Woodcraft when they dropped LN that I walked out and have hardly set foot in a Woodcraft store since.
Feelin’ like this woodwork wise & wry writer will be fun to follow….
I love old tools, and old machines, so when I find them, I fix and restore them. Then, I use them. I expect to have about six fully equipped wood shops for my various kids and grandkids before long. It's not about the money. I find it almost spiritual to restore a century old tool, and then make new things with it. If they could only talk, who owned this, what was it used for. BTW, you, my dear sir, have contributed to this expanding tool collection with your writings. I only wish I had heard the words "complete sets are for suckers" sooner. Still, a complete set of unused brace bits was irresistible, but I will only buy one woodowl, for the meantime. Keep up the good work, for all of us.
I just came to comment on the awesome youtube "Advertisement" for The American Peasant.
Thank you!
We have had some complaints... https://blog.lostartpress.com/2024/08/12/that-bleeping-ad-for-the-bleep-american-peasant/
This post really resonates with me. My experiences do isn’t quite the same, but as one who won’t soon have the space for a 14” bandsaw, or the resources to fix up an old Delta, I was all too eager to pick up the 10” Rikon bandsaw that CS recommended at some point. The first time something went wrong (due to user error, I’m aware) I called the company and connected quickly with a guy who lives and works maybe thirty minutes from me in northern Massachusetts.
I’m not one to go the jingoistic route and BUY AMERICAN on the assumption that anything made overseas is inherently inferior. But I won’t deny it was a pleasant surprise and no small relief to find (in the spare parts dept, fwiw) someone who could explain not only what my mistake was and how I could avoid replicating it, but also why the part that failed was designed to do so - a mechanical fuse, which was an unfamiliar term until that moment. He then offered to sell me a replacement, but shipping would have been 500% of the part cost - so I found that part in a local shop.
Having built motors for Rockwell in a former life, I’m under no delusions that the manufacturing jobs are ever going to come back. But there’s a certain comfort in knowing the company is headquartered just up the road. After this experience, I imagine Rikon will be my first call should I ever be in a position to upgrade my machines.
You might want to update your allusions (delusions?). There are a number of industries that are moving manufacturing back to North America as has been noted by another commenter.
Miserable economics will, eventually, have its way ... American/European wages (especially US) are high. People in far poorer countries -- with the same desperate need to put food on their families' tables -- will work for far lower wages. If you are making/selling a technologically simple product like a hand tool, you need to innovate astonishingly well if you want to keep ahead. With the best will in the world, I am doubtful about LN's ability to do that (maybe a little more hopeful that Veritas might be able).
I live in one of Africa's poorest countries. I see every day the hardship and pain that results from poverty. I understand the desire to protect jobs and livelihoods 'at home' by supporting local manufacturers in the developed world. But every job lost in the US from exposure to global competition amounts to several jobs gained in the developing world ... and several more families fed.
So true...
Amen. Great post.
Jet lost my business over a two cent washer on my sharpening system. It should have been stainless and wouldn't have seized up.
Another few makers to support as a source of quality European style planes and workbenches are ECE and Ulmia, who are still making the same quality product.
In Switzerland we used to have Lachappelle who closed in 2000 after 160 years. The deathblow apparently was when schools stopped buying benches.
I reckon that part of the problem is that their stuff is so good that it almost never wears out, and people can find what they need from the ample second hand supply.
I was just considering the MTC router plane over the LN.
Reminds me of my days managing a ski shop in the early 2000's. A regular customer of ours could get skis/bindings online for less than what my shop was charging. I knew this customer. He was a carpenter, trying to get the best price he could. I said well, you can get the skis cheaper online. But then I make a less, subsequently saving less toward that new deck I wanted to hire you to build. He wrote a check right there. And I saved up enough for the deck. The timing of this post was incredible. A LN router plane is in my future.
You are on the money Chris. Buy old Stanley and learn…if you love the craft enough, save and buy the best…you can tell the caliber of a craftsman by his tools…I’ve been at it for over 50 years and can tell you if we don’t support our own who buck the $ trend, they will get swallowed up by greedy corporations
In a similar vein… why eat at global chains instead locally owned? Department stores have become impossible to find as locally owned, but everything I can find in a locally owned store, I buy that way. Unfortunately, I did NOT realize at the time that the Wood River planes I bought from the locally owned Woodcraft franchise were ripoffs. I try, but sometimes still reward the crooks
Chris, thanks for this.