[john hall]

Since Harbor Freight has all these stores now, you don't really see the traveling Taiwan tool sale come to town a couple times a year like you used to. My hydraulic press came form there and it has enough power to "cause me concern" sometimes. Got quite a few "occasional" use tools from those with no problems. My 3/4 socket set came from there--never broke anything. I had to pull the rear tires off my dump truck once using that set and a 6 foot cheater bar with all my weight bouncing on it until they broke loose. Bought some really long, offset needle nose pliers from there as well as my set of miniature pliers--all good stuff.

I do not trust Chinese hammers--I have seen more than one literally start splintering chunks off, especially bigger hammers. Also, try as they might, nobody has come up with dead blows equal to Stanley and Snap-on----they are identical, just different color plastic and a change of the name insert in the mold. But, machinist and some professional mechanics are the only folks that are going to drop $50 on a "fair sized" hammer.

I don't like no-name Chinese grinding and wire brush equipment for high speed applications--mine is name brand and comes from a welding supply store.

I know a lot of us are "sold" on tools we have had for forever. The question you have to ask yourself is does the same manufacturer make the same quality tool today. Quick story, we needed a set of 0-3" digital mikes for the grinding shop at work. Boss told me to get Starrett (major old line machine shop measuring tool manufacturer). After a month or more the mike set never came in, dealer couldn't get an answer. I called Starrett and was told they were having manufacturing problems in CHINA and had no idea when the tools would be ready (should have been an common in stock item). I cancelled that order and then ordered a set of Japenese made Mitutoyo mikes and had them the next day for a little less money.

Here is a pic of an IH ratchet of dads, have plenty of sockets to go with it.