What REALLY happened to iconic tool brands Porter Cable, Delta, Craftsman
What REALLY happened to iconic tool brands Porter Cable, Delta, Craftsman
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-Digital Caliper: https://amzn.to/384H1Or
-Marking Gauge: https://lddy.no/10muz
-Marking knife: https://lddy.no/10mv0
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-Mini Pull Saw: https://amzn.to/2UEHBz6
-Gent Saw: https://lddy.no/ss2x
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-Planer: https://amzn.to/3mn6BGF
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-Bladerunner: https://amzn.to/2Wl0TtJ
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-Scroll Saw: https://amzn.to/3gq9qDc
-Multi-Tool: https://amzn.to/3muZuMi
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In addition to all the other iconic tool brands Black and Decker also purchased DeWalt and the quality is now gone as well.
I couldn’t watch this video past the first example of the "pulling" technique. Like King Arthur’s (Wort) brother, I’m too imaginative too employ such "macho" techniques.
When I began woodworking in the early 90s, my first table saw was a Delta Contractor saw. It was awesome!
I was in a Lowes store in Canada and they had ton of Craftsman battery operated tools not impressed.
I have a BK-10 porter cable 10 & 1/4” circular saw that I saved from the scrap. It’s in really good condition and works great.
I have a Delta Rockwell (or Rockwell Delta) benchtop drill press, based on the serial number this looks to be from 1952-1954. I inherited it from my great uncle, who was a master cabinet maker back in the day. He had entire Delta shop – the aforementioned drill press, a cabinet saw, lathe, and mortise machine. In the mid-80s, he decided he wanted to work on bicycles, and the small single car garage that was his shop would not support both, so he sold almost all of the wood tools. Me, being a teenager, was not smart enough or wise enough to keep that from happening – much to my dismay. The drill press runs great. I did replace the power cords around 2008. I built a new shop, when I plugged in the light for the drill press I failed to see that the insulation on the old lamp cord was cracked, and the conductors has twisted together at the back of the lamp socket. I discovered that when the plug made contact with the receptacle, the dead short tripped the 20A breaker, welded the wired together where they were twisted, and scared the crap out of me. I replaced the socket and also the power cord going to the motor switch. I checked the motor wires in the switchbox while I had it open, just to be safe. As far as I know, it it running on the original motor. I do know it was repainted at some point (with a brush – I can see the occasional brush mark at the edge of one of the nameplates). No guard around the pulleys or belt, although there is a shroud that partially covers the pulley stack over the quill – so you cant contact it from the front. I fully expect this will outlive a number of other machines in my shop.
I enjoyed your show on delta i learned alot but
i must take you up on a
false term you used twice
and i think thats when i
realized your exspected
to know which i did in jr high, your a grown man and should know the correct term is Joiner
not Jointer . Its never veen jointer. People get
smart and think oh its a jointer thus joint setup
Nooooo in reality its
Joining as in marriage
the machine the action
the spelling. Joiner Joinery lol if the shoe fits wearit
How about something on Snap On, Matco or New Britian tools?
Stumpy your wrong about Rockwell. Pre 73 Rockwell tools were just as good as original porter cable .Rockwell didn’t start to cut corners until 1977.
RE Craftsman, the name has been licensed out/sold to multiple parties, so you have to specify WHICH Craftsman, it’s getting ridiculous. Also, you make it sound like the investment groups that bought these companies lost out by driving them into the ground, unfortunately from a purely financial view that is not true and that is why it keeps happening and is unlikely to stop. It happens like this,
1st: buy iconic brand
2nd: slash quality, tolerances and warranty
3rd: Gear all decisions toward short term over long term profit, ie selling properties and lease instead, cutting experienced workforce for cheaper new hires, outsource/automate everything possible…
4th: Profit! Rake in massive profits until market adjusts to new reality (our emotional attachment to brands means this can take much longer than it should) On the back of high short term profit write in ridiculous bonuses for CEO/CFO/COO/Upper Mngt, golden parachute included. Watch brand destroy itself from high rise luxury condo.
5th: Blame brand failure on “market trends” etc, Sell the broken pieces for more profit, get lauded for “salvaging the situation”, promoted within Investment Company, look for next fat successful iconic brand to slaughter for maximum $$$.
6th: Swim in piles of money, smoking a Cuban, chuckling evilly to oneself and twirling mustache.
Because of this trend and because to the people responsible it is actually REWARDED, because corporate culture is so corrupted and because profit is emphasized above all else, this will not change any time soon. Until we as a culture change what we value and then force that change onto the economy as a whole, this will never change.
You invited me to leave a comment so here it is, my site tool bag is all makita cordless but a good friend only carries milwakee and I have to be honest, it’s great kit, so I would like to know more about Milwakee.
P.s. love the videos, all of em.
Martin in the UK 🇬🇧
@ 8:40 is real close to the 9" Delta I use at home. You may be surprised to know that is actually a pretty nice old saw. It’s all dialed in and the fence is spot on. Was ripping 1" oak treads with it today no problem with good blades. I’m running a Forrest Woodworker 2 currently but also run Freud/Diablo. Would love to know when it was made.
Would love to hear more about other brands like ridged, Milwaukee, Bosch…
Stumpy, I would love to know the resources you used to glean this info. Would love to read it.
I love videos like these – I would like to know more about those companies whose products you recommend. Would rather support quality than a conglomerate
Oneida Dust Collectors are manufactured in the old Porter Cable factory on West Fayette St. in Syracuse.
Very informative, especially the narrative about Sears.I worked @ their flagship store in Chicago, on Homan& Arlington 1970, while going to school..
I had a friend who frequented garage sales always on the lookout for a bucket of rusty old craftsman wrenches, sockets, etc. After paying $5 or less for the catch he then took them, bucket and all, to sears for a free replacement. He then sold the brand new tools at his own garage sales for close to retail. He didn’t need the money but sure liked gaming the system.
2:53 I remember some of those stainless tools. You needed a overhead crane to help pick them up. 😄
I bought almost exclusively Craftsman wrenches while a good friend of mine only bought Snap-on. He would constantly brag that his tools were better looking… so smooth and shiny. But those thin Snap-on wrench handles cut into your hand. Craftsman wrenches were wider and more comfortable to use.
great episode, I am a Delta, Porter Cable and maybe a little Craftsman fan…..and I have wondered about the loss of quality…..my first Craftsmen tools were from the 40’s and 50’s from my grandfather, then I started buying them,,,,my Delta and Porter Cable tools are from the 80’s and early 90’s……oh, the good old days…..thanks for a wonderful episode , Paul
I have a Ryobi skill saw that’s nothing like a new one even and it’s only 20 years old. My porter cable brad nailers are still safe and secure and I use my cordless impact daily.
How about Jet power tools
OMG… you hit it on the nail why I hated Kmart… I never really could figure it out but it really did smell bad
11:19 I had to pause and read to try and understand what in the world this was and if it was a joke. But the further I read, the more obvious that while it was obviously a scam, it was also a serious advertisement. Wow… Just wow
In all seriousness, my 14" band saw is a 1939 delta. Still easily able to find parts, and with a nice timberwolf blade, it cuts as good as anything modern. Beautiful cast iron wheels, etc. I have a 1906 crescent 12" jointer, and a floor model powermatic mortising machine from 1947. The motor barely makes noise when it’s on.
I think Home Depot and Lowe’s have moved away from the type of commercial grade tools that Delta was making, and the move wasn’t necessarily all Delta’s part. It’s just the home centers were moving away from professional grade tools to presumer grade hand held tools because it was not able to suit the person who does DYI work and the professional equally only the presumer grade tool was able to do that.
I remember all those brands; but you are right: they buy these companies out and lesson the quality then wonder why they loose mone. Maybe a lesson in what is called R&D with a little bit of quality control might prove helpful to some of the new owners of these companies?
If I was looking to upgrade my Bosch contractor table saw, which model of used Delta saw should I look out for? I want a cast iron top. Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?
I recently bought a new car battery charger with the Stanley name on it. Electronically controlled, it overnight blew up the battery in my F350 truck. Stanley refused to cover the battery charger under warranty and of course did not cover the battery their charger destroyed.
Early 70’s I bought a small portable Sears battery charger with automatic trickle charge, automatic fast charge and boost for starting a vehicle. That charger lasted over 50 years of hard use. (I was a mechanic for a number of years). Now they only make junk. If anyone can recommend another brand of mechanical (electrical not electronically controlled) battery charger, please let me know. An electronic battery charger will usually have an LED display while an electrical battery charger will always only have a charge meter, not an LED display.
There are no AMERICAN TOOLS ANYMORE, And it’s pretty obvious that all tools suck today
So when the new Yankee workshop was sponsored by delta and porter cable they were being sponsored by the same company twice?
Do festool next. Lol.
Here’s the $62 question: what’s brand is the name of quality nowadays?
I still use the Craftsman radial arm saw I bought in college in 1972.
Williams hand tools. Are they still made in the USA. Have not seen them in a long time
The business practices of 1970s and 80s destroyed a lot of quality product lines across most US industries.
I’d like to learn more about Milwaukee power tools. Growing up in the 50s and 60s, they were the only drill motors capable of withstanding the rigors of my dad’s electrical contracting business. They have however, embraced the modern business model and are producing a huge range of professional grade power tools. How did that come to pass? Who owns them now?
I’d say why but youtube would sensor it.
In case you want to put up a correction subtitle, at 9 min 20 seconds you said "Rockler" instead of "Rockwell"
I miss the Porter Cable 3hp routers😢 Those are the best ever!
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Let Audible help you discover new ways to laugh, be inspired, or be entertained. New members can try it free for 30 days. Visit http://audible.com/stumpynubs or text stumpynubs to 500-500.
*Some other useful links:*
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★SOME OF MY FAVORITE CHEAP TOOLS★
-123 Blocks: https://lddy.no/vpij
-Mechanical Pencils: https://amzn.to/2PA7bwK
-Lumber pencil: https://amzn.to/2QtwZjv
-Pocket Measuring Tape: http://amzn.to/2kNTlI9
-Irwin Drill Bit Gauge: http://amzn.to/2AwTkQg
-Nut/Bolt/Screw Gauge: http://amzn.to/2CuvxSK
-Self-Centering Punch: https://amzn.to/2QvbcrC
-Self-Centering Bits: https://amzn.to/2xs71UW
-Angle Cube: https://lddy.no/10nam
-Steel Ruler: https://lddy.no/10mv7
-Utility knife: https://amzn.to/3nfhIiv
-Center-Finding Ruler: https://lddy.no/10nak
-Bit & Blade Cleaner: https://amzn.to/2TfvEOI
-Digital depth gauge: https://amzn.to/3mwRf2x
-Wood Glue: https://amzn.to/3mqek6M
-Spade Bits: https://amzn.to/3j8XPtD
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE HAND TOOLS★
-Digital Caliper: https://amzn.to/384H1Or
-Marking Gauge: https://lddy.no/10muz
-Marking knife: https://lddy.no/10mv0
-Narex Chisels: https://lddy.no/sqm3
-Stanley Sweetheart Chisels: https://amzn.to/3y5HDOc
-Mini Pull Saw: https://amzn.to/2UEHBz6
-Gent Saw: https://lddy.no/ss2x
-Coping saw: https://amzn.to/2W7ZiUS
-Shinwa Rulers: https://lddy.no/zl13
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE POWER TOOLS★
-Miter Saw: https://amzn.to/3gqIlQ8
-Jointer: https://amzn.to/3yc3gfZ
-Planer: https://amzn.to/3mn6BGF
-Router: https://amzn.to/3grD22S
-Sander: https://amzn.to/3DdvD0Y
-Cordless drill: https://amzn.to/3D9ZiIm
-Brad nailer: https://amzn.to/3gsRkjH
-Mini Compressor: https://amzn.to/3mvrmQr
-Bladerunner: https://amzn.to/2Wl0TtJ
-Jig Saw: https://amzn.to/3zetTBY
-Scroll Saw: https://amzn.to/3gq9qDc
-Multi-Tool: https://amzn.to/3muZuMi
★SOME OF MY FAVORITE OTHER TOOLS★
-Drill Bits: https://amzn.to/3B8Ckzh
-Forstner Bits: https://amzn.to/3kk3wEI
-Shop Vacuum: https://amzn.to/2Wkqnbl
-Machine Setup Blocks: https://amzn.to/3gq7kDh
-Counter-Sink Bit: https://amzn.to/37ZukUo
-Featherboard: https://amzn.to/3DeqHsq
-ISOtunes Hearing Protection (Save $10): https://bit.ly/3BHYdH7
(If you use one of the affiliate links above, we may receive a small commission)
Porter-Cable 126 power plane, the one with the spiral cutting blade. This is a highly regarded specialized power plane and I can remember P-C bringing that tool back from the dead for a limited run but I bought a Porta Band because it was more practical for me.
*sigh* my dad bought an entire woodworking tool kit from delta circa 2004 or so (floor standing everything, bandsaw, jointer, planer, belt sander, etc.). I inherited them two years ago and wow, no wonder Delta doesnt put out big tools anymore because the ones he bought are garbage with a brand name from china. The unisaw is the best tool by far and it has issues too. So frustrating trying to use those machines sometimes. They will all be replaced someday with brands that give a shit about their quality.
Good video. Unfortunately, it is not only the brands you mentioned but perhaps all merchandise. We tend to blame the manufacturer and their desire for more profit but it’s really ourselves that need to shoulder the blame. We shop price. Not quality. Harbor Freight certainly proves that. But even great companies like John Deere. I am referring to the garden tractor line which has over the years gone from indestructible to pure junk. The 70 & 80s models were made from the same material as the farm and heavy construction equipment. Now, they have bastardized their name with much of the lawn and garden equipment made by other manufacturers such as MTD. If for no other reason, Deere had to do this as the competition was taking over the product lines again selling cheap items that to most, couldn’t tell the difference. It’s green and yellow. Must be John Deere like Grandpa had. Those tin and plastic John Deere and Cub products sold at the big box stores are not worth taking home. But, as with everything in our throw-away society, It will last as long as the shine and the owner’s interest level.
I have many of my Dad’s Snap-ON tools once considered the best by far. You needed to mortgage the farm to afford them, but they too were guaranteed for life. Well, they don’t honor that anymore either. At least not every independent sales driver. If you can find one.
As I said, we shouldn’t blame them. We’re getting just what we pay for. I’m still OK with Milwaukee tools but I recently bought an impact drill and the bit retainer broke after two uses. In returning to Home Depot I was fortunate enough to have a Milwaukee tech in the store who promptly replaced it. But quickly added that this was an industry-wide issue as all manufacturers use the same chuck. What does that tell you?
What a shame that Delta and Porter-Cable are no longer in business. I still own many fine Porter-Cable tools like my 4×24 belt sander, a
well made door planer, a hinge-mortising kit, and a 24" Omni-jig for making dovetail drawers. These are serious woodworking tools that places like Home Depot would never have available. Most of my heavy cast iron shop tools are Delta…Unisaw, shaper, jointer, band saw, etc., and are made to last a lifetime! I feel like I’m very lucky to have bought these American-made tools when they were available, but I also feel kinda’ old and obsolete. I feel like I’m a part of a generation that is a dying breed.
If Home Depot and Lowes, or Amazon are where most guys are buying their tools nowadays, they will be seriously limited by what kind of work they can do. I was never a Harbor Freight fan…I don’t like buying Chinese products of any kind.
I guess the world is changing, whether I want it to or not! It’s still a shame…
I growing up loved going to sears looking at all the machines and started buying them 1 by 1 started about 1975 and still have them and use them except for the table blew the motor and never liked the fence couldn’t keep it Sq. Still have it in the corner taking up space it’s sentimental
I previously owned a Delta Milwaukee 6” planer/jointer. It was a real gem and I used it for years. However, in 2012 our home and my shop was destroyed by fire through no fault of our own. I still miss it because it was real quality.
A sad story my father sold delta in the 40’s and I have some and use those tools today. It used to be a no brainer but today I have no idea what good quality manufacture is. My shop is a smattering of brands. I guess the USA really knows how to screw things up.
Doubles the sexual force for just $18? Are these belts still for sale?
How often do you use the planers behind you?!
My best circular saw was PC but the switch has gone out on it and it really needs bearings too. So in the corner it sits along with a great random orbital sander. I wish they both worked like they did way back when.