Those clever Chinese

[mklotz]

I was at Horrid Fright today and picked up a cheap set of Chinese corner chisels to use on a woodworking project. They look sort of like HSS but who knows. The edges, as usual, looked like they were gnawed out by an opium-crazed Chinese peasant with stainless steel incisors.

I didn't care much since it only took me a minute to regrind the edges and they only need to work once or twice so quality isn't really a concern.

But here's the intriguing part. As I picked up the empty blister pack to discard it, I noticed that the company name on the package was - wait for it...

Lifetime CARBIDE

There's a story (probably apocryphal) that the postwar Japanese renamed one of their cities USA so they could print "Made in USA" on the junk they exported to us back then. Apparently the Chinese have capitalized on the idea and I look forward to hearing that Beijing, the former Peking, has been renamed again to "Solid Titanium" or, better, "Billet".

 

[steamer]

I can relate....Please do post if you do find that! High entertainment value!

Almost 20 years ago When I worked for Milacron, I visited a machine tool show in Springfield MA, and in the corner of the floor was this Chinese machine tool company trying to sell this universal grinder.

We were stunned in that it really looked like one of OUR 273A universals, but with Chinese lettering cast into the parts. Like EXACTLY like one of our 273A's

Bolstered with a couple of beers, One of us went over ( no one was going into their booth ) and picked up a brochure. It was in, and I'll be kind, English....and hard to read, but they had the "apples" to put at the bottom of the last page.

"For spare parts contact Heald Machine"......

....Nothing suprises me about China...

Dave

 

[Tin Falcon]

I have heard of USA japan pronounced OOSA but spelling is U S A. Hmm.
As far as lifetime carbide I think that is a harbor freight brand. Harbor freight based in California USA.
Tin

 

[zeeprogrammer]

I remember the days when the electronics from Japan was crap. They got better.

I remember the days when US cars barely lasted 60,000 miles. They got better.

I remember the day when I first started programming. I got better.

I remember the day when I first started machining. I hope I'm getting better.

The Chinese...like anyone else starting out...will get better. However slow or fast. And then we'll pay the price.

Ah well. I probably shouldn't say anything.

 

[steamer]

oh Zee how right you are!

Dave

 

[PTsideshow]

If you think that's a mess: Here is the government's idea, It could be completely made in China or the country of your choice. And if they say that all more of the valve to the product is placed on it in the USA, when they package it. Then they can say it's made in the good ole USA. And that's not all the variations of the scam they can do.
This is from the government's web site.

A product that is all or virtually all made in the United States will ordinarily be one in which all significant parts(14) and processing that go into the product are of U.S. origin. In other words, where a product is labeled or otherwise advertised with an unqualified "Made in USA" claim, it should contain only a de minimis, or negligible, amount of foreign content. Although there is no single "bright line" to establish when a product is or is not "all or virtually all" made in the United States, there are a number of factors that the Commission will look to in making this determination. To begin with, in order for a product to be considered "all or virtually all" made in the United States, the final assembly or processing of the product must take place in the United States. Beyond this minimum threshold, the Commission will consider other factors, including but not limited to the portion of the product's total manufacturing costs that are attributable to U.S. parts and processing; and how far removed from the finished product any foreign content is.

From section III to V contains the escape clauses holes and wiggly room words. Which could be that they place the items in the boxes or packaging and add the most valve there (profit). I have been told that a lot of Harley stuff is this way.

If you care to read the whole thing it is here;

http://www.ftc.gov/os/1997/12/epsmadeusa.htm

http://www.ftc.gov/os/statutes/usajump.shtm
Here is the FTC web site.