Cheep

[kerley]

I recently purchased a swing set for my three year old grand daughter. I made sure that it was manufactured in America. While attempting to assemble, I found that most of the bolts were at least a quarter inch to short. The heads of the stove bolts supplied by the manufacturer for successful assembly were made of such soft metal that the heads striped out while tightening them to the supplied self locking nuts. I went to town and purchased new bolts of sufficient size. My point is......If American manufacturers expect the American consumer to purchase their products and not cheap foreign made, then maybe they should manufacture a superior product. I am kind of DISGUSTED. TOM

 

[gerardplauche]

Tom - I will bet anything that the hardware for the swingset is Asian. Almost all nuts, bults, washers, etc are made somewhere in Asia. And most of it is low quality stuff. Next time you are at the hardware store, check out the washers. No two have the same thickness. Asia has the low price on all bulk metal working/casting/forging. Manufacturing in America may soon be a thing of the past.

 

[Running Arrow Bill]

Tom - I will bet anything that the hardware for the swingset is Asian. Almost all nuts, bults, washers, etc are made somewhere in Asia. And most of it is low quality stuff. Next time you are at the hardware store, check out the washers. No two have the same thickness. Asia has the low price on all bulk metal working/casting/forging. Manufacturing in America may soon be a thing of the past.

To qualify myself first: I've had lot of experience in hands-on construction and know something about materials and their quality. Thus...

The NAILS that are sold any more are, for the most part, cheap SSSS! Galvanized Ringshank #8 and #16 in significant numbers do not seem to penetrate treated 2X lumber without either bending or braking off. Also, agree with the deal with washers...can range from about 1/16 to 1/8" in thickness. PVC fittings...unless the LASCO or SPEERS brand...no guarantee the ID will be consistent with the "other" mfg brands.

Shovels, rakes, etc. Unless you buy the "contractor grade" which usually start at about $25. and up each, consider the "other" ones to be one season, disposable (if they even last that long) types.

Nuts, bolts, screw-on PVC & Galvanized fittings...I always "test screw on" before buying...no guarantee threads are consistent, will match up with Male/Female fittings, etc.

The list goes on and on....