Bad HF Drill Bits

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:09 pm

Blame it all on Henry Ford for inventing the assembly line.
Blame Microsoft for mechanizing it with computer controlled robots.
Blame the folks who figured that system might work with other products and tried it there forcing more workers out onto the street.
Blame comodity prices fast oupacing wages leaving a strapped for cash middle class.
Blame the "save your money for retirement" mantra - as that money would have been spent, which would help keep demand for products up, and costs down, as people would be purchasing them.
Blame us for electing officials who lose all ablilty to think with common sense after an election - over and over again...
Blame it on over-paid workers, and way over-paid management.
Blame it on an excessive amount of middle managment who draws wages, but cannot justify its existence.
Blame it on cheap foreign labor just because its there.
Blame foreign labor for having low standards and willing to work and live in an environment that we would even let our dog exist in.
And finally - blame government, taxes, and red tape..... I've blamed everyone else, I wouldn't want them to feel left out....

greencom · Post by **greencom** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 8:39 pm

I think that covers it

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Fri Jan 08, 2010 9:47 pm

remember boys and girls... dont steal, the government hates competition!

MSeriesRebuild · Post by **MSeriesRebuild** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 9:35 am

Brett wrote:I think what a lot of it comes down to is that the majority of americans care alot more about the sticker with the price on it than the sticker saying "Made in the USA". this means that if a company wants to maintain market share they have to control costs. The cost of meeting ever tightening govt regulation, taxes, energy, etc. keep going up. Add to that union labor collectively bargaining themselves out of jobs, and its no wonder how we ended up here.

Brett

That is the truth also. Makes me think of a conversation I had with my NAPA Jobber a few years back. I made a comment about so much NAPA stuff being from off shore and the quality going way down. His reply was total agreement, however he added this. "Quality used to sell parts, NAPA built their reputation on selling quality parts, now a days price sells parts, majority of folks don't look at quality." I know he's right in one way, but I don't like buying junk. Searching parts sources trying to find a decent product these days is a nightmare. We don't buy nearly as many parts as we did years ago, we rebuild a huge percentage of stuff. Come out with a superior end product in most cases.

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:16 am

MSeriesRebuild wrote:
Brett wrote:I think what a lot of it comes down to is that the majority of americans care alot more about the sticker with the price on it than the sticker saying "Made in the USA". this means that if a company wants to maintain market share they have to control costs. The cost of meeting ever tightening govt regulation, taxes, energy, etc. keep going up. Add to that union labor collectively bargaining themselves out of jobs, and its no wonder how we ended up here.

Brett
That is the truth also. Makes me think of a conversation I had with my NAPA Jobber a few years back. I made a comment about so much NAPA stuff being from off shore and the quality going way down. His reply was total agreement, however he added this. "Quality used to sell parts, NAPA built their reputation on selling quality parts, now a days price sells parts, majority of folks don't look at quality." I know he's right in one way, but I don't like buying junk. Searching parts sources trying to find a decent product these days is a nightmare. We don't buy nearly as many parts as we did years ago, we rebuild a huge percentage of stuff. Come out with a superior end product in most cases.

And that lack of quality thinking is everywhere. As a side note, consider puchasing a new vehicle (from any manufacturer). Most consumers will pay upwards of 50-60 thousand dollars for a new Diesel truck, making hundreds of dollars in payments every month, and that truck is built with the cheapest components the manufacturer can find. We overpay for those low standard components, and then we complain about the price for quality aftermarket components to replace the failure prone or poor performing components we over paid for in the first place.

For a couple of years in the late 80's, times were tight, and Dad had to sell his daily driver, but couldn't part with his '31 Model A street rod, so he used it for a daily driver. A fellow talked him up at the gas station one day asking if he was worried about damaging the car during winter driving. Dads reply was something like this:
Dad: Your truck is new right?
Felow: Yep
Dad:Cost about 30 grand?
Fellow: Yep
Dad: My car only cost me 12K to build it, and if something happens, I can build it again. Are you not worried about driving your truck in the winter? Seems you've more invested in it than I do in the car...
Fellow: Blank look with no response.

Many of us who own restored trucks could be lumped into this catagory as well. Over paid for a daily driver, when the far cheaper to build/restore hobby sits in the garage.

The things we overlook and are willing to do in the name of comfort...

Josh · Post by **Josh** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 11:56 am

EXACTLY.

I could rebuild my truck a few times over for the cost of a new truck, and in the end, mine is better and has more character...

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 12:06 pm

My philosophy has always been that if I can afford $600 a month in a truck payment for 6 years, then I could spend instead $600 a month for a year on my M and have a truck that is every bit as reliable, and fun to drive for 5 years less financial output.

Thats only 5000 bucks though, I might need 2years at those payments to really get what I want. The problem with that scenario is the wife likes heating, air conditioning, and a quiet, comfortable interior. I have yet to bring her around to my way of thinking. And if momma aint happy...

greencom · Post by **greencom** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 4:44 pm

Master Yota wrote:My philosophy has always been that if I can afford $600 a month in a truck payment for 6 years, then I could spend instead $600 a month for a year on my M and have a truck that is every bit as reliable, and fun to drive for 5 years less financial output.:

Plus after 5 years your M will not plummet down in value like a new truck would have.

Master Yota · Post by **Master Yota** » Sat Jan 09, 2010 10:59 pm

greencom wrote:
Master Yota wrote:My philosophy has always been that if I can afford $600 a month in a truck payment for 6 years, then I could spend instead $600 a month for a year on my M and have a truck that is every bit as reliable, and fun to drive for 5 years less financial output.:
Plus after 5 years your M will not plummet down in value like a new truck would have.

A new truck looses more in value just driving it off the lot than most above average condition M's are worth... And thats rather sad...

The M is a labor of love though, as its a lousy financial investment. I could never ever sell one for what it actually costs to build one. A sale price might pay for the parts, but never the labor... And like everybody else, I have to figure my time is worth something. The only way I'll ever get my time back is to drive it, and thats the most rewarding part of all.