Magnesium and American saws

[lucky]

There is a huge magnesium fire in Garfield Heights, Ohio near C-town. Too bad all that mag could have been made into a lot of saws
Anyway why is it that there are no American saw manufacturers? We (America) compete with Germany and Japan in auto production but why not saws? I doubt it's a labor cost issue as I believe german laborers are paid quite well. Don't know about the Japanese or Swedes though. I am a recent member so my apologies if this topic has been previosly discussed. Lucky

 

[bwalker]

We (America) compete with Germany and Japan in auto production

While its true we make cars, we dont compete with Germany or Japan. Both countries make better cars.

 

[rahtreelimbs]

This is one area that amazes me. Every other product has an american made type/version except chainsaws..........go figure. Lets see if Honda gets into the act.

 

[JohnL]

I know only one US made hydraulic jack company, and they're just a few years old.

not many work gloves made in US? I know none

Televisions? Invented in the US. The last US owned makers were zenith and Magnovox, both bought out by Asian makers 10 or so years ago.

Computer chips? all going overseas. Same with programming jobs, mostly to India. These are US companies.

tennis shoes? none I know of. NewBallance was for a little while.

no good....

Japan has gotten to where labor over there isn't cheap anymore, I think they are using China for production, Ryobi for one.

I see some Poulans advertised as US made, I don't know how it works out, assembled here or 51% produced here, don't know.

 

[ehp]

you forgot about the low end stihl's , they are not made in germany

 

[Striker]

Our Sthil dealer is pushing the American made saws . He says they have a better price and parts are cheaper for them. American made Stihl saws that is.

Jeff

 

[lucky]

Jeff, seriously there are Stihl saws made in the U.S.? Which ones?

Also whats the deal with the dolmar/makita affair? I hadn't even heard of these until I became a member. No, I don't live in the woods or under a rock. It's just that nobody in my area sells or even owns a dolmar. Are they good saws? Where are they made? Lucky

 

[Striker]

Supposedly the MS270 is made in the USA. Thats what they told the boss when he went in to buy another 026 Pro. They told him the 026 was being done away with, so parts would be hard to get. The salesman said that the American made saw is cheaper and easier to get parts for. And I am also betting that they didn't have a 026-260 on the shelf. Thats what I know about it. I may be quite wrong about the American made part.

Jeff

 

[Tom Dunlap]

Mark Chisholm told me that a large percentage of Stihl's production is in Virginia Beach. I want to say, but not be quoted, that the number was 60% of their small engines. That would include blowers and weed whips but saws too. He told me that most of the assembly is actually done by machines.

Tom

 

[NeTree]

Originally posted by JohnL


Televisions? Invented in the US. The last US owned makers were zenith and Magnovox, both bought out by Asian makers 10 or so years ago.

If it makes you feel better, Curtis-Mathis is still American Owned, and MOSTLY made in USA...

 

[bwalker]

Striker, I think your dealer is full of crap. The 260 is actually made in the US.

 

[ehp]

for what i have been told the only stihl saws still made in germany is the 660 and the 088 or 880 what ever it is
this was told to me by the top stihl saleman the canada for 6 years straight, he give up racing but still helps get stihl in the shows out here

 

[JimL]

Im pretty sure everything but the 066 and 088 are made in virginia beech.

I could call the rep and find out if it was to kill me.
some of the bars are made in germany, I think the solid ones are, id have to look.

 

[ClearH20Scott]

My 440's say "MADE IN GERMANY", I believe everything 440 and up still comes from Gerrrrrrrrrrmans.

Scott

 

[bwalker]

Does it really matter where its made when all the engineering and components come from Germany and the assembly is mostly done by automation?

 

[ehp]

they could be now . I talked to John over a year ago and he said they were made in germany . The good 25 inch 660 bar in 50 gauge is made in germany because that is what i use on the 3120 saws and i have to order them in. they are the deepest bars i can get here for running the 12 tooth or 13 tooth gear
i just have to cut the bar back to fit the gear

 

[DirtTroll]

Only the MS660 and MS880 are currently made in West Germany. All the rest are made in the USA. We have a STIHL plant here in Virginia Beach, Virginia which actually manufatures the saws. It's about 35 minutes from where I live. If you know someone who works there, they get one saw a year at cost, which is less than half the retail and a great deal.

As far as automobiles, American cars still suck. I've never had any american cars or trucks last for $#%^#. My Toyota truck has 280K with no work yet other than a new starter. It's almost where i'm going to have to replace the front break pads though.

 

[ClearH20Scott]

DT,

I don't think there is anything made in West Germany anymore. The wall came down some time ago. The 440 and 460 must have been moved recently, I have yet to see one with a Virginia Beach tag. Ben is right, what the hell is the difference anyhow.
BTW, 1992 Chevy Caprice wagon, 187K, shows no signs of crapping out, same with my 1994 Buick Roadie Wagon with 170K, like saws, just a matter of maintenance. I also have a '87 Celica, that has had it's share of trouble, but no more so than any other car.

Scott

 

[Striker]

I agree.

 

[z4lunch]

Steve here...
Don't forget about old Betsy, as my wife calls her. Just turned 214000