| Policies on Brands and Origin |
| Brand Selection |
| Each of the brands included in our catalog has its strengths and weaknesses. Together they make up a very deep product line covering a wide spectrum of applications. What we look for in a tooling line is consistent quality, good availability, a solid warrantee, and good value. We generally buy directly from manufacturers (or their US subsidiaries) so that, when necessary, we are able to communicate with engineering or production personnel directly responsible for manufacturing the product. Familiarity... |
| Brand Promotion |
| Manufacturers periodically promote portions of their product line. We regularly participate in these specials when they apply to items we carry. When merchandise is on sale, it will be marked as such. We do not accept vendor advertising on our site, nor will we accept any payment for giving recommendations or other preference to one brand over another. Any endorsement or recommendation by us represents our sincere belief about a product or brand, based on years of distributing it and listening to feedback from users. |
| Country of Origin |
| All things being equal, we are inclined to choose US made products. However, when an imported item offers real benefits over the domestic one, we will not let flag-waving stand in the way of offering the best tooling solutions to our customers. The majority of imported items we carry are from Canada, Europe, and Israel. We would hope to see US companies take a larger role in the world market for woodworking machinery and tooling, but unfortunately our manufacturers have focused on the local market, and conceded the rest of the world to mainly European suppliers. Japan is the only Asian country producing high quality tooling for woodworking. Products originating from China and other East Asian nations are not suitable for professional and industrial applications. Perhaps things will change over time, but under the current situation the quality of manufacturer goods and even the composition of steel alloys and cemented carbides from China cannot be relied upon. |