Primarily Petroliana Shop Talk Forums Shop Talk Petroliana Forums Showcase and Stories, Petroliana Gotta Be Made in the USA

I have always been a strong advocate of US made products. From the boots I wear to the car I drive everything I buy has to be made in America by Americans. About one month ago I decided I needed a nice shelf to put some of my displays on. I took a drive down to Home Cheapo and started to gather materials. I bought a piece of pine and some pre-made shelf brackets. Not thinking a wood shelf bracket would be made in China, I purchased them without looking. When I got home and looked them over I said "It has gotten to the point where this is crazy" Back to home depot I went to return the shelf brackets. I could not bring myself to use this bracket while I proudly display pieces of American history...Maybe Im crazy I dont Know LOL. Instead of making the brackets, I thought it would be the right choice to support a local business in these tough economic times. I found a local craftsmen who spent lots of time with me coming up with ideas to build a nice shelf. After looking for over 1 hr I picked a slab of wood that I thought would look great. Next time you go to purchase something...look at the product...see where its made...and think where this country would be if WE still made the majority of consumer goods. Well Here is a picture of the finished product. I think it turned out great.

Amen! I wish more people felt this way. Most of the problems would go away!
WH/

I'm taking economics in class now, and the professor is from India and can't vote anyway so he has no party. The reason we make products in china is not only to boost our economy, but to boost the world economy. We are bettering ourselves by bettering the developing countries of the world. Outsourcing these jobs to developing countries boosts our economy because of efficiency and scarce resources. The United States specializes in innovations and new technology, producing those goods and services that give us the most utility per resource. We could be producing these brackets, but how would that help us advance as an economy? Producing those items in the united states has a much greater opportunity cost, therefore we outsource and import. Many people see things that are "made in china", as china reaping the profits of all these sales. That's just not the case. Many of the companies now producing in china started out in the states. Through Foreign Direct Investment, they expanded to produce in china or other developing economies. The money doesn't stay in china, it comes back to the United States and allows us to use those resources we would have use on better things. Not only does it help us produce better goods, but it allows the consumers in America to maximize their utility with the resources they have(money). It benefits everyone for countries around the world to specialize in those goods which they produce more efficiently and cost efficient than other countries. Even if the United States can produce everything more efficiently, it's still not beneficial for us to produce it all. It all goes back to scare resources and specialization and growing the economies of our country and the world.
I probably dragged this out more than anyone would like to read, but IMO its all important and true.

Not really and this is not a political thread. China steals American Ideas. Dont beleive what they teach you in school...its not always the right thing. Companies go to china for profit plain and simple....not because its the right thing or this best thing for our global economy. The only investment china has in this country is in our debt..

You said companies go to china for profit. That's what my statement was about. American companies go to china to make profit, which they bring back to America. The innovations come from the United States. China tries to steal American ideas, but have you ever seen a fake iPhone, fake coach purse, fake cologne? It's all junk! We in America have the resources to perfect these ideas, and those that don't make the stuff we could be making with those resources with a greater opportunity cost. This should not be turned into a political thread.

57 love the shelf it looks great and I'm glad you got it from America.

I watch every label for US made products and will continue to do so and will encourage others to do the same!

I love my CHEVY today and have enjoyed every car I've EVER owned...ALL American made since the day I got my license! Well said 57Tbirdkid...I am so with you.

American companies have stuff made in China to Maximize THEIR Profit Margin [where labor & materials are cheaper] & sell US the junk that has to be Replaced more often than if it were produced here.

That Chevy, Ford, or Dodge you drive probably has more Chinese plastic in it than American steel.

That "profit" that comes back to America goes 1 of 2 places, either back to China to make more money, or offshore investments. It doesn't make it's way in the economy to help anyone. That iPhone that was "designed in Cupertino, Ca." Was build with parts from Taiwan and Indian and assembled in Japan. America is falling in on itself with a vengeance.

I applaud people who buy American made, as I try to, but its hard to find and ever harder to afford the basics. Clothing, household items, etc.

Drink Royal Crown, not Kool-Aid. Royal Crown, How would you say its working out for us so far? We used to design and manufacture machines that made the machines that made the products that we exported. What Dick said is 100% true. The economy before the recent crash was false for years. A large portion of the people that were working were building ware houses or working at Walmarts and such. Now most of the construction is Federally funded. Manufacturing was the backbone of this country. Greed exported it. I'll shut up before I start to go off. Its probablly a good thing I just peck at the keyboard I'll try not to get too worked up. lol

Several political statements have been removed. Political statements are not allowed.

I live in the USA, I buy USA products. I do not owe anyone in China anything. People from the USA that move their factories to any foreign country are not patriots.

Students carrying a Coach Purse! LOL

I'd be willing to bet 75% or more of the coach or Louis Vuitton bags I see on campus are fakes

Sorry to say if this is what they are teaching in school, which I'm pretty sure it is, we are in big trouble. No offense RC, but there is no way that sending OUR jobs overseas benefits the USA. Buy American, the job you save may be your own.....
Not sure what defines political, so hope I'm not over the line. Bottom line, great job supporting a local business tbirdkid.

That's what I've been taught in 2 classes this semester

No worse than a Wayne 60 or Tok 36B w/ a Clock Kit installed!
Your friends think you have the REAL THING.

Shelf looks great!

I've been on this site for 6 months and I've never seen anything go political. I was wondering about this!

First, Great shelf!!! I hope the wood was from America. They even import that too. But great looking shelf!!! And it's inspired me not to run to the local box store when it comes time to put my own up.

As for outsourcing being good for our economy, tell that to all the people, no wait, tell that to the entire textile industry. And that's just one example.

My 2 cents.

Like your shelf. Looks good.

You can Google "Made In America" and it will bring up several websites that gather information on American Made products and where to buy them.

There was a show on TV not long ago where they built an entire house from American Made goods. And listed the resources for most of the products.

I recently replaced the flag on my flag pole and had to go to 3 stores before I found one that sold American Flags that were Made In America.... How sad.

I hope I'm not stepping on the political line or crossing it, but I find the "American" manufacturers doing business in Mexico more offensive because a large reason they are there is to escape the AQMD, subsequently harming our health.
Carrying around a fake bag or watch to impress friends is equal to a twin pump that was never a twin or an oil can with new label except the fake bags and watches do hurt quality manufacturers such as Coach and Rolex.
BTW, the shelf looks great and the pride of making it yourself just adds to the beauty.

Actually you have a GREAT display of items....the shelf, well its nice, but my main focus is the collection you have put together, some excellent auto store displays!!

WHO? ME!
LOL

Ain't nothing wrong with it at all, I like the creativity a lot, but it's the exact same thing as putting a clock work in a 60 or 36b, which apparently some veterans have a problem with.

Nice shelf 57tbirdkid

Not all schools are teaching this. I am an Agricultural Business major and have/am taking several business/economy classes. Though it seems like over seas manufacturing must happen, that is not true. In some cases it is more expensive to buy American products, but I would rather spend more to help fellow Americans out and help out the Economy.

Brandon Ferguson

Really nice shelf...I made a bench with a top from two pieces of 2x10's where one still had an unfinished bark edge on it, and I stripped the bark which gave it that nice wavy edge. Nice finish as well.

Years ago I was into crafts and frusterated that womens gardening hats had such narrow brims and decided to make my own. Asked an Extension Agent friend if I could buy the straw from the Amish as the men wear straw hats for every day use.

Come to find out that our Amish get their straw from China, in mats then un-weave and reweave into their hats. It makes sense though, because even if they are off the grid, the Amish do go along with a number of modern farming techniques, including growing modern wheat varieties. Modern wheat has a very short stalk that keeps it from 'lodging' ie falling down before harvest--a problem with tall wheat that would ruin the grain. So the Amish grow short wheat and have to import the straw from their hats, at least here in Maryland.

BTW: Never made that hat--just bought the wider brimmed mens hat.

Wish more would make this commitment.
Great looking shelf.
Speed Queen washers and dryers still made here,not impossable to buy made in USA, Just ask your local Labor Hall,they have a list.

Thanks for the comments

Very nice shelf t-bird. I also try to buy products made here; however, it gets more difficult every day. If you are trying to support American workers, dont shop at Home Despot. Pay a few bucks more at your Mom and Pop hardware. Same goes with Wallyworld. I am not being preachy, I go to those places too, but only as a last resort if a local owner doesnt have what I need and they do.
Royal Crown: It sounds like you have been studying hard and you have made some good points. However, money made overseas NEVER comes back to benefit our country.