I was in HD recently and noticed a two-pack of Freud blades for around $30. I picked them up to look at them and noticed they didn't appear to be the same quality as my Freud blades. Rough around the brazing, etc. Turned the package over and noted "Made in China." Yesterday, also in HD, I saw a Freud Dado package for under $50 and again noted "Made in China." Although I have some decent tools made in China, most of the tools I see from China are not the same quality as I am used to. Has Freud gone down the tubes or are these blades just isolated examples?
Richard
EDIT on 10-05-09 12:23 PM
These blades are marked "Avanti Pro" and Avanti" and do NOT have the name, Freud, on them anywhere. My crosscut blade is labeled "Avanti by Freud" and is in a package very similar to these new HD blades; thus, the reason for the wrong assumption on my part. To Freud, I apologize for this wrong assumption.
To anyone who misconstrued my reference "to the dark side," I meant that I had noted Freud blades to be among the best made and these newer Avanti blades did not appear to meet the quality that I had become accustomed to from Freud. As I noted in my original post, I have some Chinese tools that have performed very well but many have not. The same can be said of many nationalities including the US. (My forty year old B&D drill still performs well but one I bought about ten years ago barely made it thru its one-year warranty.) My intention was to direct your attention to the quality of these particular blades.
To anyone of Chinese descent, and to Loring in particular (whose posts I have come to greatly respect), I offer my apologies if my statements were taken to be racial or ethnic - that was certainly not my intention. Two of my best friends in undergraduate school were the Wong brothers who were two of the brightest, most cheerful, and hardest-working individuals I have ever known.
IN SUMMARY, these were NOT Freud blades and I did not intend to start a political conversation with this thread. I will try to be more careful in the future. If anyone can tell me how to remove the original post I will do so. Thanks.
Richard
Richard
EDIT on 10-05-09 12:23 PM
These blades are marked "Avanti Pro" and Avanti" and do NOT have the name, Freud, on them anywhere. My crosscut blade is labeled "Avanti by Freud" and is in a package very similar to these new HD blades; thus, the reason for the wrong assumption on my part. To Freud, I apologize for this wrong assumption.
To anyone who misconstrued my reference "to the dark side," I meant that I had noted Freud blades to be among the best made and these newer Avanti blades did not appear to meet the quality that I had become accustomed to from Freud. As I noted in my original post, I have some Chinese tools that have performed very well but many have not. The same can be said of many nationalities including the US. (My forty year old B&D drill still performs well but one I bought about ten years ago barely made it thru its one-year warranty.) My intention was to direct your attention to the quality of these particular blades.
To anyone of Chinese descent, and to Loring in particular (whose posts I have come to greatly respect), I offer my apologies if my statements were taken to be racial or ethnic - that was certainly not my intention. Two of my best friends in undergraduate school were the Wong brothers who were two of the brightest, most cheerful, and hardest-working individuals I have ever known.
IN SUMMARY, these were NOT Freud blades and I did not intend to start a political conversation with this thread. I will try to be more careful in the future. If anyone can tell me how to remove the original post I will do so. Thanks.
Richard
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