Longer ago than I care to think, I was deeply immersed in the R/C airplane world. That included some rather large models, one of which I bought a Zenoah G62 (cc) gasoline 2-stroke engine for and the box had Komatsu Heavy Ind printed on it along with the Zenoah label. I see now from that timeline that was a partnership that is no longer, and production (for this market) is now US.
I have a left over manual here from a Komatsu Zenoah engine from one of past 1/5 scale cars.my current car had a Zenoah as well but with a Husqvarna symbol cast into the engine case. Still made in Japan but under the shrouds is has the H.
The AC ductwork for a 2021 KZ sportsmen 270THLE the day we brought it home. because everyone knows “made in USA” is where it’s at. Even my 2020 and 2023 F150’ made by UAW workers in Kansas City MO have their own workmanship issues in them. Bed sidewalls to floor gaps that make it impossible to carry anything in the bed without it turning into a dust covered collection. Ford software with more bugs in it than Microsoft Windows, and a truck with less than 5000 miles on it with 5 NTSB safety recalls on it less than 9 months after delivery. But yeah, the only junk produced comes out of China.
I don't think anybody said that. But on average, odds are good that if it has the "made in china" label, garbage.
Odds are just as good it was made on-shore too. I have so much “made in USA” stuff I’ve returned because of crappy assembly and finish, I search more based on price. the ONLY benefit I see to getting a “Made in USA” splitter is because of the JIC 37 hydraulic fittings it should come with. But even then, at least my Chinese YTL came with 4000 psi hoses on it and not the 2250 psi hoses on some of the American made machines I’ve looked at. why is that? The only component I’ve changed on my G660 to date is the chain oiler for the high output. But it leaks as bad as the OEM stihl on my MS180C. It’s not running in top performance only because I haven’t gotten a tach yet so I can see what I’m actually doing tuning wise. it’s worked fine for me at everything I’ve tossed at it from 18” ash to 40” cottonwood and 36” elms. The HO oiler went onto it because everyone kept saying make sure you got adequate oil if you use it as a mill saw. Well, it’s going to be. I also want a saw I can learn on and ruining a $320 saw is a lot more palatable than destroying a $1600 saw that does the same thing. I just get tired of the constant “made in USA” is the best… reminds me of this from “The Newsroom” when I hear it. more truth than fiction too. Too bad people can’t accept that.
I guess you should have purchased an Airstream, Oliver, Casita, Bigfoot, or Escape camper. Just to name a few of the high quality units produced here and Canada.
You sure are getting defensive over your Chinese saw. Nobody has attacked you over your choice. I could tell from your response about the video at the beginning of this thread you were defensive. You mentioned it being pig rich ect. If you watch the whole vid he goes back, after running them out of the box, tunes the China saw and redoes the cutting. That guy buys all the products he tests, accepts no sponsorships or free items from companies and only tests what his viewers request. Again, I get your reasons for buying the 660 for milling. My cousin did the exact same thing this week. He bought a Clone 395 to mill with. Milling for a hobby . The saws he relys upon for heat and the tree service....real Husqvarna and Echo saws. Because they hold up in that environment.
You can walk into any camper made under the Thor Industry umbrella and get the same workmanship. As well as others. KZ isn’t alone in their issues.
It has nothing to do with my personal saw. most the constant “made in USA” is the best banter. The constant “you have to buy ‘insert name brand’.” the original post video is a guy who creates content. I’ve watched him for a few years now. At first I thought his content was awesome. Even recommend his videos to people to watch. The more I watched, the more I realized he was generating content. Albeit more for others. but it also seemed scripted to plan for a distinct result. he knew the saw wasn’t running correctly, why didn’t he show what it took to make it run similar to the stihl. Both saws have a 13,500 rpm limit, make them the same then. I haven’t put a video up on it in more detail because I haven’t found a tach I want to buy yet. his isn’t the only content creator channel that does this as well. THAT is the issue I have with it.
Oh I'm fully aware of the garbage that the majority of the RV industry produces. Thats why I named off those that are not in that majority. I would have no camper before owning 95% of whats on RV lots.
He did tune the chicom saw after the initial test cuts. Its in the vid. I have a serious question. You stated that you buy based on prices. I think most of us do to a point. Why aren't your other two saws also clone saws? Or a, generally more affordable Echo? Although they are closing the price gap on Stihl as is Husqvarna. I'm just curious. No judgement here as I've bought several harbor freight items, as an example, because spending twice as much somewhere else wouldn't have gotten me any more than the cheap option.
The MS180 was my dads he bought sometime around 2005. the MS362 I got because I was “enamored by the brand”. All our friends and family use stihl, so I had nothing against them and it’s a name I recognized. Honestly it was a spur of the moment decision too to start making firewood that day. I knew we were going to heat with it and the MS180 was definitely not going to be enough saw.
Mmm....no, I don't think so. I think you still have better odds buying USA made, but that's not to say there isn't some issues with USA stuff sometimes too. And at least you are helping to support your neighbor that way too...better than a commie!
Speaking of USA made, my "new" Beretta 92X RDO was made in Tennessee, not Italy. I say "new" because I bought it a year ago and only this summer have I put any appreciable round count through it. I was a bit disappointed and concerned but so far so good with 3-400 through it so far with no issues. I do hope it stays that way because their ...cough-cough... "customer service" is atrocious. I had just a taste of it getting some upgrade parts, but horror stories abound on the ol' interweb.
I go out of my way when I can, to support thy neighbor. Case in point #234, magnetic stove pipe thermometer. All day on amazon you get china crap for $6-8ea. I found made in for $25. I'll take it... because I care. I do what I can when I can.
It is true that "the land of almost-right" can produce a high-quality product, but it isn't a given. Before I retired, I worked in electronics manufacturing. We made a sophisticated electronic switch for a company that in turn manufactured a package sorting system that is in use worldwide. I'd noticed their orders started slowing significantly. This went on for some time until we received a unit back from the customer for warranty repair. On close examination my coworker and I noticed some interesting differences: Welds on the cabinet were crudely done, rust inside the cabinet, different filters, etc. We called the company owner into the shop and showed him the differences. He was something of a hot-head and the corner office door slammed. The people in the adjacent office said the shouting was something to behold. Yup, our valued customer had outsourced our product to china. They slipped up a couple more times, trying to get us to repair something we didn't build. Their crowning achievement was when I opened the cabinet and found an inspection sticker right next to a missing resistor. The silkscreen showed where it needed to be, but the solder holes were filled. They plain missed it. I took great delight in writing detailed reports on each and every repair on those units, including photos. The customer was copied on each and every one. I was finally told to stop it, they were tired of hearing from me. The upshot was that the contract came back to our company shortly before I retired. Yes, they can build a quality product, but unless there's a stringent quality control process in place, they'll cut corners to the detriment of the product.
