Chris Schwarz comments on Quangsheng planes

[matthewwh]

We offer a life warranty (life meaning the customer's life) on Clifton, Quangsheng and all other non-consumable products, assuming reasonable care and proper use. On the handful of occasions where we have had the opportunity to demonstrate this commitment, we have received outstanding support from both manufacturers.

British tool manufacturers in particular have a proud tradition of long term customer support - how many old tools have you seen with the word 'warranted' physically stamped into the steel?

Getting back to the original topic, it is worth remembering that trade is a two way street and the Chinese are huge fans of genuine big name western brands. Given the almost incomprehensible size of the Chinese market, the potential benefits of bilateral trade to western manufacturers are unprecedented.

 

[Dangermouse]

As I very rarely buy new planes or tools this debate doesn't impact on me much. I usually go for British or American pre 1950's and what you get for your money is up to most new premium makers. Especially if you put a bit of time to it and put in a thicker blade and chipbreaker. But to the point in hand, it all very well if you have the disposable income to buy the best new planes , which are I think clifton, LN and the like, then fine you can choose British or American to suit your moral code. However if you only have a limited amount of money to spare and most of what you earn, pays the bills and keeps shoes on the kids, then you have little choice in the matter. Either spend on old planes or go for Quangsheng or even cheaper the lower end Stanley or Erwin or Faithfull. Now the choice to many is do this or not buy any at all and not be able to pursue your hobby.

 

[Vann]

I've looked through the one page (A4) sheet I got with my Clifton but there's no mention of a guarantee. But as others have said, I've heard their back-up is VERY good.

Cheers, Vann.

 

[Modernist]

I use planes from all the popular sources, new and old, except Clifton strangely enough, and they all have their strengths and weaknesses. To get the best I believe you have to pick and choose according to your needs. As a keen amateur pleasure in use is also an important factor and part of this is in the eye of the beholder. For example I am sure Clifton planes are fine but personally I prefer LN for BD types. I don't think anyone makes a smoother to beat the Veritas BU range (based on performance). Personally I do not include nationalism in my choice as we live in a global world and I have seen that view take down many fine companies (e.g the motorcycle industry).

Marketing is a strange beast. I find the LN heirloom line vomit inducing, but it obviously works for them, and I buy their products regardless. QS were originally very keenly priced but are noticably less so nowadays. Veritas seem more straightforward and I suspect may win in the end as they are selling on the innovation line, which they achieve in practice, in a section of the market where price is not the first issue.

To be successful any manufacturer has to produce a product which appeals to a section of the market at a price they are prepared to pay. This does not exclude operations such as Clifton any more than QS or Holtey. There is room for them all the only question is whether they can survive and prosper in that volume.

 

[Racers]

If we where watching British made TV's, computers and any other electronics we would all have paid a premium for the pleasure.
And our cars would not start on a cold morning.

Pete

 

[Eric The Viking]

Steady on Pete!

Until around 1990, most TV and radio you watched and listened to came from British made cameras and equipment (although the Japs and Germans were making inroads by then). You didn't pay a premium for the privilege, as the kit lasted and lasted. Sony made picture tubes in South Wales, for British made televisions.

My Land Rover engine (200TDi) is around 12 years old, British made, and always starts first turn of the engine. We still have a world-beating movie industry, we're strong in aerospace, satellite manufacture, defence and computing, and pretty much every mobile 'phone, anywhere in the world, uses processors developed just outside Newport. My Makita track saw is made in the UK, as are Nissan cars, Hondas, Range Rovers* and Jags.

I worked in British manufacturing in the 1990s, albeit for a US company. Our products, at their peak around 1996-7, had 60% global market share, worth around $1bn in turnover. I still have my company-issued mug with the Queen's Award for Export on it. We won that twice, or possibly three times.

When we did stuff (and still do it), often we did it pretty well. It's politicians wot did for us, and some dumb industry leaders and trades unionists. Much of the product was pretty good, as were those who made it.

I wish the present bunch of numpties in charge would find out what made for success in the past, and just copy it.

E.

*yes I know there's a plant opening in China, but that's for their home market.

 

[Racers]

Hi, Eric

I worked as a TV engineer shortly after I left school, Decca Bradford Philips G6 valve/transistor sets all the most unreliable heaps of rubbish compared to the Japanese stuff that was emerging at the time, you could get the parts for the British stuff that was the only good thing they had going for them.

Pete

 

[Eric The Viking]

I know those were rubbish.

Even the BBC used Trinnys from the 1970s onwards (on OBs mainly, and they weren't exactly reliable, nor terribly safe!).

But there was a lot of other good stuff about too. We could do it when we tried, and probably still can.

E.