Chinese quality tools [Rotacraft and Proxxon accessories]

I own a Proxxon FBS 240/E multi-tool, similar to the Dremel, which I find very useful. I'm pretty happy with the quality and I've got a number of other Proxxon products as a result. In general they are well made, which is as well because they aren't particularly cheap. I've had to do a little fettling to the metalwork but nothing serious. They are supposed to be made in Germany and until the other day I had not seen any obvious clones, which is usually a sure indication that badge-engineering of far-eastern products is taking place. My tool holder uses a suction base with a spherical mount, and this particular model is no longer sold by Proxxon - they changed to a conventional clamp base - but the FMZ table vice is available with the clamp and also still with the suction base as the FMS 75. I was therefore surprised to see a very similar item being sold by Draper. I don't know whether this is the same thing from a common supplier, or a copy from China or elsewhere. It looks the same though, and is in the same price range, so it may be German. The fettling on my tool holder, by the way, was that I had to file away a casting seam and the paint from the ball to allow it rotate smoothly. The current production has the ball properly cleaned up with no paint and a smooth spherical surface. On the whole, at this price and quality I think these are European, because you can get something similar for only a few pounds - and which really IS rubbish.

The Proxxon FMS 75 vice...

...and Snap! But I quite like the blue.

The lesson I have learned finally, after repeated bad experience, is that it simply is not worth buying cheap tools. They are cheap for a reason, and if a tool won't match up to its job then it is worse than useless (because it may do damage). Many years ago I got a cheap set of Allen keys - early Chinese imports - and the first time I used them they simply twisted like sugar candy canes. A good Allen key will break before it bends, and even then not until it has been stressed far beyond the usual requirements. Cheap screwdrivers or bits will twist and damage the screw head. My first sharpening stone ('oil stone') wore away like chalk and when I added oil, it dissolved. I recently purchased a 1/2" twist drill bit from Machine Mart and had to return it due to the visible bend in it; the replacement was also slightly bent but not sufficiently to render it unusable for my application. In future I will only buy industrial quality drills from English, German or American manufacturers. Properly used, they will outlast my lifetime.

Anyway - back to the multi-tool - although the supplied accessories were OK there was only a limited selection, so when I saw a Rotacraft 400-piece accessory kit on offer I decided to have one, so that I would have pretty well everything I might need in a hurry. I should have known - the same kit is available under the Duratool brand, but missing lots of cutting discs and sold as a 150-piece kit. The swanky display box broke within minutes. This is a dead cert for a Chinese import, and unfortunately I paid the penalty. The first time I needed a micro drill I was drilling polypropylene plastic - not exactly a taxing job - and the drill simply refused to penetrate. The next size up was not much better but did drill a hole of sorts. I had a close look at the drill tip and it was off centre and had a flat across the tip - it wouldn't even make a good nail as it isn't hard enough or sharp enough. I also noted that one of the grinding wheels was incomplete and the rest were anything but round. I suppose you could dress them to be concentric, but I fear that they probably won't be much use even then.

Cunningly designed to not drill holes...

...or be any use at all.

The fact is, that if a tool is sourced from China or elsewhere and is cheap, it probably is worth only its price. The Chinese can certainly produce the highest quality goods - they couldn't get a space rocket to the moon using rubbish tools - but so can we, and they cost good money. Given that everything we buy from foreign suppliers has to be paid for by selling something else to them or by borrowing money (probably from them), I would prefer to buy quality tools whose price will go back into the European economy whenever I can afford it. This means doing  lot more research into the actual source of the things I buy, and whether they are fairly priced or overpriced, but in the end it is worth it.