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Japanese designed and manufactured tools are always a delight to use. Whenever I go to Japan I always find myself picking up some new beautifully designed and m

Japanese designed and manufactured tools are always a delight to use. Whenever I go to Japan I always find myself picking up some new beautifully designed and made object. The last time I was in Tokyo it was lighters. I bought probably $300 of various lighters from Tokyo Pipe Co. I don't even smoke! Unfortunately it's getting harder and harder to find products actually made in Japan, and despite what many people want to believe, Japanese obsession with perfection makes a big difference in the quality of manufactured goods. Makita doesn't manufacture in Japan anymore, and quality has suffered. Fujifilm stopped making several of their lines in Japan, and quality suffered. Very sad.

secondcoming 6y ago
Yes, the AvE youtube channel has two recent video of Makita drills literally going up in smoke. Which is a real shame as I really needed a drill and was all set for splashing out on a Makita.
- centimeter 6y ago
  I think their more expensive drills are still pretty nice - the ones AvE keeps blowing up (what the hell is his business anyway?) were bargain bin ones. It's just sad that makita has any bargain bin lines at all. I looked at what the best drill-drivers I could reasonably buy were, and there's almost nothing that's not made in China these days. Even Hilti makes its battery powered tools in China.
mauvehaus 6y ago
Some of the higher end Makita stuff still is. If you spend enough on a circular saw, they still make them in Japan. They also make a 6" and 12"(!) handheld power planer (not the stationary "lunchbox" style) that are AIUI made in Japan. That 12" planer goes for a couple grand US. That's the KP312 if you're curious. Japan, incidentally, has a long timber framing tradition that's still relatively common in modern construction. This is part of the reason you'll see Makita and Hitachi tools in your US timberframer's kit; they still make the tools in Japan for the active local market.

secondcoming 6y ago

Yes, the AvE youtube channel has two recent video of Makita drills literally going up in smoke. Which is a real shame as I really needed a drill and was all set for splashing out on a Makita.

centimeter 6y ago
I think their more expensive drills are still pretty nice - the ones AvE keeps blowing up (what the hell is his business anyway?) were bargain bin ones. It's just sad that makita has any bargain bin lines at all. I looked at what the best drill-drivers I could reasonably buy were, and there's almost nothing that's not made in China these days. Even Hilti makes its battery powered tools in China.

mauvehaus 6y ago

Some of the higher end Makita stuff still is. If you spend enough on a circular saw, they still make them in Japan. They also make a 6" and 12"(!) handheld power planer (not the stationary "lunchbox" style) that are AIUI made in Japan. That 12" planer goes for a couple grand US. That's the KP312 if you're curious. Japan, incidentally, has a long timber framing tradition that's still relatively common in modern construction. This is part of the reason you'll see Makita and Hitachi tools in your US timberframer's kit; they still make the tools in Japan for the active local market.