RE: Tools Today vs Granddads Tools
A few years back I ran into an article concerning tools, primarily socket
sets, that explained a puzzle many of us have had over pricing on sockets.
Question:  What is the difference between the expensive sockets that sell
for $139 a set vs those that sell for $13.99 a set?  Other than brand name
and marketing?  Well, it seems there might not be that much difference for
the user.  For many years good sockets, that would hold up, were expensive
to manufacture due to the alloys used, the forging process, and the heat
treating afterward.  But a few years ago a new alloy was developed and new
heating and forging processes that dramatically reduced the cost of creating
a good, strong, accurate and reliable socket.  And the new factories being
built in Asia were being built to use this new approach.  Consequently we
started to see socket sets at prices that were a fraction of what we were
used to seeing.  Testing showed a mixed bag as far a quality was concerned
but the vast majority of the cheap sockets were just as good and consistent
in quality as the  the much more expensive Big Name products.  So, what do
we get at Harbor Freight vs Craftsman vs Snap On or the others?  Probably
only the lifetime warranty and pride of ownership.  And for the casual
mechanic that is only using his tools on occasion any difference will likely
never show.
BTW, did some online searching on the subject but was unable to find any
discussion on the old vs new forging methods.