Stanley - Black and Decker Merger

[FramerTK]

Just when you think it can't get any worse - great news for China.


http://articles.moneycentral.msn.com..._blg=1,1350217

[DreamBuilder]

Less competition and more junk tools.............Porter Cable used to be held in high regard in the cabinet shop world........now in my opinion as bad as Black and Decker.....JUNK

[Otis P. Driftwood]

How long before Stanley tools de-evolve into more crap ?

[Otis P. Driftwood]

With all the mergers are there any independent tool makers out there? At least L.S.Starrett is still around...

[chuckwoodchuck]

Makita stands alone as an independent tool maker from the big 4.

[sisyphus]

I was sad to see B&D take over PC because that reduced competition and would obviously result in "rationalization" of the combined product line but the latest merger AFAIK only blatantly affects nail guns and compressors. Maybe the new board will try to improve the top of the line power tools instead of impelling me to buy from German or Japanese companies.( I doubt it though.) I have no huge complaint with the variety or quality of hand tools available to me.

It seems like everyplace I go sells Stanley tools perhaps all those places will now have access to Dewalt, Delta, PC and Bostitch now too.

[Ottoman]

I don't see this as much of a big deal. I'm at a loss to think of a single tool stanley made that was any better than a china import.

[ddolman]

I don't see this as much of a big deal. I'm at a loss to think of a single tool stanley made that was any better than a china import.

Fat Max Tapes

[gburnet]

I don't see this as much of a big deal. I'm at a loss to think of a single tool stanley made that was any better than a china import.

Their chisels & planes, while not superb quality, are pretty decent after a good sharpening - certainly far better than the junk steel in most Chiawanese imports.