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yboy403 OP t1_j67boyz wrote

Fantastic to see manufacturer support keeping old tools alive. No brand is perfect, and they're all out to make a profit one way or the other, but credit where it's due.

If you're considering buying a new tool from a specific brand, and you want it to last 10-20 years, take a look online and see if you can still get parts for models they were selling over a decade ago. Not a guarantee of anything in the future, but definitely a red flag if you can't.

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colin-mac t1_j67pa5d wrote

Love everything I've purchased from Lee Valley over the years.

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pockets_of_fingers t1_j68337u wrote

I worked at their machine shop for a while last year, these were a pain in the ass to make lol

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Famous_Bit_5119 t1_j683yye wrote

My firm belief is that there is no such thing as a bad Lee Valley product.

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khatidaal t1_j68dncb wrote

2004 was nearly 20 years ago...... Where did the time go :(

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krollAY t1_j68i6od wrote

I like that they make plane blades for planes they don’t sell. I have a 1920s Stanley that I can purchase a replacement blade from LV. They aren’t the only ones that do that but it’s cool that a tool from 100 years ago can be kept working with new parts if needed

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Itisd t1_j68raa5 wrote

Lee Valley in general is a great merchant that sells mostly good quality stuff.

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yboy403 OP t1_j68z6hx wrote

Seriously, and if the guy who says he worked at their machine shop is anything to go by, it probably doesn't take much investment in tooling. Just the right drawings and a machinist who knows what they're doing.

Sad to think about how many old things can't be repaired without custom-made parts because there wasn't enough margin for a larger company to still make those parts.

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yboy403 OP t1_j6915i9 wrote

At a fair price, too. They're not racing to the bottom or cutting corners on quality (at least for most things—I won't vouch for their $15 LED shop lights), but they're not gouging people either.

Depending on options their marking gauges are $45-100, for something a woodworker will use all the time.

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Kelsenellenelvial t1_j693jor wrote

Very socially responsible too. From what I’ve heard, the owner only takes a relatively modest salary, pays reasonable wages and does profit sharing with for the employees. One of few places that I’ll go out of my way to shop, or pay a little extra because I know I’m supporting a good company.

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lynxss1 t1_j698klz wrote

Lee Valley tools are top notch!

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Disastrous-Hotel2414 t1_j6abfle wrote

I’ve just been thinking of how to sharpen mine, should they really need replaced…. Ever?

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grumpycat92 t1_j6bnhpr wrote

While I do not have this tool, this post has made me realize 20 years ago was not, in fact, 1990 lol

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