Avoiding fake tools. Shop wisely.....

[Tallbald]

So I've decided that a famous brand flex shaft tool will let me expand my art skills by ornamenting wood turnings, carving wood and in general performing a number of operations. Checking prices, I find that there's a huge difference in pricing online. Some sales and auction sites offer the name brand kits for as low as $85, when the kits sold by jewelry supply stores, big crafting stores, etc are running 3 to 4 times that. Made me go "Hmmmm...". Did some research and found there's a lot of places selling fake versions of these tools labeled as the famous brand right down to fake serial numbers, paint schemes and boxes. Wow.
I believe the best thing to do, and which is suggested on the factory website, is to contact the factory and ask for their list of honest to goodness distributors. Wow. Just wow.
Don

 

[Busterswoodshop]

It's not only tools.
There are plenty of scopes and red dot sights out there that are fake. Mainly Leupold and Aimpoint.
Both the Leupold and Aimpoint sites have a page that talks about avoiding fakes.
If it sells you can bet someone will make a fake or knockoff of it.

 

[Kevin]

I’m surprised they can be selling products with fake serial numbers and who’s doing the selling? For example, if it’s online, doesnt eBay or Amazon put a stop to the fake listings?

 

[Captain America]

In general if you're buying something from Amazon and it's less than half the price of a non discontinued model it's fake.

 

[wwb]

After many years of grinding and polishing small areas on steel, aluminum, and assorted plastics for the purpose of installing strain gages, I can wholeheatedly recommend a Foredom tool.

https://www.foredom.net/product-category/flex-shaft-tools/

They aren't cheap, but they work very well and they last..... can't say the same for the Dremel brand. And, they are repairable if you do finally wear out the bearings or the flex shaft.

 

[bobski]

had a dremel short and poof in my hands lately. the flame scared the daylights out of me.

 

[DeletedMember275]

After many years of grinding and polishing small areas on steel, aluminum, and assorted plastics for the purpose of installing strain gages, I can wholeheatedly recommend a Foredom tool.

https://www.foredom.net/product-category/flex-shaft-tools/

They aren't cheap, but they work very well and they last..... can't say the same for the Dremel brand. And, they are repairable if you do finally wear out the bearings or the flex shaft.

I wholeheartedly agree. The Foredom tool is what Dremel wants to be when it grows up.

 

[Tallbald]

WWB the Foredom line interests me most. The square drive heavy duty shaft version specifically, with the reversible SR motor. I've wished for a flexible shaft machine since about 1984, when I cobbled one up from a flex shaft off a Dremel jig saw (bought as a 12 year old with mowing money) and a Singer sewing machine motor. My family knows to never attempt to buy me tools, as I'm very particular about quality and features in tools. The Foredom seems to be exactly what I need and wish for.
Don

 

[blackhawknj]

Another reason why I prefer brick and mortar stores where you can actually examine the merchandise.

 

[Fox Mike]

In general if you're buying something from Amazon and it's less than half the price of a non discontinued model it's fake.

Keep in mind that you are not BUYING from Amazon. You are buying from a company that has Amazon make the delivery . Amazon will deliver whatever you purchase, from whomever you purchase from.

 

[Johnnu2]

I've been told that fakes abound on ebay and Amazon; a favorite example that I've heard MANY times is fake Duracel batteries.... I've not tested the validity of these claims, but in today's world.... I would bet my life on these rumors ))
J

 

[Busterswoodshop]

Another thing to look at when buying on Amazon or Ebay is to see where it is shipped from.
If it is shipped from China it is more than likely a fake.
Both Leupold and Aimpoint say this on their site and I would imagine tools are no different.

 

[contender]

I happen to own a Dremel,, as well as a pair of Foredom flex shaft foot control tools. I've gotten lucky in how I found each Foredom over the years,, and did not pay a premium. (A jewelry store close out, and an auction.)
By far,, the Foredom is a much better tool.

But,, the Dremel has it's place as well. Maybe get a Dremel now,, and begin a bargain shopping hunt for a Foredom???

But buying from a reputable place is by far the best option. As noted,, either buy in a store,, or from an authorized dealer.

 

[SamV]

My young adult kids, in their twenties are all sort of technology geeks. They have told me that they have cut back on Amazon significantly because of so much fake merchandise. I got a fake battery charger for my camera. I had temporarily misplaced the original, but when I compared them later, I was amazed at the "accuracy" of the fake, at least in looks. I often just use Amazon now for pricing info and buy either local or direct from the manufacturer websites.

 

[Fox Mike]

I've been told that fakes abound on ebay and Amazon; a favorite example that I've heard MANY times is fake Duracel batteries.... I've not tested the validity of these claims, but in today's world.... I would bet my life on these rumors ))
J

If they are spelled as you stated they ARE fake. Duracell has two "l"s

 

[Captain America]

I've been told that fakes abound on ebay and Amazon; a favorite example that I've heard MANY times is fake Duracel batteries.... I've not tested the validity of these claims, but in today's world.... I would bet my life on these rumors ))
J

Otterbox has a section on it's website dedicated to reporting on and how to detect fake products, that's how many items on Amazon are knock offs.

 

[RSIno1]

My dad bought an old dental drill for doing hobby stuff. https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Buffalo-Dental-Drilling-Motor-1-8-HP-18-w-30-Articulated-Arms-L5/202327275597?hash=item2f1ba5384d:g:NYcAAOSwXudbD~ha

 

[Bull Barrel]

At work we buy a lot of batteries for Nikon cameras. The Duracells are a Chinese knockoff with a Duracell label slapped them.
Our users keep requesting the Duracell labeled ones even if we remove the label.

 

[powder smoke]

Go to a TOOL STORE or a Wood workers supply! No Walmart and such!
Talk to a sales person let them know what your intentions are, they'll fix you
up with some thing nice and durable. Don't forget your attachments! ps

 

[blume357]

Speaking of red dots... a couple of years ago Midway sent me their big catalog of everything they sell... there was a two page spread of different red dots.... I realized 80-90% of them shown looked exactly the same except for color and the label on them.... I speculate that most of the 'cheap' red dots are made in one factory in china and they just paint and label them different.