Wife ordered a Weber propane grill. Delivered Friday. It came unassembled with 45 pages of assembly instructions. Supposed to take an hour. Took us four. Neither of us are mechanically inclined. This grill was made in the good old USA. Once we figured out our right from our left and, up from down, it went together perfectly. The guys who engineered this thing are geniuses. The fit and finish is flawless. I was amazed at how well all the parts fit where they were supposed to. And, how sturdy it is. 
American manufacturing isn't totally dead. There are still companies making excellent products with pride. 

2 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

There are still companies making excellent products with pride. 

... just a lot fewer of them!

John

Weber has always been known for their quality and have never given into the "cheaper is better" train of thought.

My next grill will be a Weber, charcoal one though.  That will be when the current charcoal grill dies.  May not be anytime soon though, I actually keep it clean!

We used to live at the edge of the town where Webers were made -- I didn't know it at the time though.  But have had two charcoal and two Weber gas grills.   One of the charcoals we still have for camping and gave the old gas one to a daughter.    We bought the last one from the local Do-It-Best hardware that was the largest distributor of them in town (even though a small store), and it came assembled and delivered.   I used to go there frequently and one of the staff would be assembling one in the front of the store.

One of the items I bought for the house with my inheritance was a Weber grill. I do believe Gene hit the nail on the head, great engineering.

Love ours!

 

We do need to replace the "flavor bars" (or whatever they are called). Probably need to order them directly from Weber.

5 hours ago, HandyDan said:

Weber have never given into the "cheaper is better" train of thought.

In 1956, a federal document mandated all federal agencies to contract out certain "non-governmental" services for the cheapest price.  I did this process for a few years, to take a section that qualified for contracting and did a study to modify the processes to make it the "most efficient and effective" model.  Then it was put up for bids.  The government also had to bid.  Cheapest bid always won.  Problem is, when the quality fell so low, the contractor would come back with an extreme price increase, and they always won.  While I was in the Navy during the Vietnam days, all Navy galley's were contracted.  All the stewards and cooks in the Navy were relegated to being stationed on ships and no land duty.  That contractor has grown with many shell companies and is basically raping the government for his services.  I can't render the name because he later became Secretary of Defense and Vice President.  Yep. Him.  So, the cheapest bidder on a product or service is often not even close enough to be good quality.  

"made in the USA" YEP, you built it. 

Heard on the radio that the administration is proposing Pell grants to be made available for trade schools. Great idea. 

1 hour ago, Gene Howe said:

Heard on the radio that the administration is proposing Pell grants to be made available for trade schools. Great idea. 

About time!

I be a graduate from a trade school, and now I’ve got a journeyman’s, and a master’s electrician license in 2 states. I be one of their success stories LOL. 

I've seen many graduates from Whittier Tech Vocational HS go on to careers operating their own businesses. It's about time these schools are recognized for their achievements.

18 hours ago, Al B said:

I've seen many graduates from Whittier Tech Vocational HS go on to careers operating their own businesses. It's about time these schools are recognized for their achievements.

That's wonderful to read.  One of our church schools many years ago had 3 or 4 tracks for students.  One track with vocational trades but not enough students would stay in it to keep it going.  So, that program was dropped.  Some form of financial aid may encourage some to go into the trades as we very much need them.  Thanks, Gene.  This is great news to my ears.  

 

And, I am proud of all of you who have trades.  My only trade was graphic arts which I did for 9 years.  Old sorry back caused me to look for a desk job.  

Edited June 18, 20196 yr by FlGatorwood
additonal thoughts

20 hours ago, Al B said:

I've seen many graduates from Whittier Tech Vocational HS go on to careers operating their own businesses.

Having been a Vocational School teacher for 33 years, this is music to my ears.

@lew, you and your brethren are un sung heroes. Thank you for your dedication and thanks to the district for their foresight and commitment to your program. 

3 hours ago, Gene Howe said:

@lew, you and your brethren are un sung heroes. Thank you for your dedication and thanks to the district for their foresight and commitment to your program. 

Thanks, Gene. Next year my school celebrates 50 years of graduating young men and women ready to enter the work force. 

An eye opener may very well be be a understatement in this mixed up world of arrogance and very little common sense.