The majority of consumer grade construction tools are made in China.
Makita trim router. You can buy the exact same router made in the exact same factory generic or under another brand name. But the Makita version has their own speed control. They didn't design the thing, they just found a factory in China that was already making something they want, then they contract the production and do the marketing in other regions. The accessories are exactly the same, too, just with the Makita name on them and a different color finish.
If you look at enough tools from China, you will find some that sell for 3 or 4x as much under a different badge at your local store.
yes
I picked up on that a few years ago from a day spent killing time and tool surfing at various stores, checking out the quality and PRICE/value/bang4buck etc
and scored some bargains that work fine to this day
That said, I look after them as I would expensive quality tools and use them within their limitations
and either give them a break/cool down on hard jobs, or alternate with another same model backup tool.
At those low prices and sort of no questions return policy at some box stores, some of the cheapies are worthy of ownership,
and for casual use get it done and then some
I could care less about tradie snob brand loyalty crap
FWIW I haven't returned a cheapie yet.. lucky?
FWIW #2: I have infinite disdain and disgust
for those scumbags that deliberately trash well priced good quality 'home use' tools to take advantage of replacement offers,
putting pressure on well meaning manufacturers, distributors and retailers, causing prices to get jacked up or bankrupting decent tool companies