Craftsman is back!

[David2011]

Regardless of the reason, those wrenches with oversized box ends are rejects. They’re too big to fit in tight spots and they’re just ugly. I needed a 3/8” drive torque wrench recently. Bought Kobalt and it seems like a good purchase.

[lefty o]

i have tool boxes full of old craftsman tools, but i can buy the same chinese made stuff for less with the same warranty at the big box stores now, so no more craftsman.

[DougGuy]

There is a silver lining... I can ebay used and sometimes near new Craftsman stuff for less than new China made stuff.

There is a growing collector market for USA Craftsman, and it's like everything else collectible, only mint specimens command collector prices, but the sellers of used Craftsman view this market as an excuse to over inflate prices of used non collectible items. Get them while you can if you can get fair and decent used prices.

There is always plenty of SK, Proto, Williams, Thorsen, Bonney, at cheaper than Craftsman prices and these have always been a cut above Craftsman in workmanship and finish. Many of the Snap-On and MAC pieces are quite affordable as well.

I have no need for Lowe's tools or Walmart either for that matter but I will admit to owning a couple of sets of new Stanley sockets which aren't too bad.

[Omega]

I don't make my living using my tools, so when I purchased my first craftsman set, for 2-3x the price of an average home owners set, it was for the lifetime warranty, and bonus points for US made. But when tools started showing up in auto parts stores, Harbor Freight, Home Depot, Lowe's etc., at 1/4 the price with lifetime warranty, the writing was on the wall for craftsman. Then they went and started having them made in China, but kept the price...wrong move. Now, unless they start having them made in the US, and or lower the price, I doubt they can compete.

[Mal Paso]

There is always plenty of SK, Proto, Williams, Thorsen, Bonney, at cheaper than Craftsman prices and these have always been a cut above Craftsman in workmanship and finish. Many of the Snap-On and MAC pieces are quite affordable as well.

Excellent point! My early Craftsman wrenches were elegant but the later USA ones were CLUNKY.
Thanks for pointing out the high end manufacturers!

That said the Stanley made Craftsman wrenches I bought have very good fit and finish and the price was closer to harbor freight than the old Craftsman.

[jmort]

I was told the Craftsman power tools were assembled in the USA
Actually seems like the new lines are good and getting better
I like it
From Leftapedia

"Sears has never manufactured Craftsman products itself, instead relying on other manufacturers to make the products for them following Sears designs and specifications, and then applying the Craftsman brand name. Sometimes, the Craftsman branded items include exclusive features or functions that separate them from the manufacturer's own brand or other brands that the manufacturer produces. At other times, Craftsman products are identical to models of other brands with a different name on them.

The hardline mechanic's tools (wrenches, ratchets, and sockets) that make up the core of the brand have been made by a variety of manufacturers over the years, including New Britain,[18] Moore Drop Forging,[3] Stanley,[19] Easco Hand Tools,[20] Danaher Corporation, and most recently Apex Tool Group. Screwdrivers have been manufactured by Pratt-Read and Western Forge, but are now supplied mostly exclusively by Western Forge, who also supply pliers and adjustable wrenches.[21]

Beginning in 2010, hand tools manufactured for Craftsman by Apex Tool Group (formerly known as Danaher) such as ratchets, sockets, and wrenches began to be sourced overseas (mainly in China, although some are produced in Taiwan), while tools produced for Craftsman by Western Forge such as adjustable wrenches, screwdrivers, pliers and larger mechanic tool sets remain made in the United States, although as of 2018, most if not all of the production for these products have moved over to Asia. Sears still has an Industrial line which is sold through various authorized distributors. These tools are US made, appearing identical to their previous non-industrial US made counterparts, save for the "Industrial" name stamped on them. They are manufactured by Apex on the US production lines that previously produced the USA made standard Craftsman product before production switched overseas to Asia.

Many Craftsman portable power tools have been manufactured by Techtronic Industries. Previously, these products were produced by the Diehl Motor Company (a one time division of Singer) and Ryobi. Both Singer and Ryobi have been condensed under the Techtronic company umbrella. These tools had a "315" or "973" prefix. Most of the "315" product was made in the United States. Sears hand power tools have also been produced by DeWalt. These tools will typically have a "900" model prefix.[citation needed] Some, such as the corded and cordless drills, were indistinguishable, other than the color and decal labels. Many Craftsman bench and stationary power tools have been manufactured by Emerson Electric Company under the "113" model prefix (previously under the "103" model prefix which was King-Seeley, but Emerson bought them out in the 1960's) and DeWalt.[5] Air compressors were manufactured by DeVilbiss Air Power (part of Dewalt), and formerly by Campbell Hausfeld. (DeVilbiss sourced units have a "919" model prefix and Campbell Hausfield had a "106" model prefix). Tool storage has typically been manufactured by Waterloo Industries,("706" model prefix) while Craftsman-branded garage door openers are manufactured by The Chamberlain Group ("139" model prefix). Hammers have been produced by Vaughan-Bushnell for Sears. (Coded "M" on the tool). Many of the automotive specialty tools such as feeler gauges and gap gauges have been made by A&E Tool Company of Racine, WI (these tools will have an "S" logo in a circle). Ullman Devices of Ridgefield, CT makes many of the magnetic pick up tools, picks and inspection mirrors for Sears.

Some tools have codes on them that correspond to the manufacturer that produced the product for Sears (see Alloy Artifacts website reference below). For example, on hand tools, codes on them will indicate who made them for Sears. For example, Western Forge sourced tools will have a "WF" stamped on the tool. Tools produced by Moore Drop Forge will have a "V" on them, tools from Pratt-Reed will have "PR" on them, Easco will have an "E" or "EE", and later Danaher made tools (USA made) will have a "VV" or a "VɅ" (inverted second "V"). Pliers have been sourced by a few vendors including the aforementioned Western Forge "WF" tools and Wilde Industries which have a "P" on the tool. Some sockets (notably the 3/4 drive USA made units) were made by S-K (coded "X" on the tool). Many major Sears Craftsman items as noted above also have a vendor prefix, which is typically the first three digits before the period or dash in the model number. These first three digits correspond to the vendor code, or the actual manufacturer contracted to make the product for Sears"

[Elkins45]

I was in the tool section of the Sears in Florence, KY a few years ago and was surprised to find a big pile of 3/8” ratchets behind the check out counter. The two guys who were working the counter had a box full of ratchet guts and were refurbishing them when they weren’t busy. Apparently they do a big business swapping out busted ratchets. So there’s a chance you might not get a Chinese model if you swap your old broken USA model.

I think almost all my Craftsman tools are American made. I’m hopeful I have all the tools I will ever need.

[RU shooter]

Regardless the name all tools can and will fail even the good brands like Sk proto , Williams ect I have quite a few split SK sockets in my chest , For the most part we use the kobalt brand tools at work and they seem to hold up as well as any of the others . So watch your nuckles regardless the brand .

[buckwheatpaul]

I see it as a marquis of a time gone bye. Sold to the highest bidder and built for the lowest cost. Could be wrong. Been wrong before.

I agree.....Craftsman used to mean quality with a great warranty on their tools.....last 3+ years their tools are China quality.....junk!

[PBlover429]

There are Snap-On tools and then the rest. Kinda like Redding/Forster in reloading tools.

[gnostic]

I bought a Craftsman snowblower, from Ace Hardware, at the beginning of last winter. I hope it's made in the USA. I was desperate, I had 3 feet of snow in my driveway and it was obvious, I couldn't dig my way out with a shovel...

[Hannibal]

There are Snap-On tools and then the rest. Kinda like Redding/Forster in reloading tools.

Just because it's Snap-On doesn't mean there aren't quality grades. For instance, test the mechanism in one of the dull - gray finished ratchets and compare it to one of the chromed fine - tooth ratchets.
Yes, either one will remove and install fasteners and likely last decades. But there is a night and day difference between those mechanisms if you make your living with hand tools.

My point is, a name is just a name. Quality and precision can only be determined with personal use.

Alot like firearms and cast bullets, eh?

Yeah, I know. 'Them be boolits 'round here!'

[RP]

I picked up some water hoses was told all I had to do was cut the ends off walk into the store and tell them how long it was they did not want the hose leaking water in the store, Seemed kind of odd you could buy a short hose cut the ends off and tell them it was a long hose but hey its their policy. I really like the hoses they stay flexible when its cold and roll up nice draw back is they are black and will leave your hands blackish when you roll them up. I carried one back last year tree rats chew holes in it picked up a new hose walked up to the counter and handed the guy the ends, I was told he would give me a new hose but next time I need the entire hose and my receipt. Well we all know over time the receipt go blank now they are closed and lowes is not carrying the waters hoses here that I have seen.
Another problem I have with craftman is their tape measures I would buy 5 or more at a time when you could not read them anymore I toss it in a box and grab a new one after I had a few returns off to sears I would go, They were yellow and they gave me red and said that no returns on the red ones so the life time was over and they also only replace them if the blade broke or the spring.
The ratches or how ever you spell that they wanted to rebuild them instead or replacing.
The tool keep getting cheaper made and the service keeps getting less and less I no stopped buying their tools and gone to lowes brand or even harbor freight for the stuff I only use a few times.
I like my snap on and other tool truck tools they work but cost is way higher and since I do not turn wrenches for a living anymore I just can not see paying that kind of price.

[rl69]

I'm very hard on tools, I don't mind geting a cheater pipe,or hammer and making somthing move. I baught a Teton impact socket set and I'm very impressed. Give them a look

https://www.tekton.com/about-us

[William Yanda]

So they warranty a made in USA tool with a made in China one. I can't feel good about that. Another weak spot is tools no longer produced, like a Craftsman Pat. Appld'd. For) 4 way lug wrench.

[Thundarstick]

The way I see it, there's a huge difference in tool quality needed, depending on weather you make your living turning a wrench, or are a fixer (like me). Craftsman is just a name, like Winchester, Marlin, or Browning. Does a Moroku rifle shoot as well as real Browning? Probably. There are tons of great hand tools out there, and some of them are made in Asian countries, and made very well. From my farming and hot rodding days, that advice to watch ones knuckles no matter who made the wrench is very good advice, but most of the tools sold, are sold to average Joes. I've got the 1/4 and 3/8 drive socket wratchet SK sets that are pushing 40 years old now, but I have many others that do the job just as well. No matter what any of us think, we live in a world market.

[lightman]

Its good to see someone picking up the name. Its been around for a long time.

I spent nearly 4 years of my life building steel transmission line towers. I would literally tighten more 5/8 or 3/4 inch bolts in a day than most mechanics would in a career. Proto and S-K held up better than any of the others. Blackhawk and Williams held their own. While I saw a lot of brands being used I'll admit that I didn't see every brand. Being something of a tool guy this was something that I paid attention to. I have stripped many a 1/2" ratchet made by Craftsman, Snap on and other makers. And broken many a deep 1/2" drive socket. The bottom line is that any tool that is used hard can and will fail. And we worked in adverse conditions. Rain, mud, ice and snow.

And I'll confess, if I saw a Proto, Sears, Blackhawk or Snap On ratchet or socket fail and get thrown out I was not above fishing it out of the trash and getting it replaced on my weekend off!!! Just saying............

[Boolit_Head]

They warranty and price point is what made them good. Didn't matter if they failed, Sears was nearby and it was a quick walk in and walk out to replace it with no monkey business about receipts or where you bought it. My FIL had a 20+ year old framing hammer that was so used the face was round. I could not drive a nail with that dang thing without it deflecting off to one side or the other. l walked in and handed it to the sales rep and he said "Wow, I'm going to put that on on the wall". He then handed me a brand new hammer and wished me another happy 20 years.

[David2011]

The ratches or how ever you spell that they wanted to rebuild them instead or replacing.
The tool keep getting cheaper made and the service keeps getting less and less I no stopped buying their tools and gone to lowes brand or even harbor freight for the stuff I only use a few times.
I like my snap on and other tool truck tools they work but cost is way higher and since I do not turn wrenches for a living anymore I just can not see paying that kind of price.

The Snap-On distributor has rebuilt one of my ratchets and swapped out some screwdriver handles on his truck while I waited. At $95.00 for a standard 1/4" drive ratchet I can see why they want to rebuild. To purchase a rebuild kit for that ratchet you would spend about $40. I'm not a fanboy of Snap-On; just bought a few of their tools when nothing else would do or they were the only maker available to me. I needed a set of 1/4" universal joint sockets for working on airplanes. They were knee-buckling expensive but not something you can buy at the local hardware store.

I only made my living with hand tools for a few years and like you I tend to buy Harbor Freight for many tools I don't expect to use much AND where I don't think they will cause damage. I'll stick with APEX and Craftsman for screwdrivers. The vast majority of my wrenches, ratchets and sockets are older Craftsman.

I can't recall splitting any brand of socket but I did break a Craftsman 1/2" universal joint in the '70s, without an impact wrench or cheater bar.

[abunaitoo]

Sears here closed down last week.
Went there to see what they had.
Very sad.