Craftsman tools............ reborn!

jbp-ohio

If anyone has been following this. Stanley bought Black and Decker, then bought Craftsman. The kicker is that the Craftsman tools at Sears are the same as they have been for the last few years (China). Stanley however is making all new Craftsman. Some still in China, but they are in the process of making (most) everything in the USA again........ When Sears closes (any day now) those tools should cease...

 I will be keeping an eye out on the new offerings. Between the moves and stepsons getting their grubby  hands on my tools, I am missing a bunch that need replaced. They are being sold at Lowes, ACE, and soon on Amazon......

1hogfan83

Do basic tools have a lifetime warranty?  Wrenches and what not?  

Big Chief

Thorsen used to make pretty good hand tools and then a lot of them were made in Taiwan.

I bought a set 25-30 years ago called Thorsen Allied and a socket shattered in about 5 pieces first time I used it.

I dunno about today.

I think Lowe's has a brand they sell called Kobalt that seem to be OK for the money.

Yep, Craftsman ain't what they once were for many years now. 

 

jbp-ohio

https://www.craftsman.com/customer-care

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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WILL THE CRAFTSMAN WARRANTIES REMAIN THE SAME?

We understand the CRAFTSMAN warranties are important to existing customers and intend to honor existing and offer similar warranties going forward. CRAFTSMAN branded products will continue to be covered under their existing warranties. In the immediate term, there are no changes to how you will get service regarding your warranty. For more information about our warranties click here, or call us at 888-331-4569.

jaywapti

Big Chief said:

. 

Yep, Craftsman ain't what they once were for many years now. 

 

I know that up until the late 60s most all Craftsman tools were made by Snap-On, and at one time sears warrantied all tools they sold regardless of make, they no longer do that, I bought a Crescent compound wire cutters, the tip of one jaw broke off and Sears wouldnt exchange it, I took it to Fastenal with the Sears bill of sale and they gave me a new one.

Once i started working on aircraft I starting using Snap-On now 90% of my hand tools are Snap-On.

JAY

1hogfan83

I remember as a kid my dad had an old Philips screw driver and a wrench.  They were both rounded off and he took the chop saw and cut the open end off of the wrench.  He said if they're broke they'll replace them no questions asked.  I think husky cobalt and maybe rigid hand tools have similar warranties.  

zorba

Great Neck.

RugerFan

I look through the tools when I go to pawn shops. You can get some good deals on older American made hand tools

terminator012

I haven't seen any Craftsman tools at the lowes around here. They just have the tool boxes. Snap on makes good stuff but to high for me to buy since long before they break they either walk off or I forget where I left them.

Old Ron

Just another  "life time warranty gone " They should make them give us all a full refund for not keeping there word . I ran into that with mufflers too. And break pads . Why should we pay extra for life time & not get what we pay for ?

olesniper

cpj said:

Saw some craftsman “assembled in USA” tool boxes at Lowe’s. Assembled here, with parts made in China. They might as well should have let Charlie complete them, at least they would cost less. They were CRAP. 
When Harbor Freight puts out better boxes....

One of the few things that Harbor freight does right, is their heavy duty tool boxes. I was looking at one of the 5 drawer rolling tool boxes. Pulled the bottom drawer all the way out, to see how much slop was in the track. Drawer slid out smooth, lifted on it, enough to lift the front wheels off of the floor and it didn't deflect a 1/4 of an inch. Gave it a push and it closed as smooth as it had opened.

coolgunguy

zorba said:

Great Neck.

Thanks.  I've been working out. 

coolgunguy

cpj said:

olesniper said:

cpj said:

Saw some craftsman “assembled in USA” tool boxes at Lowe’s. Assembled here, with parts made in China. They might as well should have let Charlie complete them, at least they would cost less. They were CRAP. 
When Harbor Freight puts out better boxes....

One of the few things that Harbor freight does right, is their heavy duty tool boxes. I was looking at one of the 5 drawer rolling tool boxes. Pulled the bottom drawer all the way out, to see how much slop was in the track. Drawer slid out smooth, lifted on it, enough to lift the front wheels off of the floor and it didn't deflect a 1/4 of an inch. Gave it a push and it closed as smooth as it had opened.

The HF boxes are nice. 
I checked out the Crapsman boxes at Blowes tonight. Because....that’s all the one by me carries now. Used to they had the Kobalt boxes. They weren’t half bad. The bigger more expensive Crapsman I looked at tonight? They should be embarrassed to sell that steaming pile of donkey crap. 

 The Kobalt boxes I've looked at seemed decent.  No experience with HF.  Craftsman has always been so-so quality concerning tool boxes.  Their standard boxes were still slides when EVERYBODY had switched to rollers. Their "professional" line, or whatever the hell they called it, was decent, but overpriced for what you got.  As son add I could justify the cost, I bought a Snap On box and proceeded to fill it with their tools.  HUGE difference in fit and finish.  Big difference in tools as well, though not as glaring.