Craftsman Hand Tools

[Joe L.]

For most of us that are hobbyists, Craftsman hand tools have probably long been the tool of choice. They are relatively high quality, not exorbitantly priced, and guaranteed for life. Plus, and very important to many of us, they have been traditionally all USA-manufactured. Quite a few years ago, Craftsman tried to "phase in" Chinese-manufactured hand tools. It caused a massive out- cry and Craftsman totally backed away from Chinese hand tool sourcing. Instead, they created a new "Sears" line of hand tools that were mostly of Chinese manufacture and lower priced (with NO life-time guarantee).

Well, apparently the folks at Craftsman have now changed their mind about USA manufactured hand tools. I was in a Sears store a few days ago looking at ratchets. Every Craftsman ratchet I looked at was manufactured either in China or Taiwan----every single one. I then looked at Craftsman torque wrenches just to see their manufacturing source. Every one was made in China or Taiwan. I did not look further at hand tools but I strongly suspect the rest of the Craftsman line is likely the same.

Very disappointing. So now, apparently, the Craftsman hand tool line is really not that much different than those one can buy at Harbor Freight (for about 1/3 the cost). In fact, as far as the ratchets go, the Craftsman I looked at appeared very much like the ones available at Harbor Freight. Of course, looks can be deceiving but I just have to wonder.......

I suppose now if one wants to obtain USA-manufactured hand tools one will have to go to Snap-On. That's OK as long as one doesn't mind spending 200+ bucks for a ratchet that gets used only once-in-awhile.

[Michael H.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Joe,

Look at PROTO tools as the were made by Stanley and seemed like a very good tool for about half the price of Snap-On. I've bought some of there torque wrenches and they are top notch. you may also try some flea markets or garage sales to find some quality tools as well.

Mike

[Bill L.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Hi Joe:

I had the same experience with Craftsman tools but would add this:

I asked about the wrenches (built-in ratchet type) and was told they are ALL made over-seas.... so much for that ----

I also asked about other tools and was told that "SOME" of the tools that are not "animated" (Is that the correct terminology?) like a socket, a box end wrench, screw-driver etc are still made in the USA and those tools are the only ones left with the lifetime guarantee --- but I had a hard time finding any in that particular store---- pretty hard to mess up a hammer, saw, box end wrench, pliers and a screw driver!!!!!---hence the guarantee?

Bottom line-- it seems as if anything that has a built-in function is, for the most part, not made in the USA...and there are no guarantees........exceptions noted at other sources.

I have to admit that I now have a mixture of USA and non-USA tools in my garage --- not happy about it and I still look for the USA made tools but it seems that is the way things are going these days---maybe it will change???....hmmmm....

Regards
Bill

[Stan E.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

I took a metal Craftsman vernier back to sears, for replacement, and they tried to give me a plastic one so I haven't been back to any of their stores.

[Joe L.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

I took a metal Craftsman vernier back to sears, for replacement, and they tried to give me a plastic one so I haven't been back to any of their stores.

Stan------


I'm not sure that a vernier caliper qualifies under the Craftsman lifetime guarantee. I always understood that it applied only to Craftsman hand tools and not measuring tools, power tools, etc. In fact, I don't think that even torque wrenches have ever been covered under the lifetime guarantee.

By the way, Harbor Freight now has a lifetime guarantee on their hand tools. However, like Craftsman, I don't think it applies to measuring tools, specialty tools, power tools, etc.

[Gary C.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Joe,

One can get by with Craftsman sockets and wrenches, but I'm here to tell you there's nothing like Snap On screwdrivers.

JMTCW,

Gary
....

[Mike M.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

from 1961 to about 1978, all i had were craftsman tools and one day in '78 i was using a craftsman 3/8" line wrench to remove an old rusty brake fitting from an old pass car chevy. the line wrench broke in two(i didn't have a piece of pipe on it). i busted the **** out of knuckles(mine). took the line wrench back to sears that day, got replacement, came home and damn if i didn't re-bust the knuckles when the replacement craftsman broke in two. that was the day i began replacing all the craftsman hand tools with snap-on. the snap on tools are definitely more expensive but i kind value my knuckles.
i go on ebay daily and buy used snap-on tools. my snap-on dealer will replace any of the old tools, whether they are broke, chrome peeling, or whatever. i typically buy ebay 1/2" drive ratchets for 20 bucks,and then trade them in on new soft handled 1/2" ratchets that probably cost a couple hundred bucks. yA a gotta have a snap-on dealer that is willing to make the swap but i buy a good many new snapon tools from this guy. been dealing with him about 30 years.
sorry to hear the craftsman line is now oriental. mike

[Gene M.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

No reason to go in a sears store any more

[Enzo C.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Yes same thing In Canada... They are pretty well done... I deal with Sears for my Hvac business and do installations for them in there customers homes... They do not buy anything no more as we supply and install ... It's to bad that the imports took over.Sears had great stuff..

[Keith B.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

After growing up using my dads Snap-On tools I find it very difficult to use any other brand tool. Especially ratchets, sockets, wrenches, and screw drivers

[Mark S.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Sears has been going through some huge financial problems in the past few years. A once dominant market leader; they have lost their focus and have not adapted the the present environment. They are in the process of selling off some of their brands, or are selling their brands in other stores. You can buy Craftsman tools in stores like Menards. They are also closing many of their stores. If they don't come up with a drastic plan to change the way they do business; I believe that they will go the way of Blockbuster. BTW I replaced a Craftsman lug wrench that broke at their store.

[Joe L.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Sears has been going through some huge financial problems in the past few years. A once dominant market leader; they have lost their focus and have not adapted the the present environment. They are in the process of selling off some of their brands, or are selling their brands in other stores. You can buy Craftsman tools in stores like Menards. They are also closing many of their stores. If they don't come up with a drastic plan to change the way they do business; I believe that they will go the way of Blockbuster. BTW I replaced a Craftsman lug wrench that broke at their store.

Mark------


Yes, I too believe that the current situation with Craftsman tools is the result of "corporate desperation". They're flailing around trying to come up with something that will keep them in business but their "answers" are just going to increase the speed and intensity of the "death spiral". It's really a shame because Sears is really an important institution of Americana.

[Joe L.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

from 1961 to about 1978, all i had were craftsman tools and one day in '78 i was using a craftsman 3/8" line wrench to remove an old rusty brake fitting from an old pass car chevy. the line wrench broke in two(i didn't have a piece of pipe on it). i busted the **** out of knuckles(mine). took the line wrench back to sears that day, got replacement, came home and damn if i didn't re-bust the knuckles when the replacement craftsman broke in two. that was the day i began replacing all the craftsman hand tools with snap-on. the snap on tools are definitely more expensive but i kind value my knuckles.
i go on ebay daily and buy used snap-on tools. my snap-on dealer will replace any of the old tools, whether they are broke, chrome peeling, or whatever. i typically buy ebay 1/2" drive ratchets for 20 bucks,and then trade them in on new soft handled 1/2" ratchets that probably cost a couple hundred bucks. yA a gotta have a snap-on dealer that is willing to make the swap but i buy a good many new snapon tools from this guy. been dealing with him about 30 years.
sorry to hear the craftsman line is now oriental. mike

Mike-------


Who knows that Snap-On will not be the next one to go "off-shore"? I think the profit potential of doing this might be just too great for any company to ignore. Plus, when all of the others have gone to offshore, the "last man standing" has little incentive to stay USA manufactured. It's not like folks will have any USA-manufactured alternative. So, the "playing field will be leveled" (at a much lower level, of course).

[Terry M.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

Mike-------


Who knows that Snap-On will not be the next one to go "off-shore"? I think the profit potential of doing this might be just too great for any company to ignore. Plus, when all of the others have gone to offshore, the "last man standing" has little incentive to stay USA manufactured. It's not like folks will have any USA-manufactured alternative. So, the "playing field will be leveled" (at a much lower level, of course).

I am told that some Snap-on tools ARE made off-shore. I can't tell you from personal experience, but the guys who collect Snap-on are furious over this development. The world is going to hell in a hand basket, and the next generation will never know what they have missed.

BTW: Snap-on HAS sold their brand to the highest bidder. You can buy Snap-on jack stands in Menard's and the like, and I wouldn't put my car on them even if I had no intention of getting under it. The jack stands I saw were made off shore and had the poorest welds I have seen in a long time.

[Joe L.]

Re: Craftsman Hand Tools

I am told that some Snap-on tools ARE made off-shore. I can't tell you from personal experience, but the guys who collect Snap-on are furious over this development. The world is going to hell in a hand basket, and the next generation will never know what they have missed.

BTW: Snap-on HAS sold their brand to the highest bidder. You can buy Snap-on jack stands in Menard's and the like, and I wouldn't put my car on them even if I had no intention of getting under it. The jack stands I saw were made off shore and had the poorest welds I have seen in a long time.

Terry------


A lot of the time it's hard to tell where something is made. It's usually not marked on the tool, itself. It's usually only on a tag attached to the tool or the box some tools are supplied in. Then, it's in very small font size that you have to look for. But, once the tool is separated from its tag or box (which it quickly is), there's no way to know where it was made.