Craftsman tools,,,,,,,made in China?

[BigBill]

I been putting together a massive set of tools. I found out craftsman tools are from china. So I switched to Armstrong, Williams, , and sk tools. Used seems to be better quality than new for craftsman.

 

[wood714]

Back in the 90's I had a set of Craftsman wrench's that were stamped Forged in Japan.

My daughter had a friend that worked at Sears, gave them to him and he got me a set that were marked USA... the Japan ones were probably better, or the USA ones were made there.

 

[JayFramer]

Disgusting.

Gentleman, what have we become?

 

[swsig]

[ame]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAH9OvIfPkU[/ame]

A. J. must be spinning in his gr... Oops, he's still alive. Well, he's probably spinning anyway.

 

[husker51]

I was always proud to own craftsman tools. It is truly a sad state of affairs that we are in today. I just bought a craftsman tool chest for my garage. I went with the red color and black drawers. I thought I got a good deal but I found that yes, you get what you pay for. I still like it but it could have been a little better. It is still better than what I had. I still have an old craftsman tool box from the sixties. I should refurbish it. It hasn't rusted through yet. My old craftsman tools will mean that much more to me now!

 

[jrm53]

The craftsman tools were made by danahaur some 20 years ago, they may not have made all of them but they made them in the Springdale Ar plant. Jeff

 

[Kanewpadle]

Well....If you didn't know, some Snap On tools are also being made overseas too.

Sad. So sad.

 

[Donn]

If it's any consolation, Stanley bought the Craftsman brand and claim they'll be made in USA again. I'll believe it when I see it.

 

[forindooruseonly]

Sadly, I see Armstrong is shutting down operations. I've grown fond of their ratchets, I like them better than most of my Snap-Ons. Too bad I only learned about them a couple of years ago.

 

[opoefc]

I have a buddy who used to share tables with me at gun shows, and he sold guns & gun stuff. About 4 yrs. ago, he started going to garage sales, estates sales, etc. and buying up old USA made tools - Snap ons, Craftsman, Anderson, Skil, etc. , usually for just a few cents, and cleans them up. The fly off his table at Gun shows now at prices higher than the new tools made in China and he can't keep up with the demand. Ed.

 

[chief38]

Craftsman made in the USA is a thing of the past. Unless they had a few cases of USA made tools laying in a warehouse somewhere they forgot about and then found, I don't think you can find USA emblazoned on any of their tools now day.

I own a bunch of Craftsman tools but they were purchased a long time ago when they were made here. I have no reason to visit their tool department any longer and any tools I do buy these day are either vintage USA made Snap-on, Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, etc. on line or on a rare occasion from the Snap-on Guy. I refuse to but Chinese tools - period! I do own a few hand tools (very few) that were made in Japan, Germany or Taiwan but deem them heads and tails above Chinese quality. I will only buy non USA if I simply have no other choice and will even opt to buy a used vintage Snap-on, Starrett, Brown & Sharpe, etc. in great shape rather than a new import.

My neighbor recently bought a Craftsman tool box (top & bottom) from Sears and when I looked at it a few months ago could not believe just how cheaply made it was. He asked me what I though and trying hard not to insult him I quickly changed the direction of the conversation.

 

[BigBill]

Sadly, I see Armstrong is shutting down operations. I've grown fond of their ratchets, I like them better than most of my Snap-Ons. Too bad I only learned about them a couple of years ago.

I been buying Armstrong and Proto tools lately. I just purchased craftsman before I found out there made in China. My first set of mechanics tools were the Husky brand in the late 70’s.

I had a snap on salesman give me a hard time over there warranty because I didn’t purchased anything from him.

 

[g-dad]

Lowes will be carrying the Craftsman brand. I was back in receiving today and saw 15 or more tool chests. I'm told the hand tools should be rolled out by the fall.

 

[Protocall_Design]

Craftsman is a shadow of their former glory. I have found that Kobalt, the Lowes house brand, is pretty good quality. They are probably made in China, but they are better than the current Craftsman ones. The best hand tools are still the vintage name brands, but sometimes you just need to get a project done and can't wait for a garage sale or auction.

 

[loknload]

I’m glad I’m done buying tools.
I have all my original Craftsman tools from the 70’s, still have one of the old tool boxes from back then as well. I couldn’t tell you the last time I was in the tool section of a Sears store?
I look at the stuff that Lowe’s and HD sells and consider most of it junk?

 

[BC38]

I was shopping for a toolbox for my 18 year old who is attending the community college ASE certification program.
I looked at a Craftsman, and compared it to the Champion brand at Harbor freight. The Harbor Freight unit was stouter and more heavy duty than the Craftsman, and about the same price.
I'd have never believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.

 

[chief38]

I was shopping for a toolbox for my 18 year old who is attending the community college ASE certification program.
I looked at a Craftsman, and compared it to the Champion brand at Harbor freight. The Harbor Freight unit was stouter and more heavy duty than the Craftsman, and about the same price.
I'd have never believed it if I hadn't seen it myself.

As of recently - I could not agree more! It's a SAD DAY when Harbor Freight quality beats Craftsman - but again, you are correct!

 

[Eddietruett]

If it's any consolation, Stanley bought the Craftsman brand and claim they'll be made in USA again. I'll believe it when I see it.

I used to work for Sears in the Home Improvement Division and I still have a few contacts in Headquarters. Unless something has changed, Stanley purchased the Craftsman name mainly for the Lawn, Garden and Snowblowing tools as they don't have any in their line and it was cheaper to buy Craftsman at a song than start up a new division. As of about a year ago, there was no plans to change the Craftsman hand tools and the Stanley line would remain the same as well and be mostly sold at Walmart. Now when Sears finally goes under (matter of when than if) maybe some changes will take place, but right now, more Craftsman hand tools are sold by ACE Hardware than Sears!

 

[model3sw]

I was always proud to own craftsman tools. It is truly a sad state of affairs that we are in today. I just bought a craftsman tool chest for my garage. I went with the red color and black drawers. I thought I got a good deal but I found that yes, you get what you pay for. I still like it but it could have been a little better. It is still better than what I had. I still have an old craftsman tool box from the sixties. I should refurbish it. It hasn't rusted through yet. My old craftsman tools will mean that much more to me now!

Long time purchaser of USA brand name tools. My shop was only about 10 blocks away from the Williams Factory in East New York, Brooklyn which all us neighborhood guys cherished but we also owned lots of Craftsman, Proto, SK Wayne, Armstrong, Blackhawk and more names yet but then we stepped up to Snap-On when we got rich and famous with our other brand tools.

If I had to open up a business today, to purchase all new tools and boxes ... I'd go to Harbor Freight. For boxes ... when was the last time you looked for Pro style boxes in Home Depot or Harbor Freight ? Magnificent stuff at a pittance.

I recently bought a 6 foot, hard wood top, roll around work bench / tool box just to make it easier to do shows. I fill 'er up, roll it onto the trailer, strap it down good and go. Set up is a breeze as all my goodies are in the drawers.

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-7...Solid-Wood-Top-Black-HOTC7218B11MYS/302255875

Heck, it's a $100 cheaper now then when I bought mine in January.

 

[BigBill]

Now I want one of those monster tool roller cabinets. Home Depot has a deal that comes with a work bench with draws besides the monster cabinet for $900. I’m retired but can sit and polish them everyday. Lol
Just kidding I’m setting up shop to do r&d work I have a few designs I want to work on.

Working on my farm tractor I broke every harbor freight 1/2” Dr impact socket. I did get many years out of them. For $12 a set I can’t complain. But now I need quality tools.