I’ve seen that marketing for a while. Just curious if anyone has seen say a new US made tool set in the wild?
Where It's Made
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Chraftsman, USA vs. China
- Thread starter 007
- Start date
It depends on when they were made and who made them. Craftsman has had tools made by many companies over the decades some were stellar others not. A list of who made tools for Craftsman.
Early Craftsman Series (generally pre-1947, with some exceptions):
BC = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. ? - ?
BE = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
BM = S-K, ca. 1939 - 1951
BT = unknown U.S. manufacturer, ca. 1936 - 1938
Cxx = Probably New Britain or Hinsdale, ca. 1930 - 1936
CI = unknown U.S manu., ca. 1930 - 1945
CF or C-F = Herbrand, ca. 1934 - 1939
Craftsman Vanadium = unknown U.S. Manu, ca. 1931 - 1941
C8 = JP Danielson, ca. 1930 -1936
F-circle = Miller Falls, ca. 1949 - 1964
G-circle = possibly Lectrolite, ca. 1949 - 1964
H-circle = New Britain, ca. 1931 - 1947
K-circle = SK, ca. 1939 - 1951 perhaps later
N-square = unknown U.S. manu., ca ? - ?
P-circle = Wilde, ca. 1945 - 1960
S-circle = Kastar, ca. 1960 - 2008, perhaps earlier
V-circle = unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - 1985
U-circle = Plomb, ca. 1944 - 1948
Z-circle = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 1969
Modern Craftsman Series (generally 1947 and later, with some exceptions):
BF = probably Daido, possibly Hozan, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987
C = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 1991
C = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. ? - ?
(note--this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
CG = unknown U.S. manu., ca. 2001 - 2005
D = Kington, Chinese made, ca. 1992 - 2008
DJ = Mitutoyo, Japanese made, ca. 1968 perhaps earlier & later
E/EE = National Hand Tools/later Stanley Works-NHT division, some USA made, most Taiwanese made, ca. 1982 - 1991
EEE/EEC/EE7 = Stanley Works, Taiwanese made, ca. 1988 - 2009
(note--these are Canadian Craftsman series codes)
F = Danaher/possibly K-D division, ca. ? - 2008
G = Easco, ca. 1980 - 1989 perhaps as early as 1979 when Easco acquired the Gastonia plant
G continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2009
G1 = Danaher, ca. 2000
G2 = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
G2D = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
GD = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
GK = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2003 - 2008
GK-A = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 1999 - 2003
GK-F = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-G = Danaher/Kingsley Tools Division, ca. 2007 - 2008
GK-X = Danaher/Kinsley Tools Division, ca. ? - 2008
H = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 1994 - 2009
HZ = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. ? - 2008
HZ O = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2009-2009
HZ OO = Danaher/Holo-Krome, ca. 2008 - 2009
I-circle = Parker Mfg Co, ca. 1965 - 1986
JW = J.H. Williams & Co, ca. 1954 - 1972
K = SK division of Facom, ca. 1985 - 2004, could still be NOS
K1W = Danaher, ca. 2007
K3V = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
K3X = Danaher, ca. 2007 -2008
K9W = Danaher, ca. 2008 - 2009
KR = Danaher, ca. 2005 - 2008
KU = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
KV = Danaher, ca. ? - 2008
KW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
KX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, probably earlier
L1X = Danaher, ca. 2008 - ?
L SI = Simmonds International, ca. 2008 - 2009
M6W = Dahaher, ca. 2007 - 2008
N = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2009
OA = Unknown U.S. manu., ca. ? - ?
P = Wilde, ca. 2008 - 2009, perhaps earlier
Q = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
R = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2006
PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2002 - 2009
Q PR = Pratt Read, ca. ? - ?
S PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
T PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
U PR1-3 = Pratt Read, ca. 2008
V PR = Pratt Read, ca. 2007 - 2008
W PR = Pratt Read, ca 2007 - 2009
X PR = Pratt Reed, ca. 2009 - 2009
ST = Stanley Works, likely Taiwanese made, ca. 2007 - 2009
(note- this is a Canadian Craftsman series code)
T1V = Danaher, ca. 2006 - 2007
T2W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T3W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5V = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5W = Danaher, ca. 2008
T5X = Danaher, ca. 2008
V = Moore Drop Forge, ca. 1938 - 1967
V (continued) = Easco, ca. 1968 - 1986 perhaps as late as 1991 as NOS
VF = Danaher, ca. likely early 1990's
VG = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1995
VH = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 1997
VJ = Danaher, ca. 1994 - 2008
VK = Danaher, ca. 1996 - ?
VL = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VM = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VN = Danaher, ca. 1999 - 2001
VP = Danaher, ca. ? - ?
VQ = Danaher, ca. 2001 - 2004
VR = Danaher, ca. 2002
VS = Danaher, ca. 1995 - 2003
VT = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2006
VU = Danaher, ca. 2005
VV = Easco, ca. 1978 - 1989
VV continued = Danaher, ca. 1990 - 2009
VW = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008
VVY = Danaher, ca. 2009 - ?
V^(2nd V inverted) = Danaher, Armstrong Division, ca. 1992 - 2008
VVL = Danaher, ca. 2000 - ?
VVN = Danaher, ca. 2005
VVS = Danaher, ca. 2003
VVT = Danaher, ca. 2004 - 2005
VVV = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVW = Danaher, ca. 2008
VVX = Danaher, ca. 2002 - 2008, possibly earlier
W = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2005 - 2008
WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2008
WF ll = Western Forge, ca. 1969
WF D = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF J = Western Forge, ca. 1991 - ?
WF K = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF L = Western Forge, ca. ? - 2009
WF R = Western Forge, ca. ?
WF U = Western Forge, ca. 2008
WF V = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF W = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
WF X = Western Forge, ca. 2008 - 2009
WF Y = Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2009
A WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
B WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
C WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
D WF = Western Forge, ca. 1993 - 2000
E WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
F WF = Western Forge, ca. 2003
G WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
H WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
J WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
K WF = Western Forge, ca. 1995
L WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
M WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
N WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
O WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
P WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
Q WF = Western Forge, ca. 1990 - 1995
S WF = Western Forge, ca. 2009
T WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
U WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
V WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
W WF = Western Forge, ca. 2002 - 2009
X WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - 2009
Y WF = Western Forge, ca. 2009 - 2009
+ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
* WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
> WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
|| WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
∆ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1966 - ?
□ WF = Western Forge, ca. 1965 - ?
7 WF = Western Forge, ca. ?
X = SK Hand tools, post-Facom , ca. 2008 - 2009
Z = Mayhew, ca. 1957 - 2008
3 = Kastar, ca. 1991
4 = Kastar, ca. 1992
[ = Kastar, ca. 2002 - 2009 possibly earlier
.(Dot) = SK, ca. 2008 - 2009
wemay
Site Donor 2023
So Craftman is like Mobil1 oil filters? I honestly thought they made their own products in their own buildings, where ever that building may be. I was naive on this one.
I have a few of them US made, however they're old. In all honesty the ratchets themselves are good, they're not great. The sockets are very good, jmo.
I get a kick out of the mythical attachment to Craftsman. Like it is pointed out, Sears never did manufacture them, the Craftsman name was applied to all sorts of different tools manufactured by unrelated companies, and the brand name is currently owned by Stanley Black and Decker. The Craftsman name really has nothing to do with Sears other than Sears sells them too. Several chains now sell the brand name. I also understand the each retailer may have a Craftsman tool line made by a different manufacturer. Grandpa had Craftsman tools. All that’s left is a brand name. Compare the Sears tools from each retailer and decide if they look good and the ratchets have a smooth action. This business about “I bought some a number of years ago and didn’t like them “ is pretty much obsolete info because we’re not even talking about the same manufacturer. “
Have a look at the current Craftsman tools from the different retailers and report back.
Have a look at the current Craftsman tools from the different retailers and report back.
You'll notice in their ad that the American made tools do not include wrenches.
I have several Craftsman tools that seem to be fine, never had an issue. I've recently started buying Tekton stuff which is really nice and affordable, plus you get 10% back for evey dollar you spend on the website. There will always be China haters and anti globalists that want everything made in 'murica but that is never going to happen. The irony of people china bashing on chinese made phones or computers makes me chuckle.
Not everything made in China is "bad".
Like the smart phone I'm typing on.
China's communist central party government is the issue. Pure evil.
the biggest appeal was to bring back a broken tool and exchange for a new one right then and there. no waiting 2 weeks to ship it or waiting next week until the tool truck comes back.I get a kick out of the mythical attachment to Craftsman. Like it is pointed out, Sears never did manufacture them, the Craftsman name was applied to all sorts of different tools manufactured by unrelated companies, and the brand name is currently owned by Stanley Black and Decker. The Craftsman name really has nothing to do with Sears other than Sears sells them too. Several chains now sell the brand name. I also understand the each retailer may have a Craftsman tool line made by a different manufacturer. Grandpa had Craftsman tools. All that’s left is a brand name. Compare the Sears tools from each retailer and decide if they look good and the ratchets have a smooth action. This business about “I bought some a number of years ago and didn’t like them “ is pretty much obsolete info because we’re not even talking about the same manufacturer. “
Have a look at the current Craftsman tools from the different retailers and report back.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Just picked these up yesterday at Ollies got the 6 inch last time I was there. They had a whole box of these. I used to find old USA stuff at Sears a lot before they closed too. Glad someone brought this thread back I was going to last night and decided not too.
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this is what happens when a money man buys the chain. He sold off craftsman now, and the new stuff is supposed to have the quality back.
Sears could have leveraged all the stores to out compete Amazon, if they had someone with a brain running it.
Rod
Sears could have leveraged all the stores to out compete Amazon, if they had someone with a brain running it.
Rod
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
This was a warranty replacement directly from Craftsman it’s Taiwan made. They don’t require you to send the old one back. Currently I’ve got more tools coming to me too a screwdriver and two ratchets since I broke those as well. They still honor warranty I like going directly through them so I don’t have to turn in the old ones. The socket this one replaced was a series V with the knurling at the top I cracked on the Beetle. However the raised panel wrenches I will not warranty because they are made in India now which is worse than China. They gave me no hassle on this and had it in the mail immediately. With that they brought back a customer I will buy if it’s Taiwan and USA mainly.
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Craftsman is a popular topic at the GarageJournal Forum and like this one, "goes on forever like Aunt Edna's azz" (Steve Martin movie quote).
My feeble recollection is:
- that the Sears Craftsman tools are/can be sourced different than the Stanley Black & Decker Lowes Craftsman tools. Yea, hard to believe.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-stanley-craftsman-lawsuit-20190307-story.html
- The lobster claw wrenches are back to the normal dimensions with the SB&D versions.
- The U.S. made Danaher tools were already declining in quality the 10 years prior to Chinaization.
- Some Taiwan sourced tools are showing up at Lowes (better?)
- SB&D is building a mfg. plant in the U.S. for the hardline mechanics tools.
The mythical allure of the Craftsman tools was that they were the go-to source for shadetree mechanic level tools of decent quality and excellent value that had a lifetime warranty and very easy to exchange at 1,000's of stores across the nation. Many decades ago, their quality was good enough that it was not uncommon to see them in professional mechanics tool chests.
My feeble recollection is:
- that the Sears Craftsman tools are/can be sourced different than the Stanley Black & Decker Lowes Craftsman tools. Yea, hard to believe.
https://www.chicagotribune.com/business/ct-biz-sears-stanley-craftsman-lawsuit-20190307-story.html
- The lobster claw wrenches are back to the normal dimensions with the SB&D versions.
- The U.S. made Danaher tools were already declining in quality the 10 years prior to Chinaization.
- Some Taiwan sourced tools are showing up at Lowes (better?)
- SB&D is building a mfg. plant in the U.S. for the hardline mechanics tools.
The mythical allure of the Craftsman tools was that they were the go-to source for shadetree mechanic level tools of decent quality and excellent value that had a lifetime warranty and very easy to exchange at 1,000's of stores across the nation. Many decades ago, their quality was good enough that it was not uncommon to see them in professional mechanics tool chests.
It's sad how far it's fallen. I remember the catalog days and flipping through their Christmas book. Used to have decent deals on black friday too. Now Sears is down to 54 stores. Yes, Sears is dead, it just doesn't know it yet, they just keep declining.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Yes the Taiwan appears to be much better built than the China they were sending out for awhile. That socket they sent me a few weeks ago has been working nicely a lot nicer than the few China ones I do have that the chrome is coming off of and stuff. I still see quite a number of them in professional boxes including my own they are actually one of my favorite brands of tools. Garage Journal is a great place we just started a thread on Danaher made tools including Craftsman and there are plenty of other Craftsman threads too. Yes the Sears ones the few that are still around are different than the Lowe’s and it’s easy to tell.
You can visibly see and feel the difference. Quality I am not sure, haven’t actually used them. Screwdrivers I don’t like the USA or China Craftsman other than the “professional” from early -mid 2000s. Those are nearly as much as Snap-on used now. I like Blue-Point personally. Good quality and a little easier on the wallet compared to Snap-on.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Here are some pictures comparing quality for those who maybe interested. As you can see on that big 3/4 wrench it has a huge Lobster Claw compared to the older USA one. That’s the main reason I don’t use that one. The first set of wrenches are pretty similar one was China from Kmart I received as a gift and the other is USA the USA appears much more quality and the finish is much better than the China one. The deep sockets one is USA V as you can see it’s cracked it’s warranty replacement is next to it which is a Stanley B&D Craftsman made in Taiwan which isn’t too bad as far as finish and quality goes.
Ratchet comparison and Sears China vs USA coming next.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2024
Here are some comparisons of the Sears USA vs China ratchets. Neither of which are great the USA doesn’t hold sockets on any longer and the China one moves so much you can’t really use it. Notice the quick release mechanisms are different the China has a rod that comes out when you press the button that moves the detent ball whereas the USA does not have that feature. The sockets are both 17mm 12 point as you can see a major difference in quality the USA is much better and appears well made whereas the China ones do not.
Now we need to see what year of production AAD is.
