Craftsman not as good now?

[XS650]

Originally Posted By: ludey


I have several ratchets and parts of a tool kit that my Dad purchased from Craftsman in the 70's. All the tools are marked,"Made In Japan." Odd isn't it? The quality is much better than the Chinese made ones though.


I have some Harbor Freight wrenches from the early 1970s that were made in Japan. They are good wrenches, no problems at all with them except the ones my teenage son lost when he was growing up. They seem to be better than 21st century Craftsman.

 

[Trav]

I bought their 3 set of pro ratchets on sale last year and the quality seems okay.It seems like the pro quality is what standard craftsman was years ago.
Their standard line has deteriorated somewhat but still good enough for weekend warriors.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Trav
I bought their 3 set of pro ratchets on sale last year and the quality seems okay.It seems like the pro quality is what standard craftsman was years ago.
Their standard line has deteriorated somewhat but still good enough for weekend warriors.


I think you hit the nail on the head. Must of us here in BITOG are diehard DIY's and we'd be better served by Craftsman's Pro line, Snap-On and the like. The regular Craftsman stuff is better for the casual user.

 

[Vikas]

I have few sockets from Craftsman purchased couple decades ago which have started their plating to come off. Does Sears give new one for that kind of defect or it has to be broken?

- Vikas

 

[demarpaint]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I have few sockets from Craftsman purchased couple decades ago which have started their plating to come off. Does Sears give new one for that kind of defect or it has to be broken?

- Vikas


They should give you new ones. I had a similar issue a few years back returned the socket in question and left with a new one no questions asked. YMMV

 

[bigmike]

I bought most of my Craftsman tools over 10 years ago. They have served me very well. I've broken a few items, mostly ratchets. I tend to do things to them that probably shouldn't be done.

My grandfather has a bucket he keeps at his shop. Any Craftsman tools broken goes into the bucket and gets returned to Sears once the bucket is full. It's usually full of screwdrivers being used as prybars, hot circuit/wire tests (!!!), etc. The guys groan when he shows up at his local Sears store.

I've noticed *some* of their product line has gone downhill. I still prefer Craftsman when it's a hand tool, though. I've tried to destroy some of their wrenches and they still look new.

 

[stenerson]

I've broken plenty of bolts but never a ratchet.

 

[Steve S]

I would agree that everything is lower quality but then I have broken or wore out more Snapon tools than I though was possible when I started working on stuff for a living. Usually tools used at home have an easier life.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: Vikas
I have few sockets from Craftsman purchased couple decades ago which have started their plating to come off. Does Sears give new one for that kind of defect or it has to be broken?

- Vikas



I had the same issue - be careful because I cut my finger badly where the chrome plating was coming off. I too the socket back to sears (this was about 5 yrs ago) and they balked at first claiming normal wear. As soon as I told them I cut myself, they gave me a new socket.

 

[Miata04]

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman,I have had a lot of them for 40+ years. For the last couple of years I have noticed that many of the Craftsman branded items are now being sourced in the far east and I have communicated in a very clear way that I find this unacceptable. I will not use Chinese hand tools as you have absolutely NO assurance that they are, in fact, made of tool steel. The US has ANSI/SAE, Japan has JIS, etc, which set standards for strength, composition, etc, the far east does not. When you also figure in the fact that China cheats on everything else, dog food, drywall, dental fixtures, etc, why should I trust them on the strength of their tools? I have noticed that the Sears "cheap" tools the evolv branded ones are now being marked with the Craftsman name as well.....they are made in China. I think that it will soon replace the US made hand tools and your replacement tools will come from this source. They had no answer when I asked them why they would continue to cheapen a brand they have spent a lot of years establishing as quality, naturally, the sales folks don't give a [censored]. I have told the Manager of the tool section that my 40 year tenure as a Craftsman customer is rapidly coming to an end due to the cheapening of the line and it's dependence on far east replacements, he just shrugged and said he had no control over what was offered and pretty much dismissed my questions. I have also noticed that the new black oxide Craftsman universal combination wrenches are Chinese made, looks like it's time to make some friends at Snap-On or MAC. Looks like K-Mart quality rules Sears now.

 

[Herz]

I work with my tools for a living and I will say that the craftsman sockets are still ( for the price) comparable to snap on.. The Screwdrivers are JUNK, complete JUNK snap on dominates them in that respect. The pliers are junk too, Klien and Channel are much better, wrenches, well it depends I have broken many craftsman breaker bars and socket wrenches but never have I broken a Snap on one.

For a DIY it is a good tool, made in US, lifetime warranty. You break it and you get a new one. (request the new one if they offer a refurbished one.)

OH and some of the combination wrenches are pretty good.

 

[sunfire]

Originally Posted By: Miata04
Most of my hand tools are Craftsman,I have had a lot of them for 40+ years. For the last couple of years I have noticed that many of the Craftsman branded items are now being sourced in the far east and I have communicated in a very clear way that I find this unacceptable. I will not use Chinese hand tools as you have absolutely NO assurance that they are, in fact, made of tool steel. The US has ANSI/SAE, Japan has JIS, etc, which set standards for strength, composition, etc, the far east does not. When you also figure in the fact that China cheats on everything else, dog food, drywall, dental fixtures, etc, why should I trust them on the strength of their tools? I have noticed that the Sears "cheap" tools the evolv branded ones are now being marked with the Craftsman name as well.....they are made in China. I think that it will soon replace the US made hand tools and your replacement tools will come from this source. They had no answer when I asked them why they would continue to cheapen a brand they have spent a lot of years establishing as quality, naturally, the sales folks don't give a [censored]. I have told the Manager of the tool section that my 40 year tenure as a Craftsman customer is rapidly coming to an end due to the cheapening of the line and it's dependence on far east replacements, he just shrugged and said he had no control over what was offered and pretty much dismissed my questions. I have also noticed that the new black oxide Craftsman universal combination wrenches are Chinese made, looks like it's time to make some friends at Snap-On or MAC. Looks like K-Mart quality rules Sears now.


Yes, I was shocked when I saw the Made in China Craftsman black combination wrenches too. If sears goes all out China which will take them to a new low. I'm going to hop on the Snap-On wagon. But there are still a lot of quality lesser known brands made in USA.

 

[Herz]

A good chunk of the pliers and small stuff like C-clamps are all made in china under the craftsman name.

They will lose me as a customer if they outsource too many tools.

 

[Tempest]

Originally Posted By: defektes
A good chunk of the pliers and small stuff like C-clamps are all made in china under the craftsman name.

They will lose me as a customer if they outsource too many tools.

+1

I still buy their made in US tools but the china stuff I stay away from. Most of my Craftsman stuff I bought about 10 years ago and they have served me well except for one ratchet that was replaced under warranty. Their full polish and pro stuff looks very good. I bought a couple of sets of ratcheting wrenches a couple of years ago and am very happy with those.

 

[USA1]

Originally Posted By: dsmith41
We live in a very disposable world and tools are no different. I am doing my best to fight it though. When I buy something, I like to pay for quality and then maintain it rather and replace it. Weird for a 24 year old, I know.

I have a pair of sunglasses that I will be refurbishing this summer. I shave with an old style double edge safety razor that I hope to give to my son someday. None of that plastic, 10-blade Gillette [censored] for me. I also have a pair of work boots which I clean and treat the leather often. They have been through 5 years of work and still look almost new.

As far as tools go, Snap-On seems the way to go if you can afford them.


Very admirable qualities in a young man as yourself. Someday you will be wealthy; you have what it takes!

 

[USA1]

I sometimes buy new Craftsman items, but I have found a 9/16ths, 3/8ths' drive deep well socket in a kit that looked like it was dropped from a few feet when hot (squished), then chromed. That socket made it past all the QC checks! Craftsman still US made? I seriouosly doubt it after seeing that. I now buy only 100% USA made tools with the black oxide coating. I understand chrome is pretty, but a completely stupid coating with tools that get very hard use. Oh, and I always clean them before I put them away. ALWAYS!

 

[ludey]

I am not sure where this discussion is headed except, having a grudge against craftsman tools quality. I have other tools that are made better or worse but, the adage that you get what you paid for remains. Most tools sets or ratchets use the the materials to manufacture. One thing Craftsman still remains. They still exchange tools that the user broke. That is the price I pay to have that vs. getting a ratchet it from Costco, Wal-Mart, Harbor Freight,etc. If you want quality then, go with Matco, Snap-On, or Facom tools. Choice is yours, cheap, middle-priced, or expensive. One more note, I've seen hand tools "Made in India" now and then.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: ludey
I am not sure where this discussion is headed except, having a grudge against craftsman tools quality. I have other tools that are made better or worse but, the adage that you get what you paid for remains. Most tools sets or ratchets use the the materials to manufacture. One thing Craftsman still remains. They still exchange tools that the user broke. That is the price I pay to have that vs. getting a ratchet it from Costco, Wal-Mart, Harbor Freight,etc. If you want quality then, go with Matco, Snap-On, or Facom tools. Choice is yours, cheap, middle-priced, or expensive. One more note, I've seen hand tools "Made in India" now and then.



Harbor Freight even offers a lifetime warranty on all handtools now..

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/cs.taf?f=FAQ

 

[mcshooter]

i also buy kolbalt , us made and lifetime replacement , they used to be made by snapon but are now made by williams

 

[Herz]

Alot of Kobalts stuff is chinese now, careful.