Craftsman Hand tools not USA?

[marketShark]

Picked up a craftsman mechanics tool set with the ratcheting combination wrenches on a black Friday deal. Caught me a bit by surprise that they're no longer are made here and are all made in china.

Warranty aside- Any experience as to the quality of the newer made stuff? Ive got a 10 year old smaller set that's never let me down, but was made here in the USA.

 

[cruiserpilot]

I have almost all Craftsman from 10+ yrs ago. I started having use issues with 1/4 dr and 3/8 dr ratchets, so I take them in for replacement - nope, I get handed a BS little rebuild kit, no more direct exchange. Honestly, I feel the newer Craftsman are not the same. After that, I look at others now. '
I've replaced a 1/4 dr and 3/8 drive with Kobalt ratchets, and they seem to be of higher quality for sure.
But I'm slowly working my way through replacements with Snap-On now, unfortunately, as its premium cost.

 

[spotcruiser]

I don't buy Craftsman anymore. The quality is just not there.

 

[Southeast Overland]

My local Sears rebuilds themselves or replaces on the spot.

 

[fj40charles]

I don't buy Craftsman anymore. The quality is just not there.

Same here. Quit going to sears when they starting making their hand tools overseas.

Also, keep in mind Sears Holding is has had 7 straight years of same-store sales decline. The future does not look too bright for Sears. Think about your, "lifetime" warranty when Sears is out of business.



http://www.nasdaq.com/article/sears-plagued-with-problems-cm257652


Sears continues to present a dreary image — for Q1 2013, the Company reported a year-on-year same-store sales decline of 3.6%, i.e. seven straight years of same-store sales declines. The only positive number was a 20% increase in on-line sales.


However, just a boost in on-line sales would not be enough for the Company to stage a turnaround. The company took a $3 billion dollar loss in fiscal year 2012, and is expected to lose considerable amounts at least through fiscal 2016. The main reason the Company has been able to survive over the past few years was due to sales of real estate and other assets. Massive store closures, especially at Kmart, and tighter inventory controls have also helped. Yet Sears lacks the one thing it truly needs to bounce back — a viable plan to reverse seven consecutive years of declining same-store sales.

Based on Market IQ's proprietary Fundamental metrics the Company is bleeding red ink across the board. Sears is the worst performer in its peer group as seen on the Quality-Value chart below.

 

[rustybucket]

Sears is terribly mismanaged as per article that I read. The writter said he visited a number of stores and there was always something way wrong with them. I was looking at buying a pair of levi 501s and the price here in BC Canada was 98.00 for a pair and were not even 501s!. I said WOW wholy cow! They were on sale for 50.00.

The tools have changed in the 15 years since buying from them. Less metal in the wrenches, then those made in the mid 1990s. Sears is closing out its Richmond BC store perhaps, as a cost cutting measure.

 

[rustybucket]

grey tools are good. Want a quality made screwdriver...made in Canada? made right here in vancouver of all things. Order a nice set of Picquic screw drivers. Very nice made and mutli bit. It shows, you can make tools in north america and still make a profit

www.picquic.com
http://www.montrealgazette.com/Picq...de+company+Vancouver+plant/9032164/story.html

 

[45Kevin]

^^^

Best multi-bit screw driver I've ever owned.

I had a 1/2" craftsmen ratchet break on me last year. The part that goes into the socket broke off. I went to the Sears store and the guy put in a new center piece right there at the sales counter.

I had the blackened ratchet and they replaced it with the chromed one. I'm OK with that. It broke when I had a 3 foot snipe on it.

I used to have a number of Grey tools, then they went to Grey Canada from Canadian Tire and didn't seem as good.

 

[Michael Hanson]

Hi, personally I still by American tools. OTC is a brand I like. Craftsman still has American tools you just have to look on each tool. Texas stores still replace them easily. Mike