CES 2016, the annual Consumer Electronics Show, kicked off this week. Craftsman has released news at CES in the past, and so I spent a few minutes on Google trying to see if there were any recent announcements.
I didn’t find anything Craftsman-related in any CES 2016 coverage, but I did find a Craftsman page that says:
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Coming in 2016, New Craftsman Industrial Brand Mechanics Tools.
There’s also this PDF, which I think I also saw a few months ago, that discusses the new Craftsman Industrial offerings.
I must say, I’m a bit excited about this. I bought a lot of Craftsman Professional tools, and most are great quality. Since then, Craftsman discontinued most (if not all) Craftsman Professional tools, as well as the branding. “Craftsman Professional” is no more. Craftsman also moved away from USA production, and in doing so the designs of some of their hand tools have changed.
I’ve written about this before, so there’s no need to rehash it too much.
Right now, if I’m in need of any mechanics tools, such as a certain ratchet style, a replacement socket, an accessory such as an extension, adapter, or breaker bar, Craftsman isn’t anywhere on my list. I will sooner look at Husky (which has recently piqued my interest), Kobalt, Tekton, Gearwrench, Proto, or Facom.
Craftsman used to be my go-to brand for mechanics hand tools, but not anymore.
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In addition to interest in what these new tools have to offer, I am hoping that this might be the start of a new direction for Craftsman. I won’t hold my breath, but I will allow myself to feel some excitement and optimism.
What does concern me is that these are Craftsman Industrial tools, and not Craftsman Professional tools. Craftsman has offered some Craftsman Industrial tools in recent years, and also a small selection of USA-made hand tools, but they were sold at industrial suppliers, such as Grainger.
Grainger isn’t a very affordable place for individual users to shop.
A big part of why I bought so many Craftsman Professional tools is because they offered great quality at very affordable prices. Hopefully the same will be true of these new tools.
Oh, and in addition to being made in the USA, these new Craftsman Industrial tools have a lifetime warranty.
But… and not to sound too grumpy, all of my Craftsman Professional tools also have a lifetime warranty, but since they don’t exist anymore, what does it matter? If one of my Craftsman Professional tools fails, and I bring it to Sears, my only replacement option would be to accept a lesser tool.
Also Read: 5 Brands of High Quality USA-Made Mechanics Tools
Here’s a look at the new offerings mentioned in their PDF sneak peek:
Premium Grade Ratchet – We’ve reviewed these Craftsman premium ratchets before, or something very similar, and they were very good. The handle design isn’t my favorite, but I still reach for the test samples every now and then in lieu of my personally owned ratchets.
It’s nice to see these ratchets returning to market. They offered a very good balance between number of teeth and strength.
Round Head Ratchet – I don’t remember if this is the round head ratchet that many users liked, or if it was the two-winged round head ratchet. I think it was this one. Either way, the new round head ratchet looks like it could be quite compact, and the refreshed handle design looks pretty snazzy.
Quick-Release Teardrop Ratchet – I’m not a very big fan of Craftsman’s basic quick-release teardrop ratchet design, but they do make for good “beater” ratchets. I bought a NOS (new old stock) model at the local Sears Essentials before it closed due to leasing disagreement, and sometimes use it in tough situations.
It has fewer teeth, which increases the size of the ratcheting arc, but it’s also strong. I’ll use it in situations where I’m worried a fine-toothed ratchet might break.
Clinch Drive Wrenches – These new Craftsman wrenches have anti-slipping grooves, which Craftsman says allows up to 29% more gripping power in either direction compared to previous standard open end wrenches.
Lots of professional and industrial tool brands have similar anti-slipping and improved-gripping enhanced open end wrench designs. Check out the imagery in our Williams SuperCombo wrench review to see a clear example.
Such features do seem to work well in higher torque applications.
I’ll give Craftsman extra points if these are long pattern wrenches.
Satin Finish Wrenches – Craftsman will also be coming out with new satin finish wrenches in combination, ratcheting, and stubby styles. Hopefully this means non-ratcheting combination wrenches, as well as ratcheting combination wrenches. While full polish wrenches are usually easier to clean, some users prefer satin-finish wrenches over shiny chrome.
Double Box End Ratcheting Wrenches – I can’t say I have ever used a double box end ratcheting wrench, but some users swear by them.
What I really want to see a return of Craftsman’s USA-made deep offset wrenches. Last year I wrote about these wrenches after one got me through an assembly task, and they’ve saved me more time and effort since then.
What do you think?
Nathan
so who do you think makes these. Proto or Williams?
I still like SK products and continue to add them to my sets. reasonably priced, solid quality and I have a local store that carries stuff is I absolutely had to have something.
Stuart
Apex Tool Group, which still has some manufacturing in the USA, such as with Armstrong.
https://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/
Richard
i had all Craftman tools all USA made love them sadly been stolen now been looking new set of tool’s again i been under a lot depression because like u said made in china even HUSKY TOOL’S made in CHINA ”’ same thing made in USA NOW CHINA ” but HUSKY tools some reason looks better quality but is it really ? same thing with KOLBOLT tools same thing made in china now these days snap-on and cornwell tools is the best but way to much what i can’t afford but with husky has a lot more tools to buy compare to Lowes , now with husky tools cost for whole box of tools for on sale 350 dollars plus at least another 100 $$ extra tools if need it impact socket”s but are they good has Craftman made in USA what it use to be p.s i missed my tools thank u thieves who ever stolen my USA craftman tools
lem
I had a set of U.S.A. Craftsman mechanics tools stolen from me also. I hope the S.O.B. enjoys them. The only set of U.S.A. Craftsman mechanics tools that I could find was Craftsman Industrial and to me they looked exactly like my stolen tools with the exception of the name Industrial stamped on them and of course the price is higher for the Craftsman Industrial tool line. And now I see that the Craftsman name has been sold to Apex. I believe this is correct. So with all that being said I now wonder what the future of the Craftsman Industrial tool line will be.
Rob
Stanley-Black&Decker bought Craftsman.
In a pseudo-weird deal.
lem
Rob, I see that you are correct with Stanley- Black&Decker buying Craftsman. Does anyone know what future plans S.B.D. has for the Craftsman Industrial tool line?
Richard
I heard BLACK & DECKER bought out craftman tools in Jan,5.2017 but notice B&D Makes stanley tools has well but made in CHINA if new CRAFTMAN makes in CHINA with B & D what differents make;s unless make those in USA again
Don
I’ve commented before that Craftsman had gotten too gimmicky with their tools instead of just sticking with what they used to do. Give me a good sturdy tool that does the job without fanfare. Hopefully this will be a move back in a traditional direction that worked. The rest of the stuff was like shopping for fancy fishing lures that only catch “fishermen”, not fish.
Stuart
I think this will be a Craftsman arm.
I did some more Googling, and Craftsman Industrial tools are sold by additional outside sources.
Perhaps Craftsman Industrial will enjoy distribution well beyond Sears’ borders.
Andrew
I think these are Armstrong/ Danaher same as Matco. Craftsman is in that same group, so these are probably the same. I’d love to see these in stores, I like Armstrong tools, and if they are backed by the craftsman warranty it’d be a real win
jesse
Matco is not part of Apex Tool Group.
Jay
Picked up a Husky 4 piece SAE double box ratcheting wrench set earlier this year. Love those things. My favorite wrenches.
Harry
I’m not impressed with what I see. I see the non quick release round head ratchet which isn’t a durable ratchet and the classic 36 tooth ratchet with different shaped handles. Then we have what appear to be the Armstrong made formerly MATCO branded proswing ratcheting wrenches in Craftsman Industrial trim. I do like the fixed box end/ratcheting end wrenches but, those have been my favorite ratcheting wrench for years in Armstrong/Matco trim.
Danaher has gotten out of the tool business, Apex has closed most of the US plants consolidating US production in one South Carolina facility. Who is going to carry the industrial line? I just don’t see a bright future for the Craftsman Industrial line.
typhoon
This stuff would actually be pretty exciting if we were talking about the old Craftsman Professional line, sold in stores at very reasonable price points. But the pricing of Craftsman Industrial puts it up against some very competitive brands, and I’m not sure it measures up (even against identical tools from Armstrong, which has a much more solid future).
1) “Clinch Drive” open ends. This is the first time we’ve seen this on an American-made Craftsman wrench (the “Max Axess” full-polish combination wrenches had them). But of course, at Craftsman Industrial pricing, there are some very good alternatives from Williams, Wright, and probably others.
2) The double-box end ratcheting/non-ratcheting wrenches are very cool. I didn’t even know Armstrong had these. But at the price they’re likely to sell for, I’d probably just get GearWrench’s GearBox XLs.
3) The Craftsman “premium-grade” ratchet lives on. But there’s no shortage of great ratchets from other manufacturers at this price point. I have a set of these ratchets, and I don’t have much faith that I’ll be able to find a repair kit for them in the future should I need one.
Jim H
I disagree,
I’ve have a set of the Craftsman Industrial round head ratchets for a long time. I’ve abused them using pipes on the handle to break bolts loose and using the end like a hammer and they just keep working. I too have been worried about not being able to replace them because you don’t see them in the store anymore.
pencil neck
I’ve got 2 of the Premium Grade Ratchets, 1/4″ and 3/8″ and I really like them, no regrats! I do like the handle design because when you putting the beans on a nut or bolt, it is a wider surface on the hand, not so much “more comfort” but rather “less digging into my hand”. However, the large handle design might work against you in tight spaced. I’d recommend them to anyone.
The Clinch Drive Wrenches look like they could get my wallet to open up, I’ll be checking these out first hand.
So Sears/Craftsman did listen to our feedback (bitching) a while back?
John
Not to be off subject but you did mention Husky and I did get a chance to check out their new black 100 position mechanics set, 20 piece 100 position ratchet set, 100 position gimbal, and their stand alone 100 position locking flex-head and man these things are pretty darn nice. The ones you mentioned here:
https://toolguyd.com/misc-tool-news-mid-december-2015-edition/
Oh and someone actually listened and made the 20 piece include 10,12, and 19 mm sockets which are the most frequent auto sockets I end out using but for some reason manufacturers, especially Craftsman have been stupidly skipping 12 and putting 11 and missing 19 on any of their small stand alone sets. That made me very happy. Next time I’m in I’m probably picking these up. I also relatively sure they are USA made too but I can’t remember for sure however they do have the lifetime guarantee. These are defiantly a look see as an alternative and competitor to the standard Craftsmans.
Will
Interesting you mention the black chrome wrenches. I recently was in Sears and then to Home Depot, and the designs looks, if I recall correctly, exactly the same. Might they come from the same manufacturer?
jesse
I was looking at the 100-position ratchet wrenches at Home Depot during Christmas. The first set I picked up had a wrench with the ratchet mechanism missing. No, they are not made in USA.
Richard
well husky tools made in china and Taiwan has well much has Craftman tools these days including Kobolt tools since 2010 i got old Craft man made USA best quality i ever had but sadly got stolen i need new tools not happy buying from china or go buy snap-on but to costly to buy cost 10 times more than these other tools but i notice husky look like good made but is it really a good quality compare to snap on or Cornwell tools ?? I WISH I HAD MY OLD CRAFTMAN TOOLS BACK thanks to who stole them ,,,,now thinking buying husky or kolbolt tools from china is it good has USA product ?
Cody
You do know that snap on is even being made oversea to right all tools will watch you have my word on it
mike aka Fazzman
Sorry Sears,too little to late for me. ill spend my dough elsewhere.
Richard
well lowes and home depot has same thing with there tools saying MADE IN CHINA no more that flag posted saying MADE IN USA sadly for America allowed it moved overseas
Jerry
I got a set of Craftsman Professional combo wrenches on clearance, under $40 because one size was missing from the set. They were USA made and are of very good quality. If Sears has these in stores, I will be checking them out and if comparable in quality/value will likely be getting some. I’m also looking for good USA made deep offset double box end wrenches. I like that they give knuckle clearance yet keep your hand parallel with the work surface. Also, they tend to be longer than combo wrenches, giving more leverage.
factis
I got my set in 2007. The construction is slightly different now, but the older ones, at the least, have been implicated as being the same as Armstrong’s version (the parent company is Danaher for both lines). The weights and everything are so close or identical, that it appears to be a rebrand. I can’t specify now. However, my set has stood up to years of use without an issue and tolerances are excellent. I have Gedore long-pattern wrenches, too, and the Craftsman Pros are my go-to set.
Anthony
The former Craftsman Professional wrenches are identical to SK. They were manufactured in the same facility.
Tom
It’s nice to see a double box end ratcheting wrench. I have always struggled to understand why you get an open end with most ratcheting wrenches. Isn’t the whole idea of a combination wrench to use the closed end to break something free and then the open end to quickly spin a nut off? Why would you want an open end at all with a ratcheting style?
I think Sears may be on to something with this design.
Justin
[quote]But… and not to sound too grumpy, all of my Craftsman Professional tools also have a lifetime warranty, but since they don’t exist anymore, what does it matter? If one of my Craftsman Professional tools fails, and I bring it to Sears, my only replacement option would be to accept a lesser tool.[/quote]
This is the same reason I wouldn’t spend my money on Craftsman Industrial. Sears is too unstable, so the “lifetime” warranty means very little. How long do we think the Industrial line will actually be around?
Toolfreak
I….guess this is sort of good news, but it’s more of a “new tools” announcement than news that Craftsman Industrial products are made in the USA, since the Industrial line has always been USA-made.
What’s really, really strange is that they are just moving the Premium ratchet to the Industrial line, instead of continuing to sell it at Sears. Lock-up issues aside, that was one of their better sellers among the USA-made diehards since all the other ratchets went to Taiwan/China manufacture.
Sears just makes some bizarre business decisions.
They COULD brand all this stuff as Craftsman Professional and sell it in stores too, and I think that would bring back at least some of their customers, even if the prices were higher than usual for the brand.
Unless Sears is going to sell this Industrial stuff via the website, I don’t think it will do that much for the brand since Grainger’s pricing is pretty high.
On the plus side, if this stuff comes out and doesn’t sell, we can look forward to another round or two of fire-sale pricing on the Industrial stuff at Sears Outlet stores.
Lynyrd
Craftsman Industrial Tools is part of KCD IP, LLC. founded in 2006. The C’man Industrial Tools began brand production about 2010 when KCD solicited overseas production of their mainline tools to Apex to be produced in China and Taiwan. Most Industrial Wrenches and Sockets were still made by Danaher and continue to be.
Finding Craftsman Industrial tools was the hard part. Available from lower online dealers. With KCD under new leadership Eddie Lampert may have given the go ahead to promote Craftsman Industrial. The example is introduction of the first “new” tools in nearly a decade.
I believe this can succeed, but finding the right combination of bricks and motar and online retail will be key.
David
I stopped buying craftsman tool a while ago, Ratchets are junk. I can get better quality for cheaper money almost anywhere. For 30 years I bought all craftsman because it was good quality, now all I see is “made in china”. JUNK. At least 80% of my tools are Craftsman, Now I buy other brand names.
Coach James
This is good news to me. I will certainly consider buying when they are available, especially the double box ends and deep offset box ends. People complain when Sears moved production overseas. Now they bring some back and people still criticize.
Dustin
When will these be available? Any idea on price point?
Dustin
When I say “these” I am referring to the industrial/premium grade ratchets. I was disappointed when they went out of stock last time around…
Lynyrd
In all due respect, other than some of the “new” items posted, the fact that Craftsman Industrial tools are manufactured in the U.S.A. isn’t news. This has always been and continues to be the case. I submit the title of this article is misleading, as if something new has been discovered.
When KCD sought production of main line tools overseas, the rebadged the Danaher made tools as Craftsman Industrial. Soon after the Professional Screwdrivers and Pliers, primarily made by Apex Tool ceased their licensing agreement.
Toolguyd is great and I am a fan, but you all aren’t always the first to know. Keep it real and straight forward. Just sayin’
Stuart
After rereading the headline 5 times, I just don’t see your point.
Many of these are new tool designs. They’re expanding Craftsman’s Industrial tools lineup. And they’re made in the USA.
So yes, these are indeed new Craftsman Industrial ratchets and wrenches, and they’re made in the USA. Some of the tools are being brought out of retirement, others look to be completely new offerings.
I’m sorry, but I won’t change the title just because you’re reading it differently than it was intended. I craft headlines as simply and straightforward as I can.
If I had the space, the title would have been: Craftsman adds new tools to Industrial lineup, making them the first new tool designs being manufactured in years, but a few are relaunches of prior tool designs no longer manufactured in the USA (or elsewhere).
Or maybe it should be: “Craftsman launching new Industrial tools, you’ll never guess where they’re being made.”
Or: “Craftsman continues to produce tools in USA, you’ll never guess what’s coming out next.”
Or: “Craftsman is coming out with 6 new tools, number 5 will shock you!’
They did NOT rebadge Danaher-made tools as Craftsman Industrial, at least not at first. I own 2 sets of Craftsman Industrial raised-panel wrenches given to me after I instructed at a Craftsman workshop a few years ago. At the time, outsourcing of Craftsman and Craftsman Professional tool lines had not yet started.
Those Craftsman Industrial tools, while similar to the regular Craftsman tools, were slightly different in finish, with Craftsman also saying they were stronger.
Craftsman Industrial tools have been around for a while, often in limited selection and availability. They sold some Craftsman Industrial tools under “Professional Use” description recently, but without much rhyme, and with a lot of seeming randomness. Those tools appear to clones of discontinued Craftsman Professional tools.
This is the biggest Craftsman movement towards a limited return to USA manufacturing that I’ve seen. Even a little bit is better than nothing.
Some of the designs, such as the wrenches, look like they require new tooling, and so it’s not as if Apex Tool Group factories are simply pulling old equipment out of storage.
But also, if Apex Tool Group was involved in Craftsman screwdrivers and pliers, theirs was a very minor part. OEMs such as Wilde, Western Forge, and Pratt-Read were the primary manufacturers for these types of tools.
Apex Tool Group is and was primarily involved in Craftsman’s mechanics tools – ratchets, wrenches, sockets, and related accessories.
Lynyrd
Example is this, you state, “What I really want to see a return of Craftsman’s USA-made deep offset wrenches.”
They never quit making them and are still available.
How do I know, yes I work for Sears Holdings and yes we re-badged Danaher made wrenches and sockets to Craftsman Industrial.
Former Professional Style Screwdrivers were and are made by Apex Tools.
It does not mark a return to limited return to the USA market, as it never left. The issue is that KCD has not marketed or set up proper distribution, so many are misinformed about origin, timeline, and availability.
What is underway is a new President at KCD and a new commitment to the brand and Made in USA tools.
Lynyrd
Tool Barn and Summit Racing (online) both have the offset box end wrenches, single and sets.
Both carry the majority of the Craftsman Industrial Catalog. You won’t find the former Red/Black Screwdrivers and Pliers as ties between companies broke about 2013. You can get the same however under the SK brand.
Stuart
The Craftsman deep offset wrenches Sears sells are now made in China. There was a long time when the USA-made ones seemed to have been completely retired, along with all of their other USA-made wrenches.
http://c.shld.net/rpx/i/s/i/spin/image/spin_prod_940342812
What does it matter if they existed in Industrial format or not, if nobody could find them?
Dan
Wow! I kinda feel like avoiding any of these tools now, simply due to this crazy-ass, know-it-all, “I work for Sears Holdings so I must know more than YOU” commenter…
It’s one thing for someone to mention a piece of info they think might be off,
“Lynyrd says
January 9, 2016 at 11:52 pm
Craftsman Industrial Tools is part of KCD IP, LLC. founded in 2006. The C’man Industrial Tools began brand production about 2010 when KCD solicited overseas production of their mainline tools to Apex to be produced in China and Taiwan. Most Industrial Wrenches and Sockets were still made by Danaher and continue to be.
Finding Craftsman Industrial tools was the hard part. Available from lower online dealers. With KCD under new leadership Eddie Lampert may have given the go ahead to promote Craftsman Industrial. The example is introduction of the first “new” tools in nearly a decade.
I believe this can succeed, but finding the right combination of bricks and motar and online retail will be key.”
But to return 10 days later, just to further comment argumentatively and even go so far as to accuse the article of being misleading, that is something else!
Maybe if somebody focused more on their job, the Craftsman name, image, and reputation would speak for itself, and posting off-putting comments on random tool blogs would prove unnecessary.
Guy LaFarge
When Sears eventually goes bankrupt, will the Craftsman name and select distributors still carry on?
Stuart
I’m sure it will.
It’s my understanding that Craftsman is kind of partitioned off in KCD, Kenmore, Craftsman, and Diehard sub-business.
Steve
Ok not buying craftsman any more just because of these comments I rather just spend a lot more money in Matco for sure I was thinking buying a set since they said it’s USA made not anymore thanks guys @:
Jay Coughlin
I want to see Craftsman tools (all of them) made in America, and if not; start making AMERICAN MADE PROFESSIONAL HIGH POLISHED SAE AND METRIC wrenches ASP!!
Who ever made the decision to go cheap on the tools does not understand the big market for high quality tools at good prices and service sears could provide, do you ever wondeer why traffice is down at Sears? People are tired of junk, GET THEM BACK IN STORES NOW!!!
Tom
I’m just a shade tree mechanic, and I have always considered Sear’s Craftsman tools perfect for me because of the various reasons. I bought the mechanics toolset (USA made) many years ago, and have added to it here and there. It just so happens that I did not have a set of metric line (flare) wrenches. So I went to Sears and looked at them. They were highly polished and sold for about $40. I then looked for the country of origin: china. I walked out of the store without buying or looking at anything else. I then stopped in the Northern Tools store down the street. I looked at the metric line wrenches and they too were made in china, and I swear they were the exact same wrenches except for the name stamped on them, but these ones sold for about $10. I bought that set (and standard too) just to spite Sears. They now sit in my junk toolbox in case I ever need to cut one in half and/or weld it. I ended up buying the Masterforce line wrenches from Menards because they are USA made.
Trying to make this not a long story, I would like to say that I ended up buying some larger wrenches (Masterforce) from Menards because they are USA made. I could have bought the cheaper Crescent brand wrenches but they were made in Taiwan even though a guy whose opinion I trust says the steel in the Taiwan made tools are ok.
I guess what I am trying to say is that I agree totally with Jay Coughlin and what he says above. Just make USA tools available to the people that will pay the extra money for them.
Everyone complains that Sears changed to make their tools made in china and this is evidently true. Even if Sears did not want their tools made in china, Sears was probably forced to make that business decision in order to stay competitive against everybody else that are getting their tools made in china (this applies to many other goods too), and of course most people who don’t care will buy the cheapest.
Not wanting to make this political, but facts are facts. The root cause of most of this made in china crap (not just tools) is the free trade agreement. The free trade agreement lifted tariffs that have been in place since the 1700’s (or whenever, but it has been a long, long time). Those tariffs kept low rent countries like china from UNFAIRLY competing against the American worker by flooding our market with their cheaper (but not necessarily inferior) goods. If it were not for the tariffs of the past, we would never have achieved a higher standard of living, and would have economically lived like people in china and other third world countries. Remember who signed NAFTA, and remember that we are getting more third world every day.
BTW: I now ebay for my USA made Craftsman tools.
Richard
well they all moved to china except Lowes and Harborfrieght made in Taiwan sounds better quality than china but who know’s that’s true i prefer USA made anytime but Snap on tools for example cost 16 or 18 times more than 500 dollar’s a set overseas junk set because of American wages is to high that’s why its overseas now giving overseas cheap labor ( maybe working for nothing )
JE Zimm
I think many of you have already summed up my take on this. I first started my Craftsman collection in the late ’60’s. It was a gift-set from an appreciative Father for helping him on his hobby automobiles. I was infected by both the autos, and the tools that went the projects. And many of the tools served me in my other hobbies, and some professions over the decades. For over 45 or so years, I knew that relatively “better” brands existed, but the Craftsman tools were of excellent quality for anything that I was able to throw at them. More importantly to me, NONE of the other brands offered a USA made replacement, if the tool broke on a Saturday or Sunday. Or even mid-week for that matter. After all, I had a completely different day job, and my weekend projects and time were very precious to me. I came to rely on getting a replacement that matched the rest of my made-in-usa set, sockets or whatever, and having the same “feel” in the hand for those tools that were used more often (wrenches, etc.). What ended up happening with Sears and virtually everyone else, is that they became driven by Marketing to change things. Even when there was no reason, except that their Sales force was no longer competent to secure the business for the line. Flash and newness, were expected to drive the sales instead of people and reputation. This resulted in the inevitable experimentation, and arbitrary decisions to try to reduce cost, and then cut other lines (presented as “upscale” versions of a known standard). I’m sorry. Maybe its vanity, but I like my tool sets to look and feel the same when a piece has to be replaced or added. That also extends to the COO (Country of Origin) on the tool. Sending the line to China was disastrous for the quality. Instead of cracking a socket every 4 or 5 years, they started cracking like clockwork, tick, tick, tick. Can’t tell you how much that hurts on the hands. Open end wrenches would wear out or round-out frequently, and as mentioned earlier, I could not obtain a replacement, or even a look-alike for the Professional line that I was foolish enough to try out. There are look-alike replacements for the Craftsman standard line, but they don’t WORK-alike. The truth is, Marketing or Sales can’t make up for the fact that people and their hobbies that would use these tools have changed. The life and needs of an weekend mechanic is now severely limited in scope of what he can do without a thorough knowledge of his car’s electronic subsystems, and the specialized computer interfaces, required to assist what were once routine (like changing and bleeding brake system items). The design of engines negated the usual routine maintenance (and in many cases entire systems/components) of items that once existed under the hood. Not that I miss cleaning or changing my spark plugs, points, adjusting tappets, or improving system performance. But there is only so much that you can do now, without violating a law or the warranty. Many people still enjoy what they can do, but the real emphasis is no longer on what you can do with your hands, unless they are on a computer or a device. All the clever Marketing in the world won’t change that trend. I’m happy to see that the new Industrial line both looks like my oldest tools, and that they are once again made in the USA. However, I don’t think that the guys at the local store will replace a damaged one of my older USA, with an industrial line replacement, even if it looks alike. I also don’t think that Marketing will let the line live any longer than the professional line did. KDC is a securitization firm, which means there is no real stability in either the brand, quality, or existence when you need it.
Chris
So, Its nearly the end of the year. Has anyone seen any more about these? When I recently checked there wasn’t anything on the sears or craftsman websites.
Thom
Did these products ever materialize?
Tough Love
Quoting …….. “But… and not to sound too grumpy, all of my Craftsman Professional tools also have a lifetime warranty, but since they don’t exist anymore, what does it matter? If one of my Craftsman Professional tools fails, and I bring it to Sears, my only replacement option would be to accept a lesser tool.”
I don’t believe the new ( really new, or just re-branded ??) “Industrial” Line is any different/better than the previously sold U.S.A.-made Craftsman-branded tools (especially the one sold under there “professional” designation).
I’ve got TONS of USA made Craftsman tools and don’t believe that replacement with a cheap China-made tool “legally” (let alone ethically) satisfies the terms of their full hand-tool warranty……. and would ask for a USA-made replacement …. if one exits … INCLUDING from their Industrial line. There is an implied element to all warranties and of course taking Sears to small Claims Court would likely be necessary, seeking a judgement to order Sears to provide such a replacement.
I’m sure Sears would fight tooth-and-nail to stop a “judgement” to that effect that would hold up as a standard across the country.
Luke
Like my brother says,” if you have china products, I want the china prices”. Sears/ Craftsman does not sell the china tools for china prices. Like the one poster here said about going down the street and getting the same tool for way less.
Sears/ craftsman or who ever is responsible for manufacturing off shore junk, has zero though process. Remember when they advertised with Nascar? Don’t they realize absolutely no professional mechanic in the US wants an offshore made mechanics tool. It makes no sense to me how huge companies decide things. I have seen so many top selling good items that they just stop making, its like they want to go down the tube. Just like Craftsman ruining their tools by offshore manufacture.
Jack Burton
I think these are the same Craftsman tools as the old standard Made In USA ones but just re named an with a higher price tag.
Bob Biron
Hi, What website could I purchase these new craftsman industrial ratchets? If anyone knows, please let me know. Thanks
Rod Rosenstein
Start buying up anything Craftsman folks. There going away and will be worth $$$ when there all gone!