New Craftsman made in USA mechanics tool sets, advertised as being forged in Texas, are finally available at Lowe’s.
The Craftsman 88pc tool set, CMMT45018, has appeared at Lowe’s stores nationwide and are also available online.
Readers have also reported finding the new USA-made sets at Exchange stores.
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At Lowe’s stores, the Craftsman tool sets might be in different locations. My closest store put the 88pc tool set out on the floor – literally – near the usual Craftsman mechanics tool sets.
Another Lowe’s store had a promotional display near the entrance, as shown at the top of the post. I learned of one store that placed their Craftsman tool set promotional display in the lumber aisle.
The 88pc set comes with 1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets with 90T gearing and quick release feature, shallow and deep sockets (6pt), a couple of drive accessories, a screwdriver handle, screwdriver bits, and hex keys.
According to the packaging, the ratchet, sockets, and wrenches are made in the USA from global materials, and the other tools are made in Taiwan.
Price: $69.98
You might have an easier time ordering online; I had to do a lot of legwork to find the 88pc set in person.
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I purchased a test sample, and while not perfect (e.g. the 3/8″ ratchet has a chrome defect), the tool quality seems to be good for the price.
Craftsman also has a smaller 59pc set, CMMT45016, with 3/8″ ratchet, sockets, screwdriver handle, and bits.
Price: $49.98
Lowe’s website reports that my closest store has 7 of the 59pc set available for delivery or free pickup within 3 hours, but I was unable to purchase a set in person.
The Lowe’s associates first told me the sets couldn’t be sold until Q3. When I asked when that would be, they said a quarter is every 3 months. Doesn’t Q3 start in July?
Then, they said that “oh, it’ll take 20 minutes to get it down because it’s on a pallet.” And then, “if we take it down and there’s a store inspection we’ll get in a lot of trouble.”
They told me to “come back in August.”
Both sets can be purchased via Lowe’s website, and so it’s not clear why they wouldn’t sell me the tool set at the store itself. This has never happened to me at Home Depot.
Hopefully you won’t run into the same obstacles.
The two mechanics tool sets – 88pc and 59pc – are both “limited time buys,” in the most literal sense possible. These tools are not being produced anymore, and so once they sell out, they won’t be restocked.
Read Also: Craftsman is Closing its USA Hand Tools Factory
Dozens of these USA-made Craftsman tool sets have already popped up on Ebay, with prices as high as $250.
OldDominionDIYer
So which is Stuart?
“According to the packaging, the ratchet, sockets, and wrenches are made in the USA from global materials, and the other tools are made in Taiwan.”
or
“advertised as being forged in Texas”
this is how they dump their failed “Sort of Made in the USA” stock that they quickly abandoned. Sad very sad. How will the lifetime warranty work on tools they know will never produced again?
Stuart
The insert on the inside says “made in USA with global materials, forged in Texas.” The back of the case says that the ratchets, sockets, and wrenches are made in USA with global materials, and the balance is made in Taiwan.
I take this to mean that the USA-made components are forged in Texas, the other stuff is not.
The major components are USA-made/forged.
A Proto USA-made 3/8″ 90T ratchet (J5249HTC) retails for quite a bit more than the entire 88pc mechanics tool set.
Would it be nice if the entire kit was made in the USA? Sure. Is there any way such a kit could ever sell for $70 in modern times?
I would guess that should a tool fail, you can expect to receive a functional equivalent replacement. Or, there could be open inventory kept for warranty replacement purposes.
Nate
Yep. They are also dumping them in the military exchanges (Army PX, Navy NavEx, Air Force BX, and USMC MCX). I’m a little cynical about that, as they tend to sell a bunch of DeWalt “made in USA” at prices that seem to be higher prices than the same tools at big box stores. You’re also hard pressed to find any tools on the shelves at higher quality than DeWalt Brushless there. There’s also Craftsman and more Black and Decker than I ever see anywhere else. Tools stay on the shelves essentially until they sell, so you have to be careful to see if the models are the latest. Good luck with online ordering, it might take a month or two to arrive. I did buy some nice made in USA Craftsman hand tools (ratchets, sockets, and ratcheting wrenches) there when I was overseas in Korea in the early-mid 2000s. I am glad I did, they were quality tools. However, I generally avoid buying tools there due to the issues I cited above.
The only consistently good deals there are supplies for kids (diapers and childcare stuff) and kids clothes. I am glad they got that right. Young military families need all the help they can get in taking care of their kids.
Thom
Meh…Craftsman is dead to me now. I sold all of my Stanley Black and Decker stock (SWK) back in April and unfollowed Craftsman on Instagram,
Andres
I own the same set 88pc. Bought it a at my local Base Exchange. The quality varies between sets, mine came with rusty sockets, the ratchet is also somehow thicker and just as bad as the expensive Taiwan’s versions they copied. The mechanism is just a update version(added teeth to reach 90t) it fit the 72t version. For the price is fine, the problem here is deff going to be getting replacements. They only produce so much and most will be sold a lower prices to liquidate the factory. So you can expect a replacement made in Taiwan or China. Comparing a 90t USA made proto/Mac ratchet to this is ridiculous. The Mac/proto quality is superior in every way. This kit suffers from a lot of things, rust, bad clunky ratchets, Taiwan/china items.
Stuart
I was comparing to Proto pricing, not quality.
Are you sure what you’re seeing is rust and not just uncoated areas inside the sockets?
Moose Kahrs
It probably is rust. Read through the WSJ article and it’s full of quotes from employees who worked at the plant and said sockets we’re being made without full plating & stamping… bins full. Basically the plant never came up to par… and those sets appearing on military bases? About 1200 from a retailer that cancelled their order… presumably Ace?
Andres
It’s rust, almost all the sockets have some. Nothing super crazy, I’ve had some from sk like these. The sockets are fine in terms of useability. What’s criminal is the poor choice of ratchet they decided to copy, the same one everyone hates and complain about. Except it’s worse, thick and clunky. I bought mine for cheaper 49$, so can’t complain. Staley is deff dumping and liquidating the stock everywhere they can. Makes me question the quality even more now.
bob
Is anyone familiar with an empty case for socket sets similar to original cases?
Shocked
Try eBay. I purchased a VersaStack socket/ratchet case (without the tools) a few years ago from an eBay seller. He was buying tool sets and then selling the cases and tools separately.
bob
thanks!
JR Ramos
Look around Cripe Distributing…they’ve had them off and on (try several search terms). Could also call Tekton on the telephone and see if they can help out (would suggest phone over email…).
For some types of cases I’ve been known to just buy a cheapo set of something and gift away the contents so I can have the case (worked out well a few times …not ideal or always cost effective, but sometimes).
Brandon
I bought a set a few days ago and was disappointed. First, the ratchets were the same as anything else but had a “Made in USA with Global Materials” on the bottom side, where the socket attaches. Second, the screwdriver and bits, and the hex wrenches were definitely not made (in any capacity) in the USA. Third, the extensions and adapters were the same as in any other kit and not made here. Lastly, the sockets were the only component that appeared to be manufactured stateside. Okay, no big deal, especially for the price, but, the finish was sub-par at best. Many of the sockets didn’t even have chrome plating on the inside of the sockets as many of them were already rusting and the outside on a few weren’t that great. I’m sorry, that is just unacceptable. I had high hopes and was looking forward to seeing these hit the shelves, but am left feeling underwhelmed and do not regret returning the set a hour later. Nice job, SBD.
Stuart
Sears’ USA-made Craftsman sockets also lacked chrome plating on the inside.
I thought the same years ago – why do the sockets look like that on the inside?! – but it had no affect on function or performance.
Were the sockets in your set actually rusting on the inside, or were they just not pretty-looking?
Brandon
It was definitely rust; I should have taken a few photos.
I have hundreds of Sears-era sockets that I purchased new and they do not have the cosmetic issues like this, not by a mile, and some Stanley branded sockets that do not have this. I know it is most likely superficial, but come on, this is 2023, SBD can and should do better. I’m just let down as I regrettably bought into the hype and was hopeful.
Stuart
Even if superficial, I don’t blame you; nobody likes rusty new tools.
Mr cool
I noticed my old USA made sockets from the early 90s have rust on the inside but yet function as they should . Crying and complaining over petty shit will not fix it
Brandon
My point is quite simple, new tools shouldn’t have rust. 30+ year old tools is another story and reasonably expected. I wasn’t crying but go ahead and project .
Jason
I’ve been in the industry a long time and I’ve seen just about everything; both good, bad and in between. Now if they were 100% imported, “cheap” I’d expect this and wouldn’t be surprised. For a product that was assembled and might have had some USA materials and considering these were factory sealed brand new I would be less than thrilled with this.
Brand new factory sealed items for between $50-70 being rusted is a valid concern. Believe me in the last several decades I’ve heard countless nonsense yet this isn’t one of them. Tools made decades ago; even if you take great care of them are bound to show wear after some time.
Hearing/reading grown men have absolute meltdowns over the Leatherman Garage now that is what I call crying and complaining. Seriously folks priorities.
Shocked
Earlier today, after seeing a news article about the Made in USA sets being available, I checked the Lowe’s site to see what was up. My local Lowe’s had the 88 pc set for $69.98, just like Stuart wrote. They only had 16 sets, so I ordered one to pickup at the store later. I’ll probably put this set in my truck for emergency repairs. The article also noted that the same set is offered on eBay for a huge markup; sure enough, both sets are being offered by multiple sellers for kings’ ransoms.
TomD
Yeah, if the eBay auctions go through I’d just resell yours and buy a better set elsewhere.
But auctions listed vs auctions sold is a big difference.
Fred G
Wall Street Journal article on the closing of Craftsman’s tool plant;
https://archive.li/RQev4
TomD
Just saw that; Milwaukee should buy the plant just for the lols.
SBD seems to have done everything possible (and had bad luck, too) to make it not work out.
Doug N
Fascinating article, especially the comparisons to Snap On and Wright. I wonder if Milwaukee will try making wrenches and ratchets in USA.
Marc T.
Yep. If the Craftsman name and made in America is important to you, buy them now. But it sounds like the tools are poor quality and did not even meet SBD quality standards; hence closing and selling the Texas facility. In fact, based on comments here and in the WSJ article, the tools did not match Chinese tool quality. Not a good sign of American management.
Interesting, they relied on robotic machinery from Belarus. Since when did Belarus create quality equipment.
Jim Felt
“Low bid”?
JR Ramos
The Russo Optical empire is quite capable and has a very long history manufacturing lots of things. Right now it seems like they still excel in optics and weaponry but they have quite a large industrial footprint to this day. Probably best not to support them in any way, though.
Tom
Thanks for sharing. Hearing directly from some of the employees who were there is probably the closest we will get get to answers on why this project ultimately didn’t pan out. It sounds like the biggest issue was not properly vetting new technology and processes at a smaller scale before going all in. Hopefully all of the impacted employees will be able to find jobs elsewhere. This is just a shame all around.
Joseph Cimino
SBD had two options after buying Craftsman with a pledge to return manufacturing to USA. Use existing supply chain manufacturers with high service reliabilty like Western Forge or use their own manufacturng footprint adding a new plant for mechanics tools. They chose the latter and potential synergy of savings avoiding contract issues with other manufacturers. However, employing a new unproven technology to mass produce doing more with less was like playing Russian Roulette. SBD lost.
Sean
A little off topic but I see my Local Lowes has started stocking Klein tools
Stuart
What kind? I keep checking but haven’t seen anything yet.
Sean
Mine has a small selection currently…screwdrivers, a couple NCVT, kit with a meter, receptacle tester and a NCVT and some PPE is about it so far.
jon
What a shame. The whole point of USA made is quality. From what I have read they didn’t manage to do that so what’s the point? I have been buying tools for 30+ years and have seen the shift from mostly good quality USA Made to almost no USA made. I understand business and the need to make a profit. The problem is that as we continue to lose manufacturing jobs and borrow for everything it’s a recipe for the fall of this country. Unfortunately there are no solutions and the slide will continue.
John
Are those ratchets the same design as the overseas ones they’ve been putting in their kits? They look similar, which is worrying because the old ones are junk, we bought a few for work and gave up returning them because they’d break after a matter of weeks (not doing anything intense, the HF ones we buy last years). I’ve never seen a worse design for a ratchet except maybe those k-mart specials.
Moose Kahrs
Yes supposedly same design & guts. Saw an article maybe a year ago, just before things were supposed to launch saying the ratchet guts were imported & only the handles were forged in Texas.
Andres
Same ratchet design, updated 90t gear. The problem is they didn’t fix the gigantic head. It’s still the same, well slightly thicker now. The 90t gear is just an updated 72t gear from the Taiwan ratchet, they just added more teeth to claim 90. Both fit eachother, so you can replace the 90t gear wit a Taiwanese 72 once they run out of them. Only the body is made in the USA.
Joe E.
The heads on the ratchets are definitely too large. It’s a shame SBD didn’t carry over the 84 tooth, low profile ratchets. Those were real gems.
JML
Interesting article on the failure of the USA-made Craftsman tools effort: https://www.wsj.com/articles/craftsman-america-wrench-stanley-black-decker-reshoring-factory-1125792f?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1
JML
Oops. Just saw the earlier post on the WSJ article.
Dave
I recently had USA Craftsman c-clamps stolen and decided on Irwin to replace them. Ordered from Amazon and the majority up to 8” were from India which is currently worse than China IMO. Badly forged and no prep afterwards before painting resulting in Thick paint and cheesy looking C-clamps! Send them all back and ordered WEN c-clamps as replacements. WEN are Chinese made but look much much more quality than the India made Irwin!
Hank Kingsley
I have several made in the us and a craftsperson sockets I want to warranty. I live in Canada. I’m sure this will go really well!
Harris
The Wall Street Journal has a really good article on the problems at the Craftsman factory in Fort Worth, https://apple.news/AgcCWPRZOTaqkHSxZUnuQKQ, unfortunately it is behind a paywall.
Big Richard
Someone above posted a non paywalled link – https://archive.li/2023.07.22-030813/https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/craftsman-america-wrench-stanley-black-decker-reshoring-factory-1125792f
Joe E.
Even if they had gotten this factory off the ground, the tools look incredibly disappointing.
Once these sell out, Craftsman will be back to selling the same old boring tools in their obnoxiously bright red packaging…
• Mechanics sets that are incomplete and skip sizes, full of filler such as bits and hex keys in order to raise the count.
• Rebranded Stanley pliers, made of cheap metal with chunky grips. The poorest quality pliers of any brand Lowe’s sells.
• Iconic clear handle screwdrivers made Taiwan. Surely can’t expect them to make something as simple as a screwdriver stateside.
• Plastic bins “Made in the USA with global materials” so they can continue on with their lies of being committed to US manufacturing.
Jared
The thing that strikes me is the pricing: 88 pieces for $70.
Ignoring the hex keys and insert bits, that’s still Husky-level pricing for made-in-USA tools (e.g. perhaps this set makes a reasonable comparison: https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Mechanics-Tool-Set-94-Piece-H94MTS/308802598).
I think that is telling. SBD must have hoped to compete with Husky, Crescent… maybe even Gearwrench, with similar level performance and pricing – but with products made in the USA. I bet that was an attractive proposition. Husky and Crescent aren’t top-tier tool brands, but they aren’t junk either – and the pricing is excellent. SBD likely hoped to move tons of product at those prices, using the MiUSA aspect as their marketing hook.
I would hazard a guess most of us reading a daily tool news site probably lean towards slightly more upscale brands, however. Even if this proceeded as planned, I doubt we were their target audience.
andres+solis+castillo
It’s not true pricing tho. This pricing is more to liquidate the stock.
Stuart
I don’t think so; this is exactly the type of pricing I would have expected these sets to retail for.
Joe A
Oh no no… I am not falling for it again. Sorry, Craftsman, not buying it.
Andres
No it’s not. The pricing for these is all over the place. My kit was 49$, but I’ve seen it for 56, 89 and some other prices. Again they are liquidating all the stock from the closed factory. I would expected the pricing to be much higher, but not crazy high. Something in the relm of their current Taiwan kits. Also looks like they don’t have much stock. Most places only received 1 pallet. My store had 5 88pc and like 3 of the small ones. Almost all sold as they are cheaper then the Taiwan kit.
Jared
What I had in mind in my post above is that I don’t think these were ever intended to be premium, or even mid-level tools. I think they were going to be nearly the same thing Craftsman sells now, except MiUSA.
In that context we probably shouldn’t be disappointed to see SBD recycle the old ratchet design, for example. With pricing that low, these aren’t supposed to be V-series tools or anything along those lines – they were budget tools with domestic production as an interesting marking angle.
E.g. Craftsman brand name + USA production + low pricing… probably could have been a winner if SBD got the factory to work as planned.
Even if these were “supposed” to be a little higher priced, I don’t think they were ever intended to compete with Tekton or other slightly more upscale brands.
Andres
My point is that this is deff not actual pricing or intended price of the tools if they were actually worked out. It’s clear that Stanley is clearing out and selling off whatever was produced at the Texas facility. They have low stock and no advertising. Currently no USA tool company has any way of beating overseas china/Taiwan prices. Not even with innovative technology as Stanley tried. Yes you can have sales, but it’s not sustainable. I agree Stanley wanted cheap USA made tools, but they weren’t gonna priced so cheaply. Regardless of price, any affordable USA made tool was going to be a hit. The V series are expensive for a Taiwanese made tool, but they are also expensive due to most of the designs coming from(facom/usag/expert) and some tools actually beeing made in France. I would bet money that this kit was going to be sold for 120 to 150$ like the current Taiwan’s made kit. Still a excellent price for USA made tools.
Jason T.
I really wanted to like this new Craftsman. No I don’t need another set, although looks to be a good assortment to keep in a car. From pictures I have seen, all of my older Craftsman is far better quality. These don’t even look as good as a lot of the sockets from Harbor Freight! They probably perform about like harbor freight sockets. So yes they would work just fine. They aren’t collector’s items though.
I think all that any of us really wanted was the quality and price point of the Craftsman tools of old. Unfortunately manufacturing in the US can’t reach that anymore for many reasons. They should be able to and there are many areas where we could place blame, but that won’t change anything.
Eric Selander
Did you see this article from 7/23/2023
Why the $90 M Stanley Automated Factory Failed to Deliver Black & Decker’s Craftsman Tools
https://www.cryptopolitan.com/90-m-stanley-automated-factory-failed/
Neighbor Joe
Good article. 90mil on unproven technology and a workforce with no institutional knowledge in tool making. Driven by unrealistic expectations of healthcare industry like profit margins. This is the penultimate example of the folly trying to do more with less.
loup68
I can relate to this. MTD tried to automate the lawn mower blade line more than just having a robot blade crane. We in maintenance practically killed ourselves for over two weeks working ten hour shifts to keep the “automation” working. After that, they went back to the hand loading of the blades for the crane.
Also the next door Chevrolet plant had a new hydraulic clamping system for the dies in their presses. We tried it on a new press line and it turned into a maintenance nightmare for five years until they went back to hand die clamping.
Charles
I literally don’t understand why anyone buys craftsman. Nostalgia for the old sears brand I guess.
Every craftsman tool I’ve seen in Lowes has been junk. Often rebranded porter cable or kobalt with the price raised.
It’s literally all flim flam. Marketing and value engineering and an attempt to fool people.
Gregory Arnold
When I noticed in 2010 that some of the craftsman tools were being made in china, I bought five 300+ craftsman USA tool sets on sale. I still have 3 never opened sets and will be giving them to my grandsons when they are old enough to use them. (Two sets already went to my children.)
It is unfortunate that craftsman sold out USA to make a few nickels in China. What is even more unfortunate is that they seem to sell the technology to make the tools. The difference between the USA made and the China made tools is just the “USA” stamped into the tool.
It is time for the government to once again require the stamping of the country of origin for all hard products.