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ToolGuyd > Made in USA > Craftsman Tools USA Factory Update (May 2022)

Craftsman Tools USA Factory Update (May 2022)

May 5, 2022 Stuart 69 Comments

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Craftsman-USA-Forth-Worth-Texas-Factory-Building

As we previously reported, Craftsman has been establishing a new USA factory, in Forth Worth, Texas, for the production of select mechanics tools and tool sets.

Stanley Black & Decker, which owns the Craftsman brand, has been making progress on the new manufacturing facility, and provided an update on its status.

The new Craftsman facility is built and nearing completion. This facility will manufacture a wide range of Craftsman mechanics hand tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches, and general sets.

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There are currently 230 employees at the Forth Worth facility, and Craftsman expects this number to grow to 330 employees by the end of 2022.

The facility is already home to 230 hard-working and highly skilled employees who are overseeing production and perfecting advanced manufacturing processes. By the end of 2022, we expect to have 330 employees.

The first USA-made Craftsman mechanics hand tools built at this facility are expected to launch by the end of 2022, and will include 59pc, 88pc, and 134pc tool sets.

We asked whether additional types of tools or “open stock” tools will be launching at a later time, and were told that Craftsman will be ramping up production and expanding their assortment in 2023.

Here is additional information you might find interesting:

CRAFTSMAN wrenches, sockets and ratchet bodies are proudly forged, machined, treated, plated, assembled and packaged in Fort Worth. In addition, we’ve partnered with US steel mills to supply the vast majority of our raw materials ensuring the utmost quality and reliability.

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This plant leverages some of the most advanced manufacturing technologies available to optimize productivity and sustainability, including pre-flattening steel technologies to improve material yields by almost 25 percent, as well as water and energy management technologies to reduce resource consumption.

Nine seconds is the total amount of time it takes to polish, stamp, bend and broach each combination wrench, eliminating the need for physical product transfers and ensuring the safety of line operators.

CRAFTSMAN is a brand under Stanley Black & Decker, the number one tools and storage company in the world, with 35 manufacturing facilities and 19,000 workers across America.

It caught my attention that Craftsman has partnered with US steel mills to supply the vast majority of raw materials. This is great to hear.

I am also surprised by how it takes a total of just 9 seconds for a combination wrench to be stamped, bent, broached, and polished. Advanced manufacturing technologies, indeed.

I have been critical of Craftsman’s slow progress to launch USA-made hand tools, but it is evident they have been working hard to make this happen.

Although delayed due to the pandemic, a new generation of USA-made Craftsman tools are almost here.

Related posts:

Craftsman Tool Zone 2018 LaunchNew Factory Means More Craftsman Hand Tools will be Made in the USA Craftsman USA Tools Announcement March 2020Craftsman Tool News: Select Mechanics Tools and Sets to be Made in USA Craftsman Punch and Chisel HolderWestern Forge, USA Hand Tool Brand and Former Sears Craftsman Supplier, is Closing

Sections: Made in USA, News More from: Craftsman

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69 Comments

  1. Brandon

    May 5, 2022

    Well, it is about time. Until then, I remain cautiously optimistic.

    Reply
    • sunny

      May 5, 2022

      Advanced production plants take a while to get going dialing everything in can take ages

      Reply
      • John

        May 8, 2022

        That was how it was getting the DeWitt plant ready for for Malco Eagle Grips; took some time, but now I have the finest pair of locking pliers in the world.

        Reply
    • David Rose

      Sep 10, 2022

      I don’t even buy SBD products anymore in retaliation of the craftsman name and where they are mfg.

      Reply
      • CC

        Oct 27, 2022

        That’s kinda spiteful isn’t it? Apex Tool Group, (owned by Bain Capital, Mitt Romney’s old firm) had the contract to supply Sears with their Craftsman branded mechanics tools. Bain closed Apex manufacturing plants here in the states and moved production to China. Sears really had no say in the matter, as they were in no position. to negotiate with a new U.S based supplier. Ultimately, Stanley Black & Decker acquired the brand from Sears and pledged to bring production back to the US. They are fulfilling on that pledge, while other brands are either being acquired by Chinese companies, or moving production there, SK being a recent example. SB&D is making good on their promise and doing good by the iconic Craftsman brand. That brings me back into the fold.

        Reply
        • Stuart

          Oct 28, 2022

          Sears really had no say in the matter, as they were in no position. to negotiate with a new U.S based supplier.

          Is this your opinion, or do you somehow have insider information?

          Given how many Sears stores there were, and the volume of tools they ordered, it’s not quite fair to sat that “they were in no position to negotiate with a new US based supplier.” They had huge negotiation powers with existing and potential suppliers.

          Reply
          • Jeff Hopkins

            Jan 18, 2023

            I’ll have to agree with this man here. Sears had the power and the backing to do anything they wanted to pretty much. It’s about the almighty dollar anymore and the greed that’s going to take man down anyway but your right about the Sears deal and I’m 63 and I’ve been buying craftsman since I was about 18 and they were built good then not like this crap today. I was wondering about a new tool box but they’re going to have to make a better box for me and I was just wondering when or if it was going to happen. Soon I hope. Sorry for the long comment.

      • LC

        Nov 22, 2022

        I strongly believe that if they were to bring back USA made quality tools that met the same standards as previously made USA tools, this tool line would do very well. The original craftsman sockets and wrenches were made well and made of good steel. People will pay more for a great product. American made products used to be of very high quality. Been waiting FOREVER for this Texas plant to open so I can buy USA made craftsman tools again.

        Reply
  2. Thom

    May 5, 2022

    Finally… I expect to see a lot of this USA Craftsman on sale around Christmas. Let’s hope it is reasonably priced.

    Reply
    • Jared

      May 5, 2022

      I do not expect the new USA Craftsman tools to sell at import-level pricing – so I think this depends on what you consider “reasonably priced”. If SBD can match or beat Williams USA pricing – that would be an achievement.

      Although everyone seems to praise the Craftsman model of olde – I don’t think that model would work. I.e. they were “good” tools, made in America, at modest prices. I don’t think you could call it “outstanding” or “innovative” though. Most of the ratchets were kind of crummy. I just don’t think that stuff would be competitive with all the quality Taiwanese offerings available today.

      It seems like what people want is Proto-level quality but at current Craftsman prices. I can’t see that working either.

      I want a bargain too, but what I expect is for Craftsman USA to be a bit of a premium offering. I’m hoping that price-wise, that means perhaps 2x Gearwrench or Tekton, but not 5x.

      Reply
      • Sunny

        May 5, 2022

        I think it has to sell at import level pricing or close to it for it to move in the volumes to make it worth it to a big box store which probably means comparable quality to husky and kobalt likewise

        Reply
        • Joe E.

          May 5, 2022

          This is the best news I’ve heard all week! I’m excited and can’t wait.

          I’m also glad that they finally provided a real update and issued a timeline.

          Reply
        • Jess Heglund

          May 7, 2022

          A long time fan of Craftman tools. I’ll keep adding to my Craftman 5200 series. Hoping for the same policies as before. You brake we trade in for new. Ain’t nothing like a V series…

          Reply
      • Thom

        May 5, 2022

        “reasonable” will depend on the quality which right now is unknown. If they charge Proto prices the line wont sell. I’m willing to pay 50% more than what they charge for their present asian sourced tools providing the quality is there.

        Reply
        • fred

          May 5, 2022

          I’m guessing that the corporate tool buyers Lowes, Ace and the other big distributors of the Craftsman line will have a lot to say about price points. Let’s hope that the new factory has done things to increase productivity compared to its Asian counterparts. Otherwise, adding in US labor costs and the amortization of the new factory will have consequences in terms of build-quality in order to meet price points – if they are to be held at levels only modestly greater than best-selling Asian competitors.

          Reply
          • Franck B.

            May 6, 2022

            Doesn’t Lowe’s have a policy against buying US-made products to stock in-store? Or maybe that’s only for their own lines?

            I suspect the US-made Craftsman hand tools might not even show up at Lowe’s. I had to special-order the V-series tools, like the French-made screwdrivers.

      • MM

        May 5, 2022

        I share your opinion of the older made-in-USA Craftsman tools. I bought, and still own, plenty of them myself. But I think a lot of people, myself included, have been guilty of looking back at Craftsman with “rose colored glasses”. Thinking back on my Craftsman purchases in the 90’s, the value for money was certainly there, but it’s not as if the tools themselves were that special. What made Craftsman good value was their no-questions-asked warranty that was easily redeemed back in the day. These days nearly every brand, even imports, has an easily redeemed warranty, so if Craftsman wants to stand out they’re going to need something new and different because easy warranty service is now the rule rather than the exception.

        Reply
        • Matt the Hoople

          May 14, 2022

          That’s it exactly. My dad worked at Sears and we grew up on Craftsman tools. I continued buying them through the nineties and early aughts BECAUSE they were reasonably priced and easy to exchange when they broke. And, they broke a lot. It seems that every time I went to Sears I had a tool or two that needed exchanging. Split sockets were common as were twisted screwdriver tips and ratchets with broken teeth or that did not operate smoothly. I had spares so was no big deal cause they were easy to swap when I got around to it. The other bonus is that Sears carried open stock on most of the hand tools and normally had the replacement I needed available. In decades of swapping out tools, I don’t recall a single instance when they didn’t have what I needed on the shelf.

          The tools were “OK” to “good”, nothing more.

          Like others have said, I just want some more made in USA options at a reasonable price for a non-professional home enthusiast. 1.5x the current name brand Asian made stuff out there seems like it would do very well. Start approaching 2x The price and it starts becoming a tough sell unless the tools are really special.

          Reply
      • John Roland Meredith

        May 7, 2022

        Craftsman and proto are the same company and have you seen their new ratchets very durable much better than there last design. 20ish years ago that had a gear lock up problem. The facility is a 800 million dollar plant I had a interview there last week it floored me and I have worked in manufacturing plants from brewing to Amazon worked in ethanol plants as a long term industrial mechanic its simply amazing y’all stay skeptical I’m not they sold me.And that ain’t easy to do period.

        Reply
      • Kenny

        May 8, 2022

        If it’s American Made it better have made in USA on it or I still won’t buy it

        Reply
    • Stacey Jones

      May 5, 2022

      Exactly. I’d define “reasonably priced” to be on par with high quality European brands and include a lifetime warranty. Otherwise, no real reason to get excited.

      Reply
  3. Ben

    May 5, 2022

    Hopefully these will be above average/high quality tools. A lot of the Made in USA tools around the China exodus era were basically Husky/Kobalt quality with a price premium

    Reply
    • Franck B.

      May 6, 2022

      Many people equate “quality” to “finish”. But a lot of those US-made “ugly” tools are more precisely sized and are of stronger forging than those earlier off-shore offerings.

      Those older Heyco tools supplied with a lot of German cars were ugly, but extremely precise and very strong.

      I think most of those people aren’t using those tools very often, so they’re not aware that strength and sized-properly are part of quality, and similarly would rather have a six-point socket to not round off their fasteners.

      Reply
      • Jared

        May 6, 2022

        I agree, but the line is blurry these days.

        The stuff coming out of Taiwan is very well made AND highly polished. I’m thinking of my Williams USA vs. Taiwan ratchets, for example.

        My B52a (USA) ratchet has the lowest back-drag of any ratchet I’ve ever purchased. It’s got a unusual feel to it too – used back to back with a Proto ratchet, the Williams feels soft and mushy versus the “clicky” timepiece precision of the Proto, but if you use it for awhile, you realize the B52a’s clicks are just muted – it works very well too.

        HOWEVER, the B52a looks like a ratchet I’d buy in a dollar store. I always like a bit of knurling, but the polishing machine they use at the Williams factory obviously doesn’t reach into the crevices. It lacks some of the accents of more modern options and the chrome isn’t very shiny.

        The Williams Taiwan ratchets (whose model numbers don’t have letters and hence I am unable to memorize), are the opposite. More Proto-like in operation (but not as nice), they are definitely clickier – but still fine toothed and reliable.

        HOWEVER, the finish is flawless. Everything has a high smooth polish with perfect chrome. The handles have extra machining – finger grooves.

        All that to say, the import stuff is closing the gap between budget and premium – but also looks amazing while doing it. Coming out with a ugly sloppy ratchet like the Craftsman of old simply wouldn’t fly these days.

        Reply
        • Franck B.

          May 7, 2022

          Have you tried any oil or grease? A change in a ratchet’s lubricant viscosity can fix a lot of issues, like if you prefer less back drag, or less noise. I prefer more muted sounds so I try thicker grease in the various ratchets I use.

          I kind of like the Proto black (oxide?) finishes and the 2-3 Proto ratchets I’ve bought in the last 5 years have been the black versions! I also bought a Husky (TW Apex) locking flex handle ratchet that was black, it was a near clone of a Matco that I didn’t want to leave at a jobsite. Although the finish wasn’t durable because it was just paint, it performed just as well as the Matco excepting the 72 vs 88 teeth and thinner handle.

          Reply
      • Jim Felt

        May 7, 2022

        Now I feel bad the factory tool kit that came attached to the trunk underside of my once new but now long gone 735i didn’t remain with me when I sold it to a friend…

        Reply
        • Franck B.

          May 7, 2022

          When I sell an older one I keep the tools… because the next one I buy usually won’t have any!

          The water pump pliers usually looked/felt like junk but I’ve never broken the handles on any when squeezing, which I can’t say the same for some CN sourced pliers…

          Reply
  4. Jared

    May 5, 2022

    Wow, exciting! I can’t wait to see what the new stuff looks like.

    Reply
  5. Peter

    May 5, 2022

    It caught my attention that Craftsman has partnered with US steel mills to supply the vast majority of raw materials.

    I wonder what their definition of vast is though.
    Nevertheless a step in the right direction.👍🏼

    Reply
  6. Bob

    May 5, 2022

    9 seconds! That is an unbelievable time frame for that many processes

    Reply
    • Jared

      May 5, 2022

      That’s a good point not to overlook. Maybe the incredible speed an efficiency will be able to overcome what I otherwise foresee as a tension between consumer price expectations and the costs of domestic production of high-quality tools.

      Reply
    • Sean

      May 7, 2022

      I’m assuming 9 seconds isn’t the total time for one single wrench. Wouldn’t it be one wrench is completed every 9 seconds?!? But, start to finish on the one piece could be minutes, hours, more.

      Reply
      • MM

        May 8, 2022

        I think you’re right. Either that or they’re leaving out finishing.
        The process would be something like:
        1) pre-heat the billet; this would take many minutes in a furnace or perhaps a few seconds with an inductive heater
        2) forging; takes a couple seconds
        3) trimming off flash; again takes a couple seconds
        4) broaching; couple seconds
        5) cleaning prior to plating: ????
        6) chrome plating: ????
        7) Laser marking: couple seconds
        8) QC: ???
        I’m no expert on plating but my understanding is that it takes hours, so I can’t see how that could possibly work out at 9 seconds time per wrench….especially when we didn’t even account for transporting the wrenches around the plant. But many of these processes are probably done in batches, so if they can make 9600 wrenches a day they can claim “one every 9 seconds”.

        Reply
        • Franck B.

          May 8, 2022

          Don’t forget hand or tumble polishing … or was that “cleaning prior to plating”? And usually forging is multiple steps, with the final step often trimming most of the flash, but the ridge must be removed by grinding or some other machining.

          I prefer stamped markings to laser/engraved. Also I don’t care for when manufacturers use the same blanks for differing sizes (e.g. Tekton).

          Older, less automated SnapOn production:

          Reply
  7. Bob

    May 5, 2022

    I like what I am hearing!!!!Factory automation is coming down in price and becoming more common place. Overseas production costs, shipping costs and supply chain risk is increasing.

    We might see more of this shift like craftsman has done moving forward.

    Also smart sourcing US steel. Fort Worth area has a robust supply of steel due to the many industries in the area that use this as a raw material. Raw steel at this point is almost a global commodity. The price in Fort Worth is almost the same price in Solingen or Shanghai. The Chinese communist government and others do subsidizes some of the steel production to bolster industries they want to grow. But it’s all some what close. Also they’re using higher grades of steel at craftsman. You’re not forging sockets out of regular A36. So the QC on the metallurgy of the high-grade raw material becomes very important as well. Something that can be problematic with certain imported product.

    There are probably fewer jobs overall in a factory like craftsman has built. But I would imagine there are a decent amount of higher wage paying jobs like machinery maintenance and repair, software engineers, QC etc versus the tradition lower wage factory line worker type jobs.

    I just really hope the tools are good quality. Or this whole exercise is going to be a complete waste.

    Reply
  8. Steve

    May 5, 2022

    Nope, call me pesamistic but Craftsman’s boat has sailed, or at least they sunk it for me, and there is too much good competition out there for me to care about them.

    Reply
  9. Jim Felt

    May 5, 2022

    “9 seconds”?! Is that possibly comparable to their world wide manufacturing competition? Whoa. That and Texas’s wildly business (though not particularly people) friendly legislators might well allow mid level pricing.
    I’m not a pro wrench user so to a more nostalgic potential retail customer I’m pleased to read this.
    After all Stanley Black & Decker hasn’t particularly screwed up their European tool maker acquisitions so I’m very hopeful.
    Though should Lowes be their only sales platform I guess I’d be less then thrilled. Or worse. Hmmm.

    Reply
    • Franck B.

      May 6, 2022

      Craftsman is also carried at Ace Hardware. Which has a lot more locations around me than Lowe’s.

      (They also carry Milwaukee.)

      I’m not a big fan of most of SBD’s US-based mechanic’s hand tool offerings (ratchets especially), so hopefully the US-made Craftsman can inject some more FACOM inspiration into their tool line. I am quite pleased with the V-series screwdrivers quality, and less enthused for the price, few choices, and without open stock availability.

      Reply
      • Jared

        May 6, 2022

        You don’t like Proto?! More for me I guess. 😄

        Reply
        • Franck B.

          May 7, 2022

          Proto (but not Blackhawk) seems to be a bit slow to upgrade ratchet designs… I have an ancient Plomb 5249 3/8″ that looks near identical to Proto’s current 5249! With a whole 24 teeth for 15 degree minimum swing angle. For an industrial brand though, it’s great, and I’m glad they upgraded it to 45 teeth.

          But seriously, I know Proto makes improvements, it just seems they usually aren’t first. Or second.

          Reply
  10. John Hoefer

    May 5, 2022

    I hate that Black and Decker owns it! Both were great companies until they sold out! The youngins who took over looked at profit over quality! We’ll see!

    Reply
    • Stuart

      May 5, 2022

      Stanley Black & Decker is not run by “youngins.”

      Reply
  11. HGForage

    May 5, 2022

    Any speculation on what the 59, 88, and 134 piece set might contain?
    I hope there will not be fillers like cheap, short, import Allen keys and 1” driver bits.

    Reply
    • Franck B.

      May 6, 2022

      Even Apex kept US-made Allen keys for a long time.

      It would be nice if the blow-molded cases had space so one could add in necessary tools. One of my cars carries an old US-made Craftsman kit. The case is kind of junky but it’s lasted a long time, and had an indent under the handled tools (ratchets, bit driver, wrenches) that held Allen key sets, and room for more where I added what I needed most.

      Reply
  12. Rob

    May 5, 2022

    It can’t say Made in USA if it’s made with imported steel. Of course they’re using US steel. Otherwise they have to use their “Global Materials” language. And even then, they may have to use more detailed qualifiers. Anything that goes into or done to an all steel tool outside of the US makes it a foreign product.

    Reply
    • Jay

      May 7, 2022

      I can’t tell if you’re writing from your feelings about the tools or asserting that description would be required by law. If it’s the latter, you’re incorrect. Unprocessed materials have no impact on COO claims.

      Reply
  13. MikeIt

    May 5, 2022

    The news is a little too late for me. I had been holding off buying some tools ever since the Texas factory was announced. I saw a twitter post a while back about some sockets but then nothing since then. Not a word, not a peep. The 2020 launch year came and went. I get it there’s issues with the pandemic, supply chain, yada yada but I would have appreciated some sort of announcement saying they were delayed X amount of months and keeping us engaged by showing us how they were fine tuning their manufacturing. Surely, they must be aware that many people are anticipating the return of MIUSA Craftsman stuff. I think it was a missed opportunity to keep customers engaged. I would have liked a preview of what might be offered. Will there be new screwdriver or ratchet or socket designs to differentiate their Asia made tools? Who knows? That sort of stuff could have been teased over social media. Their V series launch wasn’t much of a launch and should have been a sign their campaigns/promotions need work. Well I finally got tired of waiting and I bought some nice Taiwan made ratchets by Carlyle and Powerbuilt and Astro Tools and some other tools as well. So I think I’m good with hand tools for a while and even if Craftsman released their MIUSA tools tomorrow I wouldn’t be in any hurry to give them a try.

    Reply
  14. Gene

    May 5, 2022

    I used to work for SBD and I wouldn’t buy nothing from them after I seen and had first hand at working there 2 yrs

    Reply
    • Tony

      Jul 17, 2022

      What work did you do there and what terrible things did they do. I was curious because other people have said the same thing about Channel.

      Reply
    • Tony Garcia

      Oct 30, 2022

      Do they cut corners or treat their workers really bad? All I know is the warranty process is terrible now. I contacted Craftsman to replace a 1/4 screwdriver and they sent me a tiny 1/8 inch one, Twice. I have heard terrible things about Channel lock also.

      I will stick to Husky, Tekton and Icon. These brands have never let me down.

      Reply
  15. Philip fannings

    May 6, 2022

    Now that B&D took over its hard to get a new tool for a broken one. All you get is a runaround .they say they have to send it in. Then you will get the new tool 2-3 weeks later. This is driving me and a lot of men away from there tools.

    Reply
    • Tony Garcia

      Oct 30, 2022

      This my exact experience with Craftsman now. There are too many other options to put up with crap.

      Reply
  16. Nathan

    May 6, 2022

    LOL. youngin’s. that’s funny

    meanwhile I’m optimistic

    Reply
  17. Steve

    May 6, 2022

    I was just thinking about this today, especially the open stock question. Good to hear it’s coming along, and that part about the steel mills.

    Reply
  18. Greg Padden

    May 8, 2022

    I wonder when they will start hiring?

    Reply
  19. Ben

    May 9, 2022

    Mechanic 25 years . problem with craftmans tools there backyard grade. Haven’t found one tool to stretch out over time or strip out nut and bolts. I do own many. I switch to tools trucks and never been happier. Price wise and quality who know. I wish them the best of luck and grateful there made in the USA again. Yes will buy for gifts.

    Reply
  20. loup68

    May 9, 2022

    I can tell you that the old Craftsman fine tooth teardrop ratchets made by Easco were very strong. I changed the frame on my 68 Corvette using my ratchets. I broke my original flex head course tooth ratchet, got a free rebuild kit from Sears and then sold it to a fellow worker. I then bought the DOUBLE PAWL flex head fine tooth ratchet with the round wheel on top and it did not break. Williams had a similar one but without the socket release button.
    I worked in maintenance in an automotive parts plant. One of the jobs I did at work was to rebuild broken Snap-On ratchets that production people used to set dies with in presses.
    Then Sears came out with all of the pretty chrome plated ratchets and none have the double pawl and so are not as strong.

    Reply
  21. Neighbor Joe

    May 16, 2022

    9 seconds? Sounds like the automated process is also cutting a few traditional steps in tool making. Sure, its a great performance metric for the suits at Black and Decker, but having worked for a Fortune 50 company ridden by a narrative of doing more with less, this appears to be a cost saving process at the expense of service reliability of the tool. Hope not. We will find out soon.

    Reply
  22. Old Gasser

    May 20, 2022

    I wonder if SBW is also in the process or has relocated the Proto/Blackhawk/MAC production from the plant north of Dallas, to the new Alliance Plant?

    Nothing presently at Lowe’s bearing Made in U.S.of A. in the Craftsman chrome tool line.

    Do they intend on manufacturing the Craftsman Screwdrivers, Nutdrivers, Pliers and Adjustable Wrench at the Alliance Plant also?

    Stanley has a plant in Cheraw, South Carolina, that use to make ALL the Stanley, Proto, Blackhawk/Mac Screwdrivers.

    I have often wondered if this is the same plant, which the Rosenburg Brothers (ROSCO), had opened new in the early 1970’s, closing their Smithtown Long Island, New York plant. Vermont-American purchased Rosco and operated the plant, until Robert Bosch Company closed facility.

    Did Rosco/Vermont-American manufacture Stanly Works screwdrivers under contract?

    Stanley had manufactured in their New Britain Plant (Not to be confused with None Better, New Britain Machine Co. hand tool division), built new in the 1960’s.

    I would have to say the Stanley former 100 plus line of screwdrivers, need to be rebranded 100 MINUS, no longer made in the U.S.ofA.

    Reply
    • Franck B.

      May 21, 2022

      I have a question maybe you can answer or have some knowledge!

      The old US-made Stanley screwdrivers with the rubber-sleeve covered acetate handle, were those related to the Klein and Ideal ones? My current Kleins look identical to the Stanleys I have, which I think were part of the 100 Plus line. If they are related, who was and who is making those? They seemed superior to most of the Stanley screwdrivers, but I couldn’t imagine that Stanley would outsource them when they had their own manufacturing facilities. Or was it a function of factories being sold and acquired and manufacturing remaining with the original factory under new ownership? And who is still making them? I had thought about Vermont American but it seems unlikely Bosch would continue that manufacturing, so maybe the factory was divested. It’s sort of like Matco ratchets, it’s a mystery to me who is manufacturing them now.

      The Greenlee/Textron and other similar looking screwdrivers that are manufactured offshore are not EXACTLY the same as the US made ones, so it seems unlikely to me that the US made ones would come from different places.

      Thanks for any info you have.

      Reply
      • John Meredith

        May 21, 2022

        That actually is a excellent question you give me about a week or 2 so
        and I’ll have a answer for you I’m curious myself you cannot beat Klein’s and I think I’ve seen what your talking about I am probably going to have inside information to answer questions like this I live in north Ft Worth and have been inside the whole plant and it rock my world I have been in industrial field for 39 years they are not playing kudos to Stanley Black & Decker Craftsman I’m hoping to make my final journey of my career there.

        Reply
        • Franck B.

          May 22, 2022

          I look forward to it!

          Reply
  23. Robbyj

    Jun 2, 2022

    Way to go Craftsman! It nice to other company’s stating that they are using US steel too. This is one reason (of several) that I use Wright Tools.

    Reply
  24. Steve

    Jun 8, 2022

    I bought my two sons a bunch of tools last Christmas. All American made (sadly it took a bit of work..). But I held off on the sockets waiting for Craftsman. Maybe this Christmas they get the rest of the tools! I wish other toolmakers would follow Craftsman out of China!

    Reply
  25. Terry A

    Oct 20, 2022

    I hope the new USA craftsman tool go to the premium market we need more high quality USA made and sourced tools I would rather pay $30.00 for a top quality wrench than $10.00 for a middle of the road wrench for the simple fact that when I’m in the middle of working on something and my tool break’s I do not care about the warranty all I care about is how to finish the job. To craftsman build the best tool there is and charge us accordingly people who do not rely on their tools to make a living already have enough low cost options.

    Reply
  26. Rob

    Dec 17, 2022

    It “appears” this article is fake news. Dec 16 and no USA sets anywhere to be found Google craftsman USA 134 piece. And you will get this article. So sad.

    Reply
    • Stuart

      Dec 17, 2022

      This is not “fake news,” I reported on what Craftsman said.

      I expressed my disappointment at the lack of progress or updates (https://toolguyd.com/craftsmans-usa-made-tools-2022/) and so they provided an update I felt was post-worthy.

      Retail plans don’t always go according to schedule; it happens.

      I was disappointed that they seemed to skip the holiday season. I checked in with Craftsman at the end of November and was told the facility is open, but that no further information or updates are available.

      Reply
      • R

        Dec 26, 2022

        While I don’t agree with the fake news portion above, I am also very disappointed with them. To be clear this isn’t related to toolguyd. I personally would appreciate updates even if it is small like what you stated in your comment here. I know it’s essentially saying nothing has changed, but I believe a lot of your readers wre invested in this.

        Personally, I was planning to use the relaunch for Christmas gifts to those I know that care about made in USA. I swore when they brought it back that I would support the American manufacturing. Now my patience is truly waning.

        I understand your comment about things not going to plan in retail. Having worked retail, manufacturing, and now in utilities I get that there are headwinds. The community as a whole has been forgiving from what I’ve read here. The lack of communication is the biggest mistake. They’re foregoing the enthusiast community and slowly alienating what would have been their biggest advocates.

        None of what I’m saying here is new and has doubtless been in other posts. I’ve checked back on your threads more than I care to admit. I tried to avoid commenting and resurrecting an old topic. I must confess I’m glad someone broke the silence even if it wasn’t how I would have.

        Reply
        • Stuart

          Dec 26, 2022

          I can appreciate that, but without new information, there’s not enough for an update post.

          But, I’ll see what I can do.

          Reply

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