The decline of a Great American Tool Brand: What Happened to Craftsman Tools
- Thread starter GURPS
- Start date
Yeah the brand was definitely trashed after being sold ...
I still have all my Craftsman Tools
I destroyed a 1/2 drive ratchet .. one with a round head with a 5 ft cheater pipe the handle snapped in two places and the square drive bit twisted off .. replaced for free
black dog
Free America
I gave my fahers Craftsman tools and box to my son after he passed. Its a metal hip toolbox that he bought as a young man and it has a few sets of SAE wrenches and sockets from 1/4" to 1/2" with shallow and deep sockets. Everything has its place, its super convenient if your working on sae stuff. All Made in America.
Kinnakeet
Well-Known Member
Made in china?
glhs837
Power with Control
I worked in the Sears store in the Brunswick Mall for around six months after my divorce to keep myself busy and get a few bucks. Best part of that job was replacing stuff.
Guy came in with something, might have been a breaker bar. Old as hell, scorched and blackened. End had one ear broken. Guy siad it was Granddads, had it since the 70s or earlier. broke it and he meant to bring it in, but the barn burned down three years before with the tool in it. Said he didn't want to bother us, he understood that we couldn't possibly warranty it but Grandad insisted. My boss kept that thing next to the register after giving the young guy the new one.
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
My dad did that a lot. If a screwdriver got the tip turned off, he'd bring it back for a new one. Eventually had a whole new set.
black dog
Free America
As a young man I fell into that Snap-on/Mac trap.
Amazing what you'll do for a calendar.
PeoplesElbow
Well-Known Member
Here is some of that snap-on quality.
BOP
Well-Known Member
I have my half inch and quarter inch Craftsman sets I bought while I was still in the Navy - so, probably about '73.
Most of my tools went to a couple of other mechanics, but I could still roll my tool cart out and into a dealership if I absolutely had to.
There's a really eclectic mix of Craftsman, Snap-on, Mac, MATCO, Cornwell, OTC, SK brand, Blackhawk, Proto, and I don't even remember what-all is in there, but it's a basic setup of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"; screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and all including an assortment of specialty tools I know I'd need if I were to ever turn wrenches again. Not that I think I ever will. Basically, it's the kind of tool setup I'd recommend to someone getting started in the business.
Most of my tools went to a couple of other mechanics, but I could still roll my tool cart out and into a dealership if I absolutely had to.
There's a really eclectic mix of Craftsman, Snap-on, Mac, MATCO, Cornwell, OTC, SK brand, Blackhawk, Proto, and I don't even remember what-all is in there, but it's a basic setup of 1/4", 3/8", 1/2"; screwdrivers, pliers, hammers, and all including an assortment of specialty tools I know I'd need if I were to ever turn wrenches again. Not that I think I ever will. Basically, it's the kind of tool setup I'd recommend to someone getting started in the business.
Taiwan
I just went through 2 fairly new 3/8" Craftsman ratchets. Both of them the teeth stripped out on the gears with moderate use. Bought a no name brand and it has held up well so far. I also had a Craftsman 3/8" torque wrench that would not stay locked into gear and skip, chucked that thing far into the woods I was so fed up with it.
Wickedwrench
Stubborn and opinionated
Oh man some of those calendars were reaaallllyy good ones!
Back in the 90's I worked as a Plumber .... one of the common vendors for tools was Ridgid
Ridgid Tools making a Pinup Calendar
SandieGarry
Well-Known Member
My Dad worked with his hands his entire life. He always said. "Buy the best tools that you can afford. Especially if it's Craftsman" This was starting in the 70's. Before I even turned 18. I started buying Craftsman sockets and such. I still have every one. I inherited his 1/4" drive socket set. Occasionally. I use it just because. One mistake I made was back around 2010, my 1/2" drive ratchet went bad. Sears offered either a replacement or a repair kit. I took the replacement. Big mistake.
At least twice, I’ve returned a Craftsman tool merely HOPING they’d take it, because both times - my fault.
One was I managed to snap a claw off my framing hammer pulling out a masonry nail. Another I was stupid enough to run a circular saw along the length of a deck RIGHT THROUGH my measuring tape!
Both times the guy just waved me off and said “go get another “.
They weren’t the greatest tools but the guarantee meant they lasted forever.
One was I managed to snap a claw off my framing hammer pulling out a masonry nail. Another I was stupid enough to run a circular saw along the length of a deck RIGHT THROUGH my measuring tape!
Both times the guy just waved me off and said “go get another “.
They weren’t the greatest tools but the guarantee meant they lasted forever.
LightRoasted
If I may ...
For your consideration ...
Hedge funds. Some will say, no, Craftsman wasn't bought out by hedge funds. But it was bought out by Stanley Black & Decker by Sears Holdings, which was owned by a hedge fund. Aka, greed is what happened to Craftsman tools.
Hedge funds. Some will say, no, Craftsman wasn't bought out by hedge funds. But it was bought out by Stanley Black & Decker by Sears Holdings, which was owned by a hedge fund. Aka, greed is what happened to Craftsman tools.