Why we buy Craftsman tools...

[BMERDOC]

My Grandparents used to drag me to yard sales because my family was broke and thats the store we shopped at. I soon learned to look for Craftsman tools because they were so liberal with thier warranty policy. I had a tidy little set for close to nothing because of it. Since then they have changed the policies and its not so easy. BTW, I'm a Master BMW mechanic and you may be suprised at the tools I work with sometimes just because I dont wanna lose one $20 screwdriver. My concern isnt with buying a new set of whoseywhatsits but replacing the ones I lost.

[GRX]

Not saying it's the case with anyone here. I am amazed how many people who don't own a breaker bar. No one who owns ratchets should be without one, both 3/8 and 1/2.

[A-J]

I've been working in the tool industry for the last 5 years. I hate to say it, but it's not worth debating which company is better. The industry is so inbred it's nauseating. Craftsman has been using an American manufacturer named Danaher for their mechanics tools for a very long time. Recently I've heard rumors that they've finally decided to head overseas to get their costs down and compete with the likes of Stanley, Husky, and Kobalt.

Manufacturing overseas is a topic that I could easily write or talk about for hours. The list of problems is never ending. One of the worst problems is that Stanley, Husky, and Kobalt are all made in the same factory. Soon you can add Craftsman to the list. Not ALL the tools are made in the same place, but many are. MAC tools sources from over seas vendors as well and they perform very little to zero testing, relying solely on the vendor to provide "quality control". Proto still makes some of their tools in the states to continue getting military contracts, but only certain ones. One of the few companies I think makes everything in the states is Cornwell Tools in Ohio.

I still tend to buy Craftsmas simply for ease of getting them replaced. Craftsman has slowly been getting their products into stores like Ace, so hopefully there will be more places to exchange other than Sears. As a whole the tool industry can be depressing from behind the scenes, but it's near impossible to find a product that differs these days.

~ AJ
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[NorrisC10]

When my dad passed, 12 years ago, I inherited all his tools and box, all he had was craftsman stuff. So far I have yet to return any of those tools,

But i have purchased a few in the recent years and broke two extensions, and a 3/8 drive (which they have returned with no problem and no paperwork at all)

I guess I keep buying craftsman cause it's all i've ever known

[piecesparts]

Personally, I don't use the Craftsman ratchets, but AI do use their hand tools and sockets. I have a good selection of SK tools and ratchets in my tool box and they are a very good product,. It is a shame that SK has taken a hiatus from the market place, though.

[jitteryguy]

I have found that if a person believe's a product is junk they will prove it, regardless of the quality.
I have quite an assortment of hand and power tool's, mostly Craftsman.
I love my Craftsman stuff, no issue's with quality . I have broke a thing or two but never an issue return'n em.

[Mxracer202]

I think Ill stick with CRAFTSMAN

[GRX]

Stopped in Sears yesterday to take a look. Less "Made in USA" on the tool packaging all the time.

[Stew_Magoo]

Snap-On...

[hatt]

Originally Posted by Stew_Magoo

Snap-On...

There's a lot of options between Craftsman and Snap-On. Snap-On is importing stuff pretty hard, and charging forged silver prices. No USA on their ratchets???? And if you don't work in a shop with a good regular SO driver you have the same warranty as the mail order companies.

I've been thinking of buying some new wrenches, and Wright is currently at the top of my list.

[camshaftgsxr]

i actually work at the sears auto center right now, and their base model ratchets suck, they are cheap and clunky. however, they have two other ratchet levels, a 60 something tooth which is a good quality ratchet, and an 84 tooth which is snap-onesque in quality and function.

its just not worth paying 3 times as much money so that when it breaks i have to call the tool truck and then wait a week for the guy to show up. instead of heading over to sears when i need a replacement.

[big_al_71]

For the weekend warriors craftsman is perfect for an everyday 8 hour mechanic there is nothing better than snapon, mac

[Stew_Magoo]

Yeah, I work on wood chippers, stumpers, garbage trucks, street sweepers, sewer equipment, end loaders, back hoes. Lots of different things. 40 hours a week, a bad snow storm will have me working 80 hours. I can't afford to use anything but the best.
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[earlthegoat2]

I have quite a few Craftsman tools as well.

I have taken to replacing my broken ones with older US made ones at flea markets.

Many tools Craftsman used to make here are now made in China. This does not include sockets and raised panel wrenches. If you want something similar to Craftsmans Chinese products then just get Gearwrench. At least they are made in Taiwan.

[hatt]

New Gearwrench is made in China. At least most of their stuff, if not all.

[Already Gone]

Bought my first set of Craftsman handtools in 1973. You know a 1/2 and 3/8 drive ratchet with sockets, screwdrivers, allen wrenches etc. I am what you call a weekend warrior with my tools and over the years I cranked on those ratchets lots and lots of times with a 15 inch pipe slipped over the ratchet to get more leverage. About 2 years ago ( or it may be three ) I had the 15 inch pipe on the 3/8 drive ratchet trying to loosen a bolt or nut and the ratchet stripped. After 35 years it finally gave out. I took it to Sears and the lady said we dont have this kind anymore but go pick another out and we'll excahnge it, which I did. I did strip a brand new blade screwdriver 2 years ago and although I can get a replacement they never have one in the store or on line. As has been said Craftsman are good for the weekend warrior.

[PatrickGMC70]

I swapped a Craftsman ratchet out a few years ago that I stripped out by using a cheater bar (I have a breaker bar now). Sears swapped it out with not problems. Haven't tried it recently though.

I am thoroughly disappointed with my torque wrench from them. I always turn it down to zero, used it about half a dozen times, and it broke just sitting in the case in my tool box. I has a cheap plastic lock ring that won't tighten anymore. No lifetime warranty on torque wrenches.

I still by hand tools from them, but I'll be pissed about that torque wrench forever.

[piecesparts]

Originally Posted by PatrickGMC70

I swapped a Craftsman ratchet out a few years ago that I stripped out by using a cheater bar (I have a breaker bar now). Sears swapped it out with not problems. Haven't tried it recently though.

I am thoroughly disappointed with my torque wrench from them. I always turn it down to zero, used it about half a dozen times, and it broke just sitting in the case in my tool box. I has a cheap plastic lock ring that won't tighten anymore. No lifetime warranty on torque wrenches.

I still by hand tools from them, but I'll be pissed about that torque wrench forever.

I have severeal torque wrenches form them and have had no issues with them. I even take them to my work place to have the settings verified regularly. Good wrench

[PatrickGMC70]

The wrench itself is fine - but the Achilles heel is the lock ring. It's a thin plastic ring, and when it breaks you can't lock in the torque setting. It's frustrating because an otherwise good wrench is done in by a 3 cent piece of plastic.

[piecesparts]

I purchased the models that have the dial setting within the small window by turning the bottom of the handle. The first one that I purchased is over 10 years old and not a problem, yet. I gave it to my son and purchased another for me.

[PatrickGMC70]

I'm glad you've had success, but a short Google search will turn up legions of reviews about the crap-tastic plastic lock ring.

I still get my hand tools from Sears, but I don't think I'll ever take a gamble on another torque wrench from them.

[piecesparts]

After all of the discussion about their return policy and warranty, you should not have anythng to worry about. Return it fo a replacement and get a better unit.

[PatrickGMC70]

90 days warranty only. Believe me, if they would have taken it back, I wouldn't be writing this. THere's always the write-a-letter-to-the-home-office option, but I've already wasted enough time on this thing.

[BruthaMan]

Several years ago, when I decided to restore my 78 Chevy truck, the first expenditures I made were in Craftsman tools from sears.

Prior to that, I never owned anything more than the cheapo box tool kits you get for Christmas. I mean it was pitiful! I had a small box with bits of harbor freight wrenches, stanley sockets, etc. I'm a software developer, not a mechanic!

We tore that truck down to every last nut and bolt on the frame. I've acquired thousands of dollars of tools, mostly Craftsman, over the past few years and they have been used like a rented mule.

To date, I have taken back one screw driver (tip broke) and one adjustable plier. In both cases, had no trouble returning. On the adjustable plier, they no longer carried the one I broke, but gave me an equivalent. No hassle at all.

I've broken a lot of wrenches, sockets, wratches and other tools over the years...the cheapo stuff. Craftsman tools have held up amazingly well continue to be my first choice. They built my Chevy truck from the ground up.

[hatt]

Originally Posted by BruthaMan

On the adjustable plier, they no longer carried the one I broke, but gave me an equivalent. No hassle at all.

.

Robogrips are the only thing I've ever had a problem exchanging at Sears. The new Robos don't say Craftsman like the ones I had so they wouldn't exchange them. I've since made it a point to not buy anymore gimmick Craftsman stuff. If they haven't made it for at least a decade, they can keep it. Along with all the China stuff they now have.