Chinese Made Craftsman Professional Wrenches

[Fedwrench]

I swung by Sears today is search of bargains. No bargains but, I saw a depressing sight. They had most of their wrench sets on sale. I saw a Craftsman Professional wrench set in new packaging. I flipped the set over and yes, made in CHina was there in small letters.
I couldn't fondle the wrenches as they were in the usual Craftsman child proof packaging. However, they resemble the long Gearwrench nonratcheting wrenches (imagine that). If you look at the wrench on the craftsman name side, it has the size stamed on both ends instead of the size by the boxed end and USA by the open end on the older non chinese made wrenches. There were still a few US made pro sets on the wall. All of the open stock pro wrenches were US made, as were the stubby sets. You can add the Craftsman Professional series combination wrench to the full polished flare nut, and flare crowfoot wenches with the Craftsman name now made in China. By the way, the wrench set is the same price as the US made set it replaced.

 

[toolnut]

Can't say we didn't see that coming!!

 

[boybacon]

Makes me sick to my stomach.

 

[blarf]

It's all in the price point Sears sets for Danaher. See also the 3/8" ratchet comparo, specifically the new Craftsman vs the Kobalt ratchet. Time to pick up some HF ratchets before they jack up the price. lol.

 

[bchee]

wow
I seriously thought the combos were going to be untouchable.
I have to go see this for myself.

 

[blarf]

wow
I seriously thought the combos were going to be untouchable.
I have to go see this for myself.

Or the pro line at least...

 

[mrholeshot]

Thats just wong

 

[BWright]

Well, I am officially done shopping there. Period. Now time to email sears and *****.

 

[krusty the clown]

we can thank all of those who "loves them asian tools" for this decision.

they outnumber us around here.

 

[Cumminst100]

wow
I seriously thought the combos were going to be untouchable.
I have to go see this for myself.

I to must go see this travesty of justice...is nothing sacred to these corporate *******

 

[Robertob]

no fing way... those wrenches were sooo nice, what a shame. wonder if they will clearance the USA ones?

 

[a390st]

I have a set I bought a few years ago just to try. I guess I can't break any, now...

 

[bmwpower]

Bummer. How can we state our displeasure to the Sears execs?

 

[cruiser808]

I'm just glad I was old enough to buy all my Cman tools in the =V= era. I'm happy to report that the vast majority of them are still in use today.

 

[Rickster]

This is really just sad to hear. Craftsman has always been a good US company and now Sears is whoring out the production to china. Well at least all those dock workers will still have jobs unloading all those ships from Beijeng.

 

[GeorgiaHybrid]

we can thank all of those who "loves them asian tools" for this decision.

they outnumber us around here.

Sad but it seems to be true these days. After seeing the age poll, I am starting to understand why.

Bummer. How can we state our displeasure to the Sears execs?

By not buying any and sending them a written letter (not email) stating that you will not be buying any item from them again until this situation changes. I can understand the "evo" (or whatever the line is called) being Chinese for the price point and sales.

The "Craftsman" and "Craftsman professional" line however should be higher quality, sell for a higher price, be a better product and furnish Sears with a nice profit. I still can't get past the "professional" tools warranty not being honored if you walk in with a work uniform on at a lot of stores

 

[dankicksass]

Which wrenches did you see? Far as I know, the only ones that were China last month were the new elbow ratchet wrench.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

damn..and i was going to order the 26 piece craftsman pro set....maybe i should before they all change..but what if they send me the china ones..

 

[blarf]

Bummer. How can we state our displeasure to the Sears execs?

http://www.google.com/finance?client=ob&q=NASDAQ:SHLD

http://investing.businessweek.com/r...pId=7675730&previousTitle=SEARS HOLDINGS CORP

http://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=SHLD.O&WTmodLOC=C4-Officers-5

James Harold Haworth - Executive Vice President, President - Retail Services

Granted he's got extensive experience in operating in China, and comes from WalMart so he's obviously used to peddling **** with no care to his company's reputation. I wouldn't hold my breath.


CONTACT: Sears Holdings Public Relations, +1-847-286-8371

 

[Stuey]

That's just not cool at all.

 

[wafrederick]

It is a disgrace and their locking pliers are made in China too.I was in sears today and saw this,I was not too happy about it and kept it to myself

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Sad but it seems to be true these days. After seeing the age poll, I am starting to understand why.

Can I ask what that has to do with anything?

 

[krusty the clown]

Can I ask what that has to do with anything?

it appears that younger people care less about COO than us old farts

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

it appears that younger people care less about COO than us old farts

I would say that is not true. I sure hope that at 27 I'm still a younger person. I don't buy outside of USA unless it's for my trail box and disposable. I guess maybe some people are like that, but some of us also were handed down tools and taught what a good USA tool means. Not everyone in their 20s or younger is broke and spends all their money in HF.

 

[mrholeshot]

we can thank all of those who "loves them asian tools" for this decision.

they outnumber us around here.

Do you really think that statement holds water? Sears pulled this **** in the 70's and 80's with made in Japan hard tools. Do you really think Irwin moved Vise Grip production to China because people were buying HF look alikes? There was no lack of sales for vice grips in this country but Irwin looked at the bottom line and sent production overseas. I've spent over 500,000 dollars over the last 15 years on tools and shop equiptment built in the US. I don't think spending a 1000 dollars at HF broke this countries back.

I guess you could blame these kind of discussions on motorcycle forums for Haley Davidson for putting so many made in China parts on their motorcycles drom front forks to rear shocks. The only reason right now that we have some great domestic vehicles is the companies like Toyota and Honda were building superior vehicles back in the 80's. It made the big 3 step up their game. I suppose MAC tools outsorced to China because of poor sales? They had a product that sold itself and they were making mega profits. It's about corporate greed. Not some person buying tools made in asia. Had Craftsman kept up there standards they would still be the #1 sold tool in the US.

 

[blarf]

Let's not forget that Honda is building more cars in the US than in Japan for the first time. Ford, OTOH, is building its most popular vehicles in Mexico where it negotiated a $2/hr starting wage with its union. The 'big 3' are something of a farce at this point, unless you're only concerned about employing US executives.

Quite frankly I'm not that hung up on made in the US. I am, however, hung up on quality, a fair price, and fair treatment of workers. Take a look at some of the tools that SK was producing lately (and apparently many years ago). US made is not synonymous with quality. As such I have no qualms about buying tools made in Western Europe. To a large extent I don't worry about buying stuff made in southeast Asia either... but I ain't paying a premium for it.

 

[Fedwrench]

The bottom line is profit. Although the new Chinese made full polished Professional set lists the same as the US made set ($99.99), I doubt if Sears pays the same per set as they did for the US made sets. Most of the public won't care as long as the new imported wrenches have the Craftsman Forever warranty. Unfortunately, I saw this coming with the huge expansion of the Gearwrench hand tool line. K-D mechanics hand tools bit the dust last December to make way for the Gearwrench expansion. Now we're starting to see the fallout from that expansion. Chinese made Craftsman hardline. Napa professional hand tools becoming Gearwrench clones from China. Chinese made Allen tools. Time will tell how much of the Craftsman hardline switches to Chinese manufacture. Unfortunately, I don't think we've seen the last now Chinese made Cratsman tool as the Danaher/Apex tool group continues to expand. Who knows the new wrenches may be better but, they just won't be the same..

 

[gabeancounter]

I agree holeshot. If craftsman was not producing garbage for the last ten years, then they would rule the market. The stock market expects increasing profits every year or your stock is dropped and replaced with others. To continue to meet market goals, companies cut corners and give into production overseas. Companies are more concerned with stock holders than employees. Sad sign of the times!

 

[bchee]

So are the sockets untouchable?

Maybe ACE is going to be the exclusive place for "US" made Craftsman

 

[Fedwrench]

So are the sockets untouchable?

Maybe ACE is going to be the exclusive place for "US" made Craftsman

Absolutely, they can display them right next to their Taiwanese made Ace professional tools.

With the double staked retention device and the flaking chrome, I think Craftsman sockets are untouchable to some people already.

 

[Elroy]

With the double staked retention device and the flaking chrome

Elroy documented that feature a while back but somehow we can't find the thread now.

 

[DavidB]

That's very sad to hear. I can't say I terribly surprised since they've been doing it the other Pro wrenches. Buy the US ones while you can if you want them.

 

[arkangel06]

All I can say is your getting exactly what you diserve.

 

[karrbass4life]

I would say that is not true. I sure hope that at 27 I'm still a younger person. I don't buy outside of USA unless it's for my trail box and disposable. I guess maybe some people are like that, but some of us also were handed down tools and taught what a good USA tool means. Not everyone in their 20s or younger is broke and spends all their money in HF.

x2

At 23 I've already learned the lesson of buying American when possible. I love my old SK sockets and old Craftsman sockets and ratchets. Looks like Craftsmans is now slowly turning into Crapsman.

 

[Coach James]

What was the price on the China made pro wrenches?

Coach

 

[Bull]

What was the price on the China made pro wrenches?

Coach

I believe Fedwrench said above it was the same as the US versions: $99.99.

I've spent over 500,000 dollars over the last 15 years on tools and shop equiptment built in the US.

Wow. I'd say you did your part and then some.

 

[Hiball]

we can thank all of those who "loves them asian tools" for this decision.

they outnumber us around here.

That is the Craziest theory ive ever heard Krusty... Im gonna pick up a Case or 2 of Budweiser and we are gonna have to have a Round table discussion on how you think the 250 +/- members who frequent the tool section had that big of influence on What Sears did? The tools are no different than any of the other goods and services Sears sells. Whether it be Clothes, Household, Electronics etc... etc... they have been in business for along time and they know where to buy there products to maximize Profit. I would say that the Craftsman tool lines price point isnt too far away from HF's and there tool section is always full of Customers. There is no one to blame here but Sears... in my mind.

it appears that younger people care less about COO than us old farts

Not all the young people feel that way and back when you old farts where buying your tools you had More choices for american made tools. Its like playing find the needle in the haystack in todays world. I would have loved to live back then, where i could run down to the local hardware store and pick up a set of Wizard, Indestro, firestone, Sk, Proto, Plomb, Blackhawk, Easco and the numerous ones im missing. Its not that simple today, especially in a dwindling economy. Its great that we have some Die Hard tool guys here at GJ but in reality "Tools" are such a small portion of whats killing our country in regards to our inbalance to what we Make here and what we import into the US. Do we agree on that Krusty?

 

[jcfields]

Well, I'm glad I ordered a set of the Pro wrenches before this.

It is a disgrace and their locking pliers are made in China too.I was in sears today and saw this,I was not too happy about it and kept it to myself

Irwin is the OEM for the Craftsman Professional locking pliers, so when they moved production to China, the Craftsman ones went too. You can still find NOS American-made ones in stores if you look (I saw a set at K-Mart), but of course, if you ever have to warranty it, you'll be getting a Chinese one back.

That's very sad to hear. I can't say I terribly surprised since they've been doing it the other Pro wrenches. Buy the US ones while you can if you want them.

Yeah, it's bizarre that they're moving the Pro line to China first (with the precision pliers and the flare nut wrenches preceding this). I figured it'd be the last thing to go.

It's a shame because—for someone who prioritizes American-made, quality, relatively inexpensive hand tools—the Craftsman Professional line was an excellent value, but even for the existing American-made tools there, the writing's on the wall. The next best value in American-made tools is probably SK, and that's obviously a risky investment too.

 

[King Bojack]

Economically speaking no company should bother to produce a single tool here. Nostalgically speaking yes, it's excellent I can still get an SO box and load it up with SO tools but it's still bad economics any way you slice it. SO quality from overseas would be the best fiscal choice.

That being said, Craftsman is probably in the situation either due to economic forces beyond their control (Sears/Danaher demanding unreasonable price points etc.) or an inability to hide in the middle ground between tool trucks, and HF/Lowes/Home Depot. They can't charge SO prices, they can't sell at HF prices either. So what do they do? Cheapen the product so badly that every one on GJ and abroad complains about quality/ceases purchasing or find less expensive production. Finding less expensive production is far less risky for the company.

Breaks the heart it does to see such happenings but it's been the works for years now.

 

[vjquan]

Time to start looking at HF Pittsburgh. Their professional line looks pretty darn good. I wouldn't be surprised if it was the same wrench with just a different name.