Dissapointed in Craftsman

[li0nhart123]

I just recieved CRAFTSMAN®/MD ProfessionalTM Standard 10-Pc. Combination Wrench Set that I ordered last week on the web.

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000HU2PJM/ref=pd_huc_gp_1/103-6235911-5079861?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core

On the back of of the package was the expected "Made in China" designation. 10 pc set on sale for 29.99CDN.

Made in China was not the dissapointing part (for 29.99 I was expecting some place like Vietnam)...it was the fact that I had to do a warranty claim five minutes after unpacking them. The 11/16 open end was cracked completely through starting from where they punched "11/16" into the open end. Since they cracked, I guess that means they are not made out of soft, ductile steel at least.

In a few more days I have the metric set arriving...oh boy..I can hardly wait..

http://www.sears.ca/gp/product/B000HU2088/ref=pd_huc_gp_1?ie=UTF8&searsBrand=core

 

[Jared]

Yep the canadian craftsman tools are basically junk.

 

[Fedwrench]

I hope those Craftsman tools you guys buy in Canada don't migrate down here. Those wrenches are alot different than the pro sets sold here.
There's nothing worse than getting a tool in the mail that you've been waiting for, only to find that it *****.

 

[li0nhart123]

It really peeves me off that I am unable to order from Sears.com or craftsman.com from Canada...aren't they supposed to be the same company as sears.ca.

I guess I can always buy the Taiwan made Ultra Pro stuff that my local NAPA dealer has.

 

[lbgradwell]

It really peeves me off that I am unable to order from Sears.com or craftsman.com from Canada...aren't they supposed to be the same company as sears.ca.

Actually, they aren't!! In fact, they are hardly connected at all.

I don't remember exactly when Canadian Craftsman handtools went offshore, but I certainly remember when they were "Made in USA" here too. Likely in the mid-80s...

This is a link to a posting on the topic where I recently made some comments. It may explain some things...

 

[wrenchr]

I would leave a review for sure and relay how crappy they are.

 

[li0nhart123]

Actually, they aren't!! In fact, they are hardly connected at all.

I don't remember exactly when Canadian Craftsman handtools went offshore, but I certainly remember when they were "Made in USA" here too. Likely in the mid-80s...

This is a link to a posting on the topic where I recently made some comments. It may explain some things...

Wow!! I didn't realize this...Probably won't be interested in further Canadian Craftsman tools!!!

I would leave a review for sure and relay how crappy they are.

hehe...the fact that they arrived "pre broken" should explain it all...how in the heck can a solid chunk of metal arrive broken?

They did honor the warranty and ordered me a complete new set...I would have done a credit card charge back if they didn't.

My older craftsman stuff is stamped USA..I wonder how they will honor the warranty on that stuff. I have some older ratchets that are gibbled now and I am going to try and warranty them. The small town I live in only has a sears mail order outlet. Not really any stock to speak of. They will have to order the parts in for me for my warranty claims. i can just imagine the hassle that this will cause.

 

[wrenchr]

They will give you 2 crappy ones for your 1 good broke 1. I would demand a USA one on a serious note.

 

[jimvannoy]

Sears quality and customer service has been going down hill for years. I really don't know if they will be around for many more years. It may end up that so and so company buys out the Craftsman brand.

 

[wrenchr]

They will rebrand the "KMART"...........Remember those tools?? My Dad had some of those and the only thing left is the metal can they came in.

 

[jimvannoy]

They will rebrand the "KMART"...........Remember those tools?? My Dad had some of those and the only thing left is the metal can they came in.

I had a set of Kmart 3/8 deep sockets I bought back in the 70's when I was starting out with tools. I still have the metal rack they were in but now it's filled with Snap On sockets.

 

[wrenchr]

I had a set of Kmart 3/8 deep sockets I bought back in the 70's when I was starting out with tools. I still have the metal rack they were in but now it's filled with Snap On sockets.

Were they made in japan?

 

[jimvannoy]

Were they made in japan?

They probably were. I think most stuff was back in the 60's and 70's if I remember correctly.

 

[wrenchr]

I dont ever remember using these but remember them. Memories!!!

 

[Deafautotech]

damn! i dont understand why Canada sears dont use same with america sears?? if you live in canada but near america then i will make a trip down to sears in USA to buy USA tools instead junk one... it is my opinion...

 

[ImportTuner]

Pretty scary ... sure hope those Canadian Craftsman tool don't migrate southward ...

 

[Deafautotech]

Pretty scary ... sure hope those Canadian Craftsman tool don't migrate southward ...

i am hope not!! if so then i am sol! i own about 60 percents of craftsman tools in my work and home... but i use a lot of tool truck tools like impact sockets, ratchets...

 

[Chris Adams]

This is good info, with lots of Canadians selling on e-bay it will pay to watch out for Chinese Craftsman.

On Craftsman tools going down hill, I have always been a happy user of Craftsman.
The tools I have used for 45 years have always seemed very good quality and solid.

I couldn't see what the constant whining was about. My sockets were nice, good chrome, solid, as good as any.
My ratchets were sturdy, smooth and durable.
The wrenches were fine too. Not as nice a feel as some Mac and Snap-on stuff, but completely serviceable.
But I have been using the same tools since the mid 80’s. And I noticed a drop in quality on those after I lost my tools in 84 and had to replace them.


Now I've just bought and dealt with the newer Craftsman stuff, and I am shocked at the drop in quality.

My tools from the 70's the Craftsman’s were as good as anybody’s. The stuff from the 80's was head and shoulder above anyone else’s tools selling at anywhere near their price.

But the stuff I'm getting today, well the best is OK; the regular Craftsman stuff is, to put it politely, poor.

HF sells tools as good as Craftsman’s regular grade.

 

[li0nhart123]

Pretty scary ... sure hope those Canadian Craftsman tool don't migrate southward ...

It's just a matter of a short period of time. The general public is looking for a bargain. Big box retailers like Wally World provide that bargain by utilizing the cheap labor in Asia. Unfortunatly the American (or Canadian) manufacturers of the higher quality stuff are not going to be able to compete in price due to labor and materials costs.

For most folks a wrench is a wrench no matter where or what it is made of. Wal-Mart is not going to Carry high end tools when the exact same looking tools can be made for pennies and then sold for 5 bucks. We think we are getting a deal cause 5 bucks is a hell of a lot cheaper than a Snap on equivalent selling for $50.

It's sort of a snowball effect. As we lose our manufacturing jobs and are forced to work for less money, we cannot afford the more expensive tools and therefore settle for the cheap ones. Thus driving the cycle.

It's eventually going to come to a head when we are all making $1/day just like our Asian counterparts.

I did hear on the news that some Asian manufacturers have had to move operations further into the Chinese countryside as the workers in the cities are starting to make to much money (probably $2/day).

I personally would like to see the Chinese wages at par with what we make in North America. There is no way they could match our quality and price then.

 

[wrenchr]

It's just a matter of a short period of time. The general public is looking for a bargain. Big box retailers like Wally World provide that bargain by utilizing the cheap labor in Asia. Unfortunatly the American (or Canadian) manufacturers of the higher quality stuff are not going to be able to compete in price due to labor and materials costs.

For most folks a wrench is a wrench no matter where or what it is made of. Wal-Mart is not going to Carry high end tools when the exact same looking tools can be made for pennies and then sold for 5 bucks. We think we are getting a deal cause 5 bucks is a hell of a lot cheaper than a Snap on equivalent selling for $50.

It's sort of a snowball effect. As we lose our manufacturing jobs and are forced to work for less money, we cannot afford the more expensive tools and therefore settle for the cheap ones. Thus driving the cycle.

It's eventually going to come to a head when we are all making $1/day just like our Asian counterparts.

I did hear on the news that some Asian manufacturers have had to move operations further into the Chinese countryside as the workers in the cities are starting to make to much money (probably $2/day).

I personally would like to see the Chinese wages at par with what we make in North America. There is no way they could match our quality and price then.

It is all a cut throte deal, when you think about it. Here and over there. Landscaping is a prime example here. I charge say $20.00 for a cut then the next guy charges $10.00 to $15.00. I have seen it over and over.

 

[Merkava_4]

You guys got me all kinds of confused here.

First of all, why is there a set of Craftsman wrenches made in China?

Secondly, why does only Canada receive the Chinese version of these wrenches but the ones for sale at the Sears stores in the states are made in USA?

 

[wrenchr]

You guys got me all kinds of confused here.

First of all, why is there a set of Craftsman wrenches made in China?

Secondly, why does only Canada receive the Chinese version of these wrenches but the ones for sale at the Sears stores in the states are made in USA?

Because Tiawan charged to much!
Maybe these sell better in the land of Canada
I noticed these are rip offs of there pro wrenchs.

 

[li0nhart123]

I noticed these are rip offs of there pro wrenchs.

They are marketed as the pro wrenches at sears.ca...that was why I bought them. From my experience, the regular craftsman wrenches are cast rather than forged. I wanted to stay away from the cast stuff. I guess with craftsman canada, it is not really going to matter what I buy...

 

[Merkava_4]

Because Tiawan charged to much!
Maybe these sell better in the land of Canada
I noticed these are rip offs of there pro wrenchs.

Well, I've got a story to tell you, but I don't expect anyone to believe me:

I was in Sears sometime or another within the last year, and I picked up a brand new Craftsman Professional 14mm wrench off the peg hook and I noticed something strange about it; it was bent!

I mean it had about a 15 degree bend along the whole length of the wrench. I almost bought it at the time for the purpose of posting pictures of it on the web, and now I wish I had of.

 

[li0nhart123]

Well, I've got a story to tell you, but I don't expect anyone to believe me:

After what I personally saw and experienced (read first post in this thread)..I believe you...

 

[Merkava_4]

Well I have to admit, even with all the stuff being made in China now days, I'd still be surprised if I saw a Craftsman wrench stamped "China" on it; but I'm thinking it's going to happen sooner or later.

 

[li0nhart123]

It will be stamped on the package rather than the wrenches. Who knows, maybee in time ( a long time from now) "made in china" will be sought after. I remeber in the 70's when "made in japan" meant junk. Now I look for that mark as much as made in canada or made in usa...if i can find something made in germany...then I think I have hit pay dirt..

I believe, in canada, it is mandatory that the country of origin or the words "imported by" must be on the packaging of products.

 

[Merkava_4]

So you're saying that the wrenches you received just have "Craftsman" and the size stamped on them and that's it? If so, that's terrible.

 

[li0nhart123]

So you're saying that the wrenches you received just have "Craftsman" and the size stamped on them and that's it? If so, that's terrible.

craftsman and the size on one side and the part number and size on the other...just like the real ones. Looking at them you could not tell they were imported. the packaging and the fact that they were cracked from the factory is the only thing that gave them away. The replacments arrive in 5 days. I will post the part numbers then.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm beginning to wonder if they're not real Craftsman wrenches and if they're Chinese counterfeits.

 

[wrenchr]

They are marketed as the pro wrenches at sears.ca...that was why I bought them. From my experience, the regular craftsman wrenches are cast rather than forged. I wanted to stay away from the cast stuff. I guess with craftsman canada, it is not really going to matter what I buy...

They have the cast finish but they a forged. If they were just cast they would be very weak.

 

[lbgradwell]

It will be stamped on the package rather than the wrenches. Who knows, maybee in time ( a long time from now) "made in china" will be sought after. I remeber in the 70's when "made in japan" meant junk. Now I look for that mark as much as made in canada or made in usa...if i can find something made in germany...then I think I have hit pay dirt..

I believe, in canada, it is mandatory that the country of origin or the words "imported by" must be on the packaging of products.

That's right; there will be no indication of the country of origin on the tool itself - they don't want to actually advertise the fact they're made in China/Taiwan - but they are obliged by law to at least advise that the product is "imported" on the packaging. Sears' packaging actually indicates the specific country. Many tools at Canadian Tire say only "imported". However, I'm quite certain that many tools are sourced from the exact same manufacturers! Although this is only my own speculation, judging from the Canadian Craftsman "tri-wing" ratchets, I'm guessing they are actually Stanley products. It is undeniably a Stanley-owned design that is a direct descendant of an old National Hand Tools pattern that was acquired by Stanley with their purchase of that company in the early 80s. Stanley has sold essentially the same tool under the Stanley, Blackhawk and Husky names...

I also agree with your other comments; I, too, am old enough to remember when "Made in Japan" meant junk. And it really was junk too. Obviously, that is no longer the case with Japanese products, and is not universally true regarding Chinese or Taiwanese products. Although one certainly does see **** from these countries, they are also capable of manufacturing a high-quality product. By and large, both the Canadian Craftsman and Canadian Tire Mastercraft ratchets, sockets, and flat wrenches are very decent quality. Your broken wrench and Merkava 4's bent USA wrench just slipped through QC, and that can happen anywhere.

My main objection to Canadian Craftsman is that they are almost universally more expensive than the same product from Canadian Tire, while not being a superior product in any way.

The replacments arrive in 5 days. I will post the part numbers then.

The part numbers will likely not match the USA numbers for the same item. For instance, I have USA Craftsman tools bought in 1987 (or so) in Michigan. I lost the 1/4"-drive, 5/16" Standard, 6pt socket. I believe the original USA part number would have been EE-43495 (judging from the sockets one size up & down), but the Canadian Craftsman socket I bought to replace it (in roughly 1995) is EE-42684.

I'm beginning to wonder if they're not real Craftsman wrenches and if they're Chinese counterfeits.

Nope. These are absolutely genuine!

They have the cast finish but they a forged. If they were just cast they would be very weak.

Yes, they are definitely a drop-forged, chrome-plated product.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm going to make sure from here on out that every hand tool I buy in the future will have USA engraved (or laser etched) on the tool itself; especially after reading this thread.

 

[li0nhart123]

That's right; there will be no indication of the country of origin on the tool itself - they don't want to actually advertise the fact they're made in China/Taiwan - but they are obliged by law to at least advise that the product is "imported" on the packaging. Sears' packaging actually indicates the specific country. Many tools at Canadian Tire say only "imported".

That sorta jarred my mind into thinking...I wonder why it isn't mandatory for them to state the country of origin on the website? If I were in the store, I would definitely flip the package over, and have the ability to make a more informed decision. That option country inspection is not available with a web purchase unless they state the country.

"House Of Tools" comes a bit closer at least with there Automotive and mechanical tools by stating in the header..

"Many tools are represented by good, better and best quality. Force, Jet, Gray Tools, Bondus."

I'm sure you could read into that..

good = will arrive broken
better = you will break it on first use
best = it will last the warranty period (not one day more)

They still do not mention the country of origin though

 

[GT crew]

I'm going to make sure from here on out that every hand tool I buy in the future will have USA engraved (or laser etched) on the tool itself; especially after reading this thread.

Haha, make sure you still check the back of the packaging:

"Etched in China"

 

[jimmycrackcorn]

Craftsman has a QC problem for sure. I ordered the 299 pc. socket set that was on sale at the time, and was in stock after weeks of checking. So i got the set and i checked each socket, the 1/2" 12 point shallow 16mm came to me blank, and the 3/8 12 point deep 1" socket came as a 6 point. So now i have two 3/8" 6 point deep 1" sockets. There are other things like little imperfections in the plating, and inconsistency's of plating among the other sockets.