Craftsman Professional Wrenches-Still USA

[DTB]

Hi All,

Been a member a while now lurking around but this is my first post.I've been reading where the Craftsman Professional wrench line had been shipped overseas which worried me.I picked up a Craftsman Pro wrench set for a decent price but didn't have a 16mm.I was worried that the replacement would be a China import.I was in contact with Sears,who said it was still a USA product.I figured they would tell me that either way,however the wrench arrived today and it was however a USA professional wrench.I just thought I would tell you'all incase you were wondering what you would get if you ordered.Who know's how long it will stay this way though.

 

[Stuey]

Sears' customer service does not have updated information about Craftsman tools' country of origin.

Going by what I have seen with my own two eyes, the previous Craftsman Professional full polish wrenches ARE NOW MADE IN CHINA. At least the new sets are. The same goes for the flare wrench sets as well, and possibly others, I'll have to look at my records.

USA-made sets may still be found at some stores.

Open stock/individual wrenches do not seem to have been replaced (yet?) since their sales are probably far lower than for sets.

It's good that you were able to find a USA-made set, but other's miles may vary.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Sears' customer service does not have updated information about Craftsman tools' country of origin.

Going by what I have seen with my own two eyes, the previous Craftsman Professional full polish wrenches ARE NOW MADE IN CHINA. At least the new sets are. The same goes for the flare wrench sets as well, and possibly others, I'll have to look at my records.

USA-made sets may still be found at some stores.

Open stock/individual wrenches do not seem to have been replaced (yet?) since their sales are probably far lower than for sets.

It's good that you were able to find a USA-made set, but other's miles may vary.

AGREED, the sets are made in china, singles are old stock

 

[Vinny]

Is all Craftsmen stuff moving to China? Bought a floor jack that was made in China, and a set of files, too.

 

[pacsguy]

It's a shame they are stopping the craftsman professional pliers line. I really like them. I've been scooping them up as they go on clearance.

Scoop up the craftsman wrench USA made pros while you can as the new stock certainly is made in China.

 

[NWphotog]

Sears' customer service does not have updated information about Craftsman tools' country of origin.

Going by what I have seen with my own two eyes, the previous Craftsman Professional full polish wrenches ARE NOW MADE IN CHINA. At least the new sets are. The same goes for the flare wrench sets as well, and possibly others, I'll have to look at my records.

USA-made sets may still be found at some stores.

Open stock/individual wrenches do not seem to have been replaced (yet?) since their sales are probably far lower than for sets.

It's good that you were able to find a USA-made set, but other's miles may vary.

What seems strange is all the local store stock is from China while order online seems to get USA production?!

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I know for sure the polished flare wrench sets are; I spent ten minutes poking through the sets my local Sears had before it closed, and they were all Chinese. The Craftsman Pro deep offset double-box wrenches are US-made, though.

 

[Original Man]

What is the best way to find out about when things like these go on sale?

 

[slipjointed]

I know for sure the polished flare wrench sets are; I spent ten minutes poking through the sets my local Sears had before it closed, and they were all Chinese. The Craftsman Pro deep offset double-box wrenches are US-made, though.

Nope, those are China too now. I just tried to buy a couple sets a few weeks ago.

The entire Cman pro lineup at my store is now China, and they're even clearing out the WF made Cman pro pliers and screwdrivers. Basically sears is trying to wipe the entire Cman pro lineup from the face of the earth, and make sure they send as many American jobs overseas as possible in the process.


Smart move Sears!

It's like they're trying as hard as they can to go out of business.

 

[greybeard]

Is it Sears or Danasher who is moving operations to China?

 

[Vinny]

I don't think it's them trying to go out of business but stay in business.

 

[Hiball]

Is all Craftsmen stuff moving to China? Bought a floor jack that was made in China, and a set of files, too.

I dont think Sears has sold a USA Floor jack Since the 80's and it was a Blackhawk then.

 

[back2class]

There are no imported Craftsman professional wrenches! The import are just full polish, they no longer make the "professional" line of wrenches as best I am aware.

 

[diesel research]

What about the "module" sets (full polished that come in the special trays)?

 

[diesel research]

Is it Sears or Danasher who is moving operations to China?

Danaher still offers plenty of stuff made in the USA under the matco and armstrong badges. Not to say everything under those labels is made in the USA, or everything made in the USA is only sold under those labels, but you can find quite a bit of USA under those 2 names.

 

[ChrisStarks]

I know for sure the polished flare wrench sets are; I spent ten minutes poking through the sets my local Sears had before it closed, and they were all Chinese.

Good. Maybe the Chinese flare nut wrenches are better, because my USA Craftsman Professional flare nut wrenches ****.

 

[Stuey]

It's a shame they are stopping the craftsman professional pliers line. I really like them. I've been scooping them up as they go on clearance.

Scoop up the craftsman wrench USA made pros while you can as the new stock certainly is made in China.

=( I had a feeling that was the case too. I couldn't find any of the Professional pliers last weekend when I was at Sears with a gift card to spend.

I heard rumors that the entire Craftsman Professional lineup was being discontinued but didn't think it really applied to all of the Pro tools!

What seems strange is all the local store stock is from China while order online seems to get USA production?!

Are you positive that online orders result in USA-made sets?

What is the best way to find out about when things like these go on sale?

Check Sears.com every other day and the sales flyers every Sunday.

I get advanced notice about upcoming sales every few days, but none of them mention some of the more specific discounts or online-only sales. One of these days I might put up a sales-only page on TG, but it's a hassle.

Is it Sears or Danasher who is moving operations to China?

I asked that question to Sears & Craftsman PR people, and even they're not sure, or aren't telling.

It could be that Sears intends for their Industrial lineup to replace the Professional tools. I may have the opportunity to try some out soon, so we'll see about that. I was told that they're tested to higher standards than the regular Craftsman lines, but don't know details beyond that.

 

[earlthegoat2]

It could be that Sears intends for their Industrial lineup to replace the Professional tools. I may have the opportunity to try some out soon, so we'll see about that. I was told that they're tested to higher standards than the regular Craftsman lines, but don't know details beyond that.

Ive always been impressed with other makers industrial lineups so hopefully CMan can pull through on that rumor.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Nope, those are China too now. I just tried to buy a couple sets a few weeks ago.

Hm, mine are stamped "Forged in USA". Course, I did order those online, instead of buying them at the store.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but the number I had to call for a replacement (got duplicates in the set and needed the right size) said it was formerly Danaher, now Apex. I don't follow who owns what, so that might be old news or completely irrelevant.

 

[mikew13]

Hm, mine are stamped "Forged in USA". Course, I did order those online, instead of buying them at the store.

Not sure if it makes a difference, but the number I had to call for a replacement (got duplicates in the set and needed the right size) said it was formerly Danaher, now Apex. I don't follow who owns what, so that might be old news or completely irrelevant.

Cooper and Danaher merged. Cooper is da devil...

 

[pipsters]

I don't know where the wrenches come from but the Craftsman sockets are made in Apex, NC just down the street from me. Probably where "Apex Tool Group" got it's original name from.

 

[NAYLOR]

Do the Chinese wrenches say "Professional" or are they just full polish?

 

[SMKS]

Do the Chinese wrenches say "Professional" or are they just full polish?

They don't say "Professional."

 

[JohnFreeman]

Good. Maybe the Chinese flare nut wrenches are better, because my USA Craftsman Professional flare nut wrenches ****.

Strange, mine have been fine..(4 years old or so...)

 

[NAYLOR]

They don't say "Professional."

Then customer service is correct. The professional tools are made in USA (just not made anymore). The full polish tools that are meant to replace the pros are made in china.

 

[SMKS]

Then customer service is correct. The professional tools are made in USA (just not made anymore). The full polish tools that are meant to replace the pros are made in china.

The problem is that both the USA made and Chinese have the same part number. You could order the USA professionals and still get a set of Chinese wrenches delivered.

 

[NAYLOR]

That just *****. Looks like I better be careful with mine!

 

[ChrisStarks]

Strange, mine have been fine..(4 years old or so...)

Strange, mine spread open very easily... (4 years old). Use em harder, they'll spread.

 

[hammergodthor]

I just went through this last night. I have a broken Craftsman pro wrench and can't get a decent replacement. I am writing a letter to Craftsman explaining why I won't be buying any more Craftsman tools.

 

[Skin]

I just went through this last night. I have a broken Craftsman pro wrench and can't get a decent replacement. I am writing a letter to Craftsman explaining why I won't be buying any more Craftsman tools.

i'd be surprised if your store has no older open stock [if they ever had it] because i dont think it moves often. If you really care you should get a USA wrench no problem via ordering open stock online.

I've actually yet to get a Chinese hard line tool from an online order and i've gotten a lot over the last year. [Long Patters/Stubbies/Deep Offsets, 7/8/19mm open stock to complete a set etc..]

 

[m151]

after reading this thread a few days ago, and seeing that long pattern wrenches in the
stores were chinese, I ordered the 26 pcs set from the catalog. I asked the COO and she
said "USA by apex formally danaher and there were 34 sets left". I hope I got under the
wire, if china, they are going back!
While in the store I compared an open stock USA 14mm to the same wrench in a chinese
set and while close, the head of the chinese one was larger resulting in less clearance.

Jim

 

[ibedayank]

Cooper and Danaher merged. Cooper is da devil...

combined to make ....
APEX TOOL GROUP
http://apextoolgroup.com/news/index.cfm

 

[ibedayank]

Strange, mine spread open very easily... (4 years old). Use em harder, they'll spread.

but who made them
the sets i have are made by the old S&K
have a small k stamped in them look much better than the ones i have seen in the past 10 years or so

 

[Hiball]

I was at a Big Sears store tonight and they still had some USA Pro wrenches in stock but only via singles. I almost pulled the trigger on some USA locking flex wrenches, They had both the SAE and Metric sets for half price at $60 bucks. After handling the wrenches i realized how bad they actually were, Anytime the flex wasnt in the locking position there was a large amount of play from side to side and front to back... It all went away when locked but i just couldnt talk myself into buying them.

 

[Old Donn]

Dropped by the local Sears the other day, all the full polish former Pro combo sets were made in PRC.

 

[griff99]

This isn't a new story, here in Southern NH I have been noticing the Chinese **** showing up as the USA stuff gets sold. Last September I snatched up the 18 piece combination "module" full-polish/Professional because it still said USA on it. In December I bought the full polish offset wrench sets both standard and metric, but there was a mix of USA and Chinese on the shelf, I actually ordered on-line, then called the store and asked the guy in the tool department to pull the USA sets for me, he did. Same thing with the cross force wrenches this May, the ones on the front of the rack were Chinese, the ones in the back, obviously older based on the amount of dust, were still USA, I had the guy pull the USA ones from the back for me as they were on a locked shelf. The good stuff is still out there, but who knows for how long.

 

[csmitty]

I checked my store as I was going to compliment my SAE's pro's I still haven't gotten yet with metrics. They had two sets. One pro behind the new full polish. I went out. Ordered online for the discounts. Went back in and thy had the first one (the china one) waiting. Asked them to swap it out no problem since they had the same part numbers. Hopefully I'll get the SAE 18pc 6pt set that UPS has lost/stolen.

 

[ChrisStarks]

but who made them
the sets i have are made by the old S&K
have a small k stamped in them look much better than the ones i have seen in the past 10 years or so

Mine are the exact same ones.

 

[Pro-Painter]

The last time I was in sears, I was trying to compare the old USA singles to the new china sets. So I grabbed a few metric and SAE sizes of the singles (3 or 4 each) since the full sets where key locked on to pegs.
I walked back and forth between the two aisles with the wrenches in hand. When I went to put the wrenches back I noticed a loud buzz, buzz, buzz sound follow me every time I moved. I turned around and looked behind me and seen nothing. So I continue to put the wrenches back. Once again I hear a buzz, buzz, buzz right behind me. I finish with the wrenches and take two steps to the right and here the buzz noise again, I take two steps to the left and it follows me!
By this time I realized what it was and looked up. Right above me was a large 3ft black camera bubble with what must have been the oldest movable camera ever made.
To be honest it pissed me off. So I put back the small amount of tools I planed to buy, but had to buy the "my first craftsman" tool set I promised my 2yr old son.
At the check out line I handed the guy a $20 bill for a $16 purchase, he stalled and said he had to wait for "change". Next thing I know two young loss prevention guys show up and ask me to turn out my pockets. I had nothing to hide so I did, But I did make fun of them for their loud camera and poor security skills the whole time.

The strangest part, It was a Sunday afternoon and me and my (2yr old) son was dressed in our nice church clothes and in no way looked like shoplifters. I guess no one ever "looks" at the tools anymore and they expect the avg tool buyer to buy the gimmick **** they keep in the center aisles and store fronts. F**K Sears!

 

[ibedayank]

Pro-painter
I would have asked the assclowns to show me on TAPE. Where i was putting stuff in my pockets. Then asked to see their boss and called the police and filed charges for slader harrassment and what ever else i could think of.