Craftsman tools manufacturer's list

[hairtrigger]

This might be old news. It's new to me, though. Just thought I'd post this here for anyone that didn't know. Apparently Craftsman has long been restamping other manufacturer's tools. They don't even make their own stuff hardly any more. Evidently Danaher is making their hand tools. For others, there's a way to tell who made your tools, too. The first three digits of the tool's serial number is the manufacturer ID. Here's a list (of unknown completeness):

001 Stevens
002 Lemont Industries
071 Agri-Fab Corp
093 Ametek
002 Lemont Industries
101 Atlas Press Co.
102 Walker Turner
103 Sarlo Power Mower Inc.
106 Whirlpool
108 Covel Mfg. Co.
109 AA Engineering
110 Whirlpool
111 Watson Mfg Co.
112 Parks Tool Co. (Woodworking equipment)
113 Emerson Electric Co.
114 Pioneer Gen-E-Motor
115 Rixon
116 Matsushita
119 Frigidaire
121 Dille & McGuire
122 Blair Mfg.
123 Yard-Man
128 E.T. Rugg
129 Mono Mfg. Co
131 Rally/Roper Lawn (American Yard Prod.)
133 American Yard Products
135 Skil/Bosch
136 Toro Mfg. Co
137 Rexon
139 Chamberlain
143 Tecumseh (Lauson Power Prod. Co.)
144 Trane
145 Country Manufacturing
147 Village Blacksmith (Div. of McGraw Edison)
149 Amt
150 White Consolidated
153 State Industries
155 Preway
160 Wisconsin Magneto
161 Nakajima
171 Vermont American
174 Caloric
175 Bissell
176 Murata
180 Lambert Corp.
187 White Consolidated
190 Pioneer
198 Whirlpool
202 Gannon Mfg. Co.
204 Iona
214 Bissell
216 Phonemate
217 Eska Outboards
219 MTD
222 Panasonic Video/Audio
225 Outboard by Chrysler/Force
233 Broan
234 Beard-Poulon & Lazy Boy
235 Ingersoll Rand
241 Fimco
247 MTD-Modern Tool and Die (not MID)
250 J.I. Case
253 Gibson (now Frigidare)
256 Emerson Electric
257 Allegretti & Co. & Paramount
264 Emerson Electric
268 Brother International
271 Kioritz Corp. - Echo
274 RCA
278 GE
281 Electro-Aire
283 Thomas Industries
289 Sharp
291 American Lawn Mower
292 Lennox
294 Tunturi
302 IBM
304 Funai
306 Belsaw
312 GTE
315 Ryobi
317 Makita
319 Hand Tools International
329 Inventa
330 Apple
328 McLane
329 Ametek
334 Commodore
335 Amana
336 Electrolux
340 Necchi
342 York
351 Colovos Co.
253 White Consolidated
355 Roper Outdoor
358 Beaird - Poulan, Inc.
359 Bolens Products Div.
362 General Electric
363 General Electric
365 US Lawn
366 Koss Eletronics
367 AT&T
372 Zeus Generator Co.
374 Diversified Products
378 Omark (Oregon)
380 Moto-Mower, Inc./Subsidiary of Dura Corp.
385 Jamac
387 White Rodgers
390 King-O-Lawn
401 Bissell
410 John Bean Food Mach. & Chem.
415 Char Broil
417 Stover Engine Works
426 Parker Sweeper
445 Melmer
452 AT&T
457 Code-A-Phone
459 Technics
464 Maytag
471 Bionaire
472 Dremel
473 Quincy Compressor
474 Sony
476 Coleman
480 Bose
484 Airtemp
486 Agri-Fab
490 Indiana Steel
498 Didier Mfg. Co.
500 Briggs & Stratton Corp.
502 Murray Ohio
509 Payne
517 Homelite/Jacobsen
521 E Z Rake Co.
523 MGM Technology
534 Clausing Lathe (Former Atlas Press Co.)
536 Western Tool & Stamping (Before AMF Lawn & Garden Div.)
538 AMF and or Murray
549 Midwest Ind
552 Cobra
562 Toshiba
564 Sanyo
565 Sanyo
566 Packard Bell
568 Panasonic
572 Dremel
575 Sharp
576 D & M (now Frigidaire)
580 Generac Corporation
582 Clinton Engine Co.
583 Remington/Desa
586 Panasonic Office Equip.
587 White Consolidated
596 Amana
604 Digital Equipment Co.
610 Ohio Steel Fabrication
613 Consolidated Technologies
619 Arps Corp.
620 Enviro-Research
621 Bryant
622 Kelvinator
625 Ecodyne
626 Magnavox (Philips)
628 White Consolidated
629 Jenn-Air
636 Echo
639 King-O-Lawn
640 Cerwin Vega
647 Roper
651 O.M.C. Dist. (also Standard Eng.)
654 Mott
663 Air Cap Industries
665 Whirlpool
666 Kitchenaid
668 Echowater
678 Vac Appliances, LTD
680 Generac
683 Philco (Italy)
704 Royal
705 Canon
716 H.H.Scott/Emerson
719 Tappan
721 LG Electronics
723 Yamaha
733 Fairbanks Morse
739 Onan
745 0 & R Engines
747 Litton
757 Brinly-Hardy Co., Inc.
758 Emerson Electric
761 Whirlpool
767 Marvel
768 Technics (Matsushita)
769 Mercury Clutch Division
773 Marantz
775 Johnson
778 Comet Industries
785 General Power (Magna America Corp.)
789 DefiAnce
790 Frigid Ire
791 Tappan
793 Ford
798 Speed King
802 Baker Mfg Co.
809 AMF
815 Daewoo
831 Welso Inc/U.T.S.
832 Xerox
835 Roper
840 Friedrich
842 Haban Mfg.
846 Epson
850 Whirlpool (Chambers?)
854 White Farm Equipment Corp. (formerly Oliver
855 ILG
860 Eureka Company
864 Zenith
867 Climette
871 Smith Corona
879 Rheem/Rudd
900 Black and Decker
911 General Electric
917 Roper Corp. (American Yard Prod.
919 DeVilbiss
922 Original Tractor Cab Co.
923 Hewlett Packard
934 Century Mfg Co.
937 Sunbeam (now Air Cap Ind.)
950 Laser (V-TECH)
960 Caloric
973 Ryobi
987 Troy Bilt/Garden Way
988 Kubota
989 McCullogh
990 Ford
991 Lawnboy
2018 Furnas Electric (Reversing Switch)
7075 Prestolite Battery
7287 Emerson Electric
7296 Emerson Electric
Hand Tools - Danaher

 

[lbgradwell]

Apparently Craftsman has long been restamping other manufacturer's tools. They don't even make their own stuff hardly any more. Evidently Danaher is making their hand tools.

"Craftsman" has never, ever made a single thing. Craftsman is just a brand name; the tools have always been produced for Sears by actual manufacturers.

Danaher does make some of their mechanics hand tools.

 

[hairtrigger]

You know what's sad? They should make it clear that that's the case. I see danaher tools all the time, and I always pass them up for craftsman, and they're usually more expensive. Turns out I'm buying the same stuff for higher, just for the name. And that's exactly what I didn't want to do.

 

[bob15]

You are also aware that Kenmore isn't made by "Kenmore"? Or that the older sears "SS and Suburban" tractors were Ropers made?

Did you really think that they made every single item? Think about about how big a company that would be......tractors to chainsaws to wrenches to toolboxes to power tools to.......

Why should they make it clear they don't make the tools? Does the "store brand" food items say, "we (the grocery store) doesn't make this item"?

Does Snap-On say who makes what? And just because it says "Snap-On" doesn't mean they make it. I guess they should make that clear as well????


bob

 

[hairtrigger]

You'd figure since Craftsman are a Sears exclusive that they were responsible for their manufacture.

 

[thesilverone]

You know what's sad? They should make it clear that that's the case. I see danaher tools all the time, and I always pass them up for craftsman, and they're usually more expensive. Turns out I'm buying the same stuff for higher, just for the name. And that's exactly what I didn't want to do.

then don't ever buy a rebranded snap on, blue point, mac or matco tool

 

[bob15]

You'd figure since Craftsman are a Sears exclusive that they were responsible for their manufacture.

What about Kenmore? The name is also a Sears exclusive. But Sears doesn't own or make appliances. Also "Roebucks work pants" also a Sears exclusive name. Diehard batteries aren't "made" by Sears either, nor were JC Higgins guns.

Do you remember when you went to Sears and there was no "manufacturer-named" tools being sold there, only Craftsman-named tools? Same with appliances, only Kenmore branded. Or Sears labels clothes. Not to mention only Sears charge cards were allowed, no Visa or MasterCard.

 

[shanker]

I will say this about Kenmore though, I bought my wife a sewing machine from Sears, a Kenmore 19110, she loves it.

On the bottom the tag clearly says "Sears Co"....She has a Singer Serger, Singer Sewing Machine, and Kenmore Sewing machine and uses them each weekly, they all compliment each other but none are a on-size fits all kinda thing....the Kenmore has been surprisingly awesome in her words.

 

[kc-steve]

That list is actually an older list. A newer more comprehensive list shows both "315" as being Diehl Mfg Co prior to Ryobi as well as Ryobi after 1988. And I'm sure other info as well. Looking at the list again, I don't see Columbian Vise on there either.

Steve

 

[Neuswede]

If you don't like Danaher, then I've got really bad news for you....they formed a joint venture with Cooper Industries in 2010 called Apex Tool Group, LLC, and the following companies are now controlled by the joint venture: Armstrong, K-D, Crescent, Gearwrench, SATA, MAyle, Allen, Cleco, Lufkin, Wiss, Atkins, Weller, Delta (storage boxes), K&F and Jobox. Danaher still controls/owns MATCO and Fluke, and they recently acquired Raytek which now is shown as a subsidiary of Fluke.

If you don't like tool rebranding, then Kobalt and Husky aren't for you either. Lowe's formed a joint venture years ago with E.H. Williams (owned by Snap-On), and now many tools are made by Danaher in their Taiwan facilities.

The Husky brand was formed between Home Depot and Stanley Works, will many of their tools now made by Stanley in China, Taiwan and USA.

Stanley merged with Black & Decker recently. With the merger, PROTO, Blackhawk, Virax, Vidmar, Vector, DeVilbiss, Sidchrome, Bostitch, Porter Cable and DeWalt are now owned by the merged Stanley Black & Decker Co. MAC Tools is still owned by Stanley Works.

Snap-On is owned by IDSC Holdings, LLC, which also owns EH Williams, Bluepoint and Sun Equipment.

The only companies I have found which are not wholly owned by a holding company are Cornwell (employee owned), Wright Tools (privately owned since 1927) and Lisle.

Interestingly, Danaher didn't start out in the tool business. They were a initially a real estate limited partnership, reformed into a merger & acquisition shell back in the Michael Millken Bear Sterns days.

 

[metaldad]

If you don't like Danaher, then I've got really bad news for you....they formed a joint venture with Cooper Industries in 2010 called Apex Tool Group, LLC, and the following companies are now controlled by the joint venture: Armstrong, K-D, Crescent, Gearwrench, SATA, MAyle, Allen, Cleco, Lufkin, Wiss, Atkins, Weller, Delta (storage boxes), K&F and Jobox. Danaher still controls/owns MATCO and Fluke, and they recently acquired Raytek which now is shown as a subsidiary of Fluke.

If you don't like tool rebranding, then Kobalt and Husky aren't for you either. Lowe's formed a joint venture years ago with E.H. Williams (owned by Snap-On), and now many tools are made by Danaher in their Taiwan facilities.

The Husky brand was formed between Home Depot and Stanley Works, which many of their tools are made by Stanley in China, Taiwan and USA.

Stanley merged with Black & Decker recently. With the merger, PROTO, Blackhawk, Virax, Vidmar, Vector, DeVilbiss, Sidchrome, Bostitch, Porter Cable and DeWalt are now owned by the merged Stanley Black & Decker co. MAC Tools is still owned by Stanley Works.

They only companies I have found which are not wholly owned by a holding company are Cornwell (employee owned), Wright Tools (privately owned since 1927) and Lisle.

Interestingly, Danaher didn't start out in the tool business. They were a initially a real estate limited partnership, reformed into a merger & acquisition tool back in the Michael Millken Bear Sterns days.

wow. thanks for the info.

 

[geologist]

You know what's sad? They should make it clear that that's the case. I see danaher tools all the time, and I always pass them up for craftsman, and they're usually more expensive. Turns out I'm buying the same stuff for higher, just for the name. And that's exactly what I didn't want to do.

If you want to see something interesting, compare the 3/8" drive Kobalt stubby flex-head ratchet with the Craftsman offering.

 

[ishiboo]

You know what's sad? They should make it clear that that's the case. I see danaher tools all the time, and I always pass them up for craftsman, and they're usually more expensive. Turns out I'm buying the same stuff for higher, just for the name. And that's exactly what I didn't want to do.

Where do you see "Danaher tools all the time" that you thought hey, these Brand X tools are Danaher, but didn't think Craftsman did the same thing?

You're not just paying for the name, you're also paying for the best warranty of any of the consumer Danaher products. Craftsman pricing/warranty is not an issue IMHO, it's that the quality even on the last USA-made sockets/ratchets/etc. is lacking compared to more competitively priced brands.

 

[Lt CHEG]

You know what's sad? They should make it clear that that's the case. I see danaher tools all the time, and I always pass them up for craftsman, and they're usually more expensive. Turns out I'm buying the same stuff for higher, just for the name. And that's exactly what I didn't want to do.

No offense, but I don't see how it could be any more clear. Sears is and always has been a retail business. They don't and never have manufactured anything. They just purchased the rights to certain brand names which they could offer exclusively.

Also, just because you're buying a Craftsman tool that's made by Danaher, or for that matter a Kenmore washing machine that's made by Frigidaire, it doesn't mean that they're all the same. Sears puts out a bid to make a product to a certain specification. Often times whatever company doesn't just submit one of their off the shelf products with a different name to fulfill the specifications, they manufacture something just for Sears and their specifications. So even though a Sears exclusive product is made by a company that sells other products, it doesn't mean that you can buy the Sears branded product in the exact same configuration as another named product from the original manufacturer. Sometimes the Craftsman branded tool will be of a higher quality than the manufacturer produces its other items, and sometimes it will be lower, and sometimes it will be equal. That's why to me it is important to not just shop the brand of tool, but to shop the individual tool, as well as the service associated with the tool.

 

[thesilverone]

That list is actually an older list. A newer more comprehensive list shows both "315" as being Diehl Mfg Co prior to Ryobi as well as Ryobi after 1988. And I'm sure other info as well. Looking at the list again, I don't see Columbian Vise on there either.

Steve

where can this list be found?

 

[Hootbro]

I do not think there is a single retailer that manufactures their own house brands. They are in the business of selling and not making.

 

[PT Doc]

What does Quincy make for Sears?

 

[Michael Bryce Winnick]

So what? Did you really want to visit the "Craftsman Factory." The tools are still stamped "Made in the USA," the waranty is excellent, the tool is worth what is paid for it. Is this news that Sears does not make ratchets? I think Danahar also makes/made NAPA tools also. So what. Great warranty, great tool, great price. As long as the COO can be relied upon, the tool is good, the price is right, and the warranty is upheld, I am happy.
I am not happy that now Blackhawk has off shore ties. Tell me it is not true.

 

[MoToys]

What tools do/did danaher actually put their name on?
And to the op, craftsman is no longer soly sold by sears.

 

[Arne73]

Also, just because you're buying a Craftsman tool that's made by Danaher, or for that matter a Kenmore washing machine that's made by Frigidaire, it doesn't mean that they're all the same. Sears puts out a bid to make a product to a certain specification. Often times whatever company doesn't just submit one of their off the shelf products with a different name to fulfill the specifications, they manufacture something just for Sears and their specifications. So even though a Sears exclusive product is made by a company that sells other products, it doesn't mean that you can buy the Sears branded product in the exact same configuration as another named product from the original manufacturer. Sometimes the Craftsman branded tool will be of a higher quality than the manufacturer produces its other items, and sometimes it will be lower, and sometimes it will be equal. That's why to me it is important to not just shop the brand of tool, but to shop the individual tool, as well as the service associated with the tool.

+1 well said!

 

[ishiboo]

The tools are still stamped "Made in the USA," the waranty is excellent, the tool is worth what is paid for it [...] As long as the COO can be relied upon, the tool is good, the price is right, and the warranty is upheld, I am happy.

Where have you been with the Craftsman COO? There are about 400 threads/arguments on it...

 

[B17E1943]

Where have you been with the Craftsman COO? There are about 400 threads/arguments on it...

Is that all?!

 

[jonathan75]

I think it should be the first three numbers of the model number not the serial number for the manufacture ID. I looked at my drill press and it says 315 in the model number. I couldn't find any match for the serial number. 315 is Ryobe which would make sense.

 

[aaronrkelly]

If you don't like Danaher, then I've got really bad news for you....they formed a joint venture with Cooper Industries in 2010 called Apex Tool Group, LLC, and the following companies are now controlled by the joint venture: Armstrong, K-D, Crescent, Gearwrench, SATA, MAyle, Allen, Cleco, Lufkin, Wiss, Atkins, Weller, Delta (storage boxes), K&F and Jobox. Danaher still controls/owns MATCO and Fluke, and they recently acquired Raytek which now is shown as a subsidiary of Fluke.

If you don't like tool rebranding, then Kobalt and Husky aren't for you either. Lowe's formed a joint venture years ago with E.H. Williams (owned by Snap-On), and now many tools are made by Danaher in their Taiwan facilities.

The Husky brand was formed between Home Depot and Stanley Works, will many of their tools now made by Stanley in China, Taiwan and USA.

Stanley merged with Black & Decker recently. With the merger, PROTO, Blackhawk, Virax, Vidmar, Vector, DeVilbiss, Sidchrome, Bostitch, Porter Cable and DeWalt are now owned by the merged Stanley Black & Decker Co. MAC Tools is still owned by Stanley Works.

Snap-On is owned by IDSC Holdings, LLC, which also owns EH Williams, Bluepoint and Sun Equipment.

The only companies I have found which are not wholly owned by a holding company are Cornwell (employee owned), Wright Tools (privately owned since 1927) and Lisle.

Interestingly, Danaher didn't start out in the tool business. They were a initially a real estate limited partnership, reformed into a merger & acquisition shell back in the Michael Millken Bear Sterns days.

This is exactly why I buy tools based on quality, reviews, and price.

Buying tools based on name or some belief its heritage has **** all to do with anything is misconceived.

Buy the tool...not the company.

 

[Eric Nordstrom]

My top box starts w/706 I didn't see it. Waterloo?

 

[LB-1911]

My top box starts w/706 I didn't see it. Waterloo?

Correct, 706 is Waterloo

Three additional OEM Lists;

Craftsman OEM List
http://vintagemachinery.org/craftsman/manufacturers.aspx


Craftsman OEM List - alphabetically
http://vintagemachinery.org/craftsman/manufacturers.aspx?sort=2


Sears and Craftsman Source Product Code
http://professional-power-tool-guid...pany/sears-and-craftsman-source-product-code/