Eulogy for USA Craftsman Tools ( Rot In Hell China Replacements )

[ssentt]

Eulogy For A Friend

I pay tribute and celebrate the life of our friend USA Craftsman tools by writing a heartfelt eulogy.

Craftsman tools and I met in my early years. We were paired together as wrenchmates helping father work on vehicles. Craftsman tools and I bonded instantly. Craftsman tools and Dad taught me many things throughout my youth. Righty tighty, lefty loosey being the first. When I was young I fondly remember thinking "someday I would own craftsman tools just like the ones that served my father so well".

As a young man and then newlywed craftsman tools helped me get through the difficult early years of home and auto ownership. Craftsman tools were there for me when I needed them most, helping me save money as a DIYer when money was tight. Reliable, strong, capable, qualities necessary to do the job and do it right without killing a young couples budget.

Later in life craftsman tools and I remained good friends. I always took along a few craftsman tools for an emergency road side repair in each vehicle. My wife meet craftsman tools through me and had a great respect for them too. She would even give them as christmas presents sometimes. My son throughout his childhood was paired with craftsman tools just as I was. Wrenchmates through and through learning the different names, sizes and uses. I knew that I could trust craftsman tools to serve him well into adult life.

Looking back its incredibly sad that USA craftsman tools ended so soon. I cannot put into words how much I will miss them. Craftsman tools were a great and capable tool and that gave me and many others exceptional performance, value, and durability. As time passes I and others will always be comparing our latest brands to USA craftsman tools I'm sure. Even though USA craftsman tools may be gone, their memory will live on fondly for many of us. So long USA craftsman tools. You will be missed.

 

[markduncan93]

Well said, ssentt. Well said.

 

[oldldh]

^^^What they said...

Sears continues to screw up by the numbers!!!

I realize a lot of American manufacturing has been moved overseas, but there are those of us that don't want to send our money over there...

The few things I still need from Craftsman are still made here (I think, fingers crossed), and when I get them bought, by the end of the summer, I won't care what Craftsman does...

'Tis a shame...they had a good, viable, sustainable market, and screwed it up...

 

[Rockuf8]

Prices for used/new USA made Crapsman tools on ebay will begin to rise...

 

[sberry]

I agree they shot themselves in the foot, it was stupid to try to make Cman price with HF.

 

[sberry]

They should have been aiming at SK and they would still be on the upswing now. Even in 82 or so the stuff was junk in quality comparison. Lots of busted sockets out of the box and heavy club wrenches. It was relatively cheap then,,, way cheaper today. About the same quality.

 

[sberry]

Maybe the Chinese will finally FIX the FUKKIN RATCHET. That must be a numerical world record for screw ups, to make one faulty tool for soooooooooooooooooooo loooooooooong.

 

[fourtythree]

I'd like to write a eulogy for Chinese craftsman threads, but sadly, I don't think the need will arise anytime soon

 

[sberry]

Prices rise on ebay for it,,, great. I will stop beating it today. I got some earlier stuff. 60;s and 70's, really tough. ebay or not, its the same **** no matter what it sells for which proves my point to some extent, change the label, raise the price and I bet everyone would fuss over it like the screwdrivers.

 

[DEMAYO]

I was checking out SK's site and they had their catalog up via pdf. My thoughts were "this is the new Craftsman".

It is undeniably more expensive and they will not (according to the catalog at least) replace a ratchet used as a hammer, but it's the closest thing to a full hard line made in USA tool line without tool truck pricing.

 

[oldldh]

Craftsman version 1.0, spelled S-K....

Hmmm....

Now, there's an idea!!!!

 

[billymade]

Maybe you should send this in a letter to the CEO of Sears at Hoffman, Estates... you never know! It might just get to him!

http://www.searsholdings.com/about/loc.htm

 

[chris142]

Maybe the Chinese will finally FIX the FUKKIN RATCHET. That must be a numerical world record for screw ups, to make one faulty tool for soooooooooooooooooooo loooooooooong.

Wont happen. The chinese only build to the customers specs and no more. Now if a chinese company decided to copy the tool to sell under their name I'm sure they would improve it.only then could you use a raised panel ratchet w/o it reversing lol.

 

[Hootbro]

Prices for used/new USA made Crapsman tools on ebay will begin to rise...

Maybe in the short term but there still will be a metric **** ton of USA Craftsman to be had 50+ years from now on the secondary market and most of it at flea market prices if one so chooses to make the effort and look.

 

[Kracin]

^^^What they said...

Sears continues to screw up by the numbers!!!

I realize a lot of American manufacturing has been moved overseas, but there are those of us that don't want to send our money over there...

i hear a lot of previous co-workers do that alot. they complain about country of origin on all kinds of stuff, from pipe couplings coming from india and thailand, to tools coming from china, and they want everything at work to be made in the good ole usa.


then you have to sit and hear them ***** about their latest trip to wal-mart because the stuff that was normall on sale wasn't on sale this time, and they paid an extra 10-20 cents on something. loyal wal-marters to the end, and die hard country of origin fanatics as well.... something is wrong and it isn't where the stuff is being made, it's the majority of people that just don't care.

 

[Hootbro]

i hear a lot of previous co-workers do that alot. they complain about country of origin on all kinds of stuff, from pipe couplings coming from india and thailand, to tools coming from china, and they want everything at work to be made in the good ole usa.


then you have to sit and hear them ***** about their latest trip to wal-mart because the stuff that was normall on sale wasn't on sale this time, and they paid an extra 10-20 cents on something. loyal wal-marters to the end, and die hard country of origin fanatics as well.... something is wrong and it isn't where the stuff is being made, it's the majority of people that just don't care.

Sounds like the old adage of "Money Talks, ******** Walks". Very few people are down for the cause once money comes into play and usually "cheap" wins the day.

I work around a bunch of Union guys all day that are wearing their USA flag and "Made in the USA" type slogan shirts. Go out in the parking lot and it is 75% import city on their vehicle choices.

 

[tikidollracer]

Prices for used/new USA made Crapsman tools on ebay will begin to rise...

only for collectors. one of the reasons people got craftsman was the replacement warranty. now all you'll get is a sub-standard import replacement. not worth it.

rather than lament, this could be an opportunity. USA is still the best manufacturing country in the world, and someone will notice the gap for affordable quality tools and look to fill it.

-SM-

 

[Kracin]

Sounds like the old adage of "Money Talks, ******** Walks". Very few people are down for the cause once money comes into play and usually "cheap" wins the day.

I work around a bunch of Union guys all day that are wearing their USA flag and "Made in the USA" type slogan shirts. Go out in the parking lot and it is 75% import city on their vehicle choices.

yep, same old same old.

had a guy who always made fun of my toyotas (supra and a seqouia), talkin about my "jap ****", well i took a second, look at his vin on his truck, looked it up and told him that he bought a truck that was built in canada. he freaked out and started goin on and on about how he was trying to sell his truck now.

a lot of them are all talk but really love savin money like everyone else apparently.

 

[Kracin]

only for collectors. one of the reasons people got craftsman was the replacement warranty. now all you'll get is a sub-standard import replacement. not worth it.

rather than lament, this could be an opportunity. USA is still the best manufacturing country in the world, and someone will notice the gap for affordable quality tools and look to fill it.

-SM-

not too certain that the usa it the best manufacturing country in the world.....

we don't produce the most volume, or the highest quality.... at least from what i understand. this may have been true a while ago, but we didn't stay on top long.

 

[datsbooksleia]

^^^What they said...

Sears continues to screw up by the numbers!!!

I realize a lot of American manufacturing has been moved overseas, but there are those of us that don't want to send our money over there...

The few things I still need from Craftsman are still made here (I think, fingers crossed), and when I get them bought, by the end of the summer, I won't care what Craftsman does...

'Tis a shame...they had a good, viable, sustainable market, and screwed it up...

With Chinese competition, the MADE IN THE USA quality products will NOT have a sustainable market since only very few can afford to pay for high end stuff. How many buy a LEXUS versus a Toyota corolla? If Sears wants to survive, they have to do what everybody else does. US made tools are still available at a premium from ARMSTRONG TOOLS if one wishes to buy them for life. How many $800 vise does WILTON sell? or How many crappy vises does HF sells for $49?

 

[Den69rs96]

I blame the American market as much as Sears. Sears is a horribily run company, however, the consumer dictates what sells and what doesn't. Right now, cheap low cost tools are whats sells.

 

[Kracin]

I blame the American market as much as Sears. Sears is a horribily run company, however, the consumer dictates what sells and what doesn't. Right now, cheap low cost tools are whats sells.

i wouldn't say they are a horribly run company, their business model just went belly up. they used to be one of the best when it came to getting "everything" you needed, aside from groceries. and then came the big stuff like walmart growing so big, and super targets, etc. where they offered everything as well as a few things that sears didn't and they did it at a much lower price. you can't change a business overnight and sears pretty much went belly up because they couldn't compete when it came to the price game like walmart could, because walmart literally uses and abuses anyone who does business with them. and for some reason people love it.

 

[gsmornot]

Trouble with SK around here is Grainger is the only place to buy them and everything they sell is full retail. Fine but if I am going to pay $70 for a ratchet I am going to spend it on Snap-on. Craftsman tools were never the best but they have been affordable and plenty good for all but incorrect usage. So, I guess for me the answer to the question of would I pay more for Craftsman if it were kept in the US is maybe. $20 for a US ratchet from Craftsman, yes. $40, yes again since I bought the premium series 84 tooth. $60, well no, I am looking at other brands. I guess they had to do what keeps them running for a while and its not Sears fault it has come to this nor is it Craftsman. Since trade has been opened to overseas markets that falsely manipulate their currency to look cheaper we in the US have not been able to compete. I read that China is getting very close to being in a position to correct somewhat on their false currency evaluation and when/if they do it will put them in the same basic position we're in now making them appear to be less of a good deal. Trouble is, everything will just shift to the next hotspot of cheapness. Rant done. Nice letter.

 

[ishiboo]

Did we not have one of these posts yet yesterday?

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

I'd always roll my eyes when I see a "Craftsman now makes this in China" thread, but I dropped into a Sears yesterday because I was in the area, and it's not just making a mountain out of a mole hill. Their American-made tools have been almost completely wiped out. It's over, it's almost exclusively Chinese now. What's left is probably leftover stock and a few oddball items.

I'm less a fanatic about COO issues ,I'm against China, but I don't believe every good has to be manufactured in the US. For example, I love my German Knipex pliers and Wiha screwdrivers. But to me, the heartbreak is that Sears is basically outsourcing their tools now to the lowest bidder.

Before, I felt like Craftsman was a step above other store bought hand tools, and I was willing to pay that premium. I also liked the no-hassle warranty. But the fact that it's all Chinese now (not even Taiwan) to me screams the Craftsman line is just about slapping a name on the cheapest piece of **** they can find.

My tool collection is largely complete, but if I was starting out and needed to build a tool, I'd see no reason to ever step foot in a Sears. You'd be better off just going to someplace like Lowes and getting their Kobalt line.

 

[ishiboo]

I'd always roll my eyes when I see a "Craftsman now makes this in China" thread, but I dropped into a Sears yesterday because I was in the area, and it's not just making a mountain out of a mole hill. Their American-made tools have been almost completely wiped out. It's over, it's almost exclusively Chinese now. What's left is probably leftover stock and a few oddball items.

What made you think that when they switched to China on the sockets/wrenches/etc and profits went up instead of down, they would stop?

I'm less a fanatic about COO issues ,I'm against China, but I don't believe every good has to be manufactured in the US. For example, I love my German Knipex pliers and Wiha screwdrivers. But to me, the heartbreak is that Sears is basically outsourcing their tools now to the lowest bidder.

The new Craftsman China looks better IMO than the previous Craftsman USA. GearWrench is a perfect example of producing nice tools in China.

Remember - China's got a leg up on us. They can make great tools like we do in the USA, but they can also make dirt-cheap tools and everything in-between. The reason you see so much complete garbage out of China and India is they have the industry to produce anything from steel/plastic in volume, and the low labor rates that combine to provide a huge advantage. Not because everything that comes out of China is ****.

Before, I felt like Craftsman was a step above other store bought hand tools, and I was willing to pay that premium. I also liked the no-hassle warranty. But the fact that it's all Chinese now (not even Taiwan) to me screams the Craftsman line is just about slapping a name on the cheapest piece of **** they can find.

My tool collection is largely complete, but if I was starting out and needed to build a tool, I'd see no reason to ever step foot in a Sears. You'd be better off just going to someplace like Lowes and getting their Kobalt line.

It's not anywhere near the cheapest **** they can find. Have you actually used them? Compared them to Craftsman USA? Did they hold up worse?

Sears stores still have a good selection of mostly quality Craftsman tools at fair prices, with a great warranty. Kobalts are probably better tools, but less selection. The difference to me is that I think Lowes will still be around in 10 years, and our Sears store closed 10 years ago and the two closest will be gone soon too. Craftsman is relying on the local stores and warranty to sell at a higher (but fair) price point.

If I was going to complain about Craftsman, it'd be their junk boxes sold for astronomical prices compared to the far higher quality alternatives.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

What made you think that when they switched to China on the sockets/wrenches/etc and profits went up instead of down, they would stop?



The new Craftsman China looks better IMO than the previous Craftsman USA. GearWrench is a perfect example of producing nice tools in China.

Remember - China's got a leg up on us. They can make great tools like we do in the USA, but they can also make dirt-cheap tools and everything in-between. The reason you see so much complete garbage out of China and India is they have the industry to produce anything from steel/plastic in volume, and the low labor rates that combine to provide a huge advantage. Not because everything that comes out of China is ****.



It's not anywhere near the cheapest **** they can find. Have you actually used them? Compared them to Craftsman USA? Did they hold up worse?

Sears stores still have a good selection of mostly quality Craftsman tools at fair prices, with a great warranty. Kobalts are probably better tools, but less selection. The difference to me is that I think Lowes will still be around in 10 years, and our Sears store closed 10 years ago and the two closest will be gone soon too. Craftsman is relying on the local stores and warranty to sell at a higher (but fair) price point.

Can China make quality items? Yes, I'm typing on a quality Apple computer. But most manufactured goods (especially tools) go to China for cost, not quality. Is anyone going to say with a straight face Sears moved production to China because they were trying to find higher quality? Of course not, it's about money.

Also, my problem with China is beyond the issue of quality, their human rights record is appalling and they clearly view the United States as an enemy. They also engage is unfair trade practices, such as manipulating their currency and "dumping" products under cost in order to put other manufacturers out of business. They also do not respect intellectual property and are constantly counterfeiting goods. Had Craftsman moved their entire line to Japan or Germany, you wouldn't hear me complaining.

But when I see an entire line of tools go to China after generations of products Made in the US, to me it screams they're number 1 priority is cutting costs.

 

[ishiboo]

Can China make quality items? Yes, I'm typing on a quality Apple computer. But most manufactured goods (especially tools) go to China for cost, not quality. Is anyone going to say with a straight face Sears moved production to China because they were trying to find higher quality? Of course not, it's about money.

Also, my problem with China is beyond the issue of quality, their human rights record is appalling and they clearly view the United States as an enemy. They also engage is unfair trade practices, such as manipulating their currency and "dumping" products under cost in order to put other manufacturers out of business. Had Craftsman moved their entire line to Japan or Germany, you wouldn't hear me complaining.

But when I see an entire line of tools go to China after generations of products Made in the US, to me it screams they're number 1 priority is cutting costs.

Definitely the goal was to increase profits, my only point was I don't think quality suffered, and probably improved somewhat. They've been doing the opposite in the US - cutting quality, worker benefits, etc. to lower costs as well you would think before moving to China, right? Were the Craftsman USA tools from 2008 as good as what they made in 1988?

If Craftsman moved the entire line to Japan or Germany, you'd be complaining as Craftsman tools would no longer exist after people stopped buying them due to cost. COO as a label is just one part of a much larger picture.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

Definitely the goal was to increase profits, my only point was I don't think quality suffered, and probably improved somewhat. They've been doing the opposite in the US - cutting quality, worker benefits, etc. to lower costs as well you would think before moving to China, right? Were the Craftsman USA tools from 2008 as good as what they made in 1988?

If Craftsman moved the entire line to Japan or Germany, you'd be complaining as Craftsman tools would no longer exist after people stopped buying them due to cost. COO as a label is just one part of a much larger picture.

But how do you know the quality of the new Craftsman from China is now better? Because they "looked" nicer? I just don't think that's a valid assessment, it could be simply that the Chinese production puts more effort into the cosmetic finishing, but uses **** steel. That's certainly been my experience.

Also, I have bought German-made Craftsman tools and they were affordable; and German-made Wera screwdrivers are about the same price as Craftsman's pro line. So it's definitely not "unaffordable" to not make your goods in China.

 

[ishiboo]

But how do you know the quality of the new Craftsman from China is now better? Because they "looked" nicer? I just don't think that's a valid assessment, it could be simply that the Chinese production puts more effort into the cosmetic finishing, but uses **** steel. That's certainly been my experience.

Also, I have bought German-made Craftsman tools and they were affordable; and German-made Wera screwdrivers are about the same price as Craftsman's pro line. So it's definitely not "unaffordable" to not make your goods in China.

Because I've used both, and I've used the Chinese GearWrench extensively. I've yet to hear any substantial complaints about Craftsman China steel "holding up" on this forum, have you? What about in person?

You're only looking at one part of the "affordable" picture. Not only does it have to be affordable to the consumer, but make Sears a sufficient profit as well. In addition, the tool aficionados here are not Sears/Craftsman's primary market, who is shopping for tools at HD, Lowes, Harbor Freight and more and comparing prices. Sears is shrinking, Harbor Freight is growing. They have to compete to survive.

 

[mmack66]

If Craftsman moved the entire line to Japan or Germany, you'd be complaining as Craftsman tools would no longer exist after people stopped buying them due to cost. COO as a label is just one part of a much larger picture.

They should have split the difference and moved tool production to Taiwan.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

Because I've used both, and I've used the Chinese GearWrench extensively. I've yet to hear any substantial complaints about Craftsman China steel "holding up" on this forum, have you? What about in person?

You're only looking at one part of the "affordable" picture. Not only does it have to be affordable to the consumer, but make Sears a sufficient profit as well. In addition, the tool aficionados here are not Sears/Craftsman's primary market, who is shopping for tools at HD, Lowes, Harbor Freight and more and comparing prices. Sears is shrinking, Harbor Freight is growing. They have to compete to survive.

So because you've used a GearWrench that's made in China, it simply must be the same exact as Craftsman's Chinese products?

So because there aren't numerous threads about "I broke a new Chinese Craftsman wrench" they simply must be higher quality than the US made tools?

You're taking a lot of huge leaps in logic.

Unless you have real scientific testing to back up how the new Chinese Craftsman line is higher quality (i.e. tensile strength of the new steel used, manufacturing tolerances old vs new, stats on percentage of returned items, etc) you're just making guesses because some of them looked purdier in the package.

Sears also has a budget line of Chinese tools called "Evolv" that had a better chrome finish than the old Craftsman US made line, I'm sure that also means it was higher quality than the old Craftsman line.

 

[TangoFoxTrot]

They should have split the difference and moved tool production to Taiwan.

I agree, I've used a lot of quality stuff from Taiwan, and it doesn't have the baggage that China does.

But apparently, even Taiwan was too good for Craftsman.

 

[Nunci0]

The Chinese wrenches are inferior since they are thicker. Weaker steel for sure. Will they fail? Heck no!

But that is what the preception of quality is to a consumer. Same thing can apply to finish. Shinier = better.

To most of us the quality declined as the COO changed. Thats in addition to the fact that Craftsman was formerly advertised as proudly "made in USA".

And the price? Its the same.

So what was the benefit to moving production to China again?

 

[ssentt]

Did we not have one of these posts yet yesterday?

This thread is a funeral wake for the death of USA Craftsman Tools, say your condolences, maybe tell a little story, warm our souls with fond memeories and experiences using Craftsman Tools.

Growing up craftsman tools were what I used, my father used , and grandfather used on the farm. Back in the day most of us were taught not to use a wrench as a hammer and the reasons why. Tools were a valuable item that a person needed to keep the house, farm, and vehicles, all in good operation. Most everyone on this site has benefited from using craftsman tools at one time or another. I can only imagine the amount of people just like me that stood along side their Pop/Dad as a child and handed him craftsman tools to work on their cars and trucks. Tell those stories.

 

[wrh3]

Some of it is Taiwan, the thin profile ratchets are and they still seem to be fine. Not a fan of China but Taiwan seems to be OK.......

 

[Spudland_Dave]

i wouldn't say they are a horribly run company, their business model just went belly up. they used to be one of the best when it came to getting "everything" you needed, aside from groceries. and then came the big stuff like walmart growing so big, and super targets, etc. where they offered everything as well as a few things that sears didn't and they did it at a much lower price. you can't change a business overnight and sears pretty much went belly up because they couldn't compete when it came to the price game like walmart could, because walmart literally uses and abuses anyone who does business with them. and for some reason people love it.

Your onto something here...but I still think they are a horribly run company. You are right in terms of the business model around them changed, yet they didnt, so instead of trying to compete with WalMart, Target, etc... what they should have done is gone back to the old days...ditch the Clothing, Shoes, and other money pits, and concentrated where they were different and sucessful... Hard Goods like Tools, Lawn Tractors, Appliances, automotive items like batteries and tire & service for those stores that had the facilities. Nobody competed with them in those markets. Instead they doubled down on the money losing portion and lost the whole thing. Back to basics, back to the roots of Sears & Roebuck.

 

[gsmornot]

I avoid Gearwrench from China too. I look for Taiwan versions or I don't buy them.

 

[jjjrmx5]

...the business model around them changed, yet they didnt, so instead of trying to compete with WalMart, Target, etc... what they should have done is gone back to the old days...ditch the Clothing, Shoes, and other money pits, and concentrated where they were different and sucessful... Hard Goods like Tools, Lawn Tractors, Appliances, automotive items like batteries and tire & service for those stores that had the facilities...

Instead they doubled down on the money losing portion and lost the whole thing. Back to basics, back to the roots of Sears & Roebuck.

Actually, the mark up on clothes and soft goods like shoes and fabric based goods is the highest margin, thus the highest profit. Neat and good idea if done well. Sadly, not so much for Sears.

But just like JC Penney, most shoppers have moved on, or over, to a different seller of the same goods for many if not most items.

I agree with ya Spudland Dave.
Good auto service, tools, appliances and h & g was always there.

With many if not most consumers not buying tools these days (aside from us GJ guys and pro's) the need declined. x-box and playstation usurped shadetree wrenching last decade for many youth I bet.

Sears linked into or even bought into many mall locations that are now long past the current retail model. But they cannot react due to the fact they cannot sell off what they have to move to viable locations. Heck, the hometown stores in most bigger cities are gonzo.

Many factors, same result. Walmart's ruthless buying power did not help, but I do not see that being a huge factor for tools.

And as for me, I NEVER buy my groceries where I buy my tools nor my undergarments.

No way. Ever.

 

[mmack66]

Your onto something here...but I still think they are a horribly run company. You are right in terms of the business model around them changed, yet they didnt, so instead of trying to compete with WalMart, Target, etc... what they should have done is gone back to the old days...ditch the Clothing, Shoes, and other money pits, and concentrated where they were different and sucessful... Hard Goods like Tools, Lawn Tractors, Appliances, automotive items like batteries and tire & service for those stores that had the facilities. Nobody competed with them in those markets. Instead they doubled down on the money losing portion and lost the whole thing. Back to basics, back to the roots of Sears & Roebuck.

At what point in history did Sears not sell clothes and shoes?

Heck, why not go back and sell houses as well?