Sears Could Be Gone If Slump Lasts Through Christmas

[rapid robert]

Just got a set of long pattern full polish craftsman wrenches, which I am sure are made in China. At $19 for 9 wrenches the fit and finish is gorgeous. Like them much better than my circa 1980's raised panel wrenches. I guess time will tell if they hold up, I have warrantied plenty of craftsman sockets but have never broken a wrench.

I like my hometown sears franchise...good folks offering great service. Not sure about corp. Sears stores as closest one is more than an hour away.

 

[n8n]

The Inferior steel thing is Bs. I use them every day, it is just toll snobs reaching.

Tell that to my RP flare wrenches.

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[mowersplus84]

I Can remember as a kid us getting just about everything from sears .my school clothes our house hold goods and of course my farther bought a lot of craftsmen tools their . now the have just gone down hill for a while to be honest i'm surprised they have lasted this long.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Cripes.

I have a Craftsman 1/2 drive torque wrench that needs calibration. From the looks of it, I shouldn't bother taking it to Sears. It's my only torque wrench.

I'm not really impressed with their auto tools, either, but they were at the right price. I still have a bit of their tools, all USA made purchased 5+ years ago. I hate the ratchet handles.

Might go down there and see if I can get something cheap.

I don't think the warranty will cover calibration but it doesn't (or shouldn't) on any other brand either.

 

[PureLeaf]

I don't think the warranty will cover calibration but it doesn't (or shouldn't) on any other brand either.

Craftsman torque wrenches are not under the lifetime warranty anyways. Its like a 1 year warranty IIRC.

Kobalt torque wrenches state they're lifetime warranty on Lowes website. I've seen some discussion of people just warrantying them when they need calibration and getting a new one...

 

[rtole]

The craftsman rp wrenches were unbreakable........ Cause they spread like a crack *****. The sockets were usable. They probably still are.

 

[Schurkey]

Any tool can break, even top-shelf USA stuff.

I was removing cylinder heads from my '93 Lumina. The head bolts spec is torque-angle; and I wanted to know how much torque it would take to loosen them about 20 years later. The answer was between 160 and 170 ft/lbs; crudely based on a 5% accurate (CCW) click-type torque wrench that was progressively set to higher and higher torques until the bolts began to turn.

This socket popped after it had been used to break loose several head bolts. (Sounded like a .22 round had been fired.) It's a 3/8 drive six-point 15 mm.

This is, of course, not altogether a scientific test--the socket wasn't new when I started, (note the "old" logo) and the sample number is "1". In fact, it wasn't a test at all, it was "just what happened" when I made a poor decision to use 3/8 drive tools when I should have chosen 1/2 drive tools.

I wonder how much torque a similar (15mm, 6-point, 3/8 drive) American Craftsman socket will take, and also a Chinese Craftsman, and a 15 mm 3/8 drive Chinese Craftsman "Universal" (meaning Spline, but Craftsman prefers a silly name) socket.

Challenge accepted

Anything happen with this yet?

The Inferior steel thing is Bs. I use them every day, it is just toll snobs reaching.

The craftsman rp wrenches were unbreakable........ Cause they spread like a crack *****. The sockets were usable. They probably still are.

I had a reply to MagnumForce's inferior steel post 80% typed-out, and then I cancelled it because I decided it wasn't worth the time 'n' effort. What the hell, you've energized me again.

Spread like a crack *****? I might not go that far. But, yes, you've pretty-well summed-up the issues: The huge majority of Craftsman tools were not "Professional grade" even though Sears used to claim they were. The sockets, extensions, and a very few of the ratchets came the closest of the regular Craftsman line. I've got respect for the full-polish Craftsman long-pattern wrenches from the SK/Western Forge era, but the raised-panel wrenches don't inspire the same confidence. The screwdrivers were OK, fine when new and certainly a good value for the money, but the Phillips tips wore fast--soft metal. The regular Craftsman line was damned-fine Homeowner- or Apprentice-grade; and they served most of America (and Canada) well for decades. TRUE professionals eventually replaced their apprentice-grade Craftsman with TRUE professional-grade tools, usually sold off of a truck--but sometimes with Wright and SK and other brands. It's a shame to see that Craftsman reputation sold-out to the Communists, but what's worse is that most of America seems to accept it as not only inevitable but actually desirable; because a twenty-dollar set of crack-***** Chinese wrenches is a "good deal".

Craftsman = professional grade? With a few exceptions, NO. Damned-fine starter sets for "ordinary guys", for trade-school students, and for professionals early in their careers? YES. A mass-marketer cannot hope for better acceptance than that.

Thank you Sears, for supplying adequate tools for decades; for helping to build America (and Canada) for all that time.

Screw you, Sears, for selling-out, for taking the easy road instead of doing what's right. Screw you for destroying the Craftsman name and reputation. As we say where I come from "Fu kk you with the horse you rode in on", for going Chinese.

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

 

[azhatchback]

For anyone of you that are still interested in USA made craftsman, Summit Racing and Autobody tool mart carry craftsman industrial line which is labeled as USA made.

I worked out of a small sears service center years ago when I lived in college station TX. as a appliance tech. It was a good job and paid well and I worked with a bunch of 20 year plus employees that took some serious pride in their work. My dad worked at a family owned electric motor shop for years and his tools were all craftsman. We did not have a lot of money and even buying craftsman was hard at times but his craftsman tools kept us feed. I have lots of memories of going to sears with him and just browsing. I will miss the sears name.

 

[Ign]

I just ordered the thread restorer kit as discussed in the Hot Deals section and 6 individual sockets. I went thru SYW, used $10 in "surprise" points, and was still over the $59 threshold for free shipping. I received all 6 sockets today via UPS in 6 separate white padded envelopes. Now I realize Sears probably has a killer pricing structure w UPS, but I can't imagine it would not have been less expensive for them to put these 6 sockets in one small box. Oh well, I got my product and the order was correct.

My sockets were kinda rare, mostly 13/16 thru 1" in 3/8" drive, and so all were US made. Cool, I'll take it.

 

[rtole]

Anything happen with this yet?








I had a reply to MagnumForce's inferior steel post 80% typed-out, and then I cancelled it because I decided it wasn't worth the time 'n' effort. What the hell, you've energized me again.

Spread like a crack *****? I might not go that far. But, yes, you've pretty-well summed-up the issues: The huge majority of Craftsman tools were not "Professional grade" even though Sears used to claim they were. The sockets, extensions, and a very few of the ratchets came the closest of the regular Craftsman line. I've got respect for the full-polish Craftsman long-pattern wrenches from the SK/Western Forge era, but the raised-panel wrenches don't inspire the same confidence. The screwdrivers were OK, fine when new and certainly a good value for the money, but the Phillips tips wore fast--soft metal. The regular Craftsman line was damned-fine Homeowner- or Apprentice-grade; and they served most of America (and Canada) well for decades. TRUE professionals eventually replaced their apprentice-grade Craftsman with TRUE professional-grade tools, usually sold off of a truck--but sometimes with Wright and SK and other brands. It's a shame to see that Craftsman reputation sold-out to the Communists, but what's worse is that most of America seems to accept it as not only inevitable but actually desirable; because a twenty-dollar set of crack-***** Chinese wrenches is a "good deal".

Craftsman = professional grade? With a few exceptions, NO. Damned-fine starter sets for "ordinary guys", for trade-school students, and for professionals early in their careers? YES. A mass-marketer cannot hope for better acceptance than that.

Thank you Sears, for supplying adequate tools for decades; for helping to build America (and Canada) for all that time.

Screw you, Sears, for selling-out, for taking the easy road instead of doing what's right. Screw you for destroying the Craftsman name and reputation. As we say where I come from "Fu kk you with the horse you rode in on", for going Chinese.

I too started with craftsman, I also did replace most of them with better quality as money allowed. They were decent homeowner grade, but not up to pro use for the long term. I still keep a set of the regular screwdrivers at work.......they make great beaters......and I lose them from time to time. Do I hate craftsman tools.......? Not really.......but I have never held them in high regards either. Except raised panel wrenches...........those damm noodle wrenches! They spread like the town ****** crack ***** high on extacesy after a plate of oysters! I stand by that statement!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Pictures from my local store Wednesday night:
32 feet of this

4ft of this

several of these

 

[blatterjr]

Maybe we should start a pass/fail for Craftsman tools (link it for me if there is one!) If they do go under, it will be fire-sale time.

 

[1Garageman]

Pictures from my local store Wednesday night:
32 feet of this


^^^^ That is what my wife wants for Christmas, Pink Tools!

 

[ravenzfusion]

I hear they are going to close around 250 stores.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Maybe we should start a pass/fail for Craftsman tools (link it for me if there is one!) If they do go under, it will be fire-sale time.

Hi already done. Hasn't had much interest really. Search on "Sears Pass Fail" and it should pop up. OR just use the link here:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=238223&highlight=sears+pass+fail

- Paul

 

[sberry]

Sears has had a few real losers, there is a real consensus on the line wrenches and the ratchets, most of the rest of it is pretty good considering the price although I woudnt run out of the way for many of the pliers.
The pink tool is a real brain fart from some new marketing graduate that pizzed 4 years of daddys money sown the crapper,,, whats not really funny probably gonna get promoted,,, ha

 

[sberry]

I never understood how the socket new f the operator was a beginner or a professional but I have used Cman all my life and nobody gets over on me with busted stuck and heat and beat no matter what brand of socket they own.

 

[u118224]

Here's a story on Sears 3rd quarter loss of 548 million.

http://www.foxbusiness.com/industri...-expectations-1571514572/?intcmp=fbtopstories

 

[warweapon762]

I hear they are going to close around 250 stores.

Yup, a few of mine a closing up shop here in Oregon. But good riddance, the stores had more employees in them that didnt know jack **** about their merchandise and wouldnt honor warranties than they had as far as customers.

Hell the retail store in the mall had been EMPTY for months because nobody wants to purchase their overpriced tools, clothes etc.

I went to one that was closing and they only had 20% off as a store closing price. Also... $70 for a timing light with advance thats MADE IN CHINA is BS.. I can get an Actron with digital read out and more features for that price, why the hell would anyone buy that?

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

Tell that to my RP flare wrenches.

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My RP flare wrenches are going on 8 years of heavy use. No issues.

 

[unclebadger]

My "local" store...about 60 miles away didn't even make it till christmas! I drove in for the sale thinking I'd find some decent deals on some things I didn't need and only found that they had marked everything up so high that even with the 50-70% taken off you'd still be paying more than before they decided to close up!

 

[sberry]

Sears is still a bargain, wear it out, lose it, use it, lots of the worlds work is done with Sears hand tools. What is not so good is they raced to the bottom of the price chain, that hurt them way more than quality.

 

[sberry]

Peebles has sold the same jeans as Kmart for 50 a pair and have 30% off and everyone thinks its a bargain. Sears has went thru a business life cycle, it was so big it took a long time to bleed.
There is a post above about a pretty good set of wrenches for 19.95 which I believe to be accurate. That about beats HF, cant get no lower and somehow people seem to feel cheated by Sears. They didn't buy a set of wrenches when it was 39 and Sears could have made a living.
Walmart killed em. They got shrinks to figure out how to shave the sales. I got skimmed by a clock by them that Menards had a couple lower etc, they are crafty but on needed consumer commodity items they are good. Many things we get for less in todays dollars.
Shopping sucked where I lived and you never knew if the hardware man was screwing you or not. He really marked some stuff up and we didn't know better.

 

[jd_1138]

My "local" store...about 60 miles away didn't even make it till christmas! I drove in for the sale thinking I'd find some decent deals on some things I didn't need and only found that they had marked everything up so high that even with the 50-70% taken off you'd still be paying more than before they decided to close up!

Yeah I noticed that a lot in store closings. When Circuit City went bust, they hired some liquidation company to come in. They marked up prices then took 20% off or something, and it was going to be gradual (percentages coming down) until everything was gone.

I didn't even buy a thing, as the prices seemed higher than regular. I think the liquidation company is playing tricks.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Good riddance. G'bye Sears.
http://www.ruralking.com/tools/tool...d-tool-boxes-crossover-tool-chest-xl450r.html

 

[Kracin]

Its sad but very true. I walked into sears to see what was on clearance and look for something specific. A pair of decent flush cut snips, everybody needs some, zip ties are used everywhere and anyone whose been cut by a poorly cut one knows you need a good pair.

I found no flush cut snips anywhere, but they did have all sorts of stupid gimmick tools left and right. Combine that with the fact they were playing nonstop spanish christmas songs and I walked out before seeing what knipex they had on the shelf

 

[jd_1138]

Sears is still a bargain, wear it out, lose it, use it, lots of the worlds work is done with Sears hand tools. What is not so good is they raced to the bottom of the price chain, that hurt them way more than quality.

Yep, I did lots of carpentry projects and car repairs using my USA Craftsman stuff. Now since Sears seems to be ran by morons and raced to the bottom with price/quality, I buy SK, Mac, SO now but still have USA CM stuff.

People don't mind paying for quality. You can't compete with Horrible Freight on price, so why try? But we GJ members are probably not a representative sample of the general population who don't understand what quality is AND does purchase on price alone.

 

[sberry]

Sears should have been the Amazon, Kmart passed on the chance to be Walmart. Now they split their efforts and are not competitive with either one.

 

[jd_1138]

I found no flush cut snips anywhere, but they did have all sorts of stupid gimmick tools left and right. Combine that with the fact they were playing nonstop spanish christmas songs and I walked out before seeing what knipex they had on the shelf

Yeah, all those stupid dogbone wrench thingies. Wow, who buys those damn things and all the other junk tools that would be a pain in the *** to use.

 

[sberry]

People don't mind paying for quality. You can't compete with Horrible Freight on price, so why try? But we GJ members are probably not a representative sample of the general population who don't understand what quality is AND does purchase on price alone

I think the view of quality is highly distorted. I bet some serious testing would prove the failure rate pretty low and the fact it can be had for a dollar adds to its value.
Big decision, big investment for a working stiff to fund a hi dollar set no matter how much you think you use it. If I got to pay today give me the 20S Sears sale set and if I bust a 1/2 gonna source it at Menards for 3 and call it a day.
I wondered if anyone has outright traded Cman ratchets. HF ought to give a credit or trade in program for them.

 

[sberry]

Yeah, all those stupid dogbone wrench thingies. Wow, who buys those damn things and all the other junk tools that would be a pain in the *** to use.

They actually do a lot, so do other tool vendors. They don't always sell junk but a lot you don't use. Every set today comes with 11/32. I got some I have never used, I may have used one of that size but it in 2 drives with a swivel angulator from hell you don't need. There is some science to socket depth, extension length etc to keep the use of swivel /universal to a minimum.
I really only have them in the ones I need and some extra/experimental/useful low investment types and use them as needed and not like a bat out of hell.
Not that I coudnt afford more and better but I got what I need to get right at things and most an air gun and 2 socket depths and the occasional extension does about 99 out of a 100 and it means I got to deal with it but tossing 100's on it just in case is a slow way to go. A 700$ set doesn't automatically get it off.

 

[sberry]

I am impressed with the work some of the smaller drive sizes can do. I imagine at some point we will get a layer of 3/8 impact in there but I can do everything I need to do impact with 1/2. If I was under a hood all day would be a bit different.

 

[sberry]

I got a retired master that helps me. He uses my tools. He sold a lot of his stuff and tuned traded around for cheap and his 1/2 chrome are still Cman. We have coffee and giggle a little here and he said,,,, would occasionally buy a piece off a truck if it was something I regular needed and or buy some broke divorce deal for a set he used.

 

[sberry]

If I lost it all today and had to start over or tool up a few men Sears would still be on my short list. I wouldn't worry 5 minutes if some set I bought today for 200$ was going to be under warranty 20 yrs from now and to tell the truth would take the odds and self insure as it is.
Sears is stupid for selling it that cheap, why bother, great for the customer but pitiful for them, they invented lifetime warranty,, ha

 

[sberry]

If a guy was spending a 100 a week on a truck he should be buying Sears tools and Snap stock. Wouldnt be too long he wouldn't have to use the tools.
Let me reword this,, would buy a Sears tool before a Snap in todays market and buy Snap stock before Sears. Ha

 

[mmack66]

Yeah, all those stupid dogbone wrench thingies. Wow, who buys those damn things and all the other junk tools that would be a pain in the *** to use.

Don't know, but they've been selling them for 50 years or so.

 

[jd_1138]

Don't know, but they've been selling them for 50 years or so.

I am sure lots of guys (nephews, husbands, uncles) have received those over the years.

 

[sberry]

I am a fan of Sears cause you can get a lot of stuff you need at the right cost and if it doesn't work out,,, for any reason,,, not good enough, loss etc you are not out much. They make it easy to have it all now vs making the first payment on the first set.

 

[unclebadger]

Ive got lots of things from sears...my main mechanics tool set that gets the most use is craftsman, a few years old bought on sale around christmas. When something breaks i usually go buy a new one just because it is a hassle to go back to the store for a replacement...now i dont have the option since the closest sears is about 150 miles away...atleast i havent counted on the warranty so im not out much! That said id still buy them again and probably will...just easier to use napa or ace being as i dont have to drive but a couple of miles.