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Is this tool a Craftsman...or a crapsman?

bubinga

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50% of my tools are Craftsman. I always thought Craftsman is a upper middle grade brand. Some of Craftsman tools are superb in quality, while some of them are not so good. It's pretty hard to position the whole product line. It would be sad if B&D down grade CM as value brand.
I don't have 50%, more like 15% or 20%
but its 85% older Craftsman.
sure hope the older stuff don't break.
 
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bubinga

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I don't know what some of you are thinking when you talk about DIY's or lower quality. My made in USA Stanley hand tools have taken a beating and none of them have broken so far. The picture shows a few of my Stanley tools I had in my carpenter's tool belt. These tools always worked good and they never failed. I got them at Home Depot back in 1990.
Yeah, You're still talking relativity early Stanley. Not the new stanley.
 

gdocktor3

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I warrantied a few Stanley screwdrivers about a year ago and the replacement's they sent me were pretty pathetic. Still made in USA 100 Plus, but overall they felt cheap and the tips of the straight blades didn't have any type of etching or grooves for lack of better term. Made in USA or not, the Stanley name has also declined in quality right along side of Craftsman. It's most likely not going to change...
 

EOC_Jason

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If Stanley truly is going to sell items that Sears already sells, yet they are going to come from different sources, have different prices, etc... To avoid the nightmare of warranty problems I would almost expect Stanley to come out with a new "line", just like the evolv or whatever... Call it whatever they want, but you will start to hear the tag line like, "... Sold exclusively at Lowes"... or something...

Of course, I could see more people wanting to exchange Sears products elsewhere than vice-versa simply because of the lack of Sears stores. If you did go to Sears they might tell you to go to another store, or will have to send it in and they will mail the replacement to you.

Still, the author of the article is throwing out pure speculation, no different than you or I. Just because it's on the Internet doesn't mean it's true... lol.

I pick up a bunch of old sockets and wrenches and stuff at garage sales. Most are in pretty good shape but I've had a few that were just too far gone so I decided rather than never use them I would just go exchange them. My local Sears Hometown doesn't hassle me at all, I just find the replacement (or the closest they have), they print out some piece of paper that I sign and I'm on my way.

I do see why people think there won't be any warranty on Craftsman tools once Sears disappears and SBD is the sole producer. Every other tool you buy, no matter how cheap or expensive, has a lifetime warranty. From the crappiest of Harbor Freight to the most expensive Snap-On... The markup on hand tools is so high, the occasional exchange is nothing compared to keeping the customer happy and continuing to buy their brand vs another.
 

Coach James

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Serious question: if someone was going to automatically throw a tool in the trash without using it, why even buy it? I have seen many posts where someone says if they have tool X, it goes straight in the garbage can. I don't get that.

I have a few of those black and yellow Stanleys and, while not the best I have used, they were not total junk either.

A student of mine got a job working at a BMW repair shop while still in high school. All of his wrenches, sockets and ratchets were Stanley bought ~ 10 years ago. They worked for him and he made money.

I wouldn't equate their tools to SO, but I wouldn't dismiss them as trash either. or someone that doesn't have a lot of money, but wants to fix his own stuff, I think Stanley would serve them pretty well.

As to what will happen between SDB and C-man, I have no idea.

Coach
 

WittHay

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The statement that every tool has a lifetime warranty is wrong.

Tool makers go out of business or get bought up.

They quit making a particular tool or they change the the country of origin and the quality goes down.

Craftsman has sold a huge variety of mechanics tool over the years. i am guessing that for over half of those tools there is no warranty replacement tool available.
 

EOC_Jason

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With Craftsman tools that they no longer make the exact model, usually the store will exchange it for the most comparable current item.

About the only thing I find that there is nothing similar is when they used to make those really, really long screwdrivers.
 

Parrothead

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...I have a few of those black and yellow Stanleys and, while not the best I have used, they were not total junk either.

A student of mine got a job working at a BMW repair shop while still in high school. All of his wrenches, sockets and ratchets were Stanley bought ~ 10 years ago. They worked for him and he made money.

I wouldn't equate their tools to SO, but I wouldn't dismiss them as trash either. or someone that doesn't have a lot of money, but wants to fix his own stuff, I think Stanley would serve them pretty well.

As to what will happen between SDB and C-man, I have no idea.

Coach

I'm right there with you on some of the Stanley tools being just fine, even in a work environment. We used them at the food production factory I worked at...FatMax Screwdrivers, sockets, hammers, etc. If something didn't work, it got replaced with something better. That was really rare and better was relative.

*still can't really defend the yellow and black screwdrivers though, and I own them.
 

Parrothead

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I haven't seen one lately, but the Dewalt ratchets that were out for awhile were actually pretty nice. I think the only Stanley branded tool in my box right now is a Fatmax tape measure though.

I think as a general rule, Dont buy **** at Walmart seems to work out for me. Walmart Stanley and Lowes/Home Depot Stanley look and feel like totally different tools.

Dewalt ratchet to Stanley - Apples to potatoes. SB&D also makes, Blackhawk, Proto and MAC, so they not incapable of making a ratchet. Stanley ratchet < Harbor Freight ratchet is all I was getting at.
 

WittHay

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I agree that Sears is good at honoring their warranty that you at least get something for your broken tool.

The problem is that if you have a broken 12 point USA socket and Sears gives you a 6 point China socket as a replacement you still have to go somewhere else and get that 12 point socket that you need.

My father bought a retired HD mechanics tool set in the early 80's. There was a lot of USA made Craftsman tools in that set that were Snap-on, Proto quality. i have never seen those tools sold in Sears stores in Canada.
 

dar24601

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I warrantied a few Stanley screwdrivers about a year ago and the replacement's they sent me were pretty pathetic. Still made in USA 100 Plus, but overall they felt cheap and the tips of the straight blades didn't have any type of etching or grooves for lack of better term. Made in USA or not, the Stanley name has also declined in quality right along side of Craftsman. It's most likely not going to change...

I agree but they had to go with what the market demanded. Let's face it 20 yrs ago Americans were more DIY so tools had to be quality and nobody would of bought Harbor Freight stuff. Fast forward to today we've become a more disposable society. Less DIY'ers more people pay someone to fix it or just buy new and this mentality applies to tools. Actual discussion I had with my 26 yr cousin.

Cousin: Damn screwdriver tip just twisted well head to HF pic up another set, I've got a free coupon for it
Me: you should invest in a good set instead of buying more cheap China ****
Cousin: too expensive, with this coupon I just buy a pencil for 0.60 and get a new one.
Me: TIME is MONEY!! guess you value your time lot less than I do mine.
Cousin: ahh I don't use tools enough so it's not that much of hassle

Side note he has a drawer with about a dozen of those HF pencils. So yeah craftsman and Stanley quality has gone down but majority of American buyers aren't willing to pay for quality
 

Schurkey

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My father bought a retired HD mechanics tool set in the early 80's. There was a lot of USA made Craftsman tools in that set that were Snap-on, Proto quality. i have never seen those tools sold in Sears stores in Canada.
I've never seen those sold in a Sears Store in the USA.

No way was Craftsman ever of comparable quality to Snap-On; at least not in my tool-using lifetime. I don't think they were ever comparable to Proto, but my Proto experience is lacking compared to Snappy. There was a short time during the late '80s that Sears actually invited comparison to Snap-On. I laughed.

Craftsman = Snap-On
Ratchets...HELL NO
Sockets...no
Extensions and accessories...no
Wrenches...HELL NO (except for the wonderful full-polish Western Forge beauties which rated substantially better. Those I'd use lower case letters: "no" instead of "HELL NO".
Screwdrivers...HELL NO ("regular" Craftsman line) "no" (extra-price TOL Craftsman.)
Pliers...NO
Air tools...HELL NO
Electric tools...HELL NO
Weedwackers...yeah, Craftsman probably had better weedwackers than what you could get off of a Snap-On truck.
 

WittHay

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That set was mainly well used Snap-on. The Craftsman tools were probably from the 1970's. It was the weird stuff that i remember the most. Lock Ring Pliers, Speed Wrenches ,Large Open End Wrenches like 1 1/2 to 1 5/8. Stud Removers, Scribers, Brake Spoons, Large Combination Wrenches like 1 5/16" All really good Craftsman tools that were used by a Heavy Duty Mechanic.

The point I was trying to make was about the warranty. These tools had a lifetime warranty but if one broke how could you get the same tool from Sears in the 90's never mind now.
 

bubinga

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The point I was trying to make was about the warranty. These tools had a lifetime warranty but if one broke how could you get the same tool from Sears in the 90's never mind now.
right, You won't. that's the problem.
Yeah, craftsman stuff was still decent in the late 80's. and 90's,

 

Super Sport

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I've never seen those sold in a Sears Store in the USA.

No way was Craftsman ever of comparable quality to Snap-On; at least not in my tool-using lifetime. I don't think they were ever comparable to Proto, but my Proto experience is lacking compared to Snappy. There was a short time during the late '80s that Sears actually invited comparison to Snap-On. I laughed.

Craftsman = Snap-On
Ratchets...HELL NO
Sockets...no
Extensions and accessories...no
Wrenches...HELL NO (except for the wonderful full-polish Western Forge beauties which rated substantially better. Those I'd use lower case letters: "no" instead of "HELL NO".
Screwdrivers...HELL NO ("regular" Craftsman line) "no" (extra-price TOL Craftsman.)
Pliers...NO
Air tools...HELL NO
Electric tools...HELL NO
Weedwackers...yeah, Craftsman probably had better weedwackers than what you could get off of a Snap-On truck.

Sure, most of Craftsman's main line wasn't comparable to Snap On (they shouldn't have been), but many of the specialty tools that SO rebrands were the same as ones sold under the Craftsman name. The thread restorer kit, for example, is one that is still available. Craftsman also sold a number of other specialty tools that were otherwise identical to SO.

I would argue that most of the Craftsman Professional hand tool line, including the pliers, wrenches, ratchets, etc, were pretty comparable. Maybe not 100% as good, but pretty damn close, for 1/4 of the cost.
 

American Locomotive

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Sure, most of Craftsman's main line wasn't comparable to Snap On (they shouldn't have been), but many of the specialty tools that SO rebrands were the same as ones sold under the Craftsman name. The thread restorer kit, for example, is one that is still available. Craftsman also sold a number of other specialty tools that were otherwise identical to SO.

I would argue that most of the Craftsman Professional hand tool line, including the pliers, wrenches, ratchets, etc, were pretty comparable. Maybe not 100% as good, but pretty damn close, for 1/4 of the cost.
I've bent Snap-On wrenches on a bolt that a Craftsman wrench took out afterwards without issue.

I've never had any problem with Craftsman sockets or wrenches. I was never impressed by Craftsman ratchets, as they always felt a little sloppy and the tooth counts were never good, but I've never had one break on me.
 
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How would that even work when it comes to warranties, returns, or exchanges. If something breaks can I go to the other to get it replace. I would want to go back to the same place and the item breaks again.

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kythri

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Yeah, craftsman stuff was still decent in the late 80's. and 90's,

I'd argue that US-made Craftsman stuff was still good up until the point that they stopped making it in the USA, and, quite frankly, is probably still a decent, functional, usable tool even now that it's produced overseas.

The vast majority of my Craftsman stuff was purchased in the first decade of the 21st century, and the vast majority of that, between 2005-2010.

Very limited issues with any of the stuff.
 
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taumac

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Warranty is a factor. Ok here's one argument for that I just dealt with. I went to Sears with some gift cards and picked up a 20 piece ratcheting wrench set. They offered Craftsman and Gearwrench and decided to get the Craftsman. Why? I can go to Sears and get another. Now, nothing against Gearwrench because I have some are them and they're nice. My problem if one breaks where do I warranty it. If its Sears I drive 15 mins away and Gearwrench I have to send back in. Just today I found out Fastenal warranties Gearwrench and there's one near my job. Next closest one in 30 40 mins away. I don't think we plan to break our tools but if and when they do it nice to ease the process of getting a replacement.
 

bubinga

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Warranty is a factor. Ok here's one argument for that I just dealt with. I went to Sears with some gift cards and picked up a 20 piece ratcheting wrench set. They offered Craftsman and Gearwrench and decided to get the Craftsman. Why? I can go to Sears and get another. Now, nothing against Gearwrench because I have some are them and they're nice. My problem if one breaks where do I warranty it. If its Sears I drive 15 mins away and Gearwrench I have to send back in. Just today I found out Fastenal warranties Gearwrench and there's one near my job. Next closest one in 30 40 mins away. I don't think we plan to break our tools but if and when they do it nice to ease the process of getting a replacement.
Advance Auto warranties gearwrench.
 

EOC_Jason

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I'm pretty sure any place that sells GearWrench will warranty it... i.e. Fastenal, NAPA, Advance Auto, Sears, TSC, and more..
 

taumac

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That's interesting because I emailed Gearwrench and this is response I got.

There are a couple of options for the Gear Wrench warranty process. I can set up a warranty return and you can return the product to Apex Tool Group and we do the warranty evaluation here. The turnaround time is around 3 - 4 weeks.

The other option is if you have Fastenal store near you, they can also do the Gear Wrench warranty in store - you do not have had to purchase the product from them. And it's usually the same day if they have product in stock.

Be advised that all Fastenal branches are not guaranteed to honor warranty replacements. (I have not heard of one that would not and they can always call our customer service at 866-907-9716 with assistance). I see there is a Fastenal in Brooksville, FL on 16252 Spring Hill Dr.

Just let me know which option you would like to do.





Thank you,

Tiffany Durkin
Industrial Customer Service Rep
Apex Tool Group, LLC
[email protected]


They didn't give me other store options. Originally I bought the Gearwrench from Sears but not having a receipt they said couldn't warranty the tool at Sears.
 

bubinga

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That's interesting because I emailed Gearwrench and this is response I got.

There are a couple of options for the Gear Wrench warranty process. I can set up a warranty return and you can return the product to Apex Tool Group and we do the warranty evaluation here. The turnaround time is around 3 - 4 weeks.

The other option is if you have Fastenal store near you, they can also do the Gear Wrench warranty in store - you do not have had to purchase the product from them. And it's usually the same day if they have product in stock.

Be advised that all Fastenal branches are not guaranteed to honor warranty replacements. (I have not heard of one that would not and they can always call our customer service at 866-907-9716 with assistance). I see there is a Fastenal in Brooksville, FL on 16252 Spring Hill Dr.

Just let me know which option you would like to do.





Thank you,

Tiffany Durkin
Industrial Customer Service Rep
Apex Tool Group, LLC
[email protected]


They didn't give me other store options. Originally I bought the Gearwrench from Sears but not having a receipt they said couldn't warranty the tool at Sears.
I've read that on here, when did they start that.
I never needed a recipient in the past. IDK, it was a year or maybe 2 years ago, I just got the tool off the shelf, and asked the girl at the counter if she could warranty it.
She was real nice, and didn't ask about a receipt.

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taumac

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I've read that on here, when did they start that.
I never needed a recipient in the past. IDK, it was a year or maybe 2 years ago, I just got the tool off the shelf, and asked the girl at the counter if she could warranty it.
She was real nice, and didn't ask about a receipt.

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Honestly I can't remember when I tried last time. Its one of those quad ratcheting box end wrenches. I'm think I picked up the set after I got my tax return the year they come out. I know it was new item. I think it broke within the same year. That's when I went to Sears and tried to get it replaced. Counter person said no receipt I can't do anything now if said Craftsman I do do something. I came home and threw it in the drawer cause the 12/13 side still worked. I just got new boxes so been going through my tools and figured now I'll see what I can do with it. Just emailed Gearwrench this Saturday and got reply today.
 

zktk01

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Sounds like Stanley got the better end of the deal, my money is on Sears not being around 15 years from now to collect the royalty.
 

kythri

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They offered Craftsman and Gearwrench and decided to get the Craftsman. Why? I can go to Sears and get another.

As much as it pains me to say it, you're gambling that Sears will still be around if and when you need to exercise the warranty.
 

Yankee

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I would think that each line (Sears and Stanley) would be totally different. If Stanley does increase quality like they say they are, there is no way that they would make the same product that's anywhere close to Sears's version. We all know Sears is going to continue to make cheap ****, so there is no insentive for Stanley to make a "improved raised panel ratchet" for example.

It has to be a complete new design or what makes the general consumer say "its cheaper if I go to Sears....

Either that, or Stanley is betting Sears will be gone before Stanley gets their production up and running.... which is probably more than likely the case...
 

Super Sport

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I would think that each line (Sears and Stanley) would be totally different. If Stanley does increase quality like they say they are, there is no way that they would make the same product that's anywhere close to Sears's version. We all know Sears is going to continue to make cheap ****, so there is no insentive for Stanley to make a "improved raised panel ratchet" for example.

It has to be a complete new design or what makes the general consumer say "its cheaper if I go to Sears....

Either that, or Stanley is betting Sears will be gone before Stanley gets their production up and running.... which is probably more than likely the case...

I have little faith that Stanley will truly move the brand to a higher quality level. Stanley has some lines that are higher quality than Craftsman, but also some that are on par or even below Craftsman. We might see them bring out a "Professional" American-made line, but I think the bulk of their Craftsman branded items will still be lower-quality imports like we're seeing now.

Also, Sears is phasing out that classic raised panel ratchet with a 72t model. It's likely they will keep the old ratchet stocked for warranty purposes, but all of the kits are now coming with better ratchets. But yes, Sears has little incentive now to raise the quality of the brand.
 

PelicanPines

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As much as it pains me to say it, you're gambling that Sears will still be around if and when you need to exercise the warranty.

^^^ this... sears will be gone in 2017. Their year just ended Jan 30th. Their stock price lost 71% value in fiscal 2016. That's 10 BILLION DOLLARS. Right now... you can buy the whole sears corporation for about 600 million dollars... that sounds like a lot but it ain't... they need 2 BILLION dollars to run their business for fiscal 2017.
 

taumac

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As much as it pains me to say it, you're gambling that Sears will still be around if and when you need to exercise the warranty.



You're probably right because I just bought the tools two weeks before they sold Craftsman off. Now that the Craftsman been sold will just have to wait and see what happens but I did have a plan going into it.
 

Parrothead

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^^^ this... sears will be gone in 2017. Their year just ended Jan 30th. Their stock price lost 71% value in fiscal 2016. That's 10 BILLION DOLLARS. Right now... you can buy the whole sears corporation for about 600 million dollars... that sounds like a lot but it ain't... they need 2 BILLION dollars to run their business for fiscal 2017.

Yup!!! It's over, there's no turning back. It's no longer if, but when. Lampert gambled on the Shop Your Way rewards program...and lost. He'll be a very rich man when Sears is done because he set himself to profit on their failure. Either way, Lampert wins. Sadly, Sears is done.
 

Super Sport

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I doubt Sears is done completely. What I do bet is that they will file Ch. 11, shutter their stores, and become an online-only entity. You might see them keep the outlet and franchised stores as these are already a separate entity and not really costing them anything.
 

PelicanPines

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I doubt Sears is done completely. What I do bet is that they will file Ch. 11, shutter their stores, and become an online-only entity. You might see them keep the outlet and franchised stores as these are already a separate entity and not really costing them anything.

They gave up the infrastructure for an online business when they did away with their catalog system... oh if they only knew what they could be if they kept that ability...
 

zendriver

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They gave up the infrastructure for an online business when they did away with their catalog system... oh if they only knew what they could be if they kept that ability...


Bankrupt 70 years earlier?

From the 1920s to the 1950s, Sears built many urban department stores (apart from, but not far from, existing central business districts), and they overshadowed the mail-order business. Starting in the 1950s, the company expanded into suburban markets, and malls in the 1960s and 1970s

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sears#Mail_order_catalog
 

theoldwizard1

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I doubt Sears is done completely. What I do bet is that they will file Ch. 11, shutter their stores, and become an online-only entity.
Walmart is trying to take on Amazon with free 2 day shipping. My gut says they will not be able price match Amazon.
 

BlakeTheCarGuy

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My Sears closed back in October but I bought pretty much the whole tool section before they went out. I don’t mind the Chinese Sears stuff but the Stanley stuff that Craftsman is now ***** as a professional mechanic I break a lot of Stanley stuff I have a few things I haven’t broke from them but I have broken a lot. I managed to find some NOS USA sockets and bought them and the USA pry bars and hammers before they closed. Nothing has broke so far and I did get a socket warrantied too because even though they were closing they still done it to help get rid of stuff.
 
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