Craftsman Pliers Finally Going Chinese?

[Empty Pockets]

I bought a lot of made in USA Craftsman tools that should last a lifetime Even if the warranty isn't worth the paper it is written on my supply of tools should last. I just don't like paying the cost of a so called lifetime warranty for a USA tool and either have it dropped from production or replaced with a pennies on the dollar Chinese tool.

^^^^ What Drink said. I have quite a collection of CM-USA tools bought new, in the past, as well as several other USA brands and truck brands. As long as I don't abuse them, they'll likely still be in working order when my grandkids reitre

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I have found that the Home Town stores are franchises and they don't play be the same rules as a Sears or Kmart. I even found that prices on the shelf are sometimes higher than what you find on line. It would probably cost him (the store owner) money to replace that ratchet so he says screw it. Go to an Ace, Kmart or Sears. or just throw it out! cut your losses and get a gear wrench.

It's odd the one by me was very cool about warranty exchanges. Even six months before they closed (although I didn't get the memo until the last 2 weeks). I went in there and they happily exchanged a whole handful of stuff I had broken over the past two years.

 

[kball]

Two of the 4 stores around me have them on the shelf now. Says "made in China" on the back of the package...

On the bright side, they had a 4 pc USA made set on clearance for $29 and I had $8 in surprise points so I picked those up!

 

[Moparman390]

I'm not surprised, probably Apex now, can you tell if they have AF printed on the anywhere?

 

[kball]

I'm not surprised, probably Apex now, can you tell if they have AF printed on the anywhere?

Once I saw made in china I didn't look at them too closely.

 

[drink]

Craftsman 4 pc. Pliers Set

Description Item # 00945235000P Model # 45235

Textured grips
Exceeds all ASME & ANSI standards
Flush Rivet design
Lifetime Warranty.
Made in the U.S.A.

This Craftsman 4 Piece Plier Set has all any homeowner would need in a plier. Needle nose provide an easy access to often hard to reach places with typical pliers and help in delicate work. Slip Joint pliers are general purpose pliers that come in use almost anywhere around the home. Arc joint pliers provide a wide range of uses from extensive plumbing work to a simple bolt. The edges on diagonal cutters, along with the other side cutters, featured on the Long nose pliers are induction hardened edges that are guaranteed to stay sharp for the life of the tool.

The forged alloy steel is heat treated to ensure strength and durability for the toughest of jobs, and is set together with a flush rivet to gain ground while working tight spaces. Handles are coated with a plastic dip that provides comfort and helps eliminate fatigue. So you can work harder, longer.


6 3/4” Slip Joint Part # 45378

8” Long nose Pliers Part # 45103

7” Diagonal Part # 45076

9 1/2” Arc Joint Part # 45381

Added on October 21, 2010

 

[anndel]

I love my Made in USA Snap On, S-K, Channellock and Original Petersen Vise Grip pliers. I think the only pair not Made in USA are my Made in Japan Vampliers.

 

[kball]

Craftsman 4 pc. Pliers Set

Description Item # 00945235000P Model # 45235

Textured grips
Exceeds all ASME & ANSI standards
Flush Rivet design
Lifetime Warranty.
Made in the U.S.A.

This Craftsman 4 Piece Plier Set has all any homeowner would need in a plier. Needle nose provide an easy access to often hard to reach places with typical pliers and help in delicate work. Slip Joint pliers are general purpose pliers that come in use almost anywhere around the home. Arc joint pliers provide a wide range of uses from extensive plumbing work to a simple bolt. The edges on diagonal cutters, along with the other side cutters, featured on the Long nose pliers are induction hardened edges that are guaranteed to stay sharp for the life of the tool.

The forged alloy steel is heat treated to ensure strength and durability for the toughest of jobs, and is set together with a flush rivet to gain ground while working tight spaces. Handles are coated with a plastic dip that provides comfort and helps eliminate fatigue. So you can work harder, longer.


6 3/4” Slip Joint Part # 45378

8” Long nose Pliers Part # 45103

7” Diagonal Part # 45076

9 1/2” Arc Joint Part # 45381

Added on October 21, 2010

That's the same as the set I got except for the needle nose. The set I got has the short version. This is the set I got for $21

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

 

[uncwstudent]

Welp, I got an answer from Sears:

Q: Hi, where are these made?
asked by uncwstudent
___________ | Fri, Apr 14, 2017
1 Answer | Add your Answer | Flag
0 of 0 Visitors found this helpful
A: Hi there. Per tool team; the pliers are made in Asia and come with a Lifetime Warranty. Thank you.

by MySears
Expert
Hoffman Estates, IL | Fri, Apr 14, 2017

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-pc...lerId=Sears&prdNo=25&blockNo=25&blockType=G25

 

[outdoorspace]

I'm sad to see them go overseas and hate to think how this will impact Western Forge and Ideal. I genuinely think their slip-joint pliers are some of the best all-arounders available, I must own 5-6 spare sets of all three sizes from when I had points cover. It might be time to load up on some of the arc-joint and the popular duckbill.

 

[Brownsfan]

These pliers may just be a father's day gimmick tool item. If not the pliers were the last remaining tools that were of decent quality at a good price point. Stock up now. Like said above the flush slip joints are nice. Maybe I should pick up a few sizes for the tool bag in the service van.

 

[Moparman390]

Pretty sure WF USA pliers are on the way out. Photo taken at Blaine's F&F this week.
View media item 70535

 

[jeffyhog]

Pretty sure WF USA pliers are on the way out. Photo taken at Blaine's F&F this week.
View media item 70535

Yep, I've seen the new Chinese pliers at 3 or 4 stores now. The first time I saw them, they were the same price as the WF pliers. Yesterday I saw the Chinese ones on sale, while the WF were regular price. I'm sure we'll see the WF pliers eliminated soon enough. I've noticed for a few months that the nut drivers are now made in China. Bet it won't be long before we see Chinese screwdrivers as well.

 

[Brownsfan]

Saw the new pliers set at Sears this morning. They are indeed made in China. They were on a end cap and not in the pliers aisle. I will say the regular plier stock was scarce. Hardly anything in stock. This may be a sign of things to come. The USA made being replaced by this gimmicky China made ****. The pliers were the last great value craftsman had left. I have a few in my tool bag in my work van. I especially like the slip joints. Diagonals are good. Long nose are OK. I guess I need to grab a few of the ones I have been looking at

 

[Brownsfan]

One more thing. The slip joints look to be a knock off copy of the flush rivet WF made slip joints. Not sure if that's a craftsman design that WF made or a WF design sears stole and moved production to China.

 

[nieuport17]

My problem is the price.
Who in the right mind pays US made price for China tools?
The price should be lowered.
If not, then the tools stays in US!
I also wish Stanley would just take over so we start new.

 

[toolmutt]

"Per tool team; the pliers are made in Asia and come with a Lifetime Warranty."

The "Asia" would lead me to believe that Sears is fully aware that people don't want tools made in China. The addition of the warranty comment, even though it has nothing to do with the COO question, would further lead me to believe that Sears knows that people assume the Chinese made tools will fail.

 

[Super Sport]

My problem is the price.
Who in the right mind pays US made price for China tools?
The price should be lowered.
If not, then the tools stays in US!
I also wish Stanley would just take over so we start new.

I wouldn't count on Stanley making pliers or any other Craftsman hand tools in the USA.

As for the price, expect these new ones to go on sale much more often. The USA pliers did not go on sale much, as I'm sure the profit margin was lower on them. These will likely be on sale - up to 50% off - every couple weeks.

 

[Super Sport]

Also, thanks to those who updated this thread with their findings. I almost ordered a set of these this weekend with some surprise points I had. I would've had the hassle of returning them if I did.

 

[LB-1911]

I wouldn't count on Stanley making pliers or any other Craftsman hand tools in the USA.

Time will tell if they follow through,

Manufacturing in the U.S. is part of Craftsman’s rich history. We are committed to bringing Craftsman’s manufacturing back to the United States, using materials from around the world, so you can take pride in knowing that Craftsman products sold by Stanley Black & Decker will once again be Made in the USA with global materials.

http://www.thefutureofcraftsman.com/

 

[Super Sport]

Time will tell if they follow through,

Manufacturing in the U.S. is part of Craftsman’s rich history. We are committed to bringing Craftsman’s manufacturing back to the United States, using materials from around the world, so you can take pride in knowing that Craftsman products sold by Stanley Black & Decker will once again be Made in the USA with global materials.

http://www.thefutureofcraftsman.com/

This likely will apply only to power tools, as SBD already uses assembly lines in the USA to put together imported parts for Dewalt power tools.

When was the last time you saw main line hand tools "Made in the USA with global materials"?

 

[nickjj]

The "Asia" would lead me to believe that Sears is fully aware that people don't want tools made in China. The addition of the warranty comment, even though it has nothing to do with the COO question, would further lead me to believe that Sears knows that people assume the Chinese made tools will fail.

Perhaps the change is due to vendors not wanting to supply?

http://www.cnbc.com/2017/05/15/sears-ceo-takes-aim-at-vendors-we-will-not-simply-roll-over.html

Looks like powertools are next to become extinct?

 

[Brownsfan]

Well go get the good USA made pliers now. All the USA made by western forge are now clearance and 50% off. I'm going to pick up a few myself. It's a shame really. They were the last good value left. Now it's China made with goofy flashy grips for the same price as the quality USA made pliers.
http://m.sears.com/search=craftsman...=11042411&utm_medium=2470763_6147012_11042411

 

[65k10]

Well go get the good USA made pliers now. All the USA made by western forge are now clearance and 50% off. I'm going to pick up a few myself. It's a shame really. They were the last good value left. Now it's China made with goofy flashy grips for the same price as the quality USA made pliers.
http://m.sears.com/search=craftsman...=11042411&utm_medium=2470763_6147012_11042411

Too bad I couldn't find any plier set on clearance that were eligible for shipping. The closest store is over 100 miles away. Oh well. Good deal for you guys near a Sears.

 

[lilcraigford]

I ordered a pair of WF-made 7" Linesman Pliers with surprise points back in March. Last week I got the cancellation email. Is this a sign that USA-stock is beginning to dry up already?

 

[Keelhauled]

I can forgive made in China, but I can't forgive crappy design...whose bright idea was it to cut out a section of the grip to expose bare steel? Useless for anything electrical or with possibility of voltage, plus on a cold day the last thing I want to be touching is metal, at least a grip provides some protection.

 

[timmyisme22]

There are a few new sets on Sears, and like you I assume they're imported.

I don't even know where to begin.



16x greater cutting force? WOW! Compared to what?

And what are those faces? Oh, Eric from New Hampshire, who also wants a Playstation 4 and disc brakes, added this to their "catalog."

Hey Stuey, planning on doing a review of these pliers? Maybe a shop hardness test (use a file on the teeth) to see if they're actually hardened? I would take one into the school I'm attending to Rockwell test it, but can't afford it due to school.