Lowes Craftsman Ad, Available April 2nd

[NotOrganized]

I just saw some Craftsman tools on the lowes website available.
SHOP CRAFTSMAN TOOLS & TOOL SETS
Be the first to get your hands on the new CRAFTSMAN products, now at Lowe’s

 

[kythri]

I just saw some Craftsman tools on the lowes website available.
SHOP CRAFTSMAN TOOLS & TOOL SETS
Be the first to get your hands on the new CRAFTSMAN products, now at Lowe’s

Yarp, the link is in the first post of this thread.

 

[xin]

When are they start stockin these tools at Lowes?

 

[finn]

When are they start stockin these tools at Lowes?

Some are in the back room now.

Shelves will be stocked in early May.

 

[xin]

some are in the back room now.

Shelves will be stocked in early may.

great news!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Some Craftsman upright storage cabinets are out on the sales floor now. Tool boxes are still in top stock for the May 14 release.

 

[xin]

So will Lowes continue there 24v lineup of tools?

 

[powertrip]

So will Lowes continue there 24v lineup of tools?

I doubt anyone on this forum knows. I would think from a business stand point, yes they will continue. They have invested a lot of time and money into this lineup. It has gotten good reviews from online testers and customers on their website. Why would they discontinue a cordless platform that they have so much invested in and that gets good reviews for a lesser platform that is pretty much dead and they have no control over. Everyone seems to think that with "some" craftsman being sold in Lowes they will phase out all of Kobalt, I very much doubt it. Kobalt is pretty well established with hundred of products under the Kobalt name. Craftsman will just be another brand you can get at Lowes but the full craftsman lineup won't be available through lowes stores only online. Just my opinion.

 

[NotOrganized]

There is a big Kobalt yard tool display at my store. Not the kind of thing you would expect if they were dropping the line.

 

[mudflap]

I doubt anyone on this forum knows. I would think from a business stand point, yes they will continue. They have invested a lot of time and money into this lineup. It has gotten good reviews from online testers and customers on their website. Why would they discontinue a cordless platform that they have so much invested in and that gets good reviews for a lesser platform that is pretty much dead and they have no control over. Everyone seems to think that with "some" craftsman being sold in Lowes they will phase out all of Kobalt, I very much doubt it. Kobalt is pretty well established with hundred of products under the Kobalt name. Craftsman will just be another brand you can get at Lowes but the full craftsman lineup won't be available through lowes stores only online. Just my opinion.

I agree...they will just have a few CM tools here and there.. Kobalt already competes with alot on "name brands" in the store Channellock, Dewalt, etc.. This will be no different.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I doubt anyone on this forum knows. I would think from a business stand point, yes they will continue. They have invested a lot of time and money into this lineup. It has gotten good reviews from online testers and customers on their website. Why would they discontinue a cordless platform that they have so much invested in and that gets good reviews for a lesser platform that is pretty much dead and they have no control over. Everyone seems to think that with "some" craftsman being sold in Lowes they will phase out all of Kobalt, I very much doubt it. Kobalt is pretty well established with hundred of products under the Kobalt name. Craftsman will just be another brand you can get at Lowes but the full craftsman lineup won't be available through lowes stores only online. Just my opinion.

I don't see Kobalt going away altogether. At this point the only Kobalt items definitely being phased out are the tool boxes and garage/shop storage items like storage cabinets and track system hardware. I know Craftsman outdoor power equipment is definitely coming late 2018 or early 2019, but they've never been know for cordless yard equipment, so I don't see the Kobalt stuff going anywhere at least for a while.

I would imagine only the select Craftsman tool sets will be available in the store with Kobalt single tools staying, but that would create a big disappointment for anyone looking to warranty Craftsman hand tools.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I don't see Kobalt going away altogether. At this point the only Kobalt items definitely being phased out are the tool boxes and garage/shop storage items like storage cabinets and track system hardware. I know Craftsman outdoor power equipment is definitely coming late 2018 or early 2019, but they've never been know for cordless yard equipment, so I don't see the Kobalt stuff going anywhere at least for a while.

I would imagine only the select Craftsman tool sets will be available in the store with Kobalt single tools staying, but that would create a big disappointment for anyone looking to warranty Craftsman hand tools.

The Craftsman site has a 20 piece VersaTrack system in upcoming. I am happy this is being continued because it makes it insanely easy to hang stuff.

 

[powertrip]

I looked at the versatrack system and the gladiator system in the store and noticed that the craftsman versatrack hook accessories will fit the gladiator tracks but the gladiator stuff will not fit the craftsman tracks without some modifications.

 

[Jtels85]

Went to my local Lowe’s in Cincinnati this afternoon for a rivet gun. They have full stock displayed of the Craftsman mechanic sets, wrench sets and a 299 Pc. set. Tool chests, storage boxes and the versa-track system were all on the floor for sale. It was a welcoming site to see!

Even the raised panel wrenches look nicer than the current Chinese counterparts at Sears.

 

[Doohickey]

Went to my local Lowe’s in Cincinnati this afternoon for a rivet gun. They have full stock displayed of the Craftsman mechanic sets, wrench sets and a 299 Pc. set. Tool chests, storage boxes and the versa-track system were all on the floor for sale. It was a welcoming site to see!

Even the raised panel wrenches look nicer than the current Chinese counterparts at Sears.

Do the Chinese-made Craftsman wrenches at Lowe's have "lobster claws" for the open-end?

 

[Doohickey]

When it comes to answering questions about warranty, the moderator for the Craftsman Facebook page is careful with wording:

"Yes! Lowe’s and Ace will support the stated warranty on all CRAFTSMAN products they sell."


"Hi Mike! Our new “best ever” product lineup will launch at Lowes in the second half of 2018, with a small offering available in May. Lowe’s will support the stated warranty on all CRAFTSMAN products they sell."

 

[kythri]

I honestly would read too much into that. I think it's more a CYA in the area of "we can't warranty a product we don't have at this time" rather than a "we're not going to warranty stuff you bought at Sears.

My interpretation jives with what they've been saying about honoring the Craftsman warranty.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I looked at the versatrack system and the gladiator system in the store and noticed that the craftsman versatrack hook accessories will fit the gladiator tracks but the gladiator stuff will not fit the craftsman tracks without some modifications.

It was difficult to find the Versa Track accessories, I had to order and they came from all over the country. HD has non-name brand that appear to be identical to the Versa Track.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Storage...ystems-Accessories/YourTools/N-5yc1vZccywZfmo

I was worried that Gladiator accessories would not fit and I would be stuck with 4 extra tracks and nothing to do with them.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Do the Chinese-made Craftsman wrenches at Lowe's have "lobster claws" for the open-end?

Other than publicly displaying your xenophobia and reiterating what you read on some blog, what are you trying to say?

 

[Doohickey]

Other than publicly displaying your xenophobia and reiterating what you read on some blog, what are you trying to say?

Uhhm...I was asking a question about the wrench design.

And I've read about lobster claw wrenches on GJ:

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=209793

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=355318

 

[xin]

Craftsman will be a win for Stanley once they get the manufacturing moved back here.

 

[xin]

I think CRAFTSMAN making a comeback is GREAT news. They will all sorts of new products and the quality will come back to!

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

It was difficult to find the Versa Track accessories, I had to order and they came from all over the country. HD has non-name brand that appear to be identical to the Versa Track.

https://www.homedepot.com/b/Storage...ystems-Accessories/YourTools/N-5yc1vZccywZfmo

I was worried that Gladiator accessories would not fit and I would be stuck with 4 extra tracks and nothing to do with them.

I find the track garage systems to be dubious at best. $10 for a forked holder you can buy for $1-2 if you just get the screw in version. By the time you add everything up it's a $1,000+ system vs $50-100

 

[Jtels85]

Do the Chinese-made Craftsman wrenches at Lowe's have "lobster claws" for the open-end?

Negative! That was the first thing I looked for. The open ends are comparable, if not better than their USA counterparts. Completely normal looking wrenches. The packaging somewhat resembles the USA packaging before the China switch.

 

[kythri]

Other than publicly displaying your xenophobia and reiterating what you read on some blog, what are you trying to say?

Seriously, already, dude, lay off.

Negative! That was the first thing I looked for. The open ends are comparable, if not better than their USA counterparts. Completely normal looking wrenches. The packaging somewhat resembles the USA packaging before the China switch.

That's good to hear. That design choice was a huge factor in why I didn't recommend Craftsman the handful of times my opinion was asked by friends/acquaintances over the past couple of years. I don't think the lobster claws were unusable wrenches (and reviews from people who actually used them backs that up), just nothing I would buy, so nothing I would recommend.

Additionally, my experience with Stanley's Asian-sourced wrenches has been nothing but positive.

I'll have to check out my local Lowe's this weekend, see what their displays are looking like.

 

[mudflap]

When it comes to answering questions about warranty, the moderator for the Craftsman Facebook page is careful with wording:

"Yes! Lowe’s and Ace will support the stated warranty on all CRAFTSMAN products they sell."


"Hi Mike! Our new “best ever” product lineup will launch at Lowes in the second half of 2018, with a small offering available in May. Lowe’s will support the stated warranty on all CRAFTSMAN products they sell."

You will need to keep your receipt...But thats nothing new for Lowes..

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Seriously, already, dude, lay off.

No I wont, the whole COO thing is idiotic, has no basis in reality and leads people to make poor tool buying decisions.

And FYI. China has built an industrial empire that exceeds that of the USA and Europe combined. China has an economy nearly as large as America and will exceed America within a decade. China built China using Chinese made tools.

The "lobster claw" statements are equally idiotic. Unless the material thickness of the tool causes clearance problems, the tools appearance is irrelevant to the job it performs.

 

[Doohickey]

Negative! That was the first thing I looked for. The open ends are comparable, if not better than their USA counterparts. Completely normal looking wrenches. The packaging somewhat resembles the USA packaging before the China switch.

Thanks! That eliminates the biggest complaint about the combo wrenches currently at Sears.

 

[Doohickey]

You will need to keep your receipt...But thats nothing new for Lowes..

My comment was more for the discussion about being able to warranty-swap old Craftsman tools at a Lowe's store. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

 

[xin]

Hopefully they get CRAFTSMAN being made here stateside again!

 

[Schurkey]

Other than publicly displaying your xenophobia and reiterating what you read on some blog, what are you trying to say?

"Xenophobia" = left-wing code for "I'm far more liberal than you."

No I wont, the whole COO thing is idiotic, has no basis in reality and leads people to make poor tool buying decisions.

And FYI. China has built an industrial empire that exceeds that of the USA and Europe combined. China has an economy nearly as large as America and will exceed America within a decade. China built China using Chinese made tools.

China built China using American/North American/Free World money. They were eating each other's children until they prostituted their own people, eliminated "ethics" from their national business identity, and ran trade surpluses against the Free World.

If it weren't for out own no-ethics Communist Collaborators, they'd still be a no-hope, nineteenth-century throwback, and our economy would be FAR better off.

 

[mudflap]

My comment was more for the discussion about being able to warranty-swap old Craftsman tools at a Lowe's store. Guess we'll find out soon enough.

I know.. I think they will require a "Lowes" receipt.. That will stop the wave of people wanting to swap out their old RP tools for what might be better SBD/Craftsman.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

"Xenophobia" = left-wing code for "I'm far more liberal than you."


China built China using American/North American/Free World money. They were eating each other's children until they prostituted their own people, eliminated "ethics" from their national business identity, and ran trade surpluses against the Free World.

If it weren't for out own no-ethics Communist Collaborators, they'd still be a no-hope, nineteenth-century throwback, and our economy would be FAR better off.

Xeonphobia means fear of others who are different. The word has existed long before snowflakes and PC took over.

Chinese culture has existed for over 5000 years. China has risen to the top of nations and fallen to the bottom multiple times throughout history. It is inevitable that they will rise to the top again and it would happen regardless of any foreign money.

America is a speck in world history, as a nation if we do not learn lessons from cultures much older than us, we are doomed to repeat the same mistakes they made.

I could understand if the COO concern was to promote American products, but to disparage China because someone believes Taiwan makes better tools is simply idiotic.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I know.. I think they will require a "Lowes" receipt.. That will stop the wave of people wanting to swap out their old RP tools for what might be better SBD/Craftsman.

There are exactly 9 people who would do this and they are all members of this forum.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Went to Lowe's today, not even a hint of Craftsman stuff. I did notice that they have individual Kobolt sockets in drawers and the section where the Kobolt boxes were is nearly empty.

 

[xin]

That Stanley outfit spent $900 million dollars on CRAFTSMAN don't see why they would just let it flounder myself.

It will take some time to rebuild the quality of the brand and get it back to where it once was.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I find the track garage systems to be dubious at best. $10 for a forked holder you can buy for $1-2 if you just get the screw in version. By the time you add everything up it's a $1,000+ system vs $50-100

$1000, who buys 100 $10 hooks for Versa Track?

The point of the Versa Track is to be able to move the hooks and holders.

The big Versa Track hook holds the Craftsman 4 cycle power head perfectly. I personally am not going to trust a $1 screw hook to hold up my $200 power head, especially in a concrete block wall.

 

[Sco Deac]

Went to Lowe's today, not even a hint of Craftsman stuff. I did notice that they have individual Kobolt sockets in drawers and the section where the Kobolt boxes were is nearly empty.

Same here. Still had some Stanley stuff and a fair amount of Kobalt including individual sockets and wrenches.

 

[xin]

Same here. Still had some Stanley stuff and a fair amount of Kobalt including individual sockets and wrenches.

Give it time, I am sure after they spent that much money they are going to let the CRAFTSMAN line stay on life support.

 

[Blind1]

No I wont, the whole COO thing is idiotic, has no basis in reality and leads people to make poor tool buying decisions.

And FYI. China has built an industrial empire that exceeds that of the USA and Europe combined. China has an economy nearly as large as America and will exceed America within a decade. China built China using Chinese made tools.

The "lobster claw" statements are equally idiotic. Unless the material thickness of the tool causes clearance problems, the tools appearance is irrelevant to the job it performs.

I’d argue that China built China with stolen Foreign (US) IP designs...that they now make.