New Craftsman Plant!!!

[Doohickey]

Where did you get this info. They investing alot of money into forge and pressing tools from all I have read for that to make any sense

I double this where did he get this info?

I quoted a statement from Craftsman on their Facebook page.


Oh, I just searched their page again, and found another important statement about the Fort Worth plant:

"All tools manufactured in the USA will be marked with a label that reads "Made in the USA with Global Materials.""

 

[PelicanPines]

So in the end... it may not be forged in the U.S.?

 

[Andres26tnt]

I quoted a statement from Craftsman on their Facebook page.


Oh, I just searched their page again, and found another important statement about the Fort Worth plant:

"All tools manufactured in the USA will be marked with a label that reads "Made in the USA with Global Materials.""

interesting, I also went to the facebook page and couldn't find this statements. not that I don't believe you, from what they have released this is more then likely true.

Just don't get it, why go though the trouble and build a new plant only to released half baked tools. They know people want USA made tools, not Assembled.

 

[Y00PER]

I just went through their FB post. All of the comments they (Craftsman) posted about them being made with global materials have disappeared... Except 1 I found buried in a comment thread. Why would they delete those comments? Did the person who runs their FB page get it wrong?

 

[dogdog]

The standards for the label Made in the USA has most likely changed... or Relaxed....or a loop hole found.
As far as why they deleted those postings from all the medias .... probably trying to rewrite history ? All the indication of a sleazy tactic.. or PR cleanup


I have notice that same thing with the 60 gallon compressor I have been eyeing on for a while ... it used to have no label, then changed to Assemble in the USA, now Made in the USA... nothing mention with global materials.... while all the parts are still the same, major parts still made in Mexico... but anyways.. there are plenty of $$$ made from the gull....and the delu........

 

[Y00PER]

The standards for the label Made in the USA has most likely changed... or Relaxed....or a loop hole found.
As far as why they deleted those postings from all the medias .... probably trying to rewrite history ? All the indication of a sleazy tactic.. or PR cleanup


I have notice that same thing with the 60 gallon compressor I have been eyeing on for a while ... it used to have no label, then changed to Assemble in the USA, now Made in the USA... nothing mention with global materials.... while all the parts are still the same, major parts still made in Mexico... but anyways.. there are plenty of $$$ made from the gullible and the delusional...

I wish they were required to have "X" among of the product made here to qualify for the "Made i. USA label, that percentage would be pretty high, but less than that, they would have to do what Wal-Mart does on a lot off their stuff and puts percentages like "Made in the USA with 75%
u.S.parts". Up using "with global materials" can mean 1 little part is U.S. MAde, or the majority of it is... We can never tell, as consumers, We had that phrase means as far as how much is made here

 

[Mechanical Noise]

I wish they were required to have "X" among of the product made here to qualify for the "Made i. USA label, that percentage would be pretty high, but less than that, they would have to do what Wal-Mart does on a lot off their stuff and puts percentages like "Made in the USA with 75%
u.S.parts". Up using "with global materials" can mean 1 little part is U.S. MAde, or the majority of it is... We can never tell, as consumers, We had that phrase means as far as how much is made here

There are rules for the "Made in USA" label:

https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/compliance-faqs-made-usa

And here's one of the examples:

A tool, such as a wrench, is made from imported steel. It cannot bear a ‘Made in the USA’ claim because the steel is not far enough removed in the manufacturing process from the finished product to be of little consequence and it is a significant part of the final product.

 

[Doohickey]

I just went through their FB post. All of the comments they (Craftsman) posted about them being made with global materials have disappeared... Except 1 I found buried in a comment thread. Why would they delete those comments? Did the person who runs their FB page get it wrong?

Craftsman didn't delete their comments that I quoted, and you found another one I didn't see. So, they're clearly sticking to "global materials".

 

[Doohickey]

There are rules for the "Made in USA" label:

https://www.nist.gov/standardsgov/compliance-faqs-made-usa

And here's one of the examples:

A tool, such as a wrench, is made from imported steel. It cannot bear a ‘Made in the USA’ claim because the steel is not far enough removed in the manufacturing process from the finished product to be of little consequence and it is a significant part of the final product.

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any proof that SBD has committed to making new Craftsman tools WITHOUT using global materials/components. I think they've been careful to make their claims without getting fined by the FTC.

Even Sears separates their own USA Craftsman tools to avoid getting in trouble:

"Made in USA" - Craftsman 3pc. Pry Bar Set with Strike Cap

"Made in USA of US and global components" - Craftsman Extra Long Magnetic Pick Up Tool

 

[1982fxr]

Crazy how fast these coo threads go off the rails. Someone does or doesn't see a Facebook post, misinterprets something, whatever, and suddenly companies are accused of breaking federal labelling laws and it's suggested that the FTC has relaxed laws etc etc.

Not just this thread but over and over.

 

[1982fxr]

Come to think of it, I haven't seen any proof that SBD has committed to making new Craftsman tools WITHOUT using global materials/components. I think they've been careful to make their claims without getting fined by the FTC.

Even Sears separates their own USA Craftsman tools to avoid getting in trouble:

"Made in USA" - Craftsman 3pc. Pry Bar Set with Strike Cap

"Made in USA of US and global components" - Craftsman Extra Long Magnetic Pick Up Tool

Sears doesn't make those tools. The suppliers tell them what labelling they qualify for and sears just plugs it in.

They would probably be nailed in the blink of an eye if they ignored the manufacturers and started putting their own unqualified labels on products.

 

[dogdog]

Crazy how fast these coo threads go off the rails. Someone does or doesn't see a Facebook post, misinterprets something, whatever, and suddenly companies are accused of breaking federal labelling laws and it's suggested that the FTC has relaxed laws etc etc.

Not just this thread but over and over.

^^^
I know right, isn't that crazy... those COO trolls...

 

[m6z]

It would be nice to be able to purchase made in the USA Craftsman wrenches and sockets again.

 

[Doohickey]

Sears doesn't make those tools. The suppliers tell them what labelling they qualify for and sears just plugs it in.

They would probably be nailed in the blink of an eye if they ignored the manufacturers and started putting their own unqualified labels on products.

True. That pry bar set is manufactured by Wilde Tool, and I won't be surprised if that's the last Craftsman product to be sold at retail level with "Made in USA" (no global materials).

 

[Doohickey]

Crazy how fast these coo threads go off the rails. Someone does or doesn't see a Facebook post, misinterprets something, whatever, and suddenly companies are accused of breaking federal labelling laws and it's suggested that the FTC has relaxed laws etc etc.

Not just this thread but over and over.

If you think this is bad, then stay away from the Craftsman Facebook page! I saw someone there try to argue that "global materials" can refer to the packaging.

Anyway, I see someone asked a question about the new plant that can help finally settle this matter.

Craftsman Facebook 10/29 post:
"We’re proud to announce we have officially broken ground on our new CRAFTSMAN Mechanics Tools plant in Fort Worth, Texas. One more step further in our journey to bring more CRAFTSMAN manufacturing back to America."

 

[cablebandit]

Since I'm not a factory worker I don't care about COO. I only care about quality for price. It's a global economy and that's not changing in anyone here's lifetime.

2 cents

 

[PugetDude]

Since I'm not a factory worker I don't care about COO. I only care about quality for price. It's a global economy and that's not changing in anyone here's lifetime.

2 cents

Welcome to the GJ. We need more deep thinkers like you.

 

[connorm]

I'm a part time "shop helper" (Apprentice has a certain connotation, I have two small toolboxes stuffed with tools and a few days a week I do entry level mechanics tasks, but I've done some major work on my own engine) and I'd love more mid level american made tools. I hate buying HF or the like to build my toolbox but I don't have the work as a mechanic coming in (or money in general) to justify all snap on. All of my combination wrenches are craftsman, most of my ratchets are crafstman, (2 matco and a big kobalt I bought because I was in a lowes parking lot and needed a big half inch bar) and the majority of my sockets are craftsman.
I always look for craftsman or used truck brand tools to expand my stuff, recently I picked up an assortment of mac and snap on 3/8 impact sockets from a guy who was parking out an old toolbox he bought full.

I'd love to buy some more craftsman wrenches and sockets. I'm looking to expand my wrenches above 17mm and 3/4 (the biggest that came in my set) but I'm not sure I want to spend 15.21 a wrench (averaged my amazon cart real quick) for non-usa wrenches. I know it's way cheaper than s/o wrenches but it's still a lot to round out a collection with non-usa wrenches.

 

[1982fxr]

True. That pry bar set is manufactured by Wilde Tool, and I won't be surprised if that's the last Craftsman product to be sold at retail level with "Made in USA" (no global materials).

I wonder if they'll still keep suppliers like Lang, Lisle, Eklind etc for all the small mechanic stuff.

 

[Y00PER]

Craftsman didn't delete their comments that I quoted, and you found another one I didn't see. So, they're clearly sticking to "global materials".

Must have been a glitch somewhere. I looked through all the comments and all of the ones by Craftsman were missing that I know were there, a few hours later, after my post, they were back. Who knows, could have been my app, FB, or I am more blind than I thought

 

[Skin]

True. That pry bar set is manufactured by Wilde Tool, and I won't be surprised if that's the last Craftsman product to be sold at retail level with "Made in USA" (no global materials).

Sockets, ratchets, and wrenches will be 100% USA. Stanley has long been about the "with global materials" but not with basic hand tools. The new massive 50 million dollar factory (3x larger than what Ideal made for SK) is going to be state of the art with new forging, flattening, CNC, broaching, heat treating and plating equipment.

They're quite a bit more dedicated to USA than what you keep alluding to.

 

[PelicanPines]

Sockets, ratchets, and wrenches will be 100% USA. Stanley has long been about the "with global materials" but not with basic hand tools. The new massive factory (3x larger than what Ideal made for SK) is going to be state of the art with new forging, flatting, CNC, broaching, heat treating and plating equipment.

They're quite a bit more dedicated to USA than what you keep alluding to.

Finally, thanks Skin.... was trying to find out if the factory included forging. This truly is good news for us Craftsman people.

 

[Jtels85]

True. That pry bar set is manufactured by Wilde Tool, and I won't be surprised if that's the last Craftsman product to be sold at retail level with "Made in USA" (no global materials).

I hate to break the bad news, but that 3 piece pry bar set is now made in China. Went to Sears yesterday and the Wilde made USA ones were gone. The new ones are cheap looking imitations... picked them up and sure enough, China. Grab me while you can!

 

[Lyt]

I usually buy tools based off of quality and value. I'm in my early 20s and all the Craftsman stuff I've seen, new and old, never impressed me.

COO is somewhat important to me, but I won't blindly buy a tool just because it's made in specific country. I also believe no one brand can do it all. Given Craftsman is sold in a big-box store, they'll manufacturer some specific items here, otherwise everything else will be sourced from somewhere else. If I need something, I won't go out and just buy it from one brand. I'll compare my options and see what works for me, I rather buy from a company that does their one thing really well.

If Craftsman can make tools that are up to par with other quality brands found overseas and are priced right, I'll consider buying from them.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I hate to break the bad news, but that 3 piece pry bar set is now made in China. Went to Sears yesterday and the Wilde made USA ones were gone. The new ones are cheap looking imitations... picked them up and sure enough, China. Grab me while you can!

Wilde still makes them. Sears just canceled the contract and replaced them with china models. Interestingly enough Walmart of all places picked up the new contract for their hyper tough brand.

 

[1982fxr]

Wilde still makes them. Sears just canceled the contract and replaced them with china models. Interestingly enough Walmart of all places picked up the new contract for their hyper tough brand.

I think Wilde cancelled on sears actually.

 

[Doohickey]

I hate to break the bad news, but that 3 piece pry bar set is now made in China. Went to Sears yesterday and the Wilde made USA ones were gone. The new ones are cheap looking imitations... picked them up and sure enough, China. Grab me while you can!

Well, that stinks. Both the set and the open stock were all Made in USA when I was checking out the sale prices at the store about a week ago.

I didn't buy them, because my old versions (no strike caps) are still in decent shape. I think I'll stop by again and see if any of the USA ones are still around. Thanks!

EDIT: The local store finally restocked the pry bars with strike caps.

I searched all the sets, but could not find "China" on them like you stated. They all say "MADE IN USA" on the package, so I assume Wilde still has the Sears contract.

The open stock section had only a few sizes remaining, but they also stated "MADE IN USA" on the package.

 

[Doohickey]

Sockets, ratchets, and wrenches will be 100% USA. Stanley has long been about the "with global materials" but not with basic hand tools. The new massive 50 million dollar factory (3x larger than what Ideal made for SK) is going to be state of the art with new forging, flattening, CNC, broaching, heat treating and plating equipment.

They're quite a bit more dedicated to USA than what you keep alluding to.

That will be great if the hands tools are really 100% USA, but I don't understand why SBD would alter the facts.

The story about the new plant has been around for months, so by now they've had plenty of time to research what to advertise about it. It's strange that their social media team keeps repeating "...these tools will be manufactured in the USA but assembled with global materials."

 

[Doohickey]

I wonder if they'll still keep suppliers like Lang, Lisle, Eklind etc for all the small mechanic stuff.

I haven't seen the USA tools made by Lisle restocked at the local store since the bankruptcy, so I guess they no longer do business with Sears.

The last Craftsman set made by Lang in USA is heavily discounted, so it might also be on it's way out of Sears.