metaldad
Well-known member
...............
Craftsman/Stanley Factory Texas
- Thread starter Dzmax77
- Start date
Yep, it's only been 4 years and when it comes to making hand tools, good things take time. 
:
Plus, no Corporation ever spent a ton of money on something, then decided maybe it was not really that great of idea.
Besides, they probably made that $900M back quickly when their stock price jumped just on the news alone!
:
:Plus, no Corporation ever spent a ton of money on something, then decided maybe it was not really that great of idea.
Besides, they probably made that $900M back quickly when their stock price jumped just on the news alone!
:Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Big update: The new Texas factory is almost done, and they have over 200 employees so far. SBD is partnering with US steel mills to make the tools, which will include wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and other mechanic's hand tools. We should start seeing these in sets by the end of the year.
toolguyd.com
Craftsman Tools USA Factory Update (May 2022)
toolguyd.com
it might not sound like a huge deal but i work in plant automation and 9 seconds for a sequential task like that is nuts and crazy impressiveBig update: The new Texas factory is almost done, and they have over 200 employees so far. SBD is partnering with US steel mills to make the tools, which will include wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and other mechanic's hand tools. We should start seeing these in sets by the end of the year.
Craftsman Tools USA Factory Update (May 2022)
WWheeler
Well-known member
Last sentence in that article...
Cool. I look forward to seeing what they got and hope the quality is enough to make me 'Made in USA' proud, and that this is just the start of more to come from SBD and other manufacturers.
Cool. I look forward to seeing what they got and hope the quality is enough to make me 'Made in USA' proud, and that this is just the start of more to come from SBD and other manufacturers.
that's where I'm most doubt the garage journal crowd is going to be happy its probably going to have to be somewhere near Kobalt and husky in pricing, especially with the v series at the top end so its probably not going to be massively better then them in terms of quality
txvwnut
Well-known member
9 seconds is stupid fast for all of the completed processes listed in that time. One machine must do most of the processes in one step.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
The 9 seconds time is crazy when you realize that polishing is included. I’m impressed. I’m still trying to wrap my head around it.
I think the disappointment might run the other way - but we shall see. E.g. I'm thinking the quality will be good but the price will seem high if you're used to Gearwrench, Tekton, Kobalt or Husky. Would there really be much point in producing crummy USA tools?
However, I am cautiously optimistic. That 9-second number is crazy fast. Maybe that's their secret-sauce to making good tools domestically and still keeping prices low.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ They're going to have to come in with a competitive price point or they're going to be sitting on inventory for a long time.
While SBD has been whistledickin' around for four years, Tekton and other manufacturers have managed to garner some serious market share and are cranking out some impressive product.
If they are not able to compete in respect to price with the Taiwan imports, that "Craftsman" name isn't going to keep that ship afloat. Their only retail market will be mass-merchandiser retailers now that Sears is gone, and those outfits are concerned only with the bottom line.
While SBD has been whistledickin' around for four years, Tekton and other manufacturers have managed to garner some serious market share and are cranking out some impressive product.
If they are not able to compete in respect to price with the Taiwan imports, that "Craftsman" name isn't going to keep that ship afloat. Their only retail market will be mass-merchandiser retailers now that Sears is gone, and those outfits are concerned only with the bottom line.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
Recently, I heard that Lowe's was gonna go exclusive with Craftsman, and Ace hardware will stop carrying the brand, but that was from a source of somewhat questionable reliability (Ace store clerk).
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ I would not put any stock in any stories/rumors/reports right now. Buyers at mass-merchandiser retailers are a fickle lot. Things change.
One day you're in, the next day you're out.
All depends on "what's in it for ME?" as far as Lowes, Home Depot, ACE, or any of the other big-box stores go.
One day you're in, the next day you're out.
All depends on "what's in it for ME?" as far as Lowes, Home Depot, ACE, or any of the other big-box stores go.
Dakotadadv8
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Great news hoping the products are available by Christmas. CM USA will do well especially with the younger customers who are starting a family with homes/vehicles, remembering their visits to Sears with dad.
Jradm good points on Texton, Gearwrench, Husky, Kobalt, all good brands for the price - Not sure these customers will go back to CM USA or if SBD cares.
Jradm good points on Texton, Gearwrench, Husky, Kobalt, all good brands for the price - Not sure these customers will go back to CM USA or if SBD cares.
Bubba Fett
Well-known member
In addition to Tekton, Gearwrench, etc, Craftsman has other competition...from other SBD brands.
I mean honestly, the DeWalt mechanics tools are quite well made, in Taiwan, and can be had for very good prices. I got a 1/2" Drive socket set for around $25 on Amazon. The price has gone up since then, but still, they are a good bang for the buck. Sockets are stamped, and well broached, the ratchet has a high tooth count and is comfortable.
I wonder if certain lines will be discontinued to encourage Craftsman sales.
I mean honestly, the DeWalt mechanics tools are quite well made, in Taiwan, and can be had for very good prices. I got a 1/2" Drive socket set for around $25 on Amazon. The price has gone up since then, but still, they are a good bang for the buck. Sockets are stamped, and well broached, the ratchet has a high tooth count and is comfortable.
I wonder if certain lines will be discontinued to encourage Craftsman sales.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Of course they will. Brands that aren't performing will be thrown under the bus, like Blackhawk. Or Armstrong. Gone. Stockholders won't care about brands that go away.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Yawn! I was looking for an I'm going to bed (or bored who cares) type of emoji but I couldn't find one.
Ditto I've got a 1/4 and 3/8 set from Dewalt. Came with a 72 tooth ratchet and its pretty nice stuff actually I agree. I doubt they'd go exclusive Dewalt is a big name recognizable brand they can use to make sales.
I disagree. I think many many people would stop buying GW and Tekton if the USA stuff from CM turns out to be great quality. This is what everyone complains about and asks for all the time. Quality tools miUSA. CM warranty used to great as well. There'd be no reason to continue to buy imports. People could also warranty their older miusa stuff and still get miusa back.
Naturally this is my opinion. I'll be testing it out doing real jobs for sure when it launches.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Only on Garage Journal does this matter. To the average person a wrench is a wrench is a wrench and they don't give a **** where it's made as long as it turns a bolt. To me personally the made in USA thing matters little. To others it matters a lot. All I can say is that a lot more people buy tools at Wal-Mart than Harry J. Epstein. If the price isn't right nobody is going to pay significantly more for Craftsman over anything else. It's not your Father's Sears anymore.
Overall you have four groups:
-Those who don't care about brand/COO
-Those who use what they've had good experiences with
-Those who only use USA made
-Those who only use preferred Mfg.
There's overlay for sure but alot of people end up using their parents/grandparents tools so what they used is what they'll use. That's how Craftsman has survived since going out of country. Another one of the groups gave HF life.
I'd expect some people in the overlays to flock to USA Craftsman whether it's experience, COO preference, or quality. Price wouldn't be the best any way you look at it but enough of the Taiwan and China stuff gets destroyed easily so there's bias towards all of it (not all created equal but all treated equal, gas station socket kit≈gearwrench) enough to make a couple of the bargain buyers jump in.
four.cycle
Well-known member
dnschmidt said:
^ quoted for truth.
The rest of the buying public in the big box stores: a wrench is a wrench, and the one that costs less money is the one they're going to buy.
I personally will be happy to give the “new” Craftsman a chance, based on having grown up with the brand and being able to go into Lowes/Ace/wherever else and procure stuff that I really don’t need just for fun.
Tools are just like anything else where people develop irrational attachments and/or hatred for different brands.
Tools are just like anything else where people develop irrational attachments and/or hatred for different brands.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
I saw that, but I would rather see some pictures of the actual tools , not employees hold boxes.
Half-fast eddie
Well-known member
You’re assuming there are tools in the box. Or the label is correct. Could just be a marketing picture. A photo op.
Enhance!
What part of the factory do you think that is? Assembling the pieces into the blow molded boxes perhaps?
If you have to reach across the tables to pick pieces out of the yellow boxes, that doesn't seem very ergonomic. I assume that means I'm wrong - a new factory would consider that.
If you have to reach across the tables to pick pieces out of the yellow boxes, that doesn't seem very ergonomic. I assume that means I'm wrong - a new factory would consider that.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Apparently the Japanese ritual of morning exercise is not being practiced at that plant judging from the tonnage of the employees pictured.
Let me help...
Also looks like Craftsman spend the last 3yrs getting the roto molded box machine working, congrats!
Actually making tools is a bit harder
I'd say it's closer to 50, 30, 5, 15. Big thing is bias and outsourcing labor nowadays, 10 years ago would be a different story(maybe even 2-3). There's alot of people who use whatever is around but most go with what hasn't busted their knuckles yet. That's the homeowners box then occasional users. Then you have the ones who think any tool made outside of the USA is junk and the ones who only used one specific brand regardless of experience because it looks nicer/has more options but might occasionally fight back still. That's the older workers and trade workers.
I just want Craftsman USA quality tools again. If they can match what they used to make, I'd be more than happy to pay extra for it. I know the China stuff is a functionally adequate replacement, but part of what made Craftsman cool is that it was made here.
theoldwizard1
Well-known member
Some people are asking STUPID prices for used Craftsman hand tools on eBay, especially if they are made in USA !
I would like to see Craftsman bring back DBE, but I doubt I could afford them.
I would like to see Craftsman bring back DBE, but I doubt I could afford them.
Dakotadadv8
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Craftsman Tools Made in Texas Launching Soon!
May be interesting for Christmas 2022.PreviewPreview14:58Craftsman Tools Made in Texas Launching Soon!YouTube · The Den of Tools14 minutes, 58 seconds3 weeks ago
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Am I seeing that these new tools are Made in USA with global materials?
Andres26tnt
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the ratchet mechanism is going to be made in Taiwan. they are reusing their existing Taiwan-made ratchet line with the fat heads. not sure why they choose that ratchet as it's horribly clunky and likes to stick.
Maybe it's because everyone keeps insisting the new made in USA tools must also be inexpensive, like they remember Craftsman of olde. I hoped they would make premium Craftsman tools, but we saw with the recent V series that no one wants to pay premium prices for it.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Have no fear SBD will screw this up somehow. They always do.