Does anyone have proof (pics) of Chinese Craftsman rp wrenches?

SMKS · Jun 13, 2012

I've seen several members claim they've seen Chinese raised panel wrenches, but no one has ever been able to turn up a picture of them.

I just checked my store today. They have lots of raised panel wrenches, even new stock with the new packaging, but they are all USA made. The spline wrenches are Chinese, but they've always been imported.

So, does anyone have any proof of Chinese RP wrenches, or are the few members who claim to have seen them confused?

My store also has the new socket display and all new sockets with new packaging, but they're still USA made. The socket accessories (extensions, swivels, etc.) are now Chinese, though. The ratchets have all been replaced with imported models at my local store.

So, it looks like the regular sockets, RP wrenches, some pliers, adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers are the last USA made Craftsman hand tools.

SMKS · Jun 13, 2012

Additional pics

Link-Belt · Jun 13, 2012

Yeah I've noticed the same thing. One member posted a Japanese RP but said it was from the 80's. Hopefully Sears and Craftsman can turn things around.

metaldad · Jun 13, 2012

Link-Belt said:
Yeah I've noticed the same thing. One member posted a Japanese RP but said it was from the 80's. Hopefully Sears and Craftsman can turn things around.

I do have a set of Jap RP's, and they are from the 80's.

kc-steve · Jun 13, 2012

I agree with you Stephan, I think there is unfounded alarm about Craftsman at this time. However, I will say I purchased the last two USA Craftsman 1/2"dr deep impact socket sets at the store in Overland Park, KS. I recently bought two flex head Craftsman ratchets but they were made in China.

As far as RECENT wrenches, I have purchased many sets recently and all of them had the V inverted V manufacturer code indicating they were made by the Armstrong Division of Danaher.

It is worth saying though, when I have seen a made-in-China Craftsman tool, there was no indication of COO EXCEPT on the removable identification tag. So it would be worthwhile to beware of buying used Craftsman tools unless you see the USA marking or know the seller and reputation.

If the warranty is the problem then that is another story. People that buy Craftsman tend to like the warranty and it doesn't work if you turn in a USA tool for a Chinese.

Steve

Pro-Painter · Jun 13, 2012

I have no proof, but have seen them first hand. (and no, I'm not confused). Ive only seen them in larger sets like the one you posted above. The case looks just the same, with the same style stickers. However, they are wrapped in plastic and the wrenches are noticeably brighter in finish.

They also have a smaller set of RP wrenches (10pc IIRC) that come in a small cardboard box (also plastic wrapped) and include a black wrench roll pouch. It looked just like the gearwrench sets that come in cardboard boxes with wrench rolls. Box was red and white with only a small picture on the front, and a super tiny "made in china" above the bar code.

So far that is the only two china RP sets Ive seen. All the other sets are USA including some newer, non old stock sets and singles.

If I don't have to work, I hope to go to sears this weekend. If I do, I will be sure to snap a couple of pictures with my phone.

BigK600 · Jun 13, 2012

I saw a RP ratchet wrenches last night, didn't even care to look at the wrench aisle.

LumpyMusic · Jun 13, 2012

I bought a single 18mm RP about 3 months ago. Every one of the loose RPs on the wall were USA. I warranty'd out a 35 y/o 1/2" ratchet a year ago because it was "sticky". Warranty'd instead of cleaning it. Replacement, and all the other ratchets on the wall were USA.

Lumpy

You were on CHiPs? Did you wear those ****
tight pants and high boots like Erik Estrada?
No. Swimtrunks.
www.LumpyMusic.com

Super Sport · Jun 13, 2012

My store didn't have any in stock as of today, but plenty of new Chinese extensions and adapters.

I'm sure glad I have a nearly complete tool collection now. I've spent a lot of money at Sears in the past 2 years, but now I have pretty much everything I need and it's all USA-made. It's really a shame since it's one of my favorite stores to shop at...

betcd · Jun 15, 2012

I love how craftsman is selling china made tools and the prices are as high or higher then before for not made in the usa tools

jrlp · Jun 15, 2012

I've been going to Sears every week for over 2 months now. I've seen row after row of products go on clearance for USA made stuff, then get replaced with Taiwan or China-made tools, with the same part number, going back up to the same price as the USA made stuff. I plan on going on Sunday morning to catch anything I can on sale, I'll get some pictures.

chopper1 · Jun 15, 2012

Not China, but when did Craftsman have wrenches made in Japan?
I picked up 17mm & 18mm RP combo's at a garage sale and they're marked =Craftsman= on the front panel and chrome molybdenum BF Japan on the backc panel.

madbasser · Jun 15, 2012

I have a set of dykes that are craftsman on the front and say Japan on the back also.

RangerDaleXp · Jun 15, 2012

How about some pictures of these made in Japan wrenches.....

Brian_B_ · Jun 15, 2012

RangerDaleXp said:
How about some pictures of these made in Japan wrenches.....

My Craftsman open\box end combination wrenches from the early 80s are japan.

This might be hard to read:

I can get better pics this weekend if you need them.

shoturtle · Jun 15, 2012

It was posted in another thread the japanese RP wrench. Someone commented it most likely has tighter tolerance then the US made ones.

chopper1 · Jun 15, 2012

RangerDaleXp said:
How about some pictures of these made in Japan wrenches.....

Here's the pics. Sorry about the shakes.

shoturtle · Jun 15, 2012

chrome moly vs CRV. Interesting on the japanese RP

olytdi · Jun 15, 2012

I, too, have a set of Japanese Craftsman RP wrenches.

Brian_B_ · Jun 15, 2012

I will feel dumb asking this, but what does RP stand for around here? :headscrat

myers212 · Jun 15, 2012

Brian_B_ said:
I will feel dumb asking this, but what does RP stand for around here?

Raised Panel

shoturtle · Jun 15, 2012

raised panel that is on the middle of the handle.

Brian_B_ · Jun 15, 2012

myers212 said:
Raised Panel

shoturtle said:
raised panel that is on the middle of the handle.

OH!!! I knew I would feel stupid.

metaldad · Jun 15, 2012

I am, of course, missing the 1/2 and 9/16 sizes from the jap set.

Brian_B_ · Jun 15, 2012

metaldad said:
I am, of course, missing the 1/2 and 9/16 sizes from the jap set.

Both my 1/2" and 13 MM are missing from my sets. I know who STOLE my metric one.

No clue on the 1/2".

metaldad · Jun 15, 2012

Brian_B_ said:
Both my 1/2" and 13 MM are missing from my sets. I know who STOLE my metric one. No clue on the 1/2".

they will eventually appear in the 'new tools' or the 'garage sale' thread.

d430 · Jun 15, 2012

I bought a set of the black Craftsman (impact socket looking) spline wrenches about 2 years ago. They were stamped "CHINA"right on the back of each wrench. I sold them to the shop oil changer just on principal. I don't mind owning the occasional Chinese tool, but only in the harbor freight price range

BrokewrenchLS1 · Jun 15, 2012

d430 said:
I bought a set of the black Craftsman (impact socket looking) spline wrenches about 2 years ago. They were stamped "CHINA"right on the back of each wrench. I sold them to the shop oil changer just on principal. I don't mind owning the occasional Chinese tool, but only in the harbor freight price range

I think all of their spline stuff (which should be all the black oxide-looking stuff) is Chinese, both the wrenches and sockets.

The small Sears I stopped by tonight to get a socket (no open-stock 1/2" drive 6-point - nothing but 12-point, bit pissed), and I noticed some of the open-stock wrenches had the V/inverted V, but some of the other wrenches didn't have any manufacturer marks and no country stamp anywhere. Chick at the counter said they just got a big shipment of loose wrenches and sockets in today, so I'm guessing the non-marked stuff were the new wrenches.

FunkyfullWidth · Jun 16, 2012

So with all this talk of alot of craftsman tools not made in the usa, seemingly all of a sudden, is there any word on a strike or lay offs or actual sell outs for the MADE IN USA factories? What actually caused this shift?

melliott28 · Jun 16, 2012

FunkyfullWidth said:
So with all this talk of alot of craftsman tools not made in the usa, seemingly all of a sudden, is there any word on a strike or lay offs or actual sell outs for the MADE IN USA factories? What actually caused this shift?

Lots of threads here discussing this, but here is a quick explanation: Sears is in dire straits financially and CEO is trying to cut costs every way possible.

TwoInch · Jun 16, 2012

FunkyfullWidth said:
So with all this talk of alot of craftsman tools not made in the usa, seemingly all of a sudden, is there any word on a strike or lay offs or actual sell outs for the MADE IN USA factories? What actually caused this shift?

danaher, sears main supplier for hand tools, makes tools for many companies and brands. while im sure the USA factories took a small hit with the craftsman tools going overseas, they still have many contracts and tools to make here. i am pretty sure the chinese sourced tools are also coming from danaher/apex

RedFordTruck · Jun 16, 2012

melliott28 said:
Lots of threads here discussing this, but here is a quick explanation: Sears is in dire straits financially and CEO is trying to cut costs every way possible.

Yeah and by doing so, Eddie is cutting customers. They may save on the cost of a ratchet or extension, but If Im not going to give them Money for a Chinese ratchet then they lose even more money.

I have bought most of my hand tools from Sears, but Im not going to in the future. And there are many more customers like me. Just check here, Facebook, or the craftsman site.

melliott28 · Jun 16, 2012

RedFordTruck said:
Yeah and by doing so, Eddie is cutting customers. They may save on the cost of a ratchet or extension, but If Im not going to give them Money for a Chinese ratchet then they lose even more money.

I have bought most of my hand tools from Sears, but Im not going to in the future. And there are many more customers like me. Just check here, Facebook, or the craftsman site.

I agree it is a terrible turn of events for Sears. I really liked having a brick & mortar source for reasonably priced, made in the USA hand tools. I grew up using raised panel wrenches and I continue to use them today. It is a damn shame if their production really has moved overseas (I don't doubt it, it's just that I've yet to see any proof).

Bill R. · Jun 16, 2012

I don't know how old most of you are but this cycle has been going on forever. I remember when japanese tools were the cheapest and regarded as junk, then their living standard went up, their wages went up and tools improved. Same thing happened with German tools many years ago. Production always moves to the country thats cheapest. China's turn is now but eventually the same thing will happen there, its already happening now

Labor is going up in china, The environmental standards are changing due to the severe pollution from industry there. Eventually tool production will come back here just like it has in the past or go to the next new cheap source of labor.

I will continue to buy from sears just like i have for the last 40 years and will only buy from Snap on what i must have. I've never had a warranty problem with any craftsman tool and i went through the japan period etc and things were fine.

I would prefer to buy US whenever possible but i'm not going to boycott sears over this, they are doing what they have to to survive in the current times.

IF you really want to have an effect on Sears policy why don't you buy stock and show up at the shareholders meetings and make your feelings known. If enough people voiced their opinion in this way it might make a difference but i doubt it.

A number of manufacturers have moved back to the US after having problems in China,Mexico,India etc. Quality control, counterfeiting of products,labors costs, many of these things are forcing a rethink for some companies.

Scorched earth policies saying i'm never buying from X company again ,such as Sears, Walmart etc aren't helping any of us in the US. In my parts buying for my work i try to buy from as many local companies as possible but still have to buy from Autozone,Oreilly's, Napa, etc.

So anyway i will continue to buy from Sears just like i always have but will look at the label and whenever possible pick the USA made over the China at least for now.

I noticed on a lot of my Craftsman, Indestro,Proto,Challenger wrenches it says Forged in USA not made in USA, which makes me question anyway if these old tools were forged here in US foundries then machined elsewhere, the opposite is happening now with all brake rotors, a large number of the blanks are cast in china and machined here, the better quality centric line with the painted hubs is this way

Does anyone have proof (pics) of Chinese Craftsman rp wrenches?

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