A New Low For Craftsman

[hangfirew8]

Yes and no. Wright sockets are about 1/3 taller than the USA Craftsman. In tight spaces, the Craftsman is better. The Wright sockets have better chrome and feel solid, but they are bigger.

I have an older large SAE 3/8"-drive Wright socket that is the same size as the Craftsman sockets it sits besides. They are all on the shorter side compared to other brands. I don't know about modern production.

I just dug up a few pictures but it fits in so well you can't even distinguish which are Craftsman (all the rest) and which one is the Wright. I'd need to make a closeup pic to really distinguish.

 

[Hannibal Selector]

Thanks, BTW, to Flivver and others who called my attention
to Wright Tools. For some reason, they never made it onto
my radar, even though I go all the way back to 1979 with SK.

 

[bfm336]

For the first time last night my Sears has China open stock sockets - not all, but some were replaced and a whole bunch of China sockets were sitting nearby probably to put up as stock allows. This means only their screwdrivers, but drivers, and some pliers are left as USA.


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[n8n]

I'm not so sure that it's intentional misrepresentation - I think they just don't bother changing the pictures on the website.

Yeah. The whole Sears experience smells of low budget and staggering incompetence. Which is a shame as I've met some really helpful store employees, I think even they know that it's about to hit the fan though. One told me straight up if I were looking for USA made tools I was in the wrong store.

 

[Hannibal Selector]

You know what's funny? You can find NOS US-made C-M
all day long @ Fleabay. And then there's Sears...

 

[PugetDude]

Well the other day I decided I should flesh out my
home wrencher tool collection a bit. At Craftsman.com
I was surprised and delighted to find a set of US MADE
std. depth metric impact sockets in 1/2" dr. for about $50.00.
The set was very clearly depicted in multiple ways as US
MADE, zoom-in photos and all. So I ordered a set, and -
wait for it - yep, they sent me a steaming pile of Chinese
$#*t WITH THE SAME ITEM AND MODEL NUMBER. So
apparently, it's now OK at SMEARS to start playing BAIT
AND SWITCH with their customers. I'm in the process of
supposedly getting a refund, but I thought I should share this.
So if you're a home wrencher on a budget trying to Keep It
American, be very leary of socket set model #15885.
It's bad enough that they make it like pulling teeth just
to discover WTH a given item's COO is, now they're going
to straight-up bait and switch tactics on at least some
items.

Dear Mr. Selector,
We'll miss you.
Sincerely,
Edward Lampert
CEO
Sears Holdings

 

[n8n]

For the first time last night my Sears has China open stock sockets - not all, but some were replaced and a whole bunch of China sockets were sitting nearby probably to put up as stock allows. This means only their screwdrivers, but drivers, and some pliers are left as USA.


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Ratcheting bit driver is Taiwan. Actually passably decent, but I reach for my Snap-On every time as it has far less backdrag. That's the only real noticeable difference, that and the selectors work opposite each other :/

 

[Hannibal Selector]

While at the local Smears returning their Chicom sockets
the other day, I did knowingly grab a Chicom inspection
mirror. I find it handy to have one around the house, and
I'm sick of borrowing the good ones from my toolbox and
work rig. About 2 hours ago, I telescoped it out to use it
for something, and it just fell apart in my hand. I noticed
the metal in it was, in fact thicker than aluminum foil,
BUT JUST BARELY. Wow, that lasted a whole
two weeks... Serves me right, I guess.
Chrome was pretty though. Velly velly shiny.

 

[Titanium Steel]

"...I'd check out Harry J Epstein, Fastental, Grainger and shockingly
even Amazon for suppliers."

Yep, Amazon can be great. Scored some NOS, US-made Williams
stuff there, for example. (Hmm, maybe I shoulda kept quiet
about that.)

Haven't done business with Fastenall for tools, but I do know it's
wise to keep a beady eye on their shipping charges, JS.

With Amazon, their country of origin information isn't 100% accurate all the time, so you will have to call the original equipment manufacturer if you have any concerns, as 99.9% of the time, the workers at Amazon have no idea how to answer your question.

Additionally, while I do enjoy some NOS USA made tools, these tools don't support modern American manufacturing jobs at all. At one time, this would have supported jobs, but not anymore in the sense of modern manufacturing.

As for inspection mirrors, SK, Proto and Ullman make (potentially from other manufacturers with SK and Proto) USA made versions. Harry J Epstein sells Ullman and I am sure they carry the SK version as well.

 

[winlinmac]

It may be sad to hear, but Taiwan took over the old USA and Harbor Freight took over the old Craftsman for the budget-minded.

Donald Trump even said that Capitalism is what was holding the world together this whole time, ha

For the first time last night my Sears has China open stock sockets - not all, but some were replaced and a whole bunch of China sockets were sitting nearby probably to put up as stock allows. This means only their screwdrivers, but drivers, and some pliers are left as USA.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Hannibal Selector]

"With Amazon, their country of origin information isn't
100% accurate all the time..."

Say it ain't so! True that, but thanks to GJ forum,
I knew to look for the un-fluted handle (that looks like
old S-O), and how to spot part numbers for the US-made.
Nope, didn't trust Amazon for COO information, just the
fine folks right here.

 

[Ponchoguy]

With Amazon, their country of origin information isn't 100% accurate all the time, so you will have to call the original equipment manufacturer if you have any concerns, as 99.9% of the time, the workers at Amazon have no idea how to answer your question.

Additionally, while I do enjoy some NOS USA made tools, these tools don't support modern American manufacturing jobs at all. At one time, this would have supported jobs, but not anymore in the sense of modern manufacturing.

As for inspection mirrors, SK, Proto and Ullman make (potentially from other manufacturers with SK and Proto) USA made versions. Harry J Epstein sells Ullman and I am sure they carry the SK version as well.

Ullman usually makes those mirrors (including some USA Craftsman), so that is another source.

 

[Ponchoguy]

For the first time last night my Sears has China open stock sockets - not all, but some were replaced and a whole bunch of China sockets were sitting nearby probably to put up as stock allows. This means only their screwdrivers, but drivers, and some pliers are left as USA.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I was at Sears last month for some socket exchanges and I really had to dig through everything to find USA made, but I did it. The first combo wrench I pulled off the rack was a Chinese lobster claw. I looked further and two behind it was a USA made unit.

 

[bryan750]

I agree it is getting harder to find quality tools for deals at sears. I started getting knipex through them with my points.

 

[Steinmetz]

"... it's now OK at SMEARS to start playing BAIT
AND SWITCH with their customers…".

Sears used the bait and switch tactic for years. The FTC brought suit against them years ago, and I seem to recall a consent decree was entered between the FTC and Sears to stop the practice. I think this was back during the 1980's.

I honestly never understood why anyone did business with Sears.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Trusted sites like local Hardware store, HJ Epstein , ZORO, Cripe's, Amazon

Craig's List, eBay, flea and cockroach market

Sears stores and internet site

meeting guy with sunglasses and trench coat in back alley at midnight


No shortage of choices or selection

Unlike Sear's website; this list is subject to, and welcomes updates..

 

[Conductor562]

Here are some sets I would look into if my wife knew what I was buying.

http://www.zoro.com/proto-impact-socket-set-12-in-dr-10-pc-j74202/i/G7463102/

http://www.zoro.com/proto-impact-socket-set-sae-and-metric-12-pcs-j74242/i/G8520005/

These blackhawk sets are nice but you may want to look further into the COO. I have bought some singles for work from grainger that are usa made but I think I heard once that some blackhawk is made in taiwan.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YSWZTM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YSX2HG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I use 3/8" for personal use just because they are much cheaper to get usa made in that size.

I have a set similar to this one that was usa made the years ago I bought 20$ like 7 years ago.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B005YSWVQ4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Blackhawk chrome sockets, non-ratcheting wrenches, flare wrenches, crowfoot wrenches, and punch & chisel sets are all USA made and among the best value out there.

Ratchets, anything with a ratcheting mechanism, bit sockets, impact bit sockets, and pliers are Taiwan.

Screwdrivers are French

There is no Chinese Blackhawk

Even the imported Blackhawk stuff is nice though.

 

[Hannibal Selector]

"...Sears stores and internet site

meeting guy with sunglasses and trench coat in back
alley at midnight..."

Wait, shouldn't those lines be reversed?

 

[Ponchoguy]

"... it's now OK at SMEARS to start playing BAIT
AND SWITCH with their customers…".

Sears used the bait and switch tactic for years. The FTC brought suit against them years ago, and I seem to recall a consent decree was entered between the FTC and Sears to stop the practice. I think this was back during the 1980's.

I honestly never understood why anyone did business with Sears.

Never really had a problem with them, honestly.

 

[Ponchoguy]

You know what's funny? You can find NOS US-made C-M
all day long @ Fleabay. And then there's Sears...

Yup, just bought two sockets last night, brand new USA made.

 

[mrvm]

I agree it is getting harder to find quality tools for deals at sears. I started getting knipex through them with my points.

With BIG suprise points and free shipping-MAX membership, sears.com has been my go to site for increasing my Knipex/Channellock count

 

[iScream]

I have no reason to defend Sears but I tend to agree with those saying it's probably incompetence rather than bait and switch. And reality is that most people ordering from Sears just don't care about COO so they probably don't even notice the Made in USA thing.

Chris

 

[exibar]

if I want ot buy cheap chinese tools, I'll head over to Harbor freight.... Pittsburgh tools have the same lifetime warranty as Craftsman, probably made in the same chinese factory by 9 year old boys... however, at least harbor Freight charges you a quarter of what Sears charges you for the same chinese poop...

It's one thing if Sears wants (has?) to save money by offshoring, but they should cut their prices in half to reflect that.... I will no longer buy Craftsman from Sears UNLESS it's NOS US made stuff... I've been buying a ton of us made Craftsman from Ebay lately, just to have dupes and triplicates of everything...

toolshed.com is an hour and a half drive for me, I'll be hitting his shop more often too

Mike B

 

[Brownsfan]

Nice first post. But the point of cheaper costs is to make more money that's why the prices stayed the same. They counted on the past reputation of good tools at a good prices with a great warranty. It is some what working. People are still buying them. I still buy some. And it is China made. I buy the 12v nextec and 19v c3 tools. But in their defense. Most power tools these days are Made in China

 

[exibar]

Nice first post. But the point of cheaper costs is to make more money that's why the prices stayed the same. They counted on the past reputation of good tools at a good prices with a great warranty. It is some what working. People are still buying them. I still buy some. And it is China made. I buy the 12v nextec and 19v c3 tools. But in their defense. Most power tools these days are Made in China

yah, I might have come across a bit strong, sorry 'bout that It just gets my gander up when a known and trusted store like Sears of all places is really doing the bait and switch. They're relying on the Craftsman name, to sell Chinese tooling :-(

Power tools I don't mind, as I don't think they've been made in the US for quite some time, I never actually held them to the high standard that I, and my father, and my father's father have always held the Craftsman name.

Sears will find out, and *is* finding out that this will be their downfall... They're really struggling right now, and I believe it's due to the Chinese tools... Sears used to be known for a couple things... They would sell a quality product at a reasonable price.... That is no longer the case I'm afraid to say :-(

Mike B

 

[Cato]

Haha you think they care about us vs chicom?

Neither does most consumers - just look at the popularity of Harbor Freight.

Sure, many tool connoisseurs want made in the USA, but those fellas cruise swap meets or the rich ones buy Snap On.

But for 99% of the tool buying population, they will buy the cheapest that works.

 

[Jake C]

Yeah, I have the US made craftsman stuff, although most of it is the professional line, which I really like. Love the pinless type impact sockets.


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[drink]

What you described has been happening to a lot of people regardless of what they purchased. I've had it to happen also on other stuff. Luckily I was able to swap out the offshore stuff for the USA stuff. A salesperson at Sears spoke of the problem with customers demanding USA stuff after being handed offshore stuff. It has been a problem as far as I am concerned.

 

[anndel]

I have a set of metric ratcheting flex head CMs I bought 10 years ago. I managed to break the 10 and 12 mm trying to loosen some rusted bolts at a radio repeater site. I brought them in to our local Sears get them repaired or replaced knowing if they do replace them, it'll be china made ones. The sales guy said they don't repair anymore and tried to give me Chinese versions so I told them to keep it. I wound up buying a set from Snap On.

 

[Bennylava]

Yeah, I think "bait and switch" is giving Sears too much credit. Whenever they do something wrong, it's probably incompetence. Whenever they do something right, it's probably because of incompetence too.

hahaha

Just like the U.S government!

Its really sad when this is pretty close to the truth.