Comments on Future Craftsman

[pgtr]

So we know Stanley B&D bought Craftsman a while back and now some of their hand tools and power tools are showing up at Lowes via B&D - got me to thinking about some questions but can mostly just speculate on specifics...

I'm assuming B&D now owns craftsman.com website and it's largely separate from sears.com.

Looking at craftsman.com I'm not seeing certain tools anymore (some still show on sears.com but local store pickup only if avail - no shipping). That would suggest that B&D has started to cull thru and drop certain items is my guess. (example would the Craftsman compression tester)

For a good while now many Craftsman electric power tools were made by Ryobi (among others). I'm assuming that going forward - that might change w/ B&D sourcing their own power tools within their channels (& I think Ryobi is avail directly from competitor HD). My guess is future Craftsman power tools will no longer be Ryobi or other - but rather B&D - just a guess.

Sears used to identify parts in their manuals and up to a point - you could buy individual parts for say Craftsman power tools. I've no idea if that would continue or not.

Craftsman isn't just tools - it's people. Sure they didn't make the tools themselves. But I have to believe there were knowledgeable people working for Sears' Craftsman division probably in Illinois who knew a lot about tools, supplier relations, quality control, failure rates, parts supply chain, could (re)write proper owners manuals, etc. I've no idea what's going on in this area but wonder how many (if any) staff came over to B&D to continue helping w/ the brand. B&D probably has good folks too capable of this but the breadth and variety of Craftsman branded tools is or was pretty big.

What's your $0.02?

 

[JazzBlueRT]

The Craftsman 20v line has always been B&D, the C3 19.2 line is TTI who also makes Ryobi.

 

[Jtels85]

I’m a Craftsman guy. 98% of my tools are Craftsman, most of which are USA made and purchased between 2005 and 2010. I do have a few imported Craftsman tools such as the 84 tooth thin profile ratchets which are my favorite.

Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen at Lowe’s so far, I’m unimpressed. I’m sure the gunmetal sockets, ratchets and wrenches are nice, but they’re not for me. The same with the newest designed red/black handle screwdrivers. They just look and feel cheap. I gave my brand new set away. What really irritates me is that the clear handle screwdrivers are now made in Taiwan. I get that Sears and Western Forge parted ways last year and Sears began outsourcing them from China, but why couldn’t Stanley B&D at least contact WF and begin production again? They obviously still have the capability. SK (who’s in bed with WF) teased on their Facebook page new green/clear handle screwdrivers that are direct rip off’s of Craftman. So don’t tell me they can’t do it. If Stanley is willing to deal with Apex as a current Craftsman supplier, then why not WF? Hell, even the USA pliers would have been nice to bring back.

The new Craftsman... I just can’t bring myself to do it. Too much nonsense as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t hold your breath on anymore USA made mechanics tools, ever. That’s unlikely to happen. I’ll cherish what I already have.

 

[Professional Tool User]

The OP is right. Judging by the tool selection differences between the Craftsman and Sears websites, I bet once Sears goes under, Stanley will discontinue most, if not all the Craftsman tools on the Sears website. When ownership was transferred, there was that 15 year clause that allows Sears to continue selling their own Craftsman tools. Now is the time to go in Sears.com and buy up any Craftsman tools that are sourced from a reputable supplier like the striking pry bars from Wilde, Lang specialty tools, Vaughn and Nupla hammers, Vessel 2 PC screwdriver set, Knipex Cobras etc. if you want them. I don't see much that is worth buying on the Craftsman website. The new Craftsman cordless stuff is pretty much based on existing Stanley designs. I'd much rather buy a Dewalt or Milwaukee. So far Stanley's pledge to make Craftsman tools in the USA looks an awful lot like the Made in USA with global materials hogwash that has been applied to other Stanley brands. I'll take Tekton's efforts in rolling out Made in USA products every now and then more seriously than what Stanley is currently doing.

 

[TwoInch]

One thing is for sure. Stanley CM is not going to turn into sears CM of old.

The Stanley craftsman line will surely be just another stanley brand, with typical Stanley practices. Even if they decide to source most of it from USA manufacturers. The old sears model just doesn't work in the modern market.

You will never again be able to by a trigger switch for a 30 year old saw that cost 100 bucks new....

Lets just hope they source from good manufacturers. Like SK, Wilde, P&R, and Wright etc... type companies, contract them to make "lesser" but similar versions of their own lines at a decent price. I doubt it though. I think whatever USA stuff we get will be DANAHER/apex type stuff.

Better than nothing I guess.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[four.cycle]

One thing is for sure. Stanley CM is not going to turn into sears CM of old.

^ This is pretty much it in a nutshell.

SBD didn't shell out billions of dollars to take on the liability of having to deal with warranties on Craftsman branded items into perpetuity and at the same time try to be your grandfather's Craftsman.
That's not going to happen, and wishing it to happen isn't going to make it so.
SBD will recoup their investment by exploiting the Craftsman brand in any manner that will garner them greater market share. The actual product they put the brand on really won't matter much to the average consumer, and the average consumer is not a GarageJournal member.

If it is economically advantageous for SBD to outsource product from WF or Wilde or Ullman or Eklind or Bondhus or any number of existing US-based manufacturers, that is what they will do. If not, they'll outsource it from Taiwan or China or anywhere else that can make a product that puts them in a price-point competitive position.

This isn't rocket science. It's not about the tools. It's business.

 

[TwoInch]

I agree completely.

But the fact that SBD claims to be bringing some higher percentage of the hand tools back to USA COO, makes me think they have definitely heard the cries if CM being Chinese and junk..

Considering they have the market on cheap cheap wally mart Stanley through medium-low end box store asian sourced stuff... Makes me really wonder if they are going to attempt to make mid quality USA profitable again somehow... Gun metal finish instead of expensive hex-chrome, Limited lifetime instead of satisfaction guarantee.. Might make sense

Just a thought anyway. Time will tell

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[sselander]

saw this in Lowes recently. Besides tools there are many Craftsman branded stuff in the store now, like outdoor equipment.
A lot of Kobalt tools in the clearance section.

 

[TwoInch]

saw this in Lowes recently. Besides tools there are many Craftsman branded stuff in the store now, like outdoor equipment.
A lot of Kobalt tools in the clearance section.

Any loose sockets or wrenches yet?

I stopped at my local Lowe's last night to unexpectedly find what's left of the store clearanced out 30-50%... Aparently closing this location. About 30-40% of the tool section left. Grabbed a 30ft craftsman pro tape measure to try out. Marked USA w/global. Appears to be a Stanley fatmax just red and black for the most part. I think I paid $11.00 or so.

No mechanics tools whatsoever in the store really.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Lowes near me redid the whole tool section to feature Craftsman stuff. Tons of new stuff with the Craftsman name.

It was all very well presented, and the tools have similarities (mainly the grips) which makes me believe they are treating it like they are investing in the long haul.

 

[6PTsocket]

I don't know anybody that stocks parts for their fairly old tools any more. With so many SB&D divisions they are in a position to make a lot of their own stuff but in a lot of cases it ends up being almost the same stuff under more than one of their labels. SB&D must have it figured out as they have grown so big. Speaking of old parts, I was recently able to get a replacement plastic lamp shade for a Craftsman 'block' grinder made in the 60s and 70s. The company that made them ended up as part of Husqvarna and the part is in the unified Husqvarna brands parts list. But Husqvarna no longer had any stock but Sears did. I was amazed. Before B&D bought Porter Cable and Delta, who had already merged, PC/Delta had their own parts and service centers and you could get almost any part, going way back. I got a big reduction gear for an old Delta 14" wood and metal cutting band saw.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[bobcatdan]

Assuming SBD holds to their statement that craftsman is coming back to the US, my guess is the current import offering is a stop gap for now. I kind of think if craftsman is made in the USA, it will be in the Proto/Mac plant. It would be cheaper than building a stand alone craftsman factory and would boost production at the main factory helping that plants bottom line.

 

[sberry]

No telling if bring it back means better tools. I was highly disappointed in 1981 when I bought my big master set. For those who think 2005 is the good old days,,, well they tanked wayyyyy long before that and a whole pile of busted sockets was proof as well as the clumsy wrenches. I got no idea when the first was made,,, had it a long time but the second I bought new in 81.
I recall broke a 1 1/2 socket right off, the new one was Taiwan then.

 

[zendriver]

What's your $0.02?

Most of the world, has already moved on.

Nothing they do, is really going to change, that fact.

It will never be 1969 again. People who don't make a lot of money, don't seem to be overly obsessed, with where something is made, as long as it is the lowest price, best value for their meager funds.

If they can pull that off, then they have a shot.

 

[sberry]

Its not like there is a shortage of **** to buy, wont make much difference in the grand scheme of things and there is stuff just as good and maybe even cheaper. A guy could do well and 1 stop shop at HF anymore. I bought 3 new screw drivers there the other day, 1.50 a piece and forgot to look if they had individual nut drivers?

 

[JiminAZ]

Stanley realizes that there is brand value for themselves, and for others. Part of the motivation for buying Cman was to prevent one of their competitors from getting it. If they bought it and then canned the brand altogether it would be better than one of their competitors getting it.

So they know the power of the brand. I think they will position it accordingly. It's about brand image, but also about the channel. Maybe it'll be basically Stanley Blackhawk level product, just pushed through the big box channel because of the brand recognition of the average shopper in Lowes/Ace/whatever. If they have to make it in US or not that'll be according to their measurement of brand expectations of the middle swath of the market.

The fact that it just keeps coming up here tells you the huge power of the brand.

 

[Here2Learn]

"That would suggest that B&D has started to cull thru and drop certain items is my guess. (example would the Craftsman compression tester)"

I think Stanley Black & Decker Craftsman is making or getting former Sears suppliers to make certain items. Some have never been available at Sears and some have. Some items that Sears sells will never be sold / made by SBD.

I think a lot of the non (big box friendly) items will not be replicated by SBD. For example, I think a lot of the automotive specific items will be "Sears Craftsman" only. Over the years, Sears sold a ton of different automotive based items.

I looked through my local Lowe's Craftsman selection. I saw a lot of "big box store shopper" friendly stuff. It made me realize how vast the "Sears Craftsman" line used to be.

Jtels85, my shopping sounds similar to yours. I was on a shopping spree for a few years in the mid to late 2000's at Sears. I got most everything I needed then, and it is still holding up today.

I think for me, maybe some others, there is a nostalgia tie in with Sears, not just Craftsman. When one looks behind the curtain, it could come down to who does one trust is slapping the Craftsman name on something, Sears or SBD?

 

[theoldwizard1]

Looking at craftsman.com I'm not seeing certain tools anymore ...

Last time I looked, there no double ended box wrenches.

 

[DFB]

No telling if bring it back means better tools. I was highly disappointed in 1981 when I bought my big master set. For those who think 2005 is the good old days,,, well they tanked wayyyyy long before that and a whole pile of busted sockets was proof as well as the clumsy wrenches. I got no idea when the first was made,,, had it a long time but the second I bought new in 81.
I recall broke a 1 1/2 socket right off, the new one was Taiwan then.

I tell you a GOOD story on Crapsman quality back in the mid 90's I had decided to expand on some my Craftsman stuff I had from the early 80's when I finally had the ways and means as a younger guy

I went for several full wrench sets from the catalog at the time, large SAE, DBE. Metric. And I never seen such **** in my life not all of it but a lot

If you lined up the wrenches many of the bend offsets were at different angles when lined up on edge. No uniformity at all even cheap HF, Great Neck, Tekton is way better today.

So I started returning them for replacements thru the catalog but nothing the sent out was much better. I went to the local Sears stores both the main and an outlet store and they wouldn't honor replacing my catalog purchases. Asswipes, and that was the end of my Craftsman days.

Eventually they told me to keep all that I had... the originals, the replacements they sent and then they sent me the entire order over and basically told me to F88k off

I have a minimum of like 3 of everything

 

[thin_concrete]

The Craftsman 20v line has always been B&D, the C3 19.2 line is TTI who also makes Ryobi.

They make Milwaukee too, and CM would probably be best served if they were made by the Milwaukee group rather than the Ryobi group. From a cost perspective, I doubt that will ever happen.

 

[aaro9991]

I’m thought Dewalt made craftsman power tools. Since they’re both 20V. I don’t think Milwaukee does but I could be wrong

Misread the last post! My bad but either way I won’t hold my breath for the new craftsman stuff but I’ll give it a shot. Since I’m not a serious mechanic turning wrenches all day it’s good enough for me but I do buy USA when possible

 

[TwoInch]

No telling if bring it back means better tools. I was highly disappointed in 1981 when I bought my big master set. For those who think 2005 is the good old days,,, well they tanked wayyyyy long before that and a whole pile of busted sockets was proof as well as the clumsy wrenches. I got no idea when the first was made,,, had it a long time but the second I bought new in 81.
I recall broke a 1 1/2 socket right off, the new one was Taiwan then.

I disagree with most of this. In my experience, the pre-flank drive craftsman stuff was not better. For the time, it was okay. But the bottom style wrench in your picture was the better wrench in my opinion. Feels better in the hand, and the box end fits better on fasteners. The thin beam means little other than more pain when jammin' on it.

The last then years or so of USA production was on the decline, but the era just before was IMO the best CM to exist. They were modern designs that just worked better, and made of good steel.

There is a natural predisposition for "the good ol' days"... And people tend to feel that older is better in most cases. Not accusing you of that specifically, but it happens a lot on here.

Im still looking for old CM semi deeps.... Don't need them, but I can't find them so I want em.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[wrenchr]

I’m a Craftsman guy. 98% of my tools are Craftsman, most of which are USA made and purchased between 2005 and 2010. I do have a few imported Craftsman tools such as the 84 tooth thin profile ratchets which are my favorite.

Unfortunately, from what I’ve seen at Lowe’s so far, I’m unimpressed. I’m sure the gunmetal sockets, ratchets and wrenches are nice, but they’re not for me. The same with the newest designed red/black handle screwdrivers. They just look and feel cheap. I gave my brand new set away. What really irritates me is that the clear handle screwdrivers are now made in Taiwan. I get that Sears and Western Forge parted ways last year and Sears began outsourcing them from China, but why couldn’t Stanley B&D at least contact WF and begin production again? They obviously still have the capability. SK (who’s in bed with WF) teased on their Facebook page new green/clear handle screwdrivers that are direct rip off’s of Craftman. So don’t tell me they can’t do it. If Stanley is willing to deal with Apex as a current Craftsman supplier, then why not WF? Hell, even the USA pliers would have been nice to bring back.

The new Craftsman... I just can’t bring myself to do it. Too much nonsense as far as I’m concerned. I wouldn’t hold your breath on anymore USA made mechanics tools, ever. That’s unlikely to happen. I’ll cherish what I already have.

I agree 100%.

 

[Wamsutta]

I get that Sears and Western Forge parted ways last year and Sears began outsourcing them from China, but why couldn’t Stanley B&D at least contact WF and begin production again? They obviously still have the capability. SK (who’s in bed with WF) teased on their Facebook page new green/clear handle screwdrivers that are direct rip off’s of Craftman. So don’t tell me they can’t do it. If Stanley is willing to deal with Apex as a current Craftsman supplier, then why not WF? Hell, even the USA pliers would have been nice to bring back.

I'm not sure I'd feel too guilty about buying SK made Western Forge nutdrivers since Western Forge was the original manufacturer. Craftsman is just a brand name. When I say I like my Craftsman nutdrivers, what I'm really saying is I like my Western Forge nutdrivers.

 

[Nivekdodge]

ive read most of the threads pertaining to Craftsman on here. Are parts and manuals available online still? Specifically I need Drawer slides and a model number for a second hand toolbox I acquired recently.

 

[timdgsr]

They make Milwaukee too, and CM would probably be best served if they were made by the Milwaukee group rather than the Ryobi group. From a cost perspective, I doubt that will ever happen.

You can rest assured that TTI will not be making any future Craftsman products for SBD.

 

[d.mcfarland]

ive read most of the threads pertaining to Craftsman on here. Are parts and manuals available online still? Specifically I need Drawer slides and a model number for a second hand toolbox I acquired recently.

Hate to say it, but probably not going to have much luck.

 

[ARFLY]

ive read most of the threads pertaining to Craftsman on here. Are parts and manuals available online still? Specifically I need Drawer slides and a model number for a second hand toolbox I acquired recently.

Most of the Craftsman boxes over the last several decades were made by Waterloo which is now owned by SBD and is located in Sedalia, MO. Try them. Several people on here say they have been helpful with older toolboxes.

 

[6PTsocket]

One thing is for sure. Stanley CM is not going to turn into sears CM of old.

The Stanley craftsman line will surely be just another stanley brand, with typical Stanley practices. Even if they decide to source most of it from USA manufacturers. The old sears model just doesn't work in the modern market.

You will never again be able to by a trigger switch for a 30 year old saw that cost 100 bucks new....

Lets just hope they source from good manufacturers. Like SK, Wilde, P&R, and Wright etc... type companies, contract them to make "lesser" but similar versions of their own lines at a decent price. I doubt it though. I think whatever USA stuff we get will be DANAHER/apex type stuff.

Better than nothing I guess.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

I never found that Sears was particularly good at supplying that trigger, either. They contract for spares for so many years when they buy a tool and when they run out, that's it. I got a 1/4" B&D drill when I was 13. Many, many years later I was in a B&D/DeWalt service center and I was told that every part for that ancient drill was still available except the armature. I was able to get a gear for an ancient Delta Rockwell wood and metal cutting band saw from the Delta- Porter Cable service center. But that was a while ago and companies have changed hands. Now you are lucky to get parts for tools that are still in production.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[TwoInch]

I never found that Sears was particularly good at supplying that trigger, either. They contract for spares for so many years when they buy a tool and when they run out, that's it. I got a 1/4" B&D drill when I was 13. Many, many years later I was in a B&D/DeWalt service center and I was told that every part for that ancient drill was still available except the armature. I was able to get a gear for an ancient Delta Rockwell wood and metal cutting band saw from the Delta- Porter Cable service center. But that was a while ago and companies have changed hands. Now you are lucky to get parts for tools that are still in production.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

In my experience, they were actually really good about parts. I don't remember Sears ever failing to get me the parts I needed. Not saying it didn't happen to people though. In my experience Sears really tried doing the customer right back in "the day"

But obviously that was long ago. And sears had not been quite that great about anything on quite some time.

Sears really started many of the trends that you see in modern consumer market. Buying from anywhere but your local general stores. Sears was the Amazon of the 1920s-1990s. If only they thought up the modern amazon internet model.. instead of stagnating, and just increasing prices to make up for lost market share.

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[Formula]

Craftsman as a brand is good as dead. They were never a top brand of tool. Then the made in China tools made them even worse. I haven't been into a Lowe's lately, but I'm guessing they aren't set up like Sears use to be. It was nice at Sears where they had so many individual sockets or wrenches you could buy. If you just needed a single 32mm socket, they had one.

I bought a good amount of Craftsman in the late 80's when I started working as a tech. I still have most of them now, both in my work toolbox and my toolbox at home in my garage. They were ok and got the job done, but once you move to a better brand, you begin to see how inferior Craftsman was. The shorter length of wrenches was the worst. You could never get good leverage with them and they felt terrible in your hand. The ratchets always felt awkward and cheap.

I haven't bought anything Craftsman in years so I won't be missing them too much.

 

[Ryanbabz71]

Craftsman as a brand is good as dead. They were never a top brand of tool. Then the made in China tools made them even worse. I haven't been into a Lowe's lately, but I'm guessing they aren't set up like Sears use to be. It was nice at Sears where they had so many individual sockets or wrenches you could buy. If you just needed a single 32mm socket, they had one.

I bought a good amount of Craftsman in the late 80's when I started working as a tech. I still have most of them now, both in my work toolbox and my toolbox at home in my garage. They were ok and got the job done, but once you move to a better brand, you begin to see how inferior Craftsman was. The shorter length of wrenches was the worst. You could never get good leverage with them and they felt terrible in your hand. The ratchets always felt awkward and cheap.

I haven't bought anything Craftsman in years so I won't be missing them too much.

The Ace hardware by me has a nice setup with individual sockets and such. The Lowe’s not so much. Menards is also now carrying some craftsman products (few toolboxes and small hand tools)


Ryan B.

 

[DFB]

I have to agree about the shortness of the RP combination box and open end wrenches that was standard from Sears Craftsman for years before they offered the professional polished sets in an optional long wrench pattern.

I always did prefer their DBE wenches as they were much longer overall and their basic double open end wrenches were what was more often needed for certain jobs as they were shorter and offered a better swing. Absolutely love the thin tappet style wrenches, they were real quality and needed for old style Harley lifter adjustments (I have two sets) and still I find a place for them on certain plumbing jobs for both the thin head profile and the long leverage they can provide.

At work I had a lot of the thin style wrenches provided on my job snap on, black hawk etc I didn't like using them as the thin sharp polished edges dug into my hand under pressure much more than the thicker RP design, If I had my druthers it be simply for a long, more rounded edged, full polish wrench which sadly a lot of imports do offer now for pretty cheap.

Craftsman sockets for the most have always been ok with me and the biggest problem I ever noticed with them was the ball detents were very shallow and wasn't hard to pull a socket loose

One of most useless wrench they had were those stupid thin ignition wrench sets. The major use I ever found with them was adjusting really early style compound bow sight pins

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have seen Craftsman tool displays in Lowes for past 6 months or so. They are going all in with product line and just not only in hand tools, but lawn & garden stuff, & tool boxes. Most of what I have seen has still been imports & I have yet to purchase any of it.

I purchased little to none of Chinese stuff that Sears has had on shelf. As Sears has closed most of stores in my area there is little chance to buy anyway. I did find a Sears in East Madison, WI while working there couple months ago. Little inventory and mostly Chinese. I did purchase a Craftsman soft handle 3/8" ratchet that was made in Taiwan. Haven't used it yet.

All of my Craftsman purchase for years have been US made stuff bought in pawn shops & flea markets. I did buy a Chinese made RP ratchet in pawn shop month or so ago along with couple sockets. Ratchet was better than some of the last US made ratchets I had bought.

If SBD does bring production back to US, I would take a look at them, otherwise I will continue to purchase second hand.

 

[Nivekdodge]

Thanks guys, I was able to order the drawer slides. we"ll see if they show up or not.

 

[Skeptic68W]

I, for one, have very....very little faith in SBD to make Craftsman into a success to discerning consumers. I have little doubt that they will make it very profitable, and thus keep the name alive, but it will be a zombie brand in no time flat. Doesn't matter if they invest in USA manufacturing or not, doesn't matter if they sell the brand on Amazon or not, doesn't matter if they change the warranty or not. None of that matters, the brand will be zombified.

Here's why I think this.

Sears was in a unique position in that they made NOTHING. They were only a re-brander, and they were the masters at it. Because they were master re-branders, they could go to Wilde, Western Forge, Armstrong, Lang, Mayhew, Knipex, etc. and carry some of the best tools on the market with the Craftsman logo stamped on the side. This allowed them to carry anything and everything under the Craftsman name. Everything from dial indicators to cutting fluid and everything in-between. SBD is not in this position. They have a vested interest in maintaining the relationship they have with their current suppliers, or if they are to believed, in opening up more USA manufacturing operations.

Here's the problem with that. If Sears were manufacturing a large percentage of their tools (and doing the corresponding Research and Development), what percentage of those tools do you think would be best in class? What percentage would be garbage? Sears didn't have this concern. They wanted to sell a nice set of pliers, they called Knipex and rebranded them. Want a nice impact wrench? Call IR and rebrand it. Craftsman tools were in part already verifiable in quality before they got the Craftsman logo. SBD cannot, or more likely will not, do this.

The second major issue is that SBD is unlikely to actually carry the same vast array of items that Sears carried under the Craftsman line. Does anyone really believe that SBD is going to sell 500 different types of Craftsman wrenches? No, they're going to sell a few basic sets, because that's the bread and butter of sales. There will be minimal selection of specialty tools, and plenty of gimmicky **** that sells well to idiots buying presents for their dads.

Go look at the hammers they are selling under the Craftsman name right now. Not a wooden handle in sight. Wrenches? All short length and mediocre quality. The Craftsman brand will sell a bazillion units of basic wrenches, 8pc socket sets, cordless tools that look like ray guns from a sci-fi movie, and flimsy toolboxes, and this will make SBD lots of cash. The rest of us, who liked Craftsman for the vast selection, good enough quality, and value price point...well...we are out of luck.

It's all marketing. Craftsman is DeWalt tools with a cheesy red paint job. Nothing more, nothing less.

P.S. I know this is weird, but the thing that might bug me the most is the bright red color they have decided to use on everything. Craftsman used to have a nice deep red color on all the branding, and i just hate the cheap looking fire engine red garbage they went with now.

 

[dacan23]

I swear they picked the color just to piss off Milwaukee.

P.S. I know this is weird, but the thing that might bug me the most is the bright red color they have decided to use on everything. Craftsman used to have a nice deep red color on all the branding, and i just hate the cheap looking fire engine red garbage they went with now.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I, for one, have very....very little faith in SBD to make Craftsman into a success to discerning consumers.

Answered your own question in the first sentence.


SBD didn't buy Craftsman to make world class tools and sell them under that particular brand name.

They bought it because of the reach that the name has.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Answered your own question in the first sentence.


SBD didn't buy Craftsman to make world class tools and sell them under that particular brand name.

They bought it because of the reach that the name has.

Don't remember asking a question, but yeah, we are in agreement on this.

 

[WittHay]

I think there is no point of talking about Sears or comparing the old Craftsman to SBD Craftsman. A lot of areas dont have Sears stores and if you cant pay your bills you cant expect to rebrand tools from quality manufacturers. Nearest Sears to me is a couple of hours away, freeway driving.

I like the new red color and they are available from numerous local stores. Bought a made in USA tape measure, made in Mexico wrecking bar and 2 made in Thailand box levels along with other new Craftsman stuff. Perfectly acceptable tools and easy warranty.