clark_nicholas
Well-known member
Ok I really want to Boycott Craftsman but where do you get good Home use tools like bench grinders, drill press and other tools that craftsman sells. I thought about HF but can you trust them?
craftsman boycott
- Thread starter clark_nicholas
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fourtythree
Well-known member
Lowes/ Home depot.
dualsub2006
Active member
I needed a rotary hammer for a single use. Bought the Harbor Freight version and I have used the hell out of it.
I needed a small generator for a job that I was on to run a small water pump. Bought the Harbor Freight 2 cycle. Have used the hell out of it.
I'm not saying my next 18v drill will come from there, but I've had good luck with the couple of things I have picked up on the cheap.
I needed a small generator for a job that I was on to run a small water pump. Bought the Harbor Freight 2 cycle. Have used the hell out of it.
I'm not saying my next 18v drill will come from there, but I've had good luck with the couple of things I have picked up on the cheap.
Why the boycott? I'm not trying to stop you, but wonder what caused you to reject Craftsman. You didn't really give us a reason to join you or debate you.
Jim C.
OP
clark_nicholas
Well-known member
I see craftsman as American Icon. I know that they have been making they're powertools overseas for along time, but now with there hand tools its the last straw.I have all craftsman tool boxes and tools at home even my lawn mower is craftsman. BUt making hand tools in china. I know almost every thing is made in china this computer im typing on im sure was made in china. But not my Craftsman tools. Feel free to debate with me of prove me wrong.
Gigem
Well-known member
So you are going to boycott Craftsman for outsourcing to China by buying someone elses stuff that is made in China? Odd plan...
And going to HF helps how? I just bought 3 tool boxes, and exchanged a ratchet and screw driver at sears this week... All made in the usa. Sure, some stuff is being made in taiwan and china now, but lots of stuff is still USA made. So I just buy the USA stuff, no biggie in my opinion.
Personally, I'm glad SO and HF, aren't the only options out there. I love the SO and other high end tools but for a shade tree like me, Cman works great.
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GirlnAgarage
Well-known member
Go to CL and buy the old stuff.
OP, here is a site to check out: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#PowerTool
Not 100% certain how up to date it is so double check the individual manf before committing to be certain.
OP, here is a site to check out: http://www.stillmadeinusa.com/tools.html#PowerTool
Not 100% certain how up to date it is so double check the individual manf before committing to be certain.
Copytech
Well-known member
I have a Harbor Freight floor model drill press that I have been more than happy with.
Before I bought I compared it to a Craftsman drill Press and found the HF to be a better built unit for the money.
Before I bought I compared it to a Craftsman drill Press and found the HF to be a better built unit for the money.
If you want USA, then you should shop at MSC, McMaster, Grainger and look for COO.
I don't know of any common B&M retailer that isn't 90%+ China.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Lowes kolbolt Taiwan mainly
Home depot husky China mainly
Hf mostly china with some Taiwan tools
So with you reason to boycot craftsmen. I would not consider any of them. Loot at Armstrong for hand tools, and with power tools, good luck.
Home depot husky China mainly
Hf mostly china with some Taiwan tools
So with you reason to boycot craftsmen. I would not consider any of them. Loot at Armstrong for hand tools, and with power tools, good luck.
4x4gearhead
Well-known member
I think this is a great way to do it, I myself enjoy scouring yard sales, flea markets, and pawn/consignment shops for truck brands and good old american made tools. You can have a pretty sweet set of tools this way after awhile.
OP
clark_nicholas
Well-known member
I guess this might sound stupid but I have no prob buying from a company thats known for products made in china but craftsman is an American Brand most people even people who could give a **** about tools know that Craftsman means American Made.
dankicksass
Well-known member
Craftsman tools are all on contract anyway, they're far from an OEM. I'm not saying that absolves their responsibility for the recent Chinafication of the lineup whatsoever, that's Management's fault. Sure, the designs and logos are theirs, but they don't own a factory for anything. If you want US-made power tools, you have to shop very diligently. Most Craftsman power tools are made by TTI. That's the company behind Milwaukee and Ryobi.
There's always other options for your tools. It's tough out there though. Even Snap-On has a significant Asian presence in their power tool lineup. But their fullsize cordless power tools (14v and 18v) are US-made - and I don't think anyone else can say that anymore.
There's always other options for your tools. It's tough out there though. Even Snap-On has a significant Asian presence in their power tool lineup. But their fullsize cordless power tools (14v and 18v) are US-made - and I don't think anyone else can say that anymore.
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gixxertricks
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outsourcing is just plain cheaper
BigTJ
Well-known member
To the OP, I agree with ya in a way. I feel that CMAN was the last quality tools that was cheap. But, what can you do.
Even Steven
Banned
powertrip
Well-known member
I agree. Whats really funny is the guy whose is pissed at the import craftsman tools at sears so he decides to sell all of his craftsman tools (usa made) to protest.
woody 73
Well-known member
Wow boycott is very tough to swallow let's look at from another standpoint:
Ok you want some fantastic made in the USA machins & tools (for example you said Bench Grinder). Now you could give MSC a call today and buy a Baldor Bench Grinder that is made in the USA but you would be shelling out the big bucks for the privilege of buying a fantastic grinder, made in the USA that will last you a lifetime.
But not so fast just how many people say in a group of 100 people (or in this case buyers looking for a bench grinder); are willing to shell out that kind of money when a cheap inexpensive Sears/Craftsman grinder will do the trick?
Now how about hand tools; ok this one is somewhat easier instead of picking the most expensive top dog (snap on), how about going with say Williams or SK tools. Easy you say and not too expensive for most people you say!
Not so fast, what happens if they should break yes they have a great warranty ; but keep in mind the average Joe must mail them back to the company for a replacement. Now how about that 100 people that we talked about earlier, how many are going to want to mail in their tools? When they can stop by a Sears and get a replacement in the same day.
Boycott Sears if you want but each side has another story.
Ok you want some fantastic made in the USA machins & tools (for example you said Bench Grinder). Now you could give MSC a call today and buy a Baldor Bench Grinder that is made in the USA but you would be shelling out the big bucks for the privilege of buying a fantastic grinder, made in the USA that will last you a lifetime.
But not so fast just how many people say in a group of 100 people (or in this case buyers looking for a bench grinder); are willing to shell out that kind of money when a cheap inexpensive Sears/Craftsman grinder will do the trick?
Now how about hand tools; ok this one is somewhat easier instead of picking the most expensive top dog (snap on), how about going with say Williams or SK tools. Easy you say and not too expensive for most people you say!
Not so fast, what happens if they should break yes they have a great warranty ; but keep in mind the average Joe must mail them back to the company for a replacement. Now how about that 100 people that we talked about earlier, how many are going to want to mail in their tools? When they can stop by a Sears and get a replacement in the same day.
Boycott Sears if you want but each side has another story.
rsanter
Well-known member
Buy your cman stuff used and get some of the better older stuff. You won't be giving them any more money but if you break something you can still 'make them pay' by exchanging the stuff
For a grinder get a used baldor and it will be better than any cman you could ever get
Bob
For a grinder get a used baldor and it will be better than any cman you could ever get
Bob
Your Father
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No debate from me. I was just wondering WHY you were instituting a boycott. My situation is VERY similar to yours. Like you, nearly all my hand tools are Craftsman, my tool storage is all Craftsman, and I also have a Craftsman lawnmower. I have several USA made Craftsman handheld power tools too. I'm not at all happy that more and more Craftsman hand tools are being made in china. I don't buy them. I'm still a tool junkie and have resorted to buying used Craftsman tools the past few years. I've gotten some really good deals on used Craftsman hand tools that were made in the USA. I'm not officially boycotting Craftsman, but I'm definitely NOT going to buy anything Craftsman that was made in asia.
Jim C.
american lockpicker
Banned
Just buy the US made Cman stuff. Personally, I avoid non-US or non-European made tools especially mechanics hand tools. There is plenty of good Asian made stuff like some of the Duralast ratchets, HF impact sockets etc. I know that tools (and cars) don't have a soul but I still feel that the companies producing these well known and established brands with a heritage have some kind of "soul" vs some Chinese factory churning out knock-off tools, polluting the environment and exploiting it's workers.
I understand the point that he is trying to make. Craftsman WAS an American icon with their handtools being the main show. Sears may not make the tools but they are sure in control of marketing and pricing. So Sears keeps the same pricing on their Chinese **** and all but hides the coo on the packaging. He's simply voting with hus wallet. Even if he buys from harbor freight, he knows what he is getting. Personally, I'm going to Williams for my tools now. At least snap on isn't deceptive in where their tools are made.
american lockpicker
Banned
As far as their Williams line.
shoturtle
Well-known member
I think that is is over blown with the american icon. Stanley are outsourced as well as most other US icon brands. You can get proto ratchets made in the USA, but if you want a high teeth count proto they are made in taiwan. Bluepoint is a mix as well. Matco and Snapon have outsourced tools as well. I do not know when was the last time I saw a made in the USA Milwaukee power tool, another US icon in power tools. Think Cman getting over blamed, while it seems other brands get a past.
american lockpicker
Banned
Good point and other than Bosch they are the only US tool company with some powertools made here...
el tanque prohibido
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Check out your locally owned industrial supply, and I don't mean Grainger or Fastenal, look for a privately owned industrial supply.
shoturtle
Well-known member
While sears and craftsmen have been getting ripped on forums. You will still find more US made tools under the craftsmen name then Kolbolt, Husky or Pittsburg. This boycott seems silly to me. If you want to start buying asian tools it is not a bad thing if you want to. I think the kolbolt stuff is quite nice and good quality. And it is slightly cheaper then the Craftsmen USA made stuff. But the argument for US icon thing, really does not fly.
shoturtle
Well-known member
pretty much all kolbalt tools are taiwan and husky are chinese. The only thing I have seen made in the USA at HD was a ratcheting screwdriver set.
I still find made in the USA socket, adjustable wrenches, wrenches, broken screw and bold extractors, screwdrivers. And I did see made in the USA geared wrench and the low profile 60t ratchet at my local sears. That is allot more then Lowes, HD, or HF.
I still find made in the USA socket, adjustable wrenches, wrenches, broken screw and bold extractors, screwdrivers. And I did see made in the USA geared wrench and the low profile 60t ratchet at my local sears. That is allot more then Lowes, HD, or HF.
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And I don't recall seeing their commercials since then either. Wonder why they don't run commercials boasting about their tools being "proudly made in (insert foreign country of choice here)."
kythri
Well-known member
I love how Sears is the only company that "goes out of their way to deceptively hide COO" by doing exactly what every other importer does, and discreetly placing COO markings on the backs of packages.
Give me a freakin' break.
Give me a freakin' break.
kythri
Well-known member
Yeah, they're all imports too.
shoturtle
Well-known member
People do not pay much attention to the COO at that price point. It is only on the forums that they make COO a hugh point. The HD, HF and Lowes tool buyer is looking for a price point tool. They are not going spend 100 dollars for 1 ratchet for a weekend shade tree guy. So HD with husky and lowes with kolbalt went to asia with no fanfare or forum bashing.
Craftsmen no longer run made in the USA commercial either. It has been 10 years since I saw one from either husky, kolbalt or craftsmen.
Craftsmen no longer run made in the USA commercial either. It has been 10 years since I saw one from either husky, kolbalt or craftsmen.
I understand what you are saying. The dogbone wrench and gatorgrip crowd probably wont have a clue or care much for that matter. More than likely they won't se more than removing a bicycle wheel or tightening a latch on a gate or something. But understand my point that everything that all these companies do with their marketing and such does suggest that COO matters. They used to use "made in USA" as a sale point but now that they've taken operations overseas they just keep quiet? Why? Plus I remember HD having a huge selection of USA made husky tools many of which I bought and now their line takes up half a shelf in the tool department and even then scatter cardboard racks throughout the store to try to push their $25 tool sets.