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Craftsman/Facom Tools

ste6168

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Haven't seen it discussed here, but looks like SBD is bringing (or already has, though, I haven't seen them in store) a Craftsman version of Facom tools to Lowes, assuming to bring an 'upper tier' to the Craftsman line. Being branded as the V Series. Look interesting, price seems decent. Would imagine the quality is identical to Facom.

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Thoughts?
 
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dsh

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Interesting, I remember a couple of months ago there was that thread about that "V Series" ratchet on eBay.

 

shanny19

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Well, one thought is it’s kinda sad that SBD is gonna invest that kind of effort into keeping Craftsman viable while simultaneously killing Blackhawk off.
Facom and USAG have never disappointed me though, having them at Lowes will be interesting.
 

Fedwrench

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I think they're more USAG clones than FACOM because, everything I've seen is made in Taiwan. However, since SBD owns both FACOM & USAG, it's a wash. I picked up the Craftsman compact 1/4 drive metric socket set which is a twin to the USAG Nano socket set aside from the ratchet and different branding. I'm disappointed in some of the V series ratcheting wrench sets, as they omit 15 & 18 mm.
 

Wrench97

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I think they're more USAG clones than FACOM because, everything I've seen is made in Taiwan. However, since SBD owns both FACOM & USAG, it's a wash. I picked up the Craftsman compact 1/4 drive metric socket set which is a twin to the USAG Nano socket set aside from the ratchet and different branding. I'm disappointed in some of the V series ratcheting wrench sets, as they omit 15 & 18 mm.
Yea cause those two sizes aren't common at all unless you work on cars, trucks, boats................................now maybe if they gave us 2 10mm........................... :lol:
 

Gvos

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I picked up the Torx V Series screwdrivers they are quite nice. Handle really fits a persons hand and has some give for my older hands.
 
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ste6168

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I think they're more USAG clones than FACOM because, everything I've seen is made in Taiwan. However, since SBD owns both FACOM & USAG, it's a wash. I picked up the Craftsman compact 1/4 drive metric socket set which is a twin to the USAG Nano socket set aside from the ratchet and different branding. I'm disappointed in some of the V series ratcheting wrench sets, as they omit 15 & 18 mm.

Yeah, you are probably correct. Honestly, I had never even heard of USAG until you just mentioned it. Quick look at their website, seems they manufacture a TON of different stuff. Will certainly look more into the brand. That said, where at Facom wrenches made? I would assume that Facom is associated with USAG? How does SBD fall in with USAG?

All these tool companies rebranding stuff gets ridicuously confusing. I imagine they want it that way.


Edit - From their website. So, sounds like Facom bought USAG, then Facom was bought by SBD.

History of the Brand​


The USAG brand was established in 1926, when entrepreneur Hermann Amos built the first manufacturing plant in Gemonio, Italy under the name Utensileria Società
Anonima Gemonio.
USAG began to manufacture and operate in the professional tools sector alongside other small firms in Italy. In 1991 USAG became part of the French Group Facom Tools S.A., then of the American Group The Stanley Works and, by March 2010, of the Multi-National Group Stanley Black & Decker Inc.
 

FMB4

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SBD is a no go with me. Sorry, but that's just my opinion.
 

DAustin

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"USAG is the tool of choice at the Ferrari factory in Italy." That's what the Ultimate Garage site said .
 

Lesserstore

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The screwdrivers, at least the fixed blade ones, are made in France, and I would also assume the nut drivers are as well. I know this because I asked a question on Lowe's website.
 
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ste6168

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"USAG is the tool of choice at the Ferrari factory in Italy." That's what the Ultimate Garage site said .

Now that you mention it, I remeber seeing this picture on Reddit the other day. Supposedly an industrial line from Stanley, $10k+ tool (not sure why?). Picture was taken in the Ferrari factory, from thread there.

Getting a bit off topic, but oh well.4y97ge86uvt71.png
 

KnurledNut

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SBD has owned USAG/Facom since 2005.
USAG is basically an Italian hub for SBD.
Facom plays this role on a larger semi-global scale, covering Asia, Africa and Europe.
This Craftsman line is filling the US market void.
The cookie cutter is busy.
 

MJK

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I love Facom tools, and I hope SBD brings more of them here. The T handle hexes look interesting, but have no published COO anywhere I can find. I hope this is not just another marketing push of cheap Asian tools.
 

CHI_Tool&Die

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I was looking at the wrenches too. I am hoping that my local ACE gets a set or two in so I can physically judge them. I have been really pleased with my Taiwan gunmetal chrome set and if these are anywhere near as good they will be a solid wrench for the money.
 

MJK

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My Facom 440s and 467s were COO Taiwan, and both are really nice tools. I think I recall someone saying at least the 467s were Rotar made. If that is what the Craftsman V-series are based off of, then those are the best Craftsman wrenches since the old Armstrong Craftsman Pro SKUs of ~20 years ago IMO.
 
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drtyler

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Most Facom and USAG sockets are both made in Taiwan now, but they retain their original designs from when made in France and Italy.

I have Facom sockets that were made in France (newer style with OGV) and Taiwan, and one can't tell a difference by looking at them.
 

rpcraft

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I thought FACOM was just the tool holders? I spent some time trying to chase them down after seeing some on mac trucks and similar tool sites here and there? I always liked them.
 

qqzj

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Good luck selling a ratcheting screwdriver for $60. I bet more of them will be stolen than sold. You can count on them be discontinued in a short period of time.
 
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ste6168

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Good luck selling a ratcheting screwdriver for $60. I bet more of them will be stolen than sold. You can count on them be discontinued in a short period of time.
Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. Majority of the folks going to the big box stores for tools, don't really care. They want something cheap, that works. Of course the professionals, in the trades, buy better stuff and will spend more money. Most folks using wrenches and ratchets at work, won't be buying their stuff at Lowes.

Can't say that I think this whole line if going to go over well, personally.
 

californiaHank

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The screwdrivers look like rebranded made-in-France Facoms. If that's what they are, that's a huge step up in quality.
 

UglyViking

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Interesting. Craftsman v-series seem to be attempting to sit in the same space as the Icon tools from HF, or "tool truck tools for discount prices", at least in branding. I'd be interested to see some durability reviews on these after they have been out for a year or so.

Gotta say my favorite part about the old Craftsman made in usa tools, outside of being made in the usa, was that you could just plop over to Sears and swap them out if it came to it. I'll be interested in seeing how Lowes handles the lifetime warranty over time but at least when Lowes first started carrying the brand my experience was absolutely terrible.
 

DAustin

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One thing about Sears that was nice was being able to buy just the socket or wrench you needed at an affordable price. I wonder if they will offer the V series in singles ? I might try a couple out and see if I like them that way. I really don't want or need a full set right now.
 

Kscardsfan

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One thing about Sears that was nice was being able to buy just the socket or wrench you needed at an affordable price. I wonder if they will offer the V series in singles ? I might try a couple out and see if I like them that way. I really don't want or need a full set right now.
That’s definitely something I’ve missed about the old Sears Craftsman days. But I also get streamlining inventory and warehousing saves money.
 

Dzmax77

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If the Vseries was the same Euro made stock, I’d be all over it. That Italian made Facom ratchet is a looker. But it’s all made in the same factories in the suburbs of Taipei as with their other products.

I’d rather go with the real good stuff; Proto is cheaper or just a bit more on Amazon.
 

mikew13

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Now that you mention it, I remeber seeing this picture on Reddit the other day. Supposedly an industrial line from Stanley, $10k+ tool (not sure why?). Picture was taken in the Ferrari factory, from thread there.

Getting a bit off topic, but oh well.4y97ge86uvt71.png
That IS a DEWALT battery!!!
 

German Satin

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Bit pricey those c'man v-series aren't they? ... Facom /USAG as people have said is good stuff.
Craftsman is an iconic brand in the states so Stanley want to invest in it, but I can't see the point of a blatant rebrand that's similar in price. I'd just buy the Facom tbh and pay the shipping if not widely available.
 

drtyler

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Bit pricey those c'man v-series aren't they? ... Facom /USAG as people have said is good stuff.
Craftsman is an iconic brand in the states so Stanley want to invest in it, but I can't see the point of a blatant rebrand that's similar in price. I'd just buy the Facom tbh and pay the shipping if not widely available.
We don’t get good prices on Facom and USAG in the US, so the rebrand as Craftsman V-series is welcome from my perspective.

Seems like discounts are easy to find in the UK on Facom, but not so much here.
 
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