Craftsman In Retrospect

[espyking83]

Has Sears put out anything official that they are switching over to Chinese tools exclusively?

Lots of guys have been saying that Sears is getting rid of the last USA stock... for the past ten years!

Everytime I go to Sears (Pasadena), I find lots of Craftsman USA. My Sears is a highly profitable one...I think its called something like a "high product turn over branch." So, they are not sitting on old stock for years and years. It's located in a high density suburban area, so lots of middle class families who can afford something better than HF and pawn shops, but not wealthy or posh enough to pay to handy men to change light bulbs for them. Perfect demographic for Craftsman.

I still see shelves of rebadged Wilde pliers, Western Forge screwdrivers, SK (?) professional screwdrivers, Estwing hammers, Mayhew prybars, sockets, professional ratchets, and more. Those tools are made by smaller all American makers, and I'm glad to support them. With all the sales and promotions Sears is always having, these solid American tools are dirt cheap.

The power tools are all imported, but where you going to find an American made power drill or saw anyway?

I plan to keep buying Craftsman USA and avoid the imported stuff. Maybe Sears will get the message as their imported stuff doesn't move. Anyway, their Chinese stuff isn't exactly "****." For the price it works for all the homeowners who are just casual users.

It took me nearly 15 minutes to find any American made tools in the Harrisonburg, VA store. Compared to the USA tools, they are complete ****. If they still have USA wrenches in your store, compare it side by side with a Chinese one. You will see the difference.

And I've never seen SK or Wilde in A Sears, even when I lived in SoCal.

 

[Conductor562]

It took me nearly 15 minutes to find any American made tools in the Harrisonburg, VA store. Compared to the USA tools, they are complete ****. If they still have USA wrenches in your store, compare it side by side with a Chinese one. You will see the difference.

And I've never seen SK or Wilde in A Sears, even when I lived in SoCal.

I think he's referring to the Western Forge items and associating them with SK as they are both owned by ideal.

 

[rob1200]

That was an interesting read.

Some of the examples of 1964 prices versus present day prices illustrate that "inflation" shouldn't be considered as a single value... it's just an average across the entire economy, and highly susceptible to manipulation (for example, see Hedonic index)
Medical inflation for instance is vastly different from the inflation of gasoline. Housing inflation varies by location and is heavily influenced by mortgage rates. Etc. etc.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Curios to see a comparison of the 1920's catalogs both to the 1964 and 2014 prices. I wonder if there was as much change 1928 to 1964 as say 1964 to 2000.

There wasn't anywhere near as much change in price between the 1920s and the 1960s as there has been between the 1960s and now, because there was never any double-digit inflation before the 1970s.

Using just the CPI as a guide, 17 cents in 1924 was the equivalent of 31 cents in 1964 and $2.34 in 2014.

IOW, the CPI didn't quite double between 1924 and 1964, but it's 8 times higher now than it was in 1964.

However, tool-wise, it's difficult to make a simple comparison, because in the 1920s, ratchets, sockets, combination wrenches and power tools were in their infancy, and not at all comparable to what we've been used to in the past 40/50 years.

 

[Conductor562]

There wasn't anywhere near as much change in price between the 1920s and the 1960s as there has been between the 1960s and now, because there was never any double-digit inflation before the 1970s.

Using just the CPI as a guide, 17 cents in 1924 was the equivalent of 31 cents in 1964 and $2.34 in 2014.

IOW, the CPI didn't quite double between 1924 and 1964, but it's 8 times higher now than it was in 1964.

However, tool-wise, it's difficult to make a simple comparison, because in the 1920s, ratchets, sockets, combination wrenches and power tools were in their infancy, and not at all comparable to what we've been used to in the past 40/50 years.

That's a good statistical perspective.

Certainly don't want to jinx my own thread, but I'm pleasantly surprised we've made it 3 pages into a Craftsman thread and nobody's turned it into a ******* match.

 

[Cato]

Quite the opposite, a year or so ago there was an announcement that lead some individuals to believe they were looking for ways to maintain or even expand stocks of USA made tools.

It appears to me Sears is in a hard place.

I've noticed that my local OSH has even a larger percentage of American made Craftsman hand tools. Sears Pasadena seemed to be at least 50%. Just down the street at OSH, it seemed more like 80% American.

On another note OSH even had a USA Wilton bench vice. I think it was the 5 inch.

Sears is in a hard place, but putting up a good fight. I think Edward Lampert might pull it off. He's manning up and making some hard decisions like getting out of Canada. Their customer service is ridiculously good. They put up with some pretty nutty and dishonest customers out there.

Sears has to carry Chinese stuff to survive. Otherwise they can't compete with Home Depot, Lowes, or HF. They just need to keep Craftsman American and move the Chinese stuff to their Evolve line. A lot of Americans have gay psychological attachments to the Sears and the Craftsman brand. Chinese wrenches just make some of us get a nervous twitch.

I heard somewhere that their tool line is a small percentage of their business. Lampert still has to worry about appliances, grills, clothing, electronics, mattresses, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if Sears dumps tools like JC Pennies did.

 

[7th Kahuna]

Sears has to carry Chinese stuff to survive. Otherwise they can't compete with Home Depot, Lowes, or HF. They just need to keep Craftsman American and move the Chinese stuff to their Evolve line.

I heard somewhere that their tool line is a small percentage of their business. Lampert still has to worry about appliances, grills, clothing, electronics, mattresses, etc. I wouldn't be surprised if Sears dumps tools like JC Pennies did.

I don't want to redirect this thread, but quickly yes, they never should have given up their 'good, better, best' format. Today that could be China, Taiwan, USA'. The Evolve line is the next best thing. Let Evolve compete with Home Depot and Harbor Freight. I've been saying that for awhile and hope someone is listening.

Don't discount the value of tools to Sears. Sears is basically five businesses under one roof. More than anything, Sears is a real estate company . They own most of the dirt they sit on. They are a troubled retail department store. They are Craftsman, a valuable and trusted name. They are Diehard. They are Kenmore. Each of those has value and can be spun off and stand on it's own. Last year they were discussing doing just exactly that. It is a smart move if handled correctly, allowing them to bankrupt Sears retail without loosing everything to a trustee sale. That is not to say that is their plan, but it's good insurance. Unfortunately, it is also a good way to bleed Sears retail dry. It's all in how they choose to handle it.

 

[Conductor562]

I can't help but feel that Evolve would be much more accepted with a better name than Evolve

 

[Super Sport]

I can't help but feel that Evolve would be much more accepted with a better name than Evolve

I'd have to agree with that. I also think the warranty is confusing.

If I was looking to buy tools at Sears today, I would likely buy a lot of Evolv stuff. There's no reason to pay more for the regular Craftsman stuff. Heck, when comparing ratchets, I'd say the Evolv are better! But, this is assuming I'd buy tools from Sears, rather than buy imported tools for cheaper prices somewhere else.

 

[joel63]

I have a 1928 and 1932 Plomb catalog with prices. Guess those will be next

1932?

Whichever you choose to do, it should be very interesting and I look forward to reading the comparisons.

 

[djb2]

I'm not certain that sockets are an especially good tool for comparison.

Steels rapidly improved in the 1950s, through the 1960s. It wasn't that you couldn't get reason steel before then, it was just more art and experience than controlled process. Much like lubricating oil ('oil from these Pennsylvania wells lubricates well), before they understood how to create consistent base stock from any crude.

So in 1964, good tool steel was a modern product that commanded a premium price. Roughly similar to lithium battery tools five years ago.

If you take a broad view, tools have barely changed in the last half century. A equivalently high tech ratchet would have a carbon fiber handle, built in torque measurement and logging, set an audible torque advisory that automatically adjusted based on socket size, and a nut runner that spins nuts on or off, stopping at the last thread or two. What about a zero-friction ratchet pawl applied or pulled away by a solenoid based on detecting movement?

 

[MagnumForce]

Has Sears put out anything official that they are switching over to Chinese tools exclusively?

Lots of guys have been saying that Sears is getting rid of the last USA stock... for the past ten years!

Everytime I go to Sears (Pasadena), I find lots of Craftsman USA. My Sears is a highly profitable one...I think its called something like a "high product turn over branch." So, they are not sitting on old stock for years and years. It's located in a high density suburban area, so lots of middle class families who can afford something better than HF and pawn shops, but not wealthy or posh enough to pay to handy men to change light bulbs for them. Perfect demographic for Craftsman.

I still see shelves of rebadged Wilde pliers, Western Forge screwdrivers, SK (?) professional screwdrivers, Estwing hammers, Mayhew prybars, sockets, professional ratchets, and more. Those tools are made by smaller all American makers, and I'm glad to support them. With all the sales and promotions Sears is always having, these solid American tools are dirt cheap.

The power tools are all imported, but where you going to find an American made power drill or saw anyway?

I plan to keep buying Craftsman USA and avoid the imported stuff. Maybe Sears will get the message as their imported stuff doesn't move. Anyway, their Chinese stuff isn't exactly "****." For the price it works for all the homeowners who are just casual users.

Most things that are not power tools, end wrenches and sockets and ratchets are still USA made. Pliers, Chisels and punches, Adjustable Wrenches, Screwdrivers, etc. Other stuff just varies, I saw a clamp set made in Australia today. They are most definitely not exclusively China though.

Look, Pro guys look down their noses at Craftsman anyway so really the customers they are looking for are industrial maintenance men, shade tree mechanics and weekend warriors. They have to stay competitive in that market with Lowes and Home Depot and gasp even Harbor Freight. It makes perfect sense to me why they are forced to go offshore with things and I do not hold it against them at all. They are still good quality tools at a good price with a fantastic warranty.

They are a store brand and they are basically the same tools you woudl get at Home Depot or Lowes, does that make sense? I don't believe Husky or Kobalt makes anything in the US.

 

[Conductor562]

Seems to be a pretty positive response. Glad I didn't spend hours on an article 5 people clicked on

I've got a bunch of old catalogs from a host of manufacturers. You'll be seeing more catalog studies in the future

 

[NewEdgePerf]

Nicely done.

COO and perceived quality issues aside, increased efficiencies in manufacturing and distribution should reduce per unit costs. However, I am surprised that the material costs have not offset this.

 

[creativecars]

Good article and information.

At one time I had a JC Whitney catalog from the 60's. It was like wow.. I would love to order a couple thousand dollars worth of that stuff.
Strangely the catalog looked much the same as it does now.

 

[Jim C.]

Hey Conductor,

Nice article. Having looked at some old Craftsman catalogs, but never having done the number crunching, I kind of thought that 1960s Craftsman tools were at the high end of reasonable. I do remember that my dad didn't buy a lot of tools back then, but those that he did buy were well contemplated purchases. He occasionally went for the Companion brand instead of Craftsman to save a little money. My uncle on the other hand, only bought Craftsman stuff and was very careful about how he used them. His box is still full of 1960s =V= tools. I share many of Gary Lauver's sentiments about Craftsman =V= tools. They're good tools that stood the test of time. I think that a lot of 1960s kids (like myself) who grew up with those =V= tools now recognize their quality and actively seek them out. Some of the final sale prices I see online seem to show an increased interest in them from not just tool collectors, but tool users.

Jim C.

 

[Wakefield]

=v= -vv- -v- (I wonder how far back you have to go to find a Craftsman breaker bar/flex that looks to be completely different style than the most recent USA ones
I guess contemporary Bonney and Armstrong (which might have made some Craftsman of that era) were better but also more expensive S*K at some of the best Mom & Pop hardware stores of that era?
Seemed to me that there was an understanding that Craftsman on a lawnmower or rider engine meant Tecumseh,when a Sears product had a Briggs on it it usually was labeled as "Sears by Briggs & Stratton" or something like that rather than Craftsman. More recently I noticed Briggs labeled as Craftsman,I think that started before Tecumseh went out of business. Perhaps Sears was such an important customer for Tecumseh that losing some of the Sears business was part of the reason Tecumseh Engine went out of business?

 

[Conductor562]

=v= -vv- -v- (I wonder how far back you have to go to find a Craftsman breaker bar/flex that looks to be completely different style than the most recent USA ones
I guess contemporary Bonney and Armstrong (which might have made some Craftsman of that era) were better but also more expensive S*K at some of the best Mom & Pop hardware stores of that era?
Seemed to me that there was an understanding that Craftsman on a lawnmower or rider engine meant Tecumseh,when a Sears product had a Briggs on it it usually was labeled as "Sears by Briggs & Stratton" or something like that rather than Craftsman. More recently I noticed Briggs labeled as Craftsman,I think that started before Tecumseh went out of business. Perhaps Sears was such an important customer for Tecumseh that losing some of the Sears business was part of the reason Tecumseh Engine went out of business?

That's a good question about the breaker bar. I'll do a little digging tonight and see if I can't find an answer.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Perhaps Sears was such an important customer for Tecumseh that losing some of the Sears business was part of the reason Tecumseh Engine went out of business?

Tecumseh Engine didn't go out of business per se. Tecumseh Products Corp. sold the gasoline engine division to an equity management company who proceeded to break it up and sell the pieces. One of the pieces is now owned by Certified Parts Corporation, who, in a joint-venture with Liquid Combustion Technology, LLC, is making engines under the LCT brand, and providing service and parts support for older Tecumseh and Lawson engines.

 

[Conductor562]

As far as the breaker bar goes, I didn't have a chance to track it down, but I believe if we go back into the New Britain made tools we'll find a different one. Moore Drop Forge was making the mechanics stuff as far back as like 1947. Easco bought MDF in 1967, the Damaher bought Easco around 1990. The moral of the story is that Craftsman essentially had an association with the same OEM for about 75 years from 1947 to 2012.

 

[Wakefield]

As far as the breaker bar goes, I didn't have a chance to track it down, but I believe if we go back into the New Britain made tools we'll find a different one. Moore Drop Forge was making the mechanics stuff as far back as like 1947. Easco bought MDF in 1967, the Damaher bought Easco around 1990. The moral of the story is that Craftsman essentially had an association with the same OEM for about 75 years from 1947 to 2012.

I think Danaher might have bought out Armstrong but kept it distinct from the other tool factories?
The 1/2" drive bar I have -VVJ- I suspect was made by Armstrong because on one end of the pin there is a mark that looks like a tiny version of the "Strong Arm" symbol--the newest bars unlike mine have no cross hole in the handle and warnings on them about eye protection I understand-
mine is not very old but older than my 2002 computer so probably catalog ordered,I think I remember using it in the mid 1990's-time flies-so this style might go back as far as before 1950!
the newest ones-since 2004?-seem to not have the best reputation for strength-I wonder if both former Armstrong and Moore factories made similar looking tools when under Danaher ownership

Have not had any trouble with this bar but it doesn't do anything harder than lug nuts

 

[woodstockva]

Awesome write-up & research Conductor! Wow, I cannot believe the premium prices that Craftsman used to get.....but you are right, the quality of tools "back then" is quite different from what you will see in their aisles today.

Its pretty sad when I am at Sears and can see the "tool turn-in pile" behind the counter....where people are trading Grandpa's obviously great shape vintage tools (with rust) for some new "shiny tool" so it will look better in their boxes. They are not getting the same quality at all.

 

[ez-duzit]

Noticeably absent from your report is mention of how the tools, themselves, have changed. Like the combination wrenches are now considerably larger and clunkier--stuff like that.

 

[MagnumForce]

The current wrenches are no different in same and size from my 30 year old ones. The ones immediately after outsourcing were but that was very quickly changed. The finish on the new ones is not quite as nice, then again it only cost me 20 bucks for a 1/4 through 7/8 set.

 

[ez-duzit]

There is a significant difference in the sizes of Craftsman combination wrenches that were made in the '50's (when I bought mine) and those more recently manufactured. I'd be surprised if no one has ever mentioned it.

 

[MagnumForce]

Yes but not from those made in the 80s to today