Craftsman Industrial 2016?

[Jtels85]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone know the real reason why the 2016 Craftsman Industrial line never made it to fruition? They advertised the revamped line on their website, featuring all new redesigned ratchets and wrenches...

Oddly enough, if you look on eBay and in the completed listings section, some of those tools did make it to the general public. There are socket sets, wrench sets and even the new 45T 3/8" tear drop ratchet with the round handle was found on there a few times. Most of all the items had little white Sears price tag stickers on them. These were not old Industrial tool sets... they were in brown cardboard boxes and even the socket sets appeared to come in the China socket racks you see at the store, but with new Industrial labels covering up the regular red/white labels.

At one point, Hot Rod Magazine featured them on Facebook and Instagram. Still, nothing really ever came about except for what appears to be a few lucky people in Texas getting their hands on some.

 

[6PTsocket]

Hey everyone,

Does anyone know the real reason why the 2016 Craftsman Industrial line never made it to fruition? They advertised the revamped line on their website, featuring all new redesigned ratchets and wrenches...

Oddly enough, if you look on eBay and in the completed listings section, some of those tools did make it to the general public. There are socket sets, wrench sets and even the new 45T 3/8" tear drop ratchet with the round handle was found on there a few times. Most of all the items had little white Sears price tag stickers on them. These were not old Industrial tool sets... they were in brown cardboard boxes and even the socket sets appeared to come in the China socket racks you see at the store, but with new Industrial labels covering up the regular red/white labels.

At one point, Hot Rod Magazine featured them on Facebook and Instagram. Still, nothing really ever came about except for what appears to be a few lucky people in Texas getting their hands on some.

In case you haven't heard, Sears has one foot in the grave and the other one on a bananna peel. If the deal goes through they will have sold Craftsmsn to Stanley B&D. Disruption in their product line is to be expected as they circle the drain. They are fighting with vendors that do not want to ship, fearing that rhey won'r get paid. If you see a deal on something and expect little or no product support, buy it. Consider buying at Sears more like a flea market purchase.Sears stock is $6.13. A few weeks ago it was $8 and change. It won't be long. HD is actually expanding their tool line in anticipation of Sears' demise. I am sure there will be posts from those that went there with grandpa, as a little kid. Sentiment can't fix years of bad management and changing business patterns. Sears.com is a mess.

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[DJL50]

Like he said above. Sears is selling Craftsman tool line to Stanley. Going to guess that stopped everything at Craftsman till the deal goes through.

 

[kball]

Like he said above. Sears is selling Craftsman tool line to Stanley. Going to guess that stopped everything at Craftsman till the deal goes through.

Sure didn't slow down the Chinese pliers from taking over.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think the craftsman industrial line didn't amount to anything for several reasons. First, there was little demand for it outside of the bargain hunters at Sears outlet stores paying pennies on the piece. Second, who would make the stuff since Apex killed off Armstrong? Lastly, Sears switched to sourcing their tools from PRC China & Taiwan. These reasons along with Sears struggling to stay in business is what I think caused the craftsman industrial line to fail but, that's just me.

Perhaps Stanley can resurrect the Craftsman name into a better line of tools but, my expectations aren't that high. Of course there's a lifetime supply of US made craftsmen tools floating around in the secondary market should you need some.

 

[L.Cheapo]

Sure didn't slow down the Chinese pliers from taking over.

The boat was already halfway here.

 

[Doohickey]

I think the craftsman industrial line didn't amount to anything for several reasons. First, there was little demand for it outside of the bargain hunters at Sears outlet stores paying pennies on the piece. Second, who would make the stuff since Apex killed off Armstrong? Lastly, Sears switched to sourcing their tools from PRC China & Taiwan. These reasons along with Sears struggling to stay in business is what I think caused the craftsman industrial line to fail but, that's just me.

Perhaps Stanley can resurrect the Craftsman name into a better line of tools but, my expectations aren't that high. Of course there's a lifetime supply of US made craftsmen tools floating around in the secondary market should you need some.

The new Craftsman Industrial tools were made in USA, but the prices were MUCH higher than the regular Craftsman equivalents made overseas.

I think the only people reported seeing them in-store were in Illinois or Wisconsin, so the test markets were probably near Sears headquarters. It's news to me that they were also sold in Texas. Some of the new sets made it online, but I think the stores had more stuff.

 

[6PTsocket]

I think the craftsman industrial line didn't amount to anything for several reasons. First, there was little demand for it outside of the bargain hunters at Sears outlet stores paying pennies on the piece. Second, who would make the stuff since Apex killed off Armstrong? Lastly, Sears switched to sourcing their tools from PRC China & Taiwan. These reasons along with Sears struggling to stay in business is what I think caused the craftsman industrial line to fail but, that's just me.

Perhaps Stanley can resurrect the Craftsman name into a better line of tools but, my expectations aren't that high. Of course there's a lifetime supply of US made craftsmen tools floating around in the secondary market should you need some.

In a recent interview with the CEO of Stanley B&D, he said that at least for the short term Craftsman will be made off shore and they will probably honor the Craftsman warranty. I don't think they see it as a high end line.

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[zendriver]

 

[JoJoSnap]

In case you haven't heard, Sears has one foot in the grave and the other one on a bananna peel. If the deal goes through they will have sold Craftsmsn to Stanley B&D. Disruption in their product line is to be expected as they circle the drain. They are fighting with vendors that do not want to ship, fearing that rhey won'r get paid. If you see a deal on something and expect little or no product support, buy it. Consider buying at Sears more like a flea market purchase.Sears stock is $6.13. A few weeks ago it was $8 and change. It won't be long. HD is actually expanding their tool line in anticipation of Sears' demise. I am sure there will be posts from those that went there with grandpa, as a little kid. Sentiment can't fix years of bad management and changing business patterns. Sears.com is a mess.

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Yes Home Depot is expanding more tools. For instance new torque wrench electronic just came out, and flex locking ratcheting wrench set both sae and metric too


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[yamaha0343]

Sure didn't slow down the Chinese pliers from taking over.

Western Forge decided to stop doing business with Sears. Probably because they weren't getting paid on a regular basis I'm sure.

I've been pretty impressed with Home Depot and their tool selection as of late. So far the stuff I've bought has been fine.

 

[racintj]

Western Forge decided to stop doing business with Sears. Probably because they weren't getting paid on a regular basis I'm sure.

I've been pretty impressed with Home Depot and their tool selection as of late. So far the stuff I've bought has been fine.

Home Depot / Husky is mostly made by Apex.
Craftsman is mostly made by Apex

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[Bacon Man]

Honestly, the Craftsman Industrial line long pattern, raised panel, black oxide wrenches are some of the better wrenches I've had.

They have a grip on the open end so you couldn't slip off the bolt, comparable to the wright grip or the snap on flank drive plus.