Craftsman Industrial Surprise

[turbowoodworker]

In August 2012, Sears was in big trouble (not a surprise) but was offloading NOS tools at their stores and discount warehouses. I bought some good stuff back then.
I marked a small set for my son for his 16th birthday. He was 3 yo at the time, now he is 16 1/2. I put this set in its protective cardboard on a shelf but forgot I had it. Last week, while rearranging some shop stuff, I found the box clearly marked for my son's birthday with purchase date of Aug 2012 (Surprise!).
Not really vintage, and not really a time capsule, but a little reflection of what Craftsman once was.

 

[mooman]

Cool story..
Interesting mix of 6 pt. & 12 pt. sockets in that set.
I wonder what the difference was between the standard ratchets and these that are marked "Industrial"

 

[vjquan]

I wonder what the difference was between the standard ratchets and these that are marked "Industrial"

Absolutely nothing.

 

[whateg01]

Pretty sure I have a 3/8 version of that ratchet in the drawer. It's like 3 tooth? And lots of back drag. Nice nostalgic items, but I've learned that they weren't that special

 

[turbowoodworker]

I’ve never been able to discern much difference with the “Industrial” line except a slightly different color or depth of chrome. I have some nice box ends that seem higher quality than other box ends from same era.

 

[vjquan]

Pure marketing hype. Even the full polish combo wrenches are the same as Cman Pro. I'm surprised they even had raised panel ratchets rebranded as Industrial.

 

[whateg01]

I’ve never been able to discern much difference with the “Industrial” line except a slightly different color or depth of chrome. I have some nice box ends that seem higher quality than other box ends from same era.

Wasn't their industrial line of power tools better? Or maybe it was Craftsman professional. I recall Dad having an angle grinder like that I think. Unless I'm thinking of black and Decker. ****

 

[SweetD]

Cool story I love it!

 

[DAustin]

That 1/4" drive 10mm socket is upside down. You've got to turn it over, it's killing me.

 

[WildBill]

I was just trying to figure out where I got those 8 point/square drive sockets, now I remember. I bought a ton of Craftsmen stuff around that time.

 

[DAWrench]

That 1/4" drive 10mm socket is upside down. You've got to turn it over, it's killing me.

Yep turn it over. Not just because it's only one upside down but because I hate that kind of detent socket

 

[2001ZR2]

It's cool story and the though behind it is touching. I have similar situation with my oldest son who I will buy stools for as he's starting out as a mechanic. I hope those tools will remind him of the family and love and support we give him. I hope on a ****** day and work they remind him of who has his back always.

But then I'm thinking of the time when I'm gone.

 

[Fedwrench]

Cool Story reminded me that I still have a full polished Craftsman Industrial metric combination wrench set sitting in a plain cardboard box in a garage Wal locker.

 

[Rinspeed]

Fun story, thanks for sharing.

 

[Dick Tracy]

I bough a larger craftsman industrial set like that from Grainger around 2009 I believe, to live on my service truck. The industrial line was not in sears stores in my area back then, just special order. I was pretty disappointed when I cracked it open and found out they were no different than all of the raised panel stuff I could get from sears at the time. I ended up exchanging it at a Grainger branch store for a Blackhawk by Proto 1/4 and 3/8 socket set that was suspiciously stamped “USA” but looked like all of the Taiwanese Stanley made husky’s at available back then at HD.

 

[alinc100]

Right Now a lot of the Craftsman Industrial stuff is fetching premium dollars to collectors.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Wasn't their industrial line of power tools better? Or maybe it was Craftsman professional. I recall Dad having an angle grinder like that I think. Unless I'm thinking of black and Decker. ****

They were usually the better version of a particular tool.

 

[3baygarage]

Absolutely nothing.

The price. It was a last ditch attempt to make money by trying to turn the same old-same old into a premium line. I remember seeing the 3/4 set for like 600 bucks when it was always what $2-300?

Still, cool find. Not as many out there.