Craftsman.... Japan

[RCStocker]

I was in a thrift shop today and there it was.
A 18mm combo wrench with Craftsman on one side and Japan stamped on the other side.

This is the first Craftsman wrench I have ever seen marked Japan.
I don't think it was over 20 years old.

Has anyone ever seen Craftsman made in Japan before and when did I miss them along the way? LOL

Tools form Japan are very good.

Anyone?

 

[Fordman7795]

Early 80s IIRC

 

[chris142]

I used to have a set of Japan made Craftsman metric wrenches (8-19mm). I bought them new around 1990.

They worked well in a shop environment. I traded them in on a Shiney Matco wrench set about 4 yrs ago though

 

[Snapped-off]

Seen them before, co-worker has one bent 90 degrees for a certain job.

 

[KEH]

Early 80s maybe late 70s, there was a lot of sales resistance on the part of customer and Sears dropped them. Not unlike the present controversy over Sears Chinese tools, but management of Sears then was more attuned to tool purchasers.

KEH

 

[SMKS]

More info here:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site:garagejournal.com+craftsman+japan

 

[franzdom]

 

[tribbles]

Nowadays we'd jump at a Japanese Craftsman if given the choice over the equivalent tool from China.

 

[Mastermind]

More info here:

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=site:garagejournal.com+craftsman+japan

ha. someone finally got me with that one.

 

[rusty65]

Also some early craftsman EE were Taiwanese made

 

[ShadowRuleZ]

Nowadays we'd jump at a Japanese Craftsman if given the choice over the equivalent tool from China.

The other day I accidentally grabbed a 19mm Canadian craftsman from China.

 

[jmm]

Yeah, have a few metrics I use as extras at work. See them fairly regularly in pawn shops/yard sales/etc.

 

[toolman0217]

I have a craftsman pipe wrench that was made in Japan.

 

[RCStocker]

I discover another post on this topic. Sorry about bringing it up again but I was really shocked today.

When I said at least 20 years I was about right. I don't know how I have missed them all these years.

It was $4 but I get half off which would make it $2. I did not get it but if anyone wants it for $2 and shipping I will be glad to pick it up and send it to you. 18mm.
I figure someone is collecting them. LOL

I have never seen one in a pawn shop and I have never come across one at a swap meet and I go every week and have been doing so for almost 40 years. What do I know. The little ferry hides them on me or I don't care enough to look on the back side when I see Craftsman. I have all the wrenches in the V and VV series. I think I even have a VF series.
I got them new.

I guess this old man is still awake once in a while. LOL

 

[RedFordTruck]

I have an Estwing Nail claw made in Japan.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

I have 2 Craftsman 15MM combo wrenches that are Japan marked. One is like new and the other i have used at work for at least 10 years with no problems. I also have a small Craftsman bench vise marked Japan on the bottom.

Gort.

 

[LesserSon]

Longnose pliers

 

[LesserSon]

And, turn...