Craftsman Precision Pliers...

[Tejaas]

The red/black handled 5 piece set...
100% NOT what they used to be.

Now made in China, aesthetics are a lot rougher, and the hinge is now two flex clips instead of a single tension spring.

Haven't used them yet, but already can tell they're not comparable to the identical set from 5 or so years ago.

Just an FYI.


"You Ain't Done Wild & Reckless, Till You've Done It In Texas!"

~Tejaas~

 

[quattroJoe]

Thanks for the heads up. I've also got a set from 5-6 years ago that I love, I think they were Cman Pro branded at the time, black and gold instead of black and red. Same zipper case with the foam inserts. I've nearly picked up a second set of the red/black the past few times I've been in Sears, but the Made in China turned me off.

 

[Tejaas]

Thanks for the heads up. I've also got a set from 5-6 years ago that I love, I think they were Cman Pro branded at the time, black and gold instead of black and red. Same zipper case with the foam inserts. I've nearly picked up a second set of the red/black the past few times I've been in Sears, but the Made in China turned me off.

Yes sir, we have the same older set and they were great.

I ordered the new ones online, having been given information stating these were still US manufactured... Showed up today and had the big "CHINA" stamp.

Definitely steer clear of these, I don't expect them to make it past the first project I use them on!

The plastic handles also have pretty rough mold lines and the brushed jaws are about like broom-textured concrete, haha.


"You Ain't Done Wild & Reckless, Till You've Done It In Texas!"

~Tejaas~

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I have a set of the Black/Gold from 5 years ago and they were made in China.....I was kind of pissed when they showed up. I don't know that I have ever actually used them.

 

[dankicksass]

The black and gold set wasn't very good either.

 

[fivespdcat]

I have a set of the Black/Gold from 5 years ago and they were made in China.....I was kind of pissed when they showed up. I don't know that I have ever actually used them.

I have the same ones, bought them for ridiculously cheap. I knew they weren't top notch, but I was still disappointed. Been trying hard to find decent replacements but buying anything moderately priced in the precision category means buying complete garbage.

 

[Hootbro]

Been at least 20+ years or more since any of the Craftsman precision or mini pliers have been made in the USA that I can recall. All I have ever remember is China, Japan and some made in France ones.

 

[loranger]

I have a pair of the black and gold made in China ones. As stated earlier, they just plain ****.

 

[fourtythree]

My local store has the black/gold and the newer red/black hanging together on the shelf. Both are made in china and they are both the exact same tool apart from the handle color.

My GF got me the Stanley set that Kmart sells for Christmas. It's nothing spectacular, but is decent enough for the $10 price tag.

 

[zakmartin]

Been at least 20+ years or more since any of the Craftsman precision or mini pliers have been made in the USA that I can recall. All I have ever remember is China, Japan and some made in France ones.

I bought a black and gold set back in the late-1990's and they were Made in China. They're actually nice tools and they work fine. They also came with a nice precision-fit padded case. I've always been a bit disappointed with the COO however, so the set is relegated to the back of the wiring & solder drawer and subsequently don't get a lot of use. Silly, I know, but c'est la vie.

 

[Deskmechanic]

I have some of the old gold ones and they are nice enough, but like Zak says they do not inspire me to use them.

 

[Jcc76]

This is probably the only example of a Craftsman hand tool that was once upon a time made in the U.S., was outsourced to China, came back, then went to FACOM in Europe, and then back to China.

The Red/Black pliers are the same as the Gold/Black pliers from a few years ago. Both were made in China, probably to the same specs. The only difference is that the Gold/Black were Craftsman Pro. The new ones are just Craftsman.

About a year ago, I bought a set of Craftsman mini-pliers on Ebay, and based on the graphics on the packaging, it must have dated from the early 1990's or before. And the tools were made in China. They also looked far junkier than the ones you can buy now. We're talking Harbor Freight or Wal Mart quality.

However, there was a point in the late 1990's production seemed to leave China. They were partially made in France and partially in the US, because I have a full set of C-man precision pliers from that time frame, and 2 are made here, and the other 3 say "France" on them. Those are the ones to buy, if you can find them.