Craftsman Professional Tools - Can You Find Any??!

[Stuey]

Okay, so I cannot find any Craftsman Professional hand tools at my local Sears - they're just not there anymore. Nor can I find any of the pliers or adjustable wrenches online.

All that remains are the screwdrivers, wire strippers, a random 3-piece pliers set, a handful of "not currently available" listings, and several corded power tools. I checked maybe 20 model numbers from a 2010 catalog, and none of the Cman-Pro pliers showed up.

All the polished pro wrenches have been rebranded "full polish" and are made overseas.

On top of that, the Craftsman Pro power tools appear to have been clearanced off (TG mention), and are no longer available online either. Some have been delisted, 1 says "out of stock", and all others say "temporarily unavailable."

With all that said, for all you guys that have been to your local Sears store recently, what Craftsman pro tools have you still seen there?

Craftsman reps answered my questions about this, but some of the answers contradict what I've personally observed

 

[american lockpicker]

What abut that new ratchet?

 

[Obie]

The new ratchets are labeled Craftsman Premium. I'm pretty dissapointed the professional series is dissapearing. I really like the wrenches, pliers, and 20v cordless tools I own.

 

[dragoocoda]

I wonder if Sears is discontinuing the line because they want to focus on their Craftsman Industrial Line that they are selling through 3rd party retailers like Grainger. I have looked on the Grainger website and I have seen the wrenches and socket sets, maybe they are planning on expanding to pliers, screwdrivers and power tools?

 

[heelsroll]

I just received a Craftsman Pro "huge wrench set", the five piece set of large standard wrenches. Marked USA on the front and Professional on the back. Pulled the trigger before they were gone for good.

 

[slipjointed]

I've suspected for some time that they're doing away with the professional line.

I can only hope they've got something better than "Chinese full polish" up their sleeve for their "high end" tools.

 

[Stuey]

I asked about the future of the Craftsman Pro line. Craftsman basically said that they strengthened the line with the "Craftsman Industrial" tools, and where there is overlap, the "pro" nomenclature was discontinued to "minimize user confusion."

I believe I specifically mentioned the adjustable wrenches and pliers as well. Currently the industrial lineup appears to only be available at Grainger, and only includes sockets, ratchets, wrenches, and similarly composed sets.

They then answered their own question about whether the Craftsman Pro line will be rebranded as Craftsman Industrial. The answer was that where there is direct overlap, the Craftsman Pro tools will be rebranded as Craftsman Industrial. Some tools have not (or possibly will not) be included in the industrial offering, including power tools.

That didn't answer anything about my observation that the cordless line was clearanced and appeared to be discontinued.

Then they answered a question about whether the tools will be produced under a Craftsman sub-brand, and basically described the Evolv, Craftsman and Craftmsan Pro & Industrial line target audiences.

Edit: here's what I specifically asked:

I have noticed that some of the mechanics tools (e.g. the wrenches) have changed name and country of origin and are now "full polish" wrenches instead of Craftsman Professional.

I have also noticed that the Craftsman Professional 20V cordless power tools have been heavily clearanced and are no longer available for sale on the Sears website.

Browsing several local Sears stores and the Sears.com website, I can no longer fine most of the Craftsman Professional hand tools - adjustable wrenches, pliers, etc. The only Craftsman Professional hand tools I can now find are the screwdrivers [and wire strippers].

I was hoping that someone could clarify upon this and answer whether the entire Craftsman Professional family of tools has been discontinued. If so, all of these tools now included in the Craftsman Industrial lineup? If not, will these tools be produced under any other Craftsman sub-brand, or are they gone for good?

I'm waiting to hear back to see if it's okay for me to quote their exact response.

In the end, I wasn't able to gather any helpful information.

What also rubs me the wrong way is that the answers make it seem like all the good Pro tools will go towards Craftsman Industrial channels, such as Grainger, which traditionally won't deal with consumers without established business accounts.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Same here, pro wrenches and pliers are completely gone at my local Sears... the pro drivers seem to still be in full stock though. I hope those stay, i have a full set of them!

 

[jeffmoss26]

There are still pro screwdrivers at my local Sears, but there were a lot on clearance too.
I miss the black handled pro screwdrivers!

 

[jjjrmx5]

Okay, so I cannot find any Craftsman Professional hand tools at my local Sears - they're just not there anymore. Nor can I find any of the pliers or adjustable wrenches online.

All that remains are the screwdrivers, wire strippers, a random 3-piece pliers set, a handful of "not currently available" listings, and several corded power tools. I checked maybe 20 model numbers from a 2010 catalog, and none of the Cman-Pro pliers showed up.

All the polished pro wrenches have been rebranded "full polish" and are made overseas.

Three of my local stores (2 big box and one smaller mom and pop) all still carry a good selection of Craftsman Pro.

My two local big box stores still carry the professional pliers, adjustable wrenches as well as both std. and metric full polished Pro even with Made in USA stampings. My guess is they have over a dozen sets of each last time I chatted with them.
They even had some of the small Craftsman Pro pliers in the markdown area but also had a good supply on the hangpegs on the tool wall. Only the line wrenches were the newer non-stamped wrenches.

I'll pop over tonite or tomorrow and take another look if I get a chance.

 

[ctgoodman]

Something needs to change and some things need to stay the way they are. I really wish they would have left it alone. It used to be the first place that came to mind was Sears when I needed a tool, but that has been changing over the years. I'm not one to pay for a name. I buy based on track record and all the craftsman tools at one time where great tools. Now their ratchets are not nearly as high in quality as they used to be. I got a set of Craftsman professional pliers this past Christmas. They are made in China. If this is what Sears has in store for all their tools then there will be no diffence in the Craftsman tools and the Pittsburgh stuff at Harbor Freight. I'm not knocking anyone who uses the Harbor Freight tools. I have stuff from there.

the Craftsman tools used to be so good that they never had to worry much about the lifetime warranty but it has fallen off so much that they are slowly changing the policy to keep from having to honor the lifetime warranty.

I certainly cannot afford Snap-on and MAC tools as a weekend wrencher. I had hard enough time getting the startup of my Craftsman set.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I picked up a set of deep-offset metric and imperial box-end wrenches about a month or two back (thread I made about getting the incorrect sizes in the set, and Sears wanting the whole set back to replace one wrench), but that's all I've seen. The ones I got were US-made, full-polish Professional wrenches.

Wasn't any Pro stuff (or none left) during the local Sears' liquidation.

Interestingly enough, the website lists the 12-piece deep offset set at $68, which is the US-made full-polish Professional set, and they also list the 10-piece full-polish non-Professional set, which is $72.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...yword=00946999000&sLevel=0&prop17=00946999000 - Professional 12-piece

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00987641000P?prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=G2 Non-Professional 10-piece

 

[earlthegoat2]

I wish they would offer their industrial line to the average Joe consumer.

 

[SMKS]

What abut that new ratchet?

If you mean the Craftsman Premium ratchet, then it should still be available. It isn't marketed as "Craftsman Pro."

 

[NastyNate]

I have bought a few CMAN Pro clearance items recently. Most items have been pulled off the shelf. The only thing I can remember is the CMAN Pro pry bar set. I have been eyeing them for some time but always say no as I watch every Pro tool disappear. Plus my used snap ons haven't broke yet.. and the CMAN reg series did the in the first use. Not starting a flame I love CMAN...

 

[Obie]

The Craftsman Pro prybars are a great deal. I got the five piece set I use every single day at work and they're outstanding. Only had the big one flex on me (just a little) while supporting a seven hundred pound dozer final drive. The handles hold up very well too, and barely any damage from the three pound Estwing.. I use the three piece set at home and hell, they're better than I really need for just screwing around in the garage.

 

[pipsters]

If you mean the Craftsman Premium ratchet, then it should still be available. It isn't marketed as "Craftsman Pro."

It stinks those aren't quick release, I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they were.

 

[Knuckle Buster]

Okay, so I cannot find any Craftsman Professional hand tools at my local Sears - they're just not there anymore. Nor can I find any of the pliers or adjustable wrenches online.

All that remains are the screwdrivers, wire strippers, a random 3-piece pliers set, a handful of "not currently available" listings, and several corded power tools. I checked maybe 20 model numbers from a 2010 catalog, and none of the Cman-Pro pliers showed up.

All the polished pro wrenches have been rebranded "full polish" and are made overseas.

On top of that, the Craftsman Pro power tools appear to have been clearanced off (TG mention), and are no longer available online either. Some have been delisted, 1 says "out of stock", and all others say "temporarily unavailable."

With all that said, for all you guys that have been to your local Sears store recently, what Craftsman pro tools have you still seen there?

Craftsman reps answered my questions about this, but some of the answers contradict what I've personally observed

On Sears ''current'' site, they are still offering Professional full polished Made In U.S.A. wrench sets, along with several Craftsman Professional tool-SETS with-OUT the lazer etched markings on the sockets. They are still offering traditional STAMPED sockets the way I prefer them. Since I'm old school, I don't need Big lazer etched markings to tell me what size socket I'm grabbing. Dunno how long before they do away with the old and in with the new though.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934951000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19#desc

 

[SocketDeviler]

I was at the Sears in Irving TX a few weeks back. The had many of the Professional hand tools on sale. It was clear that they were pricing them to move...out. I bought some of the standard Craftsman clearance priced items but none of the Professional tools. I may regret that later.

The stock situation at that store gets worse each time I go and more and more of what was US made is now Chinese. Amazingly all the driver bit sets I bought were US made. Of course they were older stock.

 

[Stretch_LJ]

I went to warranty a set of Pro cuttign pliers because the tip chipped and had to settle for a regular set because the emlpoyee said they were getting rid of the Pro line. There was all sorts of Pro screwdrivers on clearance also.

 

[saturdaymechanic]

Same with my Sears, alot of screwdrivers on clearance, a few wrench sets left, no pliers. I have some CMan Pro tools and I really like them: screwdrivers, adj wrenches, prybars, a couple pliers. Tough and no complaints.

I have been eyeing the metric wrench set for awhile, I may have to pick them up before they are gone.

 

[NastyNate]

The Craftsman Pro prybars are a great deal. I got the five piece set I use every single day at work and they're outstanding. Only had the big one flex on me (just a little) while supporting a seven hundred pound dozer final drive. The handles hold up very well too, and barely any damage from the three pound Estwing.. I use the three piece set at home and hell, they're better than I really need for just screwing around in the garage.

MMMMM I might need to pick those bad boys up then... My reg CMAN pry bars broke separating 2 pieces of 2X4's apart with only 3 nails holding them together.

 

[diesel research]

I still find several "pro" wrench sets available locally. They aren't located in the wrench section, rather in the socket section. Set up as "modules" With the 18 and 10pc sets I think? Packaging is the newer "full polish" package (red white gray) so many might over look them. No where on the package does it say professional, but the wrenches themselves do.

Someone recently commented they aren't the same as the other sets labeled professional, and are a different length and made in a different plant. Have no idea about that though.

 

[byoungblood]

It stinks those aren't quick release, I'd buy them in a heartbeat if they were.

I've effectively purged all the quick release ratchets from my primary box anyway. I would probably have one of the Craftsman Premium 1/4" drive ratchets right now if they'd bother to stock them in the stores. It'll probably be yet another product that will only last a year or two before it is discontinued due to lack of sales volume. Of course, no one at KMart will take note that the reason why it didn't sell was because they never put them on the shelf to begin with!

I went to a couple of Sears this week and both had plenty of Craftsman Professional tools in stock, including a good number of them that weren't Chicom stuff. If I hadn't made up my mind to get a set of Wright combination wrenches, I probably would have walked out with a metric and SAE set of the Professional combination wrenches.

 

[losabio]

Surprising number of metric and SAE combo wrenches available at a couple of SEARS locations near me, both sets and individual wrenches. They had open stock singles up to 19mm in metric and something like 1" or 1 1/16 in SAE. Bunch of Torx Craftsman Pro screwdrivers on clearance as well. I actually went down there looking to score a 22mm combo wrench for the guy in the classified section who was looking for one.

 

[pacsguy]

I bought this set online and received it today.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947314000P?prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

USA made craftsman pro's. Free standard shipping (ends today) and use coupon code SEARS5OFF50 for another 5 bux off.

 

[dankicksass]

I bought some Craftsman Professional prybars a couple weeks ago, they were drop-shipped from Mayhew to me. Last I was in Sears, they had some Pro on clearance, but not much. No more pliers except for vise grips - the last USA made vise grips that I know of in a store - but they have dropped the Professional tag in the online store. The top end woodworkers tools (red ones) still say Craftsman Professional...

Edit: The new-label Craftsman (not Craftsman Professional) locking pliers I saw at Ace this week were made in China. My apologies.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Last Friday I went to sears looking for the "my first craftsman" v-twin engine for my son (still back ordered, and I'm not paying $15 shipping on a $20 toy). Anyway, while their I heard them say "all clearance tools are now 50% off the discounted price" over the loudspeaker. So I quickly ran over to the clearance section expecting a bunch of over priced junk, but hoping for something good.

They had a bunch of Craftsman professional screwdrivers marked way down. Mostly odd sized singles, but a few sets. I picked up the 5pc "heavy duty" screwdriver set, the 4pc stubby torx set and a 1/2" flex ratchet for $28 out the door! (7.5% NC tax included.)

The 5pc HD set was marked down to $18.49 - 50%, the 4pc torx set was $15.49 - 50% off, and the ratchet was $15.49 - 50% off.

Are they doing away with the pro screwdrivers also? I hate to think I just bought them without a warranty.

 

[CHRIS LUCKYMAN]

Has anyone seen that small toolbox made out of wood?

 

[SMKS]

I just checked my local Sears tonight. They had a few items on clearance. One set of Craftsman Pro long flat head screwdrivers were on clearance, but the rest were regular price.

The guy working said they were moving lots of things around to ready for Christmas and he thought they put certain items on clearance because of that.

 

[homesale]

No clearance CM Pro at the SF bay area Sears. When will they go on clearance?

 

[ibedayank]

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/v_10153_12605_Tools?sbf=Brand&sbv=Craftsman+Professional


right of sear's site.... its whats left of a much bigger line and getting smaller each day

 

[ibedayank]

Has anyone seen that small toolbox made out of wood?

gestner .... made in ohio

 

[american lockpicker]

gestner .... made in ohio

Some are made in China now...

 

[ibedayank]

Some are made in China now...

figures....no wonder HF sells a copy.....

 

[gj67stang]

Has anyone seen that small toolbox made out of wood?

gestner .... made in ohio

Gerstner International - Not made in Ohio, nor the USA.


Regardless, my local Sears has clearanced all the Pro line except for some screwdrivers and a few wrench sets. Not sure what will happen when it comes time to warranty/exchange something.......

 

[pacsguy]

Gerstner International - Not made in Ohio, nor the USA.


Regardless, my local Sears has clearanced all the Pro line except for some screwdrivers and a few wrench sets. Not sure what will happen when it comes time to warranty/exchange something.......

I'll tell you my experience. They will try to give you the standard craftsman cutter if you try to exchange a craftsman pro cutter. I argued with them a bit and got a knipex.

 

[fr0mastaj]

Last Friday I went to sears looking for the "my first craftsman" v-twin engine for my son (still back ordered, and I'm not paying $15 shipping on a $20 toy). Anyway, while their I heard them say "all clearance tools are now 50% off the discounted price" over the loudspeaker. So I quickly ran over to the clearance section expecting a bunch of over priced junk, but hoping for something good.

They had a bunch of Craftsman professional screwdrivers marked way down. Mostly odd sized singles, but a few sets. I picked up the 5pc "heavy duty" screwdriver set, the 4pc stubby torx set and a 1/2" flex ratchet for $28 out the door! (7.5% NC tax included.)

The 5pc HD set was marked down to $18.49 - 50%, the 4pc torx set was $15.49 - 50% off, and the ratchet was $15.49 - 50% off.

Are they doing away with the pro screwdrivers also? I hate to think I just bought them without a warranty.

you *******! i bought the stubby torx for $20 alone a few weeks ago... i guess i'll have to pop in my sears a little more often now...

 

[zer0cell]

When I had to exchange the c-man pro needle nose, they gave me a refund since there were no more 'pro' ones in stock. I was satisfied.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

When I lived in Toledo, OH ( 1 month ago) the only pro stuff they carried was the screwdrivers. At my current local sears they alot of the pro stuff (wrenches, pliers, screw drivers) went in to exchange some tools today and I got the 5 piece stubby torx set for $15! was originally like $27? I am ALMOST postive I have ALL of the PRO screw drivers