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Craftsman Professional Wrenches-Still USA

Pro-Painter

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Pro-painter
I would have asked the assclowns to show me on TAPE. Where i was putting stuff in my pockets. Then asked to see their boss and called the police and filed charges for slader harrassment and what ever else i could think of.

It wasn't that big of a deal to me. I just thought it was so strange and this thread reminded me about it. I should have made a thread when it happened, but I forgot about it.
The USA wrenches where clearly better quality. The open ends where smaller and the beams where thicker.
The new sets did not look like bad wrenches, if they where $40 per set. $99 for a china made wrench set is asking to be riped off.
 
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pipsters

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For those buying the US wrenches, check them when you get them. My "crappy" (GJ words not mine) raised panels are spec'd nice and tight on the open end. My US made polished Craftsmans were noticeably looser. Not a lot, but enough that I returned them. The value just wasn't there. Sure it would be neat to say I owned some of the last US produced Craftsman polished wrenches, but I couldn't justify the $$.

Also I weighed them, and they were within a few grams of the raised panels (which were noticeably shorter). That tells me they used the same amount of material just made it thinner. Read into that what you will.
 

Coach James

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When I worked in retail, some of our shop lifters were quite well dressed. I suspect they did so on purpose so they would not look like shop lifters either. And I would also have asked to see the tape of me stealing. I am suprised they did that on the sales floor instead of asking you to come into an office off the floor.

Coach
 

pipsters

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When I worked in retail, some of our shop lifters were quite well dressed. I suspect they did so on purpose so they would not look like shop lifters either. And I would also have asked to see the tape of me stealing. I am suprised they did that on the sales floor instead of asking you to come into an office off the floor.

Coach
Or it could just be a really embellished story...;).

FWIW I do stuff like that all the time in my Sears. They see me so much they know me by name, and know what car I drive. I compare a lot of the wrenches and sometimes bring my stuff in to compare. I always end up buying something, sometimes +$100 sometimes under $10. They don't seem to care. In fact most stores these days, back when I was working retail, won't even stop a shoplifter. Too much liability. Not that I ever steal. Just sayin'.
 
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JohnFreeman

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I'll never buy any ChinaMan tools. If I want Chinese tools, I'll get them and Harbor Freight and not pay the premium to make believe they're quality tools.
 

powertrip

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Mine are the exact same ones.
I have the 13 pc SK made set in sae as well. I have been looking for the 5 pc large SK made Craftsman pro set for awhile now and can't seem to find any. I would like them to match the SK made set I already have. Anybody able to help?
 

Pukeballs

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Went to my local sears today. They have a couple sets of the Cman pro combo wrenches that are made in China for 99 bucks. However they have individual Pro combo's made in USA hanging on the wall next to them. I asked them if they would let me take the USA individuals for the same price as the China made set. As expected they said nope. So I went off on my usual rant about Craftsman outsourcing tool production to China and how disappointed I was with their decision to do so. The two guys at the counter agreed and said they have been getting a lot of complaints especially about the Cman pro combo wrenches. It just seems like its falling on deaf ears and its getting harder and harder to keep going back there.
 

Skin

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I asked them if they would let me take the USA individuals for the same price as the China made set. As expected they said nope.

Buy the set and use the "satisfaction" guarantee to swap them out on the spot.
 

Hiball

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Buy the set and use the "satisfaction" guarantee to swap them out on the spot.

Hf coupons at Sears, swapping out china wrenches for USA because you werent "Satisfied", Warranting Dirty Tools.. LOL.. Aint this Country Great? You guys Crack me up.. :spit:

Im not Hating.. If it works for you, Do your thing.
 

griff99

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The two guys at the counter agreed and said they have been getting a lot of complaints especially about the Cman pro combo wrenches.

I had the same thing happen, but then they started spitting out the "party line" ****, about the quality is still the same, the warranty, blah, blah, blah. There are 3 Sears near where I live, at another one the guy started talking about the impurities in the Chinese steel vs US steel production, at least he agreed that it was sad that everything was being outsourced.
 

csmitty

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For those buying the US wrenches, check them when you get them. My "crappy" (GJ words not mine) raised panels are spec'd nice and tight on the open end. My US made polished Craftsmans were noticeably looser. Not a lot, but enough that I returned them. The value just wasn't there. Sure it would be neat to say I owned some of the last US produced Craftsman polished wrenches, but I couldn't justify the $$.

Also I weighed them, and they were within a few grams of the raised panels (which were noticeably shorter). That tells me they used the same amount of material just made it thinner. Read into that what you will.

The open ends of the Pros are slightly larger than the raised panels, width wise. only by a few thou. The standard pros are longer than the RPs. I've got them both. Never had a problem with RPs. Prob best you can get for the money.
 

diesel research

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at another one the guy started talking about the impurities in the Chinese steel vs US steel production, at least he agreed that it was sad that everything was being outsourced.


Obviously he doesn't have a clue what he is talking about, and was speaking out of a dark orifice?

A lot of their steel comes from the good ol USofA. They are quite capable (and often do) produce decent alloys.

Not all, but the capability is in fact there. You can do a bit of reading on this forum, where someone posted an article about their (china) firearms metallurgy. Needless to say, they did what they do best. "Steal" a previous design originating in the US and produce it for cheap. What was not expected, was the fact it had BETTER metallurgy and treatment processes than the original design.

All that said, even if a tool was made with a quality alloy, that is only a small fraction of the story. Much larger part of the story goes into the forging and machining processes, heat treatment, and most importantly, the inspection/rejection process. Every manufacturer produces a certain ratio of sub standard pieces. The difference is how they react/ignore these particular substandard units.
 

m151

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Last week I ordered the 26 pcs long pattern set and they showed up today.
Just like the lady on the phone said, all were made in USA!
 

jsonic6

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To my knowledge, Craftsman Pro wrench sets (U.S.A) are only currently sold online/catalog. You can only buy individual Craftsman Pro's at the stores. The polished (Non-pro) sets in the stores are imports...
 

SMKS

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To my knowledge, Craftsman Pro wrench sets (U.S.A) are only currently sold online/catalog. You can only buy individual Craftsman Pro's at the stores. The polished (Non-pro) sets in the stores are imports...


Both sets have the same part number, so there is no way to distinguish between "store" or "online" versions. I assume the USA made ones are just old stock that they're working through.

My local Sears stores have both the USA and China sets. It seems like they never sell any of them.
 

earlthegoat2

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After looking at the Chinese Pros the other day I think my money is better spent on some Sunex V-Groove wrenches.

Im still curious if you can still get the US made ones online since I can clearly see USA on the wrenches in the picture of their combined Metric and SAE set.
 
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SMKS

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Im still curious if you can still get the US made ones online since I can clearly see USA on the wrenches in the picture of their combined Metric and SAE set.

I think it's just a **** shoot. If they have a USA wrench set on the top of the pile, you'll probably get it.

The pictures on the website are very outdated, so you can't go by that. They show the old packaging for most items, which have been replaced.

I wanted to get this pick set.The packaging shown on the website clearly says they're USA made.

00941513000


But, they ARE NOT USA MADE anymore. I went to my local store and the pick sets are no longer in the packaging shown on the website, and they aren't USA made anymore. They're "made in the USA from foreign and domestic components."

I ordered this Pratt-Read set from Amazon for a couple dollars more than the Craftsman set. They're 100% USA made.

41bzzb3CF%2BL._SL500_AA300_.jpg
 

pipsters

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For those curious on the origin of the product, call or contact sears via the online chat feature on their web site and have the item number ready (not model number). Ask them if the product is US or imported. Stress that you want them to contact "product support" and that you don't mind waiting, because normally what the operator will do is just look on the website at it's picture (which is often wrong as noted above). When they contact product support, they will then give you a good answer.

As much as people hate Sears they are one of the only US retailers still selling US made products. I try to support them as much as I can.
 
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DTB

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I ordered the 12 piece box deep offset wrench set,along with some screwdrivers and the 5 piece pry bar set last week and recieved them today.The 12 piece wrench set still proudly said Forged in USA,so there may be a few sets left for anyone wanting to purchase them.I will add that there wasn't any mention of "Professional" on the website when I purchased,just said Full Polish.
The 5 piece pry bar set I recieved,well was just a 4 piece.It didn't have the 10" pry bar but after a call to Sears,one should be on the way.I found it interested they shipped directly to Sears from Mayhew,and then handed over to me.
 

dragoocoda

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Mesa, AZ
It looks like that Sears has alot of open stock professional wrenches left in their stores. I believe once they sell through or warranty replace this stock, most of what we will see is "Full Polish" wrenches from China. I have seen this with their open stock flare nut wrenches in the stores in my area. There are Chinese flare nut wrenches mixed in with USA Professional wrenches.

I have seen on the Craftsman website a link to the "Craftsman Industrial" line of tools that are sold through outlets like Grainger. They are selling a full polish Craftsman Industrial wrench that is made in the USA, although I do not know who makes the wrench. I can only assume that APEX makes them as well.
 
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DTB

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Yeah,I seen the Industrial version.The price is not nearly the same as the Craftsman Pro line of wrenches was.They run about $130 for a 11 piece set.Almost $300 for a 14 piece set.Do claim to be USA tho.
 
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FergusonTO35

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Seems like Sears has taken an odd approach with the Craftsman Industrial line. Apparently they are only sold through other tool suppliers. I thought one of the selling points of the original Craftsman Pro line was that you could buy tool truck level tools at the Sears store. Proto, Armstrong, Williams, etc. already have the industrial market pretty well zipped up, I don't know why Sears would want to directly compete with them.

I do think that Sears, or another big retailer could present a successful tool truck alternative to professional auto techs. Make it in the USA, don't call it Craftsman, don't make it just a rebrand of somebody else's tools, and sell it through independent tool dealers, automotive equipment companies, and online. Price it midway between tool truck brands and USA made Craftsman and you have a winner.

Kobalt was headed in this direction with the original Williams made tools but Lowe's made a mistake marketing it to the homeowner crowd. They were awfully close to tool truck quality and performance at a Craftsman price, unfortunately most Lowe's customers could care less. The original Kobalt tools have developed something of a cult following, I recently sold my metric and standard wrench sets on Ebay for nearly twice what I paid for them.
 

kythri

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Lebanon, OR
I asked that question to Sears & Craftsman PR people, and even they're not sure, or aren't telling.

I simply can't believe that Sears isn't involved in the decision to offshore.[/quote]

It could be that Sears intends for their Industrial lineup to replace the Professional tools. I may have the opportunity to try some out soon, so we'll see about that. I was told that they're tested to higher standards than the regular Craftsman lines, but don't know details beyond that.

Given that you're in contact with those PR folks, you might let them know that the Industrial line needs to make it's way into stores, and be available outside of places like Grainger or Fastenal. It's ridiculous that we don't have regular access to this line of tools.
 

Skin

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Given their insane list prices i could really care less that they're not in stores.
 

HandyManny

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Was in Sears a couple weeka ago, reluctantly. All the Cman high polished pro combos I saw in store are still stamped USA in them. Both the sets and the lose individual wrenches.
 

HandyManny

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Ozzy, those Craftsmans look like Matco minus the Opti-Torque open end. Good tools!!

Well, if this press release is any indicator USA made Craftsman Pro is being replaced by USA made Craftsman Industrial.

http://www.craftsman.com/news-industrial-hand-tools/nb-120000000132632

Seems like Sears has taken an odd approach with the Craftsman Industrial line. Apparently they are only sold through other tool suppliers. I thought one of the selling points of the original Craftsman Pro line was that you could buy tool truck level tools at the Sears store. Proto, Armstrong, Williams, etc. already have the industrial market pretty well zipped up, I don't know why Sears would want to directly compete with them.

I do think that Sears, or another big retailer could present a successful tool truck alternative to professional auto techs. Make it in the USA, don't call it Craftsman, don't make it just a rebrand of somebody else's tools, and sell it through independent tool dealers, automotive equipment companies, and online. Price it midway between tool truck brands and USA made Craftsman and you have a winner.

Kobalt was headed in this direction with the original Williams made tools but Lowe's made a mistake marketing it to the homeowner crowd. They were awfully close to tool truck quality and performance at a Craftsman price, unfortunately most Lowe's customers could care less. The original Kobalt tools have developed something of a cult following, I recently sold my metric and standard wrench sets on Ebay for nearly twice what I paid for them.

Interesting, but true. Having lived through an era when Crafstman had an earned reputation I will say this about today's Cman line - I think it's a terrible shame that you now have to get the industrial line of Cman just to get a quality Cman tool these days, while the basic Craftsman line seems to be declining in quality. Back in the day the basic Craftsman line was already an industrial quality tool, just being sold under a retail brand name. You had some of the best high quality tool makers suppliying and manufacturing rebranded tools for the Craftsman brand name. That's what built Craftsman's reputation for quality! Not sure why Sears has slowly been changing that over recent years to the point that the brand today in general is a mere shadow of it's former self. I will say that there still are a few select types of Craftsman tool still being offered in stores that are still pro grade quality, but that number is quickly decreasing as time goes on. Shame.
 
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Luke G

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I ordered the SAE and Metric combinations wrenches off of Sears.com around a month ago and recieved USA forged wrenches, however all my local stores are almost exclusively "Fully Polished". I looked at some of them in the store and it was appaling to see how bad the broaching on the box ends was, some were so far off there was almost no teeth on one side of the box! I took another gamble and ordered the deep offset wrencehs off of Sears.com hoping for old stock, but bought a set off of Hiball while waiting for shipping on the new set:thumbup:. I let you guys know where they were made when they come in.
 

HandyManny

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I ordered the SAE and Metric combinations wrenches off of Sears.com around a month ago and recieved USA forged wrenches, however all my local stores are almost exclusively "Fully Polished". I looked at some of them in the store and it was appaling to see how bad the broaching on the box ends was, some were so far off there was almost no teeth on one side of the box! I took another gamble and ordered the deep offset wrencehs off of Sears.com hoping for old stock, but bought a set off of Hiball while waiting for shipping on the new set:thumbup:. I let you guys know where they were made when they come in.

I've seen way too many defects on Craftsman tools lately while still new on the store shelf. It really is a terrible shame how badly the quality in Cman in general has degraded today. :(

Why have U.S.A. stamped on products who's quality is not quite up to snuff?? It's embarrassing.
 

Caleb T

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It's cool that you got a USA made one to complete your set!

I think it's a shame that Craftsman is moving to china made tools.... They have always been an average handy mans best friend.
 

Luke G

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Phoenix AZ
I agree, and especially with the Pro line. Why would people pay many times more for a wrench set of inferior quality to the rasied panels and they arent even made in the US?
 

Luke G

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I ordered the SAE and Metric combinations wrenches off of Sears.com around a month ago and recieved USA forged wrenches, however all my local stores are almost exclusively "Fully Polished". I looked at some of them in the store and it was appaling to see how bad the broaching on the box ends was, some were so far off there was almost no teeth on one side of the box! I took another gamble and ordered the deep offset wrencehs off of Sears.com hoping for old stock, but bought a set off of Hiball while waiting for shipping on the new set:thumbup:. I let you guys know where they were made when they come in.

Okay guys, the deep offset wrenches are in and to my suprise...Forged in USA!:bounce: A few have some minor surface rust around the boxes, but overall not bad. This set (12 piece - 7 Metric and 5 SAE) seems to be made of single wrenches as they were packaged in plastic bags in plain brown cardboard. The 12 piece set was labeled Fully Polished not Professional...:lol_hitti

There may still be some USA stock floating around the Sears.com warehouse.
 

griff99

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Okay guys, the deep offset wrenches are in and to my suprise...Forged in USA!:bounce: A few have some minor surface rust around the boxes, but overall not bad. This set (12 piece - 7 Metric and 5 SAE) seems to be made of single wrenches as they were packaged in plastic bags in plain brown cardboard. The 12 piece set was labeled Fully Polished not Professional...:lol_hitti

There may still be some USA stock floating around the Sears.com warehouse.

Not all of them. I picked up the two 5 piece sets in the store last year and I called ahead and had them pull the last two USA sets off the shelf and set them aside for me. I think you're right about the warehouse, though.
 

pipsters

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Just an FYI to anyone wanting these professional wrenches. My local stores still stock the 18 pc and 10 pc wrench modules that are branded "Craftsman full polished" but stamped "Professional" on the back. IMO the wrenches are inferior to the raised panels. They look pretty but in use are of less strength than my RP's. I'm on my second set of 18 & 10 pc sets and am returning even the second set. The open ends just aren't up to snuff. I rounded off a 15mm and 12mm nut this afternoon just playing with them. The 12mm spread under just 18 ft-lbs of pressure.

I really wanted to like these, last of the US polished stuff being produced and all, but I encourage anyone buying them to really check them out and put them to use before dropping the coin on them.
 
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