craftsman screwdriver quality

[sberry]

At a dollar or 2 in a set they are very good. What a super way to get going and cover the bases for a while for cheap.
Sears shot themselves with this. They could have stayed above Walmart and HF but instead want to compete with them and cant. They cant sell any more no matter how low they go,,,and certainly cant make any more money. Look at he pressure here over a modest screwdriver set.

 

[sberry]

I have a fair amount of screwdrivers. I have charge cards and often other peoples money. I used to add a couple drivers for a while to every major purchase at a jobber to the bill and still do occasionally or buy a new driver or plier ahead of a wiring job etc.
I have bought sets as well as singles as needed, a lot of Klieins and rotated to keep new ones on my truck and move the used to shop.
I have ones we paid a dollar from the bargain bucket and they are still with us. The Cman get worn, the Kliens get worn. One is maybe 5-7$ fo a single and Menards have 4-7$ drivers wtc s that's the going rate for singles.
Not much better or worse than Sears, its not magic and its not night and day, a new one works better than a beat one and there are a lot less screws in the world especially in auto,,, so yes,,, my car buds drivers last a long time.
So,,, at single prices the Sears driver is somewhat competitive, it works relatively the same when you need it.
At sale prices you can break it out at a flea market and make money.

 

[sberry]

I don't think Craftsman had much of a choice.

For one, big box stores like Home Depot and Lowes came around selling Chinese tools which worked fine for DYI homeowners and were inexpensive.

Secondly, Snap On trucks began to sell to professionals, winning that market.

So, Sears/Craftsman decided to compete with Home Depot, Lowes, and now Harbor Freight.

Just a question for shits,, How old are you?

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Craftsman has been slowly declining over the years and now that it's outsourced they're all just about garbage.

Since outsourcing, they've used a cheaper grade of steel. This means that to make a wrench as strong as it used to be, you need more steel. A thicker, fatter wrench means it doesn't fit into tight places. Not to mention the tolerances for the box and open end aren't very good anymore.

I'd keep looking if you're anything other than the average DIYer. There's better options out there

First things First: Welcome to the Garage Journal Group..

Lets review the Craftsman brand of tools, and where they have been sourced from over the years... Sears is a retailer, and not a manufacturer of anything. Over the years, they have sold nails, house kits, tractors, clothing, tools, toys, and about everything else.. But all these goods were built by someone else under contract. The terms sourced and outsourced would largely (and interchangeably) apply to the Sears products from day one.. But My guess is that Your post refers to the current wrenches and sockets that are made overseas.. Truth is, the first lobster claw wrenches were made in the USA. They are fat and considered low quality by many folks here on GJ.. As far as their foreign sourced offerings; I have total dis-interest in those hand tools.

Shame on Craftsman for cheapening the standards and specs on SOME of these tools. Their bean counters have their own ideas as to why this happened. I feel that many GJ Members would gladly help them trade their three piece suits for a coating of tar and feathers.


There still are various USA companies building tools under a Craftsman contract.. You will find hammers, screwdrivers. pliers, and other tools still being produced in USA factories.. Many of these tools are budget priced for the Joe Homeowner group, and there are still some higher quality tools offered under the Craftsman name,,, for sure...

The Craftsman name has a value, whether associated with Sears or not..
Baseball, Hot dogs, Craftsman, Chevy, Ford, ,, Craftsman is on the list.

 

[rodsnratfinks]

People who turn screws more than a few times a year should buy higher quality screwdrivers Craftsman or HF.

Sent from my SM-G920V using Tapatalk

 

[Cato]

Just a question for shits,, How old are you?

45, why do you ask?

 

[sberry]

I m 55 but lived thru al this. Lowes and such overtook Sears, Sears didn't start out to compete with them. Sears fault was when they seen Walmart coming they wanted to compete with them instead of holding ground they owned. Snapon didn't come along recently to add to their problems.
Sears was 10 cents on the dollar compared to Snap when I started and the are even less now. It was a factor, I got some estimates when I entered in 80 and what was 3K then at Sears was about 20K on the truck and only half way down the list.
I bought other brand stuff but went for Sears then and said if I need to will get other stuff at some point. I was disappointed when it showed up with the claws and we broke some sockets that shouldn't have. In the end it was a good move. The stuff did what it was sposed to. We still use it, no reason to change.

 

[Cato]

I m 55 but lived thru al this. Lowes and such overtook Sears, Sears didn't start out to compete with them. Sears fault was when they seen Walmart coming they wanted to compete with them instead of holding ground they owned. Snapon didn't come along recently to add to their problems.

I think too many guys fault Sears as being money hungry for going overseas. Sears is a business first, and a family friend last. Most people want cheap Chinese tools. Sure, tool connoisseurs balk, but that's the truth of the matter. Also, department stores are becoming extinct. The internet and home improvement stores (which may have their days numbered, too) are the current trend.

 

[1950mercury]

The newer Craftsman Pros are great. Close second in handle comfort to Snap on instinct handles. Tips are great as well. I have a VERY complete set including torx. Try the SK cushion grips they are the same but green in color. Professional quality.

Yea to bad they don't make them anymore!!!!! What do you get for a warranty.

 

[shanny19]

home improvement stores (which may have their days numbered, too) .

It's going to be a long, long time before home improvement stores go away, based solely on the bulk of their offerings.
In other words, it's going to be a long, long time before Amazon Prime gives me free shipping on a sheet of 1/2" plywood.
Might happen soon enough in urban centers, you know places where GrubHub actually delivers. Going to be a much longer time for small town USA, we'll keep the home improvement stores for a while yet.

 

[Cato]

In other words, it's going to be a long, long time before Amazon Prime gives me free shipping on a sheet of 1/2" plywood.

Next month? Probably not. Next year? Who knows?

I never would have thought Amazon would be in the grocery business, but you can get your grub via Amazon Fresh in many areas.

 

[anndel]

Just bought and received via UPS the Craftsman 17 piece screwdriver set, Made in the USA. I have several of the same screwdrivers from 30 years ago but wanted others that I've lost after moving house and tools 5 times in the last 10 years. It was $23 plus tax and shipping and after careful inspection, they're similar to the 30 year old ones but doesn't look as sturdy. We'll shall see....

 

[iScream]

Just bought and received via UPS the Craftsman 17 piece screwdriver set, Made in the USA. I have several of the same screwdrivers from 30 years ago but wanted others that I've lost after moving house and tools 5 times in the last 10 years. It was $23 plus tax and shipping and after careful inspection, they're similar to the 30 year old ones but doesn't look as sturdy. We'll shall see....

You need to sign up for SYW. I got that same set for about $14 to my door a while back using surprise points and the Max trial.

 

[sberry]

How good they got to be for 14$ That's a bargain, no wonder Sears is broke.

 

[Banjorear]

If you can find them, I'm totally impressed with the now discontinued Craftsman Professionals with the red/black cushioned handles. They rank right up there with Snappys IMHO.

 

[shanny19]

If you can find them, I'm totally impressed with the now discontinued Craftsman Professionals with the red/black cushioned handles. They rank right up there with Snappys IMHO.

They are easy to find in green, just aSK around........

 

[sberry]

Unless one is in a brutal shop screwdrivers are not that demanding anymore. 99 of any phillips would be power driven but for some old crude removal and slots on a little electric work. Modern cars have very few old style screws, its a tool I am not super sensitive about as I would have been in 1980.

 

[d.mcfarland]

They are easy to find in green, just aSK around........

Very clever haha