Craftsman single nut drivers now China

[Brownsfan]

Thats right now the nut drivers are starting to be made in China. I saw a couple on the hooks while looking for a extra 10mm to carry in my tool bag. The SAE are easy to see the difference. They are not clear like the USA. They are VERY cloudy. The metric differences are more subtle but noticeable. So what's next? Pliers? Screwdrivers? Pretty soon it will all be China made. All the sets on the hooks were USA though. Just wanted to give the heads up to those one here so look before you buy and don't assume they are USA made anymore. I wouldn't have noticed if not for how cloudy almost dirty looking the SAE one was.

 

[Cato]

Hey, it's what most homeowners want. Cheap, imported, and disposable.

Professionals will buy from the tool truck or online.

I wish this was 1950, but what 'ya gonna do?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Were they made by western forge while they were still USA?

 

[CNGsaves]

All the more reason to continue my strategy of buying ALL Craftsman nutdrivers that I see at garage sales.

I've got most SAE for 25 cents or 50 cents each. Harder to find MM but keeping my hopes up !!

 

[kn51]

Not quite applicable to what you spotted, but just last week I bought the SAE/Metric set (comes in a zipper pouch) and they were USA. Except for the pouch which had a giant sticker on it.

 

[Tellingthem]

Not a big surprise. After seeing the clearance deals lately figured the end was nigh...

 

[rjtack]

What?Craftsman tools are now made in China? I thought mentioning this was off limits in this forum?

 

[Brownsfan]

It's not off limits but it's just more of a heads up. Just saying check them before you buy to make sure you are getting the USA stuff. Probably won't be long before the sets are China.

 

[Tellingthem]

What?Craftsman tools are now made in China? I thought mentioning this was off limits in this forum?

Wrenches, ratchets, sockets have been china for awhile now. Nut drivers. Pry bars, pliers, etc are mostly still USA. So if they are moving those to China then that is a bit of a different story.

 

[Jim C.]

All the more reason to continue my strategy of buying ALL Craftsman nutdrivers that I see at garage sales........

And then what? To be honest, unless you're trying to have a set in each box/car/etc., I can't imagine ever needing more than one set of SAE and one set of metric. Nut drivers seem like one of those tools that never break. Just by the nature of what they're designed to do (small stuff) I'd think they'd never need to be replaced. Just wondering what the master "strategy" is.

Jim C.

 

[Steve08]

And then what? To be honest, unless you're trying to have a set in each box/car/etc., I can't imagine ever needing more than one set of SAE and one set of metric. Nut drivers seem like one of those tools that never break. Just by the nature of what they're designed to do (small stuff) I'd think they'd never need to be replaced. Just wondering what the master "strategy" is.

Jim C

I agree, I bought mine decades ago and everything still works as new. It's just one of those one time investment situations.

 

[jrobb316]

I would assume the master strategy is, if you want them and don't have them, go buy them. I personally don't find much of a use for nut drivers and have a complete set that came with a CMan tool set I purchased in 1999, and i've used maybe two times since then.

 

[woody 73]

I found myself in the Sears tool Dept. this week and they had row after row of loose universal sockets (the new ones); but the chrome individual sockets seemed to be in a smaller section. I don't know are they going to do away with the chrome sockets in favor of the new universal sockets like the one below?

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...178&thid=JN.U2Lfkd3nvs/AV2WQLm27wg&ajaxhist=0

 

[CNGsaves]

And then what? To be honest, unless you're trying to have a set in each box/car/etc., I can't imagine ever needing more than one set of SAE and one set of metric. Nut drivers seem like one of those tools that never break. Just by the nature of what they're designed to do (small stuff) I'd think they'd never need to be replaced. Just wondering what the master "strategy" is.

Jim C.

Should have been clearer. I'm buying "all" the USA Craftsman nutdrivers UNTIL I assemble a full set of both SAE and Metric !!

Think I have about 7 or 8 so far . . most SAE so far. Not nearly a set yet of either.

Maybe if I stumble upon a motherload of USA CM nutdrivers, I'll work up another set for son's toolbox. I found him cantilever Crowntop Craftsman on CL a few month's ago !!

 

[Brownsfan]

I guess I'm glad I have the 14pc SAE and Metric in the regular handle and a 14pc set in the T-handle both USA. As said above nut drivers are one of those tools you want break . But you can loose them and that's why them going to China *****. They are also clearing out the pro hook and pic set. I got a sew set for $17. I already have a set in my tool bag so this new set goes to the shop box. I really like the Professional hook and pic set. They are tough as hell. I have put my set through hell and back and no breaks or bends. I just wanted another set before you can't get then anymore.

 

[Wakefield]

Is Western Forge still USA but Sears moved the contract to another supplier? Or did WF move production to China? If still USA,are there other vendors for WF products?
Seems like Epstein's sells some WF (Western Forge)

 

[DodgeMech]

wouldn't be surprised if some matco stuff was made by them

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Is Western Forge still USA but Sears moved the contract to another supplier? Or did WF move production to China? If still USA,are there other vendors for WF products?
Seems like Epstein's sells some WF (Western Forge)

Western forge is owned by ideal, who also owns sk. So they are not moving overseas. I am just curious if WF made the usa made ones. If they switched from WF to another supplier, it could mean that the pliers,adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers that are made by WF in the usa could go overseas.

 

[Cold N Dusty]

Dumb question and please don't get upset but I use a nut driver daily in my line of work and I have an old cm set from the mid nineties. I have a pieced together metric set of imports. I cannot tell the difference when it comes to driving a nut. I too would love to support American made but I just don't feel the quality difference. If I had to start over with them today coo would have almost nothing to do with my buying decision. Your opinion may vary but I don't see the reason coo matters on something with no moving parts and is virtually indestructable if you use it like a human being in a reasonable manner. So why does USA matter so much on a nut driver?

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Western forge is owned by ideal, who also owns sk. So they are not moving overseas. I am just curious if WF made the usa made ones.

IIRC Western Forge did the USA nutdrivers, as well as the screwdrivers,prybars, etc.

If they switched from WF to another supplier, it could mean that the pliers,adjustable wrenches and screwdrivers that are made by WF in the usa could go overseas.

That would be precisely what's going on. They found a supplier in China to "clone" the old USA offerings, so they'll be switching over all the new stock as the old stuff is cleared out.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Dumb question and please don't get upset but I use a nut driver daily in my line of work and I have an old cm set from the mid nineties. I have a pieced together metric set of imports. I cannot tell the difference when it comes to driving a nut. I too would love to support American made but I just don't feel the quality difference. If I had to start over with them today coo would have almost nothing to do with my buying decision. Your opinion may vary but I don't see the reason coo matters on something with no moving parts and is virtually indestructable if you use it like a human being in a reasonable manner. So why does USA matter so much on a nut driver?

It don't matter. But people should know about changes in what they are buying, specifically since I bet sears is selling them at the same price as USA ones. Why buy something at sears that has the price tag of USA with china coo when you can stop buy harbor freight and get the same thing for less?

 

[AceofSpad3s]

IIRC Western Forge did the USA nutdrivers, as well as the screwdrivers,prybars, etc.

Are you talking about the pro pry bars? The regulars were wilde and the pros were wf.

That would be precisely what's going on. They found a supplier in China to "clone" the old USA offerings, so they'll be switching over all the new stock as the old stuff is cleared out.

It is going to be interesting to see how this is going to play out. I wonder what will bit the dust next, the pliers,screwdrivers or adjustables.

 

[tubamonster]

Even some of their USA made stuff has been disappointing lately. I bought a hook and pick set ( http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-4-pc-hook-and-pick-set-with/p-00941634000P ) and 2 of the hooks have already come out of the handle after minimal use. They do seem to have good steel though.

 

[jrobb316]

Guess i'll pick up the pro pry bar set soon. It is the only thing thats been on my CMan wish list in quite a while. And thats only to complete the set, I picked up the add on 10" and 31" bar a while ago, and I really like the handles.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Are you talking about the pro pry bars? The regulars were wilde and the pros were wf.

Sorry, I should have specified, yes the pros. IIRC, I thought I'd seen on here that the standard red handles have already been replaced with China knock offs?

It is going to be interesting to see how this is going to play out. I wonder what will bit the dust next, the pliers,screwdrivers or adjustables.

I'm amazed it's gone this far and things are still being replaced one at a time. I figured they would've been done with it all at least a year or two ago.

Even some of their USA made stuff has been disappointing lately. I bought a hook and pick set ( http://m.craftsman.com/craftsman-4-pc-hook-and-pick-set-with/p-00941634000P ) and 2 of the hooks have already come out of the handle after minimal use. They do seem to have good steel though.

Those are made by Ullman, and have a long history of coming out of the handles. They are also sold by the truck brands:

Craftsman CHP4-L 4 Piece Hook & Pick Set - Ullman CHP4-L, Snap-On PSLR4, Matco CHP4L, MAC PSCHP4L

 

[tjpavlov]

The pro pry bars are made by Mahew.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

Sorry, I should have specified, yes the pros. IIRC, I thought I'd seen on here that the standard red handles have already been replaced with China knock offs?

I thought they got rid of all the pro stuff a while ago which is why I used were when referring to the red ones and the pros. The red ones have been outsourced but they used to be wilde, I think my store might have a few usa stragglers, but I don't remember.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

The pro pry bars are made by Mahew.

Damn, that's right! Shows where my mind is tonight...

 

[jrobb316]

I believe the pro bars are mayhew. They are the same as the Matco ones, the handles are slightly different, with my preference to the CMans. $30 after 20 bucks in surprise points can't be beat, so i'll pick em up tomorrow

 

[jrobb316]

Those huge picks are made by WF. I have a set and they are very nice. Great for removing cooling system hoses. I highly recommend them for the $20 or whatever they are.

 

[inline five]

I bought the Pro prybar set a couple years ago when they still sold the 5 pc for under $50. Hell of a deal. Just used it while redoing the front end on my car last week again, love the hammer handles.

 

[jrobb316]

I bought 2 sets of the 10 and 31" individuals when I could find them, and I use the heck out of the 31". My other set is a snap on pry bar set, and these CMan Pros are every bit as good as they are. So i'll have a 5 piece CMan set at work and a 7 piece CMan/Snapon set at home. Sounds good to me.

 

[Wamsutta]

The Western Forge nutdrivers were the only tools left made in USA.

 

[lightning02]

Thank god I have a finished my set and have all usa ones. I don't even see me needing to warranty them since some of them I bought about 18 years ago and they are still in fine condition.

 

[Cato]

I too would love to support American made but I just don't feel the quality difference. So why does USA matter so much on a nut driver?

I have a set of Chinese Husky combo wrenches I bought in the 1990s and a set of Snap On Flank drive combo wrenches I bought last year. I can't tell any difference in quality. In fact I had to send the Snap On wrenches back for flaking chrome when they arrived new.

A lot of guys start claiming the Chinese tool steel is inferior - could be but I have yet to see any data supporting that.

Bottom line, I'm a couple hundred dollars poorer because of Snap On.

I suppose I feel a little fancy using Snap On. lol

 

[DWise]

I checked my 4 Craftsman nut driver sets and all the handles are marked -H- I don't have a clue who that is.

 

[1982fxr]

Western Forge is USA.

actually I thought these were china for over a year now...? they dropped the WF beam torque wrenches for china quite a while ago...

 

[finn]

If the Chinese people can make a computer or cell phone of satisfactory commercial quality, it is difficult to believe that they don't have the ability or technology to make a nut driver with no moving parts.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

The Western Forge nutdrivers were the only tools left made in USA.

No they are not. The regular screwdrivers are, adjustable wrenches, the black handled pliers are USA by WF. Hammers are USA Vaughn, then there are the stragglers in each department like the plastic socket rails.