Craftsman slim handle ratchets china.
- Thread starter wrenchr
- Start date
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
I can only imagine where the polished pear-head ratchets will be made, but if Taiwan is going to make the higher end stuff, the pear-heads are a ****-shoot but likely mainland I bet.
Time to start hoarding the US stuff again I guess. Thanks Sears.
Time to start hoarding the US stuff again I guess. Thanks Sears.
GoBlue
Well-known member
Son of a *****
GoBlue
Well-known member
Maybe the quality will go up? Maybe Craftsman will go to another source than the bastards at dahner? I just fired off half a dozen emails
Maybe the quality will go up? Maybe Craftsman will go to another source than the bastards at dahner? I just fired off half a dozen emails
You really think Sears didn't OKAY the overseas production?
GoBlue
Well-known member
I always figured Sears gave dahner a price point and a quality point...nothing more.
I'm not really worried about quality [although the return of metal selectors on the ratchets is great news] its the price. If i want imported tools of passable quality i'll buy Toptul, Stanley, GW, Titan, HF Pro or any one of the other hundreds of quality imported tools at 1/3 ot 1/2 less than what Sears will be asking. The kicker is chances are excellent many of the products in those brands will be identical to Imported Craftsman.
As an example the Craftsman Full Polish wrenches [$99-China] may be very nice wrenches but i'll never know because i can buy very good quality GW sets for half that any day of the week.
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diesel research
Well-known member
Maybe the quality will go up? Maybe Craftsman will go to another source than the bastards at dahner? I just fired off half a dozen emails
Danaher has plenty of facilities in asia it seems.
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
Actually, for me it's all about a balance of price, quality, warranty and convenience.
If Sears is now foisting Asian made tools upon the masses but touting the Made in USA banner while filling warranty issues with inferior products and bad attitudes means lose-lose for everyone.
Sears can't battle Harbor Freight dollar for dollar and win--and we all know that, but they do have a long standing good-tool reputation and tools of high or consistant quality, Old Glory and US jobs on their side--or at least they did until this last outsourcing. If all they now have to offer is a "brand identity" as opposed to a good product, the end is near.
Their choice. Their call.
But Sears mgmt. better start reciting the lines " Would you like fries with that" for their next job interviews come Q2 or Q3 2012.
Much of what Sears does bothers me very little. Muck with the core tools and I get bent. Well, that and sad.
Very sad.
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plinker
Well-known member
I'll agree with this.
Like I said Napa had switched to essentially all Gearwrench hand tools labeled Napa (wrenches/sockets/ratchets) and those replace the USA made Danaher tools they did have (which were the same as Allen, KD, C-man).
Gearwrench is not junk per say, but if I want Gearwrench, then I'll buy Gearwrench. The thing that is bothering everybody, I think, is the fact that Craftsman line is going asian like a snowball going to you know where, not so much the overall quality issue. Everyone (including me) "knows" (or knew?) the majority of the C-man line is USA made, that was the main selling point, along with the warranty.
And like you say why would anyone pay 100$ for the same set you can get for 50$? I know I would not.
I've seen this happen already (Napa stuff) and it's just not cricket.
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Unfortunately, I cannot find the cable to download photos off my phone.
I visited my local Sears and a local ACE Hardware.
Sears had all USA made ratchets excepting 1/2" Long Handle RP. It was made in China. I didn't check with a magnet or cross compare to another ratchet, but it appeared the selector lever was plastic but the QR button was metal. The Taiwan Thin Profiles haven't gotten to me yet.
When I went to ACE, I was surprised. They've expanded their CMan line-up even since the past few weeks. My store has three full aisles. An aisle of storage, two of power tools, one of mechanic stuff, and two of misc tools (bits, blades, hammers, pry bars, etc). ACE had all USA ratchets. What I found very interesting, though, were the ratchet wrenches. They had a few sets of Gearwrench branded Gearwrench. They had sets of ACE Professional branded Gearwrench. IE - Gearwrench on the face and ACE Professional on the obverse. Made in Taiwan. No open stock.
They also had Craftsman branded Gearwrench clones (CMan on both sides). Made in China. No sets, only open stock.
Finally, they had RAISED PANEL ratchet wrenches. I'd never seen those before. Short length, satin finished, raised panel combo wrenches with a craptacular 36 tooth mechanism. Made in USA. No sets, only open stock. After searching CMan website, I find them on there pretty easily, but I'd never see these before at my local Sears. I also wouldn't buy them... a few on the shelf didn't click. They seemed very low quality, but they were heavy.
I visited my local Sears and a local ACE Hardware.
Sears had all USA made ratchets excepting 1/2" Long Handle RP. It was made in China. I didn't check with a magnet or cross compare to another ratchet, but it appeared the selector lever was plastic but the QR button was metal. The Taiwan Thin Profiles haven't gotten to me yet.
When I went to ACE, I was surprised. They've expanded their CMan line-up even since the past few weeks. My store has three full aisles. An aisle of storage, two of power tools, one of mechanic stuff, and two of misc tools (bits, blades, hammers, pry bars, etc). ACE had all USA ratchets. What I found very interesting, though, were the ratchet wrenches. They had a few sets of Gearwrench branded Gearwrench. They had sets of ACE Professional branded Gearwrench. IE - Gearwrench on the face and ACE Professional on the obverse. Made in Taiwan. No open stock.
They also had Craftsman branded Gearwrench clones (CMan on both sides). Made in China. No sets, only open stock.
Finally, they had RAISED PANEL ratchet wrenches. I'd never seen those before. Short length, satin finished, raised panel combo wrenches with a craptacular 36 tooth mechanism. Made in USA. No sets, only open stock. After searching CMan website, I find them on there pretty easily, but I'd never see these before at my local Sears. I also wouldn't buy them... a few on the shelf didn't click. They seemed very low quality, but they were heavy.
powertrip
Well-known member
Thats usually because they own rather than lease the store. Alot of sears stores are like this. My wife is a retail lease accountant.
Bigpigdave
Well-known member
My Sears which carried the 84T Premium Ratchets did not have them in stock the last time I was there. When I asked one of the employees why they were not in stock I was told these had been discontinued. I thought the employee was mistaken, maybe they were correct.
Dave
thesilverone
Well-known member
My pics:
1/4 dr RP
3/8 dr RP
1/2 dr RP
This has been bothering me all night.
There were some Made in USA mixed in.
1/4 dr RP
3/8 dr RP
1/2 dr RP
This has been bothering me all night.
There were some Made in USA mixed in.
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Re: 3/8" drive premium ratchets:
Nothing within 300 miles? Sounds discontinued to me....
Pity, really. I probably would have bought one of these if I could have fondled it in the store first. They're expensive enough I wouldn't buy one without seeing first. In my local Sears (or any Sears nearby, for that matter) they weren't stocked, and in fact most of the employees didn't even know of their existence until I told them about the ratchets. One thing you can say about Sears -- they know how to keep a secret....
Sears website said:
Nothing within 300 miles? Sounds discontinued to me....
Pity, really. I probably would have bought one of these if I could have fondled it in the store first. They're expensive enough I wouldn't buy one without seeing first. In my local Sears (or any Sears nearby, for that matter) they weren't stocked, and in fact most of the employees didn't even know of their existence until I told them about the ratchets. One thing you can say about Sears -- they know how to keep a secret....
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jjjrmx5
Well-known member
HELL------It'll bother me for the next decade and more. LOL.
To quote the band They Might Be Giants, :"Don't shake the devil's hand and say you're only kidding...".
fivespdcat
Well-known member
- Joined
- Oct 25, 2011
- Messages
- 1,520
I'm amused they kept the crappy flat panel design. You would think if they paid for new tooling they would go all polished, but apparently they want to continue their branding...
thesilverone
Well-known member
the parts that are polished/chromed are shinier on the china made ones too
I too tried to get a simple rebuild kit for one of my truck 3/8 ratchets and was told to bring it bye for a rebuild. Unfortunately he only works during reg business hours when I have a hard time making it there.
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Triangle town center and Crab Tree have never had them. They did offer a sale online for $120 for the set, was hoping they'd come back in stock to order but it seems they haven't come back.
They are probably shipping the tooling over there. I know a guy who worked for a company who specializes in that. They load entire plants on aircraft and 8 hours later unload it in China. Up and running quickly.
I'm 100% sure the polished slim is a new tooling, the head is larger.
93sr20det
Well-known member
Sears isn't dead anytime soon. Face it we are probably the only people in the country who give a rats *** about where a ratchet is made. Average Joe blow consumer just wants a cheap tool with a lifetime warranty. Now that sears has offshored production and kept the pricing on a USA made level they may turn a profit and they will make our fathers and grandfathers roll over in their graves.
Displaced Hokie
Well-known member
he's got the red, white, and blue flyin' high on the farm
semper fi tattooed on his left arm
spends a little more at the store for a tag in the back that says u.s.a.
won't buy nothin' that he can't fix,
with wd40 and a craftsman wrench
he ain't prejudice he's just, made in america
Toby Keith, like most average folks, is sure everything there is USA. No one will notice. Sadly, Sears is likely playing this song at every meeting they have.
Lyrics should have been "Snap On" (and I'm not a SO nutswinger). But I guess this was supposed to be a common man song. Actually, better lyrics should have been "standard wrench" (i.e., not metric).
semper fi tattooed on his left arm
spends a little more at the store for a tag in the back that says u.s.a.
won't buy nothin' that he can't fix,
with wd40 and a craftsman wrench
he ain't prejudice he's just, made in america
Toby Keith, like most average folks, is sure everything there is USA. No one will notice. Sadly, Sears is likely playing this song at every meeting they have.
Lyrics should have been "Snap On" (and I'm not a SO nutswinger). But I guess this was supposed to be a common man song. Actually, better lyrics should have been "standard wrench" (i.e., not metric).
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SMKS
Well-known member
I just posted a thread with detailed pics comparing a Chinese and USA Craftsman RP ratchet.
Here's the link:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126875
Here's the link:
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=126875
How many people at Sears buy Craftsman because they are US made though? I would bet a decent amount. Otherwise the informed shoppers just got to Harbor Freight.
Maybe some moms and wives buying stuff but from my experience the guys buying the most tools (mechanics) are all in line at Harbor Freight.
Also, sad as it is, Chinese/Taiwanese tools are of higher quality than the USA Craftsman in regards to the sockets/chroming and ratchets. Look at even the cheap Evolve line, brillant chrome that is perfect. Now look at a US produced Craftsman socket - nickel chrome (doesn't bother me) but the finish on the sockets tend to be half assed in some cases. Nicks/dents in sockets, chrome that either is flaking or pitted, ball retainer divots punched at different depths. I am a die hard US Craftsman supporter but every time I find another small issue it just adds up to "total loss of confidence" in the brand.
I had a choice today - was going to buy the Craftsman Made in USA 250 pc tool set for $149.99 on sale for a "future" son 10+ years down the road. I had it in my cart on the site and happened to see this thread with pics of the RP ratchets now coming from China. Thought long and canceled it (probably stupid as even in 5 years the USA sets will probably command a pretty penny on ebay). I'm done. SK, to me, is now my go to. I will selectively buy some stuff but no longer the basic hand tools.
Next question is, are the RP wrenches next???
I remember watching this. Toby Keith had quite a different perspective.
Start at 3:01
SC-
In your album "Made in America" you are taking on Globalization, because you say nothing is made here anymore.
TK-
Well its about a generation before us where you could go into a bank. And um. My dad could go into a bank, and his father could go into a bank, shake hands with a banker, and have an agreement, and
and everybody would get along, and you'd get things done. Pharmacies the same way. And now, all of those things are gone, and its difficult for us to function. I think it hurts our economy.
SC-
What's the Answer?
TK-
There is no answer.
kythri
Well-known member
So, to the folks that have compared the two different ratchets (thin profile and raised panel) side by side, have you tried swapping the guts, and are they functional?
I ask, because I'm curious about future rebuilds...
I ask, because I'm curious about future rebuilds...
SMKS
Well-known member
I was thinking the same thing...buy the Chinese in store, swap the guts and still have a US made ratchet with Chinese guts...better than 100% Chinese...
Also I'm not 100% sure but I bet you could swap Armstrong and Matco guts in the thin profiles.
Wish Sears sold rebuild kits I would buy about 3 for each one.
TireTracks
Well-known member
Too strong?
"
I am Writing you today to Tell you of my disappointment I feel after I discovered that you People are converting the Last affordable USA Made tools commonly available into another Chinese made shell of a once Great american Icon! I Vow to you that for the rest of my life, I will Tell everyone I meet about your act of treason! Once the last of the USA made Craftsman made tools disappear from the stores, I will never return as a customer. If I wanted Chinese made tools, I will buy them at a store that did not destroy an American Icon in the name of pure profit, and will pay the appropriate $ price.Generations of Americans have loved and trusted Craftsman tools, and I can blatantly see that it will not be that way for me or my future children. Every man in my family that builds things, starting with my grandfather, Have bought Craftsman tools, and I guess I will be the one to end that.
Practice Up on your " Do you want fries with that", Your going to need it.
Love-
I hope you go broke
"
Won't matter to them, but it made me feel a (tiny) bit better. I'm PISSED about this. I have spent a **** ton of money there on tools, and My dad has spent a ****ton of money there, and my Grandpa have spent a ****ton of money on craftsman tools. The fact that the warrenty is for all intents and pourposes "null and void' in my mind is makeing me Fume.
"
I am Writing you today to Tell you of my disappointment I feel after I discovered that you People are converting the Last affordable USA Made tools commonly available into another Chinese made shell of a once Great american Icon! I Vow to you that for the rest of my life, I will Tell everyone I meet about your act of treason! Once the last of the USA made Craftsman made tools disappear from the stores, I will never return as a customer. If I wanted Chinese made tools, I will buy them at a store that did not destroy an American Icon in the name of pure profit, and will pay the appropriate $ price.Generations of Americans have loved and trusted Craftsman tools, and I can blatantly see that it will not be that way for me or my future children. Every man in my family that builds things, starting with my grandfather, Have bought Craftsman tools, and I guess I will be the one to end that.
Practice Up on your " Do you want fries with that", Your going to need it.
Love-
I hope you go broke
"
Won't matter to them, but it made me feel a (tiny) bit better. I'm PISSED about this. I have spent a **** ton of money there on tools, and My dad has spent a ****ton of money there, and my Grandpa have spent a ****ton of money on craftsman tools. The fact that the warrenty is for all intents and pourposes "null and void' in my mind is makeing me Fume.
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diesel research
Well-known member
No. Armstrong/matco don't have a 60 tooth QUICK RELEASE as far as I know. Users of those brands typically prefer them not to. Meaning you would be left with a big hole in the back of your cman ratchet and no QR (cman users typically prefer QR and probably wouldn't want an exposed hole either)
ibedayank
Well-known member
looks like I will stock up on rebuild kits....they can keep the made in china **** I will not be buying any
woody 73
Well-known member
Over thie past weekend on black Friday I went to my local sears they did have people buying tools on sale; but just about every tools was made in China.
I am not thrilled about the made in china product with the high USA price but I have come to the realization that most of the tool companies are moving in that direction.
It was only a matter of time that the others would follow that course of action.
Woody
I am not thrilled about the made in china product with the high USA price but I have come to the realization that most of the tool companies are moving in that direction.
It was only a matter of time that the others would follow that course of action.
Woody
Cheap5.0
Well-known member
The 3/8" socket/ratchet set i picked up for my bro in law for $10 is stamped made in USA. I was kind of surprised.
mrbreezeet1
Banned
Yeah I wasn't that crazy about the later ones.
The ones from the 60's with the VV logo and kind of a "sea shell" looking selector, those were nice.
And there was a 3/8" long flex head, with a curved handle , sort of a spark plug ratchet,
professional series I would think, it was full chrome, looked nice, but I always thought it was a POS. Don't know who made it at the time.
I got it in around 1993 when my Snap On was was stolen at work.
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MoToys
Well-known member
Got one at ace a month ago and just checked, it is stamped USA.
Suprising for $10.
I'll put it on eBay in 2 years and make some profit.
I actually like those to an extent. I use them on really greasy/nasty stuff.
kythri
Well-known member
Try "frothing at the mouth insane" if you're using words like treason.
If you want them to take you seriously, lay off the hyperbole and vitriol. Otherwise, they're simply going to click "delete" after hitting the first sign of instability.
I definitely think making your displeasure known to the powers that be is a good thing to do, regardless of the ultimate outcome - if you don't, they're not going to know the extent of the discontent.
That said, this isn't even a "catch more bees with honey than vinegar" situation - this is a complete dismissal of your letter due to the language and tone.
Professionalism is key. A rational complaint will be read. An irrational complaint such as this will be given zero consideration.