craftsman tools

[Cucvnut]

So I was at the hardware store and its owned by Sears called Orchard supply hardware. They have Craftsman I looked at it but I could not bring my self to buy any of it. It looks to cheap to me and the plastic cases are Meh. Its not the same stuff from even a few years ago when I worked at sears. Any one else feel this way?

 

[TWX]

I don't care about the cases. I have only one blow-molded case that has tools in it, and that's because it's the junkyard kit and I want to know if I'm missing anything before I leave.

I haven't had any new problems with the handtools that I didn't have ten years ago. Ratches occasionally won't stay locked one way or the other, sockets occasionally crack. Slip-joint pliers have joints that wear out. That's pretty much the extent of it for me.

 

[byoungblood]

I still swap out broken stuff with them, but I haven't been able to bring myself to buy anything new from them lately. I was tempted by their new premium ratchets, but I couldn't find any of them on the shelves (wasn't even a spot for them) at two stores I went to yesterday. I was a little ticked off that a small pair of side cutters I brought in for replacement were replaced with a made in china, even if they were the "Professional" brand.

FWIW, if anyone in the Memphis area reads this, the Sears at Hickory Hill Mall off of Winchester Rd had about 3-4 sets (SAE and Metric) of USA made Professional combination wrenches. If I hadn't made up my mind to seek out a set of Proto ASDs or WrightGrips I probably would have picked them up myself.

 

[six-T-seven]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

 

[jjjrmx5]

Its not the same stuff from even a few years ago when I worked at sears. Any one else feel this way?

Really? I'd be hard pressed to believe that that many items have changed in only two years.

For every person that loves to bash Sears, I;m guessing there is a second that still likes, loves and uses the tools daily or weekly.

Are they on par with "Truck bought tools?" Not in most cases. But for most homeowners and weekend wrenchers they fit the bill just fine.

If you don;t like Sears, there are many many options out there to buy from, espesically if shopping via the internet.

You want local, there is always the autopart store tools that include S-K, Gearwrench,Duralast and may others. And then there's always harbor Freight.

While Sears and Craftsman have in some cases moved formerly made in USA tool over the the Far East, they still offer a very capable selection of tools and do use several usa or European vendors to supply the tools they sell.

While I do limit what tools I personally buy from Sears to a couple of handfuls of types and brands any more, they sell a reasonably good product for a fair price in most cases. If you don;t like them, then don't shop there, but there are a lot of inferior tool offerings out there far worse than Sears.

 

[sporty_drew]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

Every other day

 

[leg17]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

Kind of like gun magazines.

".270 vs .30-06"

or

"What's the best .22?"

Same stuff every other month.

 

[porphyre]

Every other day

Whether we need it or not!

 

[powertrip]

This **** is getting so old.

 

[Altec]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

As long as someone posts a Snap-on bash thread, and a Harbor Freight ***** thread, all will be well. Gotta keep things balanced!

Cucvnut- Some stuff is good, some is meh. I really haven't noticed a large recent drop. I would say I noticed a change around the end of the '90's. RP ratchets, and anything with a China sticker on it is where I have my biggest gripes...

Edit,

Oh, transfer case troubles?

 

[WR250F]

I've ordered quite a bit from Sears lately.

Happy with the quality, it was as I expected, knowing Sears like I do.

I picked up a few wrenches and some sockets due to the sales, additional 10% off over sale prices etc, and an employee discount on top of that (sister in law works for Sears).

What I DO have a problem with where Sears is concerned is their customer service.

First order, decent tap and die set, some t-handles. Order shipped within three hours (according to the e-mail confirmation).

Time goes by, I watch the tracking number all the way to the nearest UPS hub, then the package is listed as out for delivery within the next 24 hrs...........long silence..... more silence.... order never shows.

UPS "lost" it. I can't file a claim because I'm not the shipper. I call Sears

Two weeks later, I'm still trying to get credit for the stuff that never comes. A customer service rep says, reorder the stuff, then call me back with the order number and I will make sure you get the same prices as the original order, along with the free shipping deal.

OK, done.

The stuff finally arrived today. The t-handle set is missing one and has two of the same size. The tap and die set is cracked up like an egg shell and customer service says we'll have to make another claim.

OK, stuff happens...I guess.

I opened the socket set I got Sunday evening to get it in the tool chest and find they just didn't ship any 3/8" standard depth sockets as indicated on the packing sheet.

I got off the phone about an hour ago with Danaher (their number is on the packing sheet to call if you have any problems) and they can't ship any replacements since it is an entire range (13 sockets total) without authorization from Sears customer service... really ?... damn.

I got an e-mail advising me there has been a delay in shipping the order of t-handles and tap and die set... really ?... they're sitting right here in front of me. The order is short, and damaged, but I'm looking at it.

So, I call customer service, go thru the whole story again explaining the situation and I get another e-mail saying my order has been shipped with a new tracking number.

I checked my online stuff and what do you know, I've been charged for the entire order again.

I can live with the tools, they will (eventually) work fine for my use, the warranty is hard to beat and the price is unbeatable.

What I can't live with is the growing storm of a mess this is turning into and I have another small order on the way that is either in transit or lost God only knows where.

The tools are fine, the customer service and attention to detail is worse than the Chinese ever will be.

 

[socalbodydude]

I havent had any usues. Some tools i dont like but whatever.overall i really like craftsman and for the price thers nothing that really compares. Get over it! Lets start a snap on rip off thread.

 

[earlthegoat2]

Since you worked at Sears, you should know how bass ackwards that company is.

 

[Cucvnut]

for the people saying i bashed it i said it looks cheap i did not say it sucked or was not usable. I im not bashing i just don't like the new tools.

 

[Old Donn]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

Does the sun rise in the East? In other words, it'll happen one way or the other. I'm officially opening a Craftsman Rescue. Like unwanted dogs & cats, I'm stepping up to do the same for Cman. Any of you who can't stand the thought of Craftsman in your boxes/bags/chests, send them my way. I'll see they find good homes.

 

[greybeard]

I'll say it again, Craftsman is as good as most people will ever need. It gets the job done.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

Buy good old used Craftsman and be done with it.

 

[ibedayank]

Buy good old used Craftsman and be done with it.

what she says.....and what I have been doing

 

[blue dog]

My 3/8 premium grade ratchet has become my go to, i love it. I just wish they would build it in a flex head. I have the 1/2 and 1/4, but rarely seem to use them, but they are nice.

 

[american lockpicker]

Some stuff is ok.

 

[Jim C.]

do we really need another anti-Craftsman thread? really?

I agree. The original poster should consider buying some (s)ignificantly (o)verpriced stuff, then maybe he'll appreciate Craftsman tools a little more. I also agree with some of the other respondents. Buy older, used Craftsman tools when possible, and you'll get some pretty good quality for a reasonable price.

Jim C.

 

[SMKS]

I'll admit the regular ratchets aren't great. I don't own any of them anymore, because there are better options out there.

But for the price, the USA made sockets and wrenches are a very good vale and more than most people will ever need.

 

[4Tigers]

craftsman has worked for me , I also have snap on, p@c and various other brands
right now there are 2 craftsman tools to be exchanged and 1 snap on, guess I can brake them almost equally
There is a different feel and some fit better it the tight spots, I just love all kinds of tools as long as they are USA made.

my 2 cents worth!