I have bought craftsman tools all my 35yrs of fixing cars and other items around the house. Like my farther before me Craftsman has always been my choice in every category! The made in the USA motto meant more to me than any one purchase. There tools are made in Japan I think now so If I take a tool for it's warranty I will be traded for an out of country made tool? I did not sign on for this and don't think I will be made whole for any tool malfunction. When I by things made in the USA it means Americans Work. Doesn't that count anymore? How can I fill my feeling of monetary loss of value?
Craftsman tools
- Thread starter maddmanz1
- Start date
Farmall450
Well-known member
First of all: Welcome.
Second:
:
you'll find this topic has been well discussed in General Tool Discussion...go to Allen or Masterforce for similar price/identical quality US tools.
Second:
:you'll find this topic has been well discussed in General Tool Discussion...go to Allen or Masterforce for similar price/identical quality US tools.
Lx460
Well-known member
Not Japan, China.
Yes it's ******.
Not much you can do.
Show them with your wallet, don't buy their stuff anymore...unfortunately that's about all you can do.
Yes it's ******.
Not much you can do.
Show them with your wallet, don't buy their stuff anymore...unfortunately that's about all you can do.
buildyourown
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2010
- Messages
- 185
Made in Japan would be an upgrade.
For 30 years we've been buying Cman because of the easy warranty, not because of the quality.
For 30 years we've been buying Cman because of the easy warranty, not because of the quality.
Exceller8
Well-known member
Darn those Craftsman guys! 
SD396
Well-known member
I have a set of metric combination wrenches I bought shortly after they went off-shore. They are made in Japan and have been pretty good quality. Wouldn't doubt they are made in china now though. I was pretty stoked a couple years ago to find a full set of USA made standard combo wrenches at a garage sale that looked brand new. I was more than happy to pay the 15 dollars the seller wanted for them even though I didn't need them.
Exceller8
Well-known member
I thought the Japanese Craftsman were from the 80's? Were they made in Japan before switching to China?
nicksnothereman
Well-known member
With hookers? Oh wait...not free parking so I can't say that but I'll say this: the reason they offshored might be because of cost or abuse of warranty; because the stuff is not as good as it used to be (in a lot of people's eyes) and the warranty is the same it was probably warranty issues. That means the people that abused that warranty are to blame...same with other companies including the truck brands (trust me, it's coming unless they start charging 200 dollars for a 20 dollar hammer).
You can buy american made tools they just might not be made with american steel. With lower grade steel the import stuff is probably better at least concerning knife steel.
SD396
Well-known member
It was probably the early 80's when I bought them. I think Canada got the off-shore stuff before the US did.
Jay Sco
Well-known member
I'm trying to figure out why he had to sign (a contract?) for his tools.
Jarhead0408
Well-known member
Wow, either he's mistaken on the COO.....Or his rant on Japanese Craftsmen tools had to wait for the internet to be invented, and somehow it finally made it here through his dial up modem!!!!!!
vintagespeed1956
Well-known member
yeah, the internet is a funny place. everyone thinks they're hilarious and that the point of a post has no relevance to them in their life.
but the point is valid. offshore china junk ***** and supporting your country and your pride in it, is something one should stand up for.
the sad and "funny" part of it all is that so many posters here dont find that relevant in themselves.
but the point is valid. offshore china junk ***** and supporting your country and your pride in it, is something one should stand up for.
the sad and "funny" part of it all is that so many posters here dont find that relevant in themselves.
sberry
Banned
He still has his tools and they still work and have never been worth anything beyond their utility value,,, where is he getting this life changing hurt and sense of loss from? Like they were worth more yesterday?
This is whats really wrong with this country, warped sense of value, shame is the OP probably has a college degree.
This is whats really wrong with this country, warped sense of value, shame is the OP probably has a college degree.
ctb
Well-known member
The real relevance here is that craftsman, along with most any other tool company that manufactures overseas, has been sold out by its own owners, board of directors, CEO's in the search for more profit.
Blame the Chinese as much as you want, but the real enemy here is the Harvard (any top college will do here) educated businessman who, educated by America's finest, decides to repay his country for his fine upbringing by shipping manufacturing jobs out of the country in order to maximize his companies' profits.
Kinda reminds me of Jane Fonda.
Blame the Chinese as much as you want, but the real enemy here is the Harvard (any top college will do here) educated businessman who, educated by America's finest, decides to repay his country for his fine upbringing by shipping manufacturing jobs out of the country in order to maximize his companies' profits.
huh, thats business, show a profit to its shareholders, just like wally world. no different. hell with customers, shareholders all that matters
huh, thats business, show a profit to its shareholders, just like wally world. no different. hell with customers, shareholders all that matters
Jay Sco
Well-known member
The point IS valid, and the sad and funny part is the OP is about 10 years late on the subject, it's already been beaten to death. Craftsman is no longer American made and it probably won't ever be again. Move on. While you're at it don't buy Levis, or Chevrolet, or products from 100 other "American" companies.
Also it's funny that he's worked up that they're made in Japan (?) now.
And I call "troll" on the OP. Trollie troll troll! Came out from under his bridge just long enough to troll.
rburke65
Well-known member
Craftsman has not made THEIR tools here for years. They make THEIR tools over THERE....they don't make THEIR tools here. They make them over THERE.....that's where THEIR profits come from. You can't see THEIR profits...but they are THERE....in THEIR pockets....... Haaaaa..... I'm exhausted......
reader2580
Well-known member
I'm pretty sure the Sears lifetime warranty doesn't say anything about a broken tool been replaced with one that is exactly the same down to country of origin.
Yes, it ***** that Craftsman is made overseas now, but I'll take a free replacement as long as it does the job. I use tools. I don't collect them. If you collect Craftsman USA made tools then I can see this being a problem.
Yes, it ***** that Craftsman is made overseas now, but I'll take a free replacement as long as it does the job. I use tools. I don't collect them. If you collect Craftsman USA made tools then I can see this being a problem.
MG11068
Well-known member
The only Japanese Craftsman stuff that I remember seeing was a 3/4 inch drive set a buddy bought in the late 80's or early 90's. At that time all the stuff in the stores was US made.
chris142
Well-known member
Cato
Well-known member
I'll let you in on a secret: Chinese Craftsman is as good or better than Craftsman USA.
Miss_Sissy
Well-known member
On what do you base this? Measured dimensional accuracy? Tests of ultimate breaking strength? Information about the metallurgy and heat treatment processes? You obviously have something, and I think it's something that would interest people here.
XxToolAholicxX
Well-known member
Warranty did not send Craftsman over seas. People lose more tools then they break. I have seen made in Japan Craftsman stamped on it. I have seen made in Taiwan stamped on Craftsman. At least Craftsman tell you where they are made. It is a decent tool for DIY and excellent warranty. Now how about the companies that don't stamp the COO on tools and want top dollars for them. There was a Email sent from fellow GJ member to Snap-On they never answered the question of where the tools were made that didn't have the COO. On the other hand at least Matco is honest on their label it says made to Matco specification in CHINA. I don't want to hurt anybody's feelings but its all true.
BTW I have many Snap-On, Matco, Mac,S-K, tools that are stamped Made In USA off course.
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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit
BTW I have many Snap-On, Matco, Mac,S-K, tools that are stamped Made In USA off course.
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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit
Cato
Well-known member
I have both, been using both for years (as long as the Chinese stuff has been showing up, of course). Both Chinese and Craftsman USA work just fine on various auto and household stuff. Now the Chinese stuff is better made than the roughly hewn Danher tools - better finishes and tighter tolerances. I would say the USA stuff is not much better than the bargain Evolve Line.
Now you do got me on the lab tests - I haven't analyzed the molecular make up of Chinese and USA Craftsman tools. I have yet to find anyone who has. Both are plenty strong for any use. You are really splitting hairs if you are comparing the break points or malleability of the metallurgy. Craftsman is selecting good, modern producers in China, better than the ageing forges (lowest bid) it selects in the USA.
Too many guys are getting wrapped up in "it was so much better in the good 'ole days!" Well some things were, but that's not always the case - especially when it comes to hand tools.
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finn
Well-known member
I find it strange how this group has a collective distain for Craftsman solely because they have elected to source hand tools from China, yet this same group worships Milwaukee power tools, Bend Pack lifts, Apple phones, and their social life is made possible by a multitude of mostly Chinese sourced computers, their morning coffee is brewed in a Chinese coffee pot before they drive to work in their Japanese produced or designed car.
All of this is justified with a strange wrapping of false patriotism.
How do you spell hypocracy?
All of this is justified with a strange wrapping of false patriotism.
How do you spell hypocracy?
mmack66
Well-known member
Hypocrisy.
XxToolAholicxX
Well-known member
Well said. I close my case. China and Taiwan plays a major role in our daily lives. India is working on it and will be doing so very soon.
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I am a Toolaholic,Sometimes,I regret it,Especially when the Toolman wont give me no credit
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Donald Cook
Active member
Most of my craftsman tools are 30-45 years old and all work well. I recently bought a torque wrench, made in china , it didn't work so brought it back, and looked around they were all made in china, will never go back. it is sad that is the way things go. I will probably just buy used ones that were made here.
n8n
Well-known member
When it comes to tools, I would prefer USA or Europe, but have no problem with a quality Taiwan product if no other alternatives are available or if they are prohibitively expensive. However I don't necessarily trust Chinese manufacturing or QC yet nor do I feel all bright and shiny about economically supporting a regime that isn't really our ally. I have no experience with Indian made tools other than seeing Gedore wrenches in pawn shop lots but they don't seem to be highly regarded.
Sent from my XT897 using Tapatalk
n8n
Well-known member
finn
Well-known member
Jay Sco
Well-known member
Fixed it for you.
n8n
Well-known member
I haven't seen to many c'man wrenches for $3, they're more like $5 or $6.
The point is that Craftsman's whole schtick was that they were lifetime tools for the average homeowner. I don't believe that that is the case anymore. For one thing, they'll be out of business in a decade or less unless they turn things around in a big way. For another, *without* that warranty, I suspect that the current tools may be worthless.
Why would I pay $50 for a C'man wrench set that I'd consider disposable when for $100 or thereabouts I could get the same set from several other manufacturers with a better reputation for quality and a lifetime warranty?
As for the iPhone, I don't like that it's made in China, but given the backing and QC of Apple, the main objection there is political and trade imbalance, not the quality of the product. Also, there's a distinct lack of competing products *not* made in China at any price, so there's that. Finally, the phone only has to last 5 years at the outside, so decades of durability simply isn't a concern. Even if you take excellent care of your phone and buy a new battery every few years so it keeps its charge correctly, in 5 years even if it is working as it did when it was new it'll be so obsolete you'll buy a new one anyway.
nieuport17
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2014
- Messages
- 466
Craftsman coo....
1..dead horse
2..It is what it is.
3..lots of other brand with USA to shop from (for now)
1..dead horse
2..It is what it is.
3..lots of other brand with USA to shop from (for now)
skcj213
Well-known member
I don't think Craftsman will go away, even if Sears does. the brand still has a good following and a lot of value. If Sears goes away someone will purchase the Craftsman line, that is, if Sears doesn't sell them off first in an attempt to stay afloat.
My beef with Craftsman is more on the power tool side than on the hand tool side. The power tools are just not what they used to be. You can buy better for the same price.
On the hand tool side I own a fair amount of Craftsman hand tools. Granted most were purchased in the late 80's early 90's and are American made. But what I have looked at in the store recently does not look like bad tools. I am in the market right now for a 1/4" drive ratchet. I looked at a Craftsman and it looked like a nice tool for $25, it was made in China. I found a Blackhawk, which has received good referrals on GJ, on Amazon for ~$17, and it is made in the America. For a lower price and made in America vs. made in china I am going to go with the Blackhawk.
My beef with Craftsman is more on the power tool side than on the hand tool side. The power tools are just not what they used to be. You can buy better for the same price.
On the hand tool side I own a fair amount of Craftsman hand tools. Granted most were purchased in the late 80's early 90's and are American made. But what I have looked at in the store recently does not look like bad tools. I am in the market right now for a 1/4" drive ratchet. I looked at a Craftsman and it looked like a nice tool for $25, it was made in China. I found a Blackhawk, which has received good referrals on GJ, on Amazon for ~$17, and it is made in the America. For a lower price and made in America vs. made in china I am going to go with the Blackhawk.
n8n
Well-known member
And that is why Craftsman may very well be dead. Which one of us is right? Time will tell.
If you really want an embarassing comparison though, compare the C'man RP ratchet to a GearWrench 120XP. I don't know that I would call ANY C'man RP flippy-lever ratchet a "nice tool" even the old school USA made ones, that's always been their weak point. They're coarse tooth and yet at the same time never achieved the same smoothness or reputation for strength as, say, SK or Proto who also made coarse tooth ratchets.
The new C'man "premium" ratchets seem really nice in the store and they are made in USA but are priced way above their value level. I'm assuming for $25 you were just looking at the regular raised panel ratchets, the actual good ones are almost $50 or I think if you buy all three it's $140 or so. I can get used Snap-On for less than that...! No, I wouldn't have a warranty on Snap-On, but I feel confident that 40 years from now I'll still be able to call them up and get a rebuild kit.