Craftsman USA tools soon?

[Y00PER]

Craftsman has an unveiling event on the 15-17th of this month. I'm wondering if their FB page dropped a hint as to what their unveiling.

The Walter Callaway post mentions how he has been told for a while that USA tools were coming back. Craftsmans reply to his comment is "the wait is almost over"

Perhaps SBD is about to reveal their new USA made stuff?

 

[5ktq]

Wonder who they would source from within stanley family. or new facility / designs?

 

[wyattstihl]

Wonder who they would source from within stanley family. or new facility / designs?

For a Craftsman Professional, Proto or Mac. Not sure for regular line. They always put the ‘Made in USA’ with a small font of ‘with global materials’. That doesnt sit well with me, bring Chinese steel to an American plant and slap a big ol star on it with a Made in USA with global materials sticker on it.


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[Y00PER]

For a Craftsman Professional, Proto or Mac. Not sure for regular line. They always put the ‘Made in USA’ with a small font of ‘with global materials’. That doesnt sit well with me, bring Chinese steel to an American plant and slap a big ol star on it with a Made in USA with global materials sticker on it.


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Who knows.... maybe Trumps tariffs will make it cheaper, or at least no more expensive to use U.S. steel?

 

[R_einan]

I’m interested to see where they go with it, haven’t seen much USA made from Craftsman in awhile, and even MAC had a lot of Taiwan tools now.

 

[wyattstihl]

Who knows.... maybe Trumps tariffs will make it cheaper, or at least no more expensive to U.S. steel?

I sure hope so, and its beginning to look that way[emoji106].

Edit: Check out Craftsman website for more info on this, theres a new page about it.

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[Sco Deac]

Good tip to check the website. Says handtool will come back to US (with global materials). This chart shows where. Interestingly, some current SBD facilities are not on the chart, like Shelbyville, KY.

 

[sberry]

I am so excited,,, I can barely stand it.

 

[wyattstihl]

I’ll be buying a breaker bar set and 1/2” socket set, as long as they are stamped “USA”


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[sberry]

Whatdya bet the dumbasses make that same **** ratchet?

 

[wyattstihl]

Whatdya bet the dumbasses make that same **** ratchet?

Bet they will. They’ll say its an ‘iconic’ design. USA or not, those ratchets are awful


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[65k10]

I'll be curious to see if any is US made. Mostly because it will hopefully answer something that has made me curious for a few months. Sometimes when I get an order of Proto tools from Zoro, I'll get an item with stamped with the Proto logo vs. just saying Proto. That by itself isn't so interesting, but I've also received a few sockets with larger numbering(the stamping forms the outline of the number vs. the number being represented by a single line). Maybe they just wanted to update the look of Proto tools, but it seemed a little odd for an industrial tool line. Just seems like something more at home on a consumer line like Craftsman where you can promote easy to read numbering. It's probably just wishful thinking on my part that they are going to use Proto production for Craftsman and the new stamping coming out now is a coincidence.

ETA. added a picture of the new stamping.

 

[Professional Tool User]

For a Craftsman Professional, Proto or Mac. Not sure for regular line. They always put the ‘Made in USA’ with a small font of ‘with global materials’. That doesnt sit well with me, bring Chinese steel to an American plant and slap a big ol star on it with a Made in USA with global materials sticker on it.


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+1 if you go look across various Stanley brands, you'll be seeing a lot of Made in USA with global materials hogwash. Go look at the current Mac flyers. Now that Craftsman is part of Stanley's evil empire, the same should apply. If you are going to assemble it in USA, just label it as assembled in USA. The Made in USA requirements are extremely high and I can understand if the company is genuinely trying to include as much US made content in a product that has a lot if parts.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Bet they will. They’ll say its an ‘iconic’ design. USA or not, those ratchets are awful


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If SBD is smart, they won't be selling the cheap Craftsman ratchet for cheap. If they sell it for five times as much, the "you get what you pay for" crowd will be insisting that ALL quality ratchets should have that handy "auto-reverse" feature.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I will stand back while they rope off the parking lot in preparation for the Mayor to make a speech.

 

[6PTsocket]

Who knows.... maybe Trumps tariffs will make it cheaper, or at least no more expensive to use U.S. steel?

US Steel opening six new plants.

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[gdocktor3]

It would be cool if they still used Western Forge

 

[toolmutt]

I'll be curious to see if any is US made. Mostly because it will hopefully answer something that has made me curious for a few months. Sometimes when I get an order of Proto tools from Zoro, I'll get an item with stamped with the Proto logo vs. just saying Proto. That by itself isn't so interesting, but I've also received a few sockets with larger numbering(the stamping forms the outline of the number vs. the number being represented by a single line). Maybe they just wanted to update the look of Proto tools, but it seemed a little odd for an industrial tool line. Just seems like something more at home on a consumer line like Craftsman where you can promote easy to read numbering. It's probably just wishful thinking on my part that they are going to use Proto production for Craftsman and the new stamping coming out now is a coincidence.

ETA. added a picture of the new stamping.

I have / buy lots of Proto. I've never seen the font on the right. It does look Stanleyish. I kinda like it.

 

[PelicanPines]

Everybody get ready to warranty their China stuff as soon as the USA stuff hits the shelves.

 

[wyattstihl]

^^^+1


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[Fedwrench]

Everybody get ready to warranty their China stuff as soon as the USA stuff hits the shelves.

And so the rebirth of US made Craftsman is crushed by excessive warranty claims

 

[jumbojak]

I am so excited,,, I can barely stand it.

You know, some new member is going to read that and get the wrong idea about you...

 

[Y00PER]

It would be cool if they still used Western Forge

Maybe they do? At least the SBD version of Craftsman. Went to a local hardware/grocery store that has just started stocking Craftsman stuff. All the Craftsman screwdrivers were WF made, same goes for the local Ace hardware, but the Sears Hometown store (which doesn't stock the SBD version of Craftsman) is full of Chinese screwdrivers that they make look like the WF ones

 

[65k10]

I have / buy lots of Proto. I've never seen the font on the right. It does look Stanleyish. I kinda like it.

The only sockets I have encountered it on are 12 point, SAE, in 3/8 drive. I've seen the new logo stamping on 3/8 and 1/2 breaker bars (pic included), and I think a few 1/4 extensions. Part of me likes the new markings since it makes Proto look a little more modern. Of course part of me liked how the simple markings on the old tools had a business like feel. The new size markings on the sockets probably have nothing to do with possible US made Craftsman. It just got me thinking based on the timing and SBD's habit of using something they make across a number of lines (like the USAG made 72 tooth Facom ratchets).

 

[dnschmidt]

To quote William Shakespeare: "Much ado about nothing."

 

[tym]

I "moved on" from Craftsman a couple of years ago when they screwed the pooch with their reputation. I see no reason to go back given plenty of (arguably better) alternatives: Proto, SK, Snap-On, Knipex,...

 

[techieman33]

Who knows.... maybe Trumps tariffs will make it cheaper, or at least no more expensive to use U.S. steel?

It'll just make the foreign tools more expensive. Along with food, diapers, and pretty much everything else you might want to buy. You should be ready for a 5-10% price increase in a lot of items. Some of those items will go up because of the tariff ********, and others will go up because companies will see it as a good excuse to raise prices. So for most of us that will eat up the recent tax cuts and then some.

 

[Skin]

+1 if you go look across various Stanley brands, you'll be seeing a lot of Made in USA with global materials hogwash. Go look at the current Mac flyers. Now that Craftsman is part of Stanley's evil empire, the same should apply. If you are going to assemble it in USA, just label it as assembled in USA. The Made in USA requirements are extremely high and I can understand if the company is genuinely trying to include as much US made content in a product that has a lot if parts.

I never understood this hate. Stanley cares about domestic manufacturing and recognizes the importance of bringing back USA made, even if its partly for added marketing. Could do much worse.

 

[WittHay]

I like and use various Stanley family products, Mac, Proto, DeWalt, Stanley Fatmax, Irwin, Lenox and even some new Stanley Craftsman. The main reason is that they are available from local suppliers. I have never purchased tools from HF, Amazon or internet brands like Tekton. Looking forward to seeing what new tools Craftsman is going to introduce

Stanley employs about 620 people making Craftsman boxes in Missouri. About 620 more people than HF employs in their US tool box factory. I have 2 new boxes made in Stanley's Georgetown, Ohio operations. The Proto box is made in USA, the Mac roll cart has a disclaimer made in USA with global components because it has a Chinese powerbar in it. The drawers and construction between the Proto and Mac are similar.

Its just a case of Stanley Lista, Proto/Mac and Craftsman being honest and other US tool box manufactures not. When you buy a new Snap-on box with electrical stuff in it, you have a made in US box with Chinese components. Just Snap-on doesn't put a big sticker on its boxes advertising that

 

[Gmonkee]

Strange occurances but the price of scrap plummeting at the same time steel mills are gearing up to get going? Is someone stockpiling all the low price mixed scrap metals somewhere?

On another note you guys should be happy that any industry returns and creates jobs. Start with global assembly and its just a few steps more to using domestic made parts. Someone just needs incentives (sales) to know its worth going there.

Giants like Apex, SBD, Snapper and a host of others are global like it or not. It is WHY they got big.

 

[AA/FC]

It was just announced a few days ago that Craftsman SBD will be the primary sponsor on Richey Crampton's NHRA Top Fuel dragster, which is part of Connie Kalitta racing. The sponsorship will begin at the US Nationals in Indianapolis at the end of this month.

http://www.teamkalitta.com/kalitta-...-fuel-dragster-beginning-in-indianapolis.html

 

[sberry]

You know, some new member is going to read that and get the wrong idea about you...

Probably too late to stop that now.

I see no reason to go back given plenty of (arguably better) alternatives: Proto, SK, Snap-On, Knipex,...

Or HF. Sears is good for the consumer as they raced HF and Walmart to the bottom when they should have been chasing SK and trying for Targets spot. They featured other brands in their stores that competed with Kenmore and Cman and even sold cheaper Sears wrenches. They should have had SK on the top shelf and compared CM to it.
When I bought Cman in 1980 I had been on the Snap truck and compared to that, 10% of the cost looked pretty good. I never compared it to the house brand at the farm store. They are competing with HF which is a marketing mistake, its great for the buyer to get a super set on super sale but doesn't do Sears any good to nearly pay people to carry them to the parking lot.

Sears puts cheap junk on the shelf to compete with their own cheap junk. If they tried to get better instead of worse they would have went up the ladder a rung.

 

[5ktq]

is the US made blackhawk stuff made in proto factories?

I was thinking maybe US craftsman would be blackhawk tier

 

[skunkape1]

To quote William Shakespeare: "Much ado about nothing."

So much nothing that you read this thread and posted in it. If Craftsman is in some your guys dog houses, blame it on Sears. This is a new era and I for one am excited to see what comes out. More choice is always a good thing.

 

[4x4gearhead]

I like the newest proto logo stamped on these hand tools. I like the fact that it still has the old school looking proto P even. The fact that it is also stamped still and not laser etched is also awesome. I really hate paying high dollar for tools with laser etching. I know it doesnt really matter when it comes to the tools use, but its more the principle of paying good money for half *** craftsmanship and pride in the name. I am not a huge fan of SBD and mac tools, but have always liked how they left all of the proto designs alone for the most part. As far as getting excited about new US craftsman i am indifferent. US craftsman tools are no rarity to me and arent hard to come across in the used market. I am hoping though that they remain the same great bang for the buck brand that they used to be. Decent US made tools at very affordable prices comparable to taiwanese offerings(price specific)was seemingly a market they had cornered. I certainly wouldnt hate to see this once again.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I never understood this hate. Stanley cares about domestic manufacturing and recognizes the importance of bringing back USA made, even if its partly for added marketing. Could do much worse.

My problem with Made in USA with global materials is the pretentiousness behind it. It's not even an official designation. In addition Stanley has a track record of mismanaging it's acquisitons for the most part. The quality of Mac tools used to be on par with Snap on. Now there's so much made in China junk in their lineup to the point I don't take Mac seriously. I've got other places to go to for Made in China or Taiwan tools. Husky went from being respectable to garbage. These are just two examples. As for Craftsman, we'll see what happens. I have already pre-emptively purchased the few Craftsman tools that I know are from reputable suppliers just in case Stanley decides to switch suppliers to cut costs. I honestly have more confidence in Tekton's gradual roll out of USA made items than in Stanley's promise to make a few basic tools in USA.

 

[WittHay]

My take on a company using that Made in USA with global materials is they are being honest, because in this day and age very few USA assembled products are 100% american

Stanley Lista, Mac/Proto and Craftsman have marketing problem that companies like HF do not. HF can put a badge that says proudly Made in China with a Chinese flag on all their tool boxes and its fine because the box is 100% Chinese

Stanley can not say there boxes are made in the USA without a disclaimer. Some suspension parts of Lista boxes are made overseas, some Mac boxes have Chinese electrical stuff in them, Craftsman boxes might have Taiwan or Chinese slides in them and the casters might be from Mexico or overseas. Even though the steel and labor used to make these boxes are 100% american

Canadian made tool boxes like the UltraPro at the bottom right in the picture have a little maple leaf on them but they are basic friction slide boxes, same with the Snap-on in the picture being 100% US made. Anything more fancy would have to have a disclaimer about foreign made parts.

Regarding Mac, they don't have a rebranded line like Snap-on's Blue-Point its all called Mac. Their Taiwan tools are on par or better than a lot of Blue-Point tools

 

[Skin]

My problem with Made in USA with global materials is the pretentiousness behind it. It's not even an official designation. In addition Stanley has a track record of mismanaging it's acquisitons for the most part. The quality of Mac tools used to be on par with Snap on. Now there's so much made in China junk in their lineup to the point I don't take Mac seriously. I've got other places to go to for Made in China or Taiwan tools. Husky went from being respectable to garbage. These are just two examples. As for Craftsman, we'll see what happens. I have already pre-emptively purchased the few Craftsman tools that I know are from reputable suppliers just in case Stanley decides to switch suppliers to cut costs. I honestly have more confidence in Tekton's gradual roll out of USA made items than in Stanley's promise to make a few basic tools in USA.

You don't know what you're talking about. Sabina MAC, while nostalgic, was antiquated and didn't compete with Snap-On at all. The plant literally was using the same tooling as it used for the prior 20 years. They didnt even have off corner engagement for box wrenches or sockets....ever.

MAC also has very little China in their brand. Most of their hard line is either exclusive, or blurred with Proto and manufactured in Texas (drivers SC). What isn't made in the States in primarily from Taiwan, a number of things being exclusive and still top quality, like their impacts.

Husky was little known and gobbled up by Home-Depot in the early 90s as an exclusive retailer. They didnt want premium. The actual facilities where manufacturing of Husky took place (by this time part of National Hand Tool) Stanley kept.

Stanley is a USA based company focused entirely on tools and equipment and has done more US expansion in the last 10 years than any other major tool company (Snap-On has, ironically, mostly closed/consolidated US manufacturing).

Some random investment firm, foreign or domestic, could easily pillage or destroy brands for profit. Look at Armstong which not long ago had half a dozen manufacturing facilities (RIP). As I said, its very easy to do worse than Stanley.

 

[Sco Deac]

Regarding Mac, they don't have a rebranded line like Snap-on's Blue-Point its all called Mac. Their Taiwan tools are on par or better than a lot of Blue-Point tools

I always compared Mac’s “Expert” line to Blue Point. It’s not as broad a line, no carts or boxes, but it is a collection of non-US tools.

 

[j789139]

US Steel opening six new plants.

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FWIW, not so sure about that...

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump is crediting his tariffs with persuading U.S. Steel to open a half dozen new plants. That's not so.

TRUMP at a Pennsylvania rally Thursday night: "U.S. Steel is opening up seven plants." On Tuesday, he told supporters in Florida: "U.S. Steel just announced that they're building six new steel mills."

THE FACTS: The Pittsburgh-based company has made no such announcement. U.S. Steel spokeswoman Meghan Cox declined to comment on Trump's claim but said any "operational changes" such as the opening of new mills would be "publicly announced" and "made available on our website" if it occurred.