Craftsman Wrench Differences

[The Ratchet Man]

I've been looking on eBay for some full polish USA wrenches but I'm unsure of some of the differences. I see some say "industrial" and some do not. I remember years back there were some full polish "professional" sets but can't remember if they were stamped as such. Then I see some that are full polish but just say "craftsman". All are USA that I have looked at.

I need some specifics on the different markings.

 

[toolstools]

Industrial = polish new pro series iirc.

 

[blindbug]

The "Professional" line of Craftsman tools was re-branded into "Industrial" a while back. Those line of Craftsman tools are, generally, a little higher quality than the non-Induatrial, non-Professional and still made in the USA. If you buy a "Craftsman Professional" wrench TODAY from Sears.com, for instance, what you'll get in the mail will be stamped "Craftsman Industrial". Someone please correct me if I am wrong.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

So there are USA and non-USA Industrial wrenches or did I missunderstand? Are all the Professional ones USA?

 

[Skin]

All Professional are USA however you have to be careful because when they discontinued the line a few years ago the Chinese replacements came in with the same set numbers so, online at least, there is no way to distinguish by a generic photo. True Professional wrenches actually say "Professional" on them and all wrenches stamped such are USA. There are no imported wrenches stamped Professional, they're just a plain polish combo beam. Same thing with the packaging, if it actually says "Professional" on it, you're safe.

Industrial line is all USA. I'd say its on the way out too judging by the fire sales that have been posted in the hot deals section over the last few months.

 

[bimmerZ5]

There are some "professional" today that are not USA. But all the "Industrial" today are USA. If you're looking at older stuff, the old "professional" was all USA, although back then almost all Craftsman was USA (hand tools wise).

also, i've seen some "industrial" wrenches that are NOT fully polished... so polished or not doesn't necessarily mean anything.

 

[Texican]

The industrial line will be stamped with "Craftsman Industrial" and have an USA stamp as well. The industrial line is available in either full polish or satin raised panel finish. The sets on sears.com and searsoutlet.com that are on closeout and labeled as professional are actually the industrial made in the USA line or that has been the case with my orders.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

Yeah I saw those raised panel Industrials. I just want full polished USA, Industrial or Professional.

I've found the full polish metric and SAE sets in flare, double box offset and combination. The info y'all gave me tells me I've found what I wanted. Time to order...

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Industrial line is all USA. I'd say its on the way out too judging by the fire sales that have been posted in the hot deals section over the last few months.

This was posted a few days ago on pebbles which is essentially a facebook on sears retail intranet.

The guy who replied to the inquirery is VP of craftsman tools



Michael W Caraghar posted Mar 20 2013 11:57AM in Blue Tool Crew
Craftsman Industrial Tools have not been discontinued, but they are not available at Sears stores. They are only sold through Craftsman Industrial distributors. However, some Craftsman Industrial tools have been sold on Sears.com in order to adjust inventory levels. Thank You

 

[Cinneagh]

However, some Craftsman Industrial tools have been sold on Sears.com in order to adjust inventory levels. Thank You[/I]

That might explain why orders on the Sears Outlet have been cancelled even though they list hundreds of available units.