Craftsman wrenches form Lowe’s

[bratwurst]

Are the new craftsman wrenches at Lowe’s worth buying, or should I buy a older set of eBay (made in USA)?

 

[MACbox]

There’s plenty of Chinese wrenches out there, as good or much better, for much less money. If you want USA, get on eBay and have at it. Not really any better (other than the Professional line), but at least it will say USA on it, making you think you got your money’s worth.

 

[lardy1]

You'll find Ebay prices pretty steep in most cases for USA Craftsman. There's a lot of it around if you aren't in a hurry. Flea markets, garage sales, etc.

 

[bratwurst]

Call me crazy but I just bought these of eBay.
For 42$

 

[Jtels85]

The China made Craftsman wrenches are decent. They’re not the best by any means, but they’ve held up against whatever I’ve thrown at them. Just make sure you look them over before buying... I noticed the box ends are off-center on some of them and had to exchange them.

 

[Parrothead]

I’m more than pleased with my Tekton combo wrenches, made in Taiwan. I’d buy them again in a second. I’ve got the Craftsman Professional USA made too and the Tektons are every bit as good.

 

[Jtels85]

I’m more than pleased with my Tekton combo wrenches, made in Taiwan. I’d buy them again in a second. I’ve got the Craftsman Professional USA made too and the Tektons are every bit as good.

I’ve slowly been getting into Tekton. The have a vast array of wrenches at Meijer and they look really nice. I don’t have a need for another set of wrenches but we all know how that goes... I’ll probably end up getting them anyway haha

 

[DFB]

Are those Craftsman the lobster claw design?

 

[rijndael]

I like the gunmetal Craftsmen wrenches at Lowes, they're made in Taiwan and have an anti-slip design.

 

[CGarage]

Cost:Quality:Value ratio is not worth it unless you get a deal.

 

[Jtels85]

Are those Craftsman the lobster claw design?

The Craftsman raised panel wrenches sold at Lowe’s are the same ones sold at Sears, same manufacturer. They were lobster claw the first couple of years they began manufacturing them in China (almost a decade ago), but that was corrected and now they’ve been normal looking for a number of years.

The Craftsman full polish ratcheting wrenches sold at Lowe’s are still Lobster claw. Though the stampings on the wrenches resemble Stanley’s version of Craftsman, it looks as though they’re from the same manufacturer of the ones sold at Sears.... Apex?

You can tell some of the new Craftsman sockets at Lowe’s are from the same manufacturer as the ones from Sears. Double detents on the drive end are a dead giveaway. The 216 Piece Versa Stack mechanic set I just bought had a mix of double detent sockets and those without.

 

[yrly]

If you need it to say Craftsman for some reason the ultimate collection (ultimate assortment) ones at Sears are nicely finished but selection is limited to some ratcheting ones and these which are part of a set unless you buy a complete mechanics set. Of course they’re imported from some company Great Star but they feel better than Apex ones.

 

[four.cycle]

I have not yet had an opportunity to confirm it for myself, but I have been told that the new Craftsman being shipped into my local ACE Hardware store is US made.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Are we talking about the raised panel or the fully polished gun metal chrome ones at Lowes? If we are talking the made in China raised panel ones, there's loads of other made in China options out there. As for the gun metal chrome made in Taiwan wrenches, those should be decent. I've got the Dewalt version with the ASD open end. They are excellent for the money.

 

[VT Tool Man]

.
Having said that, I'm partial to my US made stuff, I just feel better buying it and using it when I can. Not because I think it is light years better, but because I really, truly would like to support the concept of buying and using American made, if you can afford it.

Like anyone else, I want quality tools in my box that hold up to years of use. All things being equal in terms of tool quality (and the stuff coming out of Taiwan these days is largely top notch), I will pay extra money knowing that I am keeping my neighbor (to use the term loosely) employed. That's always been a driving force of my purchasing habits.

 

[1982fxr]

I have not yet had an opportunity to confirm it for myself, but I have been told that the new Craftsman being shipped into my local ACE Hardware store is US made.

In the other thread someone said Sears supplies Ace so it could just be old stock in the pipeline...

 

[Jimmyb]

In the other thread someone said Sears supplies Ace so it could just be old stock in the pipeline...

At least that’s how these screw drivers are I just picked up at ace. Made in USA but has sears on back of package



Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[1982fxr]

Makes sense, those are Pratt and Read right? Which are made in USA.

The black and Decker cman USA stuff is all USA with global materials. I think.

 

[yrly]

Screwdrivers have to be old stock, new stuff says Transform SR Brands.

 

[coleman10]

Screwdrivers have to be old stock, new stuff says Transform SR Brands.

New stuff also no longer mentions craftsman.com. That website is now owned by SBD and features only their Craftsman line.

 

[Flyordie]

Makes sense, those are Pratt and Read right? Which are made in USA.

The black and Decker cman USA stuff is all USA with global materials. I think.

Western Forge, You should see the manufacturer code "WF" on the handle.