Craftsmanomania?

[qqzj]

I see a lot of such listings on CL recently and I am a bit surprised.

Craftsman tools - tools - by owner - sale

Craftsman made in USA tools in really good condition 140 pieces, and 28 piece of Allen wrenches all tools are good asking 200$obo. Call or text

bakersfield.craigslist.org

Just a couple of years back, they cannot get more than $100 back for such a beat-up set. I am wondering who are collecting them now and how long will the market last? After 20-40 years will the price crash back down to earth?

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I love Craftsman tools. They are my tool of choice besides the raised panel ratchets but I don’t think I’d give $200 for that set. Not used anyway. The only thing I need from that set is the raised panel 1/4 drive ratchet because I need one to complete my set because I’ve never been able to find a USA one anywhere that wasn’t an outrageous price.

 

[qqzj]

If you search on eBay long enough, you will find one that exactly match what you have. I searched on eBay off and on for about two years and found one that is exactly the same as the one missing. I did pay almost $30 for it though. That is why I stopped using this set. Cannot afford to break anything else.

 

[m6z]

Ebay would say yes.

Prices are rising, but there's still not much profit in it once you figure shipping.

I've got a nice big set of Metric and SAE wrenches I bought in the 2000's that would bring decent money, but what would I replace them with? New SK or Snap-On would still cost me more to replace them and it seems foolish to replace them with an import.

 

[jsmeece]

I have replaced all of my USA made Craftsman wrenches with Armstrong and couldn't be happier.

 

[subroc]

Asking price has little to do with selling price.

 

[59_burst]

These do seem to be moving on ebay at pretty decent prices. Guess my big drawer full of mismatched CF USA is worth something to someone!

 

[Ton ton]

Ugh.

 

[BlackBowtie]

Doubt it sells for $200 or anything close to that, then again I could be wrong. I mean who the hell knows what people are willing to spend with their money.

I have one of those Craftsman mechanics sets with the black plastic housing and 3 red drawers when their stuff was still US made. 1/4, 3/8, and for whatever reason the entire 1/2 drawer is all 12 point sockets I never really used the 1/2 stuff. I've lost maybe 3-4 sockets out of it taking stuff to the junkyard. Not really sure what to do with it, I have some socket rails to toss the 3/8 metric and sae stuff onto but then it would be an whole other mission to source out the missing sizes. Then trying to find made in USA ones at that. Ehh maybe I could pass it down to someone one day.

 

[m6z]

BlackBowtie, that sounds like the same kit I started with as well. I'm pretty sure I paid $300 for it around Y2K and today you can find similar import sets for a bit over $100 on sale.

I did fill out the skipped sockets a couple years ago, probably spent $100 doing it.

 

[Bige441]

Keep in mind what you will get if you try and warranty these. I’ve replaced all my cman professional pliers with knipex and I’m getting ready to sell them all. I replaced all my cman professional wrenches with snap on flank drive plus, but I will keep them since they don’t have the aggressive teeth. I got a great deal on the two sets. You break a cman USA you get garbage back in return.

 

[zendriver]

Imo like most collectibles that are not rare, when the original collector dies , most of the collection will end up in the scrap dumpster more sold for next to nothing.

People that have an affinity for Craftsman personal relationship with it in the company that sold The items

Next generation might not even know what A hand tool is

 

[anavrinIV]

I found this earlier today
https://raleigh.craigslist.org/tls/d/holly-springs-craftsman-2-drive-11-pc/7339526232.html. 11 sockets for $50. I don't get it, but I have never had any kind of personal affinity for craftsman, it really means very little in my life (I started my personal wrenching with USA Kobalt tools and they mean far more to me personally).

 

[m6z]

True on the warranty. Matching USA replacements can still be sourced on Ebay though.

But..

Current used USA made Craftsman pricing is still less than Snap-On, SK or other made in America options. So from that prospective, maybe they're a bargain.. And honestly, I've only had to warranty three or four of my most used 3/8 drive sockets over the last 20 years.

 

[LNKMK8]

I can sell a set of Craftsman Professional Series Flare wrenches for 3x what I can for a set of S-K, even though S-K is who made them for Craftsman. USA Craftsman prices have been steadily climbing for the past few years.

 

[Sneezer]

I have seen it around here too. CL and FB is littered with folks selling USA Craftsman stuff at a marked premium. I have a fair amount of USA stuff myself, but it all came from Sears, either as gifts from my Dad, or inherited.

I did pay $50 for a pristine, wrinkle finish unused Craftsman 3 drawer rally box a couple years ago, but that was a box I had been looking for for years, so it was worth the premium for me. Wanted one when I was younger, but at the time my budget was thin enough that duffel bags and the blow molded case my mechanics set came in was all I could handle.

 

[macgee]

Asking price has little to do with selling price.

Very true and I can totally agree with that but I also totally agree with the OP that there is a total Cat Nip Craftsman-mania going on. Sellers are asking stupid high prices and people are buying it. I don't see things changing much for a while. Craftsman is the classic Americana, I mean was and people want a part of that.

Looking in the sold section, there's single non vintage (10 year old) ratchets that sold for $300+. Some of the screwdrivers and wrenches are selling more than a Snap-On version which is crazy.
And like what LNKMK8 said above, you can buy the exact same screwdriver set new by SK with warranty for less than what people are paying for the used Craftsman Professional versions that SK made for them.

As an example just look what a 12" Craftsman metal lathe is selling for, very mid-consumer level quality at best and usually worn out, selling at industrial lathe prices. The tooling for them is crazy high, selling a Craftsman-Atlas milling attachment by itself quickly goes for $450. Look at what some are paying for just the quickchange gear box for one. "Recently sold one link". Glad I have one sitting around that needs a new home

I'll be honest, I have zero issues using some of the older craftsman tools like their =V= sockets but I'm still not going to pay Snap-On prices for them that I see people paying for them.

Here's an example at what pie in the sky sellers were asking for and they sold, so yeah there is some craziness going on as the OP ppzj stated:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...chet&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

&

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...CHET&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

EDIT: Look at what Craftsman stubby nut driver sets are selling at:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...+Set&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

 

[BlackBowtie]

Next generation might not even know what A hand tool is

Very true, I mean a lot of things are just consumables these days, use it and toss it. Typically no repairing or replacemnt parts available.. With cars who knows how that will go within the next 10-20 years with battery technology advancing. Electric vehicles may be the only thing available at the dealer. I don't even think the average repair shop will or even could work on a Tesla, pretty sure that's a dealer only visit when something with those go wrong. I've read Tesla wont even sell replacement body parts to unauthorized body shops.

 

[Draftpick1]

To me that is high, If you hunt you can find complete sets for less and not pay for doubles of 6, 12 pt sockets. My craftsman stuff has held up well to heavy use the last 14 years and yes the warranty is not a USA product. Unless you really score a deal I have not seen where you could find USA Williams, Proto or SK cheaper than what I paid for my Craftsman. I have seen some NOS ARMSTRONG, Allen, KD show up for good prices. Again, they won't be swapped out for a USA product. And if SK shuts down, then Proto, Williams, the trucks brands are the last USA options.

 

[wazzabie]

Once Stanley gets the USA socket plant running in Texas there will be USA made Craftsman again. Prices should go down then.

 

[jonesg]

Very true, I mean a lot of things are just consumables these days, use it and toss it. Typically no repairing or replacemnt parts available.. With cars who knows how that will go within the next 10-20 years with battery technology advancing. Electric vehicles may be the only thing available at the dealer. I don't even think the average repair shop will or even could work on a Tesla, pretty sure that's a dealer only visit when something with those go wrong. I've read Tesla wont even sell replacement body parts to unauthorized body shops.

Right to repair passed in 14 states and Tesla have to sell parts.

" 2021—Right to repair legislation has been introduced in 14 states, Vice reported. New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington are states currently introducing and debating the potential laws."

 

[Bubba Fett]

I have replaced all of my USA made Craftsman wrenches with Armstrong and couldn't be happier.

Most of my Craftsman wrenches *are* Armstrong.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

The first two rules of selling things.
If you see it, it hasn't sold.
Just because something is listed at some dumb price doesn't mean it will sell for it.

 

[BlackBowtie]

Right to repair passed in 14 states and Tesla have to sell parts.

" 2021—Right to repair legislation has been introduced in 14 states, Vice reported. New Jersey, Delaware, Florida, Massachusetts, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, New Hampshire, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington are states currently introducing and debating the potential laws."

That's funny, I actually watch Rich's youtube channel every now and then. I've been loosely following along with his Tesla LS swap build. I wasn't even aware of any of those states were doing this.

 

[Meursault74]

I thought this thread was going to be about that new pro wrestler known as the "Craftsman".

I have a USA Craftsman ratchet/socket set with 1/4. 3/8, and 1/2 drive similar to that one without the wrenches. Bought it early 1990's at Sears, as that's where you bought tools then. The way I use them, they'll last me 'till I'm taking a dirt nap.

 

[consti2tion]

I love Craftsman tools. They are my tool of choice besides the raised panel ratchets but I don’t think I’d give $200 for that set. Not used anyway. The only thing I need from that set is the raised panel 1/4 drive ratchet because I need one to complete my set because I’ve never been able to find a USA one anywhere that wasn’t an outrageous price.

I'll look and see if I have one in one of my toolboxes and I'll mail it to you if I do.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I'll look and see if I have one in one of my toolboxes and I'll mail it to you if I do.

That would be awesome.

 

[Jtels85]

I see a lot of such listings on CL recently and I am a bit surprised.

Craftsman tools - tools - by owner - sale

Craftsman made in USA tools in really good condition 140 pieces, and 28 piece of Allen wrenches all tools are good asking 200$obo. Call or text

bakersfield.craigslist.org

Just a couple of years back, they cannot get more than $100 back for such a beat-up set. I am wondering who are collecting them now and how long will the market last? After 20-40 years will the price crash back down to earth?

I’m up to 11 Craftsman USA mechanics sets. I have them in the 4 drawer, 3 drawer and suitcase style blow mold cases. All of them are original (some new, some used) and contain “G2” and “G2D” sockets. I’ve found most of them on Marketplace, two from Ace Hardware stores out in the middle of nowhere a few years back and a 200 Piece set (paperwork dated 04/2011) on eBay, brand new for $99.99 plus shipping from a guy who mainly sells computer parts. That doesn’t count the multiple other Craftsman USA tools I have stockpiled. I also buy and sell on eBay occasionally.

I don’t need 3/4 of the Craftsman tools I have, but it’s just a bad habit. If it’s a good price, I’ll pick it up. I’m not sure what I’ll do with all of them… but for now I’m just hoarding because I can.

 

[jsmeece]

Most of my Craftsman wrenches *are* Armstrong.

Nice, but I was referring to Craftsman's raised panel wrenches, not the professional chrome ones made for Craftsman by Armstrong.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Nice, but I was referring to Craftsman's raised panel wrenches, not the professional chrome ones made for Craftsman by Armstrong.

Armstrong made raised panel wrenches for Craftsman too, I believe. The V^ series was Armstrong. Compared to some of the later versions, like the W series, their is a very obvious difference in quality.

But the Armstong-branded wrenches are better designed.

 

[bassJAM]

Dang, if only I had held onto the blow molded box, I have a virtually unused 200 piece set that's ridden in a tool bag in my truck for 21 years now. Who knew some would consider those collectible?

Seriously though, I don't remember what that set cost but even if I could get $200 out of it I doubt that's even kept up with the cost of inflation.

I got a much larger 450 or so piece set around the same time for my graduation that's done me well over the last 21 years. Early on I probably broke and replaced each of the 3 crappy ratchets under warranty before I got in the habit of using breaker bars, and I think I've split 3 or 4 sockets. I just bought a Craftsman 11/16" combination wrench last weekend at Lowe's to replace one I lost, I was surprised the sticker said "made in India" which honestly scares me more than had it been made in China. Most the Indians I work with won't even buy stuff made from their country.

 

[joel63]

Very true and I can totally agree with that but I also totally agree with the OP that there is a total Cat Nip Craftsman-mania going on. Sellers are asking stupid high prices and people are buying it. I don't see things changing much for a while. Craftsman is the classic Americana, I mean was and people want a part of that.

Looking in the sold section, there's single non vintage (10 year old) ratchets that sold for $300+. Some of the screwdrivers and wrenches are selling more than a Snap-On version which is crazy.
And like what LNKMK8 said above, you can buy the exact same screwdriver set new by SK with warranty for less than what people are paying for the used Craftsman Professional versions that SK made for them.

As an example just look what a 12" Craftsman metal lathe is selling for, very mid-consumer level quality at best and usually worn out, selling at industrial lathe prices. The tooling for them is crazy high, selling a Craftsman-Atlas milling attachment by itself quickly goes for $450. Look at what some are paying for just the quickchange gear box for one. "Recently sold one link". Glad I have one sitting around that needs a new home

I'll be honest, I have zero issues using some of the older craftsman tools like their =V= sockets but I'm still not going to pay Snap-On prices for them that I see people paying for them.

Here's an example at what pie in the sky sellers were asking for and they sold, so yeah there is some craziness going on as the OP ppzj stated:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...chet&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

&

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...CHET&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

EDIT: Look at what Craftsman stubby nut driver sets are selling at:

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...+Set&_sacat=0&LH_Sold=1&LH_Complete=1&_sop=16

Maybe I don't know much about tools and their value, but that Craftsman set of stubby nut drivers really floored me. $200???? I guess I'm missing something here. Please excuse my ignorance if I'm all wet on this one.

 

[qqzj]

Dang, if only I had held onto the blow molded box, I have a virtually unused 200 piece set that's ridden in a tool bag in my truck for 21 years now. Who knew some would consider those collectible?

Seriously though, I don't remember what that set cost but even if I could get $200 out of it I doubt that's even kept up with the cost of inflation.

I got a much larger 450 or so piece set around the same time for my graduation that's done me well over the last 21 years. Early on I probably broke and replaced each of the 3 crappy ratchets under warranty before I got in the habit of using breaker bars, and I think I've split 3 or 4 sockets. I just bought a Craftsman 11/16" combination wrench last weekend at Lowe's to replace one I lost, I was surprised the sticker said "made in India" which honestly scares me more than had it been made in China. Most the Indians I work with won't even buy stuff made from their country.

That's happening long time ago. Visit an O'Reilly's, you will see combination wrenches from all three brands they have are MII now.

 

[m6z]

Maybe I don't know much about tools and their value, but that Craftsman set of stubby nut drivers really floored me. $200???? I guess I'm missing something here. Please excuse my ignorance if I'm all wet on this one.

That one's really a shocker. Maybe they're fairly rare? I don't ever recall those on the shelf. I've got a nice set of the standard length nut drivers and I'd certainly let them go for $200.

 

[Aaron_W]

I think older Craftsman tools have taken on a bit of mythological status. Not just the hand tools, the power tools are beginning to sell for more than their quality (and used status) can justify.

As Macgee mentioned the Craftsman metal lathes were a consumer to light industrial lathe. They are decent enough lathes but were much cheaper in both price and quality than a comparable South Bend, Logan, Rockwell, or Clausing which were their closest competitors. Because of the Craftsman name many beginners assume they are top of the line machines and they are suprised when they discover that they have always been the lower-middle tier.

I think the rising prices are at least in part due to a lot of new people getting into tools, and assuming Craftsman tools are much better than they really are.

 

[RandyRanderson]

The Craftsman name = $ to some people. It's a brand they recognize and think it's as good as it used to be (warranty, quality, etc)

Right around the time Stanley bought them out, I stopped at a yard sale. The guy had several toolboxes full of wrenches, ratchets, sockets, etc. When I asked about pricing, he said "$1 each unless its Craftsman. Those are $3)

So I got a Craftsman ratchets for $3. But I also got several Snap On wrenches for $1 each.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Went to a pawn shop today and they had all Craftsman, Blue Point and Mac tools. He wanted $4.50 per Craftsman screwdriver and about $3 for the Mac and Blue Point ones I was good gosh man. He had all sockets 50 cents but the screwdrivers? And he had tons of the ratchets all 3/8 and 1/2 drive the 3/8 were $9.99 and the 1/2 were $12.99 each. Man I was going to buy all of them if they hadn’t been so over priced.

 

[merkyworks]

I bet “classic” Red/Blue craftsman screwdrivers are more iconic and why pawn shop has priced like that.

 

[Jtels85]

One of the primary reasons Craftsman USA tools are so popular is because they give people the warm fuzzy’s. I’m 36 and can remember tagging along with Dad to Sears as a kid and following him around while he shopped. When I bought my first house in the 2000’s, I had a cheap set of Harbor Freight tools that were missing pieces and just frustrating to use. I was with my hoe of an ex at the time and we went to the mall one afternoon. I decided to stop by Sears which I hadn’t been to in years to see if I could find a new hammer and some decent pliers (my orange handle Pittsburgh’s we’re awful, one pair broke). The cashier talked me into opening a credit card and that was it… my passion for tools started. During that time, the mechanics tools were still USA made and I bought a few random socket sets to work on my Camaro and other tasks around the house. A few years went by and one day I stopped into Sears and noticed two different types of packaging for the 26 piece wrench set blow mold cases…. China! Over the course of the next several months, I remember seeing less and less USA mechanics tools when I’d stop in as they were disappearing fast. That more or less drove my buying of USA Craftsman into high gear and now I have bins full of it stockpiled.

Long before people began learning of Ace Hardware selling Craftsman, I cleaned out most of the locations in Cincinnati, Dayton, Southeast Indiana and Northern Kentucky. Up until about three years ago, you could walk into any Ace location and find USA socket sets, wrench sets, impact sets, singles, screwdrivers, pliers and I even managed to score a few mechanics sets.

For me, it’s nostalgic. I have fond memories of my dad using Craftsman tools when I was growing up. I used his tools when I first starting working on bicycles and cars as a teenager and then I eventually bought my own. They mean something to me.

The days of going to Sears and buying Craftsman USA tools are long gone. We’ll never have that again. I think people are genuinely hoping to fill that void with with the new Stanley/Craftsman USA line when it becomes available. Unfortunately, it’s not the same Craftsman and won’t be the same experience… but maybe it’ll be something totally different? It’s hard to say.

I know they aren’t the best quality tools, but they do the job. I have some that I use and I have some that I keep merely as collectibles. I could probably have a nice SnapOn tool box full of SnapOn tools with the thousands I’ve invested into this hobby, but it wouldn’t be the same. I wouldn’t feel the same.

Ya know, it’s kind of like old toys. People buy old tools for the nostalgia… so they can relive their youth. I think the same applies for a lot of things, including tools.

 

[subroc]

I don't know what drives anyone else. I expect I bought my first Craftsman tools when I was in high school in the late 60s or early 70s. I continued using them my whole life. I and my contemporaries were under no illusion or delusion that they were much better than a homeowner grade of tool. Think a guy comparing a Toro or John Deere mower in the late 60s or early 70s believed Craftsman was better or even as good? Or a guy comparing Craftsman wrenches and sockets to parts store hardware store brands like Proto or SK or Truck brands believed they were the same? Not on your life? The Sears catalog or wish book was around for what...100 years so that had a role to play in Sears being popular at least to my contemporaries

I like the 50s vintage shop equipment because ii is good enough shop equipment that is repairable, and to my eye looks good and is as old as me. So, there's that.