Home Depot gets new tool line

[mikester]

Has anyone else heard this ? I went to the local HD last night and they had the fine tooth ratchets marked down to $18.00 which I thought was a pretty good deal. The guy in the store told me they were getting a new line of mechanics tools in the very near future. I went to another store today to see if they had a rotator ratchet left but they were sold out too. The tool guy there told me the same thing. Not sure when, most likely made by Husky but a whole new line of wrenches, sockets and ratchets. Any rumors in the rest of the country ?

 

[MechanicforLife]

Did they say anything about new torque wrenches? I have a 1/2 and its pretty good, no problems yet. Has a lifetifme warranty too..

 

[bchee]

That's the 1st I heard of that, but I'm eager to see what they will be. Maybe Gearwrench, which replaced Ampros at Advanced Auto.

 

[davestlouis]

Wouldn't that be odd, Danaher US production vs Danaher Asian production, going head to head in the big-box stores. Good for Danaher anyway.

 

[mikester]

The way these guys were talking all of the existing mechanics tools are going to be replaced. I noticed a new set of polished metric box end wrenches that didnt look that bad but I didnt look at them up close. I dont think HD would sell any other brand besides Husky. Isnt Husky made by Stanley for HD ? I dont think HD sells enough mechanics tools to carry more than one brand. I dont think they will ever want to get into it as much as Sears. Remember HD is more of a home improvement store. They tried to compete with Craftsman tools for a short time and then they cut way back.

 

[bchee]

what kind of timeframe do you think? weeks or months?

 

[bchee]

Wouldn't that be odd, Danaher US production vs Danaher Asian production, going head to head in the big-box stores. Good for Danaher anyway.

lol I didn't think about that. that would be interesting

 

[billymade]

I wonder if they are giving Stanley the boot and the 1000 pound gorilla Danaher OEM branded tools are taking over; another one bites the dust? If they do, I wonder if they are using slash/burn tactics like Microsoft does to "take over the world" i.e. world ********** of hand tool production?

 

[64merc]

Man, this thread has me very curious....

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Isnt Husky made by Stanley for HD ?

Husky can be found via alloy artifacts. They were their own company, that at some point in time at least part of them were made by New Britain tools (at least the stuff I have from Gramps from the 20's)
Home Depot purchased the name at some point, like Lowe's purchased the name and rights to the Kobalt name.
They had some decent looking chrome tools, but they were found out that they were advertising Made in the USA, and part of the proof against them, were the shipping containers marked a product of China.
Then they changed to what I see more of now, the current "black chrome" stuff.
Whatever the bring in will almost assuredly be branded Husky, no matter who makes it.

 

[Danglerb]

I decided warranty or not Home Depot is just too flakey dealing with tools, now they stock it, now they don't, that I don't buy Husky even used anymore. I buy plenty of other stuff from Home Depot, just no more tools excepting power tool deals.

 

[eschoendorff]

what kind of timeframe do you think? weeks or months?

I wouldn't hold my breath. I heard the same thing from an HD tool dept employee a year ago. I'm betting it's just a rumor. Then again, it would be cool if I am wrong. More tools is always good.

 

[jcs_in_ky]

My local Home Depot recently changed out all of their air tools. They still have the Husky name on the new ones. When I was there a week ago they still had the same handtools though, mostply the black chrome stuff.

 

[peterbilr98]

i have a huskey tool box it is great

 

[bchee]

Then again, it would be cool if I am wrong. More tools is always good.

absolutely. If it's something different and shiny, I want to see it. Even if it's crappy I'll still go look at, I just wouldn't buy it.

 

[geaugafletcher]

I think that "black chrome" is really nickel plate. Cheap-o in my book.

 

[jniolon]

just went by our local H.D. here in cracktown... they had a few ratchets marked down about 4 bucks... no major markdowns... poor selection ...but what looks like new badging/packaging on black chrome stuff... all sealed up where you really can get all looky/feely time with them... everything was so dusty and nasty you really didn't want to mess with them.

but... that being said.. this store is a joke afa keeping stock on the shelves and even keeping the latest items in stock... there is no one around to help you and the ones that you can track down know nothing about anything in the store other than what is in the snack machine...

they had a 'tool tower' which consisted of an 3drawer intermediate box and a 6 drawer roll around (no top box) marked down from 299 to 200. looks like someone dropped a pallet of blocks on it... only 3 of the nine drawers would even open... haven't got a clue where the wheels were.. it was sitting (listing) on the floor in the corner... real bargain if you're looking for scrap metal

later
John