Lowes Craftsman Ad, Available April 2nd

[Moparman390]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

Nothing Craftsman at my Lowes either.

For the record... nothing made in China is suddenly going to be made in the USA... everybody would warranty their china stuff... they know that... therefore it ain't an option they would ever consider.

It's something they stated they would do in the initial investor presentation. Not suddenly for everything but that portable toolbox was China before but now there's a big American flag on the side of the box for launch.

 

[Moparman390]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

What is a 'high performance toilet' - is it SOUPED up -- in the picture below the Craftsman box?

It's something they are putting in all of the Taco Bells.

 

[Sco Deac]

There seems to be a lot of skepticism about how committed SBD is to expanding its US made Craftsman products. While I don't expect it to ever return to a US only made line, their comments are more than just comments made in an initial investor presentation. SBD has consistently emphasized and restated their strategy to increase US manufacturing. Though not specific to Craftsman, their stated goal is to make one of ever two of their tools sold in the US to be US made over the next three years. In their 2017 Annual report filed in late Feb. 2018, they said:

The Craftsman transaction gives Stanley Black & Decker the rights to develop, manufacture and sell Craftsman-branded products in non-Sears Holdings channels. In 2017, we successfully pursued retail partnerships with a major home center, a formidable co-op hardware retailer and the leading e-commerce player. We focused on developing 2018 commercial plans, designing an impressive and comprehensive product portfolio, adding capacity and preparing the supply chain to support our second-half rollout. We are working with passion and excitement to enable this iconic brand with its proud and beloved history to soon reclaim its rightful place in American homes, garages, factories and automotive shops.

To support the overall growth in the tools business and the rollout of the Craftsman brand, we continue to expand our US manufacturing footprint. Stanley Black & Decker has been a proud US manufacturer for 175 years and in fact has added more than 1,200 jobs in the US over the past three years. Looking ahead, we expect to add 1.5 million square feet of new manufacturing and distribution capacity in 2018, which will support our goal to increase US tools production to 50% of our total US tools volume over the next three years.

The "second half rollout" comment is interesting.

As an aside, had any of us been paying attention to the Annual Report, we would have seen a picture of the new gunmetal sets and new ratchet on the back cover of the report. Also, SBD is purchasing Nelson Fastener Systems.

http://www.stanleyblackanddecker.com/investors

 

[cheechi]

An old friend with a terminal illness whose caregiver is stealing his fortune.

whose caregiver infected them and then started stealing his fortune.

 

[Specs]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

It's something they are putting in all of the Taco Bells.

Have you not seen them? They Grind up bricks and all sorts of remorseless High rise materials...


And to add to the caregiver; who is now plowing the granddaughter and giving the same business in the same room while your relative is coming put of out of a coma to see this hot mess, and relaspes

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

Nothing Craftsman at my Lowes either.

For the record... nothing made in China is suddenly going to be made in the USA... everybody would warranty their china stuff... they know that... therefore it ain't an option they would ever consider.

There are exactly 10 people in this world that will actually do that. The rest of the sane people will continue to use their tools until they break and then warranty them.

 

[Moparman390]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

There are exactly 10 people in this world that will actually do that. The rest of the sane people will continue to use their tools until they break and then warranty them.

And I bet 9 of them are on here.

 

[Specs]

Those new ratchets gotta be the bees knees, cause my laser etched sockets are still legible and the ratchets can’t be exchanged if they were never used lol, and I have no intention of using them. Make a knurled ergonomic 60t handle ratchet... I’ll be first on line

 

[xin]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

It's something they are putting in all of the Taco Bells.

For the heavy flushing cycles!!!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Re: Craftsman at lowes

And I bet 9 of them are on here.

I wouldn't doubt that!

 

[xin]

CRAFTSMAN can't wait for it to be at Lowes!

 

[xkvator]

when I went into Lowes this morning, the Craftsman toolboxes were right there in the section next to customer service...
not impressed...18" deep Cabinets are a thing of the past...
the salesguy told me they'll be phasing out the Kobalt brand tools. their toolboxes haven't kept up with Husky & Milwaukee.

 

[SilverBulletZ06]

when I went into Lowes this morning, the Craftsman toolboxes were right there in the section next to customer service...
not impressed...18" deep Cabinets are a thing of the past...
the salesguy told me they'll be phasing out the Kobalt brand tools. their toolboxes haven't kept up with Husky & Milwaukee.

Makes sense. Shame because they seem to have finally got it right with their 189 piece set.

 

[xin]

when I went into Lowes this morning, the Craftsman toolboxes were right there in the section next to customer service...
not impressed...18" deep Cabinets are a thing of the past...
the salesguy told me they'll be phasing out the Kobalt brand tools. their toolboxes haven't kept up with Husky & Milwaukee.

When they say that Craftsman will be there in stock?

 

[JazzBlueRT]

when I went into Lowes this morning, the Craftsman toolboxes were right there in the section next to customer service...
not impressed...18" deep Cabinets are a thing of the past...
the salesguy told me they'll be phasing out the Kobalt brand tools. their toolboxes haven't kept up with Husky & Milwaukee.

((18' - 15') / 2') = 1.5'

I hope this makes it clear why 18" inch cabinets are here to stay.

 

[mudflap]

((18' - 15') / 2') = 1.5'

I hope this makes it clear why 18" inch cabinets are here to stay.

What..........?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'm not on board with the obsession for extra-deep toolboxes. Not everyone has an empty 2-3 car garage or even wants a box that deep. For some people, space is at a premium and the extra depth isn't needed. I have space in my garage but I prefer tool boxes against a wall at 18" deep. 24-30" makes for a better work table that you might work from any side.

 

[kythri]

((18' - 15') / 2') = 1.5'

I hope this makes it clear why 18" inch cabinets are here to stay.

Care to explain?

Also, why do you have a set of unnecessary parens?

 

[Luciferi]

((18' - 15') / 2') = 1.5'

I hope this makes it clear why 18" inch cabinets are here to stay.

My translation

18ft garage depth, 15ft average car length leaves 3ft of room. Taking more than that you can't open the drawers with the car in the garage. A 24-30" deep box would make parking difficult for a lot of driving challenged people.

 

[powertrip]

when I went into Lowes this morning, the Craftsman toolboxes were right there in the section next to customer service...
not impressed...18" deep Cabinets are a thing of the past...
the salesguy told me they'll be phasing out the Kobalt brand tools. their toolboxes haven't kept up with Husky & Milwaukee.

I'll believe that when I see it.

 

[Rewind97]

((18' - 15') / 2') = 1.5'

I hope this makes it clear why 18" inch cabinets are here to stay.

No.........No it does not.

 

[Nineeightyone]

I'll believe that when I see it.

I hope they don't, they offer a halfway decent tool for a good price, that I can buy locally without any issues. I know Harbor Freight has come a long way, but all of my Kobalt stuff has seen a lot of abuse, and never given me a reason to be concerned. I'm definitely looking into Tekton though as a backup, the price for a 3/8" ratchet is a tad lower than the comparable Kobalt piece, and a master set of 3/8" isn't much either.

Nonetheless, it'll be interesting to see where Kobalt winds up in the Lowe's product lineup.

 

[powertrip]

I hope they don't, they offer a halfway decent tool for a good price, that I can buy locally without any issues. I know Harbor Freight has come a long way, but all of my Kobalt stuff has seen a lot of abuse, and never given me a reason to be concerned. I'm definitely looking into Tekton though as a backup, the price for a 3/8" ratchet is a tad lower than the comparable Kobalt piece, and a master set of 3/8" isn't much either.



Nonetheless, it'll be interesting to see where Kobalt winds up in the Lowe's product lineup.

They're are so many products with the Kobalt name besides hand tools at Lowes. I just don't see them investing years into a brand only to give it up for another brand they would have no control over. Kobalt also sells many products that Craftsman doesn't even make. Lowes would also be competing with other retailers that will carry Craftsman products. On the other hand you can only get Kobalt at Lowes. I'm a big Craftsman fan and I want to see them do well under SBD but today's market is not like the market of 20 years ago when Craftsman was king. The tool options are greater and by Sears dropping the ball on their business plan other brands and retailers have devolped a following, Kobalt being one of them. Sad to say but I dont think the Craftsman brand is going to command the same reaction from consumers it once did. Not bashing them, just my opinion. By the way 75% of my pretty extensive tool collection is Craftsman.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

No.........No it does not.

An 18' x 20' garage with a 15' door, leaves 18" of clearance between the garage opening and the inside wall of the garage.

Having a tool box stick 3 - 6" into the door opening is a guaranteed way to piss off a customer when they drive their car into their tool box.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

They're are so many products with the Kobalt name besides hand tools at Lowes. I just don't see them investing years into a brand only to give it up for another brand they would have no control over. Kobalt also sells many products that Craftsman doesn't even make. Lowes would also be competing with other retailers that will carry Craftsman products. On the other hand you can only get Kobalt at Lowes. I'm a big Craftsman fan and I want to see them do well under SBD but today's market is not like the market of 20 years ago when Craftsman was king. The tool options are greater and by Sears dropping the ball on their business plan other brands and retailers have devolped a following, Kobalt being one of them. Sad to say but I dont think the Craftsman brand is going to command the same reaction from consumers it once did. Not bashing them, just my opinion. By the way 75% of my pretty extensive tool collection is Craftsman.

Maybe Lowes, like Sears learned that "house brands" no longer work.

Think of this.

If someone announced a new Craftsman C3 line at Lowes, would you go to your nearest Lowes to check it out? I would think almost everyone here would make a special trip to see them, even the salty haters.

If Lowes announced a new Kobolt line, would anyone here make a special trip to Lowes to see it?

How many people here have gone to Sears in the past just to browse through the tool section? How many go to Lowes for the same thing?

How many people here can remember the good, better, best display at Sears? How many can remember any tools display at Lowes?

 

[mudflap]

They're are so many products with the Kobalt name besides hand tools at Lowes. I just don't see them investing years into a brand only to give it up for another brand they would have no control over. Kobalt also sells many products that Craftsman doesn't even make. Lowes would also be competing with other retailers that will carry Craftsman products. On the other hand you can only get Kobalt at Lowes. I'm a big Craftsman fan and I want to see them do well under SBD but today's market is not like the market of 20 years ago when Craftsman was king. The tool options are greater and by Sears dropping the ball on their business plan other brands and retailers have devolped a following, Kobalt being one of them. Sad to say but I dont think the Craftsman brand is going to command the same reaction from consumers it once did. Not bashing them, just my opinion. By the way 75% of my pretty extensive tool collection is Craftsman.

I'm rooting for SBD/Craftsman too... I hope they do bring some manufacturing back to the States..and are a big success ...But i cant figure out why Lowes would bring in competition for their well established house brand...? Maybe somebody here more smarter than me can see what their angle is..? Would have made more sense for Menards, or Oriley auto parts.. They both have a mish mosh of low to mid line stuff that is ever changing anyway..

 

[powertrip]

Maybe Lowes, like Sears learned that "house brands" no longer work.

Think of this.

If someone announced a new Craftsman C3 line at Lowes, would you go to your nearest Lowes to check it out? I would think almost everyone here would make a special trip to see them, even the salty haters.

If Lowes announced a new Kobolt line, would anyone here make a special trip to Lowes to see it?

How many people here have gone to Sears in the past just to browse through the tool section? How many go to Lowes for the same thing?

How many people here can remember the good, better, best display at Sears? How many can remember any tools display at Lowes?

Actually I may be in the minority but I did move on from the C3 line. Sold my impact and other tools because I saw no commitment for new tools. I went with Ryobi and have bought 6 different cordless tools and 2 batteries just in the last 3 months. I also saw the new Kobalt 24v cordless stuff and liked what I saw. I ended up buying 2 impacts to suit my needs and budget. I am happy with both of these purchases. Craftsman is not goiing to sway me back on cordless tools at all. I also tend to check out anything new I read or hear about from the Kobalt line. But like I said, I'm probably in the minority. I am a fan of Kobalt and Craftsman, but lately more Kobalt because of Sears clunky website and my local stores closing. There really isnt much to browse anymore. No tool catalog, closing stores and a horrible website. It really ***** because with Sears' experience with mail order they could have easily been Amazon if senior management made the right moves in the 90's. Hopefully SBD can make some innovative products that make America want Craftsman again without the lose of Kobalt. They can coexist.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

Actually I may be in the minority but I did move on from the C3 line. Sold my impact and other tools because I saw no commitment for new tools. I went with Ryobi and have bought 6 different cordless tools and 2 batteries just in the last 3 months. I also saw the new Kobalt 24v cordless stuff and liked what I saw. I ended up buying 2 impacts to suit my needs and budget. I am happy with both of these purchases. Craftsman is not goiing to sway me back on cordless tools at all. I also tend to check out anything new I read or hear about from the Kobalt line. But like I said, I'm probably in the minority. I am a fan of Kobalt and Craftsman, but lately more Kobalt because of Sears clunky website and my local stores closing. There really isnt much to browse anymore. No tool catalog, closing stores and a horrible website. It really ***** because with Sears' experience with mail order they could have easily been Amazon if senior management made the right moves in the 90's. Hopefully SBD can make some innovative products that make America want Craftsman again without the lose of Kobalt. They can coexist.

Sears could've been Amazon, and the Craftsman C3 line could've been what Ryobi One+ is now.

Poor marketing and support drove the C3 line into the ground. I had about 30 different C3 tools and several batteries, all were great, but once all the Sears closed I didn't like having to order tools online without first seeing them in person. I also didn't like that they wouldn't advertise new tools much, then they'd be released and never make it to stores, and be discontinued within 6 months.

I switched to Milwaukee and nothing could ever get me back to C3 now, and I've used Ryobi One+ as well and I'd still prefer that over going back to Craftsman.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Actually I may be in the minority but I did move on from the C3 line. Sold my impact and other tools because I saw no commitment for new tools. I went with Ryobi and have bought 6 different cordless tools and 2 batteries just in the last 3 months. I also saw the new Kobalt 24v cordless stuff and liked what I saw. I ended up buying 2 impacts to suit my needs and budget. I am happy with both of these purchases. Craftsman is not goiing to sway me back on cordless tools at all. I also tend to check out anything new I read or hear about from the Kobalt line. But like I said, I'm probably in the minority. I am a fan of Kobalt and Craftsman, but lately more Kobalt because of Sears clunky website and my local stores closing. There really isnt much to browse anymore. No tool catalog, closing stores and a horrible website. It really ***** because with Sears' experience with mail order they could have easily been Amazon if senior management made the right moves in the 90's. Hopefully SBD can make some innovative products that make America want Craftsman again without the lose of Kobalt. They can coexist.

I still think the Craftsman brand will bring a lot of traffic to Lowes. For me, that C3 line is critical. I have no need for any more hand tools. Maybe upgrade a few ratchets, but the C3 line is where I will spend money.

I wonder if the new SBD Craftsman will also be stocked at Sears and ACE.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Sears could've been Amazon, and the Craftsman C3 line could've been what Ryobi One+ is now.

Poor marketing and support drove the C3 line into the ground. I had about 30 different C3 tools and several batteries, all were great, but once all the Sears closed I didn't like having to order tools online without first seeing them in person. I also didn't like that they wouldn't advertise new tools much, then they'd be released and never make it to stores, and be discontinued within 6 months.

I switched to Milwaukee and nothing could ever get me back to C3 now, and I've used Ryobi One+ as well and I'd still prefer that over going back to Craftsman.

I still have 2 Sears near me so I will stick with the C3 for the foreseeable future. I made the mistake of waiting to buy some of the C3 line and there are tools they used to make that I now need. Like a pole saw. It took me a year to track down the hedge trimmers. I look at the Ryobi line and wish I could buy half those tools on the C3 platform.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I'm rooting for SBD/Craftsman too... I hope they do bring some manufacturing back to the States..and are a big success ...But i cant figure out why Lowes would bring in competition for their well established house brand...? Maybe somebody here more smarter than me can see what their angle is..? Would have made more sense for Menards, or Oriley auto parts.. They both have a mish mosh of low to mid line stuff that is ever changing anyway..

I think Menards is regional and Oreillys seem to always be in questionable neighborhoods. Maybe it is just here in SW Fla.

 

[Rewind97]

An 18' x 20' garage with a 15' door, leaves 18" of clearance between the garage opening and the inside wall of the garage.

Having a tool box stick 3 - 6" into the door opening is a guaranteed way to piss off a customer when they drive their car into their tool box.

AHHH.........now I get it. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I still have 2 Sears near me so I will stick with the C3 for the foreseeable future. I made the mistake of waiting to buy some of the C3 line and there are tools they used to make that I now need. Like a pole saw. It took me a year to track down the hedge trimmers. I look at the Ryobi line and wish I could buy half those tools on the C3 platform.

The hedge trimmer was a great tool, one of the first tools I bought for the C3 platform. There were some tools I wanted to get that the stores never got before they discontinued, and I didn't want to pay 3x the price on ebay for a used one.

Ryobi has a great lineup, even some things Milwaukee doesn't have that I would like.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I think Menards is regional and Oreillys seem to always be in questionable neighborhoods. Maybe it is just here in SW Fla.

I think Oreillys is in every neighborhood. I would agree with you that Oreillys and Menards need more help in the tool department than Lowes did.

 

[Specs]

An 18' x 20' garage with a 15' door, leaves 18" of clearance between the garage opening and the inside wall of the garage.

Having a tool box stick 3 - 6" into the door opening is a guaranteed way to piss off a customer when they drive their car into their tool box.

While right on the money, what if Mr. DIY-er decided to modify interior of garage so walls take an inch or two? even those 18” boxes no fit then...
Unless recessed nooks?

I wonder if craftsman will come out with a 3/4” drive ratchet... if so, imma beat some fools to the sale

 

[finn]

I stopped at Lowe’s today for some trim, and happened to walk past the tool department. Picked up a Kobalt box on clearance. The department manager opened the box since it was the last one (no display model to examine).

I asked him a generic question re the Craftsman roll out. He confirmed that they have product in the back, but have orders from corporate to keep them off the shelves until May, as others have stated.

Interesting comment he volunteered was that Craftsman will be replacing Black and Decker on the shelves.

Looked around and, sure enough, most of the B&D stuff is on clearance.

Didn’t get to ask what the CM hand tools are replacing.

If the CM is replacing B&D one for one, that’s not much shelf space, although this was in a small market Lowe’s.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

AHHH.........now I get it. Thanks for clarifying that for me.

I also get the newer 24" boxes for 20'x22' garages with 16' doors. I do not get the increasingly common 21"

 

[JazzBlueRT]

While right on the money, what if Mr. DIY-er decided to modify interior of garage so walls take an inch or two? even those 18” boxes no fit then...
Unless recessed nooks?

I wonder if craftsman will come out with a 3/4” drive ratchet... if so, imma beat some fools to the sale

Companies build things based on standards, not upon what a person may do to their garage.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-3-4-in-drive-quick-release-ratchet

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-3-4-...SellerId=Sears&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[xin]

I'm rooting for SBD/Craftsman too... I hope they do bring some manufacturing back to the States..and are a big success ...But i cant figure out why Lowes would bring in competition for their well established house brand...? Maybe somebody here more smarter than me can see what their angle is..? Would have made more sense for Menards, or Oriley auto parts.. They both have a mish mosh of low to mid line stuff that is ever changing anyway..

Same here - bring the tools back and sell them!

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'll believe that when I see it.

So far no word on Kobalt tools, the only Kobalt items on clearance to make room for Craftsman at the moment is tool boxes.

I wonder if they'll see how much interest they get for online tools and in-store tool boxes before they try introducing hand or power tools to the store.

Craftsman outdoor power equipment is already scheduled to be at stores in late 2018 or early 2019.