Not sure if this has been discussed in the "new" Craftsman threads but I figured some of you guys might find this interesting. I am a Motor Trend On Demand subscriber and one of the daily shows is Dirt Every Day Extra. On today's show Fred Williams is showing off his new MADE in USA Craftsman toolbox. I'm sure these things will be making the rounds on various automotive shows. Any idea who is making these new boxes in the USA? Waterloo? Does SBD have a USA toolbox factory here in the USA? Has this been discussed already?
New Craftsman tool boxes
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WWheeler
Well-known member
Stanley bought Waterloo last year.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7332937&highlight=waterloo#post7332937
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7332937&highlight=waterloo#post7332937
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Waterloo is now Stanley, made in my home town of Sedalia Missouri. Waterloo had been making Some of the mid to higherend boxes for Craftsman the last few years. They cut, fold metal, paint and assemble everything in that town. Craftsman sent out an email the other day as a press release and they were highlighting the city of Sedalia and the manufacturing plant. 350ish jobs I believe.
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strutaeng
Well-known member
I just came across this video:
bobcatdan
Well-known member
These new boxes are really nothing new. Waterloo has been the box supplier for craftsman since the 60's. The "new" boxes look to be basically carryovers. Waterloo had moved a good portion of manufacturing to Mexico a number of years back. What percentage was made there and here, I don't know. With Stanley buying Waterloo, they have seem to have moved a fair amount back here and that maybe the bigger news here.
sevt_chevelle
Well-known member
For a small town Sedalia sure makes a lot of stuff. Starline brass, Sierra bullets, and now Craftsman toolboxes. Plus Whiteman AFB is right in the back yard too.
They probably had to move it back. All them Mexican boys that know how to twist sheet metal prolly hauled *** up to the states for some real(er) money. A really good HVAC bench guy in Mex is lucky to knock down $5.50/6.00hr.If he's an oK kid it's more like $2,75/$3,25
rijndael
Well-known member
I'm not sure if it's new, but I just checked out the 41" Stainless Pro box and it seemed decent. I liked the drawer latches on the outside of the drawer, rather than inside. The slides all seemed stable and smooth.
58664 and 58665.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-pro-series-41-inch-11-drawer-stainless/p-00958665000P?rrec=true
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-pro-series-41-inch-8-drawer-stainless/p-00958664000P?rrec=true
58664 and 58665.
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-pro-series-41-inch-11-drawer-stainless/p-00958665000P?rrec=true
https://www.sears.com/craftsman-pro-series-41-inch-8-drawer-stainless/p-00958664000P?rrec=true
ptgarcia
Well-known member
I've played with those at the local Sears, and they are quite nice, but they are not new. They've been around since before SBD bought Craftsman.
rijndael
Well-known member
I have concerns about buying a box from Sears Craftsman rather than SBD Craftsman for fear of parts availability issues when Sears finally shuts down ...
If the box is made by Waterloo why would you have an issue no matter who's name tag is on it? My Sears Craftsman box is over 20 years old and one call to Waterloo this week got me a very helpful rep that quoted me a pair of new drawer slides.
montanafordman
Well-known member
I really have not been all that impressed by the newer craftsman boxes. I have a craftsman 26" stack I bought about 10 years ago that isn't much better but the sheet metal and general construction seems a lot flimsier than even the harbor freight variety. It may be the same thickness but the US General boxes roll the lip of the sheet metal on the drawer edges for instance and more seams are welded rather than riveted with exposed seams on craftsman boxes.
I would really cheer on craftsman to make a decent box that matches or exceeds even the US General harbor freight boxes. Until then my next box will likely be a tool vault / montezuma/ extreme tools box from strictly toolboxes or one from Harbor Freight unless I find a deal on a truck box on craigslist if/when I decide to upsize and consolidate. Craftsman has had the problem of pushing an inferior product at higher prices for many of their lines and the toolboxes are no different. Brand loyalty and a paint job/logo will only go so far. Just my humble opinion.
I would really cheer on craftsman to make a decent box that matches or exceeds even the US General harbor freight boxes. Until then my next box will likely be a tool vault / montezuma/ extreme tools box from strictly toolboxes or one from Harbor Freight unless I find a deal on a truck box on craigslist if/when I decide to upsize and consolidate. Craftsman has had the problem of pushing an inferior product at higher prices for many of their lines and the toolboxes are no different. Brand loyalty and a paint job/logo will only go so far. Just my humble opinion.
rijndael
Well-known member
I've been waiting for over 6 months for 4 drawer detents, for a Craftsman box.
Is it a Waterloo box? Did you call Waterloo directly? They fixed me right up with a couple missing detents for mine.
rijndael
Well-known member
I don't know who made it. How does one figure out if Waterloo made it?
rijndael
Well-known member
I've google'd it before, it wasn't helpful.
I'll call them tomorrow and ask ...
I'll call them tomorrow and ask ...
ptgarcia
Well-known member
Don't forget there are several lines of boxes sold by Sears. The 41" Professional level box shown here is built better than the Harbor Freight boxes I've played with. I think this box weighs nearly 100lbs more than the Gen 2 44" US General box.
Bellaireroad
Well-known member
What does the US in US General stand for? Are they made in the United States?
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strutaeng
Well-known member
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
US, China... town next to Pittsburgh, China... Two miles up from a smelly tire factory.
WWheeler
Well-known member
IIRC one of the first Horror Fright acquisitions, before they had any brick & mortars, was of the US General Co, which at the time was also a mail order tool company at the time. I don't think the US meant anything about COO. In any case HF's boxes are definitely not made in the US.
Somewhere here at GJ there's a Horror Fright history thread.
montanafordman
Well-known member
Don't forget there are several lines of boxes sold by Sears. The 41" Professional level box shown here is built better than the Harbor Freight boxes I've played with. I think this box weighs nearly 100lbs more than the Gen 2 44" US General box.
Overall I might say that one is better, but I saw a display model in a sears maybe a year ago and the sheet metal wasn't riveted and lined up at a sharp enough angle on one side where the drawers wouldn't even close properly. I'm hoping it was just a rare defect but I was shocked that they let a "professional" grade toolbox out of the factory like that. The others I've seen were fairly decent but I can't stand the gimmicky bluetooth locks found on some of them.
78C-10
Banned
Don't forget there are several lines of boxes sold by Sears. The 41" Professional level box shown here is built better than the Harbor Freight boxes I've played with. I think this box weighs nearly 100lbs more than the Gen 2 44" US General box.
That's a sharp looking box!
Like everyone said, call Waterloo. I had a lock fail on my 7 year old Craftsman box and Sears didn’t have that specific lock available. I called Waterloo, gave them the part number off the inside drawer and 4 days and $30 later, I had a new lock. Don’t expect it to be free, but they will be able to help you.
kythri
Well-known member
It might be a better box, but it's going to be at least twice as expensive...