SBD's plans for Craftsman

[Cato]

Hopefully it's not too late for CM.

Younger guys (under 40) don't really have the attachment (and broken hearts) that us older guys have for Craftsman.

Younger guys DIY's types are already die hard (lol) Harbor Freight customers or big box customers.

But bringing CM back to Made in America for the homeowner, is a good strategy.

 

[buffalobill]

I'm under 40, never like HF much. Their stuff is getting better, but I'd still rather not. I know how they got to where they are today, putting out garbage for cheap. My dad always had sk, proto, and cornwell around, so I knew the difference between cheap **** and quality.

 

[Moparman390]

I was guessing they were going to slot Craftsman in between B&D and Dewalt, my question was more of what were they planning to do with PC and Bostitch?
Might they axe one or both? Looks like they plan to carry them all on. It looks like they have Craftsman in a higher position than I thought but that might just be distorted by the chart, if not they seem to have an inflated view of Stanley.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I was guessing they were going to slot Craftsman in between B&D and Dewalt, my question was more of what were they planning to do with PC and Bostitch?

I think that SBD will take Craftsman completely out of the power tool business. Strictly hand tools. Fine by me even though I have several Craftsman Professional/Industrial power tools.

 

[Airframer]

Hopefully it's not too late for CM.

Younger guys (under 40) don't really have the attachment (and broken hearts) that us older guys have for Craftsman.
.

Wrong

 

[Fender1325]

Hopefully it's not too late for CM.

Younger guys (under 40) don't really have the attachment (and broken hearts) that us older guys have for Craftsman.

Younger guys DIY's types are already die hard (lol) Harbor Freight customers or big box customers.

But bringing CM back to Made in America for the homeowner, is a good strategy.

I'm 31. The brand dying is actually hard to shake even now. I just bought a tool chest. I need to buy socket sets and wrenches to have at work and I'm moving my craftsman stuff home. It hurts a little bit that I didn't buy a craftsman box, and the fact that I'm buying other brands for the tools like gearwrench and wright, etc. I grew up using dad's tools - all craftsman. There was a pride in those tools. US made, made well, and if they ever broke the store would fix it, for life. It was just a great value. Now as a young man, yes, my garage has more harbor freight in it than anything. Some craftsman, old stuff I bought before they went Chinese. But, I have to remember, I'm not paying US made craftsman prices for Chinese tools. I'll pay Chinese prices for Chinese tools at HF.

 

[theoldwizard1]

But, I have to remember, I'm not paying US made Craftsman prices for Chinese tools. I'll pay Chinese prices for Chinese tools at HF.

And that sums it up right there ! Even some of the Made in USA Craftsman stuff from 10-15 years ago is nowhere near as nice as the 30+ year old stuff.

 

[onthefence777]

I am 30 and I am proud of my USA Craftsman tools - my late father bought me the core starter set that I expanded upon. They were instrumental in helping me learn in the middle of the mission of completely rebuilding the drive trains of my 2 cars, and I have repaired many other vehicles with them as well. I was fortunate that when it was time to replace a few lost sockets, the Sears website happened to be having their "Going chicom clearance sale on the last of the USA tools". I haven't bought another Craftsman tool since they went chicom in protest.

It was personally a bummer for me a few months back that when my brother was stoked about buying his first set of tools, I thought back to my first set and wondered "What has happened to my nation?"

Now I go to Harbor Freight, like I did the other day when I needed E-torx sockets. I really didn't think much of it at the time, but in retrospect it is a bummer.

I had not heard of the SBD acquisition until now, but it is indeed an encouraging development. When I needed a tool in the USA Craftsman days, I never looked up prices and found the cheapest tool for the job - I just went to Sears and bought what I needed. It would be an encouraging sign if SBD is genuine and follows through in the revival of the Craftsman brand. Although I have been slowly tipping towards the truck brands as I upgrade my tool collection these days, I for one would definitely go buy a decent size set if SBD ever goes live with true USA Craftsman quality tools.

After all, with as many USA Craftsman tools that I have, it sure would be nice to know I could still warranty them for USA made Craftsman. I decided long ago I would not warranty them in for chicom stuff if they break - I'll just hit e-bay to replace.

 

[kythri]

After all, with as many USA Craftsman tools that I have, it sure would be nice to know I could still warranty them for USA made Craftsman. I decided long ago I would not warranty them in for chicom stuff if they break - I'll just hit e-bay to replace.

I don't get this - I certainly want a USA replacement for my potentially broken USA tool, but that's not a warranty option any longer, at least presently.

I would probably do the same thing, seeking out an eBay replacement, but, you paid for the warranty, why wouldn't you warranty out the broken tool, and then hawk it on eBay or elsewhere?

 

[Sam0383]

I’m 29 years old I remember the craftsman USA days. When I first started working on cars I would go to sears and buy craftsman USA, but then I noticed it quit saying. Made in USA on the larger socket set I bought. So I looked it up and sure enough it was all china I felt ripped off but would occasionally go back and could dig around and still find some USA stuff (not anymore tho ) so then with out thinking I just started buying tools at autozone then. Started buying snap on proto, and USA made craftsman on eBay. Then I discovered SK and now most of my stuff is all SK and I couldn’t be happier.

 

[onthefence777]

I don't get this - I certainly want a USA replacement for my potentially broken USA tool, but that's not a warranty option any longer, at least presently.

I would probably do the same thing, seeking out an eBay replacement, but, you paid for the warranty, why wouldn't you warranty out the broken tool, and then hawk it on eBay or elsewhere?

I haven't had to warranty any of my Craftsman stuff since they went chicom, so I never thought it that far out. In fact, I only ever had to warranty a few tools in my early wrenching days anyways. A couple wrenches, and several 3/8" drive ratchets using cheater pipes on them, lol. I try especially hard not to do that anymore, and am very careful when I have no choice.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

The billions they're giving, though, are in tax breaks. They're not actually forking over taxpayer dollars, are they?

So, if Foxconn decided to build elsewhere, Wisconsin would be "giving" the same amount, right?

Perhaps I'm looking at this too simplistically, but it still seems like a net gain for Wisconsin, since it employs a bunch of people, and they pay income tax, not to mention, spend that money in Wisconsin's economy.

I've seen concerns that maybe jobs will go to those that live in Illinois, given the propsoed location of the plant, but wouldn't they at least pay Wisconsin income tax? I'm not familiar with Wisconsin's tax laws, but I know that if you live or work in Oregon, you're supposed to be paying income tax in Oregon.

Some people believe than any money the government does not take from you in taxes is depriving the government of revenue thus costing the government money. These are the people that call tax breaks or tax write offs "subsidies."

 

[6PTsocket]

Thank you Finance Guy! Let's see how long this can go without the serial Craftsman bashers showing up to tell everybody why it can never work...Three, Two, One...

I think you are distorting the issue. Sears never made anything. Over the years, the quality of what they sold as Craftsman went from decent to the worst imported garbage. What SBD manufactures under that label remains to be seen. There is no reason to pre judge what they are going to produce. I would not touch Sears product with a 10 ft pole but I would happily buy SBD Craftsman if they deliver good quality at a good price. There are already good choices in the categories that SBD is trying to expand into. It is a competitive market. I would consider their product along with the others. The CRAFTSMAN name may be a business draw but labels mean nothing to me. Today half the brands on the shelf are made by somebody else. The low end John Deeres are made by MTD.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[subarub4]

Toyota trucks (not all) are made in San Antonio, Subarus (not all) are made in Indiana. Anybody want to Google where Honda lawn mowers are made? I am curious but lazy.

But you are correct, Americans are mostly broke and squeezed by higher prices every year. That makes them very price sensitive and unlikely to pay significantly more for Made in USA.

Subaru not too long ago shifted the production of the Impreza from Japan to Indiana.. so as it stands Legacy, Outback & Impreza all come from Indiana and the Forester and Crosstrek come from Japan.. however all motors and all transmissions are from Japan.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

After reading all of these posts, I can tell who the professional mechanics are and don't think said pros see the big picture. I am not a professional mechanic. I grew up on a farm in the 70s and 80s where we did a lot of basic wrenching in order to save money. My dad always used mostly Cman hand tools because of the value. They were usually of a quality that was closer to the truck brands than they were to the budget lines and they were guaranteed. Farmers work 7 days a week and if you break a tool on a weekend it was definitely worth the extra money knowing that Sears would replace it no questions asked. I believe that this is the reason that HF has done so well in the last few years. Why should I pay Sears brand name prices for cheap Chinese made **** when I can by the small quality stuff at HF with a warranty that rivals the Sears experience of 30 years ago. I think that if SBD can get the brand reconnected to their history of being made in the US and support their retailers in a very easy warranty process, they will likely be successful.

 

[Jtels85]

My father always used Craftsman. I have fond memories of going to Sears with my parents and following my dad around the tool department. I’m 32 now and began accumulating my tools in the mid-late 2000’s. I strictly bought Craftsman because at the time, the majority was made in the USA and it was what was familiar to me. Over the years, my knowledge and taste has grown and I’ve ventured out to other brands for quality and ergonomics. I will always have a soft spot for Craftsman and those tools have served me well, but the current offerings are trash. I can count on one hand the Craftsman tools I have that are made in China/Taiwan... 3 Pc Thin profile ratchet set to save the abuse on my 60T thin Profile USA ratchets, a 1/4” flex ratchet and a tap & die set. That’s pretty much it.

I’ll come back to Craftsman if Stanley keeps their promise. I could give 2 shits less if it’s made in the USA “with global materials”. As long as it has “USA” stamped on the tool, they’ll win back a customer. I’m not a pro by any means, but I can abuse the hell out of some tools. Make something that I’m proud to spend my money on and that I’ll be happy to pass down to my kids. It’s not rocket science. Save the brand and make it what it once was... or better than it is now.

 

[6PTsocket]

After reading all of these posts, I can tell who the professional mechanics are and don't think said pros see the big picture. I am not a professional mechanic. I grew up on a farm in the 70s and 80s where we did a lot of basic wrenching in order to save money. My dad always used mostly Cman hand tools because of the value. They were usually of a quality that was closer to the truck brands than they were to the budget lines and they were guaranteed. Farmers work 7 days a week and if you break a tool on a weekend it was definitely worth the extra money knowing that Sears would replace it no questions asked. I believe that this is the reason that HF has done so well in the last few years. Why should I pay Sears brand name prices for cheap Chinese made **** when I can by the small quality stuff at HF with a warranty that rivals the Sears experience of 30 years ago. I think that if SBD can get the brand reconnected to their history of being made in the US and support their retailers in a very easy warranty process, they will likely be successful.

Most HF stuff is 90 days. Refund or exchange. There is nothing comparable to Sears Parts Direct at HF. Replacemet part is not a word known to HF. That is one way they keep rhe prices down. Of course, some of their hand tools have a lifetime warranty but there is no rebuilding a ratchet. On their more expensive stuff like the big tool cabinets, I undersrntand there are parts if you can wait for them to come from China.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Keelhauled]

The low end John Deeres are made by MTD.

That's not true, Deere makes them itself in Greeneville, Tennessee.

On a Craftsman related note, craftsman.com no longer has a link to the futureofcraftsman.com website, which had details on the SBD purchase, and now redirects to craftsman.com

 

[Empty Pockets]

IMO, the jury is still out on the SBD acquisition of CM. Once the product makes it to the market, I'll form an opinion.

I, too have fond memories of going to Sears with my parents, as a kid, following my dad through the tool department. Most of my early tool purchases were USA-CM and they served me well. Since my dad has passed, I have his old CM tools as well as my grandfather's. Many of the older tools are still quite serviceable.

Lately I have been upgrading some of my tools to SK and truck brands (not replacing my Wright). I most likely will hold off until I see the new SBD offerings

 

[Moparman390]

I think that SBD will take Craftsman completely out of the power tool business. Strictly hand tools. Fine by me even though I have several Craftsman Professional/Industrial power tools.

I disagree, they haven't invested a billion dollars in Craftsman to stay out of the power tool market when one of SBDs core competencies is power tools. I think Amazon said Craftsman power tools are one of their most searches for items they don't carry. Oneof the reasons SBD bought Craftsman was to get into the outdoor power tool market. I expect lots of Craftsman power tools to come.

 

[jd_1138]

I disagree, they haven't invested a billion dollars in Craftsman to stay out of the power tool market when one of SBDs core competencies is power tools. I think Amazon said Craftsman power tools are one of their most searches for items they don't carry. Oneof the reasons SBD bought Craftsman was to get into the outdoor power tool market. I expect lots of Craftsman power tools to come.

And SBD owns Porter Cable which is coincidentally enough the same basic colors as Craftsman. Perhaps they'll just slap the Craftsman name on Porter Cable power tools? And maybe get rid of Porter Cable. I don't think PC is popular anymore.

 

[6PTsocket]

And SBD owns Porter Cable which is coincidentally enough the same basic colors as Craftsman. Perhaps they'll just slap the Craftsman name on Porter Cable power tools? And maybe get rid of Porter Cable. I don't think PC is popular anymore.

The lost popularity of Porter Cable was the doing of B&D. They bought Porter Cable and Delta. They sold Delta to a Taiwanese company, Chang Type that built a US plant to continue making Delta. B&D let PC become a poor relative of DeWalt. It seems to be mostly sold at Lowes. Delta seems to have faded from the scene, too. Those were two good, popular brands at one time.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Bdgjr215]

Porter cable is still the go to router for most production wood shops.

 

[Fender1325]

Tools are for fixing things...millennials don't do that.

Millennials don't fix things bc they're too busy trying to survive. That means overworked, underpaid, in an apartment and a throw-away car.

I'm a millennial at 31 years old, but I am lucky, unlike the large majority of my friends in that I own a house with a garage, and happen to be into 50's cars. I build and fix.

Let's not forget the huge majority of appliances, household goods, even furniture are built to be thrown away when they break. Baby boomers allowed the economy to become that I might add.

 

[Sam0383]

Millennials don't fix things bc they're too busy trying to survive. That means overworked, underpaid, in an apartment and a throw-away car.

I'm a millennial at 31 years old, but I am lucky, unlike the large majority of my friends in that I own a house with a garage, and happen to be into 50's cars. I build and fix.

Let's not forget the huge majority of appliances, household goods, even furniture are built to be thrown away when they break. Baby boomers allowed the economy to become that I might add.

Well said my dad is a baby boomer and he has become the laziest SOB on the earth. He’s never fixed anything he just sets it aside and buys another.

 

[Jtels85]

Millennials don't fix things bc they're too busy trying to survive. That means overworked, underpaid, in an apartment and a throw-away car.

I'm a millennial at 31 years old, but I am lucky, unlike the large majority of my friends in that I own a house with a garage, and happen to be into 50's cars. I build and fix.

Let's not forget the huge majority of appliances, household goods, even furniture are built to be thrown away when they break. Baby boomers allowed the economy to become that I might add.

Amen to that. I’m 33, repair and build things if I’m capable of doing so. It’s all about saving money and taking pride in accomplishing something. Typically, I hate damn near everyone in the “millennial” generation, but I also understand where they’re coming from. They were raised to believe that without going to college and ending up as a desk jockey in a cubicle somewhere, they’d never amount to anything. Skilled trades and fixing your own **** wasn’t instilled into the vast majority of them. They’re all hundreds of thousands in debt and living at home with their parents because of the cost of living is too damn high for the wages they’re earning. The baby boomer generation has put the squeeze on their own children, but want to sit around and complain about how these kids turned out. Smh.

Got a guy I work with (24 or 25 years old), had a flat tire on his Civic last week leaving work. He didn’t know how to put the spare on so I offered to help him out, but he insisted he’d call AAA. Dude waited over an hour for them to arrive and put his spare on. IMHO, if you can’t change a tire or your own oil, you don’t have any business driving a car. Should be a requirement to obtain a license.

 

[Yarpo]

Tools are for fixing things...millennials don't do that.

Weird, I'm a millennial and I love to fix things. Do it 8 hours a day 5 days a week most weeks. I enjoy what I do, but I also enjoy fixing other problems outside of being an EVT. Be it a computer, a car, or even my phone. I hate paying someone else to "fix things" for me. I get the generalization, but not all of us are scared to get dirty.

Millennials don't fix things bc they're too busy trying to survive. That means overworked, underpaid, in an apartment and a throw-away car.

I'm a millennial at 31 years old, but I am lucky, unlike the large majority of my friends in that I own a house with a garage, and happen to be into 50's cars. I build and fix.

Let's not forget the huge majority of appliances, household goods, even furniture are built to be thrown away when they break. Baby boomers allowed the economy to become that I might add.

I agree that people in the Millennial bracket are probably underpaid (I am) and overworked (I'm not) but times are tough. I think its hard to categorize all people in such broad strokes. The people I know who do fix things are financially smart. They may be in debt, but they've secured a good job and house, so money isn't exactly there to pay the dealership to **** you. They've learned to do things like home renovation and car repairs on their own to minimize money going out.

The vast majority of people who don't fix things seem to not care. They think they make enough money so why fix things? Somebody else will do it if you cut a big enough check(Do people use checks anymore? ) I have friends who are 100k in debt, but make good money now so instead of being like my buddy and his wife above, they just bring the car in and pay to have it fixed.

Look at the wage stagnation for "blue collar workers" or people who would have considered a trade.

"True, adjusted for inflation, average hourly earnings of production and nonsupervisory employees in the private sector (closest approximation for the quintessential blue-collar worker that I could find) have barely changed between 1979 and 2015. In October 1979, average hourly earnings stood at $6.51 or $21.20 in 2015 dollars. In October 2015, average hourly earnings stood at $21.18 – slightly below the inflation adjusted 1979 level."

I make less than 21 dollars an hour by a fair amount. I'm making LESS than I would have in 1979... This article will show that material goods and other items you'd use in your home have fallen in price, but as you mentioned are many are throwaway items now.

"The cost of education, healthcare and housing has risen at a faster pace than total compensation"

Highlights the Millennial plight that most of my generation fell into. Material items? Good, price is cheap. Buy them all. Houses, and health care? Expensive, live at home, get sick, be poor.

https://www.cato.org/projects/humanprogress/cost-of-living

 

[bonneyman]

I no longer work for Ace Hardware, but - as of a month ago - they hadn't heard a thing regarding Craftsman and the deal they have with them. Seems to me SBD would get on the horn with Ace corporate and lay out some plans if they had any. JMHO

 

[Empty Pockets]

Porter cable is still the go to router for most production wood shops.

When I ran a formica shop, Porter Cable was the only router we had in the shop. Every model and size they made.

Unfortunately, PC discontinued the Model 100, my favourite.

 

[kythri]

I no longer work for Ace Hardware, but - as of a month ago - they hadn't heard a thing regarding Craftsman and the deal they have with them. Seems to me SBD would get on the horn with Ace corporate and lay out some plans if they had any. JMHO

Unless their deal with SHC (Sears Holding Company) is expiring, there's may not be any reason to, and they may be prevented from doing so.

The SBD/SHC deal allows Sears to still source stuff and brand it Craftsman independently of SBD for, what, 15 years or something?

 

[Moparman390]

Unless their deal with SHC (Sears Holding Company) is expiring, there's may not be any reason to, and they may be prevented from doing so.

The SBD/SHC deal allows Sears to still source stuff and brand it Craftsman independently of SBD for, what, 15 years or something?

I thought SBD took hold of distribution outside of Sears immediately. Now they might be in a transition period, but I think SBD could talk to ACE about their in tensions any time they want. Farm and Fleet has already started clearing Sears Craftsman stuff, probably to get ready for SBD Craftsman stuff.

 

[Moparman390]

And SBD owns Porter Cable which is coincidentally enough the same basic colors as Craftsman. Perhaps they'll just slap the Craftsman name on Porter Cable power tools? And maybe get rid of Porter Cable. I don't think PC is popular anymore.

That's what I thought, Craftsman might replace PC or Bostitch, but their chart shows otherwise. Maybe in the long run.

 

[jakemac]

Unfortunately, PC discontinued the Model 100, my favourite.

Hands down the best and most versatile router of its time. PC shot themselves in the foot when they discontinued that model and it's accessories.

 

[6PTsocket]

Hands down the best and most versatile router of its time. PC shot themselves in the foot when they discontinued that model and it's accessories.

Most routers use PC style bushings. The collar adjust system is pretty common and at 7/8 hp it is kind of anemic. There are smaller trim routers with more hp. What makes it such a loss? The 505 sander was well regarded. I don't know if it is still around. Even low end brand Skil had the iconic worm drive beast, the Skilsaw. Bosch sold Skil. I don't know if that is still made, either.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[jakemac]

What makes it such a loss?

I don't dispute that there were other similar options available at the time, but the PC Model 100's reliability, versatility, price range, and availability made it (IMO) the best choice for both professional contractors and casual DYIers throughout the 90's.