Vintage Craftsman Power Tool Quality

[Jcc76]

I've been looking into purchasing a number of woodworking tools (jig saw, router, band saw, etc) and I've been looking a lot on Ebay and Craigslist. Part of this is because you can always get a deal at those places and part of it is also because I refuse to pay for Made in China power tools where there may be a possibility of serious injury if the tool malfunctions.

I've always been a fan of Craftsman hand tools, but I haven't really purchased any of their power tools for a number of reasons, the Chinese manufacturing reason being the chief one. Another is the thought that the more recent Craftsman tools are merely rebranded Ryobis or Ridgids which could be obtained cheaper at Home Depot or even (in further rebadged form) at Harbor Freight.

So what I've been doing is looking for vintage Craftsman on Ebay, mainly new-in-box stuff from the 1970's, 1980's, and 1990's which is still Made in USA and unused. I've had quite a bit of luck, but I'm wondering what the quality of these tools was back in the day.

For those of you who are older and wiser than I am, and who maybe bought these tools back then:

1) What was the reputation of Craftsman routers and band saws and other power tools?

2) Was there any specific year or time period in which Craftsman power tools really went downhill? I've noticed that Sears still sold power tools made in USA even as late as 2002-2003, while some power tools were made in Taiwan as early as the 1980's, so I'm not sure.

Any assistance on this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[crewchief888]

from what i've seen, and remember, the stuff from the 60's up into the mid 70's was nice..

seems like the late 70's early 80's some of the quality went in the toilet

 

[bobcatdan]

If you find anything marked craftsman industrial, that was always good stuff. Stanard grade craftsman can be hit and miss. Just because it is made in the USA, the tool may only be a low price homeowner grade tool. If you can find actual specs on a tool, you should be able to judge the quailty. I still have some classic metal body tools my grandpa bought new going strong. I also I remember corded drills bought new in '92 or '93 that worth POS.

 

[7th Kahuna]

I can't really comment on the hand power tools. I do know that I like the feel of the mid 70's and earlier hand power tools better. My grandfather had a good number of early 'all metal' hand power tools that survived actual work and grand kids and continue to run just fine after having had a couple of cords replaced.

As far as large power tools, I would say mid 60's and earlier. When Emerson Electric took over production from King Seeley I think things started to go down hill a bit. That is not to say that a 1970 drill press is substantially worse than a 1962 but with the older ones readily available I started there. My grandfather also had a 1960 +/- band saw. Still works fine, but is it better than a 1990's Delta? Probably not. Still for the price, if you are handy and can do a bit of maintenance, the Craftsman is a fine machine for wood and soft metals.

Just my opinion. Anyway, I think you are on the right track.

 

[WWIIjeep]

If you find anything marked craftsman industrial, that was always good stuff. Stanard grade craftsman can be hit and miss.

This ^^^^

Generally, Sears portable power tools made before the mid-1970s and marked Craftsman Commercial were pretty decent, especially the ones with all metal housings instead of plastic.

Some of the older ones can be really cool-looking too.

The only problem with those older tools comes when they need parts, which are largely unavailable now. Replacement bearings and bushings can usually be found or made, motor brushes can be found or modified, cords can be replaced, but gears, belts, and so on, not likely.

So, condition is everything.

For stationary power tools, most were OK until about 1970.

The exceptions IMO, are the block grinders, which were OK for as long as they were USA-made (up to the 80s I think). Wood lathes, not after the early 60s. Table saws, until the 80s, just that later ones aren't as classy-looking as the older ones. Drill presses, until 1967, although a few of the later models from 1968 into the 70s are OK too. After 1967, they're not as cool-looking as the ones made by King-Seeley and Emerson from the 1950s until 1967, but some of the Craftsman drill presses made from 1968 into the 70s have better features than the older ones (primarily more spindle speeds and longer quill feeds, especially on the first model that replaced the old King-Seeley/Emerson style).

 

[Packard V8]

Then, as now, the Craftsman name was on several levels of quality and then there was Dunlap below that.

Bottom line, it is impossible to state Craftsman was good, bad or indifferent quality, because they made them all.

jack vines