Ok, I admit I'm a old time sears tool junky. I have hand tools my father bought in the early 50's that still work great and I've mostly stuck to Craftsman all my life. However, I went in today to do something that I have rarely ever had to do. Replace 2 screwdrivers and a ratchet.
They had one screwdriver, and it looked cheesy even compared to the one it was replacing that was about 20 years old. The other screwdriver they don't eve carry anymore and the clerk told me basically in nice words that I was out of luck. They don't have or carry the 3/8 x 12" screwdriver with the red/clear head. What a mess.
For the ratchet, he tried to trade it for one that had a tag that said refurbished on it and it was covered in rust areas. I turned it down and squawked. Not angry at all, mind you, as they are just employees dong what they are told and don't make policy. No use giving them heartburn. I got a new one after the complaining.
This company is going to Hades in a basket at this rate.
I give up. They don't get my money anymore.
What is the ratchet/socket/wrench/screwdriver brand most used recommended nowadays?
I stopped over at Lowes on the way home and they had a very nice selection of various tools that looked good and made in Taiwan. What is the consensus on them?
I guess I'll be looking at getting a entire new set of screwdrivers and toss the old ones. I really need to anyway as the hands aren't what they used to be and some ergonomic units are probably the way to go.
Earlier on in the discussion I was bringing up the Craftsman Industrial tool line as a possible way to still be able to buy made in USA tools. I also mentioned how Sears still sells some made in USA Craftsman tools like pliers, screwdrivers, punches, chisels, hammers, etc. The last 2014-2015 Craftsman Industrial catalog I read through had a lot of the same stuff. At least I thought it did. One thing I noticed in the 2014-2015 catalog is how they narrowed down the made n USA tools to sockets, wrenches, and ratchets. It is confusing because other tools in the same catalog like pliers, screwdrivers, punches, and chisels were marketed as being made in the USA. Sears is currently selling the same pliers and screwdrivers and possibly more.
I placed an order for a Craftsman spinner handle from an industrial supplier. It had the same item number as the 9-24777 Craftsman Industrial socket set. The 2013 Craftsman Industrial catalog said the 9-24777 socket set was made in the USA and each piece in the set had an item number next to them. I uploaded a snapshot of the 9-24777 set to show what I am trying to say. When I received my spinner handle it said made in China on the packaging. The supplier wrote back and said the same socket extensions in the 9-24777 set have been discontinued. Now I do not know if part of the Craftsman Industrial tool line has been sent offshore or if they have sent it all offshore to be made. Who knows, maybe it has been dropped all together like the USA Allen line was several years ago.
If you want made in USA tools you might consider asking the manufacturer which line of USA tools is actually going to remain in production. Also you might consider contacting SK Tools, and ask them how long they will continue with their made in USA line of tools.
