What happened to Sears tools?!!

[housedad]

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.

 

[krux]

Sears like any other American company lost profits and built things cheap while outsourcing. They think it will fix the company but it really does more harm. Best Buy did this back in early 2000 by outsourcing a lot of areas trying to make the higher up's more money. Well that failed and now 15 years later they are trying to fix their reputation.

 

[Banshee365]

housedad, we can talk for hours and hours about this. The Craftsman as we all know it is dead. They make the majority of there tools in China now and quality has suffered greatly though the kept the price about the same and sometimes higher than it once was. It's my belief that the growth of Harbor Freight took a lot of market share from them and forced them to follow into Chinese production. Sears/Craftsman used to be the go-to tool because of the lifetime no questions asked warranty where you could walk in with a broken tool and walk out with a new one every time. Your experience now will be taking in your broken or worn USA made Craftsman tool and walking out with an awful Chinese copy that's no-where near the same quality, IF they have it. I have a broken USA 3/8 drive 8mm 6pt short socket in my truck. I've been carrying it for weeks and weeks. I've stopped at 2-3 mall sears, countless outlets and hometown stores, and many ace hardware stores. None of them have the socket. I'm going to have to buy it myself to replace it. I could order one from sears maybe but I bet it would be Chinese and I would just send it back. Even if the warranty working these days, everyone else is doing it. Husk, Kobalt, Gearwrench, and even Harbor Freight have lifetime warranty's on most of there tools. And now that Craftsman is made in China they just aren't anything special anymore. If you're going to buy a Chinese tool you may as well just get it from Harbor Freight.

Personally I've moved my tool purchasing to SK. They're strictly made in the USA and have phenomenal customer service. They're not cheap tools but they're no where near the cost of Snap-on. If your USA Craftsman sockets are holding up I would say just keep what you've got. You can move on to new screwdrivers which would be a huge upgrade for you. For the money, until they're all gone, the best deal going is the closeout Craftsman Professional red/black screwdrivers currently being clearanced since black Friday at Sears Hometown and Outlet stores. They're like $2.50 each. If you do enough driving around and they havn't all been bought you can put together a nice set for cheap. You will not be able to warranty them if one breaks somehow though, they're not made anymore. They would give you a Chinese 'equivalent.' The best deal going of current production screw drivers, in my opinion, is the Williams screwdrivers off Amazon: Here They also have a much larger set for around $150 which is a great deal for pretty much Snap-on screw drivers. They have Snap-on shafts on the old style hard handles. Williams is Snap-on's 'Industrial' brand.

 

[housedad]

Thanks, Banshee.

It was very saddening to see the state of poor quality tools there. I sort of feel like an old friend just died after decades together.

Oh, well. change is part of life.

I looked at the Williams sets that you suggested on Amazon, and they look pretty good. I like the idea that they are not cushion grip since that makes them easier to clean.

Seems they will have the quality that I am looking for.

 

[Mr.clean]

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.

This has been beaten to death....

The bulk of craftsman hand tools are apex sourced. 10 years ago this was mostly US production. Apex themselves has started to consolidate and close a lot of its US production. There is not very much in the way of US production for hand tools anymore, and what production is left is very costly. Sears sources what people want, affordable tools with a good warranty. I hear constantly "Well id pay more if it was still made here". I can tell you for the vast majority of people that is utter BS (excluding a lot of people on this site and professionals). This is because for the tools to be USA sourced it would be closer to a 60% increase (even with the vast bulk sears holdings buys in) in cost not a 10% increase most people would pay. I see it every single day.

People would rather buy quantity over quality. If there is a 230 piece tool set and a 155 piece both 99$ (same brand). 90% will buy the 230 piece set even though the majority of those pieces are made up of worthless bits, allen keys (the latter set containing higher quality tools and more useful tools). They will then lug the tools home open them spill them all over the garage floor, scoop them up and throw them back in its blowmolded case in no particular order. Sad but this is what happens, rare tools are past down anymore as a lot of people dont work on things anymore other than putting together flat pack furniture.

As for the screw driver situation i don't think you should have seen a quality drop as the acetate handled screwdrivers are made by the same people (western forge in the usa) as they were 20 years ago. If the clerk did not have the item in stock or there was no comparable available. He should have ordered the item to be sent to your house, or given you a gift card for the value of your tool.

The ratchet situation further leads me to believe he was not a very well trained clerk because Sears stopped refurbed ratchets over a year ago because of customer backlash even though it was a way to ensure you still had a usa made tool. Too much of the **** you posted went on, old rusty tools being exchanged, that should have been disposed of in the first place.

Sears has started testing tools from other sources, for hard line replacement though. The "extreme grip" screwdrivers released this holiday season are sourced from stanley and despite being made in china are of very good quality. "lobster claw combination RP wrenches have been replaced with an apex made china sourced wrench that is nearly identical in appearance to usa sourced RP wrenches (these are still apex sourced with better quality control. The lobster claws still remain on shelves as NOS intermixed with USA NOS.

As for Lowes, Lowes has taken the route of home depot. Their hardline tools are now sourced from quite a few places, as for there quality it also varies quite a bit. The acetate handled screwdriver currently on the shelf at lowes and home depot in my opinion are worth the butter they are made of. The husky "premium" screwdrivers are quite serviceable though. Lowes standard ratchet offering is better than the chinese RP ratchet. Sears is slowly phasing out the RP ratchet as the "standard" in favor of the "75 T" which is much nicer but very bulky handle on the 1/2 drive.

 

[drink]

During the past 10 years or so I have watched a lot of what I would describe as chaos in the tool industry go on. As the others have said a lot of offshore tool stores have started doing business offering tools with lower prices. I have no idea of how good the offshore tools and warranty service are either. Watching the Craftsman line at Sears go offshore was a real upset not to mention all the negative stories I have read about warranty service at Sears. Some tool brands like Allen were nice USA tools that got dropped from production. The last I heard Armstrong was one of the last remaining USA lines left at APEX. Currently I can quickly think of Armstrong, Craftsman Industrial, Proto, Snap-On, SK, and Williams to be some of the remaining USA tool makers. Keep in mind not all of the tools some of them make will be made in USA. I do not know if they will all continue or wind up offshore. Being able to walk in a big box store and find a set of tools with good warranty service is what you sound like you want. You can still go in Sears and buy some made in USA tools like pliers, hammers, screwdrivers, punches, and chisel that are made in USA. I have purchased some of the USA Craftsman Industrial tools from tool suppliers and bought the USA tools I mentioned at Sears. Here's a catalog that is slightly outdated to give you an idea of what they have to offer.

http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/299205-tools-2014-2015/116

http://www.craftsman.com/dap/industrial-program.html

 

[Mr.clean]

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.

This has been beaten to death....

The bulk of craftsman hand tools are apex sourced. 10 years ago this was mostly US production. Apex themselves has started to consolidate and close a lot of its US production. There is not very much in the way of US production for hand tools anymore, and what production is left is very costly. Sears sources what people want, affordable tools with a good warranty. I hear constantly "Well id pay more if it was still made here". I can tell you for the vast majority of people that is utter BS (excluding a lot of people on this site and professionals). This is because for the tools to be USA sourced it would be closer to a 60% increase (even with the vast bulk sears holdings buys in) in cost not a 10% increase most people would pay. I see it every single day.

People would rather buy quantity over quality. If there is a 230 piece tool set and a 155 piece both 99$ (same brand). 90% will buy the 230 piece set even though the majority of those pieces are made up of worthless bits, allen keys (the latter set containing higher quality tools and more useful tools). They will then lug the tools home open them spill them all over the garage floor, scoop them up and throw them back in its blowmolded case in no particular order. Sad but this is what happens, rare tools are past down anymore as a lot of people dont work on things anymore other than putting together flat pack furniture.

As for the screw driver situation i don't think you should have seen a quality drop as the acetate handled screwdrivers are made by the same people (western forge in the usa) as they were 20 years ago. If the clerk did not have the item in stock or there was no comparable available. He should have ordered the item to be sent to your house, or given you a gift card for the value of your tool.

The ratchet situation further leads me to believe he was not a very well trained clerk because Sears stopped refurbed ratchets over a year ago because of customer backlash even though it was a way to ensure you still had a usa made tool. Too much of the **** you posted went on, old rusty tools being exchanged, that should have been disposed of in the first place.

Sears has started testing tools from other sources, for hard line replacement though. The "extreme grip" screwdrivers released this holiday season are sourced from stanley and despite being made in china are of very good quality. "lobster claw combination RP wrenches have been replaced with an apex made china sourced wrench that is nearly identical in appearance to usa sourced RP wrenches (these are still apex sourced with better quality control. The lobster claws still remain on shelves as NOS intermixed with USA NOS.

As for Lowes, Lowes has taken the route of home depot. Their hardline tools are now sourced from quite a few places, as for there quality it also varies quite a bit. The acetate handled screwdriver currently on the shelf at lowes and home depot in my opinion are worth the butter they are made of. The husky "premium" screwdrivers are quite serviceable though. Lowes standard ratchet offering is better than the chinese RP ratchet. Sears is slowly phasing out the RP ratchet as the "standard" in favor of the "75 T" which is much nicer but very bulky handle on the 1/2 drive.

 

[Empty Pockets]

Housedad- I have noticed the same thing that you and all of the other posters have said. Sadly, I have a bunch of CM RP wrenches, as well as sockets, ratchets and screwdrivers (as well as some other stuff). I have resigned myself to the fact that CM is lost. As some of my older tools fail, I am replacing them with SK (as Banshee suggested) or Wright. Both brands are made in the USA, while a little more expensive than CM, they seem to be holding up well, and the Customer Service is Great.

 

[Renchi]

..... As for the screw driver situation i don't think you should have seen a quality drop as the acetate handled screwdrivers are made by the same people (western forge in the usa) as they were 20 years ago. .....

Sadly there is a huge quality difference between Western Forge's newer tools and the tools that they made ten to twenty years ago.

 

[drink]

Here's a few sample Craftsman Industrial tools. You can shop around and might find a cheaper price if you want. Sears sells a limited amount of them under the Craftsman Professional Use name online.

http://www.sears.com/deals/GDOs.html

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24777.html

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24859.html

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24782.html

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24853.html

 

[Mr.clean]

Sadly there is a huge quality difference between Western Forge's newer tools and the tools that they made ten to twenty years ago.

I dunno, my dads #2 phillps circa ? , the #2 i bought in 2003 in high school, and the one i got for christmas 2 years ago all seem to be just as bad.... the 03 model shaft did discolor and looks almost galvanized now. which is odd.

 

[drink]

Here's a place you might find interesting. Cripe has a lot of tools to pick and choose from. They have what I would consider to be a good deal on some Armstrong tool sets.

http://www.cripedistributing.com/

http://www.cripedistributing.com/br...4-021-139pc-metric-standard-tool-cabinet.html

http://www.cripedistributing.com/br...tric-basic-tool-set-77-pc-w-hand-box-usa.html

http://www.cripedistributing.com/br...te-master-set-with-industrial-series-box.html

 

[Askme42]

Wow at least 5 years late to this party.


Wright,proto,sk,Williams,Armstrong all USA made industrial tools.


For overseas stuff gearwrench, Carlyle, koken to name a
Few.


Lots of good tools out there. Just search on google and read the **** out of this site. The info is there.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Craftsman has changed?

 

[Mr.clean]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M5PTQM/?tag=atomicindus08-20 <----good investment if you want some high quality tools at good prices. Now if I could only figure out where the dang purple wire goes, or how to get a delorean to go 88......

 

[panknuckshovel]

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001M5PTQM/?tag=atomicindus08-20 <----good investment if you want some high quality tools at good prices. Now if I could only figure out where the dang purple wire goes, or how to get a delorean to go 88......

Purple wire is power supply to Mr. Fusion.

 

[Mr.clean]

Mines the non converted model that runs on albanian plutonium rods......

 

[panknuckshovel]

Mines the non converted model that runs on albanian plutonium rods......

WOW!!! Your time traveling Delorean is that outdated? You still have a VCR blinking 12:00 don't you?

 

[PJNJ]

Hey, I just went to exchange some Powr-Kraft tools at Montgomery Ward. When I got there I found it was a parking lot for a Harbor Freight, CiCi's Pizza, Dollar Store and a Chinese Buffet.

When did this happen and why am I always the last to know?

 

[1950mercury]

Hey, I just went to exchange some Powr-Kraft tools at Montgomery Ward. When I got there I found it was a parking lot for a Harbor Freight, CiCi's Pizza, Dollar Store and a Chinese Buffet.

When did this happen and why am I always the last to know?

LOL this is a perfect response....

 

[Mr.clean]

WOW!!! Your time traveling Delorean is that outdated? You still have a VCR blinking 12:00 don't you?

It's a Beta Max... and the first digit is out and part of the last digit.... so it just says 2:0U thanks for making me feel bad...

 

[popparoach]

Craftsman has changed?

when did this happen? you would think someone would have said something about it.

 

[housedad]

Hey, I just went to exchange some Powr-Kraft tools at Montgomery Ward. When I got there I found it was a parking lot for a Harbor Freight, CiCi's Pizza, Dollar Store and a Chinese Buffet.

When did this happen and why am I always the last to know?

Cute. However, I don't shop for tools much anymore as I already had bought nearly every hand tool I ever needed long ago. Having not heavily abused my tools and that they met a certain criteria for quality meant they lasted a long time. Sears is still there. It is not a pizzeria, a Chinese buffet, or a dollar store.

Grow up. Ridicule is a child's activity.

 

[popparoach]

yes cici's is not a pizzeria,its more like solid diarrhea.

 

[Askme42]

Cute. However, I don't shop for tools much anymore as I already had bought nearly every hand tool I ever needed long ago. Having not heavily abused my tools and that they met a certain criteria for quality meant they lasted a long time. Sears is still there. It is not a pizzeria, a Chinese buffet, or a dollar store.

Grow up. Ridicule is a child's activity.

Ok but do you ever visit this site?


This thread or one very similar is a weekly occurance at least around here.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Don't know what size ratchet you were trying to warranty but I am assuming it was the 3/8" RP. Replace it with the Williams USA. You can find the 3/8 for $18-$22 all over the web and the 1/4" is $14-$17.

Solid as a rock, quiet and 36 teeth that are smoother than your first girlfriends thigh.

Wifey got me all 4 in the pic for $72 for christmas.

 

[PJNJ]

Cute. However, I don't shop for tools much anymore as I already had bought nearly every hand tool I ever needed long ago. Having not heavily abused my tools and that they met a certain criteria for quality meant they lasted a long time. Sears is still there. It is not a pizzeria, a Chinese buffet, or a dollar store.

Grow up. Ridicule is a child's activity.

One it was good natured ribbing. If you want ridicule here you go.

Completely failing to at least be within 5 to 10 years of current times is a sign of a feeble old age.

And what is currently called "Sears" bears no resemblance to any what any Sears store resembled for many years.

And please, please, please don't call CiCi's a "pizzeria". In North Jersey, if you told people that was a pizzeria, "tings would go bada bing, bada boom".

Enough ridicule.

 

[Ilikeike]

I haven't bought craftsman in years,but went to swap an stripped 1990s 1/4" drive rachet before Christmas, the clerk opened a drawer with 3 or 4 refurbished ones to choose from,
(I thought I'd get a new one) I just made sure the one I grabbed said USA and I was on my way.

Since I can see Home Depot from the end of my street now,I just buy Husky for the home garage when I need something quick.

 

[panknuckshovel]

Hey, I just went to exchange some Powr-Kraft tools at Montgomery Ward. When I got there I found it was a parking lot for a Harbor Freight, CiCi's Pizza, Dollar Store and a Chinese Buffet.

When did this happen and why am I always the last to know?

Well with a CiCi's and chinese buffet it gives the standard HF parking lot ***** something else to barf up.

 

[drink]

Okay, I know I have been telling people here about Craftsman Industrial tools being made in USA and they might be a way to go. A situation concerning Craftsman Industrial tools just came to my attention. While trying to place an order for a few CI tools I was told some of the tools in my order are no longer made in the USA. With the other members in here saying there have been big cut backs in USA production and downsizing of USA mfg facilities I began to wonder about the stability of the future of USA tools. I should hear back soon as to whether or not the CI line is going offshore. The catalog I have with made in USA statements is a 2014-2015 catalog. Does anyone have a current 2015-2016 or 2016-2017 catalog?

 

[drink]

Now I am wondering if any of the APEX lines will remain in the USA. Can anyone tell which line(s) will remain being made in USA?

 

[openwheelracing88]

I am a first time home owner and just starting to look into "quality" tools after one year of DIY using whatever I get my hands on (mostly junk).

I am not ready for Snap On. I am looking for decent tools that makes a difference during projects at great prices. What do you guys think about Dewalt screw drivers? Specifically this set on sale at HD:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-M...DWHT74764GC/206211100?quantity=1&str_nbr=6617

I assume it is China, and if I am lucky it may come from Taiwan. Would you guys recommend this Dewalt over Sears Craftsman Pro (which my local Sears has none but I am willing to drive and search).

side note: wife picked up some Kobalt Xtreme Access ratchet set. Made in China. I figure I can use it as a backup set just in case.

 

[1950mercury]

Now I am wondering if any of the APEX lines will remain in the USA. Can anyone tell which line(s) will remain being made in USA?

Armstrong they have to many gov. Contracts. Don't bother with the industrial line

 

[Askme42]

Now I am wondering if any of the APEX lines will remain in the USA. Can anyone tell which line(s) will remain being made in USA?

The only company I know of that has come out and said they 100% committed to being a made in the use choice is SK.

 

[Askme42]

I am a first time home owner and just starting to look into "quality" tools after one year of DIY using whatever I get my hands on (mostly junk).

I am not ready for Snap On. I am looking for decent tools that makes a difference during projects at great prices. What do you guys think about Dewalt screw drivers? Specifically this set on sale at HD:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/DEWALT-M...DWHT74764GC/206211100?quantity=1&str_nbr=6617

I assume it is China, and if I am lucky it may come from Taiwan. Would you guys recommend this Dewalt over Sears Craftsman Pro (which my local Sears has none but I am willing to drive and search).

side note: wife picked up some Kobalt Xtreme Access ratchet set. Made in China. I figure I can use it as a backup set just in case.

Look to German brands for screwdrivers. Or this set is basically old style snap on.
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NH5F30/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[anndel]

Sad, very sad but if the company was to survive, this is what they have to do. Judging by all the responses in GJ, there is a following for US Made Craftsman tools but Sears Holdings doesn't see this enough to bring back manufacturing to the USA. I brought a broken 3/8-in CM ratchet to Sears for repair and they said they couldn't repair it and tried to give me a Chinese copy. I said no thanks and walked out, ordering a repair kit from Ebay. Those US made repair kits are going fast too.

 

[drink]

Armstrong they have to many gov. Contracts. Don't bother with the industrial line

What did you mean about not bothering the industrial line? Do you mean Craftsman Industrial or the industrial line of tools all together?

I just heard something about my Craftsman Industrial order. They said some items have been discontinued until March of this year. Maybe it had something to do with flooding or downsizing. Who knows?

 

[drink]

SK is sounding like my kind of place!

 

[dacan23]

15 yrs ago I use to shop at sears for some tools, but couldnt afford most of the nice stuff, have some sockets, wrenches, compressor, air tools, and screw drivers. Bought a bunch of HF tools way before there was a store in the North East, some of there stuff from 10+ years back isnt that bad. Sears power tools always seemed nice but now a days there are about same price as Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, etc., but not as quality.

Now a days I go in to Sears and the stuff is overpriced or junk, its a shame. I rarely get anything from HF as 95% of the store makes me cringe.

I'm now a Milwaukee M12/M18 guy and in next few years will upgrade my wrenches, sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers to better things.

My question is when Sears & Kmart go bankrupt for good and close all the stores, what happens to Craftsman?!?

 

[PJNJ]

15 yrs ago I use to shop at sears for some tools, but couldnt afford most of the nice stuff, have some sockets, wrenches, compressor, air tools, and screw drivers. Bought a bunch of HF tools way before there was a store in the North East, some of there stuff from 10+ years back isnt that bad. Sears power tools always seemed nice but now a days there are about same price as Milwaukee, Makita, Bosch, etc., but not as quality.

Now a days I go in to Sears and the stuff is overpriced or junk, its a shame. I rarely get anything from HF as 95% of the store makes me cringe.

I'm now a Milwaukee M12/M18 guy and in next few years will upgrade my wrenches, sockets, pliers, and screwdrivers to better things.

My question is when Sears & Kmart go bankrupt for good and close all the stores, what happens to Craftsman?!?

The name like that of "Kenmore" will be sold to the highest bidder and a line of cheap, gimmicky tools will be marketed on late night TV and cable channels until any fond memories of the name "Craftsman" are destroyed.