JayBee86 Posted November 25, 2012 Share Posted November 25, 2012 So I have a Craftsman tool chest in my garage that I have been proud of every time I open a drawer seeing Made in the USA or Forged in the USA on all the Craftsman hand tools. So this past Black Friday I seen in the Sears ad they had a door buster deal on a Craftsman 26pc. combination wrench set for $39.99 usually $74.99, so I picked one up. Today I had some time to go through the wrenches and put them away in the tool chest. As I was doing that I noticed something different with the engraving on them so I grabbed an existing wrench and right away I noticed the new wrenches said no where on them about USA, the old ones said right on them Forged in the USA. I then looked on the plastic case they came in and on the back sticker there were the evil words Made in China. I know in the past a lot of the plastic cases would say Case Made in China, Tools Made in the USA. I am very disappointed that Sears/Craftsman has decided to go this route. I am really leaning to returning the set just because of that reason. They still say lifetime warranty on them. So Im just wondering what you guys think of this happening and if I should return them to Sears? I do know know that Craftsman wont be my first choice for tools now. What brand of tools would you guys recommend that are still made in the USA and are at a decent price? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylander Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 I've noticed that some Craftsman tools are still made in the USA and other's aren't -- you have to read the packaging. I'm only buying the made in the USA ones, and every time I do I mention to the sales guy that I won't ever buy the imported ones. Maybe that will filter up to management, but who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
02Xtreme07ss Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 (edited) Sadly, it has been this way for quite a while with Craftsman hand tools. Here is a list (not sure how current or complete) of American Made Tools. Still Made in USA.com - American-Made Tools Edited November 26, 2012 by 02Xtreme07ss Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 (edited) That's sad. I shouldn't have to spring for Snap-On to get quality hand tools. I will definitely check for the origin sticker on Craftsman from now on. Edited November 26, 2012 by Redbeard apparently Mac has incorporated some non-USA tools into their lineup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
694doorbird Posted November 26, 2012 Share Posted November 26, 2012 Some of Craftsman tool (sockets for sure) have gone down hill a long time ago. Last time I bought one, I had a hard time finding one where the wall thickness was equal around the whole thing. I've been finding better sockets at Lowes. Nudge 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kornercarver Posted November 27, 2012 Share Posted November 27, 2012 It seems to me the quality of Craftsman tools started going downhill about the same time that K-Mart purchased Sears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE Mook Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I am to the point in my tool collection now, that if I need a new wrench/pliers, I seek out the Made in the USA tool. Like my polish and wax, I will pay a little bit more for USA made quality. Mook Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marylander Posted November 28, 2012 Share Posted November 28, 2012 I am to the point in my tool collection now, that if I need a new wrench/pliers, I seek out the Made in the USA tool. Like my polish and wax, I will pay a little bit more for USA made quality. Mook Me too. Like they say, you'll never regret buying good tools. The way I see it now, any tool I buy I'm going to have for the rest of my life. So it might as well be a good one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimboman Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 There are plenty of threads on garage journal about the slow switch to overseas. It started with the gimmick tools from a few years ago, then the impact sockets, then the extensions and adapters, then the garbage ratchets they make, and now the wrenches. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MAYBEN Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I had to buy a chinese pipe wrench the other day, I was not happy.. I went to HD, then to Lowes and they were ALL crap! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mongosg8 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Just returned a set of Craftsman sockets I received as a gift. When I saw the Made in China stamp I LOL and got peed that Sears caved into outsourcing their products. No thank you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rshadd Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) I picked up a bunch of old stock "USA made" Craftsman tools at my local Sears Outlet store recently in order to complete some of my sets. Right now the Craftsman Industrial (discontinued) hand tools are 60% off. The industrial line is fully polished and th chrome is real nice. Granted any tool that might need to be replaced under warranty will be "made in China", but I don't abuse my tools and rarely break them. It's getting harder and harder to find quality USA made tools these days. Edited November 29, 2012 by rshadd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlazinSS934 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 I am anti-china and pro USA !!! However knipex makes the best water pump pliers and wiha make a good screw driver both made in Germany. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
whiterp199 Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 (edited) Knipex is quality stuff. They are worth it. Besides I can buy from Germany. Some of the Craftsman tools are still made in the USA. However They are made by APEX tool group who is currently outsourcing more and more of their production. From what I have seen it is more of a APEX decision saying they cannot afford to build in the USA. However APEX was just acquired by Bain Capital so we shall see what happens. I bet the offshore trend will continue. The made in USA tools are completely made in the USA. Our steel mils run in the US with material purchased from the US! Edited December 8, 2012 by whiterp199 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DieselDude Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Some of Craftsman tool (sockets for sure) have gone down hill a long time ago. Last time I bought one, I had a hard time finding one where the wall thickness was equal around the whole thing. I've been finding better sockets at Lowes. They started going down years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golf for Life Posted December 3, 2012 Share Posted December 3, 2012 The made in USA craftsman tools were the only reason that I went into a sears store, looks like I won't go near one again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redbeard Posted December 7, 2012 Share Posted December 7, 2012 Sears is being sued by customers over whether Craftsman tools made in America: Sears accused of misleading public on Craftsman line- MSN Money Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark L Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 I am anti-china and pro USA !!! However knipex makes the best water pump pliers and wiha make a good screw driver both made in Germany. Amen to that! I just got a pair of Knipex locking pliers (aka Vice Grips) for Christmas and man are they nice! I searched long and far for a USA made pair of Vice Grips, but they're all either made in China or Taiwan now [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-4114250-Universal-Locking-10-Inch/dp/B003UHUCAS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356587652&sr=8-1&keywords=knipex+4114250]Amazon.com: Knipex 4114250 Universal Jaw Locking Pliers 10-Inch: Home Improvement[/ame] I also got a bunch of Channellock tools, all of which are still MADE IN USA, but they don't make vice grip pliers, so I went with Knipex. I'm slowly filtering out all MADE IN CHINA tools out of my tool box (shooting for all MADE IN USA or MADE IN GERMANY), even little things like needle nose pliers. Knipex is high quality, I can attest to that. I just ordered myself these bad boys and they'll be here Friday, cannot wait! *These are just like the Channellock tongue and groove pliers, but they don't have teeth, so they won't scratch delicate surfaces like chrome nuts. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Knipex-8605250-10-Inch-Pliers-Wrench/dp/B000X4J2EI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356587357&sr=8-3&keywords=knipex+10+pliers]Knipex 8605250 10-Inch Pliers Wrench - Comfort Grip - Amazon.com[/ame] Also got a set of Wiha Torx tamper resistant bits. Been looking for a long time for a quality set of these, as every single set I've seen, be it Harbor Freight or other places always has the holes mis-centered. These Wiha bits are drilled dead center. [ame=http://www.amazon.com/Wiha-74987-Security-T7-T40-10-Piece/dp/B00313K0V2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1356587539&sr=8-1&keywords=wiha+74987]Amazon.com: Wiha 74987 Power Bit Belt Pack with Security Torx Bits T7-T40, 10-Piece: Home Improvement[/ame] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralfy Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 If money isn't an issue you can still get snap on, mac tool, cornwell etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matts88yj Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Another one to check into for an alternative for Crapsman sockets and some other tools are Armstrong Industrial Hand Tools. My dad just told me about them last night. I will say this, all of the Snap On tools that I have used have always impressed me and quality hasn't ever been an issue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
THE Mook Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 Snap On is trying to peddle some tools to us now at the Warehouse weekly. I have to behave, as that's like my fall back drug behind detailing and cooking! LOVE a GREAT tool. It will earn it's keep far quicker than you'll ever need another tool just like it. LFairbanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark L Posted December 27, 2012 Share Posted December 27, 2012 To those who have a nice quality set of sockets, what's a good AMERICAN made set to get. Snap On has been mentioned, but I was under the impression only a certain portion of their line is American made. Just like New Balance, both China and USA made. I'm looking for a quality set of metric and SAE sockets, I'd like them to have the laser etching on the socket itself. I've seen them before on Powerblock on Spike TV. They use these on Horsepower TV and Trucks and so forth. Any recommendations would be appreciated. I've looked on Snap On's website and it's like a library, tons of choices and I don't know where to begin. Thanks- Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Lutz Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I use a Armstrong and Proto sockets. Craftsman standard line chrome sockets are still made in USA for now. All their new two tone black and silver sockets and the sockets that come with the pass through socket set they have out are not however. All of Snap-On's sockets are made in USA with the exception of the BluePoint tool group. Those are made in Taiwan. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark L Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 I use a Armstrong and Proto sockets. Craftsman standard line chrome sockets are still made in USA for now. All their new two tone black and silver sockets and the sockets that come with the pass through socket set they have out are not however. All of Snap-On's sockets are made in USA with the exception of the BluePoint tool group. Those are made in Taiwan. Thanks for the input, I'm particularly looking for a set of chrome Metric & SAE 3/8" drive sockets with laser etched numbers on them, preferably with orange/red/blue paint so they're easy to read. I want the numbers painted instead of stickers, so they'll last and be easy to read. I'm not sure what tools they use on Horsepower and Trucks, I believe Matco is their sponsor, but not sure if they're made in USA? I remember seeing some sockets that were chrome with orange enamel paint for the size, looked real sharp. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brandon Lutz Posted December 28, 2012 Share Posted December 28, 2012 Matco, Armstrong, KD, Gearwrench, Crescent, and Allen Tools are all owned by Apex Tool Group (formerly Danaher Tools). Apex also has the contract to make a majority of the hand tools for Craftsman with the exception of their standard clear plastic handled screw drivers which are made by Western Forge. Their standard line of black handeled pliers are also made by Western Forge. Of those brands, Armstrong makes just about every single thing in the US and I've come across. They have exactly what you are looking for as I have one of their 3/8th sets and a 1/4 sets and they have both standard and metric and are both laser etched with the sizes on the sockets. There is some speculation that the Armstrong factory makes the standard line sockets for Craftsman as Apex supplies the sockets to Craftsman and Armstrong is all USA. It would explain why as of now the only thing left made in the USA on Craftsman's line up is their standard chrome sockets. Of all the brands that Apex owns, Armstrong is still made here at home. Mainly because when the Armstrong Brothers sold Danaher (at the time) a majority share of the company they had the contract drawn up that the jobs and tool production bearing their name stay in the USA. At least that's what I've heard through the grapevine. Matco is confusing to figure out where stuff is still made. A lot of their tools now are rebranded Gearwrench items and they are still charging truck tool prices for a cheaper product. But then they have a lot of stuff still made here but it's getting harder to find. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now