History Hold on to your Craftsman tools...

Homespun91 · Jun 25, 2011

crashbox said: ↑

My Stanley garage door opener still works, so I'm O.K. there.
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Yeah...well...knock on wood...they have been out of the consumer GDO business for several years now. Some parts are still available, but not all.

Rudebaker · Jun 25, 2011

timebombkustoms said: ↑

from what I understand a plant in texas makes the tools for craftsman,kobalt,armstrong and a few others so its all good and if I could buy new tools today from anyone it would be armstrong,I have a ratchet from the 50s that has never EVER been rebuilt from them they are amazing tools and you get them from fastenal
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I have a few Armstrong wrenches and really like them, if they were easier to find I'd have more.

My favorite wrench and oldest wrench is a 1/2 - 9/16 offset box end Wizard from Western Auto. I appropriated it from my Dad back in the mid-60's when I started tearing apart my bicycles and "hopping them up". It has been my faithful friend almost 50 years now.

orphanautomill · Jun 25, 2011

Rudebaker said: ↑

For me Craftsman died years ago. I still have most of the Craftsman tools I got for HS graduation in 1973 and they have been USED!. A couple years ago I bought a Craftsman socket and extension set that included a 3/8" ratchet. It LOOKS like my 1973 ratchet but is sure as Hell doesn't FEEL like my old one! The chrome peeled off many the sockets within a few months, the few '73 sockets I have left have were used and abused for years and still have the chrome. My wife got me a new Craftsman floor jack a few years ago for Christmas. The Craftsman jack is junk. I'm going to take my 50 year old American (brand name) in and get it rebuilt.

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I've got a lot of really good Craftsman tools, some decent ones, and some that are total junk. I quit buying Craftsman a few years ago, it seemed like eveytime I took a "broken" item in, it was replaced with a newer equivelant that was a cheap POS. As power tools go, they dropped Milwaukee and a few good names, and added red cased Craftsman junk power tools. They made their own bed, they had many good products and decided to let the quality slip. my .02

47Ford - 1.5Ton · Jun 26, 2011

hotroddon · Jun 26, 2011

Jalopy Joker said: ↑

Maybe Craftsman will not be at Orchard Supply Hardware Stores for long since Sears/K Mart have separated from OSH
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Deuces said: ↑

Umm... What's OHS???...
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It's OSH, not too hard to figure out ^^^^

Clik said: ↑

I just recently had Fastenall near me order and deliver some Grade 10 Metric Bolts. I think my distributor would order just about anything I need. They would get more of my business if they weren't so expen$ive. "
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Why are you yelling>

It was recently announced that Sears Holdings is planing on spinning off OSH (that's Orchard Supply hardware ) into a separate entity as they believe it will perform better for the stock holders by not being part of Sears/K Mart

Model A Vette · Jun 26, 2011

The local Kmart is still open and selling Craftsman tools and tool boxes.
They charge list for them and almost never have sale prices that are listed in the Sears newspaper circulars.
I can't understand how they stay in business. There are very few customers in the Kmart no matter what time of day I visit. There are fewer and fewer employees. The average age of the managers is about 24.
The much larger Kmart, that was several towns away, closed recently. I think it was too close to a Sears store, which was only a couple of miles away, on the same main commuter road.
It is probably a tossup if Kmart or Sears will be the surviving store.

I thought the combination, the holding compay, would have decided by now, which stores of either brand were underperforming and closed the bad ones.

I suspect there is still separation of the two brands within the holding company and they operate separately. The overseers need to get their act together before both brands bite the dust!

JimC · Jun 26, 2011

I like my Craftsman hand tools, the electrics not so much.
Since KMart bought Sears, I have noticed a difference in their advertizing.
Also, wondered when I began to see Craftsman tools in various other outlets.

KMart is wholly owned by Saudi Arabian concerns.
so much for that.

specsintexas · Jun 26, 2011

I have a 16 piece socket set of Thorsen tools that my dad gave to me at age 16 some 45 years ago. Still work well and I love them because it reminds me of my dad. I also have some Craftsman tools. Good tools too. I also have two sets of Harbor Freight Pittsburg SAE/Metric wenches I bought 5 to 6 years ago . These tools are low cost, highly polished and appear to be holding the line in terms of wear and tear. Not bad tools at that. I also have some generic Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Indian tools that I bought in local pawn shops. Absolute junk but real good when you need to modify a tool for an unusual application. As for Be an American, buy American Im for that too. Unfortunately, it appears our US government is not. Foreign tools enter into the states without tariff and are fairly reliable tools that are way too cheap. In any case, I buy what I can afford. Tools are tools and cash is cash. Americans are broke!!!

tb33anda3rd · Jun 26, 2011

went into the big city with the wife today, needed a new coffee pot, went to sears in the mall. after picking out the coffee maker i strolled through the tool department, have not been in years [really don't go to the big city much] the tool department is awesome it would be a shame if it closes. next week i will make the trip back with a business check to restock my tool box.

jcmarz · Jun 26, 2011

specsintexas said: ↑

 I have a 16 piece socket set of Thorsen tools that my dad gave to me at age 16 some 45 years ago. Still work well and I love them because it reminds me of my dad. I also have some Craftsman tools. Good tools too. I also have two sets of Harbor Freight Pittsburg SAE/Metric wenches I bought 5 to 6 years ago . These tools are low cost, highly polished and appear to be holding the line in terms of wear and tear. Not bad tools at that. I also have some generic Chinese, Taiwanese, Japanese, Indian tools that I bought in local pawn shops. Absolute junk but real good when you need to modify a tool for an unusual application. As for Be an American, buy American Im for that too. Unfortunately, it appears our US government is not. Foreign tools enter into the states without tariff and are fairly reliable tools that are way too cheap. In any case, I buy what I can afford. Tools are tools and cash is cash. Americans are broke!!!
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Speaking of "Harbor Fright" (as I like to call it) they have the same replacement warranty like Craftsmans.

wizzard23 · Jun 26, 2011

Am I the only person that ordered a set of Craftman end wrenches in the early 80's from the catalog, and when I got them they say Japan on them?.They have been good tools, but still, I was disappointed at the time.

hotroddon · Jun 26, 2011

JimC said: ↑

KMart is wholly owned by Saudi Arabian concerns.
so much for that.
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WHAT? Errrt, wrong answer
KMart is owned by Sears Holding Corporation, a publicly traded company whose largest share holder is Edward S. Lampert, most definitely an American (he is also the Chairman and created the merger). The second largest shareholder is Fairholme Capital Management owned by Bruce Berkowitz of Florida. They are not owned by and Saudi Arabian Concerns

Clik · Jun 27, 2011

wizzard23 said: ↑

Am I the only person that ordered a set of Craftman end wrenches in the early 80's from the catalog, and when I got them they say Japan on them?.They have been good tools, but still, I was disappointed at the time.
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Never seen any of those Japanese Craftsmans myself. Maybe you have a collectors item.

bobss396 · Jun 27, 2011

Harms Way said: ↑

Last year my Son took a swivel head 3/8" ratchet into our local Sears store (catalog store with a good assortment of tools & appliances,... we live in a small town),.. they wrote it up and said "we'll call you when it comes in".

Sure enough, two weeks later they called him, he goes down with broken ratchet in hand,... they hand him a small bag of "Repair/Replacement" parts, with no instructions,.. They say,... "Here ya' go !".
He said "Nope !, The guarantee says YOU will repair or replace the tool ! another two weeks later his new (read that re-manufactured) ratchet showed up,... But they wouldn't give him a new one out of stock.

I NEVER had this problem with Sears in the past, And I have dealt with them 50 some years.
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I got the same thing a number of years back. Since then I haven't bought another tool at Sears. I have an MSC account and I buy Proto tools when they have a sale. Good price, lifetime warranty but I haven't broken anything yet to put it to a test.

Bob

Clik · Jun 27, 2011

salf100 said: ↑

The world is going to shit. We need to turn back the clocks to when the US was leading the industrial reveolution!
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Oh yeah, like back when Americans did all the dirty dangerous work and died like flies doing it.

As far as I know, we haven't lost any jobs. We just went from making buggy whips to computer chips and space ships.

And for all those who complain about the Japanese and Arabs buying American businesses; would you rather be like African countries that no one wants to invest in? Many complain when money leaves the country and then complain when it falls in our lap.

FREE TRADE is a good thing for Americans. A union auto worker or other American that benefits from protectionist tariffs might disagree, but they get protected at the expense of the rest of us. Intead of paying the Free Market value of a car, we have to pay thousands more. Union bosses and their corrupt politician prostitues rob us everytime we buy their Union made American products. Likewise farmers who grow things, like sugar that is protected, rob us.

seatex · Jun 27, 2011

That's gonna' suck if Sears goes under.......... I always look forward to wandering into the tool department and buying something I don't need at the time!

RileyRacing · Jun 27, 2011

Clik said: ↑

Never seen any of those Japanese Craftsmans myself. Maybe you have a collectors item.
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I exchanged a 16 mm combo wrench a few years back and got one that says Made in Japan... I don't use it- mostly as it's an oddity.

JK

BURN OUT BOB · Jun 27, 2011

Took my brake pliers in as the tip was broken. Salesperson writes me a receipt & says I should have it in a couple of weeks. Postman delivered it it a hugh box packed with popcorn packing. It would have fit in a much smaller carton but I ain't bitchin just statin a fact. A smaller box would have cost a lot less X that by how many they ship daily. No wonder they are going broke.

Deuces · Jun 29, 2011

RileyRacing said: ↑

I exchanged a 16 mm combo wrench a few years back and got one that says Made in Japan... I don't use it- mostly as it's an oddity.

JK
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All mine say "Made in the U.S.A."

mctim64 · Jun 30, 2011

Too bad about A&W I wonder what Craig will do with his 5 resteraunts.

Grumpy · Jun 30, 2011

mctim64 said: ↑

Too bad about A&W
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Just heard last week our local A&W, which has been open since the 60s and cruisin friday nights since then also, is being closed, bulldozed and a used car lot being built there....

Deuces · Jun 30, 2011

Grumpy said: ↑

Just heard last week our local A&W, which has been open since the 60s and cruisin friday nights since then also, is being closed, bulldozed and a used car lot being built there....
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To sell used imports????

Bigchuck · Jun 30, 2011

Grumpy said: ↑

Just heard last week our local A&W, which has been open since the 60s and cruisin friday nights since then also, is being closed, bulldozed and a used car lot being built there....
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Deuces said: ↑

To sell used imports????
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McDonalds is probably the real reason for A&W's demise. Seems that is what the people want. Used to only be A&W in lots of small towns. Now McDonalds is everywhere. The A&Ws probably caused a lot of local burger stands to go under in those small towns.

Deuces · Jun 30, 2011

Bigchuck said: ↑

McDonalds is probably the real reason for A&W's demise. Seems that is what the people want. Used to only be A&W in lots of small towns. Now McDonalds is everywhere. The A&Ws probably caused a lot of local burger stands to go under in those small towns.
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I wonder if I should start a thread on old diners and burger joints???...

MERCURYGUY · Jun 30, 2011

I have had than favorable dealings with Sears. the last year or so I notice that they are pushing crappy tools right along side of the sears Label. I also had a top of the line Air racket that my wife purchased for me. I used it once and it bound up even though I used mucho prescriped Sears oil for it. When I brought it back they gave me crap that it was too old and would not replace it. Same on a battery pack for my drill never used the thing registered NG. Not like things used to be. I could beat the crap out of the tool and return with never a quesiton asked. I should have know when they merged with KMart that it would go in the toilet.

bobjob55 · Jun 30, 2011

I loved the fact that if your tool fails ,,, you can take it to ANY sears ,, and it WILL be replaces for free .. had a bunch of trouble with tools off the truck , because i wasn't a customer of that truck .. didn't matter that i was 200 miles from my guy ..so i got all craftsman tools for my truck .. sure hope that i can still find tools anywhere that i go ..

KULTULZ · Jun 30, 2011

wizzard23 said: ↑

Am I the only person that ordered a set of Craftman end wrenches in the early 80's from the catalog, and when I got them they say Japan on them?.They have been good tools, but still, I was disappointed at the time.
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I was in a bind working on my heavy truck about 1978 and had to purchase from SEARS an offset 12pt box wrench and it turned out a complete set was the only way I could do it (far from a MAC TRUCK at the time). Didn't pay close attention and got them home when I noticed they were made in Japan. They read SEARS and not CRAFTSMAN and to me looked as a quality tool (just not as finely machined and polished as MAC/SNAP-OFF).

I still have them although I bent one (did not break) removing a center section from a EATON 44,000# rear. Of course the cheater pipe had to be a least three feet long.

There are fine tool makers in Japan and Europe. SEARS has had a multitude of suppliers as they are asked to replace tools without any questions asked. It is hard to do and realize a profit. When one abuses a tool, he should not expect a replacement IMO.

rustynewyorker · Jun 30, 2011

On A&W, they're owned by Yum! Brands, which is also KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Long John Silver's (or did they spin off Pizza Hut?). I know they're consolidating a bit, they just closed a KFC in this area that's in a strip that also has BK, Wendys, McDonalds, Taco Bell, Arby's, and some local stuff. But some stores combine two or three of those restaurants in one, there are two KFC/A&W's in the area and one KFC/Taco Bell. So I don't think the name will go away, but I'm sure any underperforming restaurants will close.

On Sears Holdings, Craftsman Tools are an asset, and if they go under, you can bet they'll sell that off as a unit to someone else - they won't go away. And the last time I took in a batch of ratchets for replacement, they gave me rebuilt ones too. I figured that was fair, since the ones I brought in had a lot of use on them.

Heck, I remember replacing a split Craftsman socket in a Western Auto store years ago, before they became Advance Auto - Sears went through a bad time and sold off that unit and both are still here. Our Western Auto stores were also Wheels Automotive, which was a unit of Fays Drugs - which itself went under and became Eckered and is now Rite-Aid. Same difference, for the most part if money is to be made, someone will take over and make the money.

Deuces · Jun 30, 2011

Anyone remember Cunningham's Drug stores??? From there they went Arbor Drugs and then to Rite Aid... Seems the owners change the store names every 25 years so they don't have to pay for retirement for their employees or something like that..... I could be wrong..

1rustyhighcab · Jun 30, 2011

While the craftsman brand is owned by sears, Craftsman hand tools is a division of the Danaher corporation. Danaher is one of the largest tool manufacturers in the world, so I wouldn't be too worried about craftsman going away. that being said, danaher owns sevrral factories in taiwan, so I wouldn't be surprised if alot of thier product line originates there.

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