Sears Craftsman brand tools - made in ??

BlindSquirrel · 11-19-2007, 10:35 AM

Apparently -- I just crawled out from under a rock...

I thought that the Sears Craftsman brand tools were always made in USA -- while their Companion brand tools were made elsewhere.

While looking to replace a floor jack -- I saw an great ad in the Sunday paper for a Craftsman jack. I went to the local Sears store -- and almost everything I saw in the Craftsman brand was made in China! When did this happen?

So, what's the difference between a Craftsman tool and a Companion tool?

I guess I'm not surprised Sears did this to stay competitive, just disappointed. It's getting harder and harder to buy local -- even if you try...

Cheers,
BlindSquirrel

fish_on · 11-19-2007, 10:41 AM

There are just a few American made hand tools around. You will have an idea that they are American made by the price and quality. Cheap tools have to be made somewhere you can find cheap labor.

JustCallMeDave · 11-19-2007, 10:48 AM

I don't know if it's still the case, but it used to be that the tools without moving parts (wrenches, hammers, screwdrivers, etc) were made in the USA. Those were the only items that had the lifetime warranty.

HntnFsh · 11-19-2007, 10:49 AM

I thought they made the Craftsman hand tools in America

I remember years ago they went to Chinese made.But I thought they came back here to make Craftsmans hand tools only.

Got me curious now.

Just call me Dave beat me to it.

Jeremy · 11-19-2007, 10:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BlindSquirrel

So, what's the difference between a Craftsman tool and a Companion tool?

Do companion have the lifetime warranty like craftsman does? That warranty usually pays for itself pretty quick, i have gone in multiple times to get new screwdrivers or sockets for my socket set after breaking them or having them rust, and have had them given to me no questions asked.

diamondfish · 11-19-2007, 03:44 PM

That's sad, the last true american tool....Craftsman. I always thought they were made here too. :frown:

s20055 · 11-19-2007, 04:20 PM

Everything is made in China...just take a look. The tools are all the same, just rebranded. Is it Craftsman, Husky, ??? Klein, Greenlee, ???

Most people aren't smart enough to see past the paint job and the fancy brand lettering. Or, maybe they just don't want to.:frown:

chummer · 11-19-2007, 04:39 PM

Craftsman brand and Sears brand are the same tools. You pay more for the Craftsman for the lifetime warrenty. You pay less for the Sears, but no warrenty.

anglingaddict · 11-19-2007, 07:28 PM

The Craftsman handtools that carry the lifetime warranty are still made in the good old USA!!

Clyde · 11-19-2007, 07:54 PM

Don't forget about Home Depot and Lowe's tools...I believe both of them offer lifetime warranties and are made in the US. I own mostly Craftsman tools that I bought years ago but any new stuff I get comes from one of the other guys now. Too many things that Sears sell that doesn't have the Craftsman name on it breaks after a couple of uses.

mike5097 · 11-19-2007, 09:08 PM

I know Craftsmen Tools (or the company that makes them, SEARS just buys them and puts their name on them), along with Allen Wrenches and Jake Brakes are owned by a huge multi billion dollar east coast conglomerate named Danaher.
Yep, the same people who own Fluke and most recently bought Tektronix. Searching their website did not give any info on where they are made though.
Check out their website. You will be suprised to find out how many familiar companies Danaher owns.

Fishingfanatic · 11-19-2007, 09:33 PM

Snap-on is the last good hand tool maker. MAC is made by Stanley and the quality isnt there anymore. Just like everything else in life, ya get what you pay for.

Clyde · 11-21-2007, 05:24 PM

Update...just found out the the company that makes Craftsman tools is the same company that make Cobolt tools for Lowe's.

HntnFsh · 11-22-2007, 07:29 AM

I was wondering about that.A lot of them looked pretty similiar.

The only problem with the Cobalts are I never see the sales like sears has.

bait dunker · 11-22-2007, 09:14 AM

since i make my living as a machanic with my tools i can tell you that craftsman tools just arent what they once were. i now only use craftsman at home, they just arent good enough for anything else. they may have a lifetime warranty but its worthless if you have to drive to town everytime it breaks and you really need it. id rather have a tool i can count on. i have to admit my tool chest at work is almost all snap on. although i hate the inflated price on their tools, they rarely break, and when they do its usually abuse on my part such as a 4 foot cheater bar on a 3/8 drive chrome socket. i know without a doubt that they are many nuts and bolts that only came loose because of a secure fit by a quality wrench or socket. i dont know how many screws came lose becase of a good screwdriver where others would have stripped out the heads. i can say without hesitation that husky, colbalt, sears, pittsburgh, stanley, mac, sk, matco and others of lower quality may have lifetime warrantys but the tools are total junk and not worth their lower price. try the fit on the head of a bolt with different brands and youll know right away why you paid a little more. since this might be viewed as a complaint ill post my name, todd white

Fishingfanatic · 11-22-2007, 10:47 AM

I used to make my living turning wrenches. Snap-on is definately #1 and Cornwell isnt bad. Matco is ok but they can never keep their customers happy due to their distributors going in and out of business. MAC tools are not as good as snap on but they are light years ahead of the rest of the pack. As bait bunker said, warranties are only as good as those who back them, there is a lot to be said for a company that when you make a call the driver brings out what you need to your place of work, you dont have to drive to sears or whatever. Snap-On is world class tools and support.

Wolf EEL · 11-22-2007, 10:52 AM

Thanks for the info. You hit the nail on the head, you get what u pay for. Good quality anythings costs more, but saves time and money in the long run.

HntnFsh · 11-22-2007, 11:03 AM

I understand the quality difference between Snap On and Craftsman etc.

But unless you are use them in a professional situation.Its really hard to justify a 3 -5 fold price leap for Snap On tools.Unless you make a lot more $ than I do.I just cant afford Snap On.But if a person can,Buy them.

For the average Joe Schmoe back yard mechanic.Craftsman will get the job done.Quite well.And I probably use my tools a lot more than the average Joe Schmoe.

Ive used both.I did have a pretty good selection of Snap On stuff when I was doing body work many years ago.Unfortunately I think my ex traded them for crank!

Now its Craftsman for me.

HntnFsh

klicknative · 11-22-2007, 11:31 AM

Another good brand of hand tools is SK. I love the SK ratchets I have. I like Craftsman end wrenches because of the rough surface finish. Full polish wrenches look good and are easy to clean but they are hard to hold on to when they get greasy. Craftsman is hard to beat for "bang for the buck". NAPA has good tools also.

fish_on · 11-22-2007, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by klicknative

NAPA has good tools also.

NAPA is about to over take Snap-on as the largest tool distributor in the U.S. How Snap-on treats their drivers is hurting them. Starrett is also American made but that precision tools not wrenches.