Craftsman Evol tools
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 13,092
Likes: 13,022
From: Texas, USA
I certainly agree that, years ago, Craftsman tools used to be excellent and the brand to own. With time, the only way Sears could remain competetive was to lower their price at the expense of quality.
By no means was that unique to Sears. It was the same for every consumer product from cars to vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, every consumer product is as good as disposable.
If I wrote a book, the title would be Everything's A Piece Of Crap, It's Just A Matter Of How Bad. In other words, nothing is good, it just sucks less than everything else. If you want something that is better than most, you will pay for it and probably out the nose.
So, when you buy something in todays market, I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks or fails when you use it, I would be surprised if it doesn't. More than ever, you get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that what you bought is good. Again, it just sucks less than everything else.
That's what I call realistic optimism.
By no means was that unique to Sears. It was the same for every consumer product from cars to vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, every consumer product is as good as disposable.
If I wrote a book, the title would be Everything's A Piece Of Crap, It's Just A Matter Of How Bad. In other words, nothing is good, it just sucks less than everything else. If you want something that is better than most, you will pay for it and probably out the nose.
So, when you buy something in todays market, I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks or fails when you use it, I would be surprised if it doesn't. More than ever, you get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that what you bought is good. Again, it just sucks less than everything else.
That's what I call realistic optimism.
Tourer
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 284
Likes: 0
From: Northeast
Lowes (Kobalt) hand tools and HF hand tools are the same. Check them out. I do not buy Torx or Allen sockets that the bit end is forged into the socket it self, I buy the one's that the bits can be removed (a simple roll pin and punch can remove the bit). I own HF, Craftsman, MAC, Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell, Husky, Kobalt, SK, Facom, and Blackhawk (Proto) tools.
For me HF is the new Craftsman (hand tools anyways).
For me HF is the new Craftsman (hand tools anyways).
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 2,377
Likes: 732
From: Out west
Lowes (Kobalt) hand tools and HF hand tools are the same. Check them out. I do not buy Torx or Allen sockets that the bit end is forged into the socket it self, I buy the one's that the bits can be removed (a simple roll pin and punch can remove the bit). I own HF, Craftsman, MAC, Snap-On, Matco, Cornwell, Husky, Kobalt, SK, Facom, and Blackhawk (Proto) tools.
For me HF is the new Craftsman (hand tools anyways).
For me HF is the new Craftsman (hand tools anyways).
Lowe's and manufacturing partner J.H. Williams launched Kobalt in 1998, with the intention of competing against rival retailers sears and The Home Depot and their respective Craftsman and Husky tool brands. Since 2003, Kobalt hand tools have largely been made by the Danahar Corporation Previously made in the USA, initially by Snap-on's JH Williams brand, Kobalt sockets and wrenches are now made in Taiwan, while pliers and other tools are made in China.
Last edited by Inop; Oct 31, 2013 at 09:15 AM.
Road Warrior
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,764
Likes: 50
From: Gilbert, AZ
On a similar note, I have had Craftsman tools for over 30 years, but about 20 years ago, I started buying Husky tools from Home Depot. They had a great guarantee and would even warranty Craftsman tools. Well they reduced their selection of Husky tools and now I have several Husky pieces I can't get replacements for. If you're going to make/sell hand tools, you had better plan on being in it for the long run. It may be several years before that ratchet breaks and needs to be replaced.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 459
From: Here and now
One of the best tool manufacturers out there is Wright. All USA made, great quality, lifetime guaranty. They have been an outsource manufacturer for Snap-on, Mac and Matco. There was also Bonney Tools but I guess they are gone. I have some Wright hand tools and to me they are every bit as good as my Snap-On and Mac tools.
Extreme HDF Member
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 12,359
Likes: 74
From: WI
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,439
Likes: 1,625
From: Wisconsin
Aww man, that sucks. I always loved that you could walk into Sears with a broken tool, and as long as it said Craftsman on it, you walked out with a new one. Now you have to be careful what you buy.
Interesting on the Kobalt tools being made overseas. I wonder what would happen if the Nascar teams with Kobalt plastered all over them had to actually use Kobalt tools made overseas.
Interesting on the Kobalt tools being made overseas. I wonder what would happen if the Nascar teams with Kobalt plastered all over them had to actually use Kobalt tools made overseas.
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Club Member
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 145,895
Likes: 821
From: 40 miles Northeast of Indy..
I learned over 40 yrs ago, if they don't say Craftman on the tool. then don't buy it from Sears. Sears used to make tools called Companion.. They where Junk also. was't made for much TQ.
I used my Craftmans' tool at work Maintenance for 39 yrs and I still use them since retirement 7 yrs ago, I broke maybe 2 during that time only because I used a Cheater bar on them. They were replaced free
Here the Torx set I've had for 15 yrs or so and they are still like new. never had to replace one.
.
I used my Craftmans' tool at work Maintenance for 39 yrs and I still use them since retirement 7 yrs ago, I broke maybe 2 during that time only because I used a Cheater bar on them. They were replaced free
Here the Torx set I've had for 15 yrs or so and they are still like new. never had to replace one.
.
Last edited by oct1949; Oct 31, 2013 at 01:03 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 2,142
Likes: 124
I certainly agree that, years ago, Craftsman tools used to be excellent and the brand to own. With time, the only way Sears could remain competetive was to lower their price at the expense of quality.
By no means was that unique to Sears. It was the same for every consumer product from cars to vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, every consumer product is as good as disposable.
If I wrote a book, the title would be Everything's A Piece Of Crap, It's Just A Matter Of How Bad. In other words, nothing is good, it just sucks less than everything else. If you want something that is better than most, you will pay for it and probably out the nose.
So, when you buy something in todays market, I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks or fails when you use it, I would be surprised if it doesn't. More than ever, you get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that what you bought is good. Again, it just sucks less than everything else.
That's what I call realistic optimism.
By no means was that unique to Sears. It was the same for every consumer product from cars to vacuum cleaners. Nowadays, every consumer product is as good as disposable.
If I wrote a book, the title would be Everything's A Piece Of Crap, It's Just A Matter Of How Bad. In other words, nothing is good, it just sucks less than everything else. If you want something that is better than most, you will pay for it and probably out the nose.
So, when you buy something in todays market, I wouldn't be surprised if it breaks or fails when you use it, I would be surprised if it doesn't. More than ever, you get what you pay for. That doesn't mean that what you bought is good. Again, it just sucks less than everything else.
That's what I call realistic optimism.
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