The decline of a Great American Tool Brand: What Happened to Craftsman Tools

[@DIYwithDave]

Thanks for watching! This video is sponsored by Factor: Use code DIYWITHDAVE50 to get 50% OFF your first Factor box plus 20% off your next box at bit.ly/3W8Op3D! If you liked this video, be sure to subscribe and check out the other videos on my channel. kzbin.info

[@backyard_expert]

Biggest mistake was corporations sending American manufacturing and patents to china.

[@chriscalderin6677]

You lost all credit when you brought up harborfreight / hassle freight! Have you not heard of TEKTON?

[@williamkingston5793]

I grew up with the concept that if you needed to buy anything, you always started at Sears for the quality. The same went for hand tools. In the late 70's I started working on cars, so I started loading up on Craftsman tools. The only reason I had to replace them was I lost them, or they sprouted legs. Fast forward to the late 80's when I worked as a full time car mechanic, as I replaced tools, or added to my sets, I started to notice a drop in quality. Combo wrenches would open and slip, box end would break, sockets would split, screwdriver tips would break or twist, etc. I started buying extras so that I could at least have tools to finish the jobs for the week, until I could get them exchanged for "free". Into the early 90's, Sears started to change the way they would replace damaged tools. In the beginning, they would just walk out to the shelf, grab a new one, hand it to you, then say have a nice day. Later they would repair a ratchet, then hand it back to you. Then it got to where they would just hand you the repair kit, and say have a nice day, or say that they would have to order a replacement because they had reduced their stock. It didn't take too long to realize that having to buy several extra tools just to have enough to work with because of all the failed tools, not including the time to exchange, and fuss with Sears, wasn't worth it any more. I started to buy the more "expensive" tools such as Snap-on, Mac, etc. The main difference was telling. I never had to replace any for defects. No buying extras, no time wasted replacing them, or fighting stripped bolts and nuts from broken wrenches. I was saving money, and time with much better quality tools. I gave up on Craftsman, and eventually on Sears. I retired, and still have all those "expensive" tools that I have never had to replace. Most of the Crapsmen, I mean Craftsmen, tools I gave to my kids, and grandkids. Even the broken ones. I told them have fun replacing them. I wasn't going to waste my time knowing that what they replace them with, will be even lower quality. Why bother. This is just my experience for a lifetime with Craftsman tools. Thanks for the video.

[@GeorgeMcKenna-kz9qx]

Dear David, You seem like a great guy but, you have produced an extremely naive video. Your title more accurately should be; How Private Equity Firms and the Duopoly US Government Destroyed the USA Economy. The destruction of parent company Sears led the way to the destruction of Craftsmen Tools. Sears, Kmart, Woolworth etc. all died under the same parasitic game plan.

[@garyo8546]

@@williamkingston5793 yea because they were made in china............................

[@jamesb3239]

A hedge fund bought sears and milked the company until it failed. I’m 70. I have craftsman tools my dad bought me for my birthday in my mid teens. Always loved them.

[@jimmahr.4665]

This is common practice now adays, CEO comes in, drops quality to crap, by the time people figure it out and quit buying he has his bonuses and gone onto the next brand.

[@karlpierce3035]

Hedge funds need to be sued for destroying America.

[@afellowinnewengland6142]

No, Eddie Lampert bought Sears and drove it into the ground intentionally and sold off the valuable parts.

[@dino.jay2007]

​@@afellowinnewengland6142 That's what we call a corporate raider ... buy a company, break it up and sell the valuable parts.

[@rcnelson]

Same old story. Sears sold the Craftsman brand because it and Craftsman were losing sales. Craftsman sales declined because we Americans preferred mediocre to poor quality tools to save a buck, thus putting better American-made tool makers in a tough position. Now we get to reap the rewards of our short-sighted cheapness. Of course, we'll still buy $400,000 homes and $90,000 pickups, but we're happy to have Chinese junk.

[@dizzyassklown4424]

Craftsman didnt fail, sears did...

[@putotumama8353]

exactly i have craftsman tools from the mid eighties

[@JeffreyHandwerk]

Lowe’s carries the Craftsman brand tools now!

[@texaswunderkind]

@@JeffreyHandwerk They carry cheap Chinese knock-offs with the Craftsman name stamped on them. Not remotely the same thing.

[@leslieelliott-ub7mo]

Yep

[@mattwaters6987]

Agreed.

[@rickbelden2319]

I was just a kid. This would’ve been 86 or 87. My dad was a mechanic and auto body repair man so his tools were his livelihood. One evening we went to our local sears and he picked out a whole brand new tool set. Large box and all sockets, ratchets, screwdrivers, everything. It was a special moment and the only time I can remember my dad dropping that kind of money. We closed the place down that night as we waited for the staff to assemble everything. We went home and the next day I helped him unpack and organize all of the new tools. Almost forty years later my dad is 80 and still uses most of those tools he bought that night. A few have been replaced over the years and I remember a few trips to sears with a grocery bag of broken tools that were immediately replaced with no hassle at all. My dad eventually moved on to a bigger box and I now have that large tool box in my garage and will always cherish it and the memory that it holds.

[@1991tommygun]

Thats awesome

[@mayorb3366]

That's about the time Craftsman tools QC went down. In about 1988 I snapped the head on a brand new #2 Phillips screwdriver working on my truck. I work in the trades and still use a few Craftsman hand tools my dad bought in the 60's. I keep a close eye on them.

[@Alan_Edwards]

Great story !!

[@troykelly9353]

I still have a set of ancient craftsman tools that work just fine. Especially the ratchets and breaker bars.

[@salazam]

long story short: your dad bought some tools

[@sammylacks4937]

My house burned with all my tools inside. Years later I was in Sears and happen to mention my loss. She told me if the name or number was legible they would replace them. It wasn't Sears fault my house burned, and I saw no reason they should be responsible for the loss of my tools. They did, replaced every one. I still have those sockets, ratchets and wrenches. That was service.

[@DIYwithDave]

Wow! That's amazing.

[@MarthaTorres-gu7vd]

Sadly that's also one reason they went out of business. When your losses are more then your gains.

[@dyer2cycle]

@@MarthaTorres-gu7vd true...

[@cjda1777]

My grandma told me a story like that. House burnt down with tools inside I believe in the 90's. She took the melted tools to Sears and they replaced them all on the spot. As a young person reading through all these comments from older generations it makes me wish we still had stores that truly cared about their costumers.

[@JodieMix]

The fire wrecked sockets, extensions, etc? Got hot, huh?

[@werquantum]

Once a company goes public, it’s just a matter of time before the ethos moves from quality to profits.

[@QwazyWabbit]

Sears was public until it was bought out by a private equity company run by Eddie Lampert a hedge fund manager. It was downhill from that point on.

[@DouglasHale-od8ys]

In many cases certainly.

[@davidaughey2401]

​@@QwazyWabbitprivate equity tends to buy public/private cos. because they see inefficiencies. they then nix the inefficient ways bring it back to profitablity and relist. Eddie jumped in alittle late, tried to save the comp. but the trends and shoppers already made up their minds. Craftsman actually kept sears afloat while Eddie closed store refinanced things, all while the ship had taken on to much water. The real estate was then the best asset which is where Eddies end game was. it is too bad, but Sears lost it's way long before Eddie got invovled. If you ask me, the next big long player to fail, will be Target. limited skus no variety. what keeps them alive is the Kohl's type marketing with buy these 3 get $10 giftcard. and changing with pop culture branding. they slipped up with the trans marketing...but it's not to say they won't slip again to take marketshare. something tells me they'll slip again.

[@edwardgiovannelli5191]

@@QwazyWabbit it was already headed for the toilet by the time Lampert scooped it up. Both Sears and Kmart were complacent and refused to see where society was headed. They were fat, dumb, and happy where they were.... until they were'nt.

[@MotorsportCreative]

So true. When corporations and their selfish ambition for profit, hiding behind marketing, lobbying, and prosperity (“more jobs” - yeah, exported), our values as a collective nation began to crumble. Back then it was farmers vs governments, and now it’s people vs corporations.

[@phlodel]

I remember the first time I had any difficulty returning a Craftsman tool. The cashier told me the wrench was too old. Lifetime warranty. I told her "I bought that wrench new and I'm not dead yet!" I still have Craftsman tools I bought 50 years ago.

[@1pcfred]

Nah they meant lifetime of the tool and you done killed it.

[@jhbsr55]

Same here

[@Rhotz-ix8ll]

@@1pcfred Haha...she tried the "but the sign says all you can eat for $10" "That IS all you can eat for $10" routine but you sorted that out fast.

[@dgronzega8073]

never had a problem with craftsman warranty.

[@markw999]

Did the same with a toolbox. No more.

[@Otis884]

I was a maintenance mechanic for 35 years before I retired 7 years ago. Craftsman was my go to tools for most of that time because of the quality and return policy. It was sad to see the slow decline of an iconic brand.

[@davekeller2798]

WE all do, that pulls a wrench

[@Otis884]

@@davekeller2798 True

[@terencejay8845]

I have a 1/2" Craftsman ratchet here in the UK. Had it for decades, though I have no idea when or where I bought it. I don't recall anywhere that was a Craftsman outlet.

[@prerunning6086]

I miss having access to quality taps like sears always had. It was so nice needing 1 specific size and being able to get it same day without buying an expensive tap and die set.

[@kylestan2250]

@@terencejay8845 Simpson-Sears in Canada exported to the UK, also US military bases sold Craftsman tools at the PX

[@rogerbanderson]

I worked for Sears for many years - starting in 1988 at a really small store in Antioch, CA. I worked in Sporting Goods and Toys but one day there was nobody in Hardware and I went over to help. The guy had a really old crescent wrench that was busted and said he wanted to exchange it. I'm like "what the heck?", and I called my manager and he said "there's a stock number on it, just use code [whatever] to exchange it." Sure enough, every Craftsman tool was embossed with a stock number starting with 9 (hardware was division 9). No receipt needed. No age cutoff. No conditions. No questions asked. All cash registers in Hardware had a bin for tool exchange, just dump it there. Super easy. I could see why people bought Craftsman. Legendary warranty. Nothing will ever beat it.

[@CowsnotPeople]

Exactly! No questions asked. Antioch eh? I moved to Benicia in 1986 and then bought a house in Brentwood around 1993, then built a place in Oakley. When I couldn’t take CA anymore I moved to SC in 2017. How’s the old town doing?

[@rogerbanderson]

@@CowsnotPeople Oh wow. If you came into Antioch Sears during those years, I was around. I eventually became the building engineer, fell in love with the telephone system, and worked on the telephones for all the stores in the Bay Area. I moved to Los Angeles in 1995 and have only been back a couple times. I hear it's not doing well. Pittsburg is the better town now. I still work telecom. I have lots of tools from that store.

[@Jeffrey_The_Tiger]

Pittsburgh has the same warrenty.

[@GMCOGRE]

sears ALWAYS, ALWAYS had the best warranty in the business, bar none. same quality or better than "strap" on (i think you know what i mean) and 10 times the warranty policy.

[@dyer2cycle]

Yes, I remember that(at a different Sears store in Ga.)..EASY,on the spot exchange..it is nowhere near that easy to get a Craftsman tool warrantied at Lowes or Ace Harware, Harbor Freight is actually far easier with their brands....

[@whatsup7253]

As a 45-year employee of Sears I know when the demise of Sears started. Late 80s I was the lead appliance repair Technician at the time we were called into a meeting and management said we would no longer use the motto or honor it anymore. The Motto was Satisfaction Guaranteed or Your Money Back. Our repair guarantee was 1 year on any appliance repairs that changed to 30 days like the rest of the appliance industry. I knew then it was the start of the end. FYI back in the day they meant it no excuses when they said 1 year guarantee or your money back.

[@nellayema2455]

One nice thing about buying anything with a Sears brand was the availability of parts for repair. I could find a replacement part for nearly anything made going back years from the Sears parts and repair center (I forget the actual name of the place) we had nearby.

[@Jeepsteve1982]

I grew up in the 80s and spent many weekends in sears with my dad. Craftsman tools were ubiquitous. I didn't even consider the idea that there were actually other brands out there until years later.

[@CCscott]

I’ve got bad gas 😮

[@JoeThorne-j6g]

Quality lost to price people who want quality are dying off and the next generation wants it cheaper not better and they are paid more than us old ones but money is not worth what it used to be.

[@rickjobs638]

It's a shame, growing up in the 60's,70's my Dad bought everything at sears. He always said it's the best store because of quality and service. What do you do after 45years?

[@MarkSmith-js2pu]

I have a garage full of Craftsman hand tools that I bought when I worked at Sears Automotive in the 70’s. I never needed to replace any, just the ones that grew legs. I’m proud of them to this day.

[@KB3AOL]

When I returned home in 1993 after a couple of years in the US Army, I went to Sears and bought a large set of Craftsman tools. It was some of the best money I ever spent, and I, too, am still proud of those tools.

[@zobrandy69]

Lots of my crafsman tools grew legs too! Never came back!

[@987654321wormy]

My dad was a mechanic with Sears starting in the mid 60s and all of his tools were Craftsman. Over the years he started collecting various tool sets and power tools for each of us three boys, giving them to us as graduation gifts. We still have them, between the quality and the memories, you can't beat them.

[@Dodgerblue7381-ey3ql]

Well said. My Craftsman tools never let me down in my 39 year career. Combination wrench set purchased in 1986. The 7/16 disappeared and I broke the 1-1/8". Other than that, all the original ones, Forged in the USA. Bought a new set of Craftsman for my son 5 years ago all crap.

[@Skidderoperator]

​@@zobrandy69Loan them, lose them.

[@mayorb3366]

It is ironic that the company that pioneered the home delivery of thousands of products over 100 years ago was shuttering stores while an online bookseller was becoming a zillion dollar company.

[@benjismith593]

Because Sears laughed the idea off.

[@heaththeemissary3824]

@@benjismith593 very true. They were like Kodak, who invented digital photography in the '80s but saw them selves as a film company.

[@garywagstaff7142]

Yep, they could have killed off that particular bookseller long before they sold anything not readily available in a college bookstore. Plain ol’ stupidity & shortsightedness. They even had the infrastructure in place. I’ve often questioned how they could have missed that.

[@davidspeller4344]

Classic upper management root-rot. Same thing is happening with Walmart, although they are finally reacting to it.

[@NorthFloridaLiving]

Both Sears and Pennys were the original online stores. They could have even used their mall locations as warehouses and offered same day pick up. Both had high paid corporate management with all their college degrees that blew the internet off because "They know retail".

[@creepingalien9055]

Crazy how this went from a Craftsman History Lesson to a Tool lesson in general to pandemic history lesson to a polotical history lesson and overall this video was way more informative than I expected, keep doing ur thing bro, I appreciate you for the lessons taught in this video and my first tool set was a Craftsman

[@DIYwithDave]

I am glad you liked it! In a lot of ways, I feel like the story of Craftsman tools is the story of all tools.

[@RobertAbood]

Just out of high school (1974) I was always working on my 1969 Triumph motorcycle at my friend Dan's house. His father had Snap-on tools he got from his father. While working with a 3/8 ratchet it slipped. The pawls were worn. Since I was always using his tools I said let me take the ratchet and find a Snap -on truck and I will pay for a rebuild kit. After a couple of weeks I saw a Snap-on truck at a tire dealer. I told him the story that I want to pay to fix my friends ratchet and he took it, looked at the serial number, and got a book out. He looked at me and said, my books serial numbers go back to 1947 and this ratchet was before then. He got out a rebuild kit, slapped it on, handed me the ratchet and said. "Guaranteed for life" I will never forget that!

[@richardcovello5367]

I had a snap-on "torque-o-meter" 1/2" torque wrench. They fixed it once in the late '70s, but they refused to repair it when it broke 20 years later.

[@capt251978]

Snap-on is grossly overpriced and overrated. Their warranty is frankly a hassle. The jabroni on the truck is not really interested in helping you. Most tools are sent off for replacement or repairs can take a while. It took 8 weeks for a simple ratchet wrench replacement because the dealer didn’t want to pop open a fresh set and just give me one because it could impact his ability to sell said set. Being a set of metric wrenches (8-19mm) will set you back around 600$…. There’s no reason to make such a foolish purchase.

[@roysheaks1261]

@@capt251978My tools at work were 1/3 Snap-On and 2/3 Craftsman. Many Snap-Ons had finer precision, and a lower profile, especially the smaller tools, and they were superior. Craftsman were good for all around, and if you needed to make a special tool, it wasn’t going to break the bank if you sawed one up or welded up a special shaped tool. Both brands wore like iron, excuse the pun.

[@jaymes1]

​@@capt251978 10 t0 19mm

[@BoeingPT19]

I've never seen a ratchet of any brand with a serial number, part number maybe, but never a serial number.

[@stevecolombe4446]

My Grandfather was a carpenter/handyman. He had a lot of Craftsman tools that were passed down to my Dad. My Dad passed them to me and I will end up passing them on to my son. Years ago things made in the USA were made to last. If at some point we as a country do not return to this mindset, I'm afraid that we will continue to see a decline as a country.

[@jupitercyclops6521]

It's ok. They're re shoring jobs. You'll be able to get tools made in US by robots made in china

[@scottyee707]

Yeah, country is gone dude, blame California for letting in so many immigrants.

[@erickolsto5089]

It's hard to stay in business when you only sell me one wrench, refrigerator, car, etc.... products today have an engineered life span that's predetermined up front on when it will fail. Sad but true

[@SignorLuigi]

@@scottyee707🤦‍♂️

[@MarinCipollina]

The rot starts at the top. This is the corporate mindset of today.

[@stybba09]

Okay, I'm 63 years old. As a child I remember my dad having nothing but Craftsman tools. One day my dad was all giddy about something and he recounted how he had broken a Craftsman tool and he was not so sure how this warranty would work. (This time period is probably the early 1970s.) So he comes home from Sears in a really good mood recounting how he showed the salesman the broken tool and he put a replacement in my dad's hand and that was it. Dad couldn't believe it. Fast forward to about 1990, and I'm in my first house, doing a lot of interior rehab. One day I broke a pair of needle-nose pliers. Remembering dad's experience I went to my local Sears store. After showing the sales lady my broken tool she looked at me with distrust. Nah! She looked at me with disdain. However, she did the exchange, but it wasn't as easy as in dad's day. Nevertheless, I got my new tool and paid nothing for it.

[@dukecraig2402]

Yea but they're back to doing it that way, the current owner of Craftsman tools knows that Sears screwed up royally when they started hassling people about returning broken tools and they have a no questions ask policy again. I went through it, I started working as a mechanic in 1981 when you could run over something with a tank right in front of the guy who worked at the tool department at Sears and they'd replace a Craftsman tool with a smile on their face, then in 1992 I started working as a shipbuilder, our go to tape measures were Craftsman because we'd break or burn up a tape measure at least once a month, then all of the sudden around 94 they started hassling us about them, or if the tape part itself was broken or burned they'd hand you one of those rebuild kits that had the tape part and a new clock spring, I don't think I ever did master the right way of winding up that spring and used to have it fly out when I was trying to put it together, right when I got out of shipbuilding I'd gotten a new one from them because the body had broken and I had to have a Mexican stand off with the manager to replace it but I got a whole new one, cut to about 5 years ago and it broke, I thought "Here we go" and headed to a Home Depot who has them now, it was just like the old days, no questions, didn't want to see a receipt or anything, just handed me a new one. After that I was talking to a friend of mine who stayed in the mechanics field and he told me it's back to the old way with them, then about 6 months later I saw a commercial on KZbin that was for Craftsman and they were bragging about how it's back to "the old way" when it comes to no questions ask about tool returns.

[@paulfiore7083]

I'm 71 and only had one Craftsman tool break. Brought it back to the Fayetteville, NY store and it was exchanged without question in the 1980s

[@philipstaite4775]

Right behind you at 60. In the 70s and 80s Craftsman was the only tool my Dad would use, and the only tools I bought and used as a kid trying to keep beat up old used cars running. I can remember even in the 90s my Dad lamenting the slip in quality of Craftsman. He'd show me an old vs new combination wrench. The old one was high quality steel, relatively slender, great finish. The new one was obviously lower quality steel, thicker, rougher finish, looser tolerances. To this day I have his passed-down "old school" Craftsman tools (along with an Uncle's) and my own. Most of them are 40 and 50 years old or more, but work better than 90% of what you could buy today. I only ever managed to break one "original" Craftsman tool - a deep socket I was applying way too much torque to with a breaker bar. Split it up the side. Went to the local Sears, exchanged no questions asked. Those were the days.

[@bshoke]

We were farmers when I was a kid, and I would look through all the broken tools for the craftsman ones typically a cracked socket but one day I found a 3/4 drive ratchet that had broken the next trip to sears I got my replacement and I was happy (all the tools I got replaced became mine). This time though I noticed instead of a new ratchet, they went to a special box of all kind of identical ratchets pulled one out, the finish was a bit lower quality and it looked like it had been refurbished it still worked well and I was pleased with it but looking back that’s right when they started slipping in the market and customer service. I bought my first tool set from them, but now I’d rather get kobalt or some of the better harbor freight stuff.

[@southernbreeze3278]

@@bshokesimilar experience. 2016 my 3/4 inch socket wrench that I'd had since the 70's broke (ratchet stripped). brought it back to sears and was given a refurbished replacement they pulled out of drawer with others inside.

[@usedtobered6816]

I purchased Craftsman ratchet & sockets back in the 1980's and the gears on the 1/2" & 3/8" wrenches started slipping about 6 months ago. I went to Ace Hardware hoping for an exchange and since they did not have a replacement for my model #, they gave me Craftsman's 800# for customer service. Craftsman customer service made me feel like an important customer! I gave her my model numbers and they shipped 2 beautiful repalcements to me without my having to send in my old wrenches! I am VERY pleased with how Craftsman is still honoring the lifetime warranty!

[@nothankyou5524]

Don't be so pleased. Most don't have it happen so easy. If craftsman and where you went severe ties, which sooner or later all do, you may learn a little economics and finance

[@fw1421]

What happened to Crafstman? Sears got bought out by people that only cared about profits,not quality.

[@stephenblack8804]

Kinda like Boeing

[@texaswunderkind]

The irony is that Sears grew based on the precursor to the Internet: catalog sales. If any one company in the world was ready for the concept of online sales, it was Sears. Yet they somehow completely whiffed on the concept when it came along.

[@The_10th_Man]

And when they finally did do a website it was godawful and full of scammers.

[@ms.annthrope415]

Two words: Edward Lampert. He also bought Kmart and ran both into the ground. Sears and Kmart also own lots of real estate in their store locations. Guess who owned lots of real estate after running both companies into the ground?

[@smal1393]

@@stephenblack8804 I agree that Boeing's failure is due in large part to putting profits above all else. But technically, Boeing was not 'bought out' like Sears was, it was Boeing's Board of Directors that installed 'profit only' senior management.

[@dwilcoxx]

Craftsman’s lifetime guarantee is fabulous. When I was a teenager I broke one of my fathers needle nose pliers due to using it inappropriately. I quickly jumped into my car and drove to my local Sears store with the needle nose pliers and exchanged it for a new one. I was able to place the new pliers back in his toolbox before he got home from work. If I did not I would’ve had hell to pay. I never told my dad this story.

[@davidgraham2673]

I know that fear well......

[@davegaetano7118]

Their guarantee WAS fabulous. It's certainly not anymore.

[@davidgraham2673]

@@davegaetano7118 , Best guarantee ever. I had a friend who found a broken ratchet, crusted from being outsude in the mud. He put it on the counter at Sears and they replaced it. I was there, and couldn't believe it. That's when I started buying their tool kits for my 69' Camaro. (Didn't make me a better mechanic, but I can't hold that against them. It wasn't part of the guarantee)

[@jamesholland1727]

Found a Craftsman 1/2" drive ratchet in the road years back. Rusted, scratched and non working. Took it in to a Sears store and got a brand new replacement no charge on the spot. Still have it along with Cornwell and Proto when I worked in a shop

[@davegaetano7118]

@@davidgraham2673 Sure, I'm 73 now and I can remember doing that too. But there is no Sears counter anymore. The point I was making is that the guarantee now is useless.

[@decentcupid5354]

I bought myself a set of Craftsman sockets around 2022-2023, while using them on a car with my grandfather, the socket slipped and I busted my knuckle. My grandfather suggested we use his set and they all fit perfectly for the whole job. When i got out from under the car i asked him what brand his socket set was. Imagine the look on my face when it was an old dusty Craftsman set he said his dad gave it to him when he moved out. Two Craftsman sets decades apart in age and quality. My grandfather then chucked the phrase "guess they dont make em like they used to." 😂

[@jamesodell3064]

Better to buy you Craftsman tools at a garage or house sale.

[@Curt-ge9gc]

That older Craftsman set was made 100 times better with REAL Steel. Not the Chinese Steel they have been made with for over 30 years now.

[@kennykuhns9843]

I wouldn't buy Chinese tools until Craftsman was made there. Now I buy more Harbor Freight than anything else. It just doesn't matter anymore.

[@funkenstienjones8918]

My grandpapy swore by craftsman. I was gifted a lot of 70s era craftsman tools and still have and use them. I am a mechanic so my work tools are a mix of snap on and matco just for the simplicity of warranty, but I use the set he gave me around the house. Don't really want to break them I'll never get them replaced with something of the same quality.

[@EdRochon]

I got a Craftsman, made in china, whole mechanics socket and ratchet set in 2013 or 2014. I haven't had a single problem using the set for busting loose rusty hardware on my Jeep even with a cheater pipe on the ratchets. The play in the ratchet's mech is pretty crappy compared to the old school craftsman ratchets though.

[@SpynCycle57]

After my father passed in 1982, I inherited his Craftsman tools. A 3/4 inch ratchet he bought in the 1960's had broke, the retaining bearing that holds the socket fell out, but he never exchanged it. I took it to the local Sears, expecting to fill out paperwork and have a hassle since I didn't have any proof of purchase and I wasn't the original purchaser. I was pleasantly surprised when the sales person handed me a new one off the rack and apologized for the tool breaking. After that, I bought only Craftsman hand tools. I've never had another one break.

[@davidherbst]

I remember walking into a Sears with my dad when I was a little kid in the early 70's, when he had a screwdriver break on him. He handed it to the guy standing behind a counter, and the guy literally turned around, grabbed the same screwdriver off the wall, and handed it to my dad. No questions asked.

[@rmmccarthy1240]

Yup! Sears did the same for me with a broken ratchet wrench.

[@dennislarson4960]

Yup, they did the same for me with a chipped screwdriver blade ("You weren't using it for prying, were you?" - "No, of course not!") 🙂 And they did the same for my dad in the 1970s, when he brought in a 1/2" ratchet wrench that was mostly stripped out. "Here you go." (He failed to mention that the reason it had stripped out was because he had a 6' pipe on the end of it, trying to loosen some severely rusted lugnuts on a car (northern WI winters). Kudos to the wrench, because he did finally get them all off and still had a couple of teeth left in the wrench!)

[@salazam]

@@dennislarson4960 If they asked you a question, then it wasn't "No questions asked." was it?

[@howardbennis1936]

I've turned in a ratchet to Lowes and a screwdriver to Ace Hardware. They both honor the Craftman's warranty on hand tools. I've used my set for over 50 years. They're always my first choice.

[@muffinsbear]

Craftsman tools was the gold standard for all hand tools in the USA for several generations. I still use mine that I had for over 55 years. I am 75 years old and a master DNY'r. What happened to Craftsman is what happened to America, bad management, politicians, and poor parenting. l was fortunate to see the high water mark of Democracy when it worked.

[@djtchamp5076]

100% I saw some of the downhill when it was still higher than now. My dad born in '42 tells me all the history I didn't see and you're right

[@randydewees7338]

I'd say as a tool provider Craftsman was the Gold Standard. The were many other makes and brands as good or better, just more expensive and harder to find. Oh, BTW, I purchased a Craftsman tool kit in 1978, I've been using at least some of those tools ever since.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

The gold standard for DIYers. Professional mechanics still preferred Snapon. After talking to some of them I can see why.

[@markgentry6688]

Amen brother

[@salazam]

What happened was you boomers letting it happen. Drove this country into the ground and looking for someone else to blame.

[@garyhoward2490]

I have Craftsman hand tools that my parents bought me, for my 16th birthday. Have added tons of other tools, over the years. I recently moved, so I went throught a box of random sockets and end wrenches that were either cracked, broken or stripped. I had about 20 to 30 "broken" tools. I thought...what the hell, I'll take them in. Went to my local, small town Ace hardware who sells Craftsman. Mind you...some of these tools are 50 plus years old!! They replaced every one of them, without question!! I was surprised. What the store has... is a large display of used and broken Craftsman tools in the store, that have been returned. They call it "The Tools of the Heroes" collection. They are proudly displayed. Many of the tools have the stories of their demise displayed also. It is Sooo Cool!! I'm almost 70 now, and have shared stories with other guys, regarding the use...and mis-use of Craftsman tools. You gotta Love a small town, family run, Real hardware store!! You would never see that at a large, corporate box store.

[@markdecker6190]

When we moved to the Lancaster, Pa area 11 years ago the Sears store was still open, barely. So of course when that closed it was Home Depot and Lowes like everyone else. There was an Ace nearby but that unceremoniously closed one day too (not sure why). Recently I discovered another Ace that takes a few minutes more to get to but I love it because it reminds me of the local hardware store we had in NJ where I grew up. Speaking of old school, if you're ever near Lambertville, NJ be sure to stop into Finkle's Hardware Store and Supply House. It's been there 100 years and they have everything, and the only thing missing is the potbelly stove, though I'm sure they could order one for you.

[@gmansard641]

I love Ace Hardware. Best place for bolts and screws. So many times at Lowe's (where I go for things like plywood) they'll have screws in packages of three when I need four. Ace sells them individually. I've had jobs at locally owned family hardware stores, they're an education in themselves. They almost always have a guy there who's a retired pipefitter or machinist, so much I learned from guys like that.

[@Sandman-zk7mf]

The one problem is that your American made tools were replaced with CHINESE GARBAGE TOOLS

[@isador4784]

I grew up with a family owned Hardware store in North Vancouver called Payne Hardware, They still had the rolling ladders and you could see daylight in the floor above. It was declared a heritage building and when the owner could no longer compete with the big box retailers (his clientele aged out in reality) he sold it to a developer. The developer wanted to build condos, but had to keep the heritage building within the design. After bickering back and forth with City council, one night it mysteriously burned down.

[@Paul-ju5px]

@@isador4784 That's heartbreaking. There's nothing like a local small hardware store.

[@dennisdivine7448]

I was a longtime Craftsman Club member, and in 2011, I complained to the corporate office about how the discounts weren't working as they should. Long story short, I wound up briefly being a secret shopper, reporting my feedback straight to Sears' corporate VP of Marketing. Initially, they were receptive. But as I encountered more and more systemic issues (barcodes not ringing up properly at registers, discounts not automatically calculated, employees not even knowing what the Craftsman Club was), the mood turned, and I was finally given some points to buy some tools, and that was that. But I knew enough by 2011 to see the death spiral coming, and I was, thankfully, able to stock up on some quality Craftsman purchases. My local Sears closed in 2020, followed by a much bigger one 70 miles away. And that was that.

[@DIYwithDave]

Interesting story, thanks for sharing! That's great that you were able to stock up on tools when you had the chance!

[@thomasbriggssr8155]

Craftsman tools died the day Sears decided to not honor their lifetime warranty. I bought a handful tool that was guaranteed for life, it broke and I returned it for a replacement, they would not honor the warranty they promised me. The dept. manager was rude to me on top of that. That was the last day I set foot in a Sears store.

[@gearhead1234]

I had a similar experience when I took in a socket that finally gave up the ghost and split up the side. The clerk there looked at it and accused me of using pipe on the ratchet handle, thus breaking the socket. I didn’t, but asked what difference it makes.. he refused to give me another, stating “we don’t replace obviously abused tools”… I left. I came back a few days later and some pimple faced kid traded it, no problem. However, the socket was obviously lighter and thinner. I never bought new craftsman tools ever again. Another bad experience was the old ratchet that simply wore out.. they replaced the guts at the checkout counter with a crappy, clunky gear set. Felt like it had maybe a dozen teeth.. it went to the back of the tool box.. lol

[@markgentry6688]

The same thing happened to snap on

[@johnstuartsmith]

Sears gave me my first credit card, but the snottiness they once dealt out to this once-young, once-loyal Sears customer trying to exchange his broken $5 "lifetime warranty" Craftsman socket eventually cost Sears their "lifetime" chances of them selling him another Kenmore appliance.

[@salazam]

@@markgentry6688 No it didn't. Snap-On still honors their lifetime warranty on handtools. Only some things like the power tools don't have lifetime warranty.

[@karaDee2363]

I never had that problem

[@DW-qe7qe]

This video made me realize how much I treasured the Craftsman Tool catalog when it arrived in the mail.

[@kenfrank2730]

I have a few Craftsman tool catalogs from the 1990s that I'm keeping as a souvenir.

[@prestongivens3594]

The Tool Catalog was as good as the Christmas Wish Book!

[@JohnFourtyTwo]

I remember going to Sears just to pickup the latest catalogs.😉👍

[@Ferndalien]

While Craftsman tools were made in America up until the 1970's, Sears Craftsman never owned a factory where those tools were made. From the beginning of the brand Sears contracted with American tool makers, and often well known makers of high quality tools to make the tools sold under the Craftsman brand.

[@jayjaybee1129]

I worked in the Sears Product & Development Lab (metallurigical lab) from 1976 to about 1986. Sears tools were manufactured by quality American companies like Vermont-American & Western Forge among many others. But Craftsman products had to meet very demanding standards including Federal Military and product specs. which were often high above the manufacturers own spec. I often wonder if the Craftsman products could still meet these standards. During that time Sears sold Chinese manufactured products under a different brand at a lower price point that still had to meet minimum specs.

[@TEDodd]

There were still a lot of hand tools made in the US even in the 2010s. A few lines were Chinese but I bought a large set in 2013/14 that was US made (after someone stole my 1980s Stanley set while I was deployed to Afghanistan).

[@jamesgibson4807]

Same Old Story ,Make That Dollar the Hell with Quality

[@scott9676]

I worked with Western Forge in the mid 90s. I think shortly after that they started offshoring.

[@oscarwinner2034]

There are people that can decipher the codes on Craftsman stuff to tell who manufactured them. Pretty cool stuff.

[@twistedpixel2558]

I worked with a mechanic in an auto shop a couple decades ago. He had a very old, still in incredible shape, three tier Craftsman tool box, complete with side cabinets. All the slides still worked perfectly. Worked out of it as long as I knew him.

[@bigredc222]

In 1975 I was 15 and bought a Craftsman 80 piece starter tool kit for about $60. I continued to buy Craftsman tools every time I had few extra bucks. When my car or truck needed to be fixed, rather than pay someone, I used that money to buy the tools I needed to do the job and did it myself. I have four Craftsman tool boxes full of tools, top and bottom boxes. I haven't had to buy any new mechanics tools for about 20 years, I have everything. The bad part is, I don't have any kids to leave them to.

[@postulator890]

@bigredc222: I would tell my college students the same thing. Instead of paying for an oil change, buy a jack and stands. Then you can do tire rotations and brake repair. Then when you get good, you can do your family and friends cars. Then you have extra tax free folding cash for Saturday night.

[@bigredc222]

@@postulator890 There's good and bad, once people find out you know how to work on cars, everyone starts asking for favors.

[@jimnewell5218]

I'm the same way. Bought my first Craftsman tools in 1971 to replace an alternator. Always have added more over the years and am fully stocked now and seldom farm out my repairs. Love the new V20 series.

[@bigredc222]

@@jimnewell5218 I am still using my 18v Dewalt battery tools that I bought every bit of 20 years ago.

[@postulator890]

@@bigredc222 Don't I know it. When I was much younger, my mother was my business "agent". She had people lined up for work weeks out. I finally told her to tell everyone I sacked groceries at Safeway...

[@mikeobrien2582]

I have a toolbox full of Made in the USA Craftsman tools, my father-in-law was an appliance repairman with Sears for 38 years. I had a torque wrench from probably the late 70's that failed recently. I tried to purchase the ratchet repair kit, but it is no longer in production. Feeling frustrated I phoned Craftsman. After speaking with the representative, I sent a couple photos of the broken pawl. Within a few days UPS delivered a new torque wrench to my door. The new one is made in Tiwana, it looks and feels like a quality tool. At 73 I don't do much work on cars anymore so someone else will someday get this tool. I hope it serves them well.

[@sd906238]

My father had a Craftsman toolbox and the lock was broken. I went down to the Sears parts department and ordered a new lock. I never got the new lock. A client of mine bought a Sears riding lawnmower and bought the extended warranty. She claimed the Sears service department knew when she was calling and refused to answer the phone when she called. Sears had a good thing going back then and put themselves out of business. They were way ahead of the curve back then before the internet. They could of set themselves up as a leader instead they screwed things up.

[@JeffreyHandwerk]

I’ve had my dad’s Craftsman tools for years, he bought them back in the 1970’s

[@kevinmach730]

73 years old is the scientifically determined best age to start resotring a hot rod. You're not underground yet my good man, get those tools out and get to work!

[@mococaboy17]

ebay has the parts to fix it, the US craftsmen tools are quality, so young mechanics would buy them and give them another 50 years

[@jessekooistra6200]

I have made in USA tools from the very beginning that were my grandfather's along with 60's through 80's my father gave me and 80's-00's that I bought. I've broken one socket and had a torque wrench replaced just a week ago...had to do some verbal gymnastics to get it but they replaced it in good faith because the gear had a few broken teeth but they don't have the rebuilt kits anymore. I still have the original torque wrench because I repaired it from a donor ratchet. Round Head fine tooth are still my go to ratchets even though I have more modern ones.

[@kylemayer8486]

My grandpa was a craftsman sales rep, so I have a basement full of their best tools ever.

[@asullivan4047]

Hope he drew a good salary-!!!🤗

[@emeraldgaming7915]

I have a full mechanic set for craftsman (its a newer line as far as I'm aware), and i can arguably say after using Snap-On for the past 2 years, it feels about the same quality as Snap-On and they do make quality tools for DIY-friendly standards

[@rebaschweitzer8847]

What a shame. When my husband and I first got together, he had a small tool bag with a handful of tools in it. He is, however, very mechanical and loves to tinker on things. I set about buying him tools and a big rolling tool box to keep them in. I only bought Craftsman because it was the best we could afford and had such a good warranty which we used several times. As we got older and we have less and less projects our need for tools has decreased. I did notice that Ace Hardware sold them and now Lowe's but wasn't aware of their decline. I hate it when my husband is working on a project and doesn't have the tool he needs. When this happens, I go to Harbor Freight. I once bought a Craftsman right angle grinder for about $50. I broke in no time. It was replaced by the ones you can buy at Harbor Freight for about $13. They last just as long and when they break we just replace it. I hate what has happened to the manufacturing industry in the US. We are in big trouble.

[@GeoffreyMorrison-xh2eo]

It's funny how that cheap grinder isn't that bad. I got a better one later. Generally the '"Warrior" (used to be "Drillmaster") passes well enough for DIY.

[@GeoffreyMorrison-xh2eo]

Well, other posters here noted also that Stanley wanted total automation. The bottling company here is totally automated--robots instantly hand items off to other ones. Not a single person or forklift was on the floor. My bro, who stopped in there for a few after dinner, was a programmer. I was shocked at how fae advanced that was: That was years ago: Robots prove far more sophisticated now. At this point, a few totally automated McDonalds are up and running. This will affect every industry, massively, to say the least: We're going to have to come to terms with it:....

[@DIYwithDave]

Interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@DIYwithDave]

Thanks for sharing!

[@andrewallen9993]

China is doing to the US what the US did to great Britain.

[@CCP_Xyed]

My grandpa even now still has 3 old Craftsman cabinets full of tolls ( some craftsman, some german, some other brands over the decades ). My great grandpa served in WW2 and there's a story I still remember from when I was kid. During the war he saved a US soldier (Jack...) who was shot twice in the leg and abdomen. He pulled him from the field, under fire, placed him on a carriage and pulled that carriage alone for 6 km back their base. The soldier lived and some 30 years after the war he managed to find my great grandpa and just showed up knocking on his house door. They were friends up until their deaths. Both of them died on Feb 4 1992. My grandpa in Piatra Neamt, Romania and his friend a few miles out of Wabasha, MN, USA. My grandpa used to say that he got all his tools as a gift from his 'war brother' and his family as a thank you. They all showed up that day and spent an entire summer on my grandpa's farm, all of them working side by side on the farm. During the last week, before they went back to the USA, a truck broth a shipment Jack and his family sent before departing from MN to come here. Grandpa said Jack just told my great grandpa "Don't say anything, just open them up after we leave. Now let's have a glass of wine." I still keep in touch with Jack's extended family, talking with them far less then we should, but still holding the memory. Before he left, heading back to the US, Jack left another small package in a drawer were my great grandpa had his Medals. The package contained Jack's Medal Of Honor and a letter. In the letter, among other personal remarks, the last section says: "There are no words that can express my feelings. Please keep his heart close to yours, as I will always keep you in mine. Anything, anytime, anywhere I Will Be There. Thank you for gifting me my life and the joy that it is to have a family brother."

[@MegaWillinator]

Powerful story, powerful note.

[@jamesseaman2950]

That's a great story worthy of a movie.

[@thegeneralist7527]

Great story.

[@fredwatson383]

I think there is something in my eyes...

[@randyhanson837]

MoH is a really big deal. I have some of my Uncle's WW2 medals left that other rotten relatives didn't steal. The most cherished is the Combat Infantry Badge, along with his dog tags. You have a great story there, I hope you write it down. We honor our ancestors by remembering them.

[@ljhoule3394]

My Dad and I would visit garage sales on the weekends and he would buy broken Craftsman Tools. After about a half dozen acquisitions we would head off to Sears, trade them in for new tools. Well Dad is long gone but, I ‘m still here in my late 60’s. I’ll pass off all those Craftsman tools to my sons. Great video!

[@4xmadness]

That's how I got most of mine. Some I didn't bother to exchange because they were rare or unavailable, or even really old and worth some collectoble value.

[@Aviator27J]

I used to frequent a shop at a flea market when I was just starting out on my own (living in a different city from any friends or family) in the early 2000s, and I'd buy Craftsman tools for the same reason. The guy selling the tools charged a little more because of the warranty, but it was still worth it to bring a rusty tool into Sears and have it replaced for a better (usually remanned) one.

[@ljhoule3394]

@@Aviator27J Great feedback, great tools however, they don’t make them like they used to. Good memories for sure. Thanks!

[@situatedillness]

I had a wrench fail in my 100 piece kit from Lowe’s. It says lifetime warranty. They took my whole kit and gave me a whole new 100 piece kit.

[@NutshellBrainery]

I'm a business professor and teach an international business course and will be using this video in my class. You cover many of the pros and cons of global trade, using a product as an example that my students will understand and relate to. Thank you for making this video!

[@jerrybessetteDIY]

You should also use Sears as an example of ossified thinking: with their catalog experience, warehouse experience, and stores they should have taken over internet sales.

[@everettplummer9725]

Many years ago, we did a brake job on a motor home with a Chrysler chassis. I was in a hurry and needed a line wrench. Went to a close auto parts store. Snapped! Went back for money. Instead, they grabbed another one of a few off the wall. Came back the last time, empty peg, handed over the parts. They handed me my money. Headed to Sears and finished the job. They were made different back then. Most mechanics can tell the quality of a wrench by listening to it dropped on a concrete floor. Just like a quality anvil, it will bounce a steel bearing high and have a unique ring. Cheaper ones don't. Yes, quality is long gone.

[@kylestan2250]

Craftsman tool vendors drop forged the tools and were made to a US government spec, today who know how the Chinese make their crap.

[@ElationProductions]

You can tell too by the build of their wrenches. When Craftsman switched to China, their wrenches gained material on them (especially the heads of open end wrenches). Presumably because they switched to a lower quality or not as well forged steel, and needed to beef them up to keep every other wrench being a warranty return.

[@theneedleinthehaystack4774]

My dad worked for Western Forge, which manufactured Craftsman tools. I remember getting to tour the plant when I was a kid. He worked for them for over 40 years and was still there when they closed.

[@peternorthrup6274]

I will be handing my tools down to my grandson when the time comes.

[@Pypical]

You are 100% wrong, Lowe’s absolutely will exchange any craftsman tool as long as they have a similar one in stock. And although they didn’t have everything at first, they have had a huge selection of individual tools for years now so if you need one socket or one screwdriver, you can absolutely walk into Lowe’s with your old craftsman tool and walk out with a brand new craftsman. If they don’t have a tool, that’s close enough then you do have to call craftsman but other than that the only problems people have at Lowe’s is if they get a cashier that doesn’t know about the lifetime warranty. If you get a cashier that doesn’t know about the lifetime warranty you just ask for a manager because they have a whole little booklet behind the return counter that shows what is covered by the craftsman lifetime warranty.

[@GLHS592]

I bought a Craftsman tool set in 1998 because it was the most reasonably priced brand with a lifetime warranty. It was also easy to replace broken tools. They were great about tool returns for a few years after that. Around 2004, I noticed that they would give you a little grief when you tried returning tools. I stopped by a Sears around 2004 to replace my 3/4" drive ratchet. The guy said he couldn't replace it because it looked like "it was used as a hammer". It did have dents, but they weren't put there by me. It was a replacement ratchet they gave me a couple years prior. I refused to move until I got my replacement. Finally, the manager arrived and he looked at the line of customers behind me. He told the guy to give me a replacement. He pulled one out that looked almost identical to the one I was returning. I then told him I couldn't accept it. He asked why. I said, "because it looks like it's been used as a hammer." I stood my ground and he called the manager back. When he arrived, his face turned red and he asked what the problem was. I told him I would not accept a ratchet with dents because I didn't want to be accused of using it as a hammer when I had to return it. By this time, the line was longer. He looked at the cashier and told him to get one out of a tool kit. He did and I still have it to this day. It has not ever been used as a hammer.

[@stybba09]

This is a great story! Thanks for sharing.

[@emmcee476]

I enjoyed reading that. Glad you still have the tool 😁

[@gettingoldsucks3412]

Your story makes me proud to be an American. Thank you for sharing

[@salazam]

cool story, Karen.

[@emmcee476]

@@salazamadults are talking here. Go back to mommy's basement and your video games

[@alphonsoboutondo9004]

Eddie Lampert is what happened to Sears, K-mart, Kenmore, and Craftsman. He was a Pirate.

[@delhenry9837]

Exactly!!! My store closed 4 years ago.

[@douglasvitello7898]

Sears was assassinated by design from the get - go. A modern day epic tragedy for the USA. Sears truly had everything at one time. Their catalog sales should have morphed into something like Amazon and many of the stores should on never been closed. Everyone in my area loved and shopped at the local Sears.

[@v8packard]

Eddie Lambert is a billionaire suffering from hubris. He thought he was smarter than everyone because he made a lot of money quickly in the financial markets. The guy couldn't run a lemonade stand in the tropics. As retail shifted away from stores like Sears he thought he could bend the market to his idea of shopping. Was he ever wrong.

[@dootdoot1867]

Venture capitalists. Richard Gere in pretty woman. They buy them up, sit the boards, then hollow it out. When they separated land holdings from retail, it was a few years later and was further broken up and pieced off. Forced debt loads, dividend payouts stock buybacks, amd another multi generational creator of wealth is destroyed.

[@mobeydick37]

No, he just seen the writing on the wall and took full advantage of a failing company he was already heavily invested in. He loaned Sears Billions he will never recoup. The downfall of sears was not foreseeing what they already did well. Catalog sales and financing through credit cards. You have to remember Discover Card was wholly owned by Sears. Sears sold it off and two years later started their own CC business again although it was serviced by Citibank which means their cut was much smaller and it was too little too late! Sears was the equivalent of the modern day Amazon from 1980-2000. They just could not transform.

[@PaulEvans-z2y]

Dave, I'm 76 years young and I've been a Craftsman fan all my life. When I was a teen, my dad started buying Craftsman tools for me on every special occasion: birthday, Christmas, rewards for grades and perfect attendance, etc. I still have all of the tools he gave me, plus the Craftsman tools I bought for myself in adulthood. I've never had to exercise the original Sears warranty, but I knew I could if I needed to. Thanks for telling me how to pursue a broken tool replacement. As far as most recent purchases (you can never have too many tools) I've found Harbor Freight tools to be perfectly fine. I have every Bauer battery operated tool they sell, and have zero complaints about the tools or their lithium rechargeable batteries. I restore vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles and would love to take a run at a vintage farm tractor of any make or model. That's on my bucket list of "to-do" chores. Thanks for your great video on the decline of Craftsman & Sears. Signed, Yellow Rose of Texas

[@davekeller2798]

WELCOME TO THE CLUB !

[@davekeller2798]

The Harbor Freight tools are OK, if you don't use them every day. There is tool companies that make " professional tools " for everyday use.

[@bereabeard]

Harbor Freight hand tools are mostly ok, but I wouldn't count on them in a pro shop setting. Their power tools are pretty hit-or-miss...mostly miss.

[@PaulEvans-z2y]

@@bereabeard Agree about the pro shop setting. For that environment, SnapOn, Klein & Stanley tools would be a better choice. The Harbor Freight power tools are only OK, but for the price, and the occasional use, they aren't bad, not bad at all. Their little table saw and sliding compound miter saw are the "once in a while use" for around -the-home projects. They aren't well-suited to commercial volumes by any means. Still, a decent value for something you use only a few times a year or less often.

[@DellAnderson]

Harbor Freight appears to be developing various sub brand lines of tools of varying quality. Haven't completely decoded the system, if there is one, but I've been more impressed with the Quinn tools than Pittsburgh line for example. Priced accordingly of course. There was a time when I refused to touch anything electric sold by Harbor Freight (they seemed to burn out quickly years ago), but they seem to have upped their game their as well. A pole chain saw for example seems to keep on chugging, especially after replacing the chain with an Oregon replacement blades. Now if only Harbor Freight would acknowledge the existence of Covid & the benefits to everyone of Curbside Delivery. Nope. They most stubbornly refuse. I think it's part of their marketing plan to force you inside the store. Haven't bought an in-store tool there in 4 years (they do have online purchase, but usually not all products, and not until sometimes months after stocked on store shelves & no free shipping). Not sure of the motivations, but it might have something to do with China source of practically all their tools (like everyone else of course but more so)?

[@ImAlxxy]

Companies don't want "built to last" or "warranty" anymore. They want you to buy a new full priced product every few years... even many old soviet appliances still work almost as good as new... kinda crazy that somehow durability no longer is a desired quality in manufacturing

[@glenngunnis6642]

You forgot to mention that the Craftsman guarantee used to be no questions asked. You could bring the tool back in a shoebox and they would replace it as long as they could identify it as a Craftsman tool. That is why so many pros used Craftsman tools.

[@oldtwinsna8347]

What pro? Every pro I know back in the day only used Snap-on or Matco. You'd be shown the door if you appeared with a Craftsman set of tools as a new-hire as you'd likely end up damaging customer equipment or present hurting yourself.

[@glenngunnis6642]

@@oldtwinsna8347 I was a commercial/ Industrial electrician for 30 years in Charleston, SC. We used Craftsman tools, quite frequently. I knew nobody other than auto mechanics that used Snap-on tools. We used Craftsman screwdrivers and tape measures the most because the frequently got broken or worn out and could be replaced readily.

[@stybba09]

YES!

[@publicuser2534]

I have a Craftsman box with a hutch and it is built well. I have seen some of the new boxes that are put out with their name and they don’t feel as sturdy.

[@ProctorsGamble]

Used and abused them 😆

[@benx6264]

In the early 1970s when I was a kid I was "helping" my dad tear down an old shed. Underneath it he found an old rusty Craftsman pipe wrench. He told me , "son, watch this" We hopped in the car and went to the local Sears. He gave it to the tool guy and we walked out with a brand new pipe wrench. He swore by Craftsman.

[@PhysicalMediaMan1469]

I worked at a Sears at a dying mall here in Ohio. One of the biggest reasons craftsman failed was their warranty/exchange policy. People would go to an auction or yard sale and buy a bunch of old broken craftsman tools. Then they would bring them in and use the lifetime warranty exploit to leave with brand new tools. Every day sears was giving away craftsman tools. They tried to limit people, but in the end it still didn’t help.

[@blakepaints]

Tragedy of the commons

[@frankzeppelin]

@@blakepaints Tragedy of the commons is when the public exploits a shared resource until it's ruined. Making a false claim on a warranty is just fraud.

[@rdienes7903]

Was this the one at Great Lakes mall

[@billwieworka7250]

Understand the quality of the tool is more dependent on the retailer that ordered them, than the manufacturer. It is a matter of made to specification or made for price/profit point. Chinese tools we see are not the same in sold for Chinese Internal market as China Exports. Toolmaking is not somuch dependent on the machinists skill, but the machine and the raw materails all of which is determined by cost and availability. In addition there are production steps that determine "fit and finish" while sometimes only cosmetic contribute to consumers perceptions of quality. Many times manufacturers skip finishing steps to decrease costs. There has been also a change in public perception of tools (especially since the appearance of Harbor Freight and other low cost retailers). At one time tools were an investment for a lifetime, while the recent trend has been tools are more and more consumable and are replaced regularly because of either cost, quality or obsolescence. ( ie. Drill Bits sharpening). The bottom line in most cases consumers prefer cheap and disposable over high quality.

[@josephm6734]

What concerns me about Craftsman’s warranty is there are two kinds of warranties. The first is if the tools are of such high quality they rarely fail. Allowing them to be replaced for free while still making a profit for the company. The other is the tools are so cheap, and they’re making such high profit margins. They can easily replace the broken tools while still making plenty of profit. The latter is concerning when trying to find quality products because it’s so easy for a company to mislead people.

[@stainlesssteellemming3885]

And to a large degree, the latter is Harbor Freight's model

[@rodneyking4183]

It's the first one. I lost one of my wrenches and had to go buy a new one from Lowe's. It's the same. You can tell.

[@Danger_Danger_Wlil_Robinson]

Yea, like its coming out of her pocketbook...

[@UR_HR]

I live in New Zealand, 10 years ago all my tools got stolen, I replaced my mechanics set with a huge Craftsman set that I got shipped from the states, primarily on the back of they gave their tools a lifetime warranty (even though I know it would be too hard to make a warranty claim from NZ) but it said to me that they where quality. Still have the set, and nothing has failed.

[@bobstuart2638]

The motor in my Craftsman drill was made by Singer, around 1980. My favourite feature on Craftsman, which made them my preferred brand, was the push-button socket release. They got that from the employee suggestion program, and then stiffed the inventor.

[@farmalmta]

He had to sue Sears to get royalties from the invention they made an absolute fortune off of. They fought him tooth and nail all the way to the highest court that finally ruled against them.

[@autocad3227]

I still have my dad's single speed drill he probably bought around 1960

[@thebordernow]

​@@farmalmta Good for him! I always liked the ability to release the socket one-handedly.

[@davidlarkins119]

My father and my grandfather both had tool boxes full of craftsman tools. My grandfather actually had a tool shed. I grew up using those tools. You name it, they had it. When I turned 18 years old, my first credit card was a Sears card. My very first purchase was a complete mechanics tool set. It had everything one would need to wrench on whatever you needed to wrench on. My tool collection grew and grew over the years. I remember one time several years ago I purchased a craftsman drill press. My youngest son came into our garage as I was setting it up. He said “Dang Dad! Craftsman is taking over our garage!” I am 64 years old now and still have the majority of those tools! Minus the ones that I gave to my sons!! Now Craftsman has taken over their garages. Craftsman are not just tools, they are family tradition!!!

[@scottpugmire5449]

I stopped buying Craftsman hand tools when Sears started requiring a receipt when honoring their warranty. It was their no questions asked practice that drew my friends and I to Sears for tools.

[@texaswunderkind]

Because people were abusing the system. It was easy to go to flea markets and pick up boxes of broken tools to exchange for boxes of free new tools. Craftsman has sold billions of individual sockets, wrenches, etc. over the last century, and to warranty every single one with a free replacement wasn't even remotely possible. It was a multi-billion-dollar boat anchor around their neck.

[@garycornelisse9228]

​@texaswunderkind WHY is that a problem? Regardless of where the tools were purchased they were still under warranty.

[@donaldcharbonneau3801]

I used to do commercial HVAC work. Guys would buy Craftsman tin snips and swap them out when they’d get worn. Sears got wise and changed the name to Sears on the snips and stopped any returns for free.

[@dennislippert8875]

@@texaswunderkind My dad always said "Craftsman isn't necessarily the best, but they last the longest" - because of the warranty! He was an elevator mechanic... and if you drop a torpedo level 30 stories too many times, it's not accurate. He traded in dozens of them over the years... sometimes three at a time!

[@williamford9564]

@@garycornelisse9228 Because it is fraud. There are crime rings out there who as he said obtain old tools, turn them in for new ones and then sell them, often on Amazon or EBay.

[@NavyCWO]

The majority of my tools are (old) Craftsman. I have had most of them since the 1960s and 1970s. I once broke a socket; took it into a sears store; the salesman looked at it reached into a bin; handed me a replacement and said "thanks for buying Craftsman tools". When I croak, they'll go to my sons, whom I've taught to treasure and care for quality tools!

[@frankbaine3918]

Your geopolitical commentary was quite good & accurate. Great rundown on Craftsman. I always wondered.

[@davidsanderson3693]

Back in the day.... When a family would go to the mall, the wife would hit the clothing stores, the kids would visit the record stores, and Dad would go to the tool section of Sears for entertainment. Now Sears is gone, record stores are gone, and malls are dying. If they want to save the malls, they should attach a Lowes, Home Depot, or Harbor Freight to the building.

[@kevinmach730]

Nothing will save the malls. People will just go to that one store and no where else. I'm an 80s kid, I loved malls, but I'm not going near one at this point.

[@oscarwinner2034]

Just watched a video of the last Sears in the Northeast US. While the narrator was wandering - I kept thinking - go to the tool department! They still had one. It was the guy hangout while wives, girlfriends or parents were shopping the mall.

[@illbeyourmonster1959]

Why go buy overpriced stuff at a mall when I can get it for half the price and delivered to my home instead?

[@nickyeayea7257]

​@@illbeyourmonster1959 you are part of the problem, throw away cheap stuff mentality

[@illbeyourmonster1959]

@@nickyeayea7257 Empty strawman much? What do I buy and from where exactly? LIST IT FOR US ALL!!

[@jimcaufman2328]

Harbor Freight has raised their prices higher than Lowes or Home Depot. The problem with American workers started just after WW-2. When I started school back in 1951 the attitude was that if I did not get a college degree, I was a "failure". Most high schools do not have auto-shop classes today. No wood shop or metal shop and very few teach welding.

[@farmalmta]

It's starting to change, back though, Jim. Not only that, some schools have restarted strong coop programs where the young people go and work with tradesmen and craftsmen. Also some schools allow kids to design lesson plans around their particular interests and learn semi-independently. It's a very slow and halting process much impeded by entrenched thinking and interests, but it's slowly improving here and there.

[@sterlingodeaghaidh5086]

Going through school I saw this change happen in real time towards the opposite. I graduated in 2017, when I was in 4th grade they had charts showing high incomes and all them were STEM jobs and things needing degrees. This changed steadily to where by the time I was a senior and had my mind on Mortuary Science, the most prevalent talent people talking about career paths were trade jobs like electrical, plumbing, as well as some skilled degreed jobs like Engineering, software engineering, and more, however it was a lot more heavily emphasized on the trades as well as business/job management and entrepenuership and not degreed jobs. My school still has AG Tech, Mechanics, and Woodshop on the roster in high attendance.

[@GregSr]

Agree. I graduated high school in 1971. My high school offered all kinds of industrial arts classes. Over four years I took almost all of them. I took electronics 1 through 4, drafting, metal shop, auto shop 1 through 4. Regretfully, I didn't take any welding classes.

[@kevinmach730]

I don't understand what Harbor Freight has to do with the comment andeven still I mostly disagree. There are plenty of deals to be had at HF that are way better than Lowes or HD. No one is saying go buy the Icon tools there.

[@georgeallen4495]

I rarely visit HF because of their prices nowadays.

[@dwilcoxx]

I purchased my first craftsman tool set 44 years ago. For my 2 adult sons I purchased their first Craftsman tool sets about eight years ago. The mechanical quality of my sons sets is as good as the quality of my 44 year old set. The only difference is, there’s does not have the polished chrome like finish. About three years ago the large ratchet wrench in my set wore out. I took it to Lowe’s and did not have any problems with exchanging it at no cost. It’s too bad Sears went under. It was convenient to have their craftsman tool catalog, look through it for the tools I need. then go to my local seers store to pick it up off their shelf, if they did not have it in stock then place an order for it. Their lifetime guarantee is awesome.

[@renalshomlmes338]

0 chance they are the same quality. If they just sit in your garage, maybe. Use them hard and that new crap fails.

[@dadofstigandstu4552]

I moved cross-country and had to replace the table saw I left. Bought a 60s Craftsman for $40, spent an evening cleaning, tightening, aligning. That thing was a tank for years, as have been all my other old Craftsman tools. I eventually sold that table saw for $200 to a very happy buyer. Bless you, old Craftsman.

[@montycunningham5857]

Back in the 70's I was a pilot in the ANG. I flew out of Tulsa OK and lived in OKC. I drove an old 1962 VW that was cheap transportation. I always kept a few tools in the car as I never new when I might have a breakdown. One day after a mission I was going home and had a flat. Could not find the lug wrench in the car. I did, however, have a Craftsman socket that would fit the lug bolt and a Craftsman speed wrench and a pipe wrench. The speed wrench didn't offer enough leverage to break loose the lug bolts so I used the pipe wrench on the shaft of the speed wrench gave the extra leverage needed. In the process the shaft of the speed wrench was severely bent and it had deep claw marks on the shaft. The speed wrench was no longer usable but I did make it home. Sometime later I thought about seeing if Sears would warranty it. I had extreme doubts as it had obviously been abused. One day I took it to the Sears store in Tulsa, they didn't even bat an eye. Got a new one out of stock and traded it for my abused one. Sears and Craftsman made a very loyal customer. I still have and use Craftsman tools most of which are over 50 years old. I lament the passing of that quality and those days. I won't mention how old I am but I can still remember when an attempt was made to assassinate President Truman. Monty

[@H33t3Speaks]

Hi Monty, that puts you at about 80 or so?

[@teleguy5699]

ANG retired myself. Fulltime Technician on the KC-135 aircraft. Retired in 2013 after 30 years. Flew to OKC a few times for depot work and for the Will Roger's air show. Always had a good time. What airframe did you fly?

[@montycunningham5857]

@@teleguy5699 Got in the OKC Guard unit in 1964. They sent me to pilot training in 1965 Graduated in 1966. Came back to fly the C-97 until 1968 when we got the C-124. In 1971?? news came down that the Tulsa unit was to get the F-100. After begging got transferred into that unit. Up there we flew the T-33 for a little while until we got the F-100. Flew the F-100 from 1973 to 1978. Got the A-7 in 1978 and flew it until 1993. Retired in 1993.

[@teleguy5699]

@@montycunningham5857 Quite the list. Our unit used to have KC-97's and C-124's. The "old timers" used to talk about them. Cool that you upgraded to fighters and attack jets. Fun days eh?

[@bigrich6750]

Several things killed Craftsman. First, the Sears Catalog became obsolete. Then malls, where Sears were located became obsolete. Sears store hours were mall hours. They didn’t open until 10 am, whereas Home Depot and Lowe’s opened at 6 am. Where do you go in the morning if you need a tool for a job you’re doing? You don’t wait around until 10 am, and take a chance Sears might not have it. Then finally, Amazon became what Sears used to be with the Sears Catalog. When Amazon started selling tools, it was all over for Sears. Selling Craftsman to Lowe’s didn’t really help, as Craftsman didn’t keep innovating and building quality tools. They became a lower quality brand that still had to compete with all the other brands out there.

[@chrismiller9032]

It was a shame because with the extensive distribution network they could have Amazoned everyone, including a budding Amazon.

[@bassomatic1871]

@@chrismiller9032 Indeed. Sears had the market and the distribution centers in place at the birth of the internet and missed that boat completely.

[@michaelterrell]

The mall near me cut the tool area in half in the '90s to give the space to expand women's clothes. Many other departments lost space to them as well. Their electrical items all disappeared, as well. At one time you could pick up anything past the Service entrance cable to wire or repair a home. That was when I pretty much stopped shopping at Sears.

[@bigblueGiants]

@@chrismiller9032catalog being shut down didn’t kill Sears. They were losing millions of dollars a year on the catalog side. It had to be closed in the early 90s.

[@kevinholst9231]

Try warranting any of your very old craftsman tools near impossible to impossible. I was told that unless you bought the tools, I believe at Lowe's that your warranty no longer exists. A 46 year old socket that finally broke and they won't replace it?? Probably better off the quality of new tools equals that of the bad Taiwan tools.

[@sfperalta]

I grew up since the 1960s with Craftsman being the only tool in the house. My dad was a heavy equipment mechanic for a Caterpillar dealer and had big rolling tool boxes filled with only Craftsman tools, some of which were passed down to me and I still own today. I remember my dad sawing down a Craftsman crescent wrench handle to fit in a tight spot, then sometime later going to the local Sears and exchanging the mutilated tool for a new one! That's how good the warranty was. No questions asked. That policy made generations of families loyal to Craftsman and Sears. When Sears was bought out by speculators and then driven into the ground and sold for parts, that loyalty was utterly broken. I no longer consider Craftsman a particularly better brand than anything else sold at Lowes, Home Depot or Ace and will not go out of my way to buy anything with the Craftsman label. Sears really screwed the pooch on that one and mismanaged themselves out of millions of loyal customers.

[@moonmunster]

Sears was Amazon before the internet was invented. Sears really screwed up.

[@Schlachthof5]

My father worked only in auto repair all his life. He only bought Craftsman tools. I still have them. I was at Sears buying new stuff years ago when we had a local store and a guy brought in a beat up rusted file. The clerk took the old fusted file and gave the customer a brand new on without a word.

[@michaelarrowood4315]

Hey, I loved the Craftsman lifetime warranty and it's amazing how they honored it. And people really put Craftsman tools to the test... But don't you think your dad abused the system a little there? Not sure that's a story I would pass down to posterity...

[@sfperalta]

@@michaelarrowood4315 Abuse? No. That would be if the tool was altered for no purpose. It was out of necessity to perform his job. Dad passed away a long time ago (Sears somewhat more recently), so there's no issue with telling this. The story was to illustrate how committed Sears was to their awesome warranty and exchange program. Sears was willing to take the minor loss on the tool to engender customer happiness. And that's exactly what they did... at least until greedy venture capitalists destroyed the company.

[@travlnman55]

I also grew up in the '60s, I bought my first set of Craftsman tools for $69, it had 1/2", 3/8", and 1/4" rachets and sockets plus some combination wrenches and screwdrivers in a metal tool box. I've added many more Craftsman tools over the years, I now have 2 Craftsman rolling tool boxes full of Craftsman tools. That original set is in the tool compartment of my Peterbilt semi truck and has traveled over 5 million miles with me. Yes, I've added a lot to that original set to expand it, but very few tools were replacements. I have not bought any of the "new" Craftsman tools. I really don't need them, I have at least 2 or 3 of everything.

[@dw3897]

As a 16 YO in 1969 I worked at Sears and also purchased Craftsman tools (there was also a cheaper sears brand called champion). I still have those same tools to this day. One day I needed to remove the large 2 5/8" nut holding the rear drum on my '63 VW Beetle. Using a 3/4" breaker bar and 4' of gas pipe (nut torqued to 220 ftlb) I managed to break the square drive off the breaker bar. Returned it to Sear, free replacement, no questions asked. Using the new breaker bar I finally got the nut loose but put a slight bend in the new breaker bar. Still have the bent bar to this day, works but reminds me of those youthful days of wrenching on my first car. Planning to pass these tools on to my grandson when I'm gone.

[@jclake-b6n]

This was an interesting post. As a 72 year old handyman I have always used Craftsman tools. I just like the way they look and feel. I don’t think I have ever had to exchange a broken tool. When we downsized I gave away multi-generation tools such as a drill press, table saw, jointer, etc. I’m sure they were probably over 50 to 100 years old! I’m glad the brand is still available at Lowe’s. The geopolitical info was a good addition to the post!

[@langhamp8912]

My favorite mechanical tool is a 70 year old impact wrench which I lost. I was very surprised to see the same (or similar model) on Amazon. Yeah, it's made in China and all that, but it is absolutely brilliant quality. Curiously, even older people who have a lot of tools generally have never seen a mechanical impact wrench; it's the only tool I know of that can guarantee not torquing out of a Phillips head.

[@thebordernow]

​@@langhamp8912 Are you talking about one of those true "impact" wrenches that's big and fat like a big brat that you actually strike with a 4-lb hand sledgehammer to turn "on impact"?

[@JViello]

I've done contract work for Stanley B&D at the headquarters in New Britain, CT. Specifically I had the absolute pleasure of working in the R&D lab, and their "war room" where the exec's, lab guys and long toothed manufacturing guys meet and brainstorm etc. They have a virtual hardware store set up inside...probably double the size of a Lowes/Home Depot. It's eye opening to see what exactly they make. DeWalt, MAC Tools, Cresent, Milwaukee, Bostich...name it, it's there. Not saying they make ALL the things for those brands, but they make something for just about EVERYONE. I remember one of the higher ups telling me literally "We couldn't let a brand like Craftsman just die." That was the mindset of the execs. Are they better, the same etc? No. NOTHING is. BUT from what I've seen Stanley makes a good tool. What's sad is the American consumer has been brainwashed by China that things are supposed to be cheap and easily replaceable. I honestly rarely buy HF's "high end" tools. For the money they want for "ICON" or "Hercules" I can buy well established brand names. I always went to HF to buy decent enough stuff cheap. I never went there to buy a tool I plan to hand down to my boys.

[@DIYwithDave]

Wow, great comment. Stanley, Black & Decker is a huge company and most people don't realize what they actually make. I would love to see their headquarters; I'm sure it was incredible!

[@johnbrentford5513]

You're not willing to pay what it takes for it to all be made in America.

[@JViello]

​@@DIYwithDave Wow, thanks for the reply Dave! Yes, it was very very cool indeed. Being I was the owner of a motorsports design and manufacturing business back in the day and worked as the head of R&D for another major player...The head of the R&D lab at Stanley BD and I talked for hours. He had me all over their lab. 3D plastic, metal, single strand carbon fiber printers lined up with prototypes in all stages of design...what I found really cool was when he showed me one of the main purposes of the lab. Whenever a product has a high return or warranty rate with a common failure, it gets sent to them to find the problem and fix it. x-ray and sonic testing metal, making sure the alloy is what it was supposed to be, making off the cuff jigs to cause repetition of the common failure etc etc. When I said it was a virtual hardware store, it literally was. Isles just like HD with all the products on peg hooks, shelves etc. What was the most "whoa" moment for me was when I saw country flags above sections and realized I was looking at products developed just for the UK, Australia, Germany...Russia. It was really impressive. Then there was one lounge with a beautiful mahogany bar, leather sofas, a big ass brass world map humidors etc. It was the executive suite off the "war room" where the major deals where made and signed off on. I was like a kid in a candy store. I've got pictures, I wish I could share them here. I'm happy to shoot you some if you can message me somehow. Oh, and PS. The best part, was every time I was there, the "guys" were like "So whatcha need right now? Anything break recently?" Me: "Huh?" Then it hit me. They meant tools. "Whatever you want, just say it and it's yours." I was like "you serious?" "Yeah we're a tool company, you can't leave empty handed." I had thoughts of a new TIG welder in my head but managed to humbly say "Well, my rollout tape measuring wheel has seen better days" "You got it, just see me before you leave today." They gave me the most freaking Cadillac "walk along measuring wheel" I've ever seen. This thing HAD to cost $500. My mouth was open. I was like "No. Just no man...this is light years better than what I have." "Please, call it a tip for great service." So every time I go there, it's tradition. I DON'T take advantage of it, it's just not in me. Maybe that's why they still do it. Super cool people, working men, salt of the earth. For real. Even the executives. Anyhow, sorry for the book I figured you might enjoy the story and more info. Jay

[@Garth2011]

Stanley brand has been around for decades, almost a century or just over a century and they were known for quality tools. Stanley was a well known brand and had a good reputation. 20 or so years ago, that changed as big corp buyouts took place. I wouldn't say they are the same as they used to be in quality and reputation but there is a lot of junk out there Stanley excels over.

[@serafinacosta7118]

The irony of all is that Stanley owns MAC Tools.

[@willymccoy3427]

Back in the 80s, I cracked a Craftsman 7/16 socket trying to get a header bolt loose on an engine. I carried the socket to Sears and they just flat out refused to honor the lifetime warranty without giving a reason why. Things got a bit loud and heated and the guy I was arguing with went to call security as "I was making the customers nervous". I never bought another Craftsman tool.

[@delhenry9837]

Your experience is/was a result of very poor management, and that poor management was the result of the death of SEARS today by its CEO. I worked for SEARS part time, after retiring in 2007 at a central Florida store in the hardware department and I assisted customers as yourself with all replacement types of broken tools. Never a problem and great customer satisfaction most of the time.

[@forbesmathews89]

BLESS YOUR HEART !!! a real good move lost customer over a 10 dollar thing that your profit on might be 2 bucks !!!

[@Garuda1415]

I picked a Craftsman 4' level out of the trash down the street. Brought it to Sears and walked out with a replacement, no questions, no hassle. This was about 18 years ago.

[@yoyoodc]

I've not seen a better, more accessible presentation of outsourcing/friendsourcing/reshoring. Thanks for bringing the reality of tradeoffs to a watchable show.

[@DIYwithDave]

What a great compliment, thank you!

[@MM-ig2zq]

My son gave me a mechanics set for my birthday. So many memories as I opened it. It transported me back to my teen age years.

[@mrwi]

My toolbox is full of Craftsman tools my Dad put together when I went off to college. They were his tools and they’re of a very high quality. I really love using them. Watching this video, I initially thought the foreign policy review was a digression, but it’s not. Weighing the values of local manufacturing versus foreign trade, with the role holding companies play in that process - it’s incredibly relevant. What gets made and which corporate entities profit from that process - that’s a huge part of understanding how our economy works. Anyway, I hope you keep making videos that touch all these bases. Give us your voice and don’t shy away from that broader context.

[@pindapoy1596]

@mrwi I found the digression contained an excellent explanation of the economic and political situation of the state of our manufacturing and the hopes to reviving it. Of course tens of learned books have been written on the subject but this is a short introduction that covers all the important points in a well reasoned way.

[@metro143]

I can remember when I purchased a Sears Craftsman circular saw back in the late 1980's. The saw was not their top of the line model. I burnt it up one day replacing my roof. I took the saw back and Sears said the saw has been discontinued. Not only did they not give me my money back. They gave me the amount for the replacements model. I was so impressed with Sears, that I purchased their industrial model which was one of the best tools I have ever owned until it was stolen. From that point on I spent thousands of dollars at sears because of their warranties and quality products.

[@GregSr]

I gave up on Craftsman 10 years ago. I still have a large rollaway full of Craftsman tools. A long time ago I incorrectly thought a lifetime warranty meant high quality. So, since the 70's, I started building my tool collection with Craftsman. Whenever a tool would fail, I went to Sears to get a replacement under warranty. That process was easy. I give them my broken tool and I walk out with a new tool. No hassle, no paperwork, no debate. But, the tools were failing too often and a Sears store was 20 miles away. Screwdrivers (flat blade and Philips) were my biggest gripe. The flat blades would chip off and the Philips would round off. I reached a point of frustration and literally grabbed all of my Craftsman screwdrivers and threw them in the trash. Then I went online and researched who makes the best screwdrivers. So, I stocked my tool box with those German screwdrivers and never looked back.

[@Thisismetman]

Very good point!

[@aday1637]

Achtung!!!!

[@mrmott44]

Knipix

[@roygardner2374]

Doing warranty work at a Ford dealership in the 1970's, I bought a miscellaneous #2 Phillips screwdriver and quickly wore it out. I then bought a Snap-on and never wore it out. I still have it.

[@rogerdodrill4733]

A true patriot probly drive bmw as well remember ww2& hitler?

[@brianmcintyre7404]

I cracked a 40 year old Craftsman 9/16” 3/8 socket. I called Craftsman customer service and a replacement arrived within a week. Not like walking into a store and getting a replacement on the spot, but it worked for me.

[@donaldross1077]

Retired GM mechanic, 68 years old. I remember taking some of my father's old broken Craftsman tools to the local Sears store to get replaced. They would look at me and tell me they had never seen tools that old. Dad was 94 when he passed away 7 years ago. I started 'turning wrenches' over 50 years ago. Started out in Vo-tech School with $150 of Craftsman tools. My first credit card was a Sears card. This allowed me to buy tools I needed. Back in the 70's 80's 90's this was the only local tool source. As the Tool venders started driving around to the shops, it was convenient, but expensive! Snap-on Mac, Cornwell, along with handful of independents filled in the gap. I learned buying cheap tools did not sense, if they did not do the job or break, they are a bad investment! I would like to tell you I have not bought a Craftsman tool in many years, but I purchased a Craftsman Hedge trimmer. Right out of the box it would not even turn on. I returned it and bought a Stihl Hedge trimmer for the same price. Habor freight has become my go to place.

[@autocad3227]

Back and Sears was still making stuff here I bought a weed eater, and a leaf blower and here they are 20 years later still working fine. I think I handle broke on one and I fixed it. They had quality back then.

[@rogerdodrill4733]

U sell out

[@3644Darrell]

You didn't buy anything made by Stihl at Harbor Freight

[@thebordernow]

​@@3644Darrell I don't think he was making that connection, but just saying that HF is his go-to place for tools now that Sears is gone.

[@giovannisocci8793]

I don t turn wrenches for a living,if I did,I wouldn t buy Craftsman,I know enough that Craftsman did not use the hardest or top quality metal to make wrenches,but they are fine for the once a week use type,Craftsman is not a professional grade brand,Snap on is.

[@sdmwoodworking]

Nice video - and a Bastiat quote to boot! Can hardly beat that. I was in the woodworking business for many years and used an always-reliable Craftsman table saw that my father bought in 1960. I upgraded the fence and miter gage and replaced the motor, but it served me well. It's great to have learned a bit about the company's troubles.

[@goodcopbadcop9872]

Bought a Craftsman mechanic's set in the 80's. In the early 90's the torque wrench gave out and I went to Sears for replacement. They would not honor the lifetime warranty. Parts manager said they no longer have lifetime warranties on torque wrenches and now they are only one year, so I was out of luck. I said that was fine, the new one you give me will only be warranted for a year, but that this one had a lifetime warranty when I bought it and it actually has "LIFETIME WARRANTY" stamped on the handle. He still would not give me a replacement. Turns out it was companywide policy. That was the last time I ever bought anything at Sears.

[@VH-do3ys]

Similar experience and I had the same response.

[@hudldevice1092]

And they wonder why the company went/is going down the pan...

[@jimwiskus8862]

Great video Dave. I was encouraged when I heard they were reshoring Craftsman tools. That enthusiasm faded when I heard automated. SB&D wants it both ways. It costs money to make money. If they want us to buy Craftsman tools, then give us a reason. To be honest, when all the Sears stores started to fold, I got online and bought all the missing US-made Craftsman tools I could find. I went for new or like new first. That was SAE or metric. Their table saws were made by Emerson as were the radial arm saws. I have one of each that I picked up locally. I got on eBay and picked up manuals and any missing guards and or parts from each saw. They’re like new now. Thanks again, Dave!

[@DIYwithDave]

That was really smart of you. Those tools should last forever.

[@P46345]

Back in 1986 during my senior year in high school my dad and 3 uncles had a Craftsman torque wrench that they all "shared". My dad and I were working on a 1968 VW Beetle, my dad opted to use the torque wrench as a breaker bar and broke the 1/2" drive square. After lots of cursing and another beer I asked my dad why don't we just go over to Sears and get another one? So I got all the parts went over to Sears and they gave me a replacement. My dad was ecstatic. Fast forward to the early 90's and I had my Craftsman 3/8" drive torque wrench that stopped working on me, Sears then told me that it only had a 90 day warranty. ;-) I'll let you know haw Harbor Freight handles this if one of theirs ever goes out on me.

[@Nthusiast58]

Had the same problem. I had a Craftsman torque wrench that broke. I took it to Sears and was told that the "Lifetime warranty" only covered tools without moving parts.

[@DIYwithDave]

The warranty was one of their critical selling points, and if the tools are quality, then it isn't generally a problem, but once you start using inferior materials and construction, then you are going to naturally have more warranty claims. That could put a company out of business, which is probably why they stopped honoring it. Thanks for sharing!

[@DIYwithDave]

Interesting. It leaves a bad taste in the mouth, doesn't it.

[@joewoodchuck3824]

What many people don't recognize is that off brand tools have become much higher quality in preceding decades due largely to improved metallurgy. They're no longer junk for the most part. The need to buy premium priced tools has diminished for a lot of people.

[@Nosurrender0]

It’s hit or miss with torque wrench…. On box when sold it was lifetime warranty ….. Now it’s 90 days… Not everyone knows and that’s why some will replace it some won’t ….

[@CoryPiston]

Thanks for your well thought out video , pretty sure your 100% correct on everything . Just out of high school in 2006 I would go to my local sears and shop for craftsman tools it’s a complete shame I could afford to have purchased more in those days , I seriously miss the days you could go to a normal store and buy quality American made tools for a reasonable price . I went a shopping spree for a few years with snap on and the cost is so great I definitely burned myself out and I kinda decided to just never even step foot in a tool truck again , because of the suicidal costs , meaning skipping essential items for a wrench …. These days I still buy tools on occasion and currently enjoy , Milwaukee, dewalt , craftsman , and I will go to Harbor Freight the Icon line hand tools are high quality for sure . There is no reason import tools can’t be made very well or even superior to American made . I have definitely noticed that imported tools are much improved over the years in comparison to say the “ Cummins tool sales “ I barely remember going to one or two as a child but that was a cheap tool sale . What I can tell you for sure is it’s always heartwarming to pick up vintage tools , America made Craftsman or other brands . When I spend long days in the shop I often gaze at the USA stamping in many of my vintage tools and just wonder why I can’t really have those days back again ….. it’s depressing but you know even Rome fell . Yea we have snap on but really 200$ for a 3/8 ratchet …. Forget it I like to eat food too .

[@jimjackson4256]

You could put kenmore in this program.Their refrigerators,sewing machines, washing machines etc were all top notch too.

[@usx06240]

Whirlpool re-badged. They lasted.

[@Robert-bg2nm]

My mom brought nothing but kenmore........how times have changed.

[@lemmdus2119]

Growing up my parent’s entire kitchen was Kenmore appliances.

[@charlescourtney4412]

I have a 30 year old Kenmore microwave that just keeps chugging along with daily use. It has outlasted several newer and fancier models.

[@travlnman55]

Sears had it all! Craftsman tools, Kenmore appliances, Die Hard batteries, these were America's go to brands! They had a selection of catalogs that you could order just about anything you might need. Their failure was in not recognizing the internet as a way to broaden their sales. Had they done so, they could be where Amazon is today.

[@kurt6840]

I worked for Sears in the 1980's and I told our store manager that Sear's corporate office was sucking the money out of the company and that some day the company would be going bye bye.

[@kentschrader3900]

Company execs rarely listen to underlings who don't "know" everything they do. They should, because we have the best information on customer trends. By the time they get to the corporate office, they've long before lost contact with customers. Those of us on the front lines are best equipped to know customer likes, dislikes, attitudes toward our company and products, and behavior patterns.

[@joecies]

​@kentschrader3900 I think it's more like the execs dont care. They bleed the company out and move to beachfront mansions in Florida. They're vampires.

[@mred7375]

57 year old man here. I have a ton of Craftsman tools and I inherited a bunch from my dad. A lifetime warranty was the selling point. Just take them back to Sears where you bought them if they broke and they rarely did and get a new one.

[@Mark-me8uj]

I miss the "old" Sears/Craftsman. I bought my first car when I was 16. Being mostly broke, it also meant I'd need to do almost all of the work on it myself. That Christmas in 1983, my dad blew me away by taking me out to the garage to see a rolling Craftsman tool chest with top box -- already filled with all of the basic necessities. I was blown away and still have the box and tools. I think that out of those original 1983 tools, I only had to warranty swap two out. Walk into Sears. Go to tool section. Hand cashier my old tool and walk out with the new one. I purchased a Craftsman portable set in 2010 to keep in my new truck. Out of that set, I've already had to replace a half-dozen. Mostly failed ratchets with janky internals. Harbor Frieght quality has improved so much over the years I now just get most of my stuff from there.

[@branchandfoundry560]

I'm 48. Used to be a right of passage--my dad took me to Sears and bought my first mechanics tool set when I turned 16 to work on my '63 Chevy pickup truck. Replacing a broken tool was painless, as you described. Fast forward to today, I have a broken Craftsman screwdriver and 3/8 drive ratchet. I tried to get both replaced though online "help" with no success. That ended their legacy for me. I now buy HF mechanic tools with lifetime warranty because they honor replacement in any store across the nation with no questions or hassle, like Craftsman used to. I very rarely break a tool. But when I do, I have to be loyal to whomever keeps me in business with hassle-free, same-day service. Simple as that.

[@dlewis9760]

I understand that H/F isn't as lenient as they used to be on some stuff concerning returns. H/F has upped their game over the years in quality. But even when it was bottom of the barrel it was fine, because the price was fair for what you got. You never felt you were being taken for a ride. H/F and their Daytona line of jacks is almost the industry standard these days. I swear every other independent shop has at least one yellow Daytona.

[@branchandfoundry560]

@@dlewis9760 Yep, I have their grey 3 ton rapid pump floor jack (before Daytona line existed). Works great!

[@singleproppilot]

Harbor Freight’s Icon line of tools is quality like old Craftsman, but at nearly Snap-On prices.

[@branchandfoundry560]

@@singleproppilot True. I don't turn wrenches everyday, so PittPro works fine for me. Haven't had a problem with them yet.

[@tonyl1483]

Craftsman always had a “no questions asked” replacement policy which saved a ton of time for mechanics & diy’ers! 11:10

[@hochhaul]

@rigel2112 Which was stupid and terrible warranty policy. Let Harbor Freight offer it, not a brand that was employing thousands of Americans and sold quality tools. Every dirtbag weasel will abuse that kind of warranty and cost a company millions every year.

[@garyquesada7778]

About 1980 I bought a Camaro (70' RS) and started upgrading things so I could race it. Many of my friends were doing the same thing. We needed good tools to do this and Sears was just the place to go to get the best stuff at the best price. In our neighborhood we all knew to go see Jerry. He knew everybody and everybody knew him. He would get you anything or replace anything with a smile and was always happy to see us and greet us with a handshake. They seemed to have a tool for everything and quality was very high. In 1996 the racing got out of control so I got a shop, went to Sears and bought a hose, push broom, and dust pan. About 2010 the end wore out on the hose and Jerry told me to bring it in. I put it in a trash bag and handed it to Jerry who handed me a brand new hose, even after over ten years. Soon after he retired, left the state and the sears shut down. I miss those days since now Snap-On wants $50.00 for one 10MM wrench! But in a pinch I bought a couple Kobalt wrenches, and they were so bad I threw them away. Luckily I have twice the tools I will ever need at this point. I also still have the push broom and the dustpan!

[@salazam]

Dang. Who knew the entire fate of Sears was resting on Jerry's shoulders!

[@krijskovacic4938]

I had quite of bit of entertainment and education by reading the comments. Thanks Dave! You stimulated a lot of us.

[@DIYwithDave]

Glad you found it interesting!

[@morganamatista8744]

In 1976 I got Craftsman tool chest for my 16th birthday. I painted all of my tools yellow so they didn't get mixed up with my Dad's. I still have most of them today1

[@ronlambert4701]

I have Craftsman tools from my father, father in law and great uncle. Lowes would not replace my older ratchets. I'm 60 and have only bought Craftsman tools up till Lowes refused to to replace my hand tools purchased from sears. I have plenty of replacement hand tools of my own, but when it was time to go with a new family of power tools because of my aging C9 family of Craftsman tools, I made the difficult decision of going with HF Bauers Brushless line. Also I recently purchased US General tool chests and carts over Craftsman. The quality of Craftsman just isn't there any more.

[@boblab]

Lowes doesn't like to replace anything even their own line.

[@forbesmathews89]

Lowes will not warrant anything they sell without HASSLL !!!

[@johnharris3362]

First time I saw a craftsman wrench with Japan stamped on it I knew we were screwed.

[@robwasnj]

It must vary from state to state or Lowes location, I had zero issues getting a few old broken ratchets replaced at a Lowes in NJ. As for the Craftsment tool chests, they are junk. The US General is way better as is even Kobalt or the Home Depot Husky versions.

[@skykaptain007]

Your coverage of geopolitics is very refreshing to see. You admit the good/bad but also state how it hurts or helps everyone had the worse case of it all.

[@TheeGlocktopus]

Except for the elephant in the room where no one acknowledges American mfg labor is too expensive to make a profit. American workers want to be paid as much as humanly possible for as little work as possible while the American consumer really only cares about the lowest price possible. There are also no labor union karens in mexico.

[@erickinda1837]

@@TheeGlocktopus Mexican here. We do have labor union Karens here in Mexico, it's even mandatory by law that every single company must allow their workers to be unionized. I think the issue with American workers wanting to be paid more it's not coming out of greed, but out of necessity, everything is so stupidly expensive in the US, that you NEED to have a good wage just to have a somewhat decent life. Whereas here in Mexico, by comparison everything is much cheaper, but salaries are also way lower. Working class Mexicans and Americans are in the exact same situation, we just don't make enough money to afford life in our respective economies. But to the big corporations? It's just a matter of cost: I produce in pesos and sell in dollars

[@joelwarthen1135]

@@erickinda1837 The standard of living is also lower in Mexico, much lower.

[@TheeGlocktopus]

@@erickinda1837 88% of Mexican laborers are non-union. And Mexican "unions" are more like "collectives" by law. The point of joining a union in Mexico is to be treated the same as everyone else in that collective. It's called a "Collective Person". This is mostly for protection and job security as one offense against the union is considered an offense against everyone. American unions are oligopolies, there for "collective bargaining" - somewhat similar to power of attorney, however there is no federal law which provides equal protections as a "Collective Persons" agreement. This would actually be more akin to "Incorporating" in the US (Creating a separate single legal entity) This also explains why the average wage for a Mexican union worker is 1/8th of what a comparable US labor union worker makes. There's not a single place in Mexico where you're forced to hire union labor like you are in the US.

[@justinsayin3979]

@@joelwarthen1135 Your comment is problematic for its racist undertones.

[@Standbackforscience]

Came for the woodworking tools, stayed for the levelheaded and rational geopolitical analysis.

[@mikeyfourever]

I had a craftsman rolling tool chest that I purchased in the early 90’s. I bought a new craftsman mid chest a few years ago from Lowe’s to add to it and sad to say that the drawers don’t slide anywhere near as smoothly as my 30 year old ones. The sheet metal is noticeably thinner as well. I grew up on Craftsman tools but now try to avoid them. You’re correct that you can depending on the line, Icon etc., purchase better tools for the same or less at Harbor Freight with in store warranty.

[@DIYwithDave]

Thanks for sharing

[@v8packard]

Sears didn't just decide to outsource the manufacture of tools overseas. They were cut off by the American companies that made the tools because Sears wasn't paying. Danaher was making tons of tools. Sears was behind paying them, the tooling used to make things needed updating/replacement, and the situation was getting worse. Danaher put Sears on notice, so Sears went to China for many of the tools Danaher made. In the next few years Sears did the same to Wilde, Western Forge, and other suppliers.

[@forbesmathews89]

Sears screwed anybody that made anything for them.

[@Smalltownsteading]

I have always bought Craftsman tools going back to the 80’s. Yes, the quality of the tools has gone down. I still use my old 25 year old Craftsman tools that are perfectly good. Now, if I need tools, I usually buy from Harbor Freight. The quality is just ok, but for occasional use the price is right.

[@DIYwithDave]

Thanks for sharing!

[@monkeyking-self-proclaimed7050]

I bought a new toolbox and stored all my dad's old Craftsman tools away. Paid $50 for a set of 200 pieces from a guy who was desperate for money. It was valued over $300. Still, I bought a few sets from Harbor Freight and I feel good about using them. Never broke any of it so far and I have had them for 5 years. I have replaced a few tools that had bad pieces. Instead of replacing the piece, they gave me the whole set.

[@kimbishop4734]

I was a craftsman guy from way back in the 60's. For my money, they are no better or worse than any other decent tool today. I now do most of my tool buying from Harbor Freight for the very reasons you mentioned. They have stepped up their quality and they have a great, trouble free, guarantee.

[@dspserpico]

Clicked here to for the story of Craftsman as I was wondering how the brand and warranty is surviving post-Sears. Not expecting: - Geopolitical takes. - A defense of global trade. - An explanation of how outsourcing doesn’t automatically mean bad quality. - How it isn’t easy to just “bring back manufacturing jobs to America.” You just earned a subscribe.

[@wwdaugherty]

Me too !

[@AnonymousGameWarden]

I came to hear about craftsman, left a communist

[@kenspencer597]

I just found the geopolitical takes so illuminating and so unexpected! Bravo!

[@herbalnedtv]

@@AnonymousGameWarden Lol!

[@bret_Lambky]

I have a garage full of Craftsman brand tools! Since early 80’s I have bought Craftsman tools! I have seen a decline in the quality and craftsmanship. It’s a shame that they have let this happen! My table saw, chop saw, skill saw, rollaway, compressor…. Plus hand tools galore!! all have the Craftsman logo on them! It breaks my heart to see the demise of this brand!

[@johnharris3362]

Same with Husky, Blackhawk, SK and the list goes on good quality USA tools that either disappeared or has been cheapened up and manufactured out of the country.

[@HonoraryBoomer]

Craftsman has once again become the title sponsor for the NASCAR truck series and I am glad to see them back in the sport.

[@amaleshk]

Thank you Dave for the great mini documentary. Really good research and delivery. I am a woodworking professional and bought a Craftsman set at Lowe's and a small variable angle ratchet. The price was good, not the cheapest, but the quality of especially the ratchets was amazing, as a matter of fact that variable angle ratchet is one of my favorite hand tools. The storage case absolutely sucks though, really hard to get anything out of there. My experience with Harbor freight is just like the Chinese stuff from Amazon, completely hit and miss. Sometimes you luck out and get a high quality bargain, but for me 2 out of 3 times a disappointment.