Share your thought on today'* Craftsman tools. In the 1970s/1980s, Craftsman tools were USA made, high quality, and easy to purchase.

Today most Craftsman tools are made in China. Has the quality changed? share your thoughts.

I've broken way too many Craftsman ratchets. Yet, I've only broken one Kobalt ratchet.

Last trip to Sears to get said 2 ratchets(1/4" and 3/8") fixed took 45 minutes on a weekday. Why couldn't they have just given me brand new ones off the shelf instead of giving me a rebuilt one? Cheap bastids. When I broke my Kobalt, I walked in, no receipt, little bit of chit chat with the Returns chick(hot BTW), and I had a brand new one in 10 minutes. Not some rebuilt thing.

Kobalt has greatly improved their ratchets. They used to be absolute junk. I don't mind Craftsman for hand tools with no moving parts, but I pretty much stick to Kobalt hand tools now. I got great deals on some when I worked for Lowe'* and have had good experiences with all of the ones I own. Also I still get military discount, Sears doesn't do that

I still have one or two of the older Sears Ratchets etc (which were strong and US made) but with Sears closing many stores here in Canada, I have years ago had to switch to the Maximum line at Canadian Tire here. If I went to Sears now I doubt it would be easy to get any tools replaced, whereas at Can Tire it is no problem and the selection is superior.
This new type extendable 15" 3/8 ratchet (Can Tire) is strong and my favorite for hand work. Mastercraft Maximum Drive Extendable Ratchet, 3/8-in | Canadian Tire

I decided that each vehicle needs to have it'* own separate tool/socket sets kept inside and carry them with me! A separate kit with hammer to stubby wrenches, bit drivers etc, and tire repair plug kit with glue and compressor is also in there.

My specialty and large tools are at home and none of them are Sears anymore.

i used to buy only sears tools and mine have a ton of abuse using pipes and such. and the only thing i ever had to return was the one 3/8ths driver because i was using it on the 88 cutlass i had and in order to get the torx bit i had to work i had to use a bar. they gave me a new one in a couple minutes no problem. sears has good sales this time of year but most of the rest of time not so much. i have gotten some sets from home depot and they seem as good so far i havent broken any. as long as you dont get anything there in the "value packs" which seem like harbor freight tools

A new issue might need to be discussed on Craftsman tools. I think we all agree, the quality of Craftsman hand tools has declined.

Craftsman is owned by a Corporation called Sears holdings, which is controlled by a hedge fund player called Eddie Lampert. Sears Holdings has been losing millions of dollars every year for years. At some point, Eddie is likely going to shut Sears down (bankrupt) and sell off the land assets . He recently did this is Canada. He is able to this this (like a true New York city banker) in a way that he can keep the profit from the land, but still bankrupt Sears.

So if Sears goes bankrupt- the Craftsman hand tool warranty goes away. Should Craftsman hand tools be avoided with the likelihood the warranty may not be around down the road?

Well said Michael.
I can tell you from experience that if I was to walk into a Sears that does remain open, that their tool selection is now minimal with little inventory now here in Canada.
They closed all of the Automotive stores many years ago as well.
You are lucky to still have the auto stores still available in the USA!
I use to be able to get tires and batteries ..not anymore!
Sears Die Hard Platinum battery is made by Enersys and is a AGM Same as an Odyssey.
My PC-1500 DT Odyssey cost $350 tax in and I sure would have like to buy the Sears one at $206 !
DieHard Platinum Battery : Deals on Quick Ignition Battery at Sears
I am not sure if they have been closing stores for the real estate in USA but here they just closed the main store downtown.....$$
Maybe they just hope for catalogue sales..ya good luck!

i think the reason they are loosing money is everyone deal shops on the internet, before either buying in the store or online, and sears is always way high for everything i have looked at. the things i have bought have been at christmas time when they have deals but the rest of the time i go else were

I can tell ya from first hand experience the reason why Sears Holdings Corp is losing money. The company is managed and ran extremely poorly (put in terms that won't be censored). Almost 3 years total that I worked for them, it was aggravating seeing all the stupid crap that could have been avoided.

i wish they were better, i have a old table saw and a snowblower and some other things, they have parts lookups and all that, and you gets the parts fairly quickly, try that with the other places