I haven't bought a craftsman tool in a couple of years. After a couple of "high end" ratchets bit the dusk, and one broken pair of needle nose, I gave up. As much as people complain about the big box store stuff, I started buying husky tools from Home depot. Haven't bought anything in a while, but the last ratchet I bought there still works like a champ and my phillips head screw drivers still have sharp edges.... I know I could take the broken Sears stuff back, but I'd rather not waste the time and just get something decent to start with. Maybe I'll take another look over the holidays...

Just thought of something---do you suppose just the stickers were made in the US of A?
Awww, no, that would be sneaky------wouldn't it?!

If you bought those Husky tools over 5 or so years ago you bought Craftsman without knowing it. I remember when HD started carrying Husky tools they would allow you to return your broken Craftsman to HD for exchange for Husky. Now, unfortunately, Husky is no longer Craftsman, but a foriegn brand that is no where near the quality that Craftsman is. I had a set of their ratchets (1/4, 3/8 and 1/2" drive) that I bought because they looked exactly like Mac ratchets. They are the worst ratchets I have owned, every now and then they would lock up and you had to bang the head on the concrete to unstick it. Needless to say I tossed all three of the ratchets and went back to craftsman. Just my opinion.

That's interesting. I don't remember exactly how long ago I bought the husky tools, but I think it was within three years or so. The failure mode you describe is EXACTLY how my Craftsman ratchets failed and EXACTLY what I did to get them to work. I'm in Atlanta (the home of Home Depot), I've noticed that the local stores get new stuff and different items than you would not find elsewhere (I think a lot of the Atlanta stores are "test" markets). Anyway, next time I'm in the Big Organge or Sears, I plan on taking a gander at their stuff.

I had good luck with blackhawk, I also have a 1/4" Pronto or something like that ratchet thats 39 years old and still and has the finest ratcheting action I have found.

I also have my orginal set of S & K socket set I brought 45 years ago. I also still have hardware brand called Globemaster wrenches which were about 3.99 set. I have only broken one open end ear off when I used a cheater bar on to break a 9/16" mount bolt mount on alt bracket about 30 years ago. I don't blame the cheap wrench, it was me using it wrong.

Rarely buy tools new now, I get them at flea markets or garage sales. IMO why pay full price, let somebody else bare that and get them for 60% to 80% off when they think they don't need them any more.

Craftsman hand tools are OK, power tools are another thing.

Walt Conner

Yes, Walt, you are correct on that score!
I have 2 Craftsman auto body type hand held disc grinders, and on both, the switches have fallen apart! When i tried to buy new switches, all i got was a fishy eyed stare, and was admonished to buy a new tool! but, i don't think they have them in stock any more. Also, i had one of their better electric drill motors, and when the wire broke out of it, i took it to the Craftsman/ Sears repair store to have a new wire installed. By the time they would have installed the new wire, i'd have paid more for it, than a whole new drill would have cost!
Their hand tools were always very good, as i used them for years in the automotive trade, and still have a bunch of the older ones that i use to this day. I have a really old 1/2-9/16 box wrench, Craftsman name, and a Snap-on of the same configuration. The Snap-on slips, the Craftsman is still tight on the bolt/nut.
I really think, in their zeal to hire cheaper help, they have cheapened their tool lines to some extent. Witness the myriad of hand tools on the racks and shelves! Things that have a single use, and that you might only be able to use it once, and the rest of its life would be spent in some drawer.
Yes--cheapened tools have one use--shows folks that they'd better find another brand, or buy their tools at the flea market, or garage sale, where some old mechanic is selling out his good, old, tools!
One day, some years ago, i found a Craftsman band saw waiting for the garbage man, so i took it home! Found the bearing holder for the upper wheel was broken. A friend, who was a wizard with machine tools, made the new holder for me, and it now works great!
I supplement my meager income by fixing the things other folks toss out, and do well with that. There's most always something that only needs a bit of clean up, or small repair, to fix it.
Rusty J.

Stated slightly differently, avoid it if it plugs in.

Some time back--around 30 years or so--maybe lots more--- somebody told me, the reason the older tools lasted so long, was they always got washed off in the bucket of gasoline that most every shop had setting under the work-bench!
I know that fer a fact--about the gas bucket! The Ford dealer shop, where i got my start in the mechanics trade, had a bucket under every work-bench! And, one would blaze up every week, from grinder sparks! The work benches were steel, so no problem---just lay a creeper over it and it would go out! Usually! We never burnt the place out--no--the state did that, when they built the I-state feeder road right thru the property!

I have never had a problem with Sears power tools.I really like there C3 19.2volt power tools especially.You can buy the batteries for $30.00 and I have never had one fail to hold a charge.You can buy the tool and battery for less then Dewalt wants just for the battery alone.We also have a 1/2'' drive electric impact that is over 30 years old and was used heavily in it early days.

So the if it has to be ''plugged in it is junk'' does not apply in my case.Now if it has to have gas added you are correct.

Sorry but the Craftsman power tool quality now compared to 50 years ago has gone to pot. I have a 9V Makita cordless drill that will turn my newer Craftsman 12v cordless drill inside out and hold a charge twice as long. Sanders are pathetic as are routers and most other power hand tools as well as drill presses, saws, etc.

Walt Conner

Walt just curious what you paid for the Makita and then what you paid for the 12 volt Craftsman?Try out a 19.2 Craftsman it will give the Makita a run for the money.

Well a 19.5 V should give a 9 V a run for the money.

The Makita was a gift that ran around $75. I gave $69 for the Craftsman on "special sale". I like the ergonomics of the Craftsman, the feel, but it does not compare in quality with the Makita. Both are variable speed with 2 speed gear selection plus the Makita came with an automatic shut off charger, the Craftsman you have to remember to shut it off and there is no way to tell when it is actually fully charged and over charging kills batteries.

As a side note, my first real job after getting out of Service was across the street from a large Sears store. I spent a lot of my noon hours browsing the Sears Tool Dept. and was more versed in Craftsman Tools than most of the clerks there. That was 1956 thru 1966. I still have the table saw I bought new there for about $65, you bought the motor separate according to your desires, I think it was another $30 - $35 and two cast iron side extensions some more.

Walt Conner

Sorry to belabor the point but the old Craftsman table saw I mentioned, I never check the fence parallel when I move it which is not good practice but it is always dead on. For several recent years Craftsman table saws were pure trash.
Now in the last 5 years or so they have been improving again and even offer some Name brand fences unfortunately practically all, if not all, Craftsman saws, drill presses, routers, etc. are made in China now as well as your 19.5 V drill and my 12.5 V drill. I would much rather have my 50+ year old made in the good old USA table saw and 40 year old Skill drill than a new one.

All my major power tools are made in the USA except the thickness planner.

Walt Conner

I got a lot of the Craftsman Rachets and handtools also. Mine are my dads that were bought in the 1960-70s and I havent found new rachets that work as well as these do. Yes the power tools were a little less successful. Even Makita though (I have a hammerdrill from 2000) seem kind of cheap compared to the old 1/2 inch Black and Decker that probably dates back to the 70's.

I've got a Black and Decker pad sander that cost $42 in 1955, imagine what that would be in today's dollars, and it still works good.

Walt Conner

Walt I did not even realise my 19.2 Craftsman set was made in China.I checked and you are correct.If I had known that I probably would not have taken the chance with it?But I am still glad I have it.I have the 1/2'' drill and 3/8 right angle drill set that came with a charger and two batteries in a blow molded case.I gave $100.00 for that set.I also have a 3/8 drill that came with a charger and battery and canvas case.I gave $30.00 for it.I also have the Sawsall another 1/2 drill and a flourecent light I picked up used at a auction for $12.00 and that drill looks like it was draged behind a truck well used.

All of my other drills and a handheld 18 volt shop vac are Dewalt and YES made in China.I do have a Dewalt 9.2 volt that is older probably 15 years old I have not checked where it was made?If it was not snowing and cold I would go out and look.My problem with Dewalt is there batteries are to expensive.

Craftsman hand tools seem to still be about the same quality as always.Except there ratchets I have some from the 70's and recent.I keep the old ones for the shop and gaurd them closley.The newer ones are used mobily just incase there lost.There not the same however still have a lifetime warranty.I have a old S-K ratchet set that is my favorite however.

I use alot of Air tools and not so much electric.I recently had to replace my 1/2'' drive impact.I went with a Kobalt from Lowes im sure it came from China not sure?But it is the best I have ever had.

Put a drop of oil inside the rachet and you won't have to bang it on the floor to get it unstuck. Metal things tend to rust so a little lube really helps. I have a pair of 1/2 and 3/8 Craftsman rachets over 25 years old and still my favorite rachets. They have the nice thumb button to hold the socket on until you are ready to have it come off.

Bunnyman, A drop of oil wouldn't help those Husky ratchets. It's a poor design that just doesn't work properly. These never worked right from new.

I have broken several of the new fancy polished ratchets and all my old sear fine tooth stuff is still great. The new sears screwdrivers last about three uses and are worn junk... great for a homeowner that uses them every few months, not so good for a guy that uses tools every day like I do.