End of the KOBALT Brand

[aczlan]

I've been using Craftsman tools for all my life, and as far as I know all Chinese. I will say though that the actual quality of a lot of the stuff seemed to get progressively worse over the years. For example, we had a large breaker bar from them, we ended up losing it somehow (loaned it out and the guy never returned it) and it was the 1/2" drive with the small ball bearing type lock on it. We bought a new one after we lost the other one and the new ones do not have the locking ball bearing in it, which makes it a huge pain when you need it to stay locked at 90* to slide it into the square hole of a belt tensioner on a vehicle, it would just move and be quite aggravating.

I agree, I had one of the ball bearing ones which broke very easily (just me leaning on it) and they replaced it with one that did not have a ball bearing which was somewhat annoying as you found out.

Aaron Z

 

[Ford850]

Stanley has been cited and fined at least twice due to deceptive labeling regarding 杜ade in the USA so now all their tools have the ?..with global materials labels. They make nothing in the USA from everything I could find. It appears they are doing the same with Craftsman now too (not unlike Sears recently).

Let me clarify my post. I would rather buy something Made in USA, but I have no problem buying imports of decent quality. The point I was making above is how deceitful some companies have become. Stanley, and now Craftsman, are labeling all their tools with a big MADE IN USA label along with a flag. Then below that they add "with global materials". How many materials are in a wrench, hammer, hand saw, etc? They have someone in the USA screwing an imported saw handle to an imported saw blade, and then label it as MADE IN USA. I'd rather buy a tool with an honest label telling me the actual country the tool was made, then I can make a decision on whether to buy or not.

 

[downsizingnow48]

Following Steve's suggestions (thanks) I read up a bit. On the FTC website (they publish and enforce the labeling regulations). And in some industry publications providing guidance to manufacturers. And I also found some legal briefs prepared to show where companies were out of compliance. And separately from the FTC, the Customs Service interprets and extends the labeling regulations.

What it boils down to is that "Made in USA" is a pretty high bar, so lots of companies use a qualifier (for example, "from global materials") that provides for more flexibility in sourcing of materials and also how much "transformation" is done in the USA. But the regulations and guidance depend on companies to figure it out and then use an accurate label. The only way to really understand what the labeling means is to look at enforcement actions, where companies have misrepresented the product and gotten caught at it. And read FTC "closing letters" that sum up an investigation by saying what a company did and was it right or wrong.

The bottom line on the Craftsman chests, is it would be necessary to contact the company (Stanley I guess} and ask them exactly what materials and manufacturing processes are done in the USA and what is from other countries. The label itself could mean lots of things.

For my part I have lots of Makita and Bosch tools because that stuff performs well. Still, I would like to buy tools and equipment made in the USA. Companies that really do make stuff in the USA, talk about it on their websites, because it is important to them. If it is not clear on the website, definitely the product comes from anywhere or everywhere.

 

[Sigarms]

Following Steve's suggestions (thanks) I read up a bit. On the FTC website (they publish and enforce the labeling regulations). And in some industry publications providing guidance to manufacturers. And I also found some legal briefs prepared to show where companies were out of compliance. And separately from the FTC, the Customs Service interprets and extends the labeling regulations.

In the HVAC industry, there are only two equipment manufacturers "Assembled in the US" or "Manufactured in the US". Please note I didn't say "Made". The issue is that for something to actually be made in the United States, a certain percentage of all material used in the building process must be made in the US as well (sorry, don't know the actual percentage).

I've been to both manufacturing facilities of the HVAC manufacturers who are "built" in the US. The issue is a lot of components in all HVAC equipment comes from overseas.

Do remember having to deal with a upset homeowner on the contractors behalf for a reversing valve (there was a recall on them) and I had to explain to the homeowner, in complete honesty that the bad reversing valve was probably some cheap crap from China (made in China marked on it). I actually had to run this new "good" reversing valve up to the boonies myself, and I informed the homeowner that this was the newer "improved" reversing valve. Opened the box up, and what do you know, made in China. Made a couple of phone calls after that visit and what do you know, it seems even even the majority of "American" made reversing valves (sold as an American company) are made in China.

Do know that Channel Lock (sp?) was made in Northwest Pa as I drove by their plant on numerous occasions. That was a long time ago, still not certain if that's where they're made.

Looked, seems they're still there!

Made in the U.S.A. – Channellock

 

[sixdogs]

I've seen Channellock things sell at farm auctions for nearly the retail price. Have bought some things myself.

 

[DIYjunkie]

I've always had a tendency to buy stuff that has had a great name and reputation. Here's something I've learned from mechanics at my work, buy the cheapest tool you can, then when it breaks, you can actually buy the more expensive version.

Another thing is, if you have to buy off the tool truck, do not buy more than what you can pay off in 6 weeks.

 

[Oldoak]

I never buy the cheapest and definitely not the most expensive either. I purchase hand tools that I think are the best value and also will not let me down the first time I use them. Now when it comes to power tools, corded or battery operated, I always purchase Milwaukee or Dewalt.

 

[RayfromTX]

There are only a few Dewalt tools that I find are acceptable on my job and almost no Milwaukee. We used to have a saying that friends don't let friends buy yellow tools. That has change in the last 10 or so years but they definitely still make imprecise tools that aren'e built to last. I like a planer we have but it is disposable. I like my 20volt cordless grease gun. What works best for me is to buy the best tool for the job and usually that means choosing the maker that has the best specific tool. Makita makes good impact drivers, Bosch makes good routers and jigsaws. Festool makes a number of great tools but you pay for the quality. I avoid cordless tools for the most part because the batteries last 3-5 years and that is a blink of an eye. Hand tools can be cheap unless you have a specific task that needs hardened expensive stuff. I don't need a whole tool box full of top of the line wrenches and sockets. There are sizes that have to be top notch. It would be different if it was my career. Great motors come out of Taiwan. Great engines come from Japan. Great machine tools come from Germany. With all due respect, pick and choose for the specific need but avoid making blanket judgements about tool makers.The answer is almost always, "it depends".

 

[DIYjunkie]

I've had my brushed DeWalt 20v lithium 1/4" impact for about 4 years now and it's still going strong. Lithium batteries should never be fully drained to keep them going for a long time. Majority of my cousins told are now Porter Cable (4 1/2" angle grinder, hammer drill, and reciprocating saw). Probably not the best name as it once had, still enjoy using them. Need the larger 4.0 batteries though.

 

[PILOON]

"MADE IN USA label along with a flag. Then below that they add "with global materials".

Unless rules have changed, to qualify 50% content qualifies as made in USA (Can).
That 50% includes shipping (like collect counts) packaging and profits.

An item that is totally offshore and purchased for $1.00 and sold for $2.01 is qualified as USA as more than 50% is US.
As said packaging (like blister pack done in US) and shipping if collect counts as content.

Global materials is IMO kinda sneaky.