What’s the opinion on Lowe’s Craftsman tools.

[WranglerX]

Re: What痴 the opinion on Lowe痴 Craftsman tools.

BE aware.... Craftsman line of tools are now marketed by STANLEY/BLACK AND DECKER....

Yes "Sears" did bring in some tools from China (bad move of their part) ... Since Sears no longer has control of the Craftsman name who knows where it is going...

I am under impression the things that were traditionally manufactured in US (sockets sets/wrench sets/Ect will be still manufactures in US... BUT some real research may be in order of future purchases...

Dale

 

[4570Man]

Not to be contradictory, but as a contractor, I go through a lot of steel tapes. At first, I just figured it was the normal life span of them to fail after six to nine months, but every now and then I would find one that would last over a year. I bought dozens of cheap ones, bright ones that are easy to see, and fat ones. They just fall apart. So out of frustration, I spent $35 on a Milwaukee steel tape three years ago. It's still in perfect condition and works great. I have two of them now and considering how much money I wasted on Stanley, Lufkin, DeWalt and a bunch of other brands too cheap to mention, I've saved a bunch of money buying the most expensive ones that I've come across.

As for Craftsman tools being worth the money, I don't think that there is any measurable difference between any of the lifetime warrantee type hand tools out there. Back in the 80's manufacturers where recovering from the Carter environmental changes that affected how everything was made, and it was hard to find a socket that didn't break on you all the time. Craftsman did a great job selling strong sockets and wrenches that held up for an affordable price. Now everyone does it.

I don’t have anything against $30 tape measures that are worth $30. The $30 craftsman tape feels a lot like a $7 tape measure.

 

[Oaktree]

Speaking of tape measures, does anyone make one anymore that the case is an even-length size?

I have a couple old Stanley ones...a 12' & a 25' that you add 2" or 3" respectively for inside measurements. Simple. Newer ones either aren't marked, or it's some odd value like +2 3/8 that's hard to remember/easy to screw up.

 

[Redlands Okie]

Stanley still makes a 25 ft tape that the case is exactly 3 inches at the bottom. I will not buy a tape that does not have a exact even measurement at the bottom. I am a remodel contractor and the Stanley tapes usually have two issues. Minor one is the chrome wears off the case after a year or two. Bigger issue is the top of my pants pockets going all ragged from wearing the tape measure. So far I can live with the problem.

Bought a couple Milwaukee chalk lines. Seems I got so use to having a clip on the back side of the brand I used to use that the Milwaukee ones just pissed me off. The clips are handy so as to hang the chalk line on my pocket or tool bag. Finally I solved the issue by putting clips from old chalk lines on the back side of Milwaukee chalk lines.

What’s the deal with Milwaukee box cutters being right handed? The slide button is on the side, for right handlers.

Been meaning to look at the Milwaukee tape measures to see if their 3 inches at the bottom but keep forgetting to.

Other than those few items I have quite a few Milwaukee tools and they work great. Since the tools are used to make a living I am more than a little leery of the craftsman stuff.

 

[Travelover]

Re: What痴 the opinion on Lowe痴 Craftsman tools.

At least Sears didn't leave us all hangin in the wind when it came to the lifetime warranty.. We now have someplace to "pop-in" & exchange a wrench or screwdriver..

Is that for sure true - one can exchange old Craftsman tools at Lowes?

 

[/pine]

Re: What痴 the opinion on Lowe痴 Craftsman tools.

IMO...A professional mechanic/contractor etc. etc...whose tape measure is likely their most used tool...they should be regarded almost like a consumable...the more they are used the faster they wear out...The typical frame carpenter likely goes through at least a couple of them a year or more...the Stanley 30' x1" blade tapes are common among construction mechanics...
Steel tapes are not meant to withstand too many drops from the rafters onto a concrete floor below...doesn't matter what they cost or who makes them...

If a typical steel tape gets wet (common in the field) the spring will eventually rust and fail...measure something wet and when the blade retracts it sucks water back into the coil...if they get dropped on the end of the tape and the tang gets bent it can cause errors in a measurement depending on the degree of accuracy required...(it moves the same as its thickness for butting or pulling measurements)...

Again IMO...steel tape measures used by professionals in the field are not meant to become heirlooms and passed down

 

[4570Man]

Re: Whatç—´ the opinion on Loweç—´ Craftsman tools.

IMO...A professional mechanic/contractor etc. etc...whose tape measure is likely their most used tool...they should be regarded almost like a consumable...the more they are used the faster they wear out...The typical frame carpenter likely goes through at least a couple of them a year or more...the Stanley 30' x1" blade tapes are common among construction mechanics...
Steel tapes are not meant to withstand too many drops from the rafters onto a concrete floor below...doesn't matter what they cost or who makes them...

If a typical steel tape gets wet (common in the field) the spring will eventually rust and fail...measure something wet and when the blade retracts it sucks water back into the coil...if they get dropped on the end of the tape and the tang gets bent it can cause errors in a measurement depending on the degree of accuracy required...(it moves the same as its thickness for butting or pulling measurements)...

Again IMO...steel tape measures used by professionals in the field are not meant to become heirlooms and passed down

I try to keep a bunch of tape measures on hand. It’s one rare instance where I find a bunch of cheap ones to be better than 1 good one. I actually find the $7 Lufkin tape measures to be pretty good.

 

[aczlan]

Re: Whatç—´ the opinion on Loweç—´ Craftsman tools.

I try to keep a bunch of tape measures on hand. It’s one rare instance where I find a bunch of cheap ones to be better than 1 good one. I actually find the $7 Lufkin tape measures to be pretty good.

I have a bunch of the Lowes Jobsmart (I think) tape measures, they had a 4 pack (25', 16', 12' and 6') that was on clearance for $0.88 each. I figured I couldn't lose at that price...

Aaron Z

 

[cdaigle430]

Re: What痴 the opinion on Lowe痴 Craftsman tools.

One reason to buy Craftsmen is most are made in USA, much better than the Chinese made stuff at HF.

Where Are CRAFTSMAN(R) Tools Made? | Tools Made in USA w/ Global Materials

All the tools I have with the Craftsmen name on them for 20 plus years are still going strong, I even have a Craftsmen dremel tool I bought back in 1994 thats still going strong. My Crafsmen snowblower and push mowers I bought 15 years ago run and look new.....

 

[stuckmotor]

I like the push button Craftsman ratchets and never broke one in the old days. I've had to return two hardly used ones in the last ten years.