Craftsman in Texas - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**The Rocknrod** · 11-07-2019, 02:20 PM

Craftsman manufacturing tools in Texas:
http://fortworthtexas.gov/news/2019/...k-Decker-Deal/
The new plant will manufacture a range of Craftsman mechanics tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches and general sets.

**truckster** · 11-07-2019, 05:00 PM

If the quality is good I just might start buying them again. I love my old Craftsman tools. Then they started producing junk...

**The Rocknrod** · 11-07-2019, 05:29 PM

When I was working in Turbines I had some Proto tools, then Stanley bought Proto and I never saw them again (new).
Always had Craftsman in my home, but it's been twenty years since I bought new stuff. I'll have to check them out myself.

**Stocker** · 11-07-2019, 08:16 PM

I bought my first set of Craftsman tools and a machinist's tool box in 1967 when I got my first real job. I was 18 years old. Now I am 70 and retired, and I still have most of the tools. Granted, I don't work 'em as hard as many of you guys, but they have held up pretty well. Had to replace the 3/8" ratchet several years ago but that's about it. Glad to see them coming back and I hope they make quality products at a reasonable price.

**special-K** · 11-08-2019, 09:25 AM

My dad had Craftsman and that's what I bought since '70 or so. I had my tools stolen once in '79 so that's the oldest any of mine are. I have added tools all along right up till the end and haven't had a quality issue yet. They get the job done for the guy who uses tools as a way of life. I didn't say makes a living. I wouldn't know about that. But I do carry a mechanics tools on the work truck and they get used in construction.

I'm just glad the well known name is taking this step toward bringing manufacturing back home. Even if the tools are no better, the whole situation is. Hopefully there will be some good old USA pride coming back in the workforce and the bean counters don't go for cutting corners.

**The Rocknrod** · 11-08-2019, 09:48 AM

Well said.

**GOPAPA** · 11-08-2019, 02:32 PM

I went to work at a semiconductor plant in Gresham Oregon some 20 years ago and it was working in clean rooms installing lifted floors .and erecting clean rooms .. I had to buy all new tools in Metric and American box and open wrenches from all the way small to big ,, due to I could not have any rust or crud or deep scratches on them ,I wore a bunny suit with gloves and booties also... so now .. I have two sets of like brand new Craftman tools along with a lot of the same only older,, I did give a lot of the old ones to my son..

67C10Step · 11-08-2019, 03:00 PM

I am still using the craftsman wrenches and sockets my dad bought for me in 1988 when I was in college.

He and my mom were in town and my sisters car needed the starter replaced. Since all three of us kids were in the same town and four hours from home my dad said, “let’s make a sears run first.” Bought me a tool box and a bunch of tools and told me to take care of my sisters stuff.

Now, my dad had been gone six months out of the year for a long time by that time. I was 19 and had been doing all the auto maintenance since I was 14. Once the word gets out in a college town that you have tools and know how to use them you get a lot of calls. Brake jobs, fuel pumps, master cylinders, I cannot remember all the parking lot jobs I did back then.

Nice to see them trying to bring it home again. I’ve got a 19 year old son in college now and I’m building him up his own tool box.

cypressbog · 11-08-2019, 03:55 PM

some great news for residents of the DFW area!

roll_the_dice · 11-18-2019, 10:22 AM

Love to see Craftsman being made in the USA again...I remember my dad breaking a Craftsman screwdriver and taking it back to Sears and got a new one no questions asked. When my dad passed away I got most of his tools along with his rolling Craftsman toolboxes. I enjoy grabbing a tool and knowing it is quality and also knowing my dad used them on his C10's over the years as well. To me Craftsman was an icon in the shade tree mechanic world when I was growing up.

whitedog76 · 11-18-2019, 10:56 PM

It's too bad Sears doesn't still own the Craftsman namesake anymore. Of course, you can now buy Craftsman pretty much everywhere now.

The only Sears left here in central IL is closing at the end of the year.

Indian113 · 11-19-2019, 09:24 AM

When I ran my Motorcycle Shop I had a Very deep discussion about me using Craftsman versus Truck Tools. I explained that I made just as much per hour using them as I did the expensive ones and they had a lifetime warranty as well.

RDrancher · 11-19-2019, 11:08 AM

That's good news!

Like Tim, my tools were stolen in the late 70's. I replaced my basic set with Craftsman after that, but I'll admit that I have a ton of tools from random manufacturers including HF as well. When you have to stock three trucks and the garage, sometimes you make compromises. For what it's worth, a few years ago I tried to use the Craftsman lifetime warranty and made a one-hour trip to Sears for the exchange. I was told by the manager that they don't do that anymore. Maybe that was just Sears' policy, but still pretty disappointing.

**special-K** · 11-19-2019, 09:17 PM

I had Capt. Knowital today telling me how foolish Lowes is for dropping the Kobalt line to sell Craftsman since it's pure crap now and Kobalt was so good. Whatever. I didn't see anything I bought Craftsman in recent years that couldn't do what I bought it to do.

**The Rocknrod** · 11-21-2019, 09:06 AM

Not that I'm from Texas or anything but - Apple will build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas.
https://www.techspot.com/news/82856-...tin-texas.html

**Rickysnickers** · 11-21-2019, 11:32 AM

And as a side note, side by for the invasion of the Californians....

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Not that I'm from Texas or anything but - Apple will build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas.
https://www.techspot.com/news/82856-...tin-texas.html

El Dorado Jim · 11-21-2019, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Rocknrod

Craftsman manufacturing tools in Texas:
http://fortworthtexas.gov/news/2019/...k-Decker-Deal/
The new plant will manufacture a range of Craftsman mechanics tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches and general sets.

awesome

outfield · 11-22-2019, 08:00 PM

I got a set of Craftsmen tools as a wedding gift from a good buddy (and his family, his dad worked and retired from GM). Its about the only wedding gift I remember us receiving! That was back in 1984. I still use them all the time. 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" ratchet sets, combo wrenches up to 3/4", with tool box.

11-07-2019, 02:20 PM	#1
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Craftsman in Texas Craftsman manufacturing tools in Texas: http://fortworthtexas.gov/news/2019/...k-Decker-Deal/ The new plant will manufacture a range of Craftsman mechanics tools, including sockets, ratchets, wrenches and general sets. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-07-2019, 05:00 PM	#2
truckster Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Orem, Utah Posts: 7,791	Re: Craftsman in Texas If the quality is good I just might start buying them again. I love my old Craftsman tools. Then they started producing junk... __________________ I have sworn upon the altar of God, eternal hostility against every form of tyranny over the mind of man. - Thomas Jefferson

11-07-2019, 05:29 PM	#3
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Craftsman in Texas When I was working in Turbines I had some Proto tools, then Stanley bought Proto and I never saw them again (new). Always had Craftsman in my home, but it's been twenty years since I bought new stuff. I'll have to check them out myself. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-07-2019, 08:16 PM	#4
Stocker 20' Daredevil (Ret) Join Date: May 2003 Location: Jefferson State Posts: 13,495	Re: Craftsman in Texas I bought my first set of Craftsman tools and a machinist's tool box in 1967 when I got my first real job. I was 18 years old. Now I am 70 and retired, and I still have most of the tools. Granted, I don't work 'em as hard as many of you guys, but they have held up pretty well. Had to replace the 3/8" ratchet several years ago but that's about it. Glad to see them coming back and I hope they make quality products at a reasonable price. __________________ - Mike - 1972 K20 LWB 350/350/205 RIP El Jay

11-08-2019, 09:25 AM	#5
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Craftsman in Texas My dad had Craftsman and that's what I bought since '70 or so. I had my tools stolen once in '79 so that's the oldest any of mine are. I have added tools all along right up till the end and haven't had a quality issue yet. They get the job done for the guy who uses tools as a way of life. I didn't say makes a living. I wouldn't know about that. But I do carry a mechanics tools on the work truck and they get used in construction. I'm just glad the well known name is taking this step toward bringing manufacturing back home. Even if the tools are no better, the whole situation is. Hopefully there will be some good old USA pride coming back in the workforce and the bean counters don't go for cutting corners. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~

11-08-2019, 09:48 AM	#6
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Craftsman in Texas Well said. __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?

11-08-2019, 02:32 PM	#7
GOPAPA "Tail Gate Best Seat In House" Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Nampa Idaho Posts: 7,338	Re: Craftsman in Texas I went to work at a semiconductor plant in Gresham Oregon some 20 years ago and it was working in clean rooms installing lifted floors .and erecting clean rooms .. I had to buy all new tools in Metric and American box and open wrenches from all the way small to big ,, due to I could not have any rust or crud or deep scratches on them ,I wore a bunny suit with gloves and booties also... so now .. I have two sets of like brand new Craftman tools along with a lot of the same only older,, I did give a lot of the old ones to my son.. __________________ When you learn a thing a day you store up smart.

11-08-2019, 03:00 PM	#8
67C10Step Registered User Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Beebe, AR Posts: 2,401	Re: Craftsman in Texas I am still using the craftsman wrenches and sockets my dad bought for me in 1988 when I was in college. He and my mom were in town and my sisters car needed the starter replaced. Since all three of us kids were in the same town and four hours from home my dad said, “let’s make a sears run first.” Bought me a tool box and a bunch of tools and told me to take care of my sisters stuff. Now, my dad had been gone six months out of the year for a long time by that time. I was 19 and had been doing all the auto maintenance since I was 14. Once the word gets out in a college town that you have tools and know how to use them you get a lot of calls. Brake jobs, fuel pumps, master cylinders, I cannot remember all the parking lot jobs I did back then. Nice to see them trying to bring it home again. I’ve got a 19 year old son in college now and I’m building him up his own tool box. __________________ 1967 C10 1980 Jeep CJ5 2020 Toyota 4Runner 2020 Toyota CH-R 2020 Acura MDX

11-08-2019, 03:55 PM	#9
cypressbog Go Pack Go! Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Green Bay Posts: 2,669	Re: Craftsman in Texas some great news for residents of the DFW area!

11-18-2019, 10:22 AM	#10
roll_the_dice Registered User Join Date: Mar 2016 Location: Manlius, NY Posts: 1,698	Re: Craftsman in Texas Love to see Craftsman being made in the USA again...I remember my dad breaking a Craftsman screwdriver and taking it back to Sears and got a new one no questions asked. When my dad passed away I got most of his tools along with his rolling Craftsman toolboxes. I enjoy grabbing a tool and knowing it is quality and also knowing my dad used them on his C10's over the years as well. To me Craftsman was an icon in the shade tree mechanic world when I was growing up. __________________ 1965 C10 LWB Stepside 1964 GMC 1 Ton Dually Instagram #notaratrodnotashowtruck

11-18-2019, 10:56 PM	#11
whitedog76 Registered User Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Peoria, IL Posts: 1,450	Re: Craftsman in Texas It's too bad Sears doesn't still own the Craftsman namesake anymore. Of course, you can now buy Craftsman pretty much everywhere now. The only Sears left here in central IL is closing at the end of the year.

11-19-2019, 09:24 AM	#12
Indian113 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Monroe,Iowa Posts: 4,370	Re: Craftsman in Texas When I ran my Motorcycle Shop I had a Very deep discussion about me using Craftsman versus Truck Tools. I explained that I made just as much per hour using them as I did the expensive ones and they had a lifetime warranty as well.

11-19-2019, 11:08 AM	#13
RDrancher Registered User Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Decatur, Texas Posts: 673	Re: Craftsman in Texas That's good news! Like Tim, my tools were stolen in the late 70's. I replaced my basic set with Craftsman after that, but I'll admit that I have a ton of tools from random manufacturers including HF as well. When you have to stock three trucks and the garage, sometimes you make compromises. For what it's worth, a few years ago I tried to use the Craftsman lifetime warranty and made a one-hour trip to Sears for the exchange. I was told by the manager that they don't do that anymore. Maybe that was just Sears' policy, but still pretty disappointing. __________________ Romans 10:9 - The Truth

11-19-2019, 09:17 PM	#14
special-K Special Order Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Mt Airy, MD Posts: 85,862	Re: Craftsman in Texas I had Capt. Knowital today telling me how foolish Lowes is for dropping the Kobalt line to sell Craftsman since it's pure crap now and Kobalt was so good. Whatever. I didn't see anything I bought Craftsman in recent years that couldn't do what I bought it to do. __________________ "BUILDING A BETTER WAY TO SERVE THE USA"......67/72......"The New Breed" GMC '67 C1500 Wideside Super Custom SWB: 327/M22/3.42 posi.........."The '67" (project) GMC '72 K2500 Wideside Sierra Custom Camper: 350/TH350/4.10 Power-Lok..."The '72" (rolling) Tim "Don't call me a redneck. I'm a rough cut country gentleman" R.I.P. ~ East Side Low Life ~ El Jay ~ 72BLUZ ~ Fasteddie69 ~ Ron586 ~ 67ChevyRedneck ~ Grumpy Old Man ~ Last edited by special-K; 11-21-2019 at 06:47 PM.

11-21-2019, 09:06 AM	#15
The Rocknrod Moderator Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: China Spring, TX Posts: 7,280	Re: Craftsman in Texas Not that I'm from Texas or anything but - Apple will build a $1 billion campus in Austin, Texas. https://www.techspot.com/news/82856-...tin-texas.html __________________ Master Chief, US Navy, Retired 1964 C10 Step-side Short Bed - In Progress 2009 2500HD Duramax LTZ 1948 GMC Panel 1956 Big Window Stepside 1953 5 Window Chevy Stepside 1932 Coupe New Seat Foam for Bench Seats?



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

11-22-2019, 08:00 PM	#18
outfield Registered User Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Portland, Or Posts: 387	Re: Craftsman in Texas I got a set of Craftsmen tools as a wedding gift from a good buddy (and his family, his dad worked and retired from GM). Its about the only wedding gift I remember us receiving! That was back in 1984. I still use them all the time. 1/4", 3/8" & 1/2" ratchet sets, combo wrenches up to 3/4", with tool box.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.