Goodbye Old Tools

"jminer" (jminer)
05/19/2019 at 15:20 • Filed to: None

So I had been a very loyal Craftsman customer for 15 years, almost every tool I had bought up util a couple years ago was Craftsman and came from Sears.

Then the quality started to drop off pretty seriously, then selection started to drop, then they closed all of the stores around me.

All the while this was happening the budget brands (like Ryobi) got better and better. So this past Thanksgiving sale Home Depot had a killer sale on Ryobi brushless tool so I pulled the trigger and bought a batch.

Since then my collection of Craftsmancordless tools had sat unused since then so I posted them on CL.

I’m glad to get them cleared out of the garage, but it seems almost sad to send these faithful companions on to someone else. Especially since the 15 tools I had + batteries + chargers is now apparently only worth $150 since Black and Decker abandoned the 19.2 volt series I had.

Well they will get some more life with the next owner instead of continuing to gather dust in my garage.

DISCUSSION (19)

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > jminer
05/19/2019 at 15:29

I hear you, there aren't many Craftsman tools worth getting excited about. Crescent is my bigger go to for good quality. Especially thier screwdrivers. Craftsman never did figure out how to make a slot head that wouldn't bend and break.

For Sweden > jminer
05/19/2019 at 15:50

How have the Ryobi tools been?

jminer > For Sweden
05/19/2019 at 16:04

They’re awesome actually. I almost bought Makita tools instead, but the reviews were good and I was able to get like 10 Ryobi tools for what 2 Makita tools would have cost me.

There’s also a pretty good selection of them - favorites so far are their big bendy light and a tire inflator .

jminer > Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street.
05/19/2019 at 16:05

I’ll look at them for screwdrivers. I just always keep a bunch of cheap ones around as I’m always bending/breaking them.

JawzX2, Boost Addict. 1.6t, 2.7tt, 4.2t > For Sweden
05/19/2019 at 16:07

My experience with Ryobi tools has been that they are “fine”. They work pretty well and they arent total junk. My Milwaukee stuff feels like it will (and has) take(n) more abuse and the Milwaukee batteries are truely excellent, but my Ryobi stuff is good enough that I actually 3d printed a battery adapter so I can use the Ryobi tools with my (more numerous and higher capacity) M18 batteries. The hammer drill and angle grinder have been faultless, and the tire inflater only cost $19, so I’m not complaining too much, despite the fact that it’s pressure guage now reads almost 15 psi high and I had to replace the valve chuck because the cheap plastic hose barb broke off. The electric weed whip is surprisingly useful, and has enough power to chop down pretty gnarly weeds.

Demon-Xanth knows how to operate a street. > jminer
05/19/2019 at 16:13

I’ve had a set of these for almost two decades. The tips are still in good condition and they don’t strip heads:

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Xcelite-Pro-Series-Electronics-Screwdriver-Set-7-Piece-XPE700/205692085

Sovande > jminer
05/19/2019 at 17:15

Take a look at Wera for screwdrivers. Yes they are pricey, but you get what you pay for. They have a great handle and are plenty tough.

Wera 932/6 Kraftform Plus Screwdriver Set and Rack, 6-Pieces https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0001NQQCC/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_1BC4Cb3FV2JQF

XJDano > jminer
05/19/2019 at 17:15

I still have 18v dewalt tools from 2006 which even though my company paid for them it’d still be hard to d itch them. (I lost the impact driver)

I’m on to 18v Bosch tools but still would jump that ship, but they still work and most have be en paid for by work.

jminer > Sovande
05/19/2019 at 17:53

Those are pretty serious looking screwdrivers!

jminer > XJDano
05/19/2019 at 17:54

I almost went with Bosch, but they didn't have great availability of tools compared to others I thought.

TorqueToYield > jminer
05/19/2019 at 20:19

Anything Craftsmen with a battery is a hard no from me.

I don’t think the quality of their cordless stuff have ever been very good TBH.

jminer > TorqueToYield
05/19/2019 at 20:25

When I bought them (15 years ago) they were comparable to DeWalt. Now they’re pitiful and needed to be replaced.

shop-teacher > jminer
05/19/2019 at 20:32

Sears spent a crap ton of money tearing down their old store at a fawn-say mall near me and rebuilding it as their new flagship store. The direction of the brand to save itself. They opened up before the 2018 holiday season. My wife tried to go there yesterday. It is already closed and empty.

RIP Sears.

jminer > shop-teacher
05/19/2019 at 20:34

Yeah, I think there’s 1 open within an hour of St Louis. I have spent a lot of money there on Craftsman tools over the years. Couple lawnmowers/tractors tons of hand tools, corded tools and so on. I have a 50+ year old Craftsman table saw that’s awesome so I don’t think the brand will leave my garage anytime soon. I’ll just stop buying the tools new...

shop-teacher > jminer
05/19/2019 at 21:40

Supposedly since Stanley bought Craftsman, they have been investing heavily to bring the quality back to the brand. I have not yet gotten my hands on any of these newer tools, but they'll be sold at Lowe's.

jminer > shop-teacher
05/19/2019 at 21:50

I thought it was B lack and Decker that bought Craftsman.

I will say Stanley hand tools I’ve used in the past we re fine. Not as good as the old Craftsman but better than harbor freight quality from 5 years ago.

At the same time harbor freight has really gotten better. Their tools used to be use use twice the n throw away because it bent, broke or wore out. I have a few tools that have hung around a while now and get used regularly.

shop-teacher > jminer
05/19/2019 at 22:37

Stanley also owns Black and Decker.

I think your Stanley vs. old Craftsman vs. old Harbor Freight comparison is spot on.

Yeah, some of HF’s stuff has gotten pretty dang good. Some of it is still garbage, but a lot of it is quite good. I bought the 3-ton Daytona long reach jack a few months ago. It is NICE.

jminer > shop-teacher
05/19/2019 at 22:55

I didn’t realize Stanley owned them.

I’ve been tempted by their jacks for a while now. I have an old 3 ton craftsman that’s steel and heavy as fuck but works too well to replace.

I have a couple drawers full of things like spark testers, brake tools, pullers and so on from harbor freight. They excel at specific tools that you only need to use a few times a year.

shop-teacher > jminer
05/20/2019 at 07:23

I replaced my Craftsman 3-ton. The Daytona is also steel and very heavy, but is superior in every way to the Craftsman.