Lately Craftsman has really been in the limelight, so I thought I'd take a minute to speak out on a few topics I've seen floating around the internet and place my opinion on them. Bare in mind that this is a fan site, and obviously, my opinion is going to be biased. The phrase "if you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen" comes to mind - erm - "if you don't like sawdust get out of the workshop" ah, that sounds more appropriate to this blog. Alright - let's get down to brass tacks:
Craftsman tools made by different companies will confuse consumers.
It's an easy one to point out, and quite obvious at that. With Stanley Black & Decker's (SBD) foray into Craftsman tools, and Sears still having rights to come out with their own, Craftsman as a whole brand will have different offerings at different retailers, and some of them will be in duplicate.
However - how is this different from other brands or even Craftsman itself in a historical sense? In discussing this, I will mention now that Sears has released a 20v drill/driver set of their own, it has a different appearance that that of SBD's and, to no surprise, bares the DieHard logo on the battery.
Some bloggers fear that this will create confusion among users, such as the battery not fitting or working properly on the right tool. My argument on this: if you can't figure out why it doesn't work or your attempting to mix and match the tools after consciously purchasing both of them from their respective retailers, you may want to ret-think being in the DIY hobby or using power tools altogether. Your town's first responders, hospital employees, etc., will be thankful that you decided not to something entirely stupid with your power tools. This is much the same as older 14v batteries not working on 19.2v tools, mixing lithium-ion and NiCD, etc. etc., I could come up with countless examples. If you know tools, than purchasing from either retailer will not be an issue.
Sears ruined Craftsman over the last decade. -and- Craftsman tools are not the same as in previous generations.
But did they - really? I will admit here and now that Sears has made some mistakes with their company as a whole, but where did Craftsman go wrong, specifically? You'll hear me say this again and again, over and over, like a broken record - Craftsman tools are made to ridgid specifications that the brand sets forward - regardless of where they are manufactured, they are always quality tools.
I have even read comments and articles around the internet where people mention Craftsman tools breaking or even catching fire. I have been using Craftsman tools for over a decade now, and I have not had a single one break or catch fire. I would like to ask these people, how exactly were you using the tool? I guarantee you will find the root cause being anything from carelessness to just downright abuse or overuse.
Seldom will you find a flaw with a tool, but consider that Craftsman tools, like every other brand out there, are made on an assembly line, and one of them out of thousands maybe - just maybe - might have a flaw - and to the negative nellies out there - one bad apple spoils the whole bunch - but for me one bad apple, replace it and get a new one.
Craftsman tools made by different companies will confuse consumers.
It's an easy one to point out, and quite obvious at that. With Stanley Black & Decker's (SBD) foray into Craftsman tools, and Sears still having rights to come out with their own, Craftsman as a whole brand will have different offerings at different retailers, and some of them will be in duplicate.
However - how is this different from other brands or even Craftsman itself in a historical sense? In discussing this, I will mention now that Sears has released a 20v drill/driver set of their own, it has a different appearance that that of SBD's and, to no surprise, bares the DieHard logo on the battery.
 |
| 20V Set from SBD |
 |
| 20V Set From Sears |
Sears ruined Craftsman over the last decade. -and- Craftsman tools are not the same as in previous generations.
But did they - really? I will admit here and now that Sears has made some mistakes with their company as a whole, but where did Craftsman go wrong, specifically? You'll hear me say this again and again, over and over, like a broken record - Craftsman tools are made to ridgid specifications that the brand sets forward - regardless of where they are manufactured, they are always quality tools.
I have even read comments and articles around the internet where people mention Craftsman tools breaking or even catching fire. I have been using Craftsman tools for over a decade now, and I have not had a single one break or catch fire. I would like to ask these people, how exactly were you using the tool? I guarantee you will find the root cause being anything from carelessness to just downright abuse or overuse.
Seldom will you find a flaw with a tool, but consider that Craftsman tools, like every other brand out there, are made on an assembly line, and one of them out of thousands maybe - just maybe - might have a flaw - and to the negative nellies out there - one bad apple spoils the whole bunch - but for me one bad apple, replace it and get a new one.
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Opinion