The Sears in my town closed 2 years ago already. The next closest one is a half hour drive. Wonder if thats closing now to. I think the rise of warehouses like Harbor Frieght didnt help either. Cheap tools and most with lifetime warrantys is hard to beat for someone thats not using the tools on a regular basis. I know when I buy tools I always end up figuring if it's worth buying cheap from Harbor Frieght, or if it's something that's going to be used often / abused that I need quality stuff.
It's a shame to see an American icon like Sears closing stores. Unfortunately their performance over the years has been less than stellar. Checking the list of closings, my local Sears is not among them. The quality of their tools have certainly declined big time. I don't see many people perusing the store like they have been years back.
It's a shame to see an American icon like Sears closing stores. Unfortunately their performance over the years has been less than stellar. Checking the list of closings, my local Sears is not among them. The quality of their tools have certainly declined big time. I don't see many people perusing the store like they have been years back.
It's really a little bit heart breaking. I grew up on Craftsman tools. A few years ago I broke my 3/8" drive inch universal. I made a special trip to Sears to buy a 'good one' only to find the Craftsman was made in China. I found myself thinking 'I could have got one of these at the auto parts store.' I haven't figured out the solution yet. I have some Harbor Freight stuff. Some of it is pretty good and some is just 'ok'. I actually have an entire Craftsman tool set I bought a few years ago that is all China. I wasn't going to buy anymore Chraftsman but it was a Christmas sale and the deal couldn't be beat. The tools seem ok but I hate that they are China.
It's really a little bit heart breaking. I grew up on Craftsman tools. A few years ago I broke my 3/8" drive inch universal. I made a special trip to Sears to buy a 'good one' only to find the Craftsman was made in China. I found myself thinking 'I could have got one of these at the auto parts store.' I haven't figured out the solution yet. I have some Harbor Freight stuff. Some of it is pretty good and some is just 'ok'. I actually have an entire Craftsman tool set I bought a few years ago that is all China. I wasn't going to buy anymore Craftsman but it was a Christmas sale and the deal couldn't be beat. The tools seem ok but I hate that they are China.
I also had to return a tool, a 1/2 to 3/8 drive adapter. The one I got in return was a Chinese made tool compared to a USA made tool. It is a little disappointing. I too grew up on Craftsman (and SK) tools. My tool boxes are Craftsman and some of my power tools as well.
My dad's wood working tools were Craftsman. I'm sure over time the Chinese made tools and products will get better...like the Japanese made stuff. However, the Japanese made products are superior to Chinese made stuff. They didn't start out that way.
Some of the Harbor Freight stuff isn't that bad. I bought one of their Predator 212cc gas engines for my minibike. It's a powerful little engine with a lot of speed parts available for it.
They've gotten great reviews and they're very popular due to the low price. I know I've veered off topic a bit...sorry about that.
I agree. If you told my late grandfather that Sears and Roebuck was going out of business you might as well be telling him you were a space alien. They've definitely changed for the worse.
The tools I still use are from a Craftsman set I received in the mid 1970's as a gift. Came with a three door tool box. Only piece I remember breaking was a swivel adapter on a socket set cracked at the joint. Losing pieces was my biggest problem. I had a local Sears when I lived back East and I bought all my extra tools there plus my car batteries and tires. Sears had decent work shoes way back then too.
The only K Mart within 65 miles of me closed in June and it was a mess for years. They did have a nice selection of Sears appliances and tools in the beginning of the merger,which saved me trips out of town, but that did not last long. Had not gone to the store much the last few years.
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