I recently bought a 16” Craftsman electric chainsaw. I really like it. I’ve cut up most of a 70’ oak that came down on my front lawn using it. The Home Depot in=house brand Homelite 16” electric saw I had didn’t last one day on the oak. Since it was purchased 6 months prior Home Depot would not honor it. No refund or replacement. I went across the street to Lowes and purchased the Craftsman for less than $10 more then the Homelite cost. I could tell the Craftsman was a good chainsaw when I saw the digger-teeth at the base. Those easily triple cutting speed. Can’t tell you the number of times I’ve torqued that saw down to 0 RPM while cutting. It’s on its second chain and still motors on.
I’m sure Craftsman is on the chopping block too. Keep the name and cheapen the quality until it’s no more.
I’m sure Craftsman is on the chopping block too. Keep the name and cheapen the quality until it’s no more.
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Just like so many industries now there are only a few companies and they make tools under many brand names. It’s usually the same tool with a slightly different look and a different name on it. Powermatic used to be a great American tool company but now it comes from China and isn’t nearly as good even though the price says it’s top of the line.
I believe Emerson electric used to make all Craftsman power tools but now do it under the Home Depot Rigid brand name.
When I repair my Sears dryer I get parts from Whirlpool.
Another industry that I was involved in for many years sold a product to municipalities. The sales reps from each company would bid on projects, try to say their product was better etc. In the last five years three of the brand names have been bought up by one corporation. So these same three reps would go out and compete against each other even though the product came from the same factory. They would just be slightly different and get shipped out from different doors at the factory.
Of course I also noticed a drop in quality, lead times, customer service etc. These corporations don’t care about the customer as much as they care about squeezing every cent of profit they can get out of it. They would get rid of long time employees who knew everything about it and get replaced by some 12 year old who didn’t know anything but would cost a lot less. I expect they call this “progress” but it isn’t good.
Craftsman is now made by StanleyBlack&Decker. Some are made in New Britain...
“I’m sure Craftsman is on the chopping block too. Keep the name and cheapen the quality until it’s no more.”
Lampert sold the Craftsman name to Stanley in early 2017.