Craftsman Tools originally began with Sears & Roebuck Company in 1927. But, since 2017, Stanley Black & Decker now owns the company. They provide tools as well as outdoor equipment and work wear. Craftsman tools are still the same it’s just under different ownership. What’s great is that they still offer and honor lifetime warranties for certain tools.
Even though some parts still come from China, the company is bringing a lot of manufacturing back to the United States. However, there have been consumer complaints about lower tool quality.
When Did Black & Decker Come to Own Craftsman Tools?
Black & Decker began ownership of Craftsman Tools in March of 2017. They bought the famous hardware company from Sears Holdings for $900 million.
Are Black & Decker’s Craftsman Tools Still High Quality?
For over a century, Craftsman Tools have been a trusted brand. While they are still excellent, many long-time users of the product say that the quality isn’t the same as when they came from Sears.
When Sears Owned Craftsman Tools, Did They Originally Produce Them?
No, Sears never actually made any Craftsman Tools. They sourced the production, engineering and manufacturing through other places like Stanley Black & Decker. Others include Moor Drop Forging, DeWalt, Waterloo Industries, Danaher Corporation, The Chamberlain Brand, Emerson Electric Company, Apex Tool Group, New Britain, Techtronic Industries, Fasco Hand Tools, Pratt-Read and Western Forge.
Since filing bankruptcy and closing over 200 stores in 2015, Sears stopped their contracts with the companies mentioned above. Today, Black & Decker produces many of the tools available. However, they still have agreements with Western Forge, Waterloo Industries, DeVilbiss Air Power, The Chamberlain Brand, Emerson Electric Company, Techtronic Industries, DeWalt and Apex Tool Group.
Does Black & Decker Craftsman Tools Still Have a Lifetime Warranty?
Black & Decker will still honor Craftsman Tool’s lifetime warranty just like Sears did. However, not every tool receives this kind of coverage. There is a lifetime warranty for the Craftsman products listed below:
- Demolition Tools
- Electronic & Manual Measuring Tools
- Finishing Tools
- Hammers
- Hex Key
- Individual Open Stock Tools
- Knives
- Mechanics Tool Sets
- Multi-tools
- Non-Electric Automotive Tools
- Nut Drivers
- Pliers
- Ratchets & Sockets
- Screwdrivers
- Stud Finders
- Wrenches & Wrench Sets
Others come under a one-year limited warranty and they are:
- Standard Digital Levels
- DigiClick Torque Wrenches
- Staplers
- Legacy Tape Measures
- Miter Boxes
- Torpedo Digital Levels
Will Sears Still Honor Lifetime Warranties on Craftsman Tools?
Sears & Roebuck Company is slowly going out of business. Only a handful of stores still exist throughout the United States. If they have the tool you’re looking to replace, they will honor Craftsman’s lifetime warranty. But, they usually won’t.
However, Black & Decker Does have a list of approved “stocking retail partners” that will honor the warranty in the same way as Sears once did.
Which Stocking Retail Partners Are Approved by Black & Decker to Satisfy Lifetime Warranties?
Black & Decker’s ownership of Craftsman Tools has several places approved as “stocking retail partners.” Some of which are as follows:
- Ace Hardware
- Lowe’s
- Amazon
- Kmart
- Montgomery Ward
- Menard’s
- Atwood’s
- Blaine’s Farm & Fleet
- NAPA Auto Parts
If you don’t have any of the above retailers in your area or they’re too far away for you to get to, you can send it in directly to Craftsman via Black & Decker for a no-hassle, no-questions refund.
Not Every Craftsman Tool Is at Lowe’s, So How Can They Fulfill the Lifetime Warranty?
While it’s true that Lowe’s doesn’t stock every Craftsman Tool available, they will honor the lifetime warranty if you need to exchange it. This means that if they don’t have the tool, they will have something similar.
But, you lose the lifetime warranty offered by Craftsman and it shifts to whatever warranty comes with the new brand for which you exchanged it. This does tend to be frustrating if you’re a Craftsman loyalist.
Do You Have to Show a Receipt for Tools Covered Under the Lifetime Warranty by Craftsman?
No, you don’t have to show a receipt for the Craftsman tools covered under a lifetime warranty. But, you do have to show one for limited warranties.
From Where Does Black & Decker’s Craftsman Tools Come?
At one time, Craftsman came from Connecticut. But the company moved their factories to China. This was is an effort to reduce rising costs from national contracts, such as Black & Decker. However, Black & Decker has slowly been returning production back to the United States.
Currently there are several states in the US that produce Craftsman Tools. These include Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina, Ohio, Kentucky, Tennessee, Connecticut, Mississippi, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Massachusetts. Black & Decker plans to open new plants in Virginia and Texas soon.
What State Produces which Types of Craftsman Tools?
To discover which states produce various kinds of craftsman tools, there’s a page dedicated on the company’s website. However, as of this writing, they are as follows:
- Wisconsin: Pressure washers and engines
- Illinois: Resin sheds and tow-behind riding mower attachments
- Iowa: Oil, lubricants, brooms, deck brushes and hoses
- Missouri: Metal storage
- North Carolina: Riding mowers and snow blowers
- South Carolina: V20 drills and drivers along with saws, knives, plastic storage, impact drivers, resin tubs and hammerdrills
- Ohio: Riding mowers and snow blowers
- Kentucky: Reciprocating saw blades
- Tennessee: Metal storage containers
- Mississippi: Hand push mowers and snow blowers
- Connecticut: Knives, blades and tape measures
- New York: Wet/dry vacuums
- New Jersey: Carpet blades
- Pennsylvania: Long-handled tools and wheelbarrows
- Massachusetts: Reciprocating saw blades, riding mowers and snow blowers
Most other tools are still produced in China. It’s unclear what Black & Decker will manufacture in Virginia or Texas when the plants become operational.
Can You Discover from Where Your Craftsman Tool Came?
No, unfortunately there is no way to trace back where you Craftsman Tool came from. While Stanley Black & Decker does have a map showing where they produce certain things in the USA, they aren’t forthcoming about specifics.
