Shopping for new tools can be a stressful experience due to the many brand options and wanting to find something reliable and of good quality.
If you have ever shopped for tools, then you have most likely heard of the Craftsman brand, but you may be wondering if Craftsman is a good brand.
Let’s take a look at the Craftsman brand and why it is good.
Is Craftsman A Good Brand? (10 Reasons It Is)
1. Comfortable To Use
Craftsman tools are known to be comfortable to use.
They are designed well, and many people like how they feel in your hands.
You will want to feel good about using a Craftsman tool whether you are using the tool for a hobby or all day long at work.
Craftsman has created tools that have a comfort grip for this reason.
They are designed to sit comfortably in your hand when in use in order to be used for extended periods without issue.
Craftsman kept this in mind when designing the comfort grip.
Tools that are comfortable to use will likely result in returning customers for a brand.
People that use these tools regularly are going to be looking for something comfortable that can be used many hours per day without issue.
2. Large Selection
Craftsman offers a large selection of tools to fit any need.
This has made it a well regarded brand because customers can find a product to complete any job within the Craftsman brand.
Over the years, Craftsman expanded its product range, and many consumers have been able to only purchase tools from Craftsman due to the large selection.
The company’s product range has continued to grow, and it has remained innovative when creating new products for customers.
Power Tools
- Air tools
- Compressors
- Drills
- Dust management tools
- Grinders
- Polishers
- Impact drivers and wrenches
- Multi-function tools
- Nailers
- Staplers
- Planers and jointers
- Sanders
- Saws
- Screwdrivers
- Specialty tools
Accessories
- Batteries
- Chargers
- Cutting and grinding accessories
- Drilling accessories
- Fastening accessories
- Hole saws and mandrels
- Sanding accessories
- Sawing accessories
Automotive Tools
- Compressors
- Air tools
- Inflators
- Mechanic tool sets
- Ratchets and sockets
- Rivets and grommets
Hand Tools
- Chisels
- Punches
- Files
- Hammers
- Hand saws
- Knives and blades
- Lasers
- Manual fastening tools
- Measuring and layout tools
- Planes
- Pliers and snips
- Screwdriver and hex keys
- Wrenches
- Ratchets and sockets
Outdoor Tools & Equipment
- Cutting and pruning tools
- Digging tools
- Hand Tools
- Lawn and garden
- Outdoor combo kits
- Snow removal
- Washers, pumps, and hoses
Storage
- Mobile tool storage
- Storage accessories
- Tool bags, pouches, and belts
- Tool organizers and bins
- Toolboxes
- Workshop storage
Workspace
- Electrical accessories
- Garage
- Generators and power supply
- Heating and cooling
- Lighting
- Protective workwear
- Radios and speakers
- Work facilitation
3. Ergonomically Designed
Tools that are ergonomically designed are of extreme importance to those people who are using the tools on a regular basis.
It is important that the tools are designed to do their specific job well and to be efficient in the task at hand.
Craftsman tools are used by many industry professionals that use these tools for hours each day because they are ergonomically designed.
Ergonomic tools are designed to be comfortable and efficient which is exactly what Craftsman has always strived for.
4. Good Warranty
Craftsman is known to offer excellent warranties on their products.
The warranty periods will vary slightly depending on the type of tool.
Many of the Craftsman products come with a full or limited lifetime warranty.
If the product has a full lifetime warranty, if anything happens to the product at any point, then Craftsman will replace the product.
With a limited lifetime warranty, the product will only be replaced if the tool fails to perform due to defects in the materials or workmanship.
Certain product categories may have products with a full lifetime warranty and others with a limited lifetime warranty, so you must look at the Craftsman website for your product information to determine exactly which warranty your product has.
Along with lifetime warranties, there are quite a few Craftsman products that will have a limited warranty for a certain amount of time.
These products will be warranted against defects in material or workmanship during that specific period.
A lifetime warranty product will not require proof of purchase to have any repairs or replacements made, but a limited lifetime warranty over a specific period of time may require proof of purchase so Craftsman knows how long it has been since the product was purchased.
The warranty period will always begin from the date of purchase.
Lifetime Warranty Products
- Hand tools
- Non-electric automotive tools
- Mechanics tools
Limited Lifetime Warranty Products
- Non-electric automotive tools
- Electronic measuring tools such as lasers, laser distance measuring tools, and stud finders
- Other hand tools
- Tape measures
- Gloves
- Portable plastic storage such as toolboxes, wheeled toolboxes, and organizers
- Hoses and hose reels that are heavy duty
- Manual cutting tools
1-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Torque wrenches
- 3-drawer metal toolbox
- Magnetic accessories such as paper towel cups, power strips, and tool holders
- Foam drawer liners
- Versatrack
- Compressors
- Wheelbarrows
2-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Push lawn mowers
- Ride on lawn mowers
- Snow throwers
- Tillers
- Chippers
3-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Garage door openers
- Metal storage cabinets and chests series 1000
- Pneumatic nailers and staplers
- Power tools sold after September 2018 such as corded handheld power tools, drillers, grinders, impact drivers & wrenches, oscillating tools, sanders, and saws
- Wet/dry vacuums
- Generators
- Outdoor power tools sold after September 2018
5-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Hoses and hose reels that are light duty
7-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Hoses and hose reels that are medium duty
10-Year Limited Warranty Products
- Metal storage cabinets and chests series 2000 and 3000
15-Year Limited Warranty
- Long handled garden tools such as shovels and rakes
5. Almost 100 Years In Business
The Craftsman brand has a long history of almost 100 years of experience in the tool industry.
The brand first began in 1927 and slowly introduced the wide range of tools you can purchase today.
With Craftsman having almost 100 years of experience and still being in business, they have proven that they are a long-lasting brand with a good reputation.
Craftsman began with the introduction of its electric drills in 1929 and the products have been a part of some of the most historical events including the removal of part of the Berlin Wall.
6. Versatility
The versatility of Craftsman products has made it a continual favorite for years.
The company has worked hard to create products that will work for multiple purposes to make it easier and less expensive for customers.
Craftsman created its Brushless RP 2-Tool Combo Kit that provides customers the ability to have one product that can assist with drilling and fastening needs.
It has also created a ratcheting wrench set, which allows you to use the tools as a wrench set, and on the other end, it can be used as a ratchet set.
This takes up less space and is more cost-effective than having to purchase completely separate wrench and ratchet sets.
Craftsman keeps versatility in mind when creating new products because it is one of the key factors that keep customers purchasing their products
If a product can serve more than one purpose then a customer is likely to purchase it as it is more cost-effective than having to purchase multiple products to serve each purpose.
It is also more space effective for customers to be able to purchase products that serve more than one purpose.
For someone who may only have a small amount of space available in their garage for tool storage, versatile products make the most sense.
7. Reliability
The reliability of Craftsman products contributes to the reputation of the brand.
Craftsman products are known to last for many years, and it offers some of the best warranties in the industry to back its products.
Customers will know that they can rely on Craftsman because of the quality materials being used to manufacture them, but they will also have long-term warranties to back the product and its reliability.
Craftsman offers lifetime and limited lifetime warranties on many products as well as warranties that last for several years.
8. Customer Service
Craftsman has been known to provide excellent customer service whenever an issue arises.
They have a support page on their website that is dedicated to helping customers.
If there is something quick that you want to know, there is an FAQ section that may answer your question.
There is also a complete breakdown of its warranty policies and exactly what products have which warranty in the event you are unsure if your product is still under warranty.
You can also order replacement parts through the website as well as locate a service center if you feel that you need to take your product to be serviced.
In order to receive assistance with ordering replacement parts or finding a service center, you will just need to locate the model number on your product.
If you cannot resolve your problem through the website, then you can submit a request for help from the customer service team or contact them via chat.
Craftsman customer service is known to be quick to respond and quick to help resolve issues and find a solution.
9. Purchase Locations
Craftsman was previously owned by Sears and was primarily only sold in Sears and eventually Kmart when the two companies merged.
However, after Craftsman was bought by Stanley Black & Decker, it began to be carried in Lowe’s as well.
This made the Craftsman tools more widely accessible to customers.
Sears has shut down hundreds of stores in recent years, and that made it hard for some customers to purchase Craftsman products in-store.
Lowe’s has many more locations than Sears, and it allows customers to look at Craftsman tools in person.
There are currently 217 Sears stores left in the United States but more than 2,000 Lowe’s locations throughout the United States.
Along with expanding to Lowe’s, Craftsman is now being sold in smaller quantities on Amazon as well as at select Ace Hardware stores.
Depending on the specific product you are looking for, you might be able to purchase the product online through a retailer such as Amazon.
However, if you want the opportunity to look at the line of tools and be able to touch them in person, then shopping at a large retailer such as Lowe’s will be a better option for you.
10. Pricing
Craftsman tools are marketed towards a lot of homeowners and those who enjoy doing DIY projects.
However, they are also used by many industry professionals in their daily jobs.
Due to the products being targeted more toward DIY-type people, the price of Craftsman tools tends to be more reasonable than other tool brands such as Dewalt.
A Craftsman 20-volt cordless drill is priced at $79, but a Dewalt 20-volt cordless drill is priced at $159.
That is a large price difference for someone who is shopping for a new product.
Craftsman’s prices on all of their products tend to be lower than competing brands, which makes them a more ideal choice for someone who is not wanting to spend a lot of money on new tools.
Customers are more likely to spend their money on a product that is reasonably priced but also backed by an excellent warranty in the event that something does go wrong.
Who Owns Craftsman?
The Craftsman brand used to be owned by Sears and was primarily sold only at Sears locations.
During this time, Sears did not manufacture Craftsman products.
They were manufactured by several other companies.
When Sears and Kmart merged, Craftsman tools were then sold in Kmart locations as well.
However, in 2017, when Sears closed down more than 230 stores, Stanley Black & Decker bought out Craftsman.
Sears kept a limited license for Craftsman products following the sale.
Where Is Craftsman Manufactured?
According to the Craftsman website, it manufactures its products in facilities scattered throughout the United States, but it uses global materials.
- New Britain, Connecticut makes select tape measures.
- Sullivan, Illinois makes select riding mower attachments.
- Batavia, Illinois makes select resin sheds.
- Bluffs, Iowa makes select oils and lubricants.
- Mount Pleasant, Iowa makes select hoses.
- Fairfield, Iowa makes select manual tools.
- Shelbyville, Kentucky makes select reciprocating blades and hole saws.
- East Longmeadow, Massachusetts makes select saw blades.
- Golden Valley, Minnesota makes select oils and lubricants,
- Tupelo, Mississippi makes select gas push mowers and snow blowers.
- Sedalia, Missouri makes select metal storage.
- Willard, Ohio makes select gas riding mowers and snow blowers.
- Fairborn, Ohio makes select sanding paper and sanding discs.
- Williamsport, Pennsylvania makes select wet/dry vacs.
- Camp Hill, Pennsylvania makes select manual tools.
- Carlisle, Pennsylvania makes select manual tools.
- Fort Mill, South Carolina makes select V20 power tools.
- Cheraw, South Carolina makes select knives, saws, and plastic storage.
- Simpsonville, South Carolina makes select resin totes.
- Jackson, Tennessee makes select compressors.
- Gallatin, Tennessee makes select Tradestack System Plastic Storage
- Martin, Tennessee makes select gas riding mowers.
- Fort Worth, Texas makes select mechanics tool sets.
- Milwaukee, Wisconsin makes select gas pressure washers.
Conclusion
Craftsman is a long-standing brand with a great reputation, excellent customer service, and quality products that will last for many years.
Regardless of whether you are looking for tools for a DIY project or you are an industry professional wanting to purchase new tools for work, Craftsman is an excellent choice and a good brand to invest in.
