u/uncapped19

Been thinking about this a lot lately. When Sears went under and Stanley Black and Decker took over Craftsman, there was this whole segment of the market that got left behind serious hobbyists and budget-conscious tradespeople who wanted quality hand tools at a reasonable price without going full Snap-on.

Some people say Harbor Freight Icon filled it. Some say nobody did. Some say Craftsman Overdrive is actually decent now.

Genuinely curious what the r/Tools community thinks. Where do you go now for the quality that old Craftsman used to deliver?

My dad had a Craftsman socket set from the early 70s that still works perfectly. Went to replace one piece last year and the new one felt completely different in my hand.

Started digging into the history the $500 name purchase in 1927, the lifetime warranty that actually meant something, then Eddie Lampert buying Sears and running it into the ground. Full disclosure I made a short documentary on it if anyone wants the full story.

Curious whether you all still trust the Craftsman name or is it just a label at this point?