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Craftsman Tool Catalog

I

in-too-deep

Well-known Member
So, I've always loved looking through the Sears tools catalog. Never got to buy much, but just liked having it around. A few months ago I requested a new one from the Ccraftsman website. It never came, so today we found ourselves in Fargo, and I swung into Sears to pick up a catalog. The woman at the desk said they don't make it anymore, it's all online. A man a the counter said there's an old expired one hanging up over by such and such. Don't make it anymore? It's the Craftsman tools catalog! It's an American staple! I politely said "Aw, it's the end of an era. Thanks, though." and walked out. I understand not much Craftsman is made in U.S. anymore, but it's what my dad had when I was little and it's what I enjoy using. Kinda disappointed. Yeah, yeah, it's just paper.
 
I'm sure that the catalog is/was costly to print and that some people probably grab 10 of them without ever buying a Craftsman tool, but I always liked the Craftsman paper catalog. I stopped buying stuff from Radio Shack when they stopped having a paper catalog. I guess it stands to reason that I'm not buying much from Craftsman anymore either. Of course, in the case of Craftsman, it's because most of their items are now made in China.
 
Many places no longer have catalog they want you to do it on line now days. But guess they do not figure that not all people have computers etc. Just think what will happen if we have an EMP or some such thing LOL
 
I still miss having a catalog in the "reading room". Catalog's were generally good for 1 year; today the market changes faster so it's easier to update a website. Sometimes the manufacturer offers a short time rebate for online purchases that the stores don't offer, so I catch those when I can.

The only catalog that I receive now is from a woodworking supply that I never buy anything from.
 
Me, I save everything.
a198543.jpg
 
It's not just Craftsman made in China. I recently got a new Snap On rep, so I went out to look on the truck to make him feel good, but I don't buy much Snappy because they can't keep a servicing rep in my area. What I noticed is all their high priced electronic tools said made in China on the box. I am in the market for a borescope, but I won't pay what Snappy wants since it is a China product. Their hand tools are still USA, not that I can afford them, I am stuck with Taiwan Napa stuff because it is easier to warranty.
 
That's one of the reasons the Sartell paper mill is being cut up for scrap, we used to make a lot of paper for Sears! At it's peak after the 81 expansion it employed 800 people all good paying jobs with good benefits including a conventional pension. I'm just lucky it lasted until I retired.
 
Doesn't have anything to do with Craftsman or Sears, but I believe Northern Tool still makes a catalog for their tools and equipment. My brother just received a really nice hardbound catalog in the mail the other day from Northern, but I don't know if that's something he had to special order. I'll ask hem when I see him again.
 

Doubt that where the tools are made matters when it comes to whether or not it pays to create the catalog.

BTW - the Chinese sure do get blamed a lot for making junk, but we all need to remember that the reason they turn out some junk is the the greedy Americans who write the specs specify junk! The Chinese could turn out tools as high in quality as Americans, but that level of quality is not often specified.
 
Same as Mc Master Carr Catalogs. Our shop always a few. I believe they are now very hard to get. Maybe not even available anymore. When things were slow I would go through the catalog. Being in the maintenance dept. it was nice to know what was out there. The catalog is on line now, and much easier to find things. Stan
 
McMaster still does paper, but you have to but a lot to get one. I have the most current sitting on my desk.
 
Printed catalogs for anything are a thing of the past. I don't like it either. I like to sit in my lazyboy at night and look through my catalogs.
 
Yes I have one of those as well + you could get parts and attachments for those tools and they were of good quality. I still have the drill press out of that catalog. Wish I could find one of the Morse tapered spindles for one now. J.
 
That is good to know that they haven't caved into to no paper. I have bought a lot from them when I was working, but don't think a few dollars now and then would qualify me for one now. One thing about them if I order anything now in the morning it will be at my door the next morning, or the next day at the latest.Stan
 
I do not want this to sound like I am defending the China tool. On one of my very first trips to China I had a plant (cast iron foundry) manager hold up three cast iron plumbing T fittings. First one was domestic use, second one export, third one usa export. He showed the weight of each and you guessed it the USA one was less material. In a nut shell he said just what the other poster said "we make what the customer wants" , you want cheap we make cheap.
 
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