I'm 41 and I still have old craftsman ( every pay day when I was young I bout 1 tool at Sears) hand tools some of witch were my Dad's that I'm sure are older than me. Quality ment some thing back then I guess
I think it is mostly connected to which company manufactured the particular item for Sears.
John
Related to topic, OK, I'm not going to name countries here, I don't want to upset anyone
10 years ago I bout a Dewalt 18 volt cordless drill made in place "A". It's been smashed, crashed, I've even in the heat of battle used it as a hammer more than once. The only reason I brout it home was you had to now tape the bateries to it in order for them to stay attached.
All ways needing 2 drills for work a few years later I bout a second Dewalt made in place "B", the differance in quality was unreal! The charger was the first to pack it in, then the drill in under a year. Dewalt "A" kept on going.
After 10 years Dewalt "A" has out lasted 2 Dewalt "B" drills. Metal gears compared to plastic and a few other things. The only repairs needed to "A" have been replacing the brushes witch the "Bs" donated.
Batteries don't seem to last long these days compared to way back, this part kills me. I Dec 08 I needed a couple new bateries, so for $150 I almost bout 2 in a pack. While stading in line to pay I notice the drill, charger, and 2 bateries on sale for $170! You would think after I had to ask for the batteries the person I delt with COULD have mentioned for $20 more.......
So now I have 4 18 volt Dewalts and I'm sure Dewalt "A" will out last them doing the same job.
