The reputation of Craftsman has been having a bit of a renaissance in the years since Sears sold the brand. Here are some of the places you can get its tools.
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The Craftsman brand has a long and often convoluted history. Originating in 1927, it was exclusive to Sears for most of its existence, until the Craftsman name was sold to Stanley Black & Decker in 2017, around the same time as Sears brands like DieHard and Kenmore. Now carried in several retailers across the country, Craftsman has experienced a revitalization of sorts, establishing itself as a brand for homeowners, DIYers, and weekend warriors looking to take on a project, rather than professionals looking for precision tools that will last a lifetime.
My first job out of technical school was as a Sears automotive technician; my first tool storage cart was a Craftsman, and so was my first set of mechanic’s tools. I was with the company for 10 years before my store closed. In that time, I purchased and exchanged countless tools, taking advantage of the fact that I got a store discount, and that there was an entire tool store just outside of my auto shop. Today, online shopping is the norm, and Craftsman tools are available for home delivery or in-store pickup from a handful of different retailers. What follows is a list of six of the best places you can buy Craftsman tools online, as suggested by the brand itself and by me, a Craftsman owner and enthusiast.Lowe’s
Lowe’s is often considered the DIYer’s alternative to Home Depot’s professional warehouse store. The store doesn’t carry professional brands like Milwaukee, but makes up for it with lower prices on power tools than Home Depot and price match policies that include online retailers.
Lowe’s is more than just a place to buy Craftsman tools and outdoor power equipment — the home improvement retailer was a key factor in the brand’s revitalization after Sears sold it off after years of allowing the Craftsman name to tarnish its reputation. Today, Lowe’s treats Craftsman a lot like how Home Depot uses its own Husky brand — as a lower-end prosumer line that features a variety of solid products at a low price. The tools aren’t the first choice for professionals, but they aren’t meant to be. Instead, Craftsman is a brand found in garages of DIY mechanics and workshops of woodworking enthusiasts all across the nation.
Lowe’s offers shipping and in-store pickup for its online customers, and the store’s focus on Craftsman products is evident in its large displays in its stores, and its website, which features Craftsman in its power tool, outdoor power equipment, and hand tool sections. Lowe’s also honors the well-known Craftsman warranty on its hand tools, although you’ll have to stop into a brick and mortar store to take advantage of it.Ace Hardware
Ace is unique among the big-name hardware retailers in that it’s not a franchise-driven enterprise. Rather, Ace Hardware is a group of small business owners, united under one name to offer up some brand familiarity, while still remaining flexible enough to serve the unique needs of their individual communities.
