You have to watch these "store" brands. A lot of times these big box places control the supplier so much they will have them make it to their specs and not the specs that the manufacturer's name product has. it may look like the original but inside it is cheapened up with low quality parts.LowesBro said:Hello Everyone, I have been floating in and out and catching random hits of topics that are in my field. I work on the inside for Lowe's Companies, through a marketing group and I can 100% positively say that Kobalt compressors are made by Coleman, a very respected name in the filed. I have had first hand experience with the compressors and would say that they are very average. I would not go Professional grade with it, but in the industry they rate very high.
It would be nice to find out who the OEM is, since Kobalt is just a "label". For instance, the wrenches and sockets are Snap On and the tool boxes are Waterloo. I think the tool guy at Lowe's should be able to tell you who makes the compressors.
Danaher hasn't made Craftsman for quite a while, most Craftsman stuff is made by Urreah tools out of Mexico, a lot of the rest is made by Stanley/Proto, and specialty tools are made by whoever they get the best deal from, their pipe threading tools are made by Rothenberger.I heard that too, they're not, they used to be made by Williams (Owned by Snap On), the maker of the Super Wrench, one of their plants out here used to make them all, Kolbalt is now being made by Danaher Tools they make Craftsman, Armstrong and just about any other tool you can think of.
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That would explain the made in the USA on them.Danaher hasn't made Craftsman for quite a while, most Craftsman stuff is made by Urreah tools out of Mexico, a lot of the rest is made by Stanley/Proto, and specialty tools are made by whoever they get the best deal from, their pipe threading tools are made by Rothenberger.
They have manufacturing facilities in this country, the companies headquarters is in Mexico though.That would explain the made in the USA on them.
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They have manufacturing facilities in this country, the companies headquarters is in Mexico though.
The company is still most often referred to as "the maker of Sears Craftsman hand tools" but that description becomes less accurate every time Danaher buys a new operation.
First, Danaher makes only Craftsman mechanics' tools -- wrenches and the like. Other companies produce all sorts of products sold under the Craftsman brand.
Second, since Sears was purchased by Kmart Holding Corp. last year, the Craftsman business is not what it once was. "A bit of a wild card," Culp called it last week. At one point, Danaher was expected to benefit from the Sears-Kmart marriage because Craftsman tools would be sold in Kmart stores. But struggling Sears has cut back its inventory of tools, and analysts at Wachovia Corp. now call Craftsman the laggard in Danaher's hand-tool division. Growth in the division comes from professional-grade tools that are sold directly to mechanics and from increasing sales of hand tools to the Lowe's home-improvement chain.
Link to full article from 2006
I have seen Made in China on some Craftsman tools recently.Craftsman brand hand tools, made in USA by Danaher Tool Group. (Craftsman power tools are imported). Available from SEARS and KMart. Link
You can buy stuff right off their website (i'll be looking around).Urrea Professional Tools is a large North American tool manufacturer with more then 40 years experience and dedication in the production of high quality hand tools. Our tools are designed and built to satisfy the demanding environments and applications found in the industrial and automotive industries. Link
yeah i think that box is the coolest thing ive seen in a long time. If i was a mechanic id be going for that instead of a 5000 snapon thing. What is it with those anyway. I can hardly tell the difference between a snap on box and any of the others. Tools are one thing. Do you need a snap on box?I dont have any kobalt tools but i do drool over that tool box when i go in lowes. The one with the mini fridge and sterio built in. Place for ipod on top and a power strip on side. Im not a big fan of accessory laiden tool boxes but that one is nice without going over the top with crap like craftsmans new one.
For showoff purposes only.Do you need a snap on box?