The short answer is no, Home Depot does not currently sell Craftsman tools in 2024. I‘ll explain the reasons why America‘s largest home improvement retailer has chosen not to stock this iconic tool brand. I‘ll also provide expert tips on where you can find Craftsman tools and how they compare to Home Depot‘s lineup.
As a DIYer and homeowner yourself, you may have your heart set on picking up some new Craftsman tools for your next project. So I want to give you all the details on the past, present and future of Craftsman at Home Depot. Let‘s dive in!
A Brief History of Craftsman Tools
First, let‘s look at the origins and reputation behind the Craftsman brand. Understanding where Craftsman comes from explains a lot about why you won‘t find it at Home Depot today.
Craftsman tools were first launched in 1927 as the flagship tool brand sold exclusively by Sears, Roebuck and Company. The very first Craftsman products were a set of socket wrenches.
Over the decades from the 1920s to the 1970s, Craftsman grew to become one of America‘s most trusted and well-known tool brands. By the 1990s, 99% of all Americans recognized the Craftsman name.
Craftsman tools earned this strong reputation for quality and durability through clever marketing campaigns and slogans like "Made to be the best" and "For the hardworking American."
For most of its history, Craftsman enjoyed a unique distribution partnership with Sears as the only place you could buy Craftsman tools. This partnership benefited both brands by linking them closely together in consumers‘ minds.
| Year | Milestone |
|---|---|
| 1927 | Craftsman brand founded, first sockets sold |
| 1930s-1940s | Expands into wrenches, hammers, pliers |
| 1950s-1960s | Launches power tools and tool storage |
| 1970s-1990s | Becomes one of America‘s most recognized brands |
| 2017 | Stanley Black & Decker acquires brand from Sears |
However, in 2017 a major shift happened when Stanley Black & Decker purchased the Craftsman brand from Sears for a whopping $900 million.
This huge move gave one of the world‘s largest tool companies control of an iconic American brand. But Sears maintained some rights to produce Craftsman tools as well.
So in summary, Craftsman tools were born at Sears almost 100 years ago. The Sears association gave Craftsman its trusted image. But the brand changed hands in 2017, opening up new retail possibilities beyond just Sears.
Why Home Depot Doesn‘t Sell Craftsman Today
Given the long history between Sears and Craftsman, you may wonder why Home Depot chooses not to sell America‘s favorite tool brand today. There are a few key business factors at play:
Focus on Private Label Brands
Home Depot has invested heavily over the past 20 years in building up its own exclusive family of tool brands. This includes Husky, Ryobi, Ridgid, Milwaukee and others.
Rather than partner with other brands like Craftsman, Home Depot wants customers like you to come to its stores for the proprietary tool brands you can only get at Home Depot.
In 2020, Husky and other private label brands made up 20% of Home Depot‘s overall sales. So promoting brands it uniquely owns drives big business benefits.
Avoid Direct Competition with Sears
Though struggling compared to its heyday, Sears is still kicking and remains a major direct competitor to Home Depot in the home improvement space.
Selling Craftsman tools would pit Home Depot head to head against Sears in a battle for Craftsman sales. It‘s strategically smarter for Home Depot to differentiate from Sears by avoiding Craftsman.
Lack of Partnership with Stanley Black & Decker
The new owner of the Craftsman brand, Stanley Black & Decker, has not yet established a retail partnership to sell Craftsman tools at Home Depot locations.
Instead, Stanley Black & Decker landed a partnership with Lowe‘s back in 2018 to feature Craftsman prominently in Lowe‘s stores.
Without a similar partnership in place, Home Depot has decided to forgo stocking Craftsman in favor of brands like Husky, Ryobi and Milwaukee.
Complexity of Sears Craftsman Agreement
Here‘s one more wrinkle – the agreement for Stanley Black & Decker‘s purchase of Craftsman allows Sears to continue producing and selling Craftsman tools through 2032.
This means both companies have rights to make Craftsman tools which adds complexity for rapidly expanding distribution to major chains like Home Depot.
In the future, Craftsman availability may increase as Stanley Black & Decker takes over full production. But for now, the lingering Sears deal is one more factor contributing to Craftsman‘s absence at Home Depot.
What Tool Brands Does Home Depot Sell?
Craftsman has a legendary reputation, but Home Depot offers its own set of tool brands known for quality and performance. Here‘s a look at the major players:
Husky
Husky is Home Depot‘s flagship brand positioned as a direct competitor to Craftsman on quality and price. Husky launched in 2002 and has grown into a tool line with over 5,000 products.
Husky hand tools and mechanics tools feature lifetime warranties. I‘ll cover how Husky compares to Craftsman in more detail shortly.
Milwaukee
For pro-grade power tools, Home Depot sells Milwaukee products made by Techtronic Industries. Milwaukee is a leader in delivering innovative lithium-ion cordless power tools.
Milwaukee invests heavily in research and development. They aim to give tradespeople the most advanced portable power tools available today.
Ryobi
Ryobi offers home DIYers an affordable lineup of creative power tools perfect for home improvement projects. You can find unique Ryobi tools at Home Depot like hot glue guns, inflators and drain augers.
Ryobi positions itself as a fun brand for homeowners with clever products, not professional contractors. Expect good value but not commercial-grade durability.
Ridgid
For those looking for powerful and reliable power tools backed by a lifetime service agreement, Ridgid is a great Home Depot brand.
Ridgid first earned its reputation long ago in 1923 as a maker of heavy-duty pipe wrenches. Today, they make pro-caliber power tools covered by a lifetime warranty against defects.
DeWalt
Prostrust DeWalt for heavy duty power tools built to withstand even the toughest job site conditions day after day. DeWalt offers relentless performance and reliability.
From concrete nailers to wet tile saws to the latest cordless innovations, DeWalt is the premier brand for professional durability.
Check out the lifetime cost of Dewalt vs Milwaukee tools at Home Depot.
Makita
Makita power tools deliver best-in-class performance while being extremely lightweight. For cordless tools, Makita‘s LXT Lithium-Ion batteries offer the fastest charge times on the market.
With leading battery technology and breakthrough motors, Makita gives construction pros and demanding users unmatched productivity.
Bosch
For high precision at high power, Bosch tools live up to their German engineering heritage. Bosch makes the kind of tools professionals wish they could design for themselves.
Bosch innovates advanced cooling systems, electronics and other smart features into tools optimized for pros who use them every day.
Porter Cable
Homeowners renovating on a budget can rely on Porter Cable for reasonably priced power tools that provide rugged durability. Despite the cost savings, Porter Cable maintains smooth and reliable tool operation.
Porter Cable focuses more on performance than frills. You‘ll typically find basic black and gray tools without excessive styling.
This overview just scratches the surface of Home Depot‘s vast power tool selection. You’re sure to find tools from one of these major brands perfect for your next project.
How Do Craftsman Tools Compare to Husky?
Since Husky is Home Depot‘s exclusive brand positioned to compete with Craftsman, you may be wondering how Craftsman and Husky tools actually compare. Let‘s look at some of the key differences shoppers should keep in mind:
Reputation – Craftsman enjoys a longer heritage going back to 1927 when Husky just got its start in 2002. But Husky has quickly built its own reputation for value and reliability.
Quality – In terms of durability, Craftsman still rates a slight edge over Husky according to most professional reviews. But Husky quality has steadily improved over the past decade.
Price – You‘ll typically pay a bit less for Husky tools than comparable Craftsman models. Husky gives shoppers great bang for their buck.
Selection – Husky wins when it comes to sheer variety with over 5,000 tools. But Craftsman still offers an expansive range with great sets for mechanics and tradespeople.
Innovation – Husky often benefits from proprietary features you can only find at Home Depot. Craftsman relies more on perfecting classic tool designs and mechanics.
Warranty – Craftsman hand tools come with a lifetime warranty. Husky hand tools and mechanics tool sets also have lifetime warranties.
So while Craftsman still bests Husky in legacy reputation and is a bit more durable, Husky gives you affordable innovation exclusive to Home Depot. For many homeowners, Husky gets the job done just as well for less.
Where To Buy Craftsman Tools
If your heart is set on buying Craftsman for your tool collection, where can you find them? Here are the best retailers to shop Craftsman tools:
Sears – Longtime home of Craftsman still offers the largest selection online at sears.com or at remaining Sears department store locations.
Lowe‘s – Score Craftsman tools including power tools, hand tools and more both in-store and at lowes.com.
Ace Hardware – An increasing number of local Ace Hardware owners now sell Craftsman at their stores. Check availability.
Amazon – Convenient online shopping with a huge Craftsman selection and free Prime shipping.
Craftsman Website – Buy directly from the source at craftsman.com with regular promotions and discounts.
Specialty Retailers – Shop unique retailers like Blain’s Farm & Fleet, Atwoods and Menards for Craftsman tools available regionally.
For the most convenience, check Craftsman‘s Store Locator to find local options to buy your must-have Craftsman tools. Sign up for Craftsman‘s email list for news of limited-time deals.
Wherever you choose to shop, look for genuine Craftsman tools made in America at approved sellers for the full warranty and assurance of quality. Avoid knock-offs from untrusted sources.
Ready To Shop For Your Next Tools?
As a home DIY warrior myself, I know you want access to your favorite tools for any project challenge. I hope this inside look clarified why the iconic Craftsman brand is no longer on shelves at America‘s home improvement headquarters, Home Depot.
But thankfully, reliable Craftsman tools are still readily available at retailers like Lowe‘s, Ace Hardware and Sears. And Home Depot offers its own set of trustworthy brands like Husky and Milwaukee perfect for homeowners and building pros.
The next time you’re looking to stock up on tools for renovating, woodworking, auto repairs or tackling any rugged task, you’ll do so with the confidence of understanding where to find the best brands for your needs. Let me know if you have any other tool-shopping questions!
