So had to do some work on the truck today and aside from a set of very basic tools, all of my tools are in a storage container in Phoenix. I needed to get some deep well sockets and a set of box end wrenches.

Normally this is the kind of thing I'd run out to Sears, hit the Craftsman section, get what I need and be out the door. Well, the last Sears in Anchorage has closed. So go to Lowe's since they now carry Craftsman. Nope, very basic starter sets and not much else. Their own Cobalt section was even lacking. Ok, over to Home Depot, a little better selection, at least they had some deep well socket sets.

So yes, the quality of Sears Craftsman brand has seriously declined over the past several years. But damnit! They had everything in their Craftsman section; deep well sockets, ratcheting wrenches, flange wrenches, offset screwdrivers, all kinds of other weird shit. It was good for when you needed an odd tool right now and didn't have time to wait for an item ordered on the internet to show up in the mail.

This sucks.

I've heard that Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man.

I miss the Sears of 30 years ago, not the shitty mess that was Sears in the meantime.

quote:

Originally posted by Paten:
I've heard that Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man .

Ace is the place with the helpful hardware folks.

Have you heard their recent commercials? Even Ace is now woke.

quote:

Originally posted by RichardC:

quote:

Originally posted by Paten:
I've heard that Ace is the place with the helpful hardware man .

Ace is the place with the helpful hardware folks.

Have you heard their recent commercials? Even Ace is now woke.

I haven't seen their recent commercials, but the local ACE is the only place to go if you're looking for anything the least bit out of the ordinary. They're still old school. Not only do they have that hard to find bolt you couldn't find anywhere else in stock, but it's dirt cheap as well. I've had them give me hardware before because I only needed one or two random fasteners to finish a job.

Yeah, Ace is pretty good, but still not nearly as good as the Sears tool section used to be

I miss them too. Northern Kentucky store is in the hands of liquidators. East Cincinnati, East Gate is going strong. They carry many fine products so I dont get the closings. You can still find some USA made Craftsman at Ace.

Ace may be the place, but is hard to find in my neck of the woods.

quote:

Originally posted by ensigmatic:
Yeah, Ace is pretty good, but still not nearly as good as the Sears tool section used to be

But not what the Sears tool section was a year or two ago. I went there 2 years ago to outfit a boat with a bunch of tools. They either had none on the shelf (half of the things I was looking for), or only 1 of everything, so I gave up and went to Lowe's.

I thought this was an April Fools joke.

I grew up down the street from a Sear and my Dad taught me to spend my extra allowance/job money on tools at a young age so over the years I built up a decent set of Craftsman tools. I used to love going in there, the tool section seemed huge and they had just about everything and then some.

Fast forward to a few months ago when I went into the local sears to exchange a bad ratchet. Almost no selection and way too much "as seen on TV" type shit.

The only purpose Sears serves in my life now is that it is a convenient cut thru to get to Apple store due to both proximity and the abundance of parking spaces.

quote:

Originally posted by Fredward:
I miss the Sears of 30 years ago, not the shitty mess that was Sears in the meantime.

Agree 100%

The last 10 years were painful. The tool section at the local store was getting smaller every year and was half stocked with their cheap line of tools with the green handles. A trip through the checkout required half a dozen secret passwords for various loyalty programs and they damn near tried to sell you a time share before you could pay.

Was already at Lowe's getting salt for the water softener, and needed a 27mm socket. Took a bit of searching to find the single sale sockets. Tucked into a drawer at & below knee height.

Of course I know Sears doesn't build them anymore and they're likely Chinese crap, but I will miss their Lady Kenmore line of appliances if they ever discontinue those. I've had my washer/dryer since 18-NOV 1995...still have the receipt.

Graingers in Anchorage

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quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Was already at Lowe's getting salt for the water softener, and needed a 27mm socket. Took a bit of searching to find the single sale sockets. Tucked into a drawer at & below knee height.

PSA. 27mm is the same as 1-1/16" for all practical purposes (1.063 vs 1.0625 inches).

quote:

Originally posted by MRMATT:

quote:

Originally posted by P250UA5:
Was already at Lowe's getting salt for the water softener, and needed a 27mm socket. Took a bit of searching to find the single sale sockets. Tucked into a drawer at & below knee height.

PSA. 27mm is the same as 1-1/16" for all practical purposes (1.063 vs 1.0625 inches).

Thanks, didn't have either in my toolbox & didn't want to further bugger up the oil filter housing on the car. Made do with a channel lock last time.

My local Ace Hardware has a Glock 48 that is calling my name. Sears never had one.

quote:

Originally posted by .38supersig:
My local Ace Hardware has a Glock 48 that is calling my name. Sears never had one.

Probably not a Glock 48, but Sears used to have all kinds of cool shit; Winchester .30-30's, Remington 870's, etc. Growing up the closest one to the house was paradise for kid. Craftsman, sporting goods and a video arcade with Tempest, Asteroids and Space Invaders all in the same corner of the store.

Was thinking of getting a new tool chest not long back. Sears stuff was total crap. Interestingly, Harbor Freight tool chest/cabinets look awesome.