From: ToolGuyd.com This is a post directly from Toolguyd. I didn’t ask if I could copy it but it is information you need to know.
Posted on September 25th, 2012 by Stuart
Danaher, who makes many Craftsman mechanics tools and owns Gearwrench, Armstrong, Matco, and other tool brands, partnered with Cooper Industries, who owns Crescent, Weller, Apex, and others, to create a joint venture back in March 2010. Earlier this year, March 2012, Danaher and Cooper startedlooking to sell the jointly owned Apex Tool Group.
It was recently announced that Danaher and Cooper are in final talks to sell the Apex Tool Group to Bain Capital, a private-equity firm, with pricing estimated to be ~$1.5 billion.
Directly Affected Brands
Airetool
Allen
Apex
Armstrong
Atkins
Belzer
Campbell
Cleco
Collins
Crescent
Delta Truck Boxes
Diamond
DGD
Dotco
Erem
Gearwrench
H.K. Porter
Iseli
Jacobs Chuck
Jobox
K-D Tools
K&F
Lufkin
Master Power
Mayle
Metronix
Nicholson
Plumb
Quackenbush
Recoules
Sata
Spline Gauges
Utica
Weller
Wiss
Xcelite
In addition to these Danaher and Cooper-owned brands, the sale will likely affect Craftsman and other 3rd party brands who have strong manufacturing ties to the Tool Group.
There is no telling what the sale of Apex will have on the affected brands. One thing is clear – if the deal goes through, Bain Capital will want a return on their investment.
Maybe Bain will keep things as they are, but it seems more likely that they will seek to divide the tool group and sell off some of the brands.
The sale of Apex Tool Group looks to be inevitable. Companies don’t often report that a deal is close until they’ve at least reached the point of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s.
Apex Tool Group has ~$225 million in annual earnings EBITDA, with estimated valuation of $1.5-1.8 billion.
I received the new C3 cordless 3/8″ impact wrench yesterday and I want to give you my first impressions. The impact uses Craftsman’s C3 19.2V battery platform. Its compact size allows it to fit into tighter spaces than a standard 1/2″ impact wrench.
Craftsman C3 19.2 v 3/8 Cordless Impact
The new Craftsman impact wrench features a 3/8″ square drive with anvil retention ring (hog ring), variable speed 0-2500 no-load RPM gearbox, 130 ft-lbs torque rating and it can deliver 0-2500 IPM. The mid-handle design with over-molded grip is designed for improved comfort, and the impact is balanced well. It has an LED work light helps illuminate dim work areas and a battery monitor.
First impressions:
The kit I received has the compact impact wrench, one Nicad Battery, the new compact 1 hour charger, and manuals
The build quality is very good. The impact feels great in your hand and I feel you will be able to use is all day long without any discomfort.
The impact is the same size as the Craftsman 17338 19.2-volt C3 Cordless Impact Driver. Because this is a dedicated 3/8 impact though you will not need any adapters to use your sockets. This will make the wrench as short as possible allowing you to get into tighter areas than the impact driver could.
Just The Right Size
I used it for only a few minutes taking apart the zero-turn mower you see it sitting on. The wrench had no problems with any of the 3/8 to 3/4 in nuts I removed. It is rated for 130 ft lbs and I feel it is all of that.
The 3/8 inch drive has a hog ring instead of a ball and is designed for impact sockets instead of your standard Craftsman Mechanics Sockets. Because of the power this tool has I highly recommend you purchase a set of 3/8 impacts sockets and use them for your fastening.
The impact wrench will be available as a kit (32741) 3/8 Compact Impact Wrench that comes with a Ni-Cd battery and charger. The MSRP is $130 and I expect it to be for around $120. Later it will be available as an add-on.
The Stamper measures in at 107 square feet, not including the porch. There’s an alcove in the main room with windows on three sides.
The exterior dimensions are approximately 7′ wide x 18′ long. The porch adds another 1′ to the length. At the roof line, the Stamper is 9’6″ wide and 20′ long; and it stands at 11’2″ tall (not including the foundation). The downstairs has a ceiling height of 6’6″, and the loft height is 3′. See this house and many more, Click Here
B-53 The Classic Updated
B-53
The B-53 is our largest home. It can be built as a 2 bedroom (777 sq ft) or 3 bedroom (874 sq ft) house. The 3rd bedroom is an optional add-on bedroom that is on the first floor level. The top floor houses two additional bedrooms. Each story of the house is 7’6″ tall at its peak. The upstairs bedrooms have sloped ceilings on the sides, and the closets are positioned in the lower ceiling space. The exterior height of the B-53 is 20′ 9″. This house is not designed to be portable. We sell the plans to build it on location. See this house and many more, Click Here
House To Go
The EPU “House To Go” is the house that Jay Shafer lives in. You can watch the video of Jay in his house and also featured on Oprah. The EPU comes with a desk and fireplace in the main room; a kitchen; wet bath; and a loft upstairs. For its small size, the EPU has a large amount of storage space.
To see a list of open house dates in Sebastopol, CA and meet Jay, please click here. See this house and many more, Click Here
NOTE: All of the items on this list will NOT be available at your Sears store. Many of these items are available for free shipping to your home or your local Sears store though.
Click on the picture or the underlined link below and it will take you to the Sears.com page where you can order the item. Be sure to check the Special Offers tab on that page. Take your time and read about all the specials. There will be many extra discounts for ordering online this Christmas season.
Order now while quantities are plentiful. Sears has their 14 day price guarantee. If the item goes on sale for less than you paid within 14 days of your purchase bring your receipt into your local Sears and get the difference refunded. (There are restrictions on Black Friday price matching)
Sears always has new tools for that hard to buy for person and this Christmas is no exception. Dog Bones are a practical tool for the home owner and shade tree mechanic. It’s one of the best tools to get that teenager who wants their own tool set, but doesn’t have the room for a full set of mechanics tools. Dog Bones are basically a full set of sockets or box-end wrenches all in one convenient package.
The first three are brand new! You can be sure they won’t have one of these!!!
If you are an Ikea fan these Dog Bone wrenches will make assembling your new furniture a breeze.
Craftsman Ratcheting Dog Bone
New this Christmas! A ratcheting Dog Bone! I’m excited about this new wrench from Craftsman. All the metric or SAE (American) sockets I need around the house in one wrench! And it ratchets! I can now build that coffee table. tighten up the squeaky bed frame, fix that kitchen chair (again) and not have to get out a huge tool box because I don’t know what size the nut is. I know once my spouse sees this wrench it will never make it back to my toolbox out in the garage … It will go right into the kitchen drawer with “her” tools. There have been a few variations of the ratcheting version from other brands but the Craftsman is the best. The Full Chrome Polish design is easy to clean, nice to hold and it looks good. It’s very compact for what it does and the “fit and finish” is great.
Buy Here From Sears:Craftsman Ratcheting Bone Order your wrench here. Have it shipped right to your house or stop at your nearest Sears and pick it up in less than 5 minutes!
Craftsman Universal Dog Bone Combination Wrench
If you are completely numb to tools but you know you need at least one around the house the New Universal Dog Bone is one of the best choices you can make. Besides handling 6-sided (hex) nuts and bolts it also handles 5 other types of fasteners in both SAE and Metric sizes. This is like having 56 different wrenches in your kitchen drawer or glove box. For the average homeowner this is a much better deal than buying a $75 dollar mechanics tool set.
Buy Here From Sears:Craftsman Dog Bone Order your wrench here. Have it shipped right to your house or stop at your nearest Sears and pick it up in less than 5 minutes!
Craftsman Dog Bone Combination Wrench
The original! Still a great buy! Buy Here From Sears:Craftsman Dog Bone Order your wrench here. Have it shipped right to your house or stop at your nearest Sears and pick it up in less than 5 minutes!
Cheap cordless drills are one of the most popular tools for gifts. Just about everyone who lives in an apartment, condo, or house can use one for hanging pictures, drapes, assembling furniture or home improvement. You want a no-frills drill that can get the job done, but you don’t want to pay a lot for it. But the problem when you buy a cheap cordless drill for less than $50 they only last about 2 years. These cheap drills are heavy and nicad batteries that come with them never stay charged.
Over the last two years lithium-ion battery powered drill/drivers have become very affordable. Yes, they cost about $20 more than that cheap drill you bought two years ago but they have advantages you can’t get with your old drill. These new batteries will hold a charge for over a year so you will always have a drill ready to use. The Craftsman NEXTEC cordless drill is the most affordable and best value of all these drills.
The great thing about a Craftsman NEXTEC is you can buy an affordable drill and the battery and charger will work on a good selection of other cordless tools…tools that will make your home owner tasks much easier. You can buy a drill for a present this year and then have plenty of ideas for additional gifts for other occasions. The NEXTEC line uses a 12 volt lithium-ion battery.
Craftsman has expanded the NEXTEC 12 volt cordless tools considerably in the last few months. They have also updated many of the tools to include a battery monitor and add convenience factors like tool-less blade changes on the Multi-tool. The original tools have all proven to be very good, but if you want all the latest features buy the G2 NEXTEC tools. It is time to review everything that is in the line.
New Craftsman NEXTEC Tools!
Craftsman Nextec G2 12V Drill/Driver
Craftsman Nextec G2 12V Drill/Driver This is the new drill. It is an upgrade from the 17586 and now has 260 in lbs. of torque! This is plenty to perform most drilling and driving tasks around the home. Couple this drill with an impact driver and you can tackle just about any task that needs a hole drilled or a fastener installed or removed. This kit includes the drill/driver, battery, Quick-Boost charger and carrying case.
Craftsman 17586 NEXTEC 12.0V Lithium-Ion Drill/Driver This is the lithium drill that is becoming the most popular home-owner/hobby drill on the market. It is 195 in lbs strong, lightweight, and full featured. It come with the a battery and standard lithium charger. (charges in 30 minutes) This 3/8 drill and the G2 have 2 speeds, clutch, reverse and built-in light. I own this drill myself and it is the one I always pick up first. (I own and or test about 20 different drills a year)
Free NEXTEC Drill With RAID There is a great promotion going on right now. Purchase the NEXTEC right angle impact driver with battery and charger and Sears will give you a drill. The drill is the same as the one above but comes without a battery or charger.
Craftsman Nextec Model 01430 Cordless Drill/Driver
Spare NEXTEC Battery One of the best features of the NEXTEC line is the battery, This lithium battery only cost $25 retail and will drive hundreds of screws per charge. It charges to 25% capacity with the quick-boost charger or fully in 30 minutes. It holds a charge for over a year so it is always ready doesn’t self-discharge or develop a memory like the battery in your old drill.
Craftsman NEXTEC Right Angle Impact Driver You need a drill/driver and you don’t know it yet, but you also need an impact driver. This NEXTEC R.A.I.D. looks weird and looks different than the other impact drivers out there, but has become my favorite. It actually has more driving power than all the large 18 and 20 volt drill/drivers on the market. You can buy bits for all the different screws, bolts and fasteners you will find around your home and garage) If you do woodworking, home repairs and small engine repairs buy one…you’ll be glad you did!
Craftsman NEXTEC Impact Driver
Craftsman NEXTEC Impact Driver The “regular” version. Most of the impact drivers on the market look like this one. Small, powerful and once you use it.. .indispensable.
Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Hammerhead How do you make the wildly popular cordless electric hammer better? Make the head so it angles! If you use nails or just the upper half of a hammer handle :) this is the tool for you.
Craftsman NEXTEC LED Worklight My wife saw this when I got one in a kit last year and the next thing I knew it was on her bedstand. This little palm-sized light is bright, stands by itself, runs for about 8 hours on a battery charge and the battery will hold a charge, ready to go for over a year.
Craftsman NEXTEC True Finish Sander
Craftsman NEXTEC True Finish Sander This is a “Mouse” style sander that is cordless and has a built-in counter balancer that makes it a breeze to use. No more numb hands. I have one of these and it is the FIRST sander I pick up when I am woodworking.
Craftsman NEXTEC G2 VOLT Vacuum
Craftsman NEXTEC G2 VOLT Vacuum ”Dust Busters” are so 80′s This powerful little vac comes with attachments so you can pick up litter on the floor, clean the crumbs off the couch and dust the blinds and furnace ducts. It comes with a hose so it will get where no other household hand vac can go.
Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Cordless Inflator
Craftsman NEXTEC G2 Cordless Inflator Blow up balls, balloons, bicycle tires, lawn tractor tires, and basketballs. It’s cordless so you don’t have to be within 6 feet of your car lighter! It has a neat preset feature. Set the pressure you want and it automatically shuts off when it gets there.
Craftsman Nextec G2 Multi-Tool
Craftsman Nextec G2 Multi-Tool By now you know if you need one of these or not. The G2 now features tool-less blade changing and variable speed. It does the work of over $500 worth of tools … jamb saw, grout removal tool, rasp, detail sander, paint scraper, keyhole saw and flush-cut saw. This new tool comes with a battery, case and Quick-Boost Charger.
Craftsman 17438 Nextec Cordless Multi-Tool
Craftsman 17438 Nextec 12-volt Lithium-Ion Cordless Multi-Tool ENERGY STAR Still a good tool. At $79 a great value. I just used mine this morning to clean the underside of my mower deck, sand between rungs on an antique chair and scrape excess dried glue off cutting boards I am making for Christmas presents.
Craftsman Nextec Multi-Saw Model 14299 - Tool Only
Craftsman Nextec Cordless Multi-Saw Model 14299 – Tool Only This is a cordless sabre saw. It works great for cutting drywall etc, but lacks a blower to keep the cut line clean. I use it, but not very often. If I was a hobbyist I would use it more.
Craftsman NEXTEC Circular Saw - Tool Only
Craftsman NEXTEC Circular Saw – Tool Only This saw cuts 3/4 inch deep. It cuts slowly and will use up a battery in about 8 feet. I have about 20 other hand and powered saws so I don’t have much use for this. If I just did small woodworking hobbies or if I needed a saw to cut modern trim ……… On second thought, don’t buy this. Every tool line has a dud and this is the NEXTEC DUD! If you want a small saw I suggest buying a corded one. The new Dremel SM20-02 120V Saw-Max Tool Kit is a great choice. Yes, Craftsman sells the Craftsman 10872 Mini Circular Saw and I own one, but I like the Dremel better.
Combo Kits:
Here are some NEXTEC combo kits: These can be great deals if you want multiple tools.
I made a few videos using NEXTEC Tools over the last year. Here is one showing a few of these tools and I go into the NEXTEC Right Angle Impact Drive in Detail
Yard Tools:
Last, but not least. Craftsman also make a line of cordless yard tools that fit the NEXTEC battery. I like each one of them for small yards and gardens. But, these items are out of stock right now and won’t be back until spring.
If your son, husband, dad or daughter wears a Farmall cap this toolbox is the perfect accessory. Anyone who restores Farmall’s and wants to have a complete collection will also love this reproduction toolbox. It’s exactly like the one I remember my dad had growing up. Piano hinge, brown, wrinkled finish, and cantilevered top. It was always the first box that got pulled out when we had to work on the equipment.
(From Sears) This weather-resistant Farmall Cantilever Split-Top Tool Box is made from solid steel and features heavy-plated lockable latches and full-width piano hinges. Four cantilever trays open to 10 adjustable dividers, providing loads of space for your tools. Capacity is a generous 1,682 cubic inches. Special wrinkle finish and the great Farmall name says it all!
We had Farmall tractors on the dairy farm where I grew up in northern Illinois. In fact I still have the Super H my father bought new in 1953. He retired it to the back corner of a shed many years ago but I grabbed it about 15 years ago and restored it. After that my father and I showed it for a while at the Red Power Roundup’s but now it’s used to just pull floats in the local parades.
I always pulled the float in the Grundy County Corn Festival Parade for my daughter’s 4H Group when she was growing up. Last year she asked if she could have the Super H so she could continue the tradition with her kids…..I think she needs a Farmall Tool Box of her own.
is a great choice. Yes, Craftsman sells the 
