New Craftsman era.

toolmanmike said
Craftsman in name only. Sears sold the name rights to Stanley Black &Decker back in 2017 and then there was a lawsuit against sears for releasing tools under the Craftsman name. Craftsman has always been tough but crudely made. Back in the last century they were tough and cheap. When Overseas (Japan/China) manufacturing opened up they went there for a cheaper product and possibly more profit. If I remember correctly, their Professional line were forged in the same Dallas plant that the American made Stanley, Mac, and proto tools came from.

Note: Very few air tools are made in the USA.

My auto shop instructor, James Lovett (RIP) had some very old Craftsman tools made by Snap On. That's who made their hand tools when they first started out. This was back in about 1980 when he showed them to us. They made the then "GOOD" Craftsman tools pale in comparison with weight and general finish. They were well worn, but you could feel and see that the metal was really high quality. I've seen a few since, but not many.

Speaking of Proto, that's what he had the entire tool room stocked with. Vintage Proto tools from the 50s. They were badass.