Lowes Delta Heads-Up

[passlake]

It always helps to make friends "in the business", doesn't it?

I was talking with the manager at my local Lowes, who gave me the inside tip that they are going to be selling off all of their Delta (especially "ShopMaster") power tools in order to rebrand as ShopMaster by Delta.

Of course, ain't nuttin' changin' but the stickers and boxes, but it's going to mean bargains-a-plenty in the coming weeks. As evidence, I just picked up the last remaining Delta 36-322L compound miter saw for $160, plus a Delta ShopMaster stand for $80. My new best friend also suggested that I wait until Saturday to check the price on the Delta DC I was going to buy...haven't had this feeling since I was ten years old on Christmas Eve!

Happy Hunting!

[thallikar]

It always helps to make friends "in the business", doesn't it?

I was talking with the manager at my local Lowes, who gave me the inside tip that they are going to be selling off all of their Delta (especially "ShopMaster") power tools in order to rebrand as ShopMaster by Delta.

Of course, ain't nuttin' changin' but the stickers and boxes, but it's going to mean bargains-a-plenty in the coming weeks. As evidence, I just picked up the last remaining Delta 36-322L compound miter saw for $160, plus a Delta ShopMaster stand for $80. My new best friend also suggested that I wait until Saturday to check the price on the Delta DC I was going to buy...haven't had this feeling since I was ten years old on Christmas Eve!

Happy Hunting!

Where u located? Regarding Delta change, I believe lowes is making a very very bad move. Delta sells well. Shopmaster does not.

[ryan.s]

In my area (so cal) I noticed they started to make the change last year with the bench top tools. Every lowes I go to now all the bench top tools seem to be the "Shopmaster" branded tool.

[passlake]

I'm in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and the Lowes in question is located in Delavan, WI.

Yeah, messing with branding--especially with a brand that's been around, building consumer confidence for a while, is never a great idea...could it be that they're going to try to say, "nope, not gonna price match--that's a Delta, this is a ShopMaster."?

I hope not...just what we need--more BORG, huh? Resistance is useless.

[bthere]

I think I've seen a couple of ways the Shopmaster has been branded in the past. As I recall one said "Delta Shopmaster" and the other that I think I remember is "Shopmaster by Delta" -- kind of a distinction without difference.

Are the new brands supposed to drop the Delta name affiliation? If so, I agree that seems to be a mistake. I thought Delta was just trying to differentiate their tools based on target segment with their "Delta Industrial" being the high end and the "Delta Shopmaster" being the consumer grade.

I'm confused.

[LarryG]

I'm not sure I understand what the change is here. The ShopMaster nameplate has been around for a long while, as Delta's entry-level tools (as opposed to their Industrial series). A few of the tools have been downgraded from Industrial to ShopMaster over the years. I have noticed that where Lowe's sold both lines in the past, since the Great Lowe's Delta Blow-Out that occurred circa Aug/Sep 2004 the Industrial series tools have been mostly missing from Lowe's shelves.

Also, although it hardly matters to most of us ... in the Spanish section of the manual for my Delta 22-580 (Industrial series) thickness planer, there is a picture of the exact same machine I have except it's wearing ShopMaster decals.

[JR]

Also, although it hardly matters to most of us ... in the Spanish section of the manual for my Delta 22-580 (Industrial series) thickness planer, there is a picture of the exact same machine I have except it's wearing ShopMaster decals.

Perhaps one too many New Yankee Crafstman episodes, Larry? "Before operating any power tool, be sure to read and understand all the safety information that comes with it..."

I think you're allowed to quit reading somewhere after the English or during the French parts. The Spanish is entirely optional.

JR

[BrazosJake]

Could be a Delta initiative to rebrand the lower end tools.

[phrog]

Delta Name Change

Could it have something to do with the B&D takeover?
Richard