My $.02 on the Craftsman Pro wrenches

[T56 Impala]

Got my Pro wrenches today. 28 pc SAE/MM and 10 pc flare nut set SAE/MM. The finish is very nice. Nicer on the Flare nut wrenches. The length is, well, LONG! The 1-1/16 wrench just about doesn't fit in the drawer. The grip area is much thicker than say a SO but I kinda like the bulk myself. The "corners" are nicely rounded and have a nice feel to them. Overall I'd say these should stand up well for the long haul.

Now, just how many wrenches do I need?!!?!!?!!?

I have in SAE:
2 set of Craftsman raised panel
1 set of Craftsman raised panel goofy quick wrench things
1 set of Craftsman ratcheting full polish
1 set of Craftsman Pros
1 set of Pittsburgh Professional stubbies (Yes from HF and they are super nice!)
1 full set of Craftsman ignition wrenches
1 set of Craftsman Pro flare nut wrenches
10 or 12 misc Williams/SO/S&K/Craftsman wrenches

I haven't counted but I have no more room in my SAE Wrench drawer!!!

I think I'm sick.... :(

[eschoendorff]

Wrenches you can keep for posterity even... they take up minimal space and don't eat anything.

The middle of a project under a car is not the time or place to wish you had the right tool! i watched my dad go through that ALL THE TIME when I was growing up. He never spent the money on the "right" tools. I am going the opposite direction... I am on a life's quest to have all of the right tools... now to just find teh time to get all teh projects done.

[russlaferrera]

Hate to tell ya but you are only 1/2 done.

You did not mention the sizes. Do the wrench sizes go up to 1-1/4? Do you own double ratcheting box wrenches? What about thin tappet wrenches? Starter/manifold wrenches?

After all that.....you need then in 6 point and 12 point....spline would be nice too. LOL

[PoorOwner]

They also have craftsman pro stubbies and the pro deep offset wrench is nice..

Did you get your pros from UPS ? For some reason when I order from sears I would get the tracking number next day, the tracking says "billing info received" and don't actually move for a week until I call and they put a trace on it...

[T56 Impala]

I was wondering about the tracking. IIRC, ups used to give detailed tracking info. Did the give that up? All I got was a # and it said the same thing that you mentioned. They only took 4 days to get here.

I know I'm only 1/2 done! Its sad isn't it? I know I will be getting the Double box end set and the tappet set. I guess at that point I'll move the raised panels to another box.

FWIW, I don't like the Craftsman pro stubbies. They are nothing more than short chromed raised panels. The HF ones look like the Craftsman pros. Ahain. I really like them.

[OldSchoolSS]

I just picked up the craftsman pro flare wrenches. Nice set, almost too nice. I like to throw my stuff around under the car. The finish on the pro wrenches is so nice that I'm paranoid about about sliding them on the floor.

I see you just got the 10 piece set. You might want to complete the set with this.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942100000P?vName=Tools&keyword=flare+nut

I believe it's a price mistake. The wrench is 20.99 in stores.

[PoorOwner]

yeah, I zoomed in the picture on the cman pro stubbies but it looked just like raised panel with better chrome.

I don't feel the stubby is worth while, even if it's the only thing that will appear to fit will loosen 17mm bolt or larger.. (why they have it up to 21mm is beyond me), nor you be able to tighten it properly, unless you are extremely strong.. it might give a false sense of tightness when it's actually not close to what it's supposed to be torqued to. I think I would get just a few in small sizes 10-14mm.. bigger than that I prefer a socket with more complicated extensions if needed..

I did some looking over the weekend, with the craftsman wrenches I think you save money buying the largest sets they offer, even if you don't need the size think of it as a freebie..

[T56 Impala]

I'm a sick man. :(

The wife and I went to the mall today. Just for kicks, we went to Sears to take a look at a dishwasher they have. (We are about to redo the kitchen in SS and Granite.) So on our way out, it just so happened that the tool dept was on our right. I just couldn't stop myself!!!!

I picked up the 2, Pro box end sets and a full set of 1/4 drive deep sockets. (I have no idea where mine went.) While there, I did notice the 19x21 Flare nut and ALMOST picked it up. The web site shows the as out of stock. This Sears had at least 3 of them. I should take a print out of that page and see if I can get it for that $8.90 price!

I took a look at the stubbies too. Very strange those things. Some look like chromed Raised panel, some look like they tried to grind off the panel and chrome them but still left a little raised area, the others looked smooth. NONE of them look to have the quality of finish the the other Pro series stuff does.

So I got home and pulled those crappy "quick wrench" style out of the drawer. Moved some stuff around, rearranged some other stuff and managed to get them all in there. Now I need to find the Pro series obstruction sets and tappet sets. I need the ignition MM set too. And i need the MM crows feet. And..............

Does this ever end????????

[eschoendorff]

I'm a sick man. :(

The wife and I went to the mall today. Just for kicks, we went to Sears to take a look at a dishwasher they have. (We are about to redo the kitchen in SS and Granite.) So on our way out, it just so happened that the tool dept was on our right. I just couldn't stop myself!!!!

I picked up the 2, Pro box end sets and a full set of 1/4 drive deep sockets. (I have no idea where mine went.) While there, I did notice the 19x21 Flare nut and ALMOST picked it up. The web site shows the as out of stock. This Sears had at least 3 of them. I should take a print out of that page and see if I can get it for that $8.90 price!

I took a look at the stubbies too. Very strange those things. Some look like chromed Raised panel, some look like they tried to grind off the panel and chrome them but still left a little raised area, the others looked smooth. NONE of them look to have the quality of finish the the other Pro series stuff does.

So I got home and pulled those crappy "quick wrench" style out of the drawer. Moved some stuff around, rearranged some other stuff and managed to get them all in there. Now I need to find the Pro series obstruction sets and tappet sets. I need the ignition MM set too. And i need the MM crows feet. And..............

Does this ever end????????

No, no it does not. Just yesterday I picked up one of these:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=67352&group_ID=107&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

It will probably become my main 1/4 ratchet. Yeah... like I NEEDED another ratchet... :spit:

[philw]

On the topic of Craftsman Pro stubby wrenches:

I'm not sure when I purchased mine. I'm thinking at least 5 years ago, probably 8-10. Anyway, they were the old design by SK and are identical to the SK's stubbies with exception of the branding. I noticed a couple years ago that Sears had went to raised panel on the stubbies and it made me wonder why Danaher decided to use raised panels instead of smooth like the rest of the Pro line. When they switched from the SK long pattern to the Danaher they kept the smooth panel.

Maybe Danaher already had raised panel stubby tooling and didn't want to change? Maybe cost? I agree that they do not compare with the rest of the Cman Pro series very well.

[OldSchoolSS]

I picked up the 2, Pro box end sets and a full set of 1/4 drive deep sockets. (I have no idea where mine went.) While there, I did notice the 19x21 Flare nut and ALMOST picked it up. The web site shows the as out of stock. This Sears had at least 3 of them. I should take a print out of that page and see if I can get it for that $8.90 price!



Hmmm they were in stock this morning. I wonder if somebody posted my link on one of the deal websites. I know when I price matched the wrench last week they were very reluctant to do it. The comment the guy made when he changed the price was "I guess I won't be making commission on this wrench".

Also buying the two flare sets on sale for 29.99 with two five dollar coupons and the price mistake wrench gave me a total of 58.95 compared to buying the 11 piece set at 74.99. Plus i'm not sure if the 11 piece set comes with a blow molded case or they just come individually wrapped from the warehouse.....

[eschoendorff]

Hmmm they were in stock this morning. I wonder if somebody posted my link on one of the deal websites. I know when I price matched the wrench last week they were very reluctant to do it. The comment the guy made when he changed the price was "I guess I won't be making commission on this wrench".



I cannot believe that Sears still offers commissions on tools. I have yet to find a Sears tool employee who truly knows what he is talking about.


edit... I forgot about Adam at Craftsmantooltalk.com. He truly knows what he is talking about. He would be worth a commission. But the rest of the sales douchebags that I have encountered ask me if I need help and then proceed to read the package label to me! Gee, thanks buddy, I wouldn't have caught that. :wtf:

Most of the time those Sears associates are too busy talking to each other to notice a customer anyway...

it just seems that commissions aren't warranted.

[64merc]

I cannot believe that Sears still offers commissions on tools. I have yet to find a Sears tool employee who truly knows what he is talking about.


edit... I forgot about Adam at Craftsmantooltalk.com. He truly knows what he is talking about. He would be worth a commission. But the rest of the sales douchebags that I have encountered ask me if I need help and then proceed to read the package to me! Commissions... :wtf:

Most of the time those Sears associates are too busy talking to each other to notice a customer anyway...

What really pisses me off is when I can't find anyone to help me and then I see one associate standing around who's only job is to try and sign people up for a home improvement consultation. I don't know if they are at all Sears, but they bug me every time I go in there.

[T56 Impala]

I just noticed that the Tappet and obstruction wrenches do not come in full polish. You can get the obstruction ratcheting wrenches that are polished though. I really don't have a good feel for the ratcheting wrenches. It would make sence in an obstructed use though. Humm.......

[billymade]

Those people are hired by an outside contractor; they get paid based on the home improvement appointments. They typically don't know much about the stuff inside the store because they are trained specifically to sell the home improvement services. Customer service does suck at sears; a good percentage of the people I work with are worthless. Commission is a double edged sword; the post Kmart reality has driven down the commissions so low on many things that the sales people aren't motived to help customers. The latest change has been a increase in base pay (what you get paid an hour without any commission) and a reduction of the commissions. I don't pretend to be a business guru but I think this has back fired in relation to customer service. The main complaint I hear is no matter how much they sell they don't see a significant increase in their paychecks. All of this is not an excuse but does impact the employee morale and motivation in helping customers. This maybe a reflection on society and retail in general. I find it hard to get good customer service most places I go to. I also think that tool knowledge is waning as we become a post manufacturing based society, into a service based economy. Think about the kid in high school in the 50's; he probably would have know how to rebuild a carburetor and the kid now would probably know how to reinstall windows on a pc. I don't think Sears really has good customer service in general; their is typically a older guy who is semi retired who really knows his stuff, a couple of people who grew up with working on their cars or their family was in the trades of some sort and then the rest of the staff who are generally clueless. All of these things are not an excuse but unfortunately, with a overall "I don't give a damn" attitude, mixed with all other issues mentioned above you get a pretty low grade of service.
Sometimes I wonder if they just eliminated the commissions all together if that would help; I don't know but I think allot of blame has to rest on management not being true leaders; not leading by my example. Allot of the behavior you are talking about, people not helping but just talking; unfortunately is tolerated. When cats away the mice will play; well, when no one gets punished or reprimanded the behavior becomes "acceptable" and the norm. I deal with this all the time and have to "ask" the sales people to check people out while they are talking to each other, fun stuff! LOL!

[PoorOwner]

I just noticed that the Tappet and obstruction wrenches do not come in full polish. You can get the obstruction ratcheting wrenches that are polished though. I really don't have a good feel for the ratcheting wrenches. It would make sence in an obstructed use though. Humm.......

I noticed what comes with my craftsman mechanic set is already all of the craftsman offering, a SAE tappet wrench set and a 9/16 x 5/8 obstruction wrench. I am not able to locate a metric tappet set, or other sizes obstruction wrenches that are made by craftsman.

I believe their specific obstruction wrench is meant to service older domestic car starters. I will probably get a metric obstruction wrench set (aka half moon) from a Taiwan brand just incase the situation arise.

I think the ratcheting half moon you have seen is made by gear wrench, however in those situations I think I want as slim of a wrench head as possible, and a ratcheting wrench does not offer this.

[T56 Impala]

You got me thinking. I took a look on the web for obstruction wrenchs and set. They all look like they were sand cast in my backyard! I have also noticed that there don't seem to be many options. DO you have any leads?

[PoorOwner]

You got me thinking. I took a look on the web for obstruction wrenchs and set. They all look like they were sand cast in my backyard! I have also noticed that there don't seem to be many options. DO you have any leads?

for the 30 seconds that you will use those wrenches (if it reaches at all).. I don't think the finish matters at all.. just tuck them way back in the drawer until that time comes :)

I looked and Sunex makes some sets of half moon and also S shaped wrenches that won't break the bank . Just don't be comparing them to truck brands and it will be fine for those very limited uses.

[Uncle Buck]

I'm a sick man. :(

The wife and I went to the mall today. Just for kicks, we went to Sears to take a look at a dishwasher they have. (We are about to redo the kitchen in SS and Granite.) So on our way out, it just so happened that the tool dept was on our right. I just couldn't stop myself!!!!

I picked up the 2, Pro box end sets and a full set of 1/4 drive deep sockets. (I have no idea where mine went.) While there, I did notice the 19x21 Flare nut and ALMOST picked it up. The web site shows the as out of stock. This Sears had at least 3 of them. I should take a print out of that page and see if I can get it for that $8.90 price!

I took a look at the stubbies too. Very strange those things. Some look like chromed Raised panel, some look like they tried to grind off the panel and chrome them but still left a little raised area, the others looked smooth. NONE of them look to have the quality of finish the the other Pro series stuff does.

So I got home and pulled those crappy "quick wrench" style out of the drawer. Moved some stuff around, rearranged some other stuff and managed to get them all in there. Now I need to find the Pro series obstruction sets and tappet sets. I need the ignition MM set too. And i need the MM crows feet. And..............

Does this ever end????????

No pro series obstruction wrenches unless you count the half moon gears in the catalog. Also, no pro series tappets at all, it's all good though cause the standard tappet set will do everything you ask of it; at least mine does. BTW Sears has never offered a metric tappet set, and they never offered more than the one obstruction wrench either.

[Uncle Buck]

for the 30 seconds that you will use those wrenches (if it reaches at all).. I don't think the finish matters at all.. just tuck them way back in the drawer until that time comes :)

I looked and Sunex makes some sets of half moon and also S shaped wrenches that won't break the bank . Just don't be comparing them to truck brands and it will be fine for those very limited uses.

That was what I did too. :thumbup:

[eschoendorff]

All of these things are not an excuse but unfortunately, with a overall "I don't give a damn" attitude, mixed with all other issues mentioned above you get a pretty low grade of service.
Sometimes I wonder if they just eliminated the commissions all together if that would help; I don't know but I think allot of blame has to rest on management not being true leaders; not leading by my example. Allot of the behavior you are talking about, people not helping but just talking; unfortunately is tolerated. When cats away the mice will play; well, when no one gets punished or reprimanded the behavior becomes "acceptable" and the norm. I deal with this all the time and have to "ask" the sales people to check people out while they are talking to each other, fun stuff! LOL!

I honestly don't know how you deal with it... that would drive me nuts!