Craftsman laser etched sockets, how easy do the markings wear off?

[jcs_in_ky]

A friend of mine emailed me tonight. He's looking to start putting together some tools for home use and was wondering what to get. He asked about Craftsman stuff and I really think that's perfect for what he needs. I haven't bought any of their sockets for years now, long before the "Easy To Read" markings came out. My question is do any of you know if these easy to read laser etched markings wear off easily? My concern is since it appears they no longer stamp the size on the tool then if the markings on them wear off it becomes very difficult for him to tell what is what. Has anyone had trouble with their laser etched markings wearing off?

[billymade]

I haven't done it myself (all my sockets have the cast lettering) but I have had customers complain about the lettering being obliterated and with use unreadable! Maybe someone on here can post a pic of a faint or unreadable socket! When they first came out; that was the thing that popped in my head, I bet these are going to end up being impossible to read after awhile or under harsh/hard usage conditions! The anecdotal evidence points to this being true....

[Merkava_4]

Let us save you some time by saying don't get laser etched sockets.

[jcs_in_ky]

I don't think it's a good idea for him myself. It just seems like the markings would wear off. Billymade, do you know if there was a time, when they had both laser etched markings and the cast lettering? It seems like I saw some in a Sears one time that had both but if I remember right it's been a while.

[nissan_crawler]

Check the bigger sets, some of them still have numbered sockets, at least until not too long ago. the smaller sets by drive size were all switched over. I have a 13mm socket that is stamped backwards and on the wrong end compared to all the other sockets, and was going to trade it for one that was the right way, but all they had was laser etched, so I just kept the goofy one.

[billymade]

AFAIK, at my store all of the "open stock" has pretty much gone to "laser etched", aside from specialty sockets (e.g. torx, allen etc. I am assuming some of these are sk/non-danaher based OEMs) but the cast marked ones are in some of the "MTS" (mechanics tools sets) we have. It maybe time to start looking for NOS or used sockets...

[nissan_crawler]

AFAIK, at my store all of the "open stock" has pretty much gone to "laser etched", aside from specialty sockets (e.g. torx, allen etc. I am assuming some of these are sk/non-danaher based OEMs) but the cast marked ones are in some of the "MTS" (mechanics tools sets) we have. It maybe time to start looking for NOS or used sockets...

THat's the situation here. I've been looking for stamped 1/2" deepwell SAE and Metric for a while.

[Tool Pants]

At my local Sears all the open stock is etched. All the socket sets are also etched.

What I don't get is that some are stamped and etched, while others are only etched.

[Merkava_4]

There's a chance that we're all using the wrong terminology. What we're calling "laser etched" could very well be a chemical etching process.

[eschoendorff]

At my local Sears all the open stock is etched. All the socket sets are also etched.

What I don't get is that some are stamped and etched, while others are only etched.

First off, your user name makes me giggle like a little girl. :lol:

I don't know why the only etch some of the sockets.. the etching wears off quickly and would never hold up to daily use. Matco, as far as I remember, uses both etching and stamping on their sockets. Why can't Craftsman????

[Abodyracer]

Craftsman sockets are going to a dual marking type system that will have both engraved/stamped and etched markings. The etched will be so that you can easily see what size you are grabing and the stamped is because with heavy use the etch wears off. Our open stock and some sets has been coming in with both for the last four to six weeks.

[eschoendorff]

Well, that's good news. :beer:

[Jay H 237]

I just bought some large sockets last week to fill voids in my collection and they have both.

I bought a set of 1/4" drive metric sockets for work this past spring and they are only laser etched.

It appears Abodyracer is correct, and I hope so as I never did care for the laser etch either.

[davestlouis]

I'm at a point where I can only read stamped sizes in really good light. Even if I had to throw sockets away periodically when the big etched numbers became illegible, I think I'd do it. That's partially why I'm so touchy about keeping wrenches and sockets in proper order in the box, so I can locate the right size without straining to see which one I picked up.

[Fedwrench]

Craftsman sockets have never really been marked well. Even many years ago before the gold high visibility markings, they sizes weren't stamped or engraved that deep. They did get a little easier to read after they were used awhile and the markings filled up with dirt and grease.:lol:

[autoace]

I have some of Craftsman laser etched sockets and the markings do dim, Matco makes the best laser etched sockets with blue or red etching(mm or s.a.e.) that really stand out. Craftsman stuff seems to be poor lately, the quality control is down, if you want cheap laser etched tools Performance tool makes black sockets with silver/white etching that look trick and seem fine, Harbor Freight have the same thing under the Pittsburgh brand that I have in my junkyard crawl box and they have been good for a road set. Sears needs to refine their quality in my opinion.A.A.

[davestlouis]

I do like the MATCO markings, even I can see those readily. I can't read the font all the easily on the Snap-On sockets and rarely touch them anymore.

[Stuey]

do you know if there was a time, when they had both laser etched markings and the cast lettering? It seems like I saw some in a Sears one time that had both but if I remember right it's been a while.
I've seen sets with the dual markings before. It used to be one of the 155/154 piece sets, but now only these two sets have dual markings:

94 piece set (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00939094000P)
118 piece set (http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00934118000P)

3/4" socket sets are also dual marked these days.

[billymade]

Abodyracer, could you post some pics of the dual market sockets you are referring to? I haven't see any come in our store yet...

[Frank Elson]

you guys read the figures on a socket?
I look at the nut or bolt then pick up the socket that fits. The handful of times I get it wrong I pick up the next size up or down.

[Stuey]

you guys read the figures on a socket?
I look at the nut or bolt then pick up the socket that fits. The handful of times I get it wrong I pick up the next size up or down.
If I know I'm using a 7/16" nut, I reach for 7/16" tools. Othertimes I do as you do and determine what size to use by what fits.

[PAToyota]

So far I only have an impact set with the dual markings and a replacement chrome socket with the laser etching. Especially with the impact set with the darker finish, if you get them greasy the etched marking all but disappears until you clean it off again. Even the chrome socket gets hard to read if it is dirty.

Another of those ideas that probably saved money and looked good on paper but in reality was a pretty poor choice.

"In theory there is no difference between theory and practice. In practice there is."
- Yogi Berra

[myers212]

Will Sears replace a socket that the etching has worn off of? The catalog states that Laser-etched sockets don't chip, fade or corrode. This doesn't seem to be the case though. I have about 20 sockets that are laser-etched. No problems yet, but I've only had them about a month with light use. I do have 5 8-point sockets that are dual-marked. If I remember correctly, the size and model number are imprinted with just the size etched.

[billymade]

The warranty is a satisfaction based warranty; no questions asked, they should give you new sockets; if you have problems call sears customer relations:

Customer Relations Hotline:
1-800-549-4505

Email us your questions, comments and experiences
or send a letter to:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/nb_10153_12608_NB_CSeMail?refLink=relations&adCell=A4

Sears National Customer Relations
3333 Beverly Road
Hoffman Estates, IL 60179

[myers212]

The only problem I ever had exchanging a tool was with a rivot gun. It only had a one year warranty and I did not have the receipt nor could I find it. I could see someone taking a socket in that the etching is completely worn off and them being refused because it no longer says Craftsman on it. Just one more reason that I like the dual marked sockets.

[billymade]

If you still have the rivet gun you might contact customer relations and see if they will do something for you... all they can say is "no"! YMMV! :)

[le6920]

The latest open stock ones I saw were both etched and stamped.

[Bolster]

There's a lot of negative commentary in this thread about Craftsman etching, yet much of it is given by people who don't cite direct experience with the Craftsman etching actually wearing off.

There's one post that sounds like the user actually did notice Cman etching getting somewhat more dim with time (which seems sorta normal and expected). Most neg responses are that when the socket gets dirty, you can't read the large etching. Well...yeah! But that's a different issue.

I'm still looking for a couple of folks to say, "I own Cman etched sockets and the laser etching wore off in XX years."

For the record, none of my laser etched Cman sockets have worn noticeably; owned for maybe a year or so, and the etching is much more legible when the sockets are clean.

EDIT: Which, I should add, is the opposite of my Plomb pebble tools, which are more legible when they are dirty!!

[64merc]

There's a lot of negative commentary in this thread about Craftsman etching, yet much of it is given by people who don't cite direct experience with the Craftsman etching actually wearing off.

There's one post that sounds like the user actually did notice Cman etching getting somewhat more dim with time (which seems sorta normal and expected). Most neg responses are that when the socket gets dirty, you can't read the large etching. Well...yeah! But that's a different issue.

I'm still looking for a couple of folks to say, "I own Cman etched sockets and the laser etching wore off in XX years."

For the record, none of my laser etched Cman sockets have worn noticeably; owned for maybe a year or so, and the etching is much more legible when the sockets are clean.

EDIT: Which, I should add, is the opposite of my Plomb pebble tools, which are more legible when they are dirty!!

I bought a small box of old tools the other day and it included a bunch of well used Cman sockets. In this collection was at least one Cman socket that had the laser etching worn off to the point that it is barely readable. I remember thinking that I hadn't actually seen an example of the laser etching actually wearing off. I'll take another look at it later if I remember.

[chammyman]

having never seen a craftsman tool in the uk ever I can't comment on them But having worked with plenty of others with laser etching in a workshop environment the etchings gone within 6 months

[davestlouis]

I just had a thought...I work in a cemetery, and we have the capacity to order pieces of granite with laser-etched engravings on them as part of memorial markers. The manufacturer has advised that the markings will dim visibly in 5-10 years, especially if placed on a horizontal surface that is directly exposed to sunlight and weather. I would have to think that the markings on a socket would have to dim eventually, but all of mine look just fine so far, not that I use them all that much.

[JeepsAreBuilt]

I have some craftsman laser etched sockets.. my 10mm is now a unmarked socket. Absolutely nothing on it now. Other sockets are still good, some are wearing off.. Sears did say they'd replace my sockets if the markings came off.. altho they swore to me that they would not come off.

[billymade]

I actually think "laser etched" might be a oxymoron or marketing labeling gimmick; looks more like "acid etched" to me or some other process, maybe we should ask the "danaher boys" how these are applied. Everything on the web says that laser etching is permanent...

[jcs_in_ky]

Picked up two dual marked sets tonight. Both sets were marked down from about $22.00 to around $8.00 each. One was a 9 piece 1/4" SAE set, the other is a 9 piece 1/4" deep metric set, the number on it is 34562. I don't have the first set in front of me to get the number off of but I guess the number may not actually be linked to a dual marked set, just the size and number of sockets in the set right? Since the store was closing them out I assumed that they were old stock that had been sitting for a while but maybe they are fairly new.

[Uncle Buck]

I never have liked the lazer etched thing, I am perfectly satisfied with my old stamped sockets from the day. No laser dazzle BS for me thanks!

[MyChannellockTools]

We use a specialized laser machine to do names and logos for tools that is engraved deeper than the initial Channellock Logo, but not deep enough to effect the tool. What type of laser is used to create the markings on the sockets? The company may want to go over the markings 2 -3 times to ensure they don't wear off.

[3liter914-6]

I have a set of 1/2" drive laser etched sockets SAE & Metric. I don't use them that often, but they've led a fairly rough life as they been riding around just tossed into my junkyard bag with dirt/used parts/other tools for a couple of years.

Lots of scratches and dirt, but the markings are there although they were getting harder to read. I scrubbed 'em up tonight with some #0000 steel wool and PB Blaster, and they all cleaned up quite nicely.

I took the picture to show off my new Hansen trays that I got as a B'day present today, but if you look at the 1/2" drives it'll show you how they look after a couple of years of rough service.

http://newlinmotors.com/box.jpg

I don't really see how they can fade as the laser etching burns away around the chrome of the socket. It's a "negative image" laser etching so the chrome number would actually have to wear away for the etching to no longer be visible, IMO. Even if they can be worn off, if he's a casual home user, I doubt he's in danger of wearing them off in a year of sundays.

[wilbilt]

you guys read the figures on a socket?
I look at the nut or bolt then pick up the socket that fits. The handful of times I get it wrong I pick up the next size up or down.

Exactly.

Regarding the etched tools...once the name wears off, who's going to warranty it?

[Senorpablo]

This subject illustrates the beauty of Craftsman tools warranty. Personally I prefer the old school stamped markings.

I think they're going to etching and stamping now. Perhaps the etching alone doesn't/didn't inspire long term confidence. If you have any etched only sockets which are starting to ware, take them in for warranty replacement and exchange them for the new ones which are etched and stamped.

I love the confidence the no-hassle Craftsman warranty inspires.