Show us your *NEW* 2021+ Craftsman V Series tools and tool boxes!

[Ohio Andy]

. Couple this with the old school Craftsman users thinking they were getting new made in the USA Craftsman V series tools only to discover they were mostly made in Taiwan with a few French made items thrown in.

I had assumed most of it was made in France but I didn't give it much thought. But I'll lie you end of it was one ratchet I think it was one and eight screwdrivers.

To me SBD should have used clones of the USAG/FACOM ratchets instead of creating those horrible V series ratchets. Don't get me wrong, the V series ratchets are built like a tank and make excellent hammers, but the heads are too thick, the back drag too high, and the comfort grip on the 1/4 versions were comical at best.

not the only one who didn't like those ratchets. Some people really like them.

I find the overdrive ratchets large, but I like how they perform.

Next to the ratchets the other grievous error SBD made was the omission of 15 & 18mm sizes in the ratcheting wrench sets.

I really don't like skips... The skips I tolerate most are 9/32 and 11/32. The overdrive standard wrenches. I don't think you can buy a complete set without skips.. at least not on a single set. Off hand. I think they don't make the 9/32 or 11/32, but in metric. If I remember it's like 6 mm to 19 mm but you can't buy that as a single set

A casual warning, you peeps can spend your money as you see fit buying what you want and can afford but, I urge you not to drive the prices up on Craftsman V series items in the secondary market. I might not be able to resist the temptation and end up selling my items.

Yeah if prices went crazy I might do that. I have the large set of those diamond tip screwdrivers that tested so well and an unopened container and I noticed that those were selling on eBay for like $200... I really like my open set. They work well. I like how they feel in my hands, but $200 really... Then again the fact that I'm seeing them for that means they're not necessarily selling them fast

Lastly, when a manufacturer slaps the word professional on a tool it usually isn't. The only exception to this is Proto tools.
Have a wonderful day!!!

I really like all my Proto stuff... Well most of it anyway. The ratcheting screwdriver in this set is okay but not fabulous....

https://www.zoro.com/proto-12-in-drive-size-14-in-num-of-pieces91-j61390/i/G2477839/?q=J61390

 

[Fedwrench]

I really like all my Proto stuff... Well most of it anyway. The ratcheting screwdriver in this set is okay but not fabulous....

https://www.zoro.com/proto-12-in-drive-size-14-in-num-of-pieces91-j61390/i/G2477839/?q=J61390

I don't think that ratcheting screwdriver is made in house by Proto. It you compare the ratcheting mechanism to a Titan ratcheting screwdriver, they're twins and both from Taiwan.

 

[Steve_P]

11/32 is the standard size for a #10 hex nut. It certainly doesn't need to be in a 3/8 socket set, but it needs to be in a 1/4 socket set, and a wrench set if it also goes to 1/4.

I really don't like skips... The skips I tolerate most are 9/32 and 11/32.

 

[Steve_P]

This is the same company that gave us a value range called "Expert by Facom"

I guess I missed that as I'm in the US and Facom isn't common here. But yeah, that makes no sense

 

[Etchase]

V-Series tool boxes are still being produced it seems. Can anyone confirm this?

 

[Skellyii]

V-Series tool boxes are still being produced it seems. Can anyone confirm this?

They're still showing up on the Waterloo/Craftsman website, for whatever that's worth.

Storage & Organization

<p>Maximize your space with CRAFTSMAN® Storage & Organization solutions. Explore durable tool chests, cabinets, and shelving designed for efficiency and easy access. Perfect for garages, workshops, and homes, our products help you stay organized and keep your tools and supplies neatly stored.</p>

www.craftsman.com

 

[liliysdad]

11/32 is the standard size for a #10 hex nut. It certainly doesn't need to be in a 3/8 socket set, but it needs to be in a 1/4 socket set, and a wrench set if it also goes to 1/4.

I use 11/32 a lot…and 9/32 not rarely.

 

[LanceMc]

V-Series tool boxes are still being produced it seems. Can anyone confirm this?

I know that Lowe’s has them online to order without any “low stock” notices.
They are very nice but I’d need to see one in person before I forked over a couple grand for a set.
The Craftsman Premium 2000 would be plenty good for me and very much an upgrade from my current Craftsman boxed from 2012.

 

[Ohio Andy]

I don't think that ratcheting screwdriver is made in house by Proto. It you compare the ratcheting mechanism to a Titan ratcheting screwdriver, they're twins and both from Taiwan.

Oh yeah, for certain made in Taiwan. I have a couple that are very similar. My primary interest in the set 9 and similar sets) are for something simple to grab that has a wide variety of bits when I expect to see odd things. I assume that you mean this screwdriver:

Titan Tools 12223 | Ratcheting Screwriver 13Pc High Speed-TL

www.autotoolworld.com

I have never tried a Titan ratcheting screwdriver. I have tried a bunch of there little bit ratchets (or even just little ratchets). I love them for tight spaces and have given many as gifts. They seem much more expensive than one year ago.

 

[Ohio Andy]

11/32 is the standard size for a #10 hex nut. It certainly doesn't need to be in a 3/8 socket set, but it needs to be in a 1/4 socket set, and a wrench set if it also goes to 1/4.

Ironically, the 11/32 is included in the "not overdrive" sets by Craftman. So it is in my 20 piece set (CMMT12108) , a small set on rails that I have. This size is oddly included in the 3/8" overdrive sets that go down to 5/16" with a 3/8" drive (part # 83-823GM; the GM means Gun Metal). One of the 1/4" part numbers from a standard set is CMMT43496. And if I just want a nut driver, *** is included in the Sunex 9729 208 PC Master Bit Set (a very nice set, I think I paid $66 for my set). It is on sale, a good time to grab a set.

https://www.amazon.com/Sunex-9729-208Piece-Master-Bit/dp/B01J7SBT7S?tag=atomicindus08-20

An odd bit of trivia is that Proto has reversible ratcheting wrenches for 9/32 and 11/32, but Strit Tools does not offer an 11/32" wrench, but they do offer a 9/32 wrench.

Enough rambling.

 

[M.Jay]

This is the same company that gave us a value range called "Expert by Facom"

SBD's range is a huge cluttered mess. They would be doing themselves a favor by giving up those sub-brands and specialising the individual brand names, instead of offering everything under every name with only slight variations.

 

[KnurledNut]

11/32 is the standard size for a #10 hex nut.

11/32 is for #8.

 

[liliysdad]

11/32 is for #8.

I use a lot of 8-32 screws with 11/32 nuts

 

[terrific]

I know that Lowe’s has them online to order without any “low stock” notices.
They are very nice but I’d need to see one in person before I forked over a couple grand for a set.
The Craftsman Premium 2000 would be plenty good for me and very much an upgrade from my current Craftsman boxed from 2012.

They look like almost identical to the 2000 series, but with an extra drawer.

SBD's range is a huge cluttered mess. They would be doing themselves a favor by giving up those sub-brands and specialising the individual brand names, instead of offering everything under every name with only slight variations.

I wonder if it's like the computer motherboard business, where there's several different tiers of boards and then a number of models within each tier. From the outside, it seems excessive, but the companies insist that it's necessary to have a model available at each price point in order to capture the entire market.

 

[Etchase]

They look like almost identical to the 2000 series, but with an extra drawer.

I wonder if it's like the computer motherboard business, where there's several different tiers of boards and then a number of models within each tier. From the outside, it seems excessive, but the companies insist that it's necessary to have a model available at each price point in order to capture the entire market.

The designs are very similar, but the drawer capacity is 150/200 lbs, 22 inches deep, and 16/18 gauge steel on the v-Series. Bigger casters and higher overall weight capacity as well. They seem very nice, but I’ve only seen it in the store. I don’t own one. Made in the USA too.

 

[M.Jay]

I wonder if it's like the computer motherboard business, where there's several different tiers of boards and then a number of models within each tier. From the outside, it seems excessive, but the companies insist that it's necessary to have a model available at each price point in order to capture the entire market.

That's quite possible. But SBD has so many different brands under his umbrella, that some operate in the same price range and end up competing with themselves.
Furthermore, the question arises whether the revenue generated this way, justifies the additional expenses for marketing and personnel.

 

[LanceMc]

SBD's range is a huge cluttered mess. They would be doing themselves a favor by giving up those sub-brands and specialising the individual brand names, instead of offering everything under every name with only slight variations.

I guess you mean things like this?
Craftsman V Series Bit set
Dewalt bit set

I guess it comes down to what color people collect!

 

[Skellyii]

OK, let me see if I am familiar with all of the current Craftsman Toolbox lines

S1000
S2000
Premium 2000
S3000 - Discontinued??
V Series

What am I missing?

 

[LanceMc]

OK, let me see if I am familiar with all of the current Craftsman Toolbox lines

S1000
S2000
Premium 2000
S3000 - Discontinued??
V Series

What am I missing?

I don't think you're missing anything.

 

[tiredoldironworker]

WTF is a "high speed" ratcheting screwdriver? My hands can only turn medium fast.

 

[Ohio Andy]

WTF is a "high speed" ratcheting screwdriver? My hands can only turn medium fast.

Did someone say hi speed?

That would be when you are very highly caffeinated.

Although I will admit that when I'm able to just simply hold the handle and spin the shaft with my fingers, it goes a lot faster than if I'm doing a full-on twisting motion with my hand... And it's one of the reasons I prefer the snap-on versus the Williams even though they're very similar because the snap-on has the knurling that makes that easier to do.

I'mma take a few shots of espresso and you too can do a high-speed ratcheting screwdriver

 

[LanceMc]

These sockets are very nice! @Squankum please insert Borat picture here-

 

[ohhimark]

I guess you mean things like this?
Craftsman V Series Bit set
Dewalt bit set

I guess it comes down to what color people collect!

I have the craftsman set, and liked them enough to acquire a second set for the house... Craftsman for metric, and Dewalt for sae iirc. Definitely the same apart from cosmetics, but the sockets on the Dewalt slide all over the rail, go figure. Seems like stock comes and goes for some of the V series at Lowes/Amazon. Wonder why that is if they aren't being produced anymore?

Someone on here had a good answer for why SBD has so many competing brands. Dewalt gives them hand tools at home depot, craftsman at lowes, etc.

 

[Squankum]

These sockets are very nice! @Squankum please insert Borat picture here-

Great success!

 

[Squankum]

These sockets are very nice! @Squankum please insert Borat picture here-

Did you know I was a Borat fan or did you remember me buying one of those sets this summer?

Does anybody know where to get more mounting pegs for those aluminum organizers?

 

[Etchase]

Not a v-series but the ultra fast craftsman speed drive! Had one for a few years, but notice it id in brand new condition. It is cool though.

https://a.co/d/daGij5b

 

[YesIHaveAHammer]

SBD's range is a huge cluttered mess. They would be doing themselves a favor by giving up those sub-brands and specialising the individual brand names, instead of offering everything under every name with only slight variations.

I guess consumer familiarity with brand names goes a long way. Until I joined here, I wasn't aware of CRAFTSMAN, PROTO, or LENOX - they just blend into the sea of all-caps brand names. Particularly when they're not English words like the latter two or FACOM.

SBD has so many different brands under his umbrella, that some operate in the same price range and end up competing with themselves.

That might only be the case in the US. Over this side of the pond, we only have Stanley, Stanley FatMax, DeWalt, Irwin, and Facom. They're pretty distinct, except Stanley / Irwin.

 

[finn]

SBD's range is a huge cluttered mess. They would be doing themselves a favor by giving up those sub-brands and specialising the individual brand names, instead of offering everything under every name with only slight variations.

Toyota should make one car, if that’s the “rule”.

Miller should make one welder, etc, etc.

 

[Andres26tnt]

The V series is a nice box, actually well made. I don't own it, but seen it and played with it. The price for a USA box isn't bad either, not amazing or anything.

 

[Roert42]

More along the lines of.


Toyota shouldn’t make a model of car that competes with the cars made my Lexus.

And

Miller shouldn’t sell rebranded Hobarts/ vise versa.

 

[LanceMc]

Haha you nailed it! I didn't know you were a Borat fan, but in the last few weeks, I've come to understand and appreciate your sense of humor.

I have no idea where to get more of the pegs, but it'd be nice to know.
Edit-
You can get new sets on eBay. Buy some and take 'em apart.

Did you know I was a Borat fan or did you remember me buying one of those sets this summer?

Does anybody know where to get more mounting pegs for those aluminum organizers?

 

[LanceMc]

How many have used a 19/32nds socket before? Maybe the 21/32nds?
LOL I guess it must have been cheaper to forge (stamp) two useless sockets than make a plastic case with appropriate number of spaces for normal SAE socket sets. The deep set "skips" the 19/32" and 21/32" if you can imagine that.

 

[Ohio Andy]

Not a v-series but the ultra fast craftsman speed drive! Had one for a few years, but notice it id in brand new condition. It is cool though.

https://a.co/d/daGij5b

I like that you can spin the large knurled portion just below the red, that works very well. It is a bit on the heavy side but works remarkably well. I would prefer if it had a full lock position, but the fact that I can manipulate it so well with the large black knurled section means it does not matter as much when dealing with loose screws where the backdrag would otherwise render it useless. In other words, I like it. Oh, I would prefer if i could use 1" insert bits, but that is a minor gripe!

 

[LanceMc]

New arrivals
I've never owned such a nice ratcheting wrench!

 

[Steel_Rain]

New arrivals
I've never owned such a nice ratcheting wrench!

Excellent stuff Lance! I’m sure you wish you had a Time Machine to go back to late 2024 and buy it all for pennies on the dollar. The value is very high with these tools.

That said, enjoy the stuff. Who knows…this may prove to have been Craftsman’s last stand.

 

[LanceMc]

Thanks! Yeah, but better late than never!
I dunno. The Overdrive stuff is pretty nice and judging by the selection at Lowe's and ACE I think Craftsman is in good shape.

Excellent stuff Lance! I’m sure you wish you had a Time Machine to go back to late 2024 and buy it all for pennies on the dollar. The value is very high with these tools.

That said, enjoy the stuff. Who knows…this may prove to have been Craftsman’s last stand.

 

[Steve_P]

Yeah, I also I feel bad for Lance that he missed all of the clearance sales on these a year ago. I only have the combo wrenches, which I did not need, but I bought them for the carry cases for my occasional mobile help visits. The reality is that yes, they're not the longest, but you could not make a nicer wrench anywhere IMO. The newer Craftsman stuff that PF has tested has done quite well, especially for the price point and the target market.

I don't see Craftsman going away anytime soon- plenty of stuff in my Ace and Lowes.

 

[LanceMc]

I really could have used this set today to get this tiny little T-20 TORX screw out of the leaking oil tube on my EcoDiesel. My 1/4" TORX socket hit the AC suction line. I guess I shoulda ordered this first. When I first saw it I thought "I'll never need that"
MAN!

 

[Steel_Rain]

I don't see Craftsman going away anytime soon- plenty of stuff in my Ace and Lowes.

Agreed. My point was the V-series stuff, at the price point it could be had a year ago, especially for the quality of the tools, will probably never happen again. I glad I got as much stuff as I did back then.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Craftsman is not going away, not sure why this keeps coming up. Hugely profitable brand with some missteps of course. But Stanley is not going to just randomly shut down a brand they spent over $1b+ on, just because the V line was a failure.