I needed a bigger junk drawer in the kitchen, and to find a use for the mini tool cabinets that I seem to have an affinity for. This is the result. A Walmart top, Kobalt mid, and Walmart bottom. Ridiculous isn’t it?
Show your new tool arrivals
- Thread starter sarel.wagner
- Start date
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I got a couple of large wrenches from our very own member Radio Flyer. He had a couple that weren’t being used and I was looking for. Craftsman USA is my favorite hand tool brand personally mostly just for nostalgia and being well known but also decent quality. The 30mm is V^ series and the 32mm is VV. 30 is used on older model Tundra alignments for the jam nuts. 32 is used on the alignments for those as well if the tabs that hold the camber and caster bolts break you’ll have to use a 32mm to hold the back piece that the bolt runs into.
Nope, I missed that little detail, thanks for clueing me in. I certainly withdraw my initial reaction...
Mike
Markoos
Well-known member
2001ZR2
Well-known member
Small pickup from the HJE 3rd Thurday open late with Grilled cheese and beer.
Wilde pokey thing ( trademark description of 357 Magdad)
Vessel T8 with hole to handle security fasteners.
Ullman USA made pick set
And pliers on GJ recommendation
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Another mail call today. All Craftsman USA with the exception of the 17mm wrench is a Japan built one. The Japan ones are rare but not that rare I believe they were made in the 80s but can’t remember exactly. I know around the same time is when Stanley got in trouble for labeling Craftsman tools they were making in Taiwan as USA made and had to switch it after they were caught not sure if it’s the same deal with these wrenches or not. Those are from eBay I bought mostly for the 26,28,30 and 32 because I had the rest already from the pawn shop and yard sales even though I had the Chinese versions of those already that I got at Ace when they were half off I still wanted a complete set of these for home and instead of buying them all separately I decided just to buy the whole set off a reputable eBay seller. The Chinese ones just don’t compare to these and feel so cheap compared to these good ole USA ones. Honestly I mostly wanted the 28mm one. 28mm is used for Toyota inner tie rod removal if you don’t have the special tool it’s a 28mm to go on the flats of the inner tie rod. I always see discussions of people asking what 28mm fits lol. I searched for weeks for a individual 28mm and couldn’t find one except in sets which tells me it’s probably the rarest one. If I remember correctly it’s pretty much the same size as a 1-1/8. I’ll be honest I gave $200 for the set probably too much but that’s alright I wanted it. My next buy will be a complete set of standard and metric double box ends from them just because I’m starting to get back into tools now. My parents told me I’m an idiot for spending $200 on wrenches I’m like well you should of seen how much I spent on my Snap-on ones at work lol 
. And I know have two 30mm and 32mm ones so I’m going to keep one set at home and use the other at work. Thanks again to the member that hooked me up with the other 30mm and 32mm ones.
The last picture with the double box end wrench and extension and brake tool and 8mm wrench are from the classifieds here as well. I’m kind of a sucker for Craftsman USA stuff. I’m just old enough to remember going to Sears with my dad for tools when he needed them and they were still USA then. They moved production fully overseas when I was about 10 or 12 so I never officially got to buy any USA stuff new in store until I found it years later at Ace or when they closed our Sears down I found a couple old stock sockets.
. And I know have two 30mm and 32mm ones so I’m going to keep one set at home and use the other at work. Thanks again to the member that hooked me up with the other 30mm and 32mm ones.The last picture with the double box end wrench and extension and brake tool and 8mm wrench are from the classifieds here as well. I’m kind of a sucker for Craftsman USA stuff. I’m just old enough to remember going to Sears with my dad for tools when he needed them and they were still USA then. They moved production fully overseas when I was about 10 or 12 so I never officially got to buy any USA stuff new in store until I found it years later at Ace or when they closed our Sears down I found a couple old stock sockets.
That brake tool is cool!
I have a similar affinity for Craftsman USA, but only when it was Sears-owned. SB&D do not impress me, especially with all the reports of poor finishes.
Of course, the Craftsman USA brand starting going downhill long before the demise of Sears. Tools from the 80s and early 90s had a LOT more meat on them.
Whenever I had to do a warranty replacement (or bought a new set of duplicates), tools with the same model number on them started becoming thinner al lighter, clearly trying to minimize manufacturing costs. I want to say I started noticing that in the late 90s / early 2000s.
Really irked me when they started replacing ratchets with inferior ones, because they discontinued the older models. Eventually, they stopped doing even that, and just handed out rebuild kits (which, in hindsight, I wish they'd have done sooner, rather than the garbage replacement tools).
I do have some of Dad's Craftsman tools from the 70s-80s. Those seem even better than ones I started buying in the 90s.
Mike
I have a similar affinity for Craftsman USA, but only when it was Sears-owned. SB&D do not impress me, especially with all the reports of poor finishes.
Of course, the Craftsman USA brand starting going downhill long before the demise of Sears. Tools from the 80s and early 90s had a LOT more meat on them.
Whenever I had to do a warranty replacement (or bought a new set of duplicates), tools with the same model number on them started becoming thinner al lighter, clearly trying to minimize manufacturing costs. I want to say I started noticing that in the late 90s / early 2000s.
Really irked me when they started replacing ratchets with inferior ones, because they discontinued the older models. Eventually, they stopped doing even that, and just handed out rebuild kits (which, in hindsight, I wish they'd have done sooner, rather than the garbage replacement tools).
I do have some of Dad's Craftsman tools from the 70s-80s. Those seem even better than ones I started buying in the 90s.
Mike
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I actually have two Craftsman warranty replacements on the way a ratchet and a ratcheting wrench. They’ve been good about warranty and I know it’s not of the same quality but at least I don’t have to give up my old tools by going thru them directly. Lowe’s in my area said no warranty without a receipt and didn’t seem to know what they were talking about so I don’t even mess with them. In my opinion most of their ratchets are better than the old style ones but I still collect the old style ones too. I’m getting ready to warranty a bunch more as well. I’m doing small bits at a time so I don’t get red flagged in their system again like last time lol. I miss Sears so much and Craftsman being USA made. A few years back I found a bunch of NOS USA Craftsman at Ace and Ollies and cleaned out what I could and I don’t regret doing that at all because I still use all the tools I got then.
BobsYourUncle69
Well-known member
These Craftsman's seem to be to you what the Gedore 1B is to me , and , like you , I paid way too much as well for an old SA forged set on eBay that came from the UK.Another mail call today. All Craftsman USA with the exception of the 17mm wrench is a Japan built one. The Japan ones are rare but not that rare I believe they were made in the 80s but can’t remember exactly. I know around the same time is when Stanley got in trouble for labeling Craftsman tools they were making in Taiwan as USA made and had to switch it after they were caught not sure if it’s the same deal with these wrenches or not. Those are from eBay I bought mostly for the 26,28,30 and 32 because I had the rest already from the pawn shop and yard sales even though I had the Chinese versions of those already that I got at Ace when they were half off I still wanted a complete set of these for home and instead of buying them all separately I decided just to buy the whole set off a reputable eBay seller. The Chinese ones just don’t compare to these and feel so cheap compared to these good ole USA ones. Honestly I mostly wanted the 28mm one. 28mm is used for Toyota inner tie rod removal if you don’t have the special tool it’s a 28mm to go on the flats of the inner tie rod. I always see discussions of people asking what 28mm fits lol. I searched for weeks for a individual 28mm and couldn’t find one except in sets which tells me it’s probably the rarest one. If I remember correctly it’s pretty much the same size as a 1-1/8. I’ll be honest I gave $200 for the set probably too much but that’s alright I wanted it. My next buy will be a complete set of standard and metric double box ends from them just because I’m starting to get back into tools now. My parents told me I’m an idiot for spending $200 on wrenches I’m like well you should of seen how much I spent on my Snap-on ones at work lol
The last picture with the double box end wrench and extension and brake tool and 8mm wrench are from the classifieds here as well. I’m kind of a sucker for Craftsman USA stuff. I’m just old enough to remember going to Sears with my dad for tools when he needed them and they were still USA then. They moved production fully overseas when I was about 10 or 12 so I never officially got to buy any USA stuff new in store until I found it years later at Ace or when they closed our Sears down I found a couple old stock sockets.
Having said that , the feeling of " I paid too much" goes away after a while when you're just happy to pick up a wrench you like to use and not use what you have because it's what you have. Its hard to explain that , the right wrench for you is just the right wrench for you.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
100% agree. I can’t wait to use these just simply for the fact I like them and they are new to me. Just like I pay too much for other brands that I enjoy too like Popular Mechanics and auto parts store tools just simply because I enjoy those brands and want to build up a collection and enjoy it. Had my local go to pawn shop not closed up I could get a whole box of whatever tools for $20 that’s how I acquired most of my Craftsman and other high end brands for cheap.
PugetDude
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Sure buddy, none of us is, hence we're all here.
Meetings are at 7:00 PM on Tuesdays in the church basement.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
More tools this time I convinced dad I needed them but he should pay for them and I was successful lol. Honestly I don’t “need” them but I’ve been wanting to get more 1/2 drive shallow chrome 6 points. 6 points seem to be hard to find in 1/2 chrome shallow for some reason. Missing 3 sockets but his remarks were that I love buying individual sockets and won’t have a problem filling in the set with whatever brands I find haha and he’s right. I kind of want to start doing tool reviews of tools I use and want to try to get all different brands and offer my honest opinion on them after using in a professional setting. Don’t know if I will yet or not. I’m curious to see if these will hold up or not or if I’ll have to upgrade them.
Not "arrived" as much as created, 3D printed metric and standard tap holders. Each accommodates taper, plug and bottom taps, drill and a small die for each size. I look forward to not dumping taps out of a jar onto my workbench and searching through the pile for the one that I need.
Attachments
Is USA on the picks or just the package ?
Small pickup from the HJE 3rd Thurday open late with Grilled cheese and beer.
Wilde pokey thing ( trademark description of 357 Magdad)
Vessel T8 with hole to handle security fasteners.
Ullman USA made pick set
And pliers on GJ recommendation
This will replace my little DeWALT bag as my truck tool box.
I bought the very same as my road bag last summer, and it became very heavy and unwieldy! So now I own its little brother and put all heavy metal tools in it, and it weighs more than the big bag with all of the other miscellany in it, but it's less cumbersome than all of the weight in one giant bag.
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I got a couple of large wrenches from our very own member Radio Flyer. He had a couple that weren’t being used and I was looking for. Craftsman USA is my favorite hand tool brand personally mostly just for nostalgia and being well known but also decent quality. The 30mm is V^ series and the 32mm is VV. 30 is used on older model Tundra alignments for the jam nuts. 32 is used on the alignments for those as well if the tabs that hold the camber and caster bolts break you’ll have to use a 32mm to hold the back piece that the bolt runs into.
Back in the day think I bought my giant Craftsman RP 32mm back in the day (and a stamped metal Campagnolo 32mm) to work on the headset of my bicycle! (Back when headsets had big nuts.)
Another mail call today. All Craftsman USA with the exception of the 17mm wrench is a Japan built one. The Japan ones are rare but not that rare I believe they were made in the 80s but can’t remember exactly. I know around the same time is when Stanley got in trouble for labeling Craftsman tools they were making in Taiwan as USA made and had to switch it after they were caught not sure if it’s the same deal with these wrenches or not. Those are from eBay I bought mostly for the 26,28,30 and 32 because I had the rest already from the pawn shop and yard sales even though I had the Chinese versions of those already that I got at Ace when they were half off I still wanted a complete set of these for home and instead of buying them all separately I decided just to buy the whole set off a reputable eBay seller. The Chinese ones just don’t compare to these and feel so cheap compared to these good ole USA ones. Honestly I mostly wanted the 28mm one. 28mm is used for Toyota inner tie rod removal if you don’t have the special tool it’s a 28mm to go on the flats of the inner tie rod. I always see discussions of people asking what 28mm fits lol. I searched for weeks for a individual 28mm and couldn’t find one except in sets which tells me it’s probably the rarest one. If I remember correctly it’s pretty much the same size as a 1-1/8. I’ll be honest I gave $200 for the set probably too much but that’s alright I wanted it. My next buy will be a complete set of standard and metric double box ends from them just because I’m starting to get back into tools now. My parents told me I’m an idiot for spending $200 on wrenches I’m like well you should of seen how much I spent on my Snap-on ones at work lol
The last picture with the double box end wrench and extension and brake tool and 8mm wrench are from the classifieds here as well. I’m kind of a sucker for Craftsman USA stuff. I’m just old enough to remember going to Sears with my dad for tools when he needed them and they were still USA then. They moved production fully overseas when I was about 10 or 12 so I never officially got to buy any USA stuff new in store until I found it years later at Ace or when they closed our Sears down I found a couple old stock sockets.
Blake:
I was going to tell you, "well now you need to go find some Craftsman Professional wrenches, the made in America kind, not the late "lobster" open enders" but then I saw you had Snap On at work, so, don't bother. Invest someof your money in a retirement fund!
But, on the other hand, what you've spent on wrenches here, you can always sell the ones you don't need, or sell them all someday. I'm always baffled by the prices on old Craftsman on ebay. These things were produced on a Soviet scale for many, many decades! Were people hurling them into ponds or something? How are they not cheap now?
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Meursault74
Well-known member
I have a stepped wrench for threaded headsets. Came with my first bike tool kit.
works well enough to hold the adjustment while I snug up the top nut with a regular adjustable
Then there's always a weird size or buggered one, that's when I reach for the thin adjustable wrench I got much later.
It barely fits, but it does on my bikes so far. I swear one nut on one of my bike's headset is a 31mm
SMOKEYBEAR
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 3, 2016
- Messages
- 447
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I do have one of the Craftsman Professional wrenches in size 1/2 that I found at the pawn shop and I really like it. I’ve used it on my dad’s truck a few times. Might look for some common sizes in Craftsman Professional as it would complement my Craftsman collection well.
MaverickDMD
Well-known member
Its Chinese ****
16again
Well-known member
Markoos
Well-known member
Chinese knockoffs of Cobra 180mm. Look 90% of the original, obviously metal quality and heat treating is a big unknown but for half the price (£13) I am willing to give it a try.
And vs genuine Cobra
And vs genuine Cobra
M.Jay
Well-known member
Living overseas I have no stake in the vintage Craftsman game. But I always like reading those stories about how you guys went shopping and wrenching with your fathers.Another mail call today. All Craftsman USA with the exception of the 17mm wrench is a Japan built one. The Japan ones are rare but not that rare I believe they were made in the 80s but can’t remember exactly. I know around the same time is when Stanley got in trouble for labeling Craftsman tools they were making in Taiwan as USA made and had to switch it after they were caught not sure if it’s the same deal with these wrenches or not. Those are from eBay I bought mostly for the 26,28,30 and 32 because I had the rest already from the pawn shop and yard sales even though I had the Chinese versions of those already that I got at Ace when they were half off I still wanted a complete set of these for home and instead of buying them all separately I decided just to buy the whole set off a reputable eBay seller. The Chinese ones just don’t compare to these and feel so cheap compared to these good ole USA ones. Honestly I mostly wanted the 28mm one. 28mm is used for Toyota inner tie rod removal if you don’t have the special tool it’s a 28mm to go on the flats of the inner tie rod. I always see discussions of people asking what 28mm fits lol. I searched for weeks for a individual 28mm and couldn’t find one except in sets which tells me it’s probably the rarest one. If I remember correctly it’s pretty much the same size as a 1-1/8. I’ll be honest I gave $200 for the set probably too much but that’s alright I wanted it. My next buy will be a complete set of standard and metric double box ends from them just because I’m starting to get back into tools now. My parents told me I’m an idiot for spending $200 on wrenches I’m like well you should of seen how much I spent on my Snap-on ones at work lol
The last picture with the double box end wrench and extension and brake tool and 8mm wrench are from the classifieds here as well. I’m kind of a sucker for Craftsman USA stuff. I’m just old enough to remember going to Sears with my dad for tools when he needed them and they were still USA then. They moved production fully overseas when I was about 10 or 12 so I never officially got to buy any USA stuff new in store until I found it years later at Ace or when they closed our Sears down I found a couple old stock sockets.
It's astonishing how many emotions are coupled to the Craftsman name and unbelievable that SBD didn't take advantage of this after they bought the brand.
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
It’s also a shame that Lowe’s hassles you over warranty at least mine does. Before you could walk into any Sears and get your tools replaced no questions asked. Now, I just fill out the form on their website and do it so I don’t have to deal with Lowe’s. But I agree the same thing will never happen with fathers and sons anymore. We don’t have the car we used to work on which was his Alfa Romeo Spider but we still have all the tools. Just used one of the sockets he bought back then today to change the oil in his car with.
Skyman
Well-known member
My dad never took me shopping for tools, or did so without me. The only wrenching he ever did with me was when he showed me how use a bumper jack and four-way lug wrench to swap the spare wheels that had snow tires for the ones that had summer tires on the family's DD. He spent his days sitting at a desk, and just wasn't the kind of guy who did much with his hands. Nobody knows how I ended up the way I did, but I've chalked it up to either a (very) recessive gene or having been swapped at birth.
What SBD has done with the Craftsman brand doesn't seem very different from many other blunders that they've made. It's pretty clear that MBA curricula don't impart intelligence, wisdom, common sense or specific knowledge of any product or service. Shiny credentials and political maneuvering seem to be most of what's required for many of them to land a corner-office position. All too often, aptitude and demonstrated performance aren't required.
Having worked for several managers that had a MBA I can attest to this. They were all completely emotionless towards the product and EVERYTHING was determined on the bottom line for this quarter.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Some tiny new old stock blades for my little one-handed battery recip saw.
I needed a blade like this the other day on the job and ended up making my own. It got it done, but the slimmer profile of these would have been better.
Couldn't pass up these Wiha bit sets for a couple bucks each.
I needed a blade like this the other day on the job and ended up making my own. It got it done, but the slimmer profile of these would have been better.
Couldn't pass up these Wiha bit sets for a couple bucks each.
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I used to be the guy that if I needed a tool once I would buy it. Since coming back to this forum I've expanded to buying **** I don't need for no reason. That being said these purchases were stuff I actually needed.
I wasn't manly enough to break a bolt free with a wrench the other day so I picked up a Capri wrench extender. This exact thing seems to be sold under multiple brands so pick your favorite or whoever has it cheapest.
Smacked the **** out of my hand the other day holding a punch against an object that moved around so I bought a chisel holder.
You can never have too many tape measures. Tapes, torpedo levels and pencils seem to disappear as soon as you set them down. This is supposed to be the king of tape measures. It's nice but would have prefered the 16' but it was $10 more than the 25'. How does that make sense?
I've been wanting one of these for a while and saw a video showing DeWalt is coming out with an extension for this and it really peaked my interest. Home Depot had these in the isle marked down $20 so I grabbed it and have the extension accessory ordered already. I've already used this a couple times and it's way nicer than using the clamps like this flipped around as a spreader. Way more stable.
I wasn't manly enough to break a bolt free with a wrench the other day so I picked up a Capri wrench extender. This exact thing seems to be sold under multiple brands so pick your favorite or whoever has it cheapest.
Smacked the **** out of my hand the other day holding a punch against an object that moved around so I bought a chisel holder.
You can never have too many tape measures. Tapes, torpedo levels and pencils seem to disappear as soon as you set them down. This is supposed to be the king of tape measures. It's nice but would have prefered the 16' but it was $10 more than the 25'. How does that make sense?
I've been wanting one of these for a while and saw a video showing DeWalt is coming out with an extension for this and it really peaked my interest. Home Depot had these in the isle marked down $20 so I grabbed it and have the extension accessory ordered already. I've already used this a couple times and it's way nicer than using the clamps like this flipped around as a spreader. Way more stable.
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shoggoth80
Well-known member
Impulse and curiosity combined. 
Feels overbuilt at the price point. I'm actually surprised by it.
Feels overbuilt at the price point. I'm actually surprised by it. msharley
Well-known member
These arrived yesterday.
Purchased from Member of another Forum...as he is retiring...
Price? (if I tell? all yinz would give me a "yinz sux")....
Door wrench set, complete 5/16 to 15/16.
3/4" drive the 1-7/16" is Craftsman. The 27mm & 36mm, 3" extension are Thornsen.
I purchased the door wrenches and the smaller 1/4" ratchet.
The gentleman tossed in the rest...as he was retiring..
Have wanted (and did not mention to him) the swivel Snap On 1/4" ratchet ...since they came out...
All are stowed...
Purchased from Member of another Forum...as he is retiring...
Price? (if I tell? all yinz would give me a "yinz sux")....
Door wrench set, complete 5/16 to 15/16.
3/4" drive the 1-7/16" is Craftsman. The 27mm & 36mm, 3" extension are Thornsen.
I purchased the door wrenches and the smaller 1/4" ratchet.
The gentleman tossed in the rest...as he was retiring..
Have wanted (and did not mention to him) the swivel Snap On 1/4" ratchet ...since they came out...
All are stowed...
Kurt4440
Well-known member
My latest Amazon purchase, I have not used it yet, but, it received good reviews.
Chinese knockoffs of Cobra 180mm. Look 90% of the original, obviously metal quality and heat treating is a big unknown but for half the price (£13) I am willing to give it a try.
And vs genuine Cobra
shoggoth80
Well-known member
Because I like things that cut Really nicely done little thing.
Really nicely done little thing. My dad was too cheap to buy good tools! That's how I wound up a bum with some really nice tools!
"All I need is this chair! And this comfort grip 3/8" Dual 80 and that's all I need!"
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I have a stepped wrench for threaded headsets. Came with my first bike tool kit.
works well enough to hold the adjustment while I snug up the top nut with a regular adjustable
Then there's always a weird size or buggered one, that's when I reach for the thin adjustable wrench I got much later.
It barely fits, but it does on my bikes so far. I swear one nut on one of my bike's headset is a 31mm
The Harry J. Epstein 4th of July event has a thread up, and one of things I've discussed over there is the Japanese thin adjustable wrenches they have for sale there that are tempting me.
Meursault74
Well-known member
I have used the thin adjustable on some electrical conduit fittings as well. I recall it was a junction with 3 different "flats" They were thin and close together, the thin wrench came in handy, a regular adjustable was too thick for that particular task. Regular wrenches that I had were also too thick.
I'm sure there are other places where that type of wrench can come in handy.
Aside from cone wrenches for my bike hubs, I don't have a set of thin wrenches. I haven't tried it, but I don't think that thin adjustable would work well in place of a cone wrench for a hub, it's too thick.
Lacking a set of thin wrenches for general use, I think having a thin adjustable is something nice to have on hand.
This Japanese thin "Crescent" clocks in at 2.5mm thick!
Top Short Eco Fork 4 1/2" (117mm) Adjustable Wrench (HY-26STR)
Tip is Extremely thin, 2.5mm. Only 95g! Compact head and there is no projection. Finger hook provides efficient work. 7-26mm opening width ///brand_for_product_detail=Acme,close_out=Yes,companydescription=??? - Made in Japan,condition=New,condition_google=new,cost=0.250000,countrymade=Made in...
www.harryepstein.com