Anybody use Craftsman raised panel wrenches?

[trainwreck]

Using metric as an example, I think the best performance:dollar ratio would be the Craftsman Pro set up to 19mm, and the raised panels in 20mm and up.

Not that I'd disagree with you, but I'm curious how you got 19mm as the cut off point. Is it because the sets go up to 19mm?

 

[Seanbev24]

Not that I'd disagree with you, but I'm curious how you got 19mm as the cut off point. Is it because the sets go up to 19mm?

2 reasons...

1. As you said, the regular Pro set goes up to 19mm, plus it goes on sale all quite a bit. So, for a good price you get nice wrenches in the most used sizes.

2. In the 20mm and up sizes I stop hating the length of the raised panels so much, and strength isn't as much of an issue due to the bulk of the wrench.

I'm not even a fan of craftsman, but I still think this would make a good set for pretty cheap.

 

[peterbilr98]

i have the raised panels have had them for 25yrs i like them i also have the craftsman pros they are good and i have the snapon flank drive whitch i do like the best.

 

[Elroy]

I spread the jaws

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I have spread the open end on a couple.

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I can feel the CM open end spread slightly with hard use.

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Where I really have a problem is how easy it is to spread the open ends.

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Elroy is reading all these complaints about spreading the jaws and he's going to give you a good reason why and it doesn't have any thing to do with a faulty tool. Elroy ventures to say it's operator error

There is simply no way you can pull on one with your hand and spread it if the tool is tight on the fastener. You'll play hell spreading the jaws on a Craftsman raised panel with your hand when it's properly fitted to the fastener.

Now before you go and get your ******* all in a bunch hear Elroy out.

There are two ways that you can spread it. First is with a cheater bar. But that's abuse and doesn't count

The second and much more common way is by use on worn out or rounded off fasteners.

These fasteners result in contact points forming a geometry that generates extremely high forces. This geometry is due to the fastener and has nothing to do with the wrench.

If the fastener fits the wrench opening properly, and if the wrench meets ANSI specs (which Craftsman do) you would never see the jaw spread. That's where the experience of a seasoned mechanic comes in. He knows to look for a sloppy fit and won't make the pull because he knows it will further damage the fastener or the tool

 

[Bran Diezel]

i spread a 7/8 cman pro open end with my bare hands. said it here b4...

 

[Seanbev24]

While I kind of agree with Elroy, here's the problem... IF I am using an open end wrench, it is out of necessity due to limited space or whatever. Of course it's my fault if I yank on a rounded bolt and strip the hell out it. But, if I had to take the time to find a different solution every time I came across a worn out bolt, I'm sure I'd go broke.

The problem with the raised panels, in my experience, is they are just much more prone to what Elroy described than most quality wrenches. Harbor freight wrenches probably work great too on a perfect fitting fastener. Since there are too many times where fasteners aren't perfect, I'd rather buy wrenches that can handle it.

As many people have done, I started out with a basic set of raised panels and upgraded when I could afford to. They're an awesome value and have their place, but they are NOT great wrenches. Just my opinion

 

[rjohnson]

They are an excellent value and my only metric non-ratcheting wrenches, plus backup to my Snap-on SAE wrenches.

 

[Pug}{maN]

the raised panels rip up my hands if i use them all day...

 

[nismomans13]

so many people have spread cman open end wrenches, yet nobody ever offers up pictures or a description of how it happened.

 

[toolmaker1]

so many people have spread cman open end wrenches, yet nobody ever offers up pictures or a description of how it happened.

Like to see this myself. I have done some stupid things with good old raised panel open and box ends and have yet to see one spread.

 

[trout]

I've felt the jaws start to spread, but I stop before I damage the fastener, the wrench, and my knuckles.

 

[OccupantRJ]

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Elroy is reading all these complaints about spreading the jaws and he's going to give you a good reason why and it doesn't have any thing to do with a faulty tool. Elroy ventures to say it's operator error

There is simply no way you can pull on one with your hand and spread it if the tool is tight on the fastener. You'll play hell spreading the jaws on a Craftsman raised panel with your hand when it's properly fitted to the fastener.

Now before you go and get your ******* all in a bunch hear Elroy out.

There are two ways that you can spread it. First is with a cheater bar. But that's abuse and doesn't count

The second and much more common way is by use on worn out or rounded off fasteners.

These fasteners result in contact points forming a geometry that generates extremely high forces. This geometry is due to the fastener and has nothing to do with the wrench.

If the fastener fits the wrench opening properly, and if the wrench meets ANSI specs (which Craftsman do) you would never see the jaw spread. That's where the experience of a seasoned mechanic comes in. He knows to look for a sloppy fit and won't make the pull because he knows it will further damage the fastener or the tool

I agree with this 100%. I always break a fastener loose with the box end when possible, and only use the open end for light use with ANY brand of wrench. There are trapped nut exceptions where the open end HAS to be used, but I steer clear if possible. Technique has a lot to do with it also, as I am 58 and can break bolts loose with one hand with a quick snap, while the young bucks are red in the face and straining like hell with everything they've got. Pisses them off that an "old" guy can outdo them. I'm a 185 pounder, too.

 

[tooldeloo]

With the exception of the Cman full polish deep offset wrenches I just got, all my wrenches are Cman raised panel combination. I've been using my original set since 1980, added to them over the years, and never had any problem.
I hear people complain about them being hard on the hands, but I'm a DIYer and never used them day in, day out.

 

[NOTABLAZER]

I have a set of metric raised panel wrenches in my tool box,they work fine for me,the skipped sizes that didn't come in the set were found cheap at the flea market.

 

[Skin]

so many people have spread cman open end wrenches, yet nobody ever offers up pictures or a description of how it happened.

the easiest way to spread or break any open end is to link them. Its an old trick to increase torque but also puts a lot of pressure on a very small portion of the open end. I'd wager this, or putting a pipe on the wrench, is what most have done to bend/break a combo wrench.

 

[Old Donn]

the raised panels rip up my hands if i use them all day...

Interesting. I find the thinner, sharper edges on my Bonneys and Cman Pros, (especially the Bonneys), to be much tougher on my hands than raised panels if I don't wear Mechanix gloves.

 

[RLYoung]

Interesting. I find the thinner, sharper edges on my Bonneys and Cman Pros, (especially the Bonneys), to be much tougher on my hands than raised panels if I don't wear Mechanix gloves.

Same here. I avoid the sharper cut edges of some truck brand wrenches. The CM ones feel just right in my hands. Although I grew up using them and honestly hadn't heard much about SO, MAC and Matco until I started wrenching in a civilian shop (the military doesn't buy truck brands normally).

I will say that these wrenches will always have a spot in my garage, but will probably get replaced by Snap-On in my work box soon. I've beat on some of the larger sizes to get them off a fastener after torquing in upwards of 300 lb ft and they show it. I've also started to notice the open ends of my smaller (3/8-3/4) sizes wearing and almost mushrooming some of the steel.

All in all, they are a great buy for the beginner quality/price wise IMO.

 

[fflintstone]

Grandpa’s wenches were raised panels, some of dads were, most all of mine are, and I see NO reason to “upgrade”. I have wrenched on 50 some different personal vehicles over the last 35 years and have never had a problem with them. I don’t turn wrenches every day though, so your mileage may vary.

 

[Seanbev24]

I've felt the jaws start to spread, but I stop before I damage the fastener, the wrench, and my knuckles.

Exactly, you can feel it happening. Although most people have the experience to stop before the fastener strips, why not just get a wrench that won't strip it in the first place.

I agree with this 100%. I always break a fastener loose with the box end when possible, and only use the open end for light use with ANY brand of wrench. There are trapped nut exceptions where the open end HAS to be used, but I steer clear if possible. Technique has a lot to do with it also, as I am 58 and can break bolts loose with one hand with a quick snap, while the young bucks are red in the face and straining like hell with everything they've got. Pisses them off that an "old" guy can outdo them. I'm a 185 pounder, too.

Of course a box end or socket should be used whenever possible. When it's not possible and you have to use an open end is where the raised panels show their weakness.

the easiest way to spread or break any open end is to link them. Its an old trick to increase torque but also puts a lot of pressure on a very small portion of the open end. I'd wager this, or putting a pipe on the wrench, is what most have done to bend/break a combo wrench.

Yes, it's abusing the tool to double-wrench or use a pipe. I have done both to get the job done, but it's not the wrench's fault if it breaks/spreads. In the case shown in the picture, I'd rather hit the wrench with a hammer than double-wrench it. Plus, it might not have been necessary to do that in the first place if the raised panels weren't so short. Flare nut crow's feet with a long ratchet work great too if a swivel socket won't fit.

 

[crewchief888]

Yes, it's abusing the tool to double-wrench or use a pipe. I have done both to get the job done, but it's not the wrench's fault if it breaks/spreads. In the case shown in the picture, I'd rather hit the wrench with a hammer than double-wrench it. Plus, it might not have been necessary to do that in the first place if the raised panels weren't so short.

over the years the only complaint ive ever had with cm raised panels, and my old sk's were the length.

or lack of length

cm pro are pretty close to the same length as my so, mac and matco wrenches.

ive been buying cm pro's to replace what i loose.

 

[Benji]

They are good wrenches for the money but they will spread when linked like skin's pic show's. I have them as back up wrenches at work I find them too short and hard on the hand's for everyday use but that's 45 plus hours a week as a automotive mechanic for home use their great and the box end is strong I've seen a 4 foot pipe on a 1 1/4 and 1 1/8 before working on heavy equipment with no problems.

 

[LawnDart79]

I'm not a fan of raised panels for professional use. When I first started out as a technician, I had both standard and metric raised panels. I eventually replaced the metric RPs with Snap-on, but kept my standard set since I didn't use them much.

The main reason I got rid of my raised panel metrics was because of their length. They were just too short.

Now I will agree that if you were a weekend warrior and don't want to invest tons of money into a set of Snap-On or similar wrenches, Craftsman RPs are a good value and will serve you well.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I understand why everyone keeps saying the RP are so short I just went into the garage and compared them to a set of S/O and MAC... I will post up pictures as soon as I upload them, but compared to the S/O they are shorter then the 7-9mm but 10-18 they are bigger equaling out at 19. Compared to the MAC the RP are bigger compared to the 8mm but are short compared to the 10-17 and 22,24, and 27mm's. I wrench mostly on motorcycles so "shortness" doesnt bother me, I do general maintenance on my truck which length doesnt become an issue
Snap On:

MAC:

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Elroy ventures to say it's operator error

There is simply no way you can pull on one with your hand and spread it if the tool is tight on the fastener. You'll play hell spreading the jaws on a Craftsman raised panel with your hand when it's properly fitted to the fastener.

If the fastener fits the wrench opening properly, and if the wrench meets ANSI specs (which Craftsman do) you would never see the jaw spread. That's where the experience of a seasoned mechanic comes in. He knows to look for a sloppy fit and won't make the pull because he knows it will further damage the fastener or the tool

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Okay, I'll ad to my last post. Seriously, these things can be VERY soft. One of mine spread on a 1/4 nut that was not stripped, no cheater, not linked, no funny business.

 

[DrkMtnDew]

ive got a couple that were part of my earliest sets. also have some from my grandpa. plenty of wear and tear on them but they are still very usable.

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

Oh, I forgot to mention I'm talking about the ones made by Danaher and NOT the older ones. The old ones have held up just fine for me.

 

[T56 Impala]

I have a bunch of them. Love 'em. When I'm working near the ground (driveway) these are my wrenches. When I'm under the hood and have a nice place to put my tools, I use the Pro's. (Gotta keep them purty you know!) I have some that are 30+ years old. They were my Dad's. Great tools.

Its funny, I have used cheaters and hammers and linking on many of mine over the years and have never damaged one. The only combination wrench I have ever broken was a Snap On 1/2". Snapped the ring end wide open on a bicycle of all things!

Sockets are a different story. Not ratchets, sockets. I have popped quite a few of those. Mostly 6 point sockets. I much prefer my Wright sockets, but I only have the one vintage 1/2" drive set so they don't get used as much as the 3/8" drive Craftsman.

 

[blazsawgras]

yes std and metric use them on a regular basis.

 

[78Staff]

I have some older RP's sets, Std and Metric 6pt and 12pts that came with a 400pc or so kit I bought probably...dang...15 years ago I guess? Anyway, they've always worked fine for me, but have been relegated to the travel/loaner box for the most part. as I was swayed by fancy ratcheting versions. Still a solid DIY/Weekender wrench though IMO.

 

[leod]

I have my RP set that i loan to a friend when he asked for a tool

 

[CLee0507]

My only combination non ratcheting set of wrenches is Craftsman raised panels. My dad bought them for me a long time ago and have never had any problems till I came here and realized there are better options out there LOL. I have had to double them up a few times in the past removing a bumper from an old Chevy PU and other rusted bolts that needed some extra torque but I've never had an issue with quality or spreading. One of my good friends had a few that needed to be returned because the open ends spread on him, so I know it does happen.

There is nothing wrong with them but I would really like to get a "pro" longer full polish set. In our shop at work I've used some older SK wrenches that are quite nice and easier to use because of the added length.

 

[Butters]

I'd love to see a comparison of new versus old raised panels in terms of strength. My main wrench set is a 20-25 year old RP set. I have a few newer RPs I have purchased to fill in gaps, replace lost ones, or for other tool sets. I'm no pro, but I have no complaints about my old set. The newer ones are clearly inferior in terms of finish. But I couldn't tell you if they perform any worse.

 

[ibedayank]

Yep full sets of raised panel in sae and metric they get the job done

 

[BajaBound]

I have a full mm sae raised panel that have served duty working all over my dodge cummins! I love them they have saved my tail when pre running in mexico and prepping my truck for any off road trip. They are now going to primarily live in rolls ups on my truck as I have williams super combos now but they totally have their place in my tool box.

 

[MechManiac]

I use them all the time. They work fine for me. Use impact tools or breaker bars & sockets if your little wrench won't do the job.

 

[ratman_90]

Used them for yearsin my dads shop in Dallas. We serviced Nabisco fleet of trucks with them. GMC 7000 series and kodiaks and then Isuzu as well. Never had a serious problem. Broke a few with a cheater pipe. Had a replacement on hand and went to Sears later and had it replaced. Used my personal set while in the army as well. Am now 39 and still use em And add to them. Have done most of my own work on my 1977 camaro that I have had for 23 years with em as well as various trucks. Never had a problem to justify spending three times the amount for snappy.

 

[472scout]

I have a ton that were my dads. They've all seen very hard and extensive use. Only a couple should be replaced which says a lot about their strength and durability. The newer ones I have seem just as good, but I would like to see some hardness measurements.

Pro: Decent thickness. I don't like thin wrenches at all unless there's a clearance problem.
Con: On the short side.

 

[BajaBound]

I have already needed my raised panels instead of my williams because my williams where too long in some spots! lol go figure!

 

[onewaydave]

I have one SO, an old set of polished chrmoe smooth "JC Penney" and 3 sets of RPCM. I don't care for the feel of the smooth SO and JC Penney when they get oily. I like the traction of the CM.

Dave.