Craftsman Dual-Marked Socket sets - gone?

[Steen27]

I was browsing through Sears.com and I don't see their socket sets offered in dual marking... the only ones that were still dual-marked were impact sockets.

I thought this set in particular was dual marked at one time but now it is only laser etched...

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00935299000P?prdNo=25&blockNo=25&blockType=G25

Does anyone know if they still offer dual marked or are they moving to the "Easy to read"

(I researched old threads here - some in 2008 and 2009 seemed to contradict each other - hence the new thread)

Thanks again GJ!

 

[pipsters]

I just bought that set back 2 months ago. It is dual marked as are all their sockets these days. It's just an old picture. I paid $305 or so for it, don't forget the $35 off $300 visa promotion.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

I can't figure out the method to their madness. I thought they'd gone to all easy read or dual marks, but I bought a couple sets the other day that were all just stamped like the good ol days, except for the torx drive sockets in the set, they were easy read. None were dual marks.

It seems like they're still making all 3 varieties, and using them in different sets.

 

[pipsters]

The stamped are older, just old stock. They mostly carry a G2 code. The dual marks are G2D. They all come from the same factory in Apex, NC.

Chances are the torx were also older just because they don't sell as many. Did you buy them in store or online?

I don't know the history too well but the ones just laser etched were a pretty short run.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

I bought them online, 2 of the modular sets, http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00933300000P? and http://www.craftsman.com/shc/s/p_10155_12602_00935189000P?

 

[pipsters]

Im not positive but to venture a guess those modular sets don't sell that well. My local Sears has lots of G2 stamped older modular sets, and the Craftsman pro wrench modular sets are still US made in store where as on-line they are Chinese. You probably just got some NOS at their warehouse or something. I looked around forever for a few G2 sockets when I warrantied my older stuff and I had to take them out of some older sets on the back of the shelf.

 

[Givl Reggin]

...were all just stamped like the good ol days, except for the torx drive sockets in the set, they were easy read. None were dual marks.

Interesting about the Torx... I have never seen the Torx, or even the hex sockets laser-etched, they have always been stamped. Must be very new stock. I've seen both the "G2" and "G2D" codes in the stores.

I picked up a 3/8" stubby flex-head ratchet the other day and it had a code of "KAA" on it - now, I have purchased about 5 or 6 of these over the last couple of years because I find it handy to just leave them 'at-the-ready' with a socket already attached and there are stamped with about 3 or 4 different manufacturing codes! I think the first one I bought had a "KW" code on it. I find it quite odd that they would change manufacturing plants that often.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

another interesting thing about that 189pc set, it was supposed to include 3 SAE and 3 metric "extreme grip wrenches" but those have been discontinued for awhile now.... so instead they threw in a 8pc set of SAE full polish dual ratcheting wrenches, no metrics though hehe.

 

[pipsters]

Interesting about the Torx... I have never seen the Torx, or even the hex sockets laser-etched, they have always been stamped. Must be very new stock. I've seen both the "G2" and "G2D" codes in the stores.

I picked up a 3/8" stubby flex-head ratchet the other day and it had a code of "KAA" on it - now, I have purchased about 5 or 6 of these over the last couple of years because I find it handy to just leave them 'at-the-ready' with a socket already attached and there are stamped with about 3 or 4 different manufacturing codes! I think the first one I bought had a "KW" code on it. I find it quite odd that they would change manufacturing plants that often.

They are probably just date codes. KW then KX, KY, KZ, KAA. Same manufacturer though. Danaher made the G1, G2, and now G2D sockets.

 

[PT Doc]

299 socket sets are dual marked.

 

[chevy_cowboy]

Interesting about the Torx... I have never seen the Torx, or even the hex sockets laser-etched, they have always been stamped. Must be very new stock. I've seen both the "G2" and "G2D" codes in the stores.

Sorry, my mistake. I went out to double check, it was actually the External Torx sockets that were laser marked, the regular torx bits are just stamped.

I actually prefer stamped, the laser marks aren't really any easier to read for me, and they'll eventually wear off. I've got stamped stuff 60 years old thats as easy to read as it was new... the laser stuff wont be that way.

 

[PT Doc]

I actually prefer stamped, the laser marks aren't really any easier to read for me, and they'll eventually wear off. I've got stamped stuff 60 years old thats as easy to read as it was new... the laser stuff wont be that way.

Thats why the dual marked is the way to go. The stamp will be there forever and the laser mark will help with identifying the 1/4" sockets in the short run. None of my ~9 year old laser marked sockets from the 154 piece set have lost their laser mark.

 

[pipsters]

I found on my most used sockets, the stamped part was starting to wear away. Or rather, the outside of the socket was so scratched up the stamped part was getting difficult to read, so much so that I warrantied the socket (otherwise it was fine).

 

[knotheads]

Interesting about the Torx... I have never seen the Torx, or even the hex sockets laser-etched, they have always been stamped. Must be very new stock. I've seen both the "G2" and "G2D" codes in the stores.

I picked up a 3/8" stubby flex-head ratchet the other day and it had a code of "KAA" on it - now, I have purchased about 5 or 6 of these over the last couple of years because I find it handy to just leave them 'at-the-ready' with a socket already attached and there are stamped with about 3 or 4 different manufacturing codes! I think the first one I bought had a "KW" code on it. I find it quite odd that they would change manufacturing plants that often.

my son bought some fill in craftsman sockets from the sears store that are only laser etched

 

[RLRRLRLL]

my son bought some fill in craftsman sockets from the sears store that are only laser etched

i got a laser etched one in replacement for a dual mark on warranty. its all they had on the shelf. Old stock i guess, idk.