Craftsman hand tools quality concern

[vamcaptain]

I recently purchased several sets of Craftsman Tools. Within the set I found one long 3/8 extension bent beyond belief, a 1/2 inch drive extension struck poorly on the female end to the point that nothing would work attach to it. I then had a 1/2 inch breaker bar that the male end was out of tolerance on the male end so much so that when I finally got a socket on it I thought it would never come off again.

I switched back to the slightly more expansive but better quality SK Tools. Has anyone else notice these types of problems with their Craftsman tools? Maybe it's more prevalent in the sets as opposed to individual purchases?

 

[bobcatdan]

Craftsman quality control in the wrench department has really slid downhill. The last of the USA stuff was pretty bad in some regurads that the new imports from china don't look so bad.

 

[rshadd]

I just bought a couple of long (10" & 20") 3/8" Craftsman extension and they were perfect. They were "Made in USA" pieces. I refuse to buy the Chinese stuff. When the time comes that I can't find USA Craftsman, I'll fork up the extra dough for SK or Snap-On.

If you not happy, return them for replacements.

 

[scw1991]

Made in China would be my first guess?

 

[CWP1616L]

My experience with Craftsman drive tools is that the sockets never fit tight enough on the extensions and the extensions never fit tight enough on the ratchet's drive end. You bump something in the engine compartment and either the socket falls off the extension, or the socket and extension falls off the ratchet together.

 

[Fedwrench]

Quality has varied greatly over the last few years. Simply return the defective pieces for new at your local sears.

Virtually all tool brands too include the truck brands, have had quality control issues documented in these pages.

That's when dealer service or store service comes into play.

 

[mmack66]

I've heard they have started to make some of their tools in China.

 

[neonnblack]

I've heard they have started to make some of their tools in China.

no????

 

[vamcaptain]

My Craftsman's do say USA stamped into them although they can still be made to low quality.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 drive craftsman USA sockets and extensions. I have the standard, thin profile and premium ratchets in all drives. Some of which I have had for 17+ years. All with minimal issues. Maybe 1 broken ratchet and a couple sockets. That's it. I also have the pro screwdrivers. I did break one t-8. In all they have been great

 

[mmack66]

I switched back to the slightly more expansive but better quality SK Tools. Has anyone else notice these types of problems with their Craftsman tools? Maybe it's more prevalent in the sets as opposed to individual purchases?

Not sure if you actually meant slightly more "expensive" and not slightly more "expansive", but SK tools are quite a bit more expensive than Craftsman tools.

 

[vamcaptain]

Not sure if you actually meant slightly more "expensive" and not slightly more "expansive", but SK tools are quite a bit more expensive than Craftsman tools.

You are correct on the typo...expensive it is!

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Made in USA doesn't always mean good quality.

Luckily my older Craftsman stuff is decent. Maybe not the RP ratchet that loves to jump from off to on, and vice versa. The sockets have been alright.

 

[tweedlestan]

To generalize:

Old USA-made (and Japanese) Craftsman: Superb

New USA-made Craftsman: ****

New Chinese-made Craftsman: Decent

 

[thesilverone]

here we go again

 

[TwoInch]

My experience with Craftsman drive tools is that the sockets never fit tight enough on the extensions and the extensions never fit tight enough on the ratchet's drive end. You bump something in the engine compartment and either the socket falls off the extension, or the socket and extension falls off the ratchet together.

never have i come across a craftsman socket or extension that fit poorly on the square drives of an extension or ratchet. i have been using craftsman sockets pretty much exclusively for approaching two decades, and have had craftsman socket sets that were made in the early 90s all the way up until the latest USA batches that were put out, including the industrial line.

never experienced, or even heard of the problems you claim with craftsman sockets and extensions.

you have been coming up with some pretty off the wall stuff lately.

 

[CWP1616L]

never have i come across a craftsman socket or extension that fit poorly on the square drives of an extension or ratchet. i have been using craftsman sockets pretty much exclusively for approaching two decades, and have had craftsman socket sets that were made in the early 90s all the way up until the latest USA batches that were put out, including the industrial line.

never experienced, or even heard of the problems you claim with craftsman sockets and extensions.

you have been coming up with some pretty off the wall stuff lately.

I got my Craftsman 299 piece set from Sears when they were at the peak of their quality nearly 3 decades ago in 1985. They did a fine job as long as I didn't know any better and didn't know what I was missing. Later on in 1990 when I enrolled in community college and got a chance to use some of the tools in the classroom did I learn what I was missing. They had a full tool board of Proto for Aero 1 & 2 and then a full tool board of Snap-on for Aero classes 3 & 4. It didn't take me long to notice the differences between those tools and my Craftsman set. The most noticeable thing was the way the drive tools snapped together. My Craftsman drive tools had always fit together loose while the Snap-on tools fit together tight with an audible "snap!" The Snap-on screwdrivers fit the fasteners perfectly with no slop whatsoever and the handles provided lots of torque. The ratchets were a dream to use with their precise mechanical action and the wrenches were longer, smoother, and very well balanced. I learned right away how quality tools can add up to convenience. Incidentally, the Proto tools were very good too but their screwdrivers were junk at the time.

 

[TwoInch]

I got my Craftsman 299 piece set from Sears when they were at the peak of their quality nearly 3 decades ago in 1985. They did a fine job as long as I didn't know any better and didn't know what I was missing. Later on in 1990 when I enrolled in community college and got a chance to use some of the tools in the classroom did I learn what I was missing. They had a full tool board of Proto for Aero 1 & 2 and then a full tool board of Snap-on for Aero classes 3 & 4. It didn't take me long to notice the differences between those tools and my Craftsman set. The most noticeable thing was the way the drive tools snapped together. My Craftsman drive tools had always fit together loose while the Snap-on tools fit together tight with an audible "snap!" The Snap-on screwdrivers fit the fasteners perfectly with no slop whatsoever and the handles provided lots of torque. The ratchets were a dream to use with their precise mechanical action and the wrenches were longer, smoother, and very well balanced. I learned right away how quality tools can add up to convenience. Incidentally, the Proto tools were very good too but their screwdrivers were junk at the time.

why did you highlight that particular part of my post? i dont see the reason in your response.

i have been using craftsman sockets for that long. i also own craftsman sockets from about every style and decade possible.

i disagree that the mid 80s were the peak in quality for craftsman.

screwdrivers are another topic, unrelated to this one. as are the ratchets.

FWIW, i have sockets from craftsman, snap on, proto(a lot), SK, kobalt, and a few others. my craftsmans are the sockets i use daily, with the only exception being a set of metric semi-deep snap ons.

wrenches, craftman RP and pro, proto, armstrong, a few snap on, gearwrench.

im not oblivious to very high quality tools. i have never had issues with craftsman sockets or extensions falling off anything other than the top of my toolbox. im not a craftsman fanboy, but the incessant bashing is outrageous. the sockets and extensions have always been a bright spot in the craftsman lineup, durable and priced right with a good warranty. even in the later "bad" era, they were still damn fine sockets.

 

[CNGsaves]

Pictures or it did NOT happen . . . . OP show us "bent" Craftsman extensions ??

 

[d.mcfarland]

Not for nothing ... I bought a long wobble extension a few months ago and it is the smoothest wobble extension I have...

 

[CWP1616L]

why did you highlight that particular part of my post? i dont see the reason in your response.

I highlighted that section of your post because it was obvious you were trying to pull rank with your age and I'm sure I outrank you in that category.

Look man, I'm not bashing Craftsman. The OP asked us if we had any negative experiences with Craftsman and I voiced my experiences. I have no secret ulterior motive to destroy Craftsman's reputation. I still have some Craftsman tools that I like very much. Their nut drivers made by Western Forge I like as well as their wire strippers made by Stride-Imperial. Craftsman feeler gauges are good and so are their telescopic magnets.

When I say I don't care for Craftsman drive tools, I'm mainly saying I don't care for Danaher made drive tools. Not all Craftsman tools are made by the same manufacturer as you very well know; they're made by various manufacturers. The bottom line is I think you're drastically overreacting to my posts. I'm just one guy with one opinion. I have no hidden agenda to take over the world.

 

[sberry]

i disagree that the mid 80s were the peak in quality for craftsman.

Agreed, bought a set in 81 and it was ****. Never had much issue with drive fit but lots of busted sockets right out of the box,,, all thru the 80's.

I got lots of them for good long time, some given to me and well worn then. The early 70's wrench and the 81.

I am a Sears fan anyway and really for one reason only, even though the stuff is junk rivaling a crappy flea market the price has dropped to those levels too. Most of it does work and it is cheap

 

[TwoInch]

I highlighted that section of your post because it was obvious you were trying to pull rank with your age and I'm sure I outrank you in that category.

Look man, I'm not bashing Craftsman. The OP asked us if we had any negative experiences with Craftsman and I voiced my experiences. I have no secret ulterior motive to destroy Craftsman's reputation. I still have some Craftsman tools that I like very much. Their nut drivers made by Western Forge I like as well as their wire strippers made by Stride-Imperial. Craftsman feeler gauges are good and so are their telescopic magnets.

When I say I don't care for Craftsman drive tools, I'm mainly saying I don't care for Danaher made drive tools. Not all Craftsman tools are made by the same manufacturer as you very well know; they're made by various manufacturers. The bottom line is I think you're drastically overreacting to my posts. I'm just one guy with one opinion. I have no hidden agenda to take over the world.

pull rank? come one man.... i know damn well i am younger than the majority on this site. i was simply stating the fact that i am not green with tools, and i do own and use high quality stuff also.

its comes down to this. craftsman is(was) dirt cheap USA made tools, that were durable, very useable, but sometimes not the most ergonomic or pretty tools.

the sockets were damn good, even up to the last batches of USA made stuff. they are still pretty highly recommended on this site if they can be found USA stock.

i dont feel im over reacting at all. im simply refuting your statement, with what i bet most people agree with. you want top quality, pay for it. but saying craftman sockets fit poorly and fall of ratchets and extensions just aint true, with possible exception to a defect here or there.

 

[vamcaptain]

Pictures or it did NOT happen . . . . OP show us "bent" Craftsman extensions ??

Your right except that I had taken them to Sears for replacement weeks ago. 90% of my hand tools are Craftsman and I was not attempting to bash them for any particular reason. I think for the money they are fine. I am simply saying that other brands such as Sk and SnapOn have tighter tolerances and better overall quality control that Craftsman which surprises me since most of Craftsman tools are made by Danaher.

 

[DTB]

QC comes at a price.When Sears wants a extension made for $** then Danaher makes it.Danaher is capable of making a tighter tolerance tool but the company demanding it has to pay.I do not believe it is the manufacturers fault entirely,Sears wanted a tool made for ** dollars or cents and they got it.

 

[sberry]

I don't think they do that at all,, I think 90% of the extensions go down the same line, they ******** the junk ones and toss them in the box shipped to the cman line. Send the prettier ones off to the SK line, I bet the same blank is sold at least 3 major different price levels.

 

[metaldad]

, I bet the same blank is sold at least 3 major different price levels.

and that, could very well be.

 

[finn]

I have 3 computers and a cell phone, all made in China and of excellent quality.

I guess I just got lucky.

 

[d.mcfarland]

and that, could very well be.

... but the new Craftsman extension are Chinese and the SK's are USA, so not any more. At one point, all one needed was a little more machining and a different stamp and the sales price was higher.

 

[mmack66]

Craftsman tools and SK tools are made by the same outfit?

 

[trout]

Craftsman tools and SK tools are made by the same outfit?

no. maybe he means armstrong?

 

[Brownsfan]

Is it just me or is there some missing posts in this thread? I saw that NC Fordguy was banned while looking at another thread. Was he banned for what he said in this thread?

 

[sberry]

There are so many brands I mix them up and really don't give a darn anyway for the most part other than as a comparative study. But Sears cant miss if they change that ratchet and use the Harbor Freight contractor to have it built. That pear head thing they had for decades is a world class pathetic excuse for a tool.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I got my Craftsman 299 piece set from Sears when they were at the peak of their quality nearly 3 decades ago in 1985. They did a fine job as long as I didn't know any better and didn't know what I was missing.

I bought almost all of my tools in the 80's...I think that Craftsman had already to started their decline...My dad's C-man's were old and seemed to be made better, especially the ratchets....

 

[vamcaptain]

I don't think they do that at all,, I think 90% of the extensions go down the same line, they ******** the junk ones and toss them in the box shipped to the cman line. Send the prettier ones off to the SK line, I bet the same blank is sold at least 3 major different price levels.

Actually, SK makes their own tools at their own facility. They were bought by Ideal Industries after that company from France screwed them up.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

craftsman 1/2" breaker bars used to be nice.

 

[TwoInch]

craftsman 1/2" breaker bars used to be nice.

when??

 

[TwoInch]

Actually, SK makes their own tools at their own facility. They were bought by Ideal Industries after that company from France screwed them up.

didnt SK go to **** when it was self owned by the employees?

 

[ChevyEFI]

didnt SK go to **** when it was self owned by the employees?

Facom at least part owned them for a good while. During that time, there was a lot of rebranding (in both directions,) and shared production. The SK ratchets rebranded as Facom are by and large, gone. And they have narrowed down production at SK to core products. No more fine-tooth, no more roto-head ratchets.

Oh wait, I didn't answer your question. Maybe someone will.

 

[mrbreezeet1]

when??

1995