To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

eBay: Craftsman wrenches, made in Japan & Taiwan

To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

goodfellow

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 17, 2006
Messages
2,288
Location
NoVA
Just look at Canadian auctions -- they pop up quite frequently. Somebody will think it's rare and buy it.
 

bchee

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 20, 2007
Messages
6,148
Location
Texas
he doesn't even tell you how many he is selling, or what sizes.
 

justinmc

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2006
Messages
2,239
Location
KCMO
hahaha. I have a set of SAE made in Japan Craftsman wrenches in my "if this gets lost, broken, stolen, blown up, etc I don't care" bag of tools that I take to junkyards, etc. haha..

I will say none have ever broken (yet).. wonder if I could even warranty them. haha..
 

billymade

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
7,461
Location
New Mexico
They used to make them in Japan/Taiwan... I think is mid to late 80s; I'm sure others here can confirm exact years.... people have posted pics of them on here before! :)
 

SocketDeviler

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 30, 2008
Messages
1,204
Location
Texas, 75050
Some people get bad advice or info. and waste money on listing fees. As a seller I can't tell you how many people have come up to me with something of little to no value thinking it was going to pay their bills.

Of course, there are others looking to get one over on some rube.

I have a few of these Japan made Cmans. I can't tell the difference between the USA made ones other than the markings. Solid wrenches that have lasted over 20 years.
 

dfndr

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2008
Messages
373
Location
Fresno, CA
I have Craftsman wrenches made in Japan from the 80's, pristine condition. Will trade to serious collectors straight across for Snap On wrenches in same condition. Please don't all call at once!
 

Honda 1

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2007
Messages
391
Sears also made slip joint pliers which were Craftsman brand and Japan stamped on the bottom. I have used them for over twenty years and they still work well .The finish is also excellent.
 

Elroy

Banned
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
3,467
Location
kentucky
Do you think Elroy could sell this little made in Japan Craftsman on E-Bay and get enough to retire?

Picture001.jpg


Picture003.jpg


Sorry Elroy, Not today.
 

a390st

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 9, 2008
Messages
920
The Craftsman slip joint pliers from Japan were definitely available in the 1980's, because I was with my father when he bought a pair. I just used them the other week, and after some pretty rough use, they still look and work fine. He uses the tools he has. They aren't babied in any way.
 

lauver

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 11, 2007
Messages
1,433
Location
Belton, TX
Do you think Elroy could sell this little made in Japan Craftsman on E-Bay and get enough to retire?

Picture001.jpg


Picture003.jpg


Sorry Elroy, Not today.

Elroy,

That's an interesting wrench you got there. And it has the BF series code on it.

The BF series (made in Japan) tools seem to have been sold between 1969 and 1987, at least according to folks who have posted on this series code. All of the posts involved open end wrenches, combo wrenches, and assorted pliers. Until now, no specialty tools have been posted.

What type of wrench is this (distributer, carburetor, clearance)?

Did your purchase date fall within the 1969 - 1987 date range? If not, approximately when did you purchase this tool?
 
Last edited:

Elroy

Banned
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
3,467
Location
kentucky
Picture003.jpg


Elroy,

That's an interesting wrench you got there.

Well thank you very much. Nothing special in Elroy's book.

What type of wrench is this (distributer, carburetor, clearance)?

Looks like a standard "Brake Bleeder" wrench

Yep, :withstupi

Did your purchase date fall within the 1969 - 1987 date range? If not, approximately when did you purchase this tool?

Probably. Can't really recall. Beginning with J.W. Dant and JTS Brown and then ending some where around George Dickel, a good guess would be the mid 70's.

Until now, no specialty tools have been posted.

Will the wonders of Elroy never cease.:lol_hitti

Do you think Elroy could sell this little made in Japan Craftsman on E-Bay and get enough to retire?

Well what do you say. Maybe a Milllllllon ??
 

Charles (in GA)

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2006
Messages
12,489
Location
50 mi south of Atlanta
I have a whole set if Japan made metric combination wrenches, Craftsman raised panel, probably bought in the early to mid '80's, I have another set, identical, USA made. Both are good sets, but nothing special about either one.

Charles
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

smcdonn

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
37
That is really interesting. I am an engineer for the facility that currently makes the Craftsman wrenches and would love to get my hands on an old Craftsman taiwan version for show and tell around the office. Anyone got one they would be willing to part with?? I'll trade you a brand new made in USA one........or two.
 

smcdonn

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
37
Yes a Danaher facility. Our facility is still going strong although we have felt the issues with the economy.
 

krusty the clown

Member Emeritus
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
7,535
Location
niangua, mo
Yes a Danaher facility. Our facility is still going strong although we have felt the issues with the economy.


so maybe you can settle a long running debate. :bowdown:

are there different metalurgical properties between matco, armstrong and CMAN pro? what are the differences between them?
 

Elroy

Banned
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
3,467
Location
kentucky
Tell Danaher they need to start date coding their stuff. You could tell management it would help build a history and bond with the consumer. Good for a long term reputation. Put that in the suggestion box and cite this web page.

And if you have anything to do with sockets tell them to stop doing this:

Picture.jpg


http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=21527
 
Last edited:

Blacknwhitepit

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2005
Messages
3,176
Location
Eastern Tennessee
That is really interesting. I am an engineer for the facility that currently makes the Craftsman wrenches and would love to get my hands on an old Craftsman taiwan version for show and tell around the office. Anyone got one they would be willing to part with?? I'll trade you a brand new made in USA one........or two.

Yeah, I'll trade you mine.

It is contaminating my toolbox.

bill004.jpg


bill006.jpg




-BWP
 
Last edited:

smcdonn

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
37
I can not speak to the differences that distinguish the products but I will tell you there is a reason the customer pays more for the professional brands, and it's not always the steel that makes a better wrench!

Guys I really appreciate the offers on the japanese/taiwan wrenches. I'll be hitting you up tomorrow or the next day.

Oh and as far as sockets go I wish I could help........Sorry my facility only does wrenches.
 

krusty the clown

Member Emeritus
Joined
Nov 18, 2007
Messages
7,535
Location
niangua, mo
I can not speak to the differences that distinguish the products but I will tell you there is a reason the customer pays more for the professional brands, and it's not always the steel that makes a better wrench!


i'm not trying to ambush you.....really! i didn't think there was different steel used. IMHO the difference in price is the marketing strategy.
 

Elroy

Banned
Joined
Oct 15, 2005
Messages
3,467
Location
kentucky
Welcome aboard smcdonn. Stick around a while. You'll find there are a bunch of good folks here. Besides that, we're going to be after "inside" information on Craftsman wrenches. It won't hurt and you might find a chuckle or two along the way.
 

Blacknwhitepit

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 19, 2005
Messages
3,176
Location
Eastern Tennessee
On Ebay, this wrench was listed for over $100.00!! must be worth at least a set of Danahers best USA Combination wrenches!!!:beer::lol_hitti

A Genuine 'BF' Series Wrench!!!

'BF' Hmmmmmm....... Bad Foreign ????????? :headscrat:headscrat


jap.jpg


jap2.jpg


jap3.jpg


-BWP
 
Last edited:

smcdonn

Active member
Joined
Dec 9, 2008
Messages
37
i'm not trying to ambush you.....really! i didn't think there was different steel used. IMHO the difference in price is the marketing strategy.

The difference in price is more than marketing strategy. More goes into a professional wrench then a shade tree mechanics wrench.....period. While different grades of steel can yield different grade wrenches, that is minimal compared to the details that are put into professional wrenches.
 

Tool Pants

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 4, 2008
Messages
1,249
Location
San Jose CA
At a flea market yesterday I found a BF Japan. Don't have any non USA Craftsman wrenches so I bought it for the weird and oddity collection.

Here it is next to my USA version. From a distance you cannot tell the difference. They both have the same part number.
 

Attachments

  • Japan 2544.JPG
    Japan 2544.JPG
    51.6 KB · Views: 17
  • Japan 2548.JPG
    Japan 2548.JPG
    60.6 KB · Views: 21
Last edited:
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom