I think I'm done with C-man

[Uncle_Charlie]

Recently, I ordered the 308 piece socket set. I figured the larger sized markings would be easier to read than the tiny stampings on my old sockets. All the reviews on the sears site that indicated COO said USA. I know that c-man has been making tools in both the US and China for a while, but didn't expect a bait-and-switch like this. On the one hand, these sockets look stronger than many chinese sockets I've seen. We've all seen the 6 point sockets with paper thin metal at the points. These have a fair bit of beef at the points. Still, I'm disappointed. Maybe they'll serve me fine, but C-Man made in RoC just sounds wrong.

SK products look promising. My only SK product right now is an 1980's(?) vintage 1/4 in stubby drive. To get a SK socket assortment anywhere near that of the c-man is going to take a huge number of the SK sets. Maybe I don't need that many sockets, but that was the one thing no one could take away from c-man. Their tool sets were huge!

I know it's a common sentiment around here, but I hate to see this happen to a once great American company.

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

 

[ChevyEFI]

Craftsman sockets were crack prone when they were all USA. Nothing has improved and the value of the warranty is not high; it will be replaced with non-USA product and you know it.

SK has been zero regrets socket ownership for me.

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

How the heck is this a bait and switch?

I just looked at the website and nowhere does Sears claim they are USA made. You took the reviewers statement as a company promise? I am no Sears lover, but this one is on you.

 

[devoncoolman]

Here we go again!

 

[sberry]

Sure, a 2K set should be a little better than a 200$ one.

 

[85camaro]

 

[Ruger_556]

 

[PureLeaf]

 

[Jason280]

Seriously, mods....we need a dedicated forum just for people to complain about Craftsman tools...

 

[mmack66]

Be sure to start a new thread when you are sure you are done with C-man.

 

[BK13]

Whew, it's been almost 45 minutes since the last CM thread...

 

[FreeTenthsDiag]

I guess this has to happen...

 

[PureLeaf]

This may be off topic, but sears has gone downhill

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

This may be off topic, but sears has gone downhill

Don't forget HF is the best and their products are the same quality as Snapon

 

[nicksnothereman]

Sears don't make their own stuff (anymore?) it's just rebranded. It says craftsman on it but it's not mfged by sears; in this case it's apex (right?) probably still their danaher subsidiary rather than their armstrong one. It's confusing but not really a conspiracy.

As for the chinese stuff...it's okay I guess. The problem is the price isn't right (it's not cheap enough), it might be durable enough to charge what they're charging but still a bit of fit + finish issues with it compared to us or taiwan tools.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Please be nice to the horse,,, not dead, just taking a nap

 

[rancherbill]

seriously, mods....we need a dedicated forum just for people to complain about craftsman tools...

+1

be sure to start a new thread when you are sure you are done with c-man.

+1

 

[Toyota mechanic]

I have alot of USA Cman sockets, and a few sets of the Cman China ones, they work just as good, and seem to have better chrome... I would just use them, the price was good, and the quality is still very good....

 

[stikman56]

It's come to this.....

 

[rtole]

Harbor freight is way better than snap on! Wait........wrong thread......sorry.

 

[ctb]

 

[finn]

Sears don't make their own stuff (anymore?) it's just rebranded. It says craftsman on it but it's not mfged by sears; in this case it's apex (right?) probably still their danaher subsidiary rather than their armstrong one. It's confusing but not really a conspiracy.

As for the chinese stuff...it's okay I guess. The problem is the price isn't right (it's not cheap enough), it might be durable enough to charge what they're charging but still a bit of fit + finish issues with it compared to us or taiwan tools.

Sears NEVER made their own stuff. They are, and always have been a retailer and rebrander if goods manufactured by other entities.

That is sometimes a difficult concept to grasp.

 

[sberry]

I have alot of USA Cman sockets, and a few sets of the Cman China ones, they work just as good, and seem to have better chrome... I would just use them, the price was good, and the quality is still very good....

What,,,,,,,,,,,,, No golden arm?

 

[Dustin Echoes]

Oh my God! That's terrible! You should complain on the internet!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

my latest brilliant thought is to gather up all those dead horses and send them to the taxidermist. I'm going to make one heck of a Merry-Go-Round. Get your season ride pass in the classifieds...

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Uncle Charlie: I agree; it is sad to watch a Cornerstone name like Craftsman slide off the USA footings...

 

[Tarheelgarage]

llllll

 

[Pig In A Poke]

Recently, I ordered the 308 piece socket set. I figured the larger sized markings would be easier to read than the tiny stampings on my old sockets. All the reviews on the sears site that indicated COO said USA. I know that c-man has been making tools in both the US and China for a while, but didn't expect a bait-and-switch like this. On the one hand, these sockets look stronger than many chinese sockets I've seen. We've all seen the 6 point sockets with paper thin metal at the points. These have a fair bit of beef at the points. Still, I'm disappointed. Maybe they'll serve me fine, but C-Man made in RoC just sounds wrong.

SK products look promising. My only SK product right now is an 1980's(?) vintage 1/4 in stubby drive. To get a SK socket assortment anywhere near that of the c-man is going to take a huge number of the SK sets. Maybe I don't need that many sockets, but that was the one thing no one could take away from c-man. Their tool sets were huge!

I know it's a common sentiment around here, but I hate to see this happen to a once great American company.

Mine arrived yesterday, no markings of origin, nothing at all. It seems that if you want USA products you got to spend the money for premium brands. So I will be going the SK route i think.

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

Mine arrived yesterday, no markings of origin, nothing at all.:

The box I received was marked Made in China, but you're right. The sockets themselves have no COO markings.

Craftsman sockets were crack prone when they were all USA. Nothing has improved and the value of the warranty is not high; it will be replaced with non-USA product and you know it.

SK has been zero regrets socket ownership for me.

I've never cracked a C-Man socket. I've torn up a couple c-man ratchets and splintered c-man screwdriver handles. But I've never cracked one of the sockets. The SK line is looking more and more attractive to me.

How the heck is this a bait and switch?

I just looked at the website and nowhere does Sears claim they are USA made. You took the reviewers statement as a company promise? I am no Sears lover, but this one is on you.

I did not take reviews as a company promise, per se. I took it as an indication of what was being shipped currently. It's not like those reviews are five years old. Calling it a bait and switch may be a bit harsh, so I'll give you that.

Anyhow, the local Sears outlet store took it back this morning.

 

[rancherbill]

but I hate to see this happen to a once great American company.

This may be off topic, but sears has gone downhill

Oh my God! That's terrible! You should complain on the internet!

Uncle Charlie: I agree; it is sad to watch a Cornerstone name like Craftsman slide off the USA footings...

Maybe GJ guys can get together and go to Sears HQ in Chicago and tell them we don't like it!

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Maybe GJ guys can get together and go to Sears HQ in Chicago and tell them we don't like it!

Glad to see Homer and crew on board... Will there be free coffee and donuts with this deal?

 

[pauls_workshop]

Ha ha a ha ha ha. I love all the graphics here on dead horse beating. Having said that, SK is top notch and much better than Craftsman ever was, BUT it is more expensive. - Paul

 

[JonDick13926]

Recently, I ordered the 308 piece socket set. I figured the larger sized markings would be easier to read than the tiny stampings on my old sockets. All the reviews on the sears site that indicated COO said USA. I know that c-man has been making tools in both the US and China for a while, but didn't expect a bait-and-switch like this. On the one hand, these sockets look stronger than many chinese sockets I've seen. We've all seen the 6 point sockets with paper thin metal at the points. These have a fair bit of beef at the points. Still, I'm disappointed. Maybe they'll serve me fine, but C-Man made in RoC just sounds wrong.

SK products look promising. My only SK product right now is an 1980's(?) vintage 1/4 in stubby drive. To get a SK socket assortment anywhere near that of the c-man is going to take a huge number of the SK sets. Maybe I don't need that many sockets, but that was the one thing no one could take away from c-man. Their tool sets were huge!

I know it's a common sentiment around here, but I hate to see this happen to a once great American company.

I have a couple flare wrench sets and some ratchets from SK. Pretty nice stuff. I had an issue with a ratchet and emailed them. Before I even expected a reply, I had a free rebuild kit show up at the door.

 

[juiced10]

Lol. " Never broke a Craftsman socket "but will be looking at a set of sockets triple the price anyways.

 

[Uncle_Charlie]

Lol. " Never broke a Craftsman socket "but will be looking at a set of sockets triple the price anyways.

You're missing the point. I want to buy American tools whenever possible. That's why I liked C-man. The sockets I didn't break came from American factories, not the PRC. I know it's jingoistic, but if I have to spend a bit more to support American workers, I will. I guess I'm a terrible person for that. Recently I started trying my hand at some woodworking. I could have saved a few dollars and purchased chisels at HF, but instead I bought the higher priced ones at HD that are US made. Same for a couple ballpein hammers. The Estwings I bought were more expensive than those from HF, and will do the exact same thing. The only difference is, the money I spent stays in the US economy.

 

[mmack66]

Maybe GJ guys can get together and go to Sears HQ in Chicago and tell them we don't like it!

Sears hasn't been in Chicago for 20 years.

 

[Tronyadorable]

Change is good

 

[beatcad]

when i was about 14 years old this was one of my favorite records.

 

[rancherbill]

Sears hasn't been in Chicago for 20 years.

Well you get hold of them wherever they are and tell them to meet us in Chicago if they know what's good for them.

I'm not going looking for them - they know they are already in trouble! We're MAD!