3 Reasons Craftsman is Good!

[autoace]

1)Warranty returns are easy, much easier than tool trucks.

2)They are a great alternative compared to Harbor Freight type tools, and are made in USA.

3)They are way mass produced, so there are some, quite a few duds, but when you get a good Craftsman tool, it is fine.

p.s. The Cman tools are not soo pretty, that you have to polish them and wrap them in a bubble wrap blanket, to put them to rest.

I hold Craftsman tools as a staple tool, and hope they stay around!

Merk. how about a wrench "light saber" duel....I don't care if my Cman wrench gets a scratch, it won't look any worse than when I bought it, when I am done.

 

[Blacknwhitepit]

Good is a proper way to describe Craftsman... Not Great... But adequate... For 90% of the US population, a Craftsman tool is all they need.... That is who they are targeting...

-BWP

 

[chrislehr]

Psst. they are tools. No point in them being PRETTY. Do they WORK. Yes or no. If no, lifetime warranty anywhere in the US at thousands of walk in stores. Yes please.

 

[Rickster]

The old Craftsman tools are better than the new, kinda like Van Halen was better than Van Haggar.

 

[jerryW]

Personally I don't buy any craftsman tools after the circleH and BE series. Just don't like the way they feel/fit.

I don't buy off the trock either, just swaps, garage sales or classifieds.


jerry

 

[Uncle Buck]

No real strong issues yet for me with the hand tools I have bought from Sears in recent years, they have not been failing on me anyway. Now their big stationary tools like table saws and the like is really in sad shape now, none worth dragging home anymore.

 

[babzog]

No real strong issues yet for me with the hand tools I have bought from Sears in recent years, they have not been failing on me anyway. Now their big stationary tools like table saws and the like is really in sad shape now, none worth dragging home anymore.

Ditto (word for word) the Mastercraft line (From Canadian Tire). Big tools (and the air tools) are ****.

 

[metal1313]

one thing i loved about sears was sears hardware...best nut and bolt selection ever. i may buy a set of large wrenches from them soon beucase i simply wont use them often

 

[mrb]

one thing i loved about sears was sears hardware...best nut and bolt selection ever. i may buy a set of large wrenches from them soon beucase i simply wont use them often

here in california we have OSH. It was much like sears hardware, but better until sears bought them. They used to have 4 isles of nuts and bolts, grade 8 and everything. They had all kinds of great industrial stuff and the tool department was incredible. Then sears bought them and it was still ok as they had a huge selection of craftsman. Then after sears was taken over by kmart, it really went downhill. They got rid of all their channellock and cooper tools and replaced them with OSH brand harborfreight quality tools at the same price. They reduced 4 isles of nuts and bolts to 1-1/2. Too bad...

 

[rsanter]

well let me put it in my terms

1 warranty service can me more convienient because if you get refused by one employee you can go back the next day and get another one to warranty it or you can go to another sears and get warranty from another employee that is more reasonable.

2 to the average person they are a good quality tool at a reasonable price

3 craftsman takes good quality tools (like Lisle, hanson, and SK) and rebrand them as theirs so they are easy to buy (like when they are on sale)

I am only refering to the hand tools, not power tools

bob

 

[olds394]

Good is a proper way to describe Craftsman... Not Great... But adequate... For 90% of the US population, a Craftsman tool is all they need.... That is who they are targeting...

-BWP

Thank You

BTW I took my 13mm in the other day. (stripped by using it for 1/2" on an air ratchet, total abuse) The guy scanned a new one and handed it to me and said "Thanks for bringing it back. No charge".

 

[beelsr]

Make another trip? That's too much work.

I just returned 11 of my 3/4" sockets today. Clerk tried to give me the run around that peeling chrome wasn't a valid reason. I'm surprised he even asked me - probably because I didn't feel like exchanging them a few per visit and he was overwhelmed by all of them at once. {shrug}

I said, "Really, what is a valid reason? What are the warranty rules?" While he started I just picked up a copy of the tool catalog sitting on the counter and thumbed to the middle where the text is and interrupted him (wasn't even really listening anyways ) and said, "Ahhh, here it is. Read this." and handed it to him.

Mumble, mumble, one more educated sears employee.

1 warranty service can me more convienient because if you get refused by one employee you can go back the next day and get another one to warranty it or you can go to another sears and get warranty from another employee that is more reasonable.

 

[Merkava_4]

The new Asian kid on the block is producing a higher standard of quality than Craftsman, while charging less money for their product. You guys are telling me I should continue to stick with Craftsman because they are USA made. Hmm...

 

[krusty the clown]

The new Asian kid on the block is producing a higher standard of quality than Craftsman, while charging less money for their product. You guys are telling me I should continue to stick with Craftsman because they are USA made. Hmm...

yes......what has happend to the guy who once said he would never buy snap on again if the sold tools made in asia


as a professional tech my choice is snap on BUT.........if i were a weekend warrior i'd probably be a craftsman buyer.

 

[Merkava_4]

yes......what has happend to the guy who once said he would never buy snap on again if the sold tools made in asia

That guy used to think USA made the superior product and the Asians didn't give a damn.... now.... it's looking more and more like USA doesn't give a damn and the Asians are making the better product.

 

[v8garage]

I don't know which Merkava likes more. Bashing Craftsman or praising Snap-On. I just we could have a thread without either one of those old worn out tunes.
V/8

 

[Merkava_4]

I just we could have a thread without either one of those old worn out tunes.
V/8

I just wish Sears would raise the quality of Craftsman back to the level of 1970 (or there abouts) and not worry about competing with the Asians on prices.

You guys want to know what I really wish for?

I wish Craftsman was at the quality level of Matco.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

I wish Craftsman was at the quality level of Matco.

Then stop bashing, and LOOK at the freaking target audience!

Craftsman and Matco pinless swivel sockets, hmmm, for those that are going to be doing more, and using air tools.

Verses Craftsman "homeowner/diyer" raised panel ratchets, verses their catalog/internet only, RHFT or their thin pro line (heavier DIYer), to Matco's, use everyday to repair cars.


Your just trying to start more of the same arguments, OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER AND OVER......................



As to Nate's quote about that Jesus fellow, some would say, he was asking someone to hand him a rock.

 

[Merkava_4]

Not bashing Craftsman, I'm just airing my disappointment with the direction the Craftsman brand is taking.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

Not bashing Craftsman, I'm just airing my disappointment with the direction the Craftsman brand is taking.

I call that BS

 

[vette-kid]

Not bashing Craftsman, I'm just airing my disappointment with the direction the Craftsman brand is taking.

If they raise their quality and prices accordingly, most of us DIYers would be without any affordable good quality options! CMan is the only player in that field right now.

 

[Merkava_4]

If they raise their quality and prices accordingly, most of us DIYers would be without any affordable good quality options! CMan is the only player in that field right now.

Have you gone into the Product Review sub forum? Some of those guys over there are taking some extraordinary photographs of Toptul. The quality of their product looks to be leaps and bounds ahead of Craftsman. Their prices are lower than Craftsman. What happens when the average consumer figures that out?

 

[vette-kid]

Have you gone into the Product Review sub forum? Some of those guys over there are taking some extraordinary photographs of Toptul. The quality of their product looks to be leaps and bounds ahead of Craftsman. Their prices are lower than Craftsman. What happens when the average consumer figures that out?

Yeah, thats a great point. And I have told Mike that I will be giving Totul a try. The only problem there is that everything must be ordered. Im sure his customer service is excellent and he will back the warranty. But its so much more convenient to walk into a sears and swap out an item. Especially if you are in the middle of a project and something breaks...or you realize you need something you dont have. With Toptul, that project is now on hold until the tool arrives in the mail. There is a pretty good chance that sears will have what I need (at least ours has a decent selection). That is worth a lot right there.

 

[Fedwrench]

Have you gone into the Product Review sub forum? Some of those guys over there are taking some extraordinary photographs of Toptul. The quality of their product looks to be leaps and bounds ahead of Craftsman. Their prices are lower than Craftsman. What happens when the average consumer figures that out?

Possibly the same thing that happened to most of American Industry, it will disappear. However, that would require a national distribution network and massive advertising to put the Toptul name out there. I have no issues with Toptul's apparent quality. However, like all tool brands, I like some of their items and don't care for others. The point is that I've only used a few Toptul items for a couple of years now. How long have people been using and abusing Craftsman tools? Time will tell if Toptul can in fact withstand the test of time and years of hard use.
Again, I recommend that you use the brands of tools that you enjoy using and leave the rest of us to our choices. You need not worry about Craftsman tool users suffering from using poor quality tools. We'll be ok.

 

[rsanter]

Make another trip? That's too much work.

I just returned 11 of my 3/4" sockets today. Clerk tried to give me the run around that peeling chrome wasn't a valid reason. I'm surprised he even asked me - probably because I didn't feel like exchanging them a few per visit and he was overwhelmed by all of them at once. {shrug}

I said, "Really, what is a valid reason? What are the warranty rules?" While he started I just picked up a copy of the tool catalog sitting on the counter and thumbed to the middle where the text is and interrupted him (wasn't even really listening anyways ) and said, "Ahhh, here it is. Read this." and handed it to him.

Mumble, mumble, one more educated sears employee.

you are right. whenever I have to make another trip I do get a bit pissed about it. on the other hand when you have only the option of the truck and when you have a tool that has been abused like a socket that has been used on an impact. then it is nice that you do have the option.
my only point here was that at least you have an alternative verses when you have a truck guy that is an *** and you are not a professional mechanic so you have limited options

bob

 

[Merkava_4]

Possibly the same thing that happened to most of American Industry, it will disappear. However, that would require a national distribution network and massive advertising to put the Toptul name out there.

Massive advertising huh? I seem to recall a certain prominent professional tool company that doesn't advertise to the general public.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Massive advertising huh? I seem to recall a certain prominent professional tool company that doesn't advertise to the general public.

It is a good thing they don't, they would have to include a disclaimer reading something to the effect "Warranty service for the tools is free replacement for those who either 1)Already owe us a buttload of money 2) Work in a shop on our traveled route 3) Are paid mechanics, or 4) Are fast enough to catch us!

I think the ad might do more harm than good!

 

[fordracing200]

My buddy is a head mechanic at a shop, been there 20 years, he has 6 sets of craftsman wrenchs between the 2 shops he works in, his house, his property with a garage and wherever else, and he has 1 snap on set at his main job, he said they're not really worlds better and he has more invested in one snappy set then the 6 cman sets..

 

[Uncle Buck]

My buddy is a head mechanic at a shop, been there 20 years, he has 6 sets of craftsman wrenchs between the 2 shops he works in, his house, his property with a garage and wherever else, and he has 1 snap on set at his main job, he said they're not really worlds better and he has more invested in one snappy set then the 6 cman sets..

Smart guy, keep hangin around here and some of these guys will cut your Craftsman wrenches in half, declare them not up to snuff, then try and stick em up or down one of the orifices found at either end of your body and tell you not to come back until you have had your brain sufficiently massaged of all thoughts that there were ever any decent Craftsman tools at all! Further direction will be only praise and worship for the only recognized brand of tools spoken of by GJ members...........you can fill in the blank

 

[tankboy_taylor]

Craftsman Pro Wrenches are one of the best values around imo they look great and feel good. They are definatly not Snap-On quality but they work fine and are made in the USA

 

[bugdust]

blah, blah, blah

I snapped a Mac 14mm wrench last week using it in a way it was not designed to be used. Since I was scared of breaking another good wrench I grabbed a Taiwan wrench out of the box. It didn't break. I have mostly Craftsman, a few Snap-On, Mac, Matco, Husky...a few others. I like the Craftsman. Maybe it is because that is what I'm used to? I just bought a Craftsman 204pc tool set a memorial Day for $91 out the door. It will do what I need it to do. I don't work on cars for a living but I do use them almost daily and I do work on others' cars for side money, helping buddies, etc. I do occasionally break tools but it is always because of abuse. I have put regular sockets on my 1/2" impact, some cracked, some didn't. I've hooked another wrench around one for more leverage (that's how I broke the Mac) and it seems that Craftsman ratchets and extensions are garbage. I don't care for their screwdrivers either. I bought a set of Cummins srewdrivers many years ago and most are still in decent shape. I think I paid $9.99 for the set. Their pliers are very good...similar feel to my Snap-On ones. Again, had them for years with no problems.

My brother owns a shop. He has over $50k in his tools. That's crazy.

 

[plinker]

Price is probably the best reason for me for buying Craftsman.


For me the warranty isnt any better or worse than anybody other make.

Craftsman: drive 30+ miles to any of the 3 local small stores and then wait 10 or so days for the tool(s) to come in the mail because the store dosent have it (95% of the time).

Matco & S-K send tool in mail to get replaced usually two weeks.

Snap-on; wait for every other wendsday for him to get over this way (He is a good dealer lot of small towns around here). So about two weeks

A good third of my stuff is Craftsman, Another third is S-K the rest is broken up in various amounts of Snap-on, NAPA, Allen, Matco and a few items form other mfg's.

Most all has been from ebay,sale items or clearance or Christmas presents.

 

[TruckTech]

If I see one more person call tool truck guys assholes, I think Im gonna snap.

If you dont like tool trucks, quite whining, go to Sears, and be helped by someone who doesnt know a socket from their own ***.

 

[walrus]

1)Warranty returns are easy, much easier than tool trucks.

2)They are a great alternative compared to Harbor Freight type tools, and are made in USA.

3)They are way mass produced, so there are some, quite a few duds, but when you get a good Craftsman tool, it is fine.

Shouldn't the first reason be, 1). They make me money

 

[speed bump]

I like my Craftsman stuff 75% of sockets are Craftsman and I have only broken one whilst impacting on a chrome socket. A lot of my sockets are of various vintages and all of them seem to do just perfectly for everything I have asked them to do.

Screwdrivers: Can't complain I have used the heck out of my #2 Philips for the last couple of years and it still works just fine and I haven't ever had a problem with it stripping screws.

Wrenches: can't see anything wrong with them and they seem to get the job done for almost everyone I know mechanic or not.

For buying truck brands it comes down to convenience, if you search online for the best price and order it and wait awhile then don't worry about the guy on the truck. If you have hobbies like chasing hot stuff in short skirts at night going to sears or hunting tools at night isn't always your best bet.

Remember the brand on a tool doesn't affect anything other than a lot of peoples egos and egos don't put food on a mechanics plate.

 

[autoace]

Have you gone into the Product Review sub forum? Some of those guys over there are taking some extraordinary photographs of Toptul. The quality of their product looks to be leaps and bounds ahead of Craftsman. Their prices are lower than Craftsman. What happens when the average consumer figures that out?

Did you see the thread that had the small defects on the breaker bar, no big deal, but all tool companies have defects, SO gave me the most.

I think Toptul is aok, but I think Cman pro and many others (especially Cman deep socket broaching, to the bottom,etc... etc...) are comparable to anything out there.

I only started this thread as a light hearted response to your onslaught of damn Craftsman threads

60% of my general hand tools are Craftsman now, I got about 5 defects in about 600 tools, and they were easily exchanged, have had no problems, and I am not a DIY er, I give them a workout.

Where as I don't think Cman is phenomenal, they are a good durable value, and I would rather buy a Craftsman tool over anything Harbor Freight etc...

Now for the wrench duel, on guard!

 

[rsanter]

If I see one more person call tool truck guys assholes, I think Im gonna snap.

If you dont like tool trucks, quite whining, go to Sears, and be helped by someone who doesnt know a socket from their own ***.

the fact is that some are and some arent.
back a number of years I moved shops and that changed snap on dealers for me. the guy was such as *** that I refused to deal with him and I continued working with my old dealer. when the new dealer found out about that he threw a fit about it.
the majority of the dealers I have had were good guys. a couple of them I remained friends with for years

when you go into sears (or HF, or the welding store...etc) you will find some guys that are cool and some arent. assholes are all around us. there is nothing we can do about it. frankly someone should have put clorine in the gene pool a very long time ago.

bob

 

[Uncle Buck]

the fact is that some are and some arent.
back a number of years I moved shops and that changed snap on dealers for me. the guy was such as *** that I refused to deal with him and I continued working with my old dealer. when the new dealer found out about that he threw a fit about it.
the majority of the dealers I have had were good guys. a couple of them I remained friends with for years

when you go into sears (or HF, or the welding store...etc) you will find some guys that are cool and some arent. assholes are all around us. there is nothing we can do about it. frankly someone should have put clorine in the gene pool a very long time ago.

bob

I wish I had posted that!