New Craftsman Club Flyer/New Wrenches

[Fedwrench]

Anybody else notice the two new types of ratcheting wrenches in the new club flyer? (1-28 Nov) The first set is an indexible boxed end ratcheting wrench set. The second set has a ratcheting open end with a ratcheting boxed end. I am also guessing that these are Craftsman versions of the wrenches Gearwrench is debuting at Sema next week. Very interesting.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914636000P?keyword=14636

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00914756000P?keyword=14756

Note: each set is on sale in the club flyer for $20 less than the links.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Interesting. I'd like to see how that "open end" ratchet action works. Both sets look cool if they are heavy duty enough.

 

[petty4243]

they appear to be the same principle as the old ratcheting open ends.... i was not a big fan....

 

[bmwpower]

Interesting. Open end ratcheting never seems to catch on.
Not quite sure how that one is going to work.

 

[Fedwrench]

they appear to be the same principle as the old ratcheting open ends.... i was not a big fan....

There's some type of black button on one side of the open end. I'm not sure what it is or how it works. I'd want to see it in person.

 

[BigK600]

Where are they made? the open end ratcheting ones look cool. the elbow ones not so much.

 

[kartracer55]

I have a set of raised panel open end ratchet wrenches in metric. I Honestly don't use them all that much but they sure are neat. Not sure they will catch on, It seems that they didnt 5 or 6 years ago when I got the set I am referring too...

 

[Givl Reggin]

Close-up of the ratcheting open end mechanism:

 

[d33pt]

i have a 10 yr old set of craftsman open ended ratcheting ones. very similar to that. didn't work very well. only on stuff that's not too tight because it slips pretty easily. not much bite on the nut.

 

[Fedwrench]

The black dot on the open end is what I'm curious about. Is it spring loaded? How does it work? How durable is it?

The pivoting box end set could be handy in some situations if you can leave the pivot unlocked and use it in a push pull action.

I'm also surprised that these wrench sets didn't show up in the Christmas tool catalog. Maybe they weren't ready by the submission cutoff.

 

[car99r]

I personally cannot stand using the older version of the ratchening open end. It has such a large swing that you almost cannot use it in normal working conditions. They do look nice sitting in the box though...lol

Now, I am really liking those elbow ratchet wrenches...mmm I know what is going on my Christmas list!

 

[peter_x]

I'm interested in both but I'll be getting the GearWrench version if they don't skip sizes like these.

 

[Old Donn]

Must be a regional deal. Nothing like these in my on line Craftsman Club flyer.

 

[Moltar]

Where are they made? the open end ratcheting ones look cool. the elbow ones not so much.

I saw them in the store today. Both packages say Made in China.

 

[Joe H]

I'd be interested in seeing how well that open end ratcheting mechanism works. Could come in handy if it works.

 

[a390st]

The style of open end shown in the picture *****! I was given a set years ago, and after trying them a couple of times, I gave up.

 

[Flash21]

SURPRISE!

 

[Fedwrench]

I saw them in the store today. Both packages say Made in China.

There's no surprise there. With most of the Gearwrench line being made in the PRC now and since these probably come from them, unfortunately China it is.

 

[BB26]

Disappointing considering all of their other ratcheting wrenches are US made.

I will pass on Chinese Craftsman tools.

 

[Old Donn]

Disappointing considering all of their other ratcheting wrenches are US made.

I will pass on Chinese Craftsman tools.

All other ratcheting wrenches? Hate to break it to you BB, but Craftsman ratcheting wrenches ARE Gear Wrench, which are made in.... guess where? Don't think so? Check them for "Made in USA."

 

[Moltar]

According to the packaging of the Craftsman reversible ratcheting wrenches they're made in the USA.

 

[stricht8]

Not only are they made in china but they have china stamped on the handle of the wrench. No thanks.

 

[Fedwrench]

All other ratcheting wrenches? Hate to break it to you BB, but Craftsman ratcheting wrenches ARE Gear Wrench, which are made in.... guess where? Don't think so? Check them for "Made in USA."

The Craftsman Full polished reversible and and flat fine tooth ratcheting wrenches have USA stamped on each wrench. They also thicker and a little heavier than the Gearwrench versions. They may be made by Danaher but, they are not Gearwrenches.

Not only are they made in china but they have china stamped on the handle of the wrench. No thanks.

Ok, no one like seeing a Chinese tool with the Craftsman name on it but, you have to applaud their honestly. They could have just put China in tiny letters on the packaging like a lot of professional tool brands do but, they didn't.

 

[Old Donn]

The Craftsman Full polished reversible and and flat fine tooth ratcheting wrenches have USA stamped on each wrench. They also thicker and a little heavier than the Gearwrench versions. They may be made by Danaher but, they are not Gearwrenches.



Ok, no one like seeing a Chinese tool with the Craftsman name on it but, you have to applaud their honestly. They could have just put China in tiny letters on the packaging like a lot of professional tool brands do but, they didn't.

Re:USA stamped on each one. Maybe yours have it, My full polish reversibles and flex heads don't.

 

[Fedwrench]

Suppliers are always changing with Craftsman, and I'll look the next time I'm in the store to see if things have changed. All of my Craftsman full polished ratcheting wrenches are marked USA as in this sampling:

 

[BB26]

All other ratcheting wrenches? Hate to break it to you BB, but Craftsman ratcheting wrenches ARE Gear Wrench, which are made in.... guess where? Don't think so? Check them for "Made in USA."

I own nearly all of them. Big USA stamps on every single one. Thanks for the misinformation though.

Re:USA stamped on each one. Maybe yours have it, My full polish reversibles and flex heads don't.

That's because they are GearWrench brand, not Craftsman.

 

[BB26]

Suppliers are always changing with Craftsman, and I'll look the next time I'm in the store to see if things have changed. All of my Craftsman full polished ratcheting wrenches are marked USA as in this sampling:

I have all of these styles and the cross force reversible sets. All USA. I have also seen them in the store very recently and they are all still the same wrenches - USA.

 

[Joe69]

The indexable elbow wrenches could be very handy. I have a Matco indexable ladyfoot prybar that is awesome, and very sturdy.

Joe

 

[kowalski7]

so anyone have any real experience with these newer open end ratcheting wrenches? I just bought a small set for my dad and I would like to know if they are worth the money I spent.

 

[Tom2]

I bet they'll come in handy in certain circumstances if you do enough wrenching. For the cheap $20 price a set, hard to not be tempted. I may grab a set of each SAE and Metric if they go on sale again in the next couple months.

 

[TheDukeofDeere]

Both the elbow ratcheting and open end ratcheting have been released at the Sears near my house for a couple of months now. Neither type have been stamped "USA". At the display, which was a pretty decent store display, both wrenches seem to have their place.

The open end ratcheting uses a spring behind that black piece of steel to allow the ratcheting action to work. Just like a non-reversible ratcheting box end, you flip the open end over to either loosen or tighten the fastener.

The elbow ratcheting wrench is pretty handy looking. It can be locked in a variety of different positions to clear obstructions. The locking mechanism appears to be built fairly solid but without testing them outside the store you can't get a good feel on how well they are built.

The finish on both seem to be on par with Gearwrench or other fully polished Craftsman wrenches out.

Hope this helps.

 

[kowalski7]

found a diagram online
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl...page=1&ndsp=10&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0&tx=86&ty=55