Opinions on Craftsman Pro Wrenches?

[Joe H]

I was just wondering what people thought of the Craftsman Pro wrenches. I need a good set of wrenches and was wondering how they stack up compared to the big names (snap-on, matco, mac, cornwell, etc.). I am looking at this set in particular.

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...ets&sName=Combination+Wrench+Sets#reviewsWrap

 

[nissan_crawler]

They work fine. I've used them professionally for 6 years, can't complain. The only thing I've noticed is the box end is thicker than snap-on, but even in aircraft, it hasn't been an issue.

edit: I have both C-Pro and Snap-On for a comparison. I don't pick one over the other. They both do the job the same.

 

[Gregster]

Look for a set of used SO Flanks...

 

[Merkava_4]

It depends on what you're used to I suppose. If you're used to the raised panel type C-mans, then they'd be a big step up. If you're used to using truck brand wrenches, they're gonna **** big time.

 

[back2class]

I own SO, Proto, Craftsman pro and raised pannel. Proto is my first choice and can be had new if you shop around on ebay for about the same as the craftsman pro ones. My gut tells me the pros are simply prettier versions of the regular craftsman wrenches when it comes to the steel recipe and I would expect Sears would advertise better steel if it was used.

My feelings are we should get one of the better machinists here to cut a few 3/4" hex slugs of HSS and use it to test jaw spread of major brands on. Would be a pretty simple test and the results would be a huge help to us tool junkies. I would send in a few wrenches for that. Because in the end that is 99% of the difference between good wrenches and the best of the best.

 

[Merkava_4]

Because in the end that is 99% of the difference between good wrenches and the best of the best.

Based on jaw spread?

 

[Joe H]

It depends on what you're used to I suppose. If you're used to the raised panel type C-mans, then they'd be a big step up. If you're used to using truck brand wrenches, they're gonna **** big time.

I hate the raised panel wrenches. Personally I'll take the full polish pittsburg wrenches from HF over them. Could you elaborate on how the Craftsman pros **** big time compared to the truck brands? I don't doubt your opinion I am just curious as to what areas the Craftsman Pros lack in.

 

[Joe H]

Look for a set of used SO Flanks...

I have been. Unfortunately I have had little luck finding some for sale locally and most of the sets I see on ebay seem to be kinda pricey for used ones. Granted I don't really know what a fair price for them used would really be.

 

[Merkava_4]

I hate the raised panel wrenches. Personally I'll take the full polish pittsburg wrenches from HF over them. Could you elaborate on how the Craftsman pros **** big time compared to the truck brands? I don't doubt your opinion I am just curious as to what areas the Craftsman Pros lack in.

I've seen the HF wrenches, they're extremely square and thin; the perfect recipe for pain.

To put it to you frankly, I like wrenches that feel good in my hand and don't have any unnecessary bulk where it's not needed. Craftsman Pro wrenches just seem Fisher-Price'ish to me. They're not a horrible wrench, but there's better wrenches out there in my opinion.

Proto 500, Armstrong, Williams, Wright - are heads and tales better than C-man. You got any good industrial supply stores locally?

 

[Joe H]

I've seen the HF wrenches, they're extremely square and thin; the perfect recipe for pain.

To put it to you frankly, I like wrenches that feel good in my hand and don't have any unnecessary bulk where it's not needed. Craftsman Pro wrenches just seem Fisher-Price'ish to me. They're not a horrible wrench, but there's better wrenches out there in my opinion.

Proto 500, Armstrong, Williams, Wright - are heads and tales better than C-man. You got any good industrial supply stores locally?

Yeah I agree with you on the HF wrenches. Wasn't trying to say they were good, just using them as an example as to how much I dislike the raised panel craftsmans. Honestly I don't know if I have any good industrial supply stores locally.

 

[autoace]

Cman pros would be a 6 on my wrench rating of 1 to 10

Cornwell takes the 10 spot

Proto and SO fall at about 8 and 9

SK about 7

Cman pro about 6

Better quality GW, non-ratcheting 4-5

Cman raised panels 3

HF and similar, mixed bag 1 to 2, with some exceptions like the Taiwan double box wrenches

IMO

 

[Merkava_4]

Honestly I don't know if I have any good industrial supply stores locally.

Yeah that's typical, a lot of people are afraid to take that big leap of faith and think outside the big box - Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Etc.....................

You're in a city called Newport News, Virgina?

 

[Joe H]

Cman pros would be a 6 on my wrench rating of 1 to 10

Cornwell takes the 10 spot

Proto and SO fall at about 8 and 9

SK about 7

Cman pro about 6

Better quality GW, non-ratcheting 4-5

Cman raised panels 3

HF and similar, mixed bag 1 to 2, with some exceptions like the Taiwan double box wrenches

IMO

I would like to try the cornwells but the only truck guys that come to my shop are matco and snap-on, so it might be difficult to get stuff replaced under warranty if I needed to.

 

[Merkava_4]

SK about 7

Might as well get Fisher-Price wrenches.

 

[Joe H]

Yeah that's typical, a lot of people are afraid to take that big leap of faith and think outside the big box - Lowes, Home Depot, Sears, Etc.....................

You mean to tell me there is other places I can buy tools from?

You're in a city called Newport News, Virgina?

Yes

 

[back2class]

Based on jaw spread?

In real world get the job done quality...yes.

Sure, polish quality, quality of chrome, "feel" all play a role. As do features like MAC and its hex open ends or flank drive plus SO. But the most stress a wrench is gona get is on that open end. How much it can put on a nut without turning or doing a split measures where it counts.

 

[Merkava_4]

In real world get the job done quality...yes.

I want to get the job done without my hand hurting; jaw spread would be way down on my list of criteria since I use the box end for breaking fasteners loose.

 

[Merkava_4]

Yes

Later on I'll run a yellow page search and see what I come up with.

 

[autoace]

I would like to try the cornwells but the only truck guys that come to my shop are matco and snap-on, so it might be difficult to get stuff replaced under warranty if I needed to.

My dealer can send and warranty them for you, PM me if you want his info. I have used them all, and Cornwell are the best, hands down, it is my opinion, but they are FINE

 

[nissan_crawler]

my c-pros are identical to the snap-on shape, except for the thicker box end.

Personally, I would put c-pro WAY above SK wrenches. Hell, I sold my Sk at a loss to get C-Pro.

It's all in what you want to spend. I bought them as an intermediate set, planning on stepping up to Snap-On, but after I filled in with a few Snap-On sizes Craftsman didn't carry in the pro line, I saw no real world difference, and no reason to spend the money.

No 11/32 or 1 3/16" C-Pros, for example.

Here's a snap-on in the middle of a c-pro set, it should be easier to pick out, as I had those two wrenches in the wrong order. Good luck telling the difference if they weren't.

 

[Merkava_4]

Oh boy ... here comes my counterweight.

 

[Merkava_4]

Personally, I would put c-pro WAY above SK wrenches. Hell, I sold my Sk at a loss to get C-Pro.

At least we have the same opinion of SK.

 

[autoace]

At least we have the same opinion of SK.

I actually don't own any SK tools, but my buddy has a load of the older ones, and they seemed very good, to me. Not so good, I want some, but good.

 

[nissan_crawler]

I actually don't own any SK tools, but my buddy has a load of the older ones, and they seemed very good, to me. Not so good, I want some, but good.

Out of curiosity, how old is old? The SK tools I've dealt with have been 10 years old or newer, and I've been less than impressed. Maybe earlier ones are better, much like many of the brands now, sadly.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'll tell you all what I'd do if I was on a tight budget and needed wrenches because I didn't have any:

I'd get JUST the sizes I needed at the time from one of my local industrial stores and they'd either be Proto or Armstrong LONG pattern.

 

[autoace]

Out of curiosity, how old is old? The SK tools I've dealt with have been 10 years old or newer, and I've been less than impressed. Maybe earlier ones are better, much like many of the brands now, sadly.

They were his dad's so.................at least 20 years old I would say, they were all in well worn, good shape. The chrome was good, the wrench beams were thick, ratchets were nice, overall I enjoyed working with them.

 

[nissan_crawler]

They were his dad's so.................at least 20 years old I would say, they were all in well worn, good shape. The chrome was good, the wrench beams were thick, ratchets were nice, overall I enjoyed working with them.

the age might very well be the difference, then.

 

[autoace]

the age might very well be the difference, then.

Maybe, I have seen some recent SK stuff at Sears and I was not impressed, so you could be on to something.

 

[Merkava_4]

MSC Industrial -
311 Ed Wright Lane, # K2, Newport News, VA

Grainger -
809 Middle Ground Boulevard, Newport News, VA



And that's just for starters, you've also got a lot of electric motor repair shops in town too; those places usually have the Klein tools and Fluke meters.

 

[Merkava_4]

http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=3366729&PMT4NO=73530581

You could start with that set and then add to it piece by piece.

 

[Vinko]

I would like to try the cornwells but the only truck guys that come to my shop are matco and snap-on, so it might be difficult to get stuff replaced under warranty if I needed to.

Perhaps this is too inconvenient for you but: I had a Cornwell 3/4" combo wrench whose box end cracked after one relatively minor turn of a bolt.

I sent it in and in about 1-1/2 weeks had a replacement back.

The Cornwell was bought used from the classifieds. I have no idea what use it was subjected to before this.

 

[Vinko]

No 11/32 or 1 3/16" C-Pros, for example.

When you work on airplanes, do you have a combination of fasteners or just SAE? I remember seeing some relatively unique-looking (to me) fasteners to me.

What do those planes with Rolls Royce engines use? BSE? I was in a **** hole not too long ago and had the pleasure of riding on a prop plane with a Rolls engine.

 

[nissan_crawler]

When you work on airplanes, do you have a combination of fasteners or just SAE? I remember seeing some relatively unique-looking (to me) fasteners to me.

What do those planes with Rolls Royce engines use? BSE? I was in a **** hole not too long ago and had the pleasure of riding on a prop plane with a Rolls engine.

just sae The only thing metric is the 12v air conditioner in the smaller business jets. I have a 15mm an 10mm socket for them. Oh, and the 750 fuel pump has either 6 or 7mm allen screws.

Our rolls jet engines are all sae. I have no clue about the old piston pounders.

 

[Fedwrench]

Search the archives as this gets discussed monthly if not more often. The discussion results are always the same, Merkava (who doesn't use his tools and hasn't used a Craftsman Pro wrench) will say they ****. He used to swear by Snap on but, now he's on the industrial supply store band wagon. Here's the bottom line, industrial wrenches such as Proto and Armstrong are good but unless you score a deal on ebay, they're not a whole lot cheaper than a tool truck brand. Secondly, there's nothing wrong with Craftsman pro wrenches. They will serve you well and if you pick a set up on sale, I would say you can't find a better set of wrenches for the money (spectacular Ebay deals excluded). Every manufacturer too include the tool truck brands, has quality control issues. There are many threads here about off centered boxed ends, rippled wrench bodies, etc. You can't get a 13 piece, fully polished, US made, lifetime warrantied, long combination wrench set for under a $100 that will perform as well as the Craftsman set. Besides, those Craftsman Pro wrenches come out of the same Texas Danaher plant as Armstrong.

 

[Merkava_4]

The discussion results are always the same, Merkava (who doesn't use his tools and hasn't used a Craftsman Pro wrench) will say they ****.

Another shot across the bow by my other counterweight.

How do you know how often I use my wrenches?!!? Are you frickin' there to hold my hand throughout the day? And another thing, I've never polished a wrench in my whole life; that's some stupid sh!t you came up with.

 

[G1K]

Search the archives as this gets discussed monthly if not more often. The discussion results are always the same, Merkava (who doesn't use his tools and hasn't used a Craftsman Pro wrench) will say they ****. He used to swear by Snap on but, now he's on the industrial supply store band wagon. Here's the bottom line, industrial wrenches such as Proto and Armstrong are good but unless you score a deal on ebay, they're not a whole lot cheaper than a tool truck brand. Secondly, there's nothing wrong with Craftsman pro wrenches. They will serve you well and if you pick a set up on sale, I would say you can't find a better set of wrenches for the money (spectacular Ebay deals excluded). Every manufacturer too include the tool truck brands, has quality control issues. There are many threads here about off centered boxed ends, rippled wrench bodies, etc. You can't get a 13 piece, fully polished, US made, lifetime warrantied, long combination wrench set for under a $100 that will perform as well as the Craftsman set. Besides, those Craftsman Pro wrenches come out of the same Texas Danaher plant as Armstrong.

I agree.

R

 

[Fedwrench]

Another shot across the bow by my other counterweight.

How do you know how often I use my wrenches?!!? Are frickin' there to hold my hand throughout the day? And another thing, I've never polished a wrench in my whole life; that's some stupid sh!t you came up with.

Well for not doing it, it sure has stuck and admitting to having prom queen tools probably didn't help.

All I'm saying is that if you haven't actually used the tool, what experience are you basing your opinion on?

Did you ever replace those axles on your Buick?

 

[Merkava_4]

All I'm saying is that if you haven't actually used the tool, what experience are you basing your opinion on?

I've used wrenches throughout my life long enough to know within 5 seconds of handling one what it's going to feel like using it for 8 hours. Some dudes are wine tasters, I'm a wrench feeler.

 

[walrus]

This thread is great. I don't wrench for a living but the disdain for raised panels is a hoot.

 

[jshillin]

I have metric sets of SK SuperKromes, SK Professional (Raised Panel), Craftsman Pro's and Snap-On OEX's. The Snap-On's and Craftsman's have a very similar feel and size. I wouldn't hesitate buying the Craftsman Pro's again. Nothing wrong with the SK's, but they are shorter than the others and not quite as comfortable.