New Craftsman Gunmetal wrenches

[Sco Deac]

I noticed the breadth of CM products available at Lowes is expanding. I would like to get a set of metric reversible ratcheting wrenches. Not sure I liked what is saw but I stumbled across their new Gunmetal wrenches. They are available in a different lengths and have non-slip features. Made in Taiwan. Look interesting.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/11pc-mm-long-panel-gunmetal-chrome?taxon_id=6506

Updated: list price is $52.48 at Lowes. https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-Standard-Gunmetal-Chrome-Metric-Wrench-Set/1000595453

 

[Andres26tnt]

I noticed the breadth of CM products available at Lowes is expanding. I would like to get a set of metric reversible ratcheting wrenches. Not sure I liked what is saw but I stumbled across their new Gunmetal wrenches. They are available in a different lengths and have non-slip features. Look interesting.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/11pc-mm-long-panel-gunmetal-chrome?taxon_id=6506

these are Dewalt wrenches, very underrated wrenches in my opinion.
they also offer the ratcheting version but with out the non-slip feature.

 

[zktk01]

It looks like they are rebranding alot of dewalt items with the craftsman label. I bought one of the stacker cases the other day, it is the same as the dewalt, but It was red and black not yellow and black.

 

[xin]

I noticed the breadth of CM products available at Lowes is expanding. I would like to get a set of metric reversible ratcheting wrenches. Not sure I liked what is saw but I stumbled across their new Gunmetal wrenches. They are available in a different lengths and have non-slip features. Made in Taiwan. Look interesting.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/11pc-mm-long-panel-gunmetal-chrome?taxon_id=6506

Updated: list price is $52.48 at Lowes. https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-Standard-Gunmetal-Chrome-Metric-Wrench-Set/1000595453

Does it say where they made at?

 

[930dreamer]

Craftsman on 09/27/2018
The country of origin for this set is Taiwan.

 

[Andres26tnt]

It looks like they are rebranding alot of dewalt items with the craftsman label. I bought one of the stacker cases the other day, it is the same as the dewalt, but It was red and black not yellow and black.

yep, they are just re branding a lot of dewalt tools. They have a 72t serviceable ratchet with a different body.

 

[Toothaker]

Actually, Sears never manufactured tools. They bought tools made by others, like New Britian, Easco, Western Forge, etc. Now that SBD - a tool manufacturer - owns the Craftsman name, you might say this is the first time that Craftsman tools aren't rebranded.

Of course, SBD is using existing facilities and existing tooling to make Craftsman tools.

 

[RoundedNut]

I'd prefer to get the SBD tools under the original branding, i.e. DeWalt, Stanley Fatmax, etc. Same goes for the Grip-on pliers I got over the Snap-on rebrand.

 

[xin]

Craftsman on 09/27/2018
The country of origin for this set is Taiwan.

Curious if they will make them in the USA?

 

[Fedwrench]

I find ironic that the Dewalt versions are losing the Proto style anti slip open end but, they're putting it on the craftsman version

The dewalt version is a nice wrench

They might make them in the USA some day, who knows?

 

[WWheeler]

Curious if they will make them in the USA?

Back in Jan 2017 when SBD purchased the Craftsman name and Stanley CEO James M. Loree announced plans to "expand our manufacturing footprint in the U.S. This will add jobs in the U.S., where we have increased our manufacturing headcount by 40% in the past three years", I suspected at the time that those plans would NOT include Craftsman hand tools like ratchets, sockets, and wrenches.

Going on 2 years later I've seen nothing at all yet to make me think any different.

Stanley did acquire Waterloo for USA toolboxes, and rebranded some made-in-USA with global materials cordless Dewalt tools as Craftsman, and have recently invested in MTD so no doubt there will be USA made Craftsman Lawn and Garden soon enough, so we'll be seeing USA flags all over Stanley Craftsman's most high profile stuff in the stores, but if they actually had any plans to have USA made Craftsman hand tools seems likely to me they would have rebranded some of their MAC and Proto lines by now instead of rebadging their imported Stanley and Dewalt hand tool lines as they have done so far.

All that said, I do hope Stanley proves me wrong. I'm just not holding my breath waiting for it.

I'll also add, these new Taiwan-made Craftsman wrenches do look like an improvement over the old Sears raised panels both made in China and USA. At $52 they are twice the price though.

 

[Jeremy77]

I’ve not seen those wrenches in person other than the Dewalt versions but they look to be very nice. I’ll check them out next time that I’m in Lowe’s. Being made in Taiwan isn’t an issue for me. At less than $5 per wrench I feel that they are priced accordingly. If they were MAC or Proto rebrands you can bet that they’d be priced to that level and everyone would complain and say they’d just buy the MAC/Proto versions if they were gonna spend that much.

 

[WWheeler]

[...] I'll also add, these new Taiwan-made Craftsman wrenches do look like an improvement over the old Sears raised panels both made in China and USA. At $52 they are twice the price though.

Actually, once I apply Sears' 'ShopYourWay' points and Freecash I could get 3 sets of Sears Craftsman wrenches for the price of these Stanley Craftsman ones. Just sayin'

 

[Andres26tnt]

I find ironic that the Dewalt versions are losing the Proto style anti slip open end but, they're putting it on the craftsman version

The dewalt version is a nice wrench

They might make them in the USA some day, who knows?

they have different versions of the same wrench both anti slip and smooth, same goes for the ratcheting wrenches.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Actually, once I apply Sears' 'ShopYourWay' points and Freecash I could get 3 sets of Sears Craftsman wrenches for the price of these Stanley Craftsman ones. Just sayin'

sure if you want a worse wrench, these dewalt are def Superior in every way.

 

[M_George]

The Lowes near me has both the raised panel and gun metal versions. The raised panel ones are made in China while the gun metal ones are made in Taiwan.

 

[Wamsutta]

Does it say where they made at?

Paris, France. And then flown into Beverly Hills on a Lear Jet.

 

[WWheeler]

sure if you want a worse wrench, these dewalt are def Superior in every way.

Been turning the same set of Craftsman raised panels for more than 30 years. They have served me well. Have turned every fastener I've put them on. Never broke one (except I have had the flare nut spread on me - still have them but not a fan of them. Have Snap-on line wrenches). Never even lost one. These are all USA made versions but I have newer sets of China-made also. They're pretty much the same unchanged.

Sure, the full polished Stanley-made are nicer, and I said as much above, but I sure wouldn't pay 3X as much for them to do the exact same thing unless maybe if they were made in USA. that's just me.

 

[Tallpilot]

Raised panel wrenches turn bolts just fine. They look and feel like absolute **** and I hate them with an irrational passion. Hopefully these offerings will lead to a generation of home gamers upgrading to full polish wrenches.

Addition: They are only $10 more than the regular raised panel price. Comparing list prices to sales and points gimmicks to denegrate them isn't exactly fair. Wait for Black Friday and get them for $40. Sure they are still more but nicer things usually do cost more.

 

[WWheeler]

Raised panel wrenches turn bolts just fine. They look and feel like absolute **** and I hate them with an irrational passion. Hopefully these offerings will lead to a generation of home gamers upgrading to full polish wrenches.

Never been bothered by raised panels. They fit my hand super comfortable, BUT I do prefer a full polished wrench or handle for the most part, but not all of them.

We have some Proto DBEs at work that I despise. Super-nice finish but by far the worst wrench I've ever put in my hand. The handles have squared edges so they literally hurt to pull on them. A LOT! I have to pull upwards of 150 ft lbs on them all day long tightening and loosening and they leave my hands sore every day. Never had a wrench do that before. The Armstrongs we used to use sure never did. Don't know WTF Stanley Proto was thinking when they came up with them, but if they do ever come out with some USA made Craftsman rebadges of them I wouldn't pay a nickel or trade any single one of my Craftsman raised panels for a 50 pc set.

Terrible!



I also have the 44pc full polish Gearwrench long pattern set, which I like a lot too. Can't say I prefer them to my Craftsman raised panels though. At under $175 for 44pc set - 6mm-32mm and 1/4"-1-1/2" with few skips I seriously doubt Stanley Craftsman is going to offer a comparable value set any time soon.

 

[Wamsutta]

Raised panel wrenches turn bolts just fine. They look and feel like absolute **** and I hate them with an irrational passion. Hopefully these offerings will lead to a generation of home gamers upgrading to full polish wrenches.

Music to my ears.

 

[Professional Tool User]

If these wrenches are not cheaper than the Dewalt ones, I find it hard to justify the existence of a Craftsman version.

 

[WWheeler]

If these wrenches are not cheaper than the Dewalt ones, I find it hard to justify the existence of a Craftsman version.

Well, the newer Dewalt ones no longer have the anti-slip open end like the new Craftsmans do. You'd have to find some NOS Dewalt.

 

[Andres26tnt]

If these wrenches are not cheaper than the Dewalt ones, I find it hard to justify the existence of a Craftsman version.

the craftsman set comes with more sizes.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Been turning the same set of Craftsman raised panels for more than 30 years. They have served me well. Have turned every fastener I've put them on. Never broke one (except I have had the flare nut spread on me - still have them but not a fan of them. Have Snap-on line wrenches). Never even lost one. These are all USA made versions but I have newer sets of China-made also. They're pretty much the same unchanged.

Sure, the full polished Stanley-made are nicer, and I said as much above, but I sure wouldn't pay 3X as much for them to do the exact same thing unless maybe if they were made in USA. that's just me.

i have both too, sure they turn the fastener just like any other wrench but they sure do feel like **** specially the raised panel versions. Is SBD going to warranty the wrenches you bought at sears? idk, but the price is fair in my opinion and comparable with the comp.

 

[xin]

the craftsman set comes with more sizes.

Wonder if they will make all the sizes in the Metric (as it skips) sizes and you always need the one they skip (like the 11mm).

 

[Rabid Badger]

For that price I'll stick with my 15 wrench Tekton set with no skipped sizes and a roll up pouch.

 

[Lisamelting]

For that price I'll stick with my 15 wrench Tekton set with no skipped sizes and a roll up pouch.

No kidding right. I bought a set of Tekton wrenches 1/4 - 1", which included the oddball 9/32 and 11/32 with tray for $44.00.

 

[Josey Wales]

We have some Proto DBEs at work that I despise. Super-nice finish but by far the worst wrench I've ever put in my hand. The handles have squared edges so they literally hurt to pull on them.

Those DBE Proto look like a holdover from the Plomb days, as far as the beams go.

 

[zktk01]

I think it is clever of SBD to put the craftsman name on the Dewalt wrenches. The average Joe Blow probably doesn't think of Dewalt when it comes to wrenches, but thinks craftsman is the cats meow when it comes to wrenches. If they have the Anti Slip feature they probably are worth it regardless of COO. I just don't have a need for any more wrenches I have backup sets for my backups now, and sets for the vehicles as well.

 

[Tallpilot]

No kidding right. I bought a set of Tekton wrenches 1/4 - 1", which included the oddball 9/32 and 11/32 with tray for $44.00.

I'm pretty convinced Tekton is the best utility value going in combination wrenches at the moment.

We have some Proto DBEs at work that I despise. Super-nice finish but by far the worst wrench I've ever put in my hand. The handles have squared edges so they literally hurt to pull on them. A LOT! I have to pull upwards of 150 ft lbs on them all day long tightening and loosening and they leave my hands sore every day. Never had a wrench do that before. The Armstrongs we used to use sure never did. Don't know WTF Stanley Proto was thinking when they came up with them, but if they do ever come out with some USA made Craftsman rebadges of them I wouldn't pay a nickel or trade any single one of my Craftsman raised panels for a 50 pc set.

Terrible!

I also have the 44pc full polish Gearwrench long pattern set, which I like a lot too. Can't say I prefer them to my Craftsman raised panels though. At under $175 for 44pc set - 6mm-32mm and 1/4"-1-1/2" with few skips I seriously doubt Stanley Craftsman is going to offer a comparable value set any time soon.

I have these but I don't use them that often. I wonder if they are more comfortable. Why do you need to use that style at work? It's the only angle that will access the fastener?

https://www.tekton.com/box-end-wrench-sets-keeper?quantity=1&metric-piece-count=11-pc&unit=metric

The older Taiwan made Gearwrench set was probable the value leader for a long time. I wish they hadn't moved to China.

 

[6PTsocket]

I'd prefer to get the SBD tools under the original branding, i.e. DeWalt, Stanley Fatmax, etc. Same goes for the Grip-on pliers I got over the Snap-on rebrand.

As SB&D now owns Craftsman.and they have sold similar items across their brands for years, can you really call Craftsman a rebrand? For me it would come down to price. If the same tool is also sold as DeWalt, I would buy whatever was cheaper.
Years ago Minolta made a camera that was also sold as a Leica. In Japan it came with a Minolta primary lens and a Leica lens in Germany. The optional lenses were made in Germany by Leica but boxed under both brands. You would not believe the price difference the Leica name made for the same lens. I bought it as a Minolta

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[Y00PER]

Back in Jan 2017 when SBD purchased the Craftsman name and Stanley CEO James M. Loree announced plans to "expand our manufacturing footprint in the U.S. This will add jobs in the U.S., where we have increased our manufacturing headcount by 40% in the past three years", I suspected at the time that those plans would NOT include Craftsman hand tools like ratchets, sockets, and wrenches.

Going on 2 years later I've seen nothing at all yet to make me think any different.



All that said, I do hope Stanley proves me wrong. I'm just not holding my breath waiting for it.

"About 40 percent of Craftsman products will be manufactured in the United States after the initial product relaunch, which is now underway and will heat up this fall at retailers like Lowe's, Ace Hardware and Amazon (just in time for the holiday shopping season). The goal is for about 70 percent of Craftsman tools to be Made in America in the next few years, Loree adds."

http://www.americanmanufacturing.or...ive-craftsman-new-life-by-bringing-production

 

[Sco Deac]

"About 40 percent of Craftsman products will be manufactured in the United States after the initial product relaunch, which is now underway and will heat up this fall at retailers like Lowe's, Ace Hardware and Amazon (just in time for the holiday shopping season). The goal is for about 70 percent of Craftsman tools to be Made in America in the next few years, Loree adds."

http://www.americanmanufacturing.or...ive-craftsman-new-life-by-bringing-production

If I recall, at the launch event, they were discussing this in terms of percentage of sales revenue. Between the Waterloo acquisition and the investment in MTD for power outdoor equipment, there will be some higher priced items made in the US. If they sell a customer 1 US made tool chest combo ($800), 1 US made lawn mower ($1,000), a couple US made cordless power tools ($250) and 1,500 pieces of foreign made hand tools ($1,000), they have achieved over 50% of that customer’s Craftsman products, by sales revenue, being US made.

 

[WWheeler]

[...] Why do you need to use that style at work? It's the only angle that will access the fastener?[/B[...].

Automotive manufacturing plant. Purchasing dept at work buys whatever they buy. It has to do with contracted supplier availability, engineering approval, etc. As part of 'Set' and 'Standardization' in 5S, every machine has exactly what tools are to be used for every fastener or adjustment that must be kept at all times on a shadowboard at the machine near where it is to be used except when it is being used. We don't get to give any input before a choice is made and then afterward once we do it can take years before we can convince them to buy or let us use something else.

So, in simpler terms, somewhere it was decided by some pencil pusher that the Proto line of DBEs became the tool we have to use in our plant for setting dies in 150ton-300ton presses, which is something I do over and over every workday. And from the day they took away our old Armstrong and replaced them with the Protos my hands hurt every time I have to pull on one. By the end of the day every day they are just plain sore. Worst wrenches I've ever touched by far. Worthless.

If I recall, at the launch event, they were discussing this in terms of percentage of sales revenue. Between the Waterloo acquisition and the investment in MTD for power outdoor equipment, there will be some higher priced items made in the US. If they sell a customer 1 US made tool chest combo ($800), 1 US made lawn mower ($1,000), a couple US made cordless power tools ($250) and 1,500 pieces of foreign made hand tools ($1,000), they have achieved over 50% of that customer’s Craftsman products, by sales revenue, being US made.

Yep, that sounds a lot like what I've been saying all along.

[...] All of Stanley's promises to bring back Craftsman to the USA have been couched in percentages. I've never seen anything that said they plan to bring it all back to USA, or anything at all about hand tools like ratchets, sockets and wrenches.

But, like I said, I do hope Stanley proves me wrong, just so long as they don't rebrand those terrible square beam USA-made Proto wrenches as Craftsman.

 

[Andres26tnt]

how do prices compare to similar wrenches with the anti-slip feature? i think that's the real question. other wrenches without the feature are cheaper, but i don't see any with it cheaper.

 

[Mr_B]

Seems pretty good price for anti slip and other features like large size stamping and long pattern .
Looks a good option for those wanting under 60buck half decent usable set .
Skipped sizes not great if don't have singles so can fill in if needed .

 

[Andres26tnt]

Seems pretty good price for anti slip and other features like large size stamping and long pattern .
Looks a good option for those wanting under 60buck half decent usable set .
Skipped sizes not great if don't have singles so can fill in if needed .

it does skip sizes but most of those are for uncommon size fasteners,They do offer all sizes separately if you want them. Its deff a good price for long pattern/anti-slip.

 

[Finance Guy]

They do offer all sizes separately if you want them.

In gunmetal chrome ... are you sure? I can't find the 9mm, 11mm, 20mm, or anything bigger than 21mm.

 

[Jazz1]

Been turning the same set of Craftsman raised panels for more than 30 years. They have served me well. Have turned every fastener I've put them on. Never broke one (except I have had the flare nut spread on me - still have them but not a fan of them. Have Snap-on line wrenches). Never even lost one. These are all USA made versions but I have newer sets of China-made also. They're pretty much the same unchanged.

Sure, the full polished Stanley-made are nicer, and I said as much above, but I sure wouldn't pay 3X as much for them to do the exact same thing unless maybe if they were made in USA. that's just me.

I have the same set of CRAFTSMAN and I do prefer them as they are easier to handle than polished wrenches. I spray oil based rust proofing on my vehicles and wrenches get the oil all over them when working