Snap-on and Craftsman Rethreading Kits are exactly the same

[Packard V8]

You all probably already knew this, but there is some irony attached.

Last week, I bought a Snap-On Rethreading Kit. This week, I bought a Craftsman Rethreading Kit. Side by side, the contents are identical and the cases nearly so.

The irony I mentioned comes from Snap-on stating in large script on the outside and inside of the lid, "There is a difference" when obviously there is no difference at all.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Joe H]

Yup they are both made by Kastar.

 

[r0meyrome]

beat me to it...made by kastar

 

[alex71]

Get the Mac version FTW. It has 4 more metric taps and 4 more metric dies than the above.

Edit... LOL I just noticed one of the dies is out of its perch in the case in the above photo...just a bit sloppy

 

[Packard V8]

Since everyone buys them from Kastar, where is the best price for replacement taps and dies. Each of the two sets I have are missing a couple of pieces.

thnx, jack vines

 

[Tool Pants]

I bought the Craftsman version several years ago. I searched around and it was easy to see the same thing was being sold under different names. They say the advantage of the Snap-On version is that you can get the individual parts if you need to replace one. Maybe one of these days I will contact Kastar to see if I can get individual parts.

Here is an article on the company.

http://www.biztimes.com/news/2006/9/15/a-e-hand-tools-has-edge-over-chinese-competitors

 

[d33pt]

i just bought that set at sears too. is it a good set? i think it was $50.

 

[X1 Mike]

Being Devils advocate here.

Has anyone sent these out to a metalurgist for analysis or can we tell the quality of metal by looking at them? Has anyone compared the grain structure under a microscope or done a rockwell test to determine hardness? It is not inconcievable that S-O specs a higher quality tool is it?

 

[Toolhorder]

I noticed this a couple weeks ago myself. Sears had a opened return one for $39 but I passed. When I went back for it someone beat me to it.

 

[Packard V8]

Get the Mac version FTW. It has 4 more metric taps and 4 more metric dies than the above.

Yes, the MAC has $110 retail price and the Craftsman is $70 list, $50 on sale.
thnx, jack vines.

 

[oldtools]

You all probably already knew this, but there is some irony attached.

Last week, I bought a Snap-On Rethreading Kit. This week, I bought a Craftsman Rethreading Kit. Side by side, the contents are identical and the cases nearly so.

The irony I mentioned comes from Snap-on stating in large script on the outside and inside of the lid, "There is a difference" when obviously there is no difference at all.

thnx, jack vines

There is a difference in the casing.

 

[mkdive]

One is a 42 piece the other a 40. I know there is a big price difference between the two. They should at least rearrange the contents of the case so it doesn't look EXACTLY the same!

 

[GBNZ]

looking at the part number on snap on its 42pc
craftsmans a 40pc
$50+ in price for snap on

 

[caper]

Does Craftsman warranty the pieces like Snap on does?I've bought two of these from Snap on over the years.The second one was to replace the first when it was stolen.Never had an issue getting any parts replaced or buying individual pieces when I lost one.Back when I bought them 10-15 years ago they weren't available any where else around here but the trucks.Still not unless I buy one online.I think I paid $68 on the truck for mine many years ago.Certainly paid for itself many times over since then.Oh,and if anybody sees one somewhere with two little welding slag burns in the top of the case next to the Snap on name it's MINE and I want it back!

 

[Jbullfrog]

Does Craftsman warranty the pieces like Snap on does?

That is the difference.......

Sears is trying to raise there tool prices to match the truck brand prices. They don't stock individual replacement tools for things in sets and most won't split a set. Sears doesn't cover taps, dies, or drill bits. Snap-On hands you a new one and says thank-you.

 

[rocco]

you guys all **** with your awesome sears tool department !
us Canadians have a smallish import **** section with none of these tools available to us.

 

[Mike83]

That is the difference.......

Sears is trying to raise there tool prices to match the truck brand prices. They don't stock individual replacement tools for things in sets and most won't split a set. Sears doesn't cover taps, dies, or drill bits. Snap-On hands you a new one and says thank-you.

I bought the Craftsman 48 piece set last month for $68 shipped.

The package insert says "Guaranteed Forever". I saved that piece of paper

 

[jteck75]

That was a pretty neat article linked from post #6. I got Kastar's(A&E) web address off of the article,and checked out their site,I didn't realize how much of their stuff that I had until I started looking over their product line. Those guys are all over the place.

 

[billymade]

I always wondered with all the OEM's for so many different tool companies out there; "if" the different brands request different quality specs for the tools or would that be too much hassle.... I know @ the bare minimum, that most tools get stamped with their respective brands and sometimes a different color coating is put on them to differentiate them or a different rubber handle etc. Anyone think this is possible? I would think that if a product is made and is sold in the field... then found to be a major warranty issue because of a quality weakness... they would up the spec? This is all speculation on my part but I've wondered about these things...

 

[jteck75]

At some of the automotive plants I have worked in we did have different sets of specs for different customers for what was basically the same part. I'm sure the is definitely a financial aspect involved,the tighter tolerances that you require,the higher scrap percentage your supplier will have,and in turn the more money it will cost to manufacture that item. I'm sure that is taken in to consideration when/if a tool company lays out specs for an outside firm to make something for them.

 

[mrshaun]

rtd48 is the new number for that set jumped to 109.95 now. used to be 83.85 just a couple of years ago. I sell a lot of these to the guys who work on military equipment. mainly use them for cleaning out threads that have been painted. the army paints everything they see, even the tires are covered in paint at times.

 

[SILVERPLATE]

Can anyone give some thoughts on the following Rethreading Set offered at Costco. States it is made by CTA and all US made. How is price? Thanks for the feedback. Mike

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Produc...tt=466331&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode matchallpartial

 

[Packard V8]

The box is similar-but-different, but the components look identical.

thnx, jack vines

 

[the spyder]

Get the Mac version FTW. It has 4 more metric taps and 4 more metric dies than the above.

Edit... LOL I just noticed one of the dies is out of its perch in the case in the above photo...just a bit sloppy

Tooltopia has it direct for $73.
http://www.tooltopia.com/kastar-hand-tools-971.aspx

 

[truckdriver]

the army paints everything they see, even the tires are covered in paint at times.

Yep,we painted tires,rubber mudflaps,floor mats,everything. It went way past bordering on rediculous.

 

[Danglerb]

I bought the Sears 48 pc on sale for about $50 or $60, whatever like 30% or off works out to.

If you look at the "dies" they are nuts with the grade marked on them.

 

[rsanter]

there is a difference
the snap on dies are engraved with the snap on name
the cman stuff is engraved with the cman name

bob

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

That Costco one looks like my Jawco 1853. The only difference is the thread files are stacked, rather then side by side on mine. I believe that Jawco is the brand sold by McMaster Carr, although mine came from Ebay for $40.

 

[bcradio]

Does anyone know if the Craftsman set has been discontinued? It says unavailable online.

 

[SKAutomotive]

Does anyone know if the Craftsman set has been discontinued? It says unavailable online.

I just bought it a few weeks back.

 

[bcradio]

I just bought it a few weeks back.

Cool thanks... i will keep my eyes out for it to become available again.

 

[1982fxr]

Kastar is now Lange Tools. Same company, just a different name

 

[Dieselbutterfly]

snap on delivers it to you,sears does not

 

[mrbreezeet1]

Yeah, I brought into that too, over 15 years ago, when I got mine from Snap On.
Thought I had something "All Great"
Turns out the ones from sears are the same.

 

[KinzeMech]

Has anyone compared the actual pieces of these sets in any way which determines if there's any actual quality difference in the taps/dies?

I've been looking at this set a while, right now it's $60 at sears and $120 off the truck. I'm trying to determine if that extra $60 off the truck gets me anything other than convenient warranty. Sears I'm sure considers taps/dies consumable wear items, and replacement is not likely warrantable. Snap on will warranty them, but for double the Sears price.

 

[Fordman7795]

The sears set says guaranteed forever on it, however you will have to swap the whole set out

 

[CNGsaves]

Cool thanks... i will keep my eyes out for it to become available again.

The Tooltopia link above shows those in stock for $68 today 9/4/13.

 

[Brownsfan]

Sears has it cheaper than tooltopia. http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-p...p-00942275000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4
My local sears hardware has it for 49.99. That's where I bought mine

 

[KinzeMech]

The sears set says guaranteed forever on it, however you will have to swap the whole set out

I would anticipate difficulties in the event of warranty service for this item.

From craftsman.com, outlining craftsman warranty, consumable/expendable items like this are exempted.

6. NO WARRANTY
Warranty coverage is not offered on consumable items, including but not limited to the following: Bits, bulbs, replacement blades, alkaline batteries, filters, sandpaper, taps, dies, screw extractors, safety glasses, gloves or other cloth products, plastic hand boxes and portable metal chests, garage floor and wall cabinets.
This warranty does not cover expendable parts (if supplied) that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period, including but not limited to bits, bulbs, replacement blades, alkaline batteries, filters, belts, sandpaper, pads, bonnets, abrasion discs, grinding wheels, contact tips, nozzles, inflation needles, trimmer line, and spark plugs.

 

[Stooge]

Has anyone compared the actual pieces of these sets in any way which determines if there's any actual quality difference in the taps/dies?

I've been looking at this set a while, right now it's $60 at sears and $120 off the truck. I'm trying to determine if that extra $60 off the truck gets me anything other than convenient warranty. Sears I'm sure considers taps/dies consumable wear items, and replacement is not likely warrantable. Snap on will warranty them, but for double the Sears price.

i dont have either set, just trays and trays of individual ones, but having to replace individual taps when they arent as sharp, break, etc adds up quick. figure in the $7 range for a coarse 5mm tap and $15-20 for a coarse 10mm, it wouldnt take long to pay more maintaining the cman set than to pay more up front and not have to worry about it