New Craftsman Long Panel Wrenches...Actually Look Nice

[Skeptic68W]

Was strolling through my local lowes this morning and came across these wrenches: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-7-Piece-12-point-Standard-SAE-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000594169

I'm fairly certain what these are the "Max Axcess" wrenches that Cman sold for a while. The open end anti-slip design is the same, and they appear extremely similar. These however are made in Taiwan, where the Max Axcess wrenches were chinese.

To be honest, chinese or not, those max axcess wrenches are some of my favorites, they just fit extremely well in the hand. The anti-slip doesn't have teeth, so it won't mar delicate fasteners (although it won't grab as tight either). These appear identical (except the new SBD style stamping) so they should be quite good for the money.

Lastly, I thought it was hilarious that my Lowes got the display rack where you can fiddle with the different craftsman ratchets to see how low of a swing arc they have....and then they zip tied the ratchets to the display to prevent theft...so you can't swing them.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Was strolling through my local lowes this morning and came across these wrenches: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-7-Piece-12-point-Standard-SAE-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000594169

I'm fairly certain what these are the "Max Axcess" wrenches that Cman sold for a while. The open end anti-slip design is the same, and they appear extremely similar. These however are made in Taiwan, where the Max Axcess wrenches were chinese.

To be honest, chinese or not, those max axcess wrenches are some of my favorites, they just fit extremely well in the hand. The anti-slip doesn't have teeth, so it won't mar delicate fasteners (although it won't grab as tight either). These appear identical (except the new SBD style stamping) so they should be quite good for the money.


Lastly, I thought it was hilarious that my Lowes got the display rack where you can fiddle with the different craftsman ratchets to see how low of a swing arc they have....and then they zip tied the ratchets to the display to prevent theft...so you can't swing them.

Negative friend this aren't the Max access that sears sold, this are Dewalt based wrenches made in Taiwan. Very good wrench, only negative about them is you don't get a full set.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Negative friend this aren't the Max access that sears sold, this are Dewalt based wrenches made in Taiwan. Very good wrench, only negative about them is you don't get a full set.

Would you look at that, you're right. Very similar in design to the MA wrenches so I expect they would be similar to use.

They do have an 11 piece set online in SAE only right now that spans from 1/4 to 7/8. I expect they will have a metric equivalent at some point soon.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-12-point-Standard-SAE-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000595441

I don't need any more combo wrenches, but if I did...I just might buy these.

 

[Jtels85]

Without being sold as a complete set, that’s a deal breaker for me. I want 7mm to 19mm, no skips. I don’t care if 9mm and 11mm aren’t common sizes.

I accidentally bottomed out my car leaving the store and scraped the 10mm screws that attach the plastic engine shield to the bottom of the car. Guess what size socket was able to remove two of them? Wasn’t a 10mm anymore. An 11mm.

I appreciate Stanley’s effort, but I specifically recall one of the top 5 Craftsman complaints besides country of origin was skipping sizes. I don’t know that it matters a whole lot, but it doesn’t appear the skipped sizes will be available as singles.

And for that reason, I’m out.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Without being sold as a complete set, that’s a deal breaker for me. I want 7mm to 19mm, no skips. I don’t care if 9mm and 11mm aren’t common sizes.

I accidentally bottomed out my car leaving the store and scraped the 10mm screws that attach the plastic engine shield to the bottom of the car. Guess what size socket was able to remove two of them? Wasn’t a 10mm anymore. An 11mm.

I appreciate Stanley’s effort, but I specifically recall one of the top 5 Craftsman complaints besides country of origin was skipping sizes. I don’t know that it matters a whole lot, but it doesn’t appear the skipped sizes will be available as singles.

And for that reason, I’m out.

I totally agree with you.

However, if they want to offer a cheaper set with skips for average joes, and a more comprehensive set without skips for you and me...I have no problem with that.

It looks to me like the larger SAE set doesn't have skips in it, but my brain works in metric so maybe I'm missing something.


On a side note, I was very disappointed with the chinsy chinese screwdrivers and bit sets, but I did buy a dual blade razor knife from Tailand and a US made pro-lock tape measure that appear to both be very nice. I LOVE the pro-lock feature on that tape. It's selectable so you can use it, or leave it off depending on the situation. Other than that, it's just a red Fat Max tape, and those are the best around in my opinion anyway. Can't go wrong for $15 for a 25ft US made pro lock fat max tape with red paint.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-PRO-LOCK-25-ft-Auto-Lock-Tape-Measure/1000594205

 

[woody 73]

please tell me more about the screwdrivers, the part of "chinsy" that you do not like. Not up to standards ? poor quality ? Bad fit and finish ? Cost to much ? Bad handle design ?

 

[Skeptic68W]

please tell me more about the screwdrivers, the part of "chinsy" that you do not like. Not up to standards ? poor quality ? Bad fit and finish ? Cost to much ? Bad handle design ?

I should state first that I'm referring to these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-8-Piece-Screwdriver-Set/1000596425

My lowes didn't have any of the acetate handled ones.

My issues from just fondling them in the store were.

1. Chinese
2. Plasticy handles
3. Just look cheap(to be fair, they are cheap)

Can't comment on the tips or overall quality.

 

[woody 73]

very interesting in that last night I was watching a video about a German fellow going ape **** over older plastic handles from the 1980's, seems they were the kats meow to that guy! Oh well to each their own...

 

[Skeptic68W]

very interesting in that last night I was watching a video about a German fellow going ape **** over older plastic handles from the 1980's, seems they were the kats meow to that guy! Oh well to each their own...

To be honest, if I could only choose between these ones with the plastic and rubber handles, or the acetate handles, I'd choose the plastic/rubber because you can grip them better and they're more comfortable to turn. So I certainly agree that a comfort grip handle, even if it's got some plastic in it, is superior to a hard handle in most instances.

That being said, these struck me as a gimmicky design. I don't think they did so bad with the ergonomics of the handle shape, it's OK, but the overmolding is very....flashy, with lots of little angular slits and fancy shapes and what not. Something that might appeal to children.

For whatever reason, they looked and felt more like toys than tools to me. Your mileage may vary.

 

[yrly]

I should state first that I'm referring to these: https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-8-Piece-Screwdriver-Set/1000596425

My lowes didn't have any of the acetate handled ones.

My issues from just fondling them in the store were.

1. Chinese
2. Plasticy handles
3. Just look cheap(to be fair, they are cheap)

Can't comment on the tips or overall quality.

Those look even worse than the ones Sears was trying to peddle for $12 during the holidays. They look like these generic “Shop Pro” screwdrivers I picked up somewhere in a massive set a couple of years ago on an after Christmas special.

 

[Moparman390]

I accidentally bottomed out my car leaving the store and scraped the 10mm screws that attach the plastic engine shield to the bottom of the car. Guess what size socket was able to remove two of them? Wasn’t a 10mm anymore. An 11mm.

I know exactly which four screws you are talking about. Geez you must have really bottomed that thing out because I've scraped that panel up a bunch over the last 10 years on mine and haven't messed the screw heads up yet. I just use a nut driver on those. But yeah, skipped sizes drive me nuts, hopefully they make them all when the singles of these roll out, but I have complete sets, so I'm not in the market for them anyway.

 

[yrly]

Without being sold as a complete set, that’s a deal breaker for me. I want 7mm to 19mm, no skips. I don’t care if 9mm and 11mm aren’t common sizes.

I accidentally bottomed out my car leaving the store and scraped the 10mm screws that attach the plastic engine shield to the bottom of the car. Guess what size socket was able to remove two of them? Wasn’t a 10mm anymore. An 11mm.

I appreciate Stanley’s effort, but I specifically recall one of the top 5 Craftsman complaints besides country of origin was skipping sizes. I don’t know that it matters a whole lot, but it doesn’t appear the skipped sizes will be available as singles.

And for that reason, I’m out.

Stanley has a tendency to skip sizes. I worked at Wal-Mart in college and used to buy their clearance Stanley stuff when it was cheap enough. Back then at least they were still from Taiwan as opposed to China, but even their Chinese stuff when they switched over was at least fairly durable when it came to socket sets because the auto shop would tend to use the stuff if they broke something.

I never understood why they’d have fairly complete socket sets but wrenches would skip the sizes on wrenches. Even though I have some they ended up primarily in infrequently used trunk tool bags so I can’t say how well their wrenches hold up to regular use.

 

[Jtels85]

To be honest, if I could only choose between these ones with the plastic and rubber handles, or the acetate handles, I'd choose the plastic/rubber because you can grip them better and they're more comfortable to turn. So I certainly agree that a comfort grip handle, even if it's got some plastic in it, is superior to a hard handle in most instances.

That being said, these struck me as a gimmicky design. I don't think they did so bad with the ergonomics of the handle shape, it's OK, but the overmolding is very....flashy, with lots of little angular slits and fancy shapes and what not. Something that might appeal to children.

For whatever reason, they looked and felt more like toys than tools to me. Your mileage may vary.

I happened to buy the 8 piece set of those red/black screwdrivers for $25 at Lowe’s. It was an impulse buy simply because I was excited to see new Craftsman products in the store besides tool boxes and mechanic sets.

The black tips appear to just be painted on. I’m guessing after some use, they’ll wear off. It didn’t look like the tips were treated/blasted at all (or whatever process most manufacturers use). The handles felt cheap and the design left a lot to be desired. All in all, I was unimpressed and wound up selling them on eBay to recoup some of my money back.

Being that Stanley owns Craftsman, I would have liked to see screwdrivers that are Proto Duratek/MAC copies or even copies of the newely designed USA made DeWalt’s.

If these tools at Lowe’s are an indication of what Stanley/Craftsman plans to bring to the market, then I don’t have high hopes. So far, I’m disappointed with the rollout.

To me, the acetate handle screwdrivers should have been sourced from Western Forge or Pratt-Read. I’m aware that Sears lost the contract and began sourcing from China. The Stanley/Craftsman versions are Taiwan made. Stanley is sourcing some Craftsman tools from Apex, so why not WF or PR? That would have been consistent with the whole “We’re bringing manufacturing back to the USA”’ b.s. they were touting.

 

[Jtels85]

I know exactly which four screws you are talking about. Geez you must have really bottomed that thing out because I've scraped that panel up a bunch over the last 10 years on mine and haven't messed the screw heads up yet. I just use a nut driver on those. But yeah, skipped sizes drive me nuts, hopefully they make them all when the singles of these roll out, but I have complete sets, so I'm not in the market for them anyway.

Lol, my ******* was trying to beat the light before it turned red and I came barreling down the hill a little too fast. The Challenger sits too low to pull out into that intersection at 40 mph and all I heard was the front end slam the pavement. I had to buy a set of 4 replacement screws in a baggy from chrysler for $20. I won’t be doing that again.

 

[Skeptic68W]

If these tools at Lowe’s are an indication of what Stanley/Craftsman plans to bring to the market, then I don’t have high hopes. So far, I’m disappointed with the rollout.

I'm afraid I am in agreement with your lack of enthusiasm here.

I am still holding out a little bit of hope that they will produce and sell some better stuff, maybe resurrecting the Craftsman Professional name, once Amazon starts distributing the brand.

I could easily see where SBD looked at the Lowes clientele and decided that high end, professional level tools wouldn't sell there, so why bother putting them on the shelf. The average Lowes tool shopper is a half-wit homeowner, and is easily enticed with shiny red tools with LIFETIME WARRANTY stamped on the front in big letters. They don't care about COO, and aren't good judges of quality. They are however...cheap. Very cheap. So these low-rent, offshore Craftsman tools will sell like hotcakes there.

I just hope we are given some better, more expensive options once production capacity ramps up fully. SBD has shown a willingness to offer multiple pricepoints with the Craftsman drills and Impact Drivers, same with the wrenches, so maybe they will do it elsewhere in the lineup.

Honestly, who knows. I'm just glad I have quick access to Carlyle tools since I live in the same city as the headquarters and there's a distribution hub attached to a Napa here.

 

[quadrcr87]

And for that reason, I’m out.

I see what you did there

 

[Andres26tnt]

Being that Stanley owns Craftsman, I would have liked to see screwdrivers that are Proto Duratek/MAC copies or even copies of the newely designed USA made DeWalt’s.

If these tools at Lowe’s are an indication of what Stanley/Craftsman plans to bring to the market, then I don’t have high hopes. So far, I’m disappointed with the rollout.

To me, the acetate handle screwdrivers should have been sourced from Western Forge or Pratt-Read. I’m aware that Sears lost the contract and began sourcing from China. The Stanley/Craftsman versions are Taiwan made. Stanley is sourcing some Craftsman tools from Apex, so why not WF or PR? That would have been consistent with the whole “We’re bringing manufacturing back to the USA”’ b.s. they were touting.

I'm not that disappointed i always felt that Craftsman was put on a pedestal when their USA made tools weren't that great, Don't get me wrong i will always support USA manufacturing. The raised panel ratchets for example are horrible, maybe when they came out they were good, the same goes for the raised panel wrenches.

if i remember correctly sears fucked over WF, so they got sued and tarnished a long relationship. S/BD is not like sears, they manufacture most of their tools or own the companies that do so they can't just start making contracts with competitors.

The new roll out is not that bad, most of the tools are made in Taiwan which is better then china. They have a solid wrench platform, the ratchet they chose isn't that great tho. The Powertool platforms(brushed/blush-less) is solid and a step above of what Sears was offering. i own a porter cable brushed impact driver and was surprised at the decent quality, the power tools are basically dewalt/PC clones.

 

[Skeptic68W]

I'm not that disappointed i always felt that Craftsman was put on a pedestal when their USA made tools weren't that great, Don't get me wrong i will always support USA manufacturing. The raised panel ratchets for example are horrible, maybe when they came out they were good, the same goes for the raised panel wrenches.

You are certainly right about the base model ratchets and wrenches. I'll take Harbor Freight stuff over that garbage. USA or not, they were awful. The RP wrenches in particular are seriously terrible, hand murdering, ****.

I also don't think I've had any Sears ratchets I liked very much. I would take a set of the Craftsman Professional Armstrong ones they made in very limited quantities, but those are insanely expensive. The RP stuff, and even the lower profile ones...I just never liked them. Honestly, the Evolv ones I had were better, and those weren't that good.

I honestly think Craftsman gained the popularity it did because of the easy warranty, back in a time when that wasn't common. Walk in, throw the broken one on the counter, and grab a new one. Nowadays, even HF has lifetime warranties on their junk, and look how popular that store is. It's the new Sears, no doubt about it. The quality is worse in many cases, but that's not what the average joe cares about. I think HF is going to continue growing and growing, not just based on price, but based on availability. People don't like mailing in broken tools and waiting on replacements. HF is the only store that stocks anything. From what I'm seeing at Lowes so far, that's not fixing to change. I just can't imagine every Lowes carrying open stock wrenches, sockets, etc in anything but the most common sizes, but I know every HF has all that stuff on the shelf.

I think most of us that love Craftsman loved it for the gems. The pro stuff that got rebranded at a price point we could afford. I would think that most people who were at all serious about wrenching upgraded their basic hardline tools to something a little better, although that being said, their sockets were fine, and I know plenty of seasoned pros with drawers full of Craftsman sockets.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I feel like they are overpriced.

 

[Wamsutta]

What's the length on the 1/2 inch size? In order for it to be long pattern, it has to be at least 8 inches.

 

[Moparman390]

Lol, my ******* was trying to beat the light before it turned red and I came barreling down the hill a little too fast. The Challenger sits too low to pull out into that intersection at 40 mph and all I heard was the front end slam the pavement. I had to buy a set of 4 replacement screws in a baggy from chrysler for $20. I won’t be doing that again.

I haven't scraped it that far back but they did lower the car like two inches after the first few model years. I use those ratchets too.

 

[The Fall]

Seems like a lackluster relaunch, honestly. I'm glad the boxes are at least assembled in the USA -- I purchased one. But the CMan glory years are long gone. The old Danaher USA-made sockets were a real steal. I've busted one of them due to clear abuse. They were great -- still going strong and asking for more. Some folks on here didn't like them, but I remain a big fan. Those were the days, and they weren't that long ago: you could enter a store and peruse a value-priced, mid-level-grade (and up) American hand tool line.

I've seen those wrenches at Lowe's. They resemble the DeWalts Sears once sold. They look to be good wrenches. The only passable CMan wrenches after offshoring were the Max Axess ones. My wife got them for me at discount at the Sears Outlet and they make the grade for imports.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Seems like a lackluster relaunch, honestly. I'm glad the boxes are at least assembled in the USA -- I purchased one. But the CMan glory years are long gone. The old Danaher USA-made sockets were a real steal. I've busted one of them due to clear abuse. They were great -- still going strong and asking for more. Some folks on here didn't like them, but I remain a big fan. Those were the days, and they weren't that long ago: you could enter a store and peruse a value-priced, mid-level-grade (and up) American hand tool line.

I've seen those wrenches at Lowe's. They resemble the DeWalts Sears once sold. They look to be good wrenches. The only passable CMan wrenches after offshoring were the Max Axess ones. My wife got them for me at discount at the Sears Outlet and they make the grade for imports.

Around Christmas time last year I was able to get a standard and metric set of those max axess ones from the outlet stores as well. Killer wrenches for $10 bucks/set haha.

Yes, as other have clarified, the wrenches I linked are in fact the DeWalt ones Sears sold. A decent wrench from what I understand.

 

[TwoInch]

They really only need too be longer than the standard offering of the same brand...

They are longer.

One thing i don't understand is why "long pattern" is now being called "long panel" by some companies... Confused marketing team??

Sent from my LGLS676 using Tapatalk

 

[Wamsutta]

They really only need too be longer than the standard offering of the same brand...

They need to meet the standard guidelines established by the greatest wrench maker on the earth; need I mention which brand that is?

 

[Negen]

They need to meet the standard guidelines established by the greatest wrench maker on the earth; need I mention which brand that is?

Wright? Or steel Willie?

Sent from my G8141 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Tallpilot]

At least they aren't raised panel. I doubt very many pro wrenches are going to waste their precious weekend going to pick up a set but it's a step up from the more recent offerings at Lowe's. Looking at current Kobalt it is hard to believe that they once partnered with Williams.

 

[Andres26tnt]

At least they aren't raised panel. I doubt very many pro wrenches are going to waste their precious weekend going to pick up a set but it's a step up from the more recent offerings at Lowe's. Looking at current Kobalt it is hard to believe that they once partnered with Williams.

Agreed the Raised panel wrenches sucked USA or China made. This wrenches are actually good, not the best out there of course but a step above what sears was offering. I've tried the Dewalt version and was looking to buy them but i got a really good deal on a Milwaukee's set(bot metric/sae set for half off).

 

[monster1]

I saw those craftsman wrenches on an end cap in lowes the other day. They looked like decent wrenches and lost that hideous crab claw. But they skip sizes and open stock arent available. I'm good.

 

[Fedwrench]

They need to meet the standard guidelines established by the greatest wrench maker on the earth; need I mention which brand that is?

No, I think everyone is familiar with Toptul, Infar, and Kabo.

 

[Boneebone]

If they skip sizes, they're junk.

Might as well go to Harbor Fright and buy a set of skipped sizes.

 

[Jtels85]

I get it, CM raised panel wrenches aren’t the best out there, but they’re certainly not the worst, especially the USA made variants. They were my first wrenches (stamped VA) and are still my go-to’s sometimes. I have USA CM Professional’s, MAC Precision Torque’s and Carlyle long pattern’s. Each of them are fantastic wrenches.

What I will tell you is that I trust my CM raised panels more than I would anything from Husky, Kobalt, Gearwrench, Stanley, etc... They all look cheap, feel cheap and I don’t enjoy busting my knuckles up.

I’ve saved myself many thousands of dollars over the years using basic Craftsman hand tools and there isn’t anything wrong with those wrenches. As a matter of fact, we were using a couple of them last night doing a water pump job on my buddy’s ‘99 Neon race car. I was happy to see them when I opened the drawer.

 

[Andres26tnt]

I get it, CM raised panel wrenches aren’t the best out there, but they’re certainly not the worst, especially the USA made variants. They were my first wrenches (stamped VA) and are still my go-to’s sometimes. I have USA CM Professional’s, MAC Precision Torque’s and Carlyle long pattern’s. Each of them are fantastic wrenches.

What I will tell you is that I trust my CM raised panels more than I would anything from Husky, Kobalt, Gearwrench, Stanley, etc... They all look cheap, feel cheap and I don’t enjoy busting my knuckles up.

I’ve saved myself many thousands of dollars over the years using basic Craftsman hand tools and there isn’t anything wrong with those wrenches. As a matter of fact, we were using a couple of them last night doing a water pump job on my buddy’s ‘99 Neon race car. I was happy to see them when I opened the drawer.

They surely not the worst(the usa made ones) but if their was a wrench that was know for busting knuckles it would be the CM raised panel, specially the Chinese variant and the Rachets.

the best CM wrench ever produced were the SK variants, this dewalt come close except the fit and finish. It deff a bummer they don't offer full sets.

 

[ChrisLS8]

They need to meet the standard guidelines established by the greatest wrench maker on the earth; need I mention which brand that is?

Pittsburgh Pro?

 

[gdudik]

Serious question:
Why is there so much hate for the raised panel wrenches? The raised panel ratchets I was never a fan of, but I used sets of USA RP wrenches for years in a professional environment (towing equipment installation). They were nothing special, but I sure didn’t hate them.

 

[Fedwrench]

Serious question:
Why is there so much hate for the raised panel wrenches?

I don't think there's a lot of hate directed at them. It's just that wrenches have improved so much over the years.
Back in the day if you wanted a combination wrench with off corner engagement or an anti slip open end, you had to visit the snap on truck.
Now days the market is flooded with sets containing those features.
The plain jane craftsman raised panel wrench was used my millions at work and on countless projects. It has a great warranty but, never was that refined. It will get the job done day in and day out but, there's just soo many other options available today.

 

[toolmutt]

[edit]

They do have an 11 piece set online in SAE only right now that spans from 1/4 to 7/8. I expect they will have a metric equivalent at some point soon.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-12-point-Standard-SAE-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000595441

[edit]

If they skip sizes, they're junk.

Might as well go to Harbor Fright and buy a set of skipped sizes.

Very interesting. Yesterday, I clicked on the above link and found the following page in the "Related Items" area of the Lowe's webpage. It offered a full 11 piece metric set with no skips between 10 and 19. It also clearly showed a 6mm in the photo at the bottom of the page leading one to believe that individuals may soon be available. I can no longer find that page on Lowe's site today.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-12-point-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000595453

Edit: Looked closer and the set skips 11mm but does include an 8 and 21.

 

[Tallpilot]

Serious question:
Why is there so much hate for the raised panel wrenches? The raised panel ratchets I was never a fan of, but I used sets of USA RP wrenches for years in a professional environment (towing equipment installation). They were nothing special, but I sure didn’t hate them.

It isn’t hate although I am amused by the nostalgia they generate in so many here. It is just ridiculous that they are still being produced when better options are both ubiquitous and affordable.

 

[Tallpilot]

Very interesting. Yesterday, I clicked on the above link and found the following page in the "Related Items" area of the Lowe's webpage. It offered a full 11 piece metric set with no skips between 10 and 19. It also clearly showed a 6mm in the photo at the bottom of the page leading one to believe that individuals may soon be available. I can no longer find that page on Lowe's site today.

https://www.lowes.com/pd/CRAFTSMAN-11-Piece-12-point-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set/1000595453

Haha. The description says ‘long panel.’ The person who wrote it was so desperate to write raised panel they screwed up long pattern.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Serious question:
Why is there so much hate for the raised panel wrenches? The raised panel ratchets I was never a fan of, but I used sets of USA RP wrenches for years in a professional environment (towing equipment installation). They were nothing special, but I sure didn’t hate them.

like other said its not hate, wrenches and ratchets have improve tremendously in the past 20 years, i'm also amused by the nostalgia people get from Craftsman that prevents them from seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I never expected tool truck quality at cheap prices from Craftsman.