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How are the Black/Chrome Craftsman Tools?

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DIY_Guy79

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Apr 30, 2019
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Tulsa, Ok
How are the Black/Brushed Craftsman Tools?

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I see these pop up for sale on facebook or craigslist every once in a while. They're always relatively inexpensive. And everytime I think "Man, those are some really nice lookin tools." And I almost want to buy some just because of how nice they look.

Anyone had any experience with them? How are they?

Are they chinese made? Taiwan?

How is that box end spline design? Is it useful or just a gimmick? How does it compare to a 6 point box end in terms of grip? Are they more prone to rounding fasteners off with that design? I notice the Stanley black chrome set has the same kind of design as well.
 
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2ndGearRubber

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Mar 24, 2014
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Pittsburgh
They're usable. A buddy used to keep a well used set in the bed of his pickup, it got rained on and beat to death. Ratchet is meh, no redeeming features. Open ends of the wrenches are a bit wide, but they work. I don't think the 12 point spline is as good on truly rotted stuff as a 6 point. That said I stripped several derby cars with that set and saved some stuff on the side of the road.

They're serviceable tools, and they will generally get the job done.
 
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ChrisLS8

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I think they look cheap. They are usable but won't stand out at all.
 
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jkesselr

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Mar 16, 2016
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They always felt really heavy to me. Like the damn things are made of lead. Maybe it was just my imagination though.
 
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nieuport17

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Jun 20, 2014
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Re: How are the Black/Brushed Craftsman Tools?

I have the Craftsman spline sockets set.
No wrench version.
I bought them when they were on sale, thought they look cool.
They feel solid and heavy.
However, I don’t use them much.
I only use them on odd jobs. Square or star bolts.

At the end of the day, I still prefer 6 points and 12 points.

They are nice to have if the price is low.
 
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retDAC

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Oct 28, 2011
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near Huntsville, Ala.
Sears advertises those sockets and box ends as: "Universal ridge design fits 4-, 6- and 12-point fasteners, as well as Torx, spline and rounded heads, for the perfect grip every time"
I have tried them and they work well for the first five applications, but they don't work on even slightly rounded six point heads. Somewhere on this board years ago, someone asked whether Sears changed a spec as he had used the earliest of these (first run/batch) and they did grip rounded well. Later versions didn't though they looked the same. Nobody seemed to know the answer.

As stated elsewhere, 6pt and 12pt are generally better for 6pt fasteners, but these are good to have for odd stuff.
In contrast, truly good spline tools grip well, but mar stuck fasteners.
 
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Dakkyz

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Mar 28, 2018
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South Yorkshire
I dont have craftsman but I have the equivalent but different brand same as this but with a different name stamped in.. Sealey.

I would just stick to chrome or stain chrome, you loose them in the dark easily if they drop on a dirty floor they're gone the black paint is not durable, once that black finish is gone they start to rust making them useless.

90% sure they are made in china not Taiwan.
 
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