Very dissapointed with Craftsman sockets

[nexum1919]

A picture is worth thousand words, 4 pictures worth 4000 then...

first up, 1/2" drive, 12pt 26mm (G2D) and those infamous bird droppings: (this socket has never been used)


secondly, the infamous 'double detent' plaque. The middle one is the good one. The one on the left has the main groove machined too deep. The one on the right is obvious, it's missing the detent all together. The ratchets and extensions still hold on to the socket, but the retaining ball has no place to sit, so it just slides back and forth. Wobble extensions flat out don't work at all.


another look at the 'good, intended' double detent and the one with missing detent: (These two sockets are from the same set 16mm and 17mm respectively)


and finally, close but no cigar. This double detent looks good to the unsuspecting eye, but closer inspection tells us another story. The groove is too long, again the same symptom: the socket slides back and forth on the extensions, unable to use the wobbles:


I wasn't going to bother taking photos an all, but I went to TWO fairly big Sears stores (one of them is in Woodfield mall in Chicago suburbs, probably the largest indoor mall in midwest?) and ALL OF THE SOCKET DETENTS ON THE OPEN STOCK SHELF WERE INCORRECTLY MACHINED. They were missing that second detent just like the 16mm in the photos.

No wonder most people have bad experiences with the double detent sockets...

And, no I'm not complaining about bird droppings and chipping and fading chrome (some sockets have so thin chrome, it just fades out towards the tip of the socket). I got total of three sets combined 1/2 drive from 9mm to 36mm, less than harborfreight prices. So, it's only fair.

But incorrect machining of the detents are unacceptable. Don't get me wrong I'm not debating whether the double detent was a good idea or bad.... How can you miss such an obvious defect and let these sockets go out the factory door? Not just a batch or two, whole stock in two large Sears stores are like this!

I mean come on. Does it have to be that bad? We sure don't deserve this.

 

[iandh]

I mean come on. Does it have to be that bad? We sure don't deserve this.

Thanks for taking those pictures...

The part that I quoted here is the real question.

The quality here just makes no sense to me. They go almost all of the way to making a good socket, and then just say **** it, let's go get some lunch.

It's like running all the way to the 2 yard line in the superbowl and then stopping to wave at your grandma.

That's why I don't buy the "Well, that's what you get" excuses. The VAST majority of the production cost is in the forging and the factory overhead. That cost is already there. No amount of cost cutting will make it go away. I just can't see any good explanation, business wise or manufacturing wise.

 

[Arne73]

Nexum1919-
Have you contacted Sears with what you've found? Your findings are disappointing for those of us that expect quality tools with the Craftsman name, Sears needs to go back to their supplier and address this quality issue.

 

[lipadj46]

I just can't see any good explanation, business wise or manufacturing wise.

They are trying to make quality affordable tools in the USA that have an unconditional lifetime warranty built into the price. Add to the equation that they are contracting the production out. That cannot be an easy thing to do and still turn a profit that will make shareholders happy, to say they have the deck stacked against them is an understatement. The best thing that could happen for craftsman quality is source all the tools from Danahar's taiwan and chinese makers (ala gearwrench). That would most likely spell the end of the craftsman era though. It's a shame (sort of) though because the consumer would get better tools and Sears would make more money if they went to a complete high quality imported lineup. The downside being America would lose those jobs but that will happen eventually anyways.

 

[J..D]

Those are pretty bad but none of mine have those defects and I ordered my 299 pcs set from that very same woodfield store 2 years ago. In fact my larger sizes use the old single style detent and all of them are the duel marked style. I must have got a good batch?

 

[vette-kid]

nexum, the last batch of cman sockets I got looked pretty bad also. many of the same issues you have, some even had surface rust inside. Thats how bad the plating was. I have since decided Im only buying Toptul in satin finish. Best solution I have found

 

[olds394]

163 posts about bird droppings, then we get something to ***** about.

Danaher pull your head out of your a$$. If you don't want the business then get out of the contract.

To Sears, if the business model cannot sustain itself...shut the brand down.

rant over...

 

[lipadj46]

One thing that I do notice on the inside of some of my sockets is that the very bottom where the square drive is cut out the metal is bulged up like they missed a machining step or were messed up when forged. Kind of ugly but does not affect actual use. I will see if I can get some pics.

 

[MAD]

One thing that I do notice on the inside of some of my sockets is that the very bottom where the square drive is cut out the metal is bulged up like they missed a machining step or were messed up when forged. Kind of ugly but does not affect actual use. I will see if I can get some pics.

......

 

[lipadj46]

Here is a pic of what I am talking about. See the right 2. Left 2 are normal, right 2 have a role of metal around the square drive hole. Does not bother me, it is just weird. I wonder how much Danaher is paying their employees these days?:

 

[JohnFreeman]

Chrome looks beautiful!

 

[lipadj46]

Chrome looks beautiful!

Chrome is great on the outside. About 1/3 of them are blackened on the inside not sure what the deal is with that either.

 

[mikevango]

So these sockets in these photos can't loosen a fastener?

 

[lipadj46]

No I don't use sockets to loosen bolts, I use my bare hands. I just have those sockets to fill my tool box. Like I said in my post above, these things don't bother me but they are just odd that danahar is turning these sloppy things out with all the modern production methods available.

 

[Danglerb]

If Sears doesn't mean Satisfaction, they shouldn't say it. New sockets with bad chrome or specks of rust fail to satisfy me.

 

[Merkava_4]

So these sockets in these photos can't loosen a fastener?

You're exactly the kind of customer Sears wants.

 

[expatriated]

Merk's right. Again. Sears wants more profit and they are seeing just how low they can allow their standards to fall and still get people to pony up their hard-earned money. I imagine even Sears is pleasantly surprised to find out just how low they can place said bar...

 

[iandh]

Merk's right. Again. Sears wants more profit and they are seeing just how low they can allow their standards to fall and still get people to pony up their hard-earned money. I imagine even Sears is pleasantly surprised to find out just how low they can place said bar...

Agree.

I'm sure it's working quite well for them... for now at least.

 

[Rickster]

I go to a lot of estate sales and garage sales and I can tell you from experience that 80% of Craftsman sockets do not get used. I think they're perceived as a quality tool and a source of pride for the average homeowner. This rep was established on the backs of the old school Craftsman sockets. So it looks like Sears may be walking away from the pro and backyard mechanic and running with their homeowner crowd. But I still like their Craftsman Pro wrenches.

 

[alumataz22]

There must be a bunch of craftsman tool fan boys here who can't admit the quality isnt that great anymore. I have used craftsman tools all my life as well but I bought the same 204pc tool set and noticed the bad quality chrome finish with chrome flaking on the sockets. Also two years ago I bought a 11/8" craftsman deep socket that's been kicking around in my plumbing toolbox for securing faucet nuts and the chrome on that thing is peeling so bad it has sliced my finger open. Pretty disappointed with recent craftsman offerings myself.

 

[taylorboi]

man oh man i just bought a craftsman 19mm impact socket and 2days later RUST ive had my checkers "powerbuilt" 19mm impact socket for 2 years no rust so i went out and bought me some snap on impact socket sets both 1/2 deep and 3/8 semi deep i needed some good set of impact sockets now i can throw the trash out

 

[mrholeshot]

I was in Sears the other day and picked up the 204 pc set for 99 dollars. (I have no idea why I bought it) and it actually looked pretty decent. Granted my eyesight isn't what it use to be but I saw no issues as I assembled the product (why does that stuff come in plastic bags? ) My only gripe with Craftsman is they stopped Hard stamping the sizes into the sockets where it makes the easy to read. The stampings are hard to read. I don't like lazer etched sockets. My Snap-Ons and SK's are very easy to read. I need the right light and a mag glass to read the Cman. Still it's a lot of bang for the buck and a socket that flakes a little (no issue with mine) is better than one that snaps off. Plus use it a few times and the roughness will be gone. Cman arnt the best tools but still the best bang for the buck when purchaced in a set.

 

[lipadj46]

I was in Sears the other day and picked up the 204 pc set for 99 dollars. (I have no idea why I bought it) and it actually looked pretty decent. Granted my eyesight isn't what it use to be but I saw no issues as I assembled the product (why does that stuff come in plastic bags? ) My only gripe with Craftsman is they stopped Hard stamping the sizes into the sockets where it makes the easy to read. The stampings are hard to read. I don't like lazer etched sockets. My Snap-Ons and SK's are very easy to read. I need the right light and a mag glass to read the Cman. Still it's a lot of bang for the buck and a socket that flakes a little (no issue with mine) is better than one that snaps off. Plus use it a few times and the roughness will be gone. Cman arnt the best tools but still the best bang for the buck when purchaced in a set.

Give your sockets a closer inspection on the inside and I bet you will see some of the issues described in this thread.

 

[loj]

Have you returned the set of sockets yet?

Danaher's Craftsman/Kobalt quality has been going down, but so have their prices. They're building a product to a lower price point these days.

I bought the Kobalt 40 piece 3/8" ratchet set at Lowe's for $20 last week. The chrome inside the sockets is a little rough and the ratchet's a little funky, but it's a relatively full set of SAE and metric sockets, shallow and deep, with a ratchet and a carrying case for twenty dollars. American made.

I'm not trying to make the case for poor quality - that set of sockets you showed us is terrible - but I can't see how Sears' and Lowe's OEMs can build a really great product for the price they're paid. It's ultimately a marketing decision: Where do you want to position your line of tools?

 

[caseyjw]

iandh

I also work on thin film deposition machines.. what company do you work for? I used to work for Optical Coating Labs and now work for Deposition Sciences

 

[lwram]

I recently purchased a 1/2 drive ratchet and socket set from K-Mart (I know but it is much closer than the closest Sears) and all but one socket was perfect. I took the one that wasn't to sears the next week and exchanged it with one off the wall. The manager told me that anytime I have a problem with hand tools just come in ask for him and he would fix it. Really nice guy

 

[mrholeshot]

Give your sockets a closer inspection on the inside and I bet you will see some of the issues described in this thread.

The Kobalts I bought have some flashing but for what they cost I don't care if all the chrome comes off, lol I just looked in my new craftsman set and while they werent rough the chrome inside the socket wasn't all that great.

 

[Bolster]

"Used in a wide range of industries chrome plating has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Regulations designed to protect against the safety and environmental hazards of hexavalent chrome have increased the cost of chrome plating and burdened facilities performing plating services. While industry downsizing and consolidation has led to the closure or offshore relocation of as many as half of the chrome plating shops in North America due to EPA regulations. Europe is ambivalent and Asia is largely unconcerned with regulating chrome plating pushing much of North America chrome plating over seas."

http://articles.directorym.com/The_...Cucamonga_CA-r979574-Rancho_Cucamonga_CA.html

Your ugly chrome sockets are "environmentally green."

 

[lwram]

Your ugly chrome sockets are "environmentally green."

Damn Hippies, just because they don't take baths doesn't mean everything should look dirty!

 

[Auzivision]

To me socket quality is defined by the ability to get the nut or bolt off or on repetitively… who cares what they look like? Ability to handle torque from breaker or cheater bars might be another good criteria. Now if they could just design one that would find it way back to the proper spot in tool box on its own… I’d be sold.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

I was in Sears the other day and picked up the 204 pc set for 99 dollars. (I have no idea why I bought it) and it actually looked pretty decent. Granted my eyesight isn't what it use to be but I saw no issues as I assembled the product (why does that stuff come in plastic bags? ) My only gripe with Craftsman is they stopped Hard stamping the sizes into the sockets where it makes the easy to read. The stampings are hard to read. I don't like lazer etched sockets. My Snap-Ons and SK's are very easy to read. I need the right light and a mag glass to read the Cman. Still it's a lot of bang for the buck and a socket that flakes a little (no issue with mine) is better than one that snaps off. Plus use it a few times and the roughness will be gone. Cman arnt the best tools but still the best bang for the buck when purchaced in a set.

I have got Craftsman socket that are dual stamped.....(Ie stamped and easy to read....

 

[Monte]

i wonder where people in the US get their chrome plating for cars done (bumpers, engine parts etc.) when the "EPA regulations" are guilty for ugly chrome on tools but not cars ??? Mexico ?

 

[iandh]

iandh

I also work on thin film deposition machines.. what company do you work for? I used to work for Optical Coating Labs and now work for Deposition Sciences

I worked for Eddy Company full time, now I work for them on contract. A lot of our products have been in use in the industry for decades. We make the XYC-10 e-beam control (which was also purchased and resold by Temescal for some time), LM-101 Light monitor, and now we're working on releasing a new curve-fit deposition controller called the Spectra-lock.

Back in the day we also built complete systems, but now we're focusing mainly on electronics.

 

[dede2897234]

I went to Menard's in Massillon, OH yesterday afternoon. I looked at the various Allen brand (U.S.A. made) shallow and deep socket sizes. I noticed that the interior chrome plating quality is generally of higher quality than Craftsman or Kobalt. I found fewer Allen sockets that had lower quality interior plating than Craftsman and Kobalt. It is strange because I am sure that Allen, Craftsman, and Kobalt are manufactured in the same U.S. Apex (Danaher) plant.

As a side note, a big plus shopping at Menard's versus Sears and Lowe's is that the female employees are so much hotter !! I could not believe my eyes and had a great shopping experience!


Dave

 

[Skin]

Sad, even 10 years ago Craftsman sockets were good quality. I'd really like to know what goes on in that Danaher plant that makes the quality swing like it does.

I was going to tempt that 299 pc set next time it goes low enough but this will make me think twice.

Also not a fan of the etching, its easy to read but just seems cheap and will wear off eventually. I'll take a nice large double or triple stamp of the size around the socket base any day over etching.

 

[Tom2]

On all Craftsman sockets I've exchanged for new ones in the last few years - the chrome has peeled terribly. The sockets look awful. I made a thread about it a month or 2 ago. Most people dismissed it as "you must be severely abusing them!".. All my old C-man and other brand sockets look just fine.. Just the new ones I've had to exchange, or bought in the last 3-5 years. The chrome plating is absolute garbage. Maybe the real new ones are better. Haven't tested any new ones very recently. I hope they fix this problem.

Likely the quality will just keep getting worse because no one cares about quality. It's all about price to 90% of the public.

 

[Indy_500]

I went to Menard's in Massillon, OH yesterday afternoon. I looked at the various Allen brand (U.S.A. made) shallow and deep socket sizes. I noticed that the interior chrome plating quality is generally of higher quality than Craftsman or Kobalt. I found fewer Allen sockets that had lower quality interior plating than Craftsman and Kobalt. It is strange because I am sure that Allen, Craftsman, and Kobalt are manufactured in the same U.S. Apex (Danaher) plant.

As a side note, a big plus shopping at Menard's versus Sears and Lowe's is that the female employees are so much hotter !! I could not believe my eyes and had a great shopping experience!


Dave

There's some hotties at my menards too

 

[Scavenger]

So what is the deal with the 'bird poop' coating on the inside?

I have 1/2" drive 12 pt sockets from both craftsman and wright. Both have the same coating on the inside, with some globby stuff. There is chrome underneath, it shows once the coating wears when the socket is used.

I have 3/8 drive 6pt sockets from cman and williams. Niether have the bird poop coating.

Just wondering what this coating is. Craftsman isn't the only one to use it.

 

[padronanniversary]

"Pros buy snap-on because of the truck"

It would be fascinating to see what pros would buy if Craftsman came to shops with a truck full of tools , convenient credit, and the same warranty.

Wal-Mart now delivers ! Anything in the store

 

[m_fumich]

Craftsman is an embarrassment to American manufacturing capability; simple as that.

Manufacturing quality in itself is not the fault of Sears. They are responsible for allowing such poor quality tools make it to the stores but Danaher shares the blame. I don't care for the laser etched socket's and I really don't like the current short lever tear drop ratchet's but as a whole, I think the quality of their American made tools is good. I do not like the direction that quality is heading though.