You read right, look. I have a set of Craftsman Industrial Flex Ratcheting clearly marked U.S.A. and a set of 0 offset ratcheting that came with a set that said domestic and foreign parts, no US marking and they are Identical.
Lobster Claws Don't Come From China
- Thread starter nine4gmc
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NC-Fordguy
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The USA cross force wrenches have this as well. The larger the size of the wrench the more it becomes noticeable.
Got some protos similar as well.
Also I noticed some armstrong wrenches that have a shorter opening, not sure if this fits the GJ definition of lobster claw, not that I really care as I haven't experienced issues using any of these types of wrenches to include the crafty universal wrenches. I dismiss most of what gets posted here as hype anyways
purplezr2
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More then likely the tooling to make the wrenches is made in China though.
Very common to make tooling in China to save cost on upfront tooling costs.
Very common to make tooling in China to save cost on upfront tooling costs.
TwoInch
Well-known member
that usa flex does not look like a lobster claw wrench to me. the china wrench right below it does. considerable difference. id say that the USA flex is borderline, but not overly out of proportion.
the polish wrench definitely has a different profile than the USA RP, or professional though.
the polish wrench definitely has a different profile than the USA RP, or professional though.
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Photographic illusion TwoInch, the two polished wrenches are IDENTICAL on the open end, there is no difference at all. The only difference in the two is the flex swell on the flex wrench on the box end. both wrenches are same width, length, thickness and overall finish polish same.
TwoInch
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thats strange. the broach of the open end seems different. if you measure the back side of the broach to the back of the "head" where the handle and head meet, you get the same measurement? the USA definitely looks to be different, although i do believe you in that it could be an illusion. although i noticed the difference before i looked for which wrench was USA.
TwoInch
Well-known member
that KAA code is not a regular wrench code for Cman. i have seen it on ratchets though. definitely not an armstrong division code.
wouldn't be the first Craftsman stamped USA that really wasn't. But I would agree that the tooling was made in china for the newer line, never saw the big open ends until the china coo stock started showing up.... what do the long pattern sets look like in the industrial line layed over top I wonder.
TwoInch
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after further review and a second opinion, im unconvinced they are identical. the third pic down where they are stacked seems to agree that the rear shoulders of the open end are different. but i would like to see a pic from directly above, instead of angled, and little closer.
if you still have them near ya that is.
if you still have them near ya that is.
TwoInch
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the industrial long patterns are USA and match the USA professionals. they do not have lobster claws, not even close. they are armstrong made
edit - i just checked my professionals, and they have NO maker/date code whatsoever... which is odd. i thought they had the -v^- code. they do not. but they do not have any sort of claw head. my 8mm is SK made.
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TwoInch
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simply out of curiosity nine, not callin ya a liar. the optical illusion had me curious is all. you gotta admit they look very different in those first couple pictures.
TwoInch
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is the chrome the same color between the two?
TwoInch
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my local sears(most i feel) are loaded with USA open stock, including USA ratcheting wrenches. ill have to compare a couple and see what they look like. i know they are from a number of years ago though. i do remember that they didnt seem to have the claw end. i notice them things straight off generally.
mmack66
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I don't see "lobster claw" in any of the wrenches pictured in this thread.
The "lobster claw" wrenches are obvious in their ridiculousness.
The "lobster claw" wrenches are obvious in their ridiculousness.
Brownsfan
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The china ratcheting wrenches at sears for some reason do not look as bad as the non. The full polish stubbies look just plain silly.
Loscaldazar
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Wait!?
Are you saying that the mighty US tool industry can make junk too?!?
Armstrong stubby wrenches are the same way IIRC
Are you saying that the mighty US tool industry can make junk too?!?
Armstrong stubby wrenches are the same way IIRC
TwoInch
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Wait!?
Are you saying that the mighty US tool industry can make junk too?!?
Armstrong stubby wrenches are the same way IIRC
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/...x7QCuZ-8xeyh-0cH4MaaY3mstZONGrSw5sSwt8hcKsUJC
I think the both of them look like the smallest lobster claw open end I've seen, but I'd still call 'em claws. It's much less pronounced than I've seen in the RP wrenches and the full-polished ones, but I think it still looks like a fat open end.
I will acknowledge your point that the two look the same.
I will acknowledge your point that the two look the same.
TwoInch
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i think youa re correct. come to think of it, i never thought the gearwrench, or craftsman ratcheting wrenches(china) were true lobsters. not like the regular china wrenches.
here is the cman stubbies and long patterns lobsters.
TwoInch
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here are the Cman industrial ratcheting wrenches with the armstrong style open end. not at all over sized.
TwoInch
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i have no idea.
all im saying is that they obviously have a different profile, but they are middle of the road id say, not full lobster claw, but not the armstrong style either. the non ratcheting Cman lobster claws are so ridiculously out of proportion it is unreal. those two ratcheting wrenches are bigger, bot not so outrageously out of proportion IMO
edit- by the way, the pics i posted were snagged from other past threads. not my wrenches, so i cant saw when they were purchased.
all im saying is that they obviously have a different profile, but they are middle of the road id say, not full lobster claw, but not the armstrong style either. the non ratcheting Cman lobster claws are so ridiculously out of proportion it is unreal. those two ratcheting wrenches are bigger, bot not so outrageously out of proportion IMO
edit- by the way, the pics i posted were snagged from other past threads. not my wrenches, so i cant saw when they were purchased.
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TwoInch
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i have no idea. i bought the 14pc set back when they were at the outlets, ended up selling them off, and just recently got the old professionals to replace them. i wish i had not sold the industrials, as it was a much more complete set.
Man that's a shame. You basically sold off wrenches that were manufactured to Armstrong specs...
Thank you sir.
http://www.globalindustrial.com/
this place is much cheaper but only found it threw google so no clue if anyone has an account with them
NC-Fordguy
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Are you blind in one eye and can't see out the other?
Go to Sears and compare them if there is some loose stock made in USA stuff. It will become obvious unless you have a vision impairment or have some sort of GJ denial affliction.
Just a FYI denial isn't that river in Egypt.
I'm almost tempted to find my camera and take some pics of the larger crossforce wrenches I have (1 1/8 inch). It becomes very obvious as to what the original poster is trying to convey.
jakemac
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Crayfish !
Crawfish
Crawdads
Crawfish
Crawdads
NC-Fordguy
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foreverfalcon40
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Interesting, I use my Cman Flex Head everyday especially the 3/4 and 5/16. I have put it through its paces when I originally bought them for $60 on clearance. I also picked up another set for $30 again. I choose the Cman Industrials over my Gearwrenches when the situation arises. I just got in the mail 20Pc. Cman Professional Stubby Set COO is USA 