Who made Craftsman Pro Wrenches - USA

Pontiac787 · Dec 4, 2017

Hi all,

Can someone tell me who made the Craftsman Professional long pattern wrenches in the late 90’s early 2000’s? I don’t see any makers marks to distinguish who actually manufactured them. I recently bought an SK metric set as a companion to the Craftsman pro thinking they would be the same but there are some differences between the two sets. The lengths vary slightly, 1/8” one way or the other, the SKs are thicker and their box ends are beefier. They may both be made by SK and what I am seeing are just design changes over 20 years.

Thanks

kythri · Dec 4, 2017

SK or Armstrong.

HanShotFirst · Dec 4, 2017

SK made them in the late '80's to early 90's, then Armstrong. I have a set of the SK/Craftsman in SAE and I love them...wish I had a metric set, but they're un-Godly expensive when you find them.

uncwstudent · Dec 4, 2017

I have both the more modern SK set and the Craftsman Pro metric set and they definitely do look very similar but as the OP said, there are some minor differences. I think that the Craftsman were probably Armstrong made, or at least that is what I have heard. Both are definitely of very high quality and are my go-to wrenches for everything.

EOC_Jason · Dec 4, 2017

kythri said:
SK or Armstrong.

^^^ That...

CMan Armstrong's look like the modern flat full-polish models... The SK models had a "K" stamped in them and were like a raised-panel style but full polished...

HanShotFirst · Dec 4, 2017

EOC_Jason said:
^^^ That...

CMan Armstrong's look like the modern flat full-polish models... The SK models had a "K" stamped in them and were like a raised-panel style but full polished...

They don't have a raised panel, but they are full polish. They are identical to the SK Long Pattern wrenches, just with Craftsman stamped on them instead of SK.

drtyler · Dec 4, 2017

The SK produced Craftsman Professional wrenches were identical to the long SK combo wrench. After the SK clones came the full polish version of the raised panel, also called Craftsman Professional. Those were only sold for a year or maybe two. I'm unsure if SK or Danaher/Armstrong produced those. This was in the late 90's.

After these two came the Armstrong produced full polish wrenches which were sold up until a few years ago.

HanShotFirst said:
They don't have a raised panel, but they are full polish. They are identical to the SK Long Pattern wrenches, just with Craftsman stamped on them instead of SK.

M6erfan · Dec 4, 2017

Yup, SK/Armstrong. I have full sets of the SK made 'K' code Craftsman Professional combos in both metric and SAE. Nice wrenches.

Farmall450 · Dec 4, 2017

drtyler said:
The SK produced Craftsman Professional wrenches were identical to the long SK combo wrench. After the SK clones came the full polish version of the raised panel, also called Craftsman Professional. Those were only sold for a year or maybe two. I'm unsure if SK or Danaher/Armstrong produced those. This was in the late 90's.

After these two came the Armstrong produced full polish wrenches which were sold up until a few years ago.

Don't forget the lovely full polish Industrial labelled ones in this same time (identical minus the stamping it would seem)

I was lucky enough to snag both SAE and metric (big sets, 14 piece?) as well as a spare roll of SAE. How I miss Sears outlet

71goldss · Dec 4, 2017

Farmall450 said:
Don't forget the lovely full polish Industrial labelled ones in this same time (identical minus the stamping it would seem)

I was lucky enough to snag both SAE and metric (big sets, 14 piece?) as well as a spare roll of SAE. How I miss Sears outlet

I don't know if you can use the extra large sizes, but if you are like me and want to expand on your 14pc Craftsman Industrial full polished sets, here's a killer deal on what appears to be the last of CI stock. This was originally posted by member asm154 last week in the Sears.com thread in the Hot Deals section. The large wrench set was originally priced on Sears' website for $379.99 a few years ago.

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/clearance/132000/parts/1.html?sid=aff:shareasale&ref=sas

And here's an old page from Sears' site a few years ago showing original pricing. CRAZY!
http://www.sears.com/deals/GDOs.html

.

aspireguy95 · Dec 4, 2017

Thanks ordered a set of the large wrenches

royesses · Dec 4, 2017

All of my Craftsman pro long handles are made by Armstrong. Purchased since 2004. I have Armstrong long handle combo wrenches also and they are identical.

earlthegoat2 · Dec 4, 2017

71goldss said:
I don't know if you can use the extra large sizes, but if you are like me and want to expand on your 14pc Craftsman Industrial full polished sets, here's a killer deal on what appears to be the last of CI stock. This was originally posted by member asm154 last week in the Sears.com thread in the Hot Deals section. The large wrench set was originally priced on Sears' website for $379.99 a few years ago.

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/clearance/132000/parts/1.html?sid=aff:shareasale&ref=sas

And here's an old page from Sears' site a few years ago showing original pricing. CRAZY!
http://www.sears.com/deals/GDOs.html

.

OFFER10 coupon code for 10% off until 12/31/17

Give you $7.20 off for a $80.01 shipped price.

Smoking deal right there. The Gearwrench large combo add on is $70 for the SAE and $85 for the metric just for comparison. BIG THANKS for the tip. These will compliment my similar era Armstrongs nicely.

aspireguy95 · Dec 4, 2017

Parts17 will get you 15% off making them a little less than 75 shipped

earlthegoat2 · Dec 4, 2017

Shoot.

I thought I was so clever. Bought them already.

71goldss · Dec 4, 2017

earlthegoat2 said:
Shoot.

I thought I was so clever. Bought them already.

Sorry, I should have mentioned the PARTS17. Was thinking it stated it on the Sears page already.

earlthegoat2 · Dec 4, 2017

Yeah, I guess I should have looked around more diligently. When I found 10% off that worked so quickly I just jumped feet first. 10% is still sumthin.

71goldss · Dec 4, 2017

Sorry to the OP also. Didn’t mean to hyjack this thread by pointing out great deal while on the subject.

EOC_Jason · Dec 4, 2017

Just cancel your order and re-order...

earlthegoat2 · Dec 4, 2017

Not for 5 bucks.....

Scout3918 · Dec 4, 2017

earlthegoat2 said:
OFFER10 coupon code for 10% off until 12/31/17

Give you $7.20 off for a $80.01 shipped price.

Smoking deal right there. The Gearwrench large combo add on is $70 for the SAE and $85 for the metric just for comparison. BIG THANKS for the tip. These will compliment my similar era Armstrongs nicely.

I hope i not showing my ignorance but it says "large" metric and SAE.but the link says SAE sizes are 1/8,1/4,5/16,1/2 in. That not large, what am i missing?

Thanks

Jeff590 · Dec 4, 2017

Scout3918 said:
I hope i not showing my ignorance but it says "large" metric and SAE.but the link says SAE sizes are 1/8,1/4,5/16,1/2 in. That not large, what am i missing?

Thanks

I had that same thought initially - if you zoom in on the picture, you can see it is 1-1/8, 1-1/4, etc.

Scout3918 · Dec 4, 2017

What am I missing on the SAE sizes... When i clicked on link it had the large SAE sizes listed as 1/8,1/4,5/16,1/2 in. That not large. Surely I'm misreading it.

71goldss · Dec 4, 2017

Click on the words "full size" below the picture. It will blow up the photo and show the sizes on the wrenches themselves.

65k10 · Dec 4, 2017

Scout3918 said:
What am I missing on the SAE sizes... When i clicked on link it had the large SAE sizes listed as 1/8,1/4,5/16,1/2 in. That not large. Surely I'm misreading it.

I got my set today. They are 1-1/8, 1-1/4, 1-5/16, and 1-1/2.

ptgarcia · Dec 4, 2017

Scout3918 said:
What am I missing on the SAE sizes... When i clicked on link it had the large SAE sizes listed as 1/8,1/4,5/16,1/2 in. That not large. Surely I'm misreading it.

Its a typo. Look at the picture and you'll see they dropped the "1-" from the description (should say 1-1/8, 1-1/4, etc.).

Goldhawg · Dec 4, 2017

Are these made in USA? Picture doesn't show it but could be on reverse.

Farmall450 · Dec 4, 2017

71goldss said:
I don't know if you can use the extra large sizes, but if you are like me and want to expand on your 14pc Craftsman Industrial full polished sets, here's a killer deal on what appears to be the last of CI stock. This was originally posted by member asm154 last week in the Sears.com thread in the Hot Deals section. The large wrench set was originally priced on Sears' website for $379.99 a few years ago.

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/clearance/132000/parts/1.html?sid=aff:shareasale&ref=sas

And here's an old page from Sears' site a few years ago showing original pricing. CRAZY!
http://www.sears.com/deals/GDOs.html

.

Wow! Thank you for posting this!

StillTooManyHobbies · Dec 4, 2017

I have a set of the C-Pro SAE short combos that are marked with a K that is pointing down, not to the right. It almost looks like an X, but it isn't. Are these the SK made wrenches?

pdxgearhead · Dec 4, 2017

HanShotFirst said:
SK made them in the late '80's to early 90's, then Armstrong. I have a set of the SK/Craftsman in SAE and I love them...wish I had a metric set, but they're un-Godly expensive when you find them.

Shameless plug...I have the long pattern CPro 10-19mm set made by SK, circa 1995. I'd consider selling them

71goldss · Dec 4, 2017

StillTooManyHobbies said:
I have a set of the C-Pro SAE short combos that are marked with a K that is pointing down, not to the right. It almost looks like an X, but it isn't. Are these the SK made wrenches?

General concensus has always been that these are made by Armstrong. They have a v^ on the back. Also have a huge USA on the back. Do a google search of "Craftsman Industrial wrenches Garage Journal" and you will see many threads with photos and much praise for these wrenches. Many of the threads are from the 2012-13 Sears Outlet clearance.

Again, I wasn't trying to hyjack this thread, but just pointing out a fantastic deal for those interested enough in Craftsman wrenches to read this thread. Again, my apologies to the OP.

Farmall450 · Dec 4, 2017

Goldhawg said:
Are these made in USA? Picture doesn't show it but could be on reverse.

Yes! By Armstrong. :thumbup:

L.Cheapo · Dec 4, 2017

71goldss said:
General concensus has always been that these are made by Armstrong. They have a v^ on the back. Also have a huge USA on the back. Do a google search of "Craftsman Industrial wrenches Garage Journal" and you will see many threads with photos and much praise for these wrenches. Many of the threads are from the 2012-13 Sears Outlet clearance.

Again, I wasn't trying to hyjack this thread, but just pointing out a fantastic deal for those interested enough in Craftsman wrenches to read this thread. Again, my apologies to the OP.

Thank you for your posts. Purchased!

Meanwhile, someone at Sears is probably wondering why there's such a huge run on these things in the matter of an hour when they've been sitting around for years. :lol:

victor252 · Dec 4, 2017

65k10 said:
I got my set today. They are 1-1/8, 1-1/4, 1-5/16, and 1-1/2.

How's the finish on those? I have some Armstrong wrenches hanging around somewhere with a dull, almost nickel plated finish with a bit of rust. Doesn't look as nice as my KD or SK tools.

metaldad · Dec 4, 2017

Almost bought them, another impulse garage journal 'add to cart', but caught myself.
i don't need more large combos

gsmith22 · Dec 4, 2017

I'm pretty sure there were three versions of the CM Pro - all full polish with two versions made by SK and the most recent version made by Armstrong. One of the SK versions has the raised center panel similar to the standard craftsman wrenches and was only available for a year or two. They got replaced by the SK version that most people know that look identical to SK's own wrenches. SKs can be identified by the "K" that tends to look like an "X". Armstrong versions came most recently and have the "V^" that others have noted. Occassionally I see the raised panel SK versions on ebay but they tend to be rare due to the limited production years. Not sure any style has any advantage over the others.

bluebolt · Dec 4, 2017

Sigh. This place makes me spend money. I just ordered the 22 piece set and the large size 10 piece set. And used the 15 percent coupon at least.

Screw it, it's my Christmas present to myself!

65k10 · Dec 4, 2017

victor252 said:
How's the finish on those? I have some Armstrong wrenches hanging around somewhere with a dull, almost nickel plated finish with a bit of rust. Doesn't look as nice as my KD or SK tools.

They are a full polish finish that is pretty similar to the full polish KD/Allen/Napa wrenches I have. These are a slightly different pattern from those (closer to armstrong?) and maybe a little nicer made. If you have some full polish KD wrenches and are happy with those, you should like these. I'm happy with them for the price.

victor252 · Dec 4, 2017

65k10 said:
They are a full polish finish that is pretty similar to the full polish KD/Allen/Napa wrenches I have. These are a slightly different pattern from those (closer to armstrong?) and maybe a little nicer made. If you have some full polish KD wrenches and are happy with those, you should like these. I'm happy with them for the price.

Thanks for info. It's hard to tell how nice something is just from the stock photos.

tool_scrounge · Dec 5, 2017

71goldss said:
I don't know if you can use the extra large sizes, but if you are like me and want to expand on your 14pc Craftsman Industrial full polished sets, here's a killer deal on what appears to be the last of CI stock. This was originally posted by member asm154 last week in the Sears.com thread in the Hot Deals section. The large wrench set was originally priced on Sears' website for $379.99 a few years ago.

https://www.searspartsdirect.com/clearance/132000/parts/1.html?sid=aff:shareasale&ref=sas

And here's an old page from Sears' site a few years ago showing original pricing. CRAZY!
http://www.sears.com/deals/GDOs.html

.

That is a great deal. I ordered a set on 11/30 but have yet to get them. I checked the order status and they generated a tracking number but actually shipped them per the UPS website. Does anyone have any advise on what to do? Cancel and reorder, call and maybe talk to a human or ?

Who made Craftsman Pro Wrenches - USA

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