biscuit141
Well-known member
It came with the 60 tooth flat panel ratchet, it's not bad.
1/4 Drive Socket Set
- Thread starter cmorr
- Start date
It came with the 60 tooth flat panel ratchet, it's not bad.
shoturtle
Well-known member
It is a nice ratchet, but the primium ratchet is very nice. I would put the savings toward that or a matco or Armstrong 88
The 3/16" and 5/32" on ALL of my Craftsman 1/4" sockets looks like that unfortunately. It's the only two that aren't nice. As far as chroming inside - that really isn't needed and I could care less about that I mean let's be honest like the guy above said in 2 weeks if you use them they will look beat up anyway. I just spent the last couple days using the 1/4" drive 1/2" socket on my Ridgid 1/2" VSR drill putting lag bolts into the ceiling and shelving. No issues what so ever. Like I said I use them on my air ratchet and they take it fine.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
Reading to much is causing you to have buyers remorse. You got a very good set of tools at a great price. Used the savings toward other tools or something for you companion. At the end of the day the cmans work and they work well. And it is only a tool.
Sorry but this statement and then going out and staring into your sockets do not work together; complete contradiction. Either use your sockets, because they will work 100% fine, or polish them with Q-Tips and complain about the cosmetic imperfections you found in the interiors.
I'll concede that there is certainly something amiss with the broaching of the shallow (note that the deeps are fine) 3/16" but...its 3/16, when was the last time you needed that size?
I've got Craftsman, Snap-On, MAC, and should be picking up some new production Matco at some point to play around with. I've yet to meet a bolt or nut they knew a single difference between any of the brands.
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biscuit141
Well-known member
Here's are some pics I just found:
WOW! All Craftsman? Did you pick up a 299 piece set?
biscuit141
Well-known member
Thats what this place does to me man! Plus I am notorious for buyers remorse regardless of what I am buying. I did get a great deal, these sets didn't cost me a penny out of pocket. I do have a Sears near by, so that is a strong selling point, if I ever have an issue I can get it swapped out easily.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Enjoy what you have it is a good set tools.
No, they're not.
Seriously, did you even follow the link and read about the issues with Craftsman sockets?...
Do you think the issues many people have with Craftsman sockets are features of "good quality tools"?
-Bp
wreckerman5357
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No, they're not.
Seriously, did you even follow the link and read about the issues with Craftsman sockets?...
Do you think the issues many people have with Craftsman sockets are features of "good quality tools"?
-Bp
My Craftsman sockets work well. I have broken a few over the years, but they work great. I have wanted to upgrade to Snap-On for the last couple years but cannot justify the expense because the Craftsman's work fine.
Thanks for the link Op. I have been using alot more 1/4 stuff as of late. Like I posted before, I replaced my cMAN 1/4 with another cman. Yet I shopped around before. I picked up a kit from Sears with the u-joint and extentions i 1/4 inch. U.S.A. made. Needless to say I have a hardtime getting the extentions on the sockets. I'll keep reading this thread as I keep using the little tools more and more.
therealwormey
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ditto
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
So many divisions over a simple 1/4 drive set. :WTF:
I have to say after reading everyone's posts and laughing at some that, if I needed another 1/4 drive set, I'd get this one even though it's imported.
http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-56-pc-1-4-socket-set-deep-shallow-90927-ro.html
I have to say after reading everyone's posts and laughing at some that, if I needed another 1/4 drive set, I'd get this one even though it's imported.
http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-56-pc-1-4-socket-set-deep-shallow-90927-ro.html
concealer404
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I knew that's what you were posting before i even clicked the link.
I have this set, and it's pretty great.
And for the price, i could buy... 10 of them for the price OP paid for his SO.Would i rather have 10 of these sets or one SO set? Probably not, but i can't afford SO, so here i am.
shoturtle
Well-known member
No, they're not.
Seriously, did you even follow the link and read about the issues with Craftsman sockets?...
Do you think the issues many people have with Craftsman sockets are features of "good quality tools"?
-Bp
I have a set an do not have a single issue it any one of them. If I did I would simply exchange the bad socket.
But let's put things into context, craftsman over the last 30 years has out sold in every other brand pretty much. And the normal rate of defect is still with in the norm. Yes there will be more defect as they sold 10 times more.
If we go with you insertion, there have been threads lately that SK socket are crappy quality. Cranking and ****. There are just time there are flukes things happen. If SK sold as many sockets as cmans has you would read allot more of their failure.
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You say you would exchange the bad socket as if the new socket you got would be any better when that isn't the case. (Unless you have a magical Sears you go to where all the sockets are actually inspected for defects before they reach the shelves and the very knowledgeable employees poop flowers.)
Good for you and your "acceptable defect rate" craftsman sockets. Put them on your bed and roll around naked with them. I don't care. They're still not "good quality tools".
-Bp
biscuit141
Well-known member
Hey, come on now, we can all be nice about this. Everyone has personal preferences and different levels of what quality can mean to them. Anyway...
I looked over my socket set this morning, trying to decide what I was going to do. In the 3/8 set, I found 4 sockets that would want to exchange, 2 for detent issues and 2 for physical appearance issues. I didn't find any issues with the 1/4 sockets aside from the 5/32 socket I posted about yesterday. However, I was able to pull the extensions off the ratchet without having to press the release button. I'm not sure if it's related to the ratchet or the detents in the sockets. Hy big issue is that I like these sets, I just don't LOVE these sets. Granted they are just tools, but I want to be happy with my purchase at the end of the day.
I looked over my socket set this morning, trying to decide what I was going to do. In the 3/8 set, I found 4 sockets that would want to exchange, 2 for detent issues and 2 for physical appearance issues. I didn't find any issues with the 1/4 sockets aside from the 5/32 socket I posted about yesterday. However, I was able to pull the extensions off the ratchet without having to press the release button. I'm not sure if it's related to the ratchet or the detents in the sockets. Hy big issue is that I like these sets, I just don't LOVE these sets. Granted they are just tools, but I want to be happy with my purchase at the end of the day.
shoturtle
Well-known member
all things made by man has a rate of defect. That is fact. SO, Proto, Matco, SK all have defects. If you think that they don't good for you.
Also if you have sk defect and need to exchange. Have fun paying for the shipping back to sk. Because there are some detents issues with some sk sockets.
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shoturtle
Well-known member
If you want the closes to prefect set of sockets out there made in the USA. Look at the SO, Proto, Cornwall, and Wright and other truck brands. They are the best you can get.
Or you can look at some of the German stuff from stahlwalle, gedore, hazet or matador. Very nice finishes. But like the top US brands, very pricey.
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concealer404
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mgeoffriau
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For anyone interested in that KD set the OP was considering, Sears is blowing out some Gearwrench stuff right now:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992165000P?sid=IAx20050830x000545&aff=Y
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992165000P?sid=IAx20050830x000545&aff=Y
No way - give me a second to grasp this heretofore unbeknownst to me concept you have laid before my little brain... so you're saying that all things made by man have a rate of defect?!....
What about things made by woman? Do they have a high defect rate also? Just wonderin'...
I'm not talking about ANY OTHER brand besides Craftsman. CRAFTSMAN'S rate of defect and the fact that they knowingly allow so many of their defects to be sold makes them NOT a "good quality tool".
-Bp
biscuit141
Well-known member
Hey concealer here is a 1/2" set for you.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992633000P?mv=rr
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992633000P?mv=rr
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bcradio
Well-known member
No, they're not.
Seriously, did you even follow the link and read about the issues with Craftsman sockets?...
Do you think the issues many people have with Craftsman sockets are features of "good quality tools"?
-Bp
Yes they are good quality.
Why do you think so many professionals use them day in day out. Maybe you got a bad batch (happens with every brand including Snappy).
They are certainly not the best sockets out there, but for the price they are superb. Where else can you get 300 sockets for $240 that will handle professional use?
shoturtle
Well-known member
don't go there it he might get heated with you too
I have just learned that it's related to Craftsman's accepatble defect rate. Don't worry about it. (Unless you think it's not acceptable, but apparently many people are fine with it.)
-Bp
I'm going to have to agree with shoturtle. Overall, cman sockets are good quality. I've never had an issue with them. They are also made in the USA and DIRT CHEAP. If you want to pay $400 instead of $40 for the same socket set then go get SO or MAC and quality will be even better.
biscuit141
Well-known member
OK, getting back on topic, mgeoffriau just posted above that Sears is clearancing out their Gearwrench sets, exactly the same as the KD Tools set the OP posted about. They also have the 3/8 set on clearance. Is there any reason to believe that these sets will be better quality than the Craftsman sets I have currently? I am assuming since it's Gearwrench, these sets are either made in Taiwan or China versus the Cman's made in USA, so even if they are all made by Danaher, they are made in a different factory and as such quality will vary, hopefully better than the Cmans. This would allow me to return the Cmans for store credit and use that credit to order through the website, still costing me nothing out of pocket. I currently have them in my cart to price everything out and with a $10 off coupon In at about $100 after tax and I can get free shipping if I sign up for the 30 day trial of "ShipVantage". Anyone used that before? I can sign up for the trial and then cancel the membership before the 30 days expires and not get charged.
shoturtle
Well-known member
nope I would just have them process the order at the store to get free shipping, as you will need to go to the short to return anyways.
But the ratchets are about the same from what you have and the GW stuff. Sears does warranty gw stuff. But they do not stock the GW sockets and ratchets. So you will have to wait for them to ship to you.
The GW is a prettier looking socket set. But performance wise they are about the same. So you are getting good quality, and you get the shinier chrome, and prettier inside. But you are not getting a better socket. But I do not think there is any issues with the GW sockets. Some will said it is not as good because it is not made in the USA. But I really doubt that.
But the ratchets are about the same from what you have and the GW stuff. Sears does warranty gw stuff. But they do not stock the GW sockets and ratchets. So you will have to wait for them to ship to you.
The GW is a prettier looking socket set. But performance wise they are about the same. So you are getting good quality, and you get the shinier chrome, and prettier inside. But you are not getting a better socket. But I do not think there is any issues with the GW sockets. Some will said it is not as good because it is not made in the USA. But I really doubt that.
bcradio
Well-known member
Pretty much agree here 100%. I would go with whichever set has the most sockets for the money. If you care about being USA made (I don't), go with Craftsman. If prettier shinier chrome is your thing, get GW. Usually sockets (if used correctly) almost never need to be warrantied, but warranty is something that might be important to you.
Truth is that you need to think of this as a LONG TERM purchase (unless you plan on upgrading). If you will be using/abusing these, you will want a good warranty as being one of your main purchasing reasons.
biscuit141
Well-known member
So it seems I have 3 options:
1) Keep what I have:
3/8 set http://www.sears.com/craftsman-49-pc-3-8-in-drive-socket-module/p-00934271000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
1/4 set http://www.sears.com/craftsman-48-p...p-00934270000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
2) Return the sets to Sears and use the store credit to purchase the GearWrench sets:
3/8 set http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992452000P
1/4 set http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00992165000P
3) Return my sets to Sears and use the store credit to buy other tools, and instead order these sets from Cripe Distributing:
3/8 set http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-62-pc-3-8-socket-set-deep-shallow-nht90928-ro.html
1/4 set http://cripedistributingstore.com/napa-56-pc-1-4-socket-set-deep-shallow-90927-ro.html
Ugh I **** at making these kind of decisions!
biscuit141
Well-known member
I am thinking long term, thats why I want to make the right decision. I don't abuse my tools and I always use the right tool for the job. Sears does have the convenient warranty but that is not reason enough, since they all have a lifetime warranty. I have yet to have to warranty a socket, but I am only 28 so I have a lot of time ahead of me (I hope). I just have the Craftsman sets in my possession right now, and my gut is telling me I don't LOVE them. The GearWrench case is nice and it looks like I can store them in there nicely rather than having to purchase rails. Are these the 60 tooth GW ratchets that will accept the 88t Matco kits? That could be fun some day.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Personally I think you need to stop reading all these online threads, you have good tools, and they work just fine. Even on a pro level. You are just going to make yourself nuts. If you want not to second guess yourself. SO, Cornwall, Proto, pretty much the big price brands.
The napa is danaher as well. I've seen some with not as pretty insides as well.
shoturtle
Well-known member
Here is the thing, if you are not happy with the cman. Then return it and get the gearwrench set. But I really think you need to see the set before buying it, as it seems you get a really bad case of buyers remorse.
The bad thing is not to many places carry a full line of gw stuff, not even sears. So it will be hard for you to try out and hold.
The bad thing is not to many places carry a full line of gw stuff, not even sears. So it will be hard for you to try out and hold.
biscuit141
Well-known member
True. Which is why I am looking for anyone with experience with the GW sets and ratchets to chime in. I know concealer speaks highly of the Napa set. I just a matter of do I spend the $85 out of pocket for it vs using store credit on the Gearwrench.
shoturtle
Well-known member
It is a tough spot you are in. But I will say the gw stuff is prettier. The napa will have the same issues as cmans. As it is made by danaher/apex in the USA. The Armstrong sockets are the same way.
GW tools are good quality. The 60 tooth ratchets are very nice. I have some of their tools that I bought cheap on clearance just to satisfy my curious nature. I will not be buying much if not anything else GW but that is strictly for COO reasons, not quality reasons.
biscuit141
Well-known member
The Napa set in question has a COO of China.
biscuit141
Well-known member
Have you used the Cman 60 tooth thin profile ratchets? That is what came in the Cman set I have and while they are nice, they seem a bit heavy in the handle and the drive gear seams to have a lot of play/wobble. if you have a socket on the end t can wobble around quite a bit. Not sure if that is normal, but the HF ratchet I have is much tighter.