Anybody use Craftsman raised panel wrenches?

[Kirbot]

I have a number of older raised panel wrenches and I really like them.
But what about the new ones?

There relatively cheap, and made in the USA, but I rarely see any discussion about them on here.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947046000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[NinetyTwoFifty]

I have some, I tend to avoid using them. The steel seems to be a little soft, I spread the jaws of a 1/4 on something. Could have been a defect, though.

 

[toolmaker1]

Use mine all the time. They aren't man jewelry status symbols like the snap on's but they get the job done for me. Some people don't like the feel of them but with my big a$$ gorilla mits they feel better than the few SO's that I have. The SO's are too thin for me and dig in to my hands. YMMV

 

[trainwreck]

There relatively cheap, and made in the USA, but I rarely see any discussion about them on here.

I really don't mean to sound like an ***, but we don't talk about spoons or door handles either. I think most of us take Craftsman raised panel as a granted in much the same way. Like you said, they're relatively inexpensive (though I would offer not cheap.) And they're probably what 99% of us started out with. I like to think of them like comfortable jeans. They may not be my favorite, they may not be the absolute best (however you define it), but they're still darn fine and comfortable. Maybe not in the hand, but in the heart. I offer my .

As for the new ones.... not sure. Been a while since I had to buy myself a raised panel wrench.

 

[air]

All of my SAE Combos are Raised Panel Craftsman's. Don't have a problem with them at all, and considering I rarely use SAE wrenches, I can't see a reason to run out and buy anything else.

Oh, I also have a set of Metric 6 point Raised Panels. They were my first set of wrenches purchased on my own when I was probably in my late teens. I don't really use them these days.

 

[Kirbot]

I really don't mean to sound like an ***, but we don't talk about spoons or door handles either.

I just mean, the "Pro" wrenches get all the attention as far as Craftsman goes. (even though there now made in China)

I just wondered why nobody ever suggests these.
They seem like an excellent bargain.

 

[rcsec]

I recently picked up off layaway a set of Metric & SAE of the raised panels. They work fine & feel OK - but not great (the raised panel that is.) I needed a set and didn't have the time to fill the missing to SAE's, not to mention what some people were asking for them. And I had even less luck finding some used Metrics locally. Now if I had been watching the Classifieds here I might have spent my $ a little differently.

 

[farmmech86]

I have a set and I use them. Never had a problem. I don't find them THAT uncomfortable to use, but I don't use them for 50 hours a week like some guys.

 

[royesses]

When I retired, I sold all my snap on tools and purchased all craftsman raised panel. After 50 years of S-O it took a lot of getting used to. The raised panel wrench's do the job for the little work I do now and equate to really good value. For every day use they are murder on the hands. For a youngster just starting out they allow him to get experience while saving all his earnings for snap on quality. I would give them an 8 out of 10 points for quality/value/warranty. Just my opinion.

 

[oldtools]

They are ugly looking and look low quality, but they are actually pretty tough. I use mine all the time. When I need to loosen bolt with a hammer, I use raised panel instead of my nicer wrenches.

 

[trainwreck]

I just wondered why nobody ever suggests these

Oh, I see what you mean now. I'll admit, I recently bought a set of Craftsman Professional combination wrenches. I mean, I've been meaning to for a while, but it's something I just kept putting off. And then GJ made me aware that they're no longer domestically produced, and all of a sudden, I felt like I better get on it. If someone recommends the Professional over the raised panel, I'm sure it partly has to do with quality, but it probably has more to do with urgency. We can always recommend the raised panel wrenches in ten years, but I don't know if we'll be able to say the same for the professional wrenches. If you don't get them now.... well, I guess there's always the classifieds, right?

 

[Aberdale]

I have multiple sets of raised panel wrenches. One set in each tractor toolbox, and one set in each pickup. They work great. Excellent value for the money. I bought them years ago for the warranty, but to be honest, I've never had to return one. Raised panel ratchets are a different matter. Plenty of warranty on ratchets, especially 3/8" and 1/4".

 

[mrholeshot]

I'm always releived when I show up at a friends house and he has at least Craftsman raised panel wrenches. A bit on the short side, not real comfortable but pretty confident they will get the job done. I wrote up something to the effect that the craftsman raised panels are one of the most under rated tools out there. Hell you can pick them up on sale a lot for less than a set of really bad imports

 

[ecotec]

i use mine all the time. i have a couple sets worth. i do not foresee myself ever buying anything other.

the day they stop making raised panels in the USA, i am DONE with sears. after that i will only go there to warranty broken tools and to extract my pound of flesh.

 

[May Pop]

I believe they are the best value in that price range. They will take as much abuse as ANY other wrench out there. I have never been questioned about an exchange on any Craftsman hand tool EVER!!! Chicagoland stores have always been good to me. I still have some 40+ year old wrenches that still take abuse on a regular basis.
That said they are not pretty not smooth not shiney or as comfortable to use but get the job done extremely well.
Ron

 

[crewchief888]

my home/garage wrench sets are CM raised panels, both std & metric.

also have some vintage sk, mac matco, so, blackhawk, proto & armstrong

i have a few cm raised panels in my service truck, sometimes truck brand wrenches are a little too long for my needs.

 

[Underdog]

Backup and home box, they work plus you can pick them up at the flea mkt. all day long at $.50-1.00 apiece.

 

[GTOGreg]

Polished only for me, I don't like the rough cast raised panels. Just doesn't feel right. Just like I ratchets. I'm not a Snap-On fanboy, but I have to have SnapOn ratchets. Just personal choice. Love me some Sears though - it's a family tradition.

 

[1969]

I have both SAE and metric sets and am quite pleased with them. I have however found that they seem a bit soft when considerable force is applied. I also have complete sets of the polished, but as another has said ... sometimes they are a bit too long. Some of my RP's were made in Japan.

 

[littlekillertoad]

I'm willing to say that they're worth buying. I started out with a set of craftsman raised panels just a year or two ago and they've been find. I used them properly and they haven't given me any trouble. I do prefer the feel and finish of the older wrenches, but the new ones are still a lot of wrench for the money.

 

[bczygan]

That's all I had til recently, Craftsman ratchet and wrenches and a hammer. Thought that's all you needed..

 

[Hiball]

Heres my Perspective on the Raised Panel Wrenches.. They where the First Wrench set i Owned, I purchased them in a 250+ Piece Combo set back in the Early 90's along with a few $9.99 Christmas specials (Mainly because i would lose tools when i was younger LOL). I used them for Many Years for General Maintenance along with 2 Frame off Restorations and Never had any Problem that i can remember. Then One day i purchased a Used Snap on Set at a Farm Auction.. At the Time I had no reason to Buy the Set.. In My mind the Craftsman did everything i ever asked of them but the Price was Right so i took my Snappy's Home and Hung them on the Peg. Needless to Say.. I was Hooked after just a few uses i quickly came to the conclusion that My Raised panels where ****. The Overall feel of the Snappys compared to the Raised panels was considerable, From there on i rarely found myself grabbing my Raised Panels except when 2 wrenches were required.

Now before all the Hatred shows up, Let me first say that i think this type of comparison can be found with any Product. Whether it Automobiles, Homes or Tools and Truthfully they will all get the Job done but some are more pleasurable to use and sometimes you have to pay for this Benefit. I cant really speak of the Current Raised panels as far as Quality but the ones i purchased 15+ years ago Did everything i asked of them and i still own them.

 

[otis66]

I have a number of older raised panel wrenches and I really like them.
But what about the new ones?

There relatively cheap, and made in the USA, but I rarely see any discussion about them on here.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947046000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

I still have my Craftsman raise panel wrench bought in 1988 with a 404 pc. deisel set after I graduated from tech school. I've also bought a couple of raise panel sets sets in 1999. I have never had a problem with my Craftsman raise panels.

 

[bobcatdan]

They are not what they use to be. 15 years ago when I started, thats what I had, as I upgraded they went home with the rest of my craftsmans. Now they ride around in my truck. They are not bad wrenches. I find myself running out to get one every now and then to bent into a shape for an odd appilacation. The wrenches I replace with do not have the feel or the finish the old ones have. If you find older ones cheap, you can never have engouh wrenches, but I wouldn't buy a new set.

 

[mikester]

I still have the first set of Craftsman open end wrenches that I bought back in 1973. The 1/2 x 9/16 has a bit of chrome missing on the ends but for the most part they were my go to wrenches for many years. I didnt have the money to buy expensive tools back in the day. Ive only owned combination wrenches for a little over 10 years and they are a mix of polished Proto, Armstrong and quite a few Husky that I got when HD was selling them at a discount. I know a lot of guys dont like Husky tools but so far these wrenches have held up very well.

 

[c_mccann]

I must have at least 3-4 sets of SAE and metric raised panel 12 pointers in the shop, boats and truck. Have had them since the 70's, and I always talk myself out of my much desired polished SO dream wrench set. Why? The same as the other responses- they just seem to keep on working. I was schooled about the 12 point design of Matco and Snap-on when I bought my recent set of raised panel 6-point wrenches- but $600 goes a long way in my shop and I still have full sets of Proto, SK and Williams SAE wrenches as well... Also- I have 2 boats that keep my raised panels, when (not if..) they rust, I get new ones no questions asked, SO would laugh me off the phone for that one...

 

[Elroy]

I have a number of older raised panel wrenches and I really like them.
But what about the new ones?

There relatively cheap, and made in the USA, but I rarely see any discussion about them on here.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00947046000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

Ya might want to look a little closer as Elroy has discussed them before and find they're better than ever:

Elroy tells me that he has some fresh observations to make on the current Craftsman combinations. Elroy felt this was as good as place as any to bring this subject to light

The new subject at hand, has to do with the current CNC profiled milled beams typically found on the V ^ Craftsman's. Look closely at the beam of these:

This series Craftsman clearly display tool marks that encompass the full 360 degree perimeter of the wrench. In Elroy's humble opinion he feels fully justified in claiming these have been CNC profiled milled. You can see the chatter marks around the full perimeter and the transition from the beam into the heads are continuous.

Look at how these CNC beams compare to the older "forge and trim" beam in the middle:

Sticks out like a sore thumb:

YEP. It appears to that ***** Elroy, these Craftsman's are fully contoured milled along the edge for 360 degrees . look closely at yours. You may have some as well and if you do they're probably stamped V^

 

[5lima30]

I've got several of the Craftsman raised flat panel ratchets most are about 10-12 years old and couple of old SO. The 1/4" one I had to replace (my fault) LOL! But... when I need a 3/8" I usually grab an old Proto (made in USA) that I have had for 25+ years. I don't know why but those old Proto's just feel good in my hand. YMMV.

 

[plinker]

I bought a set (1/4 to 1-1/8) back in '06 when I started buying tools. They arent the best, but arent the worst. I have spread the open end on a couple.

I doubt they are what they used to be qualitiy wise, but what is.

Right now they are my extra/back-up set ( I have a set of Matco for go-to use), and see some regular use.

Overall they're not that bad. Sure there better wrenches available, but they're pretty much the basic/starter set of wrenches everybody has or has had.

 

[trout]

I had them, they work and get the job done and are well worth the money.

But after I inherited a couple SO I had to switch and get a whole set.

 

[Matt M PA]

Most of my combination wrenches are what I assume are raised panel Craftsmans. All of mine I've had for 20 years....or are my late Father's. I think they're fine.

 

[Heavy Metal Doctor]

I just mean, the "Pro" wrenches get all the attention as far as Craftsman goes. (even though there now made in China)

I just wondered why nobody ever suggests these.
They seem like an excellent bargain.

IMO, it's 'cause most people who are thinking about the basics of just getting the job done with a decent tool for the job (no concern about "man jewelry" as another mentioned) are also not concerned about discussing it on the web.

That said....my home CM 2 drawer box is stuffed full of them......

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I'm 17 and my first box was a two drawer stuffed full of my dads extra metric tool truck brand tools, I had a nice set of snap on wrenches 6-27 and I work at an automotive shop as a helper right now so I've acquired the feel for professional tools. Back to my point I came to the point where I didnt want to mooch off my dads tools any more so I started to build my own collection of tools. when shopping for tools I was going to buy Craftsman pros and buy the extra wrenches to make the set as complete as the Snap on one I was using just for the feel of the wrenches, well I thought long and hard and tinkered around with the raised panels, granted the finish and feel isnt as nice as a tool truck brand, they still feel good, I decided to go that route and I got double the wrenches that the Craftsman Pro set has for the same price. I dont regret it at all

 

[Honda 1]

I have both the SAE and Metric raised panel sets. They get the job done for me every time! For the week-end wrench twirler, these wrenches are the right product at the right price.
The metric wrench set is about ten years old and the SAE set is a year old. I bought the 14 piece SAE set for about $44.00, on sale. It goes up to a 1 1/8 wrench size.

 

[Bran Diezel]

i think of the 6pt mm set for $20. but i am also considering the SO that cost so much more and would be way more useful at work.

i still haven't convinced myself of forking over the $ in a years time

 

[Boiler]

I used them for years as a helper when I was a kid, and in our home garage. I never gave them a second thought, positive or negative. Now that I've used lots of different tools, I'm not really big on using them as I think they don't feel good and I think the open ends get dinged easily and the edges deform easily.

I'd rather use a 70 year old plomb set, snap on or matco, sk, or armstrong, or just about anything namebrand & polished. My home garage is full of SK superchromes for all styles and I'm very pleased with the cost vs quality.

There are so many better alternatives out there. Start with lightly used snap on, armstrong, bonney, matco, or sk polish wrenches. Keep your eyes on the classifieds here and on ebay. Lots of them for sale & they are actually a pleasure to use.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

I have a set and I use them. Never had a problem. I don't find them THAT uncomfortable to use, but I don't use them for 50 hours a week like some guys.

Those are my sentiments exactly.

I think most of us take Craftsman raised panel as a granted in much the same way. Like you said, they're relatively inexpensive (though I would offer not cheap.) And they're probably what 99% of us started out with.

I completely agree with this also. It seems like everyone who does some sort of tinkering with anything with a motor on it has at least something from Craftsman in their box.

I just wondered why nobody ever suggests these.
They seem like an excellent bargain.

I recommend them all the time. In my opinion, I don't think you can find a better value for your money. I have just about every raised panel wrench Craftsman offers in both six point and twelve point:






I grew up on Craftsman. Like everyone else, I hate that they are making a lot of their hardline tools off-shore. Hopefully they can keep the quality up.

I always figured that the raised panel USA made wrenches were the best bet for the money. I don't think the shiney "pro" wrenches will remove fasteners any better than these raised panels. Also, the raised panel sets seem to be more complete.

The sets depicted above are:

43 pc Standard and Metric 12 point combination Wrench set - $199.99

28 pc Standard adn Metric 12 point Box End Wrench Set - $179.99

28 pc Standard and Metric 6 point Combination Wrench Set - $99.99

Right now the first set is on sale for $169.99

So...for roughly $480 bucks you get 99 wrenches that are USA made and are a bargin that is damn hard to beat.

 

[mkdive]

Guess Im another GJ member that has quite a few RP/CM wrenches....I use them all the time. I have full sets of Gearwrench and Cman pros also...working on completing some SO and Plomb sets. But I still grab the raised panels when working out in the garage and would never sell them.

I guess not the best......but not the worst.

Raised Panel 1"+ & 24mm+ wrenches...

Cman raised panel DBE and Offsets in the racks....

 

[Cheapskate]

I bought my first Craftsman hand tools(ratchets, sockets, wrenches, pliers and screwdrivers) back in 1980. I used them at work for a few years then brought them home. I've never broken anything from that set and I used them a lot on cars, trucks, motorcycles and jetskis. But in the last ten years I have broken a few of the larger newer stock raised panel wrenches using them in an industrial environment. Mostly from doubling them up. What broke was one of the fingers on the open end snapped off. When used side by side with say Snap-On I can feel the CM open end spread slightly with hard use(I know, that's what the box end is for). At work I also beat on some of my wrenches with a large hammer(sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do) and the Snap-On still looks brand new but the CM raised panels look like they've been beat on with a hammer.

I think they're good wrenches when used as intended, it's when they're really abused that they start to show their limitations.

 

[Seanbev24]

They are an awesome value and I have plenty of them at home, but I would probably go nuts if I had to use them at work all day. IMO, they are too short and just uncomfortable to use. Where I really have a problem is how easy it is to spread the open ends.

I think the larger sizes are where they really have the best value. In the big sizes they are decently long and the open ends have enough material to prevent spreading. I have the 27, 30, and 32 mm raised panels in my work box because they work fine and I don't use them enough to justify the $75 for a snap-on 27mm wrench.

Using metric as an example, I think the best performance:dollar ratio would be the Craftsman Pro set up to 19mm, and the raised panels in 20mm and up.