Are usa craftsman tools worth anything?

[Jersey Drew]

Looking to make some changes and wondering if my old stuff has any value.

Ratchets, wrenches and ratcheting wrenches will be first on the list.

 

[Fedwrench]

It depends on what you have and if there's a crazy person out there to buy it.

If you have any of the round head, fine toothed, quick release, flex head ratchets, they fetch 4-5 times their original catalog price depending on age & condition.

Likewise, some of the Craftsman Professional series wrench sets, like the deep offset double boxed end wrenches get pricey on ebay. Look for the items you have in the completed auction search feature on Ebay to get a feel.

I don't think the regular plane jane U.S. Made craftsman stuff does that well though but, there are idiots that prove me wrong often

 

[Cgw1984]

The ratchets are garbage, so i doubt it. Wrenches, eh, not much. Ratcheting wrenches may be worth a little if us made. It would all depend on which series, condition, etc. I wouldnt expect to have a free upgrade to snap on off the profit though.

 

[Jersey Drew]

Nah, i have all regular stuff. But i have expanded the basic kits with bigger and smaller items. Not looking to make a huge profit but just looking to move on from the stuff. The ratchets and ratcheting wrenches i think are 4 tooth (i kid) which is why i started to buy new stuff. And the wrenches are just short and bulky which is going to be my next upgrade.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Honestly, outside of Garage Journal there are plenty of people that still believe Craftsman is hands down equal to Snap-On. It seems to be popular with the rednecks and anyone over about 45 who had a dad who used the GOOD Craftsman stuff back in the day.

 

[Ton ton]

I like western forge screwdrivers. But as a general rule , I agree with other posters.

 

[Oil leak]

When I go to pawn shops they keep the Snap on, Mac, Matco, and Cornwell in the case locked. The Craftsman is in the open bins with other tools. I still do buy old Craftsman tools if of the right vintage. To me there not worth much, expendable for modifying.

 

[Kscardsfan]

Yes and no. People are getting nostalgic about some of the stuff but the common day to day stuff is still just craftsman.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

It depends on what someone is looking for. At my pawn shop they don’t even look at tools so I get the Craftsman stuff cheap. On eBay I have seen it go for tons of money I guess collectors or people who want a name they know buy it. I personally like it but wouldn’t pay a huge premium for it.


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[dodge610]

It depends on what someone is looking for. At my pawn shop they don’t even look at tools so I get the Craftsman stuff cheap. On eBay I have seen it go for tons of money I guess collectors or people who want a name they know buy it. I personally like it but wouldn’t pay a huge premium for it.


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I get all the craftsman USA stuff I can. Not a collector just like using it in my shop.


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[unslow1]

On here no. On Ebay very often a lot more than you would ever think.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I get all the craftsman USA stuff I can. Not a collector just like using it in my shop.


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Yeah I usually try too as well. As long as price is reasonable. They are good tools I’ve only ever cracked on of the USA sockets from them so they are good tools. I think one day it will all be gone and hard to get so that’s why I try to get it all as well. I too grew up thinking it was the best of the best which it is good for sure. I mean using it professionally has given me no issues.


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[username2]

I get all the craftsman USA stuff I can. Not a collector just like using it in my shop.


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Although I could skip the raised panel wrenches I think that the socket sets in the metal trays with the flip-up retainer are absolutely brilliant.

 

[Will_Yetter]

Probably standard used tool prices to be honest. I know my US Craftsman sockets are solid, but I wouldn't expect to fetch much for them. I couldn't pay anyone to take my raised panel ratchets away. They ****

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I sold my craftsman c3 cordless grinder for about $5 less than what I paid for it new and i used it for years. Some stuff fetches good $

 

[stonesfan68]

Check out the eBay prices for USA Craftsman tools: an 8 mm wrench goes for about $12. Yes, the tools are worth something to somebody. The question is do you want to fool with selling stuff on eBay?

 

[CTyankee]

Nah, i have all regular stuff. But i have expanded the basic kits with bigger and smaller items. Not looking to make a huge profit but just looking to move on from the stuff. The ratchets and ratcheting wrenches i think are 4 tooth (i kid) which is why i started to buy new stuff. And the wrenches are just short and bulky which is going to be my next upgrade.

lol...I don't think you are too far off...

 

[BigBoreFan]

I did pretty well selling off some Craftsman USA tools. I think that market may be cooling off a little.

 

[Don1357]

Honestly, outside of Garage Journal there are plenty of people that still believe Craftsman is hands down equal to Snap-On. It seems to be popular with the rednecks and anyone over about 45 who had a dad who used the GOOD Craftsman stuff back in the day.

Personally I have just never managed to break a Craftsman socket or a wrench. I have broken ratchet wrenches by abusing them where a breaker bar was called for so I upgraded my ratchets. I think is called if it works, don't fix it.

 

[Jersey Drew]

Personally I have just never managed to break a Craftsman socket or a wrench. I have broken ratchet wrenches by abusing them where a breaker bar was called for so I upgraded my ratchets. I think is called if it works, don't fix it.

The sockets are fine, and I have also never broken a wrench but the wrenches have rounded off some bolts.

 

[Rinspeed]

Ratchets were junk even when they were new, sockets and wrenches are fairly decent for what they cost.

 

[tanukiboy]

Nah, i have all regular stuff. But i have expanded the basic kits with bigger and smaller items. Not looking to make a huge profit but just looking to move on from the stuff. The ratchets and ratcheting wrenches i think are 4 tooth (i kid) which is why i started to buy new stuff. And the wrenches are just short and bulky which is going to be my next upgrade.

Maybe donate them to a local high school or community college and take a tax deduction? Easy to do, you'll get something for them, and they'll be put to good use.

 

[qqzj]

Tax law changed. Most people get nothing from donation

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[The Fall]

I've got enough CMan USA sockets to supply an automotive program. I can't part with those damn things. They had a great range too. 9/16" in 1/4" drive and a six-point 1 3/16" chrome socket in 1/2" drive. The latter always seemed hard to find in anything but 12 point.

 

[tanukiboy]

Tax law changed. Most people get nothing from donation.

Guess my experience from about 40 years ago is a bit out of date, huh?

 

[Rickster]

They sell, but not for crazy money. Need full sets, metric better than SAE. The raised panel wrenches that do well are the double box offsets. The chrome Pro sets do sell very well. Ratchets... base models not so desirable, but flex-heads, long handles, those are more desirable and any of the RHFT ratchets too. Sockets you need the older v & vv series.

 

[Jazz1]

Paid $4 for vintage 1/2” Craftsman wrench time replace a missing wrench. They not common in the pawn shop bins
My vintage Craftsman are great, but I agree the ratchets ****, lost my 1/2” ratchet 30 years ago and replaced with a 1/2” Proto