Thanks for all the replies guys I apprecite the advice. How do you guys feel about the old style double box end ratcheting wrenches I have a few old ones and don't mind them they are by no means pretty but they work thinking of picking up a set of the offset ones
Best Craftsman Tools
- Thread starter bigjeff94
- Start date
I have them. Seldom use them but they're handy in certain situations. They're also cheap enough and quality is decent.
Tellingthem
Well-known member
If you are talking about the laminate ones they are on sale at K-mart $23 a set. For some reason a few things always seem cheaper there than at Sears.
http://www.kmart.com/craftsman-5-pc-wrench-set-offset-ratchet-metric/p-9990000032009511P?prdNo=7
http://www.kmart.com/craftsman-5-pc-wrench-set-offset-ratchet-sae/p-9990000032009411P?prdNo=6
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
The only gripe I have with the pro screw drivers are that the smaller sized flat blades tend to twist or bend at the tip under extreme use. I've only had the problem with the flat blades. I've since upgraded so I don't use the CM anymore therefore it doesn't bug me anymore. On the other hand I wish I would of bought the Torx set a few years back when I picked up every other pro set.
Have a set of those "old style" double box ratcheting wrenches that are rarely used because after extended use, the hard edges can be tough on the hands. Better inexpensive comfortable wrenches are out there by GW/Kobalt/Husky etc. The wrenches work okay but the newer ones have a higher tooth count, nicer finish and cross force handle design.
I personally have snap on instincts at work, and the older soft handles. I have the CMan pros at home so they don't see extreme usage. For the price of the pros you couldn't go wrong but I probably wouldn't use them everyday.
bcradio
Well-known member
In my experience, Armstrong and Craftsman Industrial are miles apart in terms of overall quality and comfort. Armstrong comes out on top every time. I gave most of my Craftsman Industrial stuff (purchased in a 154 piece kit) away to my nephew. Compared to the Craftsman Professional tools I bought 20 years ago, the Industrial stuff is basically a joke. The first time I picked up a Craftsman Industrial RP "wrench", I said, "You have GOT to be kidding!"
Musta got a bad batch of the industrials cause they are identical now. This is of course if you buy both new now.
cuengineer
Active member
- Joined
- Jan 14, 2011
- Messages
- 41
I have lots of Cman sockets and various wrench sets, metric, standard, and professional. I got the professional ones because they were on sale for a VERY good price, i.e., less than 25% of list. I got started almost 50 years ago with wrenches from the local NAPA store (Sparta and New Brittain) which I still have. Then when my wife and I were dating, her mother worked at Sears so it worked out very nicely for me to mark tools in the catalog so my wife-to-be could select various ones when they were on sale to spend the amount she wanted to spend ... big advantage to me was that I got stuff I wanted!
Anyway, more recently I have continued to get Cman as they seem to be pretty good and the guarantee is hard to beat. Recently, my most used wrenches tend to be my Gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches. I have gotten them from both Advance Auto and Sears but always for 1/2 price or less. I also got a set of Cman ratcheting combo wrenches but I found the ends to be kind of big and awkward compared to the GW. BTW, my biggest gripe with Cman sets is that they tend to leave out sizes that are occasionally needed, and I hate to have to buy one at full price because I am missing a size. Also, if you do a google search for Techbargains and then search the site, you will frequently find Cman tools on sale for a good deal, especially if you need a large set there are some good deals if you keep checking and have some patience.
Anyway, more recently I have continued to get Cman as they seem to be pretty good and the guarantee is hard to beat. Recently, my most used wrenches tend to be my Gearwrench ratcheting combination wrenches. I have gotten them from both Advance Auto and Sears but always for 1/2 price or less. I also got a set of Cman ratcheting combo wrenches but I found the ends to be kind of big and awkward compared to the GW. BTW, my biggest gripe with Cman sets is that they tend to leave out sizes that are occasionally needed, and I hate to have to buy one at full price because I am missing a size. Also, if you do a google search for Techbargains and then search the site, you will frequently find Cman tools on sale for a good deal, especially if you need a large set there are some good deals if you keep checking and have some patience.