Bootleg Craftsman or just quality downturn?

[Acuratechva]

So i saw a geat deal, 44$ for craftsman pro offset wrenches(bulk packaging). Was missing some euro sizes and decided to get.


Already had the 12/14mm but cost of 5 wrench set exceeded the total of individual so today my 5 wrench set came.

Right off the batt i saw garbage. Keep in mind ive been using the original caftsman wrench i got fom sears for solid 5 years.

New wrench is longer, neck is wider, "nut" end is actualy not perfectly curcular, there is slag on finish, chrome finish is .....****......wtf.

I heard some people speak of China poroduction of craftsman. Is this what im expiriencing or did the boys in china just stamp a few new wrenches with craftsman logo.

Just think, if US outsourced the wrenches to china, wouldnt they still use same mold? So thickness of offset neck and length would be same? No?

Yes , phone pics are subpar. Still its a night and day difference.

For 44$ price is ok. Noone esle makes these and they have proven to be a life saver. But i feel raped for expecting US craftsman quality

 

[getbent4x4]

yes the chinese will sell them on alibaba and on ebay as non label white box goods. I buy some already china made tools off ebay like that. usually 40% cheaper than name brand. On the inner tie rod tool I bought looks like it was a seconds item for minor imperfections.

 

[Acuratechva]

Just in case i didnt make it clear thse are suppose to be authentic craftsman tools...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/261551645730?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[ChevyEFI]

To the 112,000 readers on here who think the brand reflects quality and durability still:

It doesn't. Stop buying Craftsman.

It really is that simple. Shopping by brand name is easy, but it is foolish.

 

[jakemac]

Sadly, those are genuine Craftsman wrenches. The A-AE code denotes a Chinese supplier.
Craftsman handtools have been mostly Chinese for several years now. Hopefully this will change back now that Stanley has taken over, but it will be some time before the imported stock is flushed out of the supply chain. Only time will tell.

 

[Skin]

Just think, if US outsourced the wrenches to china, wouldnt they still use same mold? So thickness of offset neck and length would be same? No?

Different supplier in a different country. The old ones were made by Armstrong. They're not going to ship used forging dies to China. They either ship an example or a spec sheet and get something similar made.

Noone esle makes these and they have proven to be a life saver.

Its just a 60* deep offset box wrench. Just about everyone offers them.

 

[General Geoff]

FYI, you can get the Stahlwille 8 piece metric deep offset DBE wrench set for about $80 shipped, and get probably the highest quality around for this specific type of wrench. Extremely thin walls for access in even the tightest spaces.

 

[Gmonkee]

In the past CM changed suppliers randomly on tools, always without warning.

Now maybe for a first in the history of the brand a tool maker owns them. A very capable tool maker at that.

So old CM could be a bunch of old US names, newer stuff Asain made and the ever question provoking Japanese made stuff.
What the future holds has yet to be seen on store shelves but its coming soon.

Buyer be aware, there will be a few boat loads of that Chinese stuff out there for decades to come on the secondary market.

Research a bit before buying and ask questions to the online sellers.

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

I'd like to think that it's going to come to a point very soon (if it hasn't already) that sellers won't be able to give that **** away to anyone, but there is a market for everything unfortunately. It would be nice if we could just ban the importation of any more of that Chinese-made garbage, but I'm just wishing on a star...

 

[bczygan]

Will it turn a bolt?

These aren't Ferrari's.

Bill

 

[jdlong]

Cman lost a good number of Saturday mechanics to Harbor Freight back in the early 2000's. They have become a Harbor Freight to try and get them back.

 

[laser3kw]

Man! Compared to pictures of the older C'man, the "hex" drive looks dull, rounded and shabby. I'd be scared of them rounding of bolt heads.

 

[PelicanPines]

FYI, you can get the Stahlwille 8 piece metric deep offset DBE wrench set for about $80 shipped, and get probably the highest quality around for this specific type of wrench. Extremely thin walls for access in even the tightest spaces.

Those Stahlwille are absolutely wonderful. They are the ONLY wrenches I WANT and don't have yet.

For SAE... I have the Williams deep offset... also absolutely wonderful.

Chinese Craftsman wrenches are dollar bin worthy...

 

[Fedwrench]

I don't think they're bootlegged. It just current Chinese made Craftsman. Visit your local sears and browse what it hanging on the racks these days.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I like and appreciate good tools. That said, Good tools cost good money. If I am going to buy cheap junk, I expect to pay cheap prices. Tool retailers are that are trading on a name and charging good prices are immoral at best.

HF tools are imports, we all know that, and they are priced accordingly

 

[6PTsocket]

Sadly, those are genuine Craftsman wrenches. The A-AE code denotes a Chinese supplier.
Craftsman handtools have been mostly Chinese for several years now. Hopefully this will change back now that Stanley has taken over, but it will be some time before the imported stock is flushed out of the supply chain. Only time will tell.

It is questionable whether Sears will survive long enough to see it happen. They are in DEEP financial trouble and could go belly up at any time. The selling of Craftsman is a sign of just how desperate their situation is.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[6PTsocket]

In the past CM changed suppliers randomly on tools, always without warning.

Now maybe for a first in the history of the brand a tool maker owns them. A very capable tool maker at that.

So old CM could be a bunch of old US names, newer stuff Asain made and the ever question provoking Japanese made stuff.
What the future holds has yet to be seen on store shelves but its coming soon.

Buyer be aware, there will be a few boat loads of that Chinese stuff out there for decades to come on the secondary market.

Research a bit before buying and ask questions to the online sellers.

That tool maker also makes a lot of low end stuff, too. Stanley hand tools are definitely consumer grade. Black and Decker power tools are for the occasional user. Not everything they make is DeWalt, by a long shot. It depends where they slot in the Craftsman brand. I suspect it will be none too high if they continue to sell through outlets like Ace hardware.Actually, the cost these days of making decent ratchet and wrench stuff is not that high. Tekton figured out that for a slight increase in cost and carefully choosing suppliers, they could get out of the bargain bin and make some decent tools but they are doing it off shore.

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[6PTsocket]

I'd like to think that it's going to come to a point very soon (if it hasn't already) that sellers won't be able to give that **** away to anyone, but there is a market for everything unfortunately. It would be nice if we could just ban the importation of any more of that Chinese-made garbage, but I'm just wishing on a star...

And then they would ban our "garbage". You are free to buy whatever quality you choose. There is always a market for junk.

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[naim]

FYI, you can get the Stahlwille 8 piece metric deep offset DBE wrench set for about $80 shipped, and get probably the highest quality around for this specific type of wrench. Extremely thin walls for access in even the tightest spaces.

Where can I get this for around $80???

 

[6PTsocket]

So i saw a geat deal, 44$ for craftsman pro offset wrenches(bulk packaging). Was missing some euro sizes and decided to get.


Already had the 12/14mm but cost of 5 wrench set exceeded the total of individual so today my 5 wrench set came.

Right off the batt i saw garbage. Keep in mind ive been using the original caftsman wrench i got fom sears for solid 5 years.

New wrench is longer, neck is wider, "nut" end is actualy not perfectly curcular, there is slag on finish, chrome finish is .....****......wtf.

I heard some people speak of China poroduction of craftsman. Is this what im expiriencing or did the boys in china just stamp a few new wrenches with craftsman logo.

Just think, if US outsourced the wrenches to china, wouldnt they still use same mold? So thickness of offset neck and length would be same? No?

Yes , phone pics are subpar. Still its a night and day difference.

For 44$ price is ok. Noone esle makes these and they have proven to be a life saver. But i feel raped for expecting US craftsman quality

I can only guess that you don't get out much. Most followers of this site are well aware that Craftsman became a Harbor Freight wanna be (LOL) some time ago. Even when they were still made here, the last USA made hand tools were speced to meet a low price point.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Loscaldazar]

FYI, you can get the Stahlwille 8 piece metric deep offset DBE wrench set for about $80 shipped, and get probably the highest quality around for this specific type of wrench. Extremely thin walls for access in even the tightest spaces.

Those made in germany?

 

[Acuratechva]

I can only guess that you don't get out much. Most followers of this site are well aware that Craftsman became a Harbor Freight wanna be (LOL) some time ago. Even when they were still made here, the last USA made hand tools were speced to meet a low price point.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

Lol yes, i get out to harbor freight for some degreasser before i crawl back under.

There are two things i get at sears, Phillips 3/8 bits and screw drivers which i exchange on yearly basis. I really loved the PRO screw drives too with comfort grip. My local store barely stocks anything other than streamline sockets and is 15-20 of road rage traffic.

In fact my Philips bit suppliers is now HD. They dont last with an impact screw driver but its easier to go across the street to exchange rather than hunting down Matco guy, reminds me i got to do that.

I've come to love the feel of that old craftsman US offset wrench...thought i was getting the same

FYI, you can get the Stahlwille 8 piece metric deep offset DBE wrench set for about $80 shipped, and get probably the highest quality around for this specific type of wrench. Extremely thin walls for access in even the tightest spaces.

Thank you! I'll be shopping for these asap! I wish they were smooth chrome, its more slippery but dang i love it

 

[ScottsGT]

On the deals section there was a posting under the Sears clearance sale with these wrenches posted. I ordered a set and got them last week. $50 for SAE and metric. Not sure if keeping or giving them to my son.

 

[markhm]

I also saw the Sears sale and bought the Metric and SAE sets for $25 each on sale.
When I got them, I was hugely disappointed and will return them when I have time to go back to Sears. They are Chinese garbage compared to my old USA made ones. I bought them because I lost some pieces from my old sets over time.

Here is what I saw when I looked at my new Chinese junk from Sears:
1. Finish is missing in places. There is exposed copper and no chrome in spots. Lots of scratches.
2. Ends are ground down to make them inconsistently sized. That means they are weakened.
3. Faces do not show the points of the opening. At least your photos show this is better on yours.
4. "Storage Case" is brittle plastic and arrived with many chunks broken in box. It is a disposable shipping case and not a storage case.

My first and last purchase of Chinese tools from Sears.

 

[General Geoff]

Those made in germany?

Yes.

Where can I get this for around $80???

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000HB00CA/


Need to order them from amazon.de and select Amazon as the seller in the box to the right, under the 'add to basket' area. Right now it looks like they're selling for 68.09 Euro, which will be reduced during checkout when they take off the VAT (value added tax) and then the international shipping charge will be added. I think the price is a few Euros higher than when I ordered, but should still end up being less than $90 shipped. (edit: just checked, with "expedited" shipping to USA, it comes out to $82.33 USD)

If you can't read Deutsch, just click on the language button that should be directly under the search button next to the search bar at the top of the page.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Yes.



https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000HB00CA/


Need to order them from amazon.de and select Amazon as the seller in the box to the right, under the 'add to basket' area. Right now it looks like they're selling for 68.09 Euro, which will be reduced during checkout when they take off the VAT (value added tax) and then the international shipping charge will be added. I think the price is a few Euros higher than when I ordered, but should still end up being less than $90 shipped. (edit: just checked, with "expedited" shipping to USA, it comes out to $82.33 USD)

If you can't read Deutsch, just click on the language button that should be directly under the search button next to the search bar at the top of the page.

The knipex prices are also killer on their. Most of the things I've looked at (sets) rival zoro with a 30% off. Good deal, thanks for sharing!

 

[dngrmse]

Yes.

https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B000HB00CA/

Need to order them from amazon.de and select Amazon as the seller in the box to the right, under the 'add to basket' area.

If you can't read Deutsch, just click on the language button that should be directly under the search button next to the search bar at the top of the page.

Thanks for posting this. Been wanting a set of these for awhile, total came out to $82.84

 

[General Geoff]

Glad to be of help!

They really are just what you need sometimes. Mine have paid for themselves already.