Craftsman 3pc Pry Bar Set FAIL

[rockchucker]

For Starters...I take care of my Tools. If need be I will sacrifice a Tool to get the job done but I do not make it a habit. In this case I have a BRAND NEW set of Craftsman Pry Bars which look to be of high quality and "Made in USA".

For their first use their job was to simply pry the Center Sleeve out of an old Bushing. I had already used a Hole Saw to cut from top and bottom. This released the Bushing Inner Sleeve from the rest of the Bushing. There was only Rubber interfering with the removal. I thought this was going to be a CAKEWALK for these Pry Bars. The only reason I am not using my trusty old Snap-On Pry Bars is due to me being antsy to use a new Tool.

Here are the pics. They don't lie. I am VERY disappointed to say the least. Makes me want to return them. I keep seeing these threads pop up with the 3 pc Pry Bar set for cheap. Well they are just that! CHEAP!!!! They are **** and in no way, shape or form should this have happened to them from prying out a simple sleeve.


Mind you this is ONE job prying out 4 Inner Bushing Sleeves on one project from BNIB.

That being said, I am sorry but I do not recommend these for purchase if you are looking for a quality Pry Bar. If you just want to have them to show off or as display they are great. Other than that even at the new low, low price of $16-$17 or whatever they are now, they are not worth it IMHO.

My Snap-On Pry Bars that ar the same size have been through everything I have been able to dish out in the last 10 years of service without a scratch, literally. I have abused my Snap-On's FAR more than the use these brand new C-Man have without a ding or dent. I have used them with Hammers even though they are not meant to be used as Striking Pry Bars and they have held up. One project with the C-Mans and I have to regrind the tip is absolute bull..phuckey.


They did get the job done though. I will give them that, but for how many jobs will they last? Not many I fear.

Finished...

 

[metaleltr]

Are those the usa or Taiwan? I have the USA and that happened after several uses, if they didn't deform they may chip.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Return them--get your money back or exchange them for some new ones. Problem solved.

I have many, many different brands and have broken, nicked, gouged, bent, mangled, and split just about something from every brand. This comes with the territory. Can't handle it? Find a different activity

 

[Fast LT1]

Don't buy junk! Problem solved.

 

[bimmerZ5]

so much for made in USA meaning anything... i guess you can find junk tools from any country, and brand...

 

[plinker]

I've had the same set for five or so years and have not had any issues, The tips arent pretty, but I dont expect them to be after heavy use.
I only own one S-O prybar, a mini 8", and that's because they dont make these style in that size. None of mine look factory new since after the first use.

 

[redwrench60]

I don't think anybody is saying those are the best prybars money can buy, but they are great for the money. Keep this in perspective. They were $20. They fill a gap in between $175 pry bar sets and $6.99 sets that will break and stab you in the liver.

All my prybars have ugly tips. They're a good value for the money.

 

[ex-x-fire]

Hell, I was looking for a picture of tool carnage.

 

[Fedwrench]

If you're not happy, take them back and get a refund. Put the money towards a good air hammer with bushing bits or one of these sets from SP tools:
http://www.sptool.com/index.php?pag...roduct_id=191&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=11

Mind you, you can buy about 20 sets of craftsman pry bars on sale for what the bushing tool set runs but, it's a slick set.

I've beat bushings into submission with air hammers, used threaded rods/cups/c clamps over the years and seen others melt them with a torch but, I've never tried prying them out with two pry bars. After seeing your pictures, I don't think I've missed anything.

 

[Arne73]

Pretty sure there is text on the back of the package that reads something like "if this tool fails to perform to satisfy, return for a complete refund" .
Problem solved.

 

[toolstools]

Wanna sell them lol. There's no tool failure there.

 

[FiendFX]

my harbor freight pry bar sets are still holding. i simply opt for harbor freight on some tools over craftsman now.

 

[sks]

Wanna sell them lol. There's no tool failure there.

Yea I am pretty sure that those bars will still pry.

 

[rockchucker]

Obviously I can return them. Not the question. I am simply pointing out that these are complete ****. If you are expecting to spend 20 bucks and get a good lasting Pry Bar you are sadly mistaken. Mind you this was their condition after removing 4 Inner Bushing Sleeves. Not after a few years of service. Yes these are Made in USA. You can see in the first pic of the package and on the Handles themselves they are marked.


So here are some more pictures of the Cold Chisel that I used to split all 12 of the Outer Sleeves and has been in service with me for many years since buying it from a member on here.

Now this is a Tool, it even has a nice wind chime ring to it...

It does not even have a mark in the tip from driving it through 12 Sleeves...

I am sorry but if you think these piece of **** Pry Bars are worth a toss you are sadly mistaken. They are guaranteed to look pretty in your Tool Box but when it comes time to work they are lacking, BIG TIME.


I know I can return these for another ****** set that when I use they will look the same. It is a gad damn PRY BAR that can't even take a light duty Job without pretty much screwing up the tip. The Steel used is ****. Trying to defend this is asinine. It is plain as day right here. Black and white. Not much gray area in this one. Just trying to warn the community if you are going to buy these just keep them in your Toolbox if you want them to last any amount of time.


Of course this is just my opinion on the matter so do what you want with the information posted. Unless you have used these particular Pry Bars in some way shape or form keep your "Oh they are a great Pry Bar" out of this thread.

Don't get me wrong either I am not just out to bash C-Man, hell 75-80% of my Tools are C-Man. These Tools in particular are probably getting sold off with the last of their stock so they can discontinue the product. This is one reason why they are so cheap and why there is a guarantee on the Box.

"Cause they know all they sold ya was a guaranteed *************"


This is a real Made in USA Tool...

 

[86k10]

That's a good set for $20. I bought a set many years ago and they are still hanging in there. I always break the tips in right away. I think of them as new work boots, after a good day of use, they look like ****.

 

[rockchucker]

If you're not happy, take them back and get a refund. Put the money towards a good air hammer with bushing bits or one of these sets from SP tools:
http://www.sptool.com/index.php?pag...roduct_id=191&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=11

Mind you, you can buy about 20 sets of craftsman pry bars on sale for what the bushing tool set runs but, it's a slick set.

I've beat bushings into submission with air hammers, used threaded rods/cups/c clamps over the years and seen others melt them with a torch but, I've never tried prying them out with two pry bars. After seeing your pictures, I don't think I've missed anything.

Come on man. I explained it pretty extensively as to what job I performed with these Tools. I simply pried out 4 Inner Bushings that had been released from the Rubber by cutting through them with a Hole Saw. I did not pry out the Sleeves with a Pry Bar as you can see in the post above. I have an Air Hammer.

 

[steveo3002]

looks pretty lame to me

 

[jfcasey]

What are you just so bored you want to write a few paragraphs about a 20 dollar set of pry bars working like just that? No **** they aren't going to compare to Snap-On or Mayhew, but that doesn't mean that they do not pry just fine for people who cannot afford to spend 80-100 bucks on pry bars.

Just like another poster said, they are a decent set of pry bars that fill an gap between a 10 dollar set that is going to injure someone when they explode and a 100 dollar set that a professional wrench would require.

I am also questioning the set you received, because I have beat the **** out of the same set of pry bars with a 4lb hammer at times and none of them look like that. It may also be that you just got a **** set that made it through QC.

 

[jeffk14]

Wanna sell them lol. There's no tool failure there.

Eggs-friggin-zackley! The use illustrated was not exactly in the range of "normal" for pry bar use and even so, a little time on a dressing wheel/grinder will clean those right up!

 

[Hiball]

Lol.. I don't think I own a set of "Used" Prybars that don't show some deflection on the tips (I own a slug of them, including the Wilde set) The first thing that went thru my head when opening this thread was gonna be broken tips or bent handles. Obviously they didnt meet your expectations, nothing wrong with that, I'd recommend taking them back.

 

[jeffk14]

Lol.. I don't think I own a set of "Used" Prybars that don't show some deflection on the tips (I own a slug of them, including the Wilde set) The first thing that went thru my head when opening this thread was gonna be broken tips or bent handles. Obviously they didnt meet your expectations, nothing wrong with that, I'd recommend taking them back.

X10! FWIW, I've got a set of 30 year-old Snap On's that are a bit "chewed up" on the ends. IF I ever need a perfect edge on 'em, I'll just dress 'em up a li'l bit.

 

[jakemac]

I don' think that the issue in the OP is that the tips got chewed, I think the issue is that they got chewed so easily. Either the tool was tempered/hardened incorrectly, or inferior steel was used and wouldn't take the heat treatment the way it was supposed to.

Either way, the tool (under that brand name) should have stood up better, no matter what the price was. The issue reflects poorly on the brand. That same tool, had it been manufactured by Craftsman 40yrs ago, never would have performed that poorly. It would have taken much more abuse, over a longer period of time to get like that.

The OP may have been a little over the top, but it is still based on a valid point.

 

[rockchucker]

Yeah I understand that. Can anyone understand that I did not even barely get to use them prying in a manner that should be acceptable?

I understand I can redress the tips. I am just saying that maybe the set I got is **** and made it through QC. I mean look at them after using them to pry some Sleeves out. 4 sleeves. Not beating the **** out of them. No they did not fail. I guess I should have used better wording for the Title of the thread.

For a first time use these Pry Bars did not live up to my expectation. I also do not believe they would live up to 90% of the Members standards on this forum if they were used by that member in the same manner.


I am not trying to get any "glory" from this thread either. I am simply stating my experience with this set of Prybars. Compared to my Snap-On Pry Bars that have been in service for years these do not even come close.


I guarantee if you bought this set, used them in the manner I did and saw what happened you would be complaining too. Oh well, so much for trying to let people know.

 

[Kevin54]

That's a good set for $20. I bought a set many years ago and they are still hanging in there. I always break the tips in right away. I think of them as new work boots, after a good day of use, they look like ****.

That's what the OP is saying. Craftsman pry bars that are Made in U.S.A. and are **** after using them. Today is NOT what things were "many years ago"

 

[rockchucker]

I don' think that the issue in the OP is that the tips got chewed, I think the issue is that they got chewed so easily. Either the tool was tempered/hardened incorrectly, or inferior steel was used and wouldn't take the heat treatment the way it was supposed to.

Either way, the tool (under that brand name) should have stood up better, no matter what the price was. The issue reflects poorly on the brand. That same tool, had it been manufactured by Craftsman 40yrs ago, never would have performed that poorly. It would have taken much more abuse, over a longer period of time to get like that.

The OP may have been a little over the top, but it is still based on a valid point.

Thank you Sir. I apologize for coming across "over the top". That was not my intention.

That's what the OP is saying. Craftsman pry bars that are Made in U.S.A. and are **** after using them. Today is NOT what things were "many years ago"

100%

 

[craftsman47]

hell, i was looking for a picture of tool carnage.

i love your avatar!!!!!!!

 

[ex-x-fire]

i love your avatar!!!!!!!

Hurst Hairy Olds!

 

[tyheuser]

That's crazy I have 2 sets of those pry bars I use everyday at work one sets about 5 years old and the other sets about 3 years old and they've been beat everyway possible, the handles are banged up, all the letters are wore off and the coatings wore off the bars but none of them are all that bad. I know the craftsman professionals made by mayhew and snap ons are made of a harder steel and have a nicer sharper end but for the money these are a steal I think there one of the best bang for the buck American tools still out there by far! You cant compare the skinny little Pittsburgh bars to these there a total different class the same length bars weigh half as much as these, you just must not muscle f**k them like the op. Either that or someone got bad ones that weren't hardened properly!

 

[mattdwelder]

I have that set from c man. I havent broke them but i don't like the tips. They are too fat

 

[oilfieldtrash4]

I don' think that the issue in the OP is that the tips got chewed, I think the issue is that they got chewed so easily. Either the tool was tempered/hardened incorrectly, or inferior steel was used and wouldn't take the heat treatment the way it was supposed to.

When they mass produce tools like this there are going to be parts that don't quite meet the standards. When you heat treat metal or aluminum in order to get a proper heat treat the piece of metal should have 1" of air space on all sides to allow the part to get a quality heat treatment. That's something that would be done on helicopter or airplane parts mostly as standards are strict. There is no guarantee of a proper heat treatment when they are mass producing something. Even snap on is throwing sockets on top of each other if you watch the youtube video and skip to 1:54 in the video.

You could not afford to buy a set of sockets or pry bars if every single one was held to the standards of aircraft parts. To meet the market price sacrifices are made and this could of just as easily happened to the precious snap on tools.

 

[86k10]

That's what the OP is saying. Craftsman pry bars that are Made in U.S.A. and are **** after using them. Today is NOT what things were "many years ago"

I just bought the Pro series 3 piece set new about a month ago when it came up in the Hot Deals section and when I used it the tip on the largest pry bar don't look that pretty no more but still plenty effective. After the initial "break in" they are not wearing anymore.

They are my go to set due to the metal cap and I have a couple of So, Cm regular little pry bars.

But I did notice what wear there was happened pretty fast.

 

[The Ratchet Man]

1st post, 2nd picture...I hate spiders!

I don't buy prybars that aren't made to be hammered on. What you experienced is the reason why.

 

[Bull]

1st post, 2nd picture...I hate spiders!

Wow, I missed that! What the heck is it there for?

Also, agree or disagree with the OP, but reviews of tools is part of what makes this site interesting. So, busting his balls for taking the time to do just that doesn't make sense.

 

[TwoInch]

wait wait wait... so these $20 dollar pry bars are not equal to a snap on set that cost quite a number of times more?


who woulda thunk it...?

i have the wilde set, which are the same, and have abused the hell out of them. they are great pry bars for what they cost.. absolutely great actually.

moral of the story is, dont buy a $20 tool, and expect it to perform as a $150 tool. USA or not. there are levels of quality. no different than screeching about a USA made RP wrench not being on par with a snap on wrench.... hmmm.. $2.00 wrench..... $25.00 wrench...

all i can say is "well no ****!"... people will complain about anything these days it seems.

 

[TwoInch]

Wow, I missed that! What the heck is it there for?

Also, agree or disagree with the OP, but reviews of tools is part of what makes this site interesting. So, busting his balls for taking the time to do just that doesn't make sense.

reviews are great, even if the tools is lack luster. but the reviewer must have proper expectations and be realistic. when comparing a $20 tool to another tool that cost 5-10 times more, of course they wont be on the same level.

 

[Bull]

reviews are great, even if the tools is lack luster. but the reviewer must have proper expectations and be realistic. when comparing a $20 tool to another tool that cost 5-10 times more, of course they wont be on the same level.

In my opinion, there is no obligation upon the reviewer to have anything. He produces a review, the audience reads and evaluates it and forms their own opinion.

 

[ADSR]

I bought a set of canadian made pry bars for 14 bucks on sale. I've been beating the **** out of them and they've been nothing but awesome.

 

[Bull]

Well, Bull, can't say I agree with you here.

If this were the case, every car magazine review would end with "this car ***** compared to a Bugatti Veyron."

Price vs. performance should be one of the top things a reviewer considers, IMO.

Well, that's ok not to agree.

But if car magazine reviews were poor, then the readership would dismiss them as such. Or, the readership would be lured into agreeing with their logic. Either way, it's the reader's prerogative and responsibility to evaluate the content which he reads.
.

 

[Bull]

I'm simply pointing out that the major car magazine reviews often DO take into account price vs. performance, especially when they're reviewing things in the middle or lower end of the price spectrum.

And in this case, the Craftsman/Wilde prybar sets definitely fit into the DIY/mid-level price range.

Your point is valid and I agree with it.

I just don't believe that the OP should have his balls busted (not saying you are, but others are) for posting a review of any kind. Whether a member produces something excellent, mediocre or terrible if it's done in good faith then there is no reason to give them grief about it. Disagree, debate sure.

Even if a reviewer doesn't do it, this thread proves that some of the membership will point out the price vs. performance issues you mentioned.

 

[celticbhoy]

Did you use a hammer on them by any chance?