Craftsman Chinese socket sets any good?

[lostindc]

I am debating getting a great deal on 108 piece craftsman mechanics tool set from sears.com for $27 after coupon codes and pts.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-108-pc-mechanics-tools-set/p-00938108000P

This is really a great price. I already have all I need in 1/2" sockets. My budget was up to around $130 to go in get 1/4" and 1/2" sockets and ratchets. I was going to initially go with gear wrench but the price of the 108 pc is so good.

So are these chinese sets of sockets good enough for a DIYer/weekend warrior? Is craftsman all but dead?

Thanks

 

[Givl Reggin]

I wouldn't buy China Craftsman purely out of spite... if enough people would stop buying them then maybe, just maybe they'll get the message we want the return to USA made Craftsman tools, even if it means a increase in price. So, what I'm saying is let them sit on the shelf, collect dust and rot.... but that's just me!

 

[-Brent-]

So are these chinese sets of sockets good enough for a DIYer/weekend warrior?

Yes, for a weekend warrior and DIYer, they're just fine.

 

[Farmall450]

They're plenty good. Yeah, I probably wouldn't buy them, but for a quarter a piece I'd go for it.

 

[Adam.C]

Cheaper, better quality US made Craftsman sockets are available new and almost new on ebay.

Interesting that the FBI has finally brought suit against the Chinese intelligence community for industrial espionage. Bad enough that we willingly do business with a nation whose policy is to destroy us economically, the Chinese govt is actively stealing US intellectual property using their version of the CIA.

Politics aside, the Chinese tools just aren't up to snuff. When you can buy comparable US made Craftsman at similar prices or vastly superior US made Snap On for a small premium, I see no need to patronize Chinese tool makers. I don't even buy blue point.

 

[Alexbn921]

No. They look like **** even compared to my old american craftsman sockets. Find New old stock USA.

 

[js289]

yep everything is built disposable today! wonder why i like older tools!

 

[Steinmetz]

Cheaper, better quality US made Craftsman sockets are available new and almost new on ebay.

Interesting that the FBI has finally brought suit against the Chinese intelligence community for industrial espionage. Bad enough that we willingly do business with a nation whose policy is to destroy us economically, the Chinese govt is actively stealing US intellectual property using their version of the CIA.

Politics aside, the Chinese tools just aren't up to snuff. When you can buy comparable US made Craftsman at similar prices or vastly superior US made Snap On for a small premium, I see no need to patronize Chinese tool makers. I don't even buy blue point.

Cheaper than $27? I doubt it.

The FBI doesn't bring suit against anyone, particularly an agency of a foreign power.

 

[Adam.C]

Cheaper than $27? I doubt it.

The FBI doesn't bring suit against anyone, particularly an agency of a foreign power.

****! Good thing you posted. I'll get Eric Holder on the phone and make him stop.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/19/justice/china-hacking-charges/

 

[tbaggz]

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=248184
this is what id do then.

 

[panknuckshovel]

It is a $30 dollar set that will be marginally better than the $20 harbor freight model.

 

[Loscaldazar]

It is a $30 dollar set that will be marginally better than the $20 harbor freight counter part.

Actually I'd place the Pitt Pro stuff above Chinese Craftsman in terms of strength, quality and chrome. Not to mention much cheaper....

 

[n8n]

And the HF sets may be made in Taiwan.

Purely on political grounds, quality notwithstanding, I would buy Taiwanese made anything over the equivalent Chinese made product.

Just be careful when looking at HF sets that they are complete. Some skip sizes especially in metric and they don't sell singles.

HF composite ratchets kick **** over Craftsman raised panel as well.

 

[panknuckshovel]

The raised panel ratchets have gone to hell. I couldnt even get rid of one craigslist as a curb alert.

 

[monomach]

The raised panel ratchets have gone to hell. I couldnt even get rid of one craigslist as a curb alert.

That *****. Mine (US-made) have been collecting dust for so long, I was thinking about listing them on CL as $10 for the trio.

Can't stand actually using the things.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Shop eBay. There is a lot of NOS Craftsman "Made in the USA" still available. Prices are reasonable.

If it does not say "Made in the USA", then it is NOT !

IMHO, the older (>10yo) Craftsman stuff "Made in the USA" is better.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Why spend the money on Chinese "Craftsman" when you can get better Taiwan tools for less money?

I don't say this often, but I would rather have Harbor Freight.

 

[JDon99]

A co-worker of mine bought some CMan filler sets a while back and they were all China, one quick look over them and I thought they looked like ****. I'll never buy Chinese CMan.

 

[bwringer]

Why spend the money on Chinese "Craftsman" when you can get better Taiwan tools for less money?

I don't say this often, but I would rather have Harbor Freight.

Same here. The Taiwanese stuff from HF is actually pretty outstanding.

 

[scw1991]

Up here in Oak Brook, IL, our local Costco has a Made In USA Craftsman socket set for sale for about $99 if not mistaken. If I get by there this week, I'll snap a pic of it. Just found this.

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/hot-deals/1278931/

 

[ihateminimumwage]

Up here in Oak Brook, IL, our local Costco has a Made In USA Craftsman socket set for sale for about $99 if not mistaken. If I get by there this week, I'll snap a pic of it.

I finally just got a Costco membership again, and was surprised that they were stocking Craftsman USA mechanic's sets and screwdriver sets.

 

[mmack66]

I wouldn't buy China Craftsman purely out of spite... if enough people would stop buying them then maybe, just maybe they'll get the message we want the return to USA made Craftsman tools, even if it means a increase in price. So, what I'm saying is let them sit on the shelf, collect dust and rot.... but that's just me!

Nah, they will just go somewhere that is cheaper.

 

[comedyman809]

i bought a USA made 1/4 14" extension, no socket would fit onto it without hammering the socket in place, then hammering to remove the socket. i grinded the square, now it works better, still has some stickiness to it, but better that when it was new. i think I'm done with craftsman .

 

[sonvolt]

Craftsman china is way to much $$ for what it is, especially the fact that USA made NOS is the same price if you can find it in the stores.

 

[gearhead1]

Short answer yes, they will work but I ditto the HF over Chinese Craftsman. Most of my stuff is USA Craftsman, why pay USA Craftsman prices for tools made in China when you can get them cheaper at HF....

If you are a serious DIYer and keep up with your stuff, go with the USA Craftsman.

 

[lostindc]

Bought the set, looking at it now, not bad but not good either. First, the ratchets and sockets do not feel any different than the HF pro brand. Second, I feel like the set is not very encompassing. I want a more encompassing mobile mechanic set for a DYIer. For me, I might be better off returning and picking up some gear wrench socket sets that will get me through and continue to build.

I might keep the set to place in family vehicle.

 

[jrobb316]

If HF is made in Taiwan, and you want cheap, go for that. There is a very large difference in Taiwan quality and China quality. Just look at the new gear wrenches (****). Luckily I bought my sets when they were still Taiwanese many years ago. I believe that sears is selling off all their old stock right now, they've been having sales like crazy, and if you read the reviews you can determine which stuff is made in China and which is USA. For example I just picked up a NOS USA stubby wrench set metric and SAE, USA VV wrenches, for under 100 on sears. I will not buy China craftsman ever, personal choice. I will only buy China tools if I have no other option, which is almost never.

 

[marinusdees]

Just wait a while. There will be NO option. Only Chinese. China can make good quality if the buyer demands it. The problem is US merchandisers don't ask for quality, just low price. Witness Grizzly selling South Bend lathes made in China. If the buyer demands quality and monitors quality, China can deliver. I think the manufacturing process must be monitored all the way through. Not just what the finished product looks like. The first Chinese vises used bondo in the casting blows. Less so now.

 

[JDon99]

China can make good quality if the buyer demands it.

So can(and does) the USA, AND employ Americans in the process. Who gives a **** what China can make, we need to push production back to the states.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I am debating getting a great deal on 108 piece craftsman mechanics tool set from sears.com for $27 after coupon codes and pts.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-108-pc-mechanics-tools-set/p-00938108000P

This is really a great price. I already have all I need in 1/2" sockets. My budget was up to around $130 to go in get 1/4" and 1/2" sockets and ratchets. I was going to initially go with gear wrench but the price of the 108 pc is so good.

So are these chinese sets of sockets good enough for a DIYer/weekend warrior? Is craftsman all but dead?

Thanks

Fine except the ratchets. But those ratchets have always sucked anyway.

 

[scw1991]

Nobody to point the finger at but ourselves. Our own government and our our own corporations sold us out all in the name of quarterly profit and good ol fashion American greed.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I have been grabbing USA stuff whenever I see it. I love my craftsman pro wrenches, going on 7 years without one problem. A few weeks ago I saw 3 sets of SAE old stock pros on the the shelf and nabbed them, now i dont have to worry about the useless craftsman warranty. I have backups on my most common sockets and even though i have rarely had a problem with sockets or wrenches i know my luck.

 

[firebox40dash5]

So can(and does) the USA, AND employ Americans in the process. Who gives a **** what China can make, we need to push production back to the states.

The people who want to make stuff as cheap as possible give a ****. The upshot is as I understand it, by the time you demand quality, employ your own people to QC it in China, and ship it, you've lost a lot of the price advantage. The downsides are that most people don't care and will accept (or not even notice) a lack of quality for a lower price (or in the case of Sears, the same price) and there are plenty who'll shortsightedly move production overseas for a small cost advantage. Thank the costs and risks of doing business (especially manufacturing) here for that.

I agree with the first post, I'd avoid them out of spite. Sears is my last ditch, need it right now, can't find it anywhere else, can't do the job any other way source anyway. I had a couple sets of the Chinese impacts. Didn't even know to look at that time. They weren't total ****, but they're a lot thicker and didn't fit anvils or fasteners as well as others. I'll spend a little more for Taiwanese cr-mo if I'm on a tight budget.

 

[n8n]

The people who want to make stuff as cheap as possible give a ****. The upshot is as I understand it, by the time you demand quality, employ your own people to QC it in China, and ship it, you've lost a lot of the price advantage. The downsides are that most people don't care and will accept (or not even notice) a lack of quality for a lower price (or in the case of Sears, the same price) and there are plenty who'll shortsightedly move production overseas for a small cost advantage. Thank the costs and risks of doing business (especially manufacturing) here for that.

I agree with the first post, I'd avoid them out of spite. Sears is my last ditch, need it right now, can't find it anywhere else, can't do the job any other way source anyway. I had a couple sets of the Chinese impacts. Didn't even know to look at that time. They weren't total ****, but they're a lot thicker and didn't fit anvils or fasteners as well as others. I'll spend a little more for Taiwanese cr-mo if I'm on a tight budget.

I'll buy Carlyle from NAPA before I'll go to Sears, unless it's a weekend. And I have a HF closer than Sears as well, so I'll try there after NAPA.

 

[gungatim]

I bought the double set of deep well 3/8 std & metric on Black Friday, was like $15 or something. This was for a backup set where I was missing a few US craftsman. I was so disappointed in them I threw them in a garage sale box and bought a set of HF Pittsburgh. The quality on the HF is literally 2x what the China Craftsman are. Maybe not quite as nice as US Craftsman but fairly close. I will never buy or trade another Craftsman for their China junk, and I like China. Been there a few times, yada yada...

 

[Adam.C]

Bought the set, looking at it now, not bad but not good either. First, the ratchets and sockets do not feel any different than the HF pro brand. Second, I feel like the set is not very encompassing. I want a more encompassing mobile mechanic set for a DYIer. For me, I might be better off returning and picking up some gear wrench socket sets that will get me through and continue to build.

I might keep the set to place in family vehicle.

Maybe you should consider starting with ratchet wrenches and see how far you can get with them. EZ RED make flex head ratchets which look like they would be helpful. I'm not sure who developed these tools, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Snap On. It may have been gear wrench. Full sets of these wrenches are under $100 if memory serves.

 

[monomach]

I'll buy Carlyle from NAPA before I'll go to Sears, unless it's a weekend. And I have a HF closer than Sears as well, so I'll try there after NAPA.

Why do people keep doing this?

OF COURSE YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE CARLYLE IN YOUR BOX. IT'S A PREMIUM BRAND. SEARS ISN'T EVEN TRYING TO SELL YOU A $140 WRENCH SET. IF YOU WANT CARLYLE, SEARS DOESN'T WANT YOU.

Just like the guys who chime in talking about Snap-on when Craftsman comes up. They're not marketed toward the same group of people.

The better comparison is the Taiwan stuff from HF and Lowe's. That's a valid comparison. (and they're both better than Chinese Sears)

 

[Adam.C]

Why do people keep doing this?

Just as bad as the durr durr durrs who chime in talking about Snap-on when Craftsman comes up. They're not marketed toward the same group of people.

You can buy used Snap On sockets for less than $75. Let's say that's 10 times more than Craftsman. It's still only $75. The world's best sockets are cheaper than new Nikes. People pay way more for cable than they do for tools that save them money. And unlike the shoes, cable or all the other **** we buy, Snap On tools hold their value. Tell me again why this is bad advice?

True enough that people who buy ALL Snap On or NEW Snap On are pros or folks who are well off. But no one here has suggested that.

Interesting to note that the OP didn't take my (or many others') advice and he bought Chinese **** sockets and was disappointed that they felt "cheap". That's a live and learn moment.

My advice is not to take an all or nothing approach to tools or tool brands. If cash is tight and you can't afford the best, prioritize.

 

[n8n]

Why do people keep doing this?

OF COURSE YOU WOULD RATHER HAVE CARLYLE IN YOUR BOX. IT'S A PREMIUM BRAND. SEARS ISN'T EVEN TRYING TO SELL YOU A $140 WRENCH SET. IF YOU WANT CARLYLE, SEARS DOESN'T WANT YOU.

Just like the guys who chime in talking about Snap-on when Craftsman comes up. They're not marketed toward the same group of people.

The better comparison is the Taiwan stuff from HF and Lowe's. That's a valid comparison. (and they're both better than Chinese Sears)

That was in response to someone saying the only reason they would go in Sears is if they needed something right away. NAPA is really the *only* option, if you absolutely positively need something ASAP, other than other auto parts stores. this has happened to me... started on a brake job on a SAAB, needed an E20, stopped by NAPA (I wasn't at my friend's shop, I was about 100 miles away from there) counter guy said "no, we don't have it, but I'll get one from the warehouse, come back around 1."

Can you get service like that at Sears? Can you even *buy* a single E20? If you need something right now, you don't care if it costs $5 or $15, you need it right now, period. The fact that Carlyle is better quality than C'man these days is just icing, I feel like I got some value for my money both in service and the quality of the tool.

 

[marinusdees]

Good luck.