basspro
Well-known member
Or keep the Craftsman!
Craftsman Disappointment
- Thread starter OffRoadNut
- Start date
Depends how much torque you put on it. The stubby probably will last a lifetime since it will see low loads, long handle flex......well that one is up for debate. I have both USA and Taiwan versions....unfortunately the Taiwan version is a better overall ratchet compared to some of the last USA versions made. Guts are better machined, harder steel and without doubt smoother action. Finish seems comparable in each version.
My last new USA version skipped teeth with just a half dozen times of heavy use.
That failure led me to the Taiwan version. I have put heavy loads many times on my Taiwan 1/2" and 3/8" craftsman ratchets and they have held up. Mind you all my Taiwan ratchets are replacements for failed USA versions. My remaining old USA craftsman ratchets have rebuild kits in them I put in, and those kits are even questionable as far as durability goes. I do have one last new USA 3/8" flexhead that probably will never get used. My 84 tooth USA craftsman are mighty good ratchets though and so are my USA thin profile versions.
My go to flexhead ratchets now are the new protos made in Italy....falcom/rebadge.
Those are some damn strong ratchets. I think my sk tough1's are very strong too.I think I bought USA Craftsman raised panel wrenches and sockets just in time before 100% of their inventory goes oversees. I love both, however; I have the polished pro ratchets and not real happy. The 1/4 skips teeth in both directions.
As for the rest of the box, Ive had to mix brands to stay with good quality combined with bang for the buck. When its possible I stay with USA brands but only when the first two req. are met. Channellock is my go-to brand for pliers and unless something changes, always will be. Sockets and wrenches are USA Craftsman and I recently acquired a set of Wiha (German) screwdrivers and instantly fell in love. I like them better than the SO stuff I use at work (provided for me).
I have heard that Craftsman is recently making efforts to try to rebound from their oversees slump. I hope so.
You should still look into German and Japanese stuff until that happens. I freaking love the Wiha screwdrivers.
As for the rest of the box, Ive had to mix brands to stay with good quality combined with bang for the buck. When its possible I stay with USA brands but only when the first two req. are met. Channellock is my go-to brand for pliers and unless something changes, always will be. Sockets and wrenches are USA Craftsman and I recently acquired a set of Wiha (German) screwdrivers and instantly fell in love. I like them better than the SO stuff I use at work (provided for me).
I have heard that Craftsman is recently making efforts to try to rebound from their oversees slump. I hope so.
You should still look into German and Japanese stuff until that happens. I freaking love the Wiha screwdrivers.
Jrussell86
Well-known member
I think this needs to be revisited for the new members from time to time. It is very sad that the Craftsman name has been outsourced to the point it is almost all Chinese made. They may function the same but to me a China made tool is just not a USA made tool. I agree with everyone else with Armstrong and SK. We don't have a Menard's and I haven't ever bought any Willams. As far are no USA hand tools at the price point of Craftsman. They also had the best warranty policy. Good luck getting anyone that sells SK or Armstrong swap something out for you without a receipt from them.