Craftsman Easy-Read Sockets availability?

[twonot1]

Hi all - this is my first real post here. I have loved all the info I've gleaned from reading the countless threads, though.

I am in need of a large 6-point socket set and have been looking at the Craftsman easy-read mainly because they are also engraved. I missed my opportunity to get a set of 52 (preference), 82, or 176, or even some of the tool sets containing the easy-read sockets. Now the Sears site says "temporarily unavailable" for all the ones I'm interested in.

Does "temporary" unavailability really mean "discontinued?" Does anyone know if they're planning to come out with other sets? Is it just due to the holiday rush?

Any info, or just opinions (why not ) are welcomed!

 

[Here2Learn]

Hello. Isn't this place great?!

When you say large, do you mean 1/2" drive?

SAE or metric?

I wonder if some of the sets you are looking at were made in the USA, as production has shifted to China. Some sets might not be replaced by Chinese made, but some are.

 

[drink]

I noticed the same thing. Some of the sets of ETR sockets were listed as temporarily out of stock. A few days ago somebody said the people at APEX were on vacation and would return somewhere around the first week of January 2016. Maybe they ran out of stock to fill orders with and could not ship any orders until after the new year begins. One would think they would have the smarts to accept orders on backorder to make sales. With that said they might be going through some changes of some sort. Who knows? Maybe they are changing the product line up to new sets.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-p...0935749000P?prdNo=21&blockNo=21&blockType=G21

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-44-p...0934855000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-52-p...0935747000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=G11

The 1/2" drive set in 6 point is showing up as available now.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-49-p...0935745000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

 

[Ponchoguy]

I noticed the same thing. Some of the sets of ETR sockets were listed as temporarily out of stock. A few days ago somebody said the people at APEX were on vacation and would return somewhere around the first week of January 2016. Maybe they ran out of stock to fill orders with and could not ship any orders until after the new year begins. One would think they would have the smarts to accept orders on backorder to make sales. With that said they might be going through some changes of some sort. Who knows? Maybe they are changing the product line up to new sets.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-p...0935749000P?prdNo=21&blockNo=21&blockType=G21

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-44-p...0934855000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-52-p...0935747000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=G11

The 1/2" drive set in 6 point is showing up as available now.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-49-p...0935745000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

Sometimes they do that and are changing the model #, or it's just not available as like you said, more of it has to be made and put into the pipeline.

 

[LB-1911]

Hi all - this is my first real post here. I have loved all the info I've gleaned from reading the countless threads, though.

I am in need of a large 6-point socket set and have been looking at the Craftsman easy-read mainly because they are also engraved. I missed my opportunity to get a set of 52 (preference), 82, or 176, or even some of the tool sets containing the easy-read sockets. Now the Sears site says "temporarily unavailable" for all the ones I'm interested in.

Does "temporary" unavailability really mean "discontinued?" Does anyone know if they're planning to come out with other sets? Is it just due to the holiday rush?

Any info, or just opinions (why not ) are welcomed!

You might get lucky at a Sears Outlet.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/stores_list.jsp

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/products.jsp?md=srh_md&stxt=easy+read+sockets&fromUrl=search

 

[drink]

I found some made in USA sockets at the Sears Outlet. They had price tags on them but when I asked them to do a price check on them they were a lot cheaper.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I've had good luck at Sears dealer stores in small towns

 

[drink]

Have you tried Ace Hardware yet? They might have some rails available.

 

[twonot1]

Sorry, I should have clarified. I'm most interested in the 3/8"-drive sockets. They are what I use most; plus, I'm kind of set (I think) with 1/4" and 1/2" for now. I don't have any bigger stuff than that and don't foresee a need for it.

Hello. Isn't this place great?!

When you say large, do you mean 1/2" drive?

SAE or metric?

I wonder if some of the sets you are looking at were made in the USA, as production has shifted to China. Some sets might not be replaced by Chinese made, but some are.

 

[twonot1]

I'm mostly interested in 3/8" due to lighter weight, but that is good to know about the 1/2". Also, good to know a little info about the manufacturer. Thank you.

I noticed the same thing. Some of the sets of ETR sockets were listed as temporarily out of stock. A few days ago somebody said the people at APEX were on vacation and would return somewhere around the first week of January 2016. Maybe they ran out of stock to fill orders with and could not ship any orders until after the new year begins. One would think they would have the smarts to accept orders on backorder to make sales. With that said they might be going through some changes of some sort. Who knows? Maybe they are changing the product line up to new sets.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-p...0935749000P?prdNo=21&blockNo=21&blockType=G21

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-44-p...0934855000P?prdNo=14&blockNo=14&blockType=G14

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-52-p...0935747000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=G11

The 1/2" drive set in 6 point is showing up as available now.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-49-p...0935745000P?prdNo=19&blockNo=19&blockType=G19

 

[twonot1]

Good call - I hadn't thought of that, probably because there's not one in my area. I'll drop in on a few next time we're in DFW.

You might get lucky at a Sears Outlet.

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/stores_list.jsp

http://www.searsoutlet.com/d/products.jsp?md=srh_md&stxt=easy+read+sockets&fromUrl=search

 

[twonot1]

I can check there - we have one locally.

Have you tried Ace Hardware yet? They might have some rails available.

 

[twonot1]

I asked the local one to look up the 52-piece, 6-point, 3/8"-drive set; they don't carry it and, if I understood correctly, can't even order it. Good thought, though.

I've had good luck at Sears dealer stores in small towns

 

[twonot1]

I think I need to learn to use multi-quote, haha.

 

[twonot1]

It seems the 82-piece is back in stock (I thought it was unavailable, anyway).
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-82-pc-easy-read-socket-set-6/p-00935741000P

No way am I paying full price, though. I ended up ordering this instead:
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-207-pc-easy-to-read-mechanics-tool/p-00933207000P

I'm not thrilled about the price, but I needed some regular wrenches anyway, and maybe I'll get lucky and get an older USA-made set.