Craftsman Easy Read vs. Regular

[kunkernator]

I am thinking of buying some full sets of Craftsman sockets to replace my mixed branded incomplete sets. I will most likely purchase the 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" modules, which are NOT Easy Read. Now the question which I have, are their quality difference between Easay Read and regular? Also, for sake of me investing in order to get a matched set, if I need to purchase extra filler sockets, does Craftsman still make regular sockets? It seems as though they are starting to get phased out by Easy Read.

Also these modules seem to be a great deal, considering they come with chrome ratchets. Are they still USA made?

1/4"

3/8"

1/2"

I know the plastic part of the modules are ****, I am more looking at them because of the price.


Thank you all in advance!

 

[Mickey O]

Those Craftsman module sets at half price as they have been recently are one of the best deals going. I wouldn't hesitate to buy a few, I bought the 1/4" and 3/8" sets.

 

[kossuth]

As far as a difference between the easy read vs the regular stamped sockets I can't really say. I've had a hard time breaking either one of these sockets and are a good buy in my opinion regardless of who makes them. Now, their rachets on the other hand just plain **** anymore. I've broken several of the 3/8" and 1/2" ratchets and this is without using cheater bars either.

PERSONAL NOTE...... I like many others believe that Murphy will accompany you on every project (see Murphy's laws) and you can be certain you will break a ratchet or it will slip at the worst possible moment when you apply the most force you can muster onto said fastener. Hereby slamming your fist into an object on a car/project will cause you extreme grief, angish, and possible disfigurement. I've earned plenty of smashed knuckles and a trip to the ER for stitches once because of those damned things. I threw my Craftsman ratchets into the woods long long ago.

If you are looking for a complete set of sockets that are all alike you can get a complete Craftsman set here with 299 of their sockets. http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...me=Socket+Sets&prdNo=2&blockNo=2&blockType=L2

Now, if you don't want to go that crazy and you are just looking for a basic set of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" regular and deepwell sockets here is what I would do. The sets I'm linking are 6 point sets. I'm of the opinion use 6 points on 6 point fasteners which is about 90% of what any of us really deal with unless you are always working with high tensel fasteners like those on racecars or aircraft. Getting a set of 12 point sockets and using them on a 6 point fastener IMO is inviting Murphy into your project, inevitably that socket will slip and strip the head off the bolt/nut. That's the biggest problem I would have with the kits you listed, most specifically the 1/2" kit which is all 12 point. Anyways these two kits are roughly the same combined as the three you posted earlier and are more complete as far as sockets go.

63 piece deep well 6 point 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...me=Socket+Sets&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

82 piece regular 6 point 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...me=Socket+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

 

[ElasDray]

I can't complain a bit about my Craftsman 1/2" easy read impact sockets. They get beat on daily with a Snap on MG725. And they cost a quarter of what the Snap on ones do.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I bought one of those cheapo consumer tool sets early this year when I stocked my toolbox. I quickly returned them... the non-laser etched sockets looked like junk, even by Craftsman standards. I don't recall if they were even USA stamped or not, but they were inexcusably crappy. Lots of flash and a horrible surface finish inside the socket. I bought the all-6-point set of laser etched sockets, and IMO they're much higher quality. They're dual marked, so even if you're not a fan of the laser etching, they're not going to be any harder to ID than stamped sockets. I don't think I've busted any yet, though I use my impact sockets a lot more often than my chrome ones.

 

[RCStocker]

I have all the brands of tools. I have been using my C man's for 50 years now. I have Snappies and I like my C mans just as well
Like stated many of the trays are half price and a very good deal for the money.
The stamping on the new sockets is very bad and I don't like the easy read but then again I have been working with nuts for so many years I know the size bold, nut and socket just by looking at it.

Sears have the 2 trays of Impact sockets on half price sale for $125 both. I was serching the other day and came across the. Nice set of shallow, deep, SAE and Metric. Even has swivel, extentions and a black ratchet and extentions. One hell of a buy in my book.

 

[pipsters]

I bought the 1/4" module last spring when it was on sale for something ridiculous like $35. I sold the ratchet for $20 so all the sockets cost me $15. I use them on my 1/4" air ratchet. They are champs, and hold up well.

I also have the 299 pc socket set for my hand tools. Personally I much prefer the laser etching. I have owned a previous non-laser-etched set as well (2007 vintage) and IMO you will eventually regret not having laser etched.

Any socket you get in store will be laser etched, they cannot order the "G2" stamped sockets. "G2D" (D as in dual stamp) are the same sockets just laser etched.

Only downside with the Craftsman sockets is 6 months to 2 years later you will start seeing rust on the outside chrome of about 10-15% of them. You will have to swamp them out. They make so many of them that I figure when they make some the chroming material is low or something before they swap it out for new material.

Wait for the 299 pc socket set to go on sale more. And there is a "VISA" coupon that will give you $35 off $300+. I bought the 299 pc set for what ended up being $300 or so before tax making each socket cost $1.

As to the finish inside the socket...I dunno I'll be honest I've never really examined the inside of my Craftsman sockets as opposed to other brands. I have used a caliper and found the Craftsman sockets are the same or a little tighter than an SK set I bought new (then returned). I had more issues with SK than Craftsman, such as missing detents and peeling chrome.

There is some legwork involved in getting a great set of Craftsman sockets but once you're done you're left with good honest tools US made for a bargain.

 

[kunkernator]

Now, if you don't want to go that crazy and you are just looking for a basic set of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2" regular and deepwell sockets here is what I would do. The sets I'm linking are 6 point sets. I'm of the opinion use 6 points on 6 point fasteners which is about 90% of what any of us really deal with unless you are always working with high tensel fasteners like those on racecars or aircraft. Getting a set of 12 point sockets and using them on a 6 point fastener IMO is inviting Murphy into your project, inevitably that socket will slip and strip the head off the bolt/nut. That's the biggest problem I would have with the kits you listed, most specifically the 1/2" kit which is all 12 point. Anyways these two kits are roughly the same combined as the three you posted earlier and are more complete as far as sockets go.

63 piece deep well 6 point 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...me=Socket+Sets&prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=L1

82 piece regular 6 point 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...me=Socket+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

That is exactly what I have been looking for! I HATE Craftsman's website, they have so much ****, it is hard to sift thru the correct priced, the right sizes, the other stuff.... And I love 6 point sockets, WAYYYYY less likely to strip stuff. Perfect sets for me, I love it. But at that point, I am almost wondering if I should just spend the extra money and get the 299 Master Set.... I dunno, but do they sell those two sets combined?

 

[kunkernator]

Wait for the 299 pc socket set to go on sale more. And there is a "VISA" coupon that will give you $35 off $300+. I bought the 299 pc set for what ended up being $300 or so before tax making each socket cost $1.

How often do these normally go on sale? I would hate to spend $450+ as they are now, but if they drop often, I can hold out. $1/socket is a steal!

 

[pipsters]

Sears has a crappy 14 day price match policy. When I bought they were $399 or something. Well wouldn't you know 30 days later and they are $349 minus my coupons which I found I could add at that point. So what did I do? I re-bought at the new price and returned the new sockets with my old receipt (anything can be returned within 90 days).

Just sign up for shopvantage again with a new email or get them shipped to the store, then turn around and return them a day later or something.

No idea how often they go on sale but Thanksgiving is coming up and they typically have some good deals before that. I noticed last year Black Friday at Sears and after that was pretty crappy for deals but in the month leading up to it they had some good sales.

You will have to do some legwork, I got about 15% of that set that I ended up calling to get new sockets for, peeling chrome (bad) on some of the bigger sizes, detents stamped too deep so the ball on the ratchet wouldn't lock, etc, but like I said I did some legwork and am left with a fantastic set of sockets that are US made for $1/pop. Just don't expect Snap-On, Proto, Wright, or any other high end tool maker quality.

 

[kossuth]

That is exactly what I have been looking for! I HATE Craftsman's website, they have so much ****, it is hard to sift thru the correct priced, the right sizes, the other stuff.... And I love 6 point sockets, WAYYYYY less likely to strip stuff. Perfect sets for me, I love it. But at that point, I am almost wondering if I should just spend the extra money and get the 299 Master Set.... I dunno, but do they sell those two sets combined?

I was unable to find such, I'm doubting it exists. I will look and see and if it's out there I will report back. If somebody else finds it I'm sure they will post a link to to it as well.

 

[PassnThru]

That is exactly what I have been looking for! I HATE Craftsman's website, they have so much ****, it is hard to sift thru the correct priced, the right sizes, the other stuff.... And I love 6 point sockets, WAYYYYY less likely to strip stuff. Perfect sets for me, I love it. But at that point, I am almost wondering if I should just spend the extra money and get the 299 Master Set.... I dunno, but do they sell those two sets combined?

You should check this set out - 142 6 point sockets with some six point wrenches and other stuff. Currently $225 which is less than the two sets listed above with about the same number of sockets. This is what I did when I wanted a fairly complete set of 6 point sockets. It was the cheapest way I could find the sockets and it really doesn't hurt to have some 6 point wrenches thrown in.
189 Pc Mechanics Tool Set - 6 Point

 

[kossuth]

You should check this set out - 142 6 point sockets with some six point wrenches and other stuff. Currently $225 which is less than the two sets listed above with about the same number of sockets. This is what I did when I wanted a fairly complete set of 6 point sockets. It was the cheapest way I could find the sockets and it really doesn't hurt to have some 6 point wrenches thrown in.
189 Pc Mechanics Tool Set - 6 Point

Not quite all the same sockets but that's an awful good deal right there considering it is only missing 3-4 of the total sockets the other two kits had which (probiably oddball large sockets). About $60 cheaper overall. Good find....

 

[kunkernator]

You should check this set out - 142 6 point sockets with some six point wrenches and other stuff. Currently $225 which is less than the two sets listed above with about the same number of sockets. This is what I did when I wanted a fairly complete set of 6 point sockets. It was the cheapest way I could find the sockets and it really doesn't hurt to have some 6 point wrenches thrown in.
189 Pc Mechanics Tool Set - 6 Point

Thats is not bad at all, I will have to have some time to compare sizes with the full (299 piece) set, to see if everything I want is in there, but that looks good. I could use the wrenches too.

 

[dsmnickk90]

They are the same sockets. One just has the laser etch on the like Armstrongs have. I have mostly the regular but a few Easy Read in the ones I couldn't get in the regular sockets.

 

[kunkernator]

PassnThru-

I almost missed the 6 point wrenches. Does Craftsman even make those separately? I would LOVE them. That just sweetens the deal.

 

[kossuth]

PassnThru-

I almost missed the 6 point wrenches. Does Craftsman even make those separately? I would LOVE them. That just sweetens the deal.

Yeah they do. About $30 for the metric set and about $30 for a the SAE set

http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-...on+Wrench+Sets&prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=L6

 

[PassnThru]

Thats is not bad at all, I will have to have some time to compare sizes with the full (299 piece) set, to see if everything I want is in there, but that looks good. I could use the wrenches too.

PassnThru-

I almost missed the 6 point wrenches. Does Craftsman even make those separately? I would LOVE them. That just sweetens the deal.

From my experience, this set is only 4 or 5 sockets short of every six point socket they sell. At least I've only found 4 or 5 more to add to the set. Sadly, they sell more 12 point sockets than six point sockets - some sizes are only available in 12 point. I don't know if they sell the wrenches separately - this set was the first time I even knew they had them.

 

[kunkernator]

I can also assume it sounds like you own this set? Do you like it? You ever come across sizes you need that are not there?

 

[bimmerZ5]

How often do these normally go on sale? I would hate to spend $450+ as they are now, but if they drop often, I can hold out. $1/socket is a steal!

I've seen the sale at least 3 times this year alone. in fact, I got a few sets at $249.98 with various discounts. wait for the sale... or pickup gear wrench socket sets when they are on sale.... I find the gearwrench sockets to be of superb quality over craftsman and they are about the same price during sales.

 

[PassnThru]

I can also assume it sounds like you own this set? Do you like it? You ever come across sizes you need that are not there?

Yes - I bought that set. I also have a set of deep and std half inch drive impact sockets that take up the slack for some of the bigger sizes - that's mostly on the metric side and only 2 or 3 that are missing from this set. I'm barely even a weekend wrencher so I can't really say if you would be missing anything. You could always fill it out with another brand or some 12 points. The wrenches do come in handy - they aren't my go to wrenches but I like them for things like bleeders and battery terminals. Problem with a 6 point wrench is that you need lots of room to work. There are only six possible ways it will go on and that can be a problem in tight spaces.

 

[d.mcfarland]

eBay always has a ton of sets that are not the new easy read. Very good price on those as well.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I can also assume it sounds like you own this set? Do you like it? You ever come across sizes you need that are not there?

Same one I bought. I don't think I've ever NEEDED one that didn't come with it, although I did add 3/8 and 1/2 impacts... there's to 1/2 deep in the kit. I don't think Sears sells any of the sizes that aren't included, like smaller sizes in 3/8. At least I don't think I've been able to find them... damn OCD making me want to fill out those Hansen trays.

PS: Ya want my 6 point wrenches? They've been sitting in the box since I bought the kit.

 

[Bwana]

How do you guys know when one of the sets goes on sale? E-mail notification? Check the website daily/weekly? Go by the store?

Can you get the same discounts at the store as are on the website? I've got a Sears across the street from work, almost zero cost for purchase as opposed to shipping.

 

[Super Sport]

How do you guys know when one of the sets goes on sale? E-mail notification? Check the website daily/weekly? Go by the store?

Can you get the same discounts at the store as are on the website? I've got a Sears across the street from work, almost zero cost for purchase as opposed to shipping.

I watch slickdeals or the hot deals forum on here. I'm also on Sears website pretty much daily.

The website always has better deals, except for some clearance items available in the store. There is an option to pick up or ship to store on the website, so you can avoid the high shipping costs.

 

[bimmerZ5]

How do you guys know when one of the sets goes on sale? E-mail notification? Check the website daily/weekly? Go by the store?

Can you get the same discounts at the store as are on the website? I've got a Sears across the street from work, almost zero cost for purchase as opposed to shipping.

i've tried the price notification emails from sears.com, and it doesn't work well. i end up getting the email notice 2 days after the sale is already over. best bet is to monitor the price yourself or setup an alert on slickdeals so that if someone reports the sale, you'll know about it immediately. (in the case of slickdeals, the emails are almost instant)

i've had really bad luck trying to get my local sears to match prices with their website. much better off ordering online for store pickup or delivery (if you can get it for free).

 

[87Pomona]

I bought a mechanic set with the easy to read sockets 8 years ago. The easy to read numbers are not visible anymore on the sockets I used the most through out those 8 years. With that said I dont see myself buying the easy to read sockets again. I'll just stick to the regular ones

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I like the ez read stuff. I also have armstrong, gearwrench, and kobolt sockets stamped with similar styles. My eyesight isn't what it was 30 years ago and the ez read stuff is nice especially with 1/4 in drive stuff

 

[BDT/NWMN]

I bought a mechanic set with the easy to read sockets 8 years ago. The easy to read numbers are not visible anymore on the sockets I used the most through out those 8 years. With that said I dont see myself buying the easy to read sockets again. I'll just stick to the regular ones

That is a good point to bring up about the numbers wearing off.. Although I do like those big numbers, ,, I also would not go out of my way to buy the easy to read sockets over the regular ones.

 

[bcradio]

I've seen the sale at least 3 times this year alone. in fact, I got a few sets at $249.98 with various discounts. wait for the sale... or pickup gear wrench socket sets when they are on sale.... I find the gearwrench sockets to be of superb quality over craftsman and they are about the same price during sales.

Do they have large sets that go on sale?

I don't want a zillion little sets pieced together with a bunch of individuals. Also, warranty is a concern for me going this route.