Craftsman Evolv impacts any good?

[n8n]

Anyone tried them? I am trying to acquire tools on a very limited budget as I'm pretty much a weekend warrior, however being "between jobs" at the moment I've been filling in as a mechanic at my friend's shop. I am starting with NO air tools, I've used only hand tools never having had a garage and a compressor. I have been doing good so far on the 'bay and at pawn shops; so far I've picked up a like-new Matco MT1769A, a used set of Snap-On deep metric impacts, and a Husky set of metric shallow impacts all at much less than list. I'm stuck on SAE stuff though, haven't found a screaming deal on anything respectably branded, but Sears is selling a set of SAE deep "evolv" impacts online for $20. The web site says lifetime warranty, but I do not want to have to take advantage of it all the time, and my understanding is "evolv" is a step down in quality from stuff that's branded "Craftsman" only. Are these decent, or am I basically paying for Harbor Freight quality with a good warranty? Input appreciated!

Also, off on a tangent, does anyone sell the IR or Matco impact lube kit in a brick and mortar store or am I going to have to order online? The Matco guy doesn't stop regularly at my friend's shop, only the Snap-On guy does, and not all that often at that (been trying to warranty an impact swivel for ages and I keep missing him.) I went for the Matco gun because my understanding is it's a rebranded IR 2135TiMAX which has excellent reviews online and also the shop foreman has one and says it's better than his Snap-On. Went for Matco over IR simply because I got it for about half the price I could find the IR for. But now that I read up on it I find that you're supposed to not only oil the motor but grease the hammers, unlike the 3/4" Cleco that I also picked up (but will probably sell, because there's not enough air volume at the shop to run it) which just uses 30W oil to lube the whole thing.

Now really getting off topic I'd be happy to trade my 3/4" Cleco for a comparable 1/2" Cleco that will work on a typical shop's air supply, as I probably never will be able to build the home garage that I really want with the big badass air supply to properly feed the thing.

 

[cburnscrx]

The web site says lifetime warranty, but I do not want to have to take advantage of it all the time, and my understanding is "evolv" is a step down in quality from stuff that's branded "Craftsman" only. Are these decent, or am I basically paying for Harbor Freight quality with a good warranty? Input appreciated!

Actually you're paying for HF with a WORSE warranty. No receipt for that Evlov stuff? Sorry, no dice. Personally I'd get the Pittsburgh Pro impacts. They're well reviewed here, and the warranty is better.

 

[zkling]

Actually you're paying for HF with a WORSE warranty. No receipt for that Evlov stuff? Sorry, no dice. Personally I'd get the Pittsburgh Pro impacts. They're well reviewed here, and the warranty is better.

 

[firebox40dash5]

Breaking impact sockets is pretty damn difficult anyway, I have yet to do it. If you want cheap and Chinese I agree to go with HF. I'd just as soon never give Sears another cent for their ****** service and disgrace to the formerly half-decent Craftsman name. For my dollars I'd buy Gearwrench for home use, they're at least made in Taiwan.

PS: I just remove the hammer case to grease my IR guns. 4 bolts and it pops right off, then coat everything and put some more in the case. That's free and readily available.

 

[Larch]

Actually you're paying for HF with a WORSE warranty. No receipt for that Evlov stuff? Sorry, no dice. Personally I'd get the Pittsburgh Pro impacts. They're well reviewed here, and the warranty is better.

I have a set of Snappy impacts, and a set of HF. The snap on are less bulky, that being said, the HF deep impacts are one of the better things at the store. If I recall, they are only twenty bucks a set. You would have to be very lucky to find better for that price.

 

[n8n]

yeah, I've made it a habit of sending rather emphatic comments every time I get a receipt from Sears with that "we want your feedback" thing. I actually just warrantied a socket and a ratchet today; it made me really sad to turn in my old faithful "FORGED IN USA" ratchet that I've had for probably 20 years and get a similar looking but made in China POS. All the wrenches in my local Sears Hardware are Chinese now save for the loose ones on the rack which I assume are old stock. Most of my Craftsman stuff is either stuff I bought back when I bought my first car or else inherited from my grandfather so I have a bit of an emotional attachment to it, and now if I lose or break anything I can't replace it with comparable stuff because it's all been offshored. All of the new tools that I've purchased (e.g. not at pawn shop or yard sale) have been S-K since then, although after using the shop foreman's Snap-On hand impact wrench and brake piston tool I might need to get myself those two...

So Evolv requires a receipt for warranty? OK, that's off my list. "Pittsburgh" is looking better and better. My 32mm is actually Pittsburgh because my SO set only goes up to 27mm and I've had no problems. And I have a HF closer than Sears, and the SAE deep set is apparently on sale for $25 right now... it's an extra $5 but if they are acceptable I might just have to pick 'em up. Even though it offends me to use Chinese made tools with the Pittsburgh name on them, as I grew up in Darlington and had family that worked in the (now gone) steel mills...

Question: are the Pittsburgh sockets stamped or only laser etched? Would prefer stamped as if I end up working at the shop for too long they'll probably get all kinds of beat up.

 

[Larch]

Pittsburg pro is made in Taiwan.

 

[jim1987]

My brother uses them.professionally in a semi repair shop. No issues yet. Another cheaper option is duralast. I paid $40 for sae and metric deep.

 

[kc-steve]

I don't think any Evolv impacts are made with chromoly alloy steel. That is the important difference between a good impact and a hobby impact. Pittsburgh Pros are chromoly. If a set doesn't say it is chromoly then it likely isn't.

Steve

 

[Farmall450]

They're very nice impact sockets, I have metric/SAE shallow and deep.

Very good. Just keep the receipt should they break.

 

[dankicksass]

Stanley 1/2dr impacts are $17 on Amazon. I would never consider Evolv or any HF socket for my box. I use Stanley all the time, they're my go-to at home and cover my SAE at work for the rare occasion when I need it.

 

[Strouty]

We have a new harbor freight and my Dad had a broken 3/8" to 1/2" adapter. I wasn't paying attention to the transaction. He was buying about $400 worth of tools to outfit an extra tool box. The woman looked at it and went to the managers office, then brought back something completely different. She then asked my Father if he knew where it was. He went and got one, then finalized the transaction and we left. On the way home I was looking at the receipt and she charged him for the replacement and took his old one. We went back she dug the adapter out of the trash. Then they would not warranty it without a receipt. The manager refused as well. I only like the cheap tools with a lifetime warranty so that if they break you can go in and get it replaced.

On Harbor Freight's website it doesn't say anything about returning broken items to the store, it says to call customer service.

 

[fourtythree]

Another Duralast user. Paid 20 bucks for the metric set. They've held up well and have a good warranty.

 

[fourtythree]

The Craftsman 48pc Master Laser Impact Socket Accessory Set with Portable Case, 1/2 Drive, Inch/Metric is only $179. This has got to be the minimum quality for professional use.

I thought Evolve was for hobby use, or even single use. Evolve for professional use, good grief, I can't even take that seriously.

If I take my stuff in to a professional mechanic, he better have a box full of SnapOn stuff or I'm finding a new place to take my stuff.

So the mechanic is no good if he doesn't use Snap On?

 

[jim1987]

If I take my stuff in to a professional mechanic, he better have a box full of SnapOn stuff or I'm finding a new place to take my stuff.

ARE YOU SERIOUS?

There's so many things wrong with that I don't even know where to begin.

One. Odds are you'll never know if your "professional" mechanic has all snap on tools.

Two. Not everyone has all snap on tools. In fact, I doubt any person has a box full of snap on tools. Something is going to be a different brand.

Three. The tools nor the box makes the mechanic. Its the know how and experience that makes a good mechanic.

There's other tools besides snap on that will do a job just as good.

You don't have to spend a fortune to get quality. A lot of things can work just as good even if it doesn't come the truck.

If judging a book by its cover is our philosophy in life, I'm sorry.

That is all.

 

[AndrewH]

The Craftsman 48pc Master Laser Impact Socket Accessory Set with Portable Case, 1/2 Drive, Inch/Metric is only $179. This has got to be the minimum quality for professional use.

I thought Evolve was for hobby use, or even single use. Evolve for professional use, good grief, I can't even take that seriously.

If I take my stuff in to a professional mechanic, he better have a box full of SnapOn stuff or I'm finding a new place to take my stuff.

Right, because if it's not Snap On its a worthless tool that can't complete the job. What a joke!

 

[dankicksass]

The Craftsman 48pc Master Laser Impact Socket Accessory Set with Portable Case, 1/2 Drive, Inch/Metric is only $179. This has got to be the minimum quality for professional use.

You won't find an American flag on that package or a USA stamp anywhere inside. I don't think you'll find the same quality tool in it you would have five years ago, either. Craftsman is dead in the water and not fit for representation in pro use IMO.

If you're going to buy import impact tools, Sunex and Stanley are good bets.

On Harbor Freight's website it doesn't say anything about returning broken items to the store, it says to call customer service.

HF.com said I need to return an engine if I want a new dipstick due to shipping damage. That's the only Harbor Freight customer service experience I have, and it's no good.

 

[n8n]

yeah we're drifting some...

to the "professional" point. I've got a box full of all sorts of different tools, mostly Craftsman or higher quality but a few HF thrown in and a couple bought from NAPA in an emergency (needed to complete job, and they deliver on short notice.) Yeah, the Snappy tools I have I love and you can have them when I'm dead, but I can't afford to buy EVERYTHING snap-on and not everything Snap-On is great (shop foreman is using an Aircat impact right now because his Snappy is being rebuilt... AGAIN... and his Matco has a busted trigger, which I'll probably try to fix for him.) And I don't pretend to be a "real" pro, I'm just a guy working at a shop to help a friend out and I defer to the shop foreman whenever I'm not sure what I'm doing. BUT I've had a Lincoln Tech grad put away my Snappy torque wrench without winding it back, and I also caught him using one of my Craftsman hand sockets - 12 point no less - on an air gun. I also had to politely suggest to him that probably a 12 point socket wasn't the right tool to use on rusty suspension fasteners on an old car. So apparently they don't teach everything in school, or at least it doesn't take... credentials don't mean everything. I bet the foreman would prefer that I worked there full time than any of the other guys in the shop but the truth is my heart isn't in it, I don't enjoy working on cars enough to do all that hard work for **** money for the rest of my life. I just like driving fast cars, and unless you're really rich, there's only one way to have a really fast/nice car and maintain it properly.

OK, that said. Rolled by the freight since roommate/shop owner ordered pizza, killed two birds with one stone. The Pittsburgh sockets are stamped, made in Taiwan. The Pittsburgh Pro sockets are laser etched, also made in Taiwan. With the current sales, the Pros are only about $3 more a set than the regular Pittsburgh, but is a slightly smaller set. I'm leaning toward the regular Pittsburgh because of the stamped IDs, are the Pros a better alloy though?

I just need something to get me through this stint, I'd buy Snappy if I could, but I'm not getting paid enough to pay for them, and I haven't found a good eBay deal yet. Also SAE are really seldom used, so the ones I use 95% of the time are in fact Snappy.

I wrote off Stanley because the metric set was missing some commonly used sizes, but if they're really good I could consider them for SAE perhaps.

 

[dankicksass]

I would politely insert my foot in that Lincoln Tech clown's ***.

 

[jim1987]

I would politely insert my foot in that Lincoln Tech clown's ***.

Indeed. That's just beyond stupid.

 

[Rickedstyles]

I feel you on the keeping the forged in us handle..plus mine has my initials..rather than give it up I bought a 6 dollar rebuild kit off ebay

 

[AndrewV]

I agree with most. But one of the lube techs at my shop has a set of those evolv's, and i hate them, he's been here a year and they look worse then my 1/2 hf's(i have a lot of brands). They feel like ****, loose fit, really thick sides, and way to heavy(thick cheap steel)
All though hf is the cheaper option, i would do Sunnex, or Gearwrench. Just as good warranty, Gearwrench is better.
But get what feels right, we all have our own opinoins after all.

 

[jim1987]

Jim don't freak out, alright, just substitute "professional grade tools" where it reads SnapOn.

Totally missing the point... but, its ok
We can just agree to disagree and have a good night.

 

[SMKS]

Bull recently shattered a couple HF impacts, but he had the cheaper cr-v ones, not the better Pittsburgh Pro impacts that are made in Taiwan and made with cro-mo.

See this thread so you know which ones to get. It has pics. There is a weird intermediate level of impact sockets that say "Pittsburgh Pro" on the sockets but not on the package, and they're made in China and made with cr-v.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=166732

 

[Farmall450]

Forgot to mention Evolvs are made in Tiawan not china. Probably made at the same factory all these others getting mentioned are...

 

[SMKS]

Forgot to mention Evolvs are made in Tiawan not china. Probably made at the same factory all these others getting mentioned are...

The website says the material used in the sockets is "black vanadium." I can only assume that means cr-v, which means I wouldn't choose them.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evolv-10-pc-deep-impact-sockets/p-00916887000P

Cr-mo is a better material for impacts. You can find it in the higher-end HF impacts, and tons of other brands.

 

[Givl Reggin]

If I take my stuff in to a professional mechanic, he better have a box full of SnapOn stuff or I'm finding a new place to take my stuff.

I hate to say it but I totally agree with this. Now, it doesn't have to be Snap-On, but one of the 'pro-quality' brands is all right with me. If I see someone doing work for me with a bunch of cheap tools/equipment it doesn't give me much confidence that he takes much pride in his work and it also makes me think he'll try to cut corners and cheap out on the work he's doing for me.

 

[jim1987]

I hate to say it but I totally agree with this. Now, it doesn't have to be Snap-On, but one of the 'pro-quality' brands is all right with me. If I see someone doing work for me with a bunch of cheap tools/equipment it doesn't give me much confidence that he takes much pride in his work and it also makes me think he'll try to cut corners and cheap out on the work he's doing for me.

Or maybe he has the experience and knows what works and is comfortable for him? And he has a family to support and can't afford high end tools? Or lastly, maybe tools trucks either don't stop there, or the drivers of the trucks are just *******?

Not trying be a ****. I kinds understand what you guys are saying. But I know a guy in twin that basically runs a shop by himself for a company. He works out of a three their cheaper craftsman box, with a Hodge podge of "home" owners tools. When he gets home he does the same thing thing on the side for play money with the same set up.

Something must be going right for him, he's been doing it for at least 16 years.

 

[tbaggz]

Get the better hf till you can find and afford the ones you really want.they are worth every penny of 25 bucks and there is always a 25% off coupon for hf on here somewhere.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Anyone tried them? I am trying to acquire tools on a very limited budget as I'm pretty much a weekend warrior, however being "between jobs" at the moment I've been filling in as a mechanic at my friend's shop. I am starting with NO air tools, I've used only hand tools never having had a garage and a compressor. I have been doing good so far on the 'bay and at pawn shops; so far I've picked up a like-new Matco MT1769A, a used set of Snap-On deep metric impacts, and a Husky set of metric shallow impacts all at much less than list. I'm stuck on SAE stuff though, haven't found a screaming deal on anything respectably branded, but Sears is selling a set of SAE deep "evolv" impacts online for $20. The web site says lifetime warranty, but I do not want to have to take advantage of it all the time, and my understanding is "evolv" is a step down in quality from stuff that's branded "Craftsman" only. Are these decent, or am I basically paying for Harbor Freight quality with a good warranty? Input appreciated!

Also, off on a tangent, does anyone sell the IR or Matco impact lube kit in a brick and mortar store or am I going to have to order online? The Matco guy doesn't stop regularly at my friend's shop, only the Snap-On guy does, and not all that often at that (been trying to warranty an impact swivel for ages and I keep missing him.) I went for the Matco gun because my understanding is it's a rebranded IR 2135TiMAX which has excellent reviews online and also the shop foreman has one and says it's better than his Snap-On. Went for Matco over IR simply because I got it for about half the price I could find the IR for. But now that I read up on it I find that you're supposed to not only oil the motor but grease the hammers, unlike the 3/4" Cleco that I also picked up (but will probably sell, because there's not enough air volume at the shop to run it) which just uses 30W oil to lube the whole thing.

Now really getting off topic I'd be happy to trade my 3/4" Cleco for a comparable 1/2" Cleco that will work on a typical shop's air supply, as I probably never will be able to build the home garage that I really want with the big badass air supply to properly feed the thing.

They're crv but taiwanese (last I checked). Use them a ton. But I got them real cheap. The set they sell now is 20 bucks for a fairly complete set, if they're the same sockets as the smaller sets they're definitely worth it. Taiwanese have been making impact for a long time. These might be better than the chinese craftsman impact but less fancy; I won't make that call though. I own them and I use them. They were a surprisingly good emergency purchase for me. But in my opinion the kobalt impact (also crv) is a bit better but more expensive. Don't know about the pittsburgh varieties.

Ideally you want crmo rather than crv but...impact crv ain't the same as chrome crv as far as socket construction so they're fairly stout.

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I always thought it was odd that they even sell impact sockets under this brand. All the other Evolv stuff is basic homeowner stuff; I wouldn't think the average Evolv customer is remotely interested in an air compressor and an impact wrench. This is a brand that doesn't even have a breaker bar.

(Similarly left-field: the 3/4"-drive Kobalt tools at Lowe's. Doesn't seem to fit their clientele; who buys big industrial hand tools at Lowe's? But I'm digressing...)

It's a "line thing" I think. They used to source US made impacts which were fairly expensive but could source these pretty cheap but taiwanese. Couldn't slap OG craftsman on them so slapped on the low end label. Also they were selling small (most used sizes) sets vs. other larger sets so they could sell them pretty cheap (msrp was like 10 bucks for 5 which is a decent price). I don't recall whether or not they are actually stamped "evolv" or just have the size stamp. No stamp means they're just a pre-packaged rebrand, if they are stamped then they were a manufactured branding.

When craftsman (low end) switched to chinese sourced a lot of the evolv stuff ended up being better built compared to their chinese low end sets (wrenches and some sockets). Just the way it is I suppose.

 

[n8n]

OK so I think I'm getting it now. The Pittsburgh sockets are Cr-V and the Pittsburgh Pro sockets are Cr-Mo and that's why I want the latter.

Can I buy the Pittsburgh extensions? Crapsman aren't even marked with material so they're out. I didn't see any Pittsburgh Pro extensions either in the HF store or on web site.

 

[Farmall450]

They're crv but taiwanese (last I checked). Use them a ton. But I got them real cheap. The set they sell now is 20 bucks for a fairly complete set, if they're the same sockets as the smaller sets they're definitely worth it. Taiwanese have been making impact for a long time. These might be better than the chinese craftsman impact but less fancy; I won't make that call though. I own them and I use them. They were a surprisingly good emergency purchase for me. But in my opinion the kobalt impact (also crv) is a bit better but more expensive. Don't know about the pittsburgh varieties.

Ideally you want crmo rather than crv but...impact crv ain't the same as chrome crv as far as socket construction so they're fairly stout.

I agree. Get them for $20 a set, they're awesome. Don't rust either (likey Allen extensions and such)

The website says the material used in the sockets is "black vanadium." I can only assume that means cr-v, which means I wouldn't choose them.
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evolv-10-pc-deep-impact-sockets/p-00916887000P

Cr-mo is a better material for impacts. You can find it in the higher-end HF impacts, and tons of other brands.

All I can say is taking off 140-180ft lb lugnits with an IR or a snappy hasn't given them any problems...

OP, I like my Allen USA extensions. I also have cman USA I like how the latter doesn't rust. Just wipe down the Allen's and you'll be in business.

 

[GSteg]

If I see someone doing work for me with a bunch of cheap tools/equipment it doesn't give me much confidence that he takes much pride in his work and it also makes me think he'll try to cut corners and cheap out on the work he's doing for me.

Personally, I wouldn't give a darn what the guy uses so as long as he gets the job done. If he is able to remove a crank pulley bolt with a fork, more power to him. There are equally as many idiots out there with Snap-On tools that can't turn a wrench for ****, but hey, they have nice tool boxes!

 

[GSteg]

I always thought it was odd that they even sell impact sockets under this brand. All the other Evolv stuff is basic homeowner stuff; I wouldn't think the average Evolv customer is remotely interested in an air compressor and an impact wrench. This is a brand that doesn't even have a breaker bar.

There are a lot of DIY'ers out there who fix their own cars at home. These impacts aren't aimed at the professional, but for the homeowners with 3 gallon pancake compressors and a 300 ft-lbs, but in reality 40 ft-lbs, impact guns. Sears always has sales on low-end impacts so chances are, these Evolv owners picked one up.

 

[dragonballz]

I saw browsing sears and came across a set of Evolv combo wrenches. One of the box ends of the wrench had no teeth. It was a smooth circle.

 

[woody 73]

Just a thought:

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-evolv-1-2-inch-drive-16-pc-standard-deep/p-00916830000P

or this set:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-2-Drive-1..._Automotive_Tools&hash=item43c6e63149&vxp=mtr

http://www.thetoolwarehouse.net/p-19634-grey-pneumatic-1412md.aspx

or even cheaper:

http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-in-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67899.html

The prices seem to be in-line, that for under $100 dollars you could put together a nice set from any company.

 

[cburnscrx]

I always thought it was odd that they even sell impact sockets under this brand. All the other Evolv stuff is basic homeowner stuff; I wouldn't think the average Evolv customer is remotely interested in an air compressor and an impact wrench. This is a brand that doesn't even have a breaker bar.

Ah, you don't see the glory of the plan. Evolv requires a receipt for warranty...Craftsman does not. If you can get somebody to buy Evolv since they are just slightly cheaper than the Craftsman brand...no more warranty. In 5 years, who's finding their receipt for a impact socket?

*technology will haunt them on this eventually. I am scanning in all my tool receipts lately. If the IRS will take scanned copies, then a tool store certainly better.

 

[diggerrick]

Actually you're paying for HF with a WORSE warranty. No receipt for that Evlov stuff? Sorry, no dice. Personally I'd get the Pittsburgh Pro impacts. They're well reviewed here, and the warranty is better.

I get printed and email receipts with every purchase I make at Sears.