Craftsman Evolv?

[astrodoggie3000]

Are the Craftsman Evolv line of tools the same as HF tools? They look the same in every way... except for the color of the handles. Any good or bad opinions other than the fact Their China made tools?

 

[rusty65]

I had some evolve pliers and they were some of the worst pliers I have ever used. So they don't get high marks in my book.

 

[Exceller8]

Just looking at them tells me all that I want to know. Everything about them looks cheap to me. Might be OK for entry level?

 

[b7labelle]

Bought some impact sockets from that line...so far no issues. Garage work only though..

 

[cheechi]

The 3gal/100psi & brad nailer set is decent. It put up with me using it far outside its intended range and hasn't crapped out yet. The brad nailer shoots brad nails. Side by side with the HF one, it is not the same. Not much more to say about it.

 

[kunkernator]

The whole issue is that Craftsman's full line is stooping down to the quality of Evolv. Evolv used to be the lowest quality and cheapest, then Craftsman, then Craftsman Professional. Now that it is all getting made in China, I wouldn't buy any.

If you had to purchase some for whatever reason, go with Harbor Freight. They are cheaper, run deals often, and from what I understand Evolv does not have a lifetime warranty, which HF does.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

The 3gal/100psi & brad nailer set is decent. It put up with me using it far outside its intended range and hasn't crapped out yet. The brad nailer shoots brad nails. Side by side with the HF one, it is not the same. Not much more to say about it.

I got one of those refurb when Sears still had their liquidation site going. Lasted for about two years airing tires up, but it takes about 15 minutes for the thing to pressurize to ~35psi now.

As far as their hand tools, I wouldn't even spend the money on them. A coworker unwittingly bought one of the Evolv plier sets, and after a year in an uncontrolled but protected environment (non-heated/cooled garage bay type thing), both sets of slip-joint pliers rusted up so much to be unusable, the needlenose broke the first time I used them, and the diagonal cutters had problems with soft cheese right out of the package. Worthless.

 

[cheechi]

If you had to purchase some for whatever reason, go with Harbor Freight. They are cheaper, run deals often, and from what I understand Evolv does not have a lifetime warranty, which HF does.

This is an excellent point, and exactly what I would do. Less hassle if something does need warranty from HF than Sears also.

 

[astrodoggie3000]

Thanks for the response. I was mainly looking at getting the 3/8 ratchet that extends and it looked the the HF one.

 

[Bryanthegreat]

I have owned a 1/4 drive ratchet for a few years and I have had no issues with it. I actually like using it as it. I quit buying expensive 1/4 drive ratchets because I always lost them. Now that I buy less expensive ones I haven't lost any go figure. There is a lifetime warranty I asked before I bought it but they say only with a receipt.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

Thanks for the response. I was mainly looking at getting the 3/8 ratchet that extends and it looked the the HF one.

The HF one has great reviews, and HF is less shady about COO than Sears, so IMO HF is better suited to spend your money at.

 

[fourtythree]

I briefly had a 3/8 ratchet. There wasn't anything wrong with it. Actually had a decent feel to it.

 

[geologist]

I have the 18 piece Evolv polished wrench set in my truck. Mine all fit nice and tight. Maybe it's pure luck (I don't know) but they work well for what I've used them for.

 

[shoturtle]

The sears one has a better selector switch, the hf one is prone to breaking. Given hf or evolv, I go with the sears options.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Evolv tools have a lifetime warranty--with receipt. Basically same thing with Harbor Freight and Snap-on.

Can't comment on the quality as I don't have any, but not many get returned at my wifes store.