Craftsman G sockets vs Gearwrench, thoughts?

[joseywales]

First world problem alert- So, I have Craftsman G set that I used as a mechanic, very early in my career. We recently cleaned out inlaws, helping them downsize, and I was able to actually complete that G set. However, last year, I grabbed a Gearwrench set, because I was using my partial G set as a larger travel set. BTW, I haven't turned a wrench professionally for, well, decades...

Anyway, if you were sharing your tools at home with the family, would you share the Gearwrench or the Craftsman G series? I have a large tool box loaded with tools and a smaller one that I'm filling with my better Snap-on, SK, etc. (off limits to borrowers). I'm not worried about collecting Craftsman, just curious which one would upset you when it gets lost Obviously, the Craftsman would be harder to replace - though I have some spares. But which socket is of better quality, Gearwrench or Craftsman G?

In the end, nostalgia might win out and I might move my original Craftsman to my smaller

 

[bonneyman]

Either, in my opinion.
GW is good tools, and lost pieces can be replaced. I have a set of Craftsman G-code in metric that I assembled just as a spare set. It backs up my Bonneys, then S-Ks, and another assorted Craftsman set. Just so if the end of the world draws nye - and my shop burns down - I can still fix stuff around the house for my honey. Can't be caught without metric sockets today. But if a friend or family needed something to wrench with, I'd have no qualms lending those out.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Both in my opinion would be ok but I would also be upset if either were lost because I don’t like lost tools lol. If I did loose a Gearwrench one I’d go to Advance Auto and get a NOS Gearwrench or one of their rebranded Gearwrench TEQ Pro to replace it. With the Craftsman I’d replace with current Craftsman because it is decent as well.

 

[Walkers]

I’m not sure I understand the concept, share tools? What is that? Maybe I am not pronouncing it right or something. Tools for share croppers maybe?

 

[joseywales]

I’m not sure I understand the concept, share tools? What is that? Maybe I am not pronouncing it right or something. Tools for share croppers maybe?

Haha...I hear you. HOWEVER, given the average age of a carpenter in the Philly union is about 47, and my teen daughter likes tools, yes, I'm happy to share

 

[Mechanical Noise]

First world problem alert- So, I have Craftsman G set that I used as a mechanic, very early in my career. We recently cleaned out inlaws, helping them downsize, and I was able to actually complete that G set. However, last year, I grabbed a Gearwrench set, because I was using my partial G set as a larger travel set. BTW, I haven't turned a wrench professionally for, well, decades...

Anyway, if you were sharing your tools at home with the family, would you share the Gearwrench or the Craftsman G series? I have a large tool box loaded with tools and a smaller one that I'm filling with my better Snap-on, SK, etc. (off limits to borrowers). I'm not worried about collecting Craftsman, just curious which one would upset you when it gets lost Obviously, the Craftsman would be harder to replace - though I have some spares. But which socket is of better quality, Gearwrench or Craftsman G?

In the end, nostalgia might win out and I might move my original Craftsman to my smaller

Since you're paying attention to the Craftsman series, you might as well keep it complete. I know "paying attention" isn't quite the same thing as "collecting" but you are paying attention. Loan out the Gearwrench and you don't have to replace a missing 10mm G series socket.

 

[joseywales]

Since you're paying attention to the Craftsman series, you might as well keep it complete. I know "paying attention" isn't quite the same thing as "collecting" but you are paying attention. Loan out the Gearwrench and you don't have to replace a missing 10mm G series socket.

Too funny. We've had several sales, selling off my FIL's tools. Electrician/Gas/Plumbing. He was the generation that worked, so not many pretty tools and honestly not many brand names, but they always got the job done well. A customer asked if we had any 10mm sockets. My response, "if we do, you'll have to wrestle me for them."

 

[magicrat]

I have the perfect solution. For 20 to 30 bucks you can go to Harbor freight and get a bunch of Pittsburgh sockets. Let the borrowers use those, and who cares what happens to them

 

[joseywales]

I have the perfect solution. For 20 to 30 bucks you can go to Harbor freight and get a bunch of Pittsburgh sockets. Let the borrowers use those, and who cares what happens to them

Yep. I hear ya. I actually have a Husky set in the truck, which I'm now tempted to move to the garage for family use, then put this small Craftsman G set that my FIL gave me in the truck. It's in very good shape, with some surface rust. Some day, I'll spend time and clean it up.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

At my pawn shop I can fill a box for $10-$20 sometimes more depending on what I add. Today got about 60 sockets and a ton of wrenches and stuff for $10 have you checked your pawn shops? Last week got nearly 250 sockets tons of wrenches and other stuff for $50. They have tons of junk tools at mine too that sometimes I’ll throw in to let someone borrow or something. Just an idea but I would not hesitate to let someone use the cheap tools instead of ones I didn’t want to lose.

 

[joseywales]

Perhaps I should clarify. I just cleaned out my in-law's house. Every weekend for a month now. When we cleaned out my dad's, 10 years ago, we filled three 30 yard dumpsters, with the last overflowing. That was after all of the Goodwill, several tool/yard yard sales, and receiving $8,000 from an auction house to buy what remained. Tools, stock, etc.

The owner of the auction company walked the house and said it would take them a day to clear it out. 3 days later...he told me hates this business. Way more than they expected. I darn near quite my job and took the inventory to start a hardware store.

Anyway, I don't want MORE tools. I dread downsizing when that time comes.

 

[Marsman]

Yep. I hear ya. I actually have a Husky set in the truck, which I'm now tempted to move to the garage for family use, then put this small Craftsman G set that my FIL gave me in the truck. It's in very good shape, with some surface rust. Some day, I'll spend time and clean it up.

Put them in a tumbler with some metal polish, it cleans they in not time.

 

[joseywales]

Put them in a tumbler with some metal polish, it cleans they in not time.

The insides? That’s where the issue is. Weird i know. The outsides look good.