Craftsman Industrial 2016

[Davefr]

I've called Apex a few times and have gotten replacement CI wrenches mailed to me with no issues.

My experience was't as smooth.

I rec'd a warped metric wrench in a new set and called the 1-800 # that came with the wrench set.

The Apex rep told me that CM is handled by Sears and to contact them.

I told the rep that Sear's doesn't stock Industrial. She said tough luck, you need to talk to Sears.

I asked for the manager and he did call me back the next day and pretty much admitted CM Industrial is a "******* child" with no real owner. He apologized for the runaround and agreed to send me a replacement.

I knew the Sears store would have replaced it but 'm sure it would have been with a RP wrench fresh off the boat from China.

If warranty is a concern, I wouldn't touch CM Industrial with a 10' pole.

 

[Tellingthem]

My experience was't as smooth.

I rec'd a warped metric wrench in a new set and called the 1-800 # that came with the wrench set.

The Apex rep told me that CM is handled by Sears and to contact them.

I told the rep that Sear's doesn't stock Industrial. She said tough luck, you need to talk to Sears.

I asked for the manager and he did call me back the next day and pretty much admitted CM Industrial is a "******* child" with no real owner. He apologized for the runaround and agreed to send me a replacement.

I knew the Sears store would have replaced it but 'm sure it would have been with a RP wrench fresh off the boat from China.

If warranty is a concern, I wouldn't touch CM Industrial with a 10' pole.

Honestly I wouldn't touch anything Craftsman if I cared about a warranty. The whole company could go in a few more years and who knows after that. But I'm glad they are at least offering US tools still.

 

[jjkrjh]

I have been working as a mechanic for the last 33 years. In that time there have been very few warranty issues that didn't get resolved. Regardless of the manufacturer. The bigger problem is the tool dealers that go out of buisiness. You could go years before the replacement dealer shows up. Is it really a big issue if a tool that you buy at a third of the cost or more fails? Craftsman has its place.

It was surprising to see that they are offering USA made tools still. But what I do find odd is that they are aimed for the "industrial" side but don't have the larger sizes that would be found in industries

 

[drink]

I have been working as a mechanic for the last 33 years. In that time there have been very few warranty issues that didn't get resolved. Regardless of the manufacturer. The bigger problem is the tool dealers that go out of buisiness. You could go years before the replacement dealer shows up. Is it really a big issue if a tool that you buy at a third of the cost or more fails? Craftsman has its place.

It was surprising to see that they are offering USA made tools still. But what I do find odd is that they are aimed for the "industrial" side but don't have the larger sizes that would be found in industries

You must be thinking about the really huge industrial sockets. From what I understand the Craftsman Industrial line goes from 1/4" drive to 1" drive sizes and some of the sockets are over 3" in size in both chrome and impact sockets. Combination wrenches go up to 2-34" in size.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Here's a copy of a Craftsman Industrial hand tool statement about how the tools meet or exceed ANSI and ASME standards. To my knowledge, none of the regular Craftsman hand tools were marketed with this statement.

Yes, many years ago I remember a note in the older catalog that referenced a standard. I don't think it was ANSI, it was a US Government "G" standard if I remember right?

 

[Ponchoguy]

My experience was't as smooth.

I rec'd a warped metric wrench in a new set and called the 1-800 # that came with the wrench set.

The Apex rep told me that CM is handled by Sears and to contact them.

I told the rep that Sear's doesn't stock Industrial. She said tough luck, you need to talk to Sears.

I asked for the manager and he did call me back the next day and pretty much admitted CM Industrial is a "******* child" with no real owner. He apologized for the runaround and agreed to send me a replacement.

I knew the Sears store would have replaced it but 'm sure it would have been with a RP wrench fresh off the boat from China.

If warranty is a concern, I wouldn't touch CM Industrial with a 10' pole.

That's a shame. I wouldn't stand for that. My response to the tough luck would be, "Get me your boss, and let's see what he/she has to say about that".

I don't like to be a PITA, but when I encounter attitude, MY New York attitude comes out...and it isn't very nice . But, I'd rather settle it like gentlemen.

 

[Ponchoguy]

My experience was't as smooth.

I rec'd a warped metric wrench in a new set and called the 1-800 # that came with the wrench set.

The Apex rep told me that CM is handled by Sears and to contact them.

I told the rep that Sear's doesn't stock Industrial. She said tough luck, you need to talk to Sears.

I asked for the manager and he did call me back the next day and pretty much admitted CM Industrial is a "******* child" with no real owner. He apologized for the runaround and agreed to send me a replacement.

I knew the Sears store would have replaced it but 'm sure it would have been with a RP wrench fresh off the boat from China.

If warranty is a concern, I wouldn't touch CM Industrial with a 10' pole.

That's a shame. I wouldn't stand for that. My response to the tough luck would be, "Get me your boss, and let's see what he/she has to say about that".

I don't like to be a PITA, but when I encounter attitude, MY New York attitude comes out...and it isn't very nice . But, I'd rather settle it like gentlemen.

 

[drink]

Yes, many years ago I remember a note in the older catalog that referenced a standard. I don't think it was ANSI, it was a US Government "G" standard if I remember right?

I haven't ever been able to find anything on the regular line of Craftsman tools meeting government standards. Maybe it meant something about being made in the USA? Who knows? Armstrong tools meet Federal Spec.

 

[stevenhs]

Maybe there is hope in craftsman

 

[jjkrjh]

You must be thinking about the really huge industrial sockets. From what I understand the Craftsman Industrial line goes from 1/4" drive to 1" drive sizes and some of the sockets are over 3" in size in both chrome and impact sockets. Combination wrenches go up to 2-34" in size.

I stand corrected. There is a up to 2 3/4in combo wrench listed. I knew that the 3/4in sockets covered the larger sizes. But at one time the 1 1/2in was the largest wrench offered and that was even hard to find. The catalog on their site is dated 2013. Wonder if you could even get the larger sizes now.

 

[jjkrjh]

Something is strange in the catalog on their site. The Craftsman industrial RP on the left page goes to 1-5/16. On the next page shows a Craftsman RP wrench (not industrial) and wrench sizes go to 2-3/4. With different part numbers on the identical sizes. Soooooo does this mean that they are regular Sears Craftsman RP that don't exist or is there 2 RP wrench lines and a industrial RP wrench line and a full polish industrial line and a full polish professional line of wrench's?

I might go back to my first statement of sizes (wrench's) don't go large enough for industrial use if the largest wrench is 1-5/16 or 1-1/2.

 

[AA/FC]

So Sears / Craftsman now has a line of tools that they claim are better than their 'standard' fare.

That totally ignores the fact that their standard fare, which used to be of very high quality with excellent support, is now approaching Harbor Freight's level of quality, with support for most things virtually non-existent.

They can call it anything they want, but based on the recent items I have purchased or tried to get support for, Sears / Craftsman is now off my list of suppliers.

Don't get me wrong, I hate that Sears has done just about everything possible to ruin one of the most famous brands in the history of this country. And in general Craftsman is also off my list of suppliers... unless it's a new-old-stock item, or one of the rare tools still made here in the USA. I'm with you.... I get it!

However, I gotta ask... What type of "support" are you looking for when it comes to basic hand tools? It's not like we're talking about software, or a computer where they need constant updates to keep functioning properly/smoothly. A socket or combination wrench doesn't need a team of engineers working behind the scenes to keep the tool working. I can't think of a single time where I thought to myself "damn, I wish Craftsman had better support for this wrench that I'm using". We're talking about basic hand tools.... you either know how to use them, or you don't. They either work fine, or they're broken forever. Nothing very technical.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I haven't ever been able to find anything on the regular line of Craftsman tools meeting government standards. Maybe it meant something about being made in the USA? Who knows? Armstrong tools meet Federal Spec.

Have a look at the 1960 Craftsman tool catalog where it talks about the 12 point sockets. It references a Navy spec and a gov't "G" spec.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Something is strange in the catalog on their site. The Craftsman industrial RP on the left page goes to 1-5/16. On the next page shows a Craftsman RP wrench (not industrial) and wrench sizes go to 2-3/4. With different part numbers on the identical sizes. Soooooo does this mean that they are regular Sears Craftsman RP that don't exist or is there 2 RP wrench lines and a industrial RP wrench line and a full polish industrial line and a full polish professional line of wrench's?

I might go back to my first statement of sizes (wrench's) don't go large enough for industrial use if the largest wrench is 1-5/16 or 1-1/2.

From what I remember, the largest RP "regular" wrench in SAE is the 1-5/16 stock #44709. I have several of them, new and used.

 

[arz71]

Sears will be out of business in a few more years.

 

[Ponchoguy]

[/B]

Honestly I wouldn't touch anything Craftsman if I cared about a warranty. The whole company could go in a few more years and who knows after that. But I'm glad they are at least offering US tools still.

I have never had a problem with warranty on any Craftsman hand tool in 30+ years as I have stated here several times. I don't frequently have to use the warranty, but when I do, it's not a problem.

It's a simple, "I know what I need, I'll bring you the old and new, one for one", which is met with, "OK great, knock yourself out, and let me know if you need anything".

Done.

 

[aspireguy95]

Reviving an old thread as Sears has the xl double box end wrench sets available online only right now as a Black Friday sale