Craftsman Made in USA Tools

[Here2Learn]

So, it sounds like you are not a fan of the Craftsman Industrial line of tools, and you would rather stick with the regular line of Craftsman tools. If you compared the cost of the same regular Craftsman tools in a 9-24777 Craftsman Industrial socket set; how much would each of them cost? The Craftsman Industrial meet or exceed ANSI and ASME standards, and the regular Craftsman do not. Keep in mind how much a trip to Sears cost versus shipping cost and sales tax being added.

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24859.html?utm_source=PJ&utm_medium=Affiliate&pid=43737

http://www.toolbarn.com/craftsman-009-24777.html?utm_source=PJ&utm_medium=Affiliate&pid=43737

Now, here is a small set of Craftsman ETR sockets that are not available. The price is $29.99 discounted to $19.96 plus tax. A Craftsman ratchet is $13.99 marked down to $9.99 plus tax, and a 1/4" drive extension bar set is $21.99 plus tax. That comes to $51.94 plus tax without shipping and no storage case is included.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-20-p...lerId=SEARS&prdNo=26&blockNo=26&blockType=G26

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-1-4-...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=8&blockNo=8&blockType=G8

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-4-pc...sellerId=SEARS&prdNo=5&blockNo=5&blockType=G5

What is so wrong with the detents on the female side of the Craftsman sockets? I have used them for decades and have never had one to break so far.

I like that there is a Craftsman Industrial line. The main reason I won't buy most of the lineup is because I already have the 3 normal USA ratchets (I think 2 of each), plus every normal socket they made in stamped, plus all the dual-marked sockets, extensions, adapters, universal joints, bit sockets, torx, e-torx, tamper proof torx, long biT and such, raised panel wrenches 43 piece set, ... ok, just a ton of Craftsman USA stuff.

I sure as hell would buy those sets if I did not already own them. I do not plan to get some Chinese Craftsman wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc

I wish CI had more complete impact sets WITH laser scribing. The impact swivel sets are not as complete as the ones they used to sell.

I had never seen that place you listed, just some WAY HIGH places.

 

[four.cycle]

well... that's kind of interesting:

on that two "Toolbarn" URLs posted above, when you click on "specifications", it says the product is "Made in the USA", but that the warranty covers "Product Defects Only"

so... maybe after 50 years of people abusing their warranty policy, Sears finally said "enough"?

(btw: in case anyone hadn't noticed, automotive batteries haven't had "pro-rata" warranties for years, and the duration of warranty periods have decreased significantly.)

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Personally I have always thought of the regular made in USA Craftsman tools as being a good value. I also have paid the price for more expensive higher quality tools. It sounds like you like Proto better than anything on the market and were willing to pay the price for Proto. If you shop you can find Proto tools at better prices than some places. Proto is one of the few USA tool companies left and I admit they have some nice stuff. I have a few Proto tools myself. I still like my Craftsman tools and don't think of them as being comparable to excrement.

Well, I also like my Sk, SnapOn, Wright, Cornwell, Duro, and older Craftsman sockets.. My last 3/4" metric socket set were nos USA Craftsman... Normal 12 point sockets with a normal detent: 22MM K-47929 through 43MM K-47943..Two eBay finds at good prices..

I have My share of pet and high usage tools; and Craftsman is well represented. I am simply not pleased with some of their later products, such as the double detent sockets and the raised panel ratchets.. Two years ago, I was looking for a new set of USA jumbo metric combination wrenches.. I made a trip to Sears go get a set.. When I glanced down at the wrench set, I noticed some sharp flashing that had been chromed over.. That thing stayed on the shelf, and I walked away with my fingers intact.. That wrench would never be allowed in My toolbox at any price..

I think of the current Sears and Craftsman lineup as a flea market.. Ok stuff mixed in with ****, and prices all over the place... My "Oh ****" is a reflection of my poor choice of purchase, and not checking the tools out more thoroughly.. Some of the cases the sets come in concealed the double detent, and I find some ratchets to be junk when I first use them.. Being that the price averaged to a buck a socket, I didn't really get burned..

It is rather ironic that My cost for three new Proto 15/16" sockets was 82 cents each on a liquidation sale..

Armstrong also uses (used?) that same goofy double detent on their sockets, so no thanks to any of them.

The Armstrong, USA Allen, KD, and Kobalt combination wrenches liquidated through Cripe were a bargain that I enjoy..

I have decided that any new Channel Lock slip joint pliers that are riveted together rather than using a bolt and nut can stay in the store.

Hand tools from ChiTaIwandia irk me for the fact of their origination

SnapOn has great tools, but the cost portion for finance and cruising the truck around result in Those purchases being limited to high usage or select tools which they excel in making..

Seems they all have tools I like or disfavor for one reason or another.. I doubt there is a fan club that I wouldn't get kicked out of for one reason or another..

 

[Here2Learn]

well... that's kind of interesting:

on that two "Toolbarn" URLs posted above, when you click on "specifications", it says the product is "Made in the USA", but that the warranty covers "Product Defects Only"

I caught that.

To Drink, I am not worried about ANSI and such. They meet "MY" specifications, though.

 

[four.cycle]

I have decided that any new Channel Lock slip joint pliers that are riveted together rather than using a bolt and nut can stay in the store.

This may seem like a stupid question, but other than maybe a couple utility 6" and 8" beaters, why would anybody screw around with slip-joint pliers when there are competitively priced excellent quality groove-joint models available from Wilde or Proamerica? :

 

[anndel]

Poor Sears doesn't even own the Sears Tower anymore.

Willis Tower now

 

[BDT/NWMN]

This may seem like a stupid question, but other than maybe a couple utility 6" and 8" beaters, why would anybody screw around with slip-joint pliers when there are competitively priced excellent quality groove-joint models available from Wilde or Proamerica? :

The blue handles can be seen everywhere; they are well marketed. . .
I have newer groove-joint pliers(water pump) that have the rivet also. I am very displeased with one of them.

I agree, there are better choices... Sometimes it takes a failure to bring it the proper attention... That blue handled ****** now has mine..

 

[anndel]

Well, I also like my Sk, SnapOn, Wright, Cornwell, Duro, and older Craftsman sockets.. My last 3/4" metric socket set were nos USA Craftsman... Normal 12 point sockets with a normal detent: 22MM K-47929 through 43MM K-47943..Two eBay finds at good prices..

I have My share of pet and high usage tools; and Craftsman is well represented. I am simply not pleased with some of their later products, such as the double detent sockets and the raised panel ratchets.. Two years ago, I was looking for a new set of USA jumbo metric combination wrenches.. I made a trip to Sears go get a set.. When I glanced down at the wrench set, I noticed some sharp flashing that had been chromed over.. That thing stayed on the shelf, and I walked away with my fingers intact.. That wrench would never be allowed in My toolbox at any price..

I think of the current Sears and Craftsman lineup as a flea market.. Ok stuff mixed in with ****, and prices all over the place... My "Oh ****" is a reflection of my poor choice of purchase, and not checking the tools out more thoroughly.. Some of the cases the sets come in concealed the double detent, and I find some ratchets to be junk when I first use them.. Being that the price averaged to a buck a socket, I didn't really get burned..

It is rather ironic that My cost for three new Proto 15/16" sockets was 82 cents each on a liquidation sale..

Armstrong also uses (used?) that same goofy double detent on their sockets, so no thanks to any of them.

The Armstrong, USA Allen, KD, and Kobalt combination wrenches liquidated through Cripe were a bargain that I enjoy..

I have decided that any new Channel Lock slip joint pliers that are riveted together rather than using a bolt and nut can stay in the store.

Hand tools from ChiTaIwandia irk me for the fact of their origination

SnapOn has great tools, but the cost portion for finance and cruising the truck around result in Those purchases being limited to high usage or select tools which they excel in making..

Seems they all have tools I like or disfavor for one reason or another.. I doubt there is a fan club that I wouldn't get kicked out of for one reason or another..

Amen to that, you think like me.

 

[Cato]

Here in California we have Orchard Supply Hardware, they aren't an Ace store, but they often have Craftsman USA. A couple weeks ago I found a set of Craftsman USA reverse ratcheting wrenches for almost 1/2 off. It was SAE and was even in the old faded packaging. I went home to think about it and came back and it was gone.

 

[four.cycle]

I have decided that any new Channel Lock slip joint pliers that are riveted together rather than using a bolt and nut can stay in the store.

I believe it may have been on Wilde's website (?) that I read something to the effect of "all pliers will at some point loosen up at the joint", and that was why they continued to manufacture pliers with a nut and bolt that could be retightened at some point down the road.
I've seen the "flush fastener" pliers on Ebay, Wilde's site, Proamerica's site, and Klein's site, and have steered clear of them for that reason.
I suppose if you've got a clearance issue, "flush fastener" might be a good idea.

 

[four.cycle]

anndel:
here is the pair I picked up a couple weeks ago:
(I go groove-joint only - no more pinched fingers for me, thank you.)
10" groove joint:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Tool-...644770?hash=item2a2a3380a2:g:lh4AAMXQ01tROCyl

here's a 12-3/4" pair for a couple more bucks:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Witco...527647?hash=item27d133585f:g:CSEAAMXQAx9RT98Z

(*can't tell from the photographs on Proamerica's site if their groove-joints are held with rivet or nut and bolt. sent an inquiry in on it a few minutes ago.)

 

[gooseadrian]

And this is why I don't own cm.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

The Craftsman Industrial meet or exceed ANSI and ASME standards, and the regular Craftsman do not.

I believe the old Craftsman USA tools usually met ANSI standards, although Sears preferred to sell the guarantee to retail customers and sell the standard to commercial/government customers. Here's a poorly formatted cut and paste from a Grainger page on a discontinued set of Craftsman wrenches:

Technical Specs

Item Combination Wrench Set Wrench Style Standard SAE or Metric SAE and Metric Number of Pieces 32 Number of Points 12 Tether Capable Standard Tool(Accessory Needed for Tethering)

Head Angle 15 Degrees Wrenches Included SAE Wrench Sizes: 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8" And Metric Wrench Sizes: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24mm Range of Lengths 5-1/16" to 15-13/16" Finish Satin Standards ANSI


http://www.grainger.com/product/CRAFTSMAN-Standard-3LYR7

I'd really like to know if there is actually any difference between most of the Craftsman Industrial and the last of the USA Craftsman. I have some of both and, aside from the stampings, they seem exactly the same, with the exception of the full polish wrenches.

What is so wrong with the detents on the female side of the Craftsman sockets? I have used them for decades and have never had one to break so far.

I don't find the double detent terrible but it can be a bit annoying when the ratchet drive keys into the upper part of the detent rather than properly into the square. And it looks cheap, like they're saving 3 cents a socket by broaching the detents in,, rather than milling them in.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

well... that's kind of interesting:

on that two "Toolbarn" URLs posted above, when you click on "specifications", it says the product is "Made in the USA", but that the warranty covers "Product Defects Only"

so... maybe after 50 years of people abusing their warranty policy, Sears finally said "enough"?
.)

Warranty is still the same on the Craftsman website:



WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain the warranty coverage stated below, return the product to the retailer from which it was purchased. Coverage will be fulfilled according to the retailer warranty exchange procedure and may be subject to a limitation on the number of items allowed per exchange.

CRAFTSMAN (or CRAFTSMAN INDUSTRIAL) HAND TOOL FULL WARRANTY
If this Craftsman (or Craftsman Industrial) hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

This warranty does not cover expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period. *

http://www.craftsman.com/en_us/customer-care/warranty-information.html#industrial-catalog-warranties

 

[christopher7390]

I would Buy it, if it breaks, A- throw it out, B- make something out of it.
OR
I would call craftsman and ask if they can replace it with another US one.

I do look for them all the time, especially if they're on sale.

 

[byoungblood]

And how often do people break 1 1/16 & 1 5/16 wrenches (let alone any wrenches) when not abusing them by adding cheater pipes or double wrenching them? I am still using 25 year old Bonney wrenches and have yet to break one. Should I stop using my Bonney tools because they might break if I abuse them?

The paranoia on GJ over warranties is amazing. God forbid i use my 1950's Billings Life-Time model wrenches, i just might break one.......

OP use the wrenches and enjoy them.

Agreed. It is the same reason why (in their minds) that people keep arguing why Snap-On or other truck brands are worth the insane premium they charge. I think the people who constantly obsess over warranties are probably beating the **** out of their tools by making them do things they were not intended, and abuse the warranty by exchanging tools that broke due to mis-use, not because of a latent defect.

If you're constantly breaking tools, then you're using them wrong!

 

[Peoria Man]

If you're constantly breaking tools, then you're using them wrong!

As often as it comes up on the forum, I thought maybe I was one doing something wrong, since I never (or almost never) break tools.

I broke a cheapie 3/8-1/2 adapter once, in the junkyard. But its mostly because I used a monster breaker bar on it. I just left the broken pieces there in the yard. My fault.

 

[Rileysan]

Good luck getting the lifetime warranty on a discontinued tool. You may be able to trade it in for a limited warranty brand.

I've owned a set of USA made cman that I bought new ~25 years ago and have never had to replace a single wrench and I work in one of the most inhospitable environments you can think of (steel mill). Simply put, you won't have to replace these.

Sockets and screwdrivers, on the other hand ...

Brian

 

[drink]

well... that's kind of interesting:

on that two "Toolbarn" URLs posted above, when you click on "specifications", it says the product is "Made in the USA", but that the warranty covers "Product Defects Only"

so... maybe after 50 years of people abusing their warranty policy, Sears finally said "enough"?

(btw: in case anyone hadn't noticed, automotive batteries haven't had "pro-rata" warranties for years, and the duration of warranty periods have decreased significantly.)

I took a snapshot of the CI warranty. They have different warranty service on some products.

 

[stage20]

And how often do people break 1 1/16 & 1 5/16 wrenches (let alone any wrenches) when not abusing them by adding cheater pipes or double wrenching them? I am still using 25 year old Bonney wrenches and have yet to break one. Should I stop using my Bonney tools because they might break if I abuse them?

The paranoia on GJ over warranties is amazing. God forbid i use my 1950's Billings Life-Time model wrenches, i just might break one.......

OP use the wrenches and enjoy them.

while you have a point to a certain extent.... when you bought those billings, they were still in business. did you buy it and said if it breaks ill just buy another one?

to the OP's story, if he does abuse the wrench, he will be givin a china copy, if china wrenches even go that big? or be forced to spend money on another wrench.

he basically overpaid for a wrench with a lifetime warranty
or you could look at it as he paid the money for a usa quality wrench....but that warranty cost is factored into the price.

personally, ive never been dissapointed with buying second hand wrenches. i dont need shiny chrome when opening my box, i need a wrench that works, and finish doesnt matter. i have a lot broarder selection of tools with the budget i have because i buy used. only usa.

 

[drink]

I like that there is a Craftsman Industrial line. The main reason I won't buy most of the lineup is because I already have the 3 normal USA ratchets (I think 2 of each), plus every normal socket they made in stamped, plus all the dual-marked sockets, extensions, adapters, universal joints, bit sockets, torx, e-torx, tamper proof torx, long biT and such, raised panel wrenches 43 piece set, ... ok, just a ton of Craftsman USA stuff.

I sure as hell would buy those sets if I did not already own them. I do not plan to get some Chinese Craftsman wrenches, sockets, ratchets, etc

I wish CI had more complete impact sets WITH laser scribing. The impact swivel sets are not as complete as the ones they used to sell.

I had never seen that place you listed, just some WAY HIGH places.

There are some new made in USA Craftsman laser impact sockets on eBay. All you have to do is shop to find them. I checked the CI catalog and they currently do not have ETR impact sockets listed. Armstrong probably has some.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Craftsm...040009?hash=item4886130a09:g:IT4AAOSw6dNWSrE1

 

[byoungblood]

As often as it comes up on the forum, I thought maybe I was one doing something wrong, since I never (or almost never) break tools.

I broke a cheapie 3/8-1/2 adapter once, in the junkyard. But its mostly because I used a monster breaker bar on it. I just left the broken pieces there in the yard. My fault.

Same here. I've sheared off the square drive of a couple of breaker bars after putting a cheater on them. The only thing that I've ever broken (that was a decent quality tool) that wasn't from abuse was a couple of smaller sized torx bits and some slotted screwdrivers. In all cases it is a matter of where Craftsman tools are known to be a little lacking.

 

[drink]

Well, I also like my Sk, SnapOn, Wright, Cornwell, Duro, and older Craftsman sockets.. My last 3/4" metric socket set were nos USA Craftsman... Normal 12 point sockets with a normal detent: 22MM K-47929 through 43MM K-47943..Two eBay finds at good prices..

I have My share of pet and high usage tools; and Craftsman is well represented. I am simply not pleased with some of their later products, such as the double detent sockets and the raised panel ratchets.. Two years ago, I was looking for a new set of USA jumbo metric combination wrenches.. I made a trip to Sears go get a set.. When I glanced down at the wrench set, I noticed some sharp flashing that had been chromed over.. That thing stayed on the shelf, and I walked away with my fingers intact.. That wrench would never be allowed in My toolbox at any price..

I think of the current Sears and Craftsman lineup as a flea market.. Ok stuff mixed in with ****, and prices all over the place... My "Oh ****" is a reflection of my poor choice of purchase, and not checking the tools out more thoroughly.. Some of the cases the sets come in concealed the double detent, and I find some ratchets to be junk when I first use them.. Being that the price averaged to a buck a socket, I didn't really get burned..

It is rather ironic that My cost for three new Proto 15/16" sockets was 82 cents each on a liquidation sale..

Armstrong also uses (used?) that same goofy double detent on their sockets, so no thanks to any of them.

The Armstrong, USA Allen, KD, and Kobalt combination wrenches liquidated through Cripe were a bargain that I enjoy..

I have decided that any new Channel Lock slip joint pliers that are riveted together rather than using a bolt and nut can stay in the store.

Hand tools from ChiTaIwandia irk me for the fact of their origination

SnapOn has great tools, but the cost portion for finance and cruising the truck around result in Those purchases being limited to high usage or select tools which they excel in making..

Seems they all have tools I like or disfavor for one reason or another.. I doubt there is a fan club that I wouldn't get kicked out of for one reason or another..

Would locking extensions or a locking adapter solve the problem with the double detent?

 

[drink]

I believe the old Craftsman USA tools usually met ANSI standards, although Sears preferred to sell the guarantee to retail customers and sell the standard to commercial/government customers. Here's a poorly formatted cut and paste from a Grainger page on a discontinued set of Craftsman wrenches:

Technical Specs

Item Combination Wrench Set Wrench Style Standard SAE or Metric SAE and Metric Number of Pieces 32 Number of Points 12 Tether Capable Standard Tool(Accessory Needed for Tethering)

Head Angle 15 Degrees Wrenches Included SAE Wrench Sizes: 1/4, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16, 1-1/8" And Metric Wrench Sizes: 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24mm Range of Lengths 5-1/16" to 15-13/16" Finish Satin Standards ANSI


http://www.grainger.com/product/CRAFTSMAN-Standard-3LYR7

I'd really like to know if there is actually any difference between most of the Craftsman Industrial and the last of the USA Craftsman. I have some of both and, aside from the stampings, they seem exactly the same, with the exception of the full polish wrenches.




I don't find the double detent terrible but it can be a bit annoying when the ratchet drive keys into the upper part of the detent rather than properly into the square. And it looks cheap, like they're saving 3 cents a socket by broaching the detents in,, rather than milling them in.

Somebody should ask the manufacturer if they use higher strength alloy steel in the CI tools. So far I have not had a problem with the detents on the sockets. The only thing I can think of that might help is to use locking extensions if you want. Some of my older Craftsman extensions have a hole in the side for the ratchet to lock in.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Would locking extensions or a locking adapter solve the problem with the double detent?

regarding a "problem"

I disfavor the design of the entire drive end of those sockets. I prefer the sight of "normal" sockets, which have fuller contact with a male drive end.

Those locking extensions are too clunky for tight quarters, and would be useless when placing a socket directly on a ratchet...

My solution is to not buy any more double detent sockets, or ANY tool that falls into My disfavor.. Those sockets ARE useable as is.. I intend to continue using them.

 

[ganymede]

.... Why don't you give some of the made in USA tools a try? Then you might not be so critical of things that are made in the USA.

^^^^^
Aspiring trolls pay attention, this is how it's done.
It provokes by being subtly implicative and there's plenty of inane padding .
Drink is the new Ponchoguy.

 

[drink]

^^^^^
Aspiring trolls pay attention, this is how it's done.
It provokes by being subtly implicative and there's plenty of inane padding .
Drink is the new Ponchoguy.

Drink is the new Ponchoguy What is that supposed to mean?

 

[four.cycle]

BDT/NWMN - re: rivet vs. nut-and-bolt attachment on slip-joint and groove-joint pliers:

just got a response back from Proamerica.
awaiting reply from Wilde.
I'll swing by Ace and take a look at their Channelocks - I don't own any myself.

will respond in a new thread on this one.

bk

 

[nikerret]

The local farm supply has a huge selection of made in USA Craftsman. The 1 1/8 combination wrench is around $25. Their sets are usually made in China, but every now and then, they have a USA set. For what you'd pay to build a set of Craftsman USA combination wrenches, you could pretty much get the SK set.

That store is great. They sell Wilde, SK, Channelock and other USA made stuff, often for cheaper than can be found online.

It seems the general public still doesn't know Craftsman isn't all made in the USA.

Recently, I bought two 26 piece wrench sets, from Sears Hometown. Paid $108, after sales tax, for all of them (metric and inch). Not made in USA, but for the money, I don't even care if they break, which I doubt they will. My wrench sets before were a mismatch from various sources and I didn't have very many sizes. Someday, I'll get a good made in USA set, but I couldn't afford it, now, and I needed the tools.

 

[four.cycle]

BDT/NWMN see HERE:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=5385303#post5385303


Wilde 10" tongue-and-groove pliers
new
(* this is the one I posted the photo of in the other thread *)
$18 incl. shipping. "buy now" deal
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Wilde-Tool-...644770?hash=item2a2a3380a2:g:lh4AAMXQ01tROCyl

Wilde 12-3/4" pipe wrench groove-joint pliers
new
$20 incl. shipping - "buy now" deal
http://www.ebay.com/itm/171013527647?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

Wilde 12-3/4" tongue-and-groove pliers
new
$25 + $6 shipping "buy now" deal
http://www.ebay.com/itm/201336372959?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

 

[drink]

^^^^^
Aspiring trolls pay attention, this is how it's done.
It provokes by being subtly implicative and there's plenty of inane padding .
Drink is the new Ponchoguy.

Drink is the new Ponchoguy. It sounds like you are being mean. If you unscramble "Ganymede" you get "Edgy Mean."

 

[otis66]

Consumers won't pay full price for any USA made wrench.

That's the crux of the problem and why production of low i.p products like hand tools has moved offshore.

Despite the babbling about USA made, the public votes on the importance of domestically made products with their pocketbooks.

Imported won.

I don't pay full price for any tool. There is always haggling room.

 

[indy2door]

Wow, the warranty fetish is alive and well.

 

[WWShop]

I have the Craftsman Industrial ratcheting wrenches and I like them. They seem a bit louder than other ratcheting wrenches I've used but i still think they are very good. At my Local Ace hardware the wrench sets are China but the individual wrenches are USA made. Most of the sockets are US too. As mentioned, I've never broken a tool but I also don't make a living with my tools either, so I'm not particularly hard on them. For this reason, I don't worry about a warranty. Buy the USA wrenches, take care of them and don't worry about the warranty.

 

[GSMotorrad]

This^^^
Everytime i read one of these craftsman bashing threads i think the same thing
I ve used my craftsman tools professionally for 15+ years and have never broken a wrench .

I have. But I believe it was a factory defect, which happened within a few years of buying it. It was Craftsman's first fully polished set. They were thicker in the middle, between the ends. I thought they were made by S•K. My 15mm went "springy" on me one day. The metal around the open-end, would just flex on every bolt, and begin opening up, and could no longer be used on any bolt. It's didn't break, as in break off, or in half, but the tool was broken.

When I went in to warranty it, they no longer made them like that. The newer ones were longer, and flat (not thicker) through the middle. They looked nicer, and I think these newer ones were made by Armstrong. I wasn't happy that this replacement didn't match my set. My thicker, shorter, older ones didn't seem to last long in their line-up, so maybe they were discontinued/changed because of a design flaw, who knows, but they let me trade in my two sets, both metric and standard, for the newer "long pattern" Armstrong wrenches, all because that one 15mm went springy.

I was happy, and I've been happy. For 18 years now, I think. These wrenches have been with me through it all, and suffered abuse beyond reason. They've travelled thousands of miles on motorcycles, been dragged through gravel and dropped in dirt. Many times they've suffered being doubled up on, using two wrenches to increase their leverage (abuse), many, many times, and they've stood the test of time.

What I'm trying to say, is that I no longer worry about warranty (lifetime), as long as you get GOOD stuff, it'll be fine. I no longer abuse my tools, and anything GOOD, will last my lifetime. My first set of thicker polished Craftsman wrenches turned out to be junk, but the replacement long-pattern wrenches turned out to be amazing. So the Craftsman name may or may not mean everything when buying USA new old stock stuff. As long as you only get the good ones, I wouldn't worry about a warranty. When mine break (probably never), they're trash, because I won't let them replace it with a Chinese one. I'd rather keep the broken one for nostagalia at this point.