Craftsman Max Axess "Flank Drive Type" Wrenches?

[bagsanthony]

While browsing through Sears the other day, I came across a new set of wrenches they were selling, that slightly resembled snap on's flank drive design.... I noticed that the wrenches were longer then your average RP, and they didn't feature the large lobster claw design. Country of origin is China, BTW. Has anyone else seen or used these yet?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-9-pi...39000000P?prdNo=49&blockNo=149&blockType=G149

 

[SMKS]

That's interesting.

I wonder if they're basically the same as the GearWrench non-ratcheting wrenches? The GW version also have a modified open end. Since Apex Tools makes them both, I wonder if they use the same open end design?

 

[DTB]

They actually look better than the previous offerings of the full polished China made wrenches.I'd say they are probably identical to the GW version.I'd like to know where they come up with their names though.."Clinch drive plus" LOL.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'd have to see them in person to make a more accurate guess as to who makes them but, with the PRC as home, they are most likely gearwrench clones. I guess I'll have to head to sears to see.

However, if you've seen the dewalt or bostich long pattern metric wrenches, they look an awful lot like a Taiwan made polished version of a Proto antislip wrench. the chrome even looks good but, the real test isn't how it looks on a shelf but rather how it looks after a few years of hard use.

 

[Brownsfan]

I was just at sears today and did not see them. I did see a new set of ratcheting wrenches frm craftsman.

 

[bagsanthony]

I'd have to see them in person to make a more accurate guess as to who makes them but, with the PRC as home, they are most likely gearwrench clones. I guess I'll have to head to sears to see.

However, if you've seen the dewalt or bostich long pattern metric wrenches, they look an awful lot like a Taiwan made polished version of a Proto antislip wrench. the chrome even looks good but, the real test isn't how it looks on a shelf but rather how it looks after a few years of hard use.

Exactly! I should have snapped a photo. The wrenches were not in their wrench aisle, they were located in what looked to be their pre-holiday gimmicky section, along with the large gearwrench standard and metric sets. If I go to Sears, I will snap a photo.

 

[SMKS]

According to the Sears website none of the stores in my area have them.

 

[bagsanthony]

Well I bit the bullet, bought a set and I plan on trying them out for the "home set". I paid $34 for the metric set. Again I found these in what looked to be there pre-holiday setup. The fit and finish seems good, I can't speak for their longevity, however:

<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/061.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/061.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 061.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/067.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/067.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 067.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/064.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/064.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 064.jpg"/></a>

 

[Buckgnarly]

So they made the "lobster claws" so they could backpedal and sell these new ones as "smaller"....pure genius!

 

[DEMAYO]

I had my hands on them but I didn't buy. I too would bet they're Gearwrench clones and I'd like a set, but I have a feeling a larger one might come out later.

 

[bagsanthony]

More pics:
<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/071.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/071.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 071.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/072.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/072.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 072.jpg"/></a>

<a href="http://s1232.photobucket.com/user/bagsanthony/media/073.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1232.photobucket.com/albums/ff371/bagsanthony/073.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 073.jpg"/></a>

 

[NC-Fordguy]

While browsing through Sears the other day, I came across a new set of wrenches they were selling, that slightly resembled snap on's flank drive design.... I noticed that the wrenches were longer then your average RP, and they didn't feature the large lobster claw design. Country of origin is China, BTW. Has anyone else seen or used these yet?

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-9-pi...39000000P?prdNo=49&blockNo=149&blockType=G149

Yes I have a set.

There was a Sears Manager convention in Vegas a few weeks back and the Sears top honchos were passing these out.

The wife brought the wrenches home and gave them to me. Craftsman also is coming out with a new ratchet soon. I have that as well.

These products should start filtering into the stores within the next few weeks

 

[Buckgnarly]

Yes I have a set.

There was a Sears Manager convention in Vegas a few weeks back and the Sears top honchos were passing these out.

The wife brought the wrenches home and gave them to me. Craftsman also is coming out with a new ratchet soon. I have that as well.

These products should start filtering into the stores within the next few weeks

Uh, so you have info about a new ratchet and you are not sharing!?!

 

[matt1977]

New wrenches don't look half bad, would be nice to see craftsman get back into the game of selling quality tools again.

 

[BK13]

So the box end has essentially a 0 degree offset?

 

[MJB24]

China or Taiwan?

 

[Farmall450]

Uh, so you have info about a new ratchet and you are not sharing!?!

Yeah, that's pretty low man!

 

[BK13]

I need to ignore this thread. I feel my wallet starting to twitch...

 

[bagsanthony]

So the box end has essentially a 0 degree offset?

No there is an offset.

 

[Stuey]

Uh, so you have info about a new ratchet and you are not sharing!?!

I believe he's either referring to a 1/2" universal-style ratchet or wobbly 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet. Either way, not very exciting.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-153pc/p-00939153000P?sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-30pc/p-00939231000P?prdNo=5

 

[Harrison2]

look similar to the long pattern wrenches? comparison photo next to those would be good...

do they feel sturdy despite being thinner?

nice finish tho... shame my local store has none in stock.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I believe he's either referring to a 1/2" universal-style ratchet or wobbly 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet. Either way, not very exciting.

Yea this ratchet.

I'm wondering how you came to your conclusion? Have you used it yet?

 

[Aqua-Andy]

I believe he's either referring to a 1/2" universal-style ratchet or wobbly 1/4" and 3/8" ratchet. Either way, not very exciting.

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-153pc/p-00939153000P?sLevel=0&redirectType=SKIP_LEVEL

http://www.sears.com/craftsman-cm-30pc/p-00939231000P?prdNo=5

I'm sorry but that has to be the dumbest thing I have seen in a while!

 

[NC-Fordguy]

China or Taiwan?

It appears the wrenches are sourced from china. It makes sense seeing how gearwrench wrenches are coming from china now as well.

I don't know about the ratchet. The tools were given to me without packaging hence no labels.

I've used the ratchet and wrenches. They work well.

The ratchet is interesting as it is extendable. Came in handy using a 1/4 drive hex bit breaking loose some stubborn hub fasteners

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I'm sorry but that has to be the dumbest thing I have seen in a while!

This kind of commentary is exactly why I don't waste my time posting pictures on this forum especially if its tools from overseas or from craftsman

 

[Aqua-Andy]

This kind of commentary is exactly why I don't waste my time posting pictures on this forum especially if its tools from overseas or from craftsman

I meant no disrespect, but I just don't see what problem this tool is trying to solve. The head wobbles to fit into tight places but you have a protrusion from the back side to impede the access it is supposed to give you. It looks like a tool thought up by a marketing genius that has never turned a wrench in his life.

 

[bagsanthony]

look similar to the long pattern wrenches? comparison photo next to those would be good...

do they feel sturdy despite being thinner?

nice finish tho... shame my local store has none in stock.

Yes they do feel sturdy, good in the hands. Will see how they hold up

 

[Loscaldazar]

The question is, where would you actually use the ratchet though?

If I need a wobble, it is generally at the end of the extensions, and never right at the ratchet itself (otherwise I'd grab a universal).

Then again, I might just have to be given one and see if it ever comes in use.

 

[wrenched87]

Craftsman has a semi new sealed head design, big bucks for even a 1/4 at about 50. Havent seen a full set but I'd like to try. I think there about 80 something teeth.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I meant no disrespect, but I just don't see what problem this tool is trying to solve. The head wobbles to fit into tight places but you have a protrusion from the back side to impede the access it is supposed to give you. It looks like a tool thought up by a marketing genius that has never turned a wrench in his life.

Yea I see your point on the double head design. Being the only person here that has actually used the tool, a ratchet specific to the drive size would be better in some cases.

I wouldn't want it as my only ratchet (I have around 100 ratchets from various manufacturers and sizes) it does have some redeeming features. The ability to extend the length is handy as I have found.

Ultimately if it sells well what gets posted here doesn't matter

 

[Fedwrench]

The ratchet is interesting as it is extendable. Came in handy using a 1/4 drive hex bit breaking loose some stubborn hub fasteners

Thanks for sharing. It's always good to see new tools. Although I'm not a fan of the twin headed ratchets, I like seeing new tools. Thanks again,

 

[monomach]

So they made the "lobster claws" so they could backpedal and sell these new ones as "smaller"....pure genius!

Yeah, I was confused for a second. I was staring at that picture thinking "all of my Craftsman wrenches have an open end with that profile."

 

[Stuey]

Yea this ratchet.

I'm wondering how you came to your conclusion? Have you used it yet?

I very quickly examined it during a brief show and tell Craftsman had in NYC for media folks.

I didn't say it's bad, just that I don't find it very exciting.

Its dual-head design has some advantages for those who want to keep tool count at a minimum, but it also means that the handle will be short and symmetrical, and you can't choke up too far or press down with your palm. I wasn't able to really see how well the wobble mechanism works, but in theory I don't like that you can't lock or disable it.

As for the new Max Axes stuff, I was also only able to get a quick glimpse, and they looked reasonably good. I was surprised the Max Axes wrenches are priced so low. There's also a small driving bit set and new larger Max Axes socket set.

 

[Harrison2]

kobalt make a ratchet of the same design, saw it the other day... wasn't too expensive from memory, didnt wobble tho.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

I'd seriously just take a flap disc to the 1/4" side of that ratchet and flush it down. Then you'd have a wobbly 3/8 extendable. Alright. If you want a 1/4" one, buy another and do the opposite.

Seems like I push with my palm more often than not, so the dual head is a no go for me.

 

[CWP1616L]

So the box end has essentially a 0 degree offset?

No there is an offset.

Next to that RP, it looks like zero offset.

The RP comes up off the counter, the new clinch wrench doesn't.

 

[bagsanthony]

I'd seriously just take a flap disc to the 1/4" side of that ratchet and flush it down. Then you'd have a wobbly 3/8 extendable. Alright. If you want a 1/4" one, buy another and do the opposite.

Seems like I push with my palm more often than not, so the dual head is a no go for me.

Yeah that's what I would do lol

 

[DEMAYO]

Well, I pulled the trigger on a set. Hopefully if they take off there will be open stock to get a 9mm and a 19mm. They do look pretty darn good though, despite the COO question. Very thin box and low profile open end.

Any one put them through to use yet?

 

[reptilezs]

i just wish they were a full set with no skips. i am in the market for a cheap set throw in the car

 

[BK13]

Well, I went and looked at them yesterday, cash in pocket. I just couldn't bring myself to pull the trigger. They looked pretty okay, particularly in comparison to the seemingly increasingly rough RPs, but I decided I could put the $80 (for both MM and SAE) towards some SK, Armstrong, Wright, Williams, or Proto.

But who knows, I may go back tomorrow.