IBJanky
Well-known member
Title says all.
Also, I'm thinking of getting 1/2", 3/8" sizes. Are 1/4" impact sockets even needed?
myke
Also, I'm thinking of getting 1/2", 3/8" sizes. Are 1/4" impact sockets even needed?
myke
Craftsman or Harbor Freight socket set for a home DIY guy?
- Thread starter IBJanky
- Start date
Either one is just fine. These days most of the stuff sold at Harbor Freight is great for pretty much anyone's purpose. What you are buying with Craftsman is sockets made in the US vs. China. Depends on if that bothers you.
I have a drawer full of Craftsman and have used them for years, never had an issue.
Also are you looking at just impacts? Your last sentence kind of implies it.
I have a drawer full of Craftsman and have used them for years, never had an issue.
Also are you looking at just impacts? Your last sentence kind of implies it.
KMinAF
Well-known member
Craftsman sockets are made in the US? Compared to the sockets I bought 20+ years ago the new Craftsman sockets look just like the China made stuff. They are shallow, thick walled and don't have the same quality, look or feel to them. Just my opinion.
I don't know that I agree with that. I haven't scrutinized HF's stuff, but my Craftsman stuff (including a couple I've warranted due to rust) look nicer than say the new Kobalt stuff. In fact, the current Kobalt stuff looks identical to a Companion set I bought a few years ago to keep in my Jeep (which I no longer own.. that thing was a clunker).
Are we talking Chrome or impact here? Because their Chrome sockets are very very similar to Snap-On thickness. No idea on impacts.
Look at Taiwan made JH Williams and Snap-On, also similar. Machines were moved from the US to China so of course they all look the same.
R-132 Fan
Well-known member
It depends on what you can afford. I like the Craftsman tools and have quite a few. I also have a few harbor freight wrenches that are good. I would go with Craftsman if you can. I like supporting an old American business like Sears even if it isn't that same old company it was in the past.
byoungblood
Well-known member
Go with the Craftsman. Apart from some of their torx bits, I've never broken one of their normal 6 or 12 pt sockets.
I've bought some stuff from HF, but usually it is for very minor items or a tool I would consider to be disposable or I'm just buying it for a single use. My main hand tools (with very few exceptions) are all US or German made.
I've bought some stuff from HF, but usually it is for very minor items or a tool I would consider to be disposable or I'm just buying it for a single use. My main hand tools (with very few exceptions) are all US or German made.
I have one older Crafstman 10MM hex bit that has served me well (fill plug for the front diff on my truck). I bought it probably 3-4 years ago.
I just picked up some hex bits of theirs, and I'm none too impressed. I'd definitely be worried about breaking them, and exchanged some because they were really crooked.
Looks aren't everything, though. They just don't quite look right!
I have an older HF Torx set, and it has done well. It is the non-polished chrome with the gray bits, and though I don't use it much, it has held up pretty well.
I don't know about the new black & chrome HF bits, though.
Everytime I look at HF's impact socket sets I find they always skip sizes, like 12mm, 16mm and 18mm. No idea what they have as far as new sets go, they tend to change them every 6 months.
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-pie...deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67904.html
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-drive-deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67915.html
This is a shallow set that hits them all though
http://www.harborfreight.com/13-piece-12-drive-metric-impact-socket-set-67902.html
But then the deep is missing a 16 and 18...I don't get it
http://www.harborfreight.com/10-piece-12-drive-deep-wall-metric-impact-socket-set-67915.html
Impact sockets there are fine they are much much cheaper than Craftsman. I still own the Craftsman though, being US made and all.
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If that is the case, skip them both and get Grey Pneumatic or Sunex! Both available at Tooltopia or Amazon...
Since you are a Fatwalleter, I think you should go with the Harbor Freight. Though to be honest, the HF prices arent quite that great anymore. I got both HF and Gray Pneumatic. Have had no problems with either but I dont think the average DIYer breaks out the impacts that often other than tire rotations? What type of impact are you gonna use?
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FergusonTO35
Well-known member
How about used proline tools? You can normally get them for the same price as new Craftsman or HF.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Watch the warranty for GP, heard they can be a PITA if you don't buy from an authorized dealer...again, on ly "heard" though, no personal experience.
check out the sales on Cman impacts over Black Friday, probably can't beat the prices even at HF.
check out the sales on Cman impacts over Black Friday, probably can't beat the prices even at HF.
dragoocoda
Well-known member
The warranty becomes a hassle for Craftsman when it comes to impact sockets. The stores sell full sets, but depending on the size of store, carry only 1/2" open stock. Most of the stores I go to in the Phoenix area only sell the 3/8" sets so you have to call for warranty service. No one sells the 1/4" in the stores, those are online only.
At any rate one of the stores I went to recently had a 3/8" set that was made in China (or Taiwan). Which means te end of USA made impact sockets for Craftsman.
I don't know what the selection is for HF, but I believe their impact selection is much larger than Sears.
At any rate one of the stores I went to recently had a 3/8" set that was made in China (or Taiwan). Which means te end of USA made impact sockets for Craftsman.
I don't know what the selection is for HF, but I believe their impact selection is much larger than Sears.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
No offense, but this comes up almost every week about the RP ratchets/wrenches and sockets, and yet no one has ever produced pics.....I would love to see some!
He was probably talking about the Evolv **** line.I think they have impact sockets.
I picked up a 1/2 drive SAE set (Napa Professional Tool line) from Napa for around $50 or so through the real deal flyer.My local Napa has a pretty good variety of impact sockets,might be different else where though. These were made in Taiwan but they also have a USA line for more $$$.I've never had trouble warrantying anything from Napa,and they have a great selection of open stock sockets along with the sets.I would of bought the Craftsman set but they were around $80 at the time.They were down around $50 in the Craftsman club and around $40-50 on Black Friday I believe.I am tempted to go buy the set just to match my Metric selection.
I picked up a 1/2 drive SAE set (Napa Professional Tool line) from Napa for around $50 or so through the real deal flyer.My local Napa has a pretty good variety of impact sockets,might be different else where though. These were made in Taiwan but they also have a USA line for more $$$.I've never had trouble warrantying anything from Napa,and they have a great selection of open stock sockets along with the sets.I would of bought the Craftsman set but they were around $80 at the time.They were down around $50 in the Craftsman club and around $40-50 on Black Friday I believe.I am tempted to go buy the set just to match my Metric selection.
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Yes Craftsman Evolve is Chinese. The regular branded Craftsman are still USA.
powertrip
Well-known member
I have seen the evolve line of impact sockets that are foreign made. The regular cman impacts are USA made.No offense, but this comes up almost every week about the RP ratchets/wrenches and sockets, and yet no one has ever produced pics.....I would love to see some!
dragoocoda
Well-known member
Ill try to get pics next time I'm in there..
dragoocoda
Well-known member
Ok, so I'm clear.. I do know the difference between Evolv and Craftsman..
The First Picture is Evolv impacts.
The Second Picture is Craftsman US (note the item # and second set of numbers in the barcode).
The Third picture is Craftsman China (again, note the item #).
The Fourth Picture is the back of Craftsman China (again, note the item number at the top and the second set of numbers in the barcode and COO).
Both are deep impact easy read sockets..
The First Picture is Evolv impacts.
The Second Picture is Craftsman US (note the item # and second set of numbers in the barcode).
The Third picture is Craftsman China (again, note the item #).
The Fourth Picture is the back of Craftsman China (again, note the item number at the top and the second set of numbers in the barcode and COO).
Both are deep impact easy read sockets..
Attachments
binkcat16
Well-known member
i would go with craftsman before hf or grey they are good too
Holy **** you're right...wow...I never thought the day would come...looks like I need to get my 3/8" set ASAP before they're all gone.
Well I guess the day has come, looks like writing is on the wall. I thought they had drawn the line at sockets but I guess not.
We will all own "vintage" Craftsman soon enough.
Oh and sad thing is, those 3/8" Chinese sockets look better than the US ones. Better imprints, and laser etching. Probably better sockets too.
Ugh. Think they will go that way for chrome sockets, too? I've been eyeing that big 6-pt 1/2" drive deep & shallow set, but kind of hard to justify.
Maybe I need to pick it up before I can't?
It's already an online-only deal.
Should have gotten the deep impacts on the 50% off deal.
Maybe I need to pick it up before I can't?
It's already an online-only deal.Should have gotten the deep impacts on the 50% off deal.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
You can buy a pretty decent set of sockets from Craftsman for not a lot of money.
I bought this 260 pc set for my machine shop for I think about $159.99 last year. It has a nice toolbox along with it.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00936260000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4''
That said, if you want the absolute cheapest, I'd go to walmart and get a Stanley set for about 69.99.
I bought this 260 pc set for my machine shop for I think about $159.99 last year. It has a nice toolbox along with it.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00936260000P?prdNo=4&blockNo=4&blockType=G4''
That said, if you want the absolute cheapest, I'd go to walmart and get a Stanley set for about 69.99.
These are the Craftsman impact socket sets I was thinking of getting:
Craftsman 95 pc. Easy Read Impact Socket Set, 6 pt., 3/8", and 1/2" Drive
or
Craftsman 113 pc. Ultimate Laser Impact Socket Set 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" Drive
I believe both are still made in the USA.
myke
Craftsman 95 pc. Easy Read Impact Socket Set, 6 pt., 3/8", and 1/2" Drive
or
Craftsman 113 pc. Ultimate Laser Impact Socket Set 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" Drive
I believe both are still made in the USA.
myke
dragoocoda
Well-known member
Maybe they are just reying to pare back on their USA offerings where the only thing left will be the Ratchets, Sockets and RP Wrenches.. That way they are able to offer a selection of US made tools and be able to advertise that they are the only retailer that still sells some US made tools.
Unless Apex decides to offshore production of all their hand tools..
And the Chinese sockets are less greasy than the US made ones.. There's always somekind of coating that gets all over the place, no matter how much I wipe them off!!
Here's to wishful thinking..
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I have the 1/2" set so will be buying the 3/8" set. No real need for 1/4" IMO. I bought them a few months ago and they were still US made. However that Chinese 3/8" set looks brand spanking new. We better buy 'em before they're all gone.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Damn.....sad......Ugh. Think they will go that way for chrome sockets, too? I've been eyeing that big 6-pt 1/2" drive deep & shallow set, but kind of hard to justify.
Maybe I need to pick it up before I can't?
Should have gotten the deep impacts on the 50% off deal.
The 1/2" deeps are on sale on Black Friday for $40. You haven't missed it yet.
WRX/Z28
Well-known member
I'm betting the 113pc set is imported being that it says "New" and preorder. Cman hasn't been releasing any new USA tools, but continuing the ones they already have for a bit.
Glad I picked up all the 1/2 and 3/8 impacts on special a couple months ago to bring all my impacts up to new status.
WRX/Z28
Well-known member
That oil is to keep them from rusting (being that they're not chrome). I wouldn't wipe it off. In fact, I hit mine with a coat of WD-40 any time they look a little dry. The chinese sockets look painted. The minute that paint wears, they'll rust too. I'd prefer the oiled black oxide finish.
thesilverone
Well-known member
end of an era right there IBJanky!
I don't mind the warranty call in. I rarely need a replacement right away, so them mailing me a replacement is fine.
WRX/Z28
Well-known member
I ended up getting the Craftsman 113pc impact socket set:
I'm glad to report that they are all still made in the USA
I'm very happy with my purchase
myke
Awesome! That's great to hear. One of the time's i'm happier being wrong...
Every single socket that I own is a craftsman, and i have many and they have served me well. I can not say the same for the ratchet/ hex, and tamper proof bolt tools. Their metal is way to soft and will round out a bolt head every time. For that I use either snap on or hazet only.