Craftsman Pass/Fail thread! :)
- Thread starter billymade
- Start date
FAIL: Two tray cart. The castering wheels lock in various directions
FAIL: Crafstman hook and pick set cushioned handles pull off when you try to use them.
Chris
Interesting. Have both the cart and the picks, never had a problem with either.jetz
Member
Fail: Craftsman Professional 6 in. Diagonal Pliers
- Had the hardest time cutting 0.032" lockwire, returned them and bought some Kleins
Pass: Craftsmen 4 pc Adapter Set
- Great stuff! I have used the 1/2" F to 3/8" M for breaking torque.
Pass: Craftsman 10 pc. Standard Combination Ignition Wrench Set
-Handy to use, when you have some nuts/bolts in limited access areas.
- Had the hardest time cutting 0.032" lockwire, returned them and bought some Kleins
Pass: Craftsmen 4 pc Adapter Set
- Great stuff! I have used the 1/2" F to 3/8" M for breaking torque.
Pass: Craftsman 10 pc. Standard Combination Ignition Wrench Set
-Handy to use, when you have some nuts/bolts in limited access areas.
livey
Well-known member
Craftsman Locking Flex Ratcheting Combination Wrench
http://community.craftsman.com/Craf...lex-Ratcheting-Combination-Wrench-Set-reviews
I give these a FAIL, they annoy the **** out of me since the lever will not keep the flex head locked in place where you put them. For the price you pay for these, there shouldn't be an issue like that.
i have to disagree. i used to beat on mine everyday and i never had one breakor the lever fail
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
So maybe it is hit and miss.
I returned the cart to Sears today and the wheels were even acting up when I was pushing it into the store empty. I took that money and added some more to get the HF four drawer service cart.
I plan to do the Aqua-net hairspray trick to get the handles to stick on again.
Chris
Last edited:
Shadowdog500
Well-known member
Someone mentioned torque wrenches. I bought a digitorque when they first came out and after a few years the handle got a little sloppy and the little window that shows the torque value started moving around to the point that it was impossible to know the exact torque value. I returned it for another, and the same thing happened again after a few years and I returned it again for another. After the third one failed I down traded (with a partial refund) for their regular torque wrench and never had a problem since. I even check my wrench against a calibration device every now and again and it has never been out of tolerance.
FAIL Digitorque
PASS Regular torque wrench
Chris
FAIL Digitorque
PASS Regular torque wrench
Chris
Craftsman 1/2 in. Drive Flex Head Quick Release Teardrop Ratchet
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944816000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
PASS same guts as the raised panels. I've used it on some very stuck bolts and it never has slipped on me. If you need a long flex head this one is not bad for $30.
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00944816000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1
PASS same guts as the raised panels. I've used it on some very stuck bolts and it never has slipped on me. If you need a long flex head this one is not bad for $30.
1) Craftsman MicroTork Torque Wrench: Minimal pass. Hasn't broken but the numbers have worn off the vernier and the thing won't hold a calibration as well as a HF torque wrench
2) Craftsman Digitork Torque Wrench: Total Fail. Grip will slide on the shaft. Since the window that shows you what it's set to is in the grip, this means that you have no idea what the wrench is set to and it's not always immediately obvious that it's slipped.
3) Craftsman Red/Clear Handle Flathead Screwdrivers: Fail. Stupid thing break the last mm off the tip under normal use.
4) Craftsman 3,000lb Aluminum Jack: Fail. Valve was impossible to release gradually and it failed outright in less than a year of light use.
5) Craftsman Raised Panel Combo Wrenches: Pass and Fail. Box end passes, works reliably. Open end fails, it'll spread and round the fastener even at low torques.
6) Craftsman EZ-Read Laser-etched Sockets: Pass and fail. Pass because they haven't broken yet. Fail because the chrome is flaking off and the laser etching polished out and now you can't read what size it is (current production has addressed this by having both the laser etch and a traditional stamp).
7) Craftsman Thin Profile 3/8" Ratchet: Pass. Well, pass once you open it up and lubricate it.
8) Craftsman Thin Profile 1/2" Ratchet: Utter, utter FAIL. I just warrantied mine for the 4th time in 3 years today.
9) Craftsman 1/2" Drive Flex Handle (aka breaker bar). Minimal pass. Our first one had the joint for the head fall apart after 2 years of heavy use.
10) Craftsman Strut Spring Compressors: Epic fail. The threads came off the shaft on the first use.
11) Craftsman Premium Heavy Duty Ball Bearing Tool Chest: Moderate Pass. Built well enough for a homeowner, works well even loaded, but you can get SOOOO much more toolbox for your money other places.
12) Craftsman Heavy Duty Quiet Glide Tool Chest and Roller: Fail. Works ok until you put weight in the drawers and then the sliders get chewed up and work like ****.
13) Craftsman 3/8" Allen Sockets: Fail and fire the designer! The hex shaft on the stupid things necks down right before it enters the socket body and I've snapped ALL of them right on that point.
2) Craftsman Digitork Torque Wrench: Total Fail. Grip will slide on the shaft. Since the window that shows you what it's set to is in the grip, this means that you have no idea what the wrench is set to and it's not always immediately obvious that it's slipped.
3) Craftsman Red/Clear Handle Flathead Screwdrivers: Fail. Stupid thing break the last mm off the tip under normal use.
4) Craftsman 3,000lb Aluminum Jack: Fail. Valve was impossible to release gradually and it failed outright in less than a year of light use.
5) Craftsman Raised Panel Combo Wrenches: Pass and Fail. Box end passes, works reliably. Open end fails, it'll spread and round the fastener even at low torques.
6) Craftsman EZ-Read Laser-etched Sockets: Pass and fail. Pass because they haven't broken yet. Fail because the chrome is flaking off and the laser etching polished out and now you can't read what size it is (current production has addressed this by having both the laser etch and a traditional stamp).
7) Craftsman Thin Profile 3/8" Ratchet: Pass. Well, pass once you open it up and lubricate it.
8) Craftsman Thin Profile 1/2" Ratchet: Utter, utter FAIL. I just warrantied mine for the 4th time in 3 years today.
9) Craftsman 1/2" Drive Flex Handle (aka breaker bar). Minimal pass. Our first one had the joint for the head fall apart after 2 years of heavy use.
10) Craftsman Strut Spring Compressors: Epic fail. The threads came off the shaft on the first use.
11) Craftsman Premium Heavy Duty Ball Bearing Tool Chest: Moderate Pass. Built well enough for a homeowner, works well even loaded, but you can get SOOOO much more toolbox for your money other places.
12) Craftsman Heavy Duty Quiet Glide Tool Chest and Roller: Fail. Works ok until you put weight in the drawers and then the sliders get chewed up and work like ****.
13) Craftsman 3/8" Allen Sockets: Fail and fire the designer! The hex shaft on the stupid things necks down right before it enters the socket body and I've snapped ALL of them right on that point.
That was a good one, and yes ----> pass
I'll back that up. I have put a 4ft breaker on the end of mine while i pulled on the bottom as hard as I could to get some Alignment Eccentrics on the front of a Dodge to break free. Just today I was hanging from it (literally) while doing an Alignment trying to get a bolt to break free. No slips, I have become very confident with it. It's a very good deal. On the other hand it's quite bulky which is why I'm about to invest in a Armstrong Maxx Flex with Matco 88 internals. Sometimes it's just to wide and won't fit. When the torque required to break a nut loose is far beyond a wrenches capability and the ratchet won't fit it can be a frustrating. I'm also looking forward to the extra teeth.
woody 73
Well-known member
I have been having a lot of problems with the plastic screwdrivers,the shaft on some of them are starting to twist;I think they are made by Western Forge,so I would give them a Failing Grade.
KrisKustomPaint
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2010
- Messages
- 99
I've busted so many knuckles with craftsmen ratchets that I will never pick up another one as long as I live, unless it is to throw it in a ravine to save some other poor s.o.b. the trouble. So.. basically a Fail.
I'm a little guy and I can break the 3/8" ratchets with one hand. I live in missouri and pretty much any nut or bolt thats been around for a couple of years is rusted tight.
I'm a little guy and I can break the 3/8" ratchets with one hand. I live in missouri and pretty much any nut or bolt thats been around for a couple of years is rusted tight.
SnowBlaZeR2
Well-known member
Which ratchets?
I have probably 8 different types of Craftsman ratchets and I would give every one a pass for what I use them for.
As a matter of fact I would give every Craftsman tool I own a pass as far as I know, so maybe I will edit this post to include them all and why as soon as my tools are out of storage.
KrisKustomPaint
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 8, 2010
- Messages
- 99
Which ratchets?
I have probably 8 different types of Craftsman ratchets and I would give every one a pass for what I use them for.
As a matter of fact I would give every Craftsman tool I own a pass as far as I know, so maybe I will edit this post to include them all and why as soon as my tools are out of storage.
The older style? I bought Snap-On 10 years ago and haven't touch a craftsmen since. I bet I can break the new ones but it might take two hands.
SnowBlaZeR2
Well-known member
The raised panel with metal selector and quick release? Or plastic? The reason I ask is because there is a huge difference in quality starting at the raised panel all the way up to the Premium ratchets.
I bet you could break one too. I've broken one Craftsman ratchet, and I basically did a deadlift with a cheater pipe on it.
I'm not arguing here, I just wanted to know which ratchets you are talking about since there are many. If you haven't touched one in 10 years, I don't think it's fair to make a blanket statement like that.
BiltFordTuff
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2010
- Messages
- 104
What about this 7 pc. Universal Wrench Set? Metric & SAE
Yea, I was thinking of picking up the 56 pc Universal kit. I imagine since it works with so many fasteners - it's not really correct for any - but figured they'd still be good to have for that weird/odd thing that comes up every once in a while. The big kit is $99 in the store, $79 in the holiday catalog.
IMCA38
Well-known member
How sad Sears has become over the past few years. In the late 1980's and through the 1990's I bought a lot of stuff there. Nowdays, I go there, look around, shake my head and leave.
Unlike many posters here, I've had great luck with my screwdrivers, which I assume to be the non-professional models. I have one set with clear handles with red or blue accents, and another set with all red handles. The red handles were a grab box item many years ago, and I believe they were about $1 ea. I bought a 300-odd piece mechanic's tool set around 1990 or so. The set was on a good sale and I was a member of the Craftsman club, so I got like another 10-15% off of the sale price. Made for a good deal. You don't see much of anything like that anymore.
Like the other posters, I have had my share of messed up raised panel ratchets. Used to be they'd give you a new one. The last time, they gave me a used-rebuilt one. It wasn't nearly as nice cosmetically as the one I returned. The sockets themselves and the raised panel wrenches have stood up well. I also have a 1/2" clicker torque wrench. Several years ago, the ratchet gave out in that. I took it back and they installed a new ratchet kit for me. It has worked fine since.
Probably my biggest peeves are the ratcheting box end wrenches. I have broken down a number of the "dogs" in the ratchet mechanism, which can lead to severely bloodied knuckles! The last one I broke down was the 3/4-7/8" offset. I took it back and they didn't have that combination. They had to give me a 5/8-3/4" and a 11/16-7/8". I have no idea why they messed with the pairings like that, it makes no sense.
See also the great flare-nut wrench saga: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72890
On the power tool front, several years ago, I sprung for an 18 volt drill / flashlight kit. That was a great tool. At that time, 18 V was a monster. I got a few years of good use, then one of the batteries quit charging. I continued using it with the one remaining battery and it eventually gave up. I liked the drill, so I decided to go back and spring for the $40 or 50 for one new battery. I got it home and discevered that the stem of the battery wouldn't go into the handle of the drill. I took it back and was told that they changed the battery design a few years earlier and my battery was no longer made.
I'd really like to get another 18-ish volt tool set, and the Craftsman 19.2 Volt C3 stuff looks enticing, but I can't make myself do that after the earlier experience.
Sorry to say, now, I spend a lot more at HF then I do at Sears. At least HF has good sales. I have a seemingly endless supply of 20% off coupons.
Unlike many posters here, I've had great luck with my screwdrivers, which I assume to be the non-professional models. I have one set with clear handles with red or blue accents, and another set with all red handles. The red handles were a grab box item many years ago, and I believe they were about $1 ea. I bought a 300-odd piece mechanic's tool set around 1990 or so. The set was on a good sale and I was a member of the Craftsman club, so I got like another 10-15% off of the sale price. Made for a good deal. You don't see much of anything like that anymore.
Like the other posters, I have had my share of messed up raised panel ratchets. Used to be they'd give you a new one. The last time, they gave me a used-rebuilt one. It wasn't nearly as nice cosmetically as the one I returned. The sockets themselves and the raised panel wrenches have stood up well. I also have a 1/2" clicker torque wrench. Several years ago, the ratchet gave out in that. I took it back and they installed a new ratchet kit for me. It has worked fine since.
Probably my biggest peeves are the ratcheting box end wrenches. I have broken down a number of the "dogs" in the ratchet mechanism, which can lead to severely bloodied knuckles! The last one I broke down was the 3/4-7/8" offset. I took it back and they didn't have that combination. They had to give me a 5/8-3/4" and a 11/16-7/8". I have no idea why they messed with the pairings like that, it makes no sense.
See also the great flare-nut wrench saga: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=72890
On the power tool front, several years ago, I sprung for an 18 volt drill / flashlight kit. That was a great tool. At that time, 18 V was a monster. I got a few years of good use, then one of the batteries quit charging. I continued using it with the one remaining battery and it eventually gave up. I liked the drill, so I decided to go back and spring for the $40 or 50 for one new battery. I got it home and discevered that the stem of the battery wouldn't go into the handle of the drill. I took it back and was told that they changed the battery design a few years earlier and my battery was no longer made.
I'd really like to get another 18-ish volt tool set, and the Craftsman 19.2 Volt C3 stuff looks enticing, but I can't make myself do that after the earlier experience.
Sorry to say, now, I spend a lot more at HF then I do at Sears. At least HF has good sales. I have a seemingly endless supply of 20% off coupons.
Last edited:
nissan_crawler
Well-known member
I'll give the Pro wrenches (usa ones, haven't touched the new foreign ones), a big pass. The only slight disadvantage they have compared to snap-on, is that the box ends are slightly thicker. So far, that has been an issue 2-3 times in 9 years, nothing I'm replacing a set for.
Craftsman sockets...pass/fail. My 9 year old sockets were getting worn and slipping on bolts when you couldn't get completely straight on them. Now, for the price I paid, and the situation they "failed" under (and considering that's the same reason they wore in the first place), I'm not holding it against them. This is also exaggerated by the fact that only SAE is used on planes, and 99% of the time, only 1/4" drive sockets. I'm lucky to use my 3/8" ratchet once a week, and the 1/2" once every two weeks, so these sockets get lots of use.
I did decide to replace them with Snap-On, but I'll also be using them for the next 40 years. I doubt my home ones will ever wear out.
Craftsman sockets...pass/fail. My 9 year old sockets were getting worn and slipping on bolts when you couldn't get completely straight on them. Now, for the price I paid, and the situation they "failed" under (and considering that's the same reason they wore in the first place), I'm not holding it against them. This is also exaggerated by the fact that only SAE is used on planes, and 99% of the time, only 1/4" drive sockets. I'm lucky to use my 3/8" ratchet once a week, and the 1/2" once every two weeks, so these sockets get lots of use.
I did decide to replace them with Snap-On, but I'll also be using them for the next 40 years. I doubt my home ones will ever wear out.
illmatyk
Well-known member
1/2" Impact gun: FAIL
Had one, lasted a few months(maybe 3 or 4), didn't want to work one day.
Had one, lasted a few months(maybe 3 or 4), didn't want to work one day.
illmatyk; please tell us which model, there are the cheap ones, florida pneumatic oem and Ingersoll Rand OEM.... specific guns would really help people out here! Thanks! 
Here is a link with the guns they are selling right now!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=craftsman+impact+gun
Here is a link with the guns they are selling right now!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=craftsman+impact+gun
IMCA38, you should be able to get batteries for your power tool set; you need to find the model # for the tool or the battery itself, the #'s go like this: ***.XXXXXX. Then you should be able to look them up here: www.searspartsdirect.com
The cost effective aspect may come into play here; the older stuff tends to be more expensive then the current C3 19.2V system and batteries they are currently selling. The other option is having your batteries, "rebuilt" by many of the online companies that do this like... http://www.batteriesplus.com/ i'm sure others can recommend other vendors they have used. Batteries are a continual cost issue and they will all die eventually. I guess this is part of the price you pay for convenience compared to a corded tool!
The cost effective aspect may come into play here; the older stuff tends to be more expensive then the current C3 19.2V system and batteries they are currently selling. The other option is having your batteries, "rebuilt" by many of the online companies that do this like... http://www.batteriesplus.com/ i'm sure others can recommend other vendors they have used. Batteries are a continual cost issue and they will all die eventually. I guess this is part of the price you pay for convenience compared to a corded tool!
illmatyk
Well-known member
illmatyk; please tell us which model, there are the cheap ones, florida pneumatic oem and Ingersoll Rand OEM.... specific guns would really help people out here! Thanks!
Here is a link with the guns they are selling right now!
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/search_10153_12605?keyword=craftsman+impact+gun
This is the one I had:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_...o=1&blockType=G1&prdNo=1&i_cntr=1292922170553
littlekillertoad
Well-known member
I've got tons of craftsman stuff, but it's all at home.
What comes to mind now is:
craftsman red handle ratcheting screwdriver: PASS
Here. the action is really nice, not quite snap-on nice but excellent for the price. The COO is taiwan.
craftsman raised panel wrenches: PASS
I've got the V^ series as well as couple V's. They've held up great and I
love the price.
craftsman mini torx screwdriver set: PASS
Here. for $10, you can't beat it. They're a little delicate but they're also tiny and they've taken apart countless hard drives and cell phones and they're still ticking.
craftsman thin profile ratchets: PASS
maybe a bit heavier than they need to be, but they're nice and beefy.
craftsman hose clamp pliers: FAIL
Here. Everytime I use them, the retaining clip flies off and the swivels fall and promptly disappear.
I spent more time looking for the clips than I've saved by using these.
craftsman c3 impact: PASS
I've owned this for about 6 months now and it's been really handy. It's been
able to rip off lugs and most anything else without any trouble. I have had
trouble with two bolts so far: an engine mount bolt and a strut retaining bolt.
The impact couldn't move either. The strut bolt was pretty rusty and the
engine mount bolt required one heck of a breaker bar. Also, COO is China.
craftsman cable operated hose clamp pliers: PASS
Here. They work like they're supposed to. COO France.
I've got more, but I'll have to remember.
What comes to mind now is:
craftsman red handle ratcheting screwdriver: PASS
Here. the action is really nice, not quite snap-on nice but excellent for the price. The COO is taiwan.
craftsman raised panel wrenches: PASS
I've got the V^ series as well as couple V's. They've held up great and I
love the price.
craftsman mini torx screwdriver set: PASS
Here. for $10, you can't beat it. They're a little delicate but they're also tiny and they've taken apart countless hard drives and cell phones and they're still ticking.
craftsman thin profile ratchets: PASS
maybe a bit heavier than they need to be, but they're nice and beefy.
craftsman hose clamp pliers: FAIL
Here. Everytime I use them, the retaining clip flies off and the swivels fall and promptly disappear.
I spent more time looking for the clips than I've saved by using these.
craftsman c3 impact: PASS
I've owned this for about 6 months now and it's been really handy. It's been
able to rip off lugs and most anything else without any trouble. I have had
trouble with two bolts so far: an engine mount bolt and a strut retaining bolt.
The impact couldn't move either. The strut bolt was pretty rusty and the
engine mount bolt required one heck of a breaker bar. Also, COO is China.
craftsman cable operated hose clamp pliers: PASS
Here. They work like they're supposed to. COO France.
I've got more, but I'll have to remember.
littlekillertoad
Well-known member
Craftsman Microtork Torque Wrench: PASS-ish
Here. I've had mine for almost 2 years now and it's been great. I will say that the
locking ring is plastic and many people have had problems with it breaking. I've
kept mine in it's box and been careful with it and it's still working just fine. It's
worked for me so it gets a pass but it could have been designed better so it also gets an 'ish.'
Craftsman Raised Panel Ratchets: FAIL
This has been covered before.
If you can get your hands on an older series with a metal selector switch, it's
a great ratchet (but you won't find one in a Sears store). Otherwise, it's not
and it's definitely not worth the money.
Craftsman sockets: PASS-ish
I've had great success with the craftsman stamped sockets. They may not be
the fanciest sockets around, but they've taken a beating and they keep going
strong. For reference, I consistently use the G, G2, EE, E series (from what I
remember. I'm sure I use others too). The laser etched sockets are alright
and I've only had one socket where the chrome is peeling. My major
complaint with the laser etching is that it wears off leaving you with an
unmarked socket. They're the ish.
Craftsman black handle pliers: PASS
They've held up well and they're pretty cheap. COO USA.
Craftsman pro pliers: PASS
A little more pricey than the black handles, but worth it.
The grips are nice, and the jaws hold up very well.
Craftsman locking plier set: FAIL
This is the standard locking plier set with the comfort grips. COO China.
I can't find a link to the set anywhere. Within 3 uses, I've mushed the teeth
on the 10" pliers and it doesn't grip well anymore. I've had better luck from
the Irwins made overseas.
Here. I've had mine for almost 2 years now and it's been great. I will say that the
locking ring is plastic and many people have had problems with it breaking. I've
kept mine in it's box and been careful with it and it's still working just fine. It's
worked for me so it gets a pass but it could have been designed better so it also gets an 'ish.'
Craftsman Raised Panel Ratchets: FAIL
This has been covered before.
If you can get your hands on an older series with a metal selector switch, it's
a great ratchet (but you won't find one in a Sears store). Otherwise, it's not
and it's definitely not worth the money.
Craftsman sockets: PASS-ish
I've had great success with the craftsman stamped sockets. They may not be
the fanciest sockets around, but they've taken a beating and they keep going
strong. For reference, I consistently use the G, G2, EE, E series (from what I
remember. I'm sure I use others too). The laser etched sockets are alright
and I've only had one socket where the chrome is peeling. My major
complaint with the laser etching is that it wears off leaving you with an
unmarked socket. They're the ish.
Craftsman black handle pliers: PASS
They've held up well and they're pretty cheap. COO USA.
Craftsman pro pliers: PASS
A little more pricey than the black handles, but worth it.
The grips are nice, and the jaws hold up very well.
Craftsman locking plier set: FAIL
This is the standard locking plier set with the comfort grips. COO China.
I can't find a link to the set anywhere. Within 3 uses, I've mushed the teeth
on the 10" pliers and it doesn't grip well anymore. I've had better luck from
the Irwins made overseas.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
I would offer that the longer version of these same automotive picks is a definite PASS. The shanks screw in, rather than press in, and they seem to be much sturdier.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Three piece, non-Pro (red handled) pry bar set: PASS! 
These are great value, go on sale for 50% off constantly and are still US-made and very good quality. I also picked up the 31" pry bar in the same style and have no issues with it either.
These are great value, go on sale for 50% off constantly and are still US-made and very good quality. I also picked up the 31" pry bar in the same style and have no issues with it either.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
Is that the US made one with the locking pins? I ask b/c I saw that the other day and looked like a decent US set. Looking to replace my HF set that uses the S hook to hold the coil in place.
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
I was speaking of the ones that looked like these:
Yup, those are the ones. They were **** first use?...good to know....
i had these for about 9-10 years.
did about 30 sets of subaru struts with them.
work flawless for me.
bsaint
Well-known member
Sears credit card - fail
They raised interests on my dad's card even tho my dad has had it 26 years and has never been late. And 2/3rd of that 26 years hehad 0 balance. They said they were raising every member's.
They raised interests on my dad's card even tho my dad has had it 26 years and has never been late. And 2/3rd of that 26 years hehad 0 balance. They said they were raising every member's.
gatewaysysop
Well-known member
Another few came to mind.
The magnetizer/demagnetizer that they sell, little black one with two rubber bands on it? Total FAIL.
This fell apart on me after sitting on a peg in my garage for less than a month. The rubberbands both pretty much disintegrated. I only got about 1 or 2 uses out of it before that. I've since replaced it with another brand (Wiha) that is a solid unit. I could have warrantied with Sears, but I figured I didn't want to make the trip month after month.
Double Box end, raised panel wrenches: PASS
I have these in SAE and metric sizes and while they're not pretty, they are very stout and seem to fit very well. I also like the length on these. Still US-made and priced pretty well. There's usually a good selection of sizes on the open stock racks, sometimes better selection than the full polished/formerly pro sets, especially for larger sizes.
Double box, deep offset polished wrenches: PASS**
I have these in SAE and metric too and have given them quite a bit of use. They work very well and the quality is good. Chroming is very nice and the fit and finish seems as good as anything else I've seen/tried.
** I have the US-made versions of these and I understand they are now made in China. I can't vouch for the newer versions at all.
Bent handle, flex head spark plug ratchet (model 44835): PASS
This is one actually surprised me. The quality of the chrome and the heft of the handle are both much nicer than I expected and the flex head has a ball style detent to keep it from working loose over time. At least on mine, the ball is nice and tight so it wouldn't snap out of position too easily. The mechanism seems strong and, for spark plugs at least, I don't see a problem with it lasting a long time. I love mine.
Double box end, ratcheting wrenches: PASS
A while ago I picked up some of these in a 8-piece set and have since been very impressed. They are very sturdy and, while not fine toothed, very solid. They're apparently US-made, if that matters. I'm attaching a photo of what style I'm talking about, since there's so many kinds of ratcheting wrenches from Craftsman lately.
The magnetizer/demagnetizer that they sell, little black one with two rubber bands on it? Total FAIL.
This fell apart on me after sitting on a peg in my garage for less than a month. The rubberbands both pretty much disintegrated. I only got about 1 or 2 uses out of it before that. I've since replaced it with another brand (Wiha) that is a solid unit. I could have warrantied with Sears, but I figured I didn't want to make the trip month after month.
Double Box end, raised panel wrenches: PASS
I have these in SAE and metric sizes and while they're not pretty, they are very stout and seem to fit very well. I also like the length on these. Still US-made and priced pretty well. There's usually a good selection of sizes on the open stock racks, sometimes better selection than the full polished/formerly pro sets, especially for larger sizes.
Double box, deep offset polished wrenches: PASS**
I have these in SAE and metric too and have given them quite a bit of use. They work very well and the quality is good. Chroming is very nice and the fit and finish seems as good as anything else I've seen/tried.
** I have the US-made versions of these and I understand they are now made in China. I can't vouch for the newer versions at all.
Bent handle, flex head spark plug ratchet (model 44835): PASS
This is one actually surprised me. The quality of the chrome and the heft of the handle are both much nicer than I expected and the flex head has a ball style detent to keep it from working loose over time. At least on mine, the ball is nice and tight so it wouldn't snap out of position too easily. The mechanism seems strong and, for spark plugs at least, I don't see a problem with it lasting a long time. I love mine.
Double box end, ratcheting wrenches: PASS
A while ago I picked up some of these in a 8-piece set and have since been very impressed. They are very sturdy and, while not fine toothed, very solid. They're apparently US-made, if that matters. I'm attaching a photo of what style I'm talking about, since there's so many kinds of ratcheting wrenches from Craftsman lately.
Attachments
Last edited:
I have a set of these and would rate them a fail. The ratchet mechanism is too coarse and heavy. The low tooth count makes them hard to use in confined spaces. The huge drag on the ratcheting mechanism means that it'll get the bolt loose enough for the ratcheting mechanism to stop working long before the bolt is finger-loose. The "press sideways to defeat ratchet mechanism" feature means that when you're trying to get something with a really weird grab, half the time it just freewheels rather than ratchets.
On the other hand, since I decided I hate them, I've been abusing the **** out of them and these things are STRONG!