Craftsman Pro Wrenches - Good price?

[Stuey]

I'm looking to get a set of Cman pro wrenches to complement my growing wrench assortment. I have Cman raised panels whcih I beat on, a few Gearwrench X-Beams, reversible ratcheting wrenches, and ratcheting flex. So I don't "need" more wrenches, but there are times when they would come in handy.

So what's a good price on Cman pro full polish wrenches? I saw the 9 piece sets are $60 each, and with the 20% off sale they're now $48 each. I'm waiting on gift certificates so I can't buy them just yet. What price should I keep a lookout for?

Is the 28 piece set for $170 worth it?

I don't work on my car - I mostly work around the apartment, on computers, small woodworking projects, bicycles, machinery at the lab, and random other stuff - so I don't use my tools every day. Still, I use quite a few sizes and hate having to run out to buy a wrench when I need a size I don't have and a crescent just isn't good enough.

 

[ImportTuner]

I'm looking to get a set of Cman pro wrenches to complement my growing wrench assortment. I have Cman raised panels whcih I beat on, a few Gearwrench X-Beams, reversible ratcheting wrenches, and ratcheting flex. So I don't "need" more wrenches, but there are times when they would come in handy.

So what's a good price on Cman pro full polish wrenches? I saw the 9 piece sets are $60 each, and with the 20% off sale they're now $48 each. I'm waiting on gift certificates so I can't buy them just yet. What price should I keep a lookout for?

Is the 28 piece set for $170 worth it?

I don't work on my car - I mostly work around the apartment, on computers, small woodworking projects, bicycles, machinery at the lab, and random other stuff - so I don't use my tools every day. Still, I use quite a few sizes and hate having to run out to buy a wrench when I need a size I don't have and a crescent just isn't good enough.

The Craftsman Pro wrenches are a excellent value foir the price; with the lifetime warranty, you won't regret your purchase ...

 

[vjquan]

I've never seen those go on sale so I'd say 20% off is a pretty good deal. If you're not working on cars, then just get the SAE set.

 

[Jokeman]

I think I bought those as an extra set for 30 a set when they were on sale.

 

[chappys4life]

watch ebay used snap-on. Works out to be the same but nice product

 

[Stuey]

<-- Not an ebay fan.

 

[nytehawk]

Some years ago I purchased a Craftsman tool set that included a fairly complete compliment of their regular combination wrenches (not the full polish ones). More recently, I purchased the full polish combo wrench 9 pc sets in both SAE and Metric, on sale thru Craftsman Club for quite cheap -- maybe ~$35-40 per set if I remember correctly? This gave me the most common sizes in full polish, and I still have the lower quality cast wrenches if I need the less-common sizes.

The other thing you might consider is the Craftsman (or GearWrench) reversible ratcheting combination wrenches. I have the Craftsman ones in every size they make, both SAE and Metric, and they are very handy. If you had said you were working on automobiles where you might need to apply quite a bit of torque I may have suggested the regular combo wrenches as a higher priority than ratcheting ones. However, the ratcheting ones are really nice to have and still carry the full Craftsman warranty in case you break one while trying to loosen that stubbornly stuck nut. (So far, I haven't broken any of my wrenches and I don't expect I ever will.)

As a final note, I don't want to start a big Snap-on vs. Craftsman debate, but IMHO you don't need Snap-on unless you make a living with your tools. The Craftsman Professional line of hand tools will serve you just fine and cost a lot less. I do own a couple Snap-on tools and my experience with their business as an individual consumer has been disappointing. (On the other hand, if you own a shop and the Snap-on guy pays you an on-site visit every week, it's a great business model.) I could easily type several more paragraphs on this topic, so I'll restrain myself and push that "Submit Reply" button instead...

 

[Stuey]

I have Cman raised panels whcih I beat on, a few Gearwrench X-Beams, reversible ratcheting wrenches, and ratcheting flex.

Some years ago I purchased a Craftsman tool set that included a fairly complete compliment of their regular combination wrenches (not the full polish ones). More recently, I purchased the full polish combo wrench 7 pc sets in both SAE and Metric, on sale thru Craftsman Club for quite cheap -- maybe ~$35 per set if I remember correctly? This gave me the most common sizes in full polish, and I still have the lower quality cast wrenches if I need the less-common sizes.

The other thing you might consider is the Craftsman (or GearWrench) reversible ratcheting combination wrenches. I have the Craftsman ones in every size they make, both SAE and Metric, and they are very handy. If you had said you were working on automobiles where you might need to apply quite a bit of torque I may have suggested the regular combo wrenches as a higher priority than ratcheting ones. However, the ratcheting ones are really nice to have and still carry the full Craftsman warranty in case you break one while trying to loosen that stubbornly stuck nut. (So far, I haven't broken any of my wrenches and I don't expect I ever will.)

I cannot seem to find any full polish 7 piece sets online aside from the stubby sets. Are you sure it wasn't the 9 piece sets normally priced at $60? Maybe I will just wait until the next one or two Club flyers come out.

 

[ImportTuner]

I have never seen the Craftsman Professional polished wrenches on sale ... just the regular stuff and GearWrenches ...

 

[nytehawk]

I cannot seem to find any full polish 7 piece sets online aside from the stubby sets. Are you sure it wasn't the 9 piece sets normally priced at $60? Maybe I will just wait until the next one or two Club flyers come out.

Yeah, sorry -- my mistake. It was the 9-pc sets like you said that I purchased on sale thru Cman Club a couple years ago for $35-40 per set. If you don't need the wrenches right away, it's a good idea to check out the next Club flyer or two. I "never" purchase Craftsman tools at full price.

 

[nytehawk]

I have never seen the Craftsman Professional polished wrenches on sale ... just the regular stuff and GearWrenches ...

Are you a Craftsman Club member? The full polish stuff doesn't go on sale as often, but it does. And a couple years ago they offered a smokin' deal on the 9-pc full polish combo wrench sets...which was a major factor in my decision to go ahead and buy them at the time even though I had a full set of the regular (cast) Craftsman combo wrenches.

 

[T56 Impala]

I got the 28 pc set for $149. They are well worth the money. Keep a lookout for sales. You shouldn't have to pay full price!!!

 

[billymade]

For items that don't go on sale much; you might get the Craftsman Club calender and look at the current coupon for hand tools for each month. It isn't typically a ton off but better then nothing. You might sign up for the email they send out and definitely join the club if your not a member; you can do this online.

I know your not a ebay fan but yank the chain; 13 piece for $55 buy it now is a deal!!!! http://cgi.ebay.com/Craftsman-Full-...ryZ29527QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Theres tons more out there too! http://shop.ebay.com/items/craftsman-wrench-set_W0QQ_nkwZcraftsmanQ20wrenchQ20setQQ_poiZ1

 

[Senorpablo]

watch ebay used snap-on. Works out to be the same but nice product

Not the same at all.

You'd spend a tremendous amount of time on eBay putting together a collection of USED Snap-on for the same price as NEW Craftsman Pro's, if it could even be done for the price which I'm doubtful of. The condition of the used, eBay tools will be hit and miss, not to mention the shipping charges.

Not to mention warranty hassles. Craftsman has an outstanding hassle free warranty, while you'll have a very hard time finding a Snap-on dealer unless you work in a shop--which the poster does not.

 

[philw]

I agree with Senorpablo---I would be very surprised if you could put a set of Snap-on together for the same price.
You would have to worry about condition because ebay sellers love to tell you how great their product is but occasionally leave out flaws......such as initials, worn areas etc.
You can forget trying to buy a new set on ebay for anything close.

 

[nytehawk]

I strongly agree with both of the previous two posts.

 

[chappys4life]

You guys might doubt me but if you are careful and take your time you can get snap on wrenches for good prices that are close to the pro sets. I had a chance to compare sears pro wrenches (my dads) to my ebay snap ons. The snap ons fit a little tighter and where on par length wise. If you dont want the ebay hunting get the cmans. Its all preference and what you want and like.

 

[eschoendorff]

I have both Snap on and Craftsman pro... and the Craftsman pro are really fantastic (at least mine are). I was going to "upgrade" to Snap On, but it's kind of a waste... I will just add Snap on in teh sizes that I don't have already.

 

[a390st]

I have Snap on, Matco (Bonney), and Craftsman Pro. I like them all. I think the Snap On and Matco are a little better in terms of fit, but not much. I haven't noticed the Craftsman Pros spreading, but I really try to use a socket whenever possible on anything really TIGHT. I have regular and longs in the Matco and Snap On, so I really haven't judged them based on length. The Pros are in a whole different category than the raised panel Craftsman wrenches!

 

[Lightning]

I cannot risk using Craftsman wrenches because some of the fasteners I service are Aluminum and Brass which are soft and a good fit is very important. Otherwise Craftsman Professional wrenches are not bad. When I need a wrench I usually use the box end of 6 point combination wrenches.


The Craftsman Professional wrenches are a great value for $150.00 and I might buy some for my boat. I try to avoid transporting Snap On tools unless I must because of theft concerns.

 

[Senorpablo]

You guys might doubt me but if you are careful and take your time you can get snap on wrenches for good prices that are close to the pro sets. I had a chance to compare sears pro wrenches (my dads) to my ebay snap ons. The snap ons fit a little tighter and where on par length wise. If you dont want the ebay hunting get the cmans. Its all preference and what you want and like.

This is a testament to Snap-On marketing! Price not being an issue, I'd likely opt for a Snap-on tool over most. Once you consider price the tools just aren't that attractive in terms of pure functionality. Snap-on tools are a great example of diminishing returns. If you're a professional mechanic, perhaps it makes sense to spend three times more for a wrench that performs 20% better. There will always be a market for an elite level of products which capitalizes on this behavior. Monster cable is a prime example of this in another arena.

I'm as guilty as anyone in appreciating a brand and something that represents the pinnacle of quality. We've all heard that argument before, now lets examine the used tool aspect:

All the claims and promises as to excellent quality assurance and materials and workmanship are out the window for used tools.

Folks who pay for Snap-on tools are paying for brand, quality, and service. For a wrench, quality might equate to the excellent finish of the chrome, the distance between the jaws of a wrench, condition of the steel, etc. When you buy a used tool, the quality is severely diminished: the chrome is likely worn and scratched, the jaw distance is unknown, etc. If you take quality out of the quality/brand equation, you're left primarily with brand.

The notion that a used tool of unknown condition and history is better than a new tool of known quality is absurd to me. The superior qualities that Snap-on builds into it products does not transcend years of use, only the brand does. When you buy a used Snap-on tool, you're buying the brand and a tool of absolutely unknown quality.

When you buy a used Snap-on tool, you're paying for the brand. You're driving up the price of the used tools, which in turn increases the value of the brand and translates to higher cost of new tools.

 

[Stuey]

Senorpablo,

Those are some great comments and points that I really haven't considered before!