Craftsman Pro Wrenches.

[BWright]

So I was in sears today while the gf was shopping and saw that all the wrench sets were 30% off. Ive been eyeballing the metric 13pc craftsman pro set for a while to replace my raised panels, so I decided to pick them up for 69.99. I went through the sets to pick out the the best one without flaws, and handled the open stock ones to get a feel for them. Then I overlaid the 13mm open stock wrench over the 13mm in the set and noticed that the beam on the open stock one was visibly much thinner than the one in the set. So I overlaid every size and found that they were all that way. When i got home I took out the ones in the set and they were far more comfortable in my hand than the open stock ones in the store. Surely they don't have two different lines for sets and open stock, do they? Anybody else noticed this?

 

[Fedwrench]

It's possible that the wrenches came from two different suppliers. It's also possible that the specifications on the wrenches were changed by the manufacturer and either the open stock wrenches or the ones in the set are the new ones. six on one hand, half a dozen on the other.....

 

[gatewaysysop]

So I was in sears today while the gf was shopping and saw that all the wrench sets were 30% off. Ive been eyeballing the metric 13pc craftsman pro set for a while to replace my raised panels, so I decided to pick them up for 69.99. I went through the sets to pick out the the best one without flaws, and handled the open stock ones to get a feel for them. Then I overlaid the 13mm open stock wrench over the 13mm in the set and noticed that the beam on the open stock one was visibly much thinner than the one in the set. So I overlaid every size and found that they were all that way. When i got home I took out the ones in the set and they were far more comfortable in my hand than the open stock ones in the store. Surely they don't have two different lines for sets and open stock, do they? Anybody else noticed this?

Too weird. Makes me glad I bought sets, I guess, but it also makes me wonder if I really wasn't crazy when I thought the stubbies in the small set somehow looked different from the ones in the larger set I ended up buying several months back. Very strange.

 

[krehmkej]

A while back, I purchased the Pro metric set, and later picked up an extra 10mm. Surprise that the open stock one was stamped "reversed" from the others.

 

[BigK600]

I'd say Danaher made a switch on the specs at sometime. I know that at one time the pro wrenchs were made by SK but that was years ago now Danaher makes them. As they make everything for craftsman.

 

[Fedwrench]

I'd say Danaher made a switch on the specs at sometime. I know that at one time the pro wrenchs were made by SK but that was years ago now Danaher makes them. As they make everything for craftsman.

Not everything with Craftsman on it comes from Danaher. Screwdrivers and pliers can come from Western Forge or Pratt Reed, and the fully polished flare nut wrenches come from SK. I think it's more of a lowest bidder type supplier situation. Danaher as the largest toolmaker, does make tools for almost everyone though.

 

[Old Donn]

You've piqued my curiousity. I've had Pros for several years now. I'll have to take a trip to Sears, see how they match up.

 

[BWright]

It's possible that the wrenches came from two different suppliers. It's also possible that the specifications on the wrenches were changed by the manufacturer and either the open stock wrenches or the ones in the set are the new ones. six on one hand, half a dozen on the other.....

Yea that's another possibility too. That they changed the specs and either the sets or open stock are the new style, and they are just selling the old ones off. I sure hope that those open stock wrenches aren't the new style though. It also makes me kinda mad because if I for some reason have to get one of my wrenches warrantied, I know that they are just going to give me one of the thin open stock wrenches.

 

[rsanter]

I like them
they rank right behind my snap on wrenches when it comes to feel.


bob

 

[gatewaysysop]

I like them
they rank right behind my snap on wrenches when it comes to feel.


bob

Are you talking about the purported new thinner ones, the 'thicker' ones or both in general?

Back on topic, I've compared the set versions I purchased much earlier this year to the open stock I have from a few months ago. Can't see any differences between those. Nevertheless, I'll also check it out next time I'm at the store, because I'm curious to see this first hand.

Quite disappointing, but I guess it shouldn't be unexpected that quality takes a further nosedive just about everywhere these days.

 

[HandyManny]

I'd say Danaher made a switch on the specs at sometime. I know that at one time the pro wrenchs were made by SK but that was years ago now Danaher makes them. As they make everything for craftsman.

Nope! Danaher does not make everything for Craftsman. They only make the sockets, extentions, most wrenches, and ratchets for Cman. Various Craftsman tools are manufacured by several companies, some are manufacturers for many industrial brands, some make tools sold under their own name as well. Some are less than good, others are great quality.

 

[HandyManny]

I've seen combo wrenches on the open stock that must have been older made stuff that sat in the back of a warehouse until being discovered. The older pro wrenches had a much nicer finish with rounder - smoother edges and as much attention to durability and useability was placed on asthetic as well.

 

[smcdonn]

More than likely, wrenches that don't fit snugly in the packaging are kept for open stock. I forget what the packaging looks like but I am sure beam thickness plays a part in how tight it fits.

 

[rsanter]

Are you talking about the purported new thinner ones, the 'thicker' ones or both in general?

Back on topic, I've compared the set versions I purchased much earlier this year to the open stock I have from a few months ago. Can't see any differences between those. Nevertheless, I'll also check it out next time I'm at the store, because I'm curious to see this first hand.

Quite disappointing, but I guess it shouldn't be unexpected that quality takes a further nosedive just about everywhere these days.

I have picked up all of my cman pro wrenches in the last couple of years. whatever ones I have from them have been doing well. compaired to the raised panel wrenches the pros are much better

bob

 

[Merkava_4]

One of the funniest things I've ever read on this board is when nissan_crawler said he was denied warranty service on a Craftsman Professional wrench because he was using it professionally; I think I laughed for about an hour after that.

 

[HandyManny]

That is funny. Why the name "Professional" marked on the wrench then?? That's one of the many things people are getting pissed at Sears about.

 

[BWright]

Just a little update on the wrenches I bought. I got a chance to use them yesterday and i have to say that they are just as comfortable as my set of standard matcos that i have. Im extremely happy with them. I can't complain for 7-19mm for only 70 bucks. They have a few minor flaws in the finish, and i mean very minor. Two wrenches just have small blemishes in the chrome around the box end but thats it.

 

[sjt78]

I bought both the standard and metric 13 piece sets for $45 each a few months back. I noticed the same thing you did with some of the pieces thinner than others on the same rack. I also noticed some of the wrenches were bent slightly a few degrees??? I guess the quality control is not 100% effective. Anyway, what I did was I bought two extra sets, one more of each, and cherry picked the best of the two sets and returned the other sets. None of the pieces I rejected had flaws that were major, or for that matter, that anyone without OCD like me would ever even care to look for. I picked two sets that I was happy with and I plan on using them soon to do some work on my car.

 

[HandyManny]

Just a little update on the wrenches I bought. I got a chance to use them yesterday and i have to say that they are just as comfortable as my set of standard matcos that i have. Im extremely happy with them. I can't complain for 7-19mm for only 70 bucks. They have a few minor flaws in the finish, and i mean very minor. Two wrenches just have small blemishes in the chrome around the box end but thats it.

Get around to using them a few times and they'll have a few more blemishes, dings, and scratches. I've seen more dents, dings, and scratches on my Wright and Proto wrenches when they were new than I have on my Cman Pros. Those Cman Pros are good wrenches, make no mistake. For the money you are getting a good product, even if they do come with some minor surface imperfections. You know my take on stuff like that....it's a tool.

 

[35mastr]

I have a set of these wrenches that I bought in a pinch when doing a job at the house.

Not wanting to drive out to the shop. I went to sears and bought the whole set.


Been great set of wrenches. Now if i can only find the 10 mm It will be a set again.

 

[rsanter]

I think its funny that the wrenches that sears sells through the industrial supply places are still the raised panel versions

I have been denied warranty several times on the raised panels for using them 'professionally'. then I pull my buisness cad out showing them that I am an engineer for an electric utility. then I start arguing with them, they always give in...

bob

 

[BackTracker]

Aren'y these made by SK?

 

[gatewaysysop]

I'm curious if anyone has been able to completely verify that the new wrenches are thinner/less beefy than those formerly available in the sets? I've taken a look at several on the racks and Sears and it looks that way to me too, but it's really hard to judge without having my others at hand. Sets are not heavily stocked at the Sears I frequent, so they're either gone or re-stocked with new ones so there isn't much to compare with.

Anyone?

 

[gatewaysysop]

Been a while now, anyone able to verify this yet?

 

[BWright]

I've been back to check a couple of times now, and I don't necessarily think they are all thinner. I think that it is due to inconsistencies in general, as I have seen several that are way to thick as well.

 

[oldtools]

Are you talking about the purported new thinner ones, the 'thicker' ones or both in general?

Back on topic, I've compared the set versions I purchased much earlier this year to the open stock I have from a few months ago. Can't see any differences between those. Nevertheless, I'll also check it out next time I'm at the store, because I'm curious to see this first hand.

Quite disappointing, but I guess it shouldn't be unexpected that quality takes a further nosedive just about everywhere these days.

The set I bought have chipped chrome.

 

[ProGun3400]

Aren'y these made by SK?

I'm pretty sure the early pros were made by SK? My BIL has the SK set. I have a wrench or two of Cman (early) pros that look identical to the SKs. I have the newer set of Cman pros bought within the last five years and see a difference. I've had to return several 18mm Craftsman pros for the jaws spreading out while trying to loosen fan hub bolts on a 50 series Detroit. So in my opinion the newer pros are less beefy than the earlier (SK) version. If I get the chance tomorrow, I will take a few pictures and post them to show the difference.

 

[chromemoly]

Get around to using them a few times and they'll have a few more blemishes, dings, and scratches. even if they do come with some minor surface imperfections....You know my take on stuff like that....it's a tool. <!-- / message -->.

I say Amen to that brother!
You know, I dont think I have ever looked at the chrome plating on my tools when purchasing them, let alone factoring that into the equation.
I guess the "Shiny" part for me is just a second Bonus to the first, which is just having the tool to begin with

 

[oldtools]

I just look at my set again. They have more flaws than I thought. There are alot of stamping flaw, sandpaper finish, chipped chrome, and pitting. The 19 mm beam neck down on the box end quite noticeably. The beam is quite thinner than my 19 mm Snap On wrench.

 

[gatewaysysop]

I just look at my set again. They have more flaws than I thought. There are alot of stamping flaw, sandpaper finish, chipped chrome, and pitting. The 19 mm beam neck down on the box end quite noticeably. The beam is quite thinner than my 19 mm Snap On wrench.

Well, FWIW, I had a ... 1 1/4 (I want to say) c-man full polished wrench. It came in the mail stamped sideways (*very* crooked), twisted end to end like a tootsie roll AND bent in the middle sort of like a u-shape too. Was very obvious when you sat it down on a flat surface.

I have no idea how anyone can twist and bend something that huge, but it begs the question of how it ever made it out of QC. Oh wait, it's Sears.