Craftsman redemption thread

[iandh]

So, after my monster 10 page "bash" thread (which I swear wasn't really the intention), I decided that it was time for a positive Craftsman thread.

Today I got the 9pc Metric and SAE full polish combo wrench sets I ordered, and they're quite beautiful. I had originally planned on selling them since I was so dissapointed with the sockets I got, but they're so nice I have no choice but to keep them.

It warms my heart that at least some of Craftsman's stuff is high quality USA product for a good price.

They are actually better quality chrome than the Gearwrench flex heads I recently got, which surprises me considering how much people rave about them.

Anyways, since I was so happy with the combos, I decided to give the sockets a second chance. This time, I bought a set that had the laser sockets, and the difference was night and day.

They still aren't the most perfectly polished things (although much better than the last ones I got), but that isn't what I cared about in the first place... the important thing is that they're properly plated. The chrome is actually chrome colored, and there are no dirty/peeling spots.

These sockets are actually good enough where I have no problem calling them "decent", which is a pretty huge leap considering I called the last ones I got complete garbage.

They're an extremely good value. I got a complete 1/4" SAE and metric set, plus a complete 3/8" SAE and metric set, and a few 1/4" deep sockets, and a couple ratchets for $45 using the coupon code.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Good to hear. Those wrenches look like ****. Send them to me immediately...for free.

I was about to go snap some pics of my entire sockets collection to show that not a single one of them isn't about perfect.

I'm thinking about upgrading my wrenches to CMan Pro. I don't really need them, but I think they would look nice in my box, haha.

 

[DARKSCOPE001]

I like my craftsman stuff. I have never had a problem with the sockets. screwdrivers. extentions and various other odds and ends. the wrenches are a good value. Do you like those full polish ones? Because right now I have the raised pannel ones and they get the job done but im thinking about getting either full polish or cross force. I deff want some offset box wrenches. Great for reaching in and getting prop bolts off and you can double nut a bolt and use it with a torque wrench in a pinch anyways craftsman is a big part of my box. never fails me most like never will. They dont make the best tools but they deliver some serious bang for your buck if you know what your are looking for

GOOD LUCK
Sean Scott

 

[crewchief888]

ive been abusing, sorry using a couple CM pro wrenches for a couple years. they seem to be holding up pretty good, no chipping chrome ect.
they do have some worn areas in the finish, but no worse than the SO's i have.
my only complaint is the handle thickness is a little thinning than my SO wrenches, i can feel the difference in my hand.

 

[iandh]

I like these so much that I'm going to go back and grab the slim profile ratchets I've been considering.

I played with them in store, and for the price, they're a steal IMO. The 60 tooth mechanism is quite good.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

I like these so much that I'm going to go back and grab the slim profile ratchets I've been considering.

I played with them in store, and for the price, they're a steal IMO. The 60 tooth mechanism is quite good.

Do it. You won't regret those. I use mine when I'm not doing anything too dirty, haha. I like them just as much or more than my Snap On.

 

[Mike83]

Nice pics and nice wrenches. I have the same set and also the inch set. They are good tools for the dough, although I did have some problem with chrome chipping and beams that came bent from the factory. Whatever, they get scratched and dirty and then its hard to notice.

 

[Scout Driver]

Those full-polish wrenches look great!!

Scott

 

[jcfields]

I have those wrenches too and think they're excellent. The full-polish ratcheting wrenches and thin-profile ratchets are great too. Hell, the Professional pliers and screwdrivers are great for the price too.

However, I noticed today that the SK-sourced, American-made flare nut wrenches (42012 and 42013) have been replaced with Chinese ones (with offset ends). I didn't mind so much when they were making new, mostly gimmicky tools in China, but now that it's starting to displace the American-made stuff, I'm a bit disturbed.

 

[toolmutt]

beams that came bent from the factory.

I just recently bought the 13 piece inch set to go along with my metric set. The 9/16 was bent straight out of the package. Took it back a traded it, no problems. I started an "attaboy" thread about it but it somehow turned into a torque wrench bash. Anyway, nice wrenches.

 

[sk farmer]

i have had the full polish cmans for years. though mine are the older sk made the newer ones are also very good. though not my absolute favorite they are in my top three. 1. bonney made matco. 2-3 tie my snap-on and c-man can flip flop. they the a real bargain and a must buy if you need top quality wrenches at a low dollar price. the snap-on just don't have that nice feel and the c-man do. not bashing the snap-on as it is a great wrench but not 3-4 times as good like the price would indicate.

 

[wesmamyke]

Not to start the bashing again...but I wouldn't recommend the thin profile ratchets if you use them everyday.

I really liked them but they jammed constantly, got new ones several times from Sears and they all had the same problem after any real use.

FWIW I used them 8 hours a day for a year before giving up on them.

 

[DavidB]

I've got the 13 pc metric and SAE sets that I picked up during the 60% off sales last year. (Stuey's fault) One of the larger SAE wrenches did have some rust inside of the box end from improper plating but I was able to get it replaced with no problem.
I like them a lot and they have taken the place of my raised panel wrenches. The chrome looks nice on them and they have worked well for me.

PS iandh how about a picture zoomed out a little more on your field of wrenches so we can see what all you have!

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

my only complaint is the handle thickness is a little thinning than my SO wrenches, i can feel the difference in my hand.

On my second set (first was in the stolen x-mas stuff). Both are thicker then the Snap-on's I have dealt with. The Craftsman's were a good value (not as good as the first set), and definitely more comfortable then the knife edge Snap-on's I used.

I still would like on occasion the flank plus (used a friends when needed), so maybe I need to find out if the ones I looked at, were just a bad batch. (Williams, Wright, Proto, Craftsman pro's all were fatter and felt better)

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Haven't had any trouble out of mine. I will admit that I only use them on the weekends and here and there, and I baby them. I have plenty of "beater" ratchets that I use for the tough, dirty jobs. I like how they work and feel.

Like I said, I don't use them all day every day, but I think they are a steal.

 

[fr0mastaj]

That looks awesome!!

I currently own the full set of the Cman raised panel 6 pt's...would i really feel a difference with the pro line? I have always had bad experience with 12 pts stripping heads, but perhaps the pro's will show me a whole different world...?
________
Kitchen Measures

 

[DavidB]

However, I noticed today that the SK-sourced, American-made flare nut wrenches (42012 and 42013) have been replaced with Chinese ones (with offset ends). I didn't mind so much when they were making new, mostly gimmicky tools in China, but now that it's starting to displace the American-made stuff, I'm a bit disturbed.

That doesn't sound good. I figured they'd replace the raised panel wrenches with China stuff before going to the full polished ones. I did notice some full polish Evolv wrenches last time I was at Sears so I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I wonder if any of Sears' tools will be USA made in 5 years?

 

[sk farmer]

That looks awesome!!

I currently own the full set of the Cman raised panel 6 pt's...would i really feel a difference with the pro line? I have always had bad experience with 12 pts stripping heads, but perhaps the pro's will show me a whole different world...?

without a doubt. not to bash your raised panel, but the full polished are longer, smoother and just plain old feel nice. i have never seen a real need for a six point wrench. i understand the concept but anything that tight or in that bad of condition needs a socket and breaker or impact wrench. if the need was that great one would see them everywere but instead they seem to only be seen in any quantity at sears. the only time i have not had a 12 point wrench work for me was on a vere corroded fastener that needed a 1/4 inch wrench. i am not sure if my raised panel sk in 6 point took it off either.

 

[wantedabiggergarage]

without a doubt. not to bash your raised panel, but the full polished are longer, smoother and just plain old feel nice. i have never seen a real need for a six point wrench. i understand the concept but anything that tight or in that bad of condition needs a socket and breaker or impact wrench. if the need was that great one would see them everywere but instead they seem to only be seen in any quantity at sears. the only time i have not had a 12 point wrench work for me was on a vere corroded fastener that needed a 1/4 inch wrench. i am not sure if my raised panel sk in 6 point took it off either.

Where I have found my six point ones (came with a set) paying for themselves, is fuel pumps. Had a couple of vehicles where the bolt and nut on the straps, had rusted in place together, and no clearance up top.

Other then that, they still set at home.

 

[mixxmstrmike]

I have both the SAE & metric sets of these wrenches and they really do have a great feel to them. Definitely longer than their equivalent raised panel counterparts.

-Mike

 

[Merkava_4]

*steps into thread and quickly exits*

 

[fr0mastaj]

You guys have got me sold on those, time to upgrade!

How much should i expect to pay for a metric set of those on sale? I never buy anything at sears for msrp...
________
Weed bubblers

 

[Mike83]

I just recently bought the 13 piece inch set to go along with my metric set. The 9/16 was bent straight out of the package. Took it back a traded it, no problems. I started an "attaboy" thread about it but it somehow turned into a torque wrench bash. Anyway, nice wrenches.

Same here, but I had some trouble finding wrenches on the shelf that weren't also bent!

 

[Ghostrider]

You do know that if you want a thin profile ratchet just "warrenty" a cman rather that you already have. They will let you just pay the difference between the two. That's what I did to get mine. Since I found the one that I traded the thin profile only cost me 6 or 7 bucks.
As far as the rachet goes have had no probems at all with it accept the sharp edges near the head are not very freindly to your hands for extended use.

 

[Bran Diezel]

the cman pros look beautiful and feel wonderful... its just the parts that you use i.e. the open and box end that aren't that great lol.

i guess if you want the fit and finish with real professional ends you can go armstrong or matco