Craftsman sockets not holding up well..

[mrholeshot]

I looked at the pictures again and I don't see any lazer etch (could be my old eyes) but they should still have the craftsman stamp with "Craftsman" size and part number. I see nothing. Take more photos, I'm really curious

 

[Tom2]

I was just going to ask. You said these were sockets from an exchange. This is the first time you've had this issue? I don't like the laser etched sockets because they fade, so I usually try to find the older stamped ones, or at minimum etched/stamped so when it fades I can still tell what socket it is.

The laser etching seems to wear off of all the sockets, so that wasn't a real shock, the chrome peeling was what really surprised me.

The laser etching is great at first. Much easier to read than the old style..but after some use, you gotta start squinting to read them.

All the sockets I have from 10 years old still look fine - as far as I can recall.

The new ones I bought from the last couple years were either to fill in lost or broken sockets.

 

[kythri]

I looked at the pictures again and I don't see any lazer etch (could be my old eyes) but they should still have the craftsman stamp with "Craftsman" size and part number. I see nothing. Take more photos, I'm really curious

No, they shouldn't necessarily have the stamp.

For a time, Sears was selling Craftsman laser-etched sockets without any stamping. These look like those. The socket on the right shows an "18" that's consistent with the Craftsman style of laser etching.

I don't really know what to say about the wear on these sockets, save that if it's a quality issue, it's not indicative of most of the Craftsman sockets out there. Bad things slip through QC, and as this board has shown, they happen to every manufacturer.

 

[iandh]

Its no secret that older Craftsman tools are better made than the new ones.

FWIW, I have a complete set and a half of G2 or older sockets that look new and have never failed. I also have a few of the newer laser etched sockets in my trail box that get tossed in the sand, go to the beach and get generally abused when I get pissed at my truck. They still look good and are holding up as well. I would say you got some bad sockets.

The reason threads like this get out of control is because people like Merkava use this as an excuse to claim Craftsman is junk and you should buy what he buys. You don't see me starting threads every day to show how great all of my tools are, so of course this makes Craftsman look bad. And Merkava apparently lives for this.

I think iandh actually had a thread about CMan sockets awhile ago that I got pretty heated about. One persons, or even two or three, bad experience doesn't make the brand junk. Maybe they need to start paying a little more for quality control, but that also means us paying more for their tools. I think I'll just live with exchanging them.

Yeah, I'm not one to defend something just because I own it... don't anyone in this thread think I'm defending Craftsman just because that's what I have, because I'll be just as quick to bash them.

The reason I changed my tune was because I realize, for all of the faults, there's no way in hell I could get this:

For just over $100, made in the USA, incredible warranty, and reasonable quality, anywhere else. The value craftsman offers for a made in the USA tool is second to none. Even if the chrome fails, as long as the tools don't break, I can live with it for the price. That said, I haven't seen any chrome failure besides a single combo wrench that was used hard for 10 years.

 

[mrholeshot]

No, they shouldn't necessarily have the stamp.

For a time, Sears was selling Craftsman laser-etched sockets without any stamping. These look like those. The socket on the right shows an "18" that's consistent with the Craftsman style of laser etching.

I don't really know what to say about the wear on these sockets, save that if it's a quality issue, it's not indicative of most of the Craftsman sockets out there. Bad things slip through QC, and as this board has shown, they happen to every manufacturer.

Maybe but I have never seen a Craftsman socket without the part number stamped in it.

 

[kythri]

I'll dig around tonight - I'm pretty sure that I have a handful of laser-etched sockets with zero stampings, part number laser-etched.

If I can find them, I'll take pics and post them.

 

[iandh]

Maybe but I have never seen a Craftsman socket without the part number stamped in it.

I think they were selling laser only for a while, and people complained, and now they call the laser sockets "dual marked" so people know they have the stamping as well.

That makes me suspicious that the OP's sockets are a bit older than he recalls, or are at least old stock, because I don't think they've sold the unstamped ones for some time.

 

[mrholeshot]

Didn't Know that.

 

[iandh]

Didn't Know that.

Yeah I don't think it was for very long, so if you didn't go buy any during that time then there probably wouldn't be any way to know unless you'd seen one.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

Show both ends,
I have put crome sockets on the impact before. never again

(only use impacts sockets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Chadro]

I'm not calling you a liar but those are beat to hell. I would say maybe you got a bad batch.

I took a pic of two of my shallows that I've had for around 3-3 1/2 years that are in my box at work. Granted as a diesel tech, there not my most commonly used sizes but they do get used.

I also try not to drop things but stuff does have a habit of flying if I'm pissed. I also wipe my tools down with a old teeshirts I cut into rags when I'm done with them.

Of course sockets can get rough, happens to the best of em. The second pic is of 2 snapons and a crafstman from the 80's that got passed down to me. The craftsman 5/8 and the snapon 9/16 don't look too bad but Dad must have had a thing against the snapon 10mm.

****EDIT, I grabbed the wrong 10mm, thats an impact socket. I had it with my regular sockets lol. oops

 

[mrholeshot]

Show both ends,
I have put crome sockets on the impact before. never again

(only use impacts sockets!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I put my Chrome Snap-On sockets on Impats all the time. My 3/8 impact has about 320 ftlbs of torque. I break one every now and then but they still look good. I abuse the hell the of tools.

 

[expatriated]

I don't know what you guys see--they look like standard, almost-new Craftsman sockets to me.

They're Craftsman, people. Don't expect them to look like Snap-on or Toptul!

 

[mooman]

OMG, you just put Snap On & Top Tool in the same sentence.....

 

[expatriated]

OMG, you just put Snap On & Top Tool in the same sentence.....

They are seriously my two favorite brands

 

[wafrederick]

I do not use Chrome socket when taking off lugs off of vehicles with aftermarket rims anymore.I have a set of thin impact wall flip sockets made by Matco.The anvil and the clip wears out when putting on any chrome sockets on an impact.Plus chrome sockets can shatter when on an impact.I use only impact attachments and sockets on my impacts now,less wear on the anvil and the clip.Anvils on my IR2112 and IR2115TI are $35.00 a piece through my Matco dealer.IR wants $57.00 and some change a piece for them.

 

[Merkava_4]

The reason threads like this get out of control is because people like Merkava use this as an excuse to claim Craftsman is junk and you should buy what he buys. You don't see me starting threads every day to show how great all of my tools are, so of course this makes Craftsman look bad. And Merkava apparently lives for this.

Are you accusing me of spreading drama? I worded my posts special in this thread to be drama free.

 

[expatriated]

I can take you guys to a Sears Hardware store right now that has several wrenches for sale on the rack whose chrome is not much better than the OP's sockets.

And, yes, management is aware.

 

[iandh]

I can take you guys to a Sears Hardware store right now that has several wrenches for sale on the rack whose chrome is not much better than the OP's sockets.

And, yes, management is aware.

That doesn't really mean anything... I just left lowes a few minutes ago and there's a set of Kobalt impact sockets hanging on the rack with big hunks of rust hanging all over them. Looked like they were sitting in a puddle on the floor for a month.

There's managers everywhere that are willing to try and pass garbage off on customers so they don't have to count it as loss.

 

[JohnFreeman]

Mine are 30 years old and don't look that bad.

 

[Merkava_4]

I'm thinking some of you guys expect too much from department store tools.

 

[expatriated]

All joking aside, unfortunately, you're right iandh. Sad how nobody seems to give a **** anymore. Complete lack of pride. I give Sears a hard time because it's disappointing to see what's been done to an iconic American brand and I wish they would turn themselves around. I just cite that Sears wrench peel as an example. There are many companies that operate the same way, true. I just personally have found the overall combination of poor service and poor product to be worst at Sears. Home Depot also seems to racing toward the bottom as well based on my experience

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

For a time, Sears was selling Craftsman laser-etched sockets without any stamping. These look like those. The socket on the right shows an "18" that's consistent with the Craftsman style of laser etching.

Maybe but I have never seen a Craftsman socket without the part number stamped in it.

I'll dig around tonight - I'm pretty sure that I have a handful of laser-etched sockets with zero stampings, part number laser-etched.

I think they were selling laser only for a while, and people complained, and now they call the laser sockets "dual marked" so people know they have the stamping as well.

I can settle this right now. Every single socket you see in this photo that is laser-etched has no stamping, they are laser only. FWIW I haven't had any problems with them.

 

[wafrederick]

I have been told of people boycotting Home Depot too,sponsorship is on a Toyota race car now.The Sears in my area does not stock 10mm shallow sockets in 1/4 drive on the shelf.I know of one instrcutor I had for in an automotice college that took in tools into Sears and denied any Craftsman tools replaced under warranty because they were used for proffesional use,he was wear his uniform when this happened.

 

[iandh]

All joking aside, unfortunately, you're right iandh. Sad how nobody seems to give a **** anymore. Complete lack of pride. I give Sears a hard time because it's disappointing to see what's been done to an iconic American brand and I wish they would turn themselves around. I just cite that Sears wrench peel as an example. There are many companies that operate the same way, true. I just personally have found the overall combination of poor service and poor product to be worst at Sears. Home Depot also seems to racing toward the bottom as well based on my experience

My sears is actually pretty-okayish, but I think it's because I live in an area that has a semi-isolated ecosystem, so a lot of people need to shop there for certain things. Unfortunately it's a lot of lower middle class, so they stock very few of the craftsman professional tools, which is what I prefer.

They usually have lots of employees on the floor, and you only usually have to turn one corner to find someone to ask a question. The store pickup department is excellent too, the longest I've ever waited is two minutes. Tool warranties and such are also as painless as possible. Never had a single hassle.

Home Depot though, that place is going down the damned tubes. Holy ****.

 

[Merkava_4]

I can settle this right now. Every single socket you see in this photo that is laser-etched has no stamping, they are laser only. FWIW I haven't had any problems with them.

Robert, where do you get those blue socket trays?

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

E-Bay. They were really cheap and they work OK. They keep the smaller sockets from falling over. My goal is to replace them all with Mechanic's Time Saver's rails but they are expensive and it will take a while. I'll try to find them again if I can and post a link. I've had them a while.

I found them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sock...Z380246978235QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

 

[Merkava_4]

E-Bay. They were really cheap and they work OK. They keep the smaller sockets from falling over. My goal is to replace them all with Mechanic's Time Saver's rails but they are expensive and it will take a while. I'll try to find them again if I can and post a link. I've had them a while.

I found them:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Sock...Z380246978235QQptZMotorsQ5fAutomotiveQ5fTools

Those people have the right idea; if only some company made something similar with relocatable pegs, they'd have a winner.

What kind of MTS trays are you gonna get? Are you gonna get the magnetic kind with the bowling ball holes?

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Are you accusing me of spreading drama? I worded my posts special in this thread to be drama free.

Of course not.

I can take you guys to a Sears Hardware store right now that has several wrenches for sale on the rack whose chrome is not much better than the OP's sockets.

And, yes, management is aware.

Where at?

 

[Tom2]

I can settle this right now. Every single socket you see in this photo that is laser-etched has no stamping, they are laser only. FWIW I haven't had any problems with them.

To be fair it looks like the majority of those sockets have never been used, and the ones that were used have only been touched a few times. I've never seen a used laser etched socket where the laser etching wasn't wearing off.

But yea..I think the 11/16 and 18mm I have were from an especially bad batch apparently.

Recalling..I have a 1 1/4" socket that I've beat the **** out of quite a bit, and it still looks fine.

 

[expatriated]

Where at?

Sears Hardware. Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN

I know because I returned them and they put them right back on the rack

 

[fr0mastaj]

Those people have the right idea; if only some company made something similar with relocatable pegs, they'd have a winner.

They do, and at sears

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00965287000P?prdNo=11&blockNo=11&blockType=

I have it, used it for a while, but converted to the hansen trays. Will use the craftsman kit for my odd end sockets.
________
Anime ********

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

To be fair it looks like the majority of those sockets have never been used, and the ones that were used have only been touched a few times. I've never seen a used laser etched socket where the laser etching wasn't wearing off.

But yea..I think the 11/16 and 18mm I have were from an especially bad batch apparently.

Recalling..I have a 1 1/4" socket that I've beat the **** out of quite a bit, and it still looks fine.

I have a couple of the laser etched ones that haven't worn, and a few that have. I use them all on the trails and don't really take care of them or anything.

The inconsistency is what pisses me off more than anything. I would pay a little more to have every CMan tool I own just as good as the others.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

Sears Hardware. Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN

I know because I returned them and they put them right back on the rack

Bastards. I bought some wood from Lowes once without looking it over as much as I normally would. I get home and there are measurements marked on it and it's obviously been cut. Some one bought that piece of lumber, cut off what they needed and took it back as not needed. Of course they just put it back out there for anyone to buy. Not as big of a deal, but come on.

 

[kythri]

I have been told of people boycotting Home Depot too,sponsorship is on a Toyota race car now.The Sears in my area does not stock 10mm shallow sockets in 1/4 drive on the shelf.I know of one instrcutor I had for in an automotice college that took in tools into Sears and denied any Craftsman tools replaced under warranty because they were used for proffesional use,he was wear his uniform when this happened.

More hearsay? Fantastic.

Toyota makes some cars in Kentucky and Indiana.
Toyota makes some trucks in Texas.
Honda makes some cars in Alabama.

Ford makes some cars in Ontario, Canada.
GMC makes their iconic muscle car, the Camaro, in Canada.
Dodge makes their iconic muscle cars, the Challenger and Charger, in Canada.

What's the NASCAR Toyota model? The Camry? All Camrys sold in the United States are manufactured here.

If you're going to boycott Home Depot, do it for an intelligent reason.

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

More hearsay? Fantastic.

Toyota makes some cars in Kentucky and Indiana.
Toyota makes some trucks in Texas.
Honda makes some cars in Alabama.

Ford makes some cars in Ontario, Canada.
GMC makes their iconic muscle car, the Camaro, in Canada.
Dodge makes their iconic muscle cars, the Challenger and Charger, in Canada.

What's the NASCAR Toyota model? The Camry? All Camrys sold in the United States are manufactured here.

If you're going to boycott Home Depot, do it for an intelligent reason.

Not to mention, I don't buy the issue with warranty replacement of Cman tools at Sears. They don't care how you use them. They have tools marketed to pros. Don't they even set up and warranty their boxes at your shop? I call BS on that one. Sorry.

 

[kythri]

If you've got a legitimate issue with a Sears store failing to warranty their tools, then call this guy:

http://consumerist.com/2009/03/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty.html

 

[SnowBlaZeR2]

If you've got a legitimate issue with a Sears store failing to warranty their tools, then call this guy:

http://consumerist.com/2009/03/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty.html

Thanks for that article. I knew I'd seen it somewhere. I'm fairly sure that if the rust is obvious neglect they may still not warranty it for the rust alone. That's just what I have heard from relatives, friends, etc. though and I personally have never had anything from CMan rust, so I don't really know.

 

[cglasgow]

Sears Hardware. Allisonville Rd, Fishers, IN

I know because I returned them and they put them right back on the rack

I recently bought a 3/8th drive socket (13/16th, as I recall) at the Sears here in Raleigh and when I got home discovered the chrome was peeling. I took it back and they replaced it no question, but I saw the employee whom I dealt with put it back on the shelf....

 

[kythri]

Thanks for that article. I knew I'd seen it somewhere. I'm fairly sure that if the rust is obvious neglect they may still not warranty it for the rust alone. That's just what I have heard from relatives, friends, etc. though and I personally have never had anything from CMan rust, so I don't really know.

Based on the warranty statement, and the statement from the SHC executive (quoting: "Tools having rust on them" are "NOT valid reasons" for warranty denials), they have to warranty it.