Craftsman Universal Wrenches

[amishman]

Any opinions on the Craftsman Universal Wrenches from Sears & Craftsman?

http://tinyurl.com/yasglxw

They look interesting. I had not seen these before on Craftsman so wonder if these are new from Craftsman?

tj

 

[Toolhorder]

There are many threads about these, the general feel around here is that they are probably decent but they are made in China so no-go. I'm not buying them because I want to show Sears it's not profitable to sell chinese made tools in their tool line so they'll continue to sell US made tools.

 

[back2class]

There are many threads about these, the general feel around here is that they are probably decent but they are made in China so no-go. I'm not buying them because I want to show Sears it's not profitable to sell chinese made tools in their tool line so they'll continue to sell US made tools.

second that

 

[boro_boy70]

There are many threads about these, the general feel around here is that they are probably decent but they are made in China so no-go. I'm not buying them because I want to show Sears it's not profitable to sell chinese made tools in their tool line so they'll continue to sell US made tools.

second that

All in favor... Sounds like my Union meeting last night.

I'll have to agree, no China Craftsman for me. It's too bad, because I would have bought them if they were Made In The USA.

 

[stricht8]

3rd that. No chaiwanese cman for me.

 

[mkdive]

 

[Kjbakke2]

i agree but they would be so nice to have its so tempting to just pull the trigger
we should write a letter on behalf of the garage journal and its 42,593 members saying that we will not stand for chaftsman

 

[sanddrag]

They look like they'd be perfect for engaging spline head bolts, and perfect for rounding off every other kind. If you want to make your bolt heads round, this is the set to get!

 

[Toolhorder]

Wow, I'm glad to see so many agrees!

 

[BB26]

They look like they'd be perfect for engaging spline head bolts, and perfect for rounding off every other kind. If you want to make your bolt heads round, this is the set to get!

Obviously you have never used spline drive tools. They actually work very well on non-spline fasteners. I have a ton of SK spline ratcheting wrenches and they have never once rounded a 6 pt fastener head.

 

[xroad]

Bought 3 sets for X'mas gifts when it went on sale for $12. Used it on a rounded chewed up bicycle axle nut that only worked with a vise grip plier (too lazy to find another nut). Spline worked fine.

 

[stricht8]

Should the brand be re-named Chinaman?

 

[Chief]

Should the brand be re-named Chinaman?

Good one. Funny

 

[sanddrag]

Obviously you have never used spline drive tools. They actually work very well on non-spline fasteners. I have a ton of SK spline ratcheting wrenches and they have never once rounded a 6 pt fastener head.

I was just commenting based on playing with them on the store display. The only type of bolt they seemed to fit well was the spline one. They seemed to just barely touch right next to the corners on the rest. But, perhaps these mock-ups were not representative of the true dimensions of real bolts. Anyhow, I didn't really like them because they seemed to have some rather sharp edges (at least on the ones I saw).

 

[BB26]

I was just commenting based on playing with them on the store display. The only type of bolt they seemed to fit well was the spline one. They seemed to just barely touch right next to the corners on the rest. But, perhaps these mock-ups were not representative of the true dimensions of real bolts. Anyhow, I didn't really like them because they seemed to have some rather sharp edges (at least on the ones I saw).

Maybe the C-Mans have a sloppier fit, but my SKs have seen a lot of use and they dig in and grip the flats of 6 point fasteners extremely well. Same for my SK 3/8'' drive spline sockets. I too was skeptical until I actually used them.

I used my spline wrenches to remove some e-torx bolts on my Expedition this past weekend. Spline worked well on this style of fastener too.

 

[Old Donn]

I was just commenting based on playing with them on the store display. The only type of bolt they seemed to fit well was the spline one. They seemed to just barely touch right next to the corners on the rest. But, perhaps these mock-ups were not representative of the true dimensions of real bolts. Anyhow, I didn't really like them because they seemed to have some rather sharp edges (at least on the ones I saw).

Saw that display in the local Sears last night. These, along with the elbow ratcheting and dual ratcheting wrenches. All nice, bright & shiny. All made in China. Not for me. I'm with you guys.

 

[tpolley]

Bought 3 sets for X'mas gifts when it went on sale for $12.

where/when do you find them on sale for $12? i'm a craftsman club member and they never send me anything like that.

I was just commenting based on playing with them on the store display. The only type of bolt they seemed to fit well was the spline one. They seemed to just barely touch right next to the corners on the rest. But, perhaps these mock-ups were not representative of the true dimensions of real bolts.

i saw the same thing. i couldn't believe the sloppy fit. i thought they had the wrong size wrench so i attempted to get out a different size wrench with no luck. damn packaging.

i'm not thrilled at all about them being made in china but are we forgetting that all of their power tools are also made in china?

 

[xroad]

where/when do you find them on sale for $12? i'm a craftsman club member and they never send me anything like that.

When it was first introduced by Sears, I looked high and low and none have them in stock. When it was available, I got a set for $20. My expectation was low. Turns out they look pretty good. What really convinced me was the chewed up axle nut on one of my kids bicycle. I had to use a locking plier to get it off and on. The spline took it off with ease. Next thing I know, they lowered the price to $12. I went back and got a couple of more set to give to my brother in laws as X'mas gift. One of my friend wanted a set so I told him I'll get it for him for X'mas. Have been waiting for the $12 price since. Still waiting.

Check out the other thread on this wrench .....

Some tools are really nice, but not $$$$$$$$$$ nice. Some tools are OK, but for their price per function and performance, they are fantastic. I have been on the lookout for spline wrench (SK) for a long time but they are not cheap. The Sears ones came at the right time for me. Now I can put off getting that replacement axle nut for a few more years.

 

[tpolley]

they're made in china, i don't need any more wrenches, the wife would kill me if i bought home another tool but 12 bucks a set is pretty hard to walk away from. i'll be waiting.

 

[mikeatrpi]

So I think we've just established that principles are overlooked once the price is cheap enough for one to say "heck, why not?" Then, if it turns out they actually work, we spread the news to watch for the sales...

 

[tpolley]

i think that everyone will overlook their principals when it comes to the point that you can't buy us made tools anymore.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Made in China? No thanks, send it back as scrap to them.

 

[xroad]

I am a sucker for gadgit gimicky tools. Most are disappointing. This one (spline design), although not exactly gimicky, is impressive. I was impressed the first time I saw my friends SK spline wrench.

BTW, Harbor Freight have a set of spline sockets. Already have my 6 point sockets, so I cannot come up with another excuse to buy that set, even if it is HF low price.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I started to buy a set, but the made in China made me put them back. I grew up with Cman tools. That is all my Dad had. Both power and hand tools. They were all made in America. If there were foreign tools, they sure as hell did'nt say Craftsman.
It is disapointing to see so many Chinese tools with the Cman name on them and I will not buy them. I will save my $$ and buy American as long as I can buy American.

 

[chromemoly]

I was at Sears tonight and saw there display of them also, I liked the spline design and also would like a set of them for myself but I just cannot support cman turning to china for tools. I was there getting my 1/4" American made Craftsman ratchet warrantied, I have bought and owned cman my hole life but "Will NOT" buy them if there made in China. Its kinda weird because I dont mind buying gearwrench tools even though they are made in china or taiwan......... I think its because gearwrench was never made in America to begin with.

 

[dustin19]

I started to buy a set, but the made in China made me put them back. I grew up with Cman tools. That is all my Dad had. Both power and hand tools. They were all made in America. If there were foreign tools, they sure as hell did'nt say Craftsman.
It is disapointing to see so many Chinese tools with the Cman name on them and I will not buy them. I will save my $$ and buy American as long as I can buy American.

ditto was there a couple days ago and was checking them out turned them over and saw made in china and was sick cause they were nice but i wont allow any chinese ,japanese,taiwan tools in my box ever. id rather drop 150 on a sk set

 

[tj90]

Had a set in my hand when they were $12. Put em back on the shelf b/c the whole china issue. Got home and worked on my bicycle. Used my dads old craftsman double box end wrenches. Later reflected that it probably brought more satisfaction using some old US forged tool than some new gimmicky China tool.

I still dont own gear wrench for this issue. I put a CHEAPER pair of GW stubby wrenches back on the shelf in favor of the Craftsman Professional stubby wrenches. So what if its a little more time consuming or inconvenient? I dont work flat rate!

Use whatever makes you happy.

 

[Merkava_4]

"You are one ugly mother effer." - Arnold Schwarzenegger.

 

[xroad]

Maybe the C-Mans have a sloppier fit, but my SKs have seen a lot of use and they dig in and grip the flats of 6 point fasteners extremely well. Same for my SK 3/8'' drive spline sockets. I too was skeptical until I actually used them.

I used my spline wrenches to remove some e-torx bolts on my Expedition this past weekend. Spline worked well on this style of fastener too.

BB26,

The last time I saw my friend's SK spline wrench was a few years ago. Did you buy the c-man spline wrench? I know SK and C-man is a different caliber of tool but I wonder how they compare. From a function perspective, I have no problem with the C-man. The C-man is sharp on the edges. I remember the SK definitely have a fantastic fit and finish.

 

[BB26]

BB26,

The last time I saw my friend's SK spline wrench was a few years ago. Did you buy the c-man spline wrench? I know SK and C-man is a different caliber of tool but I wonder how they compare. From a function perspective, I have no problem with the C-man. The C-man is sharp on the edges. I remember the SK definitely have a fantastic fit and finish.

I don't own the C-Man wrenches and cannot see myself buying them considering that I already have all of the spline wrenches and sockets I need. I just wanted to let everyone know that spline drive really delivers the goods. I can't comment on the fit of the C-Mans, but the SK splines fit different styles of fasteners, such as 6 points, really well. I imagine that the C-Mans work just fine.

 

[xroad]

I imagine that the C-Mans work just fine.

Yes, it did exceeded my expectation on the function side. For the quality, at $1.71 a piece ($12/7), I am not expecting it to be comparable to the SK at ... $25-30 a piece? The edges are sharp, the slop seems to be about the same as my regular 12 point c-man, the finish is just paint, I think, the piece is heavy. I am not sure if the weight is any indicator of good or bad metal. I always thought cheap tools tends to use more metal to compensate for the cheaper quality metal. Overall aesthetic is pretty ugly, just my opinion, but I bought them to remove and tighten fasteners, not to hand them on the wall.

 

[xroad]

Question On Spline Design

A question on spline wrench design in general ... why is the spline portion is made of a different piece and it is inserted into the wrench body. It is like that for the c-man and the SK. Regular 12 point and 6 point wrench have the opening punched into the body of the wrench. They cannot punch the spline into the body?

 

[BB26]

Re: Question On Spline Design

A question on spline wrench design in general ... why is the spline portion is made of a different piece and it is inserted into the wrench body. It is like that for the c-man and the SK. Regular 12 point and 6 point wrench have the opening punched into the body of the wrench. They cannot punch the spline into the body?

It is like that on the SKs b/c they are ratcheting wrenches. The drive ring is a separate piece on all brands/styles of ratcheting wrenches; otherwise it would not ratchet, it would be a fixed end. Not sure why the C-Mans would be made this way. I know they can be manufactured like regular wrenches with the sline configuration "punched into the body" as you describe. Proto and SO spline wrenches are made this way.