Craftsman vs Industrial Brands

[cookiemonster]

OK guys, forgive my ignorance since I am still new here. But I read lots of threads about snap on stuff and other industrial brand hand tools. How much better is this stuff really compared to craftsman hand tools. I own pretty much all craftsman hand tools sockets, raise panel combo wrenches, screw drivers, hammers, and etc. I must say my craftsman stuff is all usa made and is all bought since 2000 and after. I do a lot of vehicle repair and maintenance and my craftsman stuff has always come through for me. I just want to know what warrants buying such expensive stuff over craftsman. The only thing I wish I had better is the ratchets they have let me down more then once. But the sockets are great. So tell my why would you buy such expensive stuff over the proven to work stuff and affordable priced.

 

[Super Sport]

Craftsman ratchets are junk. They are probably the worst ratchet by any name brand.

Their sockets are often considered to work just as good as much more expensive brands. Quality control and tolerances may not be as good, but they will get the job done. This goes for much of their hand tools.

Once you work with tools day in and day out, making a living with them, you start to realize why people buy the "truck brands". They just hold up better. Not to mention the availability of the truck for warranty and financing.

 

[diesel research]

comfort, convenience, flexibility, usability/accessibility (of the fastener), resalability, and reliability.

if your tools are comfortable, fit the places you need to go, do the jobs you need to do, provide value you desire, and do so repeatedly, there is no need to ask the question, unless it is a subliminal lecture on financial responsibility.

less performance based reasons may include: employer requires/prohibits certain brands, status symbol, aesthetics, good deal/gift/used, country of origin/patriotism/jingoism, long tradition of use/brand loyalty, and "just because"

 

[PrisonMike]

I also agree that craftsman teardrop ratchets are the worst.
I can see and feel the difference in quality in my snap on tools compared to craftsman and sometimes even matco.

 

[billymade]

Industrial tools are made to handle extreme work environments; you might check out brands like: Williams (Snapon's industrial line), Proto (Stanely's industrial line), Armstrong (Danaher/APEX's industrial line) and Wright tool. Price wise; you might be surprised at the prices, they many times are not as high as you might think (especially compared to: Mac, Matco, and Snapon; I would put these in "professional mechanics tools" line/market).

Seeing how you are aware of the weakness of the Craftsman line; in particular, their ratchets. I would buy industrial line grade ratchets; a classic and great buy is the USA made Williams ratchets, they are 36 tooth and are the previous generation Snapon design. Give them a shot and you will instantly recognize the quality of the tools; you can even get the Bahco branded 80 tooth ratchets, which are the same as current dual 80 ratchets from Snapon.. Their screwdrivers are also a great buy and again; the previous generation Snapon design.

Ratchets (enclosed head and round head are COO USA):

1/4": http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.c...rialbrandscom/Content/PDF/SOIB - CAT2 156.pdf

3/8": http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.c...rialbrandscom/Content/PDF/SOIB - CAT2 189.pdf

1/2": http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.c...rialbrandscom/Content/PDF/SOIB - CAT2 236.pdf

3/4": http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.c...rialbrandscom/Content/PDF/SOIB - CAT2 282.pdf

Screwdrivers: (premium black handled screwdrivers are usa)

http://www.snaponindustrialbrands.com/Cat-20-1-213/Sets.htm

 

[diesel research]

So tell my why would you buy such expensive stuff over the proven to work stuff and affordable priced.

"proven to work" is a very very subjective term, defined differently by different people and tasks. See above list for possible defining criteria.

For example, screw drivers. They work for some people, for some screws. For others, the clear handles decompose, making the entire drawer smell like vomit and ***** matter. True story. For others, they may not reliably remove that worn screw, or may round off/break. Our experiences are different.

Another example is the hard handled flex ratchet. its good enough for some, but others may require/desire a locking flex.

The wrenches may or may not be appropriate or desired dimension for certain task. Maybe too thick, maybe too short, maybe wrong offset. Comfort is yet another variable defined by the individual.

Craftsman is also definitely not the cheapest priced, so one may desire even more affordable. On other hand, they dont make any tools, and it may be cheaper to source the same exact thing from the oem. Example, wilde vs craftsman.

 

[CWP1616L]

I do a lot of vehicle repair and maintenance and my craftsman stuff has always come through for me.

Sounds like you're doing just fine with Craftsman tools; no need to be looking else where.


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[71goldss]

Once you work with tools day in and day out, making a living with them, you start to realize why people buy the "truck brands". They just hold up better. Not to mention the availability of the truck for warranty and financing.

Fair enough statement overall, but the truck brand financing is a poor justification to buy truck brands over Cman unless you're planning to purchase your inexpensive Cman tools with a VISA card and carry a high $ balance for months/years.

 

[harrybbaudinet]

I'd probably go for the industrial brands. They are a bit more expensive but it can really make one save in the long run.

 

[Davefr]

Craftsman ratchets are junk. They are probably the worst ratchet by any name brand.

The current crop of Chinese ratchets are **** but CM produced some ratchets just as good as the industrial brands.

I'd put their Premium, Thin Profile and RHFT's up against the industrial brands.

 

[Pumpman1968]

I used Craftsman as my primary working brand for many years.....not as an auto mechanic but as an industrial mechanic (plumbing/electrical/industrial maintenance) and was really satisfied with their performance and value. Due to the recent changes with the brand...and you really can see and feel the difference in quality.......I decided to look at another line. The first items I looked into was ratchets........my ratchets do not break, but they do wear due to work conditions (aggressive/dirty water). I settled on Williams which is Snap-Ons "Industrial" line. I bought the first ones from toolsdelivered.com and found they are quite economical, repair kits are readily available and they WORK! After getting involved with a new line, I also discovered just how limited Craftsman's line really is. They do (or had) have some really great tools, but, when compared to a "full line" manufacturer, there really is a difference. I do understand the ease of Sears warranty policy, but I never had an issue with "broken" tools because I use a hammer as a hammer and a ratchet as a ratchet.........never the reverse.

 

[crewchief888]

what warrants buying cheaper brands over more expensive brands?
cost alone?
quality vs. quantity?

i've bought a little bit of everything over the past 40 years, from "no name" brands, HF stuff, CM, parts store brands, and truck branded tools.

95% + were bought brand new

it's my hard earned money, but i guess i'm "not right" in buying expensive truck brand tools and boxes, when there is something else available

 

[byoungblood]

The current crop of Chinese ratchets are **** but CM produced some ratchets just as good as the industrial brands.

I'd put their Premium, Thin Profile and RHFT's up against the industrial brands.

I think everyone is referencing their pear head QR ratchet, which has been around for decades. Some of the older ones were adequate, but ever since they went with the black selector (metal or plastic) they have been marginal to horrible. Ironically, if you pull one apart and lay the pawl and gear side by side with a 36 tooth Snap On, they aren't that much different. But it is just that little difference that makes a huge difference.

I have examples of both their thin profile and premium ratchets, and I will agree, they are excellent.

 

[nahuebsch82]

Once you work with tools day in and day out, making a living with them, you start to realize why people buy the "truck brands". They just hold up better. Not to mention the availability of the truck for warranty and financing.

Couple comments on this.....First all my hand tools are craftsman....I work "day in and out" make a living with them and I still pose the same questions as the OP.
(analogy alert!) To me;

Truck brands are like the Hollister or Abercrombie & Fitch of the tool world, while Craftsman, Stanley and the like are the Levies or wrangler of the tool world.....Pittsburgh would be Walmart brand??

Hehe, Just thought of this......Would people buy a factory "distressed" wrench from snappy?