Craftsman wrench sockets?

[DFB]

Hey Craftsman fans haven't seen these much mentioned

What was the run on them?


Can't remember when I got these but had to be around mid- late90's I figure?

Are they even still available?

Made in the USA for Sears Roebuck it says

Who made em?

Search the net by name or part# didn't turn up much for me

I have an 8pc set of each Metric and Standard.

All 12 point


Anybody else got em'?

Anybody ever use them?

 

[DadsTools]

These look like a regular pass-thru socket set, and yes, they still sell those, but they're sold as pass-thrus. But this almost looks from the promo photos that they were trying to hide the fact that these are pass-thru sockets. Kind of funny. Since a the socket stud actually inserts inside the ratchet drive, the rat can be very shallow in height, and so in effect it is a "low profile" ratchet. Looks to me as if they were packaging the same set for marketing with a different angle as being "low profile" but did not want anyone to see it was the very same set as the pass-thrus. Perhaps they were charging two different prices for each, hence the need to conceal they were both the same.

 

[jsmeece]

Those, 42800, are NOT pass thru sockets, the tops are closed.

 

[DFB]

Thks DadsTools

So what referring to as pass thru's is the Universal Max Axess socket set under the Craftsman name?

I also see Gearwrench and Crescent brands among others.

Ya these were just sockets no ratchet. Quite a bit of clearance difference between the the standard 1/4" ratchet/socket and the wrench socket with Craftsman ratcheting box end on it. Those are both the 5/16" size in my photo #3

The rest are from off the internet

 

[DFB]

True pass thru obviously more useful for protruding bolts or studs.

Like jsmeese says these are closed top just for cap screws really or nuts without much bolt thread pass thru.

 

[jsmeece]

Gearwrench and Proto, likely other brands I did not mention, make an adapter that you can add to the top of any socket, no need for special sockets.
https://www.grainger.com/product/PR..._on_Your_Search-_-IDPPLARECS&cm_vc=IDPPLARECS
http://toolguyd.com/gearwrench-ratcheting-wrench-socket-adapters/

 

[DFB]

^^^ do those ratchet?

I have some Craftsman branded socket hex caps ones that work the same way

 

[jsmeece]

^^^ do those ratchet?

I have some Craftsman branded socket hex caps ones that work the same way

"socket hex caps", I could not for the life of me remember what they were called. No, I do not think they ratchet, the Craftsman 42800 do not ratchet either. But you can use the gearwrench ones in a ratcheting wrench.

 

[DFB]

Ya this what I have 3 sizes 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" anvil

They fit 3/8" 9/16" and 5/8" wrenches

 

[jsmeece]

Ya this what I have

These are similar to the Proto ones. I think I have the 1/2 drive one Craftsman, the other two sizes I have lost over the years. My dad has the gearwrench ones, really nice, lower profile. In that second link I provided, that page shows one of the gearwrench version in a ratcheting wrench.

 

[DadsTools]

Those, 42800, are NOT pass thru sockets, the tops are closed.

Never seen those. Only the pass-thrus. Must admit though, other then the closed ends (which really limits their usefulness), the geometry and design of the socket studs + the ratchet itself are identical to the pass-thru sets, and are likely interchangeable as long as the drive is the same size and format.

The OP card photo shows them being used with a low-profile ratchet, so I don't think the intention was to have three-sized ratchets for a single set of sockets. So we may be talking about two different products that are being confused.

 

[DFB]

I will add the big difference with the wrench sockets is that they fit securely in the a box wrench because of the ball detent where as the socket caps are a loose fit just like any wrench would fit on a bolt head

 

[DFB]

]
The OP card photo shows them being used with a low-profile ratchet, so I don't think the intention was to have three-sized ratchets for a single set of sockets. So we may be talking about two different products that are being confused.

DadsTools I THINK that is just a comparison with the right side being a standard ratchet/socket combo?

Edit: Yes I actually have the face card still on my metric set its says "socket with3/8" drive ratchet" under the picture

The left photo says "wrench socket with ratcheting wrench"

 

[DFB]

In that second link I provided, that page shows one of the gearwrench version in a ratcheting wrench.

Ya that is really sweet setup in a swivel ratcheting box end wrench

 

[Moparman390]

Others got it right. Summary; between the socket adapters and Maxx Axess sockets they make these sockets unnecessary.

 

[DFB]

Others got it right. Summary; between the socket adapters and Maxx Axess sockets they make these sockets unnecessary.

Obviously pass thru style can be more useful

 

[7avalon7]

Gearwrench and Proto, likely other brands I did not mention, make an adapter that you can add to the top of any socket, no need for special sockets.
https://www.grainger.com/product/PR..._on_Your_Search-_-IDPPLARECS&cm_vc=IDPPLARECS
http://toolguyd.com/gearwrench-ratcheting-wrench-socket-adapters/

I own GW adapter, and can be useful in certain tight space. I think I only use it once or twice, but definitely nice to have in the back pocket.

 

[grumpychevy]

I don’t have them but I remember them. If I remember correctly they were photographed more as a low profile socket to be used with a ratcheting wrench for clearance purposes. I wish I had a set of them, consider yourself lucky, if you watch enough YouTube video toolbox tours you’ll notice a lot of guys talk about how expensive the low profile Snap-on ratchet and socke set they have cost them and the lack of use for them. You have an American made tool that will do the same job for next to no investment.

 

[Ike4160]

I got the full set of standard and metric in one of the last USA made craftsman 540 piece sets a few years ago at a Sears in Baltimore on clearance.

 

[DFB]

^^^

Nice IKE4160

I like the smooth polished wrenches too!

 

[sbyrne92]

I got them in the same 540 piece set mentioned above. They’re nice, but really haven’t used them that much. Although it did come in handy changing out an alternator in a Honda once.

 

[toolmutt]

I have both the metric and inch. I think I've only used one of them once but the low profile aspect was the perfect fit at the time.

 

[shoe1]

I have both sets. They are made to be used with a wrench. They come in handy when working on atvs. Lot of tight spots you can get to with them that would take more disassembly with out them. Haven't used a lot but works when you need it.

 

[DFB]

So took awhile but good to know others also have them and found use for them

I'm kind of surprised no well versed Craftsman collector fan didn't come thru with a source who Sears possibly contracted with for these wrench sockets. Certainly was a short duration these were on the market or in a catalog but before the current popularity of pass thru.

Though I generally don't use them often myself either I do like them and are a well made socket. IMO maybe even a bit more than most standard craftsman sockets of that era. I know I won't be getting rid of them anytime soon

 

[Technikal]

I have a set of metric and standard. My dad purchased them for me for Christmas a few years back. I spent several hours trying to figure out why I'd want to put a 10mm socket in a 10mm wrench...

The only time I recall using them was to remove a very awkward bolt on the back of a heater mixer control in the dash of an F150. I feel they would be much more useful if they were open to allow passthrough.