Dis'n Craftsman Wrenches

[theoldwizard1]

Okay, the wrench quality DID go down starting in the late 1990's. I don't think they ever changed their screwdriver supplier (Western Forge ?). I just don't understand all the HATE for Craftsman hand tools !

Admittedly, the newest Craftsman wrenches and sockets I own are over 20 years old (some as much as 50 years old) and I am pretty sure it was all Made in the USA. It was the "best bang for the buck" when I bought it. Do they still get the job done ? HELL YES !

Something I have noticed is that almost all of the YouTube "professionals" (Erio O., Pine Hollow Ivan, Adam Booth, Keith Fenner, etc) have SOME Craftsman wrenches and sockets. (Ivan loves his Craftsman "amp clamp" meter, although he does have CHEAPER ones he uses from time to time.) You see them in their video regularly. Some of these guy have MULTIPLE sets (Snap-on, Matco, etc.) but the don't shy away from the Craftsman.

Anyone trying to dump your Craftsman tools, I am paying 10¢ on a dollar for any of them Made IN the USA !

 

[sberry]

The Cman changed styles way before 90s. I bought in 80 and it was the claw then. I had some older stuff and was disappointed when the new came. But,,, I got about every wrench they ever made and couple sets of some. I have never broken a Cman wrench and beat and cheat them, sometimes with a fuk kit attitude. Sockets another matter. Lots of those on first use. I think some later got better but most of mine between 80 and 90.

 

[sberry]

I stripped a couple 1/4 drive, but broke a socket every set cept for the 3/8 swivels which I don't use but for crisis. The ones broke did it easy, snap. Replacements worked fine.
Cman screwdrivers are ok. Ratchets absolute junk once we got to those pear things.
This box was packed Cman. Not neat racks but piled packed.

 

[Fedwrench]

Craftsman USA tools had two things going for them, they were cheap on sale and the warranty was outstanding. The tools themselves weren't that great but. no one seem to care much. I think the issue towards the end of the USA made Craftsman run was that other brands like Gearwrench were better and almost as cheap. As for the plain jane raised panel craftsman wrench, i always thought the the KD, Allen, NAPA, and other plain beam or flat panel, satin finished versions were better but, that's just me.
I think many of us and many You Tube Commandos that started out with Craftsman and might still have some to this day

 

[Rabid Badger]

I never thought twice about my Craftsman tools until I needed a wrench that wasn't in my beginner set. By that time production had gone to China so I had no qualms about checking what else was available. I ordered a Tekton wrench to turn that bolt and when it showed up I realized this new wrench put my old RP's to shame.

Shortly after that I was changing the starter on my cousin's car and the backdrag on my pear head ratchet was bad enough that I could only get a couple of the bolts halfway out. I took it apart to add some lube and noticed for the first time that the switch was made out of plastic. I didn't like that. Then after I cleaned, lubed and re-assembled the ratchet the backdrag had not improved at all. So I ordered a couple Tekton ratchets to see how they compared and I never used the Craftsman's again.

Then I replaced my worn out Craftsman screwdrivers with USA made Tektons.

Then I watched AvE and my pliers aside from one pair of long-nose were replaced with Knipex.

Then I joined this God-forsaken place and my 3 drawer Craftsman toolbox exploded into a 26-inch chest full of quality tools from dozens of different manufacturers.

I still have my USA Craftsman sockets, though. They work just fine.

 

[Super Sport]

I think the last of the Craftsman USA tools are solid, but they're basic and crude. They were clearly cutting costs on finish and quality control and they lacked some modern features that other brands were offering. This was most likely the result of having to cut costs somewhere when the imported competition cost much less to manufacture.

Personally, I'm a big fan of the laser etching/dual marking on the last of the USA made sockets and other than the double detent design occasionally being annoying, I have no complaints. I've had SO, Wright, SK, Williams, and Proto sockets, all of which have nicer finishes but also cost substantially more. The Craftsman work just fine for me and I like them, so they're not leaving my toolbox any time soon.

 

[nelstomlinson]

Do they still get the job done ? HELL YES !

The old stuff is as good as it ever was. Some of it was pretty good. The new stuff is as good as China is willing to make it, which means not so good and not so consistent.

 

[JBradley500]

I know my Craftsman stuff isn't the best in my box but using one of the screwdrivers or wrenches reminds me of being a kid of 8 years old or so and getting to help my grandpa fix stuff for my grandma.

 

[bonneyman]

I found the screwdriver tips to be on the soft side, and the action of their figure-8 rats was always cheesey. Even more so with the Chinese units.

 

[Andres26tnt]

Craftsman is avarage tools with a great warranty and price. so when people talk about them, they confuse that great warranty and price with "amazing quality".

I find people always put to much of their feelings and memories when talking about craftsman. It blinds their judgment when talking about quality.

Of course they had some outstanding tools over the years, SK made tools come to mind. But the majority were avarage at best and became outdated quickly.

 

[Tonyuk]

All the great spanners available these days and you all still go on about those old things?

 

[redwrench60]

When I was a kid if your dad had a toolbox full of Craftsman we figured he was a master mechanic. Once I got older and got my first job pulling wrenches I bought all Craftsman and I slowly began noticing their shortcomings. Soft screwdrivers, open ends that spread, weak detent balls on extensions, skip o matic ratchets. This was in stark contrast to my Father’s Craftsman tools I grew up using from the 60’s and 70’s. It didn’t take me too long to seek out stronger and more capable tools.

Craftsman had its sweet spots though. One was sockets. Except for an occasional bad run like sberry mentioned the sockets were good as anything. Legions of Mechanics started with them and never needed to upgrade.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I still have one Craftsman ratchet. A 3/8 RHFT that I picked up on Craigslist about 6 months ago.

 

[theoldwizard1]

All the great spanners available these days and you all still go on about those old things?

Have you priced a set of Snap-on combination wrenches lately ! Even just a metric set, I think I would have to re-mortgage my house !

 

[Spulen81]

I have mostly Craftsmen wrenches and sockets from the early 90s to present and haven't any issues with them. I've cracked a handful of sockets usually from abuse and constant impact use over the years. Not their fault. The wrenches aren't the best feeling ones out there for sure but they work.
The pear ratchets are another story. They are total junk and got much worse as time went on. Most of the trendy specialty tools are terrible too.

 

[Tonyuk]

Have you priced a set of Snap-on combination wrenches lately ! Even just a metric set, I think I would have to re-mortgage my house !

No, but a set of extra long Toptuls, which are basically the same fit, finish and quality, are only £61 before delivery.

https://www.ewsupplies.co.uk/shop/tools/wrenches/sets/toptul-gaaf1008/

The set is yours for less than £70.

Plenty of good stuff about between the bottom shelf and snap-on.

No need to chase down old worn tools.

 

[mv213]

I think for most home use the Craftsman USA stuff is “good enough”. I’ve never broken any and I’ve restored a couple of old GM cars with them. I bought one of their ***-piece sets on sale cheap in the 1980’s.

Now, that said, “good enough” doesn’t mean great. I eventually replaced all the ratchets (round head, round handle, no quick release) because it was a pain to get the sockets off with greasy hands. When I was working installing doors and windows back in the late ‘70’s early ‘80’s I used to buy the Craftsman #2 phillips screwdriver in bulk when they were on sale. They were again “good enough” but the tips would wear in a few weeks of constant use. I think somebody on here once said screwdrivers are consumables, and that’s absolutely true.

These days with internet buying and so many quality brands available like Wiha, Wera, etc we are almost spoiled for choice. The pros have always had the truck brands but that’s out of my league for the most part.

 

[Tallpilot]

Have you priced a set of Snap-on combination wrenches lately ! Even just a metric set, I think I would have to re-mortgage my house !

Tekton, Williams, even crappy Chinese Sunex or Gearwrench full polish wrenches are 100 times better than garbage Craftsman raised panels.

They work, they were cheap on sale, they had a good warranty. Otherwise they were uncomfortable, ugly garbage.

$500 is a fair amount of money, that I will grant you. However the median home price in the US is almost $300,000 so you are being rediculous.

Nobody is 'hating' on Craftsman. But they are pointing out that the nostalgia is irrational.

 

[sberry]

The old stuff is as good as it ever was. Some of it was pretty good. The new stuff is as good as China is willing to make it, which means not so good and not so consistent.

The old stuff was SK and it was finely made. Pre 80, not sure the exact history. I have a few old sockets, very good.
As for the China,,, as good as it has been since the 80's and havnt heard of anyone busting sockets. That doesn't mean its great, just no difference and maybe even a bit better.

 

[Jarhead0408]

Then I joined this God-forsaken place and my 3 drawer Craftsman toolbox exploded into a 26-inch chest full of quality tools from dozens of different manufacturers.

That was beautiful. I think I have a tear in my eye.

 

[Moose97]

I've got a box full of Craftsman tools and as a DYI'er they meet my needs. I won't be changing anytime soon. I have bought a couple of ratchets from the dreaded and feared Harbor Freight and like them much better than the Craftsman. I also recently purchased a set of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches which I am absolutely in love with. I don't know if I would go with Craftsman starting out if I had to start over but they have served me well none the less.

 

[rick carpenter]

Part of the problem was that Craftsman marketed their tools as being the prime example of good ol' American "git-er-dun-itude" and the US public bought into "Craftsman = USA" hook, line, and sinker. So therefore, though details differ, when Sears did what tons of other mfrs/re-sellers did by going overseas, Sears alone managed to offend the flag, Momma, apple pie, and baseball.

No one gives a **** about PRC phones, PRC shoes/belts/leather products, Korean & Chinese electronics, Canadian/Mexican/Brazilian vehicles, Russian rockets launching US satellites, Vietnamese Carhartts, and the list goes on and on. Nope, all the **** hurt is reserved for Craftsman.

 

[Handyandy23]

Tekton, Williams, even crappy Chinese Sunex or Gearwrench full polish wrenches are 100 times better than garbage Craftsman raised panels.

They work, they were cheap on sale, they had a good warranty. Otherwise they were uncomfortable, ugly garbage.

$500 is a fair amount of money, that I will grant you. However the median home price in the US is almost $300,000 so you are being rediculous.

Nobody is 'hating' on Craftsman. But they are pointing out that the nostalgia is irrational.

^This!

If you have older Craftsman and it's working for you, then I agree there's no reason to upgrade just for the sake of it. But if I'm needing to buy wrenches then overpaying for old, used wrenches that weren't that special to begin with is at the bottom of my list.

Just checked on eBay and the Craftsman USA prices are crazy! Raised panel wrenches are going anywhere from $120 to $200 CAD a set for SAE, and I saw a set of the full polish Professional wrenches for $400! That's some serious nostalgia tax!

Meanwhile I can get a full set of BOTH SAE and metric wrenches from Tekton for $115 CAD new. That's 30 wrenches for $115 to my door.
If you prefer US-made, a brand new set of SK metric wrenches is $220 CAD, barely more than used up old Craftsman. And that's actually supporting current American workers and a company that makes their tools in the US today.

 

[Tallpilot]

^This!

If you have older Craftsman and it's working for you, then I agree there's no reason to upgrade just for the sake of it. But if I'm needing to buy wrenches then overpaying for old, used wrenches that weren't that special to begin with is at the bottom of my list.

Just checked on eBay and the Craftsman USA prices are crazy! Raised panel wrenches are going anywhere from $120 to $200 CAD a set for SAE, and I saw a set of the full polish Professional wrenches for $400! That's some serious nostalgia tax!

Meanwhile I can get a full set of BOTH SAE and metric wrenches from Tekton for $115 CAD new. That's 30 wrenches for $115 to my door.
If you prefer US-made, a brand new set of SK metric wrenches is $220 CAD, barely more than used up old Craftsman. And that's actually supporting current American workers and a company that makes their tools in the US today.

https://www.toolsdelivered.com/mobile/Williams-MWS-10A-Hand-Tools-Wrenches-Combination-Metric-Sets

US made wrenches brand new for $100. The nostalgia tax is people buying what they know. A little research would reveal many better and cheaper alternatives.

Part of the problem was that Craftsman marketed their tools as being the prime example of good ol' American "git-er-dun-itude" and the US public bought into "Craftsman = USA" hook, line, and sinker. So therefore, though details differ, when Sears did what tons of other mfrs/re-sellers did by going overseas, Sears alone managed to offend the flag, Momma, apple pie, and baseball.

No one gives a **** about PRC phones, PRC shoes/belts/leather products, Korean & Chinese electronics, Canadian/Mexican/Brazilian vehicles, Russian rockets launching US satellites, Vietnamese Carhartts, and the list goes on and on. Nope, all the **** hurt is reserved for Craftsman.

You are absolutely right that Sears promoted Made in USA Americana and taking it away irritated people. But I remember plenty of people complaining about Japanese TVs, cars and VCRs. But then they found out the Japanese stuff lasted longer and worked better than the American stuff. That wasn't true with Craftsman.

 

[L.Cheapo]

I have SAE and metric sets of RP wrenches I bought as a teenager in the mid 90s. They got the job done 99.9% of the time. But the fact is they're short and have Stone Age ergonomics. And I've had the open ends spread more than once and have a scar to prove it. I upgraded them to Snap On when they had a wrench promo a while back. I keep them in a cardboard box under my toolbox with the other misfits in case I need to loan one out or need three of the same size for some reason.

 

[sberry]

I don't care, just want the bolt off. Really doesn't matter much to me as I am not buying any new wrenches anyway.

 

[The Fall]

They were the best value in tools. That's my opinion and I'm sticking to it.

Sockets: Those were probably the best deal there. I think I've broken one and that was due to abuse. I'm not doubting people who say they "broke one every ten minutes, once by simply looking at it wrong" while working. That is simply not my experience at all, and I used them (not as much anymore) while working at a garage for well over a year (mostly SK and Williams USA now). Put chromes on impacts when I couldn't find the impact socket I needed. Never had a problem.

There were too many excellent miscellaneous tools to mention: Mayhew rebrand prybars, old USA tap-and-die sets, thread restorer kits that they stocked up until the end, CMan Pro screwdrivers, etc.

The only sin the USA RP wrenches had going for them was that they were too short. I still use the 6-point ones when I need to beat on a fastener with a dead blow. That being said, the RP flarenut wrenches didn't inspire confidence like the SK Pro re-brands did.

Someone once said USA CMan was the Rodney Dangerfield of tools on here. I agree. USA CMan bashing felt like looking a gift horse in the mouth. Nowhere near Snap-on in quality -- especially in ratchets -- but USA CMan was great.

Count me in on the USA CMan fan club. It's been a sad demise since 2011.

 

[sberry]

The sockets that survived the stress test worked from then on. I havnt had one break in 20 years. The ones that did break were right out of the box.
I remember once we bought a good sized set for a job on the road for some company I was working for. The guy says,,, but these are brand new and I said, we need to test them and rigged up some deal on the bench. This was in the late 80s and now don't recall exactly how many there were, about 50, maybe 60. I think we snapped 5, maybe 6 and funny deal was they were in the hi use sizes, 9/16, 1 1/8 etc.
Didn't break any after that.
This was a little collection I rounded up not terribly long before the local store closed. The girl was great, we did some trading and didn't have to order any in. Not a wrench in the bunch.10 sockets right there.

 

[Handyandy23]

I also find the "but the sockets weren't half bad" argument a little funny. Maybe I've just had good luck, but in my experiences it seems like sockets are the easiest tool to make. Almost anyone can make a passable socket, if the only criteria is that they don't break.

I had a set of Chinese sockets from Princess Auto that I paid $10 on sale for that I kept in my junkyard tool box for years. They were always used with long breaker bars and pipes on the rustiest nuts and bolts a Canadian scrap yard has to offer. And I don't think I ever broke one.

Outside of very obvious abuse, it's pretty darn hard to break a socket, no matter who makes it. Usually the cheaper ones are thicker to compensate for the cheap metal. Which is generally what sets the good apart from the cheap.

 

[Wamsutta]

Something I have noticed is that almost all of the YouTube "professionals" (Erio O., Pine Hollow Ivan, Adam Booth, Keith Fenner, etc) have SOME Craftsman wrenches and sockets.[/U]

If you go over to the Maic Salazar channel, you'll see that he uses real wrenches. Snap-on.

 

[Rabid Badger]

If you go over to the Maic Salazar channel, you'll see that he uses real wrenches. Snap-on.

Does he run his angle grinder with no lube, too? I hear that's the real yardstick for "professionalism".

 

[Tonyuk]

If you go over to the Maic Salazar channel, you'll see that he uses real wrenches. Snap-on.

What on earth is a "real wrench"?

The rest made of plastic and sold in a toy shop?

 

[Toold_up]

What on earth is a "real wrench"?

The rest made of plastic and sold in a toy shop?

I guess if it isn't real it's imaginary? Kinda like playing air guitar?

 

[KBigg]

A craftsmen raise panel 3/8 flex head ratchet used to be my go to for everything. First one lasted a couple years, then I broke 3 in a year and bought a snap on. It makes a decent backup now. The raised panel wrenches have been serving me well for 5 or more years now. First set of wrenches I ever bought and never had a problem.

 

[seber]

The big problem with Craftsman is that Sears bought from whoever gave them the best price at the moment. Very similar to Harbor Freight. I had a set of Sockets from the 70s that cracked every single one before they were done. The ratchets on the other hand were built to Sears spec. The worst ratchets I have ever used. Other tools have always been hit or miss. Not a good recommendation for something you need to depend on. My original end wrenches were fine but I learned to hate raised panel wrenches so eventually those got replaced with more hand friendly styles.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Hate is a rather stern word to use regarding the hand tool itself. Many of the Craftsman branded tools made FOR Sears were intended to sell to Harry Homeowner for a bargain price. Some were basically ok quality, plus companies such as Lang and Wilde made some highly regarded products for Craftsman. Proto and Snap-on have dominated My hand tools for the last five decades; but I have plenty of Craftsman and other brands.

My favorites and dislikes have always been on a tool by tool basis. For new purchases; cost, brand, features, and coo are factored in. I have total disinterest in any Asian offerings labeled for Craftsman, NAPA Carlyle, Home Depot Husky, or Lowes Kobalt.
Harbor Freight and their ICON brand? Not interested; but HF will continue to sell Me impact sockets and a few other items. Another Snap-on ratchet is on the get list, as well as several sets of Proto sockets to replace some Craftsman sets with their goofy apex double detents. There are two new sets of Tekton stubby wrenches lined up next to My Craftsman ratcheting open end wrenches that so many people scorn.

See how it works????

 

[CoogarXR]

Back when I bought my craftsman sets back in the early 90s, I didn't even know Snap-On or any of the pro brands existed. Craftsman was the best that was available pre-internet in the small town I grew up in. I didn't know any mechanics, so I didn't even know about tool-trucks.

I have no regrets. My original Craftsman set is still my go-to set. I have only replaced 2 or 3 sockets in all these years, and that was from my own abuse (one was beat over a wheel lock 4 times for 4 wheels, and I mushroomed it, the other two I wrecked the drive-end using it with an impact). I did strip out a 1/4" ratchet from regular use. But c'mon, it's nearly 30 years old.

My original craftsman screwdrivers have been warrantied a few times for wear, but I used the hell out of them. I have since upgraded to Xcelite screwdrivers and nutdrivers though. Not because there was anything wrong with the craftsman sets, just Xcelite has a much larger selection of tips and shank lengths. Good for my electronics work. I still use the craftsman screwdrivers for automotive work (I try to keep my Xcelite's clean and purdy, lol).

 

[sberry]

I know a couple guys bought pretty fair Cman sets way back and never really used much different, seemed to get along just fine.

 

[redwrench60]

I know a couple guys bought pretty fair Cman sets way back and never really used much different, seemed to get along just fine.

This describes my father pretty well. He bought a lot in the 60’s and 70’ and that stuff was real good. The stuff I bought in the early and mid 90’s wasn’t as good. Granted I was just starting out and I was hard on tools partly due to inexperience but I had gotten used to using his tools and what they would get away with. So what mine spread, twisted, cracked or stripped it stood out.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I grew up on US made Craftsman and still use what I own. If I see something at the ReStore or a garage sale, I buy it.