First Post: Craftsman 8 Piece Ratcheting Wrenches

[Halligan]

Hi folks. I stumbled across this site last week after googling "ratcheting wrenches" and I must say what a great site. Anyway, I was debating either Gearwrench or Craftsman wrenches and noticed Gearwrench had a set of reversables for 39.99 at Sears so I bought them in both SAE and Metric. After I got them home and read the fine print I saw were made in China. I prefer my tools to be USA made so I returned them. I picked up a package of similar Craftsman ratcheting wrenches for around $50 and read they too made in China. I then looked at a USA made, 8 piece Craftsman reversable ratcheting set on sale for 89.99 (regular $99.00) in both SAE and Metric. I ended up buying both sets and I figured I would ask you guy's if they are worth the extra money. They have the 5 degree swing which I guess means 72 tooth.

So, are they worth the extra money or did I get hosed?

Go easy on me please I'm new.

 

[griff99]

I think most people on here will agree with you that we prefer our tools made in the USA vs overseas. The general consensus is however that the Gearwrench stuff is pretty good. I am not sure I could personally justify the 2x price for the Craftsman USA ones. I have a set of older (last year) Craftsman ratcheting wrenches that have been discontinued, I believe the set you looked at replaced the pawless ones I have. I also have a set of the Gearwrench flex heads, I got them for about $40 per set, the Craftsman flex heads have a locking mechanism that gets mixed reviews and personally I found it to flex too much while locked when I was playing with them in the store, plus they are $124.99 not on sale.

In the end if you are satisfied with what you have and what you paid then I'd say you did alright, they probably go on sale for a little cheaper now and then, plus if you order online and pick up in store there are a lot of coupon codes out there you can use, you probably could have saved about $20 more. Just my $0.02.

 

[action fab]

I have had both sets. The craftsman wrenches are a better quality but due to their larger size I didn't like them as much as my gearwrenchs. Most of the time I use an impact or air ratchet to speed things up. The reason I use gear wrenches is for tight spaces, which is why I like the smaller/thinner gearwrenchs.

 

[action fab]

oh and dont get reversables get the flex heads.

 

[hguerrero]

i guess the real question is, are the usa made ones twice as good as the china made wrenches?

 

[Fedwrench]

You got the better wrench with the US made Craftsman reversible full polished ratcheting wrench sets and it has nothing to do with where the wrenches are made. The wrenches you bought have a crisper action, better chrome, and most importantly do not have that stupid piece of **** capstop feature the Gearwrench reversible wrenches sold at Sears have. Capstop only allows the wrench to be used one way. You can't use a reverse grip to clear obstructions because the flat washer prevents fastener engagement.
The only downside is that in the future, those Craftsman wrenches will be made in China too but, they might still be a better wrench without capstop.
Welcome to the board!! Don't get hung up on brands, country of origin, or warranties. A quality tool is a quality tool regardless of where it's made. It's better to have a tool that won't fail through normal use than a great warranty. The great warranty will give you a lifetime of failed tools.

 

[Halligan]

Thanks for the replies.