First Post. My Craftsman things and stuff.

[majurepain]

I've been lurking for a while, and this is my first GJ post. I just wanted to make a post to introduce myself and my tools. Perhaps I'm bit long winded, but if nothing else you can browse the pics and ignore my ramblings.

I am a third generation Craftsman fan. I am familiar with the Craftsman Hate/Love on this Forum. I'm not very happy with the Chinese **** either, but there seems to be more USA stuff available now than say 2010-2012. This could be because of the introduction of the Industrial line. I try to handpick and only buy the USA items. And I only buy on sale, and using any combination of surprise point and coupons. The only thing I love almost as much as using my tools, is buying my tools on SALE. I'm a sucker for a good deal.

I am a firm believer that with the right tools you can fix or build anything. That is the backbone behind my tool obsession. Aside from general comfort of being well equipped, I turn wrenches on my 68 Ford Bronco. I grew up on our family farm working on a wide variety of equipment. I'm away from the farm now, so with limited access to my father's tools, I have had to equip my own boxes.

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I'm ballin on a budget (that is not my Bentley in the pic) so my boxes are the gray standard duty Craftsman top and bottom I picked up at Ace hardware on sale; the red 3 drawer heavy duty middle chest I got for 50% off (I love the ball bearings, cant wait to get a whole set of boxes with them); and the Black Powered project center that I got for 50% off. I really like it, but I wish it had at least midgrade slides. The drawers are too big for the crappy ones. Attached to the side of it is a Craftsman reel light. I also have that Craftsman Machinist Chest made by Kennedy in the 60's. I picked it up at auction (with a few tools inside) and I love it.

Everything is (recently) labeled with the Craftsman Magnetic Labels. I think they are new. I had seen the old AXS labels, but these I just found in the store the other day for 15 bucks. I looked online and they were added on July 24, 2014 so they must be a new item. Its 40 labels and I like them except there are a few things missing. (I have a dedicated ratchet drawer, but there are no ratchet labels, and I have 2 combination wrench drawers, one for metric and one for standard but it only comes with one combination wrench label.

My tools consist of a variety of Phillips and standard screwdrivers for 1/16 to 3/8 and P-0000 to P4 and Torx drivers from T-5 to T-30. I keep all my extensions up top on rails. This consists mostly of the Craftsman 21 piece drive tool accessory set which I highly recommend buying on sale. I got it around 50% off and I noticed today that is what its listed for currently.

I have a set of 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 raised panel ratchets (USA) and the Craftsman Premium Ratchets, which I am a huge fan of.

I'm a bit light in the socket department, mainly what I've got came in my first tool set which was a 179 piece Craftsman set in a blow molded case. Everything is on the Craftsman Socket Rails. I like them, though cost would likely rule them out if I had more sockets. I've been watching the 299 piece ultimate socket set and will eventually buy it. I had it in the cart one time for $299 plus some amount of surprise points that had my total tax and all under $275. I was in bed and too lazy to get up and grab my debit card and by the next morning it was back up in $325 territory so I'm just gonna ride it out until it comes back down.

Next is my plier drawer. If everyone didn't hate me enough for being a Cman fan, now the Cman fans are gonna hate me because I am a Certified Robo-grip fan. I don't understand why they get so much hate, but I have heard other fans say its because people don't use them correctly. I tend to believe this because they certainly have their tricks. I recently purchased the Craftsman Branded Knipex pliers (for way south of half price) and so far I am a huge fan these too.

My Combinations Wrenches: In Standard I have Cman Raised Panels from 1/4 to 3/4, and Gearwrench in the same range (the flat ones, which can be a PITA). In the inch and metric drawers I have Sort-a-tool trays. I love these trays. Yes, the "sizing bar" is a completely useless gimmick, but it in no way hinders the function of the tray. Yes, having metric and standard in the same tray is weird, but here's a hint: if you buy 2 trays you can segregate your metric and standard and then put 2 sets of each in each tray. This is what I have done. 3 sets actually in the metric tray. I don't even bother with the labels because 1). They would go the wrong way anyway from the way my trays fit in the drawers 2). I can identify wrenches with my eyes closed, so why do I need labels? Despite the downfalls, I believe the sort-a-tool is the best option for my application.

I also have some random Craftsman Industrials that I bought on sale: a few open end, a few stubbys and an (almost) complete set of 1/4-1 inch Black Oxide Raised Panels. I didnt get the awesome deals on these Industrials that some of you did, but for 1-3 bucks a piece I filled up a sears online cart (25 item max). I also have a random assortment of non Cman, wrenches from that Machinist box I bought- Tappets, Offset Box-ends, and ignition wrenches.

In metric wrenches ive got Cman RP from 10 to 19mm and Gearwrench from 8 to 18mm. I also have an (almost) complete set of Cman Industrial Black Oxide Raised Panels from 10mm to 18mm. I will be filling in the missing Black Oxides in inch and metric from Grainger's clearance section and ToolBarn.

Thats the bulk of my important hand tools, beyond that I've got some Nutdrivers, files, and a drawer full of punches. A few diagnostic/electronics tools and a bunch of other random **** not pictured.

 

[majurepain]

More Pics that wouldnt fit in the first post:

 

[nine4gmc]

Pretty nice selection of Craftsman tools, most look new! I buy a lot of my Craftsman from garage sales and pawn shops but there are a few things I have picked up new.

 

[espyking83]

Nice. You should really think about getting some sort of liner to get those tools off the metal. Better for the tools and the box. Doesnt have to be anything fancy, cheap cupboard liner will do.


-edit-


It looks like you may have some shadow board, but I cant tell for sure. If so-belay my last.

 

[JoeMA]

Great setup. I agree--if you select wisely, craftsman still offers some very good tools.

 

[softailgarage]

Oh yeah, your gonna fit right in, another tool junkie. Welcome to the Garage, I'm a '40 to '70s Craftsman freak too. nine4gmc has a thread goin, ya might want to check out...http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=199000&highlight=show+crown

 

[Parrothead]

I am a Craftsman fan too (or was), so I appreciate your setup. I have their sockets, RP and Pro combo wrenches, some pliers, the Pro screwdrivers, ect. Looks good and you'll get where you want to be eventually though you've got a good setup already.

I would recommend drawer liners too and in my opinion you'll be best served going to Harbor Freight for that. It's usually 7.99 on sale and with the 25% off coupon you're looking at $6 for 6 linear feet. The liners are 18" wide.

http://t.harborfreight.com/solid-nonslip-drawer-liner-65565.html

Good luck and welcome!

 

[jeffmoss26]

Very nice. Really digging the machinist box!

 

[Jim C.]

You have a real nice collection of Craftsman tools. Most of my hand tools, particularly, sockets, ratchets, wrenches and screwdrivers are Craftsman branded. In the last several years, I've mostly been buying used tools online. If you're looking for affordable prices on the basics, that's a good place to look, because there's a ton of Craftsman stuff on the used tool market. Welcome to the forum.

Jim C.

 

[Pumpman1968]

Welcome to the forum! I'm a Craftsman fanboy as well going back to the early 80's and still buy quite a bit..........thanks, in part, to the "Hot Deals" section on here. One thing I have learned is that there are a lot of other offerings from outlets that I never would have heard of if it weren't for this forum.

So....grab a stool...........relax......have a beer and watch as your wallet magically gets lighter.

 

[JoeFin]

Welcome to the forum

I'm a huge fan of Craftsman Industrial line of tools. Just having a little trouble finding them lately

 

[nieuport17]

Nice post. I too have a section of my wall with just Craftsman tools !

 

[Knuckle Buster]

Nice. A few years ago I wanted to buy the 1530 piece Craftsman Master Mechanic set. It's no longer offered now and the specialty tools in that set they no longer carry individually either. Missed the chance but being it was right at 10k,.. I didn't have the money to ''jump on the deal.''

 

[JohnKal]

Chaparral Boats! Welcome to the Forum.

 

[Askme42]

Welcome. That's a nice looking set you got there

 

[ArtDeco]

Cool stuff. Good for you to cherry pick. I still build up my Craftsman collection, too.

 

[PFSard]

Good looking collection. I also have many Craftsman tools, mostly from the 80s. But I would really like to own that machinist box; nice auction hit on that.

 

[woody 73]

I am a Craftsman fan too (or was), so I appreciate your setup. I have their sockets, RP and Pro combo wrenches, some pliers, the Pro screwdrivers, ect. Looks good and you'll get where you want to be eventually though you've got a good setup already.

I would recommend drawer liners too and in my opinion you'll be best served going to Harbor Freight for that. It's usually 7.99 on sale and with the 25% off coupon you're looking at $6 for 6 linear feet. The liners are 18" wide.

http://t.harborfreight.com/solid-nonslip-drawer-liner-65565.html

Good luck and welcome!

Wow thank you for that tip I had no idea about those liners next time I will check them out.

 

[majurepain]

Thanks for the kudos guys. I never expected this much of a response. Its fun to see replies from guys who I have read hundreds of their posts while lurking.

Some noted my Machinists chest. It is one of my favorite pieces. I bought it at an estate auction for a guy that was a lifelong fixer at a long since closed local knitting mill. Most of the stuff auctioned off was old Craftsman power tools. Which I avoided because I got there late and didnt have time to preview anything. There were two Craftsman hand tool boxes. I bid on the first one because I could see it was packed with old RP Cman stuff. I lost that one, then Bid on the second one thinking it would be just as packed. It had a good bit of tools in it but they were mostly old Western Auto stuff. Still neat, but slightly disappointing until I realized just how cool this box was with all the drawers. I just assumed it was a normal box while bidding. I really enjoyed that Crown Logo thread. Mine is pre crown logo I suppose, some research on here tells me the logo on my box was used from 50-64 which is neat. This place is an awesome resource.

Some commented on the drawer liners. All my drawers are lined with the pre-cut Craftsman foam mats. Its kind of hard to see them, but they are there. I will look at the HF rolls in the future bc the Cman stuff can get pricey.

As pointed out, most of my tools are new. I have had access to my Dad's tools my whole life in the shop on our farm so I only started seriously collecting and putting a set together over the last year or so. Some stuff is older than that but that was mainly used for DIY stuff while I was a college. Once I get settled here in TX I'm gonna bring my Bronco over and start wrenching on it again. Then I wont look like such a shiny tool poser. I'm also going to start watching the used marked much more closely.

I appreciate all the info I have gained on this site.

 

[sonvolt]

Welcome, soon you will have even more tools !

 

[48RON54]

Nice! Welcome to the site!

I'm a craftsman man myself, eff all the SO snobs on here lol........... I especially like their impact sockets. Nice set up you have there! I wish mine was extensive or as well organized!

Thanks for sharing, I don't normally browse the "look at my toolbox" threads but you had me at craftsman. Nice stuff! I am jealous of all those screwdrivers! All my phillips vanish and i either break my flatheads using them as prybars/chisels or use them as paint stirrers and they get ugly looking and eventually tossed lol.

Again, welcome to the site!

 

[Farmall450]

Welcome!
I approve of those Premium Ratchets!