For The Canadians Out There

[flippin]

Just out of curiosity, how would you comparatively rate the socket & ratchet quality between;

Mastercraft Maximum
The Crappy Tire Stanley Sets
Gear Wrench

I have the older Mastercraft Professional sockets and ratchets as well as one of the "black" Stanley sets but have never compared them to the Gear Wrench or the newer Maximum stuff.

It seems that the Stanley set is a bit better than the Mastercraft stuff but again I most interested in purchasing some of the GearWrench 120xp ratchets and some of their socket sets. I kinda like the 1/4" GearWrench 71pc impact socket set to accompany my impact drivers.

Many Thanks in advance,

 

[Oldbear]

I have Mastercraft Pro series and Napa's Ultra-Pro and a Stanley set. All are good for the DIYer. I do notice the newer Stanley ratchet is better than the Mastercraft... but my Ultra-Pro is worse than the other two - but that is do to using it as a battery cable (by mistake) in my car...

But, I have been told by a good friend, who is a HD mechanic, that after a day pulling his Snap-Ons versus a day pulling his dad's Mastercraft - he notices a deference. The better wrenches are nicer on the hands (feel and weight).

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I like the mastercraft sockets, but stay away from the maximum line sockets. They're great quality, but the laser etching wears off fast. I've sent a few in to exchange just because I couldn't read them. The regular line now has really deep markings, and I'm more than happy.

 

[KPSquared]

Old maximum used to stamp socket sizes. New laser etch *****.

Maximum ratchets are a total fail. Once the garage is done, new ratchets are on the menu.

 

[flippin]

Thanks for the info boys! Lots of time to think and talk about tools with the big tool Betman screwing it up for everybody!!!

Anyone have experience with Gearwrench sockets and ratchets, I've got a pile of their wrenches but no ratchets.

KPSquared, amazingly been through your town, in-laws live in Olds!!

 

[greran]

I personally haven't had a problem with any of the Maximum stuff.. The Stanely tools look o.k.. but... I wonder if you can exchange them right in the store for another, or do you need to send them away?

 

[nosnerd]

i am OPS Manager and HR manager at a CTC store.


the rachets are not the best...Snap On def better...sockets...yes the markings come off...but are good quality...on sale many times a year...no reason to pay full pop for any tool at CTC...

the torque wrenches are garbage!!!been like that for last 4 yrs...i think they changed supplier (i can check)..but no tq wrench for me from CTC...

i love the Maximum wrenches..i have them all..rachet.rachet swivel Grear wrench etc...

lifetime tools dont need an invoice...KEEP your INVOICES for anything else!Corp policies have changed and are being enforced at store level now....

 

[Sureshot]

I like those Stanley sets CTC puts on sale. I have them in every vehichle now as well as in the toy hauler. I also bought some as housewarming gifts for younguns with no tools.

 

[Weedwaka]

I agree with Nosnerd. Nothing is wrong with mastercraft sockets and pro wrenches except for missing sizes etc. Go with Snap On drivers and good torque wrenches. I ran MC sockets for years on impacts etc and they never break. Finally replaced with pretty snap ons which are smaller and stronger but could have just kept going with MC and picked up the missing sizes with a pro brand. MC swivel sockets **** real hard though. Good for nothing at all.

 

[slowzuki]

I've busted a dozen or more of the older 80's MC sockets before the rounded corners, mostly deep 1/2 drives, some were by breaker bar, no extension. I've now got some 10 year old ones with the rounded corners now that have the deep etching that work well, haven't broken one yet but they don't fit as tight and the thicker walls sometimes prevent getting on.

The newer rachets are hit and miss. My 1/2" needs a rebuild already after little use, has one bad tooth from new, the 3/8 and 1/4 have been fine. The newest laser sockets as folks say the etching comes off. Neighbour has a stanley set, its ok, I'm not a fan of their etch either. Ratchets don't seem any better.

 

[Dustin Echoes]

I personally haven't had a problem with any of the Maximum stuff.. The Stanely tools look o.k.. but... I wonder if you can exchange them right in the store for another, or do you need to send them away?

You need to send them away. *****, eh?

 

[jeff000]

I love my Mastercraft Maximum stuff.
Mostly because I can use a 3 foot snipe on a 1/4 drive and cause the gearing to explode after putting a notable bend in the handle and then take it a few minutes down the road, and get a new one in just a few minutes.

I've never have the marking come off my sockets, but I don't use them a lot.

 

[jonzer12]

I have tons of mastercraft wrenches and sockets. The sockets are nowhere near as strong as my old GRAY brand ones but they are decent and I only break one once and a while. Every single mastercraft ratchet I have ever bought has been a letdown. I buy my ratches elsewhere.

The torque wrenches are some of the worst tools I have ever bought at crappy tire.
Even on sale they aren't worth it.

 

[timbitca]

I love the Maximum stuff.

I was going to buy both Maximum Torque Wrenches when they came on sale, after reading this, I won't

I have a love/hate relationship with CTC... I love it, but my wallet and girlfriend hate it

 

[the_saint]

I like those Stanley sets CTC puts on sale. I have them in every vehichle now as well as in the toy hauler. I also bought some as housewarming gifts for younguns with no tools.

Picked up a set of Stanley sockets/ratchet and wrenches on sale at CT. Unfortunate that you have to send them out for warranty With the in house tools having them replaced on site is a bonus.

Will see how they hold up. A little worried about the etching wearing but I don't use the tools as much as others here to be able to run into that issue for many many years.

I agree on the Mastercraft ratchets being less perfect but for the money they work.

You get what you pay for, so I don't complain.

 

[Paco Pena]

I have a couple sets of the older mastercraft 1/2 dive mm sockets and they have been great. Good chrome, no rust and fit well. I won one of the large socket sets at a golf tourney about a year back and they are nowhere near as well made. The mastercraft ratchets leave something to be desired but are fine to leave in a road box for the old car. The mastercraft maximum wrenches I bought have been excellent and I have no complaints. When on 70% off they cant be beat. I have a fair amount of Gearwrench sockets, ratchets etc and I would put them a notch above the mastercraft maximum and a good value when on sale.

Paco

 

[rocco]

i ran MC sockets and wrenches for years, i upgraded early on to better quality ratchets and such, but the sockets are still fine after 15+ years or abuse and wear, heck i still have my original MC professional series wrenches from the mid 90's and they are still in great shape after much abuse and neglect from my younger years.

 

[canuckian]

Have the older professional series sockets and ratchets in 3/8 and 1/2 drive as well as sae wrenches. The ratchets are a bit clunky but have never failed me and the sockets and wrenches are as solid as any truck brand. I also have some of the newer maximum stuff and though great for a diy'er doesn't hold a candle to the older stuff. The ratcheting wrenches are rebranded gearwrench so they are what they are. no surprises there.

They bought us a new standard fare mastercraft socket set at work for assembling network cabinets and whatnot. Stripped a hex bit socket and a fairly large torx bit socket the first day out and the 3/8 ratchet started skipping right out of the box. Cleaned and lubed it with no difference. There's just too much play in the head.

 

[R6 Racer]

Wish I could help you out.
I have Grey sockets & ratchets, made in Canada & as good or better than anything else out there.
The only things that I have from CTC are basic tape measures, a 4" grinder (bought at a garage sale for $2.00) & a drill that I got for christmas years ago. All 3 items have died & been replaced by CTC for new ones at least once.

CTC = medium to low quality, good warranty (keep your receipt)

Steve

 

[Outlander]

Interesting comments on the torque wrenches. I have one for lug nuts only...get used twice a year on 2 cars. Can you explain why you feel they are '****'?

I have several sets of sockets & ratchets, but was planning on getting some ratchets from a different brand. I was considering composite handles, but only available at Princess Auto. Maybe I'll treat myself to some brand named used ones from Kijiji.