Good source for usa craftsman other than ebay

[Brandon_Lutz]

I would like to suggest searching for Easco raised panel wrenches. They were at one time an OEM provider for Craftsman Raised Panel wrenches. You can find great deals on Easco stuff on ebay because not everyone is aware/looking for them.

They are pretty much identical except for the markings on the wrenches.

 

[geo_08]

I'm sure if you post specifics about what you are looking for either here or in a wtb thread that plenty of people will chime in with extra sets to sell. I know personally I have boxes of craftsman USA and a full metric/sae raised panel set to sell or trade but it is just too time consuming to deal with.

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I suffer the same problem, the construction firm of the engineering firm that I work for count on a high tool turnover rate and therefore don't have any visits by the various trucks (I'd love to see a cornwell truck, I have always loved their screwdrivers).

Not enough posts to post in the WTB thread, and in respect for the forum rules won't post a listing on here.

If you like the thicker beam feel of Craftsman, also consider the older raised panel satin finish SK wrenches. These SK's have a very nice feel in my hands.

I have stumbled across a handfull of these in the past, but haven't gotten a chance to really use them. Will have to see if I can find a good deal on a few and try them out. I have used some of the full polish SK stuff, and it has be more pleasant to my hand than than snap on and others. A bit more girth.

I would like to suggest searching for Easco raised panel wrenches. They were at one time an OEM provider for Craftsman Raised Panel wrenches. You can find great deals on Easco stuff on ebay because not everyone is aware/looking for them.

They are pretty much identical except for the markings on the wrenches.

This is good info! Thanks, I will check kit out.

 

[65k10]

I'll have to look into Wright tools. I've used their big stuff on drill rigs before, haven't had my hands off their more typical automotive size ranges.

I would encourage you to look at Wright if you don't mind spending the money. Comfortable beam, a little longer than Craftsman RP wrenches, and the Wrightgrip open end comes in handy at times.

 

[geo_08]

I would encourage you to look at Wright if you don't mind spending the money. Comfortable beam, a little longer than Craftsman RP wrenches, and the Wrightgrip open end comes in handy at times.

Absolutely open to that, they are on my search list. Find some to borrow or cheap before I drop the coin.

 

[Fialaja]

If you like craftsman you might want to check out the offerings from Allen, KD, Napa, and Armstrong. These brands were all under the same danaher banner that produced Craftsman.

 

[gearhead1]

I work in a fortune 500 manufacturing plant where tools are provided. The company buys the US made Craftsman toolboxes and tools. One could argue the point that our maintenance guys are not wrenching 24-7 or at least not while production is running, so the statement could be made those tools don’t get used as much as an automotive mechanic. However, the guys in the engineering lab are constantly using those tools day in and day out and while things break and wear out it’s simply not the norm, it’s the exception when the tools break.

I’m not interested in arguing about which tool brand is better or anything like that. All I am saying is that US-made craftsman can get the job done and they’re not the worst thing out there. If I was a professional mechanic I would certainly own more Mac and Snap-on. To me it highlights the fact that US-made craftsman tools are great for the serious do it yourself type beause it is a good balance between cost and quality, which is the reason for the popularity.

OP, eBay and flea markets/garage sales.

 

[Musicinabottle]

I would like to suggest searching for Easco raised panel wrenches. They were at one time an OEM provider for Craftsman Raised Panel wrenches. You can find great deals on Easco stuff on ebay because not everyone is aware/looking for them.

They are pretty much identical except for the markings on the wrenches.

Price just went up. Good going! Got any other mentions to contribute to inflation of prices?

 

[kb1982]

I have to say, these have served me well since 1996 or so. Only managed to break one double wrenching, wished i had only misplaced that many of them. Just retired the metrics with SK and have the long pattern SK combos SAE on the way

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[tool_scrounge]

Comparison of wrench beams:

Left: Wright WrightGrip
Middle: older SK satin finish, raised panel
Right: US Made Craftsman raised panel

The SK has the widest beam with very large radius, easy on the hands. The matt finish is very slight and cleans up easy

The Wright is a little narrower, fully polished with no raised panel. Lighter weight than the SK or Craftsman

The Craftsman has a wide flat on the beam but the radii at the edges is too small and can dig into your hand a little. The matt finish is more pronounced

Overall I use the Wrights most.

 

[DadsTools]

Comparison of wrench beams:

Left: Wright WrightGrip
Middle: older SK satin finish, raised panel
Right: US Made Craftsman raised panel

The SK has the widest beam with very large radius, easy on the hands. The matt finish is very slight and cleans up easy

The Wright is a little narrower, fully polished with no raised panel. Lighter weight than the SK or Craftsman

The Craftsman has a wide flat on the beam but the radii at the edges is too small and can dig into your hand a little. The matt finish is more pronounced

Overall I use the Wrights most.

Great pics on the comparison. As I mentioned in a previous post on this thread, the traditional SK raised panel are the most comfortable to me, more so than the CM raised panel, which I find to be a little 'sharp' at the edges. I've never found anything else that compares to them for my particular hands. Finding those old SK in metric can be a bear though. 2nd place has to go to a few of the Wright wrenches I have like a 3/4 1124, but it's still not quite the same. If I had to buy a new set and couldn't get the raised panels, I'd be looking at Wright or Proto satins. Bear in mind though, that anymore I work mostly on older cars & trucks with dirty/oxidized fasteners (lots of SAE) and more space available to fit tools in and turn them.

 

[Elsinore13]

After life got in the way (teething one year old in a meltdown) and I missed yet another auction for USA made raised panel craftsman combination metric wrenches ($9 before shipping) I am pretty annoyed at ebay.

Any other good online sources for reasonably priced craftsman tools? For use not collection? I don't expect $9 dollar steals to show up of course.

How exactly did you miss an ebay auction? Are you not using Esnipe? Too easy and too effective to not use it.

 

[Elsinore13]

I have to say, these have served me well since 1996 or so. Only managed to break one double wrenching, wished i had only misplaced that many of them. Just retired the metrics with SK and have the long pattern SK combos SAE on the way

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I have the long metric SK's since 1996, 6mm-24mm set. Great wrenches and bought them on closeout back then for just over $100.00. Back then I was worried they may not be good quality...

 

[upyours]

Not a fan of Craftsman but estate sales are the best places to buy ANY tools

 

[Wamsutta]

The SK has the widest beam with very large radius, easy on the hands.

Not the ones I've had in my hands. They've always been real square with corners.

Wright has the most comfortable beam followed by Cornwell.

 

[tool_scrounge]

Not the ones I've had in my hands. They've always been real square with corners.

Wright has the most comfortable beam followed by Cornwell.

Are you referring to the old raised panel SK or the current non-raised panel wrenches? The current.production. ones look to have pretty sharp corners. I too like wright.