Husky or Craftsman

[Shortbusted]

My brother in law has decided he wants to build up his tool collection, so that's what he will get for Christmas from us. I'm looking at Husky and Craftsman mechanic sets. He's a DIY guy and says he likes Craftsman. He does not own any of the new Craftsman stuff. I checked out a few sets today; the Chinese produced Craftsman tools worry me. I looked at a Husky set at HD, did not look at the COO, and the tools seemed more comfortable in hand than the Craftsman.

Can those who have used both brands chime in? Which brand would you go with?

If I hated the guy I'd get him the $36 set from HF and have a good laugh.

 

[chris142]

I was looking at some husky wrenches at hd today. Made in china but look much nicer than craftsman.nice chrome and smooth edges

 

[d.mcfarland]

Craftsman, only if it's USA. If not, I wouldn't be set on either.

 

[woody 73]

I was listening to the late night news this week and they said Sears just lost a mega amount of money for the last quarter, darn how they stay afloat is a small miracle. I think I heard they are going to sell of the lands End and the automotive stores.

But I regress...Both Husky and Craftsman make a lot of their tools overseas and they both have a very nice return policy, so either choice will be ok. Keep in mind any business can go belly up leaving you without a way to return broken tools.

 

[Brownsfan]

All things being equal. Both Chinese. Go husky. The ratchets are much better. The new husky stuff is nice compared to china craftsman. I looked at some china craftsman today and it looked like ****.

 

[tez929rr]

My brother in law has decided he wants to build up his tool collection, so that's what he will get for Christmas from us. I'm looking at Husky and Craftsman mechanic sets. He's a DIY guy and says he likes Craftsman. He does not own any of the new Craftsman stuff. I checked out a few sets today; the Chinese produced Craftsman tools worry me. I looked at a Husky set at HD, did not look at the COO, and the tools seemed more comfortable in hand than the Craftsman.

Can those who have used both brands chime in? Which brand would you go with?

If I hated the guy I'd get him the $36 set from HF and have a good laugh.

I have both - a bunch of Craftsman stuff I built up over the years, and a big set of a Husky stuff I bought when we built a new shop. The Husky stuff is mostly American made - they out the big American made swers on deep discount when they came out with the Chinese made Husky stuff. The Husky stuff I see in Home Depot looks just like the stuff I have. Honestly, I can't see any big difference between the Husky and Craftsman tools. Go with whatever is the better deal. Return policies seem the same.

 

[bob15]

Neither....both are now junk. For a bit more and better quality, look at SK or Wright.

 

[CWP1616L]

Being that I don't like the type of detents down inside the Craftsman sockets, the Husky sockets would be my choice between the two.

 

[SCscoutguy]

Honestly if you are going to get him some import tools from a big box store the new Kobalt seems to be better quality and fit than either Husky or the Chinese Craftsman. I would spend a little more and get him some quality SK tools.

 

[Stokes_]

My dad picked me up a set of Husky wrenches several years back and they worked great around the house, but if you're going to put them through hell, neither one is good. Go the few extra bucks and get some Williams.

 

[Stokes_]

Neither....both are now junk. For a bit more and better quality, look at SK or Wright.

SK and Wright are clearly out of his price range, lol.

 

[Stokes_]

Honestly if you are going to get him some import tools from a big box store the new Kobalt seems to be better quality and fit than either Husky or the Chinese Craftsman. I would spend a little more and get him some quality SK tools.

This is true as well.

 

[trogo]

I have the Husky 268 piece tool set and really like it. Also have the Dewalt 204 Piece Mechanic's Tool Set which are really nice. I did a review of the Husky set and there is a really good review of the Dewalt set on Youtube by Bundysgarage.

Some say anything not made in the US is junk. However, there are certainly some quality tools designed in the US and made overseas. Just look at the Milwaukee Fuel Line of Tools for example.

I would go with the Husky or Dewalt over the new Craftsman anyday.

 

[Davefr]

My brother in law has decided he wants to build up his tool collection, so that's what he will get for Christmas from us. I'm looking at Husky and Craftsman mechanic sets. He's a DIY guy and says he likes Craftsman. He does not own any of the new Craftsman stuff. I checked out a few sets today; the Chinese produced Craftsman tools worry me. I looked at a Husky set at HD, did not look at the COO, and the tools seemed more comfortable in hand than the Craftsman.

Can those who have used both brands chime in? Which brand would you go with?

If I hated the guy I'd get him the $36 set from HF and have a good laugh.

Why not Kobalt? If given a choice between Husky, Chinese CM or Kobalt I'd choose Kobalt in a heartbeat. (at least for ratchets, sockets, wrenches).

 

[erty67]

Kobalt

 

[fivespdcat]

Being that I don't like the type of detents down inside the Craftsman sockets, the Husky sockets would be my choice between the two.

It's funny, I never really noticed the double detent in the craftsman sockets or thought they were unusual until joining this board. Then I thought "why?" I think I found my answer by accident a few months back. The double detent allows for a wobble/lock with the standard craftsman wobble extensions. No idea if that's the real reason, but it works.

 

[JasonCAT]

They're both Chinese now. Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro line is Taiwanese and good quality...and cheaper. Kobalt also seems to be making the switch to China.

 

[Shortbusted]

SK and Wright are clearly out of his price range, lol.

Clearly.....or I can't justify spending that kind of money for tools that may be used only once a month.

 

[Shortbusted]

I had to go back to Sears to pick up a 42 piece bit socket set I had ordered. I was lucky to get the last US made set they had. The set included a 3/8'" ratchet. I had to break the set open in the store to compare the US ratchet to the Chinese ratchet. There's no comparison. I may have to go check out the current Kobalt line; I've been happy with my small collection of older Kobalt tools. I'd really like to find a DeWalt set on display. The reviews make it look like a decent set for the money.

 

[zkling]

I'd probably go with Kobalt or maybe gearwrench, but they tend to be kinda $$$ compared to the others. Unless you could find a USA craftsman set, I think Kobalt would be a good bang for the buck.

 

[Brownsfan]

Anyone notice the weird white film and barely readable easy read on new craftsman socket sets. They look terrible. Also Kobalt and lowes seem to be getting worse in quality and ramping up china tools. While Home Depot is coming out with some nice ratchets and at least has USA made torque wrenches. Also has a better channellock selection and USA Klein. Go check out the new selection of husky it is as good or better than some of the new Kobalt. The new 72t husky ratchets have a really low profile. Really nice compared t the Kobalt. Especially the flex heads.

 

[NUTTSGT]

I'd search the BF ads and try to find some Cman made in the USA stuff.


You could also pick him up some various Channellocks products to fill that void in his tool section.

 

[Stokes_]

Clearly.....or I can't justify spending that kind of money for tools that may be used only once a month.

I do understand that most people don't want to pay that much for tools when they don't do it for a living, but if you are one of those people that take care of their belongings, you're buying the last tool of the type purchased that you'll ever need. I have a set of my granddads SK sockets sitting over my fire place that he bought in the 40's. He used those sockets everyday at work and they would without a doubt last me until my last breath if I chose to use them (I have them under his picture). Tools are one of those things that you can either buy for a quick fix, or buy for a lifetime. If you take care of them they hold their value as well, especially those that have lifetime warranties (like Snap On).

 

[Bib Overalls]

With the onset of Craftsman from China I decided to get off my **** and buy some USA mades to fill out my sets. There are a number of vendors on eBay selling USA made Craftsman tools individually and in sets for good prices. Don't know how long that will last. If you decide to buy check the offer to insure that it says "Made in USA." Some don't have that and I am assuming they are Chinese.

These days, when I buy hand tools I go with Kobalt. Lowe's usually has some nicely priced sets during the holiday season. Think Black Friday.

 

[sberry]

Its cheap, a good deal and I can use it to turn a bolt.