Is this set any good?

[winlinmac]

I read a lot of mixed reviews on Craftsman Industrial line of tools, even though they are made in the USA. How good is this set?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-I...369742?hash=item21024aaf4e:g:-qkAAOSwEetV842c

Slider Slide Bar Set

 

[DSLTRK]

I read a lot of mixed reviews on Craftsman Industrial line of tools, even though they are made in the USA. How good is this set?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-I...369742?hash=item21024aaf4e:g:-qkAAOSwEetV842c

Slider Slide Bar Set

That is a very nice set of T-handles.

I have them all, and the chrome/machining is flawless as far as I can tell. These do not have the typical dull plating found on the newer CM sockets, it is a bright, shiny chrome.


But for $55, kinda spendy.

 

[winlinmac]

Yep, the price is kinda staggering especially for anything Craftsman nowadays. Not sure what would happen if I had to warranty one though. It has to be Made in the USA, though some of the ones from Williams (Snap On's Economy Class), Made in Taiwan are decent as well.

That is a very nice set of T-handles.

I have them all, and the chrome/machining is flawless as far as I can tell. These do not have the typical dull plating found on the newer CM sockets, it is a bright, shiny chrome.


But for $55, kinda spendy.

 

[winlinmac]

This one looks nice too, I like the indent in the middle of the bar.

 

[kd3pc]

I read a lot of mixed reviews on Craftsman Industrial line of tools, even though they are made in the USA. How good is this set?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Craftsman-I...369742?hash=item21024aaf4e:g:-qkAAOSwEetV842c

Slider Slide Bar Set

I would ask, compared to what? I have several, decades old, craftsman T slides as well as a proto and a Blackhawk. They are well used and broken in, and still work as well as can be expected. I have seen two or three year old CMan Industrial gear that is already flaking plating and such...not enough to worry...but the old stuff is much better finished, than these.

New stuff seems to be a bit tighter, which may or may not be something you desire. And they will take some use to loosen up where the socket latches...ie tough to pull the socket off, until you use them a bit.

I also think they are pricey, given the quality....but only can see value in them, or not.

 

[panknuckshovel]

I have the 1/4" and can't complain. The head isn't too sloppy on the shaft and extensions and sockets lock in place nicely.

 

[oldldh]

Seems a trifle expensive, to me...

 

[winlinmac]

The old Craftsman is irreplaceable, no doubt. The "flaking" on the recently-made Craftsman Industrial gear is something I've been reading a lot here.

I would ask, compared to what? I have several, decades old, craftsman T slides as well as a proto and a Blackhawk. They are well used and broken in, and still work as well as can be expected. I have seen two or three year old CMan Industrial gear that is already flaking plating and such...not enough to worry...but the old stuff is much better finished, than these.

New stuff seems to be a bit tighter, which may or may not be something you desire. And they will take some use to loosen up where the socket latches...ie tough to pull the socket off, until you use them a bit.

I also think they are pricey, given the quality....but only can see value in them, or not.

 

[B_Bimmer]

I have a made in USA craftsman version, and that is the one craftsman USA tool I do not recommend. It was so easy to bend with my bare hands, on first use, that I assumed I had gotten a dud. The next one on warranty was just as bad. It is now sitting in the dirt by the scrap pile... oh well, I've never come across a situation where that was the best tool for the job anyway. Mine was the 1/2 inch version as well, so I would guess the lighter ones would be even worse. It was seriously terrible.

 

[DSLTRK]

I have a made in USA craftsman version, and that is the one craftsman USA tool I do not recommend. It was so easy to bend with my bare hands, on first use, that I assumed I had gotten a dud. The next one on warranty was just as bad. It is now sitting in the dirt by the scrap pile... oh well, I've never come across a situation where that was the best tool for the job anyway. Mine was the 1/2 inch version as well, so I would guess the lighter ones would be even worse. It was seriously terrible.

Damn, are you the Hulk? I can't imagine bending one of these, since the handle is so short. I've pulled on my 1/2" with well over 200 lbs of force and it didn't bend at all.

 

[DSLTRK]

Yep, the price is kinda staggering especially for anything Craftsman nowadays. Not sure what would happen if I had to warranty one though. It has to be Made in the USA, though some of the ones from Williams (Snap On's Economy Class), Made in Taiwan are decent as well.

If you're interested, I have a 3/8" and 1/2" for sale on Ebay. You are welcome to check them out. I started them out at .99 cents.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRAFTSMAN-Tools-1-2-3-8-Inch-Drive-Sliding-T-Handle-Breaker-Bar-Set-V-Series-USA-/301858421488?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

 

[unslow1]

I have all of them plus the 3/4. They are fine for what I want them for. As mentioned earlier I'm real sure I didn't pay that much for mine new.

 

[zkling]

Although I have the slider bars, why do you want one? The only one I ever use is the 1/4", used to use the 3/8 till I got one of the T's with spinner in the middle.

 

[1930]

Im curious where and when these are used, I have several and have been turning wrenches a long time but have never used one even once. Maybe they are strictly inclined toward machinists?

 

[Finky198]

Yes I have them as well 1/4"-3/4" all bought used all work as designed I'd get yourself some pipe fitted to the handle size these make great breaker bars 18", 36, 48, 60" are perfect Handle extensions

 

[B_Bimmer]

Yes I have them as well 1/4"-3/4" all bought used all work as designed I'd get yourself some pipe fitted to the handle size these make great breaker bars 18", 36, 48, 60" are perfect Handle extensions

That was why I originally picked up the 1/2 inch one myself, but it obviously didn't work out for me. Oh well, it inspired me to get a nice 3/4 set with a real breaker bar, now THAT has taken a 6 foot pipe to break loose disk gangs nicely. Everyone else seems to have had better luck with the t handles than I did though, so maybe I should see if the china version does better, it can't do worse.

 

[kythri]

If you're interested, Zoro has Proto bars in all three sizes for just under $58:

J4785 - 1/4"
J5285 - 3/8"
J5485 - 1/2"

There's coupon codes in the Hot Deals thread that should knock at least $10% off that, and shipping is free for orders over $50.

Dunno how great of a price that is for the "set" in general, but it ends up being a couple bucks more (or, with a coupon, a couple bucks cheaper) than the Craftsman set you listed in the 1st post, and they're made in the USA...

 

[Coach James]

I have a made in USA craftsman version, and that is the one craftsman USA tool I do not recommend. It was so easy to bend with my bare hands, on first use, that I assumed I had gotten a dud. The next one on warranty was just as bad. It is now sitting in the dirt by the scrap pile... oh well, I've never come across a situation where that was the best tool for the job anyway. Mine was the 1/2 inch version as well, so I would guess the lighter ones would be even worse. It was seriously terrible.

Just making sure I understand what you wrote. You bent a 1/2" drive sliding t-bar with your bare hands? Then you bent the replacement with your bare hands as well?

Coach

 

[Finky198]

Yeah I use the cheaters on the 1/2" and 3/4 so far so good.
Do you have a recommendation for a 3/4 breaker bar? I have a complete std/met 3/4 drive craftsman USA set it's come in handy on occasion

 

[B_Bimmer]

Just making sure I understand what you wrote. You bent a 1/2" drive sliding t-bar with your bare hands? Then you bent the replacement with your bare hands as well?

Coach

Yes, it wasn't even that hard, it was also about ten years ago, so I was upper teens at best, I'm no wrestler, but I'm not little either. No extra bar on it at all. I remember it very clearly since that was the first time it ever crossed my mind that craftsman tools have their limits. I must say though, since everyone acts like that shouldn't happen, I'm thinking about giving them another go. Maybe I was unfortunate enough to get two from the same inferior batch... I haven't even bothered to put any in my box I have such a low opinion of them, including any of the three proto ones I have in 3/4 drive.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

If you're interested, I have a 3/8" and 1/2" for sale on Ebay. You are welcome to check them out. I started them out at .99 cents.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CRAFTSMAN-Tools-1-2-3-8-Inch-Drive-Sliding-T-Handle-Breaker-Bar-Set-V-Series-USA-/301858421488?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

I enjoyed browsing Your eBay store.. Placed a few bids on some quality older tools

 

[DSLTRK]

I enjoyed browsing Your eBay store.. Placed a few bids on some quality older tools

Well, I appreciate that! Good luck, hope you win some stuff!