Laser Etched Sockets

[Whatsit]

What's everyones opinion on the Craftsman laser etched sockets?

I need to replace a few lost sockets and it appears to be eaiser and cheaper to buy the laser etched ones.

 

[mdsmith11]

I've got quite a few for my work tool collection. They are indeed much easier to see, and there's no loss of strength. However, what sold the deal for me was when Sears had all individual sockets on a half-price sale. Musta spent $40.00....

 

[dink]

I had them.....I couldn't read them very well I think they are a waste of money.....I am sticking with the standard style....atleast then I know I cant read whats on the side unless I look really hard...but with these they arent throwing bs at me like the lazer etched do

 

[Whatsit]

Do the numbers rub off?

 

[mdsmith11]

No

 

[nova65ss]

I've had several and they do rub off. I also used them everyday w/ an electric impact wrench though. They would stay on maybe 6 months before wearing off.

Jimmy

 

[Whatsit]

Here's one, would/does the Craftsman warranty apply to the rubbed off etching?
I would think not. But I would try.

 

[dink]

I dont see why not....it is part of the socket itself....so i can see it being warranty issue

 

[kartracer55]

Yeah, It def should... how else are you going to read the size? If it wears off, the tool is useless and therefore should be warrantied.

Nova65... please go more in depth... do you mean it got scratched off? Like how the black oxide rubs off an impact socket from rubbing up aainst something? I have a few of these and I havent had a problem, although I dont impact mine

Jim

 

[nova65ss]

I'm guessing it scratched off, it just seems to happen over time. Once it's gone you cannot even tell it was ever there. I'm thinking that it rubs up against things so fast and so often it just smoothes it out. It's not cut very deep into the socket. Keep in mind they get used every day, all day, six days a week.

Jimmy

 

[dink]

Before I had some of the laser etched....a guy told me once they get some wear and tear on them and get dirty they are even easier to read....unfortunatly I got them to that point and I still couldnt read them.....they are a waste of money and a ploy to make you think your buying a better socket

 

[Thumper]

Myself......I would rather have the old style stamped in the metal markings on my sockets, the laser etched stuff is just a gimmick to re-invent the wheel that ain't broke. But then....I'm just a grumpy old set-in-my-ways old man.

 

[dink]

Myself......I would rather have the old style stamped in the metal markings on my sockets, the laser etched stuff is just a gimmick to re-invent the wheel that ain't broke. But then....I'm just a grumpy old set-in-my-ways old man.

With the laser etched....I pick the old fart set in his ways like you and stick with tradition

 

[Whatsit]

Myself......I would rather have the old style stamped in the metal markings on my sockets, the laser etched stuff is just a gimmick to re-invent the wheel that ain't broke. But then....I'm just a grumpy old set-in-my-ways old man.

I would have to agree.

 

[Whatsit]

TO answer this once an for all, here is Craftsman response:
"Dear Mr. Burke,

Thank you for contacting Sears and for choosing Craftsman.

If the sockets become unusable they will be unconditionally replaced.
Cosmetics would not be considered a reason for replacement under our
warranty."

But in this case it would not be to my satisfaction thus fall under this argument:

"Satisfaction Guaranteed or your Money Back. If any Craftsman hand tool fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to any Sears store in the US or Canada for repair or replacement".

I will have to wait and see if any one on here has tried to return one for this issue.

And yes, I have to much free time on my hands.

 

[Thumper]

LMAO..........that oughta be fun to watch........

 

[kartracer55]

At first I thought the laser etching was a good thing since the ones I saw had good big numbers for making it easier for my blind eyes to see. But after reading these comments I would rethink my position on it. If they will wear away then they aren't much good. I just got a set of CP impact sockets with etchined sizes on them, but haven't had a chance to use them yet.

I moved this...