Mastercraft 71-Pc Air Tool Kit - OLD VERSION VS NEW VERSION! OPINION?

[EMan123]

There are 2 versions of this set, new and old.

The OLD version is Canadian Tire product number "058-7909-2" and is no longer available, and the NEW version is product number "058-9369-4" and is currently available and here is the Canadian Tire link for it: https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/mastercraft-71-piece-air-tool-kit-0589369p.html

I have BOTH of these 71 piece sets new and old, both brand new and SEALED. The old version of the impact wrench says it delivers only 320lb/ft and requires 5CFM to produce that, and has 5 strength levels. The NEW one says it delivers 420lb/ft at requires only 3.7CFM to produce that but only has 3 strength levels.

Trying to figure out which one is actually better, in terms of performance and quality of material used.

Since the OLD version is no longer available to see online, I have attached a picture of it. The new one can be seen at the Canadian Tire link above!

Does anyone have any information about the internals on these or which one is better and WHY?

Thanks!

 

[buckwheat_la]

You know with mastercraft, one of things I refuse to buy is air tools, mainly because there is no way to know who is building them and what quality they are. Look at Amazon, or check out Dewalt air tools. Princess makes good pro point air tools as well.

 

[matthew]

I would probably accept the claim on the box about the new one being higher torque. I would neglect the air consumption claims - I don't see much consistency in those, there are probably assumptions about duty cycle that are not consistent.

If you don't have to keep either of them, I would sort of echo Buckwheat... I've used my friends Mastercraft die grinder and impact wrench, and didn't find them to be all that strong, and used a lot of air. Princess Auto seems to have better air tools - certainly the ProPoint, but even some of the Powerfist is worth having.

 

[EMan123]

Thanks to both replies so far. I can only keep ONE of the sets, so trying to decide which one to keep. It all comes down to quality and performance for which you said that it is reasonable to believe that the new one does have higher torque spec. Now the question is why.

Regardless, I would like to know what's different (if anything) in terms of quality. For example, did the material get cheaper or no?

 

[ItsNemo]

Having tried a few mastercraft air tools before, they're all pretty weak...lots of noise, not a lot of go.

I would probably keep the newer set though.

 

[EMan123]

Having tried a few mastercraft air tools before, they're all pretty weak...lots of noise, not a lot of go.

I would probably keep the newer set though.

Are you basing this just because of specs? If so, how about quality of the tool? I am trying to determine what changed between the old and new versions internally.

 

[matthew]

Just to be clear -

I sort of vaguely trust that the 420 ft.lb. is more powerful than the 320 ft.lb. I am less trusting that the absolute 420 ft.lb. spec is attained.

As to why - Canadian Tire changes suppliers periodically. From what I can tell it's partly because of how their pricing model works, and partly to keep a handle on costs. Sometimes that improves the product, sometimes not. But contrary to popular opinion, the overall trend has actually been towards better value. The worst case is that product is similar, at a much lower inflation-adjusted cost, and in many cases the product is both better and less expensive.

Improvements to technology have made tools better with time, and I'd say that particularly applies to air tools. Better designs have been bumping up power output.

 

[buckwheat_la]

Are you basing this just because of specs? If so, how about quality of the tool? I am trying to determine what changed between the old and new versions internally.

I am going to sound rather ignorant about this, please understand I am not meaning it as such. So with that said, who cares? Your choice is between, a cheap tool with 300ft/lbs vs a cheap tool with 400ft/lbs go with the 400 ft/lbs of torque. There is no big surprise here where the older tool is some rebrand and actually putting out 1000ft/lbs and actually a Astro/IR/Snap-on/Mac etc clone.

 

[ItsNemo]

Are you basing this just because of specs? If so, how about quality of the tool? I am trying to determine what changed between the old and new versions internally.

Uhm, to be frank, we're talking **** vs ****, there's little in the way of quality here...odds of a lemon are just as high with either set. Might as well take the set that has better specs, is newer, and is probably more easily warrantied.

 

[hangfirew8]

I would try them both enough to get a sense of which one is stronger.

The newer, higher rated impact may be using the newer, higher numeric "nut busting" bogus spec.

-HF

 

[buckwheat_la]

Uhm, to be frank, we're talking **** vs ****, there's little in the way of quality here...odds of a lemon are just as high with either set. Might as well take the set that has better specs, is newer, and is probably more easily warrantied.

Lol. Great minds think alike

 

[Handyandy23]

I bought that "old" version years ago when I was first building up a tool collection, and I can tell you quality wise it's very very bad. I think the die grinder is the only piece I still have from that set that works. The impact and air ratchet both died early on. Just really piss poor quality.

I can't speak to the newer one because as the tools died I upgraded to proper units with good reputations. But I wouldn't hold my breath it's that great either, although has to be better than the old one.

A lot like the Americans on here talk about Harbor Freight, I have learned over the years never to buy anything from Canadian Tire that plugs in, has a battery, or hooks up to air. It's just not worth it. You might get it for half the price of a better name brand on sale, but it will be half assed and then die on you in no time.

 

[Professional Tool User]

I honestly wouldn't waste my time with Mastercraft or even Maximum cordless or air tools. They are either almost as expensive as name brands or are cheap and under perform. For marginally more than the $380 regular price, I can go online and buy myself a halfway decent die grinder, long barreled air hammer, 1/2 impact, and air ratchet. Even if that set does go on sale, I don't see a point in buying a cheap short barreled air hammer that is probably good for nothing or an air ratchet - one of those air tools that have a tendency to **** out.

On the other hand, their impact sockets are dirt cheap when on sale and can take a beating.

 

[buckwheat_la]

I honestly wouldn't waste my time with Mastercraft or even Maximum cordless or air tools. They are either almost as expensive as name brands or are cheap and under perform. For marginally more than the $380 regular price, I can go online and buy myself a halfway decent die grinder, long barreled air hammer, 1/2 impact, and air ratchet. Even if that set does go on sale, I don't see a point in buying a cheap short barreled air hammer that is probably good for nothing or an air ratchet - one of those air tools that have a tendency to **** out.

On the other hand, their impact sockets are dirt cheap when on sale and can take a beating.

That said pro point impacts are rebranded sunnex

 

[Professional Tool User]

That said pro point impacts are rebranded sunnex

I wouldn't say that they rebranded the sunex ones if you are referring to the impact sockets. There's a good chance they used the same supplier in Taiwan though. I bought a few sets of Pro point impact sockets and the sizes that are included are different from the ones I saw on the Sunex website. Princess Auto should have enough buying power to have their own supply contract.

 

[eschoendorff]

Those kits look a LOT like the air tool kit that came with an oil less Husky compressor my parents got me for Christmas about 15 years ago

 

[buckwheat_la]

I wouldn't say that they rebranded the sunex ones if you are referring to the impact sockets. There's a good chance they used the same supplier in Taiwan though. I bought a few sets of Pro point impact sockets and the sizes that are included are different from the ones I saw on the Sunex website. Princess Auto should have enough buying power to have their own supply contract.

If you go on the sunnex website you can find the exact same sets, in the same case. Someone on here pointed it our

 

[EMan123]

I honestly wouldn't waste my time with Mastercraft or even Maximum cordless or air tools. They are either almost as expensive as name brands or are cheap and under perform. For marginally more than the $380 regular price, I can go online and buy myself a halfway decent die grinder, long barreled air hammer, 1/2 impact, and air ratchet. Even if that set does go on sale, I don't see a point in buying a cheap short barreled air hammer that is probably good for nothing or an air ratchet - one of those air tools that have a tendency to **** out.

On the other hand, their impact sockets are dirt cheap when on sale and can take a beating.

Thank you to ALL for replies so far, much appreciated keep 'em coming.

@Professional Tool User, I got the "OLD" set for $80CDN on classifieds, and the "NEW" set for $125CDN after tax on sale. Thank you for the insightful information from user experience! It looks like the consensus is that the new set is *most likely* better than the old one but there is a no certainty on that.

I would have maybe thought that the theory that "tools used to be built better before than now" may hold water but I guess that may not be true based on the replies I'm seeing here.

Thoughts?

 

[buckwheat_la]

Thank you to ALL for replies so far, much appreciated keep 'em coming.

@Professional Tool User, I got the "OLD" set for $80CDN on classifieds, and the "NEW" set for $125CDN after tax on sale. Thank you for the insightful information from user experience! It looks like the consensus is that the new set is *most likely* better than the old one but there is a no certainty on that.

I would have maybe thought that the theory that "tools used to be built better before than now" may hold water but I guess that may not be true based on the replies I'm seeing here.

Thoughts?

Well I can tell you this in my experience. I have kept my eyes open for good deals, I have a Aircat 1150 that I got on sale for $100, a 3/8 stubby from pro-point for $80, and misc other tools along the way. I have never encountered something that Aircat couldn't get loose yet.

If I can offer further advice too. At this point cordless technology has reached the same ability as air, and a investment into Maikta, Milwaukee, or Dewalt could yield some great results for you.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Thank you to ALL for replies so far, much appreciated keep 'em coming.

@Professional Tool User, I got the "OLD" set for $80CDN on classifieds, and the "NEW" set for $125CDN after tax on sale. Thank you for the insightful information from user experience! It looks like the consensus is that the new set is *most likely* better than the old one but there is a no certainty on that.

I would have maybe thought that the theory that "tools used to be built better before than now" may hold water but I guess that may not be true based on the replies I'm seeing here.

Thoughts?

With something as built to cost as this and the rising cost of making stuff in China, it really depends if the new one is a different design and if they were careful about where they cut costs with rising costs. Also, if you are still within the 1 year exchange time limit and have the receipt, go use the new set, see if it craps out, and if it does, go exchange it for something else or consumables like motor oil that you know know you'll need down the road.

I wouldn't be too hung up on torque numbers which can easily be fudged. What really matters is the answer to two questions. Do I feel the power when I am using the gun? Will it get that seized bolt moving so I don't have to pull out the breaker bar, torch, or air hammer?

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you go on the sunnex website you can find the exact same sets, in the same case. Someone on here pointed it our

Never mind. I got too distracted by all the master sets filled with items like swivel impacts that aren't available under pro point on the sunex site. I later went on Amazon and the sizes for the sets matched up.