Masterforce combination wrenches.

[bdresch]

How are the Masterforce combination wrenches that Menards sells? I currently have an incomplete set of Craftsman RP wrenches that I was looking to fill the holes in, but Menards has their Masterforce US made wrenches for $25 for a 10 piece set.

Masterforce[emoji768] 10 Piece Metric Combination Wrench Set at Menards http://www.menards.com/main/p-1503356.htm

Would it be a worthy upgrade to just ditch my RP wrenches and get a full set of Masterforce? My one complaint with the RP is how short they seem, especially in the common sizes. Does anyone know if these are longer?

 

[pauls_workshop]

These are US made by Allen, same as Allen. About the same as US Craftsman RP really, and a fine low cost US made choice. Not going to be the same league as the more professional brands of wrenches, but much lower cost. Best US Made out there are among these, all much more expensive:

Armstrong
Craftsman Professional or Industrial (same as Armstrong)
SK
Wright
Proto
Mac
SnapOn
Williams
Matco
and surely some I'm leaving out.

- Paul

 

[bdresch]

Aside from country of origin that will influence some opinions, are the current craftsman professional wrenches junk or worth the price? (when on sale)

 

[pauls_workshop]

Aside from country of origin that will influence some opinions, are the current craftsman professional wrenches junk or worth the price? (when on sale)

I have some and they are same as Armstrong, very high quality pro level wrenches. But new pickings are slim for Industrial or Professional from Sears as they are gradually phasing them all out. There are still some deals to be had from time to time on US made pro or industrial sets, but fewer and fewer going forward. Sometimes can get from Sears Outlets too.

I like Armstrong tools alot - I think as good as about any other pro brand really (individual tools are prefered in one brand or another for different reasons by different people). For wrenches, Wrights are generally thought the very best today. But any on the list above are very good. List applies to most other hand tools too, not just wrenches. - Paul

 

[1990 Grand Wag]

I have some and they are same as Armstrong, very high quality pro level wrenches. But new pickings are slim for Industrial or Professional from Sears as they are gradually phasing them all out. There are still some deals to be had from time to time on US made pro or industrial sets, but fewer and fewer going forward. Sometimes can get from Sears Outlets too.

I like Armstrong tools alot - I think as good as about any other pro brand really (individual tools are prefered in one brand or another for different reasons by different people). For wrenches, Wrights are generally thought the very best today. But any on the list above are very good. List applies to most other hand tools too, not just wrenches. - Paul

Paul, I think he is asking about the new Professional wrenches from China, not the older Armstrong sourced wrenches.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Oh, well I can't comment on those. I can't imagine they would be very good though compared to the US from the past. - Paul

 

[1950mercury]

Aside from country of origin that will influence some opinions, are the current craftsman professional wrenches junk or worth the price? (when on sale)

Unless you can find an older usa made set id pass on them. They no longer make the professional line that most loved.

If you want a nice cheaper set of wrenches and coo does not matter buy tekton.

If coo matters its hard to beat williams usa or wright.

Or buy used snap on, mac on ebay

 

[jcfields]

.

 

[pauls_workshop]

Nitpicking, but Sears doesn't call those wrenches Craftsman Professional anymore. They're simply called Craftsman full-polish long-pattern wrenches now.

All the ones I've seen in stores are lobster claws (even though they've phased out the raised panel lobster claws), which doesn't speak highly of the quality of steel used. Not sure if they're still made that way or the inventory just turns slowly. At any rate, I have to think there are better choices for import wrench sets.

That was what I thought. That's why I was talking about the US made Pro or Industrial when asked about "Craftsman Professional". But maybe they are starting to call things Professional and China COO now - don't know. - paul

 

[AmishFury]

compared to the RPs... overall quality is on par with US RPs, length is about the same, they are a little more comfortable to use though

 

[bdresch]

I don't have a full set of fractional RP wrenches. The Masterforce 10 piece set would replace all my RP wrenches and fill in the holes for the same price ($26) as just filling in the holes. I think at that price I'll try it. I don't use the fractionals as much as metric, so maybe I'll upgrade the metrics to Armstrong or Wright.

 

[Coach James]

.....All the ones I've seen in stores are lobster claws (even though they've phased out the raised panel lobster claws), which doesn't speak highly of the quality of steel used......

Sears no longer sells raised panel wrenches?

Coach

 

[hangfirew8]

Sears no longer sells raised panel wrenches?

No longer sells raised panel lobster-claw wrenches.

 

[Coach James]

Are they Chinese non-lobster claws? Not trying to be funny.

Coach

 

[metaldad]

How are the Masterforce combination wrenches that Menards sells?

decent wrenches, wait till a 'made in USA' or 11% off sale comes up.
i have the combos and dbe.

These are US made by Allen, same as Allen. - Paul

Made by Apex.

 

[panknuckshovel]

That was what I thought. That's why I was talking about the US made Pro or Industrial when asked about "Craftsman Professional". But maybe they are starting to call things Professional and China COO now - don't know. - paul

They are making full polish wrenches with China COO and calling them " Professional Use ".

Are they Chinese non-lobster claws? Not trying to be funny.

Coach

The RP's are Chinese and are not lobster claw, the open end is rough as all hell though.

If you guys have access to a Sears Outlet, go in. Their is a current posting in hot deals how members are finding USA socket sets cheap and the ones by me have MOUNTAINS of USA RP sets both SAE and MM in different piece sizes. You can still find USA PRO as well.

 

[pauls_workshop]

decent wrenches, wait till a 'made in USA' or 11% off sale comes up.
i have the combos and dbe.

Made by Apex.

Yes, Apex owns both, but pretty much same as Allen. - Paul

 

[bdresch]

If you guys have access to a Sears Outlet, go in. Their is a current posting in hot deals how members are finding USA socket sets cheap and the ones by me have MOUNTAINS of USA RP sets both SAE and MM in different piece sizes. You can still find USA PRO as well.

I've got one outlet driving distance from me but no wrenches. Has anyone tried calling around outlet locations and getting them to ship?