Menard's Masterforce Flare Nut Wrench Set

[Farmall450]

Is it any good @ $20?

US made, they just looked funny at the store

Thanks

 

[bobcatdan]

Basically USA craftsman with master force stamped on them instead.

 

[Farmall450]

Basically USA craftsman with master force stamped on them instead.

I'm not sure if they aren't angled or thinner or what, they looked very strange?

 

[mailpup]

Next time you're there maybe you can take some pictures and post them. The pictures of the wrenches on the Menards website seem normal to me.

 

[zkling]

Basically USA craftsman with master force stamped on them instead.

Which ones? The craftsman RP or the craftsman polish (I think are SK). I thought the new craftsman flare nuts wrenches were China only?

 

[bobcatdan]

Well they are actually Allen brand flare wrenches, but minus the rp part, they are rp craftsman.

 

[Monkey Milk]

If your going to spend any money on flare wrenches buy snap on! The craftsman I have are the everyday ones and they spread too easy then when I finally striped them, I had a pro replacement and that spread too. So save your money for some beefy ones and the only reason I say snap on is because the ones that I do have never flexed, but I have the older version, the newer one might be different. Maybe someone will chime in with another option like SK.

 

[IHI]

I've posted before, Maynerds is the harbor freight of the big box stores, literally, so take that for what it's worth.

Flare wrenches are just one of those tools it's not worth cheaping out on, it will causing terrible headaches down the road with stripped nuts.

 

[TinKnocker]

I bought these a few years ago and have had nothing but good luck. Masterforce tools rarely ever go on sale so i dont buy alot. I cant speak for the warranty either as i havent broken any yet.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have the metric set. I only used one once. No issues of fit or spreading or bending. For $20 and USA made it's not a bad deal. I would trust these over HF or China c-man or husky at Home Depot. That's why I bought them.

 

[cburnscrx]

If your going to spend any money on flare wrenches buy snap on! The craftsman I have are the everyday ones and they spread too easy then when I finally striped them, I had a pro replacement and that spread too. So save your money for some beefy ones and the only reason I say snap on is because the ones that I do have never flexed, but I have the older version, the newer one might be different. Maybe someone will chime in with another option like SK.

The older Craftsman Professionals (USA made), were actually SK.

 

[scaron]

i have a huge old set of masterforce tools my parents got me years ago as a starter and the quality isn't too bad, actually, and afaik it's all domestically made. you could definitely do worse if it's something you don't plan to use too often.

 

[TJx]

I've posted before, Maynerds is the harbor freight of the big box stores, literally, so take that for what it's worth.

For what it's worth...
Masterforce sockets, drive tools, wrenches, screwdrivers are all US made.
Midwest snips US made
Vaughan hammers US made
A larger selection of US made Channellock than most if not all "big box" stores.

Not sure which Harbor Freight you're shopping at.
Is there a big box store that carry's more US made tools?
Even Sears can't say that anymore.

 

[Farmall450]

I didn't think they looked too bad for $20 and US made.

 

[DekeT]

It's American made, yet people are bitching about it being sold at Menards. Just can't please some people.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I've posted before, Maynerds is the harbor freight of the big box stores, literally, so take that for what it's worth.

And its was not worth a damn...

 

[Tinner]

Living in the land of road salt, I get to deal with rusty fittings regularly. I gave up on cheap flare nut wrenches many moons ago. I have Snap-on in offset head and SK in straight. The SK are really stout, if not the equal of the Snaps, then pretty darn close.

 

[oilslick]

I rarely use a flare wrench, is that unusual? Crowfoot on power steering a fair amount but most brake lines I get by with flank drive or the line is **** and gets redone anyway. Menards wrenches are what I have in my afterhours box and I am happy with them.

 

[SMKS]

As others have said, many of the USA-made Masterforce tools are pretty much identical to the USA-made tools that used to be sold under the K-D and Allen brands. You can sometimes still find the USA-made Allen tools, but I very rarely see them. The Masterforce sockets/wrenches are made by Apex and are good, basic USA-made tools.

I don't have the Masterforce version, but I have Craftsman and K-D line wrenches and they've worked fine for me.

I've posted before, Maynerds is the harbor freight of the big box stores, literally, so take that for what it's worth.

This is kind of a dumb comparison. Menards has some cheap stuff, like all big-box stores. But, Menards focuses on offering USA-made products. They clearly ID USA-made items and make it a point to source and advertise USA made items. That makes them much different than Lowe's or HD and makes Menards really nothing like HF.

Some people here bash Menards because they have some clothes and one aisle of cereal and food, but Menards is by far my favorite of the major home centers.

 

[Engineer61]

I bought a set of Craftsmen about ten years ago to deal with changing the fuel filter on my 2000 Chevy 3/4 ton - and they have never managed to loosen the fittings on that damn filter. Last year I bought a set of SK, they are fully polished, much heavier and almost twice the width of the craftsmen. Still can't get that damn filter loose.

 

[Farmall450]

As others have said, many of the USA-made Masterforce tools are pretty much identical to the USA-made tools that used to be sold under the K-D and Allen brands. You can sometimes still find the USA-made Allen tools, but I very rarely see them. The Masterforce sockets/wrenches are made by Apex and are good, basic USA-made tools.

I don't have the Masterforce version, but I have Craftsman and K-D line wrenches and they've worked fine for me.



This is kind of a dumb comparison. Menards has some cheap stuff, like all big-box stores. But, Menards focuses on offering USA-made products. They clearly ID USA-made items and make it a point to source and advertise USA made items. That makes them much different than Lowe's or HD and makes Menards really nothing like HF.

Some people here bash Menards because they have some clothes and one aisle of cereal and food, but Menards is by far my favorite of the major home centers.

I'm a Menards fan, they promote US made hard.
I don't see how they could be bad like some say, unless they spread a ton?

Living in the land of road salt, I get to deal with rusty fittings regularly. I gave up on cheap flare nut wrenches many moons ago. I have Snap-on in offset head and SK in straight. The SK are really stout, if not the equal of the Snaps, then pretty darn close.

I also have to deal with that dreaded salt...

 

[TwoInch]

i have set of the USA MF flare nuts in metric. they are decent wrenches, they seem to be pretty much the same build quality as the Cman RP flare nuts which get a bad rap, but i have had zero issues with them. i have both the MF and the RP, and they have minor differences, but essentially the same.

 

[Farmall450]

i have set of the USA MF flare nuts in metric. they are decent wrenches, they seem to be pretty much the same build quality as the Cman RP flare nuts which get a bad rap, but i have had zero issues with them. i have both the MF and the RP, and they have minor differences, but essentially the same.

I'll have to get a set. The price just seemed right for a starter set.

 

[SMKS]

I'll have to get a set. The price just seemed right for a starter set.

That's probably a safe bet. If you find yourself using them a lot or wanting a more expensive set you can always upgrade later.

 

[Farmall450]

That's probably a safe bet. If you find yourself using them a lot or wanting a more expensive set you can always upgrade later.

Very true.

 

[monomach]

I love me some Menards, so I want to give Masterforce a chance, but I just can't. A lifetime warranty isn't much of a warranty at all when it requires a heat transfer receipt that fades to blank after a year.

If they adopted the Craftsman/Harbor Freight/Lowes approach to hand tool warranties, I'd be happy to give them a chance.

On Saturday, I saw that they have flare nut wrench sets in the Performax line, too. They were 5 bucks and looked EXACTLY like Harbor Freight, right down to the packaging. I did a serious double-take.

 

[cburnscrx]

I love me some Menards, so I want to give Masterforce a chance, but I just can't. A lifetime warranty isn't much of a warranty at all when it requires a heat transfer receipt that fades to blank after a year.

If they adopted the Craftsman/Harbor Freight/Lowes approach to hand tool warranties, I'd be happy to give them a chance.

On Saturday, I saw that they have flare nut wrench sets in the Performax line, too. They were 5 bucks and looked EXACTLY like Harbor Freight, right down to the packaging. I did a serious double-take.

I like Menards the best of the big box stores...mostly because you can still get actual hardware stuff there, vs. just buy a new "widget" instead of repairing what you already have.

Masterforce ratchets, sockets and wrenches are the same as the old Allen USA, and in some cases you can find the Allen USA version on the same hook as the Masterforce brand. Masterforce is just a rebadged something else. That's not always bad, and sometimes even good. There's a Masterforce benchtop drill press that matches a JET (also rebadged) exactly.

Performax and Tool Shop - In many cases they are the HF equivalents. The Performax ratchets are identical to the HF versions, and there are some Tool Shop things that match exactly as well.

*I also think that Wilde and Mendards should talk to each other. I know Wilde is losing there Craftsman contract, and Menards could be a great replacement as well as allowing them to offer USA pliers. Win win!

 

[ishiboo]

I like Menards the best of the big box stores...mostly because you can still get actual hardware stuff there, vs. just buy a new "widget" instead of repairing what you already have.

Masterforce ratchets, sockets and wrenches are the same as the old Allen USA, and in some cases you can find the Allen USA version on the same hook as the Masterforce brand. Masterforce is just a rebadged something else. That's not always bad, and sometimes even good. There's a Masterforce benchtop drill press that matches a JET (also rebadged) exactly.

Performax and Tool Shop - In many cases they are the HF equivalents. The Performax ratchets are identical to the HF versions, and there are some Tool Shop things that match exactly as well.

*I also think that Wilde and Mendards should talk to each other. I know Wilde is losing there Craftsman contract, and Menards could be a great replacement as well as allowing them to offer USA pliers. Win win!

Bosch makes the Masterforce table saw... basically a stripped down version of the 4100 which I have and love. My friend is a professional contractor and has the Masterforce and loves it.

As we know, the Masterforce screwdrivers are Pratt & Read, levels are Stabila. Overall the Masterforce tools are a pretty good value for the money.

Only reason I passed on the flare wrenches is that those were the only sizes they have... I now have the Craftsman RP set with a Snap-on 1/4x5/16 to complete it, as well as the GW metric and SAE sets.

 

[cburnscrx]

I did not know who made the Masterforce table saw...that's interesting and good to know.

 

[ishiboo]

I did not know who made the Masterforce table saw...that's interesting and good to know.

Yeah, it's a great saw for the money. I paid $400 or $450 for my 4100 from Menards though

Masterforce is not the "old" Allen USA... Allen USA is still made and the same. Decent selection marketed by Fleet Farm as I don't think they do the volume for their own brand. IE, here's the SAE flare wrench set.

I'm not a mechanic, oddly enough the 5/16 that Allen/Masterforce do not offer is the first size I used to install an oil pressure gauge on my tractor... that selection limitation still bothers me.

 

[cburnscrx]

Yeah, it's a great saw for the money. I paid $400 or $450 for my 4100 from Menards though

Masterforce is not the "old" Allen USA... Allen USA is still made and the same. Decent selection marketed by Fleet Farm as I don't think they do the volume for their own brand. IE, here's the SAE flare wrench set.

I'm not a mechanic, oddly enough the 5/16 that Allen/Masterforce do not offer is the first size I used to install an oil pressure gauge on my tractor... that selection limitation still bothers me.

I didn't realize that Allen was still making USA wrenches...I haven't been in a Fleet Farm in years, as it's all Tractor Supply around me. I do know if you put an Allen USA next to a Masterforce, they're basically the same. So I guess I concure...Masterforce is Allen USA.

 

[mark5767]

There was a time when I wouldn't think of buying tools from Menards or Fleet Farm because Craftsman was so much better. My, how things have changed!

It now seems Menards and Fleet Farm offer the "old Craftsman" type of quality and Craftsman has downgraded to become the old Menards!

The Masterforce line at Menards and and Allen tools at Fleet Farm look & feel great and I've been happy with my purchases from both places. And they offer a lot of USA made stuff also.

Customer service at Menards can be a little sketchy, Fleet Farm may have the edge there. I'm not a real big warranty guy though, if it's good quality I probably won't break it and if I do I'm not going to mess around too much with warranty stuff... if they replace it great, if not I'll just get another one.

I just don't go through enough tools to care and I honestly don't even expect them replace something I've abused even it is technically under warranty.

 

[bcradio]

Buy em.. Try em.. Let us know.


Also, I won't believe they carry Stabila levels under masterforce until I see the proof.

 

[Farmall450]

I like Menards the best of the big box stores...mostly because you can still get actual hardware stuff there, vs. just buy a new "widget" instead of repairing what you already have.

Masterforce ratchets, sockets and wrenches are the same as the old Allen USA, and in some cases you can find the Allen USA version on the same hook as the Masterforce brand. Masterforce is just a rebadged something else. That's not always bad, and sometimes even good. There's a Masterforce benchtop drill press that matches a JET (also rebadged) exactly.

Performax and Tool Shop - In many cases they are the HF equivalents. The Performax ratchets are identical to the HF versions, and there are some Tool Shop things that match exactly as well.

*I also think that Wilde and Mendards should talk to each other. I know Wilde is losing there Craftsman contract, and Menards could be a great replacement as well as allowing them to offer USA pliers. Win win!

They could do their screwdrivers, etc etc. too

 

[gungatim]

I love me some Menards, so I want to give Masterforce a chance, but I just can't. A lifetime warranty isn't much of a warranty at all when it requires a heat transfer receipt that fades to blank after a year.

If they adopted the Craftsman/Harbor Freight/Lowes approach to hand tool warranties, I'd be happy to give them a chance.

On Saturday, I saw that they have flare nut wrench sets in the Performax line, too. They were 5 bucks and looked EXACTLY like Harbor Freight, right down to the packaging. I did a serious double-take.

Doesn't your Menards have a self service kiosk where you can re-print receipts? I have done that many times when I lost a receipt for a warranty. I think you have to pay with a CC though, in order to look it up.

 

[Farmall450]

There was a time when I wouldn't think of buying tools from Menards or Fleet Farm because Craftsman was so much better. My, how things have changed!

It now seems Menards and Fleet Farm offer the "old Craftsman" type of quality and Craftsman has downgraded to become the old Menards!

The Masterforce line at Menards and and Allen tools at Fleet Farm look & feel great and I've been happy with my purchases from both places. And they offer a lot of USA made stuff also.

Customer service at Menards can be a little sketchy, Fleet Farm may have the edge there. I'm not a real big warranty guy though, if it's good quality I probably won't break it and if I do I'm not going to mess around too much with warranty stuff... if they replace it great, if not I'll just get another one.

I just don't go through enough tools to care and I honestly don't even expect them replace something I've abused even it is technically under warranty.

I am now going with Allen USA for wrenches.

 

[Farmall450]

Yeah, it's a great saw for the money. I paid $400 or $450 for my 4100 from Menards though

Masterforce is not the "old" Allen USA... Allen USA is still made and the same. Decent selection marketed by Fleet Farm as I don't think they do the volume for their own brand. IE, here's the SAE flare wrench set.

I'm not a mechanic, oddly enough the 5/16 that Allen/Masterforce do not offer is the first size I used to install an oil pressure gauge on my tractor... that selection limitation still bothers me.

I have Blain's Farm & Fleet not Fleet Farm!
But I believe they are about the same.

 

[SMKS]

Do we actually know master force tools require a receipt for warranty?

I would personally choose a Masterforce branded tool over Allen, since Apex Tools can be pretty sketchy on their warranty service.

 

[ishiboo]

Buy em.. Try em.. Let us know.


Also, I won't believe they carry Stabila levels under masterforce until I see the proof.

The Stabila thing is well known... if you're skeptical, Google it.

The product pages also say "Made in Germany", and used to actually say by Stabila.

 

[cburnscrx]

They could do their screwdrivers, etc etc. too

But the screwdrivers are Pratt Read, so I don't have an issue with that. They're good enough for me and USA made, so no reason to change.