Need to Fill Tool Chest!

[Mr_B]

All my Craftsman SAE sockets have grooves and my Metric have a knurl.

You are talking a about a basic socket and wrench set, the overall design was perfected about 40 years ago. Modern manufacturing ensures a accurate dimensions regardless of manufacturer.

No they don't, these big cheap kits are as basic as a socket can be, tolerances are low and it only got rolled print at base, no knurl, no grooves .
It ok for a diy home kit but for someone with a big tool box and looking at more mechanical usage way better can be had from the start if throw in another 100bucks .
Don't get tied down by brand images and how things use to be and buy tools based on good current feedback and personal opinion from actually inspecting them rather than assumption of what they going be . Other thing is only buy design criteria that really needed and better at that price range, example being ratchet tooth counts, 72T taiwan 2 pawl designs are solid performers, well tested and cheap, 84T gearwrench is solid and cheap when buy 3pc ratchet set. No need go 90T (current mainstream taiwan 90T is junk) and the 120XP is not that great or worth the extra premium unless 3deg a must criteria for you .
Sunex impacts are a steal and perfect way get decent sockets that likely last a weekend guy his whole life unless looses them ... For someone who hardly uses them the HF taiwan impacts will get you by .

 

[buckwheat_la]

No they don't, these big cheap kits are as basic as a socket can be, tolerances are low and it only got rolled print at base, no knurl, no grooves .
It ok for a diy home kit but for someone with a big tool box and looking at more mechanical usage way better can be had from the start if throw in another 100bucks .
Don't get tied down by brand images and how things use to be and buy tools based on good current feedback and personal opinion from actually inspecting them rather than assumption of what they going be . Other thing is only buy design criteria that really needed and better at that price range, example being ratchet tooth counts, 72T taiwan 2 pawl designs are solid performers, well tested and cheap, 84T gearwrench is solid and cheap when buy 3pc ratchet set. No need go 90T (current mainstream taiwan 90T is junk) and the 120XP is not that great or worth the extra premium unless 3deg a must criteria for you .
Sunex impacts are a steal and perfect way get decent sockets that likely last a weekend guy his whole life unless looses them ... For someone who hardly uses them the HF taiwan impacts will get you by .

As far as the Gearwrench (if you are concerned about country of origin) usually if you get the 120xp sets they are from Taiwan (not always but usually) where as the other ones are usually China. And cost wise they cost pretty much the same, especially with the bogo 3/8 and 1/4 sets.....

 

[Infinia]

No need go 90T (current mainstream taiwan 90T is junk)

Where did this information come from? I haven't seen the tests yet, inquiring minds want to know. This is on Lowes Kobalt 90T ratchets sold in newer mechanics sets right? so I shouldn't ever warrantee my old Kobalt 72T ratchet...oops NVM I just noticed yer in Britain.

 

[earlthegoat2]

For my money, as a DIYer, Pro, and weekend hobbyist, you cant go too far wrong with Gearwrench and Tekton. They are the only affordable long pattern and full polish wrench provider that is worth a salt. GW socket sets are a tremendous value and you get a fine tooth ratchet (or two) to boot.

I would buy the GW socket sets in 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2. The 44 pc GW combo wrench set. Tekton screwdrivers, prybars, extensions for all drive sizes, and pliers. Sunex for impact sockets if you want or need any. I own and use all of these brands and types of tools daily and have used many others both good and bad and can say that GW and Tekton are excellent for the money you give out. Great value.

 

[Shark Pilot]

I think the GearWrench 239‑Piece SAE/Metric Mechanics Tool Set for $180 is a better real world deal than the Craftsmen 311. The GW gives you 1/2" drive sockets up to 27mm in metric vs Cman only up to 22mm. Plus you get long pattern combo wrenches from 7mm to 19mm no skips vs Cman which gives a few ratcheting wrenches. I'd rather have the non-ratcheting box end for breaking stuff loose than the ratcheting wrenches.

Alternatively, GW 120XP socket sets are also a good deal if you like the dual 60 handles. The 1/2" set has 6-point sockets which neither of the two sets above have but it only goes to 24mm and of course you're only getting sockets.

 

[Mr_B]

Where did this information come from? I haven't seen the tests yet, inquiring minds want to know. This is on Lowes Kobalt 90T ratchets sold in newer mechanics sets right? so I shouldn't ever warranted my old Kobalt 72T ratchet...oops NVM I just noticed yer in Britain.

Issue on 90 tooths tend be with generic rebranded 90T like from titan etc have, the single pawl tends to hang up on selector and they jump teeth easy, kobalt 90's maybe better made but it is same working principle.
72T using 2 pawls and screw retaining selector is very reliable and strong ratchet with no real long term hassles .

 

[2002maniac]

I have been very impressed with gearwrench sockets for the money.

I would also 100X recommend a Pitsburgh Pro set over the 311 pc craftsman starter set. It's kind of sad when Harbor freight quality exceeds Craftsman.

 

[sberry]

This is true for HF,, they should put another nail in them and warrant Sears ratchets.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

No they don't, these big cheap kits are as basic as a socket can be, tolerances are low and it only got rolled print at base, no knurl, no grooves .
It ok for a diy home kit but for someone with a big tool box and looking at more mechanical usage way better can be had from the start if throw in another 100bucks .
Don't get tied down by brand images and how things use to be and buy tools based on good current feedback and personal opinion from actually inspecting them rather than assumption of what they going be . Other thing is only buy design criteria that really needed and better at that price range, example being ratchet tooth counts, 72T taiwan 2 pawl designs are solid performers, well tested and cheap, 84T gearwrench is solid and cheap when buy 3pc ratchet set. No need go 90T (current mainstream taiwan 90T is junk) and the 120XP is not that great or worth the extra premium unless 3deg a must criteria for you .
Sunex impacts are a steal and perfect way get decent sockets that likely last a weekend guy his whole life unless looses them ... For someone who hardly uses them the HF taiwan impacts will get you by .

Who am I to believe, you or my "lying eyes."

Knurled metric

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...-socket-6pt-deep-depth-1-2in-dr?taxon_id=1847

Grooved SAE

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-1-3-16-in-easy-to-read-socket-12-pt?taxon_id=1847

These marking have been on every chrome Craftsman socket I have bought over the past 30 years.

Some specialty sockets come with a a diamond hatch "knurl" for gripping like the Craftsman universal access sockets. Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker. I personally do not find this design acceptable for most automotive work.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-universal-10mm-socket-3-8-drive

As for the "tolerances" not being precise, that is sheer BS. The Craftsman sockets run of the factory using the same tooling that is used for GearWrench and Husky or any other brand made by Apex Tool Group and they are all manufactured in China now.

Spreading FUD is illogical. Regardless of your reason to hate Craftsman, spreading FUD about the brand further contributes to the decline of the company which will affect all of us. Do you really think Apex would have the money to add that extra groove to your favorite GearWrench Socket without the profits generated by the contract with Craftsman? We will soon see with the SBD deal!

Furthermore, Apex is owned by Bain Capital. Do you know what happens to companies run by Private Equity firms? Everything under Apex will ultimately run out of the same factories using the same materials and tooling while applying extreme cost cutting measures which rely on marketing to justify premium prices for the Apex Tool Group's House Brands. Witness what Cerberus Capital Management did to Chrysler.

I do not get tied into a brand, I get tied into the value proposition of the tool's I buy. When you add in the SYW program and bonus points, the value proposition of Craftsman brand almost universally exceeds all other tool brands. Where else can you buy your wife a blender and get an torque wrench for free!

 

[sberry]

I agree. Sears is same **** in a different box. It has gotten cheaper all the time, cheaper in todays dollars than it was 30 yrs ago. One of those sets I bought back in the day was over 300$. How many things cost less than they did that long ago?

 

[Mr_B]

Who am I to believe, you or my "lying eyes."

Knurled metric

https://www.craftsman.com/products/...-socket-6pt-deep-depth-1-2in-dr?taxon_id=1847

Grooved SAE

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-1-3-16-in-easy-to-read-socket-12-pt?taxon_id=1847

These marking have been on every chrome Craftsman socket I have bought over the past 30 years.

Some specialty sockets come with a a diamond hatch "knurl" for gripping like the Craftsman universal access sockets. Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker. I personally do not find this design acceptable for most automotive work.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-universal-10mm-socket-3-8-drive

As for the "tolerances" not being precise, that is sheer BS. The Craftsman sockets run of the factory using the same tooling that is used for GearWrench and Husky or any other brand made by Apex Tool Group and they are all manufactured in China now.

Spreading FUD is illogical. Regardless of your reason to hate Craftsman, spreading FUD about the brand further contributes to the decline of the company which will affect all of us. Do you really think Apex would have the money to add that extra groove to your favorite GearWrench Socket without the profits generated by the contract with Craftsman? We will soon see with the SBD deal!

Furthermore, Apex is owned by Bain Capital. Do you know what happens to companies run by Private Equity firms? Everything under Apex will ultimately run out of the same factories using the same materials and tooling while applying extreme cost cutting measures which rely on marketing to justify premium prices for the Apex Tool Group's House Brands. Witness what Cerberus Capital Management did to Chrysler.

I do not get tied into a brand, I get tied into the value proposition of the tool's I buy. When you add in the SYW program and bonus points, the value proposition of Craftsman brand almost universally exceeds all other tool brands. Where else can you buy your wife a blender and get an torque wrench for free!

Yes but you missing the point, the point is they don't do that on the current bulk piece sets as being linked to in this thread as they cheaper sourced .
test out your lying eyes here>
https://picclick.com/In-Retail-Box-Craftsman-311-pc-Mechanics-Tool-301826304157.html#&gid=1&pid=2
I would also consider the current apex china stuff less accurate sizing than what was made in taiwan production . It not a case of brand hating as I don't buy tools based on a brand label .

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Yes but you missing the point, the point is they don't do that on the current bulk piece sets as being linked to in this thread as they cheaper sourced .
test out your lying eyes here>
https://picclick.com/In-Retail-Box-Craftsman-311-pc-Mechanics-Tool-301826304157.html#&gid=1&pid=2

I just bought the 323 piece set 2 months ago, they have the grooves and knurls as do my 80's, 90's, and 2000 vintage sets and just like in the pictures I linked to of the individual sockets. You cannot tell in the picture because all the images of the sets are low resolution.

https://www.craftsman.com/products/craftsman-323-pc-mechanics-tool-set
http://www.sears.com/craftsman-323-pc-mechanics-tool-set/p-00917155000P#

Both the 311 and 323 piece sets were added on the Sears site in mid-late 2015 which makes both "current". While I cannot 100% vouch for the 311 set, I can certainly vouch for the 323 set because I own it.

Also note, that that $179 for the 323 piece set does not include 25% back in points ($45.00). Your price ends up being $134 for essentially the same set as the 311 piece minus the 75 tooth ratchets. Now add in another $10 surprise points on purchases over $100 and that set now costs you around $125.00. This is similar to the deal that I got on the set and it made more sense for me to buy the set than to buy the 30 @ $4-6 each sockets I needed to replace lost ones and fill in my socket holders.

Show me a better deal on a basic mechanics tools set of comparable quality (Husky, GearWrench or any Apex second tier tools).

Smart shopping should always prevail over brand loyalty.

 

[hangfirew8]

My modern Chinese Craftsman sockets and wrenches are identical to my 1980's era Craftsman sockets and wrenches.

To claim that 1960-90 USA manufacturing was any better than modern Chinese manufacturing is simply false information.

I didn't actually claim that. I just said don't buy Chinese Craftsman. Also I bought Craftsman tools in the 80's. When they introduced thin-wall sockets, I was stopping by Sears weekly to exchange split sockets. Except they never had the most popular Metric sizes in stock, and would never split a set for me. It took 2.5 years to exchange a 10mm deep.

But if you want modern facts, take a look at this. This is ONE of the many reasons I don't recommend modern Craftsman, or Gearwrench for that matter:

I stick to better Taiwan, Europe, or if you can find them, US made tools. As the old, old SK wrench shows in the video, they are better than modern Chinese, but not as good as a modern top-tier wrench.

 

[earlthegoat2]

I still think, even after viewing the video, that Gearwrench combos are a good value. They represent a modern day price point and quality that is similar to what Craftsman was in the 90s. As the test shows, it would appear the Gearwrenches even have a quality edge on the older Craftsman wrenches and they are long pattern which is preferred by most.

I have not drunk the GW kool aid but I stand by them as an "every man's" tool of today and would be a good choice for a DIY/hobbyist.

 

[T45]

Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker. I personally do not find this design acceptable for most automotive work.

Grooves on sockets are definitely a sign of a **** tool

...absolutely unfit for auto work.

Here's another one ...

 

[JazzBlueRT]

Grooves on sockets are definitely a sign of a **** tool

...absolutely unfit for auto work.

Here's another one ...

Where did I say this about the grooves? I said:

"Some specialty sockets come with a a diamond hatch "knurl" for gripping like the Craftsman universal access sockets. Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker. I personally do not find this design acceptable for most automotive work."

Reading comprehension is an important life skill.

 

[Infinia]

Craftsman sockets never had knurling. Full stop. Their metric sockets had a ring of vertical lines used for ID purposes, it hardly helped griping unlike proper knurling does. Most other sockets have a grooved ring(s) in the lower half of the socket and wont make it weaker b/c it's not at a stress point.

Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker

Cite ? AFAIK no one beefs-up the walls of a sockets to make up for the ring or knurling either. Some imported tool steel is thicker but not for that.

Craftsman universal access sockets

gimmick tool! I find these unacceptable period, for autowork or any other. A quick image search also shows no knurling.

 

[T45]

Where did I say this about the grooves? I said:

"Some specialty sockets come with a a diamond hatch "knurl" for gripping like the Craftsman universal access sockets. Notice that this "feature" will either thicken the wall of the socket or thin out part of the socket making it weaker. I personally do not find this design acceptable for most automotive work."

Reading comprehension is an important life skill.

Like these?

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I'm in the hand tool hunt as well. I recently got a job requiring me to have work tools, and although I had plenty of screwdrivers, pliers, and wrenches to divide between home and work, I ended up bringing 90% of my ratchets and sockets there. I've got a couple decent ratchets at home, but I've been looking for a good set of 1/4" and 3/8" sockets for home. I don't need a fancy case or holder since they're going right in the organizers in my tool cart.

 

[Cope]

This is true for HF,, they should put another nail in them and warrant Sears ratchets.

I remember when my local Home Depot had a coffin on the wall with a plexiglass top. It was labelled RIP Craftsman. You brought your broken Craftsman tool and they swapped you for a Husky.

 

[sberry]

I wonder how it would effect the bottom line, lots are buying HF to replace the RP ratchets.
also agree with the fact that most are more likely to lose than break them.

 

[JazzBlueRT]

I didn't actually claim that. I just said don't buy Chinese Craftsman. Also I bought Craftsman tools in the 80's. When they introduced thin-wall sockets, I was stopping by Sears weekly to exchange split sockets. Except they never had the most popular Metric sizes in stock, and would never split a set for me. It took 2.5 years to exchange a 10mm deep.

But if you want modern facts, take a look at this. This is ONE of the many reasons I don't recommend modern Craftsman, or Gearwrench for that matter:

I stick to better Taiwan, Europe, or if you can find them, US made tools. As the old, old SK wrench shows in the video, they are better than modern Chinese, but not as good as a modern top-tier wrench.

I have seen this video before and while the Wright wrench is impressive, it is comparing apples to oranges. The Wright wrenches can/will mar the fasteners which is often and undesirable side effect.

 

[sberry]

I don't usually care all that much if it scratches the bolt.

 

[Mr_B]

wrightgrip marks fastener less than surface drive plus, less than a poor fitting wrench and almost not at all in most cases, I normally only using them on problem bolts that either rusted bad or damaged from poor previous spanner work so no issue if did mark it .

 

[uncwstudent]

I would check out local pawn shops for some really high quality hand tools from Wright, Thorsen, Snap On, etc. and fill my box with those, if I had the opportunity to start over again. A lot of the Craftsman stuff that you can buy now isn't that great and costs a lot more than the often barely used Craftsman-USA stuff that you can find at pawn shops and flea markets for $1-3 a piece.