New Craftmsman Fig 8 wrench

[Stuey]

Craftsman Figure 8 Wrench Preview via TG

The new figure 8 wrenches look okay, but the designs aren't exactly wooing me. I can be a bit over-critical. A couple of commenters on the blog have a more positive impression, so maybe these wrenches might come in handy after all.

What do you think? Potentially useful, or just another junk-drawer gadget most will hardly use?

They come out in a couple of months. Sears says Q2, which makes me think of a pre-Father's Day launch.

 

[jgj5150]

Gimmick.

 

[archirelic]

Meh...that's my first impression. *Seems* too gimmicky, but I also haven't messed w/one to be able to make a final judgement call. But it does appear to be along the same vein as all those dog-bone wrenches out there and they're simply not my cup of tea.

If I'm ever gifted one for some unknown reason, it will most likely wind up in my crossover box in the bed of my truck, but I will most likely not be purchasing one for myself.

 

[JMcFly]

Gimmicky, But useful for the home owner that doesn't need a ton of tools

 

[thesilverone]

gimmicky

 

[Jeeprz!]

I agree looks gimmicky like the dog bone. I was going to say if its cheap enough it might be good for a small travel bag in the vehicle but on second look I think it appears to be too bulky to be useful for that.

 

[tube_guy]

Based on what Craftsman has been doing lately, this "tool" seems right in line with their objectives. Certainly worthy of the Craftsman brand name.

 

[Outlawmws]

I would rate it slightly above the dog bone in concept, but I'm not a fan of the "universal" gimmick so not as high as it could have been. Sure it "fits" all those different things, but fits none of them well. the head design also makes it so it will find obstructions in some applications, so it is still basically a gimmick tool. I'm a dedicated tool kind of guy, so wont be a buyer.

 

[trboxman]

For a multi function role I'd rather have a good adjustable (Crescent type) wrench.

 

[kythri]

Conceptually, it seems better than the Williams-invented "gimmick" dogbone that it seems to want to replace.

Practically, I'm not a fan. I'd rather have the individual wrenches.

 

[bigboytim]

wouldn't waste my money.

-bigboytim

 

[Stuey]

Update: the wrenches were previously thought to omit 7/16" and 13mm sizes, but it turns out that a typo or error of some kind resulted in the initial size listings being wrong.

This doesn't make it more appealing to me, but it makes it somewhat less unappealing, if you know what I mean.

 

[cashishift]

i'll be passing.

would rather have a full set of wrenches.

 

[Givl Reggin]

Just another example of engineering a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

 

[Stuey]

Just another example of engineering a solution to a problem that doesn't exist.

There is a problem, though. Consumers have money, and Sears needs more of it to stay afloat.

 

[Outlawmws]

There is a problem, though. Consumers have money, and Sears needs more of it to stay afloat.

"Consumers" is a multifaceted thing. to Sears, an MIL buying these "for all the men in her life" is a consumer. To the guys receiving them (me and the damn dog bone received from my MIL) they are dust collectors at best, and trash at worst. those are the people that actually "consume" the tools, and won't likely be repeat purchasers.

Mind you, I collect old vintage/antique multi tools for their uniqueness, but I would almost never buy the new resurrections of those tools new...

A classic example of one of those is the ubiquitous "Fence" pliers that had a hammer, usually more than one pier grip, cutters of several types, and often other gizmos, and unlike many other multi tools, were actually useful overall.

I also have at least one very old crate hammer/pry bar, but absolutely none of the cheaply and mostly badly made repros.

Probably one of the few classes of new multi tools that does provide decent usefulness are the leatherman and Swiss army knife types. not as good as a dedicated tool but handy to have in certain instances. (camping/hiking a quick carry tool for small jobs...)

 

[Monte]

Dog bone wrench of the 21. century

 

[JSBriggs]

Junk.

That being said it appears to have the newer C-man style black oxide finish with either chrome or is that clear coated steel. Any long term feedback on how corrosion resistant this finish is?

-Jeff

 

[archirelic]

Junk.

That being said it appears to have the newer C-man style black oxide finish with either chrome or is that clear coated steel. Any long term feedback on how corrosion resistant this finish is?

-Jeff

I'd imagine not very resistant. The spline wrenches in my Sears w/this same finish have already begun showing signs of surface rust.

 

[GirlnAgarage]

I wouldn't spend money on it. I have a similar type tool I got one year for Christmas that I've hardly ever touched so I threw it in my truck box - never know. Though the Cman looks like it would perform better with the fold out box end to get into tighter spaces.

Though I remember dad using his dogbone all the time. I was tool helper and I ran and got that, a lot. It was my favorite and easiest tool to learn - it had a funny name.

Hey jgj5150, how you liking 114 now?? It's a mess over here.