New Craftsman Ratcheting Wrenches same as DeWalt?

[Jtels85]

SB&D/Craftsman updated their ratcheting wrenches recently. They are no longer the lobster claw, Sears vendor sourced **** from the past 10 years. For those of you who have seen them, they’re the ones that now come in the plastic, easy to carry caddy.

Anyway, I want a set of cheap, but decent quality metric reversible and flex head ratcheting wrenches for my travel box. No, I don’t want used Snap On, Williams or Tekton. I don’t want Pittsburgh. I’m not asking for anyone’s suggestions on purchasing a different brand. What I’m asking is specific... for those who have seen these particular Craftsman ratcheting wrenches, they appear very similar to the DeWalt’s that were sold at Sears and Rural King a few years back. Being that Stanley owns both brands, I’m guessing that’s an accurate assessment? The switches look identical and both are/were made in Taiwan.

if that’s true, how is the quality? I remember a lot of people liked the regular DeWalt combination wrenches, but I never saw any real feedback on the ratcheting wrenches.

The new Craftsman’s have a thin profile open end and appear to be well made from what I can see through the packaging. I appreciate any insight. Thanks.

 

[drtyler]

Unless someone works for SBD or the factory in Taiwan that makes them, nobody can answer if they are the same.

I bought a set of the Dewalt SAE wrenches a few years ago and they have held up well. I wish that I had bought a set of metric when Sears had good pricing on them.

If the price is decent on the new Craftsman, I wouldn’t be afraid to give them a try.

 

[Kscardsfan]

SB&D/Craftsman updated their ratcheting wrenches recently. They are no longer the lobster claw, Sears vendor sourced **** from the past 10 years. For those of you who have seen them, they’re the ones that now come in the plastic, easy to carry caddy.

Anyway, I want a set of cheap, but decent quality metric reversible and flex head ratcheting wrenches for my travel box. No, I don’t want used Snap On, Williams or Tekton. I don’t want Pittsburgh. I’m not asking for anyone’s suggestions on purchasing a different brand. What I’m asking is specific... for those who have seen these particular Craftsman ratcheting wrenches, they appear very similar to the DeWalt’s that were sold at Sears and Rural King a few years back. Being that Stanley owns both brands, I’m guessing that’s an accurate assessment? The switches look identical and both are/were made in Taiwan.

if that’s true, how is the quality? I remember a lot of people liked the regular DeWalt combination wrenches, but I never saw any real feedback on the ratcheting wrenches.

The new Craftsman’s have a thin profile open end and appear to be well made from what I can see through the packaging. I appreciate any insight. Thank

I couldn’t say with any degree of cert, but given the same parent company etc it’s probably a safe guess.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

They do look quite similar for sure. I never used Dewalt but I’ve used the newer Craftsman before. They aren’t bad wrenches at all. They really have made them better. Stanley has stepped up the game on them for sure. I believe they have a Gunmetal version too that looks similar just with different metal. Or maybe that was regular wrenches I can’t remember but either way they are nice. I used my coworkers a few times and they have lasted in a shop. I trust them.

 

[Badgerstate]

SB&D/Craftsman updated their ratcheting wrenches recently. They are no longer the lobster claw, Sears vendor sourced **** from the past 10 years. For those of you who have seen them, they’re the ones that now come in the plastic, easy to carry caddy.

Anyway, I want a set of cheap, but decent quality metric reversible and flex head ratcheting wrenches for my travel box. No, I don’t want used Snap On, Williams or Tekton. I don’t want Pittsburgh. I’m not asking for anyone’s suggestions on purchasing a different brand. What I’m asking is specific... for those who have seen these particular Craftsman ratcheting wrenches, they appear very similar to the DeWalt’s that were sold at Sears and Rural King a few years back. Being that Stanley owns both brands, I’m guessing that’s an accurate assessment? The switches look identical and both are/were made in Taiwan.

if that’s true, how is the quality? I remember a lot of people liked the regular DeWalt combination wrenches, but I never saw any real feedback on the ratcheting wrenches.

The new Craftsman’s have a thin profile open end and appear to be well made from what I can see through the packaging. I appreciate any insight. Thanks.

Probably. A lot of Craftsman stuff is just rebranded DeWalt stuff.

 

[dstblj52]

I know the sidewalks are made by high five/new tool out of Taiwan the same people who make the icon ratcheting if you want a complete set but probably they are the same, but unless you want to buy a set and look its going to be hard to say, they do however have the tell tail cuts in the selector switch which is extremly common on high five/new tool ratcheting wrenches so almost certainly

 

[Andres26tnt]

Unless someone works for SBD or the factory in Taiwan that makes them, nobody can answer if they are the same.

I bought a set of the Dewalt SAE wrenches a few years ago and they have held up well. I wish that I had bought a set of metric when Sears had good pricing on them.

If the price is decent on the new Craftsman, I wouldn’t be afraid to give them a try.

Not true, you don't have to work there to know where a wrench is made.

the new Crafstman wrenches are the same as DeWalt. the standard gunmetal chrome with the anti-slip feature are just rebranded DeWalt
that goes for the ratchet versions as well, the only ones that don't share any rebrand are the raised panel wrenches, now made in Taiwan/china.

 

[Jtels85]

Not true, you don't have to work there to know where a wrench is made.

the new Crafstman wrenches are the same as DeWalt. the standard gunmetal chrome with the anti-slip feature are just rebranded DeWalt
that goes for the ratchet versions as well, the only ones that don't share any rebrand are the raised panel wrenches, now made in Taiwan/china.

Thanks for that info! I looked up some DeWalt ratcheting wrenches and they look strikingly similar, right down to the selector switch.

I’m afraid the raised panel wrenches have taken an even further dive in quality… they’re actually now made in India.

 

[dnschmidt]

The DeWalt are great. For a specific time window a few years ago the were basically giving these away for reasons I've never figured out. I bought four sets two metric and two SAE. If the Craftsman are the same they're very good. Me saying very good and Craftsman in the same sentence sort of troubles me.

 

[Jtels85]

The DeWalt are great. For a specific time window a few years ago the were basically giving these away for reasons I've never figured out. I bought four sets two metric and two SAE. If the Craftsman are the same they're very good. Me saying very good and Craftsman in the same sentence sort of troubles me.

I stopped by Home Depot tonight because I heard through the grape vine that they’re carrying GearWrench. I found some 90T ratcheting wrenches hanging on the shelf. After a quick glance, I could tell right away that the open ends are rather thick. They kinda have that goofy lobster claw design that the China made Sears/Craftsman wrenches had several years ago. If you compare them to the modern SB&D/Craftsman ratcheting wrenches at Lowe’s, the Craftsman look normal, have a slimmer design, better chrome and just appear to be all around better quality. Im surprised that these things aren’t getting more love on here… they’re actually really nice compared to what else the big box stores are selling.