New wrench set

[quackattack]

Hello!

I’ve been doing a workshop makeover and for years have been wanting to upgrade from an old set of Craftsman RP. I was set on buying Wright 950 to start, however, I came across some old Craftsman Professional sets I forgot about. In your humble opinion, is it best to sell the Craftsman and buy the Wright set, or just use these. I almost hate to open the packages. Btw I’m a diy around the house, although I purchased an old Jeep in August so I find myself wrenching on a regular basis. Thanks I’m advance!

 

[qqzj]

Keep the Craftsman and buy Wright. The value of those Cman rises much faster than your cash in bank.

 

[FMB4]

I'm seeing vintage CM tools going for more than vintage Proto, and other US made tools these days. With the exception being SO of course.

 

[Old Donn]

Interesting for two reasons. !) When I first joined GJ, some years back, most had very little good to say about Craftsman tools, especially raised panel wrenches. And, 2) I bought a set of Craftsman Professional standard and metric wrenches soon after they came out. Except for the 1/2 and 9/16, none of the others have ever touched a fastener, just sat in the drawer. A set of raised panel 6 point combos are in the garage tool cart. They're my go-to wrenches. Not a pro tech, so they work fine for me. Plan on giving the Pro's to my son and grandson. He needs tools and my grandson's getting interested.

 

[Robinson1]

I sold off pretty much all my craftsman a few years back. I kept a pieced together set of RP SAE wrenches simply because they were mismatched and many had peeling chrome or showed heavy wear and as such were going to be a hard sale. I figured not worth even trying. They've rode on my work truck for years, and still ride there, they've always got the job done.

I got in a bind and bought a set of Stanley Craftsman metric wrenches from Lowes back in the spring. They are made in India, and had I noticed that in the store I probably would have bought Kobalt instead.

I say keep what you've got. Because whatever you buy to replace them unless you go Wright, Proto, or Snap On. It won't be any better. And even then better is subjective.

On the flip side vintage NOS USA craftsman is worth the bucks.....

 

[Old Donn]

FWIW, bought standard & metric Craftsman Cross Force and Gear Wrench X-Beam, (ratcheting), wrenches when they were supposed to be "The Next Big Thing." Like the Pro's, the Craftsman 1/2 & 9/16 are the only ones I've ever used. The only time I ever touched the rest is when I put them in the toolchest drawers. Don't know if they'll ever increase in value, but if they do, I've got em

 

[Coach James]

Deleted.

 

[Fedwrench]

The Craftsman professional sets you have are the third version of those sets. They were Danaher made in Armstrong factories. They are great wrenches. They have nice chrome, off corner engagement on the boxed ends, good balance, and are long pattern. when the were available, they were quite popular in these pages and probably the most recommended best bang for your buck wrench set of its day.
The only advantage wright grips offer over the Craftsman pro sets is an anti slip open end. The wright grips are shorter in overall length. Rather than spending money on the wright grips, I would just use the craftsman sets you have but, that's just me. I have more than a few of those Craftsman Pro sets in use at work and at home. They have served me well for over 20 years.

 

[qqzj]

The Craftsman professional sets you have are the third version of those sets. They were Danaher made in Armstrong factories. They are great wrenches. They have nice chrome, off corner engagement on the boxed ends, good balance, and are long pattern. when the were available, they were quite popular in these pages and probably the most recommended best bang for your buck wrench set of its day.
The only advantage wright grips offer over the Craftsman pro sets is an anti slip open end. The wright grips are shorter in overall length. Rather than spending money on the wright grips, I would just use the craftsman sets you have but, that's just me. I have more than a few of those Craftsman Pro sets in use at work and at home. They have served me well for over 20 years.

Really? His inch set seems older than the metric set.

 

[Fedwrench]

Really? His inch set seems older than the metric set.

It's just the difference in packaging between a nine piece metric set and the 13 piece SAE set. the SAE set appears to have been exposed to the elements more given the yellowing of the clear plastic plastic and surface rust on the bottom wrench. If you look at the wrenches themselves, they're the same type.

The first version of the Craftsman professional series wrenches were SK long pattern wrenches with Craftsman stamped on them instead of SK. The second version was a long pattern raised panel full polished version also made by SK. the third versions are as linked smooth panel, full polished long pattern made by Armstrong. There was a fourth version if you count the sets branded as Craftsman Industrial sold for smoking deals at sears outlets several years ago.

 

[quackattack]

Thanks for all the reply’s! I may end up keeping and using them. Shortly after I bought these years ago, I wished I had found the ones made by SK. I always like the SK wide hips.
Someone mentioned cross forces. Been using a set of them and double box ends for a while.

 

[sk farmer]

easy to tell the sk made wrenches they will have k stamped on them.

 

[M6erfan]

What is the code stamped on these wrenches?

Hello!

I’ve been doing a workshop makeover and for years have been wanting to upgrade from an old set of Craftsman RP. I was set on buying Wright 950 to start, however, I came across some old Craftsman Professional sets I forgot about. In your humble opinion, is it best to sell the Craftsman and buy the Wright set, or just use these. I almost hate to open the packages. Btw I’m a diy around the house, although I purchased an old Jeep in August so I find myself wrenching on a regular basis. Thanks I’m advance!

 

[dsh]

Fedwrench is right, these are the 3rd gen Craftsman Pros made by Armstrong. I have a set in both SAE and metric, they're definitely an upgrade from the normal raised panels.

If the question was to purchase Craftsman Pros for their inflated prices today vs buying Wright, I would suggest buying Wright. However, since you already have these I would run with what you got. I personally love mine. .

 

[Handyandy23]

I have no idea on the value of NOS Craftsman tools right now, but if you could sell those for enough to get Wright's then I would do that personally. But I also don't think you can really go wrong, those Craftsman ones should be very high quality as well.

My reasoning would be:
a) WrightGrip on the open ends is a really nice feature
b) Your current Craftsman metric set only goes to 18mm, you could get a Wright set that goes larger
c) You'll never get warranty on the C-man if that ever comes up, Wright is still around just in case

If you removed them from the packages that might knock down the value though, so this might all be moot. (I may be wrong on that though, since like I said I'm not much into the NOS / vintage tool market to know how that works)

 

[bigjeff94]

I have the set in the same sizes but mine are marked Craftsman Industrial. I also have a slightly larger set from Armstrong. As fedwrench said they are identical. They will serve you well.

 

[drtyler]

I prefer the old Craftsman Professional / Industrial that you have over the Wrights. Keep them and use.

 

[afazz]

Here are some relevant eBay links:

NOS Craftsman Professional 9 PC 12 PT Long Arm Metric Wrench Set Made In USA | eBay

The sizes include 18mm, 17mm, 16mm, 15mm, 14mm, 13mm 12mm, 10mm, 8mm.

www.ebay.com

Craftsman USA Professional 11 Piece SAE Full Polished Long Wrench Set 1/4''-7/8” | eBay

Used wrench set that is hard to find. Craftsman Professional long reach. Used set that does show signs of use.

www.ebay.com

Craftsman Professional USA 9pc Metric wrench set Long Pattern 8mm to 18mm | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Craftsman Professional USA 9pc Metric wrench set Long Pattern 8mm to 18mm at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

NOS Craftsman Professional USA Metric & SAE Full Polish Long Wrench Build-A-Sets | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NOS Craftsman Professional USA Metric & SAE Full Polish Long Wrench Build-A-Sets at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

New Old Stock Craftsman Professional USA wrenches tend to bring decent money on eBay and FB Marketplace. Keep in mind these are "asking prices," not necessarily sale prices, but they still bring decent money. As stated above, these are top quality wrenches made by Armstrong. I have a full set (English and Metric) and use them regularly, knowing full well I could sell them and buy brand new Wrightgrips with money leftover.

My vote is to open the sets and use them.

 

[kngelv]

I have the Craftsman Industrial version of these sets. I recently swapped out my metric set for Proto ASD's. If I could get the stupid money that people are paying for the Craftsman then I would go WrightGrip or Proto ASD all day long.

James

 

[M6erfan]

Here are some relevant eBay links:

NOS Craftsman Professional 9 PC 12 PT Long Arm Metric Wrench Set Made In USA | eBay

The sizes include 18mm, 17mm, 16mm, 15mm, 14mm, 13mm 12mm, 10mm, 8mm.

www.ebay.com

Craftsman USA Professional 11 Piece SAE Full Polished Long Wrench Set 1/4''-7/8” | eBay

Used wrench set that is hard to find. Craftsman Professional long reach. Used set that does show signs of use.

www.ebay.com

Craftsman Professional USA 9pc Metric wrench set Long Pattern 8mm to 18mm | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Craftsman Professional USA 9pc Metric wrench set Long Pattern 8mm to 18mm at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

NOS Craftsman Professional USA Metric & SAE Full Polish Long Wrench Build-A-Sets | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for NOS Craftsman Professional USA Metric & SAE Full Polish Long Wrench Build-A-Sets at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

New Old Stock Craftsman Professional USA wrenches tend to bring decent money on eBay and FB Marketplace. Keep in mind these are "asking prices," not necessarily sale prices, but they still bring decent money. As stated above, these are top quality wrenches made by Armstrong. I have a full set (English and Metric) and use them regularly, knowing full well I could sell them and buy brand new Wrightgrips with money leftover.

My vote is to open the sets and use them.

$1,499. . . LMAO!

 

[Fedwrench]

when looking at Craftsman professional tools on ebay to get a feel for value, search completed auctions and not just the current crazy listings. there's a wide gap between fantasyland and reality.

 

[quackattack]

Thanks for all the reply’s! I think I’m just going to rip off the bandaid and put them to use. Funny story I remembered about the metric set...when my local Sears was closing down years ago, the guy from the tool department called me and said they found this set of professional wrenches hidden under the shelf. When he told me they were clearance to $10, I was there in five minutes!

 

[consti2tion]

Thanks for all the reply’s! I think I’m just going to rip off the bandaid and put them to use. Funny story I remembered about the metric set...when my local Sears was closing down years ago, the guy from the tool department called me and said they found this set of professional wrenches hidden under the shelf. When he told me they were clearance to $10, I was there in five minutes!

That $10 purchase was a damn deal even then. If you wanted to sell the ROI in that could be great! That said I think using them is the right choice though. You have so little invested why not?

 

[M635_Guy]

Thanks for all the reply’s! I think I’m just going to rip off the bandaid and put them to use. Funny story I remembered about the metric set...when my local Sears was closing down years ago, the guy from the tool department called me and said they found this set of professional wrenches hidden under the shelf. When he told me they were clearance to $10, I was there in five minutes!

That's a great deal, and I'm glad to hear you're going to use them. While I agree that the warranty situation is essentially a non-warranty, I doubt you'll ever need it, and tools should be used. It's a great set (although I always hated that Craftsman didn't go to 19mm)

 

[dsh]

I'm pretty sure Craftsman made a more comprehensive set that went from 7-19mm without skips.

 

[M6erfan]

I'm pretty sure Craftsman made a more comprehensive set that went from 7-19mm without skips.

I have two of those sets (SAE & metric). C'man Professional "k" code, long pattern, fully polished. Made by SK.

 

[VolvoRyan]

It's worth having "normal" wrenches. I just got a set of new WrightGrips and they are worth the hype they get, but they can leave their mark on fasteners. Usually that's fine, but someties it might be less-fine.

-Ryan