Opinions on Craftsman Pro Wrenches?

[Fedwrench]

OK: So I have read countless times on the forum that the SK Cman Pro wrenches were top quality and, from what I can tell, preferred over the danaher version.

Are the patterns the same as far as beam width / length go?

Where they identical to SKs wrenches?

Does anyone have pictures they can supply of the SK version and the danaher version side by side?
Can anyone supply part numbers of the SK versions vs. the Danaher versions for the long and short pattern?

The only people that prefer the SK Craftsman version are people that like SK wrenches. I'm not a fan so, I prefer the Danaher version.

No, there were differences in length, beam thickness, and that wide in the hips area on all SK wrenches around the boxed end.

Yes the Craftsman version was identical except for the name and part number.

No. You should note that in like 1996 or 1997 Craftsman had three styles of fully polished wrenches available, stubby, standard, and long length. For some unknown reason the standard length set was only sold as a set (no open stock wrenches were available), and the set was only sold for a year.

Long SAE started at 1/4 with part number 44921 and ended at 1 1/2 44957
Long MM started at 7mm with part number 44897 and ended at 30mm 44973

Stubby Sae started at 3/8 44103 and ended at 1 inch 44110
Stubby MM started at 10mm 44113 and ended at 22mm 44130

Update: I forgot about the Full Polished raised panel wrenches. In 1998, Sears came out with a different version of the long pattern and stubby combination wrenches. They had a raised panel. The stubby raised panel is still today's current version sold by Sears. The long polished raised panels only lasted a year and vanished. I remember it was wierd because the raise panel long sets only went from 1/4 to 15/16 or 7 to 18mm. They shorted you a wrench in each set. If you wanted a larger size, you got the polished craftsman version of an SK flat wrench that didn't match the rest of your set. I don't think they were too popular but, they show up from time to time on Ebay.

 

[Old Donn]

I've deleted my original post.................

and please accept my apology for expressing my thoughts in this thread !!!!!!!!

Apology for expressing your thoughts? I thought that was the object of the exercise, Russell?

Donn, Vietnam 69-70

 

[CamarosRus]

Fedwrench, Your easily one of the post informed contributors to this forum, and I respect you for it.

Curious what you use for reference materials, other than an obvious very good memory. Do you have a collection of old misc brands tool catalogs or ????

regards,

 

[MOPARHOUND!]

Update: I forgot about the Full Polished raised panel wrenches. In 1998, Sears came out with a different version of the long pattern and stubby combination wrenches. They had a raised panel. The stubby raised panel is still today's current version sold by Sears. The long polished raised panels only lasted a year and vanished. I remember it was wierd because the raise panel long sets only went from 1/4 to 15/16 or 7 to 18mm. They shorted you a wrench in each set. If you wanted a larger size, you got the polished craftsman version of an SK flat wrench that didn't match the rest of your set. I don't think they were too popular but, they show up from time to time on Ebay.

Sold a set here on the board awhile back, front and back pic's:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29497&highlight=craftsman+raised+panel+polished

The S-K polished Craftsman Pro's used to be made at the Defiance, Ohio plant, the same plant that still currently makes the polished line/flare nut wrenches stamped Craftsman, last I knew.

 

[Merkava_4]

Fedwrench, Your easily one of the most informed contributors to this forum, and I respect you for it.

Damn.......talk about buttering the guy up.......

Fedwrench is like a lobster dipped in butter now.

 

[krusty the clown]

Damn.......talk about buttering the guy up.......

Fedwrench is like a lobster dipped in butter now.

bwahahahaha..........he's right though fed is one of the better sources of factual info

 

[Joe H]

He sure does seem to be like an encyclopedia of tool knowledge.

 

[Merkava_4]

bwahahahaha..........he's right though fed is one of the better sources of factual info

He keeps me in line ... I'd be running amuck all over this board if it wasn't for Fedwrench.

 

[Joe H]

Well after reading through this thread and some other reviews online I have decided not to go with them. Not quite sure what route I'll go. I may just end up getting a used snap-on set.

 

[White 99]

I'm kind of new here and I am interested in upgrading to the Craftsman pro. I would probably add the large size sets also. This can be a question or a complaint but looking at the link in the orginal post the 28 piect set overlaps the large size set so you get two 1 1/16 wrenches. The 26 piece set in the catalog doesn't overlap but costs more. Why does sears do that. I have seen that with their sockets too. Another question/complaint is their metric sets skip some sizes; in this case 20mm. I suppose there is a sae size that works but why not just include the 20mm. I suppose everyone here has already noticed this about Sears so maybe this is a question.

 

[a390st]

I bought a set of the CMan Pro wrenches about a year or two ago. They are good wrenches, but they don't seem to fit as tight/have more spread than my Matco/SO wrenches. They are very good, but I really do think they are just a little step below those two. I only have a few Mac wrenches and no Cornwell, so I can't make a fair comparison there. For the give away price you can sometimes find, you really can't complain.

 

[Flash21]

Thanks Fedwrench, appreciate the detailed, factual information you provided!!!

 

[Merkava_4]

Well after reading through this thread and some other reviews online I have decided not to go with them. Not quite sure what route I'll go. I may just end up getting a used snap-on set.

That's a damn good decision!!

 

[psychoclaw84]

IIRC fedwrench posted pics a while back........similar but not the same.

Can you post the link to the photos by fedwrench?

 

[psychoclaw84]

I own two sets of Craftsman Pro Wrenches:

1.) Metric Stubby set: 10mm-18mm. ($39.99 approximately 15 years ago and they came in a plastic pouch) These are the SK versions and are quite nice, they have suited me fine. My only complaint is sears is selling the danaher set and does not match the SK set. Ended up buying a 19mm SK wrench to complete the set.

2.) Metric Deep Offset set: 10-22mm. ($42.00 several years ago) I do not know manufactured the wrenches, they do have very nice chrome finish. I have only used these a couple of times for valve lash adjustments for Overhead Cam engines and they worked very well.

Never owned or used, sorry cannot validate these:
SK
Armstrong
Wright
Napa
Easco
Cornwell

Have used the following:

KOBALT: Williams/Snap On made, Lowe's first offering. These look very close to the Bonney set and worked quite well. My only complaint is the open end of the wrench had a bit of a tip spread when used on a tight bolt, but on the flip side it didn't round the bolt. Also have a nice chrome finish. Gave these wrenches to my son to start his set of tools.

Proto: Satin finish wrenches, used wrenches at previous job. Pros: smooth beam and optimum wrench length. The open & closed end seem thicker than other wrenches I own.

Bonney: SAE chrome finish wrenches sizes 3/8-1, these are my only set of SAE wrenches and have not used them very much. Very good wrenches with nice chrome, had to ask why they are praised on a previous thread and in summation: Very good wrenches, just a shame they had to out of business.

Mac Tools: Personally, I didn't like the feel of the beams, got rid of them for that reason.

Matco: Honestly they look similar to the current Craftsman Pro series wrenches, do not know the differences or similarities. They have a good fit and feel and work well. I have an older set with bright chrome finish when they were new, but the finish has scratches is not great as new. Bought used on ebay for a great price, these are my carry on tools for junk yard visits.

Snap On: These wrenches IMO are the best that money can buy. They have the best beam feel and balance during use, the closed and open end are the best thickness. Purchased the flank drive and flank drive plus wrenches in standard and short lengths in the metric sizes. These wrenches are in my tool chest and are my main set of wrenches.

I have no complaints about Craftsman Pro wrenches both sets have worked very well for me and done well for the return on investment. They do have enough shine/bling for their place in my toolbox.

Personally, Craftsman Pro Wrenches have not failed me and worked for every situation called upon. Are they as good as Snap On? NO, but they are on par or just below in quality and my judgement with the other wrenches listed.

 

[Merkava_4]

Mac Tools: Personally, I didn't like the feel of the beams, got rid of them for that reason.

Why? You don't like square corners digging into your hand?

 

[psychoclaw84]

Why? You don't like square corners digging into your hand?

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[MAD]

OK:
Does anyone have pictures they can supply of the SK version and the danaher version side by side?

Pictures of new Danaher Craftsman Pro (top) next to old SK Craftsman Pro (bottom).

Also SK Craftsman Pros next to Snap-on wrenches.

I have a lot of wrenches. There are differences between them but mostly I grab whichever one is close when I need it.

 

[Flash21]

Thanks MAD, the differences are easily distinguishable. Appreciate the photos.

 

[sk farmer]

Bonney: SAE chrome finish wrenches sizes 3/8-1, these are my only set of SAE wrenches and have not used them very much. Very good wrenches with nice chrome, had to ask why they are praised on a previous thread and in summation: Very good wrenches, just a shame they had to out of business.

would you like to trade them for a brand new set of sk made craftsman pros? 1/4 to 1 inch, never used, only shelf wear. i may even give some extra to seal the deal.

 

[jshillin]

Here's a couple pics of my Snap-on's, Craftsman Pro's, SK Superkromes and SK Professional's.

 

[BillK]

Joe,
I have had a set at the shop for at least ten years now. Both Metric and Inch style. I have never had a single problem with them. I will tell you that if you plan on using the open ends with a lot of torque, they will flex open a bit, but I dont know if maybe any wrench will do the same thing. I dont use them for a lot of heavy wrenching on cars, just engine deassembly and assembly so they dont get abused. I am thinking of springing for a set to replace my 40 years worth of missmatched stuff I have at home

If you just need them for home, I dont think you could go wrong with them.

 

[Merkava_4]

Here's a couple pics of my Snap-on's, Craftsman Pro's, SK Superkromes and SK Professional's.

That's an excellent picture. You see how fat that SK wrench is right up there by the box end? Reminds me of a fat pear shaped woman with a giant ****.

 

[sk farmer]

That's an excellent picture. You see how fat that SK wrench is right up there by the box end? Reminds me of a fat pear shaped woman with a giant ****.

she is a beauty. ain't she merk?

 

[nissan_crawler]

Here's a couple pics of my Snap-on's, Craftsman Pro's, SK Superkromes and SK Professional's.

Awesome picture, reinforces my point about how close the two are.

 

[Merkava_4]

It's time to post a real wrench.

 

[sk farmer]

It's time to post a real wrench.

okay, here they are merk. some real wrenches. bonney 19 mm and matco 3/4.

 

[psychoclaw84]

would you like to trade them for a brand new set of sk made craftsman pros? 1/4 to 1 inch, never used, only shelf wear. i may even give some extra to seal the deal.

No thanks.

I am quite happy with the Bonney's.

 

[sk farmer]

No thanks.

I am quite happy with the Bonney's.

hey, you have to try. if you don't jump on oppurtunity around here it is gone.

 

[Old Donn]

That's an excellent picture. You see how fat that SK wrench is right up there by the box end? Reminds me of a fat pear shaped woman with a giant ****.

Thanks for that visual, Merk. I've got an old set of SK Pros in the motorcycle tool kit. I won't be able to use them again without gloves.

 

[Mike83]

That's an excellent picture. You see how fat that SK wrench is right up there by the box end? Reminds me of a fat pear shaped woman with a giant ****.

More cushin' for the pushin'. Literally. I like that wider section because it makes for a comfy grip when pushing or pulling. I know - you shouldn't push a wrench. Just open your grip

 

[brockstar]

I love my set of C-Man Pro wrenches. For the $30 I paid for a set metric long wrenches, they are the best when value and usability are considered. You can't touch used Snappy's for that amount.

I love my Snappy ratchets, but the wrenches feel like knife blades. They cut into my hands, even with gloves, when I put any serious torque on them.

Wright wrenches on the other hand have a nice, rounded beam pattern and don't require band-aids...

 

[toolmutt]

I have a set of Cman Pros in metric purchased less than a year ago. I do like them but it seems to me that the box ends are a little bit looser on fasteners than my other wrenches (Proto and SK). Not much, but noticeable. Is this just my perception or has anyone else noticed this?

 

[wildman1]

It's time to post a real wrench.

Merk

What's wrong - it looks like there are SCRATCHES on your wrench!

 

[krusty the clown]

Merk

What's wrong - it looks like there are SCRATCHES on your wrench!

and hard water spots from the shower

 

[Mickey O]

I'm holding out for the new Snap On premium wrenches: