Problems with tools...

[startingout]

I've grown up with craftsman and am pretty stingy on how much I pay for something (why pay 100 when you can get the same thing for 80?)

The problem I'm running into is that I have broken two 3/8 in. ratchets and keep spreading my wrenches when working. Keep in mind this is all craftsman stuff. I do alot of alignments and I want something hat isn't going to slip. Are Snap-on and Matco really that much better than Craftsman? Also I think I'm going to try upgrading to a better quality of craftsman ratchet and see what that does for me. As far as wrenches go the same question still applies. Also is there a large difference between the craftsman professional tools and the regular stuff? Other than one is shiny and the other isn't? Again my main problem is with wrenches.

Yes I have been spreading my wrenches, that is my main problem with them at the moment. also what is the warranty like on used Snap-on and matco tools that you buy at a pawn shop?

As a side note, friday (tomorrow) I am going to go to craftsman and trade in my current ratchets for the new low profile that are supposedly much more sturdy and have a tighter radius. I'll let you know how they work after the weekend is over.

Also what do you all think of coleman Air tools? Specifically their 'Professional' grade air ratchet?

 

[Phatsub]

Craftsman vs Snap-On, that debate has been going on here since long before I joined up.
You will get LOTS of opinions in here.

 

[Mike83]

I have the Craftsman Thin Profile ratchets with 60 teeth and those seem very strong. Never broke or had the teeth slip on one yet, but the regular ratchets I have. The Craftsman Pro wrenches are very nice imo. Some here will equate the quality to Snap-On, but the cost is far less. The C-man pros are much nicer than the regular C-man wrenches. They are longer, more comfortable and have the nice finish. Snap-On Flank Drive Plus open end has teeth that will really grab onto the fastener (or so I am told). I don't know if they tend to spread, but my guess is no or people would not praise SO wrenches as much as they do. I assume you are working on the tie rod ends for alignments, so maybe you might just buy the few sizes of Snap-On Flank Drive Plus you need to do that. I imagine you would get very good performance from those wrenches.

Other members I'm sure can give better insight to the Snappys.

 

[CatfishXpress]

Phatsub is right, shortly there will be guys pop up in this thread that will tell you that Snap On is the only way to go.

My advice is replace the pieces of Craftsman that you routinely break with a higher quality tool.

 

[89MustangGX]

I've never had a problem with CM wrenches, so I can't comment on that aspect. I can say, since I tried the CM Pro Ratchets (not thin profile, haven't tried those) I am sold on them -- a lot different than the standard ones. Worth trying.

 

[goodfellow]

Oh Boy, Oh Boy !!! Now you've done it. Let the games begin!

Now what did I do with that Jiffy Pop?

 

[CatfishXpress]

If you can get your hands on one of the older Craftsman raised panel ratchets they were sweet. The newer ones are not very smooth and they tend not to hold up well.

If you are limited to the current production Craftsman ratchets I recommend the professional. There are nicer ratchets out there if you are willing to pay the price, but the Craftsman professional offers a good bang for the buck.

I've played with the Craftsman thin profiles in the store and they seem nice, but I don't own one.

 

[jimvannoy]

When I worked as a mechanic back in the early 80's my Snap On guy would give me credit for my Craftsman stuff towards Snap On stuff. Used the price right out of the then current Craftsman catalog. I upgraded most of my tools that way back then and over the years since then I have picked up a lot of Craftsman stuff again cheap at yard sales, auctions, etc. If you have a Snap On rep see if he will do it for you.

 

[64merc]

Since you seem to favor Craftsman stuff, I would buy a new thin-profile ratchet and the C-man pro wrenches. I think someone was selling a set of thin-profile ratchets in all drive sizes for about $50.

 

[paramudduck]

Check ebay and flea markets. Some areas the pawn shops have good deals. Buy used and try them.

Some of the people on here will try to convince you that just holding Snap on, with in 100 feet of the bolt, Will cause it to come out.

 

[64merc]

Honestly, it's hard to give advice since we don't know you personally and there are so many variables. For example:

What is your budget?
Do you have flea markets and pawn shops in your area that sell tools?
Do you want new or used tools?
Are you looking for something that is easy to warranty?

 

[wrenchr]

I have never had a craftsman wrench spread, but the ratchets on the other hand ****!!
IMO.

 

[paramudduck]

wrenchr I have to agree there and I have abused the **** out of them. Linked them used crow bars on the tops of them even big pipes to break bolts loose.

As an aside I see you changed your sig. You finally get a F730?

 

[DaytonFan]

Wrench over wrench I have never had a CM wrench spread!!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Phatsub is right, shortly there will be guys pop up in this thread that will tell you that Snap On is the only way to go.

Snap-on is the only way to go.




Sorry, i had to.

How the hell do you spread a wrench? i've put cheater pipes on wrenches and you'll round the head before you spread the jaws. Even if it was some ungodly strong fastener, i can't see the jaws of a wrench spreading and allowing it to slip.

 

[DaytonFan]

Snap-on is the only way to go.




Sorry, i had to.

How the hell do you spread a wrench? i've put cheater pipes on wrenches and you'll round the head before you spread the jaws. Even if it was some ungodly strong fastener, i can't see the jaws of a wrench spreading and allowing it to slip.

Muscle baby Muscle!!

 

[PowderKeg]

I have never had a craftsman wrench spread, but the ratchets on the other hand ****!!
IMO.

While I've never had one spread open personally, I've warrantied several over the years that I've picked up, or for someone else. IMHO, Craftsman sockets are big-time **** - at least the ones I bought back in the 80's were. Chrome peel, would snap 'em left and right with a breaker bar (and no cheater pipe), nuts jammed/wedged hard enough to damage the socket points, you name it. Eventually swapped most all of them out for Snappys and a set of deepwell Wrights - no problems since. Only ones left are the 1/2" drive standard and deepwell metrics, 'cause I almost never use them - if I ever find myself reaching regularly for them, they'll go too.

 

[eschoendorff]

Since you seem to favor Craftsman stuff, I would buy a new thin-profile ratchet and the C-man pro wrenches. I think someone was selling a set of thin-profile ratchets in all drive sizes for about $50.

What he said. The Craftsman Professional wrenches are every bit as capable as their Snap On counterparts. Flank drive plus might reap some benefits doing alignments though.

I don't like to use any Craftsman ratchets for an extended period of time. The ratchets taht I reach for consistently are Snap On. I never have problems with ratchets, BTW....

If you come across a tool that gets constant use, Snap On would be a good choice. But craftsman pro is a great value....

 

[Moose-LandTran]

For alignments, the best wrenches i've found are Elora. They're German. All of my wrenches (except a bent Snap-on) are Elora and they're really good.

The tolerances are so tight, i couldn't get mine to slip even on the most seized tie rods, they're very good. Sometimes they needed a little tap to get them onto the hex section on the tie rods, and that's a tight wrench right there.

 

[wrenchr]

wrenchr I have to agree there and I have abused the **** out of them. Linked them used crow bars on the tops of them even big pipes to break bolts loose.

As an aside I see you changed your sig. You finally get a F730?

Yah one with a 1/2 socket froze to it. It is soaking right now, I will get a better one.

 

[eschoendorff]

Wrench over wrench I have never had a CM wrench spread!!

I'm starting to wonder if people mistake rounding a nut or bolt for having had a wrench "spread." In my experience, the fastener tends to round because the metal of teh fastener is softer than that of the wrench.

 

[rsanter]

most of the Cman is good enough most of the time

when you look at the ratio of times I have broken a Cman tool verses a SO tool, that tells the whole story

I have snapped the open end of many Cman wrenches and snapped many Cman sockets.
their alloy seems to be strong but lean on the brittle side of the spectrum

on the other hand I actually bent a SO wrench (yes I was cheating) but it got the job done where every Cman wrench I had in that size snapped.
their allow seems to be strong but leans on the 'tough' end of the spectrum.

I have a 1964 1/4 dr SO ratchet that just now needs a rebuild. it was used by my father when he worked as a mechanic and has been used by me when I worked as a mechanic.
find a Cman that can say that.
while I have used my toold hard and definatly to their limits, I dont really think I 'abuse' them, or at least not as a regular course of action.
one thing I can say is that it is easer to warranty a abused Cman than it would be a SO

bob

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I have a 1964 1/4 dr SO ratchet that just now needs a rebuild. it was used by my father when he worked as a mechanic and has been used by me when I worked as a mechanic.

That's cool. I have a '46 F70-N that i believe has the original gear in. It's so well used that the square drive has become "polished"! Best ratchet i own, bar none.

 

[wrenchr]

That's cool. I have a '46 F70-N that i believe has the original gear in. It's so well used that the square drive has become "polished"! Best ratchet i own, bar none.

That F70-n you are buying off of me has a new gear!!

 

[DaytonFan]

Wrenchr what year is your F70-n?

 

[wrenchr]

I think about 1948.

 

[Merkava_4]

I do a lot of alignments and I want something hat isn't going to slip.

You're doing alignments professionally and you're using Craftsman tools?!!? Some guys just do things the hard way I guess.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

That F70-n you are buying off of me has a new gear!!

Sweet. I should have some money for you soon too.

You're doing alignments professionally and you're using Craftsman tools?!!? Some guys just do things the hard way I guess.

Best tool i found for wheel alignment (toe/tracking) was something i "made". I use that term loosely, it was a FootPrint pipe wrench with a piece of cheater pipe stuck over the end of the handle. The pipe was probably 24" long, the leverage and the sharp teeth made it ideal for stiff and seized tie rods.

I need to get another one and some more pip to fit. Makes and awesome handy tool.

 

[billymade]

There are cheap deals out there; if money is the main concern, figure out which sizes you use for your front end work and find used Snap-On wrenches of that size or sizes. A full set for $125 has been had recently by some on this board off of ebay. Hell, post on the classifieds section and you maybe surprised with people willing to help out with extra Snap-On wrenches they have lying around for a good price! I have gotten 99% of my Snap-On tools at flea markets, garage sales, and pawn shops at pennies on the dollar. Even with a tight budget Snap-On is a viable option; you just need to find where the cheap deals are! Believe it or not I have purchased quite a few Snap-On 1/2" wrenches for a $1! Other brands that do not get the same attention and high selling prices as Snap-On such as early: blackhawk, challenger, proto, mac, cornwell, Bonney and other german/european brands can be had for cheap prices too and the quality for the most part should be there. The key is to be educated as to what things are worth and buy smart! Good luck and happy hunting!

 

[le6920]

most of the Cman is good enough most of the time

when you look at the ratio of times I have broken a Cman tool verses a SO tool, that tells the whole story

I have snapped the open end of many Cman wrenches and snapped many Cman sockets.
their alloy seems to be strong but lean on the brittle side of the spectrum

on the other hand I actually bent a SO wrench (yes I was cheating) but it got the job done where every Cman wrench I had in that size snapped.
their allow seems to be strong but leans on the 'tough' end of the spectrum.

I have a 1964 1/4 dr SO ratchet that just now needs a rebuild. it was used by my father when he worked as a mechanic and has been used by me when I worked as a mechanic.
find a Cman that can say that.
while I have used my toold hard and definatly to their limits, I dont really think I 'abuse' them, or at least not as a regular course of action.
one thing I can say is that it is easer to warranty a abused Cman than it would be a SO

bob

There are many older CM ratchets and wrenches that have served several generations. The older CM stuff is top notch.

 

[GDA]

Like others have said, pick up a Snap On or Proto Big Dawg ratchet and some Snap On flank drive wrenches in the sizes you have been destroying.... then sit back and enjoy the use of a high end tool.