Question for Craftsman aficionados !

[theoldwizard1]

I saw some new/newer combination wrenches of eBay that were stamped either "A-AD" or "A-AE". Any clue what this means ?

 

[southalabama]

Chinese manufacturer

 

[Jtels85]

I saw some new/newer combination wrenches of eBay that were stamped either "A-AD" or "A-AE". Any clue what this means ?

IIRC, the first letter stands for the factory where the tool was produced, the “AC, AE, AF” and so forth is code for the year it was manufactured. I believe AF is for 2016 and AG is 2017. I may be off by a year though.

I have some Craftsman screwdrivers that I bought around 2011 that were made by Western Forge and stamped “WF AA”.

The most important meaning behind those codes is that the tools is made in China or Taiwan, but you probably are aware of that already. I hope this helped!

 

[WWheeler]

Jtels85 has it about hammered out for you.
'A' is China. It's an Apex Chinese plant code IIRC.
The AD or AE are date codes. AA = 2011, so AD is 2014 and AE is 2015.

Edit:
Craftsman Hand Tool Manufacturers & Date Ranges
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84807

I believe the first post in that thread never got updated with all the newer China-made codes, like yours, but a lot of the info is buried in the pages after. As just about everything Craftsman moved offshore there became less and less interest in keeping that thread up to date.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The most important meaning behind those codes is that the tools is made in China or Taiwan, but you probably are aware of that already.

If it does not say "Made in USA" it is NOT !

 

[kshillbilly]

Careful on that Evan.

If it does not say "Made in USA" it is NOT !

 

[DAWrench]

I have some of those Craftsman full polish DBE wrenches with those kind of Numbers. I bought them when local Sears was closing and the were on clearance. Have actually proved to be dang good wherever they were made

 

[kshillbilly]

Honestly here’s a controversial opinion but some of the Taiwan tools are better than most USA stuff.
Especially back in the day because the American companies set they’re own higher standards on the same tools and designs because they could still get it way cheaper made they’re. So they could still sell a better tool cheaper! And yes sometimes stamp them usa!

I’m telling ya I’ve had better sockets From a straight no name taiwan 5/8 stamp. Obviously not all of them but a few were great sockets.

 

[DAWrench]

Honestly here’s a controversial opinion but some of the Taiwan tools are better than most USA stuff.
Especially back in the day because the American companies set they’re own higher standards on the same tools and designs because they could still get it way cheaper made they’re. So they could still sell a better tool cheaper! And yes sometimes stamp them usa!

I’m telling ya I’ve had better sockets From a straight no name taiwan 5/8 stamp. Obviously not all of them but a few were great sockets.

That opinion is gonna meet some major resistance on here. I have broken or just worn out my share of old Craftsman USA sockets but I have some old Snapon that just won't give up. So back in the day there was a huge difference in USA made sockets.

I tend to agree that almost all sockets made no matter where now days are good. It is hard to find a really crappy one but there are some that are a lot better than others. They don't compare to Snapon quality but price point difference is extreme just like it was years ago with the old Craftsman USA and Snapon

 

[Andres26tnt]

Not that controversial, some tools where indeed better than the USA counterpart. It will get resistance here because some old heads can't accept anything other then USA is best period. But as we know lots of USA made tools are lower quality, hence the countless post we get on here complaining.

What tools where better? From the top of my head

Extreme grip 3/8 ratchet 72t
Knpx cobra rebrand
Some of the apex sockets
The china made specialty hex/torx/etorx socket kit
Vessel rebranded ball screwdriver and megadora
Apex thumb wheel ratchet
84T thin ratchets

More to list but I can't remember them.

 

[kshillbilly]

I can’t remember because of adhd but I know there was a brand use to be Japan then had factories in Taiwan in the early 60s that were amazing. Also for craftsman I think it’s the g1 g2 ee sockets. Easco and foreign sockets are exactly the same. They were all the same . I’ve seen plenty mixed into different toolboxes. They all pretty much tarnish and rust the same. But the single g has 5 variations and none of them tarnish and rust the same.
And most of the gs were exact matches.
And they all do better than snap on with age.
Master mechanic chrome stayed amazing Evan in Taiwan.

I just got a Taiwan unmarked 3/8 ratchet all steel. Just broke some bolts on the side of the road in my old dodge with it. Didn’t really excpect to Evan use it but it surprised me. Good amount of torque on them bolts. 0 issues