raised panel hatred

[blue dog]

What is the deal, everyone [well not everyone here, but a lot] seems to really have a hate for craftsman raised panel wrenches. It got me thinking about all the smack that gets talked about craftsman raised panel stuff. I have a well-equipped tool chest and top box; in my box I have brands such as SK, Armstrong, matco, mac, snap on and craftsman. I have been using raised panel craftsman wrenches for 20 plus years and have never had a single issue with them. The only thing I can say is that my sk and Armstrong wrenches feel a bit better in the hand, that’s it. I also have craftsman pro series wrenches and do not feel they out perform the raised panel in any way, they just look nicer being shinny chrome. I get that some of you are bent that craftsman is slowly manufacturing over seas, that is sad to me as well but what I don’t get is the hate for the raised panel wrench, they work, they are made in the USA and they do not fall apart, and they are reasonably priced.
I would really like to know, but not from people that drink the snap on cool aid by the gallon. What’s the deal?

 

[bchee]

I don't hate them, but I personally don't like the way they look.
I also think they are too short

 

[djjsr]

I agree Blue. I have some that I bought in 1969 when I started an apprenticeship and still use them often. They're holding up better than I am.

 

[terabyte]

if they were as long as the pro line c-man I would love them

 

[mspecperformance]

I have some that have chewed up open ends... probably more my fault than anything else.

 

[3 at 8]

I agree with your observation of lots of poo poo views on the raised panels. I allways thought it was dis-comfort from the edges on the pannel itself that was turning people off to them. My main wrenches are raised pannels. I dont use them 8-9 hrs a day so I never noticed the discomfort associated with them. They fit my nuts good, just sometimes wish they were a little longer like the professional series.

 

[Skin]

what hatred? only thing i've ever seen people complain about here are the ratchets.

 

[Danglerb]

Not hatred on my part, but I would never pull one of them out of a tool box if any better full polish wrench was handy. The tighter clearances and easier handling of a good full polish like my Snapon's are essential for some jobs.

 

[bgott]

I have a set of raised panels. The only problem with them is that they could be longer. But they aren't short enough to dump a bunch of money into a new set. When someone walks into the shop with a full set of Snap-on combos for $75 I'll upgrade and haul the raised panels home. My metric combos are the Craftsman Professionals. They are just right.

 

[johnnybentwrench]

No offense, you snap on guys are funny. I checked a 10MM CM and a 10MM snap on , there is no difference in fit!!
I have a few very expensive sets of snap on metrics collecting dust cause I love my Cm raised panels and always grab them by first instinct. I do not think the panel is uncomfortable.

 

[indestro]

Sometime a shorter wrench can get the job done better in a tight spot.Me personally, I like non chrome when under the engine work cause they don't slip when oily or especially with hydraulic fluid.

 

[mikevango]

I have done many repairs and built some nice cruisers with craftsman wrenches, screwdrivers and ratchets. I never had a problem with them. But I have since upgraded to pro tools.

 

[mrholeshot]

I wrote up a thread not too long ago about craftsman raised panel wrenches being highly underated. I think they are great for the money. I prefer a longer wrench in the combo wrench but I still own several sets of the double box ends in several differant configureations that I won't part with. I wish they had upgraded them years back to a flank drive on the ring end but bottom line is they still work great,still a solid value and still look decent. Whenever I go help one of my friends with their cars I always carry some tools but if I don't have to get mine out I won't. I'm pleasently releived to see craftsman raised panel wrenches. Not my favorite but confident they will get the job done.

 

[a390st]

They are just too short and the open end spreads under load occasionally. The Professional wrenches spread a little, too, so it isn't just the raised panel wrenches. Otherwise, I don't mind them too much. At least you can get them in 6 point.

 

[Fedwrench]

I think it's more frustration than hatred. The raised panel wrenches of today are not the same quality product from 10 or more years ago. Using today's versions are like wrenching with bricks. They're bulky, poorly finished, and often off centered. However, you can get great prices on them at times and they have the lifetime warranty.
There is no perfect wrench although I have a few that I like. Some people complian about the thin knife edges on Snap on wrenches while others complain about the weakness of the v notch open end on older Mac wrenches. I think there will always be people here that ***** about something. As always, buy what you can afford and like.

 

[littlekillertoad]

My disappointment with the current line of raised panel ratchets has colored my feelings about the raised panel wrenches, but all in all, they're a pretty good wrench.

I've only had one open end spread on me and I was definitely mistreating it.

 

[Wakefield]

My set of Craftsman raised panel -vv- wrenches seem to be so so ok wrenches but they work OK but I think they are about 20 years old. It must be new ones that are making people mad. I have a couple raised panel flare nut wrenches and a couple Snap on flares,I think in the flare catagory the Snap ons show more superiority to the Craftsmans. All Snap on wrenches seem to be more like jewelry like than Craftsmans but then they cost a lot.

 

[shotgunfatcat]

They fit my nuts good, just sometimes wish they were a little longer

???????

I have a few very expensive sets of snap on metrics collecting dust cause I love my Cm raised panels.

I will take them off your hands.




My only problem with them is the length as mentioned. the smaller the size the shorter they get, compared to my snap-on's, anything under 1/2 is comparable to my shortie's if not smaller. I do a lot of work with 9/16 and smaller so having a longer smaller wrench is great.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

no problems w/ raised panels either... quite like them for what i do - don't have to worry about blemishing the pretty chrome when smacked w/ a brass hammer or whatnot. only had one 12mm box end "open up" - but that was a 10yr old wrench that was thoroughly abused. I'm a big fan of the SK raised "pro" too, a bit beefier than the cman though. all my stahlwilles are a "raised panel" type and have no problem w/ those either. I agree that the cman's are a great deal - cheap enough to put together multiple MM sets and throw a roll in every car, robusts enough to use nearly everyday if that is your choosing.

 

[filtered]

I used them for years. However they have beed retired to my truck. Same complaints though. Too short and not the most comfortable.

 

[mrholeshot]

I think it's more frustration than hatred. The raised panel wrenches of today are not the same quality product from 10 or more years ago. Using today's versions are like wrenching with bricks. They're bulky, poorly finished, and often off centered. However, you can get great prices on them at times and they have the lifetime warranty.
:

I bought a 204pc set not long ago (I have no idea why) but I was really surprized how well the raised panel wrenches looked. They only went to 5/8 and 16mm but looked really nice compared to older ones. Some of my older ones have notches missing (casting defect) where the newer ones don't. The notching hasn't seemed to affect the performance but it is there. I think sometimes the only reason I don't care much for them much anymore is I just got use to high quality full polish highly chromed wrenches. To be honest part of the reason I liked the full polish other than easier to keep clean is I just like the way they look. Thats kind of a silly reason but lets face it if you are going to spend the money buy what you like.

 

[bw77]

I recently bought (and returned) the 14 piece set of Cman raised panel metric combo wrenches. The sizes 19mm and smaller looked very good. Above 19mm, some had sharp edges on the open end, one had a barely visible size marking on the open end, some were rough looking. Nothing that would effect performance, but they just didn't look good in some of the sizes above 19mm.

 

[woody 73]

My complaint is that I have arthritis in my hands and the raised panel wrenches are not comfortable in my hands. The only problem I ever had was years ago, my son asked me to tighten his bike seat the 1/2 wrench snapped into pieces(must have been one tough bolt).

Any wrench from s-k,hf ,snap-on etc. that is very smooth to the touch will get my vote.

 

[nismomans13]

It must be because their not in my hands 8 hours a day, but my raised panels only let me down once in the 12 years I've owned them, and it was my fault so I can't really blame the product, i think their plenty comfortable, but I do agree with them being to short.

 

[Sterff]

I own quite a few sets of raised panel Cmans and have had no issues. I like the way they feel and at least give you something to grab on to when they are covered in oil, grease, etc.

 

[a390st]

What is shocking is that as rough as the raised panel combo wrenches are, they are at least 1000 times better finished than the double box raised panels. I got the 11 pc metric double box set for about $20 on a big sale once. They fit as well as any wrench I have, but they are finished worse than any wrench I have seen. The forging was poor, the grinding and polishing was beyond terrible. It really was shocking. I just figured that functional wrenches with a lifetime warranty that go up to 30mm are worth less than $2.00 per wrench so I didn't complain. They really do fit tight on fasteners! The finish work on the raised panel combo wrenches I have isn't really too bad.

 

[Monte]

i like them
the length is ok i think
....They´re unique since we don´t have raised panel wrenches over here....
...interesting wrenches....

 

[D9H 90V]

My first set of wrenches were Cman raised panels, still have them and still use them every now and then,
My complaint is the same as nearly everyone elses they are sometimes too short,
When I got my first set of Snap On wrenches, I dropped them every time they got oily and greasy

 

[Skin]

My complaint is that I have arthritis in my hands and the raised panel wrenches are not comfortable in my hands. The only problem I ever had was years ago, my son asked me to tighten his bike seat the 1/2 wrench snapped into pieces(must have been one tough bolt).

Any wrench from s-k,hf ,snap-on etc. that is very smooth to the touch will get my vote.

with respect, few companies make a full polish with a handle thick enough to be comfortable, most are like a knifes edge and are exactly the opposite. This is why i am fully embracing the new Danaher/Apex twisted beam design. If you dont have a set, go buy them, your hands will thank you.

When I got my first set of Snap On wrenches, I dropped them every time they got oily and greasy

My hands get "cold", even in summer [] so i usually wear gloves around fluids but i agree. Satin finish is still my number 1 for a wrench. I also miss how common a good wide knurling use to be on sockets.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

I also miss how common a good wide knurling use to be on sockets.

+1... even a well finished knurling w/o the sharp edges.

 

[mrholeshot]

While my only beef is the short length they do come in handy when you need a shorter wrench and needs more leverage than a stubby. My personal opinion( all 1 cents worth) is they can be a very affordable asset to anyones tool box. When you get up into the large sizes it's quite a bargin at 80 dollars for and 18pc wrench set that goes from 1/4" to 1 5/16" or 7mm-32mm They would cost almost 2000 dollars off a Snap-On truck. Thats some good affordable coverage in a USA made wrench set at 160 for both sets.

 

[mrholeshot]

I also miss how common a good wide knurling use to be on sockets.

+1 Now you are lucky if you can get decent knurling on a sparkplug socket.About 30 years ago I had a set of Sockets made in Germany and half the socket was knurled. I forgot the brand but I wish I had them back now. They didn't look good next to my shiny new Snap-On and Mac sockets, lol

 

[nikonica]

While my only beef is the short length they do come in handy when you need a shorter wrench and needs more leverage than a stubby. My personal opinion( all 1 cents worth) is they can be a very affordable asset to anyones tool box. When you get up into the large sizes it's quite a bargin at 80 dollars for and 18pc wrench set that goes from 1/4" to 1 5/16" or 7mm-32mm They would cost almost 2000 dollars off a Snap-On truck. Thats some good affordable coverage in a USA made wrench set at 160 for both sets.

I could not agree more. They are nice enough, especially as a backup set or for special purposes like mrholeshot mentioned above (kind of an "intermediate-length" wrench). Mine remind me of "the good old days" when I was a kid in the '90s and Craftsman was a premium tool to me.

The price is right too, although I must admit that I recently acquired a full set of Proto ASD combination wrenches, SAE satin chrome from 3/8" to 1-1/4" and metric "Protoblack" from 7mm to 21mm, for $140 on eBay (used but in near-new condition). I think that the Proto wrenches, while longer, are of higher quality than the Craftsmans, although typically they cost a lot more than what I paid. Certainly, compared to brand new industrial or tool-truck tools, the Craftsman raised panel wrenches are a bargain - 90% of the functionality for 10% of the price.

I think that while there is a lot of complaining about Craftsman raised panel wrenches among tool enthusiasts, there would be significantly more complaining if Sears stopped making them, or at least stopped making them in the USA. I for one would miss them.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

From my experience, too, regardless of what the enthusiasts say/believe - nearly all of the techs/mechs/maint. guys I've worked w/ started their tool collection w/ a set of raised panels and the basic cman ratchet - cheap no thrills US made goodness that did the job. The only guys I know that never picked up Cman as their first "good" set are the young guns that jump right into SO or Mtco right out of school... nothing wrong w/ that. Cman got alot of us threw the first few years of our careers w/o a problem. If I was a frugal person, i would have never really upgraded my raised panels - they work! Then I caught the bug and never looked back. Being required to use a certain brand for safety reasons in a rather hostile environment was a different story all together.

 

[jymmiejamz]

No offense, you snap on guys are funny. I checked a 10MM CM and a 10MM snap on , there is no difference in fit!!
I have a few very expensive sets of snap on metrics collecting dust cause I love my Cm raised panels and always grab them by first instinct. I do not think the panel is uncomfortable.

I'll trade you a set of Craftsmen wrenches for your Snap On ones since you don't use them...

I can't stand the way the craftsmen ones feel, and as previously noted the open end spreads out and they are too short. The best wrench I've ever felt is the Bahco set I just bought on Amazon for $44. FWIW I have Snap On, Gearwrench, and Mac also. IMO Mac is second worst next to craftsman.

 

[mrholeshot]

From my experience, too, regardless of what the enthusiasts say/believe - nearly all of the techs/mechs/maint. guys I've worked w/ started their tool collection w/ a set of raised panels and the basic cman ratchet - cheap no thrills US made goodness that did the job. .

When I was a Kid working in my dads shop(early 60's) I loved picking out the Craftsman tools to work with. My Grandfather use to give me 50 dollars at Christmas(50 dollars was a lot of money in the early 60's when min wage was like a 1.25 aan hour) and I would have my mother drive me to Sears 50 miles away(50 miles was a long way back then with 20 miles of that being dirt road) to buy Craftsman tools. I already had some Thorsens but when I got those Craftsmans my chest swelled a little. Nobody questioned the quality of Craftsman then.

 

[supertooljunkie]

The first set of wrenches I ever owned was C-man raised panels back in 1974. Unless you were a professional mechanic, that was all there was. The first socket set was C-man. I used C-man tools happily until 1981 when I got on the Snap on truck for the first time. It was nice to put a Snap on wrench on a rounded nut or bolt and not make it worse. I still have 6-8 sets of various raised panels, and could probably make up a couple more out of spares. I haven't bought raised panels in years, but if I knew someone starting out, or buying for a hobbyist, I would purchase raised panels for them.
I do have and use regularly three sets of C-man Pro wrenches.

 

[Old Donn]

Never realized what a handicap I've been working under till I started reading these blogs. C-man raised panel was what I had and they've always gotten it done for me. I've supplemented my collection with Craftsman Pro, SK, GearWrench and Toptul. Haven't done any better with those than with the old raised panels.

 

[mrholeshot]

IMO Mac is second worst next to craftsman.

The older Mac wrenches were great and the open end griped better than Snap-On. The Newer ones (after about 1998) are pure ****. I was breaking the open ends after a manafactuer change sometime in the late 90's. I still have a few sets made in the late 80's that the open end is much better than my Snap-Ons. The ring end is better on the snap-On and the Mac has a nice flat on the handle vs the knife blade on the Snap-On. It's hard to find the Perfect whench

 

[mrholeshot]

Never realized what a handicap I've been working under till I started reading these blogs. C-man raised panel was what I had and they've always gotten it done for me. I've supplemented my collection with Craftsman Pro, SK, GearWrench and Toptul. Haven't done any better with those than with the old raised panels.

It's not really a handicap. It's a mind game. I've been played all my adult life, lol