Sears Tools

[Canadian Charlie]

No I'm not talking about the Craftsman range here. Back in the early 80's I was just a teenage kid who got into cars and tools. While flipping through the Sears catalog (Canada) there was a tool set with ratchets, sockets and a few other pieces if my memory serves me well. I still have most of these Sears "no name" sockets and they have held up over the years.


Anyone else have these tools?

 

[wilbilt]

I have a few. Some "vice-grip-type" locking pliers and some slip joint pliers. They are OK. They were in with a bunch of other tools I acquired, so I don't know how old they are. I think I have a couple of Sears branded wrenches as well.

 

[dink]

The Sears brand was replaced by Companion in the late 90's....I think it was a bad idea....I had Sears tools back in the day.....and I felt just like others there was a reputation behind those tools even though the name Craftsmen wasnt on it

 

[chevy302dz]

I have a few. Some "vice-grip-type" locking pliers and some slip joint pliers. They are OK. They were in with a bunch of other tools I acquired, so I don't know how old they are. I think I have a couple of Sears branded wrenches as well.

As far as the Sears ViseGrips go, I believe those were actually made by ViseGrip, they also are the only Sears branded hand tool that is/was made here (that I've seen anyway).

 

[DR_K13]

yes they are companion now. i have a set of companion wrenches that i cant wait to break.

aaahahaha

 

[MAD]

I have a set of SEARS branded 3/8" dr. wobble extensions that have held up well over many years. I also have one or two sockets rattling around my orphan socket bin or one of the car/truck boxes.

 

[goodfellow]

Same here --

In 1978 I bought metric and SAE open end, and box end wrenches. I also have a set of Sears groove joint and slip joint pliers. They've held up great.
They are stamped "Made in Japan".

As I recall, the Metric and SAE open end set was $9.99 (each set) -- on sale
The pliers were $5.99 each

 

[ranger_dood]

My dad's entire toolbox is made up of sockets, wrenches, and ratchets from Sears and, of all places, JC Penny. They've all held up very admirably over the past ~25 years

 

[Deafautotech]

my dad had few sears wrenches and it is work good but my dad dont work on vehicles much like i do..... i have older craftsman sae 1/4dr sockets from like 1970's or 1980's... i still use it and it is good tools....

 

[jim m]

I allso have around 15 or so 3/8 and 1/4 drive sockets marked sears japan as well as several screw drivers and wrenchs marked sears not sure where they came from

Jim

 

[Junkman]

I have a 3/4" drive set of Craftsman sockets that were made in Taiwan. A few years ago, I was at a Sears store and noticed that the newer ones on the shelf were made in the USA. I asked why they went back to the US made sockets, and the sales person said that the Taiwan sockets didn't hold up well, and that I could exchange them for the US made ones. I swapped out some, but not all. The next time I brought in a bunch, they said that they would only swap them if they were cracked. Since I don't use them that often, I have never cracked any, and since I sold my bulldozer and Minneapolis Moline Big Mo Tractor, I doubt that I will ever need sockets that large again.

 

[goodfellow]

My dad's entire toolbox is made up of sockets, wrenches, and ratchets from Sears and, of all places, JC Penny. They've all held up very admirably over the past ~25 years

Most folks wouldn't remember, but J.C. Penney had their own line of tools to compete against Sears Craftsman and Wards PowrKraft. I have a relly nice 3/8 drive, flex head ratchet with an offset handle. Nice feel and has worked well for 30 years.

The finish and style of the ratchet looks very similar to SK. Does anyone know who made J.C. Penney's mechanics tools? I'll post a pic of the ratchet when I get home.

 

[ba614]

I have a set of Sears open end and a set of box end metric wrenches I bought in the 70's. Made in Japan. They look cheap and the open end wrenches are thin which comes in handy sometimes but diggs in your hands when used on a really tight fastener. I use these wrenches regularly and they have held up well. I would not trade them for a set of Craftsman wrenches just like them. Those thin open ends get in places eaiser than the thicker headed wrenches.

 

[jhn9840]

I got a set of JC Penny tools for my 16th birthday back in the mid 70's.
3/8 SAE & Metric 6pt shallow sockets and a set of SAE & Metric combination wrenches, straight and Phillips screwdrivers.

Still have and use them to this day. The only thing that has ever broken was a small straight tipped screwdriver that I was prying on something with.

Does anyone know why JC Penny discontinued their tool line? I know they haven't sold them in at least the last 25 yrs.

jhn9840
John

 

[eschoendorff]

Most folks wouldn't remember, but J.C. Penney had their own line of tools to compete against Sears Craftsman and Wards PowrKraft. I have a relly nice 3/8 drive, flex head ratchet with an offset handle. Nice feel and has worked well for 30 years.

The finish and style of the ratchet looks very similar to SK. Does anyone know who made J.C. Penney's mechanics tools? I'll post a pic of the ratchet when I get home.

I think New Britain made the JC Penney "Penncraft" tools.

 

[chevy302dz]

I think New Britain made the JC Penney "Penncraft" tools.

That's possible, PennCraft sockets look ver similar to the BlackHawk sockets of the same era.