USA goodness score, well kind of

[Jtoddaz]

Yeah, it wasn't a smoking deal, but I used the friends and family sale yesterday to pick up the wrenches I've been eyeing. Since you have to get open stock for the USA versions, I had to hit 3 stores to complete the set.

Complete SAE (1/4-1 inch) and Metric (8-19mm) Craftsman Pro polished combo wrenches.

Probably not much cheaper than an SK, Wright, or Williams set, but they seem to be constructed well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Hootbro]

What did that cost you total to piece meal a set together?

 

[rocco]

i ordered the sets that where on sale a while back, i think i paid around 80.00$ shipped to my door (Canada) - great set for the money, heck i'd say even twice the money.

 

[Jtoddaz]

SAE and metric are both 13 pc sets, so 26 pcs was $266 plus tax. Adding the 15/16 and 1 inch wrenches Contributed to a good portion of the cost.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[chris6278]

All of the Sears near me havnt had USA craftsman professional wrenches in years it seems like. Must be nice to live by a Sears that still has them

 

[Jtoddaz]

Anyone have an idea of who made these wrenches? From searching the forum, it looks as if they're old stock, possibly from 2009-2011 or so?

I know some folks can look at finishing/design and determine a maker, but that is far beyond my pay grade.

 

[chris6278]

Sk maybe? I know they made their pro US made flare nut wrenches

 

[shoturtle]

They are 89 dollar at 2 sears near me for the set of 13. Made in the USA. 266 for the 26pc set seems expensive.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Anyone have an idea of who made these wrenches? From searching the forum, it looks as if they're old stock, possibly from 2009-2011 or so?

I know some folks can look at finishing/design and determine a maker, but that is far beyond my pay grade.

They are made by armstrong. The style before that was made by SK.

 

[Jtoddaz]

They are 89 dollar at 2 sears near me for the set of 13. Made in the USA. 266 for the 26pc set seems expensive.

Every set I've seen has been imported. I even fell for ordering the "Craftsman Professional set" online, and when I picked it up in store, not 1 USA stamp.

If your store does have $89 USA sets, I'd love to give em a call. Hell, that'd be a $100 savings.

 

[shoturtle]

I know 2 of the sears I go to that have them for 89 dollars, and 1 sears hardware have the made in the USA still in stock.

 

[osborn.ozzy]

I got the 13 piece metric set in the store for $99

 

[Jtoddaz]

They were the 13 pc Pro Made in US sets?

 

[seanh303]

Hey, this is discouraging...I guess I should do better research...DOH! I have freakin' loaded UP on CM stuff lately online, lot's of CM Pro thinking it was all U.S.

I'm in Afgh right now, but I'll be home in a couple weeks for a short visit. Man, I'm gonna flip if I have hundreds of pounds of chinese metal waiting for me when I get home. Are there different part numbers for the imported tools?

 

[chris6278]

If someone wouldnt mind pickin me up a metric set with professional stamped on them like the OP has i would gladly pay for them plus shipping.

 

[seanh303]

Ok, I bought this tool set awhile back. The part numbers for the combo wrenches match the part numbers stamped on yours, and when you search for those same part numbers i.e. 45984 the picture on the website has the "USA" stamp on the wrench also. Man, I really hope the wrenches in the set are the USA one's. I bought an a**load of the different sets as they were being closed out, with the expectation that most of the tools are the USA Cman's. I'll definitely be returning them if not.

I checked out the sets on Sears.com also. Check this out, the Complete SAE/Metric set (26 pc) has "USA" stamps in the pictures. But the 13 pc SAE and 13 pc Metric sets do NOT have the "USA" stamp in the pictures. Has anyone bought the 26 pc set recently? Jtodd, were the sets you ordered the individual 13pc sets or was it the 26-pc master set??? Perhaps the master set is still the USA stock??? It's only $153.88 right now and if you use SEARS2012 you get another $5 off (and if you don't already have it, you can get a basically free 3-month trial of ShopYourWayRewards membership that gives you free shipping!). Anyway, unless the photos of the 26 pc set are totally false, the 26 pc set looks to still be U.S., and at a steal of a price!!!

 

[seanh303]

Damn. Reading reviews from the 13-piece sets, the pictures for those sets must have still shown the "USA" stamp for quite awhile because people were giving bad reviews back in 2010. They've obviously changed the picture for the 13-piece sets, but I wonder if the pictures for the 26-piece set and open stock wrenches are correct or if those are chinese wrenches with old pictures???

 

[Kevin54]

Yeah, it wasn't a smoking deal, but I used the friends and family sale yesterday to pick up the wrenches I've been eyeing. Since you have to get open stock for the USA versions, I had to hit 3 stores to complete the set.

Complete SAE (1/4-1 inch) and Metric (8-19mm) Craftsman Pro polished combo wrenches.

Probably not much cheaper than an SK, Wright, or Williams set, but they seem to be constructed well.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Nice!!!

 

[pipsters]

I bought the 7mm-18mm and 3/8"-3/4" USA set for $55 maybe 4 months ago IIRC. I had to swap out a bunch of wrenches because the open ends are just milled too wide causing the wrench to spread and slip. The only reason I kept them is I know I can sell them on ebay for that if not more if it ever came to selling them.

Honestly, if you want real utility seriously consider the 43 PC raise panel set. The wrenches are milled tighter, the open ends are deeper, and the wrenches themselves seem to be constructed of a stronger material, or maybe just more metal is used. Either way they are my go-to wrenches. The polished ones look pretty and feel nice but just don't use them to remove anything.

 

[seanh303]

The 43-piece set most definitely have more metal (and lower hardness metal). That's what the "raised-panel" design is for...the added material adds strength. Non-raised panel wrenches use stronger materials which is why they can offer similar performance at a thinner/lighter profile.

The raised panel Cman's are also nickel plated, while the full polish is a superior (tougher) chrome plating. Don't get me wrong, the 43-piece set is a tremendous value (I bought one)...they are my travel wrenches and the set I use where they might take a little more abuse or higher risk of loss/theft (like at the junkyard), plus you get some huge sizes that would cost a fortune bought individually, lifetime replacement (hopefully with a USA wrench still), and supporting American jobs.

The non-raised panel wrenches are (at least expected to be) lighter, more rust/patina/chip resistant (if chrome finished), stronger, easier to clean (esp full polish), and easier to hold/crank on all day, and for the premium price of Cman Pro or higher USA-made wrenches, I for one certainly expect them to have a very high quality fit, finish, and feel. Sounds like the set you got didn't meet one of those 3 criteria...was it a USA set or the newer chinese wrenches?

 

[buening]

These are the USA made pro wrench sets. The 12 piece was about $75 and the 18 piece was $50. Prices have fluctuated and appears the 18 piece is now out of stock. All polished wrenches that are not from a "module" are NOT USA made

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=153284

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151973

 

[buening]

btw, I have the 12 and 18pc set and LOVE them. No issues whatsoever. They are longer than RP wrenches but are typically shorter than the Snap On wrenches.

You will like your wrenches regardless of cost.

 

[mrstrictlygm]

I got the 26 piece full-polished Craftsman combos right after Christmas time when they went on sale for $165.00 ( original price of $180.00) Then right after they came in, I went on-line to find that they dropped the price to $150.00 I called customer service to see if they would honor that price and they did. Then I get the bill, and find that I actually got the set for $135.00 I think they screwed something up but, hell I'll take them for that price They are all made in USA and are awesome.