Very dissapointed with Craftsman sockets

[GoBlue]

You can thank the EPA.

One reason the chrome plating on newer tools is worse is the EPA has incredibly strict new rules regarding chrome plating, they don't allow domestic manufacturers to use the "good stuff" anymore. It has pretty much ended large-scale chrome plating in the US, it's almost exclusively done overseas.

http://articles.directorym.com/The_...Cucamonga_CA-r979574-Rancho_Cucamonga_CA.html


That's a big reason why an inexpensive chrome plated tools from Taiwan usually looks nicer than more expensive American ones.

My Matco dealer recently mentioned somthing along these lines...i could care less abour the chrome honestly...if they dont strip bolts and they dont break with a fair amount of abuse...ill buy em! Craftsman's chromies are as good as anyons in that reguard...

 

[vette-kid]

My Matco dealer recently mentioned somthing along these lines...i could care less abour the chrome honestly...if they dont strip bolts and they dont break with a fair amount of abuse...ill buy em! Craftsman's chromies are as good as anyons in that reguard...

Poor chrome is a bigger problem than just not being nice and shiny. It means things start rusting sooner. I have some newer cman sockets that had bad chrome and started rusting after owning them just a few months. I dont really care if they are pretty, but I dont want them to rust out before I get to use them more than a half dozen times.

 

[TOOL MASTER]

ask yourself what you would get from snap on for 99 bucks

 

[Trucky]

I'm just damn happy I can march into the local Sears and grab a decent SAE set with a good drive size for less than 100 bucks and that's with extensions, a wobbler, and a u-joint thrown in the bag for measure! Made in USA.

That's something that I love about them, and they have the best warranty service in the business IMO. Walk in, give them the part, and bam! New one.

My sockets (newer) have no issues with little bits of metal or flashing. Nothing. They're fine. And really, just grab a file or something if you have a huge problem with them. Don't fit right? Take them back and explain, you'll have new ones in less than a minute. The quality isn't SO-level. They were never meant to be.

You want sockets and have no cash restrictions? Go buy some SO or Hazet. Me, I can't afford it. Craftsman gets the job done without causing any headaches.