What tool Brand to replace Craftsman

[Wakefield]

Actually I don't think Craftsman was quite as good as some of the expensive ones back in the day but Craftsman used to be good enough most of the time. I'd still rather be given a stash of 30 year old Bonny and Snap On instead of 30 year old Craftsman.
I think C-man is being positioned more as a low price dept. store line instead of a serious entry level mechanics' and advanced do it yourselfers' line.
I miss the neighborhood Sears which went away some years ago.

 

[BajaBound]

USA Williams and Taiwan Williams and Blue Point are what I went with and I am very happy.

 

[beaconterraone]

This man speaks the truth. Harbor Freight is The Craftsman replacement. Their Taiwan tools are actually better than US Craftsman. Reality is a *****...

Is anything at Harbor Fake Tools actually Made in Taiwan? I thought it was all PR China?

Alltrade/Powerbuilt, made in Taiwan, are respectable for what they are.

 

[beaconterraone]

My wife & I were shocked to see a "Made in USA" Husky torque wrench last week. The HD staff member on the aisle was putting away another "Made in USA" product and I joked that he was handling an orphan. He replied that he's seeing more items come back to US factories, however.

I like the idea of being able to go into Home Depot and exchange an item if it breaks. Especially considering that it's likely Sears won't last the decade.

 

[DPG]

Those protos have a weak pawl design.be careful.mine broke way too easily and when opened there is a tiny thin finger that broke and it was non reversible.I had high hopes but mine were weak.shocked proto did that.

When you had Proto replace them, were the replacements any better?

 

[MattPersman]

Gearwrench sockets are of good quality available at advance auto or amazon, so are chrome husky from Home Depot. Nice thing about gearwrench as they have a good selection mid length, universal, etc.

Sure snap on are better but cost a lot more too.

 

[John in OH]

I've seen a number of Taiwan-made Carlyle tools at NAPA that look pretty nice and they were reasonably priced. Almost every town has a NAPA store if warranty replacement is required so I think I'd give Carlyle a real close look. Another nice thing about NAPA, if they don't have a Carlyle tool in stock they can usually get it by the next day.

 

[jim1987]

+1 for Carlyle and gear wrench. Just picked up a set of metric 6 point wrenches on sale for $96. 13 piece. And I'll you the chrome is very nice. Much nicer then gear wrench. Even though looks don't get the job done. I haven't had a use for them yet, but I have quite a bit of gear wrench and love every piece. Most especially my long pattern wrenches

 

[Brownsfan]

I have been buying all the USA craftsman I can while it's there and if it's something I will use. Now the brand I have been buying instead is Williams and Snap on. Was buying Cornwwell but he went under. Pliers have been Klein and channellock. Screwdrivers have been Williams and some snap on. Still have my craftsman pros. If I ever want to upgrade sockets it will be USA Williams. If I was starting today it wouldbe USA Williams and SK. You could put together a pro tool set for a little more than craftsman. I have made a few Gearwrench purchases and have been happy. As far as a low price USA made tool it's not happening anymore. You will have to bump up in price.

 

[92integra]

when i was looking for sockets i wanted alot of them and at a reasonable price and impact sockets... for 1/2drive i bought all hf impact sockets.

3/8ths
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0029XKZKG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

1/4"
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00291R2EU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

honestly grey has done me right i look at all my sockets and i got set up for less than 400 bucks pretty hard to do that with any other brand. and there wobble plus extensions are awsome, and ratchets have recessed quick release button which is nice.

 

[d.mcfarland]

The problem now is Craftsman had a little of everything. No big tool company has that. The head company does, such as Ideal, but for example .. some companies only make pliers or hardline items. Craftsman was it all. We now kinda have to buy the best and most economical from separate companies.