Craftsmen tools

[moneypit_K5]

Have really gone down the sh*tter. Ive alway used them because they are cheaper than snapon, make pretty decent tools,and it beats chinese crap.

Or does it? Went in the other day, to replace a box of sockets that the new "lazer etched" crap chrome finish had started peeling off, and spent 45 minutes in pure shock looking at the tools. they look like they were cast in a sand mold, most if not all the boxed ends had holes that were cast offcenter.

That really makes me frustrated, I dont want to spend 230 bucks on a 5 piece endwrench set from snapon, looks like im gonna have to. to get any element of quality. What a bunch of sellouts.

 

[throttleissues]

That's really sad to hear. I haven't been in Sears in a while, but I guess that happens when you merge with K-mart.

 

[sweetk30]

god dam f@#kin martha stewert

 

[dhcomp]

I may have gotten in at the end of teh decent stuff. All the wrenches/sockets and stuff i have (most bought 4 years ago) has help up well.

Have you considered other options before stepping up to snappy?

There have been some discussions, and if i remember correctly, some of the husky stuff at home depot had some pretty good reviews.

 

[pvfjr]

I know what you mean about the sand mold crap. My latest set of craftsman sockets that I got for Christmas just don't feel right on the inside. The first time I used it, half the chrome peeled right off of the spark plug socket. Piece of crap. My set of Pittsburgh sockets seems to be better made. Haven't had any problems with HF making good on their lifetime warranty either. Some of their crap really sucks, but some of the new stuff seems to be, dare I say, surpassing craftsman.

 

[moneypit_K5]

Yeah, husky stuff is about the same caliber as the older craftsmen stuff. problem is, they dont have much selection, and they always change the stuff in store.

 

[80' 427]

I have tons of craftsman tools but since the snap on guy started to stop by I have been picking up a few tools here and there. They are head and shoulders better. They fit you hands and the fastners 1000X better. The are worth the money in my opinion.

 

[J.R.]

snap-on has plants in china now so it will be interesting to see how the quality holds up with them..

 

[ktmoutfront]

My dad has 40 year old tools. Many brands. Nobody makes tools like those anymore.

 

[Stomis]

Yeah and I've heard that sears stores are going out of business too so whats gonna happen to those "lifetime" warranties?

Go to advance auto. They have gearwrench with a no questions asked lifetime warranty. Those are some damn nice and tough tools for the money.

 

[moneypit_K5]

So far, the hands down BEST ratchet wrench Ive found is the husky brand. super slim, flex head, and about 70 bucks for the 7 piece set. I havent seen snapon ratchet wrenches yet. I have a bunch of snapon tools, But they just seem super exorbitantly expensive for what they are.

 

[toomany]

I've had no issues with any recent Craftsmen tools. Be it replaced/exchanged or bought new. The only problem I've got with their tools is the laser etched sockets. With heavy use the laser etching will wear and become almost invisable.

 

[J.R.]

a little FYI on snap-on prices.. whatever the price is in the catalog take that in 1/2 and the sells rep is still making money.. and thats for everything but electronics..mac is the same on there price list also..i have family that work at a snap-on plant and that are sale reps and i still dont buy there stuff unless i cant find it elsewhere..

my tools are sears and lowes...

 

[moneypit_K5]

a little FYI on snap-on prices.. whatever the price is in the catalog take that in 1/2 and the sells rep is still making money.. and thats for everything but electronics..mac is the same on there price list also..i have family that work at a snap-on plant and that are sale reps and i still dont buy there stuff unless i cant find it elsewhere..

 

[Randy92782]

I've had no issues with any recent Craftsmen tools. Be it replaced/exchanged or bought new. The only problem I've got with their tools is the laser etched sockets. With heavy use the laser etching will wear and become almost invisable.

I never even look at the size anymore. I can pretty much guess but i occasionally get it wrong

As for Craftsmen tools i've never had an issue except for the 1/2 drive ratchets. Idk what's up with that specific ratchet buti can't find a good one.

I just went to Walmart and picked up some stanley sockets and Lowes to pick up some more hand tools. Kobalt brand. I'll find out how those hold up but i love my stanley 3/8 ratchet

I'm a cheap bastard

 

[chevyridinhigh79]

gearwrenches are great and for ratchets i think snap on are the best imo. the comfort grip handles on their ratchets kick a**! matco impact swivels are the best imo as well because they don't bind like most impacts do. imo i think snap on sockets and wrenches are worth the money. what do you guys think of blue point tools?

 

[ryoken]

bluepoint are the "made for Snappy by other vendors to their specs" line...

much more prevalent in recent years... still good stuff, but if your gonna see any "china influence", it'll be there....

 

[4X4HIGH]

Try the Craftsman professional line of wrenches that are full polished, those seem to be a much better quality than their standard wrenches. I too hate the laser etched stuff but i recently had to buy a few sockets and was fortunate enough to find some that not only were laser etched but also engraved still. I think they might be starting to make them either both laser and engraved or are going back to the engraved.

 

[toomany]

I never even look at the size anymore. I can pretty much guess but i occasionally get it wrong

I can do bolts/nuts like that, and I know where each socket is on the rail. My problem is when putting them away. Especialy with simular sizes, 9/16-14, 1/2-13, etc. I've thought about engraving the sizes onto them. But I don't trust myselft to get them all the same looking. My ocd won't allow them to be mismatched like that.

a little FYI on snap-on prices.. whatever the price is in the catalog take that in 1/2 and the sells rep is still making money.. and thats for everything but electronics..mac is the same on there price list also.

I have heard that, but when offering the Snap-On guy 1/2 price (or even less than book list) they just laugh at me. I guess they don't want my money. Plus add to the fact I have to hunt down a driver (no sense trying to hagle online) makes buying other brands much easier.

 

[82355]

John Deere makes some decent cheap tools with lifetime warranty, and they are much better than Craftsmen, but then again, most tools are. I myself have spent entirely too much on the Snap-On truck.

Martin