Well I went to sear to get one wrench to replace a part on my car and was taken away with how cheap the Craftsman brand had become. The quality looked good but the prices were to good to pass up so I had an impulse buy and bought a 309 piece set, a socket organizer, some swivel geared wrenches and some other oddball stuff for like 450 bucks. How can it be that cheap? They look and feel like decent quality tools but im still unsure. I have not loaded up the tool box because im still doing my homework and getting mixed reviews on Craftsman brand. I like high quality now so I dont have to replace it later, especially with tools I use everyday like my soldering equipment. I went through about 7 different soldering irons before I found one that lasted and im hoping these craftsman tools dont fall into the same category. This was an impulse buy so I have no issue with taking it back and getting something better if I keep finding mixed reviews on Craftsman. I know bad reviews can be had over some of the smallest issues so I figured I would ask here if Craftsman is still a decent brand. Thank you in advance!

-Kris

quote Originally posted by 87antuzzi: ...so I figured I would ask here if Craftsman is still a decent brand. Thank you in advance! -Kris

They're decent. They're as cheap as I would go, and they're not that cheap. This time of year they usually have some good sales. I prefer Snap-On all day long, they don't round off heads nearly as often, and my guy replaces them with brand new, no questions asked. Even the older stuff from the 70's. I've heard plenty of horror stories of people trying to get Sears to honor the Craftsman warranty.

The Craftsman screwdrivers are crap. The paint comes right off on your hands with any type of chemical on them.

quote Originally posted by 87antuzzi: Well I went to sear to get one wrench to replace a part on my car and was taken away with how cheap the Craftsman brand had become. The quality looked good but the prices were to good to pass up so I had an impulse buy and bought a 309 piece set, a socket organizer, some swivel geared wrenches and some other oddball stuff for like 450 bucks. How can it be that cheap? They look and feel like decent quality tools but im still unsure. I have not loaded up the tool box because im still doing my homework and getting mixed reviews on Craftsman brand. I like high quality now so I dont have to replace it later, especially with tools I use everyday like my soldering equipment. I went through about 7 different soldering irons before I found one that lasted and im hoping these craftsman tools dont fall into the same category. This was an impulse buy so I have no issue with taking it back and getting something better if I keep finding mixed reviews on Craftsman. I know bad reviews can be had over some of the smallest issues so I figured I would ask here if Craftsman is still a decent brand. Thank you in advance! -Kris

Just make sure it says craftsman if it says sears it is not guarantied. they are passable, the older ones were better, but you get what you pay for, Mac, Snapon, and many others are better but have a higher price. if you ain't working for a living with Craftsman is fine. if you work everyday with your tools and depend on them to pay you back you might want to look at a different brand, but if you are just starting out they will work for you until you can afford better tools. I have the entire gambit of names as a welder I could be hundreds of miles from home at times and just need a socket I didn't bring with me and I will buy one at the closest place I can buy a tool no matter what the name. But if you are working in one place you don't want to by crap tools buy the best you can afford.

they will eventually pay you back.

oh ya all craftsman tools are now made in China so we will see how far the quality goes. I tell Melanie whenever she sees old craftsman tools at a yard sale buy them and other brands as well.

Steve

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Technology is great when it works,
and one big pain in the ass when it doesn't



Detroit iron rules all the rest are just toys.

My dad swore by Craftsman up to a few years ago. Our local sears outlet will replace any/all non-power tools no questions asked with an exact model replacement or a model newer/better no questions asked. As far as the tools themselves go, the tools with mechanical parts(ratchets, etc) are fairly hit-or-miss in quality, but overall, I don't think they're too bad.

I like Craftsmen Sockets and Wrenches. I have never had an issue with Sears replacing broken tools. I have taken 10 broken sockets and wrenches into Sears and they gave me brand new ones. Steve is right though, the old Craftsmen stuff is solid. My grandfather still has a whole Craftsmen wrench and socket set from the 60's, they still work perfectly.

These are similar to the reviews im finding everywhere. I could care less if its made in China, just because its made in America does not mean quality. Just worried im going to regret buying something towards the bottom of the barrel as far as tools go.

quote Originally posted by 87antuzzi: These are similar to the reviews im finding everywhere. I could care less if its made in China, just because its made in America does not mean quality. Just worried im going to regret buying something towards the bottom of the barrel as far as tools go.

oh it wasn't bottom of the barrel but maybe now that they have sent all the work to china, they use lower grades of steel. go buy a china made socket set and you will see what I mean, the socket may not even hold up for one use. Now if Sears keeps on the place in China that's making their tools they maybe the same quality as before, they were never the best and they were never the worst but their quality of tools has gone down over the years so the newer stuff isn't as good as a socket say made 20+ years ago.

Steve

Anyone feel like making a comparison between Craftsman and Kobalt tools?
I've seen some good prices for Kobalt stuff since Black Friday.

I'm looking for a set, but haven't made up my mind regarding what brand.

[This message has been edited by Raydar (edited 12-01-2013).]

The problem with old Craftsman stuff...if it breaks, they give you new Craftsman stuff.

I stopped buying their stuff a while ago. Always buy the best tools you can afford (i.e. within your budget). We use Snap-on on the ships...but todays Craftsman tools are decent enough for most home shops, where you are limited to personal work.

I think it is funny that Sears sells Lisle brand tools. They are better than Craftsman IMO. I have several Lisle sets and they have never let me down. Never slipped or rounded anything off.

I agree that Craftsman quality is slipping. They have a "pro" line now and maybe they are the good ones now. I have had bad luck with electric and gas powered Craftsman tools. Got a bad multi-meter, two gas mowers, rechargable drill batteries suck.

Moving manufacturing to China can only make it worse. The quality of their steel is inferior to US steel. They don't have the quality control that we have here. Either that or they will mark raw materials to say they are a higher grade on purpose to fill an order.

Jonathan

[This message has been edited by Boostdreamer (edited 12-01-2013).]

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Anyone feel like making a comparison between Craftsman and Kobalt tools? I've seen some good prices for Kobalt stuff since Black Friday. I'm looking for a set, but haven't made up my mind regarding what brand.

I have sockets and wrenches from both Craftsmen and Kobalt. Both have never let me down, but I tend to use my Kobalt set more probably because I haven't broken anything yet. I have already broken 2 Craftsmen Sockets and went to Sears and got new ones. But with the Kobalt stuff, you have to register it on their little website to get the Lifetime Warranty. I would get either one when they go on sale, I always wait for a sale and chose the better deal.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Anyone feel like making a comparison between Craftsman and Kobalt tools? I've seen some good prices for Kobalt stuff since Black Friday. I'm looking for a set, but haven't made up my mind regarding what brand.

Sorry can't say anything one way or the other, haven't even bought any when I was away like I said above. and really don't know anyone who has, that doesn't mean they are good though or bad. a lot of the guys I worked with over the years at shops used Snap-On because they drove right to the shop and would take payments on just about anything they sold. Same with Mac, and some others, I can't remember them now but there are a couple others you will see at new and used car dealers the same day every week.

if they are guarantied and hold up they are worth it, if they are guaranteed and don't hold up they ain't worth it now are they. Some guys I know have been happy with Blackhawk but not the way the ratchet wrenches are designed, no reversing lever, and they are flat, not offset like Snap-On's.
look them over for fit and finish, turn them and see how smoothly they work. and decide then.

Steve

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-01-2013).]

I have been using their Evolv line for a couple of years now.
It is a limited line as far as what is made.
But for the price and quality, they are unbeatable, and I have put them through the ringer.
http://www.sears.com/search...EC_PRED&prop17=evolv

You should be fine. People loose tools more than they break them.

I'm more fond of the German made tools, but I have a mixed bag of everything. I have a set of Craftsmen ratchet wrenches that work great. Hell I even have some cheap Stanley screwdrivers and an adjustable wrench that I have used constantly for well over a decade that isn't worn and possibly will last forever.

The only Snap On tool I ever has was a pair of dikes and it rusted up and became useless. I since have went to Knipex and they stand up to anything.

Craftsman ain't what it used to be. Still has the warranty, though. Just expect to need to use it more often.
As has already been said, I wouldn't go cheaper. The only reason I might go with something else is if there's no Sears in your area to get replacements from if needed.

Craftsman Professional is better, but I believe that line is going away.
Craftsman Industrial is their "commercial" line - more like what Professional was advertised for to begin with. More expensive, but better quality. I believe Craftsman Industrial is still made in the US. I don't believe all regular Craftsman tools are anymore. Some maybe, but not all. (not sure)

I wouldn't bother with "Sears" brand. Without the Craftsman warranty, you might as well buy crap tools at AutoZone.

Not much worthwhile to add, but I have a humble craftsman set I've kept with me for 20+ years and every piece works like they were new. But these are early 90s era, so yeah maybe things have changed.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftsman_%28tools%29

Thanks for the opinions and the comparisons. Much appreciated.

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftsman_%28tools%29

Interesting, but not surprising.

I've got a Craftsman set that was given to me as a gift about 10 years ago. I've broken 1 socket and lost 2. I've used them on cars and tractors so they've seen some abuse, especially when it comes to the tractors. I also have a Husky 1/2" ratchet my Dad used when he was in the Navy back in the 60's. It still works great and when I have to use a extension bar on a ratchet to break a bolt or nut loose, that's the one I go to if I don't have my breaker bar with me. I don't know anything about their current stuff, but the case for my set says "Made in the USA" on it. Overall, they have never let me down except when I broke that one socket. However, the set had a 12 point and a 6 point socket in the same size and drive so I just switched to the other socket and swapped it out with a extra Craftsman socket I had in the garage.

craftsman are good for at home projects... I would not trust them to commercial repair but I use them on my own stuff.

I've been pretty happy with craftsman wrenches, I can't recall having any of their sockets split or break, I've broke a few of their 3/8 ratchets by using them improperly as a breaker bar, but even with that their ratchets are pretty strong. Screw drivers and power tools not so great.

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86 Fiero GT 4spd - L67 swap: VS cam, GenV
98 GTP - Some mods

quote Originally posted by Blacktree: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftsman_%28tools%29

Consumers have ranked the Craftsman brand second (surpassed only by Waterford Crystal) in terms of quality

The Waterford Crystal tools are for a different purpose. They hold champagne.

I have some 30 year old Craftsman tools which work very well, and some 5 years old which work well. The newer tools are more cheaply finished but they work fine.

quote Originally posted by Raydar: Anyone feel like making a comparison between Craftsman and Kobalt tools? I've seen some good prices for Kobalt stuff since Black Friday. I'm looking for a set, but haven't made up my mind regarding what brand.

I think they are good tools. You can find them at very good prices. I bought this set a few months back, and they are as good as anything I have seen. Lowes had them $15.00 that day. Lowes puts them on sale frequently.

[This message has been edited by heybjorn (edited 12-02-2013).]

Mine are from an earlier era and have been great. They have been used mostly at home but I have used them in an auto shop I worked at for two years with no problems. I also use them in the oil fields (not so much). I also have some Snap On, Matco, and Mac tools. Their ratchets seem to be machined to a better quality ... the ratchets will get click another bite in fewer degrees making tight work more productive.
I have been able to break any tool no matter the manufacturer. Now everyone's tools have a lifetime warranty. A professional will still pay for quality, for good reason. However, when my Snap on/Mac/Matco breaks I have to wait for the rolling tool box to come before I can get a replacement. Even if I know where the stocking building/sales office is, I have to wait for 8-5 Mon thru Fri to replace them. With Craftsman I can get a replacement almost twenty four/seven, at a choice of locations, anywhere in the USA (almost).

quote Originally posted by RWDPLZ: I prefer Snap-On all day long, they don't round off heads nearly as often, and my guy replaces them with brand new, no questions asked.

Six point for the win.

quote Originally posted by Boostdreamer: I agree that Craftsman quality is slipping.

I have not seen it except in the stamping of sizes on the outside of sockets. Stamped much shallower and difficult to read.

I won't buy the new Chinese-made Craftsman stuff, but with that said my local Sears still has about 90% US-made hand tools on the racks. Exceptions include the Evolv line and various other items like those wrenches with the black wrinkle finish on them, and of course other items like power tools that have been Chinese for years. I think the impact sockets are Chinese too.

Anymore, I've been recommending the Wright line of tools. Fantastic quality and all made in Barberton, OH at a price much less than Snap-On. They're just not real convenient to buy; its pretty much all special order through a supplier like Fastenal or online.

Boostdreamer: Be careful of the Lisle Torx sockets; they'll twist like butter under heavy use.

[This message has been edited by css9450 (edited 12-02-2013).]

My dad worked at the Steven Walden factory forge when we first move to Taxachusettes when I was about 5 years old and got a company discount on their tools as well as a gift set at the holidays a few times. I still have a few of them left from those. they went out of business a few decades ago I think. Most of the full sets were lost or stolen over the decades but they are well made tools as well, but you can't buy them anymore. I went over to a buddies shop yesterday to return a socket I had borrowed and borrow his Snap On torque wrench and him to put a wheel bearing Nut on. We were talking about this very subject during the ride back to my place and he actually has a few of the SW brand as well.

He's been a mechanic and owned his own shop as long as I have known him almost 20 years, he considered Snap On over priced but good tools, Craftsman were middle of the road, and like I have said before in other tool threads certain tools should only be purchased from certain makers.

Vice grips from Vice grip manufacturer, but they have also sent manufacturing over seas and their quality has dropped.
Channel Lock Pliers from Channel Lock
There are others but as always my memory fails me yet again.

Steve

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-02-2013).]

quote Originally posted by Neils88: The problem with old Craftsman stuff...if it breaks, they give you new Craftsman stuff. I stopped buying their stuff a while ago. Always buy the best tools you can afford (i.e. within your budget). We use Snap-on on the ships...but todays Craftsman tools are decent enough for most home shops, where you are limited to personal work.

The last time I returned a broken ratchet to Sears/Kmart, I got a rebuilt one that had an iffy ratchet and the pushbutton backwards;
IE press to click the socket on, pull it off.
Ace Hardware sells them, too.
IMO, its maybe a little better than Harbor Freight or Northern Tools.
Tools made in India, China, or sometimes in the USA?
That rusted stud doesn't care.
If I still worked in a shop for a living I could deduct the cost of Snap On as a business expense.
If there is a 'middle class' line of tools out there, I would probably buy that.
I'm still using a 50 year old ratchet that came from Montgomery Wards. Its a better tool than my Craftsman wrench.
It has a lifetime guarantee, too.

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 12-02-2013).]

(deleted - missed up the "Edit" and "Quote" buttons...)

[This message has been edited by css9450 (edited 12-02-2013).]

quote Originally posted by NEPTUNE: The last time I returned a broken ratchet to Sears/Kmart, I got a rebuilt one that had an iffy ratchet and the pushbutton backwards; IE press to click the socket on, pull it off. Ace Hardware sells them, too. IMO, its a little better than Harbor Freight or Northern Tools. Tools made in India, China, or sometimes in the USA? That rusted stud doesn't care. If I still worked in a shop for a living I could deduct the cost of Snap On as a business expense. If there is a 'middle class' line of tools out there, I would probably buy that. I'm still using a 50 year old ratchet that came from Montgomery Wards. Its a better tool than my Craftsman wrench. It has a lifetime guarantee, too.

I have never had them rebuild a ratchet, if they have one in stock on the floor they just hand it to me and I am out of there. now many of the other companies like Snapon will rebuild their tools right there in front of you. me thinks it has been a long time since you ever broken a tool.

edit to add I do hate the fact that they no longer make their own tape measures any more, if you brake one of their old ones they now hand you a Stanley tape.

Steve

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-02-2013).]

They are good for home use. They seem to hold up well for me but I wouldn't use them in a commercial setting.

I am still using the Craftsman set I bought 32 years ago. I have had them replace quite a few things and they never gave me any trouble. I do think their newer ratchets are pretty much crap and will rebuild the ones I have left instead of turning them in.

I was replacing a torsion bar on an old VW, had a breaker bar on and snapped every single name brand socket they had out at the time. None of them broke easier or took more abuse than any other.

Pawn shops and swap meets is where I would go today for tools.

Craftsman sockets etc are good.
Very hard to crack them.
Most handles can be service at home because many times they need clean and a bit of lube. You need to clean inside by removing clip/screws that hold the cover on.

Craftsman Wrenches are ok.

Craftsman screwdrivers for home is ok. Everything else then expect go to sears ever year or less to get new ones. They quickly wear out doing "real" work. This is not new problem. I have replace many Slotted Torx and Phillips for wear in 30+ years.

Sears has "pro" grade screwdrivers with harden tips that helps wear problem. I have a few of these and haven't return any of them.

Power tool have been made by Skill etc forever. They just relabel and add the price.

Snap-on, Mac, and some others are good but if you has warranty problems... Finding a dealer can by hard.
Snap-on make a better fitting sockets then Craftsman.

On sockets... Avoid 12 point sockets. They can make the nuts and bolt heads strip very easy.

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Dr. Ian Malcolm: Yeah, but your scientists were so preoccupied with whether or not they could, they didn't stop to think if they should.
(Jurassic Park)

The Ogre's Fiero Cave (It's also at the top and bottom of every forum page...)

Home Depot also has their own line of lifetime warranty tools. They are Husky brand.

Personally I would pay a premium for American tools as they tend to be of higher quality (usually but not always). Now that Craftsman are made in China, I don't see any reason to buy them over Harbor Freight, etc. HF tools tend to be of acceptable quality and definitely undercut the Craftsman on price.

It wouldn't surprise me if the same factory was making HF and Craftsman. Some of their power tools are obviously direct copies, in different colors.

You can still find reasonably priced American made tools on Amazon or other sites. Armstrong is an American manufacturer and I am very impressed with their ratchets.

quote Originally posted by theogre: Craftsman On sockets... Avoid 12 point sockets. They can make the nuts and bolt heads strip very easy.

I agree with everything you said except this with certain exceptions, The other day I was doing a front wheel bearing on our 97 Dodge ram pickup, I didn't have the right size socket, and I have a lot of sockets, 1 11/16" I think was the socket I needed, (Don't hold me to that, my memory is crap) I called Chrysler and the guys in the back, you know they guys who work for a living on the vehicles said I had too use a 12 point socket because a 6 point will not go past the castle points, I guess that's what they are called that you put the cotter pin threw to hold the nut from loosening up.

Sometimes the 6 point won't work on things like that for example. but that's out of the ordinary generally speaking a 6 point is the way to go if you are worried about stripping a nut. This I have seen before on nuts that use a cotter pin and have what I called a castle head.

Anyway something I don't think any of us have mentioned is Duplicates, if not triplicates of everything. You never know when you are going to have to back up a Jamb nut or you just broke your tool, be it a wrench, ratchet, socket or any of them. depending on what you are doing you are going to run into those problems as well as losing a tool or having one stolen if you work with others.

Another type of tool that does not come in most of those so called kits is crows foot, flair nut wrench's that also come in crows foot styles, look then up on Google. and many other types of specialty tools. you haven't said if these were for home use or work, that I remember anyway.

it all depends on what you are doing. certain types of work can require different tools, if this is just for personal use and you want something that is all put together in a blow molded case Craftsman has many different kinds of those. I had a buddy who started his body shop with one of those kinds of kits, they are great for the car and most situations but if this is to make a living you are going to want to have duplicates of a bunch of your most used tools.

Steve

Not sure if this is still accurate or even relevant to your question.

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/A...120111-6-081249.html

I've been a mechanic for over 30yrs and most of my tools are craftsman. Never had any problems with quality and performance. Some of them have worked better than my snap-ons. Still have and using most of the ones I bought 30+yrs ago.

quote Originally posted by craigsfiero2007: I like Craftsmen Sockets and Wrenches. I have never had an issue with Sears replacing broken tools. I have taken 10 broken sockets and wrenches into Sears and they gave me brand new ones. Steve is right though, the old Craftsmen stuff is solid. My grandfather still has a whole Craftsmen wrench and socket set from the 60's, they still work perfectly.

That's been my experience. The last socket I had Sears replace was used to drive a very rusted door pin out of the hinge of a 53 Ford pick-up. The 1/4" drive socket (maybe 5mm?) was placed between the pin and my hydraulic press. The socket was mushroomed/broken and the guy didn't even bat an eye when I turned it in for a new one. I still have most of my Craftsman socket sets (the parts I didn't lose) since I bought them new in 1977 and have never had an issue with any of it (that I used in even a semi-sane manner). I've broken many cheap tools with my cheater pipe, but all of my Craftsman tools have survived the cheater pipe without issue. Sadly, some/most of the Craftsman mechanics tools Sears sells now is made in China (probably at the same plant that sources HF tools and all of the other Chinese made brands).

quote Originally posted by carnut122: That's been my experience. The last socket I had Sears replace was used to drive a very rusted door pin out of the hinge of a 53 Ford pick-up. The 1/4" drive socket (maybe 5mm?) was placed between the pin and my hydraulic press. The socket was mushroomed/broken and the guy didn't even bat an eye when I turned it in for a new one. I still have most of my Craftsman socket sets (the parts I didn't lose) since I bought them new in 1977 and have never had an issue with any of it (that I used in even a semi-sane manner). I've broken many cheap tools with my cheater pipe, but all of my Craftsman tools have survived the cheater pipe without issue. Sadly, some/most of the Craftsman mechanics tools Sears sells now is made in China (probably at the same plant that sources HF tools and all of the other Chinese made brands).

Sears has never given me any crap when I returned Craftsman tools no matter what they looked like and I have done some real stupid crap over the years with my tools. I have put a cheater pipe on a 1 3/4" socket 3/4" drive adapter and the cheater pipe was 6' long, well I broke the adapter not the craftsman socket, they were both craftsman by the way. they just handed me a new adapter, the socket didn't brake.

But when returning Snap on screwdriver at the warehouse they gave me crap because the handle had bondo on it. So in retrospect I will keep my Craftsman tools until they stop replacing them.

[This message has been edited by 84fiero123 (edited 12-02-2013).]

quote Originally posted by css9450: Boostdreamer: Be careful of the Lisle Torx sockets; they'll twist like butter under heavy use.

Those are the very ones I was bragging on. So far, they've been great. No problems.

Jonathan

I've had a Lisle torx bit twist under moderate use. They don't like rusty fasteners. Who makes good torx bits?