Brief Rant about Craftsman

[Cat_Driver]

Like everybody else here I've purchased a kings ransom on tools.

The one and only set of tools that have saved me more than any other tool I have is the
MI Tools.

I got suckered into buying these one late night on TV and I don't know what it is about these things but they have never let me down and they do both standard and metric sizes on the same wrench.

The only samll set in the samll bos does more for me than a whole tool bos of tools.

I know this sounds like an advertisement, but like I tell the wife time and again " you know the metrinch save me again.

Now here's the topper. I lost one of the wrenched and called them to purchase the missing wrench and it showed up the next week NO CHARGE.

Who odes business like that.

Guarateed you will never spin one of these on a bolt or even round the bolt off as they grab in a different way then we are all used to.

 

[DieselPower]

Yeah, how much doesn't matter. Unless it's something big. When I bought my last tool box was the last time I asked how much.. wait.. the modis...no.. the 3/4 inch impact.. welder?.. no wonder I'm broke. And I've been pointing the finger at the stock market. It's my need.. er.. want for new shiny stuff I'll probably use only twice.

Ain't that the truth!

The price of the Modis ain't bad, it's the annual updates that kill you over time. Still a fantastic piece of diagnostics equipment no matter the price. I started with a MT2500, then got a Vantage graphing meter. Wouldn't you know it, the Modis does both and is better so traded both of them in on the Modis. Now they have a even newer one out more high speed than the Modis, think it's the Solus or something like that.

 

[sixdogs]

I think if your job depends on accurate diagnostics and job satisfaction you want good tools. Mine doesn't so used Craftsman tools worked for me for decades. I was very proud of them and maybe some SK and SnapOn I bought along the way. Then I discovered that Easco made tools for Sears and they were half price. Good deal since the Chinese tools and steel were junk.

Recently I saw some newly-made lower priced Chinese tools and the fit and finish was excellent. The tools seemed to be excellent --and I mean excellent quality--nearly equal in appeariance to my SnapOn stuff. I read somewhere that the Japanese were supplying the metal.
So now what? Is the next conquest the US tool market and does Sears already feel the heat? Maybe that's why they now rebuild rather than replace? Maybe we won't have Sears to kick around forever?

 

[Bedlam]

I suspect sears is teetering.
My daughter wanted to buy some appliances and they wants a large delivery charge for three appliances to be delivered 5 miles down the street.It made more sence to drive the 25 miles to eithe Lowes or Home Depot and get free shipping to the house and old disposal. Guess Sears. doenst feel they need to service customers.
And I now Demand the new shelf ratchets as opposed to the cheap rebuilds.Just be forceful they are the ones who made the commitment to lifetime guarantee

 

[Iplayfarmer]

... Then I discovered that Easco made tools for Sears and they were half price.

Now you're talking! I'm off to do a google search on Easco.

 

[Scooby074]

I have a easco ratchet and socket set. Its really good. Nice fine teeth.

Last i heard though, Easco no longer exists. I think they are now part of the tool borg known as Dahner. I think that some of the Sears ratchets are still made under the Easco design, by Dahner.

 

[RobJ]

I know this sounds like an advertisement, but like I tell the wife time and again " you know the metrinch save me again.

Being a tool junkie I had to google metrinch. The drive system looks like my 70's Snap-on flank drive (if I recall correctly). And the crossovers are a bit iffy. Everyone who works on both knows about the 8, 13, 14, 17(close), 19, 22. If would be interesting to see how the 10 and 3/8 crossover really work. But I don't get to many calls for a 11/32, 15/32, 19/32 or 23/32. Actually my Dad pulled out a cheap set one day that had all the sae numbers listed below. When I grabbed one working on something I said what the heck is a 15/32" socket??!!

So now I need to buy some more tools!!! Thanks!

Lets see I recall reading here about the famous O-ratchet. Got one and think I've used it once! But I have an O-ratchet set!!

MET-1108 Wrench 8mm & 5/16"
MET-1109 Wrench 9mm & 11/32"
MET-1110 Wrench 10mm & 3/8"
MET-1111 Wrench 11mm & 7/16"
MET-1112 Wrench 12mm & 15/32"
MET-1113 Wrench 13mm & 1/2"
MET-1114 Wrench 14mm & 9/16"
MET-1115 Wrench 15mm & 19/32"
MET-1116 Wrench 16mm & 5/8"
MET-1117 Wrench 17mm & 11/16"
MET-1118 Wrench 18mm & 23/32"
MET-1119 Wrench 19mm & 3/4"
MET-1120 Wrench 20/21mm & 13/16"
MET-1122 Wrench 22/23mm & 7/8"
MET-1124 Wrench 24mm & 15/16"
MET-1126 Wrench 26/27mm & 1 1/16"
MET-1129 Wrench 29/30mm & 1 3/16"
MET-1132 Wrench 31/32mm & 1 1/4

 

[Cat_Driver]

RobJ,,

Yep if I ever hit the road for long trips in the RV I just grab the small box of mittool and I know there is something in that small assortment that will take care of me. Better than lugging around a 40lb tool box.

Did you see that part where they work on rounded and worn or rounded nuts.

 

[sixdogs]

While we're at all this, it's worth mention I still have my original SK 3/8 six-point socket set I bought at age 16 from NAPA. I am now age 61.

The tools look like a million dollars all polished from use. A lot of the chrome is gone but they have built and fixed tractors and street rods and trucks and washing machines. In warm garages, cold barns and on the side of the road.
Fixed a new XKE in the late 60's (got a hot date out of my mechanical aptitude), a Volvo 1800E in the early 70's and a famous actors car in the mid 70's. Even fiddled with a Bentley and in later years helped two state Governors . To say nothing of everything else.

When we are gone, will our tools be able to tell their story?

 

[RobJ]

RobJ,,

Yep if I ever hit the road for long trips in the RV I just grab the small box of mittool and I know there is something in that small assortment that will take care of me. Better than lugging around a 40lb tool box.

Did you see that part where they work on rounded and worn or rounded nuts.

Yep, that was part of the flank drive sales pitch. But hey you have me looking around now!! Rascal!!

With 4 sets of tools, 2 snap-on, 1 craftsman, 1 HF, my "travel" set is the one I have in my truck. Actually 2 tool bags you can get from HD. I switched over to bags years ago because they are easier to pack and don't bang into stuff like a metal box. I've tried the flat underseat box, small box, plastic, on and on!

Of the 4 sets the snap-on at the main house gets used the most, then the Elkhart house set which is the cheap HF stuff. Sockets are not that bad, wrenches suck, but I can't pull myself to put a snap on set up there. My work area is all over the place! Probably would start to loose them. If I can latch on to some Met stuff, I'll try it up there. They don't look to expensive.

Rob