Brief Rant about Craftsman
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Mike Costello
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This thread brings back memories for me of my days in the automotive repair business. Back then, a mechanics tools were his ego. The big three were Snap On, Mac, and Cornwell. As a store owner, I used to cringe when those trucks showed up because nothing got done until those "candy stores" left.
Some of those tool boxes got fancy right along with the price! Had an older mechanic all the younsters called "gramps". He used a modest Craftsman set with a modest looking Craftsman box and roll away. He got kidded alot about his tools. But, on payday he always walked out the door with a fat check while the younsters were out there paying off the tool trucks!
Some of those tool boxes got fancy right along with the price! Had an older mechanic all the younsters called "gramps". He used a modest Craftsman set with a modest looking Craftsman box and roll away. He got kidded alot about his tools. But, on payday he always walked out the door with a fat check while the younsters were out there paying off the tool trucks!
hanson1999
Gold Member
the lugs on the avalanche are 14mm. any newer chevy's lugs are metric from about 1988 and on......i carry a special socket and breaker bar in my pickup that has aftermarket wheels, cause i've had the same problems with sockets not fitting in the hole, don't remember off hand what size socket, as they differ according to lug nut variations.
Bird
Rest in Peace
For those who don't already know it, the trucks are literally, as well as figuratively, "candy stores".
They usually keep a big bowl (fish bowl) full of candy for the customers to help themselves. And of course the candy bowl is kept at the very back of the truck, so the customers have to walk all the way through that portable showroom to get to the candy.And yep, part of the reason for the big, fancy toolboxes is braggin' rights, but most shops are a little different than the one described above. If you go into a shop with your car, and you see two mechanics there; one with a modest Craftsman toolbox and one with a big fancy Snap-On, MAC, Cornwell, or Matco toolbox which one are you most likely to want to work on your vehicle? Subconsciously at least, most people will assume the guy with the big professional looking equipment is the better mechanic. And most of the time (but certainly not all the time), they'll be right.
Sackett2
Platinum Member
IPlayFarmer:
One trick to custom rims where a standard socket doesn't fit is to use a 3/8 (sometimes 1/2) inch drive spark plug sockett.
Doing this for a living I have a bunch of sockets for lugs, sometimes my 3/8 sparkplug socket fits best
One trick to custom rims where a standard socket doesn't fit is to use a 3/8 (sometimes 1/2) inch drive spark plug sockett.
Doing this for a living I have a bunch of sockets for lugs, sometimes my 3/8 sparkplug socket fits best
OP
Iplayfarmer
Super Member
Yeah, that's what I finally bought for my brother to keep in his rig.
2manyrocks
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I remember a time when Sears sold a wide variety of quality products at reasonable prices. I have a 1/2 Craftsman drill that I bought in the 80's and it's still going fine. I have a Craftsman table saw with a cast iron table top of about the same vintage I think made by Emerson and it's fine. My Craftsman socket wrench broke, but they replaced it. But the days of walking in and buying a cast iron table top saw for $200-$300 at Sears I suppose are long gone.
Matt_Jr
Platinum Member
For those who don't already know it, the trucks are literally, as well as figuratively, "candy stores".
And yep, part of the reason for the big, fancy toolboxes is braggin' rights, but most shops are a little different than the one described above. If you go into a shop with your car, and you see two mechanics there; one with a modest Craftsman toolbox and one with a big fancy Snap-On, MAC, Cornwell, or Matco toolbox which one are you most likely to want to work on your vehicle? Subconsciously at least, most people will assume the guy with the big professional looking equipment is the better mechanic. And most of the time (but certainly not all the time), they'll be right.
I remember when I started turnin' wrenches I never wanted to be "THAT GUY" with the big box. I wanted to be the guy who knew his stuff and did good work. I started off with a plastic rubbermaid tackle box, then a cheap craftsman w/roller bearings. When the drawers started falling off from overfilling I bought a rough beat up Matco advantage limited edition off the snap-on truck he took in on trade. I thought it was big, but no one would notice the ugly gray color so it was ok. Soon after it was so full I was hiding tools under it and couldn't close the top. My tool box was always a mess. Laid out about 20k for "TOOL STORAGE." Now I'm "THAT GUY" with the big box, and at times wonder if I know anything. Every new customer refers to me as the guy with the blue box for a while.. then they learn my name. I hate and love that box. I hate it 'cause it's big and fancy. I love it 'cause it's big and fancy. I feel like a peasant living in a castle. Sometimes I wonder if the customer thinks I charge too much to be able to afford such a thing, even if they do keep coming back. At the same time if I didn't have it, my stuff would be a free for all with the other guys in the shop who like to "borrow" stuff
. Ahh and the candy bowl. Veeeery sneaky.
mjncad
Super Member
The Chinese are real good at putting frosting on a canine Twinkie and making it look real good; but the junk breaks just as quickly.
Mike Costello
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- Location
- Dunnegan, Missouri
- Tractor
- Kubota L4400HST, R4 tires, L2228 Quick-attach setup
In all my years in automotive, I don't recall too many people equating the size of a mechanic's toolbox with his skill. It was more like, WOW! that's a BIG FANCY EXPENSIVE set of tools. Be gentle!
In "Gramps" case. his age worked for him-people had more confidence in an older man under the hood of their cars. He was also more stable(not showing up hung over & covered with cheap perfume) and it didn't hurt that he had a large following.
I very rarely bought anything off the "candy store trucks" because the price was way out there. I've been using Craftsman tools for almost 40 years and can count in one hand how many I've had to return because they broke. I always got new replacements on the spot-no arguments. I have a shop full of Craftsman equipment, some old and some new stuff and its done well for me at a reasonable cost.
In "Gramps" case. his age worked for him-people had more confidence in an older man under the hood of their cars. He was also more stable(not showing up hung over & covered with cheap perfume) and it didn't hurt that he had a large following.
I very rarely bought anything off the "candy store trucks" because the price was way out there. I've been using Craftsman tools for almost 40 years and can count in one hand how many I've had to return because they broke. I always got new replacements on the spot-no arguments. I have a shop full of Craftsman equipment, some old and some new stuff and its done well for me at a reasonable cost.
