What is yalls opinion on craftsman hand tools??

[snapper]

Bought my first good set of sockets tonight. A mechanics tool set. 122 pieces. It has all the sockets i will need for a while and ought to last me a long time.. I figured craftsman was the best bang for the buck for what i would be using it for. The case has plenty of room for extras. my tool set
So does this set look pretty complete socket wise?? like sizes and lengths?? So basically what i am getting at, did i get a good set, that wil covber most of needs?? which range from lawn mowers to cars in the next year or so..

Thanks guys!! Snapper.

 

[Inspector507]

snapper,
For the use you described, I think you'll do fine. I buy mostly Craftsman for hand tools. Mainly because of the no hassle warranty. It breaks... I get a new one.

Jerry

 

[budman72]

My $0.02 worth - Craftsman hand tools are a good value, especially if you get them on sale. There's no better warranty (although I tend to loose them rather than break them /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif )and you can take them back to any Sears in the country. A good set of 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 drive sockets, 1/4 -
1 1/8 combination wrenches and assorted pliers, screwdrivers can do most jobs.

I don't buy Craftsman power tools though, the last ones seem built to a price. I prefer DeWalt, and industrial brands (Milwaukee, Porter-Cable) for portable and Delta or Jet for stationary.

I've built quite a collection, every time the boss asks me to do a job I say "sure, but I need to get a (name tool here) to do it right". She usually doesn't scoff and the price of the tool ususally pays for the job. /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

Bud

 

[pajoube]

Your selection will do just fine. I have been using Craftsman toos for many years with great success. For the most part, if you take care of your tools they will last.
PJ

 

[beenthere]

I will "ditto" that comment, as I do the same thing, and believe the same as you do. I have a Craftsman tool box full of tools I bought in !960 (It was either a 3 2-barrel carburator for my 1957 Chevy or the tool set, and I think I made the right choice. They are better tools (thinner wrench handles) than they are today, but still get the guarantee. I have had to use it for the ratchets (1/4 and 3/8 drive) but still have the 1/2" drive. No metric in that set, but have bought several sets since then. Some of the fancier ratchet box-ends are not as good as I can buy elsewhere, but still prefer the Craftsman (tools only). DeWalt, Jet, Delta, Milwaukee, Porter Cable are the others I buy.

 

[cowboydoc]

I agree with everybody here. If I was a professional I think snap on are worth it. But for most of us backyard mechanics I think the craftsman are a great deal. I personally like the Dewalts as well.

 

[TresCrows]

Craftman tools are OK, I like some of their stuff alot. I especially like their Professional wrenches with the polished finish. I use mostly Snapon at work and mostly Craftsman at home. I actually have a mix of tools from Snapon, Craftsman and Mac and others. For a professional or a very serious hobbiest Snapon is better. What I don't like about Craftsman, I don't like their pushing 6 point sockets, I prefer 12 pt and the socket walls are to thick and rebatted excessively. The Snapons grip much better too. I don't like the rough finish on their hand tools because it hurts my hands and causes blisters. A Snapon ratching screw driver blows a whole set of Craftsman drivers away and the Craftsman ratcheting driver is JUNK. Craftsman does not have a good set of closed end wrenches and open ends. Sears ratchets are to thick on the ends and the ratchet clicks are to course and the "round" head ratchets are again JUNK. Also, Sears does in fact argue with you often enough when it comes to living up to their lifetime warranty. If a wrench says Professional on it and it is Craftsman they don't really mean it apparently cuz their warranty only covers homeowner use. Sears does not have a sufficient selection of 1/4 drive either and I could go on and on. There are reasons why Pros uses Snapon and handymen use Craftsman. The Snapons hold up better under heavy uses and their tools are less likely to leave marks on the fasteners except for the "Flankdrive" type which have serations on them and are popular with auto mechanics and hated by A&Ps.
Anyone that grabs a nut on a bicycle, tractor or whatnot with a Bob Villa Craftsman Multi plier should be shot and tar and feathered. /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif It makes my skin creep and my eyes hurt. J

 

[knucklehead]

Tres - so I suppose I should forgoe the dissertation on the multipurpose uses of vise grips?

/forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Anyone find a set of cheap 3/4 drive that don't frag? I'm talking tractor and implement use - not serious heavy equipment repair - I know about Northern Tool, Harbor Freight, etc...was wondering if anyone was using a set regularly with good results. Even the Craftsman set is too $$$ in my mind, but I'll get it if I hear that all the Asian products do is crack.

I figure I should upgrade from the current pipe wrench method for larger nuts now that I have more stuff with larger fastners. It sure do grip, though. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Egon]

Re: What is yalls opinion on craftsman hand tools?

Just get a larger supply of pipe wrenches. You'll never have to spend time fiddling around in a dim corner cursing the bifocals trying to find the right socket which you then take out and drop in the mud or tha snow and have to spent cold finger time finding it.
Two pipe wrenches and you have a cheater bar. They work well as hammers too.

And if the 12 point socket slips the pipe wrench will grip and if used properly also act as a nut splitter.

Also remember air tools require a different quality of socket compared to hand tools.

Egon

 

[knucklehead]

Re: What is yalls opinion on craftsman hand tools?

<font color="blue">....remember air tools require a different quality of socket compared to hand tools </font>

Actually, I bought a couple sets of Asian impact sockets because I heard the steel was better in impact tools, and I use them if I think I'm gonna crack another Craftsman. Looks like the main design difference is thicker walls; they sometimes hafta be squeezed into place.

I remember the tools my grandparents had - very few, mosty big iron open end wrenches, and a nice assortment of hammers for various uses. Seems they had a hammer for everything - from upholstery tacks to big hardwood tenon-whackers for the barn. The one set of sockets I remember was a 1/2" drive set in a metal box, and my grandfather had carefully lettered his name on the top in a calligraphy type style. It was easy to tell that those were the prize of the garage. My grandparents were both mechanically oriented, too - one was a machinist and farmer. They had everything they needed in a couple small boxes.

I sometimes wonder if we have too many tools - although we have more things that need them - and gone are days when you could just say "hand me a screwdriver". Now you gotta specify what type of head - allen, torx, philips, etc..

My main tool set is a 99pc Craftsman set I bought in 1983. I've picked up additional sockets and drivers, pliers and chisels and such - even a tailpipe expander and some gear pullers, but I think I could still pile everything in a couple bushel baskets (not counting power tools).

Since Sears is being so good to its reservist employees, I think I might tend to wander over there and voice my approval with my Discover card. I searched TBN for this subject and did not find it - odd, since we talk stuff up like this, usually. Did I miss something?