I do not need another set of sockets. But, has anyone used these? Any experience or opinions? Is this just another marketing gimmick to sell the same old tools?

 

My craftsman set has lasted 25 years with zero problems, not sure how they could make them better.

 

New Craftsman ≠ Sears Craftsman and the V-Series is no gimmick.

It's been well over a decade since Danaher (maker of Craftsman Sockets & Wrenches) closed up shop in the US and Sears sold the Craftsman brand to Stanley Black & Decker. The V-Series are the "high end" line of Craftsman and are excellent quality. The V-Series is made in Taiwan unlike the rest of Craftsman hand tools which are now Indian or Chinese junk. The V-Series are very similar to other SBD brands such as FACOM and USAG (mostly sold in Europe, these tool brands are used by F1 Mechanics so they're good stuff). I have MAC, FACOM & USAG branded hand tools from SBD and I'm VERY happy with them.

If you can handle long shipping times usually https://www.misterworker.com/en-us/ has the best prices on FACOM & USAG tools .

 

I've got 1960s Craftsman tools, sockets .... good stuff but I'm appreciative of any easier reading markings. I like 6 point sockets too.

 

I believe that I already own enough of the "basics". Sockets, ratchets, wrenches and such. But I keep buying more tools. Specialty items that may, or may not, be gimmicks. Telescoping extendable ratchets. Ratcheting adapter for a breaker bar. Spinning finger ratchets. Extra long extensions. Magnetic torx bit sets. Weird things that are usually not in tool sets.

But I will still get odd things like cheap tools to throw in the trunk or saddle bag. Where I hope and pray that they will work and not break, on the side of the road, when I need good tools the most. I don't want to drive around with nice, expensive tools in every car. But I feel silly not having any hand tools if I need to replace a hose, drive belt, battery, or something like that to keep on trucking.


So I always keep my eyes open for sales and coupons. Then do weird things like buy a breaker bar and torque wrench, with 1 deep socket, just for roadside tire changes. In every car, I also have a tire plug kit. Even though I don't remember the last time I changed a flat. And each car has a jump start pac...... Which I never remember to charge. Then I have the sandwich bag with a few small sockets, and a cheap ratchet handle, just for the emergency battery change...... Which hasn't happened in decades, ever since headlights, stereos, and accessories are turned off with the ignition key. I keep telling myself that I am saving $$$ a year by not paying for a tow club membership. It's just not worth it for jump start and flat tires.

 

Growing up, hanging out while Dad did things, I got used to the idea of one big heavy tool box. Dad, later I, would move that tool box to which ever vehicle we used. It was a habit even after he passed away, and I continued with my cars.

Thankful el cheapo tools eliminated that hassle. Emergency tools seldom if ever actually get used like those in my roll aways.

 

The emergency. That's when I would need it the most. The most common example, would be a flat. Most of us learned when we were kids, that changing a tire with the little scissor jack and tire wrench which came with the car, is dangerous and almost not possible. What are the alternatives? Do you keep a floor jack in the car? Do you keep jack stands in the car? Do you keep a breaker bar in the car? Do you keep a torque wrench in the car?

In my pickup truck, I have a set of UniJacks. Maybe it's overkill. Maybe not.

 

not overkill. I keep a floor jack in my truck at all times albeit a small 2.5 ton

 

That's good enough to lift under the rear axle or lower control arm....... unless the truck has a lift kit. Small jacks don't go high enough for trucks with lift kits. I have a floor jack which is made for higher vehicles.