What does everyone think about Craftsman tools? I notice that alot of auto shops don't use them, why is that? I think that there like the #1 brand, but all i see the pros use is Snap-on, Mac, and Matco.

-Brad

1970 F-250 2wd 4sp. 360FE
1979 F-250 4x4 4sp. 400M

 

[updated:LAST EDITED ON 21-Aug-02 AT 10:09 PM (EST)]Brad,

This issue was discussed pretty thoroughly in a recent thread. My bottom line is this - when I had a wrench or screwdriver in my hand 8 or 9 hours a day as a mechanic the shape of the handles, balance, and wear resistance that MAC, Snap Off, and other professional tool provided was worth the extra cost. For the hour or two I spend on it each day now, it isn't worth it for me. Craftsman and similar tools work well for weekend warriors and don't break the budget. They will occasionally round off a bolt head or nut when a better grade wouldn't.

It's really up to you - you certainly can pay a little extra and you'll usually get a higher quality tool that feels better in your hand. The convenience of a nearby Sears and being able to return anything no matter how stupid I was when I broke it makes Craftsman best for me.

George

 

Thanks for your opinion, it does seem that Craftsman's tools are starting to be a bit higher level of quality, such as those new profesional screw drivers, i know what you mean about their standard screwdrivers though.

-Brad

1970 F-250 2wd 4sp. 360FE
1979 F-250 4x4 4sp. 400M

 

The old stuff made b4 1970 was good stuff, after that it is all throw-away junk. It breaks way too easy so you have to come back in the store to replace it. The tools aren't made to standard SAE dimensional specs. I don't make my living with tools but I still can't afford to have a tool that fails, or rounds off a bolt because it doesn't fit right, sometime after 10PM when I am trying to get my ride back together. For occasional light duty, "swingset assy" type home use they are probably OK.

I buy SK or Husky, I have never had any of those break.

Snap On, Matco and MAC are pro-grade tools of very high quality and reliability for guys that make their living using them. They can't afford a tool that breaks in the middle of a job.

 

My friend used to use Husky but now hes hooked on Craftsman, he always broke the husky stuff, alot of Husky is made in taiwan.

-Brad

1970 F-250 2wd 4sp. 360FE
1979 F-250 4x4 4sp. 400M

 

I have a garage full of Craftsman, and I've never broken one before a couple months ago, when I put 400+ ft*lbs on a 5/16" combo. It warped it slightly, and without a receipt they were glad to replace it for me. Bottom line is, they are outstanding tools, and I've owned samples of most every tool out there, and my tool of choice remains the Craftsman. Tried and true, and if you break one, they'll always replace it, if your son breaks it in 50 years, they'll still replace it! TK

'77 F100, 302 (the aftermarket Prodigy), C4
Cadet Second Lieutenant John F. Daly III
South Carolina Corps of Cadets, The Citadel
The TorqueKing

 

I worked with a guy that still was using his Snap-On tools after something like 40 years. That is some use. I bought a ratcheting screwdriver set from Snap-On in the early 80s (I was only a salesman at the time), 15+ years ago for $70.00 Which was a lot of money back then. It still works and what is amazing is the only bit I have ever broken was the 30T, mostly because I was using it with a 1/4 ratchet on a rusty side mirror. Even the plastic case has held up no matter how many times I have dropped it.

I buy Craftsman for disposable tools or ones I might easily wreck and need a free replacement in a hurry.

 

My tools boxes are Snap-On, when I moved I dropped them off the ramp of a truck :P My top box got badly munched like a trapazoid, though I gave it to another tech to fix for his garage at home. The other two boxes survived fairly intact, other boxes probably would have been totally destroyed when that 1500+ pounds came a tumbling down.

 

It also helps that Matco, Snap-On and Mac tool companies send trucks around to shops and you can do your shopping right there. Most of the those tool companies will also give you credit no questions asked.

Brian

 

I don't know what all the talk is about craftsman not being high quality and Snap-Crap is????? Snap-On is all I use at work and we do everything from torquing 40 inch lbs to 3300 and the tools in our boxes are always broke, bent, or missing parts. I've been using them for 6 years now and I've never had a Snap-on tool that I was proud to use. On the other hand all my craftsman tools in my home are well cherished and worth their weight in gold. I've changed engines, trannys, and axles with them. I've put two suspension lifts on with them, a body lift, put fans up in the house, a garage door opener.... on and on and on...... and that was this year alone. I have broken a half inch drive ratchet but only because we were using a 3 foot breaker bar extension on it. It still worked but kind of slipped after that. In my opinion Craftsman tools are well worth the money and do the job they are intended to do. Sure, round a nut or a bolt head but try using metric sockets when you have metric hardware... don't use a almost fit standard instead. Improper tool usage is a huge reason people break crap.... K, that's my 2 cents...
-Ry

-If it aint broke, fix it till it is...

-Stop telling God how big your problems are, instead
tell your problems how big your God is...


1985 F-150 302 4X4
Dana 44 TTB / 9 inch
4.56:1 Front/True-Trac
4.56:1 Rear/Detroit Locker
C-6 Tranny, NP208 Transfer
6 inch Skyjacker Class II lift
35 X 12.50 BFGoods AT's

https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=6696&.jpg https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gallery/displaythumbnail.php?&photoid=6663&.jpg

 

I have used Craftsman, Husky, Proto, Snap-on, Wardmaster, Wizard, SK, Armstrong, and even some horribly made Indian offset box wrenches purchased in desperation when I did not have my regular tools at my brother-in-laws house. I have both metric and std tool sets. I use the tools properly (most of the time). I have lost a couple of sockets to abuse with a big cheater bar but I can understand that.

The only tools that have broken in normal use were post 1970 Craftsman. One set of Craftsman arc-joint pliers shattered in my hands giving me a couple of black smashed nails. Other C tools have failed with minor injuries (bashed knuckles etc) at very in-opportune times. Others have worn out quickly. Basicly the post 1970 C hand tools are the worst I have ever had. I have measured some of the C tools and have found they have a serious problem with size control with lots of scatter. To replace a wrench with one that was within tolerance specs I had to measure over two dozen wrenches. Almost all of the wrenches were oversized. The sales people were not too happy with me. I can't say how the post 1980 C tools are, I don't buy them any more.

 

I have Craftsman tools but i use mostly my Snap On or Mac tools on jobs. IMO Craftsman has gone downhill over the years and are not the quality tool they once were.





Wiz

An Equal Opportunity Truck Lover!

http://www.clubfte.com/users/thewiz427/index.html

 

A majority of my tools are Craftsman. I don't exactly like them but for what I can aford they work. I dont know how some people have never broken them. I am up at sears at least every couple months replacing screw drivers, ratchets or sockets. I have had plenty of busted knuckles because a ratchet decides to go south. But I will say this. Most of the other brands I have used from other retail stores (walmart, homedepot, etc) aren't even close. Someday I would like to be able to afford some higher quality tools but for now its the craftsman, I just have back ups for all of my ratchets.

 

My basic Craftsman sockets/ratchets/wrenches are over 40 years old and the only replacement was for a worn out ratchet mechanism. When used properly, these tools should last forever. Snapping sockets and wrenches indicates an inappropriate tool selection for the application.

 

First let me say I am not a professional mechanic. I have Craftsman, Husky, Sk and various other old large wrenches that I buy at flea markets. I also own metrics as well. I don't normally work any of them hard enough to break them, but I have broken ratchets.
Cheater bars will do most things some harm due to the extra leverage. I am careful with them now.

My SK ratchet set I bought in 1970, and it has never given me problem one. I am proud just not to have lost it over my many moves. As for recent Craftsman stuff, I have noticed a difference since the 70's but they give you a free replacement, no questions asked. I never buy tools from China or India. USA all the way. I am careful on bolts with the fit of the tool because I hate rounded heads. This is why I have so many tools. The right tool for the job, as the saying goes. I suppose if I was a pro, I would buy as the pros do. I can't justify the expense. I am a shade mechanic.

I hunt flea markets, garage sales, and swap meets, as much as I can for old tools in good shape. I try to find mechanics tools that look like they are older. Can't always tell, but I take chances when the price is right. I recently found an entire collection of Ford Wrenches. There were many duplicates, so I plan to sell some off to pay for some others.

My wife just can't understand but: A guy can never have too many tools!:-)