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Craftsman hand tools... meh....

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Old Aug 6, 2009 | 08:01 PM
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Default Craftsman hand tools... meh....

I am a big supporter fo them and used them and been nothing but happy with them.


BUT....

My 1/16 combination wrench, the open end the tips got mushroomed a little. I have had the thing for 12 years. Either way, wasn't fitting on to hydraulic or AN fittings well.

So take it to store to swap it out. It was kind of sad, I was side by side with the current wrenches, and they didnt seem the same quality, the "matte" finish part just seemed poorly done, hard to explain, same part number and same dimensions and sizes just slightly different.

So I searched through like 15 wrenches and got what I thought was the best. Take it back to the Hangar, go to try my new wrench out on an AN fitting and guess what, doesn't fit, I can go forward and slide it down but the tips of it are too snug.

I think I am just going to grind it down a little bit, but hey gues its better being a tight fit then a loose one.


Just seems like quality changed over the years. Part of me is wondering if maybe I was better off keeping my old wrench and just grinding the mushrooms down.

BTW its funny how 1 combo wrench is $7-12 but a set of like 14 is $30.
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 04:26 PM
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You should check out their regular 3/8 ratchets, the selector is now made of plastic.
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Old Aug 8, 2009 | 05:06 PM
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agreed.

I purchased a metric combination set back in 2000 and compared them to the ones I bought in 2007 and the quality is lower. I can tell what batch they came from when I clean my tools and arrange them in the toolbox.

Ryan
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 05:54 AM
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sadly yes I agree too, down the tubes. My dad has a beater set of crafstman that hes had for like 30 years, still going strong and you can see the quality. I got a 260pc set for weekend tasks, and Honestly I prefer my ace brand ratchets from hs over the new craftsman ones, the selector is plastic and it just feels/sounds like junk, I used it one time and immediately reached for the cheap pos.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 08:35 AM
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Yes, not happy with them either. I tried to return a couple defective tools 2 weeks ago and got nothing but the run-around. They have changed a lot it seems over the last several years, I've had no argue at times to get tools replaced. I have bought nothing but Craftsman tools ever since I started buying tools and now you'd better check to see what warranty coverage your tool has before you buy it. Not to mention the tools are made everywhere now, if it isn't a hand tool the likelyhood of it being made outside of the U.S.A. is very possible. Just a little venting!

-SS
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 10:35 AM
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Yea Craftsman and Husky both have sold out. I've got several 15+ yrs old Husky/Craftsman stuff that is nearly unbreakable. Anything I've bought from both brands within the last 3 years has broke within the first few uses.

I've went back to buying Matco again.
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 02:26 PM
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Originally Posted by Damian
Yea Craftsman and Husky both have sold out. I've got several 15+ yrs old Husky/Craftsman stuff that is nearly unbreakable. Anything I've bought from both brands within the last 3 years has broke within the first few uses.

I've went back to buying Matco again.

Same all my old stuff is great. I messed up the new stuff fast not worth it.

I went back to snap on and Matco

If they sold out to china i will never buy anything again
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Old Aug 9, 2009 | 02:52 PM
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Id love to go with Snap On but its so damn expensive its unreal.

I got my set for super cheap because of a misplaced sale sign and a gift card so I can put up with it not being up to par so to speak.
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