View Poll Results: Which brand do you prefer?
Kobalt
32
29.09%
Craftsman
78
70.91%
Voters: 110. You may not vote on this poll
Craftsman vs. Kobalt Tools
I wouldn't buy anything Craftsman from the last 5 yrs or so. They've sold out and the chinese make their tools now, they're junk. I've got some 20-30 yr old Craftsman tools that are un-*******-breakable. You won't find ANYTHING unbreakable in your local Sears anymore. If you want Craftsman brand, hit your local pawn shops and garage sales.
I wouldn't buy anything Craftsman from the last 5 yrs or so. They've sold out and the chinese make their tools now, they're junk. I've got some 20-30 yr old Craftsman tools that are un-*******-breakable. You won't find ANYTHING unbreakable in your local Sears anymore. If you want Craftsman brand, hit your local pawn shops and garage sales.
Almost everything is made overseas now.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/edu/pubs/business/adv/bus03.shtm
The Standard For Unqualified Made In USA Claims
What is the standard for a product to be called Made in USA without qualification?
For a product to be called Made in USA, or claimed to be of domestic origin without qualifications or limits on the claim, the product must be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. The term "United States," as referred to in the Enforcement Policy Statement, includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories and possessions.
What does "all or virtually all" mean?
"All or virtually all" means that all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.
What is the standard for a product to be called Made in USA without qualification?
For a product to be called Made in USA, or claimed to be of domestic origin without qualifications or limits on the claim, the product must be "all or virtually all" made in the U.S. The term "United States," as referred to in the Enforcement Policy Statement, includes the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories and possessions.
What does "all or virtually all" mean?
"All or virtually all" means that all significant parts and processing that go into the product must be of U.S. origin. That is, the product should contain no — or negligible — foreign content.
http://www.consumeraffairs.com/news0...craftsman.html
I wouldn't buy anything Craftsman from the last 5 yrs or so. They've sold out and the chinese make their tools now, they're junk. I've got some 20-30 yr old Craftsman tools that are un-*******-breakable. You won't find ANYTHING unbreakable in your local Sears anymore. If you want Craftsman brand, hit your local pawn shops and garage sales.
I bought a set of Crasftsmen tools earlier this year. Gotta say the ratches are kind of junky IMO, probably going to buy something better to replace them once they break. The rest of the stuff seems pretty damn good though, but then again I only occasionally wrench on my car, I'm not a professional.
I've always had good luck with Craftsman hand tools. I am pretty hard on tools and have break a few every year and on each of those occasions I have walked in to a Sears and recieved a new tool no questions asked. That to me is a huge draw even if the tools aren't of the highest quality.
With Snap on or Matco I have find a guy first to even buy the tools. Then once I track him down I have to do it every time I break something. If I am working on my own junk it may not be a huge deal, but if I'm working on someone elses junk I may not have time to wait.
With Snap on or Matco I have find a guy first to even buy the tools. Then once I track him down I have to do it every time I break something. If I am working on my own junk it may not be a huge deal, but if I'm working on someone elses junk I may not have time to wait.
Craftsman is cool because if anything goes wrong with the tool they take it back. I have watched (in horror and embarrassment) my father bring back tools he bought before I was born that had started to fall apart and they handed him the brand new version. I like dewalt for drills-uses a strong lithium ion battery which really gives it some power. Dremel has some good quality tools too.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 88
Likes: 1
From: Maine
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
I just gt rid of my craftsman tool sets.... ratchets are loose sockets all of them poorly machined inside the socket and the "6point" set of wrenches bent, chrome flaked off and also like the sockets have rust but are kept in the garage and cleaned every weak with oil.... my craftsman pliers garbage.... teeth didnt match and handles slid. My kobalts are awsome!!! i now swear by them! the wrenches are great and effin solid, i picked up the top notch ratchets and are perfect super tight and strong as hell, sockets are far better made and really hug the head!! hands down best tools ive got. my snap on and matco are.... sold off the truck took long and the ratched stripped also breaer bar broke and tourque bar.. digi one clicked and broke so ya... kobalt hands down, grab a kobalt and your current tool nd punish them head to head and see for your self but also my personal opinion
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 530
Likes: 0
I have an extensive collection of Kobalt tools. I had one socket set that used unique sockets that were open on both ends and used special rachets for them. I bought it specifically for working on the Camaro because i was doing suspension work at the time and it seemed like all the deep sockets and conventional ratchets were either too big or not deep enough or something.
I love that Kobalt tool set. The open end desiegn eliminated the need to carry two sets of sockets around (deep and non deep) and the unique slip over design allows me to set the socket first then put the ratchet on. That fancy feature really counted when I was installing the tick master cylinder.
I had to buy another set a few years later because I lost the number 10 socket. The new set, while convential design has a pretty solid machined graphite feel to it and I just love clicking it and feeling the machined precisioness.
Kobalts pretty good stuff. I heart it.
I love that Kobalt tool set. The open end desiegn eliminated the need to carry two sets of sockets around (deep and non deep) and the unique slip over design allows me to set the socket first then put the ratchet on. That fancy feature really counted when I was installing the tick master cylinder.
I had to buy another set a few years later because I lost the number 10 socket. The new set, while convential design has a pretty solid machined graphite feel to it and I just love clicking it and feeling the machined precisioness.
Kobalts pretty good stuff. I heart it.
Staging Lane
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 50
Likes: 0
From: Perrysburg, OH
90% of my hand tools are Craftsman. That being said, Kobalt tools were made in USA up to a couple years ago and I considered switching since Lowes is very close. Now they're Taiwan I believe. There's only a couple Sears in town and neither is very close to me. Last time I went there about 30-40% of the hand tools said made in China. I only do weekend work on my car and I've even managed to break a few Craftsman sockets that said "Made in USA". I would love to be able to buy the Snap-Ons but when I need something, I need it and can't hunt down some re-seller to order it.
Go with craftsman. Join the craftsman club and just wait a bit for a good sale. I got my big roll away (about 4' high x 6' long) for half off. Ball Bering and all for 600. Also got a 314? Piece mechanics kit for like 200 bucks. All hand tools etc though power tools go with dewalt!
Since I don't use tools that much, I go with craftsman hand tools and for my bday I got a E series 19.2 volt drill from them. Haven't used the drill much, but I love it for my home projects. The hand tools, I think I have only broken some stuff, and sears replaced them no issues. I have gotten my dad some Kobalt stuff, and he likes it, but he hasn't abused his stuff too much either. For drill bits, I like Dewalts stuff, especially with their super sweet quick disconnect adapter for the bits (also bday present, I know dewalt is kinda pricey). Now if I was using tools every day as a Mechanic or something, Snap On or Mac is what I would be using.