Craftsman Tools Today

I pulled on wrenches for a living, so I have some opinions , I also collect older Canadian made or US made mechanics tools. at the fleamarket..They aren't as nice as current tools.BTW. I have some 3/8s Craftsman sockets from the early '70s, they are really nice, short, fully broached , thin walled, with lead ins, and four dimples. For working on cars, that's as good as it gets. My older cousin told me they were made by Snap-on. I rarely believed what he said. I also have Protos, S-Ks, Armstrong, Heibrand, Williams, Wright, and Gray. They are all made in USA or Canada, and none are as nice as those Craftsman, maybe sturdier but not as nice. My friend gave me tools his Dad kept on the boat, they were rusty. Those earlier yet Craftsman sockets were no where as nice as those 1970s ones.

Surprisingly Gearwrench sockets are pretty nice, but so are a lot of the Taiwanese made ones. Gearwrench is also owned by Stanley, surprise, surprise.
 
I got my first set of tools, Craftsman, about 20 years ago. While they still work...they arent great. I cant imagine what they are now. I have zero brand loyalty these days and end up buying Kobalt/Husky/HarborFreight these days because its much easier to exchange them. My closest Sears isnt far but its like a ghost town. Im sure it will be closing next year.
 
I bought most of my hand wrenches and sockets years ago: mostly Craftsman and Snap On from when I worked on cars, plus
a mix of other older stuff.
But, in the last few years, when I have needed the occasional tool that I didn't have I've bought Proto, and I think they're pretty
good tools. They aren't clunky, feel good in my hands, and seem to fit the fasteners properly. Whether they'll last or not is
another question. :)
 
I too have mostly Craftsman tools. They were mostly purchased prior to 1980.
They will last my life time and have performed flawlessly.
I bought a 1/4” drive ratchet from Mac, I have had it rebuilt twice. Never rebuilt my 3/8 or 1/2” Craftsman ratchets.
 
A bit of tool history on Proto. The name was Plomb's Canadian subsidiary . Plomb never copyrighted their name and the hammer manufacturer Plumb sued, so they used Proto. Plomb was based in LA and were the inventors of the standard combination wrench . Ingersoll Rand bought the company, that's when they got a rep as good as the old Williams for industrial tools. My heavy wrenches are from that era.
 
Been using Craftsman tools, among others, for more than 50 years. NEVER had a problem with a warranty exchange until last week.

First I was told, "We don't sell those". Wrong - it is on your website.

Then there was some trouble examining the tool to ensure it is a Craftsman. I admit the logo is almost gone.

Then I was asked for a receipt [!].

Finally, I told the fellow, "It seems to me like you are looking for an excuse not to help me."

At that I was dismissed with a sarcastic "Have a nice day".

When they put up the "Going Out of Business" sign, maybe I'll go back and wish them a nice day.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top