Review: New Craftsman tool set from Lowe’s made by Stanley
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Want to see how this ratchet is made? Check out my teardown review here: • Teardown review: 120 t...
I’m going to show you what’s good and bad about this new Craftsman 3/8” drive socket and ratchet set from Lowe's. I paid $50 for this 51-piece set. These are some of the first new Craftsman tools released by Stanley Black & Decker. 
Хобби
Lol. Craftsman used to have an ad that said, “Made in the USA, to fix the things that weren’t.” Then they sold out. So I stopped buying them.
Isn't that ironic....
Wow that is a great slogan
You probably know (ALSO) that you used to be able to order a number of different HOMES from the Sears and Roebuck Catalog...All were various models of what was called a "CRAFTSMAN HOUSE"...No kidding!! They would sell the entire engineered and stamped plans, the appropriate lumber package and everything needed to build the entire house, except for things like concrete. Builders would buy these Craftsman homes and build it and sell it to middle-America...
For those who don't know this, look it up. I always found this interesting.
It is sad to see this company in bankruptcy. The problem is that they had VERY POOR MANAGEMENT and Worse yet, made VERY BAD Marketing and acquisition decisions. Like buying K-Mart...what in the hell were they thinking?
Sears COULD make a comeback, but they DESPERATELY need to focus on marketing. Selling Craftsman to Stanley was yet another bad move, unless there is some clause where they can take back the trademark or at least split the profits. They need to identify their core customer, and sell ONLY what their core customer wants. They tried to be everything to everybody, and that does not work anymore. It hasn't worked in 30+ years
@Chuck Finley ...Yep...and if they want to make it in Today's world they need to get back to their core...their core money-making products and core shopper.
Think "Tractor Supply, combined with Bass Pro/Cabelas" and a few appliances ....
HIGH Quality Tools, Guns, Chainsaws, Outdoor Gear, Rugged Clothing (i.e. Wrangler and LeviJeans, Flannel shirts, Outdoor coats, Carharrt clothing, Boots Etc) ,
Fishing boats, Gun safes, ATV's and other 4-wheelers, Truck and Automotive parts like tires, hitches, Truck boxes, trailers
Camping equipment, Gas grills, Wood stoves, generators, etc
Kenmore appliances made by HIGH QUALITY manufacturer and re-badged unless they plan to manufacture themselves, which is probably out of the question in today's market
The focus should be on attracting the same people that Tractor Supply and Cabelas/ Bass Pro shops try to bring into their stores. Durable quality products made for mostly the blue-collar crowd and those that enjoy the outdoors
Why in the world did Sears try to compete on high fashion clothing and jewelry? Why did they think they had to be all things to all people? Answer: The Company was run by stupid people for years. They didn't understand WHO their core customer was. They were an undefined misfit retailer for many years.
@Chuck Finley What you may not know is that Someone VERY RECENTLY bought the shell of what was Sears, and is going to be pouring a bunch of money at it, trying to turn them around.
Sears is like an Icon in American history. I really hope they can get their act together. They lost me in early 2000s...I used to buy ALL of my tools there, but when the tools were no longer made in the USA, they totally lost me on the hand tools. Was still buying the power tools, but they weren't Craftsman, they were Name brands like DeWalt and Porter Cable, mostly because the Craftsman wasn't nearly as good. The other problem is that they weren't price competitive...so although they had my loyalty for many years, they lost it due to consistent disappointment
I'm so glad my Craftsmen set is an older US made set.
Kyle Reese yes it is. But guess what. ? When your old tool set breaks. They will warranty you a cheap crap version. Good luck
@@mateodelcastillo7186 if you break sockets often you are probably using them wrong. And older craftsman ratchets are servicable. No need to exchange em for chinese ones.
I had to put mine together by hitting Pawn shops. Still missing some of the mm. Took me 3 years to get this far and have a descent set. It was fun to do, a hobby. Until they make it in the USA, they won’t be as strong, and I have had Chinese break. I have heard China is going to flood the market with quality tools here soon. But that was before covid. Not interested though. My motto: USA, all the way.
Iremember those old sockets, and how they use to advertise them on night tv, they where very well made all tho very sharp to handle, that was the only thing idid not like and ibelieve they where actually high quality steel and not the cheap cr v metal
I've been buying Craftsman tools since the 80's. I've got a lot of US, China, and Taiwan made products. Have not had any issues with any of them one bit.
RIP Sears. You sold quality goods. RIP Craftsman tools, you helped me fix a lot of stuff.
Very well-made video, bro. I appreciate the effort you put in to it by going out and buying several different Craftsman items for comparison.
I'm old enough to remember when Craftman didn't suck.
merlingt1 my grandfather, who always used craftsman tools, bought me a craftsman socket set for my 8th birthday. I still have that entire set today and haven’t had a single problem with the ratchet.
I have some old stuff that’s still going strong. This was before the sloppy ratchets with loose tolerances and jamming ratchets out fo the box. I wouldn’t buy their new stuff unless they make major changes.
That's old
14 years going strong right now.
I'm not. I've been breaking Craftsman tools for 50 years.
I will stick to my 42 year old Craftsman socket set I bought in 1976, on sale for $19.99.
$19.99 in 1976 is a lot of money. Yep, I got some Craftsman made in that era too... majority are about 30 years old.
That is about six times more expensive than this set in adjusted dollars, but I'm sure worth the extra cost.
I have a butt load of 40+ years old craftsman sockets and a 3/8 ratchet that is a survivor. All still get used on a weekly basis.
Barry Kaufman truth
No, 20 dollars in "76 is 94 today.
I needed a quarter inch socket set with both standard and metric. I bought the Craftsman set from Lowe's. I have been happy with it.
I'll stick to my 30 year old Craftsman tools. Craigslist, Estate sales and garage sales you can find gems! Found a 1/4 ratchet set with a metal case at a garage sale for $5.00. Found a 1/2 Speed driver with a metal handle stamped with the words craftsman for $1.00. There are gems to be found if you look.
I still use my dad's fine tooth round head 1/2 and 1/4 ratches from the 70s have yet found anything to replace e them with
Same here!
I have no need to buy more ratchets or sockets. I have plenty. Going to Estate/Garage sales, you can buy for a lot less.
Thanks for another great tool review. I appreciate your direct, no nonsense approach...👍🏻👍🏻
Until Stanley sells USA made Craftsman tools I'm not interested. Btw, great review!
I hear that Tim, I swore off of Craftsman when Sears made their brilliant decision to off-shore their manufacturing.
Agreed. I'll spend my money elsewhere. The new stuff doesn't hold a candle to the old stuff.
Why not? It's been the craftsman m.o. Since day one. They've never actually made a single tool. They sublet their name and contract out to whatever manufacture will produce their tool the cheapest. Some of the USA made craftsman are complete junk as well. Really if they don't have a V or VV or even the EE estco stamp on them most of them are junk. The US made G series was horrible. Now they just subcontract out everything to Chinese & Taiwanese manufactures because they're cheaper, but it's still the same junk they've always sold. Funny how the same people that shit all over craftsman now love them some gearwrench. Funny thing is, the Sears sold craftsman sockets of today are made by apex, the same company that makes gearwrench. The 84 tooth low profile Taiwanese made craftsman ratchets at Sears today are far superior to any of them slow, low tooth count American made craftsman ratchets. Even snap on has started to subcontract out to overseas manufactures. They've also used apex in the past but even now the new snap on bolt extractor sockets are made by the same company that makes them for tekton and neiko....And theyre made in Taiwan. Plus let's face it, the same people that won't buy today's craftsman because theyre made overseas are the same people that wouldn't buy a new USA made craftsman....because it's too expensive.
I am with you,Sears made durable,good tools back in the day,they have been junk since the late 80's.I will pay more for US made tools and continue to browse yard sales tec. for quality made US tools.As a professional tradesman it is beneath my standards to carry or use Chinese tools.
I have never personally liked Craftsman ratchets, I have been wrenching on rusty stuff for around 30 years and thier quality has always been lacking, now that being said thier USA era sockets were thinner and seem to be great quality since my sockets are going on 30 years old and I don't think I have ever killed one (but I tend to use the right socket for the job and never use my impact on the them). I have since upgraded my ratchets to SK and Mac knurled handle ratchets and I like both even though the pear headed Mac is a bit low on the tooth count, I use to hem pretty much daily and they just keep going.
On the that same note, if I am spending money on tools (hand tools especially), I expect them to last for a really long time, I also expect them to be serviceable and prefer when I purchase them to employ an American since as an American citizen it is my job to help my country men stay employed as I would hope they would do the same. Stanley just as when Sears sold the Craftsman branded tools, will not bring back American manufacturing back to any tool line they own, at least not in any great numbers, you figure Stanley owns Mac, Proto, Stanley, Black & Decker and Blackhawk tools that have quite a few tools are made in some 3rd world communist shithole and every time I see new tools it seems more and more are made over seas.... The worst part about I is that commercial "quality" priced tools are still the same price even though the labor cost has been almost eliminated by our sourcing.
I remember when Stanley was quality tools you would pass on to your children as was Craftsman and needless to say Proto and Mac. But ai think I hose days are coming to a close.
Who would have thought we would be roaming yard sales, eBay and antique stores for quality tools.
Live American
Buy American
It is the right thing to do.
And that goes for everything you purchase.
Thanks for your time in making this review. I grew up with Made in the USA Craftsman Tools to which I use full time but since the production was ceased in the USA I have gone to other manufacturers. I look forward to seeing the USA MADE set.
About 25 years ago I bought a Stanley ratchet at a lumber yard. It was a 3/8" drive but it was very hefty, almost as beefy as a 1/2". It forward/reverse switch was a rocker with a solid positive click. I absolutely loved that thing. I used to reef down foundation bolts with that thing all day long.
My experience with Asian imported tools is that Taiwan produced examples seem to have noticeably better fit and finish than stuff being produced in China. The gap seems to be narrowing with certain Chinese produced items but the overall, the advantage still goes to Taiwan.
Agree .. most Taiwan made stuff seems fine to me.
Try Indian tools.
Um fact I do have a friend who was running the Stanley operation in Brazil and he mentioned ecxactly this! Taiwan have fine products, being produced under Stanley guidelines and product specs. such as happening with Apple and Behringer.
Taiwan.is acutely got on the ball, some of the stuff is really good and reasonable you can go to Snap On for a rectal intrusion that cost more that a 30 day hospital stay
thats why i buy blue point sockets off the truck , same snap on warranty but the sockets cost like $3-10 each depending on size , literally costs the same as kobalt or craftsman, etc
Bought a 3/8 socket set from JC Penney back in 1982 when they closed their auto service centers (They had a limited line of hand tools at that time). They were made by S-K and after 36 years I still have the ratchet and most of the sockets.
SK is WAY out of the Craftsman league... SK is a professional brand.
I've been buying Stanley tools for a long time and they have yet to fail me so i trust their craftsman line unlike the last set of craftsman sockets i bought at Sears before Stanley bought them
Thank you, very good & objective video. I too look forward to seeing Craftsman make as many of their tools here in the U.S.A. again! And I hope someday Sears can buy-back Craftsman & build them rught & in the U S A. & keep them in the Sears family as well like before!
I have more socket sets than some hardware stores so I'll never need anymore for the rest of my life, but I do agree with some of the other posters that Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro is the way to go now. They are good quality, have a lifetime warranty and are the best bang for the buck out of any socket set available.
I have a very old Cornwell 1/2-inch drive ratchet wrench that I "serviced" by soaking and swishing the head in gasoline followed by an overnight bath in motor oil. I did that on a very rare occasion for decades and it still works like new.
Pro1er Go over there and get a job!
Yeah, I've had good luck with them too. Harbor Freight carries some good tools and some duds, you just have to know how to pick the wheat from the chaff. Their 25 inch breaker bar is an out right steal. If you haven't seen it yet, check out Real Tool Review's comparison of breaker bars.
Take it apart and service it right, would take the same amount of time. I rock the pittsburgh pro "color coded" set in my picture, and they're as tough as any socket I've been around, and my Dad has tons of snap-on and proto stuff on the farm. Love the easy identification.
Pro1er On the Cornwell. .. Soaking it in gasoline...
I'd bet that on Chinese made stuff that would damage the internals at some point as Chinese will think using plastic internals is a good idea.
Maybe, but then gasoline cans are usually made of plastic. Since gasoline is a byproduct of oil, I would think that a tool made to work around those products would be made to withstand petroleum products.
I grew up using craftsman tools, and was proud to own them. I went to Lowe's this weekend to buy a new ratchet. After looking at the these new craftsman tools. (I'd rather buy harbor freight tools) I ended up buying a kobalt ratchet. And am very pleased with it.
I've noticed Craftsman Tools are being made in Taiwan if buying from Lowes, and not in USA anymore, I think it's a distributer thing, ACE Hardware sells Craftsman and they're made in USA.
@@sirseacow4462 I learned after posting that last post. “Stanley” bought craftsman a while back, and moved the operation overseas. Now that their profits are tanking. They’re starting to make them here again.
@@soldierboy425 gotcha, I am currently in the market for a full set of sockets, but I want to get a set made in USA lol
@@sirseacow4462 If you don’t mind used sockets. I usually have pretty good luck finding old craftsman tools at swap meets.
@@soldierboy425 depends on the condition, used sockets need love to lol
Good review TT....like your style of presentation...and yeah if I needed a socket set I would give this set a try.
Thanks for the kind words.
I bought a Duralast metric set at Autozone about 10 years ago and they are surprisingly nice. I just looked them over after watching this video to evaluate the things you pointed out. The set has a nice finish that extends into the socket, the printed numbers and logos are clean and easy to read and the ratchet is serviceable via two small hex head screws. I just looked on the Autozone website and they have a lifetime warranty too. Nowhere on the tools or the plastic box is the country of origin but I would be kind of surprised if they were from mainland China considering how nice they look. Probably Taiwan
I have some Crarftsman tools over forty years old. Still working good and were made in the USA
I bought a 150 Piece Sears Craftsman ratchet set more than 20 years ago, I have tried others and always go back to my old set, I just like the way the Ratchets work they are smooth and I like the quick release. I've only had two sockets break on me and it was definitely my fault and sears still replaced them for free. gotta love the USA built Craftsman tools.
My dad bought me this set for Christmas. Only used it for some real light work so far but they've been pleasant to use and the case is. great. I don't have a problem with foreign made tools although I do wish that these were serviceable.
I am 44 years old and still use the first craftsman mechanic tool set set I got for Christmas when I was 9. I have almost all the original sockets, screwdrivers and wrenches. I have replaced a few worn out, broken or lost pieces and parts. I did rebuild the socket drivers with original new gears. The screwdrivers handles smell and the rubber is tearing off the wrench handles but I will never replace them. I tried a few tricks the neutralize the odor of the screwdriver handles and I will re dip the wrench handles. I did recently buy the Craftsman Ultimate socket set mainly because I got a in amazing deal and been using those and been happy.
If they don't make USA tools I'm not buying either
Who makes USA tools anymore ? Even some Snap-On is made in Asia...
Can you settle for American owned companies? Harbor Freight has no foreign investors since it's private.
@@Clay3613 love HF
Stop being a lil bitch. They have lifetime warranty anyways. The fucks it matter
They're bringing US manufacturing back in several states.
I used to love Craftsman and you wouldn't find anything else in my tool box. But with all the issues with Sears closing and the tools being made out of the country and not having a place to just walk into to exchange broken tools I have switched to the cheapest crap ever for a fraction of the price...harbor freight hand tools are guaranteed and exchangeable just like Craftsman used to be. The quality isn't there but the price is right and having a brick and mortar business I can walk into and exchange anytime I need to is exactly what I loved about sear/Craftsman. To be honest at harbor freight I still get that same primal feeling every guy gets when I walk into the tool store needing a new socket and coming home with a bag full of new stuff I just had to have...lol I'd rather go back and exchange tool 10 times over than get screwed over by another tool maker like Craftsman did us all..im just an avarage joe, not a paid mechanic I don't need snap on or matco quality tools I need customer service and Craftsman lost my business
Dave, I was in line,buying some stuff
at HF. The guy in front of me, had a
LONG double-headed ratchet, that
he was returning, (The one with 1/4
on one end, and 3/8ths on the other
end.) I asked the cashier, if he was
just going to toss the 1/2 broken one.
He was and did. I was SO tempted
to go dumpster diving! But my short
version works just fine.
steve
Steve Skouson funny you say that. I used to work in the trash business few years back..drove a truck to Ontario from US...anyway, I was lucky enough to have my daily pick up at a transfer station handled Princess Auto, Canada's version of harbor freight..I was in heaven...every day was a roll off dumpster of treasures..lol from hand tools to chain saws to small engines...I made out! The was was unbelievable, if it was returned it was pitched out I brought home engines with price tags put in gas fired first pull ...you might wanna check that dumpster..I don't judge
I use gear wrench and husky
Dave King well said, years ago in the middle to late 90’s i worked at sears and it was great to walk in and exchange your broken tool. I too am not a mechanic but do need a tool from time to time as i like to dyi some stuff, harbor freight has been awesome since sears is a bust and it doesn’t bother me to go back, I’m a kid in a candy/toy store lol.
Once Lowes does their resets with all of the hardware departments in every store this year then you'll be able to swap out your tools in store. Thats over 2k stores across USA. You can already do that with Ace Hardware. They have over 4k stores in America. That will be a total of over 6k stores across America where you can swap out tools instore.
HF only has a mere 1000+ stores.
If I needed a set I would consider these. Being an old man now, I no longer require the quality that I once did. Good review. Thanks.
I bought a couple 150+ piece Craftsman socket sets from Sears back in the 90's. I use them on my semi's, cars, pickups, and tractors. I've only had ONE ratchet that needed the mechanism replaced. It took the guy about a minute. Craftsman has ALWAYS been my go to tool. I'm literally still using the same socket sets in their original plastic cases after 25 years. The battery operated drills had junk batteries, but my corded drill is still solid as a rock!
Yes! I would buy these! They feel good in the quality and have a swag about them that gun metal chrome looks badass! Also that case. It doesn’t come with a sticker emblem like the Chinese craftsman does it’s molded and raised logo on the case it’s awesome and the locks are more sturdy. I would definitely buy them again
Craftsman is the new Harbor Freight; Harbour Freight is the new Craftsman.
Kurt Vonfricken actually harbor freight quality has come up significantly in the hand tools. I been impressed with a few items recently.
@@One-Crazy-Cat Still couldn't pay me to shop at Horror Fraught. They are nothing but a race to the bottom type of store.
Absolutely. Harbor Freight has stepped up their game and never hassle me on a warranty.
@Chuck Finley I agree
The Dark Phantom I went there last week and I swear the landscaping equipment and mechanics equipment are toys at the one I go to.
Fantastic review. Thank you for that. I'm of the mind to wait for the USA made Craftsman tools. Right now, I have man crush on Tekton though. That brand is outstanding.
I have many older craftsman tools but, I needed a half inch socket wrench so I went to Lowe's last night. The difference in the finish was the plain chrome was cold to the touch and the gunmetal was warm. It's a good idea for those cold nights.
Good video bro I wouldnt buy that set I'll stick to my 39 year old sets of craftsman
Agree. I have a 35 year plus old set of 1/2 drive SAE sockets and ratchet that my Dad gave me before he passed away. Those things are a BEAST. I’ve put those things through the ringer and they are as good as the day they came out of the box. My Uncle who was a heavy equipment mechanic swore by the old Craftsman tools. For the shade tree mechanic, they were an excellent value. I wouldn’t waste any money on that garbage coming out today with the Craftsman name on it.
Why would anyone consider buying a new socket set if what you have already works?
@OblivionDio - LOL. Ask the same question of women who buy a break purse every other month. Cause you can never have enough tools!
@@aeromedical6750
That's not surprising. Both men and women have multiple types of stuff that they flaunt in public or simply collect for themselves.
Perhaps the guy above was planning on adding a new socket set to hang on his wall till he was rudely awakened in the year 2018 with them being made in China even though they've been made in China since 2010.
@OblivionDio - I remember when Craftsman was an actual quality tool. I had several tools (primarily wrenches, screwdrivers, and sockets) that I inherited when my Father passed away. They stand up to anything Snap-On puts out these days.
I like the medium depth sockets .
Handy for tighter spots .
Same here, when I was working as a mechanic people use to make fun of the fact that I had a set of Stanley sockets sitting in my snap on tool box next to snap on tools.... till they saw how handy the shallower deep sockets where.
Yeah a set of medium depth sockets is awesome to have.
Great review! Decades ago I pretty much only bought Craftsman hand tools but then stores started closing and other brands came out and online became the prevalent way to get tools. Now I have some Kobalt rachets and torque wrenches as well as Tekton wrenches. I really like Tekton tools and they have an awesome return policy and are good value. So compelling reason to buy Craftsman anymore with all the other good quality tool manufacturers for the most part me. Thanks for taking the time to review. I would think that small hole on the head has something to do with disassembling these rachets?
I love the look of that old SK ratchet, those handles are the best!
The rust on the inside is a HUGE issue to me. Although, I wouldn't ever consider buying these anyway since Craftsman has lost my business ever since discontinuing their USA made products.
Rust out of the box and a sticky rachet mechanism. Pass. Where these arent big problems to me they point to an overall lack of attention to detail.
Chrome steel produces a tan-grey oxide that is a protective layer. Oil your sockets once. Clean them after each use and they won't corrode.
P Schmied im a mechanic and have a decent amount of experience with sockets. Ive never oiled or "cared for" mine in any way other than wiping them off. The only sockets ive seen rust were ultra cheap chinese ones from those little no name home owner sets.
Craftsman is now a cheap home owner set, just now it has a name that shouldn't be anywhere near it.
Absolute sacrilege.
TheFoodnipple meh. Its just another brand gone zombie. Stanley black and Decker will squeeze every last dime they can from the brand then throw it away.
Makes me mad, I still have old Craftsman, if they break i guess they go in the trash or held until they start making them in the U.S.
Decent review, me not doing heavy automotive anymore. I've be switching to husky, I think there good quality and had no warranty issues through Home Depot. There have been times when I had to use a pipe extension to a 3/8" drive ratchet for clearance, and still works smooth. For me it beats waiting a week for the snap-on/MAC truck visit. But I still double/ triple up on the most often used tools
Love your videos and your opinions!
It's nice to see some actual hinges and clasps on those cases instead of the old plastic crap.
I look for socket wells that make it easy to pluck out without a struggle. Loose fit but fully retained when the case is closed is ideal for me; I hate the ones that you need a screwdriver to pry the sockets out from, too annoying when working.
Yes those made in usa cases really sucked with the plastic
I stay with my old USA made Craftsman set and my 1/2, 3/4, and 1/4 SK sets
Just like many of you the first "major" purchase I made with money from my first job was a set of Craftsmen tools back in 1966. I still have most of those tools and can say they were well made considering the cost back then ($29.99?). When I lose a socket I just go to the local hardware store and buy an ACE or Vermont American socket, they seem to work just fine. I've never had a ratchet fail on me but occasionally I've had the 1/4" lock up momentarily.
I worked for the post office repairing mail sorting machines as a technician for the last 8 years of my working life, about 80% of that was mechanics work. They gave uo SK socket sets and I thought they were better finished than my old Craftsman's but the durability seemed about the same. I lost a couple of small sockets there and would usually just buy replacements at the hardware store because the hassle of getting them replaced just was not worth it, those replacements worked just fine.
I love how the latches are metal on that case (mine are plastic). I also like how each socket snaps into place. My craftsman set doesn't and my friend opened the case on a rainy day without it being latched and everything came out. So, I had to wipe down each *bleep* socket before finding where it needed to go - a huge PITA. Just those features alone, I would buy this set!
agreed. we might have the same set because my latches are also plastic and the tools don't snap in. I decided to remove the sticker on the case of the side that faces down as you open the case. that way, I know the sticker faces up as I open the case. if I open it with the sticker down, all the tools will fall out. the tools themselves are great, but the case is poorly designed. also, one of the plastic latches broke almost immediately, so I have to be careful when carrying it.
You won't break a ratchet before either the fastener or the square drive breaks. Not only do I know this from experience but AvE has tested it pretty well on his channel.
When it comes to ratchets and sockets, Harbor Freight Made in Taiwan Pittsburg Pros are the best value for money for tools available locally. Why in the hell would I pay twice as much for Chinese made Craftsman garbage from Sears or Lowe's when I could get a Made in Taiwan ratchet or socket set from Harbor Freight for much cheaper with a 20% off coupon to boot. For DIYers and homeowners, the HF Made in Taiwan ratchets and sockets are more than good enough to get the job done. Don't waste your money on Chinese made Craftsman.
There was a time when Lowe's Kobalt brand tools were made by Williams/Snap On. Since then, each generation of Kobalt tools has gotten worse and worse. I don't know why Lowe's just doesn't go back to contracting it out to Williams.
I know one things for sure, I have never seen rust in any of my or anyone elses Pittsburg sockets right out of the package
Khyber Safi, Lowe’s started to argue and say no to warranty to their hand tools. I had a a wonderful time trying to exchange some box wrenches that striped out due to bad heat treat. It took close to 1/2 an hour and the store manager to finally exchange then. Another time on a ratchet they denied the exchange so I broke it down and rebuilt it.
As long as they sell a lot and deny exchanges they don’t care. They will continue to sell the cheap craptastic stuff
I've owned nearly every brand of rachets over the years and the cheap Pittsburg from harbor freight has lasted as long and worked as good as any of them. I've had a snap on 3/8 ratchet break the 2nd time I used it and had it fixed twice. Still broke so in a fit I pitched it to the trash can. I've returned my share of craftsman over the years also. I've never ruined a Pittsburg set and I've pulled multiple engines, transmissions,and worked on dozens of tractors and they're still going strong. For the average homeowner they are affordable and tough.
Khyber Safi Go over there and get a job!
Why? Warranty! Every thing will eventually break or wear down, but if you only use it once a year you would be ok with anything. Maybe!
How is the directional switch? Is it loose and easy to accidentally reverse while ratcheting? Or is it solid and stays put? Really wish that was mentioned.
Lube the gears. Clean them like any sealed ratchet - mineral spirits, alcohol, let dry, and machine oil. Great review.
Does it say on the box that Stanley black and decker made these tools? Fine tooth ratchet can sometimes be stronger than the fewer tooth ratchet because of the surface area on the gear is larger area than the one with fewer teeth. Great vi$
yes, he showed it in the video.
What broke on my 40+ Craftsman ratchet was the socket release button. Sears offered to swap mine with a repaired one, but I opted for the replacement ratchet wheel. Didn't seem to be as well-made as the original.
My Craftsman ratchets, sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, etc., were made in the late 90s and are still working perfectly to this day.
When I was out of high school and I had some cheap Chinese set from Pep Boys. There's three of us under a barely jacked up Accord trying to take down the rack and pinion and the socket splits like a flower and the extension shears in half. FML
You learn from that. After I got out of the Navy, I started purchasing sets of US made Craftsman tools at Sears. One of the best investments I've ever made. Sad to see that it's not the same. A couple of years ago, after the passing of my mother, I got my father's 50 year old Craftsman drill. Made of steel. Built like a tank. Of course it was heavy (and fatiguing) to hold, but it still worked!
if they are made by Stanley then they are Stanley's not craftsman's
Do you know how giant corporations work?
Brian Berthold then the older craftsman made by Stanley was also not craftsman?
Not US made? Not interested.
Written on a Chinese made electronic device....made by 9 year olds. Lol
Hypocrisy at it's finest
koolever3 for items typically made here and able to be made here now made overseas yeah I'll pass.
556poor I don’t understand this blind allegiance to USA made tools. I have us made craftsman’s that work just as well as new ones. If doesn’t skip or lock up, what’s the issue??
Quist9511 Its multifaceted, partly patriotism and wanting a product made in your home country by your fellow citizens in turn supporting your domestic economy. Also the fact that tools typically made in the USA in the past have had a reputation for quality and reliability that a manufacturer like Craftsmans reputation were built on with the desire not to buy garbage with your hard earned money which in my personal experience in the past with Chinese produced tools has had little to do with the desire to make better quality and more to do with cutting cost and corners that rarely leads to a better end product for the comsumer.
Just ran into these tools at Lowes the other day... I was excited to see some of there tool boxes Made in USA with imported parts... I would have bought one had been Made in the USA with domestic parts only. I need another toolbox. I've toyed with buying a Snap on or Kennedy but dont need it for my shop at work but for my home garage. If their hand tools get produced in the USA again, I will rekindle my loyalty to the brand and buy a new set. Since Craftsman moved offshores, I completely replaced most of my tools at work with Wright Grip and SK and have been very pleased (mainly I needed some tools for the house and some better tools for work). Either way, excited and will keep an eye out for USA made Craftsman.
I have the same set, purchased it for home use and so far I like the set. As a professional mechanic I don’t care where the tool is made as long as it holds to the abuse of everyday use. I have everything from snap-on to harbor freight tools and I have not had problems.
I miss USA made Craftsman tools but let's be real here. We did it to ourselves. We just wanting cheaper and cheaper stuff didn't matter the quality or where it was made. I don't think many of us realized what we were doing would drive businesses to make things overseas and that's what happens because why buy a good quality tool once when we can just buy another one. Besides, Craftsman brands were supposed to be a budget entry tool! When I was an intern to be an Automotive Technician every mechanic said the same thing if you don't work on cars for a living then Craftsman is a good option but if you are gonna make your living with your tools you have to invest good more if you want quality. Anyways it looks like it can do the job so I wouldn't mind getting a set and seeing how they do
I sold craftsman for 9 years and for every 1 person that insisted on US made tools 5 wanted the cheap one warranty or not. The consumer would not pay for cost increases in American made tools. On top of that many times i had people bring me USA made tools that were no good that suddenly were fine when they found out they would get a Chinese replacement so MANY customers took advantage of the warranty. The customer made things the way they are.
@Never Gonnatell Having been in business 25 years I can tell you people are a hell of a lot less bright than you think! The monument of the US will be our dumps full of very nearly useful items purchased dozens of times because the cost of one good durable good would not leave them with money for the cell phone bill. Hell we already pay 50% more than a car is worth on the day we buy it and worth 1/3 less the next day. We are gears in a machine.
I still have my old craftsman set so I'm good. If they come out with a usa-made set I'll consider it. Keep making it in another country and I'll keep buying Duralast, Harbor Freight, tekton tools.
I'm liking the case. It seems like every socket set I get, it's a struggle to keep them contained. Open the box, sockets everywhere.
I'd be interested if Stanley would bring back the twist handle ratchet. It worked like a normal 3/8" ratchet, but you could twist the handle - no matter which way you twisted the handle, the socket would turn the direction it was set in. You could remove bolts in really hard to access spots.
Good comparison. Thanks.
They're not MADE IN USA, so no they're not worth buying.
Craftsman used to be a great name, but they became only worth buying because they were American made.
Well, COO is is not generally an indication of quality. Quality costs, and cheap tools are typically not of that great quality. I am not in the US, and have never owned a Craftsman tool. However, as I understand it, Craftsman has always been "budget friendly", and some point they appear not to have been able to make the required profit with US sourcing, so they went overseas, where the products could be source at a lover price. If price is the selling point there will naturally be a tendency to optimize the price rather than the quality. If US manufacture is a priority, Snap-On etc. would be happy to help. Good quality tools are made lots of places, incl. Germany, Spain, Sweden, France, Italy, UK, Canada, South Africa, Austria USA, Japan, Taiwan etc. - and China. But the good stuff from any of these places will not be cheap. I agree that quite a lot of the cheap junk which is marketed is of Asian origin. But that des not mean that everything coming from Taiwan, Vietnam or China is junk, it just mens that the importers chose to market tools or whatever from the lower end of the range in order to acheive a low price. I can understand that some may have a preference for to tools from their own country, and in the US you have that option. But it would seem that few US manufacturers are currently able to provide this at a competitive price, at least for the consumer-level market. I live in a country where I do not have the option to buy tools made here, so I have no bias. I have tools made in all the countries mentioned, and in many cases I have been impressed by the quality, finish, features and functionality offered at a reasonable price by Asian manufacturers, and somewhat dissapointed by stuff from premium US manufacturers (most of which bought to see what the hype was about). I would not claim to be an tool expect, but I am a tool user, and I have not found qualities in US-made tools.(MAC, Snap-On, Klein) to justify the difference in price to comparble quality tools of Asian or Europas origin.
That's a great examiple of xenophobic bigotry. You can't make a country great by rewarding mediocrity.
Tyler Snyder lifetime warranty, so your argument is invalid.
not really ,if you make your living with your tools Chinese tools are not up to some people's standards.Personally I will not use them;they are junk and that is apparent to anyone who knows tools.I use quality tools usually US made,German made when I can find and afford them.
james ellis all of you guys scream and shout junk, but never provide examples. Forged metal is forged metal. If it does t skip or lock up and the tolerances are reasonably close, there’s not an issue. You just have misplaced fear.
Glad i still have some made in usa sets.
Just bought one of the 135 Craftsman set and the ratchets have been updated. Now they're serviceable, but idk if they're doing that to all of them or just a select few of sets.
Saw them at our local lowes.Ive always bought craftsman hand tools and will continue to do so.Stanley also owns Dewalt and it's the only power tool I'll own.
I only buy older USA made Craftsmen 🇺🇸.....where every I can buy them....swapmeet....pawnshop too...make sure it says ....made in USA 🇺🇸
They are not hard to find. Screw the imported junk.
I saw these at Lowe's but I don't know, they didn't seem that appealing to me. I'll pass maybe until they make them in the US
They have a line of garbage cordless tools too lol boy these things are junk.
@@trickelantra Why there mid-range tools for mid-range prices nothing wrong with that
If I was looking to crank off on one of them, it looks perfect.
I miss going to sears with my dad as a kid every weekend and him looking around at the tools shopping for more craftsmen tools he didn't need. When they went to China my dad stopped buying the tools then we'd go once in a while to just look at the cheap tools, next thing you know sears goes under and we'd go to sears seeing the store go empty , time passes and I grow up get married and now that I look back those were the only times me and my dad hung out makes me sad. Now every time I drive By the abandoned sears all the memories of being a kid with my dad come back
I think Craftsman is now just Harbor Freight tools stamped Craftsman for twice the price.
C-Bomb is right. My USA made Craftsman ratchets are sitting in a seldom used drawer of my tool box. Can't get them replaced locally. So I bought some Pittsburgh Pro series, they out perform my Craftsman by a long shot. Harbor Freight has stepped their game up in recent years.
@C-Bomb
You know why? Harbor Freight actually owns their own factories and oversees the production line!
@@gonefishing8121
There are over 2k Lowes in America and over 4k Ace Hardware that both will allow you to swap out the ratchet for free. That far exceeds Harbor Freight.
OblivionDio that’s 100% a bullshit LIE! YOU CAN NOT REPLACE A SINGLE CRAFTSMAN THING AT LOWES! Ace will only replace items with receipt FROM THAT ACE as they are each franchise owned stores.
@@ryanschaff123
Lowes NEW policy with craftsman is to exchange without a receipt. You are right about acehardware so ill scratch them off the list.
I would buy a u.s. made craftsman tool set. Even if I didn't need them right away. To support the brand and u.s. factories. It's sad that you can't find many u.s. tool makers. I personally search for a American tool before I buy a import.
I inherited my dad's Craftsman tools that he bought back in the eighties and early nineties and they are still going strong. Murrica
very informative thanks
Major plus for CRAFTSMAN tools was LIFETIME WARRANTY and not getting a hassle swapping them out.
I predict swapping them out is going to be a hassle, and things will be sold as "Sets".
Another concern is calling a phone number and I predict after so many exchanges they put you on a "list" and they refuse to honor a exchange.
American made, and having a store (SEARS) that sells only (1) brand (Yes I know about the Companion line thru Sears) vs carrying 10 other brands and the store having their own brand is NOT good.
I can exchanges being a real hassle.
Stopped buying when they went to China.
71usmc that’s dumb.
So did I and lots of other people that I know.
That's silly. It's not like the US makes stuff any better.
You can take a US manufacturer to court.
Funny. Production went to China because people here stopped buying.
That old warhorse S-K ratchet (7:00) is identical to the ones I've owned and used for years. I wore out the mechanism in one of them a few years ago, and they sent a new mechanism----free.
I still have my dad's tools and they are craftmens. Still preform as new. Very sad they where sold to Stanley. Use to love to go to Sears and look at the tools. They were well made. I think I will pass mine down to my son
Unbelievable! CRAFTSMAN still not made in USA. Pass. I'll stick with my old ones still.
Yep, and I'll find USA made replacement tools at yard sales.
agreed!!
Craftsman has many tools made in the USA.
Awesome review! I will not by an non-US made Craftsman. USA all the way man.
That new case looks practical and should serve it's purpose for long time. I have a 32 year old U.S. made Craftsman socket set and the case was crap. It didn't even last 5 years, I've had to rivet my own latches on it , where the plastic snap latches broke off.
I got some craftsman tools from Lowes (had a gift card) and all the wrench sets were not made in the USA. My options were Taiwan craftsmen or Chinese kobalt. However there were some USA made craftsman tools. Like air compressors box cutters blades and measuring tape. So I personally feel supporting craftsman does them good. Like the more money they bring in maybe we can slowly bring them back here. I may be wrong but that was on my mind.
USA only tools for me!
It could be a $20 set selling for $50. Nice and shiny means absolutely nothing.
Same applies to dating 😂
I am a fan of the chrome and knurling, they look good...
Well done!
Since Sears moved out of my area...i will not buy them ever again.
Joseph Comorosky Lowes sells these
If you can post this message, you order them online ...
I appreciate that they're keeping the brand alive. However if it's not US made I don't care. My 20 year old USA made Craftsman set is starting to wear out. I will retire them to the reloading room and replace them with "some Taiwanese brand" come next holiday sale where they cut the price by 50%.
I buy most of my tools now second hand at flea markets and Craigslist now. I'm tired of choosing between which Chinese brand to buy. I cannot justify paying for snapon or whatever for weekend warrior projects or the occasional brake job.
You just said your usa made craftsman set is starting to wear out.
To wear them out in twenty years you have used them alot. You might want to rethink. Ive used nearly all the brands and so far I still have a tool box full of mostly USA made craftsman . My experience with Taiwan made tools has been different than the previous posters. Best wishes and good luck.
I'm glad I bought my set a few years ago before they got bought out.
As a person who had bought many tools in life i would buy this set. I bought many stanly tools and they still hold up weather from Taiwan china or the us. Im not a fan of snap on or mac just the simplest reason of returns they’re pricey and they always need test to see how they were broken. I like that you can return still with no questions. I never liked craftsman tape measure policy where you cant return them just buy replacement tape. Great review thanks!
I'm never buying anything craftsman that is not made in the USA.
then you arent buying craftsman
oh well, their loss.
You aren't really buying anything truly made in the USA to begin with. Put together maybe but most the parts even in Craftsman from when they were made in the USA were from China, Taiwan and other places. The made in the USA is nothing more than a sales gimmick.
@@johngalt9262
And what made in usa tools are you buying?
@@obliviondio luckily (?), I've been around for a long time. My tools are old-school. Mac, Snap-on, Matco, Blackhawk, S&K, Craftsman, etc.. I have tools older than me. ALL made in the USA. Luckily there isn't much I'll ever need anymore. I feel sorry for people just starting out.
The black is terrible.... You drop a socket in an engine.... Good luck finding it. I don't like mine.
What in the Sam fucking hell are you babbling about?
When I was wrenching professionally, I dropped pretty much every black impact socket I ever owned into multiple engine bays.
Found them all. And they are harder to see than black chrome. You're just talking out your ass
ShopTalkWithJason 😂 I love it so true, most everyone I’ve ever worked with professionally used impact sockets as much as possible
Looks like it would be hard to tell if it's clean after using.... made in China shame on you craftsman . Thank goodness I have an older set made in the 80s. It would be interesting to compare strength of sockets. Chinese metal has a reputation of breaking , not good for skinned knuckles.....
My thoughts exactly! I like bright orange the most.
All my sockets are black, when i do drop them i still find them, but then again ihave 19 years seeing engine bays so probably i know where to look.
Great comparison, thanks. You're up there with Project Farm.
I own some of the original USA Craftsman and it has held up all these years. Mainly using Kobalt Taiwan tools as a throwaway but so far have held up fine. Main issue with them is I don't like 12pt sockets that came with my kit so I've bought a few 6pts of them over the years. This last BF I ended up buying one of the larger Craftsman Taiwan kits that has 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 for much the same reasons here. I like how it has nothing but 6 pts and the tapered corners and the ratchets seemed decent. The box itself is nice and everything is secured unlike all of my original USA craftsman which is a nightmare. So we will see how well they hold up but it seems to be on par if not better than the Kobalt brand anyway.
I would have spent double if it was as USA made.
If the tool is made in the USA I will buy it. Remember you get what you pay for.
Buying "Made in the USA" meant quality and support for your country. Too bad the younger people don't demand this anymore. It would help Make America Great Again ! EVERYONE SHOULD BUY AMERICAN.
Ernie Stoner why would people buy American if you can get 98% of the same product from overseas for half the price? People don’t care about quality today, they care about quantity!
I'm looking for a full set of 6pt metric + sae sockets, impact preferred. Any recommendations? I would prefer a budget friendly set as I will be using for home use and I'm just tired of 12 pt sockets of my current set.
I’ve had the gun metal chrome Taiwan set for a little over 3 years, worked on my f150, bronco and focus over a lot of these years for repairs and maintenance. The set is pretty durable and hasn’t rounded any bolts or anything of that nature. For the price I got it for. Definitely better than other sets in the price range especially when the sockets didn’t skip sizes.
Great video! I would agree with you and take gearwrench over the new craftsman. The Lowe’s version definitely looks better than the sears Chinese’s version though. It would be nice to see craftsman come back to being made here in the USA.
All that is happening is lowes is buying the same tools with a different stamp made by the same company in Taiwan or China
Its not Lowes, Craftsman is owned by Black & Decker-Stanley who owns tons of tool and power tool companies they are so powerful they literally tell Lowes how much floor space must be devoted to Craftsman, I know a Lowes regional Manager, if they had their way Craftsman would get like 1/4 of the space they do. B&D builds all their tools and power tools in the same factories in China and just slaps different names on them which you are correct about but its B&D not Lowes doing that, occasionally they take Chinese made parts and slap them together in the US and falsely claim they are made in the US.
@@deanfirnatine7814 yeah I know. I was pissed when they did the craftsman take over. I'm a Kobalt fan.
Chances are, your work area is not well lit, so you'll be fumbling for tools in the dark. That dark finish is a bad idea, especially if you drop a socket and can't see where it had went.
Check out the cordless Braun LED worklight from HF. It's much better being able to see what you're doing.
Get glasses and a strong work light??
i love my old craftsman ratchets with the grease port on the ratchet head.
Well, I have Craftsman front the 70’s and some Snapon that I got from somewhere. But I bought a set of “cheap” wrenches from HF to outfit a shop at my daughters house. I have had a couple of tough jobs for her and beat the HF wrenches hard but they didn’t bat an eyelid. For the average home shop you can’t beat HF with a good coupon. They sell fine wrenches with a nice finish and easily good enough for even serious home use.