Craftsman Tools USA vs China made.

2510Paul

Well-known Member
A lot has been said about the Craftsman tools now being made in China. I have seen some YouTube videos about mostly cosmetic differences. Has anyone seen a difference in how they actually perform? To me one test is to see how quickly an open end combination wrench will flex and round a hex head bolt.

Or, how easy is it for a socket to crack, or a 12 point to round a hex head bolt.

Comments? I have been buying the USA Forged versions on line but maybe I am just being silly.

Paul
 
Usually wrenches made out of chinaloy have thicker sidewalls, so you can't get them into a tight spot. I would stick with USA as long as you can. The last HF wrenches I bought were made in India! Better than china.
 

"Made in China" tools are good for carrying in your car or truck to make a few hasty repairs, but don't plan on doing any real mechanic work with them.
 
Well I did take notice that they changed the fwd & rev lever from steel to plastic on their 1/2 ratchets not happy with that broke 1 already.
Byron
 
Take a look at the design of the china craftsman wrenches. You won't be using the open end in any tight spaces. I have several sets of the USA made, but I wouldn't consider the new version just from the design.
 
The new craftsman wrenches are junk. I recently bought a metric set thinking they were the same as the old ones. The finish was the first clue cause they were not quite as nice as the old ones. The box end is not up to the same tolerances as the old ones. The new ones the open end is so large you cant get them into tight spots. I think its time to look at some of these other brands like SK or JH Williams.
 
I only have one Craftsman wrench 1/2" X 9/16" open end that is at least 40 years old. Have no plans to buy any more Craftsmen wrenches.
 
I have a few craftsman wrench sets and sockets and wrenches that were US. made. Have served me well for many years. What I don't like is that when I take back a defective tool I will be getting the cheap version instead of what I originally had ! I have no problem with the US. tools, not quite like my old Mac and snap on tools but get the job done.
 
When I need a replacement wrench, I go to the pawn shop and dig through the tools until I find an old Craftsman. Sometimes i get a whole set of sockets for the price of a new single socket. Id rather pay for an old Craftsman then get a free new china one.
 
What is sad is that Sears is vanishing from the landscape rather quickly. All pf the Sears hardware in my area are gone. Only one mall store has a full tool department. So Sad. Just remember, at one time WalMart said they would NEVER SELL any China stuff. Do you remember? Now it is almost anything but.
 
I have some older and newer craftsman thanks to some awesome guys on this site.

Older ones work fine, newer ones look similar, have yet to strip a hex head with one. But, as already stated, the thicker side walls on the open end of china wrenches are a real pain. They'll turn a bolt or whatever just fine, it's it's out in the open. The reality is, it seams the large majority of bolts will be in tight spots where you have about half a wrench turn at a time to work. A chine wrench versus USA can make all the difference.
 
SK is still using the ratchet reversing mechanism that everyone else (including Craftsman) abandoned 30 years ago.

And don't get too excited about their open-end wrenches. You think the Crapsman chinese open ends are bad?

The difference between a Snap-On or Mac open-end vs craftsman open-end is very obvious if you have to take apart a stubborn hydraulic hose.
 
The ones I have hold up just as well as the old ones. Don't like seeing the origin on there but that's about it. Can't say anything about the open end spreading as I avoid using it as much as possible. Never seen any brand yet that didn't spread the open end if used hard.
 
They have been making tools over in the land of almost right for a long time. I bought a 4 pc set of craftsman min needle nose 23 years ago got them home and opened them up turned them over and they said made in china.
 
(quoted from post at 09:34:48 10/12/16) A lot has been said about the Craftsman tools now being made in China. I have seen some YouTube videos about mostly cosmetic differences. Has anyone seen a difference in how they actually perform? To me one test is to see how quickly an open end combination wrench will flex and round a hex head bolt.

Or, how easy is it for a socket to crack, or a 12 point to round a hex head bolt.

Comments? I have been buying the USA Forged versions on line but maybe I am just being silly.

Paul

About 2 years ago I went from being a operator to a mechanic. I started gathering tools here from home and ended up with a hodgepodge of tools.. Decided I didn't want to start my new job like that, and didn't want to owe my life to "the truck" so I bought the biggest set my local Sears had (something like 1200 pieces I believe) and realized after the fact that much of it was now imported.. Some still says USA (about 25% of it I'd guess).

What I will say is in 2 years, I have not broke a socket or ratchet yet (but the 9/16 6 point, 7/16 6 point, and 5/16 8 point are getting worn, but I use them EVERY DAY adjusting brakes on the semis we service). I have had to disassemble the ratchets to clean out grease, dirt, and gunk a couple times though. The direction levers on these are not plastic either. They have 84 tooth ratchet mechanism, and I actually almost prefer them over the 2 snap on ratchets I bought used, as the craftsman units ratchet smoother.

I will agree however that the wrenches SUCK. Some reversible ratchet wrenches came with the set, and as they break I am throwing them right in the trash can. They DO NOT stay locked in any direction, and if you pull/push hard (like is sometimes required for a automatic slack adjuster in a air brake system) they will simply "skip", causing bloody knuckles. I have simply bought a set of gearwrench wrenches that do not have the reverse lever, problem solved. The regular open end wrenches what I am seeing is the jaws are bending open.. My 7/16" (used it all the time changing grease fittings) will fit on a half inch hex now. Eventually I'll return them for replacement, and bring them home, and buy a set "off the truck" for work.

The rest of what I bought seems to be of pretty good quality, but just a shame they aren't made here anymore.

Brad
 
You never know where anything is made anymore. I just bought a Jobsmart air compressor from Tractor Supply and found out it's made by the same company a Harbor Freight compressor I have was made. The fine print did say made in china however how many of use look for that anyway. Anyway I have no complaints about that specific Harbor Freight compressor, I used it for 20 years before it quit.

These tool companies are all competing with each other. Personally I think all tools made today are junk because of it. At least the majority of the tools coming out of china measure up to everybody else's tools so for me I'm going to save some money and give them a try.
 
I recently organized all my tools and found I need 3/8" drive metric sockets. Most of my tools are old craftsman. I looked at new metric sockets at ACE/Craftsman. I don't like the looks of them, same with Kobalt. Amazon sells Armstrong but sockets are sold individually for about $10 each. I ordered a 10 piece set from Harbor Freight for $8.99, we will see what those turn out like.
 
Thanks for the info about the SK ratchets I will scratch that off the list.

I have used some Armstrong ratchets recently and really liked them but they are not available reasonably priced.

I have a several Snap-On wrenches that I really enjoy using. I understand what you are saying about stubborn fasteners and using their wrenches. Are you a Snap-On salesman cause you have just reminded me of their quality and pretty well talked me into getting a full set.
 
Once upon a time Craftsman wrenches were made in Owatonna MN by Owatonna Tool Company. At least two different outfits owned between the founders and current owner Bosch of Germany. More electronic service gizmos and less steel alloy products.
 
I will agree however that the wrenches SUCK. Some reversible ratchet wrenches came with the set, and as they break I am throwing them right in the trash can. They DO NOT stay locked in any direction, and if you pull/push hard (like is sometimes required for a automatic slack adjuster in a air brake system) they will simply "skip", causing bloody knuckles. I have simply bought a set of gearwrench wrenches that do not have the reverse lever, problem solved.

To be fair the reversing ratcheting combination wrenches are not meant for "push/pull hard." All you need to do is look at them and see that the mechanism isn't going to hold up to being reefed on. The space for the mechanism is so tiny, even on the larger sizes.

Those ratchets are meant for running a bolt down in a tight space quickly, which they are AWESOME for. They are also great for fishing a nut into a tight space because the "socket" is machined so the nut only goes in from one side.

If you need to reef down on something, switch to a fixed box end wrench. I know it's inconvenient, but even the best ones aren't going to hold up.

The problem with the non-reversible ones is they are FLAT. My Dad has a set of those, and I HATE them. They're fine if the bolt you're trying to turn is near an edge so the wrench is out in the open, but if the bolt is more than a few inches from the edge, you can't grip the wrench. So many bloody knuckles. On top of that you never seem to put the wrench on the right way, so you have to extract it and flip it over.
 
I bought a set to keep at one of my sheds so I didn't have to keep running back and forth to the shop for tools and my big complaint with them is sharp edges, all of the wrenches and ratchets have them. Realize that I am now an office worker and dont have the tough hands I once had. Those edges might not bother some but for me they are very uncomfortable to use under a hard pull. They are headed to to consignment auction soon. I have replaced them with a J H Willams set and am very happy with them so far.
 

It is depressing to think you could return your Made in USA ratchet and receive an imported ratchet. Ace hardware has craftsman now. I just bought a 1/4 inch drive wobble extension for 2.99 on sale. Made in USA. If it said made in China I would put it back. { If you return a ratchet to Sears ask to see the refurbished tools if all the wall has is imported. The lady opened a whole drawer full of USA rebuild ratchets.}
 
I am disgusted with the plastic holders that the sockets come in now. Even brought a set back and asked the clerk to remove the sockets. She couldn"t pop them out. I used a screwdriver to remove them...older sets had a flex plastic that easily allowed replacement. Why should I have to buy a socket organizer since the mfgr model just doesn"t work?
 
To be fair the reversing ratcheting combination wrenches are not meant for "push/pull hard." All you need to do is look at them and see that the mechanism isn't going to hold up to being reefed on. The space for the mechanism is so tiny, even on the larger sizes.

Those ratchets are meant for running a bolt down in a tight space quickly, which they are AWESOME for. They are also great for fishing a nut into a tight space because the "socket" is machined so the nut only goes in from one side.

If you need to reef down on something, switch to a fixed box end wrench. I know it's inconvenient, but even the best ones aren't going to hold up.

The problem with the non-reversible ones is they are FLAT. My Dad has a set of those, and I HATE them. They're fine if the bolt you're trying to turn is near an edge so the wrench is out in the open, but if the bolt is more than a few inches from the edge, you can't grip the wrench. So many bloody knuckles. On top of that you never seem to put the wrench on the right way, so you have to extract it and flip it over.

I'll give you that perhaps I wasn't using them properly, causing their demise, however, what I will say is all of the standards that came with the craftsman set if you hold the box end and "swing" the ratchet (mimicking the actual use of the ratchet wrench) they would often switch direction or slip between direction. They just plain seemed poorly made, right from new.

I will add that the metric ones don't seem to be as bad, but haven't seen much use, but when you ratchet them you can hear and feel the pawl against the gear while ratcheting, the standards were always very quiet.

I will also agree with the non reversible wrenches being straight is a pain, but for the majority of the jobs I've used them on they've been ok

Brad
 
Just an FYI eventually the stuff at Ace Hardware will be craftsman made in china. What I have been told at my local store is all the "old" stock meaning the USA stuff was divided up and sent to Ace, locally owned sears stores, etc. When Ace or elsewhere sells off their USA inventory and orders more it will be china. My local sears hardware had a bunch of USA stuff on the shelf and as they would sell out of a wrench or something it would become china. Ace obviously doesn't sell their inventory as fast as a Sears so it will be at Ace's for a while. Also before long Sears wont even own Craftsman anyway. A deal is in the works as I type this......

https://www.thestreet.com/story/13841052/1/sears-selling-craftsman-for-2-billion-likely-won-t-keep-it-afloat.html
 
No, I just never thought a set of such expensive wrenches would be justifiable until I used some. Bolts I would always use the box end on, a guy I worked with would grab his snap-on or Mac open end and spin it out.

Even if you've only got one set of the good ones, they are well worth it. I got a set of Mac socket-combination wrenches with Blackhawk ratcheting wrenches up to 3/4 at a sale one day, for $50, and have added on to get combination wrenches up to 1-1/4 off eBay when cash allowed. Including an ihc 1-1/8.

Cory had a bent-handle flex-head 3/8 drive snap-on ratchet. Most-used tool in his box. I've seen it used where you'd break a cheap 1/2 ratchet. Can be had for around $100 on ebay.

Problem here is we only have a snap-on guy. Mac comes into McCook from Kansas, stops at John Deere, and goes back to Kansas.

I did see a gear wrench truck one day this summer, over by grand island.
 
I don't see where Owatonna ever made wrenches for Craftsman. Please provide verifiable proof.
 
I have a preference for US made items to support American workers. However, I think many of you old-timers should get over the quality BS that every thing made in China is inferior quality.. Companies build to a price and quality standard, and many USA items are lesser quality and some China and Asian items are higher quality and/or more reliable. Read your consumer reports, S. Korean cars and SUV's are among the most reliable and best performing, beating many Japanese and german brands in ratings. Some of the best and highest rated computers are made in China. Harbor Freight tools were considered junk a while back, but now Magazines such as Fine Homebuilding are including them in their tool comparisons because people are buying and using them. Usually they do not rate with the best in some categories, but are rated as a good value. Personally, I have several HF spray guns, grinders, sanders, hydraulic jacks, jack stands and air tools. I prefer my Devilbis and Sharpe spray guns for my higher quality paint jobs, but the HF tools had served me well.
 

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