tools shopping

Well, my old man went to the US, I ended up ordering a Craftsman 283 pieces "mechanic set" and some extras missing in the box such as extensions and force bars.

Unless they are really Crapsman, You cant beat that price.

I will keep in mind the ratchets issue, but I rarely torque with them. If they do break, I'll just get some locally. What I really wanted were the socket sets. For the combination wrenches, I will see how they feel as my Bahcos are really nice and I have most the SAE set.

If the Old man isnt stranded at customs because of 60lbs of steel, I should have the tools in my hand by friday.

great paint guns, these guys swear by them and they do set you back

Luchog wrote: Those "fuel fitting wrenches" (between closed and open end)

These are called "B" nut wrenches,

since you have a limited amount to spend, I would get Snap on combi wrenches, and rachet handles,    the rest you can find cheap and replace as necessary.... all the broken tools that are in my box have the "crapsman" name on them.... it's hardly worth going to trade them in unless you have a few ready for replacement. Don't worry, you don't have to wait long... and SW77... I don't usually modify mine, they get returned broken in the same style as they came from the factory   

Luch, actually in the summer im on a different boat every weekend..and during the week im down in the bowels of them....the 2 happiest days of a boat owner is a pretty close statement....I guess what im trying to say is a hobby turned into a job.

btw, most of the time i dont have to flip for gas either cause im always working on these guys boats in the neighborhood, I made the mistake but took an oath since then of advertising boat repair in my neighborhood, guys would be knocking on my door at 9:30 at night or my phone would ring all weekend long, there is no shortage of broken boats here in my hood.....it kinda numbs you......im a better teacher than an owner

sweet77 wrote: Snap-On woah mamma

I lucked into a set of these and they are nice but still just a wrench. Might not say that if I had paid retail though!

Craigs List and have a freind ship them to you....?

Snap-On


woah mamma

My Dad is still using his Sears from the '60s,chrome is good, ratchets are good. Mine on the other hand have pealing chrome and I seem to go thru ratchets quite often.The Sears in my area don't give you a new ratchet,but hand you one that has been repaired,so you get the one that was last used as a hammer. I keep forgetting why I don't go much anymore,then I go in and soon remember why.

8122pbrainard wrote: For those who feel Craftsman is a good tool, why do they break? Do you enjoy taking them back for a new one? BTW, you had better check on the Sears warrantee. The last I heard, some of their tools you can not return if broken.

They break when they are abused, doesn't matter who makes them. Grind a socket too thin, it splits, same goes for a wrench, the difference is Sears gives me a new one, the Snap-on guy tells me sorry you misused it. The only problem I have with Craftsman ratchets is they will stop retaining the socket but usually an overnight soak in the clean tank will cure it, if not it goes back for a new one. I have never broken a wrench, ratchet or socket that wasn't "modified".

MartyMabe wrote: Dang- What are you guys using your Ratchet's for? My dad still has an 1/2" ratchet from the 60's--wrench's and sockets too! I have never broken a 3/8" ratchet in my Craftsmen tool supply. Beat'em up, take them back and get new ones. No problem at my store. The 'Gearwrench' line that Sears offers is cheaper but just as sturdy. Got all my 'ratchet wrench's' in the Gearwrench brand.

When they went to China the quality dropped like a rock. Shocker
I have 60 era sets from my great uncle and they are just as good as my Snap On or Mac.

All this being said I owned the chrome plated impact sockets from sears for a long time before shelling out for some actual impact sockets. LOL

Dang- What are you guys using your Ratchet's for? My dad still has an 1/2" ratchet from the 60's--wrench's and sockets too!

I have never broken a 3/8" ratchet in my Craftsmen tool supply. Beat'em up, take them back and get new ones. No problem at my store. The 'Gearwrench' line that Sears offers is cheaper but just as sturdy. Got all my 'ratchet wrench's' in the Gearwrench brand.

eric lavine wrote: i went thru many boxes in the old days, like boats i kept upgrading to bigger and better...then wisdom kicked in,

So that's why you dont own a boat, right?

8122pbrainard wrote: For those who feel Craftsman is a good tool, why do they break? Do you enjoy taking them back for a new one? BTW, you had better check on the Sears warrantee. The last I heard, some of their tools you can not return if broken. Eric, I love the "crapsman" comment!!!

100% agree!
Crapsman rachets are good for playing trash can toss.Hardly worth the gas money to bring back only to find out the are out of replacemnet guts and you have to come back.
I have broken every craftsman rachet I have ever owned.
Never have I broke my Snap-ON rachets.

Craftsman end wrenches and sockets are ok.But when I have to replace one I would buy a Snap or Mac and never have a problem again.

Thing goes like this, we currently work with Bahco and Stanley, I'd buy all bahco stuff locally but 2 socket set costs more than a 300 pieces craftman set bought locally. (U$D750)
If I get to buy it in the states and have it shipped it would cost around 50%. So it's a nice option and I could get a bigger set.

Bahco's have lifetime warranty, you break it you get a new one.
The Stanley's down here are now made in Brazil, they are much much cheaper but couldnt get a review on quality.
There are no Sears or Snap on reps in Argentina.

So the question is, are Craftman's good enough to work with?
Are there other brands I should consider for the same price?

no pun there hard, i went thru many boxes in the old days, like boats i kept upgrading to bigger and better...then wisdom kicked in, some of these off brand companies make great boxes for 1/10 of the money and were not available back in the day which left no choice. but one thought came to mind,the other day I had to torque a mercedes truck head, that beeoch had to go to 207 ft lbs then 90 degrees and another 90 degrees, it was a 19mm 12 point and my only choice was a crapsman silver socket, 3/4 ratchet with a 4 ft cheater...bent the cheater, socket never broke