So what's the lowdown on Craftsman tools then?

[FMJ]

Yes. Craftsman is good stuff. When you break even their crappier tools, as long as it says CRAFTSMAN on it, they'll replace it free. I've used that policy more than once.

Are they really crappy or something?

[Raptor]

No, they're actually top of the line (or at least pretty close to it) My dad's something of a handyman (in his spare time, not day job), and he swears by Craftsman. It's the only reason he still puts up with SEARS and their PITA employees. He's broken a few tools over the years (as in over my entire lifetime), and they've always honored the guarantee. But those instances are very few and very far between: he's got some sort of all-in-one tool (converts from drill press to table saw to lathe to a bunch of other things) that he's had since before I was born, and it's still running like it just rolled off the assembly line.

[Avenger29]

I don't think it's so much as that as their tools that are junkier/gimmickier/less well made. I.e, not their socket sets, wrenches, and screwdrivers.

Their socket sets and such are decent enough and available at Sears and maybe even Kmarts now, so you also have wide availability. Dad brought all of his Craftsman tools back when Sears was still good (i.e, back when they still did the traditional catalog, back when their house brands actually covered good stuff in appliances, power tools, etc) and I will inherit his stuff. He's got about 2 or 3 complete sets of sockets and wrenches, both in metric and SAE, and a bunch of other Craftsman tools.

I can tell you I don't care to deal with their stores and such. Their sales associates seem to have gotten a lot pushier/crankier over the years, at least in my area, and with the way they treated my grandfather, I am not eager to do business with them. He has the same name as a lowlife scumbag, apparently, and apparently Sear's couldn't get the message that my grandfather, living at X address in X town with X phone number and is 93 years old is NOT the same guy who lives at Y address in town Y and has a totally different phone number, and is half the age of my grandfather. Sear's collection's department called my grandfather several times and was very rude to him. If I could figure out where this collection department is and who was doing the calling...

 

If I was shopping for tools nowadays, my options MIGHT include Sears for hand tools. I would not even bother with them for their power tools or anything like that.

[FMJ]

What are other quality tool makers that I should be aware about?

[Crash_AF]

No, Craftsman aren't crappy tools, but they are not top-line professional tools either. Tools off the tool truck or out of their professional line are better than their standard tool line (at a premium cost of course), but that's the difference between professional grade tools and consumer grade tools. The average consumer shade tree mechanic won't notice the difference, but when you spin wrenches for a living, there is a big difference. One example I've seen is in their line wrenches, Snap-On line wrenches hold tighter and very rarely round off a fitting, but a Craftsman will spread just enough to round off a stubborn fitting.

The top drawer stuff is Mac, Matco, Cornwell, and Snap On... of course, those are off of the tool trucks that drive from garage to garage.

The only problem I've ever had with exchanging a Craftsman tool was a click type torque wrench. They did replace it because it was a real defect, but I was told that it only had a 90 day warranty after that.

Sears just hasn't been the same since K-Mart bought them out... I personally think they shot themselves in the foot when they ended their catalog sales division. If they had stayed in that business model, they'd probably be bigger than Amazon now.

Later,
Joe

[coyotesfan97]

When I worked in a full service gas station the general toolbox for the LOF bay was all Craftsman.  They did the job and I never saw one break.  My personal toolbox is filled with Craftsman wrenches and sockets.

But I always envied the regular mechanics who all had Mac and Snap On tools.  It was always funny watching when the Snap On or Mac truck pulled into the lot.  The mechanics dropped everything and raced for it.

I think it was American Hot Rod I was watching when one of the mechanics purposely bent a large wrench with a blow torch so he could get to a bolt.  He took it to Sears after wards and told them it bent.  They replaced it. 

[Avenger29]

When I worked in a full service gas station the general toolbox for the LOF bay was all Craftsman.  They did the job and I never saw one break.  My personal toolbox is filled with Craftsman wrenches and sockets.

My father and I have each broken Craftsman sockets. That's not a reflection of the quality of craftsman, it's the way stuff shakes out when you've got a very tight fastener and the conditions are just right...

I think it was American Hot Rod I was watching when one of the mechanics purposely bent a large wrench with a blow torch so he could get to a bolt.  He took it to Sears after wards and told them it bent.  They replaced it.

We do that all the dang time here. While we have often turned them in for replacement, oftentimes we've ended up keeping them as so just to get to those hard to reach bolts and nuts.

But I always envied the regular mechanics who all had Mac and Snap On tools.  It was always funny watching when the Snap On or Mac truck pulled into the lot.  The mechanics dropped everything and raced for it.

I envy those with Snap On tools, but have never envied the price they had to pay...

[FMJ]

So they have tool trucks that sell tools like other trucks sell ice cream?


And a basic Craftsman socket set should do for the occasional project or fix or what one carries in their vehicle?

[Avenger29]

So they have tool trucks that sell tools like other trucks sell ice cream?

Yes.

And a basic Craftsman socket set should do for the occasional project or fix or what one carries in their vehicle?

If you're not turning wrenches every day, all day, then Craftsman hand tools should do just about anything you ask of them. I can tell you that if they stand up to what my father and I put them through, and they do, then they are worth buying.

Price out a basic set of Craftsman tools vs. Snap Ons.

[AR lover]

So they have tool trucks that sell tools like other trucks sell ice cream?


And a basic Craftsman socket set should do for the occasional project or fix or what one carries in their vehicle?

Yeah. It's pretty awesome.

For basic projects, craftsman is fine. IME, after years of use in harsh conditions, they tend to start snapping.  I personally have broken 2 "breaker bars", about 30 sockets, and a few wrenches - all replaced at no cost however.  My best friend's father worked in autobody and mechinics for about 40 years, they used Snap-On for several reasons, one, he didn't have to pay for it (the best reason.  A socket set that costs $40 for Craftsman can cost $300+ for Snap-On), two, the simple quality difference, and three, Snap-On tools are made in ways to get the best out of it.  Rather than "simple" forgings like Craftsman and other makers, Snap-On actually aligns the grain of the metal to get the best bite on a nut or bolt.  I've had personal experiance with a craftsman socket slipping out, whereas the exact same Snap-On tool worked.  I was kinda stumped at first, to me, that still doesn't make sense, but it works.

Avenger beat me to it.

[JesseL]

I've swapped out the engine, transmission, and differential in my car and God alone knows how many other small and large projects using my Craftsman wrench set. They definitely get things done.

I'll echo everyone else though, that if those tools were my livelihood I'd get stuff from Snap-On. I've known a few professional mechanics and none had less then $15K invested in tools, usually a lot more - so that kinda makes for a sharp divide between the amateurs and the pros.

[THE NORSEMAN]

Price out a basic set of Craftsman tools vs. Snap Ons a single snap-on wrench.

 Fixed it for you....

FMJ, they're just fine for the automotive hobbyist, shadetree guy, or home project.  I own quite a few of them.  But an illustration-

My cousin was working on his car and ran into a bolt he couldn't budge.  He broke his 1/2" drive craftsman breaker bar, as well as blew the wall out of both a 12 and 6 point socket.  In the process, all three times a tool let go, he got another bloody knuckle for it.  Then I got the desperation phone call for help.  I used a 3/8" drive ratchet an 12 point snap on socket.  Bolt came loose, no broken tools, no bloody knuckles.  Mechanics are the SF guys of tools.  Their tools must work, every time, all the time.  Sometimes that comes at literally 10 times the cost.  But when your food, house, and car payments are on the line, you want to be turning wrenches, not at insta-care getting stitches.

[Plebian]

My lil brothers work truck is full of snap on tools. They are great, but a bit expensive if a company is not paying the tab.

[ZeroTA]

Craftsman hand tools are g2g. Power tools, not so much.

As with all things, you get what you pay for. You want premium tools, you pay a premium price.

[Daylight]

+1 avoid any power tools from Craftsman

Sears sells Craftsman and Sears brands tools, and Kmart is also selling Craftsman these days.  The Sears brand are lower grade, but acceptable as kitchen drawer tools.

I do use tools for a living, and I avoid premium truck tools (Snap On, Mac, Cornwell) because I work all over the area.  When you snap off a Snap On (and you will) your dealer will be fantastic about replacing it--as soon as he shows up in the truck.  If you work at a dealership that gets regular visits, fine.  If you are out of the shop, PITA.  If you are more likely to lose a tool than break it, don't pay for any more quality than you have to.

Selecting tools is like selecting guns.  What do you want to accomplish?  What can you get support for?  What are the consequences of failure?  Some things are personal preference, some things are quality which include steel, process, machining, tolerance, durability.  Some people buy tools for status, same as some people buy guns for status. 

Harbor Freight, Pittsburgh, other China brands think Hi-Point; might get it done, might just blow up in your hand, probably won't last a lifetime of use, but may last long enough to do some useful damage.  House brand Craftsman, Lowes, Home Depot, Stanley & Urea are all pretty adequate, think Glock:  ain't pretty, can't really love 'em, but they get the job done.   You can argue order to arrange Blackhawk, Proto, Klein, Mac, Wiha, Knipex, Cornwell, same as Wilson, Nighthawk, STI, cost a pretty penny and a pro can tell the difference but it might not matter.

Get the best screwdrivers you can afford.  Get the best adjustable wrenches.  Buy the best blades you can get.  If you want advice on tool kit contents, PM me.  I have used, broken, worn out, modified, customized, fabricated and float tested tools.

[Outbreak]

When you snap off a Snap On (and you will) your dealer will be fantastic about replacing it--as soon as he shows up in the truck. 

If I needed Snap-On quality, I'd be all set. The Truck lives down the street!

I've done all sorts of amateur work with Craftsman tools. I've [helped] work on everything from new motorcycles to old El Camino's, boats, home projects, and everything in between with a 110pc Craftsman set, along with plenty of other tools from them.

As far as Harbor Freight type stuff, I only go there for expensive tools I know I won't use hard or often. If a certain tool costs $50 from Craftsman, it's probably only $25 from HF, and if it breaks, oh well.

[Daylight]

Harbor Freight for brass punches, for box o' hammers, for 3/4" drive socket set, for 24" adjustable wrench, for bar clamps...

[Precious Roy]

You know, I've bought a few hand tools from harbor freight in the past year and to be honest I was shocked.  Their higher end "Pittsburgh" stuff was actually usable and pretty decent quality.  I've got a large pair of slip joint pliers and some sockets and wrenches I bought to keep on the tractor and they're holding up fine for farm use.  HF is one of those deals where you're rolling the dice.  Sometimes you find a quite serviceable tool at a dirt cheap price and other times their stuff is just certifiable junk.  My dewalt power tools were stolen back in 2000 or so and I really didn't want to spend a thousand bucks replacing them so I bought a set of 18 volt rechargeable tools from HF for 89 bucks.  Came with a  drill driver, circ saw, recip saw and a light and two panasonic 19 volt batteries and charger.  I was expecting to get a year's worth of use out of them tops.  I've been using those tools for 10 years now.

As far as craftsman tools go I once talked with a guy who did some contract work at a plant that produced craftsman hand tools.  Danaher? I think it was in Arkansas.  He said that you had several different brands of tools coming off the same lines.  The only difference was the name and some cosmetic differences.  The employees explained that there were only about 3 plants in the US that make hand tools now,  snap-on, stanley and danaher, and that all the different tool brands were coming out of those plants.

I've got quite a few craftsman as well as some cornwell, mac, matco and snap-on.  Personally I can't justify spending the money on snap-on, mac etc.  Mine I either was given or bought used at a pawnshop or garage sale.  I'm not paying the new price for them.  If I see them for cheap at a pawnshop or garage sale I jump on them though. 

[bmitchell]

I bought an electric drill from Harbor Freight about four years ago.  It was $10, with an optional one year $9 warranty.  I didn't get the warranty.  It works fine for what I do with it but their drill bits were horrible.

Ben

[Cookie]

I use Snap-On every day at work and they are awesome (of course, the government paid for 'em).  I've had Mac before my current job, and they were ALSO awesome, except the prices were astronomical (hey, it wasn't MY shop, I just worked there).  My personal toolboxes are full of Craftsman though, with a smattering of Snap-On that I acquired here and there.  They do just fine for just about everything.

[tactical22]

SOME Ridgid tools have lifetime service agreements including batteries.  Being your age, you might consider those tools (WITH lifetime service agreement). I have really liked some Craftsman power tools I have used, especially a Li-Ion 12v drill/driver recently.  Some Hitachi are good, Bosch is generally good, DeWalt can be great or lousy, Milwaukee is usually very good, especially reciprocating saws, but no guarantee. Skil is not usually impressive, but their worm drive circular saws are good enough to be industry standard (that is why they are often referred to generically as Skil saws Bostich is great. Festool id AMAZING, but they are the Nighthawk or Nights Armament of the tool world (read EXPENSIVE) 
In summary, my $.02 is read at least five unrelated reviews on a specific tool and if three or more like it, consider it good.  I have come to the conclusion relatively recently that brand loyalty with power tools is pointless.  They are all made overseas with fluctuating quality control.  Hope that helped

[FMJ]

SOME Ridgid tools have lifetime service agreements including batteries.  Being your age, you might consider those tools (WITH lifetime service agreement). I have really liked some Craftsman power tools I have used, especially a Li-Ion 12v drill/driver recently.  Some Hitachi are good, Bosch is generally good, DeWalt can be great or lousy, Milwaukee is usually very good, especially reciprocating saws, but no guarantee. Skil is not usually impressive, but their worm drive circular saws are good enough to be industry standard (that is why they are often referred to generically as Skil saws Bostich is great. Festool id AMAZING, but they are the Nighthawk or Nights Armament of the tool world (read EXPENSIVE) 
In summary, my $.02 is read at least five unrelated reviews on a specific tool and if three or more like it, consider it good.  I have come to the conclusion relatively recently that brand loyalty with power tools is pointless.  They are all made overseas with fluctuating quality control.  Hope that helped

]What about Makita?

[RevDisk]

What are other quality tool makers that I should be aware about?

If you ever see a UH-60 or whatnot fly by, remember it was mostly assembled by hand with Snap-On tools.  With some Matco and then some custom build tools for the oddball stuff.

If you ever want to drool, look an A&P's toolchest.  Generally costs $10 to 30 grand, but man is it beautiful.
 
That said.  If you're not bolting together a helicopter, car, or something else with lives depending on it, Craftsmen will do you fine.  Could go my unofficial route.  First, cheap Chinese tools from Harbor Freight.  Then craftsmen.  Then Snap On or equiv.  Only move up as needed.  If a cheap $2 tool works absolutely fine with no problems, why replace it?

[Outbreak]

If you ever want to drool, look an A&P's toolchest.  Generally costs $10 to 30 grand, but man is it beautiful.
 

Half the beauty comes from the chest itself. Styrofoam cut out for every tool to have it's place. Every piece perfectly organized. :drool.

[TXGunGeek]

Half the beauty comes from the chest itself. Styrofoam cut out for every tool to have it's place. Every piece perfectly organized. :drool.

We get IRL race teams in at work all the time and they all bring their own tools. One team in particular has "wind tunnel tools" in a particular tray. All hand formed carbon fiber tool tray for each mechanic with tool holders built in. Un Freakin Believable stuff but very nice. All Snap On.

My personal box is Snap On (from my former former life as a mechanic) Craftsman (mostly inherited) and a few odd tools from Matco and Mac.

By the same token, there is a Harbor Freight all in one tool kit in each truck at the house. My thoughts are I didn't spend much on them and if they fix a single problem out on the road and get me going again, they are more than worth what I paid for them.