EDC Tools/Sockets

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

KOBRA2848

Full Access Member
Joined
Jul 13, 2014
Posts
123
Reaction score
86
you’re dating yourself !
I have that same socket set / holder. It’s from the 20th century.

:)

Back when Craftsman was still a quality tool. I worked for JC Penney automotive on college breaks and that ratchet is a JC Penney brand whose tools were top shelf. The wrenches remind me of Matco.

Mark
 

Bozz

Royal Smart A$$
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 24, 2020
Posts
8,036
Reaction score
34,847
Location
Nashville, TN
Back when Craftsman was still a quality tool. I worked for JC Penney automotive on college breaks and that ratchet is a JC Penney brand whose tools were top shelf. The wrenches remind me of Matco.

Mark
Just purchased a Craftsman tool set a few weeks ago. Just tried to use the ratchet yesterday, it would not switch directions, but was stuck in position. I called Craftsman, they are sending me a new one. I took apart the one I have and fixed it. Who knows how long it will stay fixed.

When I was a kid in the very early 60's my dad owned all Craftsman tools. He had everything they made, including power tools. They were great back then. Not sure where their stuff is made now.
 

Smunczen

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 15, 2020
Posts
124
Reaction score
86
Location
Atl metro
Just purchased a Craftsman tool set a few weeks ago. Just tried to use the ratchet yesterday, it would not switch directions, but was stuck in position. I called Craftsman, they are sending me a new one. I took apart the one I have and fixed it. Who knows how long it will stay fixed.

When I was a kid in the very early 60's my dad owned all Craftsman tools. He had everything they made, including power tools. They were great back then. Not sure where their stuff is made now.

Everything is made in China now.
 

DINOZR

Full Access Member
Joined
Jun 7, 2020
Posts
540
Reaction score
851
Location
Southeast
My impression of Craftsman is that they used to have the lifetime warranty because their stuff was good. They put money into making quality tools and bet on you not needing to replace them. Now they're the same China-made POS as everyone else, but they have kept their warranty program, so they take the money they used to put into manufacturing a quality tool and put it into replacing tools in with their warranty program. It's indeed a sad change.
 

TDBrown

Full Access Member
Joined
Dec 21, 2016
Posts
105
Reaction score
116
Location
N Salt Lake, UT
Yeah, the Craftsman story is a sad one. I believe they're owned by Lowe's now. The quality is not bad, but if you're going to Lowe's, I think Kobalt is probably better value for money.

Based on testing by Project Farm (highly recommended YouTube channel), I started buying some Tekton tools. They used to be junk but have been upping their game to try to be the online version of DeWalt, Kobalt, Rigid, etc. If you're a professional mechanic and need the ability to drive over and get an immediate replacement for a tool, I'd still go with a tool truck or Home Depot, Lowe's, or even Harbor Freight. But if you can deal with the couple-day delay of an online lifetime warranty, Tekton's price/quality has been great. Michigan company owned by Michigan Industrial Tools.

And no, I have no affiliation with any of them. Just passing on something I've found to be a good value.
 

isis

FRF Supporting Member
Supporting Member
Joined
Aug 28, 2019
Posts
1,837
Reaction score
1,780
Location
PA
Harbor Freight is only good for tools you need once every couple years. That yellow jack And their bench vises are the only decent thing they have tbh.
 
Top