Garage Gazette

TOOLS AND THE SHOP => MECHANIC HAND TOOLS WE USE => Topic started by: Plomb-er on May 28, 2019, 02:27:32 PM

Title: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Plomb-er on May 28, 2019, 02:27:32 PM
Going against the common beliefs of tool boards, I have picked up a China made Craftsman 108 mechanics set. Now before I am flamed for spending money on it, I bought it with points I had from my Gas Buddy card, so it cost me nothing.
The case is actually really nice, kind of sturdy. The ratchets, well, I disassembled them and added a little Super Lube. They were so loud, but now they are decent, at least by Craftsman raised panel ratchet standards. The sockets look decent, and at all 6 point.
This is just going to be a throw in the trunk junk yard kit seldom used thing. I have plenty of S-K, Proto, Williams, SO, etc ratchets and sockets, so this is just a "throw away, don't care much if it gets lost, rusted, etc." type of thing.
I dare not mention this on Channel 3, I think they would send a lynch mob or something.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: goodfellow on May 28, 2019, 02:44:22 PM
Makes a good car kit, and the quality is about as good as the last cheap American versions -- for a free kit, it's worth it. Now go stand in the corner -- :)) :)) 
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: ken w. on May 28, 2019, 03:01:49 PM
I'd go over to the other channel and wave it in their faces and say it was free.   :))
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Plomb-er on May 28, 2019, 03:04:30 PM
I'd go over to the other channel and wave it in their faces and say it was free.   :))

I'm sure they would still flame me for that :))
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: bonneyman on May 28, 2019, 03:22:04 PM
OK, because you fessed up, we'll let you slide.....this one time!  :))
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: hofferwood on May 28, 2019, 04:09:14 PM
As long as we're fessin' up!!!

I bought these----they stay in the bed of the truck. Got'em for junk yard use mainly.

But honestly, they're good-----and I have used the heck out of them.

They're passthru, rats are tight and  fine tooth (I haven't counted).

I aint sorry!!!!  :)
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: fatfillup on May 28, 2019, 04:56:44 PM
Well stand in the corner and wash you mouth out with soap :))


It should work fine for its intended purpose.  I don't think you need high quality tools for limited use kits.  You should see some of the junk I have in portable boxes. 
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: hickory n Steel on May 28, 2019, 05:14:43 PM
My limited experience with the China Craftsman RP ratchets tells me I'd rather have an American one, but functional quality is about the same and they work just fine.
For a couple years a set I got for Christmas was really my only 3/8 and it served me well for minor stuff.
I have some given the set to my dad for his Truck kit.
Of course I prefer MADE IN USA regardless, but with that bias aside there is something about them that's just not the same.
It's not a functional issue though and they seem to work just fine.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Plomb-er on May 28, 2019, 05:46:43 PM
Of course I prefer MADE IN USA regardless, but with that bias aside there is something about them that's just not the same.
It's not a functional issue though and they seem to work just fine.

You know, I think that's really what it is. For so long now, most of us have known Craftsman as kind of a go to to a decent American made tool. And now that they are Chinese made, they have a tainted feel.
I have a Husky set I bought 3 years ago to keep under the seat of my truck. It's the same maker as this Craftsman set, Apex I believe. The sockets are identical, the Husky ratchet is nicer, but the set is still Chinese. And you know what, I think of it as better than Cman. I think it really is just because we have always expected Cman as US made. I know the whole production in China stuff alienated tool guys.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: DeadNutz on May 28, 2019, 07:07:00 PM
Geez Plomb-er you haven't sinned, you bought some tools. Tools carried in vehicles can really get scuffed so why not let imports take the abuse. You are taking care of your good tools. ;D
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Plomb-er on May 28, 2019, 07:29:59 PM
Geez Plomb-er you haven't sinned, you bought some tools. Tools carried in vehicles can really get scuffed so why not let imports take the abuse. You are taking care of your good tools. ;D

Haha, that's a great way to think of it, sacrificial tools
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: jabberwoki on May 28, 2019, 08:16:21 PM
No No never C:-)
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: muddy on May 28, 2019, 08:21:27 PM
We all make mistakes :))

Sent from my E6910 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: goodfellow on May 28, 2019, 08:23:53 PM
As long as we're fessin' up!!!

I bought these----they stay in the bed of the truck. Got'em for junk yard use mainly.

But honestly, they're good-----and I have used the heck out of them.

They're passthru, rats are tight and  fine tooth (I haven't counted).

I aint sorry!!!!  :)

I have the older KD versions Chuck, and I love them as well. The pass-through socket sets are really good stuff.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: ken w. on May 28, 2019, 09:00:38 PM
I guess I have to fess up too. I bought 10 sets of Craftsman 42 piece hex & torx  bit sets when they were on sale for $19.99 down from         $ 99.00. I gave some away for Christmas presents and I have one for myself for a back up set and road work.   :-X
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: hickory n Steel on May 29, 2019, 12:32:05 AM
Of course I prefer MADE IN USA regardless, but with that bias aside there is something about them that's just not the same.
It's not a functional issue though and they seem to work just fine.

You know, I think that's really what it is. For so long now, most of us have known Craftsman as kind of a go to to a decent American made tool. And now that they are Chinese made, they have a tainted feel.
I have a Husky set I bought 3 years ago to keep under the seat of my truck. It's the same maker as this Craftsman set, Apex I believe. The sockets are identical, the Husky ratchet is nicer, but the set is still Chinese. And you know what, I think of it as better than Cman. I think it really is just because we have always expected Cman as US made. I know the whole production in China stuff alienated tool guys.
I think you probably nailed it.
I mean the ratchet in my set had lots of milling marks left on it , but it still worked fine and is a little bit smoother than the late plastic lever US made RP ratchet.
Not by a lot but still a bit smoother.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: bonneyman on May 29, 2019, 10:57:24 AM
As long as we're fessin' up!!!

I bought these----they stay in the bed of the truck. Got'em for junk yard use mainly.

But honestly, they're good-----and I have used the heck out of them.

They're passthru, rats are tight and  fine tooth (I haven't counted).

I aint sorry!!!!  :)

Well, I bought a pair of HF cheapo composite rats - and I like 'em!

Just don't tell anybody. :-X
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Jamesyarbrough on August 27, 2019, 07:20:16 PM
Well if everyone else is fessing up. I bought these to carry around in my truck. Less than $30 free shipping. I just dont come across very many vintage usa metric wrenches.

(https://i.postimg.cc/vZxZxcKq/Screenshot-20190827-191721.png) (https://postimages.org/)
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Uncle Buck on August 27, 2019, 09:23:48 PM
As long as we're fessin' up!!!

I bought these----they stay in the bed of the truck. Got'em for junk yard use mainly.

But honestly, they're good-----and I have used the heck out of them.

They're passthru, rats are tight and  fine tooth (I haven't counted).

I aint sorry!!!!  :)

I wanted that set but never got around to adding it.
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: pep on August 28, 2019, 07:46:44 AM
I'd go over to the other channel and wave it in their faces and say it was free.   :))

I'm sure they would still flame me for that :))

Or bitch about the chrome on the INSIDE of the sockets not being shinny. 

Last post put up, some clown was asking what he should do with a new set of sockets. Treat them with some WD or another type of lame question.

Told him to throw them in the trash, cause he will not know what to use them for.

Got a nasty gram LMAO cause the truth hurts apparently  O0

Good trunk kit, hope you never need it.

Pep
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: Jamesyarbrough on August 28, 2019, 01:48:27 PM
I'd go over to the other channel and wave it in their faces and say it was free.   :))

I'm sure they would still flame me for that :))

Or bitch about the chrome on the INSIDE of the sockets not being shinny. 

Last post put up, some clown was asking what he should do with a new set of sockets. Treat them with some WD or another type of lame question.

Told him to throw them in the trash, cause he will not know what to use them for.

Got a nasty gram LMAO cause the truth hurts apparently  O0

Good trunk kit, hope you never need it.

Pep


Lmao! I seen a guy whining about the same thing on youtube. Sissies! Lol
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: bmwrd0 on August 28, 2019, 08:40:30 PM
When I was rewiring my house, I bought a set of Harbor Freight non-conductive screwdrivers as I was going to do a lot of work in the panel. I realized a soon as I got home with them that I had an interchangeable shaft  WERA set. Oh well...
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: slip knot on August 28, 2019, 09:51:21 PM
I use my HF insulated screwdrivers all the time. Not so much to keep me safe but to keep from letting the magic smoke out devices when I short out against the can :-X 
Title: Re: Forgive me for I have "sinned"
Post by: bmwrd0 on August 28, 2019, 09:53:11 PM
Yeah, anything with potential gets insulated drivers. If it's unplugged than whatever is close by.