Ratchet and Socket set

[John_S2]

I need a new set of sockets and ratchets to replace my old craftsmen set that was stolen out of my garage. Not sure I want to spend the money to buy more Craftsman ones or not. Are there other good sets out there that you would recommend for general use. I do not use them all that often but every once in a while I need them.

[westend]

I have a mixture of tools, Crafstman, SK, Proto, Snapon, and others. For a few years of my working life, I had one in hand all day. If you use one all day, everyday, you'll eventually figure out what's best.
For the average RV'er, the budget brands are all that's necessary. Losing a Cobalt on the highway isn't going to be as painful as misplacing a Snapon.

[mlts22]

What I'd like is someone to take Craftsman tools made 20 years ago, and make those exact tools in the US. No shortcuts, no having them come off the boat from China made by a low bidder on Alibaba, just make them like they were made before the "giant sucking sound" of NAFTA and WTO went into effect.

[Nomadac]

Craftsman tools have gone down hill in quality. I have switch to Kobalt tools that seem to be higher quality.

[wa8yxm]

Crafstman used to have a lifetime NO QUESTIONS ASK guarantee.. As I understand they discontinued that but double check (may only be on some products)

SK-WAYNE is good

Snap ON still has said guarantee (And man do you pay for it)

Other than that... Can't help you.

[mlts22]

The OP was mentioning price, which is why I mentioned HD and Lowe's, managing to get the two house brands reversed.

Craftsman used to be head and shoulders above the others in quality, but in the past 10 years, their stuff seems to be (JMHO, of course) no better or worse than the stuff from the big box stores.

Of course, MAC and Snap-On have their reputations, but I wonder if the price premium is worth it for a non-professional. For someone who uses tools frequently, that is one thing, but for a toolkit to shove in a rig for emergencies, I've had good luck with the house brands.

[Gary_Gadget]

I use to buy all Craftsnam tools until Harbor Freight store came to my city. Now I buy HF tool and have had good luck with them. I broke a deep wall impact socket and HF replaced the whole set of sockets. HF has the same warranty as Crafteman and others.

Craftsman tools and not a "sleek" today as their older tools were, with more mass around box end and combination wrenches.

I can buy two or more sets of wrenches from HF, for the same money as I can buy one set of Craftsmen wrenches.

[BillinPSL]

I would wait until black Friday and get Husky or Kobalt. Also, I've gotten some used S&K (top quality) off Craigslist. Be patient and keep you eyes open to find good deals there.

[fj12ryder]

Thanks Eric, that worked. I've seen those before but I've never used any or seen them in use, so I'm undecided about them.

[rkentzel]

Made my living with Craftsman tools and never broke one unless I was using it improperly. I used a cheater pipe on a few some made it some didnt. I do have a few kobalt and they are not bad but still prefer Craftsman.Use to work on commercial and industrial washers and dryes worked them hard.

[j-d]

Only socket I could find where I was last week to try to loosen a stuck 14mm bolt (19mm head) was a Husky 3/4" 12-pt 1/2" drive chrome socket. This bolt was rusted in place and the DeWalt electric impact, rated at 350-ft-lb, did NOT loosen it. But it also didn't crack that Husky socket. Yes, I wore eye protection.
Ended up breaking it loose jumping on the end of a WW2-vintage "Lectrolyte" oxide finish double-end box wrench. Thin wall 12-pt, but the ancient wrench got it done. The other end was 25/32" - When's the last you saw one of those?
A friend worked in building construction, installing elevators. Had a full set of Snap-On. He got so frustrated with trying to get replacements when he broke a tool, that he sold the whole set and bought Craftsman. The Snap-On, SK, and other service trucks come to auto shops, not construction sites. Was much happier taking his damages Craftsman stuff to the mall and Sears.

[96Bounder30E]

fj12ryder

It should work now......

[fj12ryder]

It may be interesting, but it doesn't work. 🙂

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Now, this is interesting...


The Best Socket Set Wrenches In The World

[jfkmk]

Good question! I have a set of Husky that I've had for 30 years. Everything works great. I also have older Craftsman stuff, but everything I've bought from them in the past 5-10 years falls apart. I wouldn't trust them, but from what others are saying here, I wouldn't trust the Husky either if they're Chinese.