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.

[down_home]

It'll be hard to find a set as good as the old Craftsman. Occasionally I see Craftsman and other tool sets at flea markets.
Chances are they will sell yours.
You can by Snap On but better have deep pockets.

[MEXICOWANDERER]

Didn't COSTCO offer that package CRESCENT tools offer which was a pretty decent assortment in a handy organizing carry case?

VICE GRIP brand

CHANNEL LOCK brand

cannot be beat for what these names stand for.

WiHa for small screwdrivers and bits. Made in Germany. Their DIAMOND GRIT COATED power driver bits are amazing for biting into a slot and not "camming out".

Craftsman sockets for removing damaged bolts and nuts work well. But their regular tools snap and break just when I need them most. Sad to say, I trust Harbor Freight ratchets more than I do the Craftsman brand. I like Snap-On wrenches and sockets but when I learned they have turned to "outsourcing" then the thought of a thirty dollar wrench turns cloudy.

Years upon decades ago I discovered UNBRAKO hex allenhead wrenches. Unbreakable huh? I chuckled until the day I twisted a 1/4" allen head (socket head) cap screw so hard the wrench flexed ninety degrees and did not break! I wasn't supposed to cheat and use a foot and a half long pipe atop the wrench but I did. I figure I applied more than 200 lbs feet before the bolt cracked free. Sadly the set got "lost". Use good enough steel, chromium, vanadium AND molybdenum, heat treat the steel and wow what a tool. But good tools eat the machines that are making them, and all the alloys needed are expensive metals.

[deleted-2]

Crapstman sockets are thin wall and crack a lot.

The last couple of times I returned Crapstman tools that I've owned for 20 years the trade in s**t I got back was worse quality.

If I remember correctly in the early days Craftsman tools were made in Canada with pride and precision.

Now we can buy low quality Craptsman at K-Mart, ACE and I've seen them at NAPA.

[mda]

Get the Lowes Kobalt sockets. When you get them, sign up for sockets for life. It is free and if you ever lose a socket, they replace it for $4.95 with free shipping.

[time2roll]

Wait until you actually need something. Then just go buy it.

[rkentzel]

In costco the other day and had a nice set of craftsman for 99.00.

[Thomas_NH]

You actually think Craftsman is the good stuff?

I make my living with tools and when I'm on a job they simply can not fail. Craftsman tools are a handyman/homeowner grade, with a guarantee that if it breaks bring it back and we'll give you a new one. When you're 50 miles out on a job the last thing you need is a broken tool.

[Jerrybo66]

mlts22 wrote:
Husky brand from Lowe's isn't bad.

How often do you use the tools? If it is something that just is needed for a few tasks, it might be that Harbor Freight might be OK. However, if it is something that is used constantly, I'd probably go the Home Depot or Lowe's house brands if Craftsman is too pricy.

I've had American made Husky tools for years but since HD started selling them they're chinese. I bought the last USA Husky set a few years ago. I have a problem with the concept of buying chinese if you only use them occasionally. What if the one time you really need a socket for hard use, the cheapie breaks? How much would a good quality wrench be worth while broke down along a road with a split chinese socket? ...... IMO..

[Grumpy374]

I work at Lowe's part time, and I have to say that the Kobalt stuff isn't bad at all. I have many Craftsman tools that are 20 to 30 years old, and there quality is much better than anything Craftsman is putting out now. The Kobalt is also better quality than the standard Craftsman stuff, and it also has a lifetime warranty. Finish and tolarences on the Kobalt stuff is better also.
If I could go back 20 or so years I'd buy Craftsman or SK Wayne. Stuff from that era was really good.
Just check your local store, they've always got stuff on sale.
Grumpy

[Randu]

Thats_Ok wrote:
Husky at HD or Kobalt from Lowe's
Well made with a lifetime guarantee on either brand.

I have all Craftsman but am real concerned if Sears can continue to remain in business for the long haul. Exchange on damage is not as easy as it used to be. They appear to be on a real slide in my area. I'm planning on going to Lowes next time I need something or Harbor Freight if its only a once or twice in 10 year type use. Randu

[fj12ryder]

It depends on what you use them for. I only bought Craftsman sockets when I was working. Now I don't, but I also don't buy HF sockets/hand wrenches unless they are 6 point. Cheap 12 point sockets and hand wrenches are a real waste of money, time, and knuckles. The HF sockets will be thick wall and not great quality. It really all depends on what you plan on using them for.

[deleted-2]

Husky at HD or Kobalt from Lowe's
Well made with a lifetime guarantee on either brand.

[westend]

Go to Sears around Thanksgiving and stock up, that's when they have their lowest prices.

[Pauljdav]

If you use them a lot and really need to trust them buy craftsman. I got a very nice set at Costco last year and my costco still has them.

[DutchmenSport]

For the last 10 years or so, I've been purchasing my hand tools from Lowe's. Socket and Socket Wrenches seem to hold up pretty good. They have a wide variety of starter sets, and individual pieces for just about anything. I've never broken any of them yet. I'm not a mechanic and the most I do is change the oil on my lawn mower. But I have done my share of interior remodeling and such on a few houses now. So I have no complaints about any of the "big box" hardware/home improvement stores and their tools. Now, if you were a semi-truck mechanic for a living, you'd probably never even consider "big box" store's tool.