does anyone still care about Craftsman tools?

[Gunny]

25 minutes ago, Gene Howe said:

Well, here's an alternative. Only $138 AND you might get a free flashlight! 

3 ton even!!! And I always have the freebie coupons.

[aaronc]

I'm 45,....by the time I came along and starting buying tools the hay day for craftsman was over I think. I have a socket set that I bought around 25 years ago,.....the ratchets ain't much to brag about    and the plastic case it all came in is total junk,....but I don't use them that much so I guess it doesn't matter. At least since my late 20's early 30's whatever I buy I try to buy once and cry once,.....I don't use the woodworking tools every day like some of you do so most of it will last me my life. I also head more and more to hand tools as I age it seems,......In general I like quality stuff. 

 

I use hand files to carve the powder horns I piddle with. I've heard how Nicholson files use to be great,....I missed that boat too. I've tried them...not for me. I buy my files online wherever I can find them but it is mainly a couple of swiss/italian brands,.....there is no comparison. They can be pricey........but it's the difference in spending 2 days to rough out the throat of a powder horn VS..3 to 4 hours. The things I use the most I'll for sure put the most  $$ in. 

[Gunny]

13 hours ago, aaronc said:

..the ratchets ain't much to brag about 

Now in this regard SnapOn excels, I have a small 1/4 drive one I keep in my pocket at work.  It gets ABUSED all day.  Beats any other ratchet I have used and I have test drove more than a few in 30 years of working on cars.  But you don't have to go spend $100 for one of similar quality.  Here is a link for a Williams ratchet, same thing.  I have one at home and an extra at work.  $25, I promise money well spent on a quality tool far above Craftsman and a good many others out there.

 

LINK

 

Williams                                                                                      VS               SNAPON

 

 

[aaronc]

8 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Now in this regard SnapOn excels, I have a small 1/4 drive one I keep in my pocket at work.  It gets ABUSED all day.  Beats any other ratchet I have used and I have test drove more than a few in 30 years of working on cars.  But you don't have to go spend $100 for one of similar quality.  Here is a link for a Williams ratchet, same thing.  I have one at home and an extra at work.  $25, I promise money well spent on a quality tool far above Craftsman and a good many others out there.

 

LINK

 

Williams                                                                                      VS               SNAPON

 

 

 

 

 

A fine Tip!! I've actually been looking,.... 

[Gunny]

13 hours ago, aaronc said:

 

 

 

A fine Tip!! I've actually been looking,.... 

Now sockets we can spend alot of time on those.

 

[aaronc]

2 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Now sockets we can spend alot of time on those.

 

 

 

 

 

Welp,...you know how one thing leads to another,...I figure for not much more than the price of the ratchet a man might as well look at a nice set such as this?? ,.......but that's just me. I'll be checking these out pretty hard next week,...I work the next couple of nights. 

 

 

https://aboloxtools.com/Williams-50672A?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg4ivp_T05wIVAdbACh0TBQQVEAQYAyABEgKwjvD_BwE

 

[aaronc]

Any experience with Williams other hand tools ? 

[aaronc]

These guys seem to be running a good sale  

 

https://megadepot.com/product/williams-50665-15-pc-3-8in-drive-socket-and-drive-tool-set?format=v&p=ms&source=ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uSgx_j05wIVk8pkCh3ogQwKEAQYBCABEgKzYPD_BwE

 

 

https://megadepot.com/product/williams-50669-12-pc-1-2in-drive-socket-and-drive-tool-set

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, aaronc said:

 

 

 

 

Welp,...you know how one thing leads to another,...I figure for not much more than the price of the ratchet a man might as well look at a nice set such as this?? ,.......but that's just me. I'll be checking these out pretty hard next week,...I work the next couple of nights. 

 

 

https://aboloxtools.com/Williams-50672A?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIg4ivp_T05wIVAdbACh0TBQQVEAQYAyABEgKwjvD_BwE

 

That is a 12 point socket set. Not a 6 point.  6 point is what you will want .

[steven newman]

Hmmm, I better keep the drawers on my roll-around closed....lest Gunny drools all over them....have most of Dad's tools....the ones he used all the time....back when William's  was called Williams Super

 

Herbrandt, Bonney, Proto, OLD S&K.....and even some WW2 Surplus 3/4" drive sockets...with a "slide bar" to turn them..plus a drawer full of VK Craftsman wrenches.   Has gotten to the point, I don't even look at them at yard sales, anymore...already have 2 or 3....

[Gunny]

26 minutes ago, steven newman said:

Hmmm, I better keep the drawers on my roll-around closed....lest Gunny drools all over them....have most of Dad's tools....the ones he used all the time....back when William's  was called Williams Super

 

Herbrandt, Bonney, Proto, OLD S&K.....and even some WW2 Surplus 3/4" drive sockets...with a "slide bar" to turn them..plus a drawer full of VK Craftsman wrenches.   Has gotten to the point, I don't even look at them at yard sales, anymore...already have 2 or 3....

I am good, box is full. 

 

[p_toad]

7 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I am good, box is full. 

I always used to think the same thing about tools...until.

 

Had to raid the basement tool box the other day for some 1/4" impact deep wells... 

[aaronc]

49 minutes ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

I am good, box is full. 

 

 

Holy shat man!  

[Gunny]

1 hour ago, aaronc said:

 

Holy shat man!  

30 years on the job.  Box at home is not nearly as large.... 

[kmealy]

10 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

Now sockets we can spend alot of time on those.

 

So I'm thinking you use the 1/2" and 9/16" about 80% of the time, right?

[Gunny]

33 minutes ago, kmealy said:

So I'm thinking you use the 1/2" and 9/16" about 80% of the time, right?

I wish, those days are over.  

 

Really depends on what I am working on.  Todays work included a tune up, water pump and radiator on a 1969 Dodge Dart, fuel pump on a 2014 Ford Van, transmission removed on a 2008 Honda Accord, Alternator for a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, Master cylinder on a 2001 Toyota Corolla, alignment on a 2014 BMW and finally a wiring repair on a 2018 Ford F-150 (rodents had a field day with the main harness.)  Not sure what the other guys did, I work alone.

 

Stuff I use everyday:

 

In my left pocket are the following deep 1/4 drive sockets, 1/4 inch, 7mm, 8mm, 10mm  Right pocket has 1/4 ratchet, 3 inch extension, a 8mm/10mm x 12mm/13mm ratcheting wrench and a 6 inch handle extension.  Pocket protector has 2 pocket screwdrivers straight slot, one Philips #1  a magnet and a modified screwdriver I made into a hook.  Flashlight and screw-gun are in holsters on my hip.

 

Nobody else carries all that, just me.  I prefer to not have to walk back to my box or cart 1,000 times a day for simple stuff.   

[Fred W. Hargis Jr]

8 hours ago, Woodbutcherbynight said:

 

 

Really depends on what I am working on.  Todays work included a tune up, water pump and radiator on a 1969 Dodge Dart, fuel pump on a 2014 Ford Van, transmission removed on a 2008 Honda Accord, Alternator for a 2001 Pontiac Grand Prix, Master cylinder on a 2001 Toyota Corolla, alignment on a 2014 BMW and finally a wiring repair on a 2018 Ford F-150 (rodents had a field day with the main harness.)  Not sure what the other guys did, I work alone.

 

 

 Crap! I got tired just reading the list!

[Gerald]

7 hours ago, Fred W. Hargis Jr said:

 Crap! I got tired just reading the list!

Heck I was thinking he gets a real workout just carrying all that around

[Gunny]

25 minutes ago, Gerald said:

Heck I was thinking he gets a real workout just carrying all that around

Well it's lighter than the armor, weapon and ammo I slugged around in Iraq for years 

[FlGatorwood]

On 2/28/2020 at 1:10 PM, aaronc said:

These guys seem to be running a good sale  

 

https://megadepot.com/product/williams-50665-15-pc-3-8in-drive-socket-and-drive-tool-set?format=v&p=ms&source=ads&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3uSgx_j05wIVk8pkCh3ogQwKEAQYBCABEgKzYPD_BwE

 

 

https://megadepot.com/product/williams-50669-12-pc-1-2in-drive-socket-and-drive-tool-set

Thanks, Aaron.  I was liking what I saw until I read about the $100 minimum order or pay the $16 handling fee.  Now, I have to save up some more.