Craftsman Made in USA Wrenches

Peter Person

Peter Person

501 Club
Bought a set of Craftsman Industrial Open End Wrenches earlier this year to fill out my tool box. Wanted to get the larger Standard size wrenches as well as some Metric wrenches since I don't have very many and more and more machines have metric fasteners.
This was a "special set" that Sears offered for a limited time, probably to clear out inventory after Christmas.
10 piece set including:
Standard: 1 1/16" - 1 1/8", 1 1/4" - 1 5/16", 1 3/8" - 1 7/16", and 1 1/2" - 1 5/8"
Metric: 21mm - 23mm, 22 - 24, 24 - 26, 25 - 27, 28 - 30, and 30 - 32
$74.99 plus $5.39 CT Sales Tax and $9.99 shipping = $90.37, so roughly $9 per wrench.
Craftsman Industrial Wrench Set.jpg


Interesting comparison between the current 1 1/16"-1 1/8" Craftsman Industrial and a "standard" Craftsman 1 1/16"-1 1/8" that I've had for close to 40 years.
Comparison 1.jpg
Comparison 2.jpg
Comparison 3.jpg

Would be interested to know if the metallurgy is that different or they decided to beef up the thickness due to the size fastener they're for. Could be some of both.

Peter
 
Keep in mind that Sears sold their Craftsman's line to Stanley (Black & Decker). So, I wonder if the new ones are Stanley made Craftsman tools.
 
My guess would be metallurgy. Last time I was in Lowes, I was told that they would be carrying Craftsman. Ace hardware stores already do.
 
I might add that I have Craftsman wrenches along with Harbor Freight wrenches. I might bite that the Craftsman wrenches have been more accurately sized than the H F wrenches. 1/2" Craftsman wrenches have been 1/2". Of the H F 1/2" wrench that I have had , one may be 1/2" and another a bit loose with one a tad tight to fit. Not complaining about them , just noting my experience.
 
The newer craftsman tools that don’t have USA on them are manufactured in China. I’m not sure if the warranty has changed too. I been buying s-k tools, proto tools and USA craftsman tools on eBay. I have husky tools from my teenage days. The prices on tools has changed too. Try the sears outlet online too.
 
I'm with you again BigBill. I never discarded my older Sears Craftsman, Proto or really good others for one big set that looked good. I don't care what they say but these older wrenches are good stuff after many miles. One thing is combination wrenches. Snap-On's and others may look good but the box end is all wore out. Good S K Wayne and others are better for functionality.
 
Another thing is adjusting "tappets" as we used to call them. They were open ended and very thin in thickness with long handles. The handles were tempered differently than the heads. Many were heated and bent a different way to get the job done. It all worked back then until somebody used them for something else.
 
Oh please. You must know that I don't have Snap-On envy to the point that I would say ill about them. Some tools worked So well, for so long that they aren't the same. We see this in our machines and tractor splines. Stuff doesn't last forever but we got dang close in our lifetime.
 
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