New Craftsman era.

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Most of my Craftsman tools (and I have quite a few) I purchased new in 1973. Had one 1/2" drive rachet that stripped the gears, but that was back in early '90's. Went to Sears and they wanted to just replace it with a new one. I said no, I'd prefer to repair it. (Quality was already starting to go downhill) So the guy went into the back and came out with a complete repair kit for my rachet. He said this kit had just been sitting on the shelf back there for years and wasn't even available to order any longer since nobody wanted to repair the old ones anymore. Since they were not interested in repairing it, I took the kit home (he had two of them, I took both) and repaired the rachet myself. Other than that one problem, my '70's Craftsman tools have been and still are just fine. Use them almost EVERY day.
 
69DodgeMan said:
Most of my Craftsman tools (and I have quite a few) I purchased new in 1973. Had one 1/2" drive rachet that stripped the gears, but that was back in early '90's. Went to Sears and they wanted to just replace it with a new one. I said no, I'd prefer to repair it. (Quality was already starting to go downhill) So the guy went into the back and came out with a complete repair kit for my rachet. He said this kit had just been sitting on the shelf back there for years and wasn't even available to order any longer since nobody wanted to repair the old ones anymore. Since they were not interested in repairing it, I took the kit home (he had two of them, I took both) and repaired the rachet myself. Other than that one problem, my '70's Craftsman tools have been and still are just fine. Use them almost EVERY day.
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Yup they were really good quality up until about the mid to late 80s. Then they started slipping and the rest is history.
 
I went shopping for new ratchets 3 or 4 years ago. My 3/8" Craftsman from 1991 was stripped. I went to every box store and HF. Craftsman felt terrible as did HF. I wound up with Husky ratchets from Home Depot. So far so good.
 
I had two blown out Craftsman 3/8 ratchets I've had forever. One at a time I traded them off at Lowes. First was the standard replacement, that somehow they have made even cheaper looking. Second, they were out of the base model so they gave me the next step up. It seems okay. No questions asked, swapped them right out. At least I have two extra working rackets now.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Yup they were really good quality up until about the mid to late 80s. Then they started slipping and the rest is history.
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My adoptive dad gave me a set of craftsman from the 70s that he bought back then. I'm on the fence on using them. On one hand they are excellent quality and shouldn't have any issues and were made to be used.

On the other hand, if I mess something up then it almost can't be directly replaced today and I don't want to mess up stuff given to me by a loved one like him.

Right now I don't use them and keep them in the house.
 
Princess Valiant said:
My adoptive dad gave me a set of craftsman from the 70s that he bought back then. I'm on the fence on using them. On one hand they are excellent quality and shouldn't have any issues and were made to be used.

On the other hand, if I mess something up then it almost can't be directly replaced today and I don't want to mess up stuff given to me by a loved one like him.

Right now I don't use them and keep them in the house.
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I think that's a smart thing to do. If you broke something, what you'd get in return would pale in comparison.
 
RustyRatRod said:
HF has a new line of hand tools called ICON. They are very high quality for china tools.
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Its strange seeing a $19.99 torque wrench next to a $109.99 torque wrench in the same store.

PITTSBURGH

V-Groove SAE Combination Wrench Set, 14 Pc.

(297)
$39.99

ICON

Anti-Slip Grip Professional SAE Combination Wrench Set, 14 Pc.


$99.99

Compare to
SNAP-ON OEX714KB at $908.00. Save $808.01

https://shop.snapon.com/product/Standard-Handle%2C-inches/14-pc-12-Point-SAE-Flank-Drive-Standard-Combination-Wrench-Set-(3-8-1-1%2F4%22)/OEX714KB

Snap-on, you should be ashamed of yourself. I found 1 of your combo wrenches (!) and it didn't feel all that great in my hand, way to skinny and actually kinda sharp where you would exert force on it to break a bolt. I have a set of "fully polished" HF Pittsburgh combo wrenches like the 14 piece mentioned and never had an issue with any of them, and I used pipes as extensions on some at junk yards to break exhaust nuts, never had an issue. Now if your wrench says made in India and you can barely make that out? Yeah, those casting lines inside the jaws need to be filed down a little so they actually fit the nut...!
 
The Craftsman wrenches got thicker when the metal got poorer.

I'm not sure where the new ones fall.
 
Interesting read. I still have both Craftsman and Snap-on sockets, ratchets, wrenches, etc., from the mid ‘70s.. the stuff that comes out today is nothing in comparison to what these tools were like back then. Even snap-on took a dump in 1999, and yeah... I still buy the crap when needed. :BangHead:

IMG_2893.jpg
 
My vintage ratchets are my regular duty tools...3/8" drive Snap On ratchet from 1927 and a 1/2" drive from 1942.
 
FWIW, I also have a lot of old tools I inherited from my Dad. Tools I grew up with and used to build everything from my bicycles to to first Mopar. There is a ton of sentimental value there, but if I ask myself "what would Dad say?", the answer is clear..."Use them". I don't ab-use them, but I do use 'em. And when I do, the memories come flooding back of working with Dad, and growing up around those tools. I'd never get that if they sat on a shelf.
 
My toolbox is full of Craftsman tools from every man in my family handed down. My Pap's "special" combo wrench for the small starter wire nut , his 2 lb sledge and a few others , my fathers tools are few and far between as he was killed when I was young , my step dad's tools and my X father in laws are there as well. ALL of these men have passed on BUT they are "with me" when I build a car and use their tools. My Pap especially is in my ear all the time I can still hear him coaching me on how to do it "right the first time"
 
My part time job while I was in university was working at the Sears Tire and Auto Centre. I too picked up a lot of Craftsman tools at the time. My first engine was actually built with rings ,bearings and gaskets ordered out of the Sears catalogue. Had to love the employee discount.
 
I have a few Craftsman ratchets and some professional line combination wrenches that I use fairly often, but for sockets it's SK or Snap-On. I've had some mishaps with Craftsman sockets in the past so I avoid them now.
 
chryslerfat said:
I heard HF was being sued for copyright infringement on the Icon tool series because they are a direct copy of Snap-On including the Icon name.
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Only thing I see is where Snap On sued them about their floor jacks and Snap On pretty much lost. It was a real win for Harbor Freight though, because by Snap On suing them, they are now recognized as a real threat.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Only thing I see is where Snap On sued them about their floor jacks and Snap On pretty much lost. It was a real win for Harbor Freight though, because by Snap On suing them, they are now recognized as a real threat.
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My sons Snap-On dealer told him they were suing over the Icon line.
 
I have all my Craftsman tools from the early 1980s when I first began buying tools. Our Sears went out of business last month and I was able to purchase their Craftsman garage flooring that they had used in their toolbox and lawn mower section.

IMG_1954.jpg


IMG_1949.jpg


IMG_1956.jpg
 
chryslerfat said:
My sons Snap-On dealer told him they were suing over the Icon line.
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I think that snap on guy was lookin for sometin to talk about. Lawsuits are public record. Try lookin it up. NOTHING sows up about it.....unless I'm blind. Hush up now. We all know the truth THERE. LMAO
 
I have a good selection of Craftsman tools from the late 70s and early 80s, they have served me well, have broken a few sockets and stripped 4 or 5 ratchets, currently have a few in the bottom drawer of my toolbox that need to be repaired or replaced. I also have some S-K sockets that were my dad's, they date back to the 1950's or possibly even the 40's, very well made, all are 12 point but have never had any issues. I have a few Snap on and Mac tools as well, usually bought when I needed something immediately. Here in Canada we have Mastercraft tools sold and backed by Canadian Tire stores. In the early days I didn't have much faith in them but their quality has improved a great deal in the last 10 or so years and I have been buying some of them. The warranty is unconditional and any time I have had to take anything back there have been no questions or problems. I have a few Husky tools from the early 70's that aren't very good, seems that Home Depot's affiliation has brought some improvement there. I even have a few John Deere wrenches, no idea where i got them from, probably an auction or estate sale.
 
FWIW, I bought a nice Craftsman tool set in smoked chrome for a high school graduation present for a nice young kid in my neighborhood. He was SOOOO excited. I found the quality to be excellent. I would highly recommend them.
 
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