Craftsman Tools

[Ultradog MN]

I like Craftsman hand tools.
Never was much of a fan of their power tools nor their shop machines but I do know there was a lot of nice nings done on farms and garages with those machines.
I'm somewhere in the middle between the tool snobs and the harbor freight/Amazon gang and mostly, for my budget look for used.
So I was delighted to get these at an estate sale today.
They look brand new except for a bit of paint splatter on the large one.
No price on them (grrr) so I offered $30 for the three.
He said $35.
I said okay if you can break a Fifty.
He couldn't make the change so let me have them for $30 which he could change.
I went from the sale straight up to our property - thus the sleeping bag under the photos. Am a happy camper tonight in more ways than one.

 

[Janicholson]

Nice Bent screw drivers.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I like Craftsman hand tools.
Never was much of a fan of their power tools nor their shop machines but I do know there was a lot of nice nings done on farms and garages with those machines.
I'm somewhere in the middle between the tool snobs and the harbor freight/Amazon gang and mostly, for my budget look for used.
So I was delighted to get these at an estate sale today.
They look brand new except for a bit of paint splatter on the large one.
No price on them (grrr) so I offered $30 for the three.
He said $35.
I said okay if you can break a Fifty.
He couldn't make the change so let me have them for $30 which he could change.
I went from the sale straight up to our property - thus the sleeping bag under the photos. Am a happy camper tonight in more ways than one.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I have use a craftmans set for years I keep two sets on my rolling tool box. I may be working on 4/5 cars at the same time so need extras. Around 2008 that set were 19.00 I remember it well cuzz that’s what I gave away for Christmas that year. They are right handy I also have a Mayhew set.

 

[greenmech]

I like Craftsman hand tools.
Never was much of a fan of their power tools nor their shop machines but I do know there was a lot of nice nings done on farms and garages with those machines.
I'm somewhere in the middle between the tool snobs and the harbor freight/Amazon gang and mostly, for my budget look for used.
So I was delighted to get these at an estate sale today.
They look brand new except for a bit of paint splatter on the large one.
No price on them (grrr) so I offered $30 for the three.
He said $35.
I said okay if you can break a Fifty.
He couldn't make the change so let me have them for $30 which he could change.
I went from the sale straight up to our property - thus the sleeping bag under the photos. Am a happy camper tonight in more ways than one.

Never have too many tools! Ron MN

 

[Watthour]

Nice Bent screw drivers.

They realized that so many people had used Craftsman "pry-drivers" for so many years that they might as well jump on board.

 

[Fred Werring]

They realized that so many people had used Craftsman "pry-drivers" for so many years that they might as well jump on board.

Never loan your screwdriver to a millwright

 

[Ultradog MN]

I like Craftsman hand tools.
Never was much of a fan of their power tools nor their shop machines but I do know there was a lot of nice nings done on farms and garages with those machines.
I'm somewhere in the middle between the tool snobs and the harbor freight/Amazon gang and mostly, for my budget look for used.
So I was delighted to get these at an estate sale today.
They look brand new except for a bit of paint splatter on the large one.
No price on them (grrr) so I offered $30 for the three.
He said $35.
I said okay if you can break a Fifty.
He couldn't make the change so let me have them for $30 which he could change.
I went from the sale straight up to our property - thus the sleeping bag under the photos. Am a happy camper tonight in more ways than one.

By the way, I needed the smaller one on Saturday and actually thought about going to Harbor Freight and see what they had. Didnt get around to it. Then went to the estate sale yesterday and bought the Craftsman set.
Looking at the HF website I see the the ones below.
You get the extra pinch bar for a cheaper price but I'd rather have the Craftsmans.

https://www.harborfreight.com/pry-bar-set-4-piece-58388.html

 

[John T]

I have successfully used craftsman tools over 60 years with little problems and if there were they were replaced under warranty no problem. It’s my experience and opinion they are good quality tools or were since I haven’t purchased new ones in years.

I have also successfully used s&k, Mac, proto, snap on, Blackhawk, on and on several others again no problems

However it’s my opinion based on experience that Williams are the absolute best quality hand tools ever made !!!!!!!!!!!!

What are the best tools is like what’s the best oil or spark plugs or cars or tractors are best. There will be tons of different opinions and exoeriences which is to be expected and normal and each are of course entitled to their opinions and experience

Bottom line it’s my experience and opinion Williams are the best hand tools ever made so it will be fun to hear other opinions all of which are right

John T

 

[Dusty MI]

My dad had a set of 1/2" drive sockets that had PLUMB in triangle shaped letters on the handles. They had a life time warranty, and when the socket handle needed replacing, I took it into a local hardware store and the new one they gave me was a S&K. Which I still have.
Dusty

 

[Watthour]

Williams and Armstrong mad a lot of industrial quality hand tools, but did not offer a wide variety. They did have some "specials" such as striking wrenches, ironworker wrenches, high offset boxes, etc., but did not have much outside the realm of plain hand tools until Snap On acquired the brand.

 

[Jim.ME]

Williams and Armstrong mad a lot of industrial quality hand tools, but did not offer a wide variety. They did have some "specials" such as striking wrenches, ironworker wrenches, high offset boxes, etc., but did not have much outside the realm of plain hand tools until Snap On acquired the brand.

Snap-On acquired Williams. Williams still exists as a Snap-On company.

Armstrong was not a Snap-On tool line. Besides industrial tools, Armstrong had more of a general tool line than Williams, in my experience with both brands. It was acquired by the Danaher Corp. The Danaher Tool group became part of the Apex Tool Group. Apex ceased production of the Armstrong and Allen brands in 2017. Gearwrench is their prime tool line now. Some dealers will replace Armstrong with Gearwrench, in kind. Some recommend contacting Apex.

 

[drsportster]

To me that is an 8 dollar garage sale item But I look for the cheapest good quality tools. Don't pay too much

 

[bc]

I like the craftsman and have good luck with the Pittsburgh from HF.

Know of one pawn shop down in the big city that takes in a lot of tools (probably hot). They have bins of end wrenches for .50 to a buck each the last time I was there. Get a few of the commonly used ones to spread around and have handy (7/16 - 9/16) (7 - 12 mm) and others. Sort through them and usually find some good quality wrenches and the rest are junkers.

Each vehicle gets a 50 cent battery cable wrench laying up by the battery so it is handy. Each vehicle gets its own tool kit (usually metric for newer) for the trunk department or under a seat in case of a break down somewhere.

 

[Fred Werring]

Each vehicle gets its own tool kit (usually metric for newer) for the trunk department or under a seat in case of a break down somewhere.

I do that too, call it my Fighting Chance tool kit, as in it gives me a fighting chance to get home.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I like Craftsman hand tools.
Never was much of a fan of their power tools nor their shop machines but I do know there was a lot of nice nings done on farms and garages with those machines.
I'm somewhere in the middle between the tool snobs and the harbor freight/Amazon gang and mostly, for my budget look for used.
So I was delighted to get these at an estate sale today.
They look brand new except for a bit of paint splatter on the large one.
No price on them (grrr) so I offered $30 for the three.
He said $35.
I said okay if you can break a Fifty.
He couldn't make the change so let me have them for $30 which he could change.
I went from the sale straight up to our property - thus the sleeping bag under the photos. Am a happy camper tonight in more ways than one.

WB & WD are Craftsman I beleive to be made by Mayhew.
MT is a Mayhew bar.
View attachment prybar2.jpg

Left to right 2 Craftsman marked C and a Mayhew ( M ) they are almost identical.


View attachment prybar.jpg

 

[bc]

I do that too, call it my Fighting Chance tool kit, as in it gives me a fighting chance to get home.

Yep. I have AAA but they are the last resort. Also each one gets a cheap HF blue tarp in case I would have to crawl under it in good clothes plus channel locks, vise grips, pliers, duct tape, electrical tape, etc. Anymore I have acquired enough Worx driver drills that my daily drivers gets one as well.

 

[Hobo,NC]

I like the craftsman and have good luck with the Pittsburgh from HF.

Know of one pawn shop down in the big city that takes in a lot of tools (probably hot). They have bins of end wrenches for .50 to a buck each the last time I was there. Get a few of the commonly used ones to spread around and have handy (7/16 - 9/16) (7 - 12 mm) and others. Sort through them and usually find some good quality wrenches and the rest are junkers.

Each vehicle gets a 50 cent battery cable wrench laying up by the battery so it is handy. Each vehicle gets its own tool kit (usually metric for newer) for the trunk department or under a seat in case of a break down somewhere.

Just goes to show how far HF has came. The first run of their tools a wet noodle would work better.

 

[Eman85]

Craftsman was a good choice back in the day when there were Sears stores and salespeople that knew their stuff. I have Craftsman tools but wouldn't buy any more since they sold the name to others, I think Lowes has it now.
Not proud when you buy them but HF is cheap enough and they will replace them plus there's a HF opening every day near you.

 

[chvet73]

I bought my first Craftsman socket set in 1962 when I was 12. Still have all of it plus many others. They have been an excellent tool.
Branched out to a few others in my old age. And have no complaints with the Harbor and Husky sets I’ve added.