Craftsman for 30+ years. No Sears near me now so if i need a tool fast its usually Kobalt. One thing I have learned, you can get by with cheap sockets for a while on small jobs, but a quality ratchet is a necessity.

 

My tools are all 40+ year old Craftsman and I have no complaints. They have a lot of miles on them and are still going strong.

 

Depends on your budget. My Snap-On tools are my prized possessions, but I inherited them. A socket wrench set is used so much, if your budget at all has room buy Snap-On. You will love them.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/SNAP-ON-TOOLS-22-PIECE-3-8-SAE-SOCKET-WRENCH-6-POINT-GENERAL-SERVICE-SET-222AFSP-/201399115732?hash=item2ee4529fd4&item=201399115732&vxp=mtr

 

Craftsman are fine for the hobby application.But it is nice to have a professional set of sockets for the hard to get at and partially stripped fasteners. Snap on,Mac and Matco are all comparable in this regard.

 

Wikipedia has some interesting facts on the above mentioned Tools

Lowes Cobalt brand was brought about by Williams Tools before they were bought out by Snap On. Then there manufacturing changed hands but was still USA made. Sounds like Lowes has dumped the Brand for Imports as of late.

Home Depot's Husky Brand was brought about by Stanley and American made. However there manufacture has also recently been made over seas

Sears has never made the Craftsman brand and has always farmed them out to various manufactures. As of 2010 Apex started manufacturing Ratchets Sockets and Wrench's in China. The Industrial and Pro Grade are still made in the USA by Apex. Other manufactures make other tools in the line, most of which is still made here.

 

Thanks for all the input everyone, I appreciate the thought and experience that this forum yields.

I decided to go with Craftsman, despite the very valid points made about then vs now. I considered GUSTO's solid suggestion to buy as you need, and get Snap-On or something quality as a long term investment - but I had an immediate shortfall of sockets than I needed to fill now. Perhaps if/as they start failing I will adopt the GUSTO approach.

I do have to wonder though, is the reduction of observable quality with brands like Craftsman truly as simple as saying 'made in China', or is it more a reflection of what we as consumers have forced companies into making? I question whether USA made products would be any better, particularly at the price point we all seems to demand these days.

For reference, I bought a pretty stellar 263 piece socket set for $170 from Sears. Honestly, if they last me 5 years (with my part time maintenance) they'll be worth it. Plus, a lifetime replacement warranty means at worst, I'm delayed a day or two while a tool get's replaced.

Oh, and the ratcheting wrenches have already paid for themselves... love those guys.





Craftsman 263 Piece Mechanics Tool Set

 

Oz you should have no problem with those craftsman tools. I have an older version of that set that has been going strong since 2005.

I have some older late 90s craftsman stuff I still use even after being flooded and having rusted. The only socket I have ever broke so far has been a 3/8 drive 8mm. Those small ones need more meat.

 

Looks good. I believe that is very similar to the set i have.

 

The ratchets are what break. The gear inside is plastic or cast metal.
They are fine as long as you are not breaking loose tight bolts.

Add a breaker bar to your kit. 3/8 and 1/2". Then get adapters to go from 1/2" to 3/8" and 3/8" to 1/4".
Believe me reefing on a tight bolt to get it loose and the ratchet giving out is a painful experience. Think punching some metal object with most of your strength, that's what you get when it happens generally.