I've noticed that the quality of Sears stuff has gone down over the last several years, even some of the tools. For home/occasional use, Craftsman will do, but for professional/everyday use, go with the higher end stuff like Snap-on and Mac tools. Matco has some good tools as well, but they seem to be on par with Craftsman.

Back to the Sears quality. (Not on topic for this thread, but since I'm on the subject...) My family had Sears Kenmore appliances when I was growing up. My mother still uses the washer and dryer from when I was a kid. I'd say that it's well over 30 years old now, and still works. I bought all new Kenmore appliances when we had our house built in 2000. Since then, we've gone through 2 microwaves, 3 ranges, had the fridge repaired twice, and the dryer needs repair now. The snow blower breaks every time I use it. The lawnmower is on it's second engine. And the chain saw hasn't started since the first season. Needless to say, I'm done with Sears.

 

First off, let me say I am retired from Sears as a Service Tech. We had to buy our own hand tools, so we bought Craftsman at 50% off. But anymore most of their stuff is one notch above Harbor freight. Craftsman tool boxes used to be made in Waterloo Iowa. All but the commercial wouldn't be a good choice in a rough riding trailer.

The main reason to buy at Sears was their warranty, but since Kmart has taken over things are changing for the MUCH worse. If it wasn't for the 10% discount I still get I wouldn't buy much at Sears. Never, ever buy cordless tools there because the MORONS keep changing the battery styles and old batteries of the same voltage won't interchange!!

 

That is really a shame. When I walk into Sears I still get that nostalgic feeling of "Dad's garage", patriotism, the Sears catalog of my youth and the good 'ol U.S.A. The smell of new rubber etc. is one reason of course...lol.

But now with my suspicions of quality and the staff's aweful product quality, that image is slowly fading away.

I'd love to hear more opinions on tools.

 

I've been happy with the Craftsman hand tools that I have. However, I would never ever buy anything other than hand tools. The main reason that I buy the hand tools is because I know that I can get a replacement if I break one. I've been using their hand tools for as long as I can remember, and my Dad's had most of his since he was in high school.

Keep in mind that I don't use mine everyday, and if I did, then I might consider some of the others, but I just can't justify the cost.

 

i was going to go with craftsman- but like everybody else, they started to have their tool boxes made in china-last oct. they are dwindling down the us inventory. any boxes with the part number prefix 706 is still made in the usa by waterloo. anything with the prefix 502 is china made. i decided to go with the waterloo traxx series- not much more money than the craftsman series- but definately a far superior toolbox/chest combo

 

The "old" craftsman stuff seems to have served people well.

The real question is how the CURRENT stuff is made.

 

My hand tools are Craftsman, MATCO, Stanley, Auto Zone, and Pep Boys (in order of quantity). I used to buy only Craftsman torque wrenches, but I've discovered that the Great Neck torque wrenches carried by Advance Auto and Auto Zone work just as well at a fraction of the price. With drill bits, taps, and dies, I only buy Craftsman or better as there is nothing worse than having to remove a broken tap, drill bit, or Easy Out.

Best Regards, Sky-dogg

 

Check Costco or Sams now. They are carrying SS boxes.

 

well after 4 stiches in the hand from broken ratchets will not buy another craftsman again , i will buy there sockets for standard sizes, looking at torque wrenches now just dont know sears 89.00 on sale snap-onand rest 229.00 plus ? dont use much but when i do its on head bolts or such! just dont know matt

 

I carry Craftsman, I like them, if it breaks, then take it back and they replace it

just my opinion

 

I too use Craftsman. I'm a weekend warrior with my vehicle maintenence. Crafstman has never failed me...yet. They do sell them at K-Mart now which sucks. My knuckles bust long before any Craftsman tool will.

 

If you are really looking into a quality tool box, I would go with MAC. They make awesome stuff and you know it with the quality of the rollers on the drawers, the thickness of the metals. You really get what you pay for. We have a couple of standard roller type Craftsman tool boxes, but when it came to buying a big one, we went with MAC. I think Snap-on has about the same quality, just depends on what is readily available in your area. I know they are mre expensive, but they are just incredible quality and an awesome warranty. Plus I believe MAC has an upgrade program that if you decide to buy bigger they credit you most of your original expense on the tool box as long as you are spending a certain amount more...

My .02

 

A previous thread singled out MAC boxes as poor quality. Can you elaborate on your experiences with MAC boxes?

TIA

 

Sounds like you were breaking tourque with a ratchet. Yer supposed to break tourque with a tourque bar for that very reason. Anywho, I was a mechanic in the Army for seven years. You should have seen the trash tools they issued us. But, you wanna know what? I could produce the same quality work with the trash tools as my buddy with all the sweet Snapon schwag. We never once said that these $6 million dollar Blackhawks would fly better if we had Snapons. I did break a tool every now and again, but even with trash tools it was very rare. Now, at home I use Craftsman. You can't beat the price and the availability of a local Sears if something breaks. I have a few Snapon and Mac tool sets, but not much. And I don't even know what I'd do if I broke one. I have no clue where the local trucks are around here. I think they're boxes are fine...mine serves it purpose. The drawers still glide like butter. I've never once been in a situation where I thought "I just can't do this unless I have super expensive tools." It kinda sounds like something Paris Hilton would say, "I just can't go outside unless I have $8000 sunglasses on my face." It's yer call, but I don't see any point in blowin' money on the expensive stuff (except for precision tools, etc.).

 

I have had both Craftsman and now Mac, I shopped and messed with Snap-on boxes. I was just very pleased with the quality of the casters, finish and how smooth the drawers rolled in and out. The locking mech. is awesome as well. For the amount of money that has to be spent on the box itself, it would be worth it for you to go and look at each one individually. We have had our Mac box for over 4 years now and never had a single issue with it. I would definitely buy MAC again if I needed a bigger box or another one.