CRAFTSMAN "Universal Tool Kit" Opinions and Reviews Wanted.

One of the Christmas TV Commercials being heavily aired, this season, features the Craftsman Universal Tool Kit.

This attractive Kit comes with a complete set of Handy-Dandy "Specially-designed, Ratcheting, Combination Wrenches" (and Sockets) which they tout will FIT and remove ANY STYLE of Fastener.

These look interesting and are guaranteed by Sears.

They look more legit than those "METRINCH" Tools that got sold on TV in the past.

Does anybody have theses tools?
What's your take?

Product Information Web Site:

http://www.craftsman.com/news-universal ... 0000132626

 

Ill be checking those out this weekend, I have tools now but I love getting more!

 

I looked at them in the store, and I wouldn't buy them.

But then again I have complete sets of both 6-point and 12-point sockets and wrenches in Metric, "American" and BS/Whitworth.

Nothing fits a nut or bolt better than the correct size 6-point socket, period. Anything else is a compromise (even a 12-point wrench, truthfully.) I'll stick to real tools.

Just my OPINION, not a review.

 

If I had no tools whatsoever I think I would consider those but as Fitz said once you have both sets I'm not sure what you gain by adding those. You don't even gain any space because now you have 3 sets of wrenches to store (assuming you have Metric & SAE). My only tool regret is that not all of my open/box wrenches have the ratcheting feature. That feature is almost worth buying new sets......almost

BS/Whitworth = Norton Commando?

 

My tool advise - hit the Pawn Shops and Flea Markets/swap meets and select name-brands or tools marked Vanadium or Drop forged.

You will get quality tools at 20% retail that you won't mind scratching rusting or losing, maybe even loaning (?)

 

BS/Whitworth (British Standard aka Whitworth)=internals of any old British bike (or car) engine. The "cycle parts" were generally SAE beginning in the 60s; but the engines and transmissions were always Whitworth.

TIME, I like to buy scruffy Craftsman tools that way and then take them to Sears and trade them in for shiny new ones. I found a half-inch drive ratchet laying in the middle of the road one day, being run over by traffic. Stopped at Sears on the way home and turned it into a nice new one.

 

Ever pull on one hard enough to get it to skip a tooth or two? Might change your opinion on them. I've done it with good quality ones, not on my bike though. They're great once the bolt is broken loose.

I agree with Fitz on the right size proper tool for the job.

 

Re: CRAFTSMAN "Universal Tool Kit" Opinions and Reviews Wan

I had one of my installer's "helper" tightening down a machine with a racheting box wrench. He was all proud that his bolt was almost tight and I was still "milking the job" ....until he realized that he had trapped the wrench on the bolt because the threads were sticking out to far now and couldn't get the wrench off...and on top of it, he skipped putting never-seize on the stainless bolt and now it was all nice and galled tight, plus the wrench was a flip over type to reverse :roll: :roll:
The only solution was to cut his nice racheting 15/16" box wrench off the nut!
He's a very smart fellow!

Actually he is a TOOL

 

Guys, I realize that this thread was probably intended for the newer guys that might not have the extensive sets of tools that we do but look at who all the responses are from<LOL>.......most of us probably have tools that have tools by now. You all know....the set in the garage, the set in the basement, then another in the truck and one more in the boat.... Heck, I had to join a 12 step group just to stop buying more tools! It was great.....they switched me to buying bikes instead of tools.DOH!

I doubt that Craftsmen would assemble a crappy set then push it the way they have. I have not looked at them but like you, put it on my list next time I get to Sears.

Fitz, did they appear to be the typical quality a guy can expect to find there or something Sears bought in bulk to sell for Christmas?
For you new guys....Craftsmen isn't the be all end all but they are a decent place to start for not too much money....

My only question would be does this set still fit that basic premise?

jeff

 

Craftsmen tools are not the same as they once were. In recent years with the Sears buyout of the Kmart chain. Sears has compromised their standards.

Nowadays any new, and fancy tool that comes onto the market whether it works, or not is carried by Sears under the craftsmen name.

Universal fit tools by design universally fit nothing. While you might get close enough to turn a finger snug bolt. They will not handle a torqued bolt.

Better to stay with true SAE, and Metric. Especially considering the fact that some of the most critical bolts are attached to aluminum. Impossible to torque properly with a universal tool.

Just as the correct parts are critical for a restoration. The correct tool is crictical to do the job properly.

Ghost

 

There are pretty typical of what you can expect from Craftsman these days; and they do come in separate metric and "inch" sizes so they're NOT like the "metrinch" junk Rick referred to. They're certainly not the familiar chromed and polished drop-forged wrenches we're used to either.

They are however, sized just like "normal" sockets and wrenches so they honestly don't seem to offer any advantage over a good basic 12-point set as a starter. My "engineering eye" doesn't trust the engagement of the nubbies to not mar fasteners; and I'd be concerned they might provide wonky readings if used with a torque wrench.

Some things that have lasted over 100 years have done so because there really isn't any way to do it better.

I wouldn't recommend these as a "starter" set nor to replace conventional hex wrenches. Augment, maybe; replace, no.

 

HA! so Im NOT alone! thanks Jeff I feel better now