Craftsman’s 56-piece universal mechanics tool set, the third item in our recent Craftsman tool gift guide, is touted as an all-in-one mechanics tool set for DIYers. It comes with spline-style sockets and wrenches, a 3/8″ ratchet, socket extension, screwdriver bit holder with several bits, and a hex key set.
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I am inherently against universal spline-style sockets and wrenches and strongly prefer 6pt sockets and 12pt wrenches. Even so, I gave this set a go and reviewed it with a straight face and open mind.
Universal?
That’s how Craftsman and other brands describe these spline-style sockets and wrenches. They’re designed to fit standard 6pt hex fasteners as well as spline, 4pt, 12pt, external Torx, and partially rounded/damaged fasteners.
The ratchet itself is simply designed but comfortable use. It features a low-profile teardrop head, quick-release button, and easy-toggle selector switch. This sounds contradictory, but the ratchet mechanism is both coarse and smooth.
I wish the ratchet was just a little bit longer, but in the end I’m pleased with it. And if I want to use a better ratchet from my toolbox, I still can. There’s plenty of room in the universal set’s storage case for added tools and accessories.
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The sockets, well, you already know I don’t like spline-style profiles. But from an objective standpoint, the sockets are well made and precise. Craftsman gives you 9 inch and 9 metric sockets, so there’s none of that intric and mench combination business. If you’re guying to use spline-style sockets, this is the kind you want.
Come to think of it, I believe I bought a set of these last year. Or maybe it was Craftsman’s universal wrenches, I don’t remember.
The kit also comes with a 3-inch socket extension. No complaints there.
These wrenches have meaty open and box ends, but they’re suitable for DIYers. It’s easy to complain about something like this, but the fact remains that there aren’t very many spots where you need thinner and lower-profile wrenches.
Truthfully, I’m a bit fond of the look and feel of these wrenches. But I am a sucker for industrial finishes.
The set comes with 7 inch and 7 metric wrenches. My tests showed that they fit just fine on hex fasteners, but I still prefer Craftsman’s 12pt wrenches over these.
You also get a screwdriver bit holder, and while it looks plain and simple, it’s quite comfortable to use. It comes with 10 screwdriver insert bits with common tip sizes and styles. Craftsman probably could have added another 20 bits to call this a 76-piece universal mechanics tool set, but they didn’t.
Last, you get a compact set of short inch-sized hex keys. Some people don’t like the “fillers” added to mechanics tool sets, but I always like a few extra tools, except for nutdriver bits that I have more than enough of. These Allen keys are on the short side, but that just makes them and their compact case easier to carry separately. Just don’t plan to use them on heavily torqued fasteners.
The carrying case is awesome. Craftsman uses these for their Max Axess mechanics tool set as well, and I have grown fond of it. It’s easier to spread the case open from a vertical angle than rest it down and lift the top up and over where you have to push against the weight of the 14 wrenches. This is only an observation, not a complaint.
Conclusion
Would I buy this? No, but that’s because I have oodles and oodles of wrenches, ratchets, and sockets, and am set in my preferences. Should you buy this? Yes, if you’re the type of person that wants a self-contained mechanics tool kit that can handle most of your DIY repair, installation, and assembly tasks.
Admittedly I had doubts about these tools. But in practice they are well made, nicely finished (as long as you remember to clean them before initial use), and comfortable to use.
If you don’t need the whole shebang, Craftsman does bundle the wrenches and socket assortments as separate kits.
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Thank you to Craftsman for providing the review sample unconditionally. Review samples are typically given away, donated, or retained for benchmark and comparison purposes.
Noah
My life involves square headed hardware, so the spline style sockets have been tempting due to fact its easier to replace one when lost than it would be with an ever increasingly harder to find 8 point socket set.
Stuart
These should work well for 4pt fasteners, and if you find you like them a lot you can always springboard to more premium styles. And you’re right, spline sockets and wrenches are a LOT easier to replace than 8pt tools.
jesse
You forgot to include E-Torx in the list of fastener types these spline/universal sockets fit.
One complaint I have about all these spline sets is that while they may fit various fastener types, they do not necessarily fit all the sizes of a given type. A couple of brands provide a table showing what fits what, usually on the inner lid; I wish others would do the same.
Stuart
Whoops. I had hex drivers on the mind and typed it in as external hex.
You make a very valid point. Sets like this one covers a range of the most popular sizes, but they are not as comprehensive as some people prefer. But generally the sets cover enough sizes for most DIYers’ needs.
Harry
Beware the Lobster Claw Open End!!!! Is the quality of the steel used so low that they have to make the open end twice as thick? Those wrenches are beyond ugly. I think sets like these continue to demonstrate how far the once mighty Craftsman name has fallen but, that’s just me.
jesse
No, it’s not just you. Not by a long shot. Just ask Dan Brown. 😉
Albert
I find it interesting that they’re still using that old professional profile in their driver handles even though their screwdrivers went away from that style years ago.
jesse
The Professional screwdrivers were made in USA, like so much of the Craftsman line at the time. I think they were made by either Pratt-Read or Western Forge. If you look on the handles of Craftsman screwdrivers, you can see either ‘PR’ or ‘WF’ stamped on them.
Paul
More cheap junk from China!!!!! Go to HF and pay half!! Down with Craftsman until it’s made somewhere that has QUALITY control not “quantity control”.
Gene Tinsley
I’m done with Craftsman and all sears tools. If they can’t come from the USA I don’t need them
L
I Really don’t like the wrenches because I have a set that had the paint and clear coat on the bare metal peel (which I didn’t know there was) and start to rust after using it 3 times. The rust started appearing after leaving them outside on my truck for one night during summer which made the clear coat just flake off. they also slipped off a bolt that was slightly rounded.
Stuart
It’s not paint and clear coat, or at least it shouldn’t be, it sounds like it was the chrome finish. Chrome should NOT be peeling off from the sockets, and any such an occurrence is cause for return or warranty exchange.
Mike
There’s no chrome finish on these. The silver color is bare brushed steel. The entire tool is given a clear enamel coating that Craftsman calls their special “E-Coat Process” but that’s the only protection for the bare metal portions.
They do the same on their solid riveted pliers and it drives me nuts. After putting a pair into a sheath or holster 20 times the coating is worn through and they start to rust. The packages now say to oil them regularly for this reason. I would think the sockets, wrenches, and ratchet would be even worse since you can’t help putting fingerprints on them.
Jon Huseby
The universal tools…… How do I say this nicely? They are absolute garbage. The finish will look old and corroded in no time even if you regularly clean your tools after each use with a lightly oiled rag. The 148 piece set and both sets of ratcheting wrenches all look this way. The sockets and ratcheting box ends are all too large in diameter to fit many mechanical projects, which makes them mostly useless. By the way, notice these don’t say Made in USA on them…. Hmm…. The old-school Craftsman mechanic’s tool sets in the chrome finish? Every single one of those still looks new after years of use. Some of them even more than 10 years old. The universally useless tools are a failure. I liked the look of them too, but now I’m trying to get Sears to trade me out for the real deal.
Jaxon
I’ve been a millwright in a saw/lumber millvfor a little bit over 15 years now. Trust me when I say I’ve had just about all the high dollar name brands and cheap harbor freight. Over had the craftsman 153 piece set for about a year and change now. So far I can’t really complain. The biggest reason is using tools ie sockets and wrenches the way they were intended. Most fasteners have a torque spec ie a limit to how much they can take. Over doing it can stretch a bolt or as most know strip threads. Theres no reason to put every muscle you have into tightening a 3/8 nut or bolt. Just not needed. I’ve seen and made every name brand slip or break. Snap on or Mac or matco are no exception. The universal set I have has yet to slip or break and has seen everyday use since I bought it. As far as the finish goes what ever. There tools, working mans tools I don’t need shiny I need it to work period shiny or not.
Mark
I received 2 sets for Christmas 1 year, the open end is a bit bulky but fits good, I really like the finish but I don’t like chrome, chrome seems to chip after hard use and then cut yourself, at least my proto wrench set has done this, I like the flat color I don’t like shiny, so I have no problem with finish, I took 1 set and cut those wrenches in half and welded 1/2 ” sockets sockets that were no good any more and made ratchet wrenches with them. They are as good or better than Mac snapon matco,for this use they grip great especially when working on a Mack truck replacing the air compressor the #18 box end with 1/2″ welded socket became very valuable, wouldn’t want to part with it. Great set of tools I also have matco and snapon and proto, I’ve mechaniced on heavy equipment for 10 years so I’m not a novice, I give them an A.