Craftsman recently released two new universal ratcheting wrench sets in SAE and metric sizes. Each $50 set includes 7 combination wrenches with ordinary open ends and ratcheting universal box ends.
For those that don’t want to poney up the extra cash for the ratcheting box end, Craftsman’s non-ratcheting universal wrenches are half price at $ 25 ($20 or less on sale).
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If you want our opinion, if you need universal/spline wrenches, you may be better off looking at Gearwrench’s spline ratcheting wrenches. Their prices are a bit higher but still reasonable, although it appears that consumer availability is still scarce. Gearwrench’s versions are longer, thinner, and lighter.
Craftsman Universal Ratcheting Wrench SAE | Non-ratcheting
Craftsman Universal Ratcheting Wrench Metric | Non-ratcheting
JD
More Chinese wrenches?
I think we’re going to see some major changes with Craftsman within the next 18 months.
cp43
I don’t agree with the Chinese comment. Just because they’re making a better more flexible tool doesn’t mean its Chinese. It means less tools to make a job easier.
GS
What am I missing here? “If you want our opinion, if you need universal/spline wrenches, you may be better off looking at Gearwrench’s spline ratcheting wrenches. Their prices are a bit higher but still reasonable, although it appears that consumer availability is still scarce. Gearwrench’s versions are longer, thinner, and lighter.” Why would I want to pay more for a wrench for this wrench? What quantitative difference is there between the Sears Craftsman and Gearwrench product?
Todd
Well…. I believe they said, it’s longer, thinner, and lighter. And I bet it has a nice chrome finish also, instead of rusty black.
Stuart
If someone is looking for a ratcheting wrench set for general purpose use, there are better options that a set like this one. Craftsman’s Professional ratcheting wrench sets are more expensive, but Gearwrench sets are comparable in price when on sale.
If someone is looking to buy this set specifically for the wrenches’ fastener compatibility beyond that of conventional 12pt box end designs, then they probably plan on using the wrenches frequently.
Unless I am mistaken, these Craftsman wrenches and Gearwrench’s spline/universal wrenches are all going to be made by Danaher, who may or may not be sourcing the ratcheting mechanisms from different factories. Assuming that the ratcheting universal box ends are identical, for simplicity purposes, the tools themselves are still quite different.
Someone needing spline or universal wrenches for very infrequent use will probably be better off buying non-ratcheting or open stock wrenches. For frequent use, the Gearwrench version of these wrenches will be easier to use, more comfortable to use, stronger and capable of exerting greater torque (at least on the open end), and easier to clean. For occasional use, the price difference may not be worth it, but more frequent users will appreciate the more prfoessional design of Gearwrench’s version.
DD
I just saw the non-ratchet version of this wrench on sale as a package set at Sears, and noticed on the backside that it was made in China. The unpolished head (business end) of the wrench, unused in its package and still in the store, was already rusting. It looked like fingerprints got etched into the finish (“un-infish”) and rust set in. The head had rough edges and the black paint on the grip was smeared over into the Craftsman label. It was sloppy workmanship. I noticed several other Craftsman handtools are being made in China, either noted on the tool itself or on the packaging. I’m really dissappointed and can’t help but wonder that the Sears lifetime warranty will enventually come to mean that you get a foreign cheaply made replacement.
Stuart
Yikes, that does sound like questionable quality control on the set you examined.
If my USA-made Craftsman tools fail, I won’t exchange them for imported Craftsman replacements. I would try to get a refund if possible, and if not I’ll just hold onto them in hopes that Sears/Craftsman came back to their senses.
There are a few holes in my mentality, and in others’ as well. In general, we all go gaga over Gearwrench hand tools. It is quite possible that Sears and Craftsman looked over their numbers and saw that Gearwrench tools were greatly outselling Craftsman’s equivalents.
I don’t think Gearwrench offers these versions of spline wrenches. Craftsman’s new “innovations” are in many cases relabeled Gearwrench designs, and the quality (in my opinion) is usually pretty darn good, despite their PRC origins.
Donald Becker
I’ve also see the non-ratcheting version on the end display at Sears. Every one was already rusting.
There is a market for pre-ripped jeans at premium prices, but Sears is really try to push the fashion edge with pre-rusted tools.
Seeing how readily they rust, I wouldn’t gamble on any Craftsman tool with this finish. They would have to be a great price on clearance, comparable to the pricing of other cheap Chinese tools.
David
I too own these craftsman new innovative tools. Though i am very disapointed in that they are now made in china, i am appalled at how useful they are! a new, badass design. They are very durable, trust i work on at least 30 cars a day. and i beat the hell outta my tools. they dont rust up like others have said, i’ve left mine covered in dirt, oil, antifreeze, dirty water, over night for several hours, and they still look good. people are just afraid of change. its still the same quality, i think these people just need to grow up and accept change. Its something new and different, these tools are excellent and work greay! though i do hope they make this set in the usa someday! you wont be dissapionted!
Todd
That is correct, greasy tools don’t rust. But that’s is because they are greasy not because they are good quality.
Stuart
Thanks, David, for sharing your experience with the wrenches! I had a chance to handle these wrenches a few weeks ago, and while I’m not a fan of the “universal” socket design, I absolutely loved the industrial finish.
JRL
I’ve seen these sets at Sears and Kmart and agree they do look BADASS,, but I hate to spend that much on the 56-piece set when you get about more bits & hex keys than you do sockets.
Stuart
That is a good point. I know of the larger set you’re talking about. It is also available as separate socket and wrench sets, but when you do the math, the 56pc kit might sometimes be the better buy, even if you ignore all of the bits and hex keys that you probably don’t need.
Don
DAVID, you say you are appalled at how useful they are?? So you’re not happy with them?? Your statement contradicys itself.
Jason
DON, it’s called sarcasm, welcome to the internets! I will be buying a set of these on Dave’s recomendation.
I have the universal max access socket set with the same finish and haven’t had any “rust” as described above. The pass-thru system works over long bolts and where normal ratchets and sockets won’t fit. The description of the tool on Sears.com also states “pass-thru ratchet is up to 40% stronger than traditional ratchet designs”. I’m glad I got this set instead of a standard rachet set with deep and shallow sockets.