New Craftsman V-Series Tools High Quality or High Failure Not USA Made
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- čas přidán 7. 10. 2021
- The NEW Craftsman V-Series hand tools from STANLEY BLACK & DECKER are High-Quality or High Failure. They V-Series were made to tackle the most demanding projects. This V-Series and ratchet blends pro-grade performance and expert-tested endurance with a precision-engineered gear for optimized usability. Access confined work areas without losing grip strength with the 96-tooth design along with its short 3-3/4 arc swing. This tool was designed to minimize accidental switching for enhanced productivity with its low-profile directional lever.
ACCESS CONFINED SPACES with 3-3/4 deg arc swing
PREVENT UNINTENTIONAL SWITCHING with low-profile steering lever
BUILT FOR STRENGTH AND DURABILITY with precision-engineered gear
PREVENTS DAMAGE FROM DIRT infiltration with the enclosed head design
BACKED BY A LIFETIME WARRANTY: Designed to deliver the quality and durability expected from the CRAFTSMAN brand.
Let's find out just how high quality and how it compares to the Craftsman GunMetal or other Taiwan-made tool from Craftsman. #craftsman #tools
View all Craftsman V-Series Tools at Ace Hardware
www.acehardware.com/departmen...
View all Craftsman V-Series Tools at Lowe's
www.lowes.com/search?searchTe...
Tools reviewed in today's video:
Craftsman V-Series 3/8 in. drive Ratchet 96 teeth CMMT86321V
www.acehardware.com/departmen...
Craftsman V-Series 3/8 in. drive Comfort Grip Long Flex Head Ratchet 96 teeth CMMT86326V
www.acehardware.com/departmen...
Craftsman V-Series 3/8 in. drive S Metric 6 Point Socket and Tool Set 18 pc CMMT45753V
www.acehardware.com/departmen...
New Craftsman V-Series Tools High Quality or High Failure Not USA Made
You're right, Sears made it simple to warranty their Craftsman versions. Used to warranty stuff from time to time, they never asked questions they'd just switch it out.
I’ve got my grandfathers v series. I don’t know but I’m guessing it’s about the same age as his snap-on adapters 1954 (mom too 😂) with a nice 50’s “Shop King” Vice. 👍🏻
thanks grandpa. Even though ya died over 2 years before I was born. Some of your lessons made it down to me. And I hear ya loud and clear.
Always a pain at the local Lowes trying to get warranty. In reality I like the warranty at harbor freight because they just give you the new one. In Lowes if they don't have a single socket you're out of luck. At Harbor Freight they will take it from a kit.
Yep! I hate how they wont take out of kits
they always want my id and they throw a fit when I say that they have a no hassle warranty
Harbor freight Sux.
All china
@@Kevlar67476 like the device you just used to make that comment
@@MiguelGarcia-nl3ci my phone is made in South Korea...............Fool!
Ive warrantied a Craftsman 3/8" ratchet that i got in a kit of ~200 pieces. It siezed up on me backing off an automatic slack adjuster on a dump truck. A 7/16" socket and around 20 ft/lbs. I brought it in to the Ace Hardware by my home and went to customer service, they said to go find a new one and bring it back up to them and they would exchange it. And that was it.
Les go ace woot woot
The ace in my city is "all sales are final" and they really make it well known because they constantly are telling you this both prior and post buying whatever it is your buying. Do you think that is going to be a different story if I were to go and try to warranty a craftsman socket wrench I bought not to long ago? I know it's different, warranty vs sales, but they already are giving off the vibe of being extremely difficult to work with.
Sue them if they don’t honor the warranty!
Maybe don’t buy from that particular store?
I would threaten to sue them!
From posts i saw online, if they dont honor the warenty you can contact craftsman directly through their website and make them warenty it for you.
Craftsman love affair is over. I don't see them as premium tools, or worth what they are asking anymore, and I have a lot of older craftsman tools.
I agree 100 percent
They were never premium tools. I think the nostalgia is fogging people’s memory. In their heyday, I would have put them in the category of “most bang for your buck”. They were the lower end of the “missing link” tool brands that bridged the gap between the highly expensive and inaccessible premier brands like Mac or Snap-On and the homeowner grade, cheap tools. I would put it in that same category of Proto and S-K, but at the lower end of the category.
@@derschafer1012 Mac and snapon have the same nostalgia. You can get just as good as if not better tools for a quarter of the price (or less). Even other American made tools.
@@futon02 Mac and Snap-On take advantage of a different psychological phenomenon. People think higher prices automatically mean higher quality. They use this by rebranding a lot of el cheapo Taiwano tools with their own names and charging much higher prices. That being said, they are the top tool brand for automotive hand tools. Their quality and consistency is objectively higher than Cornwell, Stahlwille, GearWrench, Craftsman, NAPA, Williams, Proto, Husky, Titan, etc.
@@derschafer1012 maybe, I made a good living working on heavy equipment with craftsman tools. My love affair now is with tekton. Best advice use the BEST tool you can afford
The vintage ones are always the best. I have a 1/2" v series rachet from the 60s.
Craftsman in my lifetime was never considered an overpriced tool brand but Craftsman offered good tools for a really good price. Craftsman offered a "Professional Series" line of tools for those of us who worked in the trades professionally. Craftsman's Professional Series were very high tools that compared to SK, Mac Tools, Snap-On, ect...
The Professional Series was actually manufactured by SK Tools. Craftsman's new Overdrive series is really nice too but not as expensive as the V-series. Craftsman V-Series is definitely higher quality than the base model products.
I bought the craftsman v series wrench sets because they are rebranded Facom, and I’ve gotta say they’re pretty nice for the price. I did have to buy a Facom 440 in 13/16 to complete the set though.
My local Lowes is hard to deal with; the cheap Stanley branded mass merchandise branded socket sets have terrible ratchets and extensions. But, the warranty situation is easy; you call them up and at least for me, they didn't ask for a picture or anything and I got a replacement ratchet in three days.
What I found as using them as a cheap carry in vehicle (before giving it away) is the sockets are pretty good just the ratchets and extensions are junk. My friend replaced the ratchet with Gearwrench and is very happy with it now.
I did have a good experience with the phone call warranty option in the past. Seems like the best option especially if you have the part number or know what the equivalent replacement should be.
A few years ago when I got my ASE Certification (mid 80s) I started with primarily Craftsman tools. Prior to working at my first Dealership in 87 I worked at private smaller shops. You really did not have alot of options for tools. I never made enough at the small shops to get much from the trucks. I was blessed to have a very good Snap on dealer that helped me to grow at a pace that I could afford.
Craftsman will always have a soft spot in my heart, well American made Craftsman. I am interested in these new V series, if only for old time sake.
I just watched Project Farm's thorough tests of best hex key set. The Chinese Craftsman - their lower-priced, regular model, not the V-series featured in this video - consistently featured in the top 3 in performance yet was around the bottom 3 in price and destroyed all the other lower priced models. It was easily the standout and overall winner.
When I was turning in Craftsman tools for warranty I typically didnt have a problem. But, this one manager at SEARS in Brooklyn Center, MN looked for a refurbished tool for almost an hour so he didnt have to give me a brand new tool. Crazy right?
Not that out of the ordinary. Most got refurbished tools if they were available in the store, you only got new replacements if they didn’t have a refurb.
@@6atlantis I know. But my point was that this dude made a effort for the ages just so he didn't give someone a brand new tool...that's my point
I just went to Lowes today and they told me to call Craftsman. Craftsman phone support just sent me everything I wanted with no exchange.
Nope Nope Nope. Not for those prices. 😵💫
Lack of serviceability to a big downside.
So I just wanted to say that because of all the videos you have posted on the "point of failure" for the Pittsburgh professional series ratchets. I am now the proud owner of all of them except for the long handle 1/2 inch drive ones and the duo drive! Lol. But, that is due to my local Harbor freight not having any in stock
I just saw their V series wrenches the other day (online). They look EXACTLY like the precision torque from Mac, even the folding holder they come in. Only difference was Craftsman doesn’t have the teeth on the open end that the Precision Torque have. I showed my Mac dealer, since he had t seen them yet. He said Stanley does that a lot, puts out stuff to compete with their dealers. Screws with them a bit.
Love my Craftsman tools, however when you start getting close to tool truck prices I'll just buy off the tool truck.
Years I spent using craftsman, American made you got to love that. Now there not the same quality tool I'm used to. Sorry to say this but time to move on. Thank you for all the good years I spent working with your company.
I had an old worked in rusty 20in 3/8s extension that the ball didn't hold sockets anymore. Went to my local Lowe's and they said if it's on the shelf they'll warranty it.
So I've had at least one good experience
A completely un-serviceable (can't even clean dirt out of the thing) Taiwanese ratchet for significantly more than most existing high-quality Taiwanese ratchets... Planned obsolescence perfected... I guess this was their way of saying, "Eff American manufacturing." Hard pass.
Get tekton ratchets they even sell service rebuild kits if you so desire them
Totally unethical
If you can't get a pick in it or a needle head... How are you going to get dirty into it...
@@noeaguinaga4018 You can't get a pick or a needle into any closed-head ratchet. They all get dirty, but once this one gets dirty, it's garbage. Most can be cleaned in a few minutes. Fine dirt works its way into almost everything.
I recently got the metric 3/8 v series set at 35% discount, so it was a great deal. I really like the case with 10" extension incorporated as the handle, very sexy!@ Craftsman Overdrive series are pretty nice too, especially there combo wrenches.
This is the most positive review I have seen!!
Most reviewers reviewing craftsman. Acted like they were reviewing Nickelback as if that’s automatically bad!!
Why do they review some thing if they’re already hell-bent on saying it’s bad?!!
I still like Craftsman Tools and still buy them today love the Warranty
I didn't know that they had a V series before. I thought it was just the current power tools.
I recently had a Craftsman utility knife that the handle broke and had no problem exchanging at my Lowe’s. But that was just one experience.
I recently exchanged a split USA made Craftsman 18mm 1/2" drive socket at Ace. They told me they are able to get reimbursed by the manufacturer only if the sockets have the same part number. If the numbers are not the same they won't exchange it.
That's not true at all sbd makes warranty craftsman extremely easy the local franchises just don't like doing it compared to selling a tool
@@dstblj5222 I'm just repeating what they told me. I would think lifetime warranty would mean no qualifications but apparently it varies from store to store.
This is my local Ace's position also. If they can't find the part number for the broken Craftman tool they won't warranty it.
Several years ago I stated "never to buy a tool from H.F. that had more than 1 moving part". A few months ago, I bought 2 shop lights. (one moving part - the switch). Well the switch did not break. However, the chain broke. Now the fixture is on the ceiling in the "OFF" position with no way to turn it "ON". HA, HA, HA
These tools look strikingly similar to Facom tools, another SB&D company. If their build quality is the same then I might be more interested seeing as how Mac Tools rebrands a lot of Facom tools as Mac Precision Torque as well as a lot of their air tools.
These are facom screwdriver is a dead giveaway for me
SBD cannibalized Facom which was big in Europe before the evil empire bought them. The cases are exactly the same as Facom.
@@gplusgplus2286 The cases are used across SBD brands. Facom already ate itself (and took SK down with it) through poor management . SBD saved the company while keeping some of the factories running to this day (Bost screwdrivers/pliers especially). A lot of what isn’t made in France is made in Italy at USAG. I much prefer their older (white paint and black jaws) locking pliers vs their replacement models from about five or six years ago. Otherwise, the lineup seems to have improved. Sockets and wrenches obviously got shifted to their Taiwanese interests but I would argue that (other than job losses) it was an improvement.
It's a Mac tool just affordable
Interesting film, Client. I almost want to get some of the “New” Craftsman because of my nostalgia about the “Old” Craftsman. I just cain’t bring myself to do it.
Just keep using what you have until it wears out and glance at it in store when available. Hold out for the new USA craftsman in the next 13-18 months and hope the prices aren’t too much higher than these.
@@ClientGraphics thanks for the tip, Sir. I sold my two older Craftsman 3/8” ratchets about two years ago. I still have the older sockets sets and wrench sets. But, the font on the older Craftsman sockets is too small to read anymore. And I never got a response from HF about it, but why they had everything stamped upside down on their ICON sockets is a mystery.
@@donaldhollums3278 they’re probably stamped that way because alot of socket storage has the sockets stored upside down.
@@5kata5tic Okeedokee, I mean, I ain’t lost sleep over it and it won’t affect the way the sockets perform, but it sure was an odd thing after reading the socket sizes the normal way the last 40-something years.
Ebay
You can now get these new v series on amazon. I ordered the 3.8th metric set. Have to say Wow! These are some slick looking tools! And the quality appears impeccable! The grip and comfort is unmatched! Very top notch quality and tools in my opinion! Not sure why these not in stores, lowes -ace, and can only be bought online? I believe if these were stocked at retail stores they would fly off the shelves! Wow very classy professional tools! Im ordering more to replace many other brands i own. V-series... Very very nice no doubt!
Excellent video as always Chris!
Back in the day Craftsman tools were excellent. Back in the 90's, working on a buddies car we broke 2 of my Husky sockets trying to remove a stuck bolt. I bought a replacement Craftsman socket and it took the bolts off without a problem. The bolts were really stuck, we used the car jack to turn the wrench. To Husky's credit, the ratchet held up better than their sockets did. I still have those tools today. I wonder if the modern Craftsman sockets are equally strong?
Liked the video, I've owned craftsman for over 50 years, they were very well built and lasted me a lifetime, I've recently bought some newer craftsman ratchets and like the way they feel. I don't like the ones you cant take apart. I like to disassemble the ratchets every 5 or 10 years and clean and apply some fresh oil. They would last a lifetime if taken care of. What more can a man ask for.
Apparently if you read through these comments a man now asks for cheap and Chinese
The fact that they’re made in Taiwan is a plus. Far better than stuff from the mainland! That said, they’re not as good as the old ‘Made in USA’ tools. My opinion!
Pero muchas eran fabricadas en TAIWAN Y PATENTADAS EN USA.
The manufacturer for V series back in the day was Moore drop forge. Alloy Artifacts for all you tool needs like me.
Hello again Chris and Mrs. CG
Thank you for another Great Video. As previously mentioned, Craftsman tools are going to Earn my Trust. Right now, I'll keep my Old School Craftsman. Craftsman needs to be reminded we are the customers. If we don't buy it. Your Done, Enjoy. I am looking for the New Best Replacement and Customer, Warranty and Price are High on the list. Who would you recommend?
Hi brother awesome video keep them coming it been alone time see you
I used to use a ton of craftsman tools, and over the years I lost a lot of my craftsman tools so I went out a few years ago and bought the biggest craftsman ratchet and socket set lowes had, and within a week the chrome 72 tooth ratchet broke and they would not warranty the ratchet due to not having proof of my receipt. I have since decided to buy Snap-On to replace tools I break due to ease of warranty.
The warranty situation with craftsman needing ID is because people would go to yard sales and buy older craftsman stuff. They then would purposely brake them so they could warranty them and then sell the new ones below retail price. I could image it cost them millions, so like always the few ruin for the rest of us.
Can we please stop blaming the consumer for bad company policies!? Theres no way that that type of resale abuse was widespread enough to force craftsman to change its policy. Craftsmans policy change was a result of greedy poor management on behalf of Sears. The reason Stanley isn't reintroducing the policy is because they haven't nearly recouped the 900 million they spent for the craftsman brand plus Sears can still sell "Craftsman" tools until 2032. I imagine they will start to reintroduce the original exchange(so long as we keep consumer pressure on them) as the brand becomes more reestablished.
Other high quality tools still offer that same exchange Warranty. Brands like Icon and Texton have stayed true to the "if their name is on it and its damaged, they will send you a new replacement". In the case of Texton that's means without even having to send in the broken one.
What ever happened to the factory they were building in Texas? I was looking forward to the USA branded craftsman tools again.
Delayed due to the pandemic by at least 12-18 months. Stanley Black & Decker has been pretty hush-hush on it since they are a publicly traded company and negative communications can impact the bottoms line and investors.
@@ClientGraphics That makes sense. Thanks for responding! Love your channel
I was wondering the same thing. I bet we never see them made in the U.S. again.
Thanks for the video & information! 😎😎🤓🤓
Harbor freight makes great pro series tools I've used for many years
Video suggestion:
I work with a lot of threaded rod.
Specifically 3/8 threaded rod.
So a tool like a "pass through ratchet" seems like a really good idea.
Could you please take the crescent pass through ratchet and there adjustable wrench/ratchet combo to failure?
Could you review the 90 tooth heart swivel head telescope 3/8 and 1/2 ratchet from Walmart please 🙏. I bought one and I do like it but I want to know how far it would make it threw your tests 😂
I like the full chrome! Looks like the PROTO 90 tooth precision ratchet.
It’s a nice looking ratchet. I should get a proto one of these days to check out.
@@ClientGraphics I just recently purchased 3 of the PROTO ratchets and I have to say it's now my favorite so far.
Proto is owned by Stanley B&D also, so these quite possibly share some design questions from the proto's just like the v-series wrenches are very similar in comparison to the Mac Tools sets
Well...I don't.think it's the same...but I just saw a Craftsman set with a "black chrome" finish that was the prettiest ratchet I've ever seen....that being said...the quality difference among major brands isn't all tthat noticeable
-- I like the Craftsman gunmetal finish tools, particularly the 1/2" ratchet and socket set. DeWalt offers the same set in an identical box, though the shape of the handle and easy release in the Craftsman set is more to my liking. It's nice to be able to get the tools out of the box with impact gloves still on, and it fits under a car seat. The gunmetal chrome finish is possibly my favorite tool finish right now.
-- The V-series combination wrenches are the only thing from the V-series worth getting. The rest is superficial.
-- When I get a mid-range tool like Craftsman or Dewalt, I have 4 MANDATORY expectations.
1: No burrs or casting lines, with smooth chrome/blasted finishes.
2: Solid metal handles. ZERO RUBBER OR PLASTIC. The tool will usually become an heirloom.
3: Any tool encasements must be accessible with impact gloves still on. These are tools for people that do in fact work.
4: Skipping sizes is forbidden, for example, a 16 and 5/8" must both be present in order for a set to qualify as "complete".
-- Mid-range tools are modifiable. If you look at an old man's tool set, you'll typically find modifications like knurling, grinding, etching, polishing, re-contour grinding, welding, and bronze addition. Nobody modifies a crappy tool. We modify a good tool in order to accomplish a critical application.
I love my German made craftsman ratcheting screwdriver. But I don't know if they still make them, or where mine was bought
I love my craftsman full polish sets. It was painful to see them being broken even if it was for testing.
It would have been more painful to see the Flying V series ratchets broken but on the other hand it would have been interesting to see if a 60 year old ratchet would beat the modern ones
Has anyone seen the new v series double box end wrenches?? It has 12 point ratcheting on the one end and 6 point solid box on the other. I think the mm was a 7 piece set.
Well the set I bought from the blue box store failed the 2nd time I used the 3/8 ratchet mild torque application
I grew up on Craftsman USA made tools and just recently decided to start phasing Craftsman stuff out of my tool box at work. My hand tools were predominantly USA craftsman for the last 20 years or so. They took a beating, did the jobs any more expensive brand would, cost significantly less than others, and like you hit the nail on the head Sears really did make the process from purchase to warranty suer easy for the customer. The days of that are fading fast though I feel. as well as the quality of a lot of the tools. I actually own that same 120 tooth gunmetal 3/8" ratchet, it's not a bad tool at all, but I absolutely feel that the USA made craftsman fine tooth 3/8" ratchet I bought 10 years ago is constructed better. I saw a few people in the comments looking for some specs on the fastener fitment between the new and the old stuff also. I haven't compared that but I can say in my last video I compare the wall thickness of an old USA made chrome socket to a newer non usa made one and its pretty shocking how much less material is in the new one.
I have tons of tools and my decades old craftsman ratchets and wrench’s still working well .
@@gergemall same here!
Impressive video , new subscriber. Interesting stuff
hey sir..which size can i open the bolt of drain oil?
Anyone know what the RHFT or later vintage V series rachets can handle?
Another informative test! Looks like Craftsman is now trying to be "Icon". Like that HF brand, it seems overpriced for what it is. I wonder how their sockets compare for dimensional accuracy.
I use icon at work everyday, work perfect, abuse them, if u think icon is over priced u don't know anything about tools
Love to see a comeback for craftsman tools the perfer brand of dia guys
Thanks, Chris. That's a good point about checking your set for duplicates. Not sure how much of a factor that is now a days, I did have that issue back in the late '80's, early '90's with a socket set I got from them and also their wrench set, back then. I ended up with two 8mm and no 7 mm, called Sears and they took care of it, sent out two 7mm, one from one factory and one from another. All I asked for was the one 7 mm I was missing.
Lucky that they sent you new replacement ones. Seriously, I do have the worst luck with sockets that lack detents. I have a few 1/4” drive full socket sets that lack them.
I have a lot of USA made Craftsman tools still, and love them (even though the Professional polished wrenches from the 90s flex, a lot!). I remember picking up a couple sets of wrenches before Sears closed locally and those were not USA made, and sadly not the same quality. It will be interesting to see how the "reboot" of Craftsman will work out. I always felt the USA made Craftsman tools were a great tool at good prices, especially compared to box truck tools back in the day. Hopefully that will be true once again.
I have the same "professional" wrenches, they must have used spring steel to make them😂 They do feel good however, just have to beware of the spring action.🤦♂️
@@russojap1864 Those are rebranded S-K wrenches, great quality!
@@TheComputerZombie I love the feel of them for sure, only wrench that doesn't hurt your hand when cranking on something.😅
@@russojap1864 I used a set from a colleague and loved them! Went to look them up for myself only to find that they stopped being made in the 90s, unfortunately..
These look pretty good. But I don't see the draw over Tekton, Husky, Klutch for the price.
Do they now offer all sizes in the range or are they still skipping sizes?
I’ll check them out to see whats what. however for the price, i’d rather a harbor freight icon, gearwrench or carlyle. Many good options at that price and considerably better warranty service, especially with napa and HFT.
The V series looks good - good enough to justify the price increase - I would so no
With what you can get from Capri, Tekton and ICON they still set the bar for value
Agreed, I'll take Capri, tekton and even icon any day over V series.
You would take them over facom? Because that's what they v series is
@@dstblj5222 I'll take them over facom. I know they're a huge company but still. I prefer ratchets that can be opened and regreased/rebuilt.
Thank you for your review. Only time will tell if mechanics and dyi'ers will accept the new Craftsman line, especially if lifetime warranties are an issue. People got burned by the garbage quality tools Sears was making in China so it will take alot to build a loyal following again.
Thank you for the comment. Sears definitely burned Craftsman fans for the money and dumped it when it was done.
I moved on to tekton already
I miss the Craftsman of old. This new stuff plus the warranty hassle just turns me off of the brand. I'll be extra sad when my USA made Craftsman stuff breaks.
How are the internals retained in the ratchet?
I will never buy another Craftsman again. Logical or not. The easy warrantee made Craftsman a great tool. Good video.
Harbor freight has cheap Pittsburgh and better Icon options with easy in-store exchange. Nuff said.
It's Craftsman (Taiwan) vs. Tekton for me. After my old Craftsman USA tools got stolen, I bought the 150-piece Craftsman Gunmetal set, which appears to be high quality and was fairly inexpensive. (I would avoid their cheaper Chinese and Indian made tools.) I looked at Icon, but I don't see the value proposition when you can buy Tekton for slightly less. Some Pittsburgh Pro stuff at HF is actually quite good, and as expected, it's generally Taiwanese.
I don't know - with the exception of a few sockets I've had to replace (because I lost my originals in moves), I still have my old Sears, Made in the USA sets from about 30-35 years ago. The same SAE tools I used to work on the '85 Mustang GT I owned back then. As needs changed, I picked up more Metric sockets and wrenches in the late 90's. Most importantly, I still have my favorite ratchets - the old round head ratchets with built-in dials on the back of the head (in 3/8 and 1/4 sizes). I heard Sears got sued (by Snap-On I believe?), and eventually changed the design to include the dial as a separate accessory that sat at the base of the square head. Not the same, and the ratchets had that ugly, sand-blasted finish (instead of the original's chrome) that was a pain to clean. I also have some tools from even farther back (probably 70's, early 80's), which were my father's and kept after he passed away.
I suppose these will last long enough for me to pass on to my son when he's old enough (he's only 3 haha). I'll just be sure not to run 250+ Ft./Lbs. against my ratchets, lol. It stinks that the famous Craftsman guarantee isn't quite the same as it used to be (I suppose in part because it's now more than one store that carries them)... Thanks for squeezing every last drop of monetary value out of Sears' legendary brands while you sucked the life out of the company, Eddie. 😑
All my craftsman tools are made in the US!, I dont buy anything made overseas!, if I need a tool and cant find what I need American made I hit the flea markets!, I recently purchased ratchet replacement guts for all my ratchets up to my 3/4 drive!, so just in case I'm good for ever!.
Icon is the new king!I will admit they look decent and they probably are because they made in Taiwan not China,but the heads on the ratchet are just way too thick. Great video🇺🇸
Makes Icon look like the bees knees. After your further testing and review. It's safe to say that there are better pro-sumer grade tools for the money.
The V Series ratchets have beautiful chrome finish with a recessed lever. The comfort is great, and they feel strong and durable. The ratchet clicks sound confident and precise. Small Con. They have a little back drag. After registration it says. Warranty Status: Standard 100 Years Active. Warranty End Date 2123
Just go with Williams ratchets, still made in the USA on the older Snap-On tooling. Can be found for $25 (1/4") - $40 (3/8") - $65 (1/2"). Williams sockets are basically identical to Snap-On as well, and very affordable. Don't settle for these companies pushing imported tools with extreme markups. Williams also has a Taiwan lineup (basically Blue Point) that should be avoided.
In my experience with Taiwanese made products, Spyderco knives, is they have great fit and finish.
Taiwan might be near China, but is leagues different than China. Spyderco is great finish, great steel, great quality. Same level as American made Benchmade
@@mrwendell4564 I would have to say spyderco USA and taiwan are better than benchmade. Benchmade fit&finish is probably between spyderco china and spyderco japan.
@@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743 I want to get a Spyderco Taiwan knife. Can you recommend one
@@mrwendell4564 My favorite is the Spyderco Amalgam, but a lot of people don't like it because you have to know when to move your finger out of the way to close the knife. The spydiechef is a good one if you like titanium framelocks. I like the blade shape, but I'm not a fan of framelocks. There's also the spyderco smock, it's fun to play with and you don't need to move your finger out of the way to close it. I don't like the blade shape or the fact that it's hollow grind, but if you don't care about blade geometry then it's a great knife. The holes on it are kind of small, so you can open it with your thumb, but I cannot flick it open with my thumb.
Those are the three I own from the taichung factory, and I like flippers more than standard knives, so my viewpoints are kind of skewed. If you tell me what kind of knife you like, and what features you prefer on knives I could probably give you a better recommendation for yourself.
things like do you like hollow/flat grinds, how heavy of a knife you prefer to carry, how beefy it is, if you prefer it look more cool than functional, do you use your knife for a specific purpose, etc. The downside of the taichung factory is that most of their blades are s30v, so you can't pick your favorite steel unless they come out as exclusives, or your favorite steel is s30v.
That being said I think the amalgam is my second favorite spyderco knife because I made a frankenstein knife out of the k390 endura 4, and the pacific salt 2, which gives me a 2.4oz blade with k390 and is almost 4inches long with a strong lock, which kicks the benchmade bugout, and their carbon fiber 940's ass. Not as fidgety though, but I don't have to worry about the spring/lock breaking.
@@iamfuckingyourwaifuandther2743 lol I have the carbon fiber Benchmade 940 with s90v steel. But it got a small chip and that disappointed me because it is almost impossible to sharpen without sending it to Benchmade. The spydiechef sounds nice but the frame lock is a dealbreaker. That Frankenstein you mention sounds really nice though. I looked up the smock you mentioned and it looks awesome. I've been thinking of getting a knife with m390. Thanks for the feedback
I don't nor will I ever buy Craftsman tools again, that's as seamless as it gets.
I believe the reason they require id is because theft of Craftsman tools used to be very prevalent back in the 70s and 80s. People were stealing them and then trading them in for brand new ones. I know it's a pain but in a way they're protecting you, the consumer.
I warrantied one of 3/8 drive wrenches from Craftsman at Lowe's with no hassle or id required
I liked that they were reasonably priced (mostly) US made tools. After they went totally import, there really isn't any reason to buy it over other brands like Husky or Kobalt.
When Craftsman went Chinese, I started buying most of my hand tools from Harbor Freight. Quality is about the same as (new) Craftsman but cheaper. If I'm gonna be stuck buying Chinese tools because I can't justify paying the prices for any of the remaining American made brands, I'm certainly not paying for a brand name.
@@elijahwatson8119 It's true, current harbor freight tools are so much better than the ones from years ago! I run Dewalt's 12v and 20v batteries for my cordless tools, but unfortunately Dewalt doesn't offer electric ratchets. I found a video on CZcams of how to convert a Harbor Freight Hercules ratchet to run 12v dewalt packs. I'm seriously impressed by the build quality and performance of their Hercules line!
@@KrazyGoodMods DeWalt does have a cordless socket wrench now
@@elijahwatson8119 I just watched Project Farm's thorough tests of best hex key set. The Chinese Craftsman - their lower-priced, regular model, not the V-series featured in this video - consistently featured in the top 3 in performance yet was around the bottom 3 in price and destroyed all the other lower priced models. It was easily the standout and overall winner of the tests ahead of American and German brands. Just because something is Chinese doesn't mean it's low quality. This isn't 25 or even 10 years ago. Chinese-made products can be great, middle, or poor. Proper, unbiased tests are needed to know.
Look at Kaiweets (and their re-branded) multimeter models as an example. They are fantastic with tests proving so, yet they're incredibly inexpensive. Kaiweets is Chinese.
I buy lots of high-strength (12.9 grade) bolts and other pieces of aluminum extrusion, brackets, fasteners, etc. from AliExpress at much lower prices than American or European websites. The quality of the Chinese stuff is like 80-90% but at only like 30-60% of the cost - and somtimes even better quality. Sometimes the fine details - the fit and finish - is a little off but I'm talking details that would make no impact unless you're doing an extremely high-precision engineering/scientific job and, if that's the case, then I would never be buying parts based off good prices and price-to-performance ratios because affordability wouldn't be a factor.
I purchased a set of sim racing (racing simulation videogame) pedals. These are high-end, industrial-like pedals meant to re-create real racecar forces with brake-pedal loads capable of up to 300 pounds (140Kg) of force. They are often used in commercial and professional environments. The Chinese version is $400-$450 USD shipped, the brand-name is around $1150-$1200 USD (may or may not include shipping). The Chinese version work 99% as good. They use the same german-brand & model rubbers, the same excellent Mavin brand load cells, all 3mm aluminum like the brand-name. etc. The electronics, structural support, overall operation, etc. seem to be just as good as the original plus, the Chinese version can also be had in a black version rather than only the typical bare-metal / silver looking version of the brand name (a nice bonus). Fit & finish is not quite perfect with some holes just slightly not perfectly aligned and some cheap looking finishing of some of the edges and cuts on the aluminum but nothing that affects the performance / operation nor the reliability.
How do you oil the sealed head
Could you test the menards master force ratchets
Great video 👍
I thought so also. Appreciate you watching and commenting.
Lowe’s excepts the warranty with no issues… I’ve returned old craftsman tools I’ve gotten from sears to Lowe’s no questions asked you just get the one that’s closest to the tool your exchanging
I've chosen to standardize on Craftsman's 20v. Battery platform. Already have some Craftsman hand-tools and a Craftsman Mechanic's set from a few short years ago.... But I'm not delusional. Modern-day Craftsman is not nearly as good as vintage Craftsman tools. But there is still some actual quality built into the hand-tools. The brushed power-tools are over-priced for what you get. If you need a specialized tool, Craftsman has it in their line-up but it's only available as a brushed tool? Buy it if you don't want to go outside of the Craftsman Battery platform. But realize you're over paying for a tool that isn't as good as most of the ones from the competition. Brushless? Fantastic for a Mid. tier brand like Craftsman. (Heck, much of their brushless line is literally from DeWALT's basic line of brushless tools. Just painted red instead of yellow.)
Availability is another reason I went with Craftsman. Their current parent company paid a staggering $900 Million for Craftsman years ago, and didn't even at first have exclusive rights to the name! Things seem to be sorted now, without three separate entities making "Craftsman" power-tools that each run off of three different Battery platforms. When a business pays *THAT* much money to acquire a new asset, they are going to pour a massive amount of more money into the brand to make it as profitable as possible! So Craftsman and their 20v. proprietary Battery platform isn't going away anytime soon.
(Also, the parent company, Stanley Black & Decker, had Porter Cable positioned as their Mid. tier brand. Already owned it. But decided to abandon it, pay an obscene amount of money to acquire the Craftsman name, and concentrate on it instead. Yeah, you can still get Porter Cable but only place that carries it is Tractor Supply. In a handful of years, the brand will likely be gone entirely. Unless someone buys the rights to it. Which, not likely at all.)
I figured the 120 position ratchet would fail first not because the V series is better, it’s just the 120 has a hollow anvil for the quick release oppose to a solid anvil like the V series. I own a 121 piece gun metal set I bought on sale at Lowe’s and I’m satisfied with the quality of the tools. 250 ft lbs is well more than I have ever put on any 3/8ths drive so I think the gun metal ratchets will hold up. I would not pay the price difference for any v series tools unless they decide to bring production of the live home to the 🇺🇸
Saw the shirt and thought it was a shill video but I was pleasantly surprised. Thanks!
Good looking tool except for that black switch on the otherwise all chrome clad tool doesn't make much sense to me.
TBH, I prefer the original V series that's made in the USA (Does anyone know by who?) with the V as the switch lever.
That V on the selector switch is from back around 1959-1964. Based on patent filings and other research is was made by Moore Drop Forging. It was later bought out by a few different companies and was completely closed down around 2005
Can't wait till they go on clearance
Hell their even super expensive on the sears website and they are all $$$$
Is the selecter switch metal or plastic?
Carlyle is the best "retail pro" grade tool. Napa is everywhere, the tools are quality and the warranty process is easy.
I have a Carlyle 90tooth roto head and it's great
Carlyle tools are decent Taiwan made tools. I wouldn’t hesitate to pickup a sale item or deal on one and they do have a lot of locations.
They are way to high at retail prices, so are icon tools.
@@kevinragsdale6256 Napa does sales on Carlyle all the time. You can also find them used on ebay.
I work for a BIG company in Southern California and I get BIG discounts on everything in the NAPA store, from parts to tools. My favorite auto parts store is NAPA because of this.
Craftsman tools will never ever everrr bring back the name it had, there run is long long gone, I have my dad's craftsman tools from the mid 90s and they are kept bc they are an iconic tools from the time, there junk now and will phase out without a dought.
funny thing is i still use a lot of 1960s to 1990s craftsman tools and boxes no issues i also use lots of older snap on and proto the new fine tooth is ok but i don’t like the feel and comfort grips suck i don’t like them when you soak your tool in oil
Not too worried about the degrees,,,, what sucks more is slop in between disengagement and the first click.,,, sometime all u can work is the one or two clicks. If it’s sloppy built you don’t even get one click.
Ive heard that most of the line will be made up of identical tools made By Facom which makes a lot of MAC's none USA hardline stuff. Should be very high quality stuff for the most part. Prices might be more than what a weekend warrior wants to spend...
Definitely lots and similarities to both Facom and USAG Tool. Both bought and now owned by Stanley Black & Decker.
Facom are great. Very well respected in Europe as well.
And that's the problem. The weekend warriors want to buy a full set of chineseium sockets for 50 bucks every week when they break instead of saving up a few pay periods to buy one good USA made set.
Luckily got some USA craftsman sockets and a wrench from a friend
That long handle flew looks oddly similar to the design of Macs axis head and yoke to the handle.
Because it's the fafom/usag version which is the exact same thing made in taiwan
Honestly that's not bad at all I think I'm sold I'm gonna buy craftsman again.
I actually saw some V series ratchets at a Lowes near my house. I didn't buy them but look great. I was shocked at how well they were made. I would have bought them if I didn't have so many ratchets all ready.
To save everyone time, at 02:08, the core to the video is, "if I can get this... at a discount, it really isn't that bad of a tool." The premise is that a bad tool should be purchased if a "discount" is used in the advertisement. No rational person purchases a substandard product. All that matter are ROI and ROE.
The new V series is a premium line of specialty tools, which as admitted by the narrator, function as intended and are desirable (to persons impressed by cosmetic appeal). There are several cosmetic brand names in the market: Apex ( Mac, Matco, Gearwrench, Craftsman, Crescent, Proto, Blackhawk, etc), Koken, Facom, Cornwell, Napa, Snap-on. The new Craftsman V series fills that niche.
Lowe's lost their azz on the craftsman buy. I doubt the Klein move will save the store either. Prices on everything are sky high.
I’m sure you can disassemble that ratchet, you can disassemble the ratcheting mechanism on ratcheting wrenches so I’m sure you can disassemble that thing