Craftsman Combination Wrenches

[Yadda]

This is one of several sets of USA made Craftsman combination wrenches I've collected.  The manufacturer code is V^ indicating these were probably manufactured between 1992 and 2012 by Danaher when they were a division of Armstrong. These are the classic Craftsman style wrenches that many people find familiar.

[Farmer X]

  I recently had a conversation with a co-worker about the direction Craftsman took. Your set is a good one, from the period that Craftsman were quality American-made tools that the average working guy could purchase without having to take out a second mortgage!

[cody6268]

These are over half my wrenches, and chances are, there's a doppelganger of these on the work bench any time I start a project.  While my SAE stuff is a decent mix (Action/Thorsen, SK, Proto, Williams, and of course Craftsman), Craftsman are my good metric wrenches (as Metric is something I never had to use that often until now).   Both my hand boxes have Craftsman DOE wrenches in sizes I use a lot, and which Crescents and the Pliers Wrench aren't adequate.

If you find Craftsman USA used (which locally, has been about the best I can do at my flea markets), chances are, it's pretty good. Most of my stuff is Moore Drop Forging/Easco/Danaher-made (plus Wilde pliers and Vaughan striking tools)--plus some things like my Billings-made DOEs from the '30s (been meaning on adding more prewar tools as of late).  Been meaning on trying to find some of the stuff companies like Armstrong made for Craftsman.

[Yadda]

When I started buying at estate sales I was just buying good deals.  Over time I've realized I do have favorite tools and eras of tools.  I really like Williams Superrench and Lectolite/Tru-Fit .  I also like the Barcalo ice cream scoop DBE and  combination wrenches.  BARCALO made the same wrenches for Montgomery Ward with the Powr-Kraft logo.  The Plomb pebble wrenches are neat, but everyone wants them.   Keep an eye out for early Kobalt wrenches.  They were made in the US by SK.  Also look for P&C.  They were bought by Plomb and many of their Innovations were carried into Proto. Same foe Pennens.   

[Farmer X]

If ever I'm able to start estate sale shopping, I'll heed that advice!

[bruto]

Back in the 1970's someone stole my toolbox which contained a whole bunch of wrenches including a socket set from when Wards sold Barcalo.  I replaced it with Craftsman, including a pretty complete set of those wrenches, and they're indeed quite good and tough.  I still miss some of those old ones, though.  Among them were some original wrenches and pliers from old Peugeots.  Peugeot, if one does not know, as a maker of tools along with cars, and the tools that came with an old 403 were good for a lifetime.

The one area where even the best Craftsman wrenches don't quite cut it is brake flare nut wrenches.  S-K for me!

[Yadda]

Back in the 1970's someone stole my toolbox which contained a whole bunch of wrenches including a socket set from when Wards sold Barcalo.  I replaced it with Craftsman, including a pretty complete set of those wrenches, and they're indeed quite good and tough.  I still miss some of those old ones, though.  Among them were some original wrenches and pliers from old Peugeots.  Peugeot, if one does not know, as a maker of tools along with cars, and the tools that came with an old 403 were good for a lifetime.

The one area where even the best Craftsman wrenches don't quite cut it is brake flare nut wrenches.  S-K for me!

Later Powr-Kraft socket sets sold by MW were manufactured by Wright.  I have an almost complete 3/8 set and box. I have two small Wright sets that are identical.  Would love to find a  Barcalo set.

[gustophersmob]

Nice set!

I’m pretty sure all my combination wrenches are craftsman, bought around 2000.

Here are my small ones that live in my portable tool case. Bigger ones are in the garage.