Craftsman has been treating you pretty well, and the new stuff seems very good. You will be fine, you already have a decent bag of tricks and as time goes on it will keep filling from experience. The highest master had a first day and a first good job the same way. Getting the 21 because 13/16 isn’t quite right for customers cars is a good sign. I used to struggle with a 13/16 on my own car then finally got a 21. Especially when it won’t go on or gets stuck on, how does that look at work.
New tool thread
- Thread starter jhellwig
- Start date
Craftsman 6" adjustable wrench (2nd from right in the pic, next to the little 4" Williams wrench). I planned to get the Crescent brand to match my 8, 10, and 12 sizes, but the Craftsman handle was thicker and more comfortable.
My first day at the hyundai dealership I nearly sh*t myself. First i got the tour and they explained what the different hoses/pumps did. engine oil, gear oil, air, and the coolants are over there etc....
Then I got my first job, a simple service and oil/filter change. Done everything and started refilling the engine oil, but the stuff coming out was green. oh f*ck, must be the coolant pump. Doesn't smell like coolant or feel like coolant though... doesn't smell like gear oil either... But decided to ask the guy in the next bay anyway... Oh yeah, the Castrol oil we use is green. Wouldn't have hurt to know that before....
I was very happy with my other Vessel screwdrivers so I ordered these from Amazon. I got the set for under $25, they came yesterday. VESSEL Ball Grip Screwdriver Set 4pcs. No.2204CS
When I bought these I was skeptical about how they would feel in the hand, now they are one of my all time favorites. They hold up very well too.
That's like every job I ever had, after completion of a task, oh, we do that like this...
Here's recent favorite purchase, from Harbor Freight, long handle curved needle nose pliers, this was after reaching in to get the transmission line clamp off under the battery box, fluid seen is nearing the end, had to run out for more and the ear plug was used to cap the other end of the line as some fluid spit out there too. Walmart had a Greasweep floor dry 2lb for ~$5, five stars here, sprinkles like dust so the wind is a factor, but concrete only looks discolored gray underneath it, you could never tell what was spilled, I left it on over-nite and sweep it around again this morning.
Last edited:
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Today is Craftsman day lol. This is what happens when Ace Hardware has 50% off everything besides power tools and Green Egg grills. They are having the sale tomorrow as well so since I’m going to be working my parents are buying me more tools tomorrow. I already gave them a list of what I need. We go around to all the local ones and get stuff. I went in anticipating to buy them something for their 29th anniversary today whatever they wanted but they decided and insisted to buy me tools instead. I’m so grateful for that because all of this I needed. The only thing I bought was the wrench. I’m especially excited about the Gunmetal 3/8 ratchet. I love the Gunmetal one that my coworker lets me use.
I know a lot of members consider the new Craftsman to not be as good but I encourage you at least try the Gunmetal ratchets I think you’ll be impressed. I mainly buy this for the warranty too as they always take care of me when I need a warranty at Craftsman. The only thing that really bothers me is the 1/2 flex head ratchet is the selector switch is backwards but hey it was a gift to me that I appreciate so I will gladly use it. All of this is made in Taiwan. They had snap ring pliers that are USA made there made by Craftsman.
My dad bought me this yesterday at Lowe’s because I realized when I was working I lack every size 1/4 extensions in my work box except really long ones.
And I know this isn’t a tool but I bought this for my bedroom wall it’s car related so I figured I’d post it. I got this at the Ace sale as well.
I’m still looking for a 1/4 flex head ratchet none of the Ace had them and the Snap-on man didn’t show up Thursday because he was sick. Maybe I’ll find one tomorrow because I don’t have a 1/4 flex head at all because I’ve always just borrowed them. My dealership sells Matco tools to the mechanics because they used to be a distributor but it’s all older stuff and they didn’t have any 1/4 locking flex heads and Matco never made regular ones as far as I know.
The dent fix pliers are phenomenal. They actually work!
Interested in the brake bleeder wrenches. Other than length for torque, what advantage do they have over end wrenches or box end wrenches?
Their shape will sometimes allow access to bleeder screws without having to remove the tire/wheel assembly.
Gotcha
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
My parents picked these up for me at the Ace Hardware sale today. I’m very grateful for them. I better not let my coworker see the 25mm lol I sheared his off the other day aligning a Ford truck so I’m just going to buy him a whole new set since it’s just a Walmart set he had it’s cheaper than just buying an individual wrench. If you are in the market for new ratchets you won’t mind these or the Gunmetal ones either. The only bad thing is the selector switch is backwards on these but not the raised panel or gunmetal ones. The ratchets are nice now. I still need a flex head 1/4 drive ratchet not picky on brands but Ace and Lowe’s have been sold out for months. I didn’t need the 28mm wrench but I wanted it to fill in my set now I’m just missing a 26mm and 31mm and 32. Wish they were USA but oh well.
The extensions and adapters will come in handy for sure. I try to support Craftsman now especially since I’ve been getting all my broken stuff replaced for about the last 6 months and not one question has been asked and I haven’t been denied so I’m happy. Today I cracked a 15mm deep socket and they already emailed back saying a replacement would be shipped within the next 7 days (usually next day from my experience) along with some other tools I broke so I can’t help but try to buy their products. And I will continue buying them. They are actually building a factory here in my hometown not sure what all they will be making but they have hiring signs out and have ads all over Indeed and Craigslist.
Oh yeah and for those wondering about a sale that I’m talking about it’s only at the Ace stores around here as far as I know mine are independently owned and they have had this sale every year for July 4th and New Years since they transferred from True Value to Ace.
JHZR2
Staff member
Barely used collection of Snap-on ratchets. Note the two FOD ratchets. Don’t know that I need them or care, but they’re part of the lot.
Think they’re all genuine??
Think they’re all genuine??
I would say all are genuine. The FOD ratchets are the same tool just not user serviceable.
JHZR2
Staff member
I would agree. The stamping on the small FOD ratchet is really weak, which seems strange. I wonder if SO sells seconds someplace.
I don't know but it may have been rebuilt and half arsed refinished. Clinebarger would know if they sell seconds.
Snap-on is pretty brand conscious & I've never heard on any "second/blemished" tools being sold to the general public. Though FOD ratchets are used in the Aviation, Food, & Pharmaceutical industries.....Likely sold at a discount. Not sure what quality control standards are applied for purely cosmetic blemishes??
Snap-on doesn't make much money on ratchets & that's from a very reliable source. Not so sure it's viable for someone to make "Deep Fakes" of these?
All Snap-on ratchets have a Year of Manufacture code struck into the hilt of the ratchet, I doubt fakes would have this. I've noticed the the Year Strike gets kinda wore out by the end of the run.
Snap-on doesn't make much money on ratchets & that's from a very reliable source. Not so sure it's viable for someone to make "Deep Fakes" of these?
All Snap-on ratchets have a Year of Manufacture code struck into the hilt of the ratchet, I doubt fakes would have this. I've noticed the the Year Strike gets kinda wore out by the end of the run.
AutoMechanic
Site Donor 2025
Can I count this as “new”? Because it’s new to me lol. And it’s in pristine new condition. Thanks ToolPolisher from GJ for sending me this for my collection it’s the last one I needed to complete my set of USA Craftsman ratchets. It’s been rebuilt as you can tell it has the stud that pops out when the quick release is pushed which isn’t something the VT or any V series ratchet had. But I can’t complain he didn’t have to give it to me he actually had three and let me pick the one I wanted. I would of taken a picture of all three together but my non broken 1/2 inch is at work because it’s the only working 1/2 inch I have lol besides the new flex head I got the other day.
I wonder if it was rebuilt and someone made a pigs ear of the finish drilling/chiseling the rivet heads off and went to town with a sander and buffer trying to make it look better. I would think a knockoff would look better than that.
