Buying new craftsman v series tools off ebay at half of retail price and see if they’re worth the money and comparing ratchets with usa and china craftsman.
I'm kind of undecided on the Craftsman V Series. From what I've seen on the Craftsman web site, the sets tend to skip sizes and I don't see individual tools available. The tools seem to be a mix of other SBD lines. The combination wrenches look similar to Facom and Mac. The ratchets look similar to the Mac axis line. I like to disassemble my ratchets periodically for cleaning and lubrication. This isn't possible with the V Series ratchets. The Torx driver set is missing the T10 and T15 which are far more common than the T40. The pricing seems a little steep for what you are getting. The Icon of Gearwrench lines may be a better deal and don't tend to skip sizes. My gripe with Icon is that individual tools are not available.
I agree with you 100%. The skipping sizes is a huge turn off for me as well as the price tag. I would never have bought these at full retail cost from Lowe’s or Amazon considering the better options out there, but being kind of a craftsman fan boy I was curious to see how they perform. I believe if you call harbor freights 1-800 number it is possible to buy individual tools from the icon line but it is kind of a hassle, but that is the same with craftsman ever since they sold to SBD. Lowe’s doesn’t cary half of what sears had and a lot of my older usa tools aren’t even made anymore. The warranty process is a huge hassle as well at lowe’s. I recently purchased a large tool lot and returned about 12 pieces that were way too far into disrepair and waited over a hour and a half for them to make the returns.
@@supersonicmotorsportunlimited Others have mentioned about the hassle of exchanging Craftsman tools at Lowe's. Some have said they were asked for a receipt. Impossible if you've had your tools for 40 years. I have a 3/8 flex head Craftsman Professional ratchet with a plastic handle. If it ever fails I wonder what they would give me in exchange.
I would assume in that case they would have to give you one of the new v series tools since that is SBD craftsman “professional line” but then again who knows because they’re not comparable. My first ever exchange I was asked to show proof of purchase and I looked at the kid in the face and said these ratchets are 30 years old and i bought them used and he just looked at me dumbfounded. Had to have a manager come and do the exchange but unfortunately they did not have anything “comparable” to my round head 1/4 drive ratchet except for the one with the swivel head which they would not exchange mine for because of the swivel head. So i got a 120 tooth black chrome ratchet which was nowhere near comparable lol
What I can find is always at half price as a sale Lowes or ACE or Ebay. I really like what I have and it has all been Taiwan made except the flush cuts which are France Facom for sure. The heads are thick like Snap-on which is a negative but the flex heads ratchet feel super strong and doesn't bend in use. I would buy them all again.
Almost all of the V-series is made by Facom..as are MAC Tools and some of the Dewalt..they're good..people want to hate but the quality is there 9:38... and look at how much weaker it is...professional tools need to stand up to daily use...slim goes out the window for durability if you use tools to make money 💰...I will add that, that particular ratchet is made especially thin as it is a "low profile" ratchet..it isn't a standard ratchet...you're comparing apples to balloons 😂
Kobalt seems pretty good. I have two of their breaker bars and really like their lights. Lowe’s will honor the craftsman warranty if they have the same tool or most similar. Not sure on Kobalt.
Not impressed with the V Series given the price point. I’d sooner use Gearwrench or Wright for the cost. Now if they were made in the USA I might feel differently because of US labor costs. However, I’m not going to pay a premium for mediocre Taiwanese tools. I also just feel the designs aren’t that great in terms of size and shape. I hear backdrag isn’t too good either. Best budget ratchets: 90 tooth Gearwrench line.
I bought 4 V ratchets from lowes. Store near me now has full V series in stock. 3/8 and 1/2 drive. Took home and compared to many other nice ratchets i have. These V series ratchets are very high quality and built very tough even the flex is very meaty!! The chrome is top notch! And the grip handle is very good! Severe back drag on every one! Even the 3/8 180 tooth overdrive ratchet. The V series flex are very heavy also compared to my snap on and Gearwrench.
I just searched Craftsman V series and bought from private sellers as “new” used. Some of the sellers were supply companies and had more then one of the tools. I hope that helps
Most of all of the Craftsman tools that are sold at Lowe's that are being sold on eBay are stolen......It must be pretty easy for a Lowe's employee to lift these and then sell them on eBay.
@@pennywise8182 If it’s anything like Home Depot, it’s not hard. Occasionally when putting stuff on the shelf, the price would be screwed up and say something like a penny for a $80 set. If they caught it, they could hide it, come back, and take it self checkout.
