Back when I was still wrenching, Snappy would replace sockets that were worn out but not broken.

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1989 300 SEL that mostly works, but needs TLC

well i hate to disagree

but i got rid of all my craftsman (just sold them)
and replaced them with chinease...
harbor freight dot com
the cheap china stuff fits now and is good quality and
i wind up having 4 or 5 of each socket so when there rolling
around on the garage floor i can just grab another 10mm from the
box.... i have about 5 or 6 ratchet and 3 or 4 of each wrench so that
they are easy to find and if i drop one i just grab another instead of having to dive under the car right away..

I've regretted every cheap chinese tool I have ever purchased.....except for my $15 4" angle grinder I bought at carlisle.....

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

That's great, but...if I have 4 or 5 of each tool I won't be able to find a single thing. I keep all of my tools organized so I know where it is, and I can grab it quickly without thinking.

I've got some Craftsman, some Gearwrenches (they rock!), and a Canadian Proto Challenger socket set (good luck replacing those in Texas -- but they simply DO NOT wear out).

Rock on!

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'01 SLK320, '79 450SL & '01 C320 -- What? 3 Mercedes? I am DEFINITELY crazy!!!

I read that someone in China is making knock-off Honda CRVs, nearly perfect, virtually indistinguishable replicas of an entire automobile, and selling them for $7500. You get sooooo many more tools for your money at Harbor Freight, the quality is good, the return policy is good. There's only one reason to buy at Sears - if Harbor Freight doesn't have it, which does happen.

There's another good reason to buy at Sears. Craftsman wrenches are MADE IN THE USA!

Hey, just trying to keep a few of the real jobs that are left here.

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'01 SLK320, '79 450SL & '01 C320 -- What? 3 Mercedes? I am DEFINITELY crazy!!!

I've had abysmal experiences with 'made in china' products, including tools. Also, I built a natural gas manifold for a house i was remodelling and the quality of the threads on all of the fittings would not hold 1 psi of air pressure. Half of the fittings, approximately, were made in the USA and all were good. Plus, I prefer to help keep American's employed (editorial comment, I know, but true). That said, I own a MB, so there are exceptions.

Amen, brother!

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1998 E320 4-Matic Wagon

Just to prove that you cant make positive statements without real proof. I have several Sears wrenches that are clearly marked "made in Japan" ! now what? Abe G

abe,

You mention that they are Sears tools, but Sears has a couple of different lines. I think Companion[or Champion or some such is their "entry" line. Is your MIJ a Craftsman tool, or a Companion line of Sears?

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The Golden Rule

1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later)

Sears sell two lines of tools Craftsman and Crap. I bet I know which ones you got.

J. Roncallo

Harbor Feight? this guy must not be a professional mechanic. I used "Duro" 50 years ago, have purchased nothing other than "craftsman" ,warrany is beyond question. I have broken sockets (1/4 to 1/2 with an adapter and then a pipe) they replace. You will not get the exact ratchet you had, styles change. If a salesman ever gave me an issue get the manager, there are people who buy tools use them and then request a refund! Their chinese tools are not warranteed for life "companion" brand. "Snap On" typically is used by the trade, the guy shows at the dealer and resupplies or warrantees things.
I am surprized that SEARS has never tried that!

any good tips or surprise trick methods for taking care of hand tools?

The Harbor Freight by me has a replacement guarantee on all hand tools. It MIGHT require a receipt, though.

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86 560SL
With homebrew first gear start!
85 380SL
Daily Driver Project

http://juliepalooza.8m.com/sl/mercedes.htm

Hmmm..... I guess you guys don't have Sidchrome in the US???

Great tools, and as their slogan goes 'you canna hand a man a grander spanner'.

Stanley a pretty good too but they moved their manufacturing from AUS to the US.

Cheers

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1988 W126 420 SE

beware of fundamentalists!