Craftsman tools at Kmart

[goaliedad]

I haven't been in a Kmart for a very long time- walked thru one this morning and they are setting up a limited selection of Craftsman tools in the hardware department. As I recall Kmart bought Sears a while ago.

Also, if you have a Sears Parts Store near you and you haven't checked them out you should- great prices on an ever changing inventory of rebuilt and brand new items- tools, electronics and a lot more.

 

[RayH]

I just bought a Craftsman table saw. Its not their cheapest by far, but not the most expensive either. Once I got it unpacked and started putting it together I was very disappointed in its quality. I was also disappointed that all the hardware is metric. The new saw is replacing an older (probably 20 years older) Craftsman that still worked ok but had a broken table. I doubt the new one will last 20 years. You just never know with Craftsman anymore.

 

[BillyP]

I just bought a Craftsman table saw. Its not their cheapest by far, but not the most expensive either. Once I got it unpacked and started putting it together I was very disappointed in its quality. I was also disappointed that all the hardware is metric. The new saw is replacing an older (probably 20 years older) Craftsman that still worked ok but had a broken table. I doubt the new one will last 20 years. You just never know with Craftsman anymore.

If I was disappointed, I'd take it back and get a refund.

 

[MossRoad]

You just never know with Craftsman anymore.

Sears has never been known for it's electric power tools. Even when I was a kid, I noticed that. It's not their strong point. The electric tools are not gauranteed for life. Only the hand tools that are marked as such have that. Those are a great value, work well and are usually replaced free of charge, no questions asked.

 

[RayH]

If I was disappointed, I'd take it back and get a refund.

I considered that while putting it together but, while disappointing as a whole, there isnt really anything specifically wrong with it. Its just not built to last like the older model I have. It does work good though, for now, only time will tell how well it holds up. My gut feeling is that it wont be around as long as the older tools that you still see cutting right along.
I dont think anyone has a lifetime warranty on their electric tools.
As far as Craftsman hand tools. The same day I bought the table saw, I also returned a socket that split. The salesman told me they changed something about the process in which they make their new sockets. They do look different, the size is etched into the socket in huge numbers, but Im not sure what in the manufacturing changed. He said they are only shipping a handful of sockets at a time out to stores because the new process isnt going so well.

 

[MadReferee]

As far as Craftsman hand tools. The same day I bought the table saw, I also returned a socket that split. The salesman told me they changed something about the process in which they make their new sockets. They do look different, the size is etched into the socket in huge numbers, but Im not sure what in the manufacturing changed. He said they are only shipping a handful of sockets at a time out to stores because the new process isnt going so well.

During calendar 2005 Danaher, whomakes Craftsman tools, moved production from their long time production facilities in Springfield Mass to two other facilities in I believe Arkansas and Tenn. Quality suffered during this transition and I wouldn't doubt that the quality of the new line of sockets is suffering too. The Springfield plant has plenty of experienced "old world" craftsmen making the tools. The new plants are modern and I suspect the workers are still learning how to make quality tools consistently.

 

[ultrarunner]

Last time I shopped Sears, I noticed the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" slogan was no longer above the entry doors. A clerk said it was casing too many problems so they had to remove it after having it for 40 years at this store.

Sears also bought a local chain of successful Orchard Supply Hardware Stores in my area. It wasn't too long before the "Sheet Metal" goods section was all but replaced by a new expanded line of toilet seats.

The Old Time clerk said Sears marketing did a study and not many home owners replace gas water heater vent pipe or buy horse shoes anymore... but an expanded selection of toilet seats would improve the bottom line.

 

[heehaw]

i have a couple older sears table saws: would sure like to get a better quality one next time: they both say 3HP on the front, and have a 1.5 HP motor..cutting oak lumber is a real chore..slow and easy is the only way.
heehaw

 

[MossRoad]

I have a similar Sears table saw. It was labeled pretty clearly when I bought it that the higher HP number was peak, not actual. I thought it was kind of stupid, but it was clearly labeled, so I didn't feel deceived.

 

[heehaw]

i didn't think anything about it, until i was trying to cut an oak 2x4 down to a 2x2 and had trouble: then i looked at the motor and wondered how in the heck it could possibly be labeled as a 3hp saw?? have been looking for a
"3hp" saw ever since: and can't find one..
heehaw

 

[Bird]

Sears has never been known for it's electric power tools. Even when I was a kid, I noticed that. It's not their strong point. The electric tools are not gauranteed for life. Only the hand tools that are marked as such have that. Those are a great value, work well and are usually replaced free of charge, no questions asked.

In one way, I'm inclined to agree, but on the other hand, I've actually had quite good luck with their tools. Down in the country I had one of their 10" radial arm saws; handiest saw I ever used, and never a minutes trouble with it. I now have a bench grinder that I really like, and I have one of the cheapest table saws. The switch went bad very quickly and the store manager just gave me a new saw when it took too long to get a new switch.

And today . . . well, I've been looking about getting a relatively cheap corded half inch drill. Sears currently has their 6 amp one on sale for $10 off, making it $59.99; same as the regular price on the 5.5 amp version. So this afternoon, I go to the Denton store to get one. The young salesman with the name tag that also said "I'm in Training" said the computer showed they had 3 in stock, but he went and searched the store room twice without finding one. We finally gave up, with him offering to either order one for me or give me a rain check. I told him I might just try the Lewisville store instead, so he offered to call and be sure they had one in hand before I drove down there. He called, they said they had 4 in stock, so he told them about not finding the ones he showed to be in stock in his store and asked them to check to be sure they really had one. They put him on hold and forgot about him, I think. After a long, long wait, I finally told him to just forget it. But just at that time, an older employee walked up and asked what the problem was. The young salesman explained it to him and the older guy asked, "Do we have one a step up that you'd be willing to take for the same price?" So I know have the $79.99 hammer drill for $59.99. It looks good; only time will tell if it really is. But at least, I still got service from Sears as good as I'd have any right to expect.

 

[heehaw]

i've always had great luck with sears tools, i just don't understand labeling a table saw 3hp when it has a 1.5hp motor on it, what does "peak" mean? when you look up the formula to figure hp, there ain't no mention of "peak". anyway, their had tools have always been some of the best around with service to match. i didn't know the maker of their hand tools had relocated to Arkansas?? it seems like any time a co relocates, quality suffers.
heehaw

 

[AlanB]

"peak" is defined as the moment just before the blue smoke that the saw runs on escapes from the motor....

And once the motor has hit it's "peak" horsepower, and the blue smoke has been let out, it will not run anymore....

 

[cp1969]

If you want to know actual horsepower, it's 742 watts/hr = 1 hp. That means a 3 hp motor would have to draw 18.5 amps. Look at the amp rating on the motor, then multiply by line voltage. Then divide by 742, that will give you the steady state horsepower.

Sears has been a case study of how not to manage a business. Having been in the catalog business for a hundred years, they decide in 1994 to throw in the towel, just as the internet and mail order shopping was about to take off.

I guess they've done better than Montgomery Ward, though.

 

[jwstewar]

I had a good experience with Sears the other day. I was in the house burning a DVD slide show for my Uncle's viewing that evening. Monica comes to the door and asks "Does Sears warranty their shovels?" Knowing the shovel had a "lifetime" warranty thinking she broke the handle, I said yes. Turns out, she didn't break the handle. The shovel had split right where the handle goes into the shovel part. Took it to Sears on Saturday. The guy at the register said "Wow, How in the world did you do that?" jokingly. He immediately walked backed to the shelf and handed me another shovel and said "Tell her to be a little easier with this one." with a wink. Not another word, nothing to sign. I notice the sticker on this one says FULL LIFETIME WARRANTY. The only difference is the new one has a yellow handle vs. the old one having red. Thumbs up to Sears.

 

[SELKIRK]

"peak" is when you change the plug and run it on 240-for about 30sec.

Selkirk