Craftsman tools at Kmart

Bird · Apr 28, 2007

MossRoad said:
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 · Apr 28, 2007

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 · Apr 29, 2007

"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 · Apr 29, 2007

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 · May 8, 2007

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.