Craftsman tools warranty and workmanship today

[psj12]

When I returned my 3/8 ratchet the sales person tried to give me their cheapest model without the socket release button. I said no and they did give me another, but still not of the same level as the broken one.

 

[Hooked_on_HP]

Not to change the subject,but if you dont buy craftsman what do you buy. Most do it yourselfers are not going to buy Snapon,Mac or Matco. For me Craftsman is next in line. There use to Industro, and S/K but I don't think either is still arround.
Bill

 

[ray66v]

Not to change the subject,but if you dont buy craftsman what do you buy. Most do it yourselfers are not going to buy Snapon,Mac or Matco.
Bill

It's also not worth it, for most do it yourselfers' to spend the extra money for Snapon,Mac or Matco.

I could not justify what I have spent, if I had not made a living with them.

If your not buying form "The big three", the quality of everything I have used, seems to be about the same. You then have to consider convenience. How do you beat Sears in that respect? Unless you live closer to a retailer that sells other tools, you can't. If you have a problem with breakage on a particular socket or tool, just buy a spare. You can buy 3 Craftsman sockets, for the price of one Snap-on, so you'll still be ok.

 

[john_bud]

Not to change the subject,but if you dont buy craftsman what do you buy. Most do it yourselfers are not going to buy Snapon,Mac or Matco. For me Craftsman is next in line. There use to Industro, and S/K but I don't think either is still arround.
Bill

The farm supply store.

I have lots of tools for small stuff, so mostly what I need is big stuff. 1 7/8 open end wrench, etc. Sears doesn't cut it on that size stuff.

I also have been buying "vintage" tools on e-scam. Have gotten some good tools for low bucks. Not flashy, but strong.

jb

 

[Bedlam]

Not to change the subject,but if you dont buy craftsman what do you buy. Most do it yourselfers are not going to buy Snapon,Mac or Matco. For me Craftsman is next in line. There use to Industro, and S/K but I don't think either is still arround.
Bill

I would buy Snap On in a heartbeat I have some of their tools , And a couple of snapped sockets sitting around. But I have only seen the snap on truck on the road, so its difficult to exchange let alone buy new ones.
I have exchanged some of the snap on sockets at Home Depot for new Husky brands. But the exchange promotion is over now. So I am considering buying a couple ratchets from HD.

AND feel free to ''''change''' the subject. I should have make it more broad then just Craptsman.

 

[Reg]

I was curious if in my later years if I am getting stronger and break the ratchets more frequent?
In 1975 my dad passed down to me a 3/8 ratchet form sears with eh lifetime warranty.I would use pipes on its and even two people would pull on it.And no troubles.
But the last 7 years or so i have replaced the 3/8 at least four times and the small 1/4 5 times. (and not using pipes on the smaller one).
Last time I went in they wouldn't exchange it for one on the shelf they would only 'give' me one form a drawer, with no packaging. I assume these were rebuilt. Well right off they were bad. slipped and bound up I soak them in oil to try to loosen but no luck.

So. my thought is this.
in the older years they built them far better knowing they didn't want to get them back.
And as years went y they slowly cut corners, and yes they might get allot more back, but they could live with that. And I'm sure allot of them just got discarded.

My best one has been a non warrantied K Mart one bought in the mid 80's.

I was wondering how others have found the exchanges to be?

Thanks .
A

I think your initial assumption is wrong.
I don't think Sears "builds" or "makes" anything, they are not a manufacturing company they are retailers (previously also mail order).

It is more likely the case that in the interest of keeping their prices from escalating beyond the rate of inflation they have relaxed some of the constraints on their suppliers.

If I were running "Sears Corporate Warranty Philosophy Department" I would want 5% more returns, which I would welcome gladly.

Grasshopper: Why ?
Master: Ahh Grasshopper, for Foot Traffic.

Hint/clue;
Just because a cheater pipe could be used on a ratchet handle 40 or 50 years ago without breaking it doesn't mean it is good (or safe) practice to do so today.
hint/clue; check into "breaker bars".

WRT "getting stronger" ...well, each generation (on AVERAGE) certainly seems to have more weight to throw behind a wrench (-:
Not saying this applies to you personally, though I actually DO weigh more than I did in '75.

 

[Bedlam]

quote '' I think your initial assumption is wrong.
I don't think Sears "builds" or "makes" anything, they are not a manufacturing company they are retailers (previously also mail order).'''


''Yes I was using the words 'builds' or "makes" meaning they sell.. I guess. would be how I wold explain it. I realize that Mr Sears isn't standing there making them .they are just a retailer. but their standards are what has changed.

Just words and misunderstanding of the use of the word.No Troubles..

 

[EddieWalker]

Not to change the subject,but if you dont buy craftsman what do you buy. Most do it yourselfers are not going to buy Snapon,Mac or Matco. For me Craftsman is next in line. There use to Industro, and S/K but I don't think either is still arround.
Bill

I was always a big fan and supporter of Craftsman tools, but over the years, they seem to be the ones that fail on my the most. I've returned quite a few tools, but it's not really worth the time to do this. If I'm going that way, I will, but most of the time, I just leave the tool in my truck because I don't want to spend the time finding a parking space and waiting in the store for assistance.

Mastercraft tools are affordable and have never failed me. If I need something small, I go to Lowes. Their Kobalt line of hand tools have been very good. I've never broken one yet!!!! In fact, I avoid my Craftman stuff because I just don't trust it.

My big wrenches are from Tractor Supply. They are not of the same quality as the Kobalt ones, but for large stuff, they have held up great. I've put some very large cheater bars on them and never had a failure yet.

My Impacts Sockets are from Napa. I don't know who makes them, but I got a great deal on them, so it was a one time thing to buy from them.

For big stuff and odd sizes, the only choice in town is Proto. It's very pricey, but if you need a 1 11/16 socket, it's the only thing available.

Eddie

 

[Wayne County Hose]

As a mechanic for since I can remember, I can tell you that there ain't nothing like a Snap-on. Unfortunately, the average guy not making a living with them can't justify the cost. I do advise people to go ahead and buy the Craftsman or whatever sockets but to buy the Snap-on ratchets. You can buy 3 spare Craftsman ratchets and still spend less money than the Snap-on, but you will break all 3 of those Craftsman's before you break the 1 Snap-on. Now what good are 3 broken ratchets? If you break the Snap-on, well you know that nothing else was going to get the fastener off anyway. If paying cash you can deal with most Snap-on guys. I bought their new 1/2" drive impact gun and paid less than what an IR costs and I got a better gun.

As far as turning in a broken Snap-on for a new Husky goes, I would buy you 2 new Husky's for your 1 broken Snap-on.

 

[Bedlam]

Alot has to do with availability. There isn't a snap on guy or gal closes by but I'm going to check for a website I think. I did last year and didnt find I could deal through the mail .