Sears sell Craftsman brand to Stanley

I knew a party chief who wore out a file sharpening machetes over many years, and made use of the warranty to get a replacement.

Over the years I've replaced some socket wrenches and a tape measure, no charge. I've been looking at my hammer with a split grip too. As far as drills, though, I didn't think power tools had the same guarantee.

I wish the warranty included wrench, sockets and etc that disappeared from my toolbox.
The pieces that I did take back for replacement were better than what I got in return and the replacements were some fine tools.

Stanley moved most of its mfg. "off shore" in 2002 to beat the taxes. At least Craftsman was manufactured by Sears-Simpson Ltd. in Canada...sort of American (North American anyway). I haven't bought Craftsman for years, ever since they refused to replace a 1/2" drive ratchet.

Snap-On forever.

I have a torque wrench, warranty was useless because they don't service, only replace and no longer available or any suitable replacement that was similar.

SHG

Had a 1/4" drive ratchet come apart in my hand, the salesman took it in back and repaired it, then tried to charge me for the repair.

Richard Germiller, post: 407554, member: 499 wrote: Had a 1/4" drive ratchet come apart in my hand, the salesman took it in back and repaired it, then tried to charge me for the repair.

I had the exact opposite. 1/4" ratchet that I got in 1975 stopped working last year. Walked into Sears, no issues, left with a new one that is even better.

Ken

I've replaced a few screwdrivers, and a ratchet that my dad gave me when I was a little fella. It was painless, and they asked no questions. The screwdriver replacement was a simple as the salesman walking over o the shelf, and pulling one off and handing it to me. The ratchet was just as easy. The salesman opened a container they had under the counter, and pulled out a rebuilt one, and swapped it out. Pretty easy.

paden cash, post: 407545, member: 20 wrote: ever since they refused to replace a 1/2" drive ratchet.

How did they justify not honoring the warranty?

Most of my own hand tools are late '60s - early '70s era Craftsman. With the exception of one pair of pliers, they've been great.

Jim Frame, post: 407569, member: 10 wrote: How did they justify not honoring the warranty?

Most of my own hand tools are late '60s - early '70s era Craftsman. With the exception of one pair of pliers, they've been great.

I use to swear by Craftsman tools. As for the ratchet the little spring loaded ball bearing that kept the socket secure had fallen out. The clerk didn't feel that rendered the ratchet "broken".

I wanted him to lay on his back and drop a 3/4" socket on his forehead from his arm extended straight up and tell me if it hurt. That was the last Craftsman tool I ever bought. I think for the last few years they've been made in China anyway.

paden cash, post: 407576, member: 20 wrote: I use to swear by Craftsman tools. As for the ratchet the little spring loaded ball bearing that kept the socket secure had fallen out. The clerk didn't feel that rendered the ratchet "broken".

I wanted him to lay on his back and drop a 3/4" socket on his forehead from his arm extended straight up and tell me if it hurt. That was the last Craftsman tool I ever bought. I think for the last few years they've been made in China anyway.

I tried to return a broken Craftsman pocket knife once, and the salesman told me a pocketknife wasn't a hand tool.

C Billingsley, post: 407643, member: 1965 wrote: I tried to return a broken Craftsman pocket knife once, and the salesman told me a pocketknife wasn't a hand tool.

Not related to Craftsman, but related to splitting hairs, we had a contractor insure its bridge piling causeway against river flood damage. Duly there was heavy rainfall and the $70,000 causeway got swept away. The insurance company successfully refused to pay, on the basis that the policy said "river" but the name of the waterway on the map said "creek".

[USER=20]@paden cash[/USER]

Your comment on Snap-On Tools reminded me of the joke from the days when Billie Jean King played tennis against Bobby Riggs to prove women were just as good as men at the sport. Apparently they were her number one corporate sponsor, or so the joke claimed.

I'm afraid that this is the end of a Craftsman tradition for me. I think that Stanley will make the Craftsman brand into the same cheap crap that they make.

I've had Craftsman tools since I was a teenager (over 57-58 years ago - Oh my God, that's a long time!) when my Dad gave me my first tool set when I showed an interest in cars. I still have the same tools and the tool box they came in. Great tools!

I only had to return some of the flat screwdrivers because the metal part got jammed up into the plastic handle. When you need a chisel and all you have in your hand is a screwdriver, well....

Holy Cow, post: 407689, member: 50 wrote: [USER=20]@paden cash[/USER]

Your comment on Snap-On Tools reminded me of the joke from the days when Billie Jean King played tennis against Bobby Riggs to prove women were just as good as men at the sport. Apparently they were her number one corporate sponsor, or so the joke claimed.

[SARCASM]thanks for regurgitating sexist jokes from the 70s, your daughters would be proud. [/SARCASM]
Maybe

I have a Craftsman 10" table saw of early 80s vintage which belonged to my wife's Grandfather (father in law gave it to me). It's pretty decent especially since I made all the adjustments, it is pretty sweet for ripping boards. I also recently picked up a Craftsman 10" radial arm saw (about the same age) but it is missing the table. I haven't had a chance to work on the radial arm which needs adjustments and just general maintenance attention.

Dave Karoly, post: 407802, member: 94 wrote: I have a Craftsman 10" table saw of early 80s vintage which belonged to my wife's Grandfather (father in law gave it to me). It's pretty decent especially since I made all the adjustments, it is pretty sweet for ripping boards. I also recently picked up a Craftsman 10" radial arm saw (about the same age) but it is missing the table. I haven't had a chance to work on the radial arm which needs adjustments and just general maintenance attention.

Brother and I picked up an older 10" craftsman radial arm saw at an auction back in the summer for $50. It's got the legs and table and a couple of fancy dado blades. It really has been taken care of. I plugged it in to see if it worked and then we put in the barn at the Cash family enclave. I've got some plans for it, but for now it just sits.

I've housed my a couple of radial arm saws at different times of my life. One was a DeWalt, the other a Power Kraft. Neither one had an arm rigid enough to keep the blade from dipping as the blade was moved outward. It was just enough error to frustrate any attempts at doing fine work, and I concluded -- perhaps incorrectly -- that radial arm saws aren't worth having.

paden cash, post: 407804, member: 20 wrote: Brother and I picked up an older 10" craftsman radial arm saw at an auction back in the summer for $50. It's got the legs and table and a couple of fancy dado blades. It really has been taken care of. I plugged it in to see if it worked and then we put in the barn at the Cash family enclave. I've got some plans for it, but for now it just sits.

The radial arm saw came with a 33 gallon 140psi compressor which is what I really wanted. The compressor is great and very handy. I just aired up the tires on two vehicles, no need to keep refilling it. I can fill it once and it'll drive my brad gun for days.