Craftsman tools F.Y.I.

[norrism1]

Took my Craftsman 25 foot tape measure back today for warranty replacement. Sears no longer honors the warranty for tape measures and some hammers since about 3 months ago. They will give you a Stanley tape measure since they still have lifetime warrenty but only for the one time. It is the chrome cheapo that they offer you for replacement. I asked about taking the KOMELON Premium instead , that was ok to trade. Much better construction. Other tools are still honored for warranty, at least for now.

[Plymouthy Adams]

I am on tape number 4 and it is not without reason they quit honoring the warranty..it is made in China...they losing their butts...wife bought this one or else I would never own it....the rivets in the the end of two come right off and the third had the spring inside break and this one..on second use of the tape lock it broke...good for throwing at a dog..

she came home last week with a new unit she got a Lowes...I do not like the numbering layout on this one but it is a nice made tape, Lufkin...numbers are not horozonal but vertical lay out..great if all you are doing is overhead pull downs..not worth a dime on work bench layout..

Edited October 28, 2010 by Tim Adams

[Dave72dt]

I had a Craftsman 3/8 drive ratchet I'd wear out about every 2 years. First few times was replaced with a new unit, then they replaced with a rebuit, used that had new dogs installed, then they put new dogs in mine, then finally replaced with a different style that was uncomfortable, coarser toothed without the built in speeder knob and just plain didn't like. That was my last one and it got pitched long ago. Didn't want another one like it.

I think their exclusive rights to the design ran out. I started seeing similar designs on other brands about that time.

[JBNeal]

yep, had a restrained conversation about the warranty replacement with the Sears guy when my tape busted several years ago. They had just changed the policy on tape measures to a limited replacement for tape housings but nothing on the actual tape, but they did have replacement tapes so I sucked it up and fixed mine. A month later some deadbeat at work stole it...GRRRR

I've wondered why Sears hasn't changed their policy from 'free replacement' to a prorated cost...I'd plunk down a premium for a quality ratchet if I knew I could get a replacement for a fraction of the cost.

[norrism1]

I am on tape number 4 and it is not without reason they quit honoring the warranty..it is made in China...they losing their butts...wife bought this one or else I would never own it....the rivets in the the end of two come right off and the third had the spring inside break and this one..on second use of the tape lock it broke...good for throwing at a dog..

she came home last week with a new unit she got a Lowes...I do not like the numbering layout on this one but it is a nice made tape, Lufkin...numbers are not horozonal but vertical lay out..great if all you are doing is overhead pull downs..not worth a dime on work bench layout..

Tim. The KOMELON Premium has top side numbering as normal and the bottom of the tape has horizontal. Really neat. Also has magnets on the end that holds pretty good to allow one handed measuring.

Replaced my Dad's Craftsman that was over 45 years old about 2 years ago and that is the one I replaced today. P.O.S.

Kinda sad you can't trust even Crasftsman now.

[Dodgeb4ya]

Danaher is who makes craftsman tools now-and that is a problem!

[TodFitch]

Danaher is who makes craftsman tools now-and that is a problem!

Hmmm. Never heard of Danaher before your post. Looks like they also make MatCo tools which I thought were supposed to have a reasonable reputation.

http://www.danaher.com/business/strategic_detail.asp?key=12

[Frank Elder]

I still have many older craftsman tools, stopped buying them when sears merged with k mart.......Mac and snap-on I don't buy either simply because they have priced themselves out of my acceptable limit.

Most of my tools read S-K Warner, or S-K, the tightest ratchets I've ever owned.

Craftsman made in China....who would have ever dreamed it?

[Eneto-55]

I don't know when it was that they made this change, but it seems to me that they took a giant leap downward when they started making the internal parts out of plastic. I replaced a 1/2" ratchet already some years ago, and was glad when they gave me a rebuilt one instead of a new one, because they had switched to the plastic parts. My original ratchets have the botton release - bought in about 78 or so, and I have never had to replace or repair them at all. (I've learned to use a break-over first if the bolt is really tight, to not rip the innards out of the ratchet. That's how I busted the 1/2" ratchet I had replaced.)

Neto

Oh, any experience with Do it Best tools? I have a few of those, because Sears is too far to go when I need something right now. (They are also made in China, but what isn't?)

[Young Ed]

Frankie I love my SK tools also but they are kinda hard to find. All of mine are either second hand or the few new ones I have I bought through ebay.

[ggdad1951]

I've got 3 ratchets to replace and ever time I go in for replacement they "work"....totally pisses me off! Then I take them home, they work for 3 bolts and then spin again!

About ready to invest in the expensive good ones!

[Young Ed]

Go for it. The first time you use a good SK or snapon ratchet you'll wonder why you used that craftsman stuff for so long.

[P-12 Tommy]

I need to take in my 1/2 inch Craftsman ratchet. I got the second replacement in the early '90s. Most of my tools are Craftsman. Some tools I bought in the mid '80s off the tool truck at a Chrysler dealership I worked at were Matco. I still use them and they're great.

Tom

[ggdad1951]

just like the trucks here...the old stuff is better!

[Merle Coggins]

I've got 3 ratchets to replace and ever time I go in for replacement they "work"....totally pisses me off! Then I take them home, they work for 3 bolts and then spin again!

About ready to invest in the expensive good ones!

It probably just needs a good cleaning and a little oil.

I have a few Craftsman ratchets and they don't hold a candle to my Matco ratchets. Matco may cost more up front but it's much better quality and they'll still repair or replace them under warranty.

Merle

[smallblockjunkie]

when I was a juinor in highschool I got a beginner set of snapon tools for $89.00 new. I still have the 1/2inch and the 3/8 drive ratches, and most of the sockets. This was over 40 years ago

[Dodgeb4ya]

Snap on ratchets now don't all say USA. Snap on is making more and more tools in China. I wont buy any SO tools that don't say USA.

[Frank Elder]

Go for it. The first time you use a good SK or snapon ratchet you'll wonder why you used that craftsman stuff for so long.

They certainly are dissapearing from the mainstream Ed, one of my first lessons on ratchets came from my gramps. He got me my first 3/8 drive set when I was 14 and showed me why SK was better.

He took a craftsman and a drop forged generic and handed them to me, then he preceded to clamp a bolt in the vise.

I was told I could only loosen the nut he put on one flat at a time like it was in a tight spot. The generic's teeth were so wide I could only get it to "click" once before I was at the imaginary stopping point, twice on the crafts man.

Imagine my surprise when the fine tooth SK- Warner clicked five times in the same amount of space, thus getting a better leverage, control, and less chance of slippage.

Granted I could still only move the nut one flat at a time, but it was a controlled procedure due to the lack of "slop" in the mechanism.

My 2 cents rendered.

EDIT And after I typed this I went to the SK site and discovered they have been bought out, and are not honoring any warranty issued by the FORMER company.....but are warranting their own new SK LLC product after march 11, 2011.

Bummer....wonder if the new stuff is any good.....

Edited October 29, 2010 by FRANKIE47

[Dodgeb4ya]

SK is long gone now. Something happened/chrome plating contamination issue-not sure what but that ended the company.

[Dave72dt]

What I had way back when was the fine toothed Crafstman. They had 2 designs, fine tooth and coarse. I'd wear out the teeth and the snap ring holding it in place would wear allowing slop in the head so it would slip. Replaced with Mac and Snap-on. Almost anything will work for the occasional mechanic but when doing it professionally, you need to spend for the quality tools.

[Young Ed]

Sad news. I love my SK stuff.

[norrism1]

What I had way back when was the fine toothed Crafstman. They had 2 designs, fine tooth and coarse. I'd wear out the teeth and the snap ring holding it in place would wear allowing slop in the head so it would slip. Replaced with Mac and Snap-on. Almost anything will work for the occasional mechanic but when doing it professionally, you need to spend for the quality tools.

I still have my grandfathers Craftsman BE (1932) 1/2" ratchet. Rounded handle with the "C" underlined. He bought it new. One of the tools I will not get rid off.

[rustyzman]

Right on the money Dave72dt. Most tools won't last in a professional environment. Every time I go to sears here they give me a hard time about warranty. Also, don't ever try to warranty wearing a work uniform, chances are they will deny it.

The SK Tuff1 fine tooth ratchets are the best I have owned. Same ranking for the FACOM fine tooth as they have a very similar mechanism. SK and FACOM partnered for a while and the product benefitted. Now FACOM is partnered with MAC and they have the same ratchet head design (round head with a black serrated ring for direction change). Try one, you will not be disappointed.

Snap On is hit or miss. I personally really don't care for their traditional ratchet. However, I have a short handle flex 3/8" that is fantastic and a micro 1/4" that I have never found an equal to.

Bought a Great Neck fine tooth long flex handle that is of very good quality and strength.

Still have many craftsman ratchets and other tools as well with no plans to remove them from service.

Just some thoughts.

[greg g]

this was posted a few years back was dated as 2003. Could be some more outsourcing since then.

I have a set of proto box wrenches from my fathers box. These are finely made products don't know if they are around anymore.

http://www.team.net/www/morgan/tech/whotools.html

[rustyzman]

As I recall, Proto is part of the Stanley/MAC/Blackhawk/FACOM family of tools. I have many Proto tools and think they are of fine quality. I love my Proto torque wrenches, excellent feel and compact design.

Some of the old brands I liked were Kraeuter, Peck Stowe and Wilcox (PEXTO), Mustang, Fleet, Sherman Klove-Wayne (SK), Diamalloy, Herbrand, Williams, Bonney, Armstrong and BON-E-CON just to name a few. Lots of good old companies out there, though many are gone now.