I don't know if this is the right place to put this, but maybe some of you mechanics by trade would know. I am planning on getting a job as a mechanic, after I recieve my training at DADC(Lincoln College of Tech). Someone told me the other day, that if you break any of your Craftsman equipment using it for commercial use or on the job, that they will not replace it. Does this mean I am going to have to buy a brand new set of Snap-ons for school instead of using the plethora of Craftsman tools that I already have. Thanks for any advice at all!

How they gonna prove it, when you walk in, hand it to someone and go get a new one?

When I first started as an auto mechanic I could not afford to by snap-on so I bought craftsman tools, as I started to make more money I would replace the craftsman tools with snap-on, my craftsman tools are now my home tools. I do not think that anyone at sears is going to drill you on where you were using your tools and if you go to sears in your shop uniform, tell them these are your home tools (prove it)

Seriously...
It isn't like you'll be in daily replacing things.
Buy what you like & have a backup of the most used things.

Don't get me wrong I'd buy high end tools, but... I'm not going to chase down the tool guy, to get something replaced/fixed.
My local "Sears" or "Farm & Fleet" is just down the street.
I don't feel bad about bending or cutting a 14mm that cost $3-4 to make it work...

Seriously...
It isn't like you'll be in daily replacing things.
Buy what you like & have a backup of the most used things.

Don't get me wrong I'd buy high end tools, but... I'm not going to chase down the tool guy, to get something replaced/fixed.
My local "Sears" or "Farm & Fleet" is just down the street.
I don't feel bad about bending or cutting a 14mm that cost $3-4 to make it work...

......indeed......'modding' a crapsman(or harbour freight) wrench or other tool to 'make it work' is something that I have done on many occasions and will continue to do as needed

The best mechanic in our shop uses nothing but craftsman tools. I have some craftsman and a mix of other tools from blackhawk and snap-on. I work on diesel trucks so the tools get used harder then in a auto shop. The tool guys from the different companys stop by every week and imo snap-on and mac.. have too much markup for my liking. I have worked in a few different shops and no body cares what brand you use. Craftsman has two grades of tools on some things now and the better craftsman line are often as good as snap-on.

......indeed......'modding' a crapsman(or harbour freight) wrench or other tool to 'make it work' is something that I have done on many occasions and will continue to do as needed

Here are some low profile sockets & tweaked combination wrenches...
"DuraCraft" is the local implement store brand...
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/GLwagon/Subaru/Moddedtools004.jpg

its true but there is no way they can prove it, just don't say anything.

Sears= K-mart. I dont think any of their employees will notice.

I've been a professional mechanic for the past five years, and I've got no problems with Craftsman tools. As a matter of fact, out of all the tools I've broken, all of them have said Snap-On on them, yet my Craftsman tools seem unbreakable. I know that they'll break eventually, but so far I have yet to break one, and I mis-use them all the time.

I work for Sears (unfortunately) and yes, it doesn't matter what you're using them for, you can get replacements. Actually, a large percentage of my customers are mechanics that come in with busted sockets and wrenches all the time.

good conversation guys, I guess I will be alright as long as I don't say anything and have a good excuse. I am just not very good at lying. Why do they have a stupid rule like that, if they know that a large portion of customers do use craftsman for commercial use?

good conversation guys, I guess I will be alright as long as I don't say anything and have a good excuse. I am just not very good at lying. Why do they have a stupid rule like that, if they know that a large portion of customers do use craftsman for commercial use?

You don't have to have an excused haha...it's a no questions asked exchange. Just hand them the old tool, the new tool and smile while they ring you up :)

Just hand them the old tool, the new tool and smile while they ring you up :)

I had a run-in on a 3/8" ratchet exchange once...
Lady behind the counter pulls up this junky tool box & starts looking through it & pulls out an ancient ratchet that was a slightly different casting.
They were all clean & in great shape, just not the same.
I told her I wanted the exact same design... she dug around a bit more & couldn't find one.
After reaffirming the fact I wanted the same ratchet she said "what ever" & swapped it for the one I had taken off the shelf.
She could have given me a rebuild kit & I would have been happy...
The worst part about new tools is re-engraving them.

I recommend you start using your Craftsman tools and slowly start replacing the tools most often with professional grade items. You will see there is a difference in the build and quality. Craftsman are fine for home use and lite commercial use but when you can make more money the more cars you can fix, you are going to want the tools that work the best. BTW almost all my tools are craftsman. I have a few snap-0n pieces and you can see they are a better tool. Are they worth the price? I can't answer that because I don't make my living from them.

I've been a mechanic for about 8 years now and all I can say is forget the craftsman (crapman) stuff. If you know your going to stay in the business for a while you really need snap on. craftsman is fine for wrenches, avoid sockets and air tools. right now i have about 8 broken sockets and you'll get sick of running to sears all the time. I paid $27 for a craftsman professional 1/4 hand ratchet that I broke at least twice in 6 months. for a couple dollars more I bought a snap on one with a longer handle for more leverage and I've had it 4 years, never broke. I also had an ingersoll 3/8 air ratchet I paid $180 for and it was dead within a year. snap on still going strong. buying good stuff once is cheaper than buying cheap stuff and then replacing it with good stuff later. just my opinion