Broken Craftsman tools

Imprezer · 11-20-2000, 11:46 PM

I have 4 ratches that I broke (using them as a hammer

) and I want to get them replaced. How do I do that? Do I just go to Sears and they give me new ones no questions asked or what? I prefer going to OSH, though. Will they make me fill out paper or anything like that? Thx.

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ARG · 11-21-2000, 12:01 AM

You could cut your Craftsman tools in half with a torch and then weld them to the front bumper of a 1965 Cadilac and Sears would still replace them for free. Sears doesn't care how you broke them, just take them in and get new ones. Sure beats the hell out of Snap-On. Try to find a Snap-On truck on a Sunday! The Snap-On guy will "inspect" your tool for "illegal" activity, and then deny your warranty coverage.

ARG

Imprezer · 11-21-2000, 12:22 AM

Ahaha. Thanks for very good explanation, Al. I will run to Sears tommorow. Also, I have bunch of those ratchet extensions with little plastic levers to release sockets. Of course, all those plastic things are broken and the sockets have to be hammered on and off. Will they replace that also?

Buckbomb · 11-21-2000, 12:49 AM

Man ARG isn't kidding! I have returned All kinds of Craftsman tools due to "improper use" breakidge. They truely don't care, just go up to the desk and say "duh..It broke" and walk away with a new one!

Gabe Clevinger
(guilty of using screw-drivers to pry things apart and for using wrenches to hit things!)

dave1rr · 11-21-2000, 04:57 AM

With rachets, they may replace them with rebuilt ones (rachet mechanism replaced). The last one I returned was replaced with a better one that had finer teeth on the rachet. With Craftsman hand tools it's like buckbomb said, "duh..it broke", and it's replaced (except torque wrenches).

[This message has been edited by dave1rr (edited November 21, 2000).]

RS ING · 11-21-2000, 05:41 AM

Everbody is correct about the rathcets. They do have a life time replacement garantee. I'm a Tool Pro at a Sears prototype Tool Territory store and have been there a couple of years while going to school.

If you are replacing a teardrop ratchet ask the people working there if you could look thru the replacement ratchets. You want to avoid the newest style that has the smaller black plastic lever to switch ratcheting position. Get the older style that has the bigger black "metal" switch. The plastic switch is often the first part to break on the newer ratchets. It used to be a copper color metal but the replacments are now all plastic. If you ever have tool questions feel free to email me. Frank

uktena · 11-21-2000, 05:43 AM

While you're at Sears; you should buy a hammer or two.

ColinL · 11-21-2000, 06:22 AM

LOL! That's an idea. Here's what I own:

claw, ball-peen, several nylon mallets, rubber mallet, steel mallet.

oh, and one of those tiny little 6oz hammers your wife can use to hang up pictures.

RallyGuy2k · 11-21-2000, 06:50 AM

Aaaahhhh...Fellow Craftsman freak....

Long Live Craftsman!

MarbleTurtle · 11-21-2000, 06:54 AM

... my wife uses high heels to hammer in a nail. I hide the tools.

jaybird · 11-21-2000, 07:00 AM

Craftsman rules! I've done the "duh .. it broke" thing many times.

The wife found my hammer a couple weeks ago. I had to patch like five holes she put in the walls.

ColinL · 11-21-2000, 07:15 AM

Now now boys, play nice. I didn't mean to start anything here.

Actually my wife has a small toolkit of her own with one of those little hammers.

RS ING · 11-21-2000, 07:49 AM

Get a job there then you get a 10% discount and find out about all the good deals. Always keep an eye on the clearance tools. I mainly continue to work there to supply my tool/car habit. Don't forget to sign up in the Craftsman Club it doesn't cost anything and they have club sale days where you usually save 10% on Craftsman tools and sometimes more. Call 1-800-682-8691 if you want to sign up.
edited to remove the online site because it didn't have a signup form.

[This message has been edited by RS ING (edited November 21, 2000).]

Thug · 11-21-2000, 08:01 AM

Ive broken more Craftsman crap....
Their ratchets and sockets really do suck. So Ive switched over to Husky, same price, and seems to last longer. Plus their ratchets are easier to use. I would use Snap-On if I could afford it. Cause even though it's a pain to get a Snap-On tool replaced, they are much stronger than anything else.

8Complex · 11-21-2000, 08:09 AM

Oh and just for reference of the above reply, Husky is from Home Depot and you can even bring in your Craftsman broken stuff and replace them with Husky tools.

Fido · 11-21-2000, 08:30 AM

::Still too cheap to buy craftsman:: I admit, I'm guilty! I don't own a single craftsman tool!

jagcars26 · 11-21-2000, 08:37 AM

yep 8complex is right. take the craftsmen back to depot and get some good stuff.
much better stuff and depot is more accesible and there open more hours in case you get in a jam.
my two cents rudy

fprintf · 11-21-2000, 08:59 AM

I heard that the people who used to make craftsman tools are now the manufacturers of Husky tools. So, by buying from Home Depot you get the same guarantee *and* a dorky tool name. :-)

Screaming2.5 · 11-21-2000, 09:58 AM

I broke a craftsman ratchet once - a half inch ratchet. Other than the fact that it was broken it was in good condition. I took it back for a replacement and they gave me this POS that looked like it had been drug behind an 18 wheeler for three years, bouncing against the pavement the whole time. I was a little upset about this because it looked like crap. I'm not being ungreatful for a free replacement, but give me a little bit of a break. I return what looks like a brand new tool and they give me one that looks like crap. I like my existing Craftsman tools and own a lot of them, but I have recently begun buying tools at the Home Depot (Husky tools). I've found that the Husky ratchets have more teeth in ratchet so the number of degrees that the wrench needs to turn before locking into that new tooth is smaller. I've found this to be a benfit when working in tight places. So my point is, yes craftsman will replace it, but if you like your tools looking nice as well as performing like they should, you might not get that out of a rebuilt one. Oh and it seems, IMHO, that all the time I've taken something back to the Home Depot for return, they don't ask questions, they just give you a new one.

RS ING · 11-21-2000, 10:05 AM

Emerson used to make most of the power tools for Craftsman now Ryobi does most. Emerson makes the most of the Depot power tools' line up. Having sold Craftsman for a couple of years now I've heard a lot of the complaints. I can agree with some of them. I to still but buy other tool manufactor's products. I just wanted to let people know how to save a few bucks on the tools and what Craftsman ratchet to try and swap for the best long life. When I lived in San Diego and was in the middle of a job and need a tool I would run to Home Depot around the corner because Sears was so far away. They have good stuff. Its all about your past experiances and whats available to you.

If you don't like the ratchet they offer you, just ask for a new one. we offer a rplacment first sometimes the picking is bare and I usually lead the customer to back and make certain that they end up happy. If you don't like what you get ask to speak to the hardware manager. I even have to occasionally when I go to a different store. A lot of time there are new people working that don't know whole lot about tools or making the customer happy. Remember there is a lot of turnover in retail.
I edited to address the crappy replacement issue above this post.

[This message has been edited by RS ING (edited November 21, 2000).]

11-20-2000, 11:46 PM	#1
Imprezer Dynamic Uno Member#: 1 Join Date: Jun 1999 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Alameda, CA Vehicle: 2011 Impreza WRX STi Black	Broken Craftsman tools I have 4 ratches that I broke (using them as a hammer ) and I want to get them replaced. How do I do that? Do I just go to Sears and they give me new ones no questions asked or what? I prefer going to OSH, though. Will they make me fill out paper or anything like that? Thx. * Registered users of the site do not see these ads.

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11-21-2000, 12:01 AM	#2
ARG Scooby Specialist Member#: 386 Join Date: Oct 1999 Chapter/Region: SCIC Location: Upstairs in the bedroom Vehicle: 1999 Impreza RS-S Rally Blue & Supercharged	You could cut your Craftsman tools in half with a torch and then weld them to the front bumper of a 1965 Cadilac and Sears would still replace them for free. Sears doesn't care how you broke them, just take them in and get new ones. Sure beats the hell out of Snap-On. Try to find a Snap-On truck on a Sunday! The Snap-On guy will "inspect" your tool for "illegal" activity, and then deny your warranty coverage. ARG

11-21-2000, 12:22 AM	#3
Imprezer Dynamic Uno Member#: 1 Join Date: Jun 1999 Chapter/Region: BAIC Location: Alameda, CA Vehicle: 2011 Impreza WRX STi Black	Ahaha. Thanks for very good explanation, Al. I will run to Sears tommorow. Also, I have bunch of those ratchet extensions with little plastic levers to release sockets. Of course, all those plastic things are broken and the sockets have to be hammered on and off. Will they replace that also?

11-21-2000, 12:49 AM	#4
Buckbomb Scooby Specialist Member#: 2573 Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Portland Or . SPEC	Man ARG isn't kidding! I have returned All kinds of Craftsman tools due to "improper use" breakidge. They truely don't care, just go up to the desk and say "duh..It broke" and walk away with a new one! Gabe Clevinger (guilty of using screw-drivers to pry things apart and for using wrenches to hit things!)

11-21-2000, 04:57 AM	#5
dave1rr Scooby Newbie Member#: 2826 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Denver, CO Vehicle: 1996 Impreza Outback Deep Navy Pearl/Slate	With rachets, they may replace them with rebuilt ones (rachet mechanism replaced). The last one I returned was replaced with a better one that had finer teeth on the rachet. With Craftsman hand tools it's like buckbomb said, "duh..it broke", and it's replaced (except torque wrenches). [This message has been edited by dave1rr (edited November 21, 2000).]

11-21-2000, 05:41 AM	#6
RS ING Scooby Newbie Member#: 2928 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: SE VA/NC	Everbody is correct about the rathcets. They do have a life time replacement garantee. I'm a Tool Pro at a Sears prototype Tool Territory store and have been there a couple of years while going to school. If you are replacing a teardrop ratchet ask the people working there if you could look thru the replacement ratchets. You want to avoid the newest style that has the smaller black plastic lever to switch ratcheting position. Get the older style that has the bigger black "metal" switch. The plastic switch is often the first part to break on the newer ratchets. It used to be a copper color metal but the replacments are now all plastic. If you ever have tool questions feel free to email me. Frank

11-21-2000, 05:43 AM	#7
uktena Scooby Newbie Member#: 1267 Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: Charlotte, NC USA	While you're at Sears; you should buy a hammer or two.

11-21-2000, 06:22 AM	#8
ColinL Scooby Guru Member#: 114 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT Vehicle: '03 Evo, Rice White '01 Erion CBR 929	LOL! That's an idea. Here's what I own: claw, ball-peen, several nylon mallets, rubber mallet, steel mallet. oh, and one of those tiny little 6oz hammers your wife can use to hang up pictures.

11-21-2000, 06:50 AM	#9
RallyGuy2k Scooby Specialist Member#: 1146 Join Date: Mar 2000 Chapter/Region: International Location: Houston/LA/NYC Vehicle: 3000	Aaaahhhh...Fellow Craftsman freak.... Long Live Craftsman!

11-21-2000, 06:54 AM	#10
MarbleTurtle Scooby Newbie Member#: 2959 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Dalton, GA., USA	... my wife uses high heels to hammer in a nail. I hide the tools.

11-21-2000, 07:00 AM	#11
jaybird Scooby Specialist Member#: 875 Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Irwin, PA	Craftsman rules! I've done the "duh .. it broke" thing many times. The wife found my hammer a couple weeks ago. I had to patch like five holes she put in the walls.

11-21-2000, 07:15 AM	#12
ColinL Scooby Guru Member#: 114 Join Date: Jul 1999 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Wichita, KS and Whoring, OT Vehicle: '03 Evo, Rice White '01 Erion CBR 929	Now now boys, play nice. I didn't mean to start anything here. Actually my wife has a small toolkit of her own with one of those little hammers.

11-21-2000, 07:49 AM	#13
RS ING Scooby Newbie Member#: 2928 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: SE VA/NC	Get a job there then you get a 10% discount and find out about all the good deals. Always keep an eye on the clearance tools. I mainly continue to work there to supply my tool/car habit. Don't forget to sign up in the Craftsman Club it doesn't cost anything and they have club sale days where you usually save 10% on Craftsman tools and sometimes more. Call 1-800-682-8691 if you want to sign up. edited to remove the online site because it didn't have a signup form. [This message has been edited by RS ING (edited November 21, 2000).]

11-21-2000, 08:01 AM	#14
Thug Choke Artist Moderator Member#: 603 Join Date: Dec 1999 Chapter/Region: NESIC Location: Nashua, NH	Ive broken more Craftsman crap.... Their ratchets and sockets really do suck. So Ive switched over to Husky, same price, and seems to last longer. Plus their ratchets are easier to use. I would use Snap-On if I could afford it. Cause even though it's a pain to get a Snap-On tool replaced, they are much stronger than anything else.

11-21-2000, 08:09 AM	#15
8Complex Moderator Member#: 922 Join Date: Feb 2000 Chapter/Region: MWSOC Location: Schaumburg, IL Vehicle: 04 FXT Red	Oh and just for reference of the above reply, Husky is from Home Depot and you can even bring in your Craftsman broken stuff and replace them with Husky tools.

11-21-2000, 08:30 AM	#16
Fido Scooby Specialist Member#: 1867 Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: New Jersey	::Still too cheap to buy craftsman:: I admit, I'm guilty! I don't own a single craftsman tool!

11-21-2000, 08:37 AM	#17
jagcars26 Scooby Specialist Member#: 2394 Join Date: Sep 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: Bel Air Md. Vehicle: 2005 Legacy GT wagon 2009 Forester X	yep 8complex is right. take the craftsmen back to depot and get some good stuff. much better stuff and depot is more accesible and there open more hours in case you get in a jam. my two cents rudy

11-21-2000, 08:59 AM	#18
fprintf Scooby Newbie Member#: 2984 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Cheshire, CT, USA	I heard that the people who used to make craftsman tools are now the manufacturers of Husky tools. So, by buying from Home Depot you get the same guarantee and a dorky tool name. :-)

11-21-2000, 09:58 AM	#19
Screaming2.5 Scooby Newbie Member#: 2980 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Boise, Idaho, USA Vehicle: 2005 Outback Silver	I broke a craftsman ratchet once - a half inch ratchet. Other than the fact that it was broken it was in good condition. I took it back for a replacement and they gave me this POS that looked like it had been drug behind an 18 wheeler for three years, bouncing against the pavement the whole time. I was a little upset about this because it looked like crap. I'm not being ungreatful for a free replacement, but give me a little bit of a break. I return what looks like a brand new tool and they give me one that looks like crap. I like my existing Craftsman tools and own a lot of them, but I have recently begun buying tools at the Home Depot (Husky tools). I've found that the Husky ratchets have more teeth in ratchet so the number of degrees that the wrench needs to turn before locking into that new tooth is smaller. I've found this to be a benfit when working in tight places. So my point is, yes craftsman will replace it, but if you like your tools looking nice as well as performing like they should, you might not get that out of a rebuilt one. Oh and it seems, IMHO, that all the time I've taken something back to the Home Depot for return, they don't ask questions, they just give you a new one.

11-21-2000, 10:05 AM	#20
RS ING Scooby Newbie Member#: 2928 Join Date: Nov 2000 Chapter/Region: MAIC Location: SE VA/NC	Emerson used to make most of the power tools for Craftsman now Ryobi does most. Emerson makes the most of the Depot power tools' line up. Having sold Craftsman for a couple of years now I've heard a lot of the complaints. I can agree with some of them. I to still but buy other tool manufactor's products. I just wanted to let people know how to save a few bucks on the tools and what Craftsman ratchet to try and swap for the best long life. When I lived in San Diego and was in the middle of a job and need a tool I would run to Home Depot around the corner because Sears was so far away. They have good stuff. Its all about your past experiances and whats available to you. If you don't like the ratchet they offer you, just ask for a new one. we offer a rplacment first sometimes the picking is bare and I usually lead the customer to back and make certain that they end up happy. If you don't like what you get ask to speak to the hardware manager. I even have to occasionally when I go to a different store. A lot of time there are new people working that don't know whole lot about tools or making the customer happy. Remember there is a lot of turnover in retail. I edited to address the crappy replacement issue above this post. [This message has been edited by RS ING (edited November 21, 2000).]