Starrett rule broke
- Thread starter Chipmunk
- Start date
alex71
Well-known member
Call them up and report back. They're pretty good at taking care of customers.
Couldn't find any specific Starrett warranty information in the Starrett catalog. In the General Information section it states:
"No manufacturer's precision tools are guaranteed to work for life, regardless of the use or abuse they receive. It is worthy to note, however, that we at The L.S. Starrett Company regularly service and repair our precision measuring tools that have been passed from generation to generation. You can count on Starrett for full value."
Just curious... how do you break a steel rule?
"No manufacturer's precision tools are guaranteed to work for life, regardless of the use or abuse they receive. It is worthy to note, however, that we at The L.S. Starrett Company regularly service and repair our precision measuring tools that have been passed from generation to generation. You can count on Starrett for full value."
Just curious... how do you break a steel rule?
Not if that's what the guarantee states. For instance, my Orvis fly rod is guaranteed for 25 years even if I slam it in my car door, my Gary Loomis rod is guaranteed for life. Those Snap-on Tools you collect and use are guaranteed for life if you drop one of them.
That's not true. SO hand tools are only guaranteed for defects in workmanship and materials. (not accidental damage or abuse)
(Some of the older screwdrivers did have defective plastic handles that decomposed and they were replaced under warranty).
I don't see why Starrett would replace a precision measuring tool that was damaged by the user.
I'd just grind down the damaged end and use it up to 33" capacity.
Do you really believe that is the true spirit of a product warranty?
Orvis appears to be an exception, but Loomis clearly states...
Starrett's stance seems to be similar...
If a company is willing to warranty their product against human error, so be it. But that is IMO more an exception than the rule.
To expect that from any reasonable warranty or guarantees is kind of odd.
To me that says, "I'm not responsible for my own actions, but someone else is."
Kind of a microcosm for an entire nation. Bailouts, etc. We've got this unnatural expectation that we will be compensated for our own failures.
Orvis appears to be an exception, but Loomis clearly states...
Starrett's stance seems to be similar...
If a company is willing to warranty their product against human error, so be it. But that is IMO more an exception than the rule.
To expect that from any reasonable warranty or guarantees is kind of odd.
To me that says, "I'm not responsible for my own actions, but someone else is."
Kind of a microcosm for an entire nation. Bailouts, etc. We've got this unnatural expectation that we will be compensated for our own failures.
I wonder if it is possible to ask a simple question regarding a tools warrantee here, without having others assign the most nefarious reasons for asking. I have never said that I expected Starrett to replace the tool free of cost. They may be able to repair my rule without losing its temper, they may say send it in for us to look at, to make a determination of the reason for breaking. (not every tool breaks just because one drops it).
As to the guarantee at the Snap-On Tools Corporation….what I said was they would replace it if you dropped it and it broke. And before someone tells me that is not true…I will tell you that I have a very very close relationship with snap-on tool for a little over thirty (30) years. Further I know personally for a fact that Snap-On Tools constantly replaces tools that were dropped and/or sockets that broke because someone put pipe on the end of the tool for leverage. I know also that every few months a Saturday is set aside to make drawers for old tool boxes that were overloaded by standing on them or even damaged because the box fell over with the drawer extended. Screwdrivers are freely replaced even when there is clear evidence that additional external force was applied which broke the shaft or handles replaced which were struck with a hammer. Those are not defects in workmanship but rather abuse. Never the less they are replace free of charge. Just because it has not happened for you does not mean it doesn’t happen…much may depend on the dealer you deal with.
Lastly, as to Loomis rods…I fell down a stream bank on my first day fishing with my new $900.00 rod and snapped off the tip. I called the factory in Washington State, they said send it back to them…they made me a new second section for free. I did the very same thing 12 years later with the same rod with the same results.
As to the guarantee at the Snap-On Tools Corporation….what I said was they would replace it if you dropped it and it broke. And before someone tells me that is not true…I will tell you that I have a very very close relationship with snap-on tool for a little over thirty (30) years. Further I know personally for a fact that Snap-On Tools constantly replaces tools that were dropped and/or sockets that broke because someone put pipe on the end of the tool for leverage. I know also that every few months a Saturday is set aside to make drawers for old tool boxes that were overloaded by standing on them or even damaged because the box fell over with the drawer extended. Screwdrivers are freely replaced even when there is clear evidence that additional external force was applied which broke the shaft or handles replaced which were struck with a hammer. Those are not defects in workmanship but rather abuse. Never the less they are replace free of charge. Just because it has not happened for you does not mean it doesn’t happen…much may depend on the dealer you deal with.
Lastly, as to Loomis rods…I fell down a stream bank on my first day fishing with my new $900.00 rod and snapped off the tip. I called the factory in Washington State, they said send it back to them…they made me a new second section for free. I did the very same thing 12 years later with the same rod with the same results.
I would think you have a valid claim in that the heat treat of said rule was not correct. It was probably not tempered correctly and left to brittle. When I read this title I thought, here's someone that knows a rule from a scale.
lg
no neat sig line
lg
no neat sig line
Gtamazing
Banned
My opinion is no warranty. You dropped it, it's your fault. However if you decide you want to sell your 33" scale. I'm in need of a long scale with a point for use with a combination set.
pro machine Engineering
Well-known member
All starrett scales will break if bent. I doubt they will warranty it either. I have taken 6 inch scales and made 3 inch out of them by breaking to get into tight spots
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
I hear yeah, The spring steal they make them from is great until you bend it or cause it any "sudden" Stress in anyway.
IMO they should not warranty it. That is like asking them to replace a micrometer because I dropped it and now it wont read right anymore.
Sand the shape edge off and use it and stop ruining the warranty for the rest of us!
My rule was not bent. I was holding a box together with my left hand arm and chest (it wasn’t glued yet) while measuring the diagonal. Not wishing to let go of the box…I placed the far end of the rule on a bench to my right and let go of the near end to let it drop on the bench. The total drop was less than one foot. The moment the near end hit the bench the last three inches snapped off and went flying. The bench surface was flat and there were no other obstructions on the bench.
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Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
A precision tool should not be covered in rust...That poor rule.
Diesel Crawler said…”Sand the shape edge off and use it and stop ruining the warranty for the rest of us!”
Why don’t you explain to us how my asking a simple question here will ruin any warranty for you in Canada?
Like I said before I haven’t asked Starrett to do a damn thing…. I just asked a question, naively thinking someone might know the answer. Apparently while no one knows the answer for sure, a few know my innermost intentions.
And that rule is not “covered in rust”.
Why don’t you explain to us how my asking a simple question here will ruin any warranty for you in Canada?
Like I said before I haven’t asked Starrett to do a damn thing…. I just asked a question, naively thinking someone might know the answer. Apparently while no one knows the answer for sure, a few know my innermost intentions.
And that rule is not “covered in rust”.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
I know you just "asked a question" But you already had it in your mind that it was a warranty issues and they should replace it. Now if you where to simpley read the Starrett warranty disclaimer no where in it does it say that they replace there product due to end user abuse, Which is what has happened to that rule.
That rule is covered in in rust or maybe dirt, none the less its not been properly taken care of or it would look as good as the day it was made and look that way for years.
It is because people send stuff like this back for warranty that company get more **** about what they replace and then people with legitimate clams will get turned down, That or they up the price of there product to the end user to cover the warranty that give.
It was a simple question, so simple it need not be asked.
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JeremyManning
Well-known member
I broke the retaining nut on my starrett tap wrench and they sent me a new one
I know you just "asked a question" But you already had it in your mind that it was a warranty issues and they should replace it. Now if you where to simpley read the Starrett warranty disclaimer no where in it does it say that they replace there product due to end user abuse, Which is what has happened to that rule.
That rule is covered in in rust or maybe dirt, none the less its not been properly taken care of or it would look as good as the day it was made and look that way for years.
It is because people send stuff like this back for warranty that company get more **** about what they replace and then people with legitimate clams will get turned down, That or they up the price of there product to the end user to cover the warranty that give.
It was a simple question, so simple it need not be asked.
You have no idea what I had in mind, nor do you know that my rule was abused. Your cognizant powers are equally lacking when it comes to rust or dirt and maintenance. This rule was purchased in 1972, that’s 40 years in several different machine shops, factories and garages. If your tools look as good as the day you purchased them, after 40 years, then goodie for you. You’re either a superior person or you just polish your tools rather then use them. Knowing your abilities to delve into the mind of someone you’ve never met, I suspect it’s the former. See if you can find a smile face for “arrogance” .
Now I’m through with this thread, you can go on arguing with yourself if you wish, eventually you will convince yourself of your own pompous brilliance.
rlitman
Well-known member
Perhaps. But how could one tell if that damage was caused by the owner in the past, or was a manufacturing defect?
To my eye, the fracture appears to have started at the stress riser from the rule's engraving. You can see how it neatly followed that up. That wouldn't be a defect per se in my eyes since that engraving is a "feature", but I guess you'll just have to report back what Starrett says.
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Not to be a ****, but if they're going to warrantee it, they'll likely expect you to be a careful user/owner. I hope you can get it warrantied if in fact it is a defect, and determining whether it is or not is not easy to do.
Do you not oil your tools, especially expensive precision Starrett stuff after use? or at least once in a while?
This is what they should look like...
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Those are indeed some very clean tools, all very nicely arranged. That carpet on your floor is also very nice. It's too bad none of the factories or machine shops I worked in had carpet on the floor. The places I worked in had cement floors, because if they were carpeted, the rugs would be tangled with metal shavings, metal filings, cutting oil and maybe cigarette butts. See I was a real tool and die maker not a hobbyist. My tools were made to work and help me made a living. I purchased the best tools, because the best tools could take the punishment without pampering. Like they say in Texas, you're all Hat and no Cattle.
that dog don't' hunt man.. rust forms faster on something when it's unused than when it's used. The fact that I don't make a living with them doesn't mitigate the fact that they're in my garage in VERY humid Portland Or.
Takes 1 min to wipe down a tool at the end of the day.. or am I missing something?
I mean seriously, will Starrett more likely warranty them in rusted condition or if they were oiled once a day and rust free?
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zoomzoomjeff
Well-known member
OP--I would give them a call at their HQ in Athol, MA and inquire. I used to work for them in a different division, but I know they have all necessary lab equipment in house to inspect the rule, to determine if there was a defect anywhere along the manufacturing process.
Yes you’re missing something. If I used just one tool in a day perhaps I could spend a minute wiping it down like you said. I used several tools in a day. And my forman would have told me “we’re not paying to polish your tools” nor would the person on the next shift who replaced me want me in the way.
Never the less I did maintain my tools and the proof of that can be found on my website in the photos of various tools used there. Take a gander at the six inch starrett rule I used to indicate the dimensions of some plane blades. See any rust there?
I guess I could have mentioned here that I broke the rule about 18 months ago and just set it aside in a corner of my garage until a few days ago when someone asked if I had any Starrett stuff for sale. It just never occurred to me that asking a simple question about the Starrett company’s warrantee policy would result in a critique by a bunch of old ladies about how I handle broken tools or that I was just lying in wait to screw some company out of something so they could in turn screw some poor innocent person in Canada.
Honestly, some of you people act like a bunch of teenagers in your PJ’s in your mothers basement stalking people on the internet. Grow up, get a life. Better yet, get your own life and stop making ill-founded judgments based on supposition and childish behavior.
Never the less I did maintain my tools and the proof of that can be found on my website in the photos of various tools used there. Take a gander at the six inch starrett rule I used to indicate the dimensions of some plane blades. See any rust there?
I guess I could have mentioned here that I broke the rule about 18 months ago and just set it aside in a corner of my garage until a few days ago when someone asked if I had any Starrett stuff for sale. It just never occurred to me that asking a simple question about the Starrett company’s warrantee policy would result in a critique by a bunch of old ladies about how I handle broken tools or that I was just lying in wait to screw some company out of something so they could in turn screw some poor innocent person in Canada.
Honestly, some of you people act like a bunch of teenagers in your PJ’s in your mothers basement stalking people on the internet. Grow up, get a life. Better yet, get your own life and stop making ill-founded judgments based on supposition and childish behavior.
You are right and that was my intention all along. Silly me, I thought asking about the knowledge and experience of others before I made the call would put me in a position of greater knowledge when I spoke to Starrett.
That's a mistake I'll not make again, at least not here.
Frankly had you mentioned that and not put up pictures of a rather abused looking rule, then at least this old lady wouldn't have opened her mouth. Seeing the condition begged a comment.
I would be curious to know if they warranty it for you or not, in either case.
Diesel_Crawler
Well-known member
<-- may look like you since you asked.and yes I polish my tools it keeps them "like the day I bought them"
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Did you call Starrett yet? What did they say?
I'm not a machinist, so I'll bite. What's the difference between a rule and a scale?