Too many tool brands? Duplicate tools? Toptul Garage.

[nissan_crawler]

i dont think you followed that very closely, the shareholders let it happen, not AB management. The Busch family only owned about 4% of the stock, though they were still running the company. AB was trying to squash it months ago, but theres not much that can be done about it. The deal still isnt finalized yet either. And if you think they make crappy beer, you're entitled to your opinion, but AB has 50% of the beer market in the US. That has to count for something

What I was getting at is that this country is essentially being taken over, while Americans sit there watching it all go down. American companies' debt is being bought up left and right, and the value of the USD keeps going down.


Since when is Craftsman not readily available and warrantied? Theres 3 sears stores within 20 miles of my house and I've never had an issue returning tools.
In fact, I think they give to much away for free. Just the other day I went in to get another nylon cap for my hammer (double headed, one side red rubber, other side yellow nylon) and they told me I had to get a new one all together rather than just replace the tip

Either way, that company still isn't "taking over", they're being allowed in.

Since when is Craftsman not available and easily warrantied? Since about 3 years ago for me. The shelves are always empty, and they have less and less options of tools every time I go in.

Dad tried to warranty a lifetime warranty torque wrench, they told him they would give him some chinese one with a 90 day warranty. So much for lifetime.

He tried to warranty a lifetime U.S. tap and die set, they wouldn't replace the pieces, only trade him for a chinese set that didn't have warranty.

He tried that in ND and MN.

I took a screwdriver in that the tip broke on, and was told "I obviously used it to open a paint can". I'm an aircraft mechanic, not a painter. I broke it on a damn screw.

I took in a C-Pro wrench that stripped half the open end off wearing my work clothes, and was told that it was "clearly due to abuse being used professionally". It's a professional wrench!! I came back in street clothes to the same guy the next day, and he exchanged it without saying a word.

I took in a pair of dykes that cracked the end off, and they told me that model was no longer being made and I had to downgrade to the smaller pair with no spring. Ok, fine. 5 weeks later I'm in the store, and what do I see? My old model. I get the receipt and the smaller pair and go back, and they tell me they can't trade me. WHY??? "We can't upgrade on tools." "You downgraded me to this model, that is what I had in the first place!" "Yes, but you accepted that downgrade, so now it's an upgrade." "Yeah, because you lied to me!" I had to get on the phone with the regional manager, just to get the pair they should have given me in the first place.

I broke a gearwrench and took it in. "We can't warranty this." "Why not?" "you didn't buy it here." "BS, I did too." "Sir, I'm looking at the screen and you did not buy that from us." I leaned over and pointed out the "gearwrench set" line. "Oh, well that's a set." yes, and? "Well, you'll have to contact gearwrench, we can't exchange it individually." "fine, I'll break all of them and bring them in, and you can give me a new set." "well, I suppose we can exchange it for one just once, but we aren't supposed to because you didn't buy it individually." WTF

No, Sears is NOT always easy about returning tools. Here it's a downright PITA. On the other hand, I walk into the Snap-On truck and say "I broke this Ann", and I get "Ok, here's a new one."

 

[terabyte]

Either way, that company still isn't "taking over", they're being allowed in.

Since when is Craftsman not available and easily warrantied? Since about 3 years ago for me. The shelves are always empty, and they have less and less options of tools every time I go in.

Dad tried to warranty a lifetime warranty torque wrench, they told him they would give him some chinese one with a 90 day warranty. So much for lifetime.

He tried to warranty a lifetime U.S. tap and die set, they wouldn't replace the pieces, only trade him for a chinese set that didn't have warranty.

He tried that in ND and MN.

I took a screwdriver in that the tip broke on, and was told "I obviously used it to open a paint can". I'm an aircraft mechanic, not a painter. I broke it on a damn screw.

I took in a C-Pro wrench that stripped half the open end off wearing my work clothes, and was told that it was "clearly due to abuse being used professionally". It's a professional wrench!! I came back in street clothes to the same guy the next day, and he exchanged it without saying a word.

I took in a pair of dykes that cracked the end off, and they told me that model was no longer being made and I had to downgrade to the smaller pair with no spring. Ok, fine. 5 weeks later I'm in the store, and what do I see? My old model. I get the receipt and the smaller pair and go back, and they tell me they can't trade me. WHY??? "We can't upgrade on tools." "You downgraded me to this model, that is what I had in the first place!" "Yes, but you accepted that downgrade, so now it's an upgrade." "Yeah, because you lied to me!" I had to get on the phone with the regional manager, just to get the pair they should have given me in the first place.

I broke a gearwrench and took it in. "We can't warranty this." "Why not?" "you didn't buy it here." "BS, I did too." "Sir, I'm looking at the screen and you did not buy that from us." I leaned over and pointed out the "gearwrench set" line. "Oh, well that's a set." yes, and? "Well, you'll have to contact gearwrench, we can't exchange it individually." "fine, I'll break all of them and bring them in, and you can give me a new set." "well, I suppose we can exchange it for one just once, but we aren't supposed to because you didn't buy it individually." WTF

No, Sears is NOT always easy about returning tools. Here it's a downright PITA. On the other hand, I walk into the Snap-On truck and say "I broke this Ann", and I get "Ok, here's a new one."

most of my tools are still c'man but I have seen time and again people go in to replace a ratchet only to be given a used one. this pisses people off to no end.

I have only had to use the c'man grantee a handful of times but if someone handed me a tool with someone's initials i'd be PISSED

i'm not old but even in my short time (almost a decade) of building my tool collection i have seem c'man go down hill big time.

because I'm not a pro user I would almost rather deal with mike by mail than sears in person. i just recently bought some nice tools from SK and guess what. the interaction would be no better, and probably worse because the personal touch mike gives is top notch

 

[Hurricane]

nissan -
its a hostile takeover, not a friendly come over and have dinner with us as you are implying. AB has been squirming to not let this happen, citizens have been petitioning along with the governor. Nobody wants this, except InBEV. Shareholders will vote next friday, nov 12

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily50.html




sears - thats a crock of **** man. i would have gone postal. ive never had an issue, ever. Hell, when i get ready to do something to a tool im not supposed to, i reach for a craftsman just because if/when it breaks, i can get a new one. my stuff is mostly snapon, but i have too hard of a time getting it warrantied. i just assumed it was this easy any where you go, but then again "assumption is the mother of all **** ups"


i buy sk tools as well, sears carries them at their main store, but ive never had to warranty any of their stuff. i try to buy all american tools, unless its something ridiculous in price that i only need once, i get it from harbor freight

 

[dxdexter]

please confirm with mike but from what I understood
$2700 buys you either the red or green NICE toolbox(es)

so 10 drawers and 7 of them come full.

Although the set is great looking and well organized, my thought is that $2700US would be too much for only 333 Asian hand tools and small boxes.

I would say the drawers are far from full. The box is only around 27" wide and most of the space is filled with black tray. The web site indicates only 104pcs in the chest and 229pcs in the roller cabinet, Most master sets would include many more tools than that. I would estimate most mechanics have 3 to 5 times as many hand tools in their box and most complete socket sets alone would be more than 200 pieces. With all drawers filled with the trays there would be no where to put any thing else, such as deep sockets.

 

[speed bump]

Either way, that company still isn't "taking over", they're being allowed in.

Since when is Craftsman not available and easily warrantied? Since about 3 years ago for me. The shelves are always empty, and they have less and less options of tools every time I go in.

Dad tried to warranty a lifetime warranty torque wrench, they told him they would give him some chinese one with a 90 day warranty. So much for lifetime.

He tried to warranty a lifetime U.S. tap and die set, they wouldn't replace the pieces, only trade him for a chinese set that didn't have warranty.

He tried that in ND and MN.

I took a screwdriver in that the tip broke on, and was told "I obviously used it to open a paint can". I'm an aircraft mechanic, not a painter. I broke it on a damn screw.

I took in a C-Pro wrench that stripped half the open end off wearing my work clothes, and was told that it was "clearly due to abuse being used professionally". It's a professional wrench!! I came back in street clothes to the same guy the next day, and he exchanged it without saying a word.

I took in a pair of dykes that cracked the end off, and they told me that model was no longer being made and I had to downgrade to the smaller pair with no spring. Ok, fine. 5 weeks later I'm in the store, and what do I see? My old model. I get the receipt and the smaller pair and go back, and they tell me they can't trade me. WHY??? "We can't upgrade on tools." "You downgraded me to this model, that is what I had in the first place!" "Yes, but you accepted that downgrade, so now it's an upgrade." "Yeah, because you lied to me!" I had to get on the phone with the regional manager, just to get the pair they should have given me in the first place.

I broke a gearwrench and took it in. "We can't warranty this." "Why not?" "you didn't buy it here." "BS, I did too." "Sir, I'm looking at the screen and you did not buy that from us." I leaned over and pointed out the "gearwrench set" line. "Oh, well that's a set." yes, and? "Well, you'll have to contact gearwrench, we can't exchange it individually." "fine, I'll break all of them and bring them in, and you can give me a new set." "well, I suppose we can exchange it for one just once, but we aren't supposed to because you didn't buy it individually." WTF

No, Sears is NOT always easy about returning tools. Here it's a downright PITA. On the other hand, I walk into the Snap-On truck and say "I broke this Ann", and I get "Ok, here's a new one."

Man you have some lousy luck with Sears. Everytime I have needed to warrenty something it has always been "do we have one here on the shelf or in a set?, if not we will have a new one shipped to your door in 5 days." No questions asked and hassle given. Heck when I worked at a refrigeration shop when the Sears truck stopped I could hand those guys tools and I would have had them show up with new ones the next day or a package show up with tools in it within 5 days.

 

[terabyte]

Although the set is great looking and well organized, my thought is that $2700US would be too much for only 333 Asian hand tools and small boxes.

I would say the drawers are far from full. The box is only around 27" wide and most of the space is filled with black tray. The web site indicates only 104pcs in the chest and 229pcs in the roller cabinet, Most master sets would include many more tools than that. I would estimate most mechanics have 3 to 5 times as many hand tools in their box and most complete socket sets alone would be more than 200 pieces. With all drawers filled with the trays there would be no where to put any thing else, such as deep sockets.

agreed. occupied might have been a better word for it.

 

[Torque1st]

Many of the tool "Brands" are made in factories all over the world to specifications submitted by the "Brand". Those specifications do vary greatly as does the QC process in those factories and the QC and testing performed by the brand name suppliers. Any specific brand name tool seller may have tools made by hundreds of companies in hundreds of factories located in many countries around the world.

Just because a specific tool is made in XYZ city by Widget manufacturing does not mean that ALL the tools sold by that brand are made by Widget, etc.

Some of the Made in USA signs refer to the cardboard insert or the package the tool is in. Remember there is a city in China and I bet many in other countries called "USA"...

 

[autoace]

why dont you support your fellow americans and keep buying the craftsman tools that youve already been purchasing, while youre still lucky enough to be able to have an american tool that is affordable, readily available and easily warrantied. No offense intended, but by virtue of the fact that you only have a hand full of tools, I'd wager you're not a very adept or experienced mechanic so you would hardly notice a difference no matter what tool you buy.

Not to mention the fact that there is only 1 dealer in the entire country, which speaks volumes on many different levels. A tool is just that, a tool. Function will always beat out form. It's not a very wise decision to purchase a tool based on the color

This guy sounds like me,exactly,

 

[nissan_crawler]

nissan -
its a hostile takeover, not a friendly come over and have dinner with us as you are implying. AB has been squirming to not let this happen, citizens have been petitioning along with the governor. Nobody wants this, except InBEV. Shareholders will vote next friday, nov 12

http://stlouis.bizjournals.com/milwaukee/stories/2008/11/03/daily50.html




sears - thats a crock of **** man. i would have gone postal. ive never had an issue, ever. Hell, when i get ready to do something to a tool im not supposed to, i reach for a craftsman just because if/when it breaks, i can get a new one. my stuff is mostly snapon, but i have too hard of a time getting it warrantied. i just assumed it was this easy any where you go, but then again "assumption is the mother of all **** ups"


i buy sk tools as well, sears carries them at their main store, but ive never had to warranty any of their stuff. i try to buy all american tools, unless its something ridiculous in price that i only need once, i get it from harbor freight

Ok, if the shareholders approve it, how is it hostile? Again, I don't see it.

Yep, sears ***** here, that's why most of my tools are now from ebay or the snap-on truck. I'm tired of the hassle.

As for SK, well, don't get me started.

 

[eschoendorff]

I still like having a smattering of different tool brands. Makes me happy. Some are better than others. I have pliers by Facom, Knipex, Craftsman, Snap On, Proto, Klein, and Channellock. The Facom are my personal favorite, but honestly, NONE of them ****.

IMHO, far too many of us are buying tools based on emotions rather than logic. I hate to tell you guys this, but your buying USA made tools is such a tiny drop in the bucket - it really doesn't matter. Our economy is no longer based on manufacturing. It CANNOT be. Plenty of Americans (like Mike) depend on selling products made all over the world for their income. That's the way it is. We live on a globe, not on a single plane.

Those Toptul sets look nice, but my issue is the groupings of tools - and the lack of other tools. For example, why is there a hacksaw with ratchets? and Why aren't ALL of the screwdrivers grouped together? Oh, and where are the rest of the sockets????

The packaging is fantastic, and I love the look and size of teh boxes... but the modular tool sets in the drawers defy logic. Wait until you actually USE the tools and look for them....

 

[dxdexter]

Those Toptul sets look nice, but my issue is the groupings of tools - and the lack of other tools. For example, why is there a hacksaw with ratchets? and Why aren't ALL of the screwdrivers grouped together? Oh, and where are the rest of the sockets????

The packaging is fantastic, and I love the look and size of teh boxes... but the modular tool sets in the drawers defy logic. Wait until you actually USE the tools and look for them....

I think the drawers are arranged to give the illusion of "fullness". It does appear that all the trays are subdivided into smaller units than they appear and could possibly be arranged in a different manner. I would guess a space optimizing program designed the tool layout and not an actual mechanic, otherwise they would be much more functional. The trays would probably be ditched quite fast to make space for the tools that are lacking.

 

[wrenhandtools]

In my opinion, the groupings of the tools are both good and bad.

Good as far as the organization. Also good because, well, in all the tools shows I have been to it in the one thing that the majority of the patrons like. And from what I can tell it about 50/50 pro versus hobbyist. The pros have said that it is a good way to check for tools before sending a rig out the door with a wrench under the hood. Not saying you couldn't do it with your own organization either.

Bad, not 100% complete sets in sizes. Just yesterday I was changing the belts on my car and needed I think it was a 16mm socket and it wasn't in the "tray set" in 3/8 dr but was in the tray set in 1/2 dr. Not a big deal but still an irritant at least to me. I like having complete sets no matter what.
And since I have the full set and have worked with it I can tell you I have not been disappointed, only slightly irritated on why they wouldn't just have every size in 3/8 in a tray set, and the have another for the deeps....etc. So I really do have a good idea on where I think there could be more.

Also these boxes are not BIG by american standards so I have spaced out the set between two boxes and taken the extra room to fill in where logical.

A person could do this obviously with any brand of box as well. (room permitting) And yes the trays can be re-positioned. I just think there needs to be more trays and maybe some generic empty trays as well. ( I am starting to work on this) I think more trays to hold more complete sets would make things very nice because no matter how quickly you open or close the drawer, your stuff stays put.

 

[rhandwor]

For a mechanic the variety isn't available to be one line. I don't know of any company that has everything you need. This is why Snap on and the other companies trucks sell other brands.
OTC,J Kent Moore,Lisle,K-D,Stahlwille,Klann,Hazet,Calvan but I think they went under.

 

[Uncle Buck]

Man you have some lousy luck with Sears. Everytime I have needed to warrenty something it has always been "do we have one here on the shelf or in a set?, if not we will have a new one shipped to your door in 5 days." No questions asked and hassle given. Heck when I worked at a refrigeration shop when the Sears truck stopped I could hand those guys tools and I would have had them show up with new ones the next day or a package show up with tools in it within 5 days.

Thank you for saving me the trouble, + 1, As the old timers here know I think Snap-on Warranty service blows in the same way Nissan Crawler feels about Snap-on and I can match the **** warranty service stories point for point, the message being it doesn't matter wheather you pay the Cman price, or the Snap-on price you can get crappy warranty service from either one!

 

[goodfellow]

Thank you for saving me the trouble, + 1, As the old timers here know I think Snap-on Warranty service blows in the same way Nissan Crawler feels about Snap-on and I can match the **** warranty service stories point for point, the message being it doesn't matter wheather you pay the Cman price, or the Snap-on price you can get crappy warranty service from either one!

Abolutely -- A few weeks ago I returned a 1940's Craftsman chrome socket. At first the clerk said it wasn't Craftsman. To be fair, the old style WWII era sockets looked quite different, but when I pointed out the faded C-man logo the guy immediately apologized and replaced it on the spot. I have never had a problem with legitimate exchanges at SEARS.

I don't try to warranty screwdrivers and consumables unless they absolutely fail, but if the blade gets chipped or rounded, it's becasue I use it a lot. Same goes for torque wrenches, or other precison tools; why should Sears warranty a precision tool for more than 90 days -- that's just insane.

I have had many more warranty problems with SO and MAC than with SEARS, and I have seen many mechanics, and so called "honest homeowners" totally abuse the SEARS system. They modify wrenches and sockets for a specific job, then break them on purpose to get the tool covered by the "lifetime warranty". That's dishonest, and I applaud SEARS for finally taking these guys to task. SEARS is just doing what has been a standard procedure by truck vendors for decades.

I'll keep buying mechanic's tools from SEARS -- best deal going for the average tool junkie.

 

[beelsr]

Wow, that's quite a list. I've had varied success...

I lived near a Sears hardware store that was absolutely dreadful. They'd only exchange _exact_ items and if they didn't have the tool in stock, they wouldn't do a thing, not even apologize. Hated that place. No wonder it went under...

Back in MI, I had really good luck and never really had a problem. Here in PA, the Sears stores are really good. I can exchange pretty much anything for anything that looks close. I put 2 piles on the counter and do the "old, new" while pointing at the respective pile; smile and they ring them up.

A couple times, I would just grunt. Literally, put the old screw driver on the counter, point at it, "ugg" and hand him the new one. Smile and walk out 30 seconds later with a "thanks for shopping at sears".

Once I had a screwdriver break the tip and I reshaped it on the grinder. Took it back and they didn't even blink.

Just yesterday, I took back a 10" adjustable wrench that had gotten sloppy/loose. They didn't have any on the shelf so I upgraded to a beaknose 10" pair. Clerk just held the new one up to the old one to see if they were the same size and rang it up.

A few weeks ago, I sent my wife there with some broken 1/2" sockets. They didn't have any in the store so the, ummm, helpful clerk replaced them with 3/8" sockets. I took them back, explained what happened and got the 1/2" sockets I actually needed. No problem at all.

As for sets, I had a similar experience at Horrible Freight once. 1/2" deep impact sockets. Had that set from early 90s... Broke the 19, took it to the store and they guy wanted me to bring in the whole set. After trying to explain that I just wanted the one socket replaced, I just said "excuse me a minute" and walked to the aisle and grabbed one of the shelf. I opened the box, took out a new 19 and put the old 19 in the set and handed it back to him and said, "there you go, a set with the defective socket." All of a sudden, the cluelight came on and he nodded.

I think it comes down to individual clerks more than anything. I keep track of what clerks are jerks and which ones are nice and avoid the jerks.

Oh, and I agree that AB beer absolutely hoovers!

Since when is Craftsman not available and easily warrantied? Since about 3 years ago for me. The shelves are always empty, and they have less and less options of tools every time I go in.

Dad tried to warranty a lifetime warranty torque wrench, they told him they would give him some chinese one with a 90 day warranty. So much for lifetime.

He tried to warranty a lifetime U.S. tap and die set, they wouldn't replace the pieces, only trade him for a chinese set that didn't have warranty.

He tried that in ND and MN.

I took a screwdriver in that the tip broke on, and was told "I obviously used it to open a paint can". I'm an aircraft mechanic, not a painter. I broke it on a damn screw.

I took in a C-Pro wrench that stripped half the open end off wearing my work clothes, and was told that it was "clearly due to abuse being used professionally". It's a professional wrench!! I came back in street clothes to the same guy the next day, and he exchanged it without saying a word.

I took in a pair of dykes that cracked the end off, and they told me that model was no longer being made and I had to downgrade to the smaller pair with no spring. Ok, fine. 5 weeks later I'm in the store, and what do I see? My old model. I get the receipt and the smaller pair and go back, and they tell me they can't trade me. WHY??? "We can't upgrade on tools." "You downgraded me to this model, that is what I had in the first place!" "Yes, but you accepted that downgrade, so now it's an upgrade." "Yeah, because you lied to me!" I had to get on the phone with the regional manager, just to get the pair they should have given me in the first place.

I broke a gearwrench and took it in. "We can't warranty this." "Why not?" "you didn't buy it here." "BS, I did too." "Sir, I'm looking at the screen and you did not buy that from us." I leaned over and pointed out the "gearwrench set" line. "Oh, well that's a set." yes, and? "Well, you'll have to contact gearwrench, we can't exchange it individually." "fine, I'll break all of them and bring them in, and you can give me a new set." "well, I suppose we can exchange it for one just once, but we aren't supposed to because you didn't buy it individually." WTF

No, Sears is NOT always easy about returning tools. Here it's a downright PITA. On the other hand, I walk into the Snap-On truck and say "I broke this Ann", and I get "Ok, here's a new one."

 

[T56 Impala]

Just so I'm clear on this.....

I should sell my German cars and buy US made cars.

I should trash all my Asian/Canadian/Italian/wherever European tools and buy more Craftsman.

I should never drink A-B beer again.

I just want to get this straight.

My German cars perform like only 1 American car that I can think of. The quality of the work is impeccable. I love American cars, old ones anyway, however they build nothing of interest (or need) to me. Maybe, just maybe the CST-V will be sitting in my driveway at some point. GM is going to have to prove to me they did actually do something right on purpose first.

I happen to like the Beta, Grey, Toptul and other tools I have. I think I'll hang on to them and avoid the over priced other American choices. FWIW, Beta costs WAY more than SO. They are very good tools though. I own 80% Craftsman tools anyway. All continue to serve me well with very few warranty returns.

I love Belgian beer. It is the best in the world! You know they have over 350 distinct types of beer? Each is served in its own style of glass. I never could stand A-B beer anyway. It always seemed to give me a headache.

I guess I should never buy that Italian car I want huh? Is there an American car that can compare to it? I had one once. Silly me, I sold it and bought an German car. Oh well.

FWIW, I am as anti Asian as anyone on here. Hell, I won't even step onto an Asian car lot. BUT... I will buy QUALITY Asian tools. I'd buy Quality Indian tools if there were such a thing. Quality is not an American invention. It can, and is more readily found in other countries.

All that Chinese trash everyone complains about on here is spec-ed out by, and approved by an AMERICAN buyer. Some American chooses the cheapest thing they can get away with importing. The Asians are not forcing their stuff onto out shores. WE ASK FOR IT.

 

[Gregster]

I think for 2700$ including a box thats a nice set for someone just starting off in the trade.

 

[3 at 8]

Quality is not an American invention.

Well said.

 

[Vinko]

3.Full of tools, these exceed the weight limit of standard UPS but not to worry, I get a 70% discount through Yellow freight so the shipping from me to you will be competitive for sure. .

At what freight class do these ship? Just curious....

 

[Vinko]

$500 off would mean essentially free shipping and then some wouldn't it? Good deal.

The whole made in the USA thing is strange to other nations

In England and France there can be quite a bit of pride about made in England or Made in France. The same, I understand is true in Germany, to an extent.

 

[62 bird]

Re: Hurricane.

I am glad my mother is not alive to read your posting-
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Guess someone, like the moderator, should check your comments and the posting guidlines.

 

[Shocker]

I have had to replace 2 Craftsman made tools so far in my humble time in working on cars. One 3/8" ratchet and one 1 1/2" socket. Snapped the socket in half. Walked in got a new one.

Stripped the ratchet out and was given a "rebuild kit" for it. Did it my self. Worked fine. Lame though.

I personally have avoided the box truck stuff just because it is harder for me to get them replaced if they break and the cost. I just can't justify that.

I have mostly Craftsman. With some SK Wayne (before they were S&K), and Proto. I have one MAC tool I found in the dirt. One Matco found the same way. And a bunch of sacrificial Chinese made stuff.

 

[Merkava_4]

Re: Hurricane.

I am glad my mother is not alive to read your posting-
Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? Guess someone, like the moderator, should check your comments and the posting guidelines.

Who's post is this in response to?

 

[62 bird]

Re: Hurricane.

was in response to Hurricane's language on the forum-not needed to make a point!!

 

[62 bird]

Re: Hurricane.

To Makava_4
did not mean to direct any comment towards you. I am new at this posting process. Just thought the language was uncalled for by Hurricane. Guess I will go read the posting rules.
62 bird

 

[nissan_crawler]

Thank you for saving me the trouble, + 1, As the old timers here know I think Snap-on Warranty service blows in the same way Nissan Crawler feels about Snap-on and I can match the **** warranty service stories point for point, the message being it doesn't matter wheather you pay the Cman price, or the Snap-on price you can get crappy warranty service from either one!

EXACTLY. Some people will get good service from sears, some from Snap-On, some from Matco, some from Mac, some from Cornwell, etc. That's why I think it's stupid to say a company ***** just because a local store/dealer *****. I know not all Sears stores are a PITA to return tools, it just happens the ones around here, and around my dad are.

Same goes for torque wrenches, or other precison tools; why should Sears warranty a precision tool for more than 90 days -- that's just insane.

BECAUSE THEY SOLD THEM WITH ONE!!! The torque wrench and tap and die set not only had LIFETIME WARRANTY on the labels, but it was molded in the plastic cases!!

Breaking one tap out of an american set, and having to exchange a chinese set for it is NOT honoring a lifetime warranty. Swapping a lifetime warranty torque wrench for a 90 day warranty torque wrench again, is NOT honoring a lifetime warranty.

Those tools were purchased with full lifetime warranties, and as such, every replacement to follow should carry the same lifetime warranty.

 

[WSMC633]

These threads are fun. I especially like the people who get all riled up over a naughty word. But I digress.....

I have all kinds of tools in my stable. I think at this point I own 3... almost 4 complete sets of tools. They all get used daily in my shop. I have everything from Cman, Snap-on, Mac, Toptul, and some HF stuff. I'm always baffled by the amount of tools people seem to break. We hardly ever have any tool breakage. All I can think of Lately were al Cman though. 1/2 flex head ratchet has the magical pin that falls out sending you flying across the shop. You can read the fabulous story of trying to get that warrantied at sears. Long story short, I didn't want a Non-identical, old greasy, refurbed. replacement. So, I'm going to fix it myself. Also had a 3/8" Cman Torque wrench strip @ 27ft. lb. Of course out of warranty. Honestly, I feel like this was not abuse and precision tool or not, they should have fixed it. Unfortunately the only recourse I was offered was buying a new one. Thanks I'll stick to my Snap-on.

I definitely agree it is not fare to judge a whole company on just a couple of it's products. Example: Had a hex head bolt the other day with a striped head. The Mac Extractors simply ****. The Harbor Freight ones worked great. Now I wouldn't say all Mac tools **** and HF tools are great because of this. But in this instance, one company made a tool that worked great and one didn't. BTW, I have this old set of Cman extractors that they no longer make that are awesome! Man I'd love another set!

I do totally love the idea of a complete matching set of tools. Unfortunately it seems that no one company makes everything you need, or makes a great version of everything. So I've found mixing and matching brands to be the best way to build sets.

The Toptul stuff is holding up great BTW. I have absolutely no problems with it. In fact I'm waiting on a pretty decent size order I just sent Mike's way. (who seems to be a hell of a guy BTW). It is true though that their molded tray system is a little baffling though. I'd rather just buy the tools and organize myself.

BTW, AB is not Beer. It's watery yellow stuff. It's all about the Guinness in my house. Maybe it's my Irish blood talking?

 

[billymade]

If the only problem with your Craftsman torque wrench is the head/ratchet assembly; you can order parts for it here: http://www.searspartsdirect.com/partsdirect/index.action
At my store; historically, we have rebuilt (with new parts) ratcheting heads of torque wrenches for free, ymmv!

 

[Hawk321]

Toptul seems to be 1:1 Ks-Tools from germany...are ok...
Ks-Tools got expenisve as their reputation grew...could happen with toptul too.

But why a new asia brand? People who have not the money can buy at sears...all other are truck customers?!?

 

[wrenhandtools]

Hawk,

Speaking very humbly, there is no comparison with 75% of what Sears sells and the quality of Toptul's stuff. That is the reason for a new Asian brand......in my opinion anyway.


Sincerely,

Mike

 

[zuspiel]

Mike, where the ship? I need my fix...