Craftsman tools - rusty

[Bojans]

I have a rather large set of Craftsman sockets and extensions that are starting to get rust pitting on them. I am sure this has happened from condensation during huge during huge temp swings when I had an uninsulated garage.

Will Craftsman replace these? Am I being too picky about this?

Thx

Scott

 

[kythri]

Short answer: The terms of the unlimited warranty define your satisfaction with the tools, and repair or replacement based on that satisfaction or lack thereof. Recent statement by a Sears VP would indicate that Sears would/should replace them.

Correct answer: Letting your tools get rusty (I have an uninsulated shop, but keep my tools wiped with oil, WD-40, etc. to prevent rust) shouldn't be a cause for warranty replacement. While the warranty technically/officially does cover rusty tools, it shouldn't be exercised due to owner negligence. Get some steel-wool, a brass brush, whatever abrasive you desire, get some WD-40, clean your tools up, and determine a better way to protect them (insulate your garage, keep them oiled, bring them inside, something).

Continued "abuse" of the warranty is eventually going to lead to warranty terms changing, like it already has on several items.

 

[krusty the clown]

i guess you could try to get them replaced under warranty, BUT if you are going to store them in the same damp place why bother?

 

[alkemyst]

a little johnson's paste wax on the commonly used and boeshield T9 on those not so used goes a long way.

 

[HandyManny]

Oooh!! My tools are rusty, my tools got dirty, what do I do?....Give me a break! This topic has been discusses before very recently too.

I think you are being too picky. Tools made from carbon steel will discolor and rust in places where there is no plating or where the plating has worn off. It even happens to some plated tools eventually. Just the nature of carbon steel. That's what most tools are made of. Surface rust and pitting harms nothing on tools unless it's on a gear or mechanism that isn't running smoothly or something that requires very tight stingent tolerances, that's what lubricants are for. Besides sockets and extenstions that actually get used tend to get oily and greasy anyway just from the engines or motors being worked on. That thin layer of grease or oily film should help to combat moisture in anything but an extream saltwater environment.

Once the tools stop performing as they should when used, then excercise your warranty.

 

[38 Special]

I had three black crescent wrenches to rust. Took them back to Sears and swapped them even for chrome, no questions asked.

 

[HandyManny]

I'm realitively new to this forum, but not new to tools or using them. Got many many years under my belt in that area. I'm just so surprised how in such a short time of being here I read so many, in fact way too many posts about dirty, rusty, or scratched tools, and how worried people get by this. What's the deal? Why are so many folks here so obsesses with their tools being in anything but brand new untouched pristine condition? not trying to slam anyone. Just curious, that's all.

I don't want to give the wrong impression that I'm negligent or careless with my tools or my shop or any other aspect of my life . I execise regular maintenence and take care of my stuff, but my stuff does get used and is intended to. Of all the tool using people I know, people I've worked with and people I'm friends with, or both, I've just never heard much talk about this type of stuff before.

 

[krusty the clown]

I'm realitively new to this forum, but not new to tools or using them. Got many many years under my belt in that area. I'm just so surprised how in such a short time of being here I read so many, in fact way too many posts about dirty, rusty, or scratched tools, and how worried people get by this. What's the deal? Why are so many folks here so obsesses with their tools being in anything but brand new untouched pristine condition? not trying to slam anyone. Just curious, that's all.

I don't want to give the wrong impression that I'm negligent or careless with my tools or my shop or any other aspect of my life . I execise regular maintenence and take care of my stuff, but my stuff does get used and is intended to. Of all the tool using people I know, people I've worked with and people I'm friends with, or both, I've just never heard much talk about this type of stuff before.

some of us are tool obsessed

like you i'm not a tool polisher (with a few exceptions ) mine are used but not abused.

every time i work under a car and lay a wrench on the concrete i smile and think of merk

 

[back2class]

I'm realitively new to this forum, but not new to tools or using them. Got many many years under my belt in that area. I'm just so surprised how in such a short time of being here I read so many, in fact way too many posts about dirty, rusty, or scratched tools, and how worried people get by this. What's the deal? Why are so many folks here so obsesses with their tools being in anything but brand new untouched pristine condition? not trying to slam anyone. Just curious, that's all.

I don't want to give the wrong impression that I'm negligent or careless with my tools or my shop or any other aspect of my life . I execise regular maintenence and take care of my stuff, but my stuff does get used and is intended to. Of all the tool using people I know, people I've worked with and people I'm friends with, or both, I've just never heard much talk about this type of stuff before.

I don't know what is with that element. I think they are the same people who decorate their garage and worry about scratching the $5sf. plastic snap down floor they installed. We have some people here who want to create a decorative space and that includes the tools. I have no problem with that but do not apply normal expectations of tools and workspace to them. I do get a little frustrated when I read posts like this about having sears pay for new tools because yours are not as pretty as new or the guy who was upset his sockets were not packed with love. The world is full of all sorts, these are people who I would have nothing in common with, but you are on a tool site and you get people here who care alot more about the actual tools rather than using them.

 

[Bojans]

Thanks guys, those are the responses I was looking for. I didn't know that having them in the uninsulated garage would cause the problems it did - now I do and I am now in an insulated and heated garage. Sounds like I get to spend some quality time in the garage with steel wool and WD-40. Is that a 6 or 12 beer job?

 

[krusty the clown]

Is that a 6 or 12 beer job?

a 12 pack wouldn't get me through 1 drawer............of couse as fedwrench would say YMMV

 

[old salvage]

Thanks guys, those are the responses I was looking for. I didn't know that having them in the uninsulated garage would cause the problems it did - now I do and I am now in an insulated and heated garage. Sounds like I get to spend some quality time in the garage with steel wool and WD-40. Is that a 6 or 12 beer job?

12 beers if you do all your sockets by hand.
If you get one of those socket driver bits for a electric drill, squeeze the sockets with an oily pad of steel wool in your hand and run the drill (carefully !! ) then it might be a 6 beer job.

 

[davestlouis]

My garage is uninsulated, and seems damp sometimes, but I've never had a rust problen with tools, I wipe them down with an oiled rag, and even sprayed a mist of WD40 on them after they were in the drawers last fall, adn they are just fine. They are tools after all, but I still hate to see them rust.

 

[Islands62]

If you don't want your tools oily (I don't like them slippery), there is a Aerosol Spray on product I use on my firearms called Birchwood Casey "Sheath" that protects against moisture and rust. There are also some tricks that can migrate over from gun storage, like moisture bags inthe drawers if you are so inclined.

 

[HandyManny]

Try wiping them down with a silicone reel flannel cloth. That may help with tools that don't get used on greasy oily engines. As Islands62 said, there are pouches you can buy that pull moisture out of the surrounding air with a chest or cabinet. You can find them at places that sell firearms care products. If you live in a very humid climate, these may be something to consider. Otherwise I would no worry too much about it.

 

[davestlouis]

I use dessicant(spelling??) bags in the gun safe with good results, haven't felt the need with the tools.

 

[Kevin54]

from "The Consumerist"....Sears Clarifies Craftsman Tool Warranty....http://consumerist.com/5183468/sears-clarifies-craftsman-tools-warranty

 

[Major Ramifications]

HandyManny and Back2Class,
In case I haven't said so before, "Welcome!" It's good to see people who share my opinion on this subject here.

Kythri summed up this whole thread in the first response, nice job.

 

[Islands62]

Keeping my tools scrupulously clean is a recent thing for me. I was a tool abuser par excellence in the past...however a few things changed...

1. I started to buy more $$$ tools
2. I work in a Hospital so cleanliness is driven into my head at all times
3. My best bud whom I work on cars with is a chef, so he while he loves wrenching we need to keep his hands as clean as possible.

Our garage space tends to start looking like an operating room strewn with drop cloths, rubber gloves and hand cleaners. Every tool is cleaned and scrubbed down after use. turns out I like it a lot better. We work neatly and the tool box and its contents are always tidy. It makes everything a lot more pleasant and it slows down the pace, which is probably a good thing for weekend warriors like us.

 

[rsanter]

use your tools more and the 'handeling' of them will prevent the rust

bob

 

[jay50]

Keeping my tools scrupulously clean is a recent thing for me. ... Every tool is cleaned and scrubbed down after use. .

, there is only one TOOL of mine that gets a scrupulously cleaning and scrubbing....and the wife is happy to do that job in a very, most excellent matter....

 

[HandyManny]

, there is only one TOOL of mine that gets a scrupulously cleaning and scrubbing....and the wife is happy to do that job in a very, most excellent matter....

Oh, that one made my day I'm still laughing

 

[GreyOwl]

I use some large dessicant bags in my seldom used tool drawers and also in my MIG under the wire spool. I started using them when my son worked part time at a motorcycle shop and all the new bikes had several bags inside the crate with the bike. Mine measure about 4" X 6" and about once a year I put them in the oven and bake them for about an hour to get rid of the moisture they accumulate.

Charles

 

[SWA Guy]

Oil maybe; steel wool - I wouldn't recommend it!

, there is only one TOOL of mine that gets a scrupulously cleaning and scrubbing....and the wife is happy to do that job in a very, most excellent matter....