Warranty on Sears Screwdriver?

[bpjr]

Hello, I have a CM USA flat blade screwdriver that has finally worn the blade so much I don't use it. All wear was from normal use and I bought this screwdriver in the early 1970s! Does Sears warranty this stuff? I have a Sears 4 miles from me that's still open. Seems like I read they would exchange. Either way it's no bid deal but I might as well exchange it before they close this store too.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I'd feel weird warrantying anything that wore out from regular use of 40 plus years that is considered a consumable.

 

[WWShop]

Not being a jerk, but it wouldn't even cross my mind to warranty it. Just buy another.

 

[mudflap]

Not being a jerk, but it wouldn't even cross my mind to warranty it. Just buy another.

Yea..its not like Snappy..where the 1st 10 warranty exchanges are built into the purchase price.. You bought a good screwdriver for a reasonable price..and wore it out..

 

[3baygarage]

To answer the question, yes, they would exchange it under the hand tools lifetime warranty.

 

[xin]

Yea..its not like Snappy..where the 1st 10 warranty exchanges are built into the purchase price.. You bought a good screwdriver for a reasonable price..and wore it out..

I agree, it takes more time and energy and just easier buy a new one.

 

[dirtydogintex]

Grind the tip for use as a center punch if you don’t feel like warrantying it out.
I just read CM screwdrivers are now Chinese... don’t know for sure but wouldn’t be surprised.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Grind the tip for use as a center punch if you don’t feel like warrantying it out.
I just read CM screwdrivers are now Chinese... don’t know for sure but wouldn’t be surprised.

I wouldn't want one. If the instructions are printed in Chinese; I wouldn't be able to read them.

 

[BroncoAZ]

I agree, it takes more time and energy and just easier buy a new one.

Lifetime is lifetime, go swap it out under warranty. I wouldn’t go too far out of my way to do it, but I also won’t feel bad about it.

 

[mudflap]

Lifetime is lifetime, go swap it out under warranty. I wouldn’t go too far out of my way to do it, but I also won’t feel bad about it.

Me neither....was just trying to throw gas on the fire...... and im thinking about starting my own Craftsman screwdriver warranty thread...

 

[Fedwrench]

wear after 40 or so years of use isn't really a manufacturer's defect but, back in the 1970's, Sears also had a satisfaction garanteed policy so, if you're not satisfied, exchange it.

 

[Richard Cranium]

yes, exchange it.

 

[DFB]

I would...provided you have some place to warranty it too!

 

[peteco]

Grind & file a new blade tip. Don't get it too hot. Your refurbished screwdriver will last another 40 years. The China tradeout will make you mad you didn't keep the old one.

 

[Tonyuk]

Warranty it or don't, its just a screwdriver.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Grind & file a new blade tip. Don't get it too hot. Your refurbished screwdriver will last another 40 years. The China tradeout will make you mad you didn't keep the old one.

Exactly. Part of a regular tool maintenance program anyway, along with chisels and punches. If you do not have the means to do this, then exchange it.

 

[CR888]

Grind it down into an scratcher awl. I couldn't warranty it either, 40 years use on a mid range tool is pretty fair from a manufacturers point of view. We need more guys selling good midrange tools that'll last 4 decades, i'd rather thank them by buying another set. Sure you could probably enforce your warranty claim but when Sears disappears and can no longer service your needs...don't complain.

 

[Mechanical Noise]

Is there anything else you might want to buy while you're there? That's why the lifetime satisfaction warranty has historically been a benefit to Sears. A Sears customer is sure to get a new screwdriver and Sears is almost as sure to get a satisfied customer looking at the other goods.

I have some beat up Craftsman screwdrivers and I'm not going to exchange them. Not because I have moral qualms but because I'd pass about a dozen places selling mediocre screwdrivers for decent prices before I got to the Sears store which has little else that interests me anymore.

 

[Bretny]

Years ago i bought 56lbs of broken craftsman screw drivers on ebay....im up to my ears in new screw drivers and still have prob 15-20lbs to exchange. I bought the box for about the price of 2 screw driver sets.

 

[RoundedNut]

I'm just boggled that a flat was used enough, even in 40 years, to be worn out from normal use. Other than chiseling, prying and scraping, I mostly and rarely use flats for electrical faceplates and curse it every time as it slips.

As an aside, I have a #2 Robertson that old and its still going strong

 

[eyeball]

Don’t hassle with a return. Buy a good quality new one and keep it for another 40 years.

 

[oldwino]

Couple of years ago I went through my tools and s-canned a bunch of broken, worn Craftsman stuff (pliers, screw drivers, wrenches, etc). Figured the trouble it would take to warrantee them wasn't worth it as they would probably be replaced with Chino-Craftsman stuff anyway

 

[garthg]

They will warranty it, but you're going to get a China in return.

Why not just take a flat file to it?

 

[lakeroadster]

Years ago i bought 56lbs of broken craftsman screw drivers on ebay....im up to my ears in new screw drivers and still have prob 15-20lbs to exchange. I bought the box for about the price of 2 screw driver sets.

 

[ChrisLS8]

Years ago i bought 56lbs of broken craftsman screw drivers on ebay....im up to my ears in new screw drivers and still have prob 15-20lbs to exchange. I bought the box for about the price of 2 screw driver sets.

That's a dirtbag move

 

[jacked_72]

That's a dirtbag move

I knew that was coming.

 

[ChrisLS8]

I knew that was coming.

Well if it was expected I'm guessing that there is probably something morally wrong with doing thar

 

[bpjr]

Thanks for the input. I was more curious than trying to pull some kind of dirt bag move. I normally regrind them or make into a other tool specific to a motor or whatever...which is what I will probably do with this CM.

My first CM tools were purchased in the 1960s and my boxes are full of them. I've returned two tools in all those yrs and they were both defective. 1/2" ratchet that skipped the very first time used. The other was a pair of vice grips and the tang that held the locking lever spring broke off the first time I used it. Both of those sat in my tool chest for about 30 yrs before exchanging them.

For those who haven't worn a screw driver out...This CM screwdriver was used mostly on boats where corrosion locks everything up. You have to lean on them at times to break loose...which apparently is enough to round off the blade corners and make the blade thinner. I have several of the same drivers but for some reason this one did most of the work. Even the marking are 99% gone. I also have an old snappy Octo Grip #146 flat head that the tip is worn paper thin. Never thought about exchanging it.

Thanks,
Bill P.

 

[nmantas]

That's a dirtbag move

The only way it would be, imho, would be if someone got the warrantied tool box out of closing SEARS or a scrap yard where SEARS disposes of warrantied tools. The warranty is not just for the original purchaser but for the lifetime of the tool so what is the problem with buying a bunch of broken tools that someone else didn't bother to take in?

 

[PelicanPines]

4 mile drive... your time... 4 mile drive home... don't waste your gas or time... Buy a new quality one... if you need it.

It's NOT a $40 screwdriver... ain't worth the effort

 

[mudflap]

4 mile drive... your time... 4 mile drive home... don't waste your gas or time... Buy a new quality one... if you need it.

It's NOT a $40 screwdriver... ain't worth the effort

Yea..because you already paid for the first 5 exchanges on the $40 screwdriver.

 

[Professional Tool User]

Yes. Sears will probably help you if they have it in stock. If not, Lowes stocks Craftsman hard handled screwdrivers as of my last trip there. And if you doubt they will help you, go break the screwdriver first and then warranty it.

 

[M6erfan]

If I got 40 years of regular use out of any screwdriver I'd send a thank you note/email to the manufacturer and support them by buying another one.

 

[AreYaSerious]

Exchange it, that's what the life time warranty is for. Although I would buy one for a spare cause you're not gonna get one to last 40 years.

 

[RoundedNut]

...
For those who haven't worn a screw driver out...This CM screwdriver was used mostly on boats where corrosion locks everything up. You have to lean on them at times to break loose...which apparently is enough to round off the blade corners and make the blade thinner...

Yah the typical keystone shaped slot drivers cam out because of the V profile tip. Its an inherently bad design intended in part to allow each driver to fit a range of screw sizes. Philips drive suffers from the same problems, and I go through those regularly, even though I use them much less often than my square/Robertsons.

Regular slot drivers are really only good for chiseling/prying/scraping and you should look for "hollow ground" slots. Easiest way to get these is with driver bits.

 

[M6erfan]

Regular slot drivers are really only good for chiseling/prying/scraping and you should look for "hollow ground" slots. Easiest way to get these is with driver bits.

Or PB Swiss, Brownells, Forster, Grace...

They all have hollow ground screwdrivers. No need for bits...

 

[bpjr]

If I got 40 years of regular use out of any screwdriver I'd send a thank you note/email to the manufacturer and support them by buying another one.

This driver is 40ish but it's been sitting in a drawer half that time collecting dust. I've purchased 3-4 of these over the yrs and never thought warranty until reading about Sears going Chap 11.

 

[ken w.]

I just came back from Lowes and was told they only sell Craftsman sets and couldn't warranty my Craftsman Phillips screwdriver. I will try Ace Hardware and see if they are warranting Craftsman.

 

[Jtels85]

I just came back from Lowes and was told they only sell Craftsman sets and couldn't warranty my Craftsman Phillips screwdriver. I will try Ace Hardware and see if they are warranting Craftsman.

Ace should warranty it without a problem.

Lowe’s is still currently rolling out the new Craftsman line. They will be selling screwdrivers as singles which is also depicted on their website, but nobody knows when they will be stocked. Most likely by the end of the year if you’re willing to be patient. Keep in mind, the new clear handle Craftsman screwdrivers are Taiwan made, not USA.

 

[Yankee]

I have never understood why the tool manufactures have lifetime warranty on an item that almost always gets abused.

I wish Ford did that, I've put 202,000 miles on my F-150. I WANT A NEW ONE FOR FREE!!!

Just kidding....