Irwin/Hanson tap/die set warranty experience!

Hey, guys... I have a older Hason tap and die set; this is the typical set that is sold under the truck brands... like Snap-On, Mac and Matco! I have had a couple of things in the kit break; namely, the clasp on the storage box and the large tap wrench. I went to the Irwin/Hanson website and used their online email form to ask about a warranty exchange on the two items; the website seems to indicate that their tools have a lifetime warranty. I emailed early this morning and within a couple of hours got a response back; they stated that my set was a old one (red case, they now sell blue) and that at the time, the sets HAD a lifetime warranty. They are going to send me a new case and tap wrench free of charge; HOWEVER, "Please know, for future reference, that any tap and die set or any other tools classified under power tool accessories, have a warranty
of only 30 days." While this isn't unique in the industry at this point; most of these types of tools are considered "consumables" BUT.... if you have a earlier Hanson set, it maybe possible they will honor the earlier lifetime warranty like they did with me. I have a feeling my set was before Irwin bought out Hanson and the tools in my set all seem be be "MADE IN USA"!
So, the warranty experience was excellent but it is a shame that they have gone the way of everyone else to a 30 day warranty on these type of "power tool accessories"; this maybe a case where buying off the tool truck like Snap-On and getting the LIFETIME warranty would be worth it!
I thought you guys would like to know my experience and know about the warranty on the older and now, the currently shipping tools from them...

Tap wrench, crack in center...

Tap wrench, cracked detail...

Taps

Dies

didn't think they had warranty

Well, it seems the older sets had a lifetime warranty and now they only carry a 30 day warranty; I was happy they honored their earlier warranty... i don't know if they would do it again. I sent them links to pictures of everything; so, because the rep noticed it was a older set and it was proved by my pictures; he honored the warranty. I do think that if you work in a shop all day; it would be worth it to have the truck brand version of the Hanson sets, so you could get the lifetime warranty and service.

I broke the same tap handle, in the exact same spot.

I believe the newer version of your tap and die set is still Made in USA. At least my friend got a set just a few weeks ago, and the packaging indicated this.

MINE IS VERMONT aMERICAN ..NO HOPE

Just to let you guys know; if you need to warranty anything or at least try to warranty it... goto: http://www.irwin.com/about-us/contact-us
I used the pull down menu; "warranty options" and you can talk to a human @ 1-800-GO-IRWIN.
They also offer replacement parts for their tools; it seems a limited quantity are free of charge; they seem to be things like: "springs or screws, pads" etc., call or go to this link: http://www.irwin.com/support-services/replacement-parts

I just broke the tap handle on my Craftsman metric tap set...

Warranty reads:

If this Craftsman hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge. This warranty does not cover the taps and dies, which are expendable parts that can wear out from normal use within the warranty period.
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Since the handle was not excluded, and they didn't have replacements for just the handle, they swapped out the entire set. I believe it's still US made as well, but really should go out and double check. I was just happy they warrantied the set!

I don't think they are as high quality as my older Hanson SAE set, but they have held up well until my buddy over torqued the handle with an easyout...

I'm really suprised that they are giving you the case too. The tap handle should be exchanged.

daveblank said:

I'm really suprised that they are giving you the case too. The tap handle should be exchanged.

Click to expand...

Just out of curiosity, what is matco's warranty policy on taps and dies?

Lifetime on the tap & die. None on the case.

Thats good info to know! I've got an SAE Hanson tap & die set that I bought at a garage sale years ago for $5.00!

daveblank said:

Lifetime on the tap & die. None on the case.

Click to expand...

Thanks

I have the same set from Snap-On in both Imperial and metric. One of my Snap-On drivers says they are expendable and won't replace them. The other one doesn't even question it and has replaced many in the short time he's been calling on my shop.

Personally, I consider them to be consumable and feel kinda bad even asking for them to be replaced, but if he's gonna, why not?

I've been really surprised and pleased at the replacement of the re-threading taps and dies even moreso as they get used a LOT more and wear out pretty quickly if you use them as much as I do.

I have a 12-13 year old Hansen master set> The biggest one they sold then. It's similar to the master set from SO, Mac, etc..

Let an older master tech borrow the same tap several times when I worked at land Rover. Guy was a really good tech so I never checked it when he brought it back to me after he used it. Moved on to another shop and needed that size again and the tap was missing threads. WTF? I was pissed.
Called Hansen and was told no warranty anymore even though it says right in the plastic case sticker "lifetime" I called around about 3-4 hardware and home improvement stores and all of them told me no.
Called a place called Emigh's which I think is owned by Ace hardware and they took one out of a new package and told me no problem.

I now have stopped lending any out eff that.


BTW, my snap-on dealer replaces anything made by snap-on if it's taps or dies. No drill bits though.