Snap On vs. Craftsman Thread Restoring Kit

pdxgearhead · Aug 31, 2011

Hi,
I have this Craftsman thread restoring kit:
http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00942275000P?prdNo=6&blockNo=6&blockType=G6

My friend has the Snap On kit:
http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item...&group_ID=1148&store=snapon-store&dir=catalog

Both kits look exactly the same to me and I'm wondering if some of the forum members would know...
At the moment, I used my Craftsman M8x1.25mm tap to restore a bolt hole on the caliper bracket on my Dodge 2500, and it broke off flush. Man I am pissed right now.

Another day that my truck will be down.

I would buy the Snap On set if it was indeed better. Thanks for reading my post.

back2class · Aug 31, 2011

Nope, exactly the same thing from the same manufacturer. Only difference is snap-on will warranty it....craftsman stoped warranty on its cutting tools like taps and dies.

pdxgearhead · Aug 31, 2011

Thanks!

WR250F · Sep 1, 2011

I have the set sold by Craftsman.

It's a great set, works as advertised and after using it many times since I've had it, I can tell you mine has held up well.

Almost a tap and die set, but not. Just the thing for cleaning up threads or fixing one you booger foo'ed up a little bit.

The files in the set are excellent.

lt1driver · Sep 1, 2011

made in china if craftsman

GeorgiaHybrid · Sep 1, 2011

lt1driver said:
made in china if craftsman

You might want to research your facts before stating that.

They are made in Racine, WI by Kastar (a division of A & E Tools) who is the OEM for Sears, Mac, Matco and Snap-on.

Here is a link to their kit:

Kastar Re Threader Set

Underdog · Sep 1, 2011

Do like I did. Buy the Craftsman set and down the road if you need replacement parts just order from SO.

rlitman · Sep 1, 2011

back2class said:
Nope, exactly the same thing from the same manufacturer. Only difference is snap-on will warranty it....craftsman stoped warranty on its cutting tools like taps and dies.

I don't think so.
SnapOn doesn't warranty drill bits, driver bits, taps or ez-outs.
I don't believe they warranty anything in that set (except maybe the case), and if they do, it's for sure less than 1 year, not lifetime.

plinker · Sep 1, 2011

I bought the Kastar set from Tooltopia.com. Snap-on does have the indvidual pieces available, around 3$ each.

padronanniversary · Sep 1, 2011

i have had no issues warranty my bits, etc from my snap on guy.

ricleh · Sep 1, 2011

rlitman said:
I don't think so.
SnapOn doesn't warranty drill bits, driver bits, taps or ez-outs.
I don't believe they warranty anything in that set (except maybe the case), and if they do, it's for sure less than 1 year, not lifetime.

It depends on the dealer. My dealer has replaced broken drill bits, driver bits and taps and they were definitely more than a year old. When it comes to warranty it really depends on the dealer and your personal relationship with that dealer. It's silly to make a blanket statement regarding Snapon warranty policies. Read some of the threads on this forum and you will quickly see that some dealers will warranty things that other dealers will refuse to warranty.

axl911 · Sep 1, 2011

Hmmm.... thinking of getting this but can you also use a tap&die kit to repair thread too?

Buckgnarly · Sep 1, 2011

axl911 said:
Hmmm.... thinking of getting this but can you also use a tap&die kit to repair thread too?

Yes and no....taps/dies cut threads, restorers will not cut but reshape the thread. MANY people use taps for rethreading, but then again many also use vice grips as wrenches...... :thumbup:

pdxgearhead · Sep 1, 2011

According to the Sears website, the thread restorer kit falls under the "Craftsman Warranty" which does not cover wear/tear items, but also has a provision for "complete satisfaction."

I'm going to bring the kit to my local Sears and see what happens. I'll report my findings.

CHRIS LUCKYMAN · Sep 1, 2011

I have the Snap On kit, just for the warranty. I've warrantied 2 taps with no problems (not the taps fault, couldn't find the right size drill bit, and drilled the hole a little undersize each time.)

Edit - I was talking about the tap and die kit. I also have the rethreading kit from Snap On for the warranty. Have not warrantied any yet, but my dealer says they are covered.

axl911 · Sep 1, 2011

Is the Snap-On Tap & Die kit also manufactured by Kastar? No sense in paying truck prices on rebranded stuff.

I'm not a prowrench so I don't break stuff that often.

Joelfke · Sep 1, 2011

same thing both made by kastar. snapon warrantied my retreader even though it clearly stated it was straight from kastar and not purchased from snapon. Although im a young guy so idk if it was just a nice gesture to get more buisness

or if he can warranty either one.

Skin · Sep 1, 2011

axl911 said:
Is the Snap-On Tap & Die kit also manufactured by Kastar? No sense in paying truck prices on rebranded stuff.

I'm not a prowrench so I don't break stuff that often.

The truck brand tap and die sets are made by Irwin and can be purchased cheaper under that brand. Fine for light use but junk for anyone who wants a serious set.

The Cman rethreader set is a bit funny. The package has the usual blurb about satisfaction warranty but inside the kit there is a little piece of paper from the manufacturer that says they're wear components and not covered by warranty. Honestly the pieces/sets are so cheap and last so long [when used correctly] its not worth fighting over.

Danglerb · Sep 1, 2011

You should NEVER need to warranty a thread chaser. Too much torque means its the wrong tool or not being used correctly.

48 pc set from Craftsman was about $60 (on sale).
48 pc set from Snapon is $119.

WR250F · Sep 1, 2011

Absolutely right

I picked mine up for $63 with tax

One of the best tool related items I've ever owned too

riceburner · Sep 1, 2011

Does Craftsman have a truck that drives up to your work place every week to service your tools?

Mr Ratchet · Sep 1, 2011

I just got a new M12x1.75 from my SO guy yesterday. He does warranty them and they are the exact same as the CM. These are re-threaders and not ment for making new threads.

WR250F · Sep 1, 2011

riceburner said:
Does Craftsman have a truck that drives up to your work place every week to service your tools?

Yes

GeorgiaHybrid · Sep 1, 2011

Checked with my guy today while eating lunch with him. He does warranty drill bits, taps, dies, extractors, re-threaders and even the points on auto center punches.

Roots · Sep 1, 2011

riceburner said:
Does Craftsman have a truck that drives up to your work place every week to service your tools?

Does Snap On?

For most tool users, even professional users, the answer is no. For those whom do have that service though, it's certainly a worthwhile factor and consideration when purchasing tools.

pete029 · Sep 1, 2011

I got the Craftsman 48 pc. restorer set about 2 weeks ago. Looks exactly the same as the Snap On set and about 1/2 the price.

Notes for the Craftsman set:

- Made in the USA (somewhat surprising considering all of their tap & die stuff is now made in China).
- Not avaliable in store. Had to order the 48 pc. set and have it shipped to my house. Sears stores only stock the 40 pc. set. Maybe you can get lucky at your local store and find a marked down 48 pc. set that someone didn't want. If you order in the store ("Store to Home", more time consuming) you don't have to pay shipping, but I notice that there are often online only deals at Sears.com. I guess if you don't need it right away, maybe keep your eyes peeled for the Craftsman Club flyer to see if it's in there. Otherwise find out when the next "Friends & Family" night is and get it then.
- As far as the warranty goes, this one's not too clear. The product info sheet that's on top of the case under the shrink wrap has all of the Forever Warranty stuff on it, but there is a slip of paper on the inside of the case with a line that says Craftsman taps and dies are cutting tools and do not carry the lifetime warranty. Any intelligent person should assume that a broken Craftsman cutting tool would not be covered, but after talking to one of my friends who works in tools at Sears, she says that they're covered. Apparently, they had a customer come in not too long ago who needed ONE replacement rethread tap and they simply ordered the customer a whole new set since they don't stock individual replacement taps. I was surprised to hear that, and I told her that I'm guessing that every Sears store wouldn't do that. I suppose it depends who you deal with. If you ask me, if you break one of these it's probably because you were using the wrong tool for the job, but I'd take it back to Sears and give it a shot. Point out (or even better, SAVE THE PRODUCT INFO SHEET) the Forever Warranty on the front of a set in the store and maybe you'll get a new set out of it. I would think Craftsman would figure this loophole out soon and change the packaging. Maybe they'll do that when they find a Chinese supplier for the set...

makgreens · Sep 1, 2011

GeorgiaHybrid said:
Checked with my guy today while eating lunch with him. He does warranty drill bits, taps, dies, extractors, re-threaders and even the points on auto center punches.

wonder if hell warranty kastar stuff.....i thinkk he ordered me the 48 pc kit so might just get it.....

ev2mopar · Sep 1, 2011

I have the Craftsman set at work and use it often on anything where proper torque is necessary, which is more that ya think. My set does not have the full range of sizes as other sets do, but I have bought the sizes I needed from my independent tool guy..
Luckly, I have never broken one (Hope I didn't just jinx myself).
They are all the same manufacturer. Its obvious.
I am not easy on my tools but I don't abuse them either. I use a small ratchet, usually 1/4 drive and carefully use it as you would a tap. A bit at a time, back and forth with plenty of oil. Ya can't force them in, they're not for cutting, rather reshaping and cleaning threads.
Just my $0.02

balane · Sep 1, 2011

Buckgnarly said:
Yes and no....taps/dies cut threads, restorers will not cut but reshape the thread. MANY people use taps for rethreading, but then again many also use vice grips as wrenches......

I use my vise-grips to hold my tap or die when I'm using it to refresh threads! :thumbup:

pdxgearhead · Sep 2, 2011

Went to Sears last night; they don't even stock individual re-threading dies. Not on the website either. I was using it to re-thread a stripped hole with a 1/4" ratchet, not to cut new threads. Maybe I was at a bad angle. I guess I'll order a replacement from SO.

nelstomlinson · Apr 13, 2014

Does Craftsman have a truck that drives up to your work place every week to service your tools?

Neither does Snap On, for me. Most of the value in truck brands is in your dealer. If you live in a place where there are no tool trucks, period, as I do, the truck brands aren't such a good value. If you don't work in a shop that a tool truck would visit, as I don't, truck brands aren't a good value.

I'm not running down the truck brands. They're often top quality, and if you are part of their target market, they can deliver good value. I buy truck brands when I can get them cheap enough to be a good value. I won't pay a price that assumes a warranty, because I don't expect one, although I've been happily surprised a few times.

Back on topic, for folks like me, knowing that Kastar is the OEM for the Snap On and Craftsman rethreaders means that I'll buy either Kastar or Craftsman or Snap On, whichever is cheaper.

Snap On vs. Craftsman Thread Restoring Kit

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