Well I ordered a 20" professional screwdriver from Sears. It came shipped in an envelope and came to me bent. Well I decided to try and bend it back straight and it snapped in half like a twig. I work out, but i'm not that strong. I can't believe this. The steel looks sub par. I am buying Snap on screwdrivers from now on. Made in the USA does not always equate to quality.
Craftsman Professional screwdriver fail!!!
- Thread starter killerb87
- Start date
IFMJohn
Well-known member
I've seen brand new snap-on pry bars bend. Mistakes happen. As long as they make it right it shouldn't mean that you bring your buisiness elsewhere.
bob15
Well-known member
Can you post a clearer picture on the shank. To me, the picture shows a mushroomed end on it. Or is it just the blurry picture?
The tool was being abused, so don't blame Sears or "made in USA" for damage you caused. Buy a Snap On and then read the handle, as it it says not to be used as a pry bar.....which is what you did.
Mistake 1: not returning it
Mistake 2: putting it in the vise (I'm assuming) and pulling or pushing while using the handle
Mistake 3: believing a Snap On screwdriver won't do the same
The tool was being abused, so don't blame Sears or "made in USA" for damage you caused. Buy a Snap On and then read the handle, as it it says not to be used as a pry bar.....which is what you did.
Mistake 1: not returning it
Mistake 2: putting it in the vise (I'm assuming) and pulling or pushing while using the handle
Mistake 3: believing a Snap On screwdriver won't do the same
I didn't abuse or pry the tool. I tried to bend it back with my HANDS. It snapped like a dry twig. I have snap on screwdrivers over 20 years old and never had a single problem. I decided to give the professionals a try and it FAILED.
JR 42
Well-known member
From what I've read, you shouldn't ever attempt to bend decent steel (like a good tool or knife is made from) if it's room temperature; it needs to be heated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or a little warmer. I'm sure the temperature should change based on the existing hardness (tempering temperature) and specific alloy involved, but the point is, it's supposed to be pretty hot.
I'm no metallurgist, though.
JR
Edit- just saw your post- sounds like the screwdriver was already pretty well ruined from the shipping damage.
I'm no metallurgist, though.
JR
Edit- just saw your post- sounds like the screwdriver was already pretty well ruined from the shipping damage.
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How was the tool abused? He was trying to straighten a tool that came damage
Still, it wasn't meant to take the stress, but it is not abuse.
Here is a better picture. I in no way abused this tool. I didn't put excessive force on the tool, I only used my bare hands. Also, I have beat the hell out of my Snap on screwdrivers meaning prying and never a failure. I'm not saying they are junk, just not Snap on quality in my experience. The only thing worse was trying to return it. They say you can return it at the store, but they said they can't find my purchase in the system. I called customer service and they found it in the system so I went back to the store today with the same results, they can't find my purchase in the system. That was before I tried to straighten it. I was so sick of the run around I tried to fix it myself and it snapped. I am fed up with Sears
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Premium08
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Since when do you need proof of purchase to return Craftsman??
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2drx4
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bobbycos
Well-known member
Sears local to me wants receipts for everything 
Flatintoone
Well-known member
Craftsman warranty says nothing about proof of purchase or abuse. Take (or send) it back. Whether it was bent in manufacturing or shipping, you were destined to break it by bending it back. The steel got work-hardened at that point and would never have been the same.
It's frustrating. I just returned a C-man Professional jumbo pick (handle is similar to yours) where the shaft was free to spin in the handle.
It's frustrating. I just returned a C-man Professional jumbo pick (handle is similar to yours) where the shaft was free to spin in the handle.
Well it's now a new ball game. They wanted to offer me store credit. I said no way. What happened to sears? It broke with my HANDS. HAVE YOU EVER IN YOUR LIFE BROKE A SCREWDRIVER IN HALF WITH YOUR BARE HANDS? ANYONE??? I AM 47 YEARS OLD!
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1950mercury
Well-known member
They aren't what they used to be. They are getting as bad as the regular crapsman
I quit buying new crapsman a few years ago. Even the last few years of usa stuff was junk
I quit buying new crapsman a few years ago. Even the last few years of usa stuff was junk
G_P
Well-known member
The only tools I have ever had issues with getting warrantied at sears have been screwdrivers. Seems some managers assume every broken screwdriver was used as a prybar even if your only swapping out a phillips because the handle is loose on the shaft.
Are you kidding me? Good steal doesn't snap like a twig. I worked in a steel milll.
warweapon762
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That would be news to me...
I have been to a few stores that are like this, its starting to become a common trend in some localities.
Flatintoone
Well-known member
Are screwdriver shafts hardened? If so, how much bending can hardened steel take? The screwdrivers I've used, um, inappropriately, tended to break tips off, not bend them.
I guess what I'm wondering is, if I go out to my toolbox and try to bend a screwdriver mid-shaft, will it break or bend?
You got a bad screwdriver. That *****. I'd be pissed, too.
Look for my post on trying to return a Gearwrench ratchet wrench that I bought from Sears, The manufacturer forgot to put any snap rings in it,they would not even exchange it with one on the shelf. I am done with Sears, and I have been a cheerleader for them since the early 80s.
SMKS
Well-known member
This seems more like a shipping fail than a screwdriver fail.
Once bent, I wouldn't expect to be able to bend a hardened steel shaft back into shape.
As previously mentioned, one screwdriver damaged in shipping doesn't mean Craftsman Pro drivers are bad. I know it's not great, but get it exchanged and move on.
Once bent, I wouldn't expect to be able to bend a hardened steel shaft back into shape.
As previously mentioned, one screwdriver damaged in shipping doesn't mean Craftsman Pro drivers are bad. I know it's not great, but get it exchanged and move on.
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I don't think the OP knows his own strength, First he broke the screwdriver in 2 pieces by simply "Trying to bend it back straight" and Then..
He simply squeezes the Rod in his hand and causes the Shaft to mushroom instantly..
@OP Do you occasionally turn Green?
LOL..
In all seriousness ive never encountered good results when trying to simply bend things back without applying a little Heat, Even if the object squares up it normally doesn't last anytime at all.
He simply squeezes the Rod in his hand and causes the Shaft to mushroom instantly..
@OP Do you occasionally turn Green?
LOL..
In all seriousness ive never encountered good results when trying to simply bend things back without applying a little Heat, Even if the object squares up it normally doesn't last anytime at all.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Agreed.
I laugh my *** off when people say this. It's usually about the entire product line rather than just screwdrivers, though.
"Craftsman ***** now, so it's only Snap-on for me!"
"I hate this Ford Pinto! I'm only buying Lamborghinis from now on!"
Why were you driving a Pinto in the first place if you could afford something that costs a silly amount more?
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I have a variety of brands in my box from craftsman, nepros, snap on, sk etc.
I like to try out different tools.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
That would be a wise move. I've never had any of my Snap-on screwdrivers snap like a pencil.
For roughly the same price you can buy a set of Williams screwdrivers on ebay which are exactly the same as a regular snap on hard handle screwdrivers. Ive had a couple craftsman pro screwdrivers and they held up good to I just hate sticky clingy soft grip handles.
I don't think the OP knows his own strength, First he broke the screwdriver in 2 pieces by simply "Trying to bend it back straight" and Then..
He simply squeezes the Rod in his hand and causes the Shaft to mushroom instantly..
@OP Do you occasionally turn Green?
LOL..
In all seriousness ive never encountered good results when trying to simply bend things back without applying a little Heat, Even if the object squares up it normally doesn't last anytime at all.
I have been working my forearms a little hard lately.........
Me either. My snap on screwdrivers are bulletproof.
impactsocket
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Did you bring it back to sears to get a new one?
They don't stock them at Sears anymore. The tool guy said they are being discontinued.
cashishift
Well-known member
I have the same screwdrivers.. not very impressed.
They work, just could have been designed better IMO.
Got em on clearance, so whatev!
They work, just could have been designed better IMO.
Got em on clearance, so whatev!
michael murder
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- May 30, 2009
- Messages
- 284
I accidentally ran over an old SK screwdriver with my car. I bent it back using a vise with no real problems. I still use it. It wasn't bent at the handle though more like the middle.
I imagine where yours was bent had a lot to do with why it broke so easily.
I imagine where yours was bent had a lot to do with why it broke so easily.
Brownsfan
Well-known member
I wonder if there will be a replacement for these at Sears. Something has to take up that shelf space. Or they will expand the regular series.
Danguitarman
Well-known member
I cannot believe people are stubbornly defending the garbage that Craftsman has become. A screwdriver should not snap with a little bare-handed leverage on both ends.
Farmall450
Well-known member
Right by were the gusset is to turn it with a wrench it will, and he had at least 15 inches of leverage...
kythri
Well-known member
impactsocket
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Craftsman Professional 20-in. Screwdrivers are still available online.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-professional-1-4-x-20-in-screwdriver/p-00947162000P?prdNo=3
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-professional-p2-x-20-in-screwdriver/p-00947174000P?prdNo=1
Link to sears.com return or exchange page:
http://www.sears.com/cshome/nb-100000000020506
You can click on the "contact us" button the sears.com return or exchange page to get their phone number (1-800-697-3277), email address, or to chat with them.
-----------------------------------------------
You can email them on this page:
http://www.sears.com/csemail/nb-100000000020508?adCell=W3
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-professional-1-4-x-20-in-screwdriver/p-00947162000P?prdNo=3
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-professional-p2-x-20-in-screwdriver/p-00947174000P?prdNo=1
Link to sears.com return or exchange page:
http://www.sears.com/cshome/nb-100000000020506
You can click on the "contact us" button the sears.com return or exchange page to get their phone number (1-800-697-3277), email address, or to chat with them.
-----------------------------------------------
You can email them on this page:
http://www.sears.com/csemail/nb-100000000020508?adCell=W3
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kythri
Well-known member
As part of the warranty, if the store doesn't have the screwdriver in stock, they can order it for you, and I believe ship it to your house free of charge.
woody 73
Well-known member
To the op just curious but why did you not just return the craftsman screwdriver as soon as you found that they shipped you a bad one in the first place?
Take it back and get a replacement you do not need your sales receipt, although if you have it take it with you. As far as Sears goes no need to kill them just start buying other brands; be sure and see the post on the GJ about the new proto Duratek screwdrivers.
Woody
Take it back and get a replacement you do not need your sales receipt, although if you have it take it with you. As far as Sears goes no need to kill them just start buying other brands; be sure and see the post on the GJ about the new proto Duratek screwdrivers.
Woody