Easiest quality tools to warranty

[Greg85mcss]

Hey everyone I've been looking into upgrading a few of my tool areas probably wrenches first. I have a decent set of gearwrench combinations & picked up the hf long handles for times when it's too tight for the ratcheting end. On the open end the gw aren't bad & the hf are a bad joke. I'd like a set of decent non ratcheting metric. I can't justify snap on right now & don't have a mac guy around. Been looking at something like sk, proto & wright but I worry about being without tools while mailing them back for replacement. I think screwdrivers will be next. If craftsman still had a us made professional line this wouldn't be an issue.

Any suggestions on sets that are sold locally & don't skip sizes?

 

[Finky198]

The ones that don't Break

Professional tools tend to break less and using them properly is the real key to not breaking them.
( cheaters pipes are a no no )

 

[hangfirew8]

If you get quality tools, warranty is rarely an issue, and the top tier brands are pretty much all very good about replacing stuff.

Besides, you should have more than one type of wrench in any given size- ratcheting, double box end, Flare Nut, short pattern and long pattern, plus sockets chrome and impact, chances are there is a way to get the job done until the replacement arrives.

 

[Skin]

Napa Carlyle is the only brand that pops into my head for B&M that actually stands out. If you want USA then you're probably out of luck unless you're one of the few with a store that carries Wright or SK. Around me the big box stores have crushed everyone else so its Kobalt/Husky and then the part store chains. Hardware stores all carry generic Asian house brands and are usually overpriced.

In an ideal world (pun!) it would be nice if SK could get into the ACE or True-Value catalog systems to give the stores and buyers the option.


With all that said, its a combo wrench. You're not going to break it unless you're seriously abusing it.

 

[Davefr]

Why are you worried about warranty? The best warranty is buying quality tools and not abusing them.

I would be a little more concerned about screwdrivers or maybe ratchets but wrenches?? I don't think I've ever had to warranty a wrench.

For wrenches I'd go with Wright. (better then SO at a tiny fraction of the price)

In general you can buy **** Chinese tools at B&M stores and get easy warranty or you can buy quality US tools online with mail in warrantys. Probably the best warrantys will be from a good tool truck dealer if you're on a route and willing to pay the price. Pick your poison!!

 

[kctyphoon]

Napa Carlyle is the only brand that pops into my head for B&M. If you want USA then you're probably out of luck unless you're one of the few with a store that carries Wright or SK. Around me the big box stores have crushed everyone else so its Kobalt/Husky and then the part store chains. Hardware stores all carry generic Asian house brands and are usually overpriced.

In an ideal world (pun!) it would be nice if SK could get into the ACE or True-Value catalog systems to give the stores and buyers the option.

carlyle tools (esp the wrenches) look very impressive - but ebay or craiglist might be a good idea for s/o if your ok with a used set - and they might be comparable in price to new carlyles..

another idea might be the craftman professional wrenchs.. i think they are on sale for half price by me online, for set of SAE or Metric. they should be a nice step up without breaking the bank.. $120 for both sets (not bad), 26 wrenches - so thats about $4.60 a wrench - before any money you might get back with points for the purchase.

for my area - $50 for the 13 piece sae set - http://www.sears.com/craftsman-professional-13-pc-standard-12-pt-full/p-00945963000P

$70 for the metric - http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-professional-13-pc-metric-12-pt-full/p-00945964000P

 

[ravenzfusion]

I'm not a professional, my main tool set is USA craftsman sockets and wrenches. I've been a little disappointed in them recently. Some of my older sockets (maybe 15 years old) started rusting a little bit. I've actually been happier with my 1/4" gearwrench sockets and my stanleys. The chrome on those two sets is great and they seem more solid than the craftsmans. Heck, even my husky set has a more quality feel. The plating on the USA craftsman stuff is lacking, especially inside the sockets. My larger 1/2" drives don't even look plated on the inside.

 

[kctyphoon]

finish of the reg craftsman vs the professional.. the professional wrenches are a bit thinner and longer than the regular version.. they are also fully polished.

 

[Greg85mcss]

I'm actually not that concerned with breaking them but it did look like that when I reread my first post. I want something that won't spread or round bolts. Saw a good deal on mac knuckle savers. I'll check out the carlyle. We use napa for most of our parts & supplies so I talk to those guys daily.

 

[Brownsfan]

I'm actually not that concerned with breaking them but it did look like that when I reread my first post. I want something that won't spread or round bolts. Saw a good deal on mac knuckle savers. I'll check out the carlyle. We use napa for most of our parts & supplies so I talk to those guys daily.

If you have a Napa account you may be able to get discounts on the tools too. You can probably even order some with your parts and have them delivered.

 

[Leoruiz]

The only tools I've ever had to warranty are cheapo plastic Chinese ****.
Specifically Milwaukee junk. Their warranty is fantastic.

 

[Rock Hound]

I haven't had to use it yet, but Dewalt tools have a no proof of purchase necessary they just mail you a new one warranty on their mechanic's tools. I assume if you try to warranty a lot of them they would have a problem and make you start proving it by sending the broken tool to them. Their tools seem to be very nice quality.

I live out in the sticks, so I would burn up that much gas anyways to go out and warranty a socket if they did make me send a broken one back to them.

 

[valentine]

Never had to warranty a broken tool except Craftsman and Husky. Craftsman always replaced without any hassle at all. Little bit of trouble on the Husky side but in the end they took care of me and I was satisfied. The few tools I own from tool trucks have not broken so can't vouche for that part of their service. I've heard great things about Snap On's warranty program but it ought to be great for what you have to pay for their tools.

-Valentine

 

[Greg85mcss]

Had a few ratchets rebuilt & a flash light replaced by snap on without any issues. Had a craftsman ratchet I used to replace once a month. Have a husky box with drawers that don't always lock & when I called they tried to send me parts to fix it myself (about 4 months after purchase). Between that & things I've read here I'm wary about any of their tools. Also a warning to anyone using craftsman I used to work at sears & they void warranty for professional use. Anyone following policy won't exchange tools with engravings.

 

[AceofSpad3s]

. Have a husky box with drawers that don't always lock & when I called they tried to send me parts to fix it myself (about 4 months after purchase). Between that & things I've read here I'm wary about any of their tools.

I bet you are going to run into that problem trying to get parts for any brand of box besides tool trucks.

 

[M6erfan]

I wouldn't worry too much, buy any quality wrench and I can't imagine it failing. I own C'man pro, SK, Heyco, Hazet for almost 20 years. No failures yet and can't imagine any of them needing warranty replacement.

 

[BikerDad]

Define "local"? Define "easy". You can find Wright tools at Applied Industrial Technologies, right there in Frederick. S-K at Grainger. Williams has a couple of distributors in Baltimore. etc, etc.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Sears Craftsman hands down. I've never had a problem in 25+ years, and I only return when I need to.

 

[Titanium Steel]

Napa Carlyle is the only brand that pops into my head for B&M that actually stands out. If you want USA then you're probably out of luck unless you're one of the few with a store that carries Wright or SK. Around me the big box stores have crushed everyone else so its Kobalt/Husky and then the part store chains. Hardware stores all carry generic Asian house brands and are usually overpriced.

In an ideal world (pun!) it would be nice if SK could get into the ACE or True-Value catalog systems to give the stores and buyers the option.


With all that said, its a combo wrench. You're not going to break it unless you're seriously abusing it.

I'd love to see SK in a brick and mortar shops, but the average person likely would not pay more for a USA made product when they could buy a China made product, as sadly most people are only concerned about price.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I'd love to see SK in a brick and mortar shops, but the average person likely would not pay more for a USA made product when they could buy a China made product, as sadly most people are only concerned about price.

I used to see (at least here in NYC) S-K in better mom and pop auto parts stores. Let's face it, they are impulse buys in places like that or it's "ah I need that one size to do a job..let me get that one buddy".

I bought such S-K leftover stock from an auto parts store in Brooklyn, NY going out of business. My commuting partner and I were stuck in traffic and we saw a "going out of business" sign on an auto parts store under the Gowanus Expressway. We stopped in---gold mine! I got a bunch of S-K for like 25 cents a socket, brand new....this was probably 2003 or so.

 

[Titanium Steel]

I used to see (at least here in NYC) S-K in better mom and pop auto parts stores. Let's face it, they are impulse buys in places like that or it's "ah I need that one size to do a job..let me get that one buddy".

I bought such S-K leftover stock from an auto parts store in Brooklyn, NY going out of business. My commuting partner and I were stuck in traffic and we saw a "going out of business" sign on an auto parts store under the Gowanus Expressway. We stopped in---gold mine! I got a bunch of S-K for like 25 cents a socket, brand new....this was probably 2003 or so.

What really is a shame is that big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowes etc. have put most of these mom and pop stores out of business. Thankfully, Harry J Epstein exists.

 

[Leoruiz]

If you're breaking tools you don't know what you're doing.
Hire someone who does.

 

[ChevyEFI]

Wait until HF discontinues your wrenches you dislike and swap for the newer versions, assuming yours fail / bend.

 

[The Toolest Guy]

What really is a shame is that big box stores such as Home Depot, Lowes etc. have put most of these mom and pop stores out of business. Thankfully, Harry J Epstein exists.

Not true at all. The 'big box stores' have offered great products at great prices. That is all.

What is really a shame is that the average person would rather (support and) spend their money with large corporations and then complain that the large corporations are the problem with the country.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Snap on, Just call and they are sent to you no hassle, no driving around. Even better I suppose if you have a truck.

Had good luck with proto as well, just sent the broken stuff in, takes a week or so though, same with SK

Craftsman is easy but the OP asked about quality tools

GW, Had to do some calling and driving around , but in the end did get it replaced.

 

[taumac]

Sears Craftsman hands down. I've never had a problem in 25+ years, and I only return when I need to.

I have to agree with craftsman. I only had to replace a 1/4 ratchet 2 in about 20 years and 3/8 once. They are the raise panel ones too. Now that I use breaker bars in 1/4 3/8 and 1/2 I havnt had a issue. Lowes and Sears are 15min drive so if I have a issue its a quick drive.

 

[crewchief888]

for me, CM and kobalt are the only ones i've needed to warranty.

i have multiple big box stores within a 15 minute drive from my house.

 

[Greg85mcss]

Define "local"? Define "easy". You can find Wright tools at Applied Industrial Technologies, right there in Frederick. S-K at Grainger. Williams has a couple of distributors in Baltimore. etc, etc.

Just looked at Applied Ind website. I drive by there daily & will have to check it out

 

[MaineGuide]

If you have a good relationship with your local Fastenal/Grainger, they can warranty the industrial tool lines they carry. I primarily use Fastenal (it's closer), and they have warranted Armstrong, Proto, and Gearwrench for me, and they can get Wright as well. Grainger has done Proto and SK for me as well.

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

I've had good luck with calling Snap On for warranty replacements for both a ratchet repair kit and a forming button for a flaring tool.

The only tools I really care about warranty on are ratchets, ratcheting wrenches, and specialty tools. I've never boned up a quality wrench or socket under normal use.

 

[LumpyMusic]

...Had a craftsman ratchet I used to replace once a month...

OK, you're either exaggerating for effect, or using the ratchet incorrectly.

You're supposed to use the small end for the hammer part, not the big end.


Sgt Lumpy

 

[Paul Bee]

Wright is one of the only privately held tool manufacturers in America. Because of this they don't have to boost profits every 90 days and raise prices and lower quality to make their shareholders happy. wright is owned by 3 members of the Wright family and everything is "in house" to maintain high Quality. Good prices too! I support small business. Oil, Mining, Power generation and Industrial companies don't pay Snap on prices for good tools. And Wright doesn't sell asian rebrands.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Greg85mcss]

OK, you're either exaggerating for effect, or using the ratchet incorrectly.

You're supposed to use the small end for the hammer part, not the big end.


Sgt Lumpy

Some lasted longer. Usually the rebuilt usa ones they had for exchange but I usually had to take a new chinese one off the shelf. I was working downstairs in the auto center then & most of the customers got everything done at the cheapest place they could find so properly tightened bolts were laughable. So nice to be done with that

 

[BDT/NWMN]

SK, ProTo, Wright.... You had it nailed in your first post...


I would be more concerned with theft than a warranty claim...

 

[zoomzoomjeff]

I don't think they have Menard's out in your area, but if they do, their MasterForce line is made in USA and I've had to warranty something once and it was easy-peasy. Their customer service is great.