Yesterday I walked into my local industrial hardware store to warranty a large proto screwdriver that the tip broke off of. Now keep in mind this was a 3/8" flat tip yellow handled screwdriver that I have been having for quite some time, I have never used it as a chisel or pry bar. I was using it to set the valves on an engine when the tip broke off while holding the adjuster. Well long story short the guy behind the counter told me he would have to wait for the proto tool rep to decide whether or not to warranty it and would call me back. I'm a huge proto fan and was just about to drop the money on a set of their red handled screwdrivers, but if I have to be worried about a tool not getting warrantied then I might as well spend my money else where. Unfortunately sears does not carry any sizes this big in stock, so that is not an option. I did have one guy tell me he tried warrantying some klein screwdrivers and they denied him cause there were plier marks on the handles. What have you guys found to be the most hassle free screwdrivers to invest in? Good or bad, they all break eventually with hard use.
easy screwdrivers to warrenty
- Thread starter mech-tech
- Start date
I would have called/emailed or shipped the tool straight to Proto (or the manufacture that Proto is made under?) and dealt directly with them for warranty purposes and not deal with the guy at the hardware store, or you should have asked him for contact information on the Proto Rep so that you could speak with him?
I own Vessel screw driver sets (as well as a Proto torx set) but have not had to exchange anything dealing with warranty issues but Vessel is a pretty good brand and I'd highly recommend it. Only thing though is you are going to have to ship/send off for them. Vessel products can't be found in your local hardware store.
http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/view-all-products.html
Click and read here about their return policy:
http://www.vesseltools.com/terms-conditions/terms-conditions.html
This is just one of several good quality tools from a company. I'm sure there are others that will chime in with their choices as well.
Click here and scroll down to post #22 & #23 to see the set of 'Red Handle' Vessel screwdrivers that I had posted in an earlier thread (also post #32 shows pictures of the Proto torx set) : http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213745&page=2
I own Vessel screw driver sets (as well as a Proto torx set) but have not had to exchange anything dealing with warranty issues but Vessel is a pretty good brand and I'd highly recommend it. Only thing though is you are going to have to ship/send off for them. Vessel products can't be found in your local hardware store.
http://www.vesseltools.com/hand-tools/screwdrivers/view-all-products.html
Click and read here about their return policy:
http://www.vesseltools.com/terms-conditions/terms-conditions.html
This is just one of several good quality tools from a company. I'm sure there are others that will chime in with their choices as well.
Click here and scroll down to post #22 & #23 to see the set of 'Red Handle' Vessel screwdrivers that I had posted in an earlier thread (also post #32 shows pictures of the Proto torx set) : http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=213745&page=2
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Jim Diesel
Well-known member
I have an assortment of all different types. Some of the brands i use will be hard for u to warranty if needed
KC, Stanley, SP and SO. If anyone back here is looking into this thread for advice, look into KC as my local tool guy sells them, and i have made a couple of warranty claims due to miss use, however swapped then and there. IMO good quality screw drivers and wont break the bank. All backed with a lifetime warranty.
KC, Stanley, SP and SO. If anyone back here is looking into this thread for advice, look into KC as my local tool guy sells them, and i have made a couple of warranty claims due to miss use, however swapped then and there. IMO good quality screw drivers and wont break the bank. All backed with a lifetime warranty.
LB-1911
ALLIANCE MEMBER
To me it seems that your screwdriver wore out and as you'll notice below worn out tools are not cause for warranty.
Except as specified below, Proto Industrial Tools, a business unit of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (“Proto”) warrants any of its Proto® branded products, including products sold by the Proto Industrial Tools that are marketed as products “by Proto,” for the useful life of the product against defects in material or workmanship.
More @
http://www.protoindustrial.com/en/support/Pages/Warranty.aspx
Felo has a fantastic warranty. I've only had to warranty 1 driver with them, but all I did was ship it off, and within about 5 days I had a brand new one at my door. Great quality german made screwdrivers too!
http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/features/lifetime-warranty.html
http://www.bondhus.com/bondhus_products/features/lifetime-warranty.html
sberry
Banned
I would ay pass if a guy has to worry about warranty before he even buys them. Go to a flea mkt, buy a monster set for 20$, beat them for a couple decades, keep the ones that survive and toss the rest.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
Send it back to Proto or deal directly with the rep.
We ran into this with Klein at one time,getting the run around on a pair of dykes that chipped on the blade.No company wanted to warranty the tools,we were told we would have to leave them for the rep to look at. A lot of electrical supply houses stopped carrying Klein due to not getting credit for the exchanges.
My buddy carried those around for over a year trying to warranty them,finally he called Klein and he was able to warranty them at Home Depot.
We ran into this with Klein at one time,getting the run around on a pair of dykes that chipped on the blade.No company wanted to warranty the tools,we were told we would have to leave them for the rep to look at. A lot of electrical supply houses stopped carrying Klein due to not getting credit for the exchanges.
My buddy carried those around for over a year trying to warranty them,finally he called Klein and he was able to warranty them at Home Depot.
sberry
Banned
Is it really worth it?
The easiest warranties come from the worst quality tools that you buy in stores. (CM, Husky, HF, Kobalt).
Next easiest would be SK or SO. (especially if you're serviced by a good SO dealer)
Proto is one of the more difficult since they require you go thru a distributor. (although they have been known to sometimes help over the phone.)
Other industrial and tool truck warranties can be a lot of hassle but you probably won't need to warranty them too often and when you do they might deny the warranty unless it was an obvious defect in material or workmanship. Metal fatigue from years of use is not a defect nor is wear. In many cases you'll need to ship them the tool on your nickel.
The short answer is that after an initial attempt, I would simply replace the tool with the highest quality replacement and not worry about fighting over a warranty. (that's the "most hassle free" IMHO)
Next easiest would be SK or SO. (especially if you're serviced by a good SO dealer)
Proto is one of the more difficult since they require you go thru a distributor. (although they have been known to sometimes help over the phone.)
Other industrial and tool truck warranties can be a lot of hassle but you probably won't need to warranty them too often and when you do they might deny the warranty unless it was an obvious defect in material or workmanship. Metal fatigue from years of use is not a defect nor is wear. In many cases you'll need to ship them the tool on your nickel.
The short answer is that after an initial attempt, I would simply replace the tool with the highest quality replacement and not worry about fighting over a warranty. (that's the "most hassle free" IMHO)
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Sal Bandini
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 30, 2012
- Messages
- 994
Craftsman
sberry
Banned
I have a dozen well used Kleins I would let go cheap, they are a pain in the rear too and don't bother. Tossed a nut driver in the trash the other day, didn't even consider it may be under warranty.
One thing about having the "good" tools is when they are worn out you still feel like you have something since one seems to remember it as a new one and what it cost.
When I look out at the survivors almost none of them are premium and some of the best have come from the dollar rack.
One thing about having the "good" tools is when they are worn out you still feel like you have something since one seems to remember it as a new one and what it cost.
When I look out at the survivors almost none of them are premium and some of the best have come from the dollar rack.
... and here's the catch:
"Distributors of record must act as a return agent."
Good luck finding a distributor and even if you do you'll likely get a major run around. They'll likely only work with you if you have a major business relationship or proof that you bought the tool from them.
If not they'll tell you to contact Proto and Proto will tell you to contact a distributor.
Even if you get a co-operative distributor you'll likely have to wait weeks/months for a replacement tool or they'll simply ignore you.
sberry
Banned
10$ in gas, 3 hours, enough to the point that one needs a burger at 8$ while waiting to replace a worn out screwdriver could buy for 5 or 10.
ssdave
Banned
Warranty on Proto is easy. Simply mail it to:
Proto:
attn: warranty service
2195 East View Parkway Suite #103
Conyers, GA 30013
You get a returned item in about a week.
I have not ever had a refused warranty, but then again I send in items that break that aren't worn out or abused.
Proto:
attn: warranty service
2195 East View Parkway Suite #103
Conyers, GA 30013
You get a returned item in about a week.
I have not ever had a refused warranty, but then again I send in items that break that aren't worn out or abused.
rlitman
Well-known member
+1
If a replacement can be found on a store shelf, from a lifetime warranty brand (Craftsman, Husky, Pittsburgh, Kobalt), then that has always been the easiest for me.
FYI, Klein falls into this list too. I have had Klein tools replaced at Home Depot. Though their selection is slim compared to the whole Klein line, and if it isn't on the shelf, you're not getting a replacement from there.
AFAIK, the same goes for Gearwrench at Advance Auto.
It's always easier for a store to put a Return To Vender sticker on a broken tool, and let them worry about the exchange, than to process it yourself.
If it's a store brand tool (not Klein, for example or Gearwrench, but CM, Pittsburgh, Kobalt and Husky are), then often a replacement of an older tool will be from a close substitution. Sometimes this is an upgrade, sometimes not. In the worst case where a tool was discontinued, the warranty may have effectively been discontinued with it (don't hang all the blame on Sears for this one, I've actually had this with Snap On too).
Ace Hardware is another one. ANYTHING that has the Ace logo printed on it is technically covered by the Ace lifetime warranty. They put their logo on all sorts of stuff. Sometimes the logo is only on the packaging. In those cases, it is important to save the packaging to prove that you are covered under their warranty.
I don't own much SK. Never had to warranty anything from them, so I can't speak to that.
SnapOn warranty for me has been super painless. Not much more than a phone call, but also not the instant gratification of pulling a new tool off the shelf, since I don't have a truck.
indyokie
Well-known member
I would expect a Proto Rep would warranty the product either under strict warranty or "goodwill" when he comes in. How often that happens is your issue. I completely get it - that you buy with the full expectation of a hassle free experience. ( which you didn't get ) - the trick here is it's the counter guy talking - not Proto directly. It *****.
I broke only one screwdriver ( Wera ) and sent a photo to their inbox to customer service, explained it happened on 2nd use and I'm not sure why it happened. Next day I had one in the mail to me. In 3 days I was up and running with my set once again complete. Am a Wera fan for life....for sure. Was the tool defective or did I abuse - don't know. What I know if that without a distributor I'm still a fan of their product and look forward to buying more. Sounds like your passionate about tools and I expect if you deal directly with Proto ( and explain you expect service from your counter guy ) you'll get a good answer, before you bail on Proto.
I broke only one screwdriver ( Wera ) and sent a photo to their inbox to customer service, explained it happened on 2nd use and I'm not sure why it happened. Next day I had one in the mail to me. In 3 days I was up and running with my set once again complete. Am a Wera fan for life....for sure. Was the tool defective or did I abuse - don't know. What I know if that without a distributor I'm still a fan of their product and look forward to buying more. Sounds like your passionate about tools and I expect if you deal directly with Proto ( and explain you expect service from your counter guy ) you'll get a good answer, before you bail on Proto.
Not sure how wiha is with warranty, but am just overjoyed with the quality fit and finish of a new micro finish extra heavy duty set, a texture unlike any other, kinda smooth kinda not, grips well yet unlike Softy's cleans up easy, bet they outlast anything I have had before them, just due to the build of them? Time will tell.
APEowner
Well-known member
In over thirty years of use I've never had a problem getting a Snap-On screwdriver warrantied.
bry@n
Well-known member
Snap on.
Never an issue.
Never an issue.
malykaii
Well-known member
Hassle free? I find the trash can offers the best warranty. It accepts everything no questions asked.
I find I reach for my H.F Pittsburg Pro screw drivers way more than Snap On. They only cost $2 a peice so I'll just buy new ones as needed.
I find begging and waiting a hassle. Take Snap On, you have to hope the dealer accepts it and if you don't have one, you have to pay to mail it out. However, you can buy the same damn tool under the Williams brand for almost 1/3 the price and just buy another should it break only to still come out ahead by $50 or more,
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Why is this so hard? Try it, you'll like it. Proto drivers new and old are awesome. I have between ten different farms, vehicles, and tractors screwdrivers from snap on, Williams, Proto, wiha and wright. They are all great. I actually like the wright ones the best although I would expect them to be tied with Williams for most difficult to warranty should anything happen. All seem to be of similar quality, no problems with any yet.
I had a very good time warrantying a Wera chiseldriver by mail.
Check this thread for the details:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301984
Check this thread for the details:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301984
sberry
Banned
I am a fleet type too and the advent of cheaper tools has made it all easier. When we can outfit something for 50$ vs 500 and do basically the same work it becomes a real option to see if we can toss a few tools at something to reduce effort. If it was an additional 500 for each ubnit it would force some decisions that are no brainers now.
This is how we actually got started, didn't want to send a huge investment forth that needed to be guarded, insured, warranted or generally messed with and lots of it came out wayyyy above our expectation's. The stuffkind of blended and was forgotten for the most part till we got back with a more critical eye and the question came up,,,, how good is the tool really.
The factual answer is,,, quite good, way better than we expected and has well exceeded the cost and returned itself by multiples for the convenience factor alone.
The cost has dropped drastically since w bought most of it and the quality has risen since which may make it even better today.
Sure a Snap socket is likely better than a Sears but you aint getting 309 pieces fo 250 on super sale. I saw a Menards or Lowes add on the TV, 173 pc set in a case or 2 for 80$ or so.
In todays world I would really be seeing how much of it I could work for me as a first option and go from there, if a guy actually used it a while would likely approve.
I am not personally amazed and in awe of how good a 200$ ratchet is,,, te thing should and is sposed to be good but when someone can vend one almost as good for 15 or 20 or maybe even less as evidenced by the HF breaker bar and ratchets I am impressed..
This is how we actually got started, didn't want to send a huge investment forth that needed to be guarded, insured, warranted or generally messed with and lots of it came out wayyyy above our expectation's. The stuffkind of blended and was forgotten for the most part till we got back with a more critical eye and the question came up,,,, how good is the tool really.
The factual answer is,,, quite good, way better than we expected and has well exceeded the cost and returned itself by multiples for the convenience factor alone.
The cost has dropped drastically since w bought most of it and the quality has risen since which may make it even better today.
Sure a Snap socket is likely better than a Sears but you aint getting 309 pieces fo 250 on super sale. I saw a Menards or Lowes add on the TV, 173 pc set in a case or 2 for 80$ or so.
In todays world I would really be seeing how much of it I could work for me as a first option and go from there, if a guy actually used it a while would likely approve.
I am not personally amazed and in awe of how good a 200$ ratchet is,,, te thing should and is sposed to be good but when someone can vend one almost as good for 15 or 20 or maybe even less as evidenced by the HF breaker bar and ratchets I am impressed..
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sberry
Banned
Anything that can make or save a dollar first use and less than the payment is worth of some consideration
trackwelder
Well-known member
I have had real good service with Snap On for service. Never have I got on the truck and not walked away with a new or fixed driver. I'm not a fan of cheap tools and really hate cheap screwdrivers. I do have a few that are permanent paint can openers.
Lassen Forge
Well-known member
3rd for SO. Damned hard to beat. Sure for a set of regular drivers and cabinet drivers you're going to lay out a few hundred bucks... but you never have to worry about a warranty on them. AND...
(...This is important...)
You can get them on line, in Green.
(...This is important...)
You can get them on line, in Green.
dutchgray
Well-known member
I have never tried to warranty a screwdriver and I never would, they are consumable items so I buy new ones when they wear out, which is not that often if you buy decent ones apart from the most used sizes. Most of mine are good euro brands but I have a heap of Proto yellow handle slot heads as well.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I've never broken a Snap-on screwdriver, but then again, all I do with them is turn screws; they've never seen "hard use." I use pry bars for "hard use."
tweedlestan
Well-known member
I twisted a brand new Snap on 3/8 flathead screwdriver on a bronze screw a few years ago.
I'd love to just buy new everytime they break, but at almost $100 for a set, I kind of expect the manufacturer to back their product should it fail. With all the local distributors quick to sell a product like proto advertising the warranty, I don't think I should have to mail it anywhere. What are you guys using for large screwdrivers for the tougher jobs? I used to see a lot of the older stanley 100's but they are slowly fading away.
sberry
Banned
I don't break them. They do get worn and dropped on cement. I replaced a couple Sears recently, bought another right at the time I needed it and they are ok, new and sharp. I am in the consumable camp, every year buy a couple for 5 a piece when it comes up and the house brand now seem to outlast a Klein or are just as good.
I have a dozen worn Kleins, the new Sears one stands out, I like the odd handle stuff.
I have a dozen worn Kleins, the new Sears one stands out, I like the odd handle stuff.
SCscoutguy
Well-known member
I have done this probably 10+ times and never had a single problem. It is great for me since I am right up I95 from them I can send a regional rate box packed to the gills to them for $5 and I always get brand new tools about a week later.
B_Bimmer
Well-known member
Mayhew makes a set of the large, capped, straight tip prybars. They are awesome for heavy duty screwdriver projects that involve whacking and prying. The tips are slightly thicker than your standard big standard screwdriver, but they are built to last.
mikebaker1129
Well-known member
Hassle free? I find the trash can offers the best warranty. It accepts everything no questions asked.
I find I reach for my H.F Pittsburg Pro screw drivers way more than Snap On. They only cost $2 a peice so I'll just buy new ones as needed.
I find begging and waiting a hassle. Take Snap On, you have to hope the dealer accepts it and if you don't have one, you have to pay to mail it out. However, you can buy the same damn tool under the Williams brand for almost 1/3 the price and just buy another should it break only to still come out ahead by $50 or more,
How much did that Williams set run ?
sberry
Banned
I like the trash can warranty too, have never bought HF drivers but at 2$ might try a couple.
http://m.harborfreight.com/3-8-eighth-inch-x-8-inch-slotted-screwdriver-94619.html
Best bang for you buck period. Have 5 of these floating around between toolboxes and trucks. Mainly used as prybars and cant hurt em. And would be easy to warranty if you had to.
Best bang for you buck period. Have 5 of these floating around between toolboxes and trucks. Mainly used as prybars and cant hurt em. And would be easy to warranty if you had to.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I twisted a brand new Snap on 3/8 flathead screwdriver on a bronze screw a few years ago.
Were you turning the bolster with a wrench?