Help needed with Craftsman Torque Wrench

[littlejohn69]

Hello all,

I'm hoping that a kowledgeable someone can help me with my Craftsman Torque Wrench, 20 to 150 -lb range, Model 44595.

This forum appeared to be the right place to get the right help.

Wrench came apart on me.

At first I could hear a nut rattling-around inside the handle.

I popped-off the end-cap and indeed found a nut loose from the shaft.

As a "recovery" attempt I've adjusted the wrench to the scale top end, 150-ft-lbs scale.

My plan is:

With the adjustment at the top-end, reattach the nut (adding a dab of medium strength (blue) threadlocker). Plan to install the nut as close to the plastic partition as possible.

Maybe I can us an ice pick or something to spin the nut to that point.

Barring that, just get the nut onto the shaft (with threadlocker) threaded
-on enough to enable re-installation of the end cap.

Once the threadlocker has cured. I should then be "in about the right place" and then be able to use the wrench.

Am I on the right-track or way of base? Then this becomes a ratcheting breaker bar only.

Anybody have experience with this type tool and can offer any assistance?


Ideas solicited!

Thanks,

littlejiohn69

 

[iScream]

Did I just fall into a time warp or something? 30 seconds ago there was a reply that said take it back to Sears.

Anyway, did you try taking it back to Sears?

 

[sberry]

Second that and I really just tossed mine. I really don't ever think it did work right and would personally buy a new HF and be done with it. I am all for repairs and saving money but good tossed after bad gets old and some things are not worth it.
This is the case here, Sears ratchets are not worth fixing or trading really, they take up space till one takes it back again.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Second that and I really just tossed mine. I really don't ever think it did work right and would personally buy a new HF and be done with it. I am all for repairs and saving money but good tossed after bad gets old and some things are not worth it.
This is the case here, Sears ratchets are not worth fixing or trading really, they take up space till one takes it back again.

I guess all of us should throw out our ratchet kits then? I have rebuilt my Craftsman ratchets for quite a while now, no problems.

That's a broad shot at the side of a barn.

OP: Is this a new unit or an old one?

 

[sberry]

I had some old Sears stuff I am fuzzy on the recall but it had to be 70's maybe. A round head fine ratchet that really worked well. I was young and worked it hard, needed a new one and its been down ever since.
I bought the biggest set they had in 82 or so, was thinking I was getting the tools I was used to and it was comparative junk then. I never researxh the dates etc and don't care but its been **** since with its only salvation being that it has continually gotten cheaper.
Cheaper by a lot till it competes with HF and Walmart. The ratchet isn't worth anything but scrap metal period no matter what the warranty says unless they give money back or have let me trade for similar tool value.
I took back some odd stuff and the woman was more than happy to let me cherry pick from th stock we had vs me ordering a bunch of fussy little **** I really had been getting by without anyway.
I picked 1/2. 13, 15 a few others we use. Didn't have exact screwdrivers so she let me take 1 for 1, was easy. We have broke a lot of sockets early on, snap right open, a few missfits from sale sets we bought, there seemed to be at least 1 but after we replaced them not a problem.
I see a pop up for Some Sears super socket set for some crazy low price would greatly interest me if I had to start up again or for gifting.

 

[nh_yota]

I have a Craftsman click-type torque wrench that's about 10 years old and the plastic lock ring on the plastic handle cracked a few years ago. I took it to Sears but they wouldn't warranty it since it was more than a year old and they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I held onto it and I use it a few times a year on my wheels because I have a smaller Tekton torque wrench that I use for other things. The Craftsman one still works, however when I use it I need to be mindful of not twisting the handle out of adjustment, although I don't know how accurate it is anymore.

As for the OP's situation - put it back together and take it back to Sears if you're within the warranty period. Otherwise you're SOL and even if you put it back together you will need to send it out for calibration, which is close to the cost of a new one on sale.

 

[sberry]

I have rebuilt my Craftsman ratchets for quite a while now, no problems.

That statement is contradictory, yes it is a problem.
I had a snap I bought at a yard sale, I really liked it back in the day, he had taken care of it, a 3/8 stub I paid him about 20 for. Its got a short handle and since I lost it we will never know the outcome.
I do not know what its price was, I know at the time I didn't replace it when we were short and somewhere bought this import we paid a couple bucks to many for as well as a Napa that cost more.
The Napa is a Sears with a polish at the time and the same junk but this import I finally lost the handle to worked in a tool pool about 10 yrs, young guys use it daily, a shared girl, a company tool and today 25 yrs in appears maybe 1/2 service left maybe more who knows but considering my duty has dropped seems it will work indefinately.
You can feel up new Sears and its junk, been that way for decades, even HF could find a new contractor and build one that works, how many decades and they really still don't have a clue, I think they shipped the old tooling to China.

 

[Ponchoguy]

That statement is contradictory, yes it is a problem.
I had a snap I bought at a yard sale, I really liked it back in the day, he had taken care of it, a 3/8 stub I paid him about 20 for. Its got a short handle and since I lost it we will never know the outcome.
I do not know what its price was, I know at the time I didn't replace it when we were short and somewhere bought this import we paid a couple bucks to many for as well as a Napa that cost more.
The Napa is a Sears with a polish at the time and the same junk but this import I finally lost the handle to worked in a tool pool about 10 yrs, young guys use it daily, a shared girl, a company tool and today 25 yrs in appears maybe 1/2 service left maybe more who knows but considering my duty has dropped seems it will work indefinately.
You can feel up new Sears and its junk, been that way for decades, even HF could find a new contractor and build one that works, how many decades and they really still don't have a clue, I think they shipped the old tooling to China.

Considering the ones I rebuilt were all bought used in unknown condition (and on Ebay), I'd say I did quite well. They work fine after the rebuild. In ten minutes time, I'm up and running again.

I did one rebuild at 11:30 at night in my foyer and by 11:45, I was already finished with cleaning my hands. LOL.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I had some old Sears stuff I am fuzzy on the recall but it had to be 70's maybe. A round head fine ratchet that really worked well. I was young and worked it hard, needed a new one and its been down ever since.
I bought the biggest set they had in 82 or so, was thinking I was getting the tools I was used to and it was comparative junk then. I never researxh the dates etc and don't care but its been **** since with its only salvation being that it has continually gotten cheaper.
Cheaper by a lot till it competes with HF and Walmart. The ratchet isn't worth anything but scrap metal period no matter what the warranty says unless they give money back or have let me trade for similar tool value.
I took back some odd stuff and the woman was more than happy to let me cherry pick from th stock we had vs me ordering a bunch of fussy little **** I really had been getting by without anyway.
I picked 1/2. 13, 15 a few others we use. Didn't have exact screwdrivers so she let me take 1 for 1, was easy. We have broke a lot of sockets early on, snap right open, a few missfits from sale sets we bought, there seemed to be at least 1 but after we replaced them not a problem.
I see a pop up for Some Sears super socket set for some crazy low price would greatly interest me if I had to start up again or for gifting.

You can send me all the old Sears stuff, I'll put it to good use.

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have a Craftsman click-type torque wrench that's about 10 years old and the plastic lock ring on the plastic handle cracked a few years ago. I took it to Sears but they wouldn't warranty it since it was more than a year old and they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I held onto it and I use it a few times a year on my wheels because I have a smaller Tekton torque wrench that I use for other things. The Craftsman one still works, however when I use it I need to be mindful of not twisting the handle out of adjustment, although I don't know how accurate it is anymore.

As for the OP's situation - put it back together and take it back to Sears if you're within the warranty period. Otherwise you're SOL and even if you put it back together you will need to send it out for calibration, which is close to the cost of a new one on sale.

Time to find another Sears, another employee or a ring to corporate.

 

[sberry]

The stub hasn't seen the use the long one has. I had a couple SK remanned in the same time frame but this sucker not a loose screw or clip, the grip was my fault, still works perfect, never greased, not 1 minute of failure or maintenance time.
I still look for this sucker if I have a choice. Got t be the statistically best ratchet I have ever owned by a long shot.
I just warranty a NAPA and the replacement isn't much better. I remember when I was desperate and bought the original over the shelf, should have never took that sucker. We should black tape the handle and it would look near stock.
I was going to clue it on and lost the thing. It took about 20 yrs for it to come off. We bought them when needed and had a hard life for a while.

 

[sberry]

Ratchet use today is rather limited. We got 100K plugs, all power drive tools. I can go a long time without one.
Back in the day there was a lot of under hood and plugs were daily for a lot of mechanics, strong young guys were seeing how manly they were with them.
I wont personally wear another 3/8 out the rest of my career. Used one on a differential plug the other day, a golf cart for something but all little 1 off deals where the quality of the ratchet was rather irrelevant.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Ratchet use today is rather limited. We got 100K plugs, all power drive tools. I can go a long time without one.
Back in the day there was a lot of under hood and plugs were daily for a lot of mechanics, strong young guys were seeing how manly they were with them.
I wont personally wear another 3/8 out the rest of my career. Used one on a differential plug the other day, a golf cart for something but all little 1 off deals where the quality of the ratchet was rather irrelevant.

100k plugs that should be checked in half of that time. .

 

[sberry]

You can send me all the old Sears stuff, I'll put it to good use.

What use could you possibly have for a broke ratchet that could be had for 10$ new?

100k plugs that should be checked in half of that time. .

For what?

 

[Ponchoguy]

What use could you possibly have for a broke ratchet that could be had for 10$ new? For what?

Since ya don't need it, send it to me. What model is it?

I don't plan on leaving plugs in there for 100k when there's a good chance of them getting stuck.

 

[sberry]

Must be the guys that made them are idiots? A family friend who is in some kind of enginnering lab at Delco or the likes says 100K, the professional of pro's of auto parts says 100K, everyone I ever took out where there wasn't some engine fault looked good and serviceable and had one in due to a misfire a while back due to an old wire at 260K looked like it might have done another 50.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Must be the guys that made them are idiots? A family friend who is in some kind of enginnering lab at Delco or the likes says 100K, the professional of pro's of auto parts says 100K, everyone I ever took out where there wasn't some engine fault looked good and serviceable and had one in due to a misfire a while back due to an old wire at 260K looked like it might have done another 50.

You do realize that Delco doesn't make their own Iridium plugs, right? (They are made for them).

 

[Ponchoguy]

Must be the guys that made them are idiots? A family friend who is in some kind of enginnering lab at Delco or the likes says 100K, the professional of pro's of auto parts says 100K, everyone I ever took out where there wasn't some engine fault looked good and serviceable and had one in due to a misfire a while back due to an old wire at 260K looked like it might have done another 50.

Delco is a marketing arm for GM, they don't "engineer" anything anymore, it's made for them by outside companies.

 

[1950mercury]

Pics? If it needs to be calibrated and its out of warranty toss it....they are not lifetime warranty regardless of what ponchoguy says....some of the real old ones had a lifetime warranty. It said it on the box they came in.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Pics? If it needs to be calibrated and its out of warranty toss it....they are not lifetime warranty regardless of what ponchoguy says....some of the real old ones had a lifetime warranty. It said it on the box they came in.

Yea, what he says. I mean, just because the warranty is expired, you should roll over and play dead.

And of course, just because ONE Sears tells you no, he must be 100% right, correct?

I hear the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale too. You guys throw out some really good tools, a ton of ignorance out there for sure.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Pics? If it needs to be calibrated and its out of warranty toss it....they are not lifetime warranty regardless of what ponchoguy says....some of the real old ones had a lifetime warranty. It said it on the box they came in.

Calibrated is one thing, broken internal parts or a rebuild kit is totally another.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

I have a Craftsman click-type torque wrench that's about 10 years old and the plastic lock ring on the plastic handle cracked a few years ago. I took it to Sears but they wouldn't warranty it since it was more than a year old and they didn't have a rebuild kit for it. So I held onto it and I use it a few times a year on my wheels because I have a smaller Tekton torque wrench that I use for other things. The Craftsman one still works, however when I use it I need to be mindful of not twisting the handle out of adjustment, although I don't know how accurate it is anymore.

As for the OP's situation - put it back together and take it back to Sears if you're within the warranty period. Otherwise you're SOL and even if you put it back together you will need to send it out for calibration, which is close to the cost of a new one on sale.

Yupp, my ring cracked too... I just put a hose clamp on it and called it a day...

 

[sberry]

Yea, what he says. I mean, just because the warranty is expired, you should roll over and play dead.

And of course, just because ONE Sears tells you no, he must be 100% right, correct?

I hear the Brooklyn Bridge is for sale too. You guys throw out some really good tools, a ton of ignorance out there for sure.

Its cheap **** they are throwing out, its got about 20$ value tops if its perfect. It would be different if it was 200 or 2000 but can be replaced with a better one for 20$, maybe a bit more.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Its cheap **** they are throwing out, its got about 20$ value tops if its perfect. It would be different if it was 200 or 2000 but can be replaced with a better one for 20$, maybe a bit more.

Like I said, throw them my way. BTW: the kit for these is available.

 

[littlejohn69]

This is my THIRD ATTEMPT (Nw Fourth) to post a reply.
First went off to the "internet god" yesterday AM.
Second was last night which DIDN'T post and returned me to a login screen.

SO - here goes a third try.

First -off Thanks to all that replied. Really didn't anticipate such a rapid response.

I could see that my post "evolved" into a discussion afield from my inquiry.

Remember - my post wanted to know if I was on the right track or not.

ONE - I DID take it to my local Sears and was informed that it was "out of warranty". Maybe I'll try the Sears across town from me or possibly the Sears Service Center / Outlet Store cross town. Maybe I'll get a better reception there.

TWO- I DID think of the calibration issue. I have no idea who or where calibration work can be gotten for Craftsman items.

If anyone can furnish a Cal Lab or tool service center that does Craftsman I'd be appreciative.

My thought was how to get tool back somewhat into the "right place".

Thanks again to all.

littlejohn69

 

[Ponchoguy]

This is my THIRD ATTEMPT (Nw Fourth) to post a reply.
First went off to the "internet god" yesterday AM.
Second was last night which DIDN'T post and returned me to a login screen.

SO - here goes a third try.

First -off Thanks to all that replied. Really didn't anticipate such a rapid response.

I could see that my post "evolved" into a discussion afield from my inquiry.

Remember - my post wanted to know if I was on the right track or not.

ONE - I DID take it to my local Sears and was informed that it was "out of warranty". Maybe I'll try the Sears across town from me or possibly the Sears Service Center / Outlet Store cross town. Maybe I'll get a better reception there.

TWO- I DID think of the calibration issue. I have no idea who or where calibration work can be gotten for Craftsman items.

If anyone can furnish a Cal Lab or tool service center that does Craftsman I'd be appreciative.

My thought was how to get tool back somewhat into the "right place".

Thanks again to all.

littlejohn69

That wrench was made by Danaher (JC Technology which Danaher bought) for Sears, so if you google "torque wrench calibration", you should get a mother load of places that will be able to help you.

My .02 is just because the clerk at Sears tells you "No", if you leave it at that, you'll get what you get (nothing). Sometimes it takes a manager. Sometimes it takes a call to corporate.

I've had it go all three ways. However, I've never had it go bad for me at Sears. Perhaps I'm more convincing than most? Perhaps. Persistent than most? Maybe.

You could go back to that same store a week from now, get someone else and they say, "No problem". I've had that happen too.

A lot of times you have better luck when it's still a current stock number. I have had good luck all the way around....

 

[jn503084]

This is my THIRD ATTEMPT (Nw Fourth) to post a reply.
First went off to the "internet god" yesterday AM.
Second was last night which DIDN'T post and returned me to a login screen.

SO - here goes a third try.

First -off Thanks to all that replied. Really didn't anticipate such a rapid response.

I could see that my post "evolved" into a discussion afield from my inquiry.

Remember - my post wanted to know if I was on the right track or not.

ONE - I DID take it to my local Sears and was informed that it was "out of warranty". Maybe I'll try the Sears across town from me or possibly the Sears Service Center / Outlet Store cross town. Maybe I'll get a better reception there.

TWO- I DID think of the calibration issue. I have no idea who or where calibration work can be gotten for Craftsman items.

If anyone can furnish a Cal Lab or tool service center that does Craftsman I'd be appreciative.

My thought was how to get tool back somewhat into the "right place".

Thanks again to all.

littlejohn69

I have an old Craftsman clicker I used for 8 years professionally, and remembered that it was not covered under the lifetime warranty. I still have it, it works but its probably not perfectly in spec anymore, even though I took good care of it.

Unfortunately, from what I could find from pricing a calibration in my area, you maybe well on your way to being able to buy a new torque wrench for the price of a calibration. Spending anywhere between 40-60 bucks on a 80 dollar tool doesn't make sense to me.
Its your tool, so pursuing the calibration route may work for you.
Googling for calibration labs in your area maybe a good start, there were several in my area that do other types of measuring/testing equipment as well as torque tools

good luck!

 

[Ponchoguy]

I have an old Craftsman clicker I used for 8 years professionally, and remembered that it was not covered under the lifetime warranty. I still have it, it works but its probably not perfectly in spec anymore, even though I took good care of it.

Unfortunately, from what I could find from pricing a calibration in my area, you maybe well on your way to being able to buy a new torque wrench for the price of a calibration. Spending anywhere between 40-60 bucks on a 80 dollar tool doesn't make sense to me.
Its your tool, so pursuing the calibration route may work for you.
Googling for calibration labs in your area maybe a good start, there were several in my area that do other types of measuring/testing equipment as well as torque tools

good luck!

I suppose that same argument could be made for the HF torque wrenches?

 

[littlejohn69]

Thanks for the reply Ponchoguy,

Since your message that I tried my first quick reply to I now see another, Thanks

Maybe I'll give it another try or something.

Thanks for the useful info.

The clerk DID talk with someone who I have to assume was a manager, then I got the clerk to show me the 1-year statement. Indeed it was on the packaging.

Another store maybe?

Call to "corporate"? How would that possibly help ne if the packaging states 1-year? Only way is possibly "customer satisfaction" in some way if I can touch the right sympathetic soul.

But, back to my original inquiry - am I on the right reassembly path to get somewhat close or not? I'm just someone over 60 and trying to keep my 20-year + old car on the road.

littlejohn69

 

[Super Sport]

That wrench was made by Danaher (JC Technology which Danaher bought) for Sears, so if you google "torque wrench calibration", you should get a mother load of places that will be able to help you.

My .02 is just because the clerk at Sears tells you "No", if you leave it at that, you'll get what you get (nothing). Sometimes it takes a manager. Sometimes it takes a call to corporate.

I've had it go all three ways. However, I've never had it go bad for me at Sears. Perhaps I'm more convincing than most? Perhaps. Persistent than most? Maybe.

You could go back to that same store a week from now, get someone else and they say, "No problem". I've had that happen too.

A lot of times you have better luck when it's still a current stock number. I have had good luck all the way around....

So are you arguing that Cman click-style torque wrenches had a lifetime warranty?

Just curious if you know when Sears offered it. I worked at Sears for a while, and at that time the computer would allow us to warranty them. If I had a customer who really wanted to argue about it, I'd just go ahead and do it. I was making commission on it, so why not? I had never seen any evidence that they ever offered the lifetime warranty, nor did I see any notice of policy from corporate.

 

[jn50308401]

I suppose that same argument could be made for the HF torque wrenches?

To put it this way, I was taught that torque instruments are to be treated as well as possible in a shop enviroment.

That being said, after a while a torque instrument will wear , calibration and tolerances change over time from use. If its 10.00 bucks or a 1,000.00 it will wear out or go out of spec someday.

My old Craftsman torque tool works fine and served me very well. I just can't think of a good reason to spend the 50+ dollars for a calibration when a new wrench at sears not much more expensive!





Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

 

[Ponchoguy]

So are you arguing that Cman click-style torque wrenches had a lifetime warranty?

Just curious if you know when Sears offered it. I worked at Sears for a while, and at that time the computer would allow us to warranty them. If I had a customer who really wanted to argue about it, I'd just go ahead and do it. I was making commission on it, so why not? I had never seen any evidence that they ever offered the lifetime warranty, nor did I see any notice of policy from corporate.

According to the print I have access to, it was designed in late 2001. However, they could have sold it well after that point.

I'll answer the other poster.

 

[Ponchoguy]

Thanks for the reply Ponchoguy,

Since your message that I tried my first quick reply to I now see another, Thanks

Maybe I'll give it another try or something.

Thanks for the useful info.

The clerk DID talk with someone who I have to assume was a manager, then I got the clerk to show me the 1-year statement. Indeed it was on the packaging.

Another store maybe?

Call to "corporate"? How would that possibly help ne if the packaging states 1-year? Only way is possibly "customer satisfaction" in some way if I can touch the right sympathetic soul.

But, back to my original inquiry - am I on the right reassembly path to get somewhat close or not? I'm just someone over 60 and trying to keep my 20-year + old car on the road.

littlejohn69

You could argue it a few ways, and customer satisfaction is one. I mean if it looks like you threw it down the stairs, ran over it with a bus and such, sure, you'll get looks like you're from Mars.

One time I brought in a timing light that was probably past the warranty. I told the clerk, "look as you can see it's pretty mint. I'd like to pay the difference between this one and one with an advance feature". The guy (an older fellow) rang it up and said, "have a nice day" and handed me the new timing light.

Another time, I told the store manager, "Ridgid has a lifetime warranty on their vacuum motors. I'm going to see what they will do as they supplied these vacs to Sears. The manager said, "No worries. Leave that one here. Pick out another with the same capacity. You spend a lot of money in here, I'll take care of it".

Recently, I asked about ratchet kits. At first the answer was "no". I said, "Can I talk to a manager please?" The lady came down. I explained to her, "look, I want the kits for the future. You'll get credit at the store level, you can get a replacement kit sent to you and I'll leave happy". She agreed and said, "Give the fella what he needs, I see he has a list in his hand".

A call to Sears Corporate for me has always netted a positive response.

 

[Ponchoguy]

So are you arguing that Cman click-style torque wrenches had a lifetime warranty?

Just curious if you know when Sears offered it. I worked at Sears for a while, and at that time the computer would allow us to warranty them. If I had a customer who really wanted to argue about it, I'd just go ahead and do it. I was making commission on it, so why not? I had never seen any evidence that they ever offered the lifetime warranty, nor did I see any notice of policy from corporate.

Let's just say if I were in your store and we were face to face, I'd be polite, but we'd go toe-to-toe . LOL. Chances are, I might know more about the product than half of the guys working there. I remember one time, a clerk sat there and told the guy he didn't know where he could get parts for his trimmer. I had to help the guy. LOL.

The last time I was there I had my Craftsman ratchet kit to ratchet list. The lady behind the tool counter said, "Can I take a photo with that with my smartphone? That looks handy". I said, "One better, this copy is for you".

Another lady said to me, "You sure know your Craftsman product, I see you matched up the warranty items number for number. I trust you". I said, "You can verify every one of them."

 

[dodge610]

They should warranty that torque wrench if for no other reason the fact it fell apart. You can use the argument that it quite possibly could of been wrong out of the box due to a loose nut in the handle. All in the way you bring it across to the sales associate. Firmly but not to cause a scene.