d.mcfarland
Well-known member
That doesn't sound normal.
Lifetime Warranty Tools Vs. Cheap Disposable Tools
- Thread starter jimmy12345678
- Start date
That doesn't sound normal.
Reality is you got balance what really benefits from decent warranty and what doesn't based on personal choices & bit of gumption .
Lot of warranty is questionable how usable it will likely be in few years/decades so don't pay big bucks for warranty unless **** sure you are going benefit from it .
At the end of the day self warranty is always the best warranty service & lot of basic hand tools have very little benefit from having forever warranty .
Lot of warranty is questionable how usable it will likely be in few years/decades so don't pay big bucks for warranty unless **** sure you are going benefit from it .
At the end of the day self warranty is always the best warranty service & lot of basic hand tools have very little benefit from having forever warranty .
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Another thing to think about is how these tools are impacted by the ‘Vid and supply problems. I absolutely love my German tools but I’ve been waiting months for simple stuff (like ball end hex drivers) and the warranty for the few tools I’ve had issues with have been non-existent. I’ve also noticed some of the newer stuff isn’t as finished or strong as the tools I’ve received in the past. Likewise my HF has had half-full shelves for near a year. Guys are traveling to two or three locations just to get a replacement. Heck, even Wright has been slow as molasses getting tools out to those of us that have ordered them at the shop. It’s really weird to say this, but somehow the cheap big box stuff has avoided these issues. I can get Craftsman or Husky stuff easy peasy. So, for guys at the shop that beat on their tools, they’ve been purchasing a couple of cheaper brands and in multiples. I guess they feel like their time is more important than anything else.
Hopefully he’s not cracking the sockets while installing the drain plugs!
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Some reason a lot of the ones I run into are monkey tight and it either rounds off or cracks the socket. Usually rounds but I have cracked at least 4 sockets that I can remember.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I've always said that a lifetime warranty gives one a lifetime of failed tools. 
I would rather pay a little more for a tool that won't fail under normal use. I don't expect tools to last forever. Tools wear out regardless of whose name is on it. I also don't expect to warranty a tool I abused beyond recognition completing a task.
I think what's missing from this thread is the fact, that overall, tools are better today than they were 10 or more years ago. Now, put the flag waving aside and just look at the tools themselves. Off corner engagement on wrench box ends & sockets, anti slip open ends, high tooth count ratchets in every shape, length, and size. Fine toothed ratcheting wrenches also in every configuration. Once these were expensive features once only seen on a tool truck brand but are commonplace on almost all brands today.
How often do you need a warranty anyway? are you breaking stuff daily, weekly, monthly? Even inexpensive tools such as Tekton, Harbor, Freight, & Capri tools have excellent to good warranty service.
Where are you getting these really cheap tools at? are we talking about the alphabet brands popping up on amazon? the dollar store? on an end cap in a parts store? ebay? I guess with so many decent to great tools out there, I don't understand why we would seek out **** tools
I would rather pay a little more for a tool that won't fail under normal use. I don't expect tools to last forever. Tools wear out regardless of whose name is on it. I also don't expect to warranty a tool I abused beyond recognition completing a task.
I think what's missing from this thread is the fact, that overall, tools are better today than they were 10 or more years ago. Now, put the flag waving aside and just look at the tools themselves. Off corner engagement on wrench box ends & sockets, anti slip open ends, high tooth count ratchets in every shape, length, and size. Fine toothed ratcheting wrenches also in every configuration. Once these were expensive features once only seen on a tool truck brand but are commonplace on almost all brands today.
How often do you need a warranty anyway? are you breaking stuff daily, weekly, monthly? Even inexpensive tools such as Tekton, Harbor, Freight, & Capri tools have excellent to good warranty service.
Where are you getting these really cheap tools at? are we talking about the alphabet brands popping up on amazon? the dollar store? on an end cap in a parts store? ebay? I guess with so many decent to great tools out there, I don't understand why we would seek out **** tools
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
^^^^yup
rancherbill
Well-known member
Obviously used red thread locker on the last day in the lube bay hahahaha
You're a big Snappy user so Im sure they are not a warranty problem. Does the dealer see a lot of this type of failure?
BlakeTheCarGuy
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Honestly I’m not too sure. He warranty’s a lot of chrome 8mm and 14mm. Between us and Toyota so I’d say either they have a weak spot in their manufacturing of those sizes or this is common to happen. I know some brands like SK we crack regularly the 14mm I believe it’s a weak spot in their manufacturing for those but Snap-on I’m not sure could be just the tight bolts it doesn’t like. I particularly only have a few of their chrome sockets and actually haven’t broken a Snap-on one one on them. It’s been cheaper ones to break but I do see my coworkers switching out the 14mm a lot and the 17mm sometimes but not so much.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Some reason I have broken quite a few 14mm sockets in craftsman, sk, and snapon.
I think it most be a weak size vs fastener torque.
I have also broken lots of 3/4 and 7/8 sockets but that was a specific application with an impact that an impact socket wouldn't fit into so I won't blame the socket.
BmwTechZiggy
Well-known member
- Joined
- May 31, 2021
- Messages
- 127
Personally i usually buy cheap first then once it breaks i upgrade it to something more reliable. then either warrenty the other one and bring it home for home use.
I'm just a DIY but I'd rather have something that doesn't break than a lifetime warranty. I used to frequent HF a lot when I was first buying tools thinking wow, what value. Now when their **** breaks I just throw it away and buy something else, not worth the hassle of ownership, even though there's a store 5 miles from my house.
I've done a 180 and now usually buy the best that makes sense (as a DIY) because I hate messing around with tools that don't work as they should. I mainly do metal working/woodworking over vehicle stuff nowadays, but started out being a car guy.
I've done a 180 and now usually buy the best that makes sense (as a DIY) because I hate messing around with tools that don't work as they should. I mainly do metal working/woodworking over vehicle stuff nowadays, but started out being a car guy.
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Nosferatu
Well-known member
Who's lifetime?
That "lifetime warranty" on all the Craftsman hand tools I was given back in the 90's is doing me a lot of good right now.
However, I must not be as manly as others. I've never broken a wrench or socket. WTF are you guys doing to consistently bust these things?
That "lifetime warranty" on all the Craftsman hand tools I was given back in the 90's is doing me a lot of good right now.
However, I must not be as manly as others. I've never broken a wrench or socket. WTF are you guys doing to consistently bust these things?
Boogerman
Well-known member
Me? Good tools.
But my circumstances not same everybody. Some guys not use tools much or hard me. Some money limit most important. Reason many
different level price/performance successful. Buy what you like, leave room others make own choices. None wrong, just different.
But my circumstances not same everybody. Some guys not use tools much or hard me. Some money limit most important. Reason many
different level price/performance successful. Buy what you like, leave room others make own choices. None wrong, just different.
65ranchero
Well-known member
You'd be surprised, as Blake said "monkey tight"
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
I seem to get pretty much both. "Good stuff" for the tool box. It lasts longer. Warranty be damned.
"Good enough" stuff for the tool bag. I was helping a family out at the Pick-n-Pull Friday. They didn't have any Torx with them. They seemed to be there because they were down on their luck (I was there because I'm a buzzard), so I gave them a hand. Their English wasn't great. Before I knew it, things got slightly out of control with who had what. It all worked out fine, and it was stress free because I had my "whatever" tools.
Basically, the answer to "what tools?" is always "yes."
-Ryan
"Good enough" stuff for the tool bag. I was helping a family out at the Pick-n-Pull Friday. They didn't have any Torx with them. They seemed to be there because they were down on their luck (I was there because I'm a buzzard), so I gave them a hand. Their English wasn't great. Before I knew it, things got slightly out of control with who had what. It all worked out fine, and it was stress free because I had my "whatever" tools.
Basically, the answer to "what tools?" is always "yes."
-Ryan
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Firebrick43
Well-known member
Work
DGersic
Well-known member
I had a 1/2” breaker bar, about 12” long. Store branded. Bought it in the late 1980s. Last year, trying to get the front hubs off of my Dakota, I was standing on a 6’ cheater pipe. Bent the bar, then sheared off the drive square.
So now I have a 24” SO 1/2” breaker bar.
This was not the fault of the tool. I was way beyond its intended torque max with what I was doing to it.
rancherbill
Well-known member
They probably make them thinner on purpose. I was doing something on a Mitsubishi engine and my socket would not fit in. I could see it and I knew the size because I had taken out other bolts for the part. I took my mike, measured the outside of the socket and went on a socket quest.
All of the cheap brands were thicker than mine. To find one that was thinner I had to pay stupid money to get a "premium" brand. So I imagine SO makes them thinner so they are more useful for pro mechanics.
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techkelly
Well-known member
Just buy what is comfortable for you and your wallet and don't worry about what
the other guy has in box.
the other guy has in box.
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As a DIYer the advantage of a tool truck brand is totally lost. No truck is stopping by my house thus it's easier to take the tool in to get it warrantied. I think I've only warrantied 4 tools in my whole life. Two were Cman ratchets that I used cheater handles on. A classic case of trying to make a 1/4 drive do a 3/8 drive's job. The second time I also bought that 14mm deep 3/8 socket I needed the whole time. Once was a pair of Cman snap ring pliers. Again trying to use the small size tool on a large ring. Finally was a HF $20 torque wrench. I never expected much for $20.
But, even if I couldn't warranty swap these tools it wouldn't have affected my choices much (other than perhaps buying that 14mm socket sooner). The cost/quality spectrum is really a trade off in my book. I have tools that range from pot metal garbage to semi-pro Tekton to a precious few Snap-on or similar. The HypeTough wrenches and Bluehawk socket set are more than sufficient to assemble yard furniture or play sets. This is where I use them the most because I don't worry too much about losing them and they are certainly good enough to do the job right even if I don't care for the feel as much.
The biggest difference between my cheep and Cman/Kobalt/Husky type DIY/semi-pro tools is when I need to access hard to reach stuff. Rarely have I had a case where the additional quality of the Snapon tool would let me complete a job the semi-pro tools would not. Nor am I using the tools so often as to justify the extra durability the Snapon tools would provide.
My Dad's tool box has Snapon wrenches that are likely as old as I am and have been used daily for most of that time. He also has some Costco ratcheting wrenches that have served him well. He said when he started your choices were really Cman or truck brands and he felt the gap was large. Now he doesn't feel the gap is so big so he no longer purchases Snapon (not that he needs to replace his old stuff).
But, even if I couldn't warranty swap these tools it wouldn't have affected my choices much (other than perhaps buying that 14mm socket sooner). The cost/quality spectrum is really a trade off in my book. I have tools that range from pot metal garbage to semi-pro Tekton to a precious few Snap-on or similar. The HypeTough wrenches and Bluehawk socket set are more than sufficient to assemble yard furniture or play sets. This is where I use them the most because I don't worry too much about losing them and they are certainly good enough to do the job right even if I don't care for the feel as much.
The biggest difference between my cheep and Cman/Kobalt/Husky type DIY/semi-pro tools is when I need to access hard to reach stuff. Rarely have I had a case where the additional quality of the Snapon tool would let me complete a job the semi-pro tools would not. Nor am I using the tools so often as to justify the extra durability the Snapon tools would provide.
My Dad's tool box has Snapon wrenches that are likely as old as I am and have been used daily for most of that time. He also has some Costco ratcheting wrenches that have served him well. He said when he started your choices were really Cman or truck brands and he felt the gap was large. Now he doesn't feel the gap is so big so he no longer purchases Snapon (not that he needs to replace his old stuff).
finn
Well-known member
A lifetime warranty is a marketing item.
Don’t confuse it with an indication of quality.
Don’t confuse it with an indication of quality.
gtae07
Well-known member
I don't think I've ever broken a tool that I wasn't knowingly abusing. Even the HF stuff works fine for what I need it to do. One of these days I should take my Craftsman 1/4 in for warranty because it skips a lot and hopefully I'll get something with more teeth. But I generally use my little HF ones instead.
But then, most of my work is building a light airplane or working on the family cars in the South. I go pretty easy on my tools.
But then, most of my work is building a light airplane or working on the family cars in the South. I go pretty easy on my tools.
With basic hand tools it far more important selecting nice designed, nice function & nice quality over warranty package .
No point have warranty for life on something you don't like using and no point wasting serious dollars on it if hardly ever bust basic low cost tools .
Also if don't get hung up on the 'warranty' then your buying tool choice gets HUGE .
No point have warranty for life on something you don't like using and no point wasting serious dollars on it if hardly ever bust basic low cost tools .
Also if don't get hung up on the 'warranty' then your buying tool choice gets HUGE .
Iridium rand
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2021
- Messages
- 218
The advantage of buying wuality cannot be overstated and has been well explained already. However also worth mentioning;
Buying 6 of the same tool can occasionally offer an advantage, one you have backups, and it’s cost effective to do so, two you don’t have to change bits/attachments most of the time
in addition, warranty doesn’t mean much to a lot of people it’s just not worth the hassle unless it’s an out of box failure on an expensive tool. Especially if you don’t have a tool truck with your shop in their rounds one might find it significantly easier to warranty at HF or HD/lowes than snap-on.
Buying 6 of the same tool can occasionally offer an advantage, one you have backups, and it’s cost effective to do so, two you don’t have to change bits/attachments most of the time
in addition, warranty doesn’t mean much to a lot of people it’s just not worth the hassle unless it’s an out of box failure on an expensive tool. Especially if you don’t have a tool truck with your shop in their rounds one might find it significantly easier to warranty at HF or HD/lowes than snap-on.
^
Just about everything has some level of out the box warranty .
I got no idea why so many people obsessed with lifetime warranty on a 5 buck socket !
I wish my lifts, compressor, tyre equipment, diag tools and office computer came with lifetime warranty lol but basic hand tools while nice on few things like ratcheting tools, pliers it far from that critical or major beneficial concern .
Just about everything has some level of out the box warranty .
I got no idea why so many people obsessed with lifetime warranty on a 5 buck socket !
I wish my lifts, compressor, tyre equipment, diag tools and office computer came with lifetime warranty lol but basic hand tools while nice on few things like ratcheting tools, pliers it far from that critical or major beneficial concern .
Ton ton
Well-known member
I use those kind of tools too. I like the idea of being a buzzard.
engineer2
Well-known member
Sometimes I see contractors using cheap tools. They said the reason is job site theft. Less crying over losing a $30 HF drill than a $150 Milwaukee drill. A big problem in our area is the trades stealing from each other. Lock your tools up when you go to lunch!
Dave455
Well-known member
I totally agree with this philosophy.
I sometimes find it hard to explain to folks why I use different quality levels of tools, but this is one reason why.
I also sometimes find it hard to explain why I’m at the scrap yard at all. Now I know - I’m a “buzzard”!
slowtwitch73
Well-known member
Righty tighty lefty loosey..........
I guess it depends on what you think of as cheap. You can go to any of the car parts stores or home improvement stores and get tools with a lifetime warranty and some are well made, and they will be a lot cheaper than the Tool Truck ones.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Those Subaru pans are painted after the plug is installed. Torque on a replacement crush washer for a normal oil change is 30ish pounds. Those first oil changes are TIGHT. I had to replace the drain plug on my mother's crosstrek after the first oil change. Head was deformed from breaking it free.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
Yeah, this is something I dont think everyone defines well.
What is cheap? Is proto or SK expensive? How about tekton? Everyone agrees the tool trucks are expensive (for various reasons), but putting a floor on what defines expensive, and where cheap begins, is tough.
2ndGearRubber
Well-known member
I hardly even consider those tools. They're single use at best IMO. Terrible metal, poor tolerances, etc. It's like a $9.99 drill bit set, that nonsense is going to struggle drilling wood. Live and learn, I don't buy anything like that anymore.
^
even in the trade it doesn't make sense to pay truck prices for everything .
You quite simply don't need life warranty on every basic hand tool .
Basically you got expect a replacement ratio of 3 to 5 times to be viable .
Main criteria is buying a tool that works well and you like COO/Price and will enjoy using, milk the best designs and best sales deals whenever get opportunity & milk the truck tool warranty when it likely be beneficial to you .
Never overlook self warranty, it will be the best lifetime warranty you will ever get and potentially not that expensive ...
even in the trade it doesn't make sense to pay truck prices for everything .
You quite simply don't need life warranty on every basic hand tool .
Basically you got expect a replacement ratio of 3 to 5 times to be viable .
Main criteria is buying a tool that works well and you like COO/Price and will enjoy using, milk the best designs and best sales deals whenever get opportunity & milk the truck tool warranty when it likely be beneficial to you .
Never overlook self warranty, it will be the best lifetime warranty you will ever get and potentially not that expensive ...
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Handyandy23
Well-known member
As a DIYer I generally try to aim for "value" over cheap or any kind of warranty promises. The definition of "value" definitely has a wide range and depends on the tool, how often I use it, what it's intended purpose is, etc. Value to me is a tool that performs it's intended purpose well, without breaking or stripping fasteners or otherwise screwing things up, for the least amount of money.
I found out early on that the cheapest stuff isn't good value, because it doesn't meet the criteria of performing the function I wanted well or without breaking constantly. I got lots of cheap stuff on sale at Princess Auto (Canadian HF type store) that didn't last long or left me frustrated, so learned that lesson quickly.
But then the most expensive options also aren't usually the best value for me either, because there are lots of mid range options that will do what I need them to do for a lot less money. That doesn't mean those tools might not be "best value" for someone else, but they aren't for me. If you work full time in a shop then suddenly tool truck access can provide a lot of value.
Hand tools I have a mashup of different mid-tier brands like Tekton, Gearwrench, Sunex, Astro, Mastercraft Maximum, Craftsman, etc that have worked really well for me. But then I also spent a little more money on a set of Wright combo wrenches, because I was tired of my mid-grade open ends spreading and stripping fasteners. So at that point it made a lot of sense value-wise to spend a little more to get Wrightgrip open ends and save the hassle. However I've yet to have any issues with my Taiwan impact sockets, so the value there has been great for me.
Other tools have proven to provide more value to me at the higher end of the price range. Mostly tools whose main function is precision. I have DeWalt mitre and table saws because their whole purpose is to make precise cuts, so why would I waste money on a saw that can't do that? Similar story on cordless tools, if it's something like an air inflator I'll buy it in Ryobi green. If it's a tool that requires precision or power, I'll buy it in DeWalt yellow or Milwaukee red.
Just blindly buying the most expensive of everything just because it has the best warranty is a great way to waste money.
I found out early on that the cheapest stuff isn't good value, because it doesn't meet the criteria of performing the function I wanted well or without breaking constantly. I got lots of cheap stuff on sale at Princess Auto (Canadian HF type store) that didn't last long or left me frustrated, so learned that lesson quickly.
But then the most expensive options also aren't usually the best value for me either, because there are lots of mid range options that will do what I need them to do for a lot less money. That doesn't mean those tools might not be "best value" for someone else, but they aren't for me. If you work full time in a shop then suddenly tool truck access can provide a lot of value.
Hand tools I have a mashup of different mid-tier brands like Tekton, Gearwrench, Sunex, Astro, Mastercraft Maximum, Craftsman, etc that have worked really well for me. But then I also spent a little more money on a set of Wright combo wrenches, because I was tired of my mid-grade open ends spreading and stripping fasteners. So at that point it made a lot of sense value-wise to spend a little more to get Wrightgrip open ends and save the hassle. However I've yet to have any issues with my Taiwan impact sockets, so the value there has been great for me.
Other tools have proven to provide more value to me at the higher end of the price range. Mostly tools whose main function is precision. I have DeWalt mitre and table saws because their whole purpose is to make precise cuts, so why would I waste money on a saw that can't do that? Similar story on cordless tools, if it's something like an air inflator I'll buy it in Ryobi green. If it's a tool that requires precision or power, I'll buy it in DeWalt yellow or Milwaukee red.
Just blindly buying the most expensive of everything just because it has the best warranty is a great way to waste money.
Al Borland
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2016
- Messages
- 1,599
Ryobi Green is like Kryptonite to jobsite thieves. Dewalt yellow or Milwookie red? Buh-Bye unattended tool!