Local Sears Closing - Which Tool to switch to?

[Spudland_Dave]

So my local Sears is closing...which is an extreme PITA. Highlighted this weekend when I broke a 17mm socket...now I cant exchange it easily like before. That leaves Lowes/Kobalt, HD/Husky, and TSC/MasterHand branded tools. Any one better then the other?

Dont suggest SnapOn or MAC, etc...got drawers full of Snappy sockets from back in the day when I worked at a dealership and I hate chasing the truck all over gods creation (taking time off work) to get something replaced or bought, not to mention, because I get now my snappy stuff elsewhere/online/etc, I'm not an everyday customer and I feel it.

 

[Tribalvision]

Of those 3 I prefer the Lowes/Kobalt tools.

 

[InsanePyro]

I have a full set of Huskey sockets and they haven't given me any issues...they claim to have a full replacement plan ala Craftsman but i can't vouch for it as I haven't had to use it.

 

[Steevo]

Check your nearest Ace hardware store. Many are now carrying Craftsman tools.

 

[KSwiss]

Haven't broken any of my Kolbalt tools so far as well. An stereo has it right look and see if there is an Ace near. Their stick is low, but they do carry craftsman now.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Good call on the ACE, I know Fastenal USED to carry Craftsman...and one of my buddies here just told me about K-Mart carrying craftsman. Which is fine for replacing what I got...but going foward I'm treating Craftsman like Snappy & MAC...Good but a PITA after the sale.

If SnapOn opened a local Brick & Mortar store...now we'd be talking!

 

[Chadwilliam1]

SK. if you break one just ship it back in. you will feel better about supporting a tool company that is entirely built in USA with USA materials.

 

[JASTECH]

Try a pawn shop, it may cost you 10�0„4, that is cheaper then $4.00 a gallon driving about. I had posted the hardship I had at Steers (nutered Sears) and how their warranty replacement has changed so be prepared.

 

[Kevin54]

Fastenal quit carrying Craftsman and now carries Gearwrench.

 

[Chadwilliam1]

I read fastenal will warranty Armstrong. I don't know all the details on it but it Ohio fastenal is everywhere.

 

[IONH]

If you have spares, you could ship it to someone on here and they could exchange it and ship it back. Depending on the socket size, could be a couple bucks each way in the mail.

 

[Brownsfan]

I have a lot of Kobalt stuff. No issues decent quality and a good price. I would stay away from the pliers. They pretty much ****. I buy Channellock and Knipex from Lowes.I would have stayed with Craftsman but with all being China now and the price being the same I use the Kobalt sockets, ratchets,wrenches etc. They are Taiwan but are much better than China Craftsman,

 

[Spudland_Dave]

SK. if you break one just ship it back in. you will feel better about supporting a tool company that is entirely built in USA with USA materials.

Hmm….explain more? Sounds great but what I’m envisioning is what I went thru trying to warranty a Bostich utility knife…. “Send it in and we will evaluate it and make a determiniation, if it was materials, we will return a new one, if not…too bad” So I gotta pay 6.00 shipping for a 9.99 Knife with a 100 year warranty…Yup, makes great sense. Cheaper to just go buy a new one….

Try a pawn shop, it may cost you 10�0„4, that is cheaper then $4.00 a gallon driving about. I had posted the hardship I had at Steers (nutered Sears) and how their warranty replacement has changed so be prepared.

Nothing wrong with pawn shops…I’ve got a few snappy & mac sockets in my toolbox from pawn shops. To me, the problem isn’t GETTING the tool…I can order Snap-On’s right now and not worry about it, its warranty service after the sale that I care about.

As for Fastenal…I do a ton of business there. Again, some of my Craftsman’s came from there whey they were practically giving them away at the end during the switch to Gear wrench….My only hesitation with them…And I LOVE my Fastenal branches, not a single week goes buy I don’t add something to my account…but how long before they ditch Gearwrench and go with XYZ? Then I end up in the same boat as above with the SK…mailing it in along with a hope & prayer of ever seeing any tool return.

If you have spares, you could ship it to someone on here and they could exchange it and ship it back. Depending on the socket size, could be a couple bucks each way in the mail.

Luckily I'm on the road for work...so I will eventually drive by a sears, could be this afternoon, could be next month. As for shipping to a fellow member...great idea, but is it really worth the 5-6 bucks shipping when that same money can go get me a new 17mm Kobalt or whatever?
I do have spares...My hansen organizers are full with the shallow & deep...so i'm not technically SOL, but I would like to get a 17mm shallow back home on its now empty peg..

 

[Nocturnal-G]

Go with Kobalt... They are the nicest tools from all those brands. I have a lot of craftsman stuff from the early 90s and if I need a missing socket on the spot, I'll fill it in with a kobalt socket. I have other brands as well but kobalt is pretty good for the money.

 

[Outlawmws]

SK. if you break one just ship it back in. you will feel better about supporting a tool company that is entirely built in USA with USA materials.

You can do the same with Snap-on MAC and Proto. All that has been required for me for SO so far is a phone call. Proto & MAC require return of the broken tool, but Proto has been painless; I haven't done MAC yet.

 

[Outlawmws]

Hmm….explain more? Sounds great but what I’m envisioning is what I went thru trying to warranty a Bostich utility knife…. “Send it in and we will evaluate it and make a determiniation, if it was materials, we will return a new one, if not…too bad” So I gotta pay 6.00 shipping for a 9.99 Knife with a 100 year warranty…Yup, makes great sense. Cheaper to just go buy a new one….

That's a $9 knife. a 20-30 dollar or more tool is a different game and I let them stack up, so I get some "bang for the shipping buck"

 

[Buckgnarly]

You do not even have to send the broken tool back to SO usually, especially if you buy it online. SO has been outstanding warranting my stuff with a phone call, but DO NOT just send it in, call them first.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

You do not even have to send the broken tool back to SO usually, especially if you buy it online. SO has been outstanding warranting my stuff with a phone call, but DO NOT just send it in, call them first.

When did this change...4 or so years ago, the magnet literally fell out of my SGDMRC4-40 shank (Hex shank for the soft grip handle)...called the Co, who then put the local truck franchise in touch with me...he called me and I had to run out to meet him at one of his stops. We touched base a few times after to buy stuff but it was such a PITA I just shopped elsewhere.

**Edit..so now you guys got me re-thinking my stance on Snappy and I go check out what a 1/2" Drive Shallow 17mm Chrome will cost (SWM171)...Is it because I'm now married with 2 kids, or does anybody else think $19.55 for a single socket is a little out of line... $3.97 for a tool that accomplishes the same thing at Lowes http://www.lowes.com/pd_337763-25428-85288_0__?productId=3387248&Ntt=17mm+socket&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNtt%3D17mm%2Bsocket&facetInfo=

 

[JASTECH]

From reading the suggestions and your comments, I think start with a USA company and stick with them. Proto and SK would be good for you, then I'd lean more towards SK as they may become the standard brand around town. Their customer service seems to be very good acording to GJ members.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

From reading the suggestions and your comments, I think start with a USA company and stick with them. Proto and SK would be good for you, then I'd lean more towards SK as they may become the standard brand around town. Their customer service seems to be very good acording to GJ members.

After this last election, I'm done with the "Buy American Line"...I hate to say it because I preached it for years myself...I even went so far as to buy local food. But its obvious that I gotta start taking care of myself and not worry about others anymore (financially). $20.00 vs $4.00 is a big difference when your wife isnt working and you got 2 kids....

 

[dsmnickk90]

SK or Armstrong support USA made products and don't buy imports unless their is no other option. And in the event you have to buy imported look for German, Japaneses and Taiwanese products over Chinese

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

Lowes has the Task Force line, even though its chinese I have had better luck with those tools than i have EVER with craftsman. i have never broken one of their ratchets and there wrench's are the same quality i would expect from craftsman. avoid their screwdrivers like the plaque though, complete and utter ****.
i also have plenty of Harbor freight wrenches too,and i love them, but i would never trust their ratchets. to each their own though...

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Lowes has the Task Force line, even though its chinese I have had better luck with those tools than i have EVER with craftsman. i have never broken one of their ratchets and there wrench's are the same quality i would expect from craftsman. avoid their screwdrivers like the plaque though, complete and utter ****.
i also have plenty of Harbor freight wrenches too,and i love them, but i would never trust their ratchets. to each their own though...

IMO I lost alot of pride for my sears tools when they switched to the "Laser Etched" markings. The old school "Forged in" markings were nice sockets. After getting a few of those laser etched ones, I stopped buying new ones from Craftsman because of the look & feel...but the service after the sale kept me happy. NEVER EVER NEVER once got the runaround or hard time on returning anything there. Heck I think you could have told them point blank you had put a 4' cheater on your 3/8" ratchet and they would swap it out and joke about only using a 2' cheater next time...

 

[VWPORSCHEGT3]

IMO I lost alot of pride for my sears tools when they switched to the "Laser Etched" markings. The old school "Forged in" markings were nice sockets. After getting a few of those laser etched ones, I stopped buying new ones from Craftsman because of the look & feel...but the service after the sale kept me happy. NEVER EVER NEVER once got the runaround or hard time on returning anything there. Heck I think you could have told them point blank you had put a 4' cheater on your 3/8" ratchet and they would swap it out and joke about only using a 2' cheater next time...

I lost faith in craftsman after my 2002 ratchet debacle, when they handed me a rebuild kit when my wrench was too far gone for a "rebuild" and they refused to warranty the ratchet... mind you this ratchet was the first tool i ever bought for myself 2 years earlier and only used it to work on bicycles, no cheater bars, etc.. I still have craftsman tools here and there but they were inherited as well as my circa 1940 snap on stuff.

 

[dirtydogintex]

...NEVER EVER NEVER once got the runaround or hard time on returning anything there. Heck I think you could have told them point blank you had put a 4' cheater on your 3/8" ratchet and they would swap it out and joke about only using a 2' cheater next time...

W/the exception of ratchets (there are ways around their 'rebuilt' exchanges) and power tools
Sears has been a piece of cake on warranty exchanges no matter how blatant the abuse....
w/the exception of
only warranting one (1) CM wood handled hammer per visit (blame goes to the flea markets per Sears)
and chrome finish failures resulting from being submerged in sea water (if they're worn out/broken and rusted it's ok!!)....

Life would be boring if not for exceptions, eh?

 

[Kevin54]

Allen brand isn't too bad and that's what Menards carries. From what I have seen of the tools they all look pretty good.

 

[carhunter]

Don't know what brand I'd switch to if Craftsman and SO weren't options.

Something doesn't sit right with me buying a tool with a deliberately misspelled name. Its "Cobalt" dammit

Have always been fond of the few S-K strays that have found their way into my toolbox but there are very few local vendors that I know of.

 

[fourtythree]

Duralast is pretty decent if you have an Autozone. I've found it to be on par with Kobalt for 2/3 the price.

 

[NC-Fordguy]

Chances are once a full line Sears gets shut down a Hometown Sears dealer store comes in

 

[metaleltr]

Sk and Gearwrench are both available through advanced auto parts. My belief is that for the serious DIYer (those who formerly turned to craftsman for decant quality at a fair price) this will be their best investment on quality tools. Truck brands are still for professionals and ******** DIYers.

 

[metaldad]

Yes, Ace carries C-man, sets and individuals. They only warrant if you have a store receipt.
K-mart(s) here carry a very limited selection of C-man. Used to have a much larger display.

 

[kngelv]

Don't forget Wright. I'm done with Sears after the Chinese RP issue and them scamming the guy who invented the bionic wrench.

James

 

[hifi_hokie]

Sk and Gearwrench are both available through advanced auto parts. My belief is that for the serious DIYer (those who formerly turned to craftsman for decant quality at a fair price) this will be their best investment on quality tools. Truck brands are still for professionals and ******** DIYers.

I'd like to see SK come back strong under Ideal's ownership. But they still are having a bit too much variability in quality right now for me to take that plunge...

Don't forget Wright. I'm done with Sears after the Chinese RP issue and them scamming the guy who invented the bionic wrench.

James

Wright is what I went with for my last couple orders of stuff

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Check your nearest Ace hardware store. Many are now carrying Craftsman tools.

Same here, Steevo Local Ace has a fairly good selection of Craftsman tools......

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Same here, Steevo Local Ace has a fairly good selection of Craftsman tools......

But then the problem here is also the return policy and overall after sale service. Getting any tool isnt or hasnt been a problem since Al Gore invented the internet.
From eBay to Amazon, you can get any brand delivered next day if you want it that bad. With my Prime membership, 2nd Day delivery for free...
Having to save all my reciepts? Seriously? Do all you guys have reciepts for every single socket & such? ROFL...
Like I said, what brought me to Sears/Craftsman more then anything was the EASY returns. NEVER a problem with anything, and at that time, they were USA made. Win win all around.

Just picked up a replacement 17mm Kobalt during my lunch break BTW...Does look & feel like a nicely made tool...Poor little Kobalt will be all alone in the tool box for now

 

[crewchief888]

You can do the same with Snap-on MAC and Proto. All that has been required for me for SO so far is a phone call. Proto & MAC require return of the broken tool, but Proto has been painless; I haven't done MAC yet.

You do not even have to send the broken tool back to SO usually, especially if you buy it online. SO has been outstanding warranting my stuff with a phone call, but DO NOT just send it in, call them first.

i've had to warranty several tools with SO in the past 3 weeks, all it took was an email, had my replacements within 2 or 3 days.

i've sent several emails to mac over the past 6 months, and they have yet to respond.. local dealer has yet to bring me a ratchet kit, or replace a broken impact swivel socket, last time i saw him was over 3 years ago.
all my broken mac stuff just gets tossed in a cardboard box, and replaced with new tools.
FWIW, cornwell seems a little slow in getting warranty stuff shipped out, waited a week for a ratchet kit,
they sent the wrong kit
they asked me to return the ratchet and kit
2 weeks pass..
i recieve a package from them,
wrong ratchet
they sent a 1/4" dr ratchet to replace the 3/8" dr one i sent in.
fired off another email, this time i looked up the PN for the ratchet i sent in..

new 3/8" dr ratchet on the way, and a freebie 1/4" dr ratchet

 

[cheechi]

does anybody else think $19.55 for a single socket is a little out of line

It's way out of line.

Yes, Ace carries C-man, sets and individuals. They only warrant if you have a store receipt.
K-mart(s) here carry a very limited selection of C-man. Used to have a much larger display.

I have a K-Mart that has a Sears outlet in the same store, and they would not warranty replace a cman tool that they sell in both parts. You have to be very careful with it, Ace will only warranty replace Cman that you bought from Ace, regardless of whether they carry it.

I've bought Husky, Kobalt, & Northern Tool brand stuff to replace. HD wants to give you a hard time sometimes and other times it's just that easy. Lowe's is pretty easy but there is a big problem, Kobalt stopped doing no questions warranty for sockets and now you have to register your kits in the 'sockets for life' thing. They still do other hand tools pretty easy. Northern is really laid back, but they did require a receipt. I'm starting to feel like they may be the best quality of the chinese hand tools. There are certain ones of each that are better than the rest, but I would pick Kobalt wrenches over the others, Husky scissors, hard to really say about the pliers (I haven't had any of my ~10 Kobalt ones break but I know others who say they're bad) and probably Northern for nearly all the rest.

Keep in mind I do save all my receipts (even ones for returns), keep them in date order, and it has saved me several times at several different stores.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

It's way out of line.

Back in the day I was single...spent my money on Cold Beer, Hot Women and Shiny Tools...never even batted an eye at the price of SO..now, Im married, 2 kids, etc... SHOCKED at the pricing..LOL

Lowe's is pretty easy but there is a big problem, Kobalt stopped doing no questions warranty for sockets and now you have to register your kits in the 'sockets for life' thing. They still do other hand tools pretty easy. Northern is really laid back, but they did require a receipt. I'm starting to feel like they may be the best quality of the chinese hand tools.

So I figured I should go register my single 17mm socket to get "warranty"...I got no problems playing by the rules, turns out its not a warrany as much as a gimmick on sets...Long story short that SFL thing is a crock..

Step 3 - Order Completion

Shipping and handling charges do apply for each socket ordered through a "Sockets For Life" claim. Shipping and handling charge is per socket. You will be asked to submit credit card payment information before your order can be completed. The shipping & handling charges are as follows:

$4.95 - 1/4" drive, 3/8" drive and 1/2" drive sockets
$5.95 - Impact sockets
$6.95 - 3/4" drive sockets
$5.00 - Additional charge for each shipment to Canada​

So its really not free at all, had I LOST my 17mm, they would have charged me $4.97 shipping (EACH socket, so combining wont save you)....you can go get it in the store for $3.97 It also makes no mention of broken ones, just lost/misplaced/etc...

 

[4x4gearhead]

Your choices are like electing a president, you have a choice between a douche bag and a couple turd sandwiches.

 

[IONH]

So its really not free at all, had I LOST my 17mm, they would have charged me $4.97 shipping (EACH socket, so combining wont save you)....you can go get it in the store for $3.97 It also makes no mention of broken ones, just lost/misplaced/etc...

Though the cost is $1 more than you could buy the single socket for retail, you should be happy they will replace the lost ones at all...