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caper

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
3,185
Location
cape breton
They are decent tools for the money.I have quite a few and know alot of mechanics who use them as well.They used to have decent screwdrivers at one point but the newer ones have turned to ****.
 

Keep

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 1, 2009
Messages
1,398
Location
Oshawa, Ontario
I like the Maximum line, the regular ones are not all that good. One thing I have learned is to never pay full price. Always wait the week until they are 75% off!!
 

Paladin

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2008
Messages
924
Location
Southern Utah
Are the Canadian Mastercraft different that the ones here in the US? Because I got a set of them for X-Mas one year. All made in Taiwan and I've cracked several of the sockets. Busted my *** due to a 15/16" Mastercraft cracking while I was torqueing lugnuts once. All my buddies got a good laugh out of it though!
 

voidifused

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
219
Location
Canada
I used to buy a fair amount from mastercraft, they are now the bane of my existence trying to replace all of them!

I had one of there Gearwrenchs, some how tightening a 1/4 bolt with no form of cheater :IE a pipe: and it lets go some small ball bearings roll out on the floor were i am working, so end of the day i drive to the CT to get another one, this was brand new first time i used it take it in grab the same one off the shelf and head to do the paper work end of it. The guy at the returns counter says to me and i quote "The warranty only applies if it is not used for mechanical use" :wtf: I say thats a good one and ill take my wrench, The man reply's "No sir i am sorry we can not cover this tool" My reply was not so nice.

So across the river i go to another CT to try and get it replaced, go in get the wrench wait in line get to the counter they tell me it was abused and voids the warranty"

SO i go home gather all the master craft tools i can find the slips for toss them in the truck back i go later that night and return everything and say "I am no satisfied with this and would like a refund" Had to get the manager on duty to get it done, but got there and got my 400$ and went home.
Since i have come to this site i have been driving to try the truck brands out so i spent it and another 300$ on the snap on truck the following week and will never go back :bounce:

I don't know if any one else has had such "awful luck" with there no hassle warranty but that just makes me so made when some little clerk is like "no this is abuse, makes you're warranty void" :mad:
 

Bo Heck

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 3, 2009
Messages
795
I used to buy a fair amount from mastercraft, they are now the bane of my existence trying to replace all of them!

I had one of there Gearwrenchs, some how tightening a 1/4 bolt with no form of cheater :IE a pipe: and it lets go some small ball bearings roll out on the floor were i am working, so end of the day i drive to the CT to get another one, this was brand new first time i used it take it in grab the same one off the shelf and head to do the paper work end of it. The guy at the returns counter says to me and i quote "The warranty only applies if it is not used for mechanical use" :wtf: I say thats a good one and ill take my wrench, The man reply's "No sir i am sorry we can not cover this tool" My reply was not so nice.

So across the river i go to another CT to try and get it replaced, go in get the wrench wait in line get to the counter they tell me it was abused and voids the warranty"

SO i go home gather all the master craft tools i can find the slips for toss them in the truck back i go later that night and return everything and say "I am no satisfied with this and would like a refund" Had to get the manager on duty to get it done, but got there and got my 400$ and went home.
Since i have come to this site i have been driving to try the truck brands out so i spent it and another 300$ on the snap on truck the following week and will never go back :bounce:

I don't know if any one else has had such "awful luck" with there no hassle warranty but that just makes me so made when some little clerk is like "no this is abuse, makes you're warranty void" :mad:

That's ridiculous, and reading things like this infuriate me. Thanks for the heads up though.
 

caper

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
3,185
Location
cape breton
Canadian Tire used to advertise that mastercraft tools carried a "no time limit,no questions asked warranty".Whenever some dummy behind the counter gives me a hassle I inform them of that and ask them what part of no questions asked they don't understand.I used to have an old catalog stating it but it got lost in the divorce lol.
 

swgray

Well-known member
Joined
May 18, 2005
Messages
402
Location
maryland
I got a bunch of Mastercraft sockets that were in with some other tools I got on ebay. I must say they appear to be decent quality, but I've never used them.
In fact, they're still sitting where I left them after cleaning and sorting them for possible reselling or my own use. I don't have any complete sets in any size or style. Anybody with some wants or needs, drop me a line.
 

voidifused

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
219
Location
Canada
I had no issues up till the point in my last post, but i was also bring back 2-3 wrenches a week along with there 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets which strip in a dime. I reef the **** out of my 1/4 snap on and it never misses a heart beat or tooth for that matter so i feel the little extra money i make up in gas and time from taking the master caft ones back all the time :lol_hitti
 

Da Bull

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 10, 2005
Messages
274
Location
Niagara Region,Ontario,Canada
For a weekend wrench like me, they are great tools!! I just picked up the Mastercraft Maximum 14-piece Wrench Set, SAE and metric for $23.99 each set. That's $47.99 for 28 wrenches. I don't know what 28 Snap on wrenches would cost, but I'm sure it's way more than $47.99!! Myself, I can not justify the cost of Snap on tools. :canada2:
 

VWinTHEblood

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 26, 2008
Messages
182
Location
Canada
The best product in the whole Mastercraft line are the full polish Maximum wrenches. I have both regular and stubby in metric sizes and they have proven to be a great buy, they seem to be very high quality for the price. Wait for the sales and you can't go wrong.
 

superautobacs

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 31, 2008
Messages
3,997
Location
Vancouver, BC
Here's an example of a Mastercraft Maximum series' reversible gear wrench:
2563893108_b08491c533_b.jpg


I'm not sure if this applies to all of their gear wrenches, but this set has (for the lack of a better way of saying it) a 'stopper' on the box end so that a nut does not pass through.
2563069531_92a7a0898b_b.jpg
 

eschoendorff

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 6, 2005
Messages
8,991
Location
Michigan
That "stopper" feature is what "stopped" me from buying GearWrench. I went with Husky... that stopper can be infuriating.
 
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dxdexter

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,923
I had one of there Gearwrenchs, some how tightening a 1/4 bolt with no form of cheater :IE a pipe: and it lets go some small ball bearings roll out on the floor were i am working, so end of the day i drive to the CT to get another one, this was brand new first time i used it take it in grab the same one off the shelf and head to do the paper work end of it. The guy at the returns counter says to me and i quote "The warranty only applies if it is not used for mechanical use" :wtf: I say thats a good one and ill take my wrench, The man reply's "No sir i am sorry we can not cover this tool" My reply was not so nice.

So across the river i go to another CT to try and get it replaced, go in get the wrench wait in line get to the counter they tell me it was abused and voids the warranty"

SO i go home gather all the master craft tools i can find the slips for toss them in the truck back i go later that night and return everything and say "I am no satisfied with this and would like a refund" Had to get the manager on duty to get it done, but got there and got my 400$ and went home.
Since i have come to this site i have been driving to try the truck brands out so i spent it and another 300$ on the snap on truck the following week and will never go back :bounce:

I don't know if any one else has had such "awful luck" with there no hassle warranty but that just makes me so made when some little clerk is like "no this is abuse, makes you're warranty void" :mad:

I had no issues up till the point in my last post, but i was also bring back 2-3 wrenches a week along with there 1/4 and 3/8 ratchets which strip in a dime. I reef the **** out of my 1/4 snap on and it never misses a heart beat or tooth for that matter so i feel the little extra money i make up in gas and time from taking the master caft ones back all the time :lol_hitti

While not excusing the poor service, that is typical of some of the CT stores. The staff is usually very inexperienced. I would wonder if your name was probably "red flagged". Maybe they feel anyone who brings back two or three wrenches and multiple ratchets a week is abusing them.

For a weekend wrench like me, they are great tools!! I just picked up the Mastercraft Maximum 14-piece Wrench Set, SAE and metric for $23.99 each set. That's $47.99 for 28 wrenches. I don't know what 28 Snap on wrenches would cost, but I'm sure it's way more than $47.99!! Myself, I can not justify the cost of Snap on tools. :canada2:

For the weekender , I completely agree. Even the pro should have no issues with the wrenches. I'm not so strong on the socket sets, but they are more than adequate for home use.

Back in the early 90's just after a good portion of my Proto and Gray combination wrenches and sockets were stolen, I purchased a set of metric and standard wrenches and 3/8" socket set , up to 3/4" and 19mm, in what was then the Mastercraft Professional Series. I have no idea where they were made, but I thought the wrenches were as good as any of the Snap-on or Gray wrenches I now have and they have been used extensively. I have yet to break one, but some are showing signs of age and wear on the open end chrome: some have a brassy color. I do however find the finish superior to what I see on your typical Asian tools. The ratchets and wrenches have never failed, but I much prefer the action of my Gray and SO ratchets.

When these are on sale, the value is fantastic. They nearly give them away. The thing I have noted is that in some sets they leave out some sizes and then charge a premium for the completer pieces.

BTW the ratcheting wrenches from CT are actually made by Gearwrench and marketed as such.

I have not purchased any more Mastercraft tools since my initial purchase because I have rebuilt my collection with quality North American tools as I had previously. The Mastercraft tools are still used.
 

caper

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
3,185
Location
cape breton
If you look hard at my wrench racks you'll see mastercraft professional series wrenchs next to the snappy's,they're what I started with nearly 20 yrs ago and have been used professionally since.Slowly being phased out with snappy as the deals come up but not in any rush.
caper_04


caper_04


These stubbies and gearwrenches are mastercraft as well:
caper_04
 

Piper

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 17, 2006
Messages
590
Location
Muskoka, Canada
Here's one for you. Last fall I was taking the summer tires off my 2 vehicles and my Canadian tire impact packed it in. I'd used it pretty hard for 5 or 6 years so I'm not surprised at all. Just on a whim I took it back to the service dept to see if they had a listing for parts, repair kit etc. Nope. They insisted that I just go get the same one again as the gun was covered by their "lifetime" guarantee. I couldn't believe it. I can't imagine any gun, whatever brand, offering this type of warranty.

So, home I came with a new gun, ready to blast away again for another 6 years.

A proud supporter of CTC tools!

Piper
 

trainer

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 28, 2005
Messages
2,019
Location
Northern Ontario, Canada
I don't buy Mastercraft hand tools anymore.

I had an experience similar to voidifused's about 10 years ago. I broke a mastercraft snap ring plier while working on a rusty snowmobile clutch. I borrowed a Benchmark (home hardware house brand) from my Father and broke it too. I was flat out refused warranty at CTC. They said the only way to break it was to to abuse it.

The home hardware dealer replaced the benchmark no questions asked. I bought myself a new Benchmark to replace the Mastercraft . Guess where I have bought most of my tools since then.
 
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dxdexter

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,923
Yea i used to admire gray tools though they where the best of the best

till i found out they buy most of thier stuff from china

I wouldn't say most but, if they aren't stamped Canada or USA, then I don't buy them.
 

dxdexter

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 1, 2006
Messages
1,923
I don't buy Mastercraft hand tools anymore.

The home hardware dealer replaced the benchmark no questions asked. I bought myself a new Benchmark to replace the Mastercraft . Guess where I have bought most of my tools since then.

Please don't say all your tools are now Benchmark.
 

garfunkle24

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
3,429
Location
Saskatoon, Canada
I had a really REALLY old mastercraft 5/8'' wrench all rusty i found it on the side of the road it had a few grind marks in it so i brought it to them they gave me a brand new maximum wrench no questions

Just today i claimed warrenty with them i found one of those razors in the park it was all covered in mud and the locking part didnt work so i brought it back no hassle what so ever

If they did ever give me a hard time by the time i was through they wouldnt have a job at canadian tire again!

Way to abuse that warranty service! You seem like a great guy! Thanks for f#$king up the honest warranty claims for the rest of us! And maybe getting some kid fired because they think you're a douche like I do! Well done!
 

garfunkle24

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
3,429
Location
Saskatoon, Canada
Ok first off.... NO ONE GOT FIRED the guy whom did the exchange for me was a middle aged man anyways not some kid....... and ive seen him working there for the 3 years ive been going there to buy things

Second I have spent ALOT of money on tools at that store
and you know how much they mark up their products They make profits in the billions every year! Whats a 15 dollar wrench to them or a 3 dollar razor? that really cost them 50 cents each to produce in china. Do you really think they care? They stand behind their products and satisfaction is one thing they want their coustomers to have

Third I have used their warrenty service many times since with no problems
so i did not F*$K it up for anyone they dont even look at the tool you want to exchange. I even told them some of the story and they said that they stand behind their products no matter what.

so maybe your CT branch if full of a$$hats but mine is not

OK, first off, I was referring to your line that said if you got hassle from an employee, you'd make sure they didn't work for CT anymore.

Secondly, the amount you buy from CT and the profits they make are in no way, shape or form related to whether you're abusing the warranty policy or not. A similar argument is made by people who make fraudulent insurance and unemployment claims; "well, I've paid enough in..."

Thirdly, yes you do f#$k it up for everyone. Whether that is reflected in increased pricing of tools (or lower quality for the same price), refusing of future warranty claims or loss of profitability for CT, the money for that replacement tool did NOT magically appear from Never-Never land.

g24
 
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garfunkle24

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2008
Messages
3,429
Location
Saskatoon, Canada
yea i guess i should explane my last line would be on somthing more lagitamat like the problems the other forum members was discribing the gear wrench or what ever it was

if they didnt want to replace mine i would not have argued...

also due to the economic crises i dont really think ct will be putting prices up any time soon They are almost giving tools away now and we have hardly felt the big pinch yet.

Great counter-argument. I'm done here. Go screw some warranty systems until we do feel the 'big pinch', or any other euphamism of your choice.
 

caper

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 12, 2006
Messages
3,185
Location
cape breton
Way to abuse that warranty service! You seem like a great guy! Thanks for f#$king up the honest warranty claims for the rest of us! And maybe getting some kid fired because they think you're a douche like I do! Well done!

It's only my opinion but I think posts like this are helping to cause some of the friction around here lately.Even if you don't agree with someone what's the point of name calling and argueing?It just incites more of the same and alienates members.People start to think twice before posting,granted sometimes thats a good thing,but ultimately it ends up driving members from the site or making people turn into lurkers who we end up learning nothing from.Just my 2 cents,your opinions may vary.
 

voidifused

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 18, 2008
Messages
219
Location
Canada
It's only my opinion but I think posts like this are helping to cause some of the friction around here lately.Even if you don't agree with someone what's the point of name calling and argueing?It just incites more of the same and alienates members.People start to think twice before posting,granted sometimes thats a good thing,but ultimately it ends up driving members from the site or making people turn into lurkers who we end up learning nothing from.Just my 2 cents,your opinions may vary.

:withstupi Very very good point's. Its all good for people to express there opinions on different things, that's why i like this board so much. So just remember arguing one the internet is like running in the special Olympics (and god bless them for trying) even if you win you're still retarded.

I just don't see how talking about a brand of tool and its warranty starts so much of an up roar, every one has had there share of run in's with it be it good or bad and people like there tools :thumbup:

It is the manufacturer who decides what is "screwing the system" If they chose to warranty an item, it is up to them. If their employee is "inexperienced" that is still the manufacturers decision to sell in a store that doesn't have a thorough training program and get the employees up to speed on the technicalities. It is not up to US to say what is and is not. But we can state our opinions in a calm and collected manner and pass them on to the distributor and manufacturer in the hopes of making mutually beneficial changes. :thumbup:
 
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