Menard's Masterforce Flare Nut Wrench Set

[jrw87]

The masterforce levels probably dont have the same accuracy as the craftsman levels I have shown here. Stabila does say they sell vials that dont meet there tolerances and they have craftsman grade over their regular grade levels.

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[cburnscrx]

I have Blain's Farm & Fleet not Fleet Farm!
But I believe they are about the same.

Very similar, but different

Farm & Fleet
http://www.farmandfleet.com/stores/

Fleet Farm
http://www.fleetfarm.com

 

[bcradio]

The Stabila thing is well known... if you're skeptical, Google it.

The product pages also say "Made in Germany", and used to actually say by Stabila.

Made a believer out of me.

 

[Farmall450]

Very similar, but different

Farm & Fleet
http://www.farmandfleet.com/stores/

Fleet Farm
http://www.fleetfarm.com

Yeah, they carry the same brands tho!

Do we actually know master force tools require a receipt for warranty?

I would personally choose a Masterforce branded tool over Allen, since Apex Tools can be pretty sketchy on their warranty service.

I have been going with Allen lately, they say lifetime warranty, I know a few managers, and it's closer than Sears. Recon it shouldn't be too hard.

But the screwdrivers are Pratt Read, so I don't have an issue with that. They're good enough for me and USA made, so no reason to change.

They looked kinda sketchy. Just tapered down to the blade, no grippy grooves or anything, idk, they just didn't look right!

 

[Farmall450]

Do we actually know master force tools require a receipt for warranty?

I would personally choose a Masterforce branded tool over Allen, since Apex Tools can be pretty sketchy on their warranty service.

And doesn't Apex make masterforce too?

 

[SMKS]

And doesn't Apex make masterforce too?

Yes, but your warranty would be through Menards, not through Apex directly. I don't know where you'd be buying Allen, but you'd better hope they would warranty anything for you. If they can't or won't then you'll have to call Apex.

It may be a moot point, since I've never broken a wrench.

 

[Farmall450]

Yes, but your warranty would be through Menards, not through Apex directly. I don't know where you'd be buying Allen, but you'd better hope they would warranty anything for you. If they can't or won't then you'll have to call Apex.

It may be a moot point, since I've never broken a wrench.

Exactly, and I think F & F's would be the same as Menards policy?

 

[monomach]

Do we actually know master force tools require a receipt for warranty?

I would personally choose a Masterforce branded tool over Allen, since Apex Tools can be pretty sketchy on their warranty service.

Menard's definitely does. It's because the tool only has a warranty for the original owner. Shot my father down when he tried to warranty a ratchet. He really did have the receipt, but it had faded into nonexistence.

That kills any chance of me buying into them. Their warranty just isn't competitive. I shop at Menard's every Sunday and love the place to death, but they get exactly zero of my hand tool dollars, US made or not.

 

[SMKS]

Menard's definitely does. It's because the tool only has a warranty for the original owner. Shot my father down when he tried to warranty a ratchet. He really did have the receipt, but it had faded into nonexistence.

That kills any chance of me buying into them. Their warranty just isn't competitive. I shop at Menard's every Sunday and love the place to death, but they get exactly zero of my hand tool dollars, US made or not.

But are you sure it was a Masterforce tool or one of the cheaper brands they sell. I think the different brands may have a different warranty.

I'll be there later this week so I'll check the packaging.

 

[monomach]

But are you sure it was a Masterforce tool or one of the cheaper brands they sell. I think the different brands may have a different warranty.

I'll be there later this week so I'll check the packaging.

It was a Masterforce 3/8 U-joint. I had a look at the thing myself because I thought he must have accidentally bought Tool Shop or whatever it was that they used to pack the shelves with.

My next time in the store, I asked the manager working the customer service desk about the "Lifetime Warranty." What she laid out for me was the pain-in-the-*** Evolv warranty.

 

[dave12b]

Never buy anything at Menards with cash. You can look up and reprint the receipt at the kiosk any transaction you made with CC/debit or check. I have never had an issue returning anything but I never had to warranty any of their tools.

OP, buy with confidence. If you have a issue, swap it out and add snap-on or similar as needed.

 

[Farmall450]

It was a Masterforce 3/8 U-joint. I had a look at the thing myself because I thought he must have accidentally bought Tool Shop or whatever it was that they used to pack the shelves with.

My next time in the store, I asked the manager working the customer service desk about the "Lifetime Warranty." What she laid out for me was the pain-in-the-*** Evolv warranty.

That's BS...

Never buy anything at Menards with cash. You can look up and reprint the receipt at the kiosk any transaction you made with CC/debit or check. I have never had an issue returning anything but I never had to warranty any of their tools.

OP, buy with confidence. If you have a issue, swap it out and add snap-on or similar as needed.

True.

 

[SMKS]

UPDATE-

Masterforce brand hand tools at Menards DO NOT require a receipt for warranty.

The person who was making that claim was either mistaken or dealt with a person who didn't know the warranty.

I emailed Menards to find out more and here was their response (emphasis added by me):

Stephen,



Your email has been forwarded to me for further assistance. All MasterForce hand tools carry a lifetime warranty and can be exchanged at any Menards store with or without a receipt for an identical or similar item. If you are in need of further assistance with your purchase decision please stop in to your local Menards store and a helpful Hardware Team Member would be happy to assist you.



Thank you for shopping Menards, we appreciate and need your business.



Sincerely,



John Jastrow

Hand Tool Buyer

Hardware Dept

Menard, Inc.

 

[Farmall450]

Very good ^^^

 

[monomach]

UPDATE-

Masterforce brand tools at Menards DO NOT require a receipt for warranty.

The person who was making that claim was either mistaken or dealt with a person who didn't know the warranty.

I emailed Menards to find out more and here was their response (emphasis added by me):

Holy shi! I think I'll email them myself so I have one addressed to my name that I can print out and strongarm the returns desk with in the event of a tool failure. Going to ask my dad whether he's thrown out his U-joint yet.

This definitely pleases me. I like giving my money to Menards, even if they do staff them with bored-looking teenage girls who don't know what a ratchet is.

 

[mark5767]

Thanks for sharing this Stephen, this is good info!

Over the years my experience with Menards is their merchandise policies are relatively strict and customer service varies from store to store. Some stores / department managers will do things for you others will not (special orders, etc).

I was trying to get some special order replacement windows for our house and one store said "totally impossible they don't make those anymore" Another store said sure, I'll just call the factory and have them made up, no problem! Got the windows a few weeks later!

They still have room for improvement on tool selection, but it sounds like they are trying to step up their game.

Overall they do a lot things well, if they can add some quality tools into the mix all the better!

 

[nicksnothereman]

Is it any good @ $20?

US made, they just looked funny at the store

Thanks

If it's on clearance then yeah. If that's the regular price I wouldn't touch them unless it's like a set of 3 or 4 wrenches. Way too cheap a price for anything made in the US, they would probably have suspect quality.

I've never lived near a menard's so I don't know a whole lot about the stuff they carry. If you're not going to depend on them (use them regularly) might want to pull the trigger on them.

Edit: looked it up. I'm looking at them. They look decent.

 

[Farmall450]

If it's on clearance then yeah. If that's the regular price I wouldn't touch them unless it's like a set of 3 or 4 wrenches. Way too cheap a price for anything made in the US, they would probably have suspect quality.

I've never lived near a menard's so I don't know a whole lot about the stuff they carry. If you're not going to depend on them (use them regularly) might want to pull the trigger on them.

Edit: looked it up. I'm looking at them. They look decent.

IDK why, something about them just looked strange at the store

 

[allinon72]

There's been a 72" Masterforce level (Stabila) in my store's clearance section for months now. $70.

 

[3baygarage]

I had an ASE Master Tech instructor who said never use a Craftsman flare wrench because the jaws will widen!

 

[Farmall450]

I had an ASE Master Tech instructor who said never use a Craftsman flare wrench because the jaws will widen!

Then I imagine masterforce would be the same...