Proto Tools....are they ****?

[oldschoolcraft]

It depends on where the Proto came from. Some places will hold onto it until their Proto rep comes in to look at it.

Some places will hand you a new one and send you on your way. I've never had to warranty any of my Proto stuff.

I've only ever bought from Zoro. And I also never broke anything.

 

[Wamsutta]

I've only ever bought from Zoro. And I also never broke anything.

I don't know what Zoro would do. They might ask you to email them a picture. I've got all my Proto stuff from industrial supply stores.

 

[oldschoolcraft]

I don't know what Zoro would do. They might ask you to email them a picture. I've got all my Proto stuff from industrial supply stores.

I always assumed Zoro was like Amazon. If it's after the 30 day return period then talk to the tool manufacturer.

I went on their website and found this:

Zoro warrants any product purchased for use in business or resale against defects in workmanship or materials under normal use for a period of 1 year from the date of purchase. Any product determined by Zoro to be defective in material or workmanship and returned to Zoro (shipping costs prepaid) will, at Zoro’s option, be repaired or replaced or the purchase price refunded.

For information on a specific manufacturer’s warranty, please contact us at (855) 289‑9676.

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Sounds like they wont warranty it if you say you're a home gamer. And if it's within 1 year they'll handle the manufacturer warranty claim on your behalf. Outside of that year, you're on your own to deal with Proto. So I went on Porto's website and here's some info:

• Does not cover the following categories of products: universal sockets, universal joints, thin-wall impact sockets, adapters, and retaining rings.
• Does not cover damage due to ordinary wear and tear.

• Distributors of record must act as a return agent.
• The exclusive remedy under this Limited Lifetime Warranty for products determined to be deficient in materials or workmanship by PROTO is repair or replacement with a reconditioned tool of equal value by PROTO.
• The selected remedy is at the sole discretion of PROTO. In no event shall PROTO be responsible for more than the original purchase price of the product.

Should you have any questions, contact PROTO Customer Service at 1-800-800-TOOL (8665) or [email protected]. This product is not intended for commercial use, and accordingly, such commercial use of this product will void this warranty.

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So it sounds like in order to use the Proto warranty, you have to go through Zoro, but Zoro will only accept your warranty claim if it's within 1 year of buying it from them, and also Zoro will only accept your warranty if you're a commercial tool user, but Proto will then deny the claim because the tools are not warrantable for commercial use.

All of the sudden, trying to convince the Harbor Freight clerk that you dont need to bring back the whole socket set to warranty one socket doesnt seem so onerous.

 

[cherrybomb]

I have a nice selection of Proto,I work it hard but don't abuse it.I'm not at all woried about warrenty,and have not broken anything.Thats a big reason I am proud of my Proto.

 

[lbhsbz]

I needed a 3/8 line wrench a while back and couldn't get a snap-on guy to pick up the phone so ended up ordering one from McMaster....they supplied a Proto. It's a ************* like most other line wrenches that don't say Snap-On. Ended up finding a Snap-On at a garage sale that weekend so all is well, it works without ******* up the tube nut, like they're supposed to.

I have other proto sockets and basic combo wrenches that work as I'd expect them to....nothing special, but nothing to complain about

 

[WWheeler]

My work has this type Proto DBE wrench at several machines and I can't stress enough how much I HATE them. By far the worst wrenches ever made IMHO. The bar is squared-off sharp edges so much it hurts my hand bad. Never held anyone else's wrench that was like this. I literally have wrap the wrench in a rag to pull on it (we have to put and remove >150 ft lbs over and over with them). They've ruined me on ever spending my coin on Proto anything.

Before that the same machines were provided Armstrong wrenches of the same type, and a few of those old ones are still on the floor, and they are great to use. Pull as hard as I might. Night and day difference between them and the Protos.

 

[RickyPetite]

Every Proto tool that I have (lots) have been fabulous. No complaints

 

[Robinson1]

I never liked their ratchets but everything else I’ve used from Proto has been great. I actually seek them out when trying to eBay larger sockets. Great quality made in USA and you can usually buy them cheaper than other pro brands. Proto is a pro brand, aimed more towards industrial use, their main competitor is Williams

 

[lardy1]

Their 90 tooth ratchets are fantastic. Probably my favorite mechanism but they're awfully pricy. Those 72 tooth Italian ratchets are also great ratchets and quite affordable if you shop around for them.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I have warrantied three things from Proto in the past three years. Every time I just sent an email with a picture, part number, and issue and every time I have received a response noting my warranty and a new one shows up in the mail a few days later.

Proto and MAC are some of the only companies I will totally buy Taiwanese made stuff from because it is usually a much higher quality than competitors. Plus they have a bunch of cool European stuff. I strongly recommend Proto.

My beef is that the catalog is super hard to figure out since the part descriptions **** and the prices have steadily been increasing. Proto is almost MAC pricing on some stuff and well past Williams and Wright.

 

[ThePostman]

A Proto precision 90 ratchet IS a Mac axis 90. I have two. One is a 3/8" flex long handle, and the other is the 1/4" flavor. I have no complaints about them, other than the head is thicker than my Matcos. The head is designed differently than most flex heads as well where the two prongs are on the head versus the handle, I think it's a stronger design. And the knurled ring handle is only available in Proto. Play your cards right with Zoro, I left them in my cart with a discount, and they sent me another code, I think they have shut that down though.