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Proto warranty *****!!

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Vinko

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Jul 7, 2008
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Just got in the mail from Proto a new pair of snap ring pliers! Sent an older (maybe 10 years or more) snap-ring plier that "snapped" near one of ends. Sent it into Proto and they sent me back a new one.
 

ToolGlutton

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Jul 8, 2008
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Washington, DC
Hi Snap on guys,

Why did you break a Proto?

It seems that someone only adore their Snap on ratchets. When it comes to work, they use Proto ratchet? :mad:

In that sense, Snap on is really reliable!!! :drink:
 
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wrenchr

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I'm not a snap on guy, I have tools from many tools companies.
I have a account with Mac tools.
 

Uncle Buck

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I'm not a snap on guy, I have tools from many tools companies.
I have a account with Mac tools.

I would be the first to agree, you are not dedicated to one brand only as evidenced by the broad range of tool brands you seem to buy, use, sell and trade routinely around here. While I like a lot of variety in my ratchets and wrenches I would admit if I had to choose only one favorite brand it would be SO, fortunately I do not have to limit myself to one brand though! :beer:
 
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wrenchr

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I would be the first to agree, you are not dedicated to one brand only as evidenced by the broad range of tool brands you seem to buy, use, sell and trade routinely around here. While I like a lot of variety in my ratchets and wrenches I would admit if I had to choose only one favorite brand it would be SO, fortunately I do not have to limit myself to one brand though! :beer:
Thanks Herb,
While Snap on is high quality, it would be very narrowed minded to think they are the only high quality tool.
 

eschoendorff

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Feb 6, 2005
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Wrenchr a Snap On guy? Well, maybe lately... but if you read some of his stff in the archives, you'll see that his is not exclusive with his tools. He gets around, if you know what I mean. If tools were women, Wrenchr would be one of the biggest whores evar!
 

Vinko

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Just another Proto "Professional" piece warrantied. A 1/2 hex bit socket for a 3/8 drive.

It was cool of them to replace it. It had been put through hard use. Now confining it to lighter use and using Apex.
 

gotmud13613

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Mar 19, 2007
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Upstate, NY (Brasher Falls)
I thought Proto was pretty decent up until now :mad:

I was using my 1/2" Dr Proto Big Dawg a few weeks ago and broke the pawl, So I contactd Proto about gettin a kit for it. All I got for a response from several different people was to send it in for a replacement on the phone and by e-mail, I asked why they just couldn't send me a kit, and that I would even pay for it. No sir we do not do that anymore :headscrat:confused:

So I packaged it up and sent it in, and today I get a package from them and opened it up:mad: This is what they sent me for a replacement for my Big Dawg

100_1230.jpg


Then the BEST part is the defects that are on the new ratchet they claim to be the replacement for the Big Dawg:dunno:, There is Hole under the selector lever and a Crack like mark on the drive side below the cover plate:mad:

100_1221.jpg


100_1227.jpg


100_1233.jpg


PROTO:rocketwho
 

PowderKeg

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May 20, 2008
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Little Rock, AR
Now that is a major downer - sending a reject ratchet for a warranty replacement. What was the replacement model when the Big Dawgs were discontinued? That's what I would've expected, rather than the old low-tooth-count pear head. Wonder if they would replace that ratchet if the chrome starts peeling at the crack/mark, or would you get a run-around because it still functions?
 
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autoace

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I heard from my Cornwell guy, and a MSC rep. that all tool manufacturers are doing this, because of the high rate of flea market, and ebay tool warranty issues. It's a simple case of a legitimate claim like wrenchr has, being turned down because of warranty abuse,by many others. All in a time when profits are low for the manufacturer. All tool manufacturers have an explicit warranty, the fine print will get them off the hook, if the warranty loss gets too high.

I'm not saying it's right, but this is what happens when folks try to warranty flea market stuff that is rough. Wrenchr just wants a repair kit, that is reasonable! They are wrong to give him BS, but the above has made it that way, so I have been told anyway.:confused:
 

48548

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May 14, 2008
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Gotta like the old faithful 5449.... Let me know if you manage to break that, I think they are bullit proof, but kinda corse for my likings...
 

kythri

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Lebanon, OR
I'm not saying it's right, but this is what happens when folks try to warranty flea market stuff that is rough. Wrenchr just wants a repair kit, that is reasonable! They are wrong to give him BS, but the above has made it that way, so I have been told anyway.:confused:

Who cares if they're attempting to warranty-replace flea-market stuff?

If it's not a barrel of already-warranty-replaced broken stuff (like you see on eBay from time to time), who cares where it came from?

Either the tool has a warranty, or it doesn't.
 

48548

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I look at it as broken its broken, even if i bought it broken, should they not fix it? Also he was willing to buy a kit, how much more can you ask for... If you wanted a kit, sometimes you can try MSC or Grainger or if you are lucky uurea for kits for the older stuff, not sure about the big dawg. It looks like the part number is 12PKR for a big dawg repair kit, but not sure where you get it....
 
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philw

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Who cares if they're attempting to warranty-replace flea-market stuff?

If it's not a barrel of already-warranty-replaced broken stuff (like you see on eBay from time to time), who cares where it came from?

Either the tool has a warranty, or it doesn't.

I tend to agree. As long as the tool isn't older then it's owner and it isn't abused then they should warranty it. I can understand companies not wanting to warranty rusty, hammered on, bent tools or a ratchet from 1947 but replacing a big dawg with an older model is poor service.

If someone bought a 10 year old ratchet from a flea market and it was in good condition except for it needing a rebuild kit then the tool company should fix it or replace with a current model and not a reject.
 

kythri

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I tend to agree. As long as the tool isn't older then it's owner and it isn't abused then they should warranty it. I can understand companies not wanting to warranty rusty, hammered on, bent tools or a ratchet from 1947 but replacing a big dawg with an older model is poor service.

Obviously abused tools, I can understand.

The age of the tool shouldn't matter, though.

As long as I don't piss him off too much over the next couple of decades :D, Dad plans on leaving his tool stuff to me.

Included in that is a LOT of old Snap-On stuff that he inherited from my Grandpa, from his days of owning a Richfield station.

At that point, I don't know that I'll use a lot of it, but it's my belief that if something breaks, Snap-On should warranty it.

If someone bought a 10 year old ratchet from a flea market and it was in good condition except for it needing a rebuild kit then the tool company should fix it or replace with a current model and not a reject.

Agreed.
 

gotmud13613

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I contacted them today by e-mail and showed them the pics of the ratchet they sent me. I got a message back that 5449 is the replacement for the 5449P (Big Dawg) how is old technology a replacement for newer stuff :headscrat And they said if I have any problems with the replacement as far as chrome peeling, breaking at the crack, Etc. they will replace it :spit:

I got the Big Dawg new off ebay back a few months ago, along with a matching 3/8 Dr, I maybe used it 4-5 times and the pawl broke in two.

This replacement ratchet is coarse you need a half acre to engauge into the next tooth :lol_hitti

Oh Well my Proto days are over I guess. They should have replaced it with the newer version (fine tooth). I will keep what I have but I am not going to buy newer stuff if they only replace it with there antiques:lol_hitti
 

philw

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The age of the tool shouldn't matter, though.

It should depend on how much wear the tool has. Is it a 1948 ratchet that's mint that needs a rebuild or is it that same ratchet that has obviously seen many years of service and is worn out and needs replaced?

Snap ons guarantee in an old 1958 catalog reads:
"Tools which have failed for reasons other than defects in material or workmanship, or because of natural wear, or abuse, intentional or unintentional, will not be replaced."

This gives Snap on an out. They can claim almost any tool that's very old isn't eligible due to wear. As I stated previously, it would have to be a tool that wasn't used much an was obviously in very good condition.

Also, you have people you will take an old functional tool and break it on purpose to try to get a new shiny tool. To me, that's flat out dishonest.
 

vssjim

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I've never had any problem with Proto's warranty and yes the bigdog is obsolete and getting a classic ratchet in the mail wouldn't bother me because I like them and use them daily.
 

autoace

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Who cares if they're attempting to warranty-replace flea-market stuff?

If it's not a barrel of already-warranty-replaced broken stuff (like you see on eBay from time to time), who cares where it came from?

Either the tool has a warranty, or it doesn't.

Then if you read the warranty word for word, broken flea market/ebay stuff does not have a warranty!
 

alex71

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Jan 19, 2009
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SE Florida
I have a 5249 that I bought at a garage sale years ago... it looks just like your pics, holes and all... FWIW

I thought Proto was pretty decent up until now :mad:

I was using my 1/2" Dr Proto Big Dawg a few weeks ago and broke the pawl, So I contactd Proto about gettin a kit for it. All I got for a response from several different people was to send it in for a replacement on the phone and by e-mail, I asked why they just couldn't send me a kit, and that I would even pay for it. No sir we do not do that anymore :headscrat:confused:

So I packaged it up and sent it in, and today I get a package from them and opened it up:mad: This is what they sent me for a replacement for my Big Dawg

100_1230.jpg


Then the BEST part is the defects that are on the new ratchet they claim to be the replacement for the Big Dawg:dunno:, There is Hole under the selector lever and a Crack like mark on the drive side below the cover plate:mad:

100_1221.jpg


100_1227.jpg


100_1233.jpg


PROTO:rocketwho
 

autoace

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Oct 20, 2008
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For Stanley/Proto, I have always just mailed the tool to the warranty address, with a nice note, they always sent me a new one. I didn't send them any BS claims though. I think if wrenchr just sent the tool in, he will probably get taken care of, who knows what "person" does the email replys. Snap-on requires purchase of ratchet kits...sounds like Proto does now also,times are changing.
 

Tool Pants

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Oct 4, 2008
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Location
San Jose CA
I am beginning to think it is too bad Stanley got its hands on Proto.

Last month I asked customer service if they had an exploded view of a Proto 5447 ratchet adapter so I could figure out how to take it apart. Customer service said it was discontinued. When Stanley took over they put a J in front of the Proto part numbers. I then asked for an exploded view of a J5447. This time customer service said it could not be taken apart.

After I figured out how to take it apart I sent customer service this picture.
 

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eschoendorff

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What I don't get is how Proto can have all these warranty problems while cousin MAC has some of the best warranty service in the industry????
 

back2class

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Jan 7, 2009
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I have had great warranty service with Stanley. I mean fantastic! I have never broken a Proto tool so I have no idea

Mac on the other hand,,,,,,POOR! I had a puller with a broken jaw/prawl and they told me I had to buy a new $18 jaw.


As a side note I have a friend who was pretty high up at Stanley's management and said he hated that chinese move (he likes his tools and has a pretty nice colection). But he did say the stuff was as good or better than the american versions they were making. He said they were getting a higher quality item for less cost. He had no reason to lie as he is a very close friend.
 
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gotmud13613

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Upstate, NY (Brasher Falls)
^^^

I asked if I could purchase the kit and they said they were no longer available-discontinued . So I did what they said to (sent them ratchet BigDawg) and they sent me the old 5449 model (new) as a replacement.

I am not going to bother fighting this anymore, I have several better ratchets I can use. I just didn't like the idea of them sending me the old style for a replacement.
 

billymade

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Apr 2, 2008
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New Mexico
I wonder if the Mexican company URREA would have parts that you need; they seem to have soldiered on and continued to make old Proto designed tools and have rebuild kits for what they sell. I don't know if this helps but just a thought; someone on here got kits for their "obsolete" proto ratchets and got them working! Whoever that was; could chime in here... or maybe it was cheaper, then buying from Proto! My memory is failing me! :)
http://www.urreaprofessionaltools.com/public/pag1.aspx
 
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vssjim

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Don't think that Urrea made a big dawg plus the big dawg wasn't that old really it just came and went fast and now they have a newer style of fine tooth ratchet. It is also common when a tool is discontinued to send a customer as close a match as possible, and that goes for every company I have ever heard of or done biz with.
 

billymade

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If you could find the ratchet rebuild kit part #; then, you might be able to find some NOS somewhere... of course, at this point without any parts available; I would just look elsewhere for a different ratchet. There are so many other high quality made ratchets made by other companies out there! It is always a shame when you like something that becomes "obsolete" and you cannot find service parts for it anymore! :(
 
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