Snap-On back to enforcing their silly

[nando]

They are a bit less cooperative these days also. Much older Craftsman tools were of good quality, the current stuff..........
I'll regrind the tip of an old screwdriver rather than exchange it for the garbage they sell today.

this. Sears quality has gone to shit. I bought some pliers/cutters in a set, total garbage chinese pot metal. not even worth the bother to bring back for replacement.

[nando]

Sears only has a 1 year warranty on their torque wrenches and only on the ratchet head. My adjustment lock sleeve was broken. No replacement, they would be happy to sell me a new one though. With a 1 year warranty I said no thanks, I'll get something with a better warranty.

you're probably better off with the $19 torque wrench from HF anyway. I've had one for almost 10 years and it's still perfect.

actually HF's warranty may be better than Sears, you just have to pay extra for it... sad huh? The guy running Sears is a smart dude but he really has no idea how to run a retail operation. That place is doomed.

[quikveedb2]

I had a broken ratchet replaced under warranty by Snap-On a couple weeks ago. I even told them I'd take a rebuild kit & do it myself, but they just sent me a new one. Literally no questions asked. I do like their tools but they really don't seem to hold up well to daily use in a professional setting. I've warrantied the same ratchet 2 times in a year, once it was rebuilt by my rep, and most recently the replacement via mail. Now, how to fix the old ratchet, so I can have 2...

[Keith M]

buying snap-on = so dumb

I would agree with that if you are a home mechanic, way too expensive for occasional use. I restore cars for a living and love my Snap-On tools. Never once had a warranty issue in 15 years.

[Quadrajet]

I suppose I shouldn't complain. I had my Torque wrench for 10+ years and have done numerous jobs with it. I went home and found a worm clamp to use as an adjustment holding collar. Not near as convenient, but it does the job.

[delatlanta1281]

Craftsman and Husky are both manufactured by stanley works. They are essentially the same stuff with a different body. Nando, what you experienced is a bi-product of the marketplace. Most pliers and screwdrivers were manufactured in a plant called Western Forge a couple years back. Big box retailers (in order to make/ save a buck) decided that the products coming out of WF were too expensive on a cost basis, and found import companies that can basicly mimic the tooling with cheaper metal/ materials. That is why you experienced what you did. I have a set of 1 off WF pliers and cutters (used to rep them, salesman sample) that is bad ass. We pitched them to Home Depot @ 8 years ago, and THD went to their chinese manufacturer and had them made for half the cost. The same with screwdrivers.
It's sad what the world has come to regarding tools and tooling, even some snap on and matco stuff is being manufactured overseas now in order to keep up with costing. Unless the manufacturer has a military contact, most of them will soon convert to cheaper labor/ materials.
The only company we have that still uses all american steel is Ridge Tool (Ridgid plumbing products). They still retain a military contract for their threading and pipe fitting products, keeping the quality the same as it was 100 years ago.

[Thizzelle]

this is why you buy craftsman, they replace no questions asked.

[Mlarsen]

My Snap-On dealer rents out the back part of my shop for storage. No warranty issues ever. Plus I got a Snap-On foosball table and a kegerator out of the deal.

[nando]

this is why you buy craftsman, they replace no questions asked.

not if you use it professionally.

and they'll replace it with the same cheap junk. :(

[Exodus_2pt0]

not if you use it professionally.

and they'll replace it with the same cheap junk. :(

I never had a problem. I used to go in there once a month with screwdrivers, bits, ect. They knew me, the guy once told me that one of the tools isn't supposed to be warrantied, using these words. "It is technically a cosmetic defect, but I know if I refuse to replace it now you will make sure it's broken when you come back." I grinned, and he replaced it.

Honestly I have it down to a science.

If you need pliers, buy Snap-On. Nothing else will hold up, be it channel locks, needle nose, dykes, anything of that nature. Also, nothing can beat the grip of a Snap-On Flank drive wrench.

Craftsman Professional sockets, pry-bars (same ones that Matco Sells) have been great, no need to replace.

Power tools, Snap-on for the electronics, but the batteries suck unless you get the li-ion. I wouldn't trade my Snap on electric impact for anything. The balance and build is perfect.

Air tools, Ingersol-Rand or Snap-on. Matco just sells re-branded IR so no need to spend the extra when you can cut the middle man out.

Matco, and companies like it are simply rebranded. Don't be fooled though, Snap-On's "Blue Point" line is also rebranded, likely the same stuff you buy when you look at Craftsman's professional line-up.

There is no cut and dry answer to which is better. One day I lined up my pair of Crafstman hose pliers, and a pair of Matco hose pliers, and finally Snap on Blue point, aside from the handles, they were the same exact thing. The key is research before you buy a tool.

Edit to add: I almost forgot, for specialty tools such as ball joint presses, slide hammers, ect., you cannot beat OTC. I spent $500+ on their Balljoint kit and master adapter set, that beast has been one of my biggest money makers throughout the years.

[delatlanta1281]

I never had a problem. I used to go in there once a month with screwdrivers, bits, ect. They knew me, the guy once told me that one of the tools isn't supposed to be warrantied, using these words. "It is technically a cosmetic defect, but I know if I refuse to replace it now you will make sure it's broken when you come back." I grinned, and he replaced it.

Honestly I have it down to a science.

If you need pliers, buy Snap-On. Nothing else will hold up, be it channel locks, needle nose, dykes, anything of that nature. Also, nothing can beat the grip of a Snap-On Flank drive wrench.

Craftsman Professional sockets, pry-bars (same ones that Matco Sells) have been great, no need to replace.

Power tools, Snap-on for the electronics, but the batteries suck unless you get the li-ion. I wouldn't trade my Snap on electric impact for anything. The balance and build is perfect.

Air tools, Ingersol-Rand or Snap-on. Matco just sells re-branded IR so no need to spend the extra when you can cut the middle man out.

Matco, and companies like it are simply rebranded. Don't be fooled though, Snap-On's "Blue Point" line is also rebranded, likely the same stuff you buy when you look at Craftsman's professional line-up.

There is no cut and dry answer to which is better. One day I lined up my pair of Crafstman hose pliers, and a pair of Matco hose pliers, and finally Snap on Blue point, aside from the handles, they were the same exact thing. The key is research before you buy a tool.

Edit to add: I almost forgot, for specialty tools such as ball joint presses, slide hammers, ect., you cannot beat OTC. I spent $500+ on their Balljoint kit and master adapter set, that beast has been one of my biggest money makers throughout the years.

I disagree.
Nice try though. If you think Craftsman sockets are comparable to snap on's you need to look at the side walls. Craftsman sockets will break much quicker when used with a 3/8 air tool. Craftsman pro stuff is the same as Husky's pro stuff. While my husky stuff has been in use for over 10 years, I can't say if I was truly working on cars all day that it would still be around.
And Channel Lock is a brand. The pliers you were referring to are called slip joint pliers.
Also, just because pliers have the same tooling, it doesn't make them the same pliers.
But then again, what do I know. I just sold the stuff and watched it be manufactured. :D

[blackhawkimpact]

Husky Tools > All

[Exodus_2pt0]

I disagree.
Nice try though. If you think Craftsman sockets are comparable to snap on's you need to look at the side walls. Craftsman sockets will break much quicker when used with a 3/8 air tool. Craftsman pro stuff is the same as Husky's pro stuff. While my husky stuff has been in use for over 10 years, I can't say if I was truly working on cars all day that it would still be around.
And Channel Lock is a brand. The pliers you were referring to are called slip joint pliers.
Also, just because pliers have the same tooling, it doesn't make them the same pliers.
But then again, what do I know. I just sold the stuff and watched it be manufactured. :D

There is a difference between actually using the tools for a living and watching them being assembled.

I'm not going to get into a pissing contest with you about this. I have stated my experience, it wasn't a "try". Take it or leave it, doesn't mean others won't find it useful.

channel lock is a brand.

Seriously? We're getting caught up on that? You are seriously looking for any way to discredit someone aren't ya.
Discredit this: https://portal.asecrm.com/WebReports...b-1f377357a89b

If I could post up my Nissan, Ford, and VW certifications I would do that too.


Quit drinking the same kool-aid that keeps thousands of technicians in tool debt.