No Life Time Warranty on Craftsman Torque Wrenches; New To Me
 

On another Forum I recomended that some one return their Craftsman Troque wrench to have it fixed.
He tried and said there was only a 1 year warranty.
I did an internet Search and found one source that said there is only a 90 day warrany.
from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Craftsman_(tools)
"The lifetime warranty does not include precision hand tools, such as calipers and Torque Wrenches,with the exception of beam-style torque wrenches. In 2003, Sears removed the lifetime warranty from Craftsman Flashlight and changed the warranty on Tame Measures to cover all parts except the blade itself. Replacement blades, however, were made available for purchase from the stores to offset this policy."

http://www.mysears.com/Craftsman-Tire-Torque-Wrench-1-2-in-Square-Drive-reviews
Above a poster tells of only 90 day warranty. "I then found that Sears only gives you a 90 day warranty on torque wrenches."

The above info was new to me. I guess when you buy smething a Sears now it is best to ask what the warranty is.

Yep, it's one of those things.

I know my craftsman (made in china, unfortunately) multimeter doesn't have the full lifetime warranty and I'm sure there are plenty of other things that don't. Like, say, a tap / die set.

I have a decent amount of tools that are craftsman, however, I've become more picky about which ones I'm buying in the future....

Sears once refused to give me an advertised discount on an adjustable wrench because, according to the department manager, an adjustable wrench is not a wrench. Dealing with Sears is like trying to nail Jello to a wall.

If you want a LT warranty, buy a Snap-On.

Yeah, what 90 days?
After consulting the Snap-On web site, they mention a full refund within 30 days.
They want a written request for any other info.

another fun fact is that craftsman tools that DO have a lifetime warranty, like a socket, if it has a laser etched number on it, it will wear off and disappear if in daily use. You will never be able to return it once that happens. Look for the older sockets that are engraved if they can still be had.

I tried buying some of the stanley stuff from walmart, and am pretty happy with the quality of the sockets, but broke a 1/4 inch ratchet almost immediately despite its better fit and finish over craftsman stuff. Overall though, for cheap lifetime stuff, its pretty decent, and you can't beat replacing lifetime stuff at a place like walmart with its hordes of underpaid unhappy people. Go there during the late late shift, when the dregs are running the store, and there are no arguments, or even disinterested apathy from what I can tell. "Want to replace that socket? heres ten, stop bothering me."

Precision stuff I have snap on, but its way way too expensive for everything. I don't want to be one of those guys who owes his life to the snap on truck. Worse than a drug habit, you end up spending more money.

I don't think they ever warrantied their torque wrenches. At least what I remember.





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A snap on torque wrench is not lifetime warranty either. They will replace the ratchet gears under warranty, but will charge you to recalibrate it.

Yup, I heard this a while back.

I have a broken 1/2" drive from them I have no idea what to do with... probably will just trash it as I am sure it will cost more to repair and recal than a new unit would run me.

At one time I was selling Sears salvage - mostly returns from the tool section & surrounding ares. They have downgraded the quality of tools to the point where some of it is so cheap and poorly made that it becomes worthless without the warranty. We would try to make 1 good item out of 2 broken pieces. Unfortunately a given item has a common weakness making repair from others impossible. I no longer buy Sears unless I get a deal. This is sad because I have tools that are nearly 40 years old that I bought new. Remember when a drill was $40 & we only made $8/hr?

Heck, I remember in the 80s I had a cash job making $4 per hour. Gas ranged for 60 cents to 80 cents in those years.

If it is a Ratchet one of the articles looked at said they give you new guts for the Ratchet but you have to install them.

I lucked out. About 20 years I walked into home Depot and Husky Tools gave you a free direct exchange for a Craftsman Torque Wrench. And, I still have the made in the US Husky.
With the Craftasman Torque Wrench after about 2 years ounce in awhile it would not click reliably. Mostly at low Torques. I like craftsman Tools but was glad to get rid of the Troque Wrench.

In 1977 I had just recieved a raise to $4.25/hr and with the GI Bill (the guarentee the loan will be paid if you default and won't let you buy if you do not make enough) bought my fixer upper House.

Enjoy S,R + CO. as long as you can...
 

There are rumblings that they may not be around,Soon.

Ive been using Proto torque wrenchs for the past ten years. 1/2, 3/8 and 3/4 inch drive I re certify them once a year to meet our ISO 9001 rating. so far so good 10 years and going. Mac tools distributes Proto and Protos off brand stanley the same ones as wally world.

Craftsman lost my business when they refused to replace a ratchet . They had to order the guts. 200 miles from home in the middle of a job ! Wrong answer Mr sears man !



Lets see in the 80's........... Shoveling pig sh** for 3.00 hr Oh the memories..................:o