That used to be true, have you tried to return a tool in the last year? They got tired of people bringing in the yard sale tools they bought for .25 and getting a new one. Hurts all of us who supported Sears for years. They refused to warranty a 1/2" ratchet because they didn't understand that under torque it slipped and I was tired of the skinned knuckles. I left it on the counter and vowed to never buy another pos product from Sears again.

I just took one back last week. I guess it wasn't a Craftsman, it was a gear wrench, but they still replaced it no quesions asked.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I've had the same kind of experience with them in recent years. Plus you have to stand in line while they fill out a bunch of paperwork and crap.

For electrics and specialty tools I usually buy at HF - not top of the line pro-quality, but they are a good value for the weekend mechanic/fabricator like me.

For hand tools, I've become pretty fond of the CrewLine brand that they sell at Schucks/Checker/Kragen stores. They are at least as good of quality as what passes for Craftsman these days, they cost about 2/3 of what Sears charges, and they carry a lifetime warranty. Their stores are everywhere in my area (unlike Sears which are few and far between these days), and they have never even so much as blinked at exchanging a broken tool the few times I've had to take one back. They just told me to grab another off the shelf, waved at me and said "have a nice day" - no paperwork or anything. Now THAT is what I call a no-hassle warranty exchange program - just like Sears USED to be.

I'm not quite so fond of them for parts, but they get most of my hand tools business these days.

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1984 300 Coupe TurboDiesel
Silver blue paint over navy blue interior
2nd owner & 2nd engine in an otherwise
99% original unmolested car
~210k miles on the clock

1986 Ford F250 4x4 Supercab
Charcoal & blue two tone paint over burgundy interior
Banks turbo, DRW, ZF-5 & SMF conversion
152k on the clock - actual mileage unknown

I have just about all Craftsman tools. I have taken a couple things back with no questions asked. but that was about 3 yrs ago.

I have a Craftsman torq wrench, goes up to 150lbs. turn the knob on the end and the # scroll by a little window. there are 2 windows nm and ft lbs. can`t read the ft lbs, some dirt or? in the window. took it back and was told there is no replacement like other tools. only the 6mo or what ever they come with.
was told to leave it and they would send it in to have fixed. probably cheaper to buy another one on sale.

Sears is owned by K-Mart soooo, there you go.

I have a set of polished chrome profesional craftsman, I really do like them.
So now I don`t do retail on tools, just buy them at flea mkt or swap meets.

Believe it or not, my most favorite ratchet was a Wizard I bought from Western Auto about 1970. the damn thing broke a couple yrs ago. can`t even find one on e-bay.

Charlie ☺

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

ANYBODY and ANY TOOL reguardless of being a snap on CAN round off a bolt. Professionals can round off bolts. I have friends that are professional mechanics that do this for 8 hours a day and they show me stuff and tell me stories of rounded off fasteners. BUT... Some of snap ons stuff has better teeth.

For example, show me a craftsman that has the special grooves on the 22 mm wrench:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290231464126&rd=1


But still, we are getting off track, has anybody waved down a snap-on truck and gotten a free tool that wasnt the original owner or without receipt? Anybody have to mail back a tool for warranty?