Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
Reply |
|
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
I took a tool back to Sears today...
It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that
you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
"B.B." u wrote in message news It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ You nasty old *******! g Harold |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 01:31:51 -0700, the opaque "Harold and Susan
Vordos" clearly wrote: "B.B." u wrote in message news It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ You nasty old *******! g You're supposed to ask for -pics- when you say that, Harold. domg So, BB, got PICS? (DOMG = Dirty Old Man Grin) ================================================== ======== CAUTION: Do NOT look directly into laser with remaining eyeball! ================================================== ======== http://www.diversify.com Comprehensive Website Design |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
Larry Jaques wrote: [...] So, BB, got PICS? No, but I got a number. And I'm not sharing! (: -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
On Sat, 27 Aug 2005 03:20:33 -0500, the opaque "B.B."
u clearly wrote: In article , Larry Jaques wrote: [...] So, BB, got PICS? No, but I got a number. And I'm not sharing! (: Darn. Now I know why everyone calls you a goat. Pfffft! ================================================== ======== CAUTION: Do NOT look directly into laser with remaining eyeball! ================================================== ======== http://www.diversify.com Comprehensive Website Design |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Sears surely won't stay in business long, with a policy like that.
Careful - you might get blacklisted. B.B. wrote: Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that
you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ My son took back a fairly large screwdriver, which was bent.... Says the girl..." We also sell pry bars, right over there " and then grinned as she handed the new screwdriver to him... Ken. |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
"B.B." u wrote in message news It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! Cute and she knew about tools!!!!!! Which Sears was this? Chris |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Do you know how to spell ETHICS?
Bugs |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Bugs wrote:
Do you know how to spell ETHICS? Bugs From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. Pete C. |
#11
|
|||
|
|||
"Pete C." wrote:
Bugs wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? Bugs From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. Pete C. Now that I'm thinking of it, I'm also reminded of the Craftsman TV commercials showing the guy dropping a wrench in the lake while working on an outboard, with the VO "The only time you'll have to buy another Craftsman tool" or similar. Pete C. |
#12
|
|||
|
|||
Years ago in Syracuse, I bought a Craftsman Splitting Maul. After using it
for a few days, the wooden handle broke (overshot the log I was splitting). I took it back. The guy tried to tell me that it wasn't included in the free replacement warranty, which was just for "Craftsman Hand Tools" as was shown on the poster over the hand tool section. I pointed out that it said "Craftsman" on the broken handle, and that it certainly wasn't a power tool. So he gave me a free replacement. A couple of weeks later, the same thing happened. Same story, same outcome. Over the course of the next year or so, I got three more new mauls (I guess I'm not real accurate with my swing), with gradually escalating hassle. As I was handed the last one, I was told, "No more. This is it." When I finally broke that one, I decided that I was tired of the hassle, and that Sears didn't really owe me anything, so I bought a replacement fiber-glass handle, which is still on the maul. They still haven't put any limitation on axes and splitting mauls, or for broken wooden handles. -- Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways) "Pete C." wrote in message ... "Pete C." wrote: Bugs wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? Bugs From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. Pete C. Now that I'm thinking of it, I'm also reminded of the Craftsman TV commercials showing the guy dropping a wrench in the lake while working on an outboard, with the VO "The only time you'll have to buy another Craftsman tool" or similar. Pete C. |
#13
|
|||
|
|||
Bob Chilcoat wrote:
Years ago in Syracuse, I bought a Craftsman Splitting Maul. After using it for a few days, the wooden handle broke (overshot the log I was splitting). I took it back. The guy tried to tell me that it wasn't included in the free replacement warranty, which was just for "Craftsman Hand Tools" as was shown on the poster over the hand tool section. I pointed out that it said "Craftsman" on the broken handle, and that it certainly wasn't a power tool. So he gave me a free replacement. A couple of weeks later, the same thing happened. Same story, same outcome. Over the course of the next year or so, I got three more new mauls (I guess I'm not real accurate with my swing), with gradually escalating hassle. As I was handed the last one, I was told, "No more. This is it." When I finally broke that one, I decided that I was tired of the hassle, and that Sears didn't really owe me anything, so I bought a replacement fiber-glass handle, which is still on the maul. They still haven't put any limitation on axes and splitting mauls, or for broken wooden handles. -- Bob (Chief Pilot, White Knuckle Airways) Try splitting a foot long piece of radiator hose and then cable tying it around the handle just back of the head. Should help protect on the overshoots. Some of the sledges and mauls come with a similar protector these days. Pete C. |
#14
|
|||
|
|||
Went to Home Depot to buy a chainsaw chain yesterday. Two on the peg of
the size I needed. Both packages had been opened (as were many other sizes) and one had obviously been used quite a bit. It was all covered with oil and wood shavings. Obviously someone had the nerve to return a worn blade and Home depot took it back and tried to resell it at full price. Nice ethics, eh? |
#15
|
|||
|
|||
From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any
Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. It's no matter to them. Most people don't take the time to exchange their broken tools so they make more money on their "free replacelment image" than the money they actually spend on replacing their tools. Sears isn't the only ones who offer this, though. Home Depot and even those crappy tools from Harbor Freight usually have the same warranty. But not all Sears tools are replaceble. They do sell some non-Craftsman brand tools that aren't covered and I don't think Craftsman electric tools are covered either. |
#16
|
|||
|
|||
User Example wrote:
From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. It's no matter to them. Most people don't take the time to exchange their broken tools so they make more money on their "free replacelment image" than the money they actually spend on replacing their tools. Sears isn't the only ones who offer this, though. Home Depot and even those crappy tools from Harbor Freight usually have the same warranty. But not all Sears tools are replaceble. They do sell some non-Craftsman brand tools that aren't covered and I don't think Craftsman electric tools are covered either. Correct, it's only the Craftsman hand tools that have this warranty. The Companion line is not covered, nor are the power tools. I've taken advantage of the warranty on occasion. While I try not to abuse my tools (too much), after some years the phillips screwdrivers do get a bit chewed up and some of the flat blades get broken tips. It's nice to just bring them in to Sears with me when I go there for other stuff and have nice new ones when I leave. Pete C. |
#17
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
"Pete C." wrote: User Example wrote: From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. It's no matter to them. Most people don't take the time to exchange their broken tools so they make more money on their "free replacelment image" than the money they actually spend on replacing their tools. Sears isn't the only ones who offer this, though. Home Depot and even those crappy tools from Harbor Freight usually have the same warranty. But not all Sears tools are replaceble. They do sell some non-Craftsman brand tools that aren't covered and I don't think Craftsman electric tools are covered either. Correct, it's only the Craftsman hand tools that have this warranty. The Companion line is not covered, nor are the power tools. Be aware when buying the "Craftsman - Guaranteed forever" tools, though... Although technically it applies to them, practically speaking, the Craftsman-tagged items that are just that - tagged with the name Craftsman, either stamped, stickered, or dangling from a string, rather than having the name being physically part of the tool - can and have been turned down for replacement as "not Craftsman" if the label is gone/illegible for whatever reason. Give preference to the ones that have the Craftsman name molded, forged, or otherwise *PERMANENTLY AN INTEGRAL PART* of the tool, not just attached to it. The combination wrenches are a great example - Unless they've somehow deteriorated so badly that the forged-in Craftsman name on 'em is obliterated, there will never be any question that it's a "guaranteed forever" item. The power tools USED TO be covered - Back in the late 70's/early 80's, my dad took in my grandfather's ancient Craftsman circular saw (bit of history: That saw was used on a daily basis on the construction of the Mackinac Bridge - by my grandfather, who was employed on the project as a concrete-former for the south tower caisson - *LOTTA* metal in that project) after it got a loaded dump-truck backed over it on a job-site, and it (literally) went all to pieces. Dad shoveled it into a potato-chip case and hauled it in, and the guy behind the counter's eyebrows just about crawled all the way to the back of his neck. He said "Wow, haven't seen one of those in ages. You know I can't give you the same model, right?" Dad was understanding - After all, the saw was only 30-some-odd years old, and as far as anybody was able to tell, hadn't been made in 20 years. He came away more than satisfied, since he'd only been about half-serious about trying to claim on the guarantee, and was prepared to be buying a new one anyway. What he ended up with was a newer model saw at no charge. One that was at least as good, and last I knew, was still going strong after wearing out its third set of brushes and god-only-knows how many blades. I've taken advantage of the warranty on occasion. While I try not to abuse my tools (too much), after some years the phillips screwdrivers do get a bit chewed up and some of the flat blades get broken tips. It's nice to just bring them in to Sears with me when I go there for other stuff and have nice new ones when I leave. Exactly. And to my eyes, that's *PRECISELY* what it's there for. As far as how much they "lose" to abuse of it... Well, since the majority of people are basically honest, I'd say that it's very little in the overall cashflow. Particularly since so often, somebody dragging in a warranty item is going to wander through the store and buy something else on the way in or out. Never mind the good will it'll generate, which means that the guy who just "ripped you off" for a $30 torque wrench that he used as a hammer is probably going to come back and buy a $300 TV set next month, and maybe bring the kids in for back-to-school clothes to the tune of $250, and hey, lookit that neat gizmo! for another $50, and... I'm pretty certain that the "loss" on it is insignificant when taken as part of the big picture. If that weren't the case, they'd either be shutting it down entirely, or spewing red ink by the supertanker-load. -- Don Bruder - - New Email policy in effect as of Feb. 21, 2004. Short form: I'm trashing EVERY E-mail that doesn't contain a password in the subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. See http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html for full details. |
#18
|
|||
|
|||
"User Example" wrote in message m... From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. It's no matter to them. Most people don't take the time to exchange their broken tools so they make more money on their "free replacelment image" than the money they actually spend on replacing their tools. Sears isn't the only ones who offer this, though. Home Depot and even those crappy tools from Harbor Freight usually have the same warranty. But not all Sears tools are replaceble. They do sell some non-Craftsman brand tools that aren't covered and I don't think Craftsman electric tools are covered either. I call it advertising. How much does Sears pay for that 1/2" universal? Maybe less than a dollar? Compare that to how much they spend on advertising to get a customer in the store? If you notice, most of the larger stores have the tool section buried. Either in the basement, far corner etc. Just to make you walk through the store to return. Sort of like casinos. Although I never understood how fire codes allow casinos to get away with the puzzle maze they create. Oh ya, they have money. Chris |
#19
|
|||
|
|||
Chris wrote:
"User Example" wrote in message m... From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. It's no matter to them. Most people don't take the time to exchange their broken tools so they make more money on their "free replacelment image" than the money they actually spend on replacing their tools. Sears isn't the only ones who offer this, though. Home Depot and even those crappy tools from Harbor Freight usually have the same warranty. But not all Sears tools are replaceble. They do sell some non-Craftsman brand tools that aren't covered and I don't think Craftsman electric tools are covered either. I call it advertising. How much does Sears pay for that 1/2" universal? Maybe less than a dollar? Compare that to how much they spend on advertising to get a customer in the store? If you notice, most of the larger stores have the tool section buried. Either in the basement, far corner etc. Just to make you walk through the store to return. Sort of like casinos. Although I never understood how fire codes allow casinos to get away with the puzzle maze they create. Oh ya, they have money. Chris The tool department is usually off in a corner, but in the two Sears I'm familiar with (in two different states) both are immediately next to exterior doors. It's not the main entrance, but it's still an entrance and if you've been there before you know what door to park near. As for the Casinos and fire codes, you don't really notice under normal conditions, but the maze is only with the normal traffic flow. There are big double/quadruple emergency exit doors that open to dedicated hallways to take you outside. I saw a couple maint. folks coming through one set and could see a clear straight 20' wide hallway to exterior doors. Pete C. |
#20
|
|||
|
|||
In article ,
"Pete C." wrote: Bugs wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? Bugs From the warrantee info in the latest Craftsman catalog: "If any Craftsman hand tool ever fails to give complete satisfaction, return it to Sears for free repair or replacement" It doesn't say anything about failing due to a manufacturing defect and makes no exclusion for abuse. One would hope he purchased a proper impact rated swivel while he was there though. Pete C. Yup, sure did. With a couple of impact-rated extensions for about $30 or so. I figure as I go about busting my chrome sockets I'll buy impact-rated versions of them on an as-needed basis. So far the chrome sockets are taking the abuse just fine. -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ |
#21
|
|||
|
|||
In article .com,
"Bugs" wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? EThics? Isn't that spelled "S-I-T-U-A-T-I-O-N-A-L"? -- Don Bruder - - New Email policy in effect as of Feb. 21, 2004. Short form: I'm trashing EVERY E-mail that doesn't contain a password in the subject unless it comes from a "whitelisted" (pre-approved by me) address. See http://www.sonic.net/~dakidd/main/contact.html for full details. |
#22
|
|||
|
|||
"Bugs" wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Anyone can SPELL it. Do you know what it means? |
#23
|
|||
|
|||
"Leo Lichtman" wrote in message ... "Bugs" wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ Anyone can SPELL it. Do you know what it means? It. I-T. It. What did I win? :-) Relz |
#24
|
|||
|
|||
Fortunately I don;t have a Sears/ Crapsman problem since I went on the
wagon and gave up doing business with or having anything made by or sold by Sears / Crapsman...Life is good! ============================================== Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked! "The original frugal ponder" ~~~~ }((((o ~~~~~~ }{{{{o ~~~~~~~ }(((((o |
#25
|
|||
|
|||
Roy wrote:
Fortunately I don;t have a Sears/ Crapsman problem since I went on the wagon and gave up doing business with or having anything made by or sold by Sears / Crapsman...Life is good! ============================================== Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked! "The original frugal ponder" ~~~~ }((((o ~~~~~~ }{{{{o ~~~~~~~ }(((((o I've never had a problem with their hand tools. For power tools I stick to Milwaukee, Hilti, Makita, etc. Pete C. |
#26
|
|||
|
|||
In article .com,
"Bugs" wrote: Do you know how to spell ETHICS? Bugs What are you getting at? -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ |
#27
|
|||
|
|||
Better be carefull, the next time you may windup with a gold toothed
hard tail with a head full of dreadlocks or corn rows at the checkout counter........... On Fri, 26 Aug 2005 02:12:47 -0500, "B.B." u wrote: === It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that ===you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used ===it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. === Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the ===counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl ===looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and ===asked "Did you use this on an impact?" === I said, "Yes." === She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and ===whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell ===anyone." She gave me a new one. === Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work ===tomorrow! ============================================== Put some color in your cheeks...garden naked! "The original frugal ponder" ~~~~ }((((o ~~~~~~ }{{{{o ~~~~~~~ }(((((o |
#28
|
|||
|
|||
I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him
a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you put on it?" (six foot) "B.B." u wrote in message news It was a 1/2" universal swivel. The chrome type for hand tools, that you're absolutely not supposed to use on an impact. Well...I kinda used it on an impact and immediately learned why that's not kosher. Anyhoo, I walked up to the counter, plopped the remnants down on the counter, and said as eloquently as possible, "I busted it." the girl looked at it, looked at me, looked at it again, looked back at me, and asked "Did you use this on an impact?" I said, "Yes." She leaned over (which was cool because she was cute as hell) and whispered at me, "You're not supposed to do that, but I won't tell anyone." She gave me a new one. Whoo hoo! I'm gonna go break a whole **** load of tools at work tomorrow! -- B.B. --I am not a goat! thegoat4 at airmail dot net http://web2.airmail.net/thegoat4/ |
#29
|
|||
|
|||
"Tom Gardner" wrote in message
... | I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him | a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you | put on it?" (six foot) Breaker bars they must see a lot, but I can't see a human breaking a 3/4" breaker bar without torque assistance. With a lack of evidence proving otherwise, they must make you walk out happy. I brought in a 1/2" breaker bar that had been in my dad's tool box for years when he died and I acquired some of the tools. It was so old the fellow was thinking it wasn't a Craftsman. The swivel on the new one was a lot cheaper than the old one, and doesn't hold quite right. Shame. I learned a few years ago that the same folks who make Proto, Blackhawk, Challenger, and a couple others that escape me, also make Sears' hand tools. I was chatting with a Blackhawk sales guy and made some crack about Sears' tools and he informed me that they made them also. I did a weigh scale repair job at a place called National Hand Tool north of Dallas many years ago. Jammed in and all around inside the scale was gobs of sockets and smaller hand tools that had an assortment of common vendor's names on them. I don't recall the names and was surprised, but when I watched a very large and obviously expensive machine punching out sockets from a roll of large wire, I realized why they did it. The tooling to forge sockets and wrenches in a production rate are so ungodly expensive, so one maker put various names on them for the vendor, which is normal in other industries; I just wasn't expecting it there. I have noticed that my Car Craft store sells Blackhawk tools for the same price or less than Sears. Warranty just as good, of course, and made by the same company. That's my source from now on, since the Car Craft is closer than Sears and the folks there know tools a bit better than that sassy clerk in snug black pants (I must admit the scenery isn't quite as nice, though!) |
#30
|
|||
|
|||
carl mciver wrote:
"Tom Gardner" wrote in message ... | I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him | a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you | put on it?" (six foot) Breaker bars they must see a lot, but I can't see a human breaking a 3/4" breaker bar without torque assistance. With a lack of evidence proving otherwise, they must make you walk out happy. I brought in a 1/2" breaker bar that had been in my dad's tool box for years when he died and I acquired some of the tools. It was so old the fellow was thinking it wasn't a Craftsman. The swivel on the new one was a lot cheaper than the old one, and doesn't hold quite right. Shame. There's a considerable market for the older Craftsman tools in my area, the new stuff is an order of magnitude less desireable. I learned a few years ago that the same folks who make Proto, Blackhawk, Challenger, and a couple others that escape me, also make Sears' hand tools. I was chatting with a Blackhawk sales guy and made some crack about Sears' tools and he informed me that they made them also. I did a weigh scale repair job at a place called National Hand Tool north of Dallas many years ago. Jammed in and all around inside the scale was gobs of sockets and smaller hand tools that had an assortment of common vendor's names on them. I don't recall the names and was surprised, but when I watched a very large and obviously expensive machine punching out sockets from a roll of large wire, I realized why they did it. The tooling to forge sockets and wrenches in a production rate are so ungodly expensive, so one maker put various names on them for the vendor, which is normal in other industries; I just wasn't expecting it there. I have noticed that my Car Craft store sells Blackhawk tools for the same price or less than Sears. Warranty just as good, of course, and made by the same company. That's my source from now on, since the Car Craft is closer than Sears and the folks there know tools a bit better than that sassy clerk in snug black pants (I must admit the scenery isn't quite as nice, though!) I bought a Blackhawk socket set some years back, when the name first came to my area.. I hate 'em; the ratchets are OK, but I like my SK ratchets better, and the sockets have the tiniest/shallowest stampings on them I've ever seen- very difficult to read. They're very good quality, but a pain to see the size stamped on them. My favorite ratchet is the Williams Superatchet, the fine-tooth SK are about as friendly. The basic SK is a mighty ratchet, very smooth once they break in. I've got a long-handled 1/2" drive SK ratchet I picked up at a yard sale for $10:-D.. It's longer than most breaker bars, very cool ratchet. Bought a NAPA branded 3/4", 1/2" drive impact socket recently, pretty nice socket.. has the recessed corners, but is thicker walled than most. Not bad price, seems it was around $13, I'll probably go with that brand if I need any more. John |
#31
|
|||
|
|||
JohnM wrote:
carl mciver wrote: "Tom Gardner" wrote in message ... | I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him | a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you | put on it?" (six foot) Breaker bars they must see a lot, but I can't see a human breaking a 3/4" breaker bar without torque assistance. With a lack of evidence proving otherwise, they must make you walk out happy. I brought in a 1/2" breaker bar that had been in my dad's tool box for years when he died and I acquired some of the tools. It was so old the fellow was thinking it wasn't a Craftsman. The swivel on the new one was a lot cheaper than the old one, and doesn't hold quite right. Shame. There's a considerable market for the older Craftsman tools in my area, the new stuff is an order of magnitude less desireable. I learned a few years ago that the same folks who make Proto, Blackhawk, Challenger, and a couple others that escape me, also make Sears' hand tools. I was chatting with a Blackhawk sales guy and made some crack about Sears' tools and he informed me that they made them also. I did a weigh scale repair job at a place called National Hand Tool north of Dallas many years ago. Jammed in and all around inside the scale was gobs of sockets and smaller hand tools that had an assortment of common vendor's names on them. I don't recall the names and was surprised, but when I watched a very large and obviously expensive machine punching out sockets from a roll of large wire, I realized why they did it. The tooling to forge sockets and wrenches in a production rate are so ungodly expensive, so one maker put various names on them for the vendor, which is normal in other industries; I just wasn't expecting it there. I have noticed that my Car Craft store sells Blackhawk tools for the same price or less than Sears. Warranty just as good, of course, and made by the same company. That's my source from now on, since the Car Craft is closer than Sears and the folks there know tools a bit better than that sassy clerk in snug black pants (I must admit the scenery isn't quite as nice, though!) I bought a Blackhawk socket set some years back, when the name first came to my area.. I hate 'em; the ratchets are OK, but I like my SK ratchets better, and the sockets have the tiniest/shallowest stampings on them I've ever seen- very difficult to read. They're very good quality, but a pain to see the size stamped on them. The current laser etched sockets from Sears / Craftsman are rather nice and easy to read. Pete C. |
#32
|
|||
|
|||
carl mciver wrote:
"Tom Gardner" wrote in message ... | I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him | a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you | put on it?" (six foot) Breaker bars they must see a lot, but I can't see a human breaking a 3/4" breaker bar without torque assistance. With a lack of evidence proving otherwise, they must make you walk out happy. I brought in a 1/2" breaker bar that had been in my dad's tool box for years when he died and I acquired some of the tools. It was so old the fellow was thinking it wasn't a Craftsman. The swivel on the new one was a lot cheaper than the old one, and doesn't hold quite right. Shame. They are obligated to replace it anyway. Their warranty is a satisfaction warranty, not a manufacturing defect warranty and there is no exclusion for abuse. They simply have done the statistics just like an insurance company and know what their margins have to be to insure a profit based on the expected rate of returns. They also realize that they need to maintain a level of quality control to minimize the returns. I learned a few years ago that the same folks who make Proto, Blackhawk, Challenger, and a couple others that escape me, also make Sears' hand tools. I was chatting with a Blackhawk sales guy and made some crack about Sears' tools and he informed me that they made them also. There are multiple manufacturers for the Craftsman line, and they change periodically. If you look at say a screwdriver from several different years you will find the same screwdriver, same part number and a few extra codes that are different indicating that the lots were produced by different manufacturers (not just a date code). They contract with the lowest bidder to produce their products to their specs. Companies bidding produce samples for QC evaluation before the selection. They want to keep the "Made in USA" on the tools so they generally stick with US companies (or perhaps foreign companies with a US plant), but they get bid samples from all over. I did a weigh scale repair job at a place called National Hand Tool north of Dallas many years ago. Jammed in and all around inside the scale was gobs of sockets and smaller hand tools that had an assortment of common vendor's names on them. I don't recall the names and was surprised, but when I watched a very large and obviously expensive machine punching out sockets from a roll of large wire, I realized why they did it. The tooling to forge sockets and wrenches in a production rate are so ungodly expensive, so one maker put various names on them for the vendor, which is normal in other industries; I just wasn't expecting it there. Yep, big expensive toys. Sears is basically a marketer, not a manufacturer, they have their products produced by other companies, though I believe they do have a design and QC unit that develops the products that they will have produced. The big manufacturers who do produce comparable tools under their own brands are happy to have the extra OEM business. I have noticed that my Car Craft store sells Blackhawk tools for the same price or less than Sears. Warranty just as good, of course, and made by the same company. That's my source from now on, since the Car Craft is closer than Sears and the folks there know tools a bit better than that sassy clerk in snug black pants (I must admit the scenery isn't quite as nice, though!) The same products are available many different places these days so it's largely a function of service, convenience and price. I remind places of that from time to time when I get lousy service and blacklist them for a few months. I still purchase the exact same things for those months, but from their competitor across the street. Pete C. |
#33
|
|||
|
|||
"Pete C." wrote in message ... carl mciver wrote: "Tom Gardner" wrote in message ... | I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him | a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you | put on it?" (six foot) Breaker bars they must see a lot, but I can't see a human breaking a 3/4" breaker bar without torque assistance. With a lack of evidence proving otherwise, they must make you walk out happy. I brought in a 1/2" breaker bar that had been in my dad's tool box for years when he died and I acquired some of the tools. It was so old the fellow was thinking it wasn't a Craftsman. The swivel on the new one was a lot cheaper than the old one, and doesn't hold quite right. Shame. They are obligated to replace it anyway. Their warranty is a satisfaction warranty, not a manufacturing defect warranty and there is no exclusion for abuse. They simply have done the statistics just like an insurance company and know what their margins have to be to insure a profit based on the expected rate of returns. They also realize that they need to maintain a level of quality control to minimize the returns. I learned a few years ago that the same folks who make Proto, Blackhawk, Challenger, and a couple others that escape me, also make Sears' hand tools. I was chatting with a Blackhawk sales guy and made some crack about Sears' tools and he informed me that they made them also. There are multiple manufacturers for the Craftsman line, and they change periodically. If you look at say a screwdriver from several different years you will find the same screwdriver, same part number and a few extra codes that are different indicating that the lots were produced by different manufacturers (not just a date code). They contract with the lowest bidder to produce their products to their specs. Companies bidding produce samples for QC evaluation before the selection. They want to keep the "Made in USA" on the tools so they generally stick with US companies (or perhaps foreign companies with a US plant), but they get bid samples from all over. I recently purchased a tap and die replacement set from Sears. Stamped clearly on the outside of the box "Made in USA" Opened the set when I go home, first thing that caught my attention as I opened the box was a thread gauge that was clearly marked, "Made in Germany" Go figure. I always try to buy tools made in the USA, hand tools at least. To be honest, I am starting to give up on the idea. I look 5-10 years down the road and see no more tools made in the USA. I see Sears out of business, so what is a home mechanic to do? Snap On truck not going to stop at my house when I break a socket (if they are still around). Lots of options, but it might be worth the gamble buying the cheap imports. I did a weigh scale repair job at a place called National Hand Tool north of Dallas many years ago. Jammed in and all around inside the scale was gobs of sockets and smaller hand tools that had an assortment of common vendor's names on them. I don't recall the names and was surprised, but when I watched a very large and obviously expensive machine punching out sockets from a roll of large wire, I realized why they did it. The tooling to forge sockets and wrenches in a production rate are so ungodly expensive, so one maker put various names on them for the vendor, which is normal in other industries; I just wasn't expecting it there. Yep, big expensive toys. Sears is basically a marketer, not a manufacturer, they have their products produced by other companies, though I believe they do have a design and QC unit that develops the products that they will have produced. The big manufacturers who do produce comparable tools under their own brands are happy to have the extra OEM business. If I remember correctly it was Emerson that use to do all the hand-tools for Sears. Some disputes arose and now Sears bids them out across numerous manufactures. Lowest price wins type of deal. Again I think it is Emerson who is now making the Husky line seen at HD. Also thought I heard that Emerson was bought out by Stanley. Also in the rumor mill is that Snap On is now stamping tools for Lowe's. |
#34
|
|||
|
|||
Chris wrote:
snip I recently purchased a tap and die replacement set from Sears. Stamped clearly on the outside of the box "Made in USA" Opened the set when I go home, first thing that caught my attention as I opened the box was a thread gauge that was clearly marked, "Made in Germany" Go figure. I always try to buy tools made in the USA, hand tools at least. To be honest, I am starting to give up on the idea. I look 5-10 years down the road and see no more tools made in the USA. I see Sears out of business, so what is a home mechanic to do? Snap On truck not going to stop at my house when I break a socket (if they are still around). Lots of options, but it might be worth the gamble buying the cheap imports. The can still label the package "Made in USA" if the primary contents are. Incidentals like the thread gauge aren't counted. Same thing on a clamping set I bought from MSC for my Bridgeport, I sprung the extra $20 or so for the USA version which turned out to be TeCo and was clearly labeled that the clamping components were US made and the plastic storage rack was made in China. snip Yep, big expensive toys. Sears is basically a marketer, not a manufacturer, they have their products produced by other companies, though I believe they do have a design and QC unit that develops the products that they will have produced. The big manufacturers who do produce comparable tools under their own brands are happy to have the extra OEM business. If I remember correctly it was Emerson that use to do all the hand-tools for Sears. Some disputes arose and now Sears bids them out across numerous manufactures. Lowest price wins type of deal. Lowest price that can meet QC, since just the lowest price could well kill them on their replacement guaranty. Again I think it is Emerson who is now making the Husky line seen at HD. Also thought I heard that Emerson was bought out by Stanley. Also in the rumor mill is that Snap On is now stamping tools for Lowe's. Nothing wrong with a good manufacturer OEMing house branded stuff. You can buy the name brand version and pay more, or buy the house branded version and save a few $ while still getting a good product. Pete C. |
#35
|
|||
|
|||
"Chris" wrote:
If I remember correctly it was Emerson that use to do all the hand-tools for Sears. Some disputes arose and now Sears bids them out across numerous manufactures. Lowest price wins type of deal. Again I think it is Emerson who is now making the Husky line seen at HD. Also thought I heard that Emerson was bought out by Stanley. Don't know about that, but if it is the same Emerson I work for, they have (or at least last I knew) Skill, Rigid, and part (at least) of Bosch. [AS well as Asco, Liebert, US motors, Emerson Motors, Insinkerator, and a slew of others] but not the (POS) Emerson electronics. Also in the rumor mill is that Snap On is now stamping tools for Lowe's. jk |
#36
|
|||
|
|||
Tom Gardner wrote:
I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you put on it?" (six foot) Biggest snipe I ever saw used was 30' length of drill stem . Five of us bouncing on the end of that . Slipped over a 5' Rigid pipe wrench to tighten a flare line on a drill rig . Anyone seen longer ? Ken Cutt |
#37
|
|||
|
|||
Not longer, but........... When chain tongs would not loosen a joint,
a D6 cat with a winch put enough force on it to break it loose. Dan ( standing well back ) Ken Cutt wrote: Tom Gardner wrote: I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you put on it?" (six foot) Biggest snipe I ever saw used was 30' length of drill stem . Five of us bouncing on the end of that . Slipped over a 5' Rigid pipe wrench to tighten a flare line on a drill rig . Anyone seen longer ? Ken Cutt |
#38
|
|||
|
|||
|
#39
|
|||
|
|||
Can't remember. That was over fifty years ago.
Dan Ken Cutt wrote: Big chain tongs seem to be built to a different standard . Did the Cat manage to bend the handle ? Ken Cutt |
#40
|
|||
|
|||
On Sat, 27 Aug 2005 16:49:44 -0700, Ken Cutt
wrote: Tom Gardner wrote: I went with a bud returning a 3/4" breaker bar. The counter guy handed him a new one but held on saying: "I just gotta know, how long was the pipe you put on it?" (six foot) Biggest snipe I ever saw used was 30' length of drill stem . Five of us bouncing on the end of that . Slipped over a 5' Rigid pipe wrench to tighten a flare line on a drill rig . Anyone seen longer ? Ken Cutt Not longer but I have used a 20' piece with a come along to the floor to break a nut on the back of a hydraulic cylinder piston. The cylinder was out of a track hoe and about a 2" thread (it was metric so I don't remember the exact thread size). Two hefty guy bouncing on the end didn't break it but the come along did. I've got tie downs embedded in the floor of my shop which I hooked the come along to. The rod of the cylinder was held by inserting a piece of shafting the size of the rod end into the big vise I've got and then chaining the other end of the shaft to the 5" OD pipe heavy wall pipe shop support that I've got the big vise mounted on. I probably would of broken the vise if I'd just relied on it to hold the rod. I was using a 48" Rigid pipe wrench on the nut. Wayne Cook Shamrock, TX http://members.dslextreme.com/users/waynecook/index.htm |
Reply |
|
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|