Tools
Tools
At that point, they won't let your return it for another, and it basically drops out of lifetime replacement since you can no longer prove where it came from.
This development has caused me to rethink my entire 'quantity vs quality' tool strategy.
I would love to have all snap on tools instead of just about 20%, but honestly, the craftsman stuff is reasonably durable, and easier to get at any time. The price difference is just so much that im not willing to spend 300% more money for a lot of basic hand tools that cheaper brands can do almost as well. If it breaks sooner, so be it, it was 10 bucks vs 110. I usually buy snap on for air and specialty tools. Now though, Im considering whoring out to stanley instead of craftsman for a lot of basic stuff.
As an experiment, about 8 months ago I bought some basic stanley tools from walmart and have been using them daily. Im actually pretty impressed with how well they have held up, the ratchet actually has far better finish and feel than the craftsman stuff, and I have tried daily to break it, not yet so far.
I was doing some research, and I was interested to find out that stanley has actually owned mac since the 80s. Im not sure if production and finish quality has come over into stuff you can get from walmart for $10.99 in that time, but it certainly seems to be holding up. Anyone have any input on stanley automotive tools?
I was very irritated to discover that the craftsman 'easy to see' etched sockets are extremely hard to return under the lifetime clause when the etching wears away and the socket is otherwise undamaged.
At that point, they won't let your return it for another, and it basically drops out of lifetime replacement since you can no longer prove where it came from.
This development has caused me to rethink my entire 'quantity vs quality' tool strategy.
I would love to have all snap on tools instead of just about 20%, but honestly, the craftsman stuff is reasonably durable, and easier to get at any time. The price difference is just so much that im not willing to spend 300% more money for a lot of basic hand tools that cheaper brands can do almost as well. If it breaks sooner, so be it, it was 10 bucks vs 110. I usually buy snap on for air and specialty tools. Now though, Im considering whoring out to stanley instead of craftsman for a lot of basic stuff.
As an experiment, about 8 months ago I bought some basic stanley tools from walmart and have been using them daily. Im actually pretty impressed with how well they have held up, the ratchet actually has far better finish and feel than the craftsman stuff, and I have tried daily to break it, not yet so far.
I was doing some research, and I was interested to find out that stanley has actually owned mac since the 80s. Im not sure if production and finish quality has come over into stuff you can get from walmart for $10.99 in that time, but it certainly seems to be holding up. Anyone have any input on stanley automotive tools?
(11-29-2009, 12:35 PM)dropnosky I was very irritated to discover that the craftsman 'easy to see' etched sockets are extremely hard to return under the lifetime clause when the etching wears away and the socket is otherwise undamaged.
At that point, they won't let your return it for another, and it basically drops out of lifetime replacement since you can no longer prove where it came from.
Those bean counters are smart aren't they?
ForcedInduction
11-29-2009, 12:45 PM
#2
(11-29-2009, 12:35 PM)dropnosky I was very irritated to discover that the craftsman 'easy to see' etched sockets are extremely hard to return under the lifetime clause when the etching wears away and the socket is otherwise undamaged.
At that point, they won't let your return it for another, and it basically drops out of lifetime replacement since you can no longer prove where it came from.
Those bean counters are smart aren't they?
When I bought them I was like everyone else with the "Wow, so easy to read!" Couple years of use go by, it wears away and what do you have? Ive retired most of the worn ones to my junkyard tool set complete with sharpie or nail polish markings now.
Yeah! what an irritatingly shrewd move.
When I bought them I was like everyone else with the "Wow, so easy to read!" Couple years of use go by, it wears away and what do you have? Ive retired most of the worn ones to my junkyard tool set complete with sharpie or nail polish markings now.
W123 Mods: 4 speed ** manual climate control ** '85 Kalitucky intake ** manual windows & full tint ** Euro headlights retrofit w/bixenon projectors ** 4 brake light mod ** Vogtland 50mm drop front & Lesjofors S600 drop rear springs ** 16" rims ** late w126 brake spindles, rotors & calipers ** full suspension rehab ** Bilstein HDs ** AL129X alternator & 1/0 starter and charging cables ** 300GD clutch/flywheel ** AFCO 80103N radiator & Earl's 41610 oil cooler ** custom block-off plate, remote oil filter & t-stat ** MW IP w/ tomnik's 6.5mm 'Holly' elements **
S124 Mods: 400E Rear subframe ** SL600 Brakes ** Late 300E 210mm diff ** SLK230 6 speed ** 17" CLK rims ** Vented RF Fender ** Facelift Hood, Headlights, and Lower Cladding **
OBK# 62
SurfRodder
11-30-2009, 03:02 AM #4my 13mm deep gets quite a bit of use and has the super-whamo-dyne laser etched bs worn completely away... if it ever breaks and the sales pansy wont gimme a new one, ill throw it at the wall and leave the f'n store...
W123 Mods: 4 speed ** manual climate control ** '85 Kalitucky intake ** manual windows & full tint ** Euro headlights retrofit w/bixenon projectors ** 4 brake light mod ** Vogtland 50mm drop front & Lesjofors S600 drop rear springs ** 16" rims ** late w126 brake spindles, rotors & calipers ** full suspension rehab ** Bilstein HDs ** AL129X alternator & 1/0 starter and charging cables ** 300GD clutch/flywheel ** AFCO 80103N radiator & Earl's 41610 oil cooler ** custom block-off plate, remote oil filter & t-stat ** MW IP w/ tomnik's 6.5mm 'Holly' elements **
S124 Mods: 400E Rear subframe ** SL600 Brakes ** Late 300E 210mm diff ** SLK230 6 speed ** 17" CLK rims ** Vented RF Fender ** Facelift Hood, Headlights, and Lower Cladding **
OBK# 62
stuff usually breaks before I've had it for a year, but its cheap and theres a lifetime warranty. no questions asked when I shattered a standard socket using it on an impact wrench...
Ich liebe meine Autos!
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | 156K Miles | 2nd Owner | EGR Disabled [Removal Pending] | ALDA Removed | Straight Pipes | GT2256V??? | Laser Interceptor | Engine swap over summer, hopefully with GT2256V attached...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Odo Stopped at 160K (at least 50K more) | EGR Disabled | ALDA All The Way Out | Straight pipes | FM-870 Remote Start Alarm System | B100 Biodiesel | AC Fixed x2 | Trunk crushed in
| Retired to garage.Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
and thats why I'm sticking to harbor freight stuff usually breaks before I've had it for a year, but its cheap and theres a lifetime warranty. no questions asked when I shattered a standard socket using it on an impact wrench...
Ich liebe meine Autos!
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | 156K Miles | 2nd Owner | EGR Disabled [Removal Pending] | ALDA Removed | Straight Pipes | GT2256V??? | Laser Interceptor | Engine swap over summer, hopefully with GT2256V attached...
1981 Mercedes-Benz 300SD | Odo Stopped at 160K (at least 50K more) | EGR Disabled | ALDA All The Way Out | Straight pipes | FM-870 Remote Start Alarm System | B100 Biodiesel | AC Fixed x2 | Trunk crushed in
| Retired to garage.Excessive speeding? It ain't excessive till I redline!
'78 300D, OM617.912: 4spd manual, TB03 at 10PSI, 26*BTDC, DV's turned, HVAC, emissions system removed, e-fan, short ram, 3" downpipe to straight exhaust, W126 Bendix brakes, MR2 Spyder seats. 2890lbs
Snap-on at the shop, craftsman in the garage, stanley in the field. Just a heads up, Kobalt wrenches and sockets are made with the same toolings and materials from the same manufacturer as Snap-on.
'78 300D, OM617.912: 4spd manual, TB03 at 10PSI, 26*BTDC, DV's turned, HVAC, emissions system removed, e-fan, short ram, 3" downpipe to straight exhaust, W126 Bendix brakes, MR2 Spyder seats. 2890lbs
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