When Sears bought the Craftsman tool company (anyone know when that
was? 1930? 1940?), Craftsman also had a secondary line of lower quality
tools, called "Companion". If you look through OLD automotive tools,
you'll sometimes find some "Companion tools from the Craftsman tool
company".
Sears changed that to "Sears Craftsman" and "Sears Companion".
They continued the lifetime warranty policy.
BTW, Craftsman tools (presumably still owned by Sears) are now available
at Orchard Supply hardware, and even some TV shopping channels!
The general public, who typically don't know what tools ARE, overvalue
that lifetime warranty.
1) Virtually EVERY tool company does it! (The public seem to
think that Sears Craftsman is the only one!) Thorsen, probably even
GLOBEMASTER, do it. Harbor Freight will exchange crap that breaks.
2) As I said in my book, I would much rather have a few good
tools, then a lifetime supply of scrap metal.
I remember one time at the Alameda flea market, that some guy had a few
sets of sockets. He wanted $10 for a set of Craftsman, but $4 for
Snap-On! ("Because Craftsman is guaranteed for life")
The Sears tools are NOT comparable quality to what they once were.
The metallurgy is worse, and the workmanship is TERRIBLE!
Take a look at a current Sears socket or box end wrench - frequently the
broaching isn't even centered!
--
Grumpy Ol' Fred cisin_at_xenosoft.com
Received on Thu Dec 07 2000 - 18:16:53 GMT