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Right now you are probably thinking, "what the heck is a review of mechanics’ tools doing on a woodworking web site?" If you are a homeowner, do-it-yourselfer, car enthusiast or even a woodworker, you always have a need for screwdrivers, wrenches and the like. Every time I adjust, maintain, overhaul or modify a piece of woodworking equipment, I reach for my mechanics’ tools, and with very few exceptions they are from Sears.
I am not going to spend a lot of time on this topic as there are a great many types and sizes of mechanics’ tools, and I have a nice sampling of all of them. However, wrenches, screwdrivers, nut drivers, and socket sets are necessary items in order to maintain your woodworking machinery in usable condition. You can’t adjust or dismantle a Stanley No. 5 Jack plane without a flat blade screwdriver. I even use my open end wrenches to size tenons turned on the lathe.
Two factors have driven me to write this review. The first is that, especially in the online community, Craftsman tools are regarded as of the worst quality. As you are reading this, you are part of the online community and I assume you have probably already read some of the negative comments about Sears tools – maybe even on this web site. While I have a generally low opinion of Craftsman power tools, which was developed over time and with experience using them, I do not have the same opinion of Craftsman hand tools.
The second factor is a recent experience I had while testing the lifetime guarantee that Sears advertises so freely. While I have heard stories from others, who have had trouble returning tools that were worn out, my experience was vastly different. I’ll elaborate more in a minute
A Question of Quality
I would have to refer to my shop inventory database to come up with an accurate estimate, but I have most of the mechanics’ hand tools that Sears sells. The majority are over fifteen years old and have provided me with years of faithful service. While many people I know have nothing but bad things to say about Craftsman tools, I think you’ll find that in many cases, it is a matter of brand preference.
Just as you’ll find two guys on any construction site who’ll argue over whether a Chevy is better than a Dodge, the same conversation can be often overhead when it comes to tools. I have worked many types of jobs over the years and have had occasion to use brands such as Snap-On, Mac and Proto, I have never found these tools to do any particular job better than a Craftsman tool.
If Craftsman tools were indeed of inferior quality, you would find they break while performing routine tasks. I have had cheap hardware store brand wrenches break while trying to loosen a rusted bolt, but never a Sears Craftsman tool. I suppose if you were to test a high priced tool against Craftsman in a laboratory, rating comparative strength under stress, Craftsman tools may not stand up as well. However, in use, I have placed some great loads on my Sears tools and I have never had one break. I am one of those people that likes to fix everything by himself so my tools have been well used. While it may be argued that Craftsman tools may not be as high quality, although I have seen no evidence of this, they are hardly inferior to the expensive brands.
A Less Expensive Alternative
In addition to the fact that Craftsman tools will do any job you ask as well as the big name professional tools, they are significantly cheaper. In fact they are so much cheaper that you can buy an entire set of Craftsman tools for the same price as a few Snap-On tools. In my book that, alone, is a reason to buy from Sears.
The pro tool proponents argue that their favorite brands are guaranteed forever. If they are that much better, why would they need to be? The interesting thing is that Craftsman tools are also guaranteed forever. If you ever did break one, you just need to go to your local Sears store and get a new one – free of charge. Unfortunately, if you broke a Mac tool, you would have to wait for the Mac tool guy to come around again because they don’t sell them in stores. And if you are a recreational woodworker like me, you can forget trying to get the Mac tool man over to your house.
Problems? Just go to your local Sears store!
In all the years I have owned Craftsman tools, the only tools I ever needed replaced are my No. 1 and No. 2 Phillips screwdrivers. If you drive a lot of screws like I do, you know that Phillips head screws strip easily if you aren’t careful and the drivers have a tendency to round over. I have a whole drawer full of cheap screwdrivers that are rounded off and should be thrown away. (I’m cheap. They may be useful for something, some day.)
My Craftsman screwdrivers have, I admit, been rounded off for some time and should have been taken back a few years ago. However, after listening to some reports indicating that other woodworkers have had trouble exchanging their Sears tools, I decided not to try. Recently I made the effort to have them replaced.
I have to say that my local Sears Hardware store was more than happy to replace the damaged drivers. In fact, they gave me a more expensive model as one of the screwdrivers I needed was out of stock. They were happy to do the exchange and made the process effortless. I wish I had done it sooner.
In Conclusion
With Craftsman mechanics tools you really can’t go wrong. I recently needed some Torx screwdrivers to repair my Shop-Vac and found a set at Sears for under $10. Of course, they come with the lifetime warranty. I don’t work for Sears and I am not, nor did I ever receive anything for this review. I really believe in Craftsman hand tools. Now, I would never buy another belt sander from them, but with hand planes what would I need one for. As I said, while I cannot recommend Sears power tools, Craftsman hand tools are really worth every penny.
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