Lifetime Warranty on Husky (or Craftsman, etc.) Tools

[Tom&Shelly]

So I have a set of Husky screwdrivers with a #1 Phillips (#2 is the most common--this one is smaller) that sort of wore out. I was looking for a replacement, and noticed they have a "lifetime" warranty that appears to be similar to Craftsman's. (Prices are similar too. In this case the screwdriver in question is a penny apart.)

Does anyone have any experience with what these warranties cover? Is Husky's as good as Craftsman's? Can I replace the one screwdriver, or is it the whole set?

Of course, it would be wonderful to get a whole new set simply because the head of the weakest Phillips is stripped, but it sounds a bit too good to be true, so I suspect it is! (Or isn't--whichever conveys that I can't get a new set for free.)

Tom

 

[halfdome Danny]

Years ago I returned a Craftsman 6" adjustable wrench to a Sears store because it loosened up and wouldn't hold tight anymore.
I was given a new replacement.
To find a Sears store today might not be possible.
Danny

 

[Sparksalot]

If it's like the old Craftsman, they would only replace the one damaged tool. New Craftsman, quien sabe?

I defaulted to Husky tools after it became ludicrous to shop at Sears. They always have been great for me, like Craftsman has. Over decades I'd only had 3 Craftsman tools fail, mainly because they were misused. Until the last few years, now I'm more selective what I'll buy.

 

[Tony Latham]

To find a Sears store today might not be possible.

When I was a youngster, one of my favorite things to look at on a rainy day was the Sears catalog. Everything was there. Tool section and guns, sure, but the bra section? You betcha.

Sears could have turned into the Amazon of this world, but no, they went more or less belly-up.

Tony

 

[twisted lines]

I have a few sets from Craftsman think I returned three pieces, the ladies at the local place knew I was a buyer
I returned a tiny broken electrical plyer, New guy started to go off about how people abuse them;
While I looked for the easiest path to get to him so we could finnish the discussion
he was interrupted by one of the nice ladies, told him give me the new one,
Never did see him again

 

[Tom&Shelly]

To find a Sears store today might not be possible.

When I was a youngster, one of my favorite things to look at on a rainy day was the Sears catalog. Everything was there. Tool section and guns, sure, but the bra section? You betcha.

Sears could have turned into the Amazon of this world, but no, they went more or less belly-up.

Tony

Sears could've turned into the Playboy of this world, but they were intent on selling the clothing!

Come to think of it, maybe Playboy is now belly up... Different world!

I think I'll buy the Craftsman #1 x 3 inch Phillips screw driver from Amazon for $6.98. Won't quite match the handles on the Husky screw drivers, but so what? I may still take the Husky Phillips into a Home Depot just to see what they say. If I get an extra new tool (or set) out of it, so much the better.

Tom

 

[Tom&Shelly]

I was in a Home Depot yesterday looking for the replacement Husky Phillips head. (Before I remembered the "Lifetime Warranty") The web page said they had 4 of them in stock, but turns out there wasn't even a hook for that one. So when I go in to see about a trade, I evidently have to make sure I pick the right Home Depot!

Tom

 

[dmb90260]

As it was declining and in need of cash, Sears sold Craftsman to OSH, Orchard Supply, a great working man's hardware store in California. Then Lowe's bought OSH and tried to make it into a boutique hardware for the upscale customer. That failed and goodbye OSH. Some store must carry Craftsman but I have not found it yet. You can find them on-line but I bet the the nice lady is not there to help you. I still frown and mutter when I drive by the empty OSH store.

 

[Ottsville]

As it was declining and in need of cash, Sears sold Craftsman to OSH, Orchard Supply, a great working man's hardware store in California. Then Lowe's bought OSH and tried to make it into a boutique hardware for the upscale customer. That failed and goodbye OSH. Some store must carry Craftsman but I have not found it yet. You can find them on-line but I bet the the nice lady is not there to help you. I still frown and mutter when I drive by the empty OSH store.

Lowes carries Craftsman
https://www.lowes.com/pl/Craftsman-...G0ifKrMHNdSFFhF6n8BoCm3cQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

 

[Squigie]

Husky warranty is generally honored as a tool-for-tool replacement. If you take in a "set" with one broken tool, they'll pull the one tool from a new set and RMA the rest of it (or mark it down and put it on a clearance rack).

Kobalt (Lowe's) warranty depends on the store. Much of the time, the people at the service desk are not even aware of the warranty and have to call a manager to get approval. (I have never had a problem getting the warranty honored* - it just takes a manager to tell the service desk, "Yes, he's right. Exchange the tool.") After that, you might get the entire "set" replaced, or just a single piece.

I made the mistake of taking a broken (~2002) Craftsman ratchet in for warranty replacement at Lowe's about 4 years ago. I could have bought a repair kit online for about $10-15. Instead, I got a replacement off the shelf of my local Lowe's. It broke the first time I put torque on it. I have since replaced that ratchet, by exchanging in-store under warranty, four more times. The latest replacement sits on top of one of my rolling toolboxes, hang-tag still in attached, because I can't be bothered to break that one instantly, like the rest of them. Next to it, are two Kobalt ratchets of the same design; also broken and useless.
They are far from what they used to be. I want my old, broken ratchet back. It could be repaired. The new versions cannot - their cover plates are crimped in place - and they don't last longer than a trip out the door.

*I haven't had a problem getting the warranty honored if the tool is in stock.
With those ratchets are three Kobalt and Craftsman 10mm sockets. All broken in the same way (cracked) and never to be replaced, because my local Lowe's has not had any of them in stock since 2018. They have a space for each of them. They have price tags. They appear to be a stocked item, based on the indicators.
I end up in Lowe's about once a week; much more often if I have an active large project. I check for those sockets *every* time I am in the store. I also occasionally check inventory online. They have not had one of those sockets in stock, except in sets, since 2018. I have not, as yet, been able to convince them to RMA a set to replace a single socket. The closest I got was a manager telling me to bring in a complete set, and he would exchange the whole set. But I bought the sockets singly. I don't have a set to bring in.

 

[Tom&Shelly]

<snip>

Tom

 

[Squigie]

Why do you waste your time responding to them?
They don't come back.
It is a one-and-done visit.
They know they will be banned and don't bother trying to come back.

 

[Tom&Shelly]

Why do you waste your time responding to them?
They don't come back.
It is a one-and-done visit.
They know they will be banned and don't bother trying to come back.

It's childish, I know. But it relieves some frustration, and sometimes it's an attempt at humor.

Edit: As a matter of fact, that guy did post four spams before he was flagged and removed.

Tom

 

[bdosborn-SMB]

I like the all in one screwdrivers, if it wears out you can just get a new bit.

https://www.amazon.com/Screwdriver-...walt+screwdrivers&qid=1703045947&sr=8-41&th=1

Bruce

 

[philpom]

They are all about the same now - Craftsman are now sold by Lowes, they will honor the warranty on any Craftsman hand tool you own regardless of where/when /how you got it. Single tool for single tool. They are no longer made in the U.S.A. - Chinese made with a label on it. That's what Husky is. Just buy the brand that is sold in the store closest to you. I have good luck with Harbor Freight wrenches etc too. Also made in China, wouldn't shock me to know they are all made by the same few manufacturers in China. If you want real quality flag down a Snap-On truck.

 

[Squigie]

I still have the previously mentioned broken Kobalt and Craftsman ratchets and 10mm sockets on my tool box. (And the unused Kobalt ratchet.)
I have still not found the broken items in stock as individual tools.
Not only that, but there is no longer a place or price tag in the drawer for the 6-point or 12-point 10mm 1/4" drive sockets.
"Great" warranty.
That I can't use. And don't even really want to waste my time trying to use, at this point.

I've been buying Tekton tools for a few years now, from a regional hardware/farm/outdoor chain, C-A-L Ranch.
I haven't had any issues.
They have a no questions asked, lifetime replacement policy. "If tool no work, we replace."
The best part is that I have never had to use it.
But, reassuringly, several of the commercial construction guys in my family have been turning more and more to Tekton, as well. They say they hold up better than Husky, Kobalt, Craftsman, and other store brands. So far, I cannot disagree.

I won't buy Snap-On tools. I used them for a little over 6 years and it was par for the course to have a minimum of 3-4 broken tools every day. Our Snap-On dealer started his day by hitting our shop *every day* that he was on his route.
(To be fair, I'm talking about 600-1,000 tools rolling around in 6-12 rolling toolboxes, in use by 30-50 people, not home shop levels of use.)
More than half of the time, the Snap-On dealer would claim misuse or abuse, and that was that. No warranty for you, you're paying out of pocket for a new tool, whether or not it was actually abused or misused. Drilled a small hole in the top of the side panel of the toolbox to mount a small garbage receptacle? "Sorry buddy, that is a modification, and grounds for not covering the wheel that broke off two days after I sold it to you."

Matco dealers seem to be not quite as bad, from what I have heard via word of mouth. But I own only a few and have never personally broken a Matco tool, so I haven't had to try. If I wanted to throw a lot of money at good tools, I'd be considering calling the local Matco truck.