Garage Shop: Tools

Does compressor have a dipstick to check oil or a sight glass?

 

Depending what you get, it May have either. The HF compressor I bought has a sight glass.

 

Is it a good idea to put masking tape with the oil change date on the compressor? Just for reference.

 

Is it a good idea to use a filter or inline filter anyways?

 

Which HF compressor brand do you have?

 

It's always a good idea to keep track of the maintenance of your tools.

On an unrelated note. Neither Lowes nor Ace would honor the warranty on my Craftsman ratchet unless I could provide proof of purchase from their store... Since this goes directly against Craftsman's stated warranty, looks like I'll be switching brands.

 

I swore off Craftsman years ago because Sears would question the use of the tool and in some cases deny warranty.
It said lifetime warranty on package, not “limited” or “if you do this”. Seemed like it was left up to the sales person on duty at the time, and they didnt get the memo

 

I went to Ace about a Craftsman garden hose warranty. Ace replace it, no question ask.

Craftsman doesn't have much compressor available anymore. They used to have over a dozen of different compressor before.

 

Are Craftsman, Husky compressor still made by Campbell Hausfeld?

 

Never ran into that problem. Gonna have to remake all my socket holders too. To be fair though, I was gonna make some changes to them anyways.

 

No more rebuild kits for socket wrenches and the warranty is rubbish now that Stanley took over.

 

How does the warranty works now?

Last time I had a ratchet replace they gave me another ratchet under warranty. This was years ago.

 

Now they want a receipt to prove that you purchased the tool at that location. If you don't have it you have to call craftsman and they will mail you a replacement. Not sure if you have to mail yours in first, but I wouldn't doubt it.

 

Like mentioned above, sales attendant that usually doesn’t know anything about tools decides if the damage is from abuse or normal fatigue, or tool failure caused by defect. Then, they demand a receipt.

I don’t have any imported craftsman wrenches and refuse to let them “replace” them when all I need is a rebuild kit. Thankfully I’ve been finding them on eBay and other tool forums so unless my son destroys them doing stupid stuff he’ll be able to pass them along to his.

 

Are the Craftsman tools of today are worth purchasing or exchanging under warranty?

 

In my opinion, they are not. But for allot of do it yourself types they are fine.

 

I think I actually took a couple ratchets in for rebuild kits, And was told they would exchange for the round headed with twist on the back, not rebuild the Teardrop heads that I had, I didn’t like the round head ratchets. Walked out, never looked back. Still have the tear drops. All of them missing a tooth or 2
Still have the original 1/2” ratchet my Dad gave me as a kid as well, INDUSTRO a was the brand, used it up until 2 about years ago when I finally ripped a tooth out of it as well.
Tool truck tools are a lot more expensive, but the warranty can’t be denied ( they’ll try til you threaten them with a call to corporate)
A 36” 1/2” drive flex head ratchet Will get stuff done !

 

Check eBay for the rebuild kits for your oval heads, there’s a couple guys that regularly post listings. Starting to think that they were craftsman or sears guys in the past.

 

The quality is fair. I'd say just a notch above Harbor Fraught. The reality is however that MOST handtools have lifetime warranties. The difference with Craftsman is that you could walk in with a broken tool and walk out with a new one in a matter of minutes. Which was extremely useful when you need the tool that broke to finish doing the job it broke on. HF does this now. But I think I am just going to move on up to a better tool like Mac or Strapon.

 

What about Matco? Any good?