yeah, that’s not a typo. so for myy B-day I get a sweet 12″ drill press with laser guides, led light, and digital depth guide. It has it all except a working motor. It is a dud right out of the factory. they are nice and will replace it for no charge, but it’s taking forever!!!!! Also the craftsman work gloves I just got for X-mass have a good size rip in them. Jeez.
Can you hold the laser level while I shave?
Replies
Andy,
Find another store. (:>
Best!
-nazard
Andy,
Most of their power tools, I wouldn't touch with a ten-foot stick. Some, however, are made for them by other manufacturers. An example is their router combo kit which is made my Bosch (Bosch's 1617EVS), the only difference being the colour of the plastic housing. I do have faith in their handtools, however.
Chris @ flairwoodworks
- Success is not the key to happines. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful. - Albert Schweitzer
That's ok, the motor works on my crapsman drill-press, but the head stock goes "girndy, grindy, grindy".
My first set of tools HAD to be Craftsman. Now I won't have them in my shop.
Shopping at another store is the best alternative.
Mike D
I believe they have been coasting on a reputation for 40 years. Dad and Gramps might have bought them, but a) they didn't have many alternatives, and b) they were a bit better then.
The handtools are cheapening and Sears will sometimes wiggle out of their "lifetime warranty" issues. I got so many different answers on my last attempt, I gave up and tossed it in the can.
Power tools are notorious for going to the lowest bidder du jour. While I can run to a rental house and get parts (and service) over the counter for my 20 year old Bosch sander, I know a lot of people who can't get a new switch for their 3 year old Craftsman drill.
There are just too many viable alternatives now. Ever wonder why you rarely see these tools reviewed in the magazines?
I have to agree with Chris on this one.
Hand tools are OK - but not the best.
Sears power tools are not worthy of much more than a door stop.
I too have been burned by Sears on more than one occasion
and they haven't seen dime one from me in years. I want to sell
my RAS - but am afraid the buyer may come back to haunt me.
My advice is "Lesson Learned" and move on to another product line.
Bill-
I've had good luck over the years. You have to know where to draw the line. I have a craftsman shop vac that is good and had it for years. Craftsman drills, first router (still got it but little use). Hand tools are good and electrical, and other various tools. My sears radial arm saw is still kicking after 20+ years. I don't use it much anymore because I have the specailty tools. The new TS has had good reviews as well. The present a good alternative in some cases. I've got a craftsman version of a sawsall that I've beat the living tar out of and it keeps going. Not all bad. Government's view of the economy could be summed up in a few short phrases: If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.
Can you say "Chinese junk?" Sure, I knew you could...
My wife and I walked through Sears a few weeks ago. I thought I was in Beijing.
I was surprised. No more crapsman for me.
I don't darken their doorway; though I still want to throw the benchtop planer through it. I replaced it with a 300 pound gorilla named Parks that does everything I ask and more. I do have 2-10" contractor saws that I like but they were made back in the 50's; as were my lathe and my 6x48 stationary belt sander with 9" disk. Old arn rules! All that heavy cast iron mass means stability and little vibration. I have learned not to buy anything at Sears as the money is better spent buying quality elsewhere and saving the replacement costs of the junk they peddle.
I have a Craftsman mortiser that's surprisingly working fine for me and their wrenches and screwdrivers, etc. But here's the funny thing -- I want to buy their 22401 (i think that's right) 14-inch bandsaw. It got some "best value' awards in the magazines, but Craftsman just discontinued making it. In my local store, there's the dusty old floor model sitting in a corner with a few missing parts (I downloaded the owners manual and checked it out) and it's covered in dust. I've asked the manager about it, looking for a discount because, after all, Sears has a good parts store to help me bring it up to speed. It was on sale for $460 from $499, but I was looking for a better bargain. But this week the price jumped UP TO $529. Let me repeat: it's discontinued! It's missing parts! The workers at Sears stare at me gape mouthed. I dunno. I think I'm going to buy the Grizzly GO-555.
J, don't be so sure about the parts. I misplaced the square headed bolts for the fence rails(the square heads slide nicely in the slots of the rails to bolt them to the edge of the saw table and cast extensions).The hex heads are 38 cents each in the sears hardware store but the 14 bolts required for the fence are only available from them on their parts line for $2.97 each including the shipping cost ?( Total $41,58???) BTW, the same bolts used by Ridgid for their similar contractors saw are $1.00 each from their local repair agent? Both saws are made by TTI. YA DON'T NEED SEARS. Paddy
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