The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest I hate Craftsman!!!!!

Well once again Sears has given me another reason not to shop with them anymore, last year I purchased a 4" angle grinder and today I went to purchase another wire wheel for it and they change the size of the shaft it screws onto it. I now have to go online and purchse one if they even have them anymore. I am at the point that from nowe on I will go to harbor frieght and purchase a throw away tool before buying crafstman ever again. That just erks me to no end when they do stuff like this.

Ed

Most are 5/8" thread and you can get the wheels anywhere, what size is yours?

I know what you mean about Craftsman power tools. I will no longer buy them,they are JUNK.I do however still buy their hand tools.I got stung on an expensive table saw about 9 years ago,and that was enough.I would not reccomend Harbor Freight,to my worst enemy.Every once in a while I will walk thru Harbor Freight for a few laughs.As far as hand tools are concerned ,a lot of guys swear by SnapOn.I have nothing against SnapOn except the price.I cannot afford them.I still have my original set of Craftsmans I purchased in 1957,and they are as good as new. Of course I have added many tools to that original set.I also have a Craftsman wood lathe,and jig saw that date to 1950,and they are great too.

Eric

I am not sure what size the thread is, I will have to look, It is a 4" grinder that is only about a year old though and they change what the sell and keep in stock.
I am just a bit frustrated.

Dale,
Thanks for the advice, I have a few harbor frieght tools and know that you get what you pay for, I recently replaced my impact wrench from them with one from NAPA and boy did that make a big difference.

Ed

Older Craftsman power tools are still good tools. Crapsman power tools made in the last 8 to 10 years aren't worth the effort to throw them away. I discovered that fact five years ago when I bought a Crapsman table saw, scroll saw, 12" miter box and 18" chain saw. All are cheap crap. They are perfectly engineered to last the 90 day warranty then go to hell.

ed you can get adapters to fit your angle grinder to wire wheels. i have the same problem with my makita 4" grinder. the adapter screws into the5/8 thread of the wheel then that conglomeration screws onto the grinder.i have several.i'm gonna say this then duck.you can get 2 knotted wirw wheels 2 cup wire brushes a wire brush and 2 adapters in a pkg.for $12.00(i was watchin this and got them on sale for $7.99) at harbor freight.i have them theyre not bad.or you can get the adapters at lowes.several companies make them................dave

If it has a realy odd size or thread just buy wheels with a smaller hole drill and retap to the corect thread. I bought several wire wheels at a great discount with a odd thread, drilled and retaped them to fit my grinder with great success.

You might also check at the farm stores or hardware stores, good chance they'll have one with the right thread.

Well, I went to Zetlers/Ace Hardware and they had a wire wheel that will fit. It still erks me that Sears does this kind of stuff all the timme and they seem to get away with it.

Ed

I'm basically a Sears guy..but equipted myself with a lot of tools from Harbor Frieght recently. Drill press, die grinders etc. No doubt it's chinese stuff..but for what they charge I'll just toss it and buy another one when it craps out. Very noble to buy american..if moneys no object..but of course it is for most of us..

Keith

I spent $19.00 for the new wheel, I stopped by the local HF this afternoon and I could have bought a new grinder for the same price. for the amout of time one of these wheels last when cleaning the frame it may be worth buying a cheepo and tossing it when done.

Ed

I checked the grinders at Sears today, they all use the 5/8" arbor that's pretty much standard, exept for the 4" 6.0 amp version, which has a 10mm.

I am not professional by any standerd, but snapon has a 3/8 ratchet for $72. I will destroy a craftsman and hitch a ride to sears sevral times before that snapon will be remotally worth it.

Craftmans are good enough for me. I have a 10" drill press, 6" bench grinder, 1/2 drill, 3/8 cordless drill, 4 1/2 angle grinder, 26 gallon comprssor, 3/8 ratchet for it, and 1/2 impact for it, plus dozens of wrenches, three tool chests, a full socket set from 1/4 to 1/2 and i have yet to break anything. I use my tools with choice words, cheater pipes and big hammers too.

As for my power tools-I spent the $29 and bought the 3 year warrenty. I think. Mabey 2. I dunno since ive never taken anything back there. While you talk to the cashier, someone sneaks up on you and swaps whatever you bought for the same thing but without the microchip that makes it self destruct in 91 days.

But im not professional, and buy anything disposable elsewhere. Like wire wheels, grinder wheels, gloves, the list goes on.

A comment on hand grinders . . . be damned careful with the "lock-on, lock-off" kind, which most are. I had one hang and get away from me back at the end of June. Now, I am the "careful guy" with power tools, but this time I did something wrong, I'm still not sure just what happened, but it cost me a trip to the ER and 39 stitches! I'm healing nicely, but you can read my story on my gallery page, if you want.

Remember, be careful out there!

best wishes,

Les

I had that happen with a drill once, I had the lock on and was drilling a 1.5" hole in a 4x4 and it hit a knot, it spun around on me and the clip that is used for hanging on your belt took a big chunk out of my hand. It didn't require at trip to the emergency room but it took awhile to heal. I agree, be careful with the tools.

Ed

Sure doesn't take long for a "gotcha" to happen does it.

Les, what some guys do so they can sit around and play on computers all day....well if that don't beat all:)

I'm glad your healing up and hopefully by now you can take a "full bath". I do agree with your gallery article though...take the bandage off, especially at night and let it heal rather than keeping it covered causing it to stay raw and tender. My kids hardly ever wore a bandage over one day!

Now if your smart you can ride this thing out for a while and have Sarah fetching pepsi's and bologna sandwiches all the time....yeah right!!!!!

Les,

I looked at several after my HF died young. Lock on triggers scared the shasta out of me and just don't make sence to me. I found a Ryobi at a decent price with a safe trigger. Works for me.

Craftsman power tools used to be very good. In my woodshop I have a Craftsman wood lathe,and a Craftsman scrollsaw that were new in 1950.A Craftsman radial arm saw that dates back to 1960.I purchased these used when I was setting up my woodshop.They are all top of the line equipment.In 1997 I purchased a Craftsman drill press new that has worked very well.Also a Craftsman power miter saw that is AOK.In 1999 I purchased a top of the line Craftsman table saw for $725. on sale.It is a piece of crap,impossible to keep it lined up properly,even with new adjusting blocks.It now sits n the corner of my shop collecting dust.One of these days I will have a garage sale and get whatever I can out of it.It is a good saw for construction purposes,but when you get into fine furniture making it is no darn good.I have since replaced it with a Delta Unisaw,which set me back a lot of money,but it does a respectable job of fine cutting.After that deal with the table saw,no more Craftsman power tools for me.

I'll take a Ryobi over a Craftsman any day, but truthfuly I'm not a real fan of anybodies power tools made in recent years.
There's always the industrial grade stuff that is actualy built to last more than a week if you want to part with the bones for one, but overall it's all bunk.
You never know if the cheap POS you get at HF will outlast the same tool from Craftsman or Snap-On (I have a 4" angle grinder from HF that has a couple hundred hours on it, it sounds horrid but has outlasted everthing else I've had).
I made it simple tho, I buy my stuff from Ace anymore, they treat me right if things go South on me, Sears can go pee up a rope.
If you're lookin for accuracy, you dont want HF, otherwise it's hit or miss anywhere for longevity. Great place to buy clamps tho!

Ryobi is another cheap line of crap,sold mainly by Home Depot.I am no fan of Craftsman power tools,but Ryobi???

I've got a Ryobi grinder, it's actually a very good peice of equipment. Also got quite a few Craftman power tools, never had a problem with any of them, especially the 19.2 cordless drill. It's stronger than any of the other drills I've got, even the corded Milwaukies.
Now if you want really good angle grinder, get a Metabo, best on the market. I've got one, love it.
BTW, just a bit of insider info, Craftman power tools are manufactured by Porter Cable, have been since 1927.

Guess what? Ryobi builds Craftsman table saws.

I just bought a Craigslist Ryobi BT3000. I think I paid way too much, but it seems to be a pretty nice saw.

I have been getting disgusted at Craftsman tools the last several years.... I broke two Craftsman 3/8 ratchets with my bare hands last year... No cheaters.......

Now, the 4" Craftsman Industrial angle grinder we have is pushing 10 or 12 years old.... Still works like a champ.. The 19.2 volt drill set is working like a champ. Burned the switch out of the drill, replaced it, and kept going......

If I had my choice, I'd use all Craftsman hand tools EXCEPT for their ratchets... Snap-On for that stuff. I like the Craftsman sockets well enough.......

Its amazing what you can learn,or hear here.There is a possibility that Portetr Cable manufactured some Craftsman power tools over the years. Has anyone ever seen a Porter Cable Table Saw or radial arm saw? So Ryobi is now making Craftsman,that is possible. I know that Black and Decker has been making a lot of the smaller Craftsman power tools over the last few years,sanders,saber saws,etc.Like someone else posted Ryobi is a very cheaply made brand that Home Depot features.As I posted before I have a few older Craftsman power tools in my woodshop,but I also have others which I like a lot better than the new Craftsmans,Porter Cable, DeWalt,Jet,and others. I have seen older woodworkers in Sears buying power tools to this day.Guess they have always used them,or what I dont know.For whoever posted that Porter Cable has always made Craftsman tools,I purchased a top of the line Porter Cable router,and also purchased a used Craftsman router table at a yard sale. The Porter Cable router will not fit into the Craftsman table due to a different bolt pattern.If that router was a Porter Cable,labeled Craftsman it would fit.As for the used Craftsman radial arm saw that I bought I got a recall on it in which Emerson would buy it back or send me a new blade guard for it.I took the new blade guard,because it is a good saw. This tells me that Emerson made this saw back in 1960.

Not necessarily. If Craftsman had Porter Cable make the tools to Craftsman specs, then that would help explain the non-fit.

To Craftsman specs.does not mean that mounting holes are driiled to a certain pattern.doubt very much whether Porter Cable,or any other cfompany is gonna design a new router mount for Craftsman.Case in point,pick up a Craftsman sander,then compare it with a Black and Decker,naturally the same size,price range,etc. You will find that they are identical,parts are interchangable,etc.The only difference is the markings on the sander itself.Another case,however not with tools. For years Whirlpool made Sears Kenmore appliances. I could go to a appliance parts store and buy parts for either one and they would be the same.Found this out by working on the older Kenmore,and Whirlpool washing maxchines.Now they might use a cheaper motor on the Crasftsman,but it would be the same physical size,etc. as the Whirlpool motor.For many years Sears was the best place for the average guy to buy power tools,but lately they have been farmed out to companies like Ryobi,and Black and Decker,and the quality has gone downhill.At one time,about 40 years ago,Blackhawk built Sears Crasftsman floor jacks.I have one in my shop which has been used and abused for 40 years and is still going strong.I dont know who makes their new ones.

Porter-Cable has manufatured Craftman power tools since 1927, or at least hand held tools like drills and belt sanders. I beleive they also manufacture the drill presses as well. Table saws, not sure about that.

I took back a 1/2" fine tooth ratchet to Sears about a month ago and they replaced it with a course ratchet with a little plastic lever on the back to reverse the ratchet action. My wife was with me and she commented on the cheap plastic lever. Went to use it this week and discovered the lever is broken off already. The store's sticker is still on the handle. I'll take it back and probable will get another even cheaper POS

Bob

Has anyone purchsaed a Craptsman item like a lawnmower only to find that YOU HAVE TO BUY CRAPTSMAN blades for it because even though the mower was prob. made by MTD or probabaly the same place that all of em are made, that Crapsman requires em to change the bolt pattern and pilot hole just enough YOU HAVE NO CHOICE to buy parts from them ??...or modify a blade you can get locally at the Hardware for 1/2 the price?..THAT STINKS ON A SATURDAY WHEN YA BEND ONE AN THE LOCAL SEARS STORE IS 30 MILES AWAY!

My craftsman riding lawnmower came with the house I bought. I've found blades at Lowe's that fit. I pulled a boner and measured the blade belt thinking I could just buy one of the same size and it would fit, but that was a wrong move. My strategy to buy some other brand backfired, especially when I learned I could have bought the craftsman for only a couple bucks more.

My problem is with the Kohler engine. If I buy an oil filter from a Kohler distributor, it is $15. I can get a Napa replacement for only $4.

Good thing: parts availability.

Now what about this 1960s vintage Craftsman METAL circular saw that I have, but can't get a motor for it? Any thoughts?

BIll

I got parts for my 60s vintage Craftsman electric drill by starting here - had to follow the trail but got a parts list they had on the net ... I think it was from a warehouse in Georgia

Bill

Thanks for the tip, Bill. I'll try to remember to jot down the data plate info and do a search. On my last effort, I took the saw to the service center and had them look it up, and they were stumped. Although I SURE they looked it up correctly, I'll give it a shot and see what I can find. If nothing, then it looks like an electric motor shop is my next option.

Bill

Just bought a 1.6 hp 26 gal Craftsman compressor yesterday... The motor runs fine, but the compressor part alternately freezes up.... It's already shedding belt pieces. It's going back tomorrow, either going to get a replacement, or an upgrade for free. You all are right, they ARE going downhill, fast.

Cornwell Tools, guys! same quality as snap-on, but cheaper. still more expensive than craftsman or anything like that, but you will NEVER have to buy another one again, because their tools dont break. and even if they do, like 98% of their tools have lifetime warranties, so you can get it replaced for free. pretty much the only tools i buy, and am extremely happy with them.

Although the Craftsman power tools have taken a dive in quality,I still use and buy Craftsman hand tools.I still have my original set that I have had for 50 years,course I have added many tools to that set. Over a span of 50 years I have broken maybe three tools.I just take them back to the store and they are replaced free of charge.Why would I pay more for tools. Oh I forgot ,some of you guys say that that Craftsman tools hurt your hands.Cant figure that one out ,its probably because you dont use them enough.Or maybe you have baby soft hands.And that would be from not using your tools enough.

4" use 1/2" threads or 10mm (depending on country of origin), 4_1/2" use 5/8" threads

Most of my hand tools are Craftsman. I would have to agree with dale937, for the money they are the best buy in my oppinion. I have used mine for about 45 years with few problems, and when you need to replace one, a Sears store is always easier to find then the tool trucks that don't always come through here. I like Cornwell Tools, but they haven't come through here for 3 or 4 years.
Jim

That's what I like about my Snapon / Mac hand tools. I never have to replace them.