Don't waste your money!

[gwindrider1]

Hi folks,

I just wanted to pass along my recent experiences with a couple of "Craftsman" power tools, specifically, a 1 3/4 hp. router, and the Job site table saw.

The router worked for a total of less than three hours.  It then self destructed in a most magnificent manner  The table saw worked for almost one year before the threaded block attached to the motor, which raises the blade stripped out.  They would have been very happy to sell me a new pot metal block, but I would have had to buy the motor attached to it.  I have a DeWalt now!

Craftsman/Sears does not provide the sort of warranty on their power tools that they do on hand tools.  These are made in China P.O.S.

Good tools are not cheap, don't buy cheap tools!

[ncsurveyor]

I had a  Crapsman router (that I received as a gift).  The height adjustment was supported by a number of small ball bearings in the rotating "sleeve" that basically raised or lowered the whole motor inside the housing.

One fine day, while doing some edge work (you know, where your down looking through the safety shield at your work, as you go)  the sleeve "broke"  sending a couple dozen bearings all over the place.  A couple became high speed pucks when they bounced into the bit.  Thank God for safety glasses.

I use a Dewalt now too.

[DalesCarpentry]

I have allways said when it comes to tools you get what you pay for.

[Drilling Man]

  I got into serious woodworking in the late 70's, and that lead me into starting my own custom furniture/cabinet shop.

  Over the years the worst routers i've ever owned were crapsman...  The best one by far is a Porter Cable "Speedmatic".  What a great router, and even though mine still works like new, i wish i had bought a second one long ago when they were still available!

  As for table saws...  The finest table saw i've ever owned is still in my shop...  It's an 80's vintage Delta "Unisaw"!!  I've always said it's the best powertool i've ever bought!

  DM

[gwindrider1]

Unisaws are the best!

[goodwrench6710]

Always read the fine pint. Snap-On man was showing the new cordless screw gun. Looked at it & it has the "Snap-On" name & is made in CHINA!

[gwindrider1]

Say it isn't so!  Snap-On from China?  Sometimes I think our "Republic" is doomed!

[darrell8937]

It is almost impossible to find a real good tool these days, There are so many brands and the competion is brutal. Even once respected brands are putting out some junk. I have a old craftsman drill, built like a tank. god only knows how old it is. Well may be a a few others know.

[30-30man]

I never liked Snap-on as you had to chase one of those buses around to get repairs done or exchange them.  Craftsman still makes good hand tools but the drills and saws are just repackaged Ryobis(junk). 

[wncchester]

Sears buys most (maybe all) of their current line of Craftsman branded portable power tools from Ryobi's plant in Anderson, SC.  While they are not crap, IMHO, they are definitely "home-owner" grade, for occasional light use. 

While all of us would love to have a full array of high grade power tools few of us can justify  it even if we could afford it.  I mean what home owner really needs a Milwaukee "Hole Shooter" to drill holes for mounting a few bike hangers in the garage?  Inexpensive, light duty tools allow casual users to afford what they need for occasional projects. 

Pros would be foolish to buy inexpensive tools for daily hard use.

[hemiram]

My craftsman experience seems to parallel what some of you others have had. I bought a circular saw, one with the laser on it to help you cut straight. I didn't use it right away, and it sat in the box for over a year. Then I had to do some repairs to the wall in my bathroom. I needed to replace about 1.5 sq ft of drywall due to water damage. I bought a sheet of that "hardi-back" stuff, and got my saw out to cut it with. Everything was ok for about the first 2" of the first cut, and the blade guard came off, got grabbed by the blade and shot little bits of aluminum all over the bathroom. So, I go over to Lowe's and get a jigsaw, a Black and Decker one on sale. It refuses to cut a straight line, the blade guide won't hold, it's broken! I took it back and borrowed a friend's 20 year old Bosch jigsaw that worked perfectly.

I do have one of the higher end Craftsman cordless drills and it's great, but I'm not buying any more Craftsman saws! I have a Craftsman drill press that seems to be pretty decent, I haven't used it much, but it seems solid, but crude.


I have a Milwaulkee Sawzall that I bought at a garage sale that needs a new switch, it's nearly new, so I think the saw deal is set for now anyway.

[DalesCarpentry]

I think I would have tried to return it to Sears any way. I would explain to them that although I bought it a year ago this is the first time I needed to use it. Then go from there.

[oldandslow]

I guess I'm lucky. I bought a Craftsman powersaw with the laser earlier this year and have been doing some remodeling for my daughter (cheap Labor) and it has done a good job. I inherited my Dad's Craftsman radial arm saw he bought in '65. I've replaced the table on it twice. Other than that all it has needed is blades.

[Drilling Man]

I inherited my Dad's Craftsman radial arm saw he bought in '65. I've replaced the table on it twice. Other than that all it has needed is blades.

  Crapsman power tools don't "crap out" unless you absolutely need to get your project done!  That's when they quit, and it's also why the sometimes hold up for hobbyist...      

  DM

[oldandslow]

Over the years the old saw built two homes and two large garages and built on to my home. Since I've had it I remodeled a house, an office, and added some more on my house. Right now it's working on turning a garage into a TV room. I think that probably a little more than hobby work.

[Drilling Man]

  Sorry, double post
  DM

[Drilling Man]

  In "65" Crapsman wasn't crap!  If your comparing Crapsman of today to Craftsman in 65, you need a reality check...

  DM

[30-30man]

I have an old Craftsman 1/2 inch drill that was built during the 60's.  It has a complete metal case and no reverse or variable power.  It has had probably three rewires over the years,  that is when they made good stuff.  The recent stuff as with most tools is not built to the same standards as was in the 1960-1970s'.  Craftsman is more directed at the homeowner now than the professional it was once geared for.  I could remember once when a Poulan chainsaw was so heavy nobody wanted to use it.  It was built like a tank.  Now, they are plastic 20 hour saws that don't hold a candle to the ones built before it.

[DalesCarpentry]

I have to agree that Craftsman tools are not what they once were. With that said for the good of all on this fourm  lets refer to it as Craftsman because some may take offense to their beloved tools made by them. Thanks for your co-orperation.    Dale