Tool Forum

[Brmorgan]

I agree with Jerry, but people have been having a lot of trouble with can. tire warranty around here.
If you don't have the original receipt from the tool, ........no warranty.So if you bought a set of wrenches in 1984 with lifetime warranty, if you don't have the sales slip from 1984, they won't honor the warranty.
Lot's of people are pissed at this.I don't know if this applies everywhere, or just locally, but the local canadian tire store has sure suffered because of it.

Poor way to do business, IMO.

Really? I've never had trouble with flat-out defective returns. I've never broken a wrench, but I've peeled the tips off a few screwdrivers (mostly flathead) and needle-nose pliers and the like and they don't even question it. The last one I broke was one of the older red-handled series of screwdrivers that's probably 10 years old, before they switched to the blue ones they have now. The gal at customer service just called the head of the tool dept. over, and he found the closest match for me and I walked away happy after signing my name to a return slip. I know a while back my dad broke one of the pieces in his CT ratchet/socket set - I don't remember what it was but it was something you couldn't buy separately (one of the adapter pieces, I think). They cracked open a new set, replaced his part (without receipt) and sent the set back defective with the broken one.

My favorite CT return though was when I needed a compass to align my satellite dish - I just went and bought a nice Suunto that came in a clear plastic package, used it for the afternoon, and took it back that same evening once my satellite was all up and running. I did have the receipt, mind you.

Our CT would go under if not for its tool and automotive depts. though, with the multitude of ranchers, loggers, millwrights, etc. that live around here, so they have to take care of their customers. We don't really have anyone in direct competition with them in town here though; the new Wal-Mart's tool section is dismal, possibly because they recognized it wouldn't be worth competing in that area (yet), and most of the smaller businesses that sell tools carry more major brands like Jet, Woodward, Greenlee, and the like, or dollar-store import junk.

I think I've mentioned this before but I won't buy new Snap-On or Mac because there's no way I'm going to be stuck waiting for Buddy to trundle over to my shop in his truck whenever it's convenient for his schedule, only to find he doesn't have what I want (need). Town is small enough that any tool shop is a 10 minute drive from my house, and the smaller ones (not CT!) all have free delivery within town that's usually faster than ordering a pizza.

 

[Brmorgan]

When it comes to automotive and heavy machinery, nothing but the best will survive long. Snap On, Blue Point, Gray Bonnie, and Armstrong have helped me make a living. Proto, Challenger and the latest offerings from Cdn. Tire like their professional line would be great even for the Homeowner/weekend mechanic.
Pioneerguy600

Jerry - when I was over helping with some maintenance in the sawmill a couple weeks ago (I'm usually in the planer now) I was beyond surprised to find a big 2-1/4" "wrench" that I welded up out of a few pieces of 3/4" keystock STILL IN SERVICE to turn the big jack nut that lifts the top head & motor (easily a ton) of the Chip-N-Saw canter. The nut's in such a spot that a conventional wrench's jaw angle will not allow enough turn radius and the millwrights were getting pissed off dealing with it, so I spent 10 minutes cobbling this thing together while they cursed and yelled probably 4 years ago. I'd have thought the welds would have failed by now with the amount of torque that gets put on that wrench; not to mention it's just mild steel and not all that hard.

 

[pioneerguy600]

I agree with Jerry, but people have been having a lot of trouble with can. tire warranty around here.
If you don't have the original receipt from the tool, ........no warranty.So if you bought a set of wrenches in 1984 with lifetime warranty, if you don't have the sales slip from 1984, they won't honor the warranty.
Lot's of people are pissed at this.I don't know if this applies everywhere, or just locally, but the local canadian tire store has sure suffered because of it.

Poor way to do business, IMO.

I took back a ratchet a month ago that I bought in 1967 from the first CDN Tire store that set up business here, they could not fix it so they gave me a new Maximum one in place of it, the Maximum brand is currently their top of the line tool, my old ratchet was a Husky CS45 and it paid me back 40 times over during its lifetime, now I got a new one to start out with all over again.
Pioneerguy600

 

[pioneerguy600]

Jerry - when I was over helping with some maintenance in the sawmill a couple weeks ago (I'm usually in the planer now) I was beyond surprised to find a big 2-1/4" "wrench" that I welded up out of a few pieces of 3/4" keystock STILL IN SERVICE to turn the big jack nut that lifts the top head & motor (easily a ton) of the Chip-N-Saw canter. The nut's in such a spot that a conventional wrench's jaw angle will not allow enough turn radius and the millwrights were getting pissed off dealing with it, so I spent 10 minutes cobbling this thing together while they cursed and yelled probably 4 years ago. I'd have thought the welds would have failed by now with the amount of torque that gets put on that wrench; not to mention it's just mild steel and not all that hard.

Some of the speciality wrenches I made up 45 years ago are still being used on special applications to this day, of course they were overengineered and mostly cut from T1 plate, surprising what you can make to lessen the misery of changing out parts from hard to access areas. Your wrench is a testament of your ingenuity and skill at toolmaking.
Pioneerguy600

 

[Philbert]

I took back a ratchet a month ago that I bought in 1967 from the first CDN Tire store that set up business here. . . my old ratchet was a Husky CS45

Is this the same Husky line that is now sold by The Home Depot?

Philbert

 

[DSS]

Really? I've never had trouble with flat-out defective returns. I've never broken a wrench, but I've peeled the tips off a few screwdrivers (mostly flathead) and needle-nose pliers and the like and they don't even question it. The last one I broke was one of the older red-handled series of screwdrivers that's probably 10 years old, before they switched to the blue ones they have now. The gal at customer service just called the head of the tool dept. over, and he found the closest match for me and I walked away happy after signing my name to a return slip. I know a while back my dad broke one of the pieces in his CT ratchet/socket set - I don't remember what it was but it was something you couldn't buy separately (one of the adapter pieces, I think). They cracked open a new set, replaced his part (without receipt) and sent the set back defective with the broken one.

That's the way it used to be here,Brad, but not anymore. I've not experienced this personally, I have more luck with yard sales than CT, but several mechanics in our shop have had trouble.
If it's going to be this way, there's no sense even buying CT tools at a yard sale, since the warranty is no good.........
I do remember seeing the very large sign that was in the store last year, saying something to the effect of no more returns of any kind after such and such a date without the receipt, but it said nothing about tool warranty.

 

[pioneerguy600]

Easy - I can get a complete set and not have to hunt for a 'fill-in' piece. I also get the warrenty coverage that is being discussed. And I can get it when I need it. At some second hand stores, I see tools priced for more than the day-to-day price of the same tool new at many retail outlets, not counting sales and special deals.

I don't hesitate to pick up a good tool at a good price at a garage sale, especially if it will be used for a special purpose (e.g. a wrench that is kept with a power tool for adjusting, etc.), but it is nice to have a 'main set' where most of the pieces match so that it is easy to tell the 7/16 wrench from the 3/8 and 1/2 inch wrenches, etc.




Is this the same Husky line that is now sold by The Home Depot?

Philbert

Yes it is the same line, the ratchets have changed over the years and the kits they now have are not interchangable with the old CS 45`s. I still have 2 good working 1/2" drive CS 45`s , they are a fine tooth design that are great in tight places.
Pioneerguy600

 

[Brmorgan]

That's the way it used to be here,Brad, but not anymore. I've not experienced this personally, I have more luck with yard sales than CT, but several mechanics in our shop have had trouble.
If it's going to be this way, there's no sense even buying CT tools at a yard sale, since the warranty is no good.........
I do remember seeing the very large sign that was in the store last year, saying something to the effect of no more returns of any kind after such and such a date without the receipt, but it said nothing about tool warranty.

Well, here's the thing - the warranty clearly states that it does not apply to commercial or industrial applications, such as for millwrights or shop mechanics, much like Stihl and Husky warranty does not apply to such use on their machines (or the coverage period is greatly reduced). So if the guys at the store catch on to the fact that it's a professional mechanic returning the tools, I can imagine they might give them some grief about it. It's hard to prove at the store level how the end user was using the tools to result in breakage though, and the guys at the mill here use and return CT tools now and again without much hassle.

 

[Brmorgan]

Some of the speciality wrenches I made up 45 years ago are still being used on special applications to this day, of course they were overengineered and mostly cut from T1 plate, surprising what you can make to lessen the misery of changing out parts from hard to access areas. Your wrench is a testament of your ingenuity and skill at toolmaking.
Pioneerguy600

LOL, some ingenuity perhaps, but... 4 pieces of square keystock butt-welded together into a big "Y" shape didn't take much thought process or welding skill to fab up! Cutting from plate stock sounds much nicer, and you don't end up with any ugly or weak joints. I'm still learning with the torch though. I'm good for just cutting stuff apart or gouging/washing excess material out, but I don't quite have the control for doing the finer cuts yet.

 

[pioneerguy600]

LOL, some ingenuity perhaps, but... 4 pieces of square keystock butt-welded together into a big "Y" shape didn't take much thought process or welding skill to fab up! Cutting from plate stock sounds much nicer, and you don't end up with any ugly or weak joints. I'm still learning with the torch though. I'm good for just cutting stuff apart or gouging/washing excess material out, but I don't quite have the control for doing the finer cuts yet.

First you need the right cutting tools, then develop the hand eye coordination and skill necessary to cut metal cleanly with a torch. I have worked as a fitter on many projects and like to hone my skills with the torch. I take my own gauges,hoses, torches and tips to any job I take on as the ones supplied are usually not suitable or in poor operating condition, I am just more comfortable with my own stuff. Victor is my tool of choice and I have 3 sets that cover thin up to 6"" thick.
Pioneerguy600

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Round gasket cutter

Had a contractor in one of my buildings last week to install a new seal on one of the condenser water pumps. The gasket for the impeller assembly was wrong, so the lead tech said "I'll make one"...and whipped out this round gasket cutting machine, which I have never seen before. It cut it perfectly. Just find the center of the radius you want to cut, set the cutter up at the correct distance from the center, lok it down, crank it. He also had a full set of gasket hole punches for the bolt holes, which there were 16 holes he punched. Only took about 10 minutes to make..That's me operating it, bald spot on the back of my head in full glory...

 

[WesternSaw]

mtfallsmikey

That seems like a hell of a machine!Did it seem old time or was it a newer piece of equipment?
Lawrence

 

[7oaks]

Neat machine. Bet we can't afford one for ourselves. Too bad we can't setup a cooperative. Also, most CS gaskets aren't round, are they?

 

[Brmorgan]

That is neat. Looks like something you could rig up pretty easily with a scroll saw using a razorblade (you can get them for scrollsaws).


I don't know if any of you have wives obsessed with scrapbooking, but a friend of mine who does was telling me about this little thing called a Cricut that his wife uses to cut whatever shapes she wants out of different sheet materials. By default it only cuts certain predefined shapes and fonts, but apparently with the right software and vector images, it can be programmed to cut (or draw or engrave) just about any design you can think of just like a CNC die cutter. So the gears started turning in my head as to the feasibility of cutting gaskets with one of these gadgets. Of course I'd have to be doing a LOT of gaskets to make it worth the hundreds of dollars though. A little digging on the internet revealed I wasn't the first to have such an idea. I'd post links but I don't want to get dumped on for linking to other forums.

Not a gasket but it gives you an idea of how it works:

<object width="640" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/WXj87uPw4pU&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/WXj87uPw4pU&amp;hl=en_US&amp;fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="640" height="385"></embed></object>

It might be ONE "tool" your wife wouldn't complain about you buying though.

 

[BobL]

Computer driven Vinyl or material cutters have been around for a long time. One of my cousins in Italy has several including one that is A0 in size and he uses it to make custom clothing labels,

 

[Brmorgan]

Yeah, for sure, but this is a little more consumer-oriented than stuff I've seen before. But I'm sure I haven't seen everything there is. A guy my dad worked with years ago started an automotive sign/decal/pinstripe business since, and he had a huge one that could do some really neat stuff.

How ya liking the heat, Bob? Guess it's same old same old for you though... Hit 35°C today at the mill; I'm exhausted now.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

That seems like a hell of a machine!Did it seem old time or was it a newer piece of equipment?
Lawrence

It's not that old, the fella who had it reckoned it was less than 20 yr. old, bought it on fleabay for $100, says new they are around $750. Sorry, can't remember the mfr. name.

 

[mtfallsmikey]

Neat machine. Bet we can't afford one for ourselves. Too bad we can't setup a cooperative. Also, most CS gaskets aren't round, are they?

For a man who owns some big old Stihls, anything is possible!

Stayin' cool there in the low country,Carl?

 

[7oaks]

For a man who owns some big old Stihls, anything is possible!

Stayin' cool there in the low country,Carl?

Had to head to the high country today. TG for AC!

 

[BobL]

Yeah, for sure, but this is a little more consumer-oriented than stuff I've seen before. But I'm sure I haven't seen everything there is. A guy my dad worked with years ago started an automotive sign/decal/pinstripe business since, and he had a huge one that could do some really neat stuff.

How ya liking the heat, Bob? Guess it's same old same old for you though... Hit 35°C today at the mill; I'm exhausted now.

It was warm and quite pleasant but it only reached 28ºC at the Stampede parade today - the worst was the train on the way home - packed with sweaty bodies.

The parade was a hoot - I took 544 pictures.