Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.3 alpha 4/15/85; site amdcad.UUCP
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!mhuxr!mhuxt!houxm!ihnp4!amdcad!mike
From: mike@amdcad.UUCP (Mike Parker)
Newsgroups: net.rec.wood
Subject: Re: tool recommendations sought
Message-ID: <1628@amdcad.UUCP>
Date: Wed, 12-Jun-85 21:54:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: amdcad.1628
Posted: Wed Jun 12 21:54:01 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 13-Jun-85 06:38:49 EDT
References: 910@mhuxt.UUCP <1849RAK@psuvm>
Organization: AMDCAD, Sunnyvale, CA
Lines: 55
Summary: Craftsman

On the subject of free replacements from Sears on broken
Craftsman tools. Recently while browsing at Sears I saw a 
woman with about 5 screwdrivers, standing in front of the 
screwdriver shelf slowly comparing her old ones to new ones
presumablt to find exact replacements. One had obviously been
electricallt shorted, theer was a big notch in the tip, 
surrounded by a thin rim of brass surrounded by black.
Another had obviously been used to pry something as the last
1/4 inch of the tip was bent over about 45 degrees. Another
had been hit with a hammer and the handle was all mushroomed.

Imagine my suprise when she showed up in front of me in line,
explained that she was replacing these "broken" screwdrivers with
new, handed the old to the clerk and walked away with a handful
of new screwdrivers free! No wonder they're losing money.
The free replacement policy apparenlty covers abuse.

As to the quality of Sears tools, I have to break this into
categories.

Hand tools - the best and boy is that free replacement stuff neat!

Hand held power tools - Sears drills and skilsaws seem too heavy 
for their horsepower. My Black and Decker stuff weighs half as
much. At the end of the day I'm half as fatigued and half as
dangerous. I once rested my poor tired arms by leaning my Dad's
Sears skilsaw against my leg while giving instructions to my helper.
Unfortunately, my brain was also tired. We were making angle cuts
so my left hand was holding the blade guard open, and I had the saw
still running ( don't know why ). It took the doctor 2 hours to
clean up the mess, luckily everything still works.

Of course, when I wear the B and D out they won't give me a new
one free.

Sears routers don't have a replaceable collet. When it wears
out and gets sloppy, you have to replace the armature of the
motor. The flimsy plastic handles bug me too. My Bosch is nice
but has a saftey problem in that I cannot hold both handles and
turn it on at the same time.

Stationary power tools - The table saws while not great were
the best price/performance ratio available for a long time.
I noticed the other day that they have switched to flexible
shaft drive, I'm not impressed. Seems like it will wear out
as fast as a belt and cost more. And theres nothing to slip
so kickback gets more likely. Where else can you get a 10 inch
table saw for $350.

The other stuff is o.k. I guess although it's a little too
home shop. The jointer is way too small, I want 6 inch minimum.
The shaper has too small a table and too little horsepower.
I guess it depends on what you are looking for.

Mike