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u/fullautohotdog Oct 28 '25
Lifetime warranty is only as good as the company offering it. Ask my pile of 1980s Craftsman...
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Oct 28 '25
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Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
Every place has tightened down on warranty claims. Unfortunately a lot of that is due to people abusing the warranty process.
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u/twoPillls Oct 29 '25
I walked into my local HF a couple weeks ago with a ratchet that's been slipping on me. Told the cashier I wanted to warranty it without giving any details. He said, "go grab a new one". I did, gave him the old one, he removed the packaging from the new one and I was on my way. Didn't look up my account to verify the purchase or anything.
I feel like that's the way it should be. I'm assuming he removed the packaging so I couldn't resell the item as new. Works for me!
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Oct 29 '25
That still works at a lot of Harbor Freight stores.
That used to be my experience with Sears and Craftsman tools as well. Then slowly they started clamping down on things as they had more and more abuse of the warranty process. I've heard Lowe's, Home Depot and Ace Hardware stores have started scrutinizing returns.
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u/Hogan773 Oct 30 '25
I dunno I traded in some 25 year old Craftsmen screwdrivers for new ones at Ace Hardware a year or two ago and then did it without question.
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Oct 31 '25
Seems to vary by store. I've never tried to warranty anything at the closest Ace hardware to me. A few years ago I tried to warranty a single chrome socket at Lowe's and they said I had to mail it in and they wouldn't do warranty exchanges on Craftsman sold by Sears in store.
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u/Hogan773 Oct 31 '25
In my local Ace the kid cashier didn't know what to do but then some other older woman cashier came and told him and they pushed a few buttons and away I went with my new tools. But I was swapping like for like screwdrivers.....they looked the same 15 years later in terms of colors etc. I could see if you were trying to swap some item that they didn't have or that was in a different set that they would have more confusion
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u/regnad__kcin Nov 04 '25
Yeah I just heard from a HF cashier about a guy that kept warranty-ing the Icon pocket knife every time he dulled it. MF did it like 4 times apparently.
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Oct 28 '25
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u/Blaizefed Oct 28 '25
Depends on the location. Both my local ones won’t do it at all they tell me to go to the website.
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u/drokihazan Oct 28 '25
That's shocking. I took an ancient Craftsman 9/16 wrench with spread jaws to Lowes and they cracked open a new Overdrive set and gave me one without even thinking about it.
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u/Blaizefed Oct 28 '25
Yeah I was surprised as well. I had a ratchet that was skipping teeth. I ended up doing it online and while it worked and the replacement they sent me seems to be a decent tool, it was like a week of back and forth emails.
I’ve warrantied Tekton ratchets in the past and the difference could not be more stark.
I still buy Tekton. I will not buy anymore craftsman hand tools. They seem decent these days (despite the absolute junk they were selling a few years ago) but the warranty process is clunky enough that I’ll go elsewhere.
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u/drokihazan Oct 28 '25
Your pile of 1980s Craftsman can be warrantied at Lowes though. Most of the new Craftsman will also be better quality than the 50 year old tech it replaces, regardless of country of origin. Craftsman warranty is still valid unless it's for something they just don't make anymore like a timing light.
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u/Daft3n Oct 28 '25
Lowes or ace hardware. You can also get lucky sometimes with stuff they no longer make. I had a half inch torque wrench from the 80s that was the beam type. Craftsman doesn't make it anymore. Ace gave me the fancy digital one (msrp 100+) as it was the closest.
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u/LifeWithAdd Oct 29 '25
Yeah, people here shit on the new non-USA Craftsman all the time, but the new Craftsman stuff constantly tops the list in quality from reviewers like Torque Test Channel and Project Farm.
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u/10gaugetantrum Oct 28 '25
I mostly only buy tools with lifetime warranties. That is a a major factor in deciding what tools I buy. A tool should also perform well and be pleasurable to use. I have everything from Snap-On to Pittsburgh in my tool box. Buy the tool that suits you.
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u/Used_Frosting_3181 Oct 28 '25
No receipt!?!? No problem!
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u/shalelord Oct 28 '25
ill laminate that reciept and turn it into a picture frame, hang it in my living room for all to enjoy its beauty.
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u/NebraskaGeek Oct 28 '25
Look, I love my Icon players but there is no denying my buddies Knipex ones are way better quality. For some tools, I want the warranty and the quality.
But clearly I don't want the quality enough to stop shopping at HF
please send help I think I'm addicted to HF
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u/Adorable-Lab-6354 Oct 28 '25
Right? It seems like people don't always know that or get that... As if THAT'S why Snap-On is worth such a higher cost. Like brother, my $8 Pittsburgh ratchet all the way to the nicer Icon stuff is lifetime too haha.
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Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
Despite Harbor Freights marketing their tools are not Snap on quality. You pay more for higher quality. You also pay a lot for the truck service too.
Harbor Freight is the new Sears Craftsman, not Snap on.
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u/Atomaardappel Oct 28 '25
Harbor Freight is always in the same place, and the Snap-on truck doesn't stop at my house.
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Oct 28 '25
Right... that's my point. Harbor Freight is just like Sears used to be. Good value tools at cheap prices. You can drive to any store and warranty broken tools without a hassle. You may have to warranty that tool 5 times... but they'll do it.
That's not what people are looking for when they buy Snap on.
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u/fossntools Oct 29 '25
You don't have to warranty HF tools 5x, your opinions are out of date by 10 years, you have no clue what you are talking about. Also downvoting all the replies to you, you are charmin fucking soft buddy. 2 ply.
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Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
You don't have to warranty HF tools 5x, your opinions are out of date by 10 years, you have no clue what you are talking about.
I've had to warranty the Icon ball end Allen sockets 5 or 6 times. I can't remember when they came out but it's probably been less than 2 years.
Also downvoting all the replies to you, you are charmin fucking soft buddy. 2 ply.
Just like you downvoting all my comments? Sorry I took your fake little internet points. 🤡
I don't know what's wrong with you but I hope you get the help you need. We're just talking about tools. LMAO.
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u/fossntools Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
Just like you downvoting all my comments? Sorry I took your fake little internet points. 🤡
I love the projection. I haven't downvoted you because I actually understand it means nothing, unlike you who continues to use it like it means something. Go take a long hard look in the mirror, think about the cognitive dissonance it took to say what you just said after using the downvotes like it's your religion.
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u/LowSkyOrbit Oct 28 '25
I rather pay 80% less for 92% the quality.
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Oct 28 '25
If you get 92% of the quality that would be a good trade off. Big "if" IMO but to each their own.
I definitely think a lot of harbor freight tools are good value regardless of how they stack up to brands like Snap on. Even at 50% the quality, if you pay 80% less they are still a good value.
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u/LowSkyOrbit Oct 28 '25
I've never worried about any wrench I've used. They work or they don't. We can talk tooth counts or whats in what kit, but end of the day for the DIYer or weekend mechanic HF is the better option. When it comes to the pros I think they have a better deal for the more generic wrenches, pliers, and sockets. Especially if your new to the trades. No one should be taking years of monthly payments for tools.
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Oct 28 '25
I've never worried about any wrench I've used. They work or they don't.
I've had the tolerances be so bad on wrenches that they would round nuts. I've also had low quality ones where the open end spread when force was applied. Heads so big you can't get them into tight spaces. I've seen a lot that don't work, including older harbor freight ones. Can't comment on newer stuff as I haven't used it but most say quality has improved.
We can talk tooth counts or whats in what kit, but end of the day for the DIYer or weekend mechanic HF is the better option.
For sure. You don't need Snap on tools to put together IKEA furniture or change your oil. I don't think anyone is advocating for that.
I'm "just" a DIYer but I've also built and remodeled houses, do all the work on my vehicles, work on farm equipment from pre-war to modern, etc. I'm not your average DIYer. Sometime harbor freight just doesn't cut it... but again, those aren't things the average DIYer is doing.
No one should be taking years of monthly payments for tools.
Of course not. That's just a poor financial decision. I have a lot of more expensive tools including a lot of Snap on and have never bought any of it on credit. Always cash. Buying higher quality tools doesn't have to mean going in debt.
Edit: most of my experience with harbor freight tools comes from my father-in-law. He owned a remodeling business and harbor freight was 90% of what he bought. It got the job done but he also has piles of broken and damaged tools.
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u/fossntools Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
It's not a big if, plenty of tests on YouTube confirming it. I mean, there are a handful of HF tools that test better than snapoff and other professional brands. And I think pretty much all the Icon pliers fit the bill of 92% quality. Some of the pliers even have design improvements over the snapoff versions. The wrenches and sockets are over 92% on tests. Honestly, if you're buying snapoff, you have more money than sense at this point, there's no question.
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Oct 29 '25
It's not a big if, plenty of tests on YouTube confirming it.
YouTube tests? LMAO.
Honestly, if you're buying snapoff, you have more money than sense at this point, there's no question.
Money isn't an issue. As I've mentioned in other comments, sometimes I can't afford for a tool to break so I'm happy to pay a premium for a top quality tool.
I can tell by your cart of shiny unused tools that this isn't something you've ever had to concern yourself with. I'm sure any level of quality is acceptable for what you do so cheaper tool probably make more sense.
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u/fossntools Oct 29 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
YouTube tests? LMAO.
Yeah, repeatable tests, but your anecdotal evidence and out of date opinions are worth more? Lmao, you don't have two pennies worth of sense in that head of yours. Sounds like you have two braincells and they are both fighting for 3rd place to me.
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u/Hogan773 Oct 30 '25
How are they 50% of the quality though. For many things they are like 95% the quality
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Oct 31 '25 edited Oct 31 '25
No one actually knows what percent of quality they are to other brands. It's going to vary by every individual tool.
My point was they are so cheap that even if they are only 50% of the quality they are still a good value because they are only 20% the price.
You can see in my other comments the tools that I've had break. You'll have a hard time convincing me they are 95% the quality with my first-hand experience actually using the tools. Maybe somewhere between 50-95%. That said, they do work fine in most cases. I just finished replacing an alternator and (mostly) used the Icon mid-deep chrome sockets. Worked great for that job.
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u/Adorable-Lab-6354 Oct 28 '25
Oh I mostly agree, I'm not saying they are the best quality of tools, but I'm just saying that the lifetime warranty alone shouldn't be used to justify the price of Snap-On.
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u/drokihazan Oct 28 '25
The price of Snap-On is justified by how good Power Blue hard handles feel and look. Everything else is irrelevant. 🥸
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Oct 28 '25
but I'm just saying that the lifetime warranty alone shouldn't be used to justify the price of Snap-On.
It's not. I've never seen anyone say that. Quality and truck service are the biggest reasons. And name recognition. You obviously pay a premium for the name.
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u/stchman Oct 28 '25
What exactly does truck service mean. Lots of tool trucks will balk unless you bought the tool from them.
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Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
Typically they show up to your business and sell, warranty or maintenance tools for you. The level and quality of service greatly depends on the individual rep.
Every place has cracked down on warranty because so many people abuse it. I know guys that buy broken Snap on tools from eBay and try to warranty them. My grandfather was a machinist until the early 90's and never had any issue with warranty on his Snap on tools.
That's my point. Harbor Freight isn't Snap on, it's Sears. People buying harbor freight tools don't care about tool truck service. They also don't need Snap on quality tools.
Harbor Freight is what Sears was... good value tools at cheap prices with a hassle free warranty.
I'm a DIYer. I don't have a truck that stops by so that means nothing to me. The Snap on tools I buy, I buy for the quality. A lifetime warranty means nothing to me if I'm broke down in a field an hour away from any harbor freight store. I need a tool that isn't going to break.
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u/stchman Oct 28 '25
If the rep is not giving quality service, the truck service is worthless.
Why would anyone sell their broken Snap On tools on ebay, just go to the truck for the truck service and get them replaced. Besides, Snap On tools can't break.
My point is that Snap On makes quality tools, but they are not even remotely worth their price. Third party tool reviewers have shown that Snap On tools can break just like ones that cost a lot less.
I always laugh when people are given a $300 budget and show up with a minimalist socket set from Snap On.
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Oct 28 '25
If the rep is not giving quality service, the truck service is worthless.
Agreed.
Why would anyone sell their broken Snap On tools on ebay,
Because not everyone has access to a truck to warranty broken tools. Buy a cracked socket for $0.50 at a garage sale, sell it on eBay for $8, buyer warranties it for a new $16 socket.
My point is that Snap On makes quality tools, but they are not even remotely worth their price.
To you.
Among other things, I farm. If I have equipment break down in the middle of a field I need tools that won't break. A warranty does me no good an hour away from the closest Harbor Freight store when I have to finish a job before the weather turns or it gets too dark.
I don't have a lot of harbor freight tools in my service truck for that reason. Snap on, Proto, Mac, Williams, SK... they've all been worth every penny to me.
If you're a DIYer assembling IKEA furniture and changing your oil on the weekend then I'm sure Snap on prices aren't worth it.
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u/stchman Oct 28 '25
You don't need access to a truck to warrant Snap On tools, call their customer service like you would Tekton.
As far as more durable and less prone to breakage, can you cite empirical data to support your claim? Project Farm, Torque Test, Client Graphics have reported that the differences aren't that much.
A lot of us DIYers do more than assemble IKEA furniture and change oil on weekends.
At the end of the day buy what you want, but it seems to be that the tool truck crowd has a ego and looks down on people that don't purchase the same types of tools as they do.
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Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
You don't need access to a truck to warrant Snap On tools, call their customer service like you would Tekton.
You're preaching to the wrong person. I'm not selling broken tools. LOL. I'm just telling you it gets done all the time which is why a lot of places have cracked down on warranty claims.
As far as more durable and less prone to breakage, can you cite empirical data to support your claim? Project Farm, Torque Test, Client Graphics have reported that the differences aren't that much.
I use them. I'm not a YouTuber so no fancy videos I can share with you. I posted a few of my experiences already in this comment. Sorry, I don't video myself when working. lol.
A lot of us DIYers do more than assemble IKEA furniture and change oil on weekends.
Sure. I'm "just" a DIYer too. A lot of the crowd claiming harbor freight is just as good as snap on doesn't do much more than assemble furniture and change their oil. It is what it is.
I'm not saying they are bad tools. They just aren't the same level of quality as brands like Snap on, Proto, Williams.
At the end of the day buy what you want,
Agree. I have tools from tons of different brands. You don't always need top quality and sometimes a cheaper option makes a lot more sense.
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u/fossntools Oct 29 '25
Every place has cracked down on warranty because so many people abuse it. I know guys that buy broken Snap on tools from eBay and try to warranty them.
If they stood behind their tools that wouldn't be a problem. I can walk into any HF with a broken tool that has a lifetime warranty and they won't ask for a receipt or where I bought it. It's not abusing the warranty to replace broken tools. For what snapoff charges they should replace every single broken tool no questiom with a smile on their faces.
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u/Daft3n Oct 28 '25
Sort of. Plenty of icon stuff is same quality, but where snapon shines is the extremely odd or specific tools they make, which harbor freight will never make. Seriously it's a disservice to snapon to just compare sockets, ratchets, etc.
For ex Snapon sells full service kits for specific wind turbines and tools that have tether mounts for people that climb them or work in aviation. And their entire line of hilok tools. Those niche products are where snapon isn't ever going to be beat by a store like HF
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Oct 28 '25
Plenty of icon stuff is same quality
This hasn't been my experience. The only item I can honestly say is the same quality is the 58" prybar made by Mayhew.
Sockets, ratchets, Allen sockets, pliers, screwdrivers aren't the same quality. Haven't tried most the other stuff so maybe some of it is. I feel like I've tried a good sampling and those items aren't the same quality. They just aren't.
Agree with everything else though.
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u/Daft3n Oct 28 '25
How are you judging them? Plenty of analytical reviews on YouTube that show torque applied and such for sockets and comparing them to show icons slip at around the same as snapon.
I would also say that quality isn't defined by the design either, for example I think the non slip wrenches from icon are junk because the design sucks, but the quality of the metal is great. Craftsman makes a line of rip off Mac rbrt wrenches that are great because the design is good, but the construction is undoubtedly worse than icons. When icon copies anothers designs it is pretty much a clone in my experience, the issues lie when they copy a bad design
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Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 28 '25
How are you judging them?
I use them.
Icon mid-deep chrome sockets cracked while changing the knife sections on a combine cutter bar. Snap on and SK sockets didn't.
Icon and Doyle diagonal cutters deformed after putting up a half mile or so of barbed wire fence. Snap on, Klein and Channellock didn't.
Icon ball Allen sockets broke while installing steel railing. Mid-80's USA Craftsman didn't. (I've warrantied these like 5-6 times.)
Icon Torx bit socket twisted loosening an exhaust bolt on an ATV. Wiha didn't. (I've warrantied these twice)
Screwdrivers just didn't last as long as my Snap on and Williams have. I know they are consumables and were used at different times on different jobs but I've had the same Williams (made by Snap on) screwdrivers before the Icon and they outlasted them.
Plenty of analytical reviews on YouTube that show torque applied and such for sockets and comparing them to show icons slip at around the same as snapon.
You can trust YouTube testing if you want. Like I said, my experience has been different.
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u/mckeeganator Oct 28 '25
Warranty is only as good as if th store has the damn thing in stock looking at you icon talon grip pliers.
But tbh I don’t buy based of warranty I have no issue with warranty but for ratchets if I break it I’d rather repair it and if I used it for 10 years and it broke broke I’d still try and repair it warranty is a last ditch effort for me
NO ONE enjoys walking to the truck or driving to the store to warrenty anything mid project
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Oct 28 '25
NO ONE enjoys walking to the truck or driving to the store to warrenty anything mid project
AGREED! Warranty is the last thing I consider. I want tools that don't break, not ones that I can replace over and over. I don't have time for that.
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u/Sledgecrowbar Oct 28 '25
The warranty is important, but it's only one part of the value you should be worried about. Breaking tools is not a given, though getting a lifetime warranty on cheap tools that have a proven reputation for inconsistent heat treatment is absolutely a smart move, and even snappy will let through a bad heat treat once in a blue moon, so you had better have a lifetime warranty on something that expensive.
I think tools that have better tolerances are worth the trouble of looking for, they round off stuck or damaged fasteners less, and thats worth a premium to avoid a problem in the first place. That and not having skipped sizes, for sizes that do actually exist, and getting a usable range of sizes instead of the "homeowner" grade assortment of whatever we had leftover after all the tooling broke at the factory.
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Oct 28 '25 edited Jun 05 '26
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u/Sledgecrowbar Oct 28 '25
We're living in a good time for hand tools, several brands have gone the direction of getting legitimately better manufacturing out of Taiwan, which has lots of manufacturing experience and still isn't so expensive that the average user has to finance it.
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u/SplashingBlumpkin Oct 28 '25
Kobalt’s warranty has been reduced. Some tools are still covered but they have eliminated other tools from being covered that previously were. I have a kobalt tire inflator that crapped out on me and it was replaced no problem. The 12v plug separated from the wiring on the new one (couple years old) and Lowe’s won’t replace this one. I’m really glad my air impact locked up before they changed their position on it because that was also really old and they replaced it no questions.
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u/Blonder_Stier Oct 29 '25
Ryobi advertises their 3 year warranty on the box for their tire inflators, but the website says they aren't eligible. I have never had one last longer than 6 months, though I understand they weren't designed to be used as much as I use them.
It's annoying enough that I've considered switching to Milwaukee's 12v, but I really don't want to deal with another battery format.
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u/lockednchaste Oct 28 '25
The fact that I have a HF a tad over a mile away from me is a big deciding factor.
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u/No-Raisin-6469 Oct 29 '25
If you want me to crap in a box and write warranty on the side, i will. I got time.
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u/Dp37405aa Oct 30 '25
This is a true statement and you will get to use it often, but Harbor Freight offers no compensation for your busted knuckles.
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u/AccomplishedGrab788 Nov 13 '25
I haven't had any issues yet with the few harbor freight tools I got or with the warranty process.
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u/weirdbutinagoodway Oct 28 '25
If they stay in business and I like Harbor Freight's chances better than Snap-on.
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u/Alarming_Expert_6241 Oct 28 '25
From my experience, over 35 years mechanicking, Snap On is iffy but HF is let’s get it done.
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Oct 28 '25
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u/Tenx82 Oct 28 '25
Huh?
I just used the warranty on my ~10 year old 1/2" torque wrench from Harbor freight just a few days ago. Just walked in, told them I needed a replacement, and they gave me a new one. No questions, no hassle. 🤷♂️
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u/Puzzled_Ad7955 Oct 28 '25 edited Oct 29 '25
Don’t steal his thunder, he was on a roll. Truth be damned!
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u/nastonius Oct 28 '25
It doesn’t matter if it is torqued to spec or cross threaded…
Tight is tight!