[TheForge] Re: Power Hammers

[Mike Spencer]

> I have my father set of Craftsman socket wrenches from the 1930s,
> they have lasted and lasted. The new set I got about 10 years ago
> lasted about 4 months.

I'm still using a torch set, ratchets & sockets, wrenches and some
power tools from Sears in the mid-60s.  Local store replaced the inside
works in the 1/2" drive ratchet around 1980. Had to put a bushing and
spring in the 3/8 drill in the 70s.

An interesting yarn: When I was working in VW dealership in '66, we
had Snap-On and another tool truck visit weekly.  And then some guy
got the notion of doing the rounds with a truck full of Craftsman
tools.  Well, y'know what?  Every mechanic in the world has at least
one broken Craftsman tool he's been meaning to take back when he gets
around to it.  So the new Craftsman guy sold some stuff but finished
his days with a truckload of busted stuff he'd replaced. One guy in my
shop came up with a T-handled ratchet driver unlike anything anybody
had ever seen, from the 30s according to him.  The tool guy didn't
complain, though -- replaced every broken tool except the 30 year old
one for which there was no comparable substitute.

But his little biz didn't last long.


Similar story applies to Black & Decker. I have two circa 1925 (!)
power tools that work great. Broke a brush holder in one about '78.
B&D had the part.  No other problems.  Maybe 5 years ago, though, I
tried to get a bearing for a B&D grinder that was new in '77. "Wow!
That's an *old* one," says the guy on the phone, and didn't have the
bearing.

I buy the cheap Chinese stuff if (a) it's ridiculously cheap or (b)
I'm quite sure I'm going to give it very light and occasional use.

- Mike

-- 
Michael Spencer                  Nova Scotia, Canada       .~. 
                                                           /V\ 
mspencer at tallships.ca                                     /( )\
http://home.tallships.ca/mspencer/                        ^^-^^