It's me again... needle question for IX

[Tinkerbell]

Sears has a line of small Craftsman screwdrivers that work well. Good luck with your rebuild.

Jim

I love Craftsman tools, even if they aren't quite the same quality they used to be (and as everyone probably already knows, no longer covered by the lifetime warranty... so sad). Fortunately, I have an entire toolchest filled with mostly older Craftsman tools.

Thank you for your advice, and well wishes with my rebuild.

[phonojim]

T forgot to tell you about something I bought from APSCO back in the '90s: mini wrenches that fit the locknuts on Exhibition and No.2 tension screws. There were 2 different sizes available, one for the Exhibition and ond for the No.2. They make the job so easy as opposed to using needle-nosed pliers or something similar. I don't know if they still have them but it might be worth looking into.

I agree about Craftsman tools. I love them, still buy them and have a lot of them, some of which I bought as much as 45 years ago. Too bad about the lifetime warranty being dropped, but at my age any quality tool should last me a lifetime.

Jim

[Tinkerbell]

T forgot to tell you about something I bought from APSCO back in the '90s: mini wrenches that fit the locknuts on Exhibition and No.2 tension screws. There were 2 different sizes available, one for the Exhibition and ond for the No.2. They make the job so easy as opposed to using needle-nosed pliers or something similar. I don't know if they still have them but it might be worth looking into.

I agree about Craftsman tools. I love them, still buy them and have a lot of them, some of which I bought as much as 45 years ago. Too bad about the lifetime warranty being dropped, but at my age any quality tool should last me a lifetime.

Jim

Just looked on the APSCO website, and it doesn't appear that they carry any type of tools anymore. Mini wrenches could be quite useful... when I was pulling the speed control needle, I had to use needle-nosed pliers to remove the nut. Although that nut was somewhat recessed into the motorboard, I kept thinking that there should be a better way to remove it.

[AZ*]

Warranty dropped? I guess Craftsman forgot to update their website which still claims the lifetime warranty is in effect:

All other Hand Tools
If this Craftsman hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, return the product to the outlet from which it was purchased (provided that the outlet is a participating retailer) for free repair or replacement, if repair is unavailable.

Note: The lifetime warranty generally applies to mechanics hand tools, not to other Craftsman products like lawn mowers, power tools, shop vacuums, etc.

[Tinkerbell]

Warranty dropped? I guess Craftsman forgot to update their website which still claims the lifetime warranty is in effect:

All other Hand Tools
If this Craftsman hand tool ever fails to provide complete satisfaction, it will be repaired or replaced free of charge.

WARRANTY SERVICE
To obtain warranty coverage, return the product to the outlet from which it was purchased (provided that the outlet is a participating retailer) for free repair or replacement, if repair is unavailable.

Note: The lifetime warranty generally applies to mechanics hand tools, not to other Craftsman products like lawn mowers, power tools, shop vacuums, etc.

I went to Sears with a broken Craftsman framing hammer. They didn’t offer to replace it, as they said they don’t make that hammer anymore. They offered $20.00 towards the purchase of a new $40 hammer, and a young 20-ish gal at the counter contended that it was the Craftsman policy. I did ask for the Manager, but was told if they don’t make the specific tool, they won’t offer the upgraded replacement... only a $20 credit towards a new purchase.

Also, their ratchet handles and torque wrenches now only offer a 1 year warranty.

While the publicized policy may convey one thing, your actual mileage may vary once you are actually in store looking for a replacement. I could be incorrect, but I believe their Craftsman line of tools are currently made by Stanley. It used to be a no-questions asked policy; the lifetime replacement only apparently pertains to those specific items they still offer, (and, incidentally, not towards any other Sears' branded but not specifically Craftsman item).

[OrthoFan]

Hi Tinkerbell:

The wrench is listed on this page -- http://www.antiquephono.com/victor.htm

Kind of hard to spot, but it's under the balance springs section:

*NEEDLE BAR BALANCE SPRINGS*
Exhibition Balance Springs set of two $9.00
Victrola No. 2 Balance Springs set of two $9.00

WRENCH To adjust balance springs. Specify: Exhibition or Victrola No. 2.

Each $4.50
One of each for $7.00

As for screwdrivers, I've done pretty well with Radio Shack. Most stores carry an assortment pack --
http://www.radioshack.com/search/index. ... 20set&sr=1

HTH
OF

[AZ*]

While the publicized policy may convey one thing, your actual mileage may vary once you are actually in store looking for a replacement. I could be incorrect, but I believe their Craftsman line of tools are currently made by Stanley. It used to be a no-questions asked policy; the lifetime replacement only apparently pertains to those specific items they still offer, (and, incidentally, not towards any other Sears' branded but not specifically Craftsman item).

OK. Now I understand completely. They haven't stopped the lifetime warranty; they just don't always honor it. It's been quite a while since I returned one for a replacement (before they were bought by K-Mart). It was no-hassle back then, but I guess all good things come to an end. Like you, I've had some less than satisfactory dealings with Sears recently, so I rarely shop there anymore. I hadn't heard about the switch to Stanley, but it's not surprising given the current "race to the bottom." I won't be surprised if they end up being made in China before long.

[antique1973]

Thank you, everyone, for your insights. I think I will try a few different needles and see which will best serve my purposes... although first I will be trying my hands (but hopefully not my patience)at my inaugural reproducer rebuild project. (Fortunately the instructions are clearly spelled out both in the Eric Reiss book and online.)

The hardest part for me on No. 2 reproducers (assuming thats what you have) is getting those little black screws out in one piece. If you can get those out without tearing them up (try liquid wrench and soak for a day or so) than that is 99 percent of the battle.

You need to use a VERY fine (thin) screwdriver. Like the ones that you get in a jeweler's set, and it's the smallest one.

Yeah, I used the jeweler screwdriver but it required so much force that I stripped the screw heads.
I never heard about the freezer method mentioned, I will try that on the next one.

[Tinkerbell]

Hi Tinkerbell:

The wrench is listed on this page -- http://www.antiquephono.com/victor.htm

Kind of hard to spot, but it's under the balance springs section:

*NEEDLE BAR BALANCE SPRINGS*
Exhibition Balance Springs set of two $9.00
Victrola No. 2 Balance Springs set of two $9.00

WRENCH To adjust balance springs. Specify: Exhibition or Victrola No. 2.

Each $4.50
One of each for $7.00

HTH
OF

Ah,yes... I do see that now. I scrolled right past it on the page! Thanks for the redirect.

[Boyle6]

From what I have been told Craftsman Hand Tools that are sourced in the United States are primarily made by the Danaher Tool Company. This is the same firm that makes Matco tools as well as are partners with Cooper tools. Craftsman tools were made by Stanley at one time, but have been made by Danaher since the mid 90's.

As far as the warranty goes, that seems to be really area dependent. I have had to replace a couple of ratchets, some sockets and a Craftsman vice grip in the past year and did not have any issues at all. My Sears Hardware store just grabbed new ones from their stock, or in the case of the Vice Grip, a rebuilt one they had in the stock room. There was no questions asked and I went home happy.

I am sorry to hear that others have had issues. I have always used Craftsman hand tools and never even thought that they would not honor their warranty.

If that does become that they are not honoring their warrenty the way they did in the past, I will be far less likely to purchase from them.

Now when it comes to Craftsman power tools.....I try to avoid them like the plague:-( Most of them are sourced from Ryobi, not the best maker out there. They do have some items from Milwaukee or DeWalt, but you really have to know what you are looking at.