Sears set the Gold Standard in hand tool return warranties with their Craftsman tool brand, and it’s been tested…
- Testing the Craftsman Hand Tool Lifetime Warranty and Return Policy
Will Lowes or Ace Hardware swap $200 in broken Craftsman lifetime warrantied tools that were not purchased there and without a receipt?
There’s more about Craftsman below, but what about the other hand tool brands? What are their warranties and where can you have your tool replaced, and is it easy?
Inspired by this video short from sixtyfiveford, we’ve assembled this overview of tool brand company warranties which outlines the return process with customer service contact information, as well as drop-off and return location finders.
The tool companies are split into two groups: Easy to Swap and Not-So-Easy to Swap.
Easy To Swap Tool Brands:
Craftsman, Dewalt, Duralast, Empire, GearWrench, GreatNeck, Husky, Klein, Kobalt, Milwaukee, Proto/Challenger/Plomb, Stanley, Tekton, Wright
Not So Easy To Swap Tool Brands:
Cornwell, Makita, Mac, Matco, SK, Snap-On, Harbor Freight Tool Brands
Craftsman Tools
Craftsman tools are backed by some of the strongest warranties in the market today. If you have a product that requires repair or replacement under warranty, simply return the product to the original place of purchase for repair or replacement, depending on the warranty coverage outlined on their support web site. No receipt required.
Take your return to Lowes, Ace Hardware, or Sears stores.
- Lowes Craftsman Tool Policy
Lowes policy on Craftsman tools is technically to replace only item number for the exact item number. So though I found friendly customer service reps, you may not. If they do not have the product, you can call the Craftsman Customer Care Hotline at 883-331-4569 for help. - Ace Hardware Craftsman Tool Policy
ACE Hardware stores are individually owned franchises, so your mileage may vary widely on what they will allow to be returned. - Sears Stores
The few remaining Sears stores will still swap tools on the spot as long as they have them on hand. Otherwise, you can always call Craftsman directly and they will likely mail you a replacement.
Craftsman Tool Customer Service: 888-331-4569
Web Support: https://www.craftsman.com/support/warranty
Shop Craftsman Tools on Amazon
Find a Craftsman Retailer
Dewalt Tools
Contact Dewalt customer support at 1-800-4DEWALT (1-800-433-9258) between Monday and Friday, 8 am-5 pm Eastern and Dewalt will ship you a replacement. See Dewalt product warranty information by product type.
Find a Dewalt Tool Retailer
Duralast Tools
Duralast has a selection of over 500 hand tools and all of them are professional-grade tough.
Guaranteed For Life
“We stand behind all Duralast tools with a powerful lifetime guarantee – any hand tool that fails to perform correctly can be replaced free of charge at any of over 5,000 AutoZone® stores across the country.”
AutoZone
No receipt is needed.
Shop Duralast Tools
Find an AutoZone Location
Empire Hand Tools
Empire Level employs over 200 people at its facilities in Mukwonago, Wisconsin where products are proudly made in the USA.
“Every Empire product is warranted to the original purchaser only to be free from defects in material and workmanship.”
Empire Level
More about Empire’s Warranty.
In most cases, simply call Empire Level and they will send out a replacement tool: 800-558-0722
Shop Empire Tools on Amazon
GearWrench Tools
GearWrench warrants its products to be free of material and workmanship defects (full warranty Information).
In most cases, simply call GearWrench and they will send out a replacement tool: 866-907-9716
Shop GearWrench Tools on Amazon
GreatNeck Tools
“GreatNeck makes every effort to assure that its products meet high quality and durability standards, and warrants to the original purchaser that this product is free from defects in materials and workmanship for the period of one year from the date of purchase.”
GreatNeck Tools
Autozone used to sell GreatNeck tools and MAY replace them. Otherwise, a call to GreatNeck is required: 901-221-4024 8:00am to 5:00pm CST
Shop GreatNeck Tools on Amazon
Husky Tools
Husky hand tools come with a lifetime warranty.
If your Husky tools ever fail, bring them back to Home Depot, and they will replace them free. No receipt needed.
On the occasion that you need customer support or have questions about your Husky tools, call Husky Customer Care at 1-888-HD-HUSKY (1-888-434-8759).
Shop Husky Tools on Amazon or at your local Home Depot
Klein Tools
Klein Tools, Inc. warrants that their products will be free from defects in material and workmanship, under normal use. More on Klein Tools warranty.
No receipt required for returns at Home Depot, or call Klein direct for an RMA number.
Shop Klein Tools on Amazon or at your local Home Depot
Kobalt Tools
Kobalt Tools offers a 3-Year Limited Warranty. Simply return the Kobalt tool to your local Lowes for a free replacement. No receipt needed.
Shop Kobalt Tools on Amazon or at your local Lowes
Milwaukee Hand Tools
Contact Milwaukee and they will send out a replacement tool at 1-800-SAWDUST (1-800-729-3878)
Shop Milwaukee Hand Tools on Amazon
Proto/Challenger/Plomb
“Proto Industrial Tools, a business unit of Stanley Black & Decker, Inc. (“Proto”) warrants any of its Proto® branded products for the useful life of the product against defects in material or workmanship.”
Proto Industrial Tools
Call Proto customer service at 800-800-TOOL (1-800-800-8665) and a replacement will be shipped.
Shop Proto Tools on Amazon
Stanley Tools
Stanley Mechanics Tools are covered by the manufacturer’s Full Lifetime Warranty. If any Stanley Mechanics Tool ever fails for any reason, Stanley will replace it. No proof of purchase required.
DO NOT RETURN PRODUCT TO STORE.
Please call 800-262-2161 (M-F, 8-5 EST) and Stanley will ship a replacement. Tools covered include wrenches, sockets, ratchets, and drive accessories. For other tool types, see Stanley’s warranty information.
Tekton Tools
Tekton makes Hand Drive Sockets, Impact Sockets, Ratchets, Wrenches, Drivers, Pliers, Storage, and more.
“Once a tool becomes yours, we’re available to help you no matter where you got it or how long ago. If your tool doesn’t work like it should, let us know and we’ll make it right. Shipment of replacement parts is always on us and available within the United States and Canada.”
Tekton Tools Official Website
Swapping Tekton tools could not be easier. Simply visit their support page, submit a photo and shipping information, and they’ll ship a replacement to your door.
Web Support: https://www.tekton.com/tool-help
Wright Tools
“For as long as you own it, any product manufactured by Wright Tool which fails to render service due to defect in workmanship or materials will be replaced at no charge.”
Wright Tools
Call Wright Tool Customer Service at 800-321-2902 and they will send you a replacement tool.
Shop Wright Tools on Amazon
Hard To Swap Tool Brands:
These tool brands tend to be a little more difficult to return and replace. Often, you’ll need to track down a truck to swap, and they can often be very picky.
Cornwell Tools
Lifetime warranty on all hand tools. Replace via Dealer Truck.
There are many different warranties depending on the tool in question. They apply to the original purchaser of the tool for a specified period of time.
Find your local Cornwell Tools Dealer
Makita Tools
Every Makita product is warranted to be free of defects from workmanship and materials for the period of ONE YEAR from the date of original purchase.
Full Makita Warranty Information: makitatools.com/service/warranty
Find a local Makita Service Center
Mac Tools
Mac Tools warranties products through our Distributor network. If you currently are not serviced by a distributor, items can be returned for warranty directly to Mac Tools. Items will be evaluated and those accepted under Mac Tools Warranty will be replaced.
Mac Tools
Return via Dealer Truck, alternatively, warrantable items can be returned to:
Consumer Warranty Returns Department
Mac Tools
4380 Old Roberts Road
Columbus, Ohio 43228
Allow 2 to 3 weeks for processing and replacement.
Full Mac Tools Warranty Information: mactools.com/…/warranty-and-returns
Contact Mac Tools for your local Dealer: 1-877-MACTOOLS (1-877-622-8665)
Matco Tools
Matco’s warranty policy is simple and the best in the hand tool business. With a lifetime warranty for all hand tools, submitting a warranty claim is as easy as a phone call to your Matco Tools representative. Simply contact your rep, and a replacement tool will be issued upon receipt of the damaged product.
Matco Tools
Full Matco Tools Service and Warranty Information: matcotools.com/…/service-warranty/
Find a Distributor or Contact Matco Tools: 866-BUY-TOOL (866-289-8665)
SK Tools
SK products are warranted under normal use and service against defects in materials and workmanship for the expected life of the tool, except as otherwise specified.
SK Tools
800-U-CALL-SK (800-822-5575)
Find an SK Tools Dealer
Alternately, eMail SK Tools Customer Service at customerservice@skhandtool.com with photos and description for warranty replacement.
via Rumor Mill: SK Tools can be picky about “normal wear and abuse”.
Snap-On Tools
The warranty only extends to the original Customer and cannot be transferred or assigned. For SNAP-ON brand hand tools (other than torque wrenches) and tool storage units, the warranty is a LIFETIME warranty effective as long as you own the tool.
Snap-On tools
Customer Service eMail: eorders@snapon.com
Customer Service: 877-762-7664
Find a Snap-On Franchisee
The Harbor Freight Tool Brands
Including: Beaman, Doyle, Hercules, Icon, Earthquake XT, McGraw, Pierce, Pittsburgh Pro, Quinn, Vulcan, etc.
No receipt needed (most of the time). Exchange at your local Harbor Freight
via Rumor Mill: Harbor Freight is notorious for not allowing warranties on some items without the original packaging stating Lifetime Warranty or Lifetime Warranty paper that came with the tool when new.
These items include torque wrenches, torque adapters, digital/mechanical calipers, hammers, number punches, and other Pittsburgh Pro items that originally came with Lifetime warranties.
There seems to no issues with basic hand tools: wrenches, sockets, ratchets, pliers, or screwdrivers though sometimes they won’t allow 1 socket to be swapped without the entire kit being handed over. HOWEVER, they are slowly killing Pittsburgh Pro Brand and replacing them with Quinn. For now, they will likely swap Pittsburgh for Quinn but in 10 years from now, with their track record, if you don’t have the original receipt/box they will likely decline you.