In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

Craftsman new spelling "Crapsman"

RoofdogRoofdog Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
edited May 2002 in General Discussion
i have a 2 year old crapsman lawnmower and it don`t run now,last year i covered the primer hole with duct tape and it ran fine this year it runs for 5 seconds and stops,call Crapsman and they say bring it in,i think they put a 2 year part in it,any help would be appreciated.
· Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

Comments

  • MrNathanLeeMrNathanLee Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just do what they say and bring it in. Or if you want to just try to take care of it yourself it sounds to me like your not getting any fuel so I would suggest just installing a new primer pump deally and then try it. Other than that I would have to probably look at it or have you explane in more depth what exactly it will wont do and what you did.

    Gun control is being able to hit your target!

    Enemy Down
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • KnifecollectorKnifecollector Member Posts: 3,267 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I used to do alot of mechanic work and all of my hand tools were Craftsman. They were very good tools and if one did happen to break Sears would replace it , no charge no questions. Lately I have noticed alot of Craftsman tools are made in Taiwain , and the quality has definately came down as the price went up. Sears used to sell a lower quality tool with the name Sears without the Craftsman name on it. Usually they had a one year warranty as opposed to Craftsman's lifetime warranty. That seems to be the case with alot things these days. The price continues to go up and the quality goes down.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • MrNathanLeeMrNathanLee Member Posts: 68 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sears still does cover craftsman hand tools in the lifetime warranty but not mowers or drills etc etc

    Gun control is being able to hit your target!

    Enemy Down
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I wouldn't think of buying a manual tool from another source if it is available from Sears in the Craftsman line. By the same token, I wouldn't buy any power tool / appliance from them. BTDT, have taken the junk to the dump too many times. Absolutely opposite ends of the spectrum.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Tailgunner1954Tailgunner1954 Member Posts: 7,734 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Craftsman's precision measuring tools don't carry any warrenty either (calipers, torque wrenches, micrometers, etc.) and if the counter person knows anything, they will look for signs of impact wrench usage on the chrome sockets (warrenty is voided, due to abuse)
    Some guys like a mag full of lead, I still prefer one round to the head.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Tools fall into several catagories....but for the most part only two, those used by the weekend warrior and those built for professional use. Snap-On is built for the person who makes a living using these every day...that's why they cost a little more. Sears tools are built on the low bid and don't hold up under rugged everyday use. Gotta run...more on this later.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • interstatepawnllcinterstatepawnllc Member Posts: 9,390
    edited November -1
    Rembrandt, Snap-on a little more? I just priced a 6" extension in 3/8". They (Snap-on) want $32.00. OMG !!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Norman DogNorman Dog Member Posts: 470 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Roofdog - This has happened with my CM mower, too. I took the carburetor apart and found a little blade of grass blocking the fuel flow. Removed it and put the carb back together with the old gaskets and all and it ran fine for another couple of seasons. I ran that thing without the primer pump (the rubber rotted away) for one season by tipping the mower up on its side and dripping some gasoline into the priming port before starting. When the mower wouldn't start on the first pull (Mrs. Dog requires this or she won't mow the lawn!), I finally broke down and rebuilt the carb and installed a new primer pump. It's been running fine since. I change the air filter and the oil once a year, rebuilt the carburetor the one time, and fixed a broken starting rope once (reattached the broken end); otherwise, I have had no problems and very little cost to run this machine that I bought used five years ago.

    WOOF.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Roofdog,
    Last fall when you were done mowing, did you do anything to the mower before you "put it away", ie, change oil, clean air/replace air filter?
    There are reasons I'm asking such an elementary question.

    Happy Bullet Holes!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RoofdogRoofdog Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    Guns & Glass
    no i didn`t do anything to the mower,i just brought it in the basement for the winter,i did change the oil and the gas before i tried to start it this spring,and also tried to start it without the airfilter to see if that would help,i have taken the carb apart to see if there was anything in it that shouldn`t be,just seams like its only getting enough gas to start for 5 seconds then quits,i just hate to take it in for something that it real easy to fix.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • 4wheeler4wheeler Member Posts: 3,441
    edited November -1
    You mentioned primer bulb,this is used to prime the carb to start. It may have a pin hole in it therefore will not start engine. I had to replace the bulb on my weed-eater the other day. Cost about $3.00. You can do this easily. Just my 2 cents.

    "It was like that when I got here".
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • OtomanOtoman Member Posts: 554 ✭
    edited November -1
    Did you all know that any tool that has a lifetime gaurantee, The insurance company can not depreciate them. Snap ons are the ultimate hand tools, just too expensive for this kid. I only have 3 snap on tools in my whole set...A 1/2" drive Ratchet, a ratcheting box end and a 90 degree ratcheting screw driver that cost me 35 bucks just had to have one because a buddy had one and I didn't. I have a friend in Kansas City that has all Snap on Tools at home he buys so much stuff the snap on guy stops at his house, he is the one that cost me 35 bucks for the ractheting screw Driver.

    KIMBER: Pistol du jour
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RembrandtRembrandt Member Posts: 4,486 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I've owned Snap-On's for over 30 years, once you've had these and used them, any thing else is a disappointment. Biggest features on a Snap-On is the flank drive and being dropped forged. Flank drive allows you to use these on bolt heads that are rounded off, don't chip or damage corners on chrome nuts or brass fittings. Any custom bikers will appreciate that. Drop forged open end wrenches don't spread and loose tolerances unlike die cut wrenches. Their torque wrenches are the standard in the industry. Snap-On air tools are unmatched...of course they are quite a bit more, but last forever. Tool boxes are without question the best built..take cubic inches and square inch comparisions with any other box then look at the empty weight...Snappy is quite a bit heavier..they use heavier gauge steel and more of it.

    Didn't mean to get into a sales pitch for Snappy, but if your only arguement against it is price...then that says it all. Most people buy tools based on price and not on features, benefits, and quality. For those that have never owned any, it's difficult to understand any of this. Craftsman and other brands have their place, that's why they are marketed to the non-professional user. Just my two cents worth.

    Edited by - Rembrandt on 05/14/2002 23:56:57
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Big Sky RedneckBig Sky Redneck Member Posts: 19,752 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    There are two things Craftsman makes I like, the wrenches and ratchets. The rest is Snap On or Mac. The craftsman wrenches I have not been able to break and I like the feel of the ratchets.

    Craftsman pwer tools stink, gotta have Dewalt. All Hail Dewalt as king!!

    Air tools by Craftsman stink also, here you need Snap On.

    Precision Tools are Snap On, Craftsman used to be good but now they stink.

    Sockets have to be Snap ON, Craftsman sockets break like them cheapys at Walmart.

    Most of all mine are Snap Ons, other reason is the local Snap On guy is very good with credit.

    I also like some SK tools, didnt hear any of them mentioned, y'all must not like them.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • LowriderLowrider Member Posts: 6,587
    edited November -1
    I've owned Craftsman hand tools for many years and have never broken any sockets or wrenches. And I use the hell out of them. I also buy them for the wastewater plant I supervise and we've had great service out of them. Many times we've put a four-foot cheater pipe on a Craftsman 3/4 in. drive ratchet with 2 in. socket and busted corroded pipe flange nuts loose. Never broken anything. I agree they're not the quality of SnapOn or Mac but I think they fill the good quality / reasonable price niche very well.

    Lord Lowrider the LoquaciousMember:Secret Select Society of Suave Stylish Smoking Jackets She was only a fisherman's daughter,But when she saw my rod she reeled.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • Guns & GlassGuns & Glass Member Posts: 864 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Roofdog,
    Probably have a Sears spec'd Tecumseh engine on the mower.
    They do build some things cheaper for Sears price points.

    ??? # 1. Two or four cycle (do you mix oil with the gas)?

    Primer bulbs must have a hole/vent somewhere to let air back in the fuel circuit. On mowers which are designed to be used on the groud, it is commonly in the center of the bulb, so as you place your finger on it, it covers the hole. On hand held tools like saws, trimmers, etc, the bulb must be sealed so it doesn't leak fuel. There is a return line for the fuel back into the tank.

    Gasoline is made for the Automotive industry, and does cause some problems for the Outdoor Power Equipment industry.
    Ie., gas in Fall/Winter is a different formulation. It vaporizes quicker, to facilite faster starting, and in some areas is a RFG blend which reduces certain emmissions.

    This fuel may be in use as late as May/June depending on areas.

    If you left the fuel in, and it wasn't "stabilized", it can evaporated partially blocking ports, orfices, causing 'sticky floats, etc. All fuel restrictions. Proper cleaning can require chemicals like carb cleaner, compressed air, and "reaming" holes with special numbered drill bits.
    Very, very common in two cycle engines. Much worse problems !

    Also, if it runs for a few seconds, it might need 5-10 pumps to enrichen it for the start/run mode.

    If using last years fuel, get fresh gas. Buy only enough for 30-45 days, as gas will start to go "stale".
    Or, stabilize it.

    Look for wetness, or "lines of dirt" around areas where the carb/manifold mount. Check tightness of carb mounting bolts/nuts, snug up tight,...but don't overtighten. Use 1/4", 3/8" drive tools, or just wrenches. Not any 1/2" drive tools.



    Happy Bullet Holes!
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • RoofdogRoofdog Member Posts: 34 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    thanks Guns & Glass
    if you have any questions about roofing let me know.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
  • IconoclastIconoclast Member Posts: 10,515 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    G&G - informative post for more than the canine population. Thanks very much for sharing your expertise!

    Rem, I know I ain't gonna change your mind, but I've known many professional mechanics (I'm not, admittedly) in different fields who swore by the Craftsman hand tools. And they had a lot less money invested in those tools than Snap-On or MAC. No question the latter are marginally better quaility and, as you noted, in certain applications, they are unquestionably a far better choice, but as a general proposition, I don't agree. I spent close to 20 years trouble shooting production equipment as part of my work and have had only one tool fail - an SK socket. The Sears hand tools have a comparatively crude appearance, but in my personal experience, they give very little away in function.
    · Share on FacebookShare on Twitter
Sign In or Register to comment.