Abby’s Guide > Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) > Discussions > Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Outdoor Power Equipment (Lawn Mowers, Snow Blowers, Chain Saws and more) Discussions |
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Majorxlr8n
Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #8 Dec 17, 2005 12:51 am |
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I just rebuilt my 87 8/28 craftsman's gearbox, auger shaft, impeller shaft, bearing assembly,impeller fan and augers and got all the parts right from sears here in Dartmouth. WOW - you are VERY LUCKY INDEED! Glad to hear you got yours buttoned up! Next time I need parts, I'll call this very store & hope I'm as lucky...
Marty
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singercs
Joined: Oct 27, 2005
Points: 8
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #9 Dec 17, 2005 6:02 am |
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WOW - you are VERY LUCKY INDEED! Glad to hear you got yours buttoned up! Next time I need parts, I'll call this very store & hope I'm as lucky... Marty
I don't know about being "very lucky "about getting parts for the machine, but I do know that Sears keeps quite a few parts in stock for the older units.
when I called for the gearbox parts both gears and casing halfs along with the shafts,keys and augers they had more than 6 of each available here and more in stock at the Toronto warehouse. how long they will be available is anyones guess however they can be had with a bit of phone work, parts can be purchased from various small engine suppliers and most would be very glad to help track down any parts needed.
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RnB213
Joined: Dec 19, 2005
Points: 10
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #10 Dec 19, 2005 9:40 pm |
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The typical wait for Craftsman parts is two weeks, best thing is as written above figure out who made your machine and find a dealer who carries those parts, then eventually buy one from them! Murray/Noma parts have been resolved and are easy to obtain from a Briggs dealer (powersource canada in ont.)
Toro/Lawnboy, Simplicity, Snapper, Husqvarna,Jonsered, Briggs, Tecumseh,Kohler,Honda
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wally
Location: Oakville, ON Canada
Joined: Nov 20, 2005
Points: 30
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #11 Dec 20, 2005 11:30 am |
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From a parts perspective, if you're in West Toronto, the Rexdale/401 Sears location has a great number of parts off the shelf. And, yes...possibly two weeks if they don't have it. But Tecumseh & B/S parts from a top-rate OPE shop usually take a week if it's something they don't have off the shelf. So Sears is not too far "out-to-lunch" ... and Sears DOES have parts availability for older products - I've been very satisfied that way. But Sears isn't cheap....there's a significant embedded charge in the price for handling... I've found ordering stuff off the web can be significantly cheaper than picking it up in person!!! At least, that's been my experience. *(:>)*
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Doodlefork
Joined: Apr 20, 2005
Points: 9
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #12 Dec 20, 2005 12:31 pm |
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"Personally, The older Sears units were very tough. Most were made by Murray or AYP. The newer Sears really aren't that bad - but heres the catch. Any Murray made Craftsman currently available will be a bad choice if you need parts. Why? Murray was bought out by Briggs & Stratton & obtaining parts for any Murray product is a NIGHTMARE. - Marty " Does this count for their riding mowers also?
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Majorxlr8n
Location: Freehold NJ
Joined: Aug 6, 2003
Points: 1092
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #13 Dec 20, 2005 7:10 pm |
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"Personally, The older Sears units were very tough. Most were made by Murray or AYP. The newer Sears really aren't that bad - but heres the catch. Any Murray made Craftsman currently available will be a bad choice if you need parts. Why? Murray was bought out by Briggs & Stratton & obtaining parts for any Murray product is a NIGHTMARE. - Marty " Does this count for their riding mowers also?
If they are manufactured by Murray (536 model prefix), YES!
Marty
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #14 Feb 19, 2011 7:28 pm |
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Craftsman snow blowers have been built by many different manufacturers over the years, generally they have been of acceptable quality , some better than others. If you are buying a Craftsman Snow Blower, Currently, Buy one of the models built by Husqvarna . They have excellent quality and great features. But recently , I discovered that the Craftsman snowblowers sold in the USA are entirely different than those sold in Canada and are manufactured by different companies. Here in Canada we have Husqvarna built Craftsman snowblowers , which are not sold in the USA. Excellent machines, Husqvarna in red.
This message was modified Feb 26, 2011 by royster
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CharlesW
Joined: Jan 9, 2011
Points: 76
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #16 Feb 20, 2011 2:34 pm |
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Why do you keep posting to threads that are years old? Why not? It appears that the problems that were talked about 6 or 7 years ago still exist to some extent. Maybe the discussion can help a newbie, (like me), make a more informed decision. FWIW, When I was researching prior to making my decision this year, it seemed like much of the dissatisfaction was with Sears rather than the equipment. I read a lot of reviews where owners felt the Craftsman did a good job and was a pretty decent "Bang for the Buck". I also read a lot of negative comments about Sears service and parts. Those negative comments were enough for me to remove the Craftsman from consideration.
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royster
" It is the use of power tools that separates man from animals"
Location: New Brunswick, Canada
Joined: Feb 11, 2011
Points: 284
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Re: Why does craftsman get a bad rap?
Reply #17 Feb 22, 2011 7:59 pm |
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I have owned a Craftsman snowblower , I got it in 1985, It is 33 inch, 12.5 horsepower Tecumseh. I have used it every winter and we always get a lot of snow here During that time, I have had very few problems, one new clutch, a new cable for the drive . three spark plugs , I change the oil after each season. I use Mobil 1 5/30 oil. I have never had to change the belts. Everytime that I have wanted parts I just called Sears parts and they delivered them to my door in a few days. I expect to get many more years out of thiis machine. The new Craftsman snowblowers (the ones built by Hsqvarna) are excellent well built machines.
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