Home depot files......so far the warranty is working

[EdCaffreyMS]

We all know that files are an integral part of what we do in knifemaking. "Good" hand files keep getting harder to find, and more expensive. About 6 months ago I decided to give the Husky brand at Home Depot a try. I picked up this set:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-Flat-Curve-Assortment-File-Set-10-Piece-22105HD/100091245

Today I returned the THIRD set for replacement, and had no problem doing it. No receipt, just the files in the original packaging. Walked up to the return desk and told them that I had worn out the three largest files in the set. Went to the isle, grabbed another, went back to the return desk and then out the door!

I've always been a fan of Nicholson files, but lately even those have been falling off in quality/durability.....so I guess until Home Depot refuses my return/replacements, I'll keep doing it!

 

[bladegrinder]

Can't beat a lifetime of new files! the welder where I work buys nicholson's buy the box and he complains all the time about them, the company buy's them so what the heck but I don't even bother with them when he throws them out, there made in Brazil now.

 

[C Craft]

Ed after I saw you talking about these files last time. I had occasion to go to Lowes. I asked at Lowes about their brand of file and the replacement policy! I asked this of the tool guy, figuring if anyone should know he should.

So I said the Lowes brand file has a lifetime warranty, so if I wear one out where it won't cut, does that mean I can bring it back for a replacement.

His exact was words were, it depends on how you define lifetime!!!!!

Well I figure if you offer a lifetime warranty and I buy that product, then as long as I am alive if I wear it out, then I can bring it back for replacement.:les:

He replies up to a point!

Now I am beginning to get a little niffed! So I asked him, how do you think a lifetime warranty works????:34:

Well there not going to keep replacing it forever!!:what!: :58:

So I go straight to the Customer Service desk and pose the same question about there lifetime warranty. Customer Service told me any of Lowes tools with a lifetime warranty will be replaced as long as Lowes is in business.

So since Nicholson files have become absolutely horrible my next files will be either the Home Depot or Lowes. The last Nicholson three square file I bought never even finished the job I started.
I would stop and card it often, until late at night it finally just completely quits cutting.

I suddenly remembered there were some tri-files in my Dad's old tool chest he passed on to me. I went and grabbed one of them and, OH my they cut like hot butter. I have no idea of the name as they were bought in bulk. The three that were still in his old tool chest are still wrapped in the brown paper where he went to the hardware and they wrapped them for the journey home. He used to sharpen all of his own hand saws!!!

Boy those were the days, I remember as a kid standing in that hardware and drooling at all the tools like it was a candy store!

 

[Drew Riley]

When I used to work as a trim carpenter, we'd do this with Craftsman brand tape measures at the local Sears hardware store. Had a couple of Craftman folding utility knives I had replaced too.

The thing is, we'd replace a Craftsman tape measure about once every 2 to 3 weeks at times, for seized tape, broken springs, or sometime the tape would just crack right off. This was fine up to a point, as they were free to replace, and we'd often be going in there for another tool or material anyhow, but eventually, they started handing us "refurbished" tapes from behind the counter, and wouldn't let us grab new anymore.

These tapes performed even worse, and eventually we just bought Stanley Fat Max tapes, which seemed to last about 10x longer anyway, and ultimately was worth the extra cost.

Not that I'm saying they'll start refurbishing files... hahah Just pointing out that not all lifetime warranties are what they're cracked up to be. That said, next time I need files, I'm going to look into this.

 

[Justin Presson]

Lol...I can't believe they keep warranty them. Its like if I went into the shoe store and said excuse me I have wore the soles slick on these shoes can I get a new pair.
Keep on keepin on Ed

 

[C Craft]

Justin, back years ago I actually did just that. Back when I wore a younger mans clothes I ran a framing crew building homes, we would turn out about 200 homes a year between the two crews my boss had. No time for lolly-gagging when you are building that many a year. We were building prefabs and the popular houses back then had very steep pitches! 12/12 and one even had a 14/12. You would have thought they were building for snow load, but this is Florida! LOL

Anyway I found a new pair of boots that the grip was advertised as non slip. They had a lifetime guarantee as well, WHAAAAAAAT! :what!::les: Can't miss with that combo!

They were great even with a little saw dust on the decking you had very little to worry about! I was about the only guy who could walk those pitches without toe boards. Problem was the soles were glued on and not sewn. Walking on that kind of a pitch and slinging decking is not only tough on the worker but it is brutal to the shoe! Well I was going thru a pair about once a month. I would bring in the shoe and the sole would be ripped loose. After about 5 months of replacing boots, I walked into the store with another torn up pair. The manager says I have something to show you. He shows me a letter stating that this brand of shoe is being discontinued and they will replace any failures with another brand of shoe. Needless to say none of these had any lifetime warranty!!!

So I rode the shoe train till it broke!!! :sad: The manager had a smile on his face, (like I finally beat you)!!!! So sad when you actually run a company out of the shoe business! :s12205: