Tool Failure

[old2soon]

I don't put my lawnmower away til I've scraped off the matted grass that has accumulated during the cutting process. After I got done with the cutting chore the cleaning chore started. Grabbed the old trusty red plastic handled one and a quarter inch wide scraper and went to work. After a couple passes-SPROING-as the blade snapped off just below the handle. Near as I can recollect the scraper in question is about 45 years old!  I was thinkin back on how many engine heads engine blocks old paint in a couple houses I've owned and 100s of pounds of mud I've scraped off of numerous pairs of work boots over the years.  My feeling is it SHOULD have lasted 50 years or more!  To ONLY git 45 years or so of service-well I'm just a little P Od.  No brand name on it and truth be told I cain't even recollect WHERE I bought it!  The one that replaces the broken one I've had about 6 years. Ain't been used much as the corners are still square as the one that broke-It's corners were kinda startin to round off some.  IF I gotta buy another cursed scraper before I croak I WILL b royally P Od.  RIDE SAFE.

[RP#62]

Too bad you can't find the receipt.  I'd take it back.

-RP

[sandy]

My ball peen hammer has Gorilla tape around the handle because around 1970 we hammered pistons into an MGB and hit the end of the ring compressor and split the handle. Wonder if Craftsman still honors their tool replacement policy?

[MarkT]

Damn. I'd be pissed.  Maybe you can collect from the HEIRS of the irresponsible seller...

As for cleaning dried up clippings under the mower - I use an air chisel.  Man, it's quick!

[RP#62]

My ball peen hammer has Gorilla tape around the handle because around 1970 we hammered pistons into an MGB and hit the end of the ring compressor and split the handle. Wonder if Craftsman still honors their tool replacement policy?

You never can tell.  I used to have the largest vice Craftsman made.  I took the stock handle off of it and replaced it with an old 18" breaker bar handle so it would have a little more advantage.  Used it that way for 20 years.  One day I was using it to press out some ball joints on my truck and some of them were pretty tight, so I put a 2 foot pipe over the handle to give me a little more leverage.  Then I'd give the jaws a love tap with a small sledge to overcome friction.  Got 3 ought of 4 done that way and on the last one, right in the middle of the process, I heard a big POP and the vice broke in half.  I put the stock handle back on it and took it back to Sears.  The first two stores wouldn't replace it.  When I got to the third Sears, the guy took a look at it and started to say how. . .then just said never mind, I don't want to know and gave me a new one.

-RP

[..]

Spray under the deck with Pam. No more clippings stickings.

And because I know y'all will Google it

https://www.google.com/search?q=spry+pam+under+mower+deck&rlz=1I7ADBR_en&gws_rd=ssl

[art]

I bought my first set of tools in 1958 to work on my car. They are SK 1/2 and 1/4 " drive and some open end wrenches. I still have the same sets. Made in America junk.

[Tailgate Tommy]

I bought my first set of tools in 1958 to work on my car. They are SK 1/2 and 1/4 " drive and some open end wrenches. I still have the same sets. Made in America junk.

My first socket set in the '60s was SK as well. Still use them, good stuff.

[deadwood]

Stop buying harbor freight crap. 

[old2soon]

Stop buying harbor freight crap. 

        THAT 45 year old scraper weren't H/F. At that time in my life Sears and Ace Hardware is where I was getting tools. Gonna git out the BIG magnifying glass and see if I can find out who made it. RIDE SAFE.