Craftsman Hand Tools

• Finding the right tool for the job is half the battle. tool kit in box image by Aleksandr Ugorenkov from Fotolia.com

  Craftsman makes hand tools for a wide range of uses, including carpentry, mechanics, plumbing and general purpose. Craftsman Evolv hand tools carry a lifetime warranty against defects in material, excluding any parts that wear out from normal use. All other hand tools carry a lifetime warranty if you're not completely satisfied with them. To receive free repair or replacement of a defective tool, you must return it to the store where you bought it.

Carpentry

• Carpenters build and repair objects and buildings out of wood and other materials like wallboard or insulation. They need to measure, cut, and shape wood using chisels, saws, drills and planes. They use nails, screws, and staples to join wood together and check themselves for accuracy using levels, plumb bobs, and framing squares. Craftsman sells over 250 hand tools, mostly for do-it-yourself carpenters. Only a handful of these tools are intended for professional use.

Mechanics

• According to the U.S. Department of Labor, nothing is more important to a mechanic than his hand tools. Craftsman sells almost 2,000 tools for mechanics, including pliers, ratchets, screwdrivers, sockets, wrenches and torque wrenches. It also carries a range of automotive mechanic specialty tools, like brake set modules, digital timing lights and spring compressors. Approximately 7 percent of its tools are for professional mechanics. The rest are designed for "backyard " use. Mechanics normally pick one type of equipment to specialize in, such as motorcycles, cars or outdoor power equipment. They must diagnose and repair mechanical, fuel and electrical problems.

Plumbing

• Plumbers install and repair the various types of pipe systems through which water, waste and gas flow. They also install different plumbing fixtures and appliances like bathtubs, toilets and water heaters. Almost 18 percent of Craftsman's plumbing tools are made for professional use. The rest are designed for do-it-yourself plumbers. Craftsman offers over 550 plumbing tools in all. Its plumbing tools include various types of wrenches and ratchets as well as general purpose tools, like pliers, tape measures and hammers.

General Purpose Tools

• General purpose tools are basic tools used in a variety of jobs. Plumbers, carpenters or mechanics can use them since they aren't designed for specialized work. Examples of these general purpose tools include hammers, screwdrivers, pliers, chisels, sockets and files. Craftsman sells over 2,200 general purpose tools and over 2,000 of them are designed to be used by the do-it-yourselfer.

Innovations

• Some Craftsman hand tools are designed to perform jobs in a new way. The company calls these tools "Innovations." Many of its innovation tools are wrenches. A universal tooth design on one wrench allows the user to grip six different nuts and bolts. Other wrenches have ergonomic handles for a better grip and more leverage, a 15-degree offset box for more knuckle clearance or a large tooth profile to provide the most gear contact.