Sears Craftsman Tools: Please Read This Before Buying

[jimbocanuck]

For Fathers Day about 7 years ago my boys bought me an expensive pneumatic Craftsman 1/2 crown stapler Model No. 351.711700. This excellent quality stapler uses a 20 gauge 1/2 crown staples that can no longer be purchased from Sears or any other building supply or hardware store. I found a 3 year old posting on a Sears web site where another customer asking where they can buy staples and the response from Sears was that they can no longer source these staples. Every other brand of stapler on the market both amateur or professional quality uses generic size staples available from any building supply store. I have to ask why would Sears market an expensive well made product like this that uses a rare non standard staple size?

Over the years I have purchased many Sears power tools and on more than one occasion I have found it hard to get repair parts because they seem to stop stocking parts after a tool is only a few years old. I didn't purchase this tool it was a gift from my boys but I certainly won't be buying any more Craftsman tools.

[Maymybonneliveforever]

Sorry to hear about your problem and I will give you my experience.

When I bought a staple gun as you have, I made sure the staples were universal in that I was not restricted to purchasing only Sears brand, since that would allow them to have a monopoly on price. The staples are exactly the same as what Makita, Dewalt, CH, CN, use. Standard sizes for staple guns are 18-16 gauge of various lengths.

As for the tools, Sears have a lifetime warranty so I don't bother looking for parts replacement availability and pricing I ask them to either fix it or give me a replacement tool and have had no problems to date.

[jimbocanuck]

Sorry to hear about your problem and I will give you my experience.

When I bought a staple gun as you have, I made sure the staples were universal in that I was not restricted to purchasing only Sears brand, since that would allow them to have a monopoly on price. The staples are exactly the same as what Makita, Dewalt, CH, CN, use. Standard sizes for staple guns are 18-16 gauge of various lengths.

As for the tools, Sears have a lifetime warranty so I don't bother looking for parts replacement availability and pricing I ask them to either fix it or give me a replacement tool and have had no problems to date.


Of course your right about buying tools that take standard consumables but as I said in my post I didn't buy this tool my boys did. As far as them replacing a perfectly good working tool because I can't find 20 gauge staples for it I strongly doubt. Yesterday I sent Sears an Email letter to Sears stating my disappointment with them manufacturing and selling a tool that uses what I call a non standard staples. This morning I sent them a link to my post on Red Flag Deals and I look forward to their response but I won't hold my breath.

[caltran]

http://www.amazon.com/Galvanized-Staple-2-Inch-4-Inch-Length/dp/B000MX1N2E

?

[jimbocanuck]

http://www.amazon.com/Galvanized-Staple-2-Inch-4-Inch-Length/dp/B000MX1N2E

?


Thank for the link but that's not the staple length I need for my stapler. The stapler I'm referring to to is just like an upholsters stapler and it uses 3/8", 1/2 and 1" staples and non of the usual stapler manufactures or retailers I have called and Emailed stock 20 gauge staples in those lengths. I'm not saying that some where in North America there might be some company that has this gauge staple but don't you agree if I bought the tool from Sears Canada I should have every expectation that the unit uses a standard size staple that's available locally?

[Maymybonneliveforever]

Do you have a model # for the stapler, if we could locate the manual it may help in finding replacement staples.

EDIT:
By any chance do they look lke the ones below?

Craftsman 1/2 in. Crown Staples, 20 ga. 3/8 in. Box of 5000
Sears Item# 00918330000 | Model# 18330
http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00918330000-1?hei=600&wid=600&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

Duo-Fast 5016C 1/2" Length x 1/2" Crown 20 Gauge Staples 5000 per Pack
Duo-Fast 5016C 1" Length x 1/2" Crown 20 Gauge Staples 5000 per Pack

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kkHD51KnL._SL500_AA300_.jpg

[jimbocanuck]

Do you have a model # for the stapler, if we could locate the manual it may help in finding replacement staples.

Spent over 1/2 an hour with sears parts specialist yesterday but they found nothing in their computer. While I was on hold with Sears I did another Google search and on one of Sears own web sites I found a question from another customer trying to find these staples. Sears reply to that customer was along the line of "we can no longer source this staples, Sorry. That posting was almost 3 years old.

Craftsman 1/2" crown stapler uses 20 gauge staples
Model No. 351.711700
Part No. for 3/8" staples 09 713092
Part No. for 1/2" staples 09 71930

P.S. Just got the picture you sent and the staples seem to be exactly what I need at least for the 3/8" size. I will call Sears and give them that part number and see what happens. I will keep you posted

Thanks again

Thanks for your help

[Ottomaddox]

FWIW, I've had similar problems with nailers that I've bought from Crappy Tire.
I'd be surprised if there was any company that hasn't discontinued support for some of their old products.

And in the news, Sears Holdings is selling off Sears Canada...


Shares of Sears Canada (TSX:SCC) dropped more than 13 per cent Thursday after its U.S. parent announced plans to dramatically reduce its holdings in the troubled department store chain and to consider divesting its entire stake.

Read more: http://www.ctv.ca/CTVNews/Canada/20120517/sears-canada-stake-120517/#ixzz1v9VLdARD

[jimbocanuck]

Spent over 1/2 an hour with sears parts specialist yesterday but they found nothing in their computer. While I was on hold with Sears I did another Google search and on one of Sears own web sites I found a question from another customer trying to find these staples. Sears reply to that customer was along the line of "we can no longer source this staples, Sorry. That posting was almost 3 years old.

Craftsman 1/2" crown stapler uses 20 gauge staples
Model No. 351.711700
Part No. for 3/8" staples 09 713092
Part No. for 1/2" staples 09 71930

P.S. Just got the picture you sent and the staples seem to be exactly what I need at least for the 3/8" size. I will call Sears and give them that part number and see what happens. I will keep you posted

Thanks again

Thanks for your help

Boy has this been fun

Just got off the phone with a great guy at Sears National parts Center and he couldn't do anything with the part numbers you gave me, they where not in his system as staples in fact Model 1833 is a sewing machine. He said U.S. and Canadian part numbers are not always the same but some how he managed to find who he thinks manufactures the stapler a company called Colouos. I will also see who carries the other brand of staples you listed Duo fast but I haven't seen any 20 gauge staples from any manufacturer in any of my local building or hardware stores.

After all this running around I would advise anyone reading to buy a brand name not store name tools. If you buy a brand name tool that is available at a lot of different retailers you are pretty much assured you will be able to find consumables almost anywhere for many years to come.

thanks again for your help

[Maymybonneliveforever]

EDIT:
By any chance do they look lke the ones below?

Craftsman 1/2 in. Crown Staples, 20 ga. 3/8 in. Box of 5000
Sears Item# 00918330000 | Model# 18330
http://s.shld.net/is/image/Sears/00918330000-1?hei=600&wid=600&op_sharpen=1&qlt=90,0&resMode=sharp&op_usm=0.9,0.5,0,0

Duo-Fast 5016C 1/2" Length x 1/2" Crown 20 Gauge Staples 5000 per Pack
Duo-Fast 5016C 1" Length x 1/2" Crown 20 Gauge Staples 5000 per Pack

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41kkHD51KnL._SL500_AA300_.jpgI didn't get a reply to my previous post so I wasn't sure you saw it.

[jimbocanuck]

I didn't get a reply to my previous post so I wasn't sure you saw it.

Yes thanks I did get this picture and my last response was meant for you you please read it.

I just received an Email from Sears in response to my complaint letter and I to say I was pleasantly surprised by their quick response would be an understatement.

Thanks and have a great day