Craftsman Warranty: Lifetime Hand Tools, Limited Power Tools
That “forever” promise made Craftsman famous: a broken wrench walked into Sears and walked out replaced. The modern craftsman warranty keeps the lifetime promise alive for hand tools — but power tools, batteries, and storage now sit under time-limited warranties.
This guide explains exactly which Craftsman products carry the Full Lifetime Warranty, which don’t, and how to file a claim that gets approved.
Quick Answer: Craftsman Warranty at a Glance
Craftsman hand tools — wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, and mechanics tool sets — carry a Full Lifetime Warranty: if the tool fails to perform for any reason, Craftsman replaces it, with no receipt required. Power tools carry a limited 1- to 3-year warranty, batteries 1 to 3 years, tool storage a limited 1- to 3-year warranty, and lawn equipment about 2 years.
Limited warranties require proof of purchase and apply to the original purchaser at retail.
| Product Category | Warranty Term |
|---|---|
| Hand tools (wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, nut drivers, hex keys, knives & multitools, mechanics tool sets, non-electric automotive tools) | Full Lifetime Warranty — replaced if it fails to perform for any reason; no receipt required |
| Power tools (corded and cordless) | Limited 1–3 years, defects in material and workmanship; receipt required |
| Battery packs | 1–3 years depending on product line |
| Tool storage (boxes, chests, cabinets) | Limited 1–3 years; authorized seller + proof of purchase required; original purchaser only |
| Lawn & garden equipment | Limited, typically about 2 years |
| Torque wrenches (DigiClick electronic) | 90-day limited warranty |
| Electronic measuring (lasers, stud finders, digital levels) | Limited lifetime to 1-year depending on model |
| How to file a claim | craftsman.com/warranty or 888-331-4569; authorized service provider; copy of sales receipt required for limited warranties |
| Who is covered | Lifetime hand tools: no receipt needed. Limited warranties: original purchaser at retail, proof of purchase required |
| Brand owner | Stanley Black & Decker (acquired Craftsman from Sears in 2017) |
Official Policy Verification & Source Check
Official policy source: https://www.craftsman.com
Source type: Official warranty information page, product manuals, and official lawn & garden warranty statements (as mirrored in product documentation)
Last checked: October 2026
Confidence level: High
Important notes: Warranty terms are segmented by tool category — always check the term printed on your product packaging or manual.
How We Check This Policy: We read Craftsman’s official warranty information and product warranty statements, including the hand-tool Full Lifetime Warranty terms and the limited warranty language in lawn & garden manuals. Where exact timeframes vary by product line, we report the ranges and tell you where to verify your model.
Craftsman Full Lifetime Warranty: Which Tools Qualify
The lifetime promise survives — but only for non-powered hand tools. Craftsman states that if a qualifying hand tool does not perform for any reason, the company will replace it. No receipt, no registration, no questions about age.
Qualifying categories include hammers and demolition tools, finishing tools, hex keys, knives and multitools, nut drivers, pliers, ratchets and sockets, screwdrivers, wrenches and wrench sets, mechanics tool sets, individual open-stock tools, and non-electric automotive tools.
That promise is the direct descendant of the original Sears-era guarantee — and Craftsman says even the first tools sold in 1927 remain under warranty today. Bring a broken ratchet to an authorized channel and it gets replaced with the same or an equivalent tool.
Craftsman Power Tool Warranty: 1–3 Year Limited Terms
Power tools are where the lifetime halo ends. Most corded and cordless Craftsman power tools — drills, saws, sanders — carry a limited warranty, commonly 1 to 3 years from the date of purchase, covering defects in material and workmanship.
Two things make power tool claims stricter than hand tool claims: you must keep the original sales receipt, and the tool must have been bought from an authorized Craftsman dealer. Unauthorized resellers void the deal.
What About Craftsman Batteries?
Cordless battery packs are warranted separately from the tools they power — typically 1 to 3 years depending on the specific product line. Check your battery’s packaging for its exact term, since it may differ from the tool it shipped with.
Craftsman Tool Storage, Lawn & Garden, and Specialty Terms
Tool boxes, chests, and cabinets do not carry a lifetime warranty. Most carry a limited 1- to 3-year warranty against defects. Claims require purchase from an authorized seller, proof of purchase showing when and where you bought it, and apply to the original purchaser only — used chests get no coverage.
Lawn and garden equipment (MTD-made mowers and tractors) typically carries a 2-year limited warranty for the initial purchaser, for residential use only, with service through an authorized warranty service provider.
DigiClick electronic torque wrenches carry a 90-day limited warranty, and electronic measuring tools such as lasers and stud finders range from limited lifetime to 1-year coverage depending on the model.
What the Craftsman Warranty Does Not Cover
The exclusions matter most for limited warranties:
- Excluded Abuse, misuse, and neglect. Tools used beyond their intended purpose or abused are excluded from all warranty tiers.
- Excluded Normal wear and tear. Expendable and consumable parts — blades, belts, filters, fuses, hoses — are excluded unless defective within the first 30 days.
- Excluded Accidents. Accidental damage of any kind is not covered.
- Excluded Unauthorized sellers. Products bought from unauthorized resellers get no warranty at all.
- Excluded Alterations and modifications. Tools altered from their original design are excluded.
- Excluded Edge tools. Items like lathe chisels are classified as edge tools and are not covered by the hand tool lifetime warranty.
- Excluded Lack of maintenance. Damage from improper or missing maintenance, as described in the operator’s manual, is excluded.
Old Sears Craftsman Tools: Are They Still Covered?
This is the most common real-world question. Stanley Black & Decker acquired Craftsman from Sears in 2017, and Sears continues to sell Craftsman products under license. Older Sears-era hand tools can still be replaced through Stanley’s retail network — the lifetime warranty follows the tool.
The safest move for a pre-2017 tool: call Craftsman customer service at 888-331-4569 first, before walking into a Lowe’s. Legacy tool returns have the most friction when the “retail partner” status is unclear, and a five-minute call saves a wasted trip.
How to File a Craftsman Warranty Claim
- Identify your tool’s tier. Hand tool with a Craftsman logo? That’s the Full Lifetime Warranty — no receipt needed. Power tool, storage, or equipment? Find your proof of purchase and model number first.
- Document the failure. Note the model number, how the tool failed, and what you were doing when it failed. Photos or video strengthen limited-warranty claims.
- Start the claim. Visit craftsman.com/warranty and use the online claim form, or call 888-331-4569 to speak with a representative. You can also register products through a CRAFTSMAN Club account.
- Get an RMA or service direction. For power tools and equipment, the representative verifies warranty status by model number and may issue a Return Merchandise Authorization or direct you to an authorized repair facility.
- Ship or drop off. Follow the instructions exactly — limited-warranty claims require a copy of your sales receipt. Allow one to seven days for a response after submitting an online claim.
Hand tool claims are the simplest: in many cases you can take the broken tool to a retailer that honors Craftsman warranty service and get a same-or-equivalent replacement on the spot.
- Check the logo and category first. Only tools actually labeled “Craftsman” in a qualifying hand-tool category get the lifetime promise.
- Keep receipts for everything else. Limited warranties on power tools, storage, and equipment are dead without proof of purchase.
- Buy from authorized dealers. Unauthorized resellers void warranty coverage entirely.
- Call before hauling legacy tools. For pre-2017 Sears-era tools, confirm with 888-331-4569 before visiting a store.
- Report symptoms honestly. Abuse, misuse, and accidents are excluded — describing normal use helps your claim.
Craftsman Warranty FAQs
Does Craftsman still have a lifetime warranty?
Yes — for hand tools. Wrenches, ratchets, sockets, screwdrivers, hammers, pliers, and mechanics tool sets carry a Full Lifetime Warranty: Craftsman replaces the tool if it fails to perform for any reason, with no receipt required.
Do Craftsman power tools have a lifetime warranty?
No. Most corded and cordless Craftsman power tools carry a limited 1- to 3-year warranty covering defects in material and workmanship. Proof of purchase is required.
How do I file a Craftsman warranty claim?
Start at craftsman.com/warranty with the online claim form, or call 888-331-4569. For limited warranties, have your model number and a copy of your sales receipt ready.
Are Craftsman batteries covered?
Yes, separately from the tools — typically 1 to 3 years depending on the product line. Check the battery’s packaging for its exact term.
Do Craftsman tool boxes have a lifetime warranty?
No. Tool boxes, chests, and cabinets carry a limited 1- to 3-year warranty. Claims require an authorized seller, proof of purchase, and apply to the original purchaser only.
Are old Sears Craftsman tools still under warranty?
Generally yes for hand tools — the lifetime warranty follows the tool. Call 888-331-4569 first before taking a pre-2017 tool to a retailer, since legacy returns can have friction.
Does Craftsman cover wear and tear or accidental damage?
No. Normal wear and tear, consumable parts, and accidental damage are excluded. Misuse, abuse, alterations, and lack of maintenance are also excluded.
What voids the Craftsman warranty?
Buying from unauthorized sellers, alterations to the tool, abuse or misuse, lack of maintenance, and (for limited warranties) not having proof of purchase.
How long is the Craftsman warranty on lawn mowers?
Typically 2 years for the initial purchaser, for residential noncommercial use only, with repairs by an authorized warranty service provider.
Should I register my Craftsman tools?
It’s smart for anything with a limited warranty. Register products through a CRAFTSMAN Club account to keep warranty info attached to your models — lifetime hand tools don’t need it.
Related Warranty Guides
Conclusion
The craftsman warranty is really two warranties: a genuinely no-questions Full Lifetime Warranty on hand tools, and a segmented 1- to 3-year limited warranty on power tools, batteries, and storage. Know which tier your tool sits in before it breaks.
Keep receipts for anything powered, buy from authorized dealers, and call 888-331-4569 before hauling in a legacy Sears-era tool. Start your claim at craftsman.com/warranty and check your product manual for the exact term.
Sources: craftsman.com (official warranty information and claim process); Craftsman product warranty statements and lawn & garden warranty manuals (as mirrored in product documentation).
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only. Stanley Black & Decker may change Craftsman warranty terms at any time, and terms vary by product line. Confirm the exact warranty printed on your product packaging or in your manual before filing a claim.
Check the Latest Official Manufacturer Warranty Before You File
Warranty coverage periods, required proof-of-purchase documents, eligible defect categories, and claim handling times vary by region, model, and authorized seller. Always check the official manufacturer’s latest support portal before filing a claim to confirm your product's eligibility.