Bent my Lesche Sampson pretty bad, will the warranty cover that?

[Rothman]

I was digging a hole in some pretty tough semi-hard clay yesterday with my long handle Sampson and It bent. It bent a lot. The 1/2" solid steel elbow that connects the spade head to the handle just gave out under the weight.

I was cranking on her pretty good but not as hard as I have at other times. I never would have expected this to happen since this thing has been basically bomb proof up until now.

I know they have a 5 year warranty against breaking, anyone ever tried to get warranty service for the tool bending?

Should I contact the vendor I purchased from or W&W Mfg? It's only about 6 months old.

 

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[vpnavy]

I searched

and found that you aren't alone - here are just a few hits...

Bent Lesche Sampson shovel (Dec 25, 2016)

Bent Lesche Sampson T-Handle (Mar 11, 2016)

Does Lesche warranty their tools. Bent a 38 D today (Sep 25, 2016)​

 

[Rothman]

Thanks for the fast reply. Very good info in those threads. Sorry, I shoulda used the search....

 

[gearjammer]

Bent mine buddy straitened welded a gusset on back, it will never do that again.

 

[Bayard]

I cracked a Lesche hand digger a couple years ago and received a free replacement. After nine months, I managed to crack the free replacement. The factory then sent me a second free replacement.

 

[leslie(nova scotia)]

Awesome...mine looks like a stilletto heel!

 

[Rothman]

Bent mine buddy straitened welded a gusset on back, it will never do that again.

I'm a welder and machinist by trade, I'm going to do exactly this. My only concern was losing stomping surface on the heel of the shovel. I have an idea for that though... I bent it back straight already.

W&W did offer to send me a replacement and they were very fast and courteous with their response.

 

[Hotled]

Bent mine buddy straitened welded a gusset on back, it will never do that again.

Please post pics of your mods , I just bought one of these and will bend it eventually lol

 

[RustyGold]

You guys must run into some super tough soil! Best of luck with the mod.