NC-Fordguy

Thanks to Conductor, there's a blog on the front page covering Carlyle tools. He gives a great overview and introduction of the line to this forum. I started buying the line when Napa first introduced the tools a couple years back, I've been using the tools as my front line service in my 4x4 shop since their debut. The tools have performed great thus far with only one tool broken, a t-15 torx bit. This a good testament to their durability as what ends up ni my shop are 4x4s that have ended their life as a commuter or grocery getter with rock crawling in store or a vintage 4x4 that is getting a new lease on life. Either way this translates into stubborn, quite often seized fasteners that are any where from 10 years to 50 years old. Lift kits, ring and pinion upgrades, transfer case rebuild, custom fabrication and restoration work are common projects. Now to some of the tools.........

I have,,,,,, Armstrong Craftsman Craftsman Pro Carlye Cornwell klein Gearwrench SK Snap-on Wera IMO the best bang for the buck are the craftsman Pro. These are the same as SK and Armstrong. To me ease of warranty is a big factor as screwdrivers are something I can tear up easily. The brand that seems the best to me overall are the Cornwell. IIRC correctly they are rebranded Wittes. Cornwell has two lines of screwdrivers. The rebranded Wittes that have the gray flacking on the handle and the square handles that are rebranded Sunnex. I've been tempted to try the new Proto line. I'm not sure friendly the warranty process is.

Checked these out the other day at lowes, perhaps you all can shed some light. The multi piece set is labeled made in China. The individual screwdrivers are labeled made in USA with global components. The individual screwdrivers and the ones in the set share the same part numbers. WTF?? Seeing something similar with wrench sets with the same numbers with both made in China and Made in Taiwan.

Got pics to post on these yet Conductor?? Theres a hardware store on my old tech route that carries Tekton stuff but I haven't been in there for some time. Perhaps a visit is in order if I get the time

Not sure how it will work out. Bottom line when it comes to these kind of things, nobody wins. When it comes to articles/videos/blogs such as what got linked here something Ronald Reagan once said comes to mind. "Trust but verify"

I've been using these tools extensively and everything is functioning fine still. A couple gear swaps in jeeps, a slip yoke eliminator kit, rebuilt a dana20 t-case. I pulled the spindles off a dana 44 and it's not uncommon for me to split a socket on this. Being on the backside of the brakes thousands and thousands cooling cycles, water crossings, over size tires makes these nuts sometimes really stubborn

Actually if you all do some research over the matter you find some interesting tidbits. First of all the tool in question is nearly identical to one that was patented dozens and dozens of years ago. I'm no patent attorney but it sure doesn't help this case. Secondly the loggerhead guy was renegotiating a new unit price to sears for xxx amount of tools. He dragged his feet in this process, sears wanted the tools in the stores by fathers day and time ran out. Sears had another company produce like tools to meet their target date, which they missed because of the process of getting something nailed down. Anytime I see some guy fussing about the big bad company I am extremely skeptical. I'm treating this as I caught a fish this < > big As far as the lawsuit progress I dunno.

So just because I don't have confidence in Sears possibly lasting long term you had to troll my post thanks i appreciate that. I didn't personally attack your intelligence now don't insult mine. You are welcome. Seriously though, I was merely countering your opinion and it is regrettable you took it the way you did. Also I'm failing to see how your intelligence was insulted as I made no comments concerning it I get it, it's fashionable to rag on Sears on the net especially given some of the decisions those at the top of Sears make. However nothing positive comes from such rhetoric. I can't help wonder a few years when General Motors and Chrysler were in dire circumstances what comparable rhetoric helped the situation. The wonders of the interwebs :roll:

You'll get alot of opinions about which brand(s) to get or what brand(s) to avoid. There are those who will bash because the internet gives them a place to be heard and those who will praise because brand x is what they have so its the best. I've been spinning wrenches for nearly 40 years and have just about every brand there is. I have armstrong, bahco, cornwell, craftsman, carlyle, sk, proto, easco, indestro, blue point, gearwrench, harbor freight, knipex, channellock, husky, and many others. The list is just to extensive to name them all. After all of this time I can honestly say there really isn't a whole lot of difference between them all. Some fit my hands better, some are stamped so they are easier to see, some have finishes that I prefer, etc etc. The biggest thing is buy what you can afford. There is a reason why our country is in the financial mess it is in now. If you can only afford one of something get the one that is the easiest to warranty. Even tool truck tools will and can break. Over time you will develop you own personal preferences on what you like. All in all nearly every hand tool brand I have has done fine with just a few exceptions in certain circumstances

About two years ago I bought a craftsman pro saws-all. I was skeptical as the new stuff comes from overseas and some folks on many tool boards rip on craftsman pretty hard. The saw has just fine. I've cut body mount bolts, truck frames, dom tubing, plate steel, schedule 40 and 80 pipe with it. I'd recommend this saw for the most heavy of use.

Happy B-day How big is that case? Will it fit in a tool chest drawer?

Craftsman has recently revamped their line of toolboxes. Much better than in years past, just stay away from the "basic" line. The newer boxes are assembled in the USA. Casters from China, boxes made in the USA, I can't say for sure where the slides are made. I need to dig a little deeper on that. When I was working for a local telecom company there were several car dealerships on my service route so I got to wander around the service area to fix stuff. I'd see some US General boxes and would ask the mechanics how they liked them. Most all those guys were satisfied.

Actually, these sets have hollow extensions so it could be used in lieu of a deep socket. However too me, it feels a bit awkward. In the instance I need a deep socket I'd rather use a deep socket

I have both a gearwrench and craftsman set. They both are on par with each other but I'd give the craftsman set the edge as it has more sizes and ease of warranty(which I haven't need to with either set) I bought the gearwrench set several years ago and the craftsman set last year. They work great in tight areas such as sensor/sending unit access next to a firewall and removing u-bolts/straps on drive line yokes

I've been partial to Kleins............ I have a weatherpack crimper off the cornwell truck but I'm not sure who the oem for that is

Well, The dewalt does have 2 five star reviews. The 1st reviewer didn't speak highly of the blades but then again cutting steel will break blades rather easily Keep 'em coming guys

I've seen the China made gearwrenches on both the snappy and cornwell trucks. I have the following brands of ratcheting wrenches. Craftsman (USA and China made) Carlyle Blue Point Snap on Dewalt Gearwrench (China and Taiwan) Titan Cornwell To me, the Carlyle are the smoothest (90 tooth). Interestingly the only ones that I have broken are the snap ons. Performance wise??? Can't really tell any significant difference.

Electric

Hey Folks, I went to the local steel re-seller to pick up some c channel and angle for a project. The guy cut of some 2x4 c channel for me using a Milwaukee brand port a band. I couldn't see the model number but this thing was the bomb. I decided I need a port a band. Now question is what brand/ model do I want? Rather than start a this brand is better than that brand flame war, what are you guys using, how do you like it and what are you cutting with it?

I agree with the lock release lever... I have several older craftsman that have the pull release. I've wondered who the oem for these was. I have one of the grip on brand I got off the snappy truck. I like it

IIRC it was around 2008 when they off shored the line. I bought a couple of the wide nose locking pliers a few months ago for a massive welding project. Those were made in Taiwan. I have some of the original petersen, irwin usa, irwin with global components, and now some of the off shored ones. I can't tell the difference performance wise between them all.

Even though Sears is not a healthy company, they still have the largest market share when it comes to tool sales. That would be my guess why the dewalt mechanics tools are a Sears exclusive

Just to clarify... Many dewalt hand tools can be purchased from various vendors Dewalt Mechanics tools are available only from Sears