NC-Fordguy Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 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......... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Conductor562 Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Thanks NCFG! When I first got into the Carlyle line I really wasn't expecting much. In a time when most house brand tools have gone to shit, I figured Carlyle was probably a down grade from the previous generation Danaher sourced tools. I was wrong.My Carlyle assortment currently stands at a single Power 90 ratchet, the 42 piece BSH42 hex bit socket set, and the crown jewel of the Carlyle line (IMO of course), their "Flank Drive +" style combo wrenches. All 3 of these items are great tools thus far. As I mentioned in my article, the 13 tooth, full pawl engagement of the P90 ratchets is really something. I'd be surprised if there's another ratchet on the market with as much contact area.The BSH42 was a great value at the ridiculously cheap price I got it for on eBay, but even at full price it's a very comprehensive set. The Carlyle bit sockets come from the same OEM as the Mac bit sockets do and while they aren't much cheaper than Mac's, Mac doesn't offer this big of a hex bit set either.The combo's are really phenomenal. Their pretty much a copy of the Snap-On FD+ design, and perform extremely well at a much more affordable price the Snap-On. If I were starting out as a mechanic today, it would be hard to pass on some of Carlyle's items, especially considering they offer the same student discount program as the trucks. As Fedwrench has stated, many people will never be happy with an Adian tool regardless of quality, but the Carlyle line is a real testament to the level of quality the Taiwanese are capable of producing.You can bet there will be more to come from Carlyle here at TIA! 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chadlanthier Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 Those r some nice looking tools. I will definitely check them out. Thanks for the heads up guys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankiegarcia19 Posted December 30, 2014 Report Share Posted December 30, 2014 They do look similar to the snap on cishion grips(rachets)... I likey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 Went in to the local Santucky (Sandy, OR) NAPA to get some chemicals, and ran across a 3/8" drive Torx (well, "star bit") impact set. I haven't used them yet, but there's lot of Torx on my Jeep, and Jeeps tend to get rusty... Etched on one side, stamped on the other: 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 I bought that same set of torx bits a while back but I haven't used them yet. How much did you pay for them BK? I got mine for a bit over $20 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted November 29, 2015 Report Share Posted November 29, 2015 $25ish I think. I was in a bit of shock after filling the gas tanks on two cars, a trip to Lowes, and a trip to the grocery store.Kinda painful to see that much money going out NOT on tools. LOL 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I 'needed' some cutters (my Leatherman just wouldn't do!) and I didn't feel like making the 25 mile round trip to HD for some Channelocks, so just for gits and shiggles I stopped at NAPA. Glad I did. I'm beginning to hate that drive... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 I did use the t55 3/8 torx bit with my Milwaukee 2763 with a longer extension and adapter and it held up fine. They are a lot tougher than they look Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted December 13, 2015 Report Share Posted December 13, 2015 Went in to the local Santucky (Sandy, OR) NAPA to get some chemicals, and ran across a 3/8" drive Torx (well, "star bit") impact set. I haven't used them yet, but there's lot of Torx on my Jeep, and Jeeps tend to get rusty...Etched on one side, stamped on the other:. Wow really nice set there BK and for around 25ish they look pretty durable and well made nice buys bro! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 . Wow really nice set there BK and for around 25ish they look pretty durable and well made nice buys bro!Didn't you say you were looking at getting more hand tools Mike? If so I would recommend Carlyle. They make some really good stuff for far less than the tool trucks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 Didn't you say you were looking at getting more hand tools Mike? If so I would recommend Carlyle. They make some really good stuff for far less than the tool trucks. Yes sir Nicholas! I just always forget about Carlyle as I hardly stop by Napa and the sad part is they're on like 4 blocks from my house :/ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 . Yes sir Nicholas! I just always forget about Carlyle as I hardly stop by Napa and the sad part is they're on like 4 blocks from my house :/They are the best place to get tools in my town other than ordering online. We don't have a single tool truck that rolls through anymore. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 I'm not at the shop during the mornings anymore due to my other job but I catch the Matco guy there a lot when I get there but man it's been awhile since I've bought anything from him though.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted December 14, 2015 Report Share Posted December 14, 2015 There's an Ace in town, but after they locked the door in my face at five minutes 'till closing time and then gave me a nasty grin, I'll not give them a penny of my money. It's either a half hour drive, order off the Internet, buy cheap crap, or Carlyle. Good thing I kinda like Carlyle. It's not raging infatuation like I have with Wright, but I dig NAPA's tools. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted December 15, 2015 Report Share Posted December 15, 2015 Here is a picture of my Carlyle tools so far. They have all worked excellent and I would highly recommend them. The torx bit is the one I used on my Milwaukee 2763 and it held up fine and didn't chip or bend a tooth on it 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 The Carlyle roto ratchet is one I'm interested in. I'll probably end up with the 1/4" and 3/8" eventually. Have you used the flare nut wrenches much yet Nicholas? That's one item that I've always thought you'd want to go with one of the top brands.... I have SAE SK but figured when I need metric I would spring for Snap On... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NicholasShetley Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 I've used them some and they worked great. i used the smaller ones on brake lines and they worked fine. The finish on them is excellent too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted December 16, 2015 Report Share Posted December 16, 2015 Cool man, thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bigmikez Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Ooo those are nice BK! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JimboS1ice Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Those are pretty nice! Jimbo Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jrsalas Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Carlyle is bad ass... We use those on our service truck and even put them on the 1/2" impacts and they hold up good. Haven't seen one break yet. Love their wrenches too, they practically Snap On's. Same look and feel with the grip system to keep from rounding bolts. Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 Compared to my Snap On semi-deeps: Group shot of mid-length: 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BK13 Posted April 9, 2016 Report Share Posted April 9, 2016 SO 1/4" MM Carlyle 3/8" MM SO 3/8" MM Sunex 3/8" SAE impact SO 3/8" SAE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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