Who The Hell Is PowerTorque Tools? – The Garage Journal

P

Parabellum

Banned

May 20, 2016

#2

Someone is having a fit in their grave.....

L

LB-1911

ALLIANCE MEMBER

May 20, 2016

#3

"Who The Hell Is Power Torque Tools?"

Appears to be the O'Reilly house brand.

04-15-2015

Katodog said:
I work for O'Reilly at their DC out here.

O'Reilly/Ozark is the same company. O'Reilly bought Ozark, or they were Ozark, or something like that, can't remember the exact story. They're basically the same now, the name of the company is interchangeable between "O'Reilly" or "O'Reilly Ozark". People at work call it both.

The employee discount varies according to the product. Typically the discount is cost, on some stuff it's cost + 10%, some stuff is cost plus a certain percentage. Depends on what you're buying.

Power Torque are actually not bad. O'Reilly sells Power Torque, Performance Tool, GM Performance, etc., which as far as I can tell are all the same product with different branding. We pull stuff from the returns dept. and most of the stuff is great. Built great, works great, no complaints. If a customer returns something we grab it, and if there's issues who cares, we swap out broken ratchets or whatever and we're good to go.

As far as I can tell these brands are made by Wilmar, so far the stuff we use at work has been great. I have a bunch of socket sets, 3/8" and 1/2" deep well sets, standard sets, that I love to use. They are decent tools, on par with maybe Husky, Kobalt, etc.. If I needed tools at home I'd consider buying them, and not just because I'd get a discount.

It is my understanding that once the patent expires it is free game.

The term of the patent has been changed by Congress a number of times since 1790:
Initially, under the 1790 Patent Act the term could not exceed 14 years.

In 1836, Congress passed the Patent Act (5. Stat 117, 119, 5) which amended the statute to provide a term that could last for 21 years by providing for a 7 year extension from and after the expiration of the first term.

In 1861, Congress again changed the term to 17 years with no extension.

http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/patent-term-calculator

S

ScottsGT

Well-known member

May 20, 2016

#4

Meh...Imagine knowing your Dad invented this and the only thing he got was a $900 check from Uncle Sam.

OP

R

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

May 20, 2016

#5

LB-1911 said:
"Who The Hell Is Power Torque Tools?"

Appears to be the O'Reilly house brand.

04-15-2015

It is my understanding that once the patent expires it is free game.

The term of the patent has been changed by Congress a number of times since 1790:
Initially, under the 1790 Patent Act the term could not exceed 14 years.

In 1836, Congress passed the Patent Act (5. Stat 117, 119, 5) which amended the statute to provide a term that could last for 21 years by providing for a 7 year extension from and after the expiration of the first term.

In 1861, Congress again changed the term to 17 years with no extension.

http://www.uspto.gov/patent/laws-and-regulations/patent-term-calculator

You are right on all accounts... I just thought it was funny is all.

At the end of the day, this was a pretty innovative wrench in its time... However, my great uncle stopped selling the Cochran Speednut for a reason - better ideas floated to the top, leading to more effective universally sized wrenches.

The new "PowerTorque" wrench is currently Patent Pending...

V

visiting guest

Well-known member

May 20, 2016

#6

the bob vila nut rounder and other knuckle buster and nut and bolt destroying 1 size almost fits tools and bizarre socket sets arrive in the flash in the pan 15 minutes of fame late night infomercial cloak.

sometimes a person sees another's idea and runs down to the patent office and files on it. but actually did not come up with the idea.

tesla and marconi radio patent comes to mind
or delayed windshield wiper switch

4

4t64rd

Well-known member

May 20, 2016

#7

You coulda named the H.A.M.B. "Speednuts"

J

jgschroeder99

Well-known member

May 21, 2016

#8

They used to be labeled GM Performance Parts tools. I bought the 1/2" drive deep metric socket set below (GM4220) from O'Reilly a couple years ago in a moment of desperation. I'm not sure when the name change occurred or why, but I think the part #'s are still the same (and even start with GM). They are decent quality for a house brand.

U

USAFpj

Well-known member

May 21, 2016

#9

ScottsGT said:
Meh...Imagine knowing your Dad invented this and the only thing he got was a $900 check from Uncle Sam.

What?? Scott, did he invent the model you show and/or the CGU 5K pound strap as well? I used the yellow one all the time, but for most applications, the CGU tie down is what I used in the C-130/MH-47/HH-60g.

K

Katodog

Well-known member

May 21, 2016

#10

LB-1911 quoted what I would generally say about O'Reilly tools. I use these brands of tools every day and have no problems with them. The goofy-looking wrench though, I wouldn't use it. I don't use gimmicky stuff...

O'Reilly isn't making the tools so your beef isn't with them, and we're not the only place you can buy them. Amazon, for one, has the same stuff that we have.

As for incompetent...you find imbeciles no matter where you go, not just at O'Reilly. Chances are you have morons where you work too, and if you can't identify them, then the sad news is that it's probably you.

K

Kev442

Well-known member

May 21, 2016

#11

I wish I knew what happened to my speed wrench. It would not pivot easily anymore, but it was neat. I might have gotten pissed off and tossed it. I should not have done that.

K

Katodog

Well-known member

May 21, 2016

#12

Here's one of my ratchets...with a GM part number...

PowerTorque GM6146 by Edward Durbin, on Flickr

OP

R

Ryan

Administrator

Staff member

May 22, 2016

#13

Katodog said:
LB-1911 quoted what I would generally say about O'Reilly tools. I use these brands of tools every day and have no problems with them. The goofy-looking wrench though, I wouldn't use it. I don't use gimmicky stuff...

O'Reilly isn't making the tools so your beef isn't with them, and we're not the only place you can buy them. Amazon, for one, has the same stuff that we have.

As for incompetent...you find imbeciles no matter where you go, not just at O'Reilly. Chances are you have morons where you work too, and if you can't identify them, then the sad news is that it's probably you.

I'm sure there are competent parts store guys out there somewhere, but in my adventures I've run across only maybe two or three. 99.9% of the time I go into any large parts chain, I'm met with the same old cliche:

"What year, make and model?" This, followed by a blank stare...

It is what it is man... And I think if you asked anyone that worked on cars for a living, you get the same general impression. Parts guys don't really exist anymore. They've been replaced by a computer.

S

ScottsGT

Well-known member

May 22, 2016

#14

USAFpj said:
What?? Scott, did he invent the model you show and/or the CGU 5K pound strap as well? I used the yellow one all the time, but for most applications, the CGU tie down is what I used in the C-130/MH-47/HH-60g.

Not sure of the different ones, but dad was a Loadmaster. Second one to make CMSgt in the history of the USAF. His buddy beat him by one day

.
He was the first Loadmaster to ever strap a load down in a C-130. Did it for the Brass at Langly when Lockheed was showing it off. And he broke their new airplane. Asked the engineer for a load spreader. Guy went into a tyrade about the new C-130 was designed to not need load spreaders. He changed his mind when Dad put the wheels of the Howitzer through the floor.
He also worked with Lockheed on the C-5A test team. Had something to do with the way the front landing gear fits without being in the loading ramp. Also designed the scissors lift platform used to load the C-5.
If you have a way of looking up Air Force history, look up CMSgt. James W. Smith. His last duty was the NCOIC of the 437th Mobility Branch in Charleston.

J

joseph.a.owens.9

Well-known member

May 22, 2016

#15

Ryan said:
I'm sure there are competent parts store guys out there somewhere, but in my adventures I've run across only maybe two or three. 99.9% of the time I go into any large parts chain, I'm met with the same old cliche:

"What year, make and model?" This, followed by a blank stare...

It is what it is man... And I think if you asked anyone that worked on cars for a living, you get the same general impression. Parts guys don't really exist anymore. They've been replaced by a computer.

We have a real parts guy at our local Napa. His family has owned the place for ages. His grandpa started it when his dad was young. He just sold it a few years ago but still works there

Sent from my SM-G530R4 using Tapatalk

M

Mastermind

Well-known member

May 22, 2016

#16

With Orielly's you need to get the first call number. That's the guy hiding in the back that does the shop orders. I walk in the back door at our Orielly's and get everything I need.

1

1949 caddyman

Well-known member

May 22, 2016

#17

I look up the parts on line before going to the store, check availability & note part #.

L

LegacyIndustrial

ALLIANCE MEMBER

May 22, 2016

#18

Try asking them to find you a fuel-filter based on the one you have in your hand without a part number. Total freeze up followed by "oh we can't do that" sigh.

L

L.Cheapo

Well-known member

May 22, 2016

#19

visiting guest said:
the bob vila nut rounder and other knuckle buster and nut and bolt destroying 1 size almost fits tools and bizarre socket sets arrive in the flash in the pan 15 minutes of fame late night infomercial cloak.

Thank you. I needed a good laugh today. :beer:

S

sodbuster

Member

May 22, 2016

#20

Ryan said:
Parts guys don't really exist anymore. They've been replaced by a computer.

Guys? ^^Michelle is still around and still working for Oreilys. I saw her a month or so back getting parts.

Chris
KC,MO

Last edited: May 22, 2016

H

HomeTheaterMan

Well-known member

May 26, 2016

#21

I worked at a parts store in college and made less than $10 an hour. Most of the non-managers made $8 an hour. For those kind of prices, you aren't going to get many people that are knowledgeable about car parts. If they are, they are likely a mechanic making a lot more money.

On the occasion that you did get someone that knew a decent amount such as myself, or one of the few other guys I worked with that did know a lot, it's simply not worth our time to try to match something up like this. We were often understaffed, super busy, swamped with work unloading the truck in the back, etc. Then we were judged by management based on the dollar amount of stuff we sold. So if I spent 30 minutes trying to match a fuel filter up for you, I'd likely have other customers complaining, some of which may call corporate (looks horrible on me). I'd also likely have a $10 sale while the other employee working sold $200-300 in the same amount of time. When we had store meetings I'd get reprimanded for not meeting my sales goals and I certainly wouldn't ever get promoted.

All of this would have most likely lead to me telling you that I didn't have way to match it up for you. While that's not completely true, it's not practical for me to spend the time that it takes to do this for you. While you leave unhappy, most customers of this nature will never call corporate to complain and the next 10 customers will spend much more money and leave happy. If things were slow, I'd have been glad to match something like this up, but those times were rare.

The moral of this story is that it's not always the parts counter guys fault, but often the unrealistic expectations that upper management places on employees that are already working for near minimum wage.

LegacyIndustrial said:
Try asking them to find you a fuel-filter based on the one you have in your hand without a part number. Total freeze up followed by "oh we can't do that" sigh.

R

Ratsofftoya

Well-known member

May 28, 2016

#22

Amen Brother

C

cyclopsblown34

Well-known member

Jun 17, 2016

#23

SloReilly here in town is bad enough, I go to AutoZone for quick service. We hired the one good guy at SloReilly to be our warehouseman.

J

Jarhead0408

Well-known member

Jun 18, 2016

#24

ScottsGT said:
Not sure of the different ones, but dad was a Loadmaster. Second one to make CMSgt in the history of the USAF. His buddy beat him by one day .
He was the first Loadmaster to ever strap a load down in a C-130. Did it for the Brass at Langly when Lockheed was showing it off. And he broke their new airplane. Asked the engineer for a load spreader. Guy went into a tyrade about the new C-130 was designed to not need load spreaders. He changed his mind when Dad put the wheels of the Howitzer through the floor.
He also worked with Lockheed on the C-5A test team. Had something to do with the way the front landing gear fits without being in the loading ramp. Also designed the scissors lift platform used to load the C-5.
If you have a way of looking up Air Force history, look up CMSgt. James W. Smith. His last duty was the NCOIC of the 437th Mobility Branch in Charleston.

Scott, my Grandmother passed away from COPD in that same hospital.

P

Plombob

Well-known member

Jun 26, 2016

#25

Ryan - Here's a wrench I was gifted 30 years ago. Made in Japan. You can have it if you want it.

View media item 61653
View media item 61654

Last edited: Jun 26, 2016

M

mjoekingz28

Well-known member

Jun 27, 2016

#26

jgschroeder99 said:
They used to be labeled GM Performance Parts tools. I bought the 1/2" drive deep metric socket set below (GM4220) from O'Reilly a couple years ago in a moment of desperation. I'm not sure when the name change occurred or why, but I think the part #'s are still the same (and even start with GM). They are decent quality for a house brand.

I have a few of each. GM and PT. seem identical. Taiwan. I just greased the inside of the 3/8 ratchet with triflow and chassis grease. The extensions are knurled, feel great in the hands and show great quality chrome.

M

mjoekingz28

Well-known member

Jun 27, 2016

#27

Katodog said:
LB-1911 quoted what I would generally say about O'Reilly tools. I use these brands of tools every day and have no problems with them. The goofy-looking wrench though, I wouldn't use it. I don't use gimmicky stuff...

O'Reilly isn't making the tools so your beef isn't with them, and we're not the only place you can buy them. Amazon, for one, has the same stuff that we have.

As for incompetent...you find imbeciles no matter where you go, not just at O'Reilly. Chances are you have morons where you work too, and if you can't identify them, then the sad news is that it's probably you.

I generally enjoy talking to everyone at all of the parts houses that care.

F

four.cycle

Well-known member

Jan 17, 2026

#28

Power Torque / "Power Torque" see Ozark Automotive Distributors, Springfield, MO / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/who-the-hell-is-powertorque-tools.329396/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...ue-double-box-offset-wrench-set-17-99.477199/ / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...s-now-so-lets-talk-about-power-torque.287913/ /

Ozark / Ozark Automotive Distributors, 233 S. Patterson, PO Box 1156, Springfield, MO 65801 / O'Reilly Auto Parts / https://www.oreillyauto.com/ / est. 1957 / distributors of "Power Torque" tools manufactured in Taiwan (ROC) / TM 85981234 Apr 8 2014 first use Jun 17 2013 "Power Torque" / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...s-now-so-lets-talk-about-power-torque.287913/ /

"Ozark", now more commonly known as "O'Reillys Auto Parts", has 6,000 retail locations worldwide.

The "Power Torque" brand was formerly called "GM Performance Parts":

GM / "GM Performance Parts" dufunct tools private label brand of O'Reillys Auto Parts / Ozark Automotive Distributors, Springfield, MO / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/gm-performance-parts-tools.202905/ /

Power Torque Tool online catalog

====

O'Reilly's (aka "Ozark") also distributes the "Performance Tool" brand, which was formerly known as "Wilmar".

Performance / Performance Tool see Wilmar /

Wilmar / Wilmar LLC, 20413 59th Place Ss. #160, Kent, WA 98032 / est. 1971 / importers of "Performance Tool" brand of hand tools /

Wilmar / Performance Tool online catalog

W

wolf_from_wv

Well-known member

Jan 20, 2026

#29

Ryan said:
I'm sure there are competent parts store guys out there somewhere, but in my adventures I've run across only maybe two or three. 99.9% of the time I go into any large parts chain, I'm met with the same old cliche:

"What year, make and model?" This, followed by a blank stare...

It is what it is man... And I think if you asked anyone that worked on cars for a living, you get the same general impression. Parts guys don't really exist anymore. They've been replaced by a computer.

The guy at Autozone told me they do not sell shock absorbers for the Ford Focus. They only sell shocks. The shock absorber is the rubber piece that goes on the shock.

O'Reillys does have some..... interesting..... tools.

B

Banjorear

Well-known member

Jan 20, 2026

#30

joseph.a.owens.9 said:
We have a real parts guy at our local Napa. His family has owned the place for ages. His grandpa started it when his dad was young. He just sold it a few years ago but still works there

Sent from my SM-G530R4 using Tapatalk

If you walk into a NAPA and you see a grey haired dude behind the counter, chances are you are going to get what you need. My favorite is when they go to the "books" and not the computer.

That said, the NAPA in Flemington, NJ has a younger guy working there along side the grey beards who knows his stuff too.

J

Jtels85

Well-known member

Jan 22, 2026

#31

Banjorear said:
If you walk into a NAPA and you see a grey haired dude behind the counter, chances are you are going to get what you need. My favorite is when they go to the "books" and not the computer.

That said, the NAPA in Flemington, NJ has a younger guy working there along side the grey beards who knows his stuff too.

My local NAPA is run by a couple of older guys who smoke cigarettes at the counter. When you walk into the store, it hits you in the face. They give 0 shits. Most of their business is through local shops and dealerships, not too much walk-in customers. He always runs me under the house account and gives fleet pricing. They appreciate my business and I appreciate them. They know what they're doing.

S

Steve_P

Well-known member

Jan 23, 2026

#32

My local NAPA is locally owned, not corporate, and the counter guys are good. If you walk in and tell them you need a quart of SAE 30 non detergent oil and a CR #12345 oil seal, they will not ask you dumb questions about the oil request, they'll go get it, and they'll look the seal up in the books or cross reference it in the computer - and not ask you 20 questions about what it's for, what year, your mother's maiden name... You typically can't do this on their website to see if they have it in stock, but they can do odd requests like the seal example at the counter. I'm going to get nowhere doing this at any of the other "big three" chain parts stores in town other than have them point me to the oil aisle.

Z

zimman

Well-known member

Jan 23, 2026

#33

The only thing missing at O'Reilly's is bar stools and ash trays. I've worked for all of them and they are the worst company hands down. Good stocks tho. LOL They still have all the outdated catalogs in the back. There's no paper catalogs at Autozone. All of these companies have the same basic POS (point of sale) and want year make and model to get started. Very few countermen that have memorized part numbers including me. Too many to give a **** about and you still have to access the system to check for accuracy.
Zim

F

four.cycle

Well-known member

Jan 23, 2026

#34

^ Costs way too much money to print paper catalogs, most of which end up in dumpsters. Far easier to do it with *.pdf files.
Paper catalogs have pretty much gone the way of the dinosaur.

Auto parts retail chains are no longer dependent on old, cigarette-smoking "experts" - that ship sailed long ago.
Anybody with half a brain still functioning can get into those computers and find what they're looking for 95% of the time.
That's all the stockholders are concerned with. The other 5% take up too much time and aren't profitable to deal with.

S

Steve_P

Well-known member

Jan 24, 2026

#35

O'Reiley's in my town is a sad place. Sorry. The store itself is fine, they can actually order me a single NGK spark plug, but otherwise....

Let me know if any of you can walk up to the counter in Auto Zone, OReileys, Advance, and order a CR #12345 seal. As I said above, I cannot. "Year, make, model...." No, I just want a GD oil seal for an ancient power steering pump and I told you the PN. That's everything you need to know. But it's not because they apparently cannot cross reference a seal number; but NAPA can. Again, I'm talking about walking up to the counter, not talking to the secret guy in the back that helps the auto repair shops.

F

Farmall450

Well-known member

Jan 24, 2026

#36

Steve_P said:
O'Reiley's in my town is a sad place. Sorry. The store itself is fine, they can actually order me a single NGK spark plug, but otherwise....

Let me know if any of you can walk up to the counter in Auto Zone, OReileys, Advance, and order a CR #12345 seal. As I said above, I cannot. "Year, make, model...." No, I just want a GD oil seal for an ancient power steering pump and I told you the PN. That's everything you need to know. But it's not because they apparently cannot cross reference a seal number; but NAPA can. Again, I'm talking about walking up to the counter, not talking to the secret guy in the back that helps the auto repair shops.

I've been able to use both the O'Reilly's and NAPA websites to find CR seals. I've also had no problem just asking the guy after telling him that I have the P/N I need, and just want an ETA. O'Reilly's in particular will say call store for stuff not in stock. Never been an issue.

How are you communicating? I say "hey, I have a P/N, can you let me know when you can get it & how much it'll cost?"

Never been an issue...

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