Duralast....who makes em

[makgreens]

i searched here and google and couldnt find anything

well long story short im about to start my job at autozone and was looking at the duralast tools while waiting on my interview
they all look a lot like snap-on clones
they are pretty expensive too for an auto parts store brand
but ive heard employees get a discount so i might buy some odds and ends to put together a junkyard box for the back of my truck

anyone knows who makes the tools?

 

[FNFS2000]

somewhere in China for a $1 a piece Unless I'm confused, they never looked very impressive to me, more like crapsman clones.

 

[makgreens]

somewhere in China for a $1 a piece Unless I'm confused, they never looked very impressive to me, more like crapsman clones.

have you een the new ones?
they look identical to snap on...atleast the ratchets and screwdrivers do

 

[Danglerb]

have you een the new ones?
they look identical to snap on...atleast the ratchets and screwdrivers do

Put one of each in your hands and they won't seem so similar.

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

They are ****, really... I had a 3/8 that fell part, asked the parts counter guy is this common with their brand, he siad yes....
Get craftsman,

 

[makgreens]

well does anyone know if they are china or taiwan made?

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

taiwan made,
China and taiwan are same........................

 

[philw]

taiwan made,
China and taiwan are same........................

Not so fast......

As far as manufacturing goes then Taiwan has been far ahead of China. There are political differences as well.

Taiwan seems to know how to heat treat something and China doesn't.

China is catching up but I have seen nothing from them that I would want. There have been reports of the Gearwrench Chinese wrenches failing more often then their Taiwanese predecessors.

 

[FNFS2000]

Been a long time since I was in Wally's but don't they have some duralast electric tools
there?

As for China vs Taiwan, Generally better product comes from Taiwan, but its just a matter of the specs required and who's running the plant. They are capable of putting out as good of product as anyone, people just go to china production for lowest prices and don't get too concerned about quality. If that changes, it will shake the worlds markets. Imagine if the Chinese became as quality oriented as Germany... Highest possible quality at the lowest prices possible, no competition aside from pride of buying from another country...

 

[Mike83]

Not sure where all the bad rap comes from with Duralast tools. See my thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44062

 

[makgreens]

Not sure where all the bad rap comes from with Duralast tools. See my thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44062

looks like ill give one a shot
the only snapon ratchet i own is a dual80 so if its better than the crapsmen and stnaley **** ive been using then ill be happy

 

[Venumb]

looks like ill give one a shot
the only snapon ratchet i own is a dual80 so if its better than the crapsmen and stnaley **** ive been using then ill be happy

I have a set of Stanley 1/2" drive metric sockets I purchased at Walmart about 6-7 years ago. They've more than proved their quality to me. I've not used any other Stanley tools though.

 

[GSteg]

Not sure where all the bad rap comes from with Duralast tools. See my thread:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=44062

I was damn surprised when I first opened up the Duralast because it was strikingly similar to the Snap On. Never had a problem with the Duralast myself. In fact it's my beater ratchet and it seems to be holding up fine. Plus warranty is a whole lot easier with the Duralast than the SO.

 

[makgreens]

I have a set of Stanley 1/2" drive metric sockets I purchased at Walmart about 6-7 years ago. They've more than proved their quality to me. I've not used any other Stanley tools though.

well the 2 ratchets i have arent horrible and are actually better than the crapsmen stuff i have
but i wanna try one of the duralast comfort handle ratchets before i thrown money on a snapon

to bad tool trucks dont come by autozone ha

 

[GSteg]

looks like ill give one a shot
the only snapon ratchet i own is a dual80 so if its better than the crapsmen and stnaley **** ive been using then ill be happy

I would rate the Duralast higher than the Stanley stuff. They feel more comfortable and seems to be built with better quality (did I just say that?). Obviously not a dual 80, but a nice back up. I have a few Dual 80s but I still reach for the Duralast. The only time I even touch the dual 80s is when space is limited.

 

[Warg]

Hmmm... Duralast.... Sounds more like some preservative to me than a tool...

 

[RLRRLRLL]

They are actually decent tools. I have had a part time job at autozone for about a year now, and rarely do we get any duralast stuff back, usally from misuse if the case comes. I actually own quite a few duralast tools and have had zero problems. The ratcehts work great, sockets hold up well, screwdrivers are nice. Sure they are made in Tawain, but so is snap ons lower end Blue Point line...funny how they look similar, maybe its made on the same line and just marked differently. Dont second guess the tools, they are decent. Wait till july when we get the week of 30% off instead of the 20% if you want to make a big purchase. I know a couple mechanics that love the tools, but just like anything else, snap on included, you get a few duds.

 

[makgreens]

They are actually decent tools. I have had a part time job at autozone for about a year now, and rarely do we get any duralast stuff back, usally from misuse if the case comes. I actually own quite a few duralast tools and have had zero problems. The ratcehts work great, sockets hold up well, screwdrivers are nice. Sure they are made in Tawain, but so is snap ons lower end Blue Point line...funny how they look similar, maybe its made on the same line and just marked differently. Dont second guess the tools, they are decent. Wait till july when we get the week of 30% off instead of the 20% if you want to make a big purchase. I know a couple mechanics that love the tools, but just like anything else, snap on included, you get a few duds.

off topic i know and even in my own thread
but how do you like working for autozone?
im waiting on my orientation class so i can actually start working...the holidays have everything screwed up though

 

[mrshaun]

copyright infringement . happens everyday.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

off topic i know and even in my own thread
but how do you like working for autozone?
im waiting on my orientation class so i can actually start working...the holidays have everything screwed up though

I'll private message my opinion...

 

[uhcrandy]

Duralast...That that advertisement in the back of my hot rod magazine...the one with the picture of the *********...Right?

 

[oldtools]

If Snap On is now made in China, I am pretty sure Duralast is made in China as well.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

If Snap On is now made in China, I am pretty sure Duralast is made in China as well.

The ratchets, sockets, wrenches, stuff like that is made in tawain, the pliers are made in china if i remember right. They are actually pretty good tools for the average guy, even some mechanics that use them daily like them. Dont knock it before you try them.

 

[makgreens]

well i finally bought a duralast tool
a 1/4 flex head ratchet and a 1/4 extension

the extension is pretty good...its hard to mess that up

but as far as the ratchet heres my gripes
its not locking....and after only about 5 minutes of use it moved around more than i wanted and the extension was too loose as well
it looks good and the ratcheting device seems really well made
but i guess after my last new ratchet purchase being a dual 80 i was expecting way too much\

ill try a 3/8 next since they look a bit better

 

[RLRRLRLL]

hmm, i havent had any problems with mine. but with mass produced overseas tools, you get duds.

 

[tonydanzah]

i just bought a single 1/4 socket and the package said made in tawain, the quality looks very similar to genius or toptul

 

[RLRRLRLL]

i just bought a single 1/4 socket and the package said made in tawain, the quality looks very similar to genius or toptul

they are decent quality wise. i have a comfort grip 1/2, 24" 1/2 breaker bar,flex 3/8, standerd 3/8, stubby 3/8, and flex 1/4. havet had any issues with them.

 

[64merc]

I couldn't deal with the shame any longer so I sold my Duralast ratchet at my yard sale this weekend. (got $12 for it by the way)

 

[millwrightjesse]

i picked up a duralast flex 3/8 and my guess is that it is made by bluepoint

 

[Pro-Painter]

i picked up a duralast flex 3/8 and my guess is that it is made by bluepoint

That's not a real good guess.... Bluepoint ratchets are quick release and have a much different style to them.

The ONLY connection Duralast has to snap-on is the design. Duralast copied Snap-on's design. Snap-on (blue point) is in no way connected to Autozone or Duralast.


The OEM of Duralast is unknown, But I believe they have something to do with Great-Neck Saw. Either Great-Neck makes Duralast OR Duralast makes great neck because for almost every Duralast tool, Great-neck has the same style tool with minor (important) changes.

For example,
Great-Neck 3/8" flex

Duralast 3/8" flex

Duralast "Ultra light" ratchet.

Great-Neck "Ultra-Light" ratchet

Duralast 24pc Metric socket set

Great-neck 24pc metric socket set

And the list goes on and on, but thats all I feel like looking for.


Although I believe them to have the same OEM, They are in no way the same quality. I put the great-neck beside the duralast before I bought my first one and every aspect was much, much better on the Duralast.

The quality between Duralast & Great-neck is like the difference between Craftsman professional and Craftsman Evolv.

 

[mikevango]

I'll be right back, I am off to the automotive walmart to get one of these trendy ratchets.

 

[ZRX61]

I used Duralast tools *provided* by AutoZombie to swap out my battery a week ago. The stores 'tool box" was actually a pile of tools in a broken box that were left over after customers stole one tool from a pack & rendered the rest unsellable.
Horrible cheap ****, makes Horrible Fright look like SnapOn in comparision..

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I used Duralast tools *provided* by AutoZombie to swap out my battery a week ago. The stores 'tool box" was actually a pile of tools in a broken box that were left over after customers stole one tool from a pack & rendered the rest unsellable.
Horrible cheap ****, makes Horrible Fright look like SnapOn in comparision..

Ha, that is how our box was too!!! When I worked there.

Duralast is made by Great Neck.

 

[mrholeshot]

I laughed my *** off as I read this thread. Regaurdless of who makes Duralast ratchets it's still a good ratchet. You can wear out any tool. Great Neck doesn't make Duralast. They may be made by the same companey but to much differant spec's. It's like saying that Craftsman owns Matco. Just because the same company makes, builds and sells differant brands doesn't mean they are the same. Great neck is to Duralast what Craftsman is to Matco. Just related by a bigger corperation. These is a big differance between the two brands.

 

[jeffk14]

I always just ASSUMED that they were made by the "Danaher/Apex/Stanley/Whatever" group that seems to make a lot of the better quality Asian stuff.

 

[air]

I friggin love my Durlast 3/8 Flex Head, just sayin...

I'm also happy with my Duralast locking extensions. Frankly, the knurling and chrome on them is better than my SK's and equal to my Blue Points. Talk as much trash about Durlast as you want, but I'll be laughing all the way to the bank...

 

[shotgunfatcat]

I laughed my *** off as I read this thread. Regaurdless of who makes Duralast ratchets it's still a good ratchet. You can wear out any tool. Great Neck doesn't make Duralast. They may be made by the same companey but to much differant spec's. It's like saying that Craftsman owns Matco. Just because the same company makes, builds and sells differant brands doesn't mean they are the same. Great neck is to Duralast what Craftsman is to Matco. Just related by a bigger corperation. These is a big differance between the two brands.

You are probably right, my head isn't thinking right today as posted in another thread. I thought I read somewhere that great neck is the actual umbrella company, but I will look into this.

 

[Pro-Painter]

I used Duralast tools *provided* by AutoZombie to swap out my battery a week ago. The stores 'tool box" was actually a pile of tools in a broken box that were left over after customers stole one tool from a pack & rendered the rest unsellable.
Horrible cheap ****, makes Horrible Fright look like SnapOn in comparision..

Everyone that has purchased a Duralast ratchet likes it.. Alot. Yet everyone that has "used" one in store calls it "pure junk" How can that be ?

Their was the kid who "broke a ratchet per week" changing batteries, and now this latest un-detailed post about yet another junk duralast while changing a battery.

That leads me to believe one of three things.
1: The people "using" the ratchets in store are not too bright and are using the broken returned tools that customers have exchanged for new ones.

2: They have never looked at a duralast ratchet and are using the no name socket sets that come in the $1.99 bins and assume that they are "duralast" because, Hey ! it's autozone right!?.
OR
3: They are just the type that believes nothing good can ever come from non USA tools or "AutoZombie" , and have never actuality used one but assume they are junk because the china ratchet they used 20 years ago was junk.



Most of the people who have actually bought duralast tools, also own high quality tools. I know mrholeshot has a large tool collection and I believe "I can fix anything" also has quite a few high quality tools as well. And I own a lot of higher end tools.

I don't see how so many people with experience with such high quality tools could ever confuse a "less then HF quality" ratchet with a "High quality ratchet" How do you think that is? You think the people that talk positive about duralast are liars, or just dip shits that don't know tools?

Ever notice no one ever says "Duralast is just OK" It's either "great ratchet" or "Pure junk". Thats just strange to me.
Everyone that likes their duralast has posted pictues and even very detailed reviews about them. Yet, the people who hate them can never say more then single line comments like "Duralast makes HF tools look like snap-on"

How about you tell us why the Duralast tools you used "makes HF tools look like snap-on"? What about them was junk? where and how did they fail? What Duralast brand tools did you use during your battery exchange?


Got to feed them trolls !

 

[gabeancounter]

lmao


By the way this thread is from 2009. The new ratchets look a little different.

 

[I can fix anything]

lmao


By the way this thread is from 2009. The new ratchets look a little different.

The pear heads have not changed.