NAPA tools, any good? This looks like a good deal.

[stratman977]

I have that set, another 3/8" ratchet, and a 10 piece full polish metric combo wrench set sitting in my cart for $67 shipped.

Anyone going to give encouraging words to pull the trigger or is this kindof a "meh" deal for that stuff?

I have the wrenches as well. I have a set of the napa full polish usa made wrenches that are a SAE set. They look identical except for the USA stamp. The one thing I noticed is that if you hold the 1/2" USA made one in one hand and the 13mm taiwan one from cripe in the other the USA one is significantly heavier.

The $10 set from cripe is decent though. Just buy them. If you need some decent tools for personal use they will be more than good. I would buy the 1/4 inch drive set as well cause you will want it later after you get this order.

 

[concealer404]

I can't find the 1/4 set on their site, only on Ebay...

Shipping is cheaper on their site.

Unless i'm being dumb and just missing it?


[edit]

Yep, i'm dumb and just missing it.


I think the only thing i'm wondering at this point is if it's a worthy step up from the Craftsman stuff i have. I already have all of these tools, but i can't say i've been 100% happy with my Craftsman stuff. Or maybe i'd be better served waiting/saving more for some seriously nice stuff.

 

[capnrob97]

I can't find the 1/4 set on their site, only on Ebay...

Shipping is cheaper on their site.

Unless i'm being dumb and just missing it?


[edit]

Yep, i'm dumb and just missing it.


I think the only thing i'm wondering at this point is if it's a worthy step up from the Craftsman stuff i have. I already have all of these tools, but i can't say i've been 100% happy with my Craftsman stuff. Or maybe i'd be better served waiting/saving more for some seriously nice stuff.

I got a set of those metric NAPA wrenches for $10. I keep them in the truck, good wrenches for that price.

 

[concealer404]

Alright, looks like $90 shipped for the wrenches, the 3/8 set, and the 1/4 set.

Someone tell me they're better than the Craftsman stuff.

 

[capnrob97]

The Napa Professional wrenches I got are just as nice as my Craftsman Professional wrenches.

 

[biscuit141]

Alright, looks like $90 shipped for the wrenches, the 3/8 set, and the 1/4 set.

Someone tell me they're better than the Craftsman stuff.

They are better than the Craftsman stuff (I think they are are at least on par quality wise, however they are a better deal, so that makes a WIN)

I will pull the trigger soon. I hope.

 

[biscuit141]

Just to make you feel better here is Lowe's made in Taiwan offering, they are nice but look how expensive they are!

 

[stratman977]

Maybe its just me but I my first impression of the new lowes tool line is that they look like harbor freight quality. Those napa ones have a much better finish and just look like they are higher quality all around than the kobalt. I don't own any of that new kobalt so I can say for its fit or quality.

 

[biscuit141]

Maybe its just me but I my first impression of the new lowes tool line is that they look like harbor freight quality. Those napa ones have a much better finish and just look like they are higher quality all around than the kobalt. I don't own any of that new kobalt so I can say for its fit or quality.

Yeah I think you are right. It's nice to see such a large selection, however i think they are not much more than HF quality at USA prices.

 

[el tanque prohibido]

That Lowes 1/4'' drive 10 piece 6pt. set is about a dollar more than GearWrench at Amazon. The GearWrench set gives you a cooler socket holder:


Amazon

 

[el tanque prohibido]

To give you an idea of what USA prices are, here's a 12 piece Proto 1/4'' drive set at Amazon:

Proto J-47200 at Amazon

 

[stratman977]

To give you an idea of what USA prices are, here's a 12 piece Proto 1/4'' drive set at Amazon:

Proto J-47200 at Amazon

Proto was always priced way higher than the sears and home center usa tool prices, for good reason though. Still though, usa made sockets at lowes priced at $49.99 a set will be hanging there a long time if thats the route they went.

I think napa could do well with a new mid level usa tool line if they weren't priced at snap on levels. The problem with napa is their stores aren't set up to have a nice display. I would guess most of their tool sales on regular wrenches and sockets are on mechanics that broke their 13mm wrench and wont see the tool truck for another week so they have one delivered with their parts delivery.

 

[plinker]

I think napa could do well with a new mid level usa tool line if they weren't priced at snap on levels. The problem with napa is their stores aren't set up to have a nice display. I would guess most of their tool sales on regular wrenches and sockets are on mechanics that broke their 13mm wrench and wont see the tool truck for another week so they have one delivered with their parts delivery.

The local-ish Napa here has a pretty nice selection of tool's in store, Far bigger then the nearest small Sear's. I have bought a fair bit of stuff from them and I think they have a good market on tool sale's around here. (the area has one Snap-on truck with a big route, and that's about it).


I had bought the 1/4 drive set from Cripe's and it's a very nice set for the money. I keep it in my vehicle tool kit. I should get the 3/8 set, but I dont really need it. They are simply rebranded Gearwrench (Taiwan coo on mine, IIRC).

 

[Fedwrench]

My local napa store owner told me new handtools are in the works, made in usa with tooling purchased in america, high quality **** he said. I will be waiting to see, I will say getting warranty will be very easy as they are local and open 6 days a week!!

The new quarter's Napa Real Deals flyer has several Armstrong socket sets in it. I wonder if this is what he's referring to? They aren't cheap but, they are US made.

 

[biscuit141]

So I went to my local NAPA store to ask about this set. It is 50% off but it is special order and they had none in the store to look at. The sales guy didn't know anything about it and I eft my info and he said he would call me with a price and information about the warranty process because he wasn't sure how that worked either since they don't carry NAPA brand sockets in the store. They did have NAPA Professional impact sockets, but all their other hand tools (chrome sockets, wrenches, ratchets and screwdrivers) were all EverCraft brand made in Taiwan and looked really cheap. It's a shame that they don't carry their NAPA brand hand tools in the store because they would probably sell a lot more of them. The Evercraft just looked cheap.

 

[concealer404]

Well i ordered a bunch of stuff Saturday night, will report with good pictures and general thoughts when i get them in.

 

[biscuit141]

Well i ordered a bunch of stuff Saturday night, will report with good pictures and general thoughts when i get them in.

Hey Concealer, did you receive your NAPA stuff yet?

 

[biscuit141]

My local Napa has all hand tool sets 50% off. They will soon be carrying the Armstrong line of tools in the near future. Was told if I break a Napa branded tool it will be warrantied with a Armstrong

That would be good. However my NAPA didn't have any of the nicer hand tools, so I am thinking any warranty claim will have to be called in in my case.

 

[concealer404]

Hey Concealer, did you receive your NAPA stuff yet?

Finally arrived today!

I am EXTREMELY impressed. This is some seriously nice stuff.

I wish i hadn't bought the wrench set, though. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18. No 17.

1/4" set:

3/8" set:

I normally don't even like this sort of case, but it holds everything in there very tight without making it hard to get them out. Very nice.

Ratchets feel great, have a nice weight to them, nice and smooth 60 tooth. The finish on everything is great, the sockets are nice and solid feeling, the 6-points very precise. I can't wait to use them, and i think i'm going to see if they have a 1/2 drive set. This stuff is an incredible deal!

 

[concealer404]

.... Is there a 1/2 drive set? I can't find one.

 

[stratman977]

The gearwrench 80700 set would be the equivalent to those napa sets in 1/2 inch drive. I don't think napa sells it under their logo though. I haven't been able to find one real cheap yet and my biggest beef with it is that the deep wells aren't a complete set. I really would like a 1/2" drive set in a case that has all the sizes shallow and deep, sae and metric but I haven't found a set like that yet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KD-Tools-Ge...ultDomain_0&hash=item53eb7718a5#ht_1244wt_717

 

[concealer404]

The gearwrench 80700 set would be the equivalent to those napa sets in 1/2 inch drive. I don't think napa sells it under their logo though. I haven't been able to find one real cheap yet and my biggest beef with it is that the deep wells aren't a complete set. I really would like a 1/2" drive set in a case that has all the sizes shallow and deep, sae and metric but I haven't found a set like that yet.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KD-Tools-Ge...ultDomain_0&hash=item53eb7718a5#ht_1244wt_717

Hrmmm.... pretty close, but holy hell that's a tough pill to swallow considering the NAPA prices right now.

 

[biscuit141]

Wow, those sets look great! I really need to pull the trigger. You advise not to buy the wrenches? They look very nice, but I hate skips in wrenches even more than skips in sockets. As far as half in goes, I usually just use my impacts, I haven't had a situation where I've run into clearance issue yet. Also, thanks for posting pics. Are there any 1/4" sockets stored in the cases lid, or are they all on the bottom?

 

[concealer404]

Wow, those sets look great! I really need to pull the trigger. You advise not to buy the wrenches? They look very nice, but I hate skips in wrenches even more than skips in sockets. As far as half in goes, I usually just use my impacts, I haven't had a situation where I've run into clearance issue yet.

Eh, it won't hurt to buy the wrenches. They're pretty damn nice, i'm just a bit OCD and hate skipped sizes. They were cheap enough that they were still a good deal.

I'm going to swing by my local Napa tonite, advertising 50% off sales. Might get my hands on some of the pliers and some stubby ratchets or something.

 

[POPSTAGE2]

Finally arrived today!

I am EXTREMELY impressed. This is some seriously nice stuff.

I wish i hadn't bought the wrench set, though. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 18. No 17.

1/4" set:

3/8" set:

I normally don't even like this sort of case, but it holds everything in there very tight without making it hard to get them out. Very nice.

Ratchets feel great, have a nice weight to them, nice and smooth 60 tooth. The finish on everything is great, the sockets are nice and solid feeling, the 6-points very precise. I can't wait to use them, and i think i'm going to see if they have a 1/2 drive set. This stuff is an incredible deal!

Thats all the "NHT" line made by Danaher which are ALL made in the USA. I've warrantied the individual sockets, ratchets, wrenches, ect all the time...the warehousess stock most individual tools.
With that being said, the NHT line is going away. Replaced (not by Armstrong, we've had Armstrong forever) but replaced by an all new company named Carlyly. They will source everything to be competitively priced...but not from China. It will come in at about 2/3rds the price of the NHT line.
Most all tool lines are sourcing now, my tool rep says even Snap-On. Don't know if that is true but that is what he says? Anyone?

My rep seems to be excited about the new line now that he saw some of the tools. The ratchets have a finer "click" than the SO's, by way of an extra wheel and everything else is as nice as the NHT line...we will see!

BTW- that is a smokin deal on those...congrat!

Guy
(just a local napa store owner)

 

[cgv69]

I've been looking for a cheap but decent toolset in a blowmold case like this that I can leave in the truck or lend out and this looks perfect. Too bad Cripes shipping rates ****!

 

[biscuit141]

I've been looking for a cheap but decent toolset in a blowmold case like this that I can leave in the truck or lend out and this looks perfect. Too bad Cripes shipping rates ****!

Their shipping rates do ****, 25% of my order will be shipping, however other places have the set priced much higher so i guess it all comes out in a wash.

 

[concealer404]

I've been looking for a cheap but decent toolset in a blowmold case like this that I can leave in the truck or lend out and this looks perfect. Too bad Cripes shipping rates ****!

I didn't find the rates bad at all. I paid $90.68 shipped for what you see above.

It came in a pretty damn big box, and it wasn't light. These are solid heavy tools. Easily a 20-30lb box total. You can't really expect the shipping costs to be $10 for that. Shipping was $23.23, coming from Idaho. Entirely reasonable.

I'm shipping an ECU today. The entire package weighs maybe 3lbs, 9x3x7. It's going to cost me about $11.

 

[biscuit141]

I didn't find the rates bad at all. I paid $90.68 shipped for what you see above.

It came in a pretty damn big box, and it wasn't light. These are solid heavy tools. Easily a 20-30lb box total. You can't really expect the shipping costs to be $10 for that. Shipping was $23.23, coming from Idaho. Entirely reasonable.

I'm shipping an ECU today. The entire package weighs maybe 3lbs, 9x3x7. It's going to cost me about $11.

I guess it could be worse, and you're right they are heavy. I guess I am just becoming spoiled in this day of free shipping. Plus, you would think a company who ships a great deal would get much better shipping rates than you or I could.

 

[concealer404]

It's still a good deal after shipping anyways. I'm PSYCHED i got to only pay $90 for this stuff. I'm calling it one of my best tool purchases of all time at this point.

 

[stratman977]

Hrmmm.... pretty close, but holy hell that's a tough pill to swallow considering the NAPA prices right now.

I know, I can't bring myself to buy that 1/2" set.

If it was complete in the deepwells I may have bought it. I think i'm going to wait to see what the new napa line is like and maybe get a 1/2 inch drive 6 point set from them.

If your'e curious on the deal you got on these here's the gearwrench 3/8 inch set. It has an extra stubby ratchet that the napa doesnt have but missing some of the deepwells.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/57-Piece-3-...ols&hash=item35b831441f&vxp=mtr#ht_1198wt_717

 

[concealer404]

Wow.... maybe i should order a second set of each.

 

[biscuit141]

I would rather have a complete set of sockets than a extra stubby.

 

[powertrip]

Cripe's site is horrible since the change. I have emailed them several times about it.

 

[cantthinkof1]

Thats all the "NHT" line made by Danaher which are ALL made in the USA. I've warrantied the individual sockets, ratchets, wrenches, ect all the time...the warehousess stock most individual tools.

Just fyi, the sets pictured aren't made in USA. Individual replacement sockets and wrenches aren't available yet for these sets, they're completely different from the NHT USA stuff, and the evercraft stuff.

 

[biscuit141]

Cripe's site is horrible since the change. I have emailed them several times about it.

I agree. I was surprised at how little information is provided on some products, how small the pictures are and if you try to enlarge the photo it just blows up the small image so it is pixelated beyond recognition.

 

[biscuit141]

Just fyi, the sets pictured aren't made in USA. Individual replacement sockets and wrenches aren't available yet for these sets, they're completely different from the NHT USA stuff, and the evercraft stuff.

Yeah, I was wondering how the warranty would work if it came to that point. My local NAPA does not have any of these sockets, ratchets or kits in stock. Do you know how the warranty would be handled?

 

[concealer404]

Just fyi, the sets pictured aren't made in USA. Individual replacement sockets and wrenches aren't available yet for these sets, they're completely different from the NHT USA stuff, and the evercraft stuff.

Wrong. I was just at a Napa and they 1) had the sets, and 2) Their catalog part number starts with "NHT."

Unfortunately, apparently the 50% off sale they're having only applies to sets, not to all Napa branded tools.

They DO show a 1/2" set similar to these in their parts books, but it's $220. (On sale from $540)

 

[cgv69]

Thats all the "NHT" line made by Danaher which are ALL made in the USA. I've warrantied the individual sockets, ratchets, wrenches, ect all the time...the warehousess stock most individual tools.
...
Guy
(just a local napa store owner)

Just fyi, the sets pictured aren't made in USA. Individual replacement sockets and wrenches aren't available yet for these sets, they're completely different from the NHT USA stuff, and the evercraft stuff.

So which is it? Popstage says he's a Napa store owner so you would think he'd know? Who are you cantthinkof1 and what is your source of information?

concealer404 - you have a set in hand, what are they marked?

I didn't find the rates bad at all. I paid $90.68 shipped for what you see above.

It came in a pretty damn big box, and it wasn't light. These are solid heavy tools. Easily a 20-30lb box total. You can't really expect the shipping costs to be $10 for that. Shipping was $23.23, coming from Idaho. Entirely reasonable.

I'm shipping an ECU today. The entire package weighs maybe 3lbs, 9x3x7. It's going to cost me about $11.

Maybe like Buscuit I'm spoiled? At first I put one 3/8 set in the cart and checked shipping and it came to over $17. $17 for a $35 item seems pretty damn high if you ignore weight.

I ended up ordering 2 of the 3/8 sets, 1 of the 1/4 sets and one additional item and the total shipping came to $31.29 for a $105 order. I guess that's not horrible considering the weight but I am spoiled by all the free shipping offers out there

 

[concealer404]

So which is it? Popstage says he's a Napa store owner so you would think he'd know? Who are you cantthinkof1 and what is your source of information?

concealer404 - you have a set in hand, what are they marked?

I don't know what cantthinkof1 is talking about, saying the replacements "aren't available yet." These tools have been in production for years.

COO is not marked on the tools that i can see. If anyone goes into their local Napa and has them look up the part number for the sets, it will have "NHT" as a pre-fix on the chart where they're found. Example: 3/8" 62-piece socket set is part number "NHT90928."


The wrenches are made in Taiwan.

Maybe like Buscuit I'm spoiled? At first I put one 3/8 set in the cart and checked shipping and it came to over $17. $17 for a $35 item seems pretty damn high if you ignore weight.

Well why would you ignore weight? That's how shipping is calculated.

I ended up ordering 2 of the 3/8 sets, 1 of the 1/4 sets and one additional item and the total shipping came to $31.29 for a $105 order. I guess that's not horrible considering the weight but I am spoiled by all the free shipping offers out there

That's not bad at all! You'll be impressed.