Long story short, part of my road box grew legs and among other items,I need to replace the ratchets. I read Pro Painters post showing the old style in the Duralast thread a few days ago and was wondering if someones got a pic of the new style so I can see the difference, can't find one on the internet. Thanks.
Duralast ratchet telling new from old?
- Thread starter nomad69
- Start date
John316
Well-known member
The good ratchets are still in stores along side some rebranded china crapsters. Last I knew you could still special order the comfort grips and stubby. The GOOD ratchet #'s are:
1/4" Chrome #71-416
1/4" Chrome Flex #71-417
3/8" Chrome #73-870
3/8" Chrome Flex #73-871
3/8" Chrome Stubby #73-872
3/8" Comfort Grip #73-873
1/2" Chrome #72-126
1/2" Comfort Grip #72-127
The old style breaker bar is special order for $19.99 #72-124
I am not aware of any "new" ratchets being sold with these part numbers. If it is listed above, it should be the real deal.
1/4" Chrome #71-416
1/4" Chrome Flex #71-417
3/8" Chrome #73-870
3/8" Chrome Flex #73-871
3/8" Chrome Stubby #73-872
3/8" Comfort Grip #73-873
1/2" Chrome #72-126
1/2" Comfort Grip #72-127
The old style breaker bar is special order for $19.99 #72-124
I am not aware of any "new" ratchets being sold with these part numbers. If it is listed above, it should be the real deal.
BigAl62
Well-known member
I have 2 3/8" drive ratchets, both p/n 73-870, but one is cheaper looking than the other. The cheaper looking one came in their 50 piece 3/8" drive socket set, the other I bought a couple of months ago separately. (the 50 piece set is going to my wife's uncle, so I'm not concerned). The cheaper looking one does not feel as good as the other, both in holding it and the feel of the ratcheting mechanism (feels "loose" and sloppy). I will try to get pics tomorrow to show the differences.
John316
Well-known member
I forgot that someone did say that the newer sets contain some "new" ratchets with the original part numbers. For singles though I believe you are still safe.
BigAl62
Well-known member
Here are the pics. The top ratchet is the old style (the good one) and the bottom is the new (the cheap one). The old one has the part number stamped on the cover plate and the new has it stamped on the handle. The old has a slightly longer handle (about 3/8") and has knurling, the new one does not have knurling and is not quite as cleanly cast.
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ro9beam2002
New member
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- May 5, 2012
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hey guys, just picked up these today, pretty sure they are the older ones...
how can i tell when buying the sockets, extensions..etc.. from the new??
here is a list of what i got, the manager also gave me 10% off for buying all these at the same time
1/4"- 71-416
1/4" flex- 71-417
3/8"- 73-870
3/8" flex- 73-871
1/2"- 72-126
with the discount and tax it was around 89 bucks for everything...
so how do i know what to look for in the sockets,extensions, combo wrench ratchets....etc...
how can i tell when buying the sockets, extensions..etc.. from the new??
here is a list of what i got, the manager also gave me 10% off for buying all these at the same time
1/4"- 71-416
1/4" flex- 71-417
3/8"- 73-870
3/8" flex- 73-871
1/2"- 72-126
with the discount and tax it was around 89 bucks for everything...
so how do i know what to look for in the sockets,extensions, combo wrench ratchets....etc...
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biscuit141
Well-known member
What makes the old stock so good and why are the new stock so crappy? What did they change?
John316
Well-known member
As has been discussed before.. AZ has lowered the quality of the most Duralast tools. The ratchets you purchased have not changed. The open stock/single combination wrenches with the blue or red dot are also the "good" Duralast. All else available in stores today is the lower quality/newer stuff.
Some items may still be available via special order and some past threads may help if you are looking for info. I know there were some 3/8 sets you could special order as well as some select items.
This thread may help:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120919
Some items may still be available via special order and some past threads may help if you are looking for info. I know there were some 3/8 sets you could special order as well as some select items.
This thread may help:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=120919
mmack66
Well-known member
The old ones are made in Taiwan, and the new ones are made in China.
astrodoggie3000
Well-known member
The classic bate and switch tactic... 
fourtythree
Well-known member
The "good" ones are still available. Everyone unclench your assholes.
mmack66
Well-known member
The classic bate and switch tactic...
Who is baiting and switching?
Travo131
Well-known member
The classic bate and switch tactic...
I do not think you know what a true bait and switch is.
I know this is an old thread but.... Trying to tell the new from the old and it appears my autozone has a lot of old stuff.
I need a 1/2 ratchet and they have a 72-126 in stock, and looks like all their open stock ratchets are made in Taiwan and have the 'old style' handles.
I also see the 72-127 comfort available via special order
http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...25el?itemIdentifier=557430&_requestid=1275339
Are all of these the "good ones"? Or is autozone swapping junk into these part numbers....
They had one nice Taiwan extra long Phillips driver, but the matching slotted driver was Chinese. (No red on the handle base)
fourtythree
Well-known member
They never stopped selling the "good" ones. The " bad" ones are sold with the socket sets.
