Hey there folks. New to the journal. Just curious, I was at NAPA today checking out the Carlyle tools cause I've heard good things about them. The counter guy told me that the people who design their ratchets are the same as Snap-On. I know its not the same as where their made but does anyone out there have any experience with the Carlyle ratchets/wrenches and how they put up with everyday use? Thanks in advance.
Snap-On Carlyle Relation?
- Thread starter MeTanto
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Strouty
Well-known member
I think the guy who designed carlyle ratchets is the guy who leaked the jennifer lawrence nudes.
JDon99
Well-known member
Never take what the guys at the counter says as being true, most of them are idiots these days.
wornoutoldman
Well-known member
Shouldn't this be posted in the conspiracy thread?
Just like every brand out there you will find mixed reviews online, obviously you have a local store. If it feels good in your hand, Buy it and forge your own review and report back.
Strouty
Well-known member
The problem I have had with NAPA tools is that they keep changing things dramatically. Tools that I bought a few years ago are no longer available and the replacements are worth pennies on the dollar as far as my original purchase.
Strouty
Well-known member
The next step could be harbor freight quality. My guess is it wouldn't but you get my point.
They tried to swap out a good USA made KD allen head socket for a cheap import version. I was not impressed at all.
BirdMobile
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I have 4 Carlyle ratchets and 3 Snap On. I don't see much similarity, other than the things common to most pear head ratchets on the market. I like the chrome on the Carlyle ratchets better than the Snap Ons, and the Carlyle ratchets DEFINITELY have smoother feeling ratcheting mechanisms and less back drag than the Snap Ons. However, for anything heavy-duty, I always grab a Snap On... could be psychological, but I just trust them more.
@OP Case and Point, I just got done selling a slug of Carlyle tools and the ratchets even the fine tooth ratchets felt squirrelly to me, and not even in the same ballpark in back drag compared to my Dual 80's. As far as Chrome? IMO a good chrome is one that will be durable over time, Not shine out of the box, and IMO Carlyle hasn't been on the market long enough to win me over. Obviously that doesn't mean the above poster is wrong, he is entitled to his opinion, which is why is suggested you forge your own opinion.
BirdMobile
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Full disclosure: I have cleaned and applied RLL (the "Red Lube of Love", Permatex Ultra Slick engine re-assembly lube) on all of my Snap On and Carlyle ratchets, which makes a HUGE difference. The Carlyle ratchets don't come "bone dry" from the factory like Kobalt ratchets, but the lube Carlyle uses doean't seem that good. Very different feel after cleaning and RLL'ing them.
My Carlyle ratchets and my Kobalt 1/4 drive ergo ratchet are all quite a bit smoother than my Dual-80 TLL-72 and F80 Snap On ratchets, very noticeably.
I'm not a big fan of RLL, I tried it 4-5 years ago when Merk was was pushing it so hard, it seemed to make everything a hot mess. I'll agree that the TLL72 (72 tooth, dual 80 tech in general) isn't near as smooth as the bigger drives and that is probably amplified with the long handle of the TLL72, but your comment about the F80 really surprises me, That's why we have choices I suppose.
stratman977
Well-known member
This guys point is simply just another coo argument that anything not usa is junk. I have sockets and wrenches from the old danaher made line and the new carlyle stuff and they are both high quality. The words cheap, low quality, junk, etc are not words you would associate with the carlyle stuff unless youre throwing stones without trying them and giving it a fair chance.
That being said I think their 90 tooth ratchet design is weak. I broke my regular length 1/4 inch drive version a few times already. It was dry as a bone when it got it but lube doesn't seem help it much. The 60 tooth is a decent ratchet though.
And to the point where they keep changing stuff, NAPA sold the same tool line for30 years. They had some contract issues with danaher from what I understand and they ended up swithing over to carlyle. I don't see them doing anything major with carlyle in the forseeable future.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The only relationship between NAPA's Carlyle brand and Snap on is that both brands want you to buy their tools. 
Seriously though, as I have posted here before many members of this forum won't accept a Taiwan made tool line regardless of how good it is.
I have a few Carlyle tools that i picked up when they first came out a couple of years ago. 1/4 stubby comfort grip ratchet, a 9 inch flex head 90 tooth ratchet with comfort grip, 3/8 and 1/4 mm sockets, and a metric set of combination wrenches with the teeth on the open end. I've been more than happy with the performance of my Carlyle items. everything has great fit, feel, and durability. Their ratchets internally resemble the Armstrong/Gearwrench/Matco/other floating pawl design. They are much more simpler internally than an F80 or T72 series ratchet.
Trying to say any tool is as good as snap on, or that all snap on brands are created equally, is merely a marketing ploy designed to get more money.
Choice is a great thing to have. Carlyle offers an affordable (especially with a NAPA commercial account) line of tools that can be delivered to to your shop if you deal with NAPA.
However, don't buy anything thinking it's the same as Snap on unless it says Snap on on it. Not saying snap on doesn't make it bad, it's just not snap on.
Seriously though, as I have posted here before many members of this forum won't accept a Taiwan made tool line regardless of how good it is.
I have a few Carlyle tools that i picked up when they first came out a couple of years ago. 1/4 stubby comfort grip ratchet, a 9 inch flex head 90 tooth ratchet with comfort grip, 3/8 and 1/4 mm sockets, and a metric set of combination wrenches with the teeth on the open end. I've been more than happy with the performance of my Carlyle items. everything has great fit, feel, and durability. Their ratchets internally resemble the Armstrong/Gearwrench/Matco/other floating pawl design. They are much more simpler internally than an F80 or T72 series ratchet.
Trying to say any tool is as good as snap on, or that all snap on brands are created equally, is merely a marketing ploy designed to get more money.
Choice is a great thing to have. Carlyle offers an affordable (especially with a NAPA commercial account) line of tools that can be delivered to to your shop if you deal with NAPA.
However, don't buy anything thinking it's the same as Snap on unless it says Snap on on it. Not saying snap on doesn't make it bad, it's just not snap on.
Strouty
Well-known member
This guys point is simply just another coo argument that anything not usa is junk. I have sockets and wrenches from the old danaher made line and the new carlyle stuff and they are both high quality. The words cheap, low quality, junk, etc are not words you would associate with the carlyle stuff unless youre throwing stones without trying them and giving it a fair chance.
That being said I think their 90 tooth ratchet design is weak. I broke my regular length 1/4 inch drive version a few times already. It was dry as a bone when it got it but lube doesn't seem help it much. The 60 tooth is a decent ratchet though.
And to the point where they keep changing stuff, NAPA sold the same tool line for30 years. They had some contract issues with danaher from what I understand and they ended up swithing over to carlyle. I don't see them doing anything major with carlyle in the forseeable future.
Putting words in people's mouths?
jjjrmx5
Well-known member
But you know, if NAPA sold Carlyse tools at a good and fair market price they would actually be both highly acceptable and easy to warranty.
I know large acccounts get deep discounts on tool purchases, but suggested retail parice gets Carlysle up into the fringe of tool truck pricing.
Thus the struggle with the brand.
As for Snap-On and Carlyse by the OP, uhhhhh..No.
As mentioned above, if Snap-On loaded its CAD dwgs into the iCloud and they were hacked by Taiwanese and Chinese tool makers and mfgr hackers looking for nekkid pics is the closest relationship and resembelence you can get for me.
I don't hate on Carlyse nor Evercraft for hand tools, I have both. Unless on a deal they can be very overpriced, but if found a fair price, they are very very capable.
Seriously though, as I have posted here before many members of this forum won't accept a Taiwan made tool line regardless of how good it is.
Exactly that, the Taiwan Carlyle stuff is much nicer than their old US (Danaher I think?) tools they sold.
Askme42
Well-known member
Yep last time I was at napa I asked about some Armstrong tools. I mentioned made in the USA was a big selling for me. He responded with "well almost all of the Carlyle stuff is made in the USA.
What little carlyle i have is great. It's not my snap ons by far. But it's quality.
There fd+ version works good, havent ruined any bolts, with them. And cost is less.
Warranty is easy, call them at the shop, there in 30 mins.
Just give them a try, and make your own thoughts on them.
And the swivel head 100 tooth ratchet, is a Mac clone btw.
There fd+ version works good, havent ruined any bolts, with them. And cost is less.
Warranty is easy, call them at the shop, there in 30 mins.
Just give them a try, and make your own thoughts on them.
And the swivel head 100 tooth ratchet, is a Mac clone btw.
Definitely fresher (more innovation) than the old domestic line, I think you guys take the Coo debates too far, I haven't noticed anything in this thread outside of stroutys comment and I think it was taken out of context a bit. Wasn't there a import line in between danaher and Carlyle?
stratman977
Well-known member
Putting words in people's mouths?
Nope just calling it as I see it.
Yeah, most guys care way too much... They have Evercraft but it's always been their cheap line
Strouty
Well-known member
My point was not really where they were made, that is why I said HF and CHEAP IMPORT. I own good quality import tools.
I was trying to say, that NAPA has changed tool lines too many times for my liking. I bought Impact brand impact sockets from them and now if I break one, they are totally different. It's like buying US made craftsman wrenches and getting import ones in exchange, I am not happy about that either. If I bought the new Carlyle stuff, I would be fine with getting carlyle in return. I have nothing against Carlyle, I actually have no experience or opinion on them for that matter. I use the **** out of my sunex impact sockets, gearwrench ratcheting wrenches, and many other quality imports. I would prefer to buy USA, but I am not a COO fanboy. I buy the best tool for the money. If I do spend good money on a tool, I expect to get the same quality exchange from a warranty, that was my point.
I was trying to say, that NAPA has changed tool lines too many times for my liking. I bought Impact brand impact sockets from them and now if I break one, they are totally different. It's like buying US made craftsman wrenches and getting import ones in exchange, I am not happy about that either. If I bought the new Carlyle stuff, I would be fine with getting carlyle in return. I have nothing against Carlyle, I actually have no experience or opinion on them for that matter. I use the **** out of my sunex impact sockets, gearwrench ratcheting wrenches, and many other quality imports. I would prefer to buy USA, but I am not a COO fanboy. I buy the best tool for the money. If I do spend good money on a tool, I expect to get the same quality exchange from a warranty, that was my point.
Strouty
Well-known member
Nice to know, but I would not pay my local NAPA's inflated prices for sunex tools. Amazon had the best prices when I was looking.
I guess my point is, when I break my "Impact" branded socket and they want to replace it with a sunex that is half the price I would be upset.
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Strouty
Well-known member
... and they have been for years before Carlyle even existed
Explain that a little slower?
The NAPA Pro (Sunex) impact sockets were here long before Carlyle. If you bought a NAPA impact socket a few years ago you're still getting the same socket from the same manufacturer. They were being sold at the same time as the old Danaher line of sockets.
Strouty
Well-known member
Mine are "IMPACT" brand and they are (or were) made in the USA. They are probably older than I remember.
When does Amazon not? I like my NAPA store so I buy through them. Plus they deliver to work on 20 minute notice which is nice
bcradio
Well-known member
Strouty
Well-known member
One of the dumbest brand names I have heard in a while
I know, someone had a great marketing strategy…….
MagnumForce
Well-known member
I know Carlyle has some rats that are the exact same as the Craftsman Professional ones...
Buckgnarly
Well-known member
MagnumForce
Well-known member
Ah never saw the discussion, explains why they were comparatively so cheap. Was the COO US or Taiwan on those?
BirdMobile
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Carlyle is mostly Taiwan. Very good Taiwan, from the few pieces I've bought (4 ratchets and half a dozen sockets).
It all works well and I'm happy with it all so far.
It all works well and I'm happy with it all so far.