Dave.R
Well-known member
Similar designs doesn't mean same sources. I try to stay out of the politics. But I can say there are dozens of quality levels on those 27 led lights. Our Maxcraft Light can take a center punch to the lense without a crack.
Why I Buy Tekton
- Thread starter jsharpphoto
- Start date
Dave R., I did not know we had someone on here from the Tekton company. Are you part of a regional sales branch, or a main headquarters? I'm ignorant of Tekton's company structure.
I always get excited when I know we have people in the actual industry among us.
I always get excited when I know we have people in the actual industry among us.
Dave.R
Well-known member
I am on the board as a user, not a representative. While I am not the official representative, I'm always here to help.
My official title is Tool Solutions Manager. I work at the Grand Rapids office. My duties vary but I run the companies end user support and help with new item development.
I understand, and I still think it's awesome. You being on here might just spur me to try some Tekton stuff. Personal connections often guide my dollars.
twertsy
Well-known member
Agreed. Dave, sent you an email.
OP
jsharpphoto
Well-known member
I'm sure you are correct. I've never actually seen your lights in person, nor the composite ratchets. Neither are a product I'm particularly interested in, so I never pursued it. It was mentioned in multiple threads so I just assumed it was true. But it only adds my philosophy that you guys care about what you sell.
Warranty goes a long way, for instance. Titan is the OE of the long flex head ratchets with comfort grip handles and the warranty is limited. Mac sells the 1/2 that is made by titan just branded mac and it has a lifetime warranty. Granted you are paying a lot more from mac.
Zeke
Well-known member
Why would a Tekton rep correct you? You're doing a fine job of impugning HF and he's along for the ride. I simply asked if you can substantiate that HF changes manufacturers every year as you suggest. The way I understand HF's procuring process is that they practically own the factories they buy from. We know that actually owning a factory in Communist China might not be possible for an American company. But I think there are some solid partnerships between US importers and the manufacturers.
I do agree that a lot of the schlock that is in a HF store comes from whoever has the best price and too much of a product on hand. After all, that's pretty much the model for Costco.
I can go 2 miles from my closest HF and buy the stupid welding magnets and that sort of **** for less than HF has it even using a 20% off coupon (which is good for one item whereas I can load up a cart full of junk and it's all cheaper than if I had a store wide 20 % off coupon. What's more, is that if I file a resale card with these jokers, I can get even MORE off, from 15% to 25%. If you run those numbers you can see that I can buy some of the HF **** at 40% less than they have it. (I'm not even going to go into the suggested retail price HF posts on everything.)
The point being, to use your expression, is that HF has room to sell good tools along with their junk items like park benches (which I can buy cheaper). The maroon colored corded tools are the replacement for the old orange ones. I have yet to break an orange corded tool and I use them all the time at home. I carry name brands with me on the truck to jobs for the obvious reasons.
Yes, I'm a little embarrassed to use a HF tool on a job even though I can't break them. There are even some exceptions like the demo hammer and bottle jacks. I don't care what folks think about my 80 dollar demo hammer. I don't have 400 in it like a Makita would cost me.
I think you're wrong about some of what you say about HF. And like every other successful business, HF will continue to capture US market, raise their prices and supply tools that will earn them some respect.
I'm a born skeptic but I try to look at things with fairness. HF continually comes out better for me than the popular opinion here.
One last thing since I have climbed atop a soap box: I have always maintained that if Sears is selling a Chicom floor jack at$180 something and HF has that jack at 99 bucks, I'm buying the 99 job. The same amount of US money leaves the country whether you spend 180 or 100. I'll keep that 80 in my pocket and get more tools.
When I was young and there was no HF, I bought Proto and SK amongst other US brands. I've paid my dues for buying Made in America. Now, I'm not spending SO kind of money for anything. I won't live long enough to get any appreciable use out of SO or other truck brands.
logical
Well-known member
The cream of the ****.
OP
jsharpphoto
Well-known member
Zeke,
I apologize, I thought you were calling me out on a completely different point. About HF changing suppliers...
It's not speculation. Go to the store, flip the packages over and look. The full polish combination wrenches, for instance... They use to be made in China and were considered "good for the money". Now they are made in India. The metal is noticeably softer, and you can bend them buy hand. The full polish has become cloudy. The clicker torque wrenches that the car magazines rave about were made in Taiwan. Stores now have a mix if Taiwan and Chinese torque wrenches as they phase the taiwanese versions out.
I'm not exactly sure what's there to be confused about. Those are the only two examples I can remember right now, because those are the only two items i've PERSONALLY tracked.
I apologize, I thought you were calling me out on a completely different point. About HF changing suppliers...
It's not speculation. Go to the store, flip the packages over and look. The full polish combination wrenches, for instance... They use to be made in China and were considered "good for the money". Now they are made in India. The metal is noticeably softer, and you can bend them buy hand. The full polish has become cloudy. The clicker torque wrenches that the car magazines rave about were made in Taiwan. Stores now have a mix if Taiwan and Chinese torque wrenches as they phase the taiwanese versions out.
I'm not exactly sure what's there to be confused about. Those are the only two examples I can remember right now, because those are the only two items i've PERSONALLY tracked.
OP
jsharpphoto
Well-known member
this isn't helpful to the discussion, but thanks for playing.
619DioFan
Well-known member
My collection of Tekton tools is limited to several sets of impact sockets. I picked these up to outfit a new shop cart. I chose these based on reviews that I read on amazon as well as the video done by woodbridgeva and also because they didn't skip sizes. I have put these sockets to the test using a 40'' x 3/4 drive breaker bar with my 280 lb self yanking on it. also banging away with an impact. these sockets have held up fine. very pleased with the quality.
whitedogone
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jan 20, 2014
- Messages
- 230
I was in a Big R store the other day and they had a huge Tekton display. One side of a whole isle. Plenty of junk in that display. I was hoping to put my hands on a set of the tawain combo wrenches. As long as they continue to choose higher quality vendors, they will sell more tools. If they try to compete with HF price point/quality I think thier sales will go nowhere.
Kirbot
Well-known member
Well, the ratcheting wrenches that used to be Taiwan, ARE going China. I've seen them starting to show up the last few times I've been in HF.
I don't E-buy anything and I'm not in a HF/Tekton market but I can affirm the reasons future buys will be in the 'decent midrange' catagory if I do need something in the future.
In fact I just bought a set of good quality Indian made wrenches for a mobile kit.
Why? They're cheap and more than adequate for what I need them for. The entire kit for 1/5 the price of one Wurth wrench is right in this case.
I have and use high end tools, there is a notable difference but that difference isn't being able to complete the job or not. Fit is good, materials are right but the cheap ones lack that attention to detail the fancy stuff carries. I like those finer details too. But the quantity of use they'll get would never justify laying out the big money.
I will bet the Indian wrenches under that same heavy use the fancy ones get would wear faster however. I own the proof. The tradeoff works sometimes and this is why brands like Tekton work for many of us.
In fact I just bought a set of good quality Indian made wrenches for a mobile kit.
Why? They're cheap and more than adequate for what I need them for. The entire kit for 1/5 the price of one Wurth wrench is right in this case.
I have and use high end tools, there is a notable difference but that difference isn't being able to complete the job or not. Fit is good, materials are right but the cheap ones lack that attention to detail the fancy stuff carries. I like those finer details too. But the quantity of use they'll get would never justify laying out the big money.
I will bet the Indian wrenches under that same heavy use the fancy ones get would wear faster however. I own the proof. The tradeoff works sometimes and this is why brands like Tekton work for many of us.
wild cowboy
Banned
unfortunately HF is going the wrong way on their torque wrenches, the new ones arriving are China, rather than Taiwan, better print that $9.99 coupon from the HF coupon thread and pick up the excellent Taiwan models while they still have a few!
JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN
Well-known member
OP will make great friends with Cowboy... I don't know much about Tekton but the few pictures in this thread seem to be of quality. I feel the OP is very biased of his feelings towards Tekton though but that is his opinion and he is entitled to that.
stovebolt6
Well-known member
In regard to those pics on the first page... I dunno, really? Complaining about scratches on a wrench just seems creepy to me.
many view Tekton as 'comparable to HF' and many owners (not just Dave, which is important to me that real people like them) are saying no, they're improving to a point above HF. They may not reach SK or industrial brands level overnight but so long as they are aiming for between GW and Carlyle as a minimum I'm ok with being patient as they get to that goal.
Cman, Kobalt, and Husky are on their way down to HF standards. GW is not necessarily as good a recommendation as they would have been say a year or two ago, their flagship product is now Chinese made instead of Taiwan for example.
Taken all in context, I like what Tekton say they are doing. I don't own any now but as I may need something new they are now on my radar and I will consider them before some of the lower priced options mentioned.
Cman, Kobalt, and Husky are on their way down to HF standards. GW is not necessarily as good a recommendation as they would have been say a year or two ago, their flagship product is now Chinese made instead of Taiwan for example.
Taken all in context, I like what Tekton say they are doing. I don't own any now but as I may need something new they are now on my radar and I will consider them before some of the lower priced options mentioned.
logical
Well-known member
I don't think the question is about tools that may or may not be the same as HF. I think we are questioning your assertion that you know how HF and other companies are motivated internally and how they make sourcing decisions. That's a pretty broad and really impossible thing for an outsider to pass judgment on.
I see you scolded me for commenting earlier... that's fine, you didn't like what I said or how I said it but it summed up how I feel about the whole thing. I have been all over the world and it's absolutely ridiculous to hear people say that everything from China is bad and everything from the USA or Germany is awesome. The issue is that in general, things made in China are made there to get cost down. It's very possible, but also very hard, to get consistent good quality when things are done thousands of miles away in an environment with intense cost pressure. This, and not some inherent issue with China, the Chinese people or Chinese companies is what leads to what is often 2nd tier quality. It used to be true for anything made in Mexico and Taiwan because they were the low cost manufacturing leader.
HF, Tekton, and many others make decent tools at very good prices. I understand why people buy them and would never tell anyone not to. My tool box is from China, although not from HF. I simply have decided that if possible I'm going to buy better stuff to fill it, even if it costs more. I'm more at the end of my tool buying days than the beginning and here are just too many lightly used and NOS USA made tools still out there for me to look at the low cost stuff. Maybe I'd see it differently if I was starting from scratch and 30 years younger but I'm not.
OP
jsharpphoto
Well-known member
I agree with all of your points. Saying that everything from China is the same, because it's from China, is like saying usa craftsman stuff is as good as snap-on. It's an idiotic concept.
Farmall450
Well-known member
MrJason
Well-known member
Bull,
I can say that I was VERY hesitant about trying Tekton. But, I eventually did.
What I found was more than good tools. Their customer service is second to none. If you call in, you get a real person- that speaks Good Discernible English.
If you write in, you get a response within a hour. If you Tweet them, you get a reply.
When a company can stand by it's product, and provide support to their consumers in a manner where you feel supported by the manufacturer- you have a good fit.
Try that with Snap-On. Try that with Harbor Freight. Try that with most everyone, and you get the run-around. Tekton's quality has more to do with it's consumer support, and less to do with their damn good tools.
Just my input..
Jason
xbeatles4x
Well-known member
I bought both shallow and deep off of amazon a few days ago. So far they work great. I have no issues and I have a complete set with no skips for rather inexpensive. Amazon was having a deal where if you bought $50 or more of tekton products they took off $10.
What some people buy to me, is crazy, and what I buy, I'm certain, to them is crazy. Do I care, nope, not a bit. Be happy with it, enjoy it, that's all that matters. I like Fords, don't care what anyone else thinks of them, what's important is what I think, my experiences. They are different than other people's experiences, many have told me this. Ford's work for me and they work extremely well, have for 35 years, so why not if I like them? Am I brand specific, no, I have and do own other brands as well. Same with tools, buy what you like and what works well for you.
I think I will be trying a set, I need both deep and shallows of 3/8 and 1/2 drives. I am gonna go thru my current impacts and confirm sizes I need/use and order accordingly.
Thank You
sonvolt
Well-known member
I'm looking into a set of their metric angle wrenches, not 100% sold on it yet
MrJason
Well-known member
To avoid what you define as "redundant", tell me what you want to see and I'll post it.
I'm not sure why pictures, (which I don't have a problem in posting) are going to benefit this article- other than to add a sense of validation behind each person's perspective, but hey- what do I know?
Jason
TomB19
Well-known member
Sounds logical.
don't wait, i used their sae angle wrenches for a year or so professionally as an aircraft mechanic and only recently upgraded to matco up to 1" anything over is still tekton. Never had any of them ill fit, split, open or bend on me. And I was/ am rough. Not the best finish, not the greatest metal (they will spread on high torque, but if your dealing with high torque and using an open end or angle your asking for skinned knuckles with any brand) they are not the smallest heads etc etc.. but they do turn nuts. I only replaced out of pure f'ing vanity of wanting pretty tools in my epiq.
logical
Well-known member
I see what you did there.
If I could just stay away from this site I'd be done. I actually used to think having one ratchet and one breaker in each of the 3 basic drive sizes was all I needed. I have more than that now in just my back-up basement box that I almost never use. Somehow two 20 inch 4 drawer Craftsman Rally carry boxes and a few partial board base cabinet drawers became a 21 drawer, 56 inch combo Tool Vault with a cart next to it.
CobraChevelle
Banned
I think the HF Pro sockets are a step below the the gearwrench. only because GW claim the grab the sides of the sockets. I can't speak for some of the other HF tools but there sockets/ratchets I feel are good if not better vs CM. I have not used tekton so i wont comment on them.
hangfirew8
Well-known member
The brand-to-store comparison of Tekton with HF is problematic for me, since HF has so many quality levels at any moment and their OEMs shift around so fast. It's like saying "Sears" instead of "Craftsman", too broad a topic and too much of a moving target, since Sears sells many brands.
The brand-to-brand comparison of Tekton to GW is interesting. I bought two sets of GW's eponymous wrenches 2 or 3 years ago, right after the move to COO China, against my better judgement. I got the flex Metric and straight SAE ratcheting combination sets. Already the chrome is coming off the most-used wrenches of both sets, and a very thin chrome it is, too. There is some brass colored plating (I guess its plating) underneath. I use them primarily for light duty (I never bust tough rusty bolts off with either end) but already the open ends show some dents.
This GW experience has totally put me off of buying Chinese tools again. They're not as bad as the $5 HF socket set I bought in the 90's that literally had a failure on each use, but given their relatively high price positioning on the market versus my current experience, no more GW for me. I'll use the ones I have until they break or I do an ego purchase of Armstrong, but only if I find a really great deal.
I love my Tekton 2938 nut driver set, so much I bought a second set. Nut drivers with the locking indents are too rare and combined SAE+Metric sets unheard of elsewhere. Next I got their COO Taiwan 1/2" impact extensions and adapters which have held up so far.
While I'm impressed with Tekton I'm still not keen to support Capitalistic Communism (whatever that is) nor support the their over-willingness to make junk for the US Market, even indirectly. Yes I know some purchases (like electronics) it's impossible to avoid Chinese products, but where I can, I do, and tools is one of those areas. I will continue to support Tekton for their non-COO China tools, not because Chinese made tools are junk, but because I keep getting burned by Brand China, and somebody's gotta do something about it.
The brand-to-brand comparison of Tekton to GW is interesting. I bought two sets of GW's eponymous wrenches 2 or 3 years ago, right after the move to COO China, against my better judgement. I got the flex Metric and straight SAE ratcheting combination sets. Already the chrome is coming off the most-used wrenches of both sets, and a very thin chrome it is, too. There is some brass colored plating (I guess its plating) underneath. I use them primarily for light duty (I never bust tough rusty bolts off with either end) but already the open ends show some dents.
This GW experience has totally put me off of buying Chinese tools again. They're not as bad as the $5 HF socket set I bought in the 90's that literally had a failure on each use, but given their relatively high price positioning on the market versus my current experience, no more GW for me. I'll use the ones I have until they break or I do an ego purchase of Armstrong, but only if I find a really great deal.
I love my Tekton 2938 nut driver set, so much I bought a second set. Nut drivers with the locking indents are too rare and combined SAE+Metric sets unheard of elsewhere. Next I got their COO Taiwan 1/2" impact extensions and adapters which have held up so far.
While I'm impressed with Tekton I'm still not keen to support Capitalistic Communism (whatever that is) nor support the their over-willingness to make junk for the US Market, even indirectly. Yes I know some purchases (like electronics) it's impossible to avoid Chinese products, but where I can, I do, and tools is one of those areas. I will continue to support Tekton for their non-COO China tools, not because Chinese made tools are junk, but because I keep getting burned by Brand China, and somebody's gotta do something about it.
The Gambler
Well-known member
still wont trust my hands and safety to any tool not make in USA,Germany,england,... dont need to be pulling on a ratchet and it break resulting in my hand going full force into a piece of metal or a cheap wrenches open end spreading...
to each their own..
to each their own..