Carlyle ratchet - switching to a lower tooth count?

[RayV]

I'm a Carlyle tool fan. I started using their 100 tooth Roto ratchet nearly 6 years ago. It has held up pretty well. Since then I have slowly switched over my wrenches and sockets. Tool trucks are too pricey for me and there are no Craftsman stores.

I was at NAPA recently, looking to purchase a Carlyle flex ratchet. They are on sale until the end of the month. Anyway, I noticed that the flex ratchets are now available in 72 tooth models (R38NLFL). Previous models had 90 teeth (R38F90).

I was surprised. I can't recall ever hearing of a ratchet going to a smaller tooth count. Can anyone suggest a reason?

Thanks.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

NAPA is not a manufacturer, but a chain store that purchases goods for distribution and resale. The Carlyle name was given to a line of tools produced in a Taiwan factory FOR NAPA. The 72 count ratchet could be something NAPA specified for the Taiwan Factory to build for them for a certain price point, or it could be what the factory was going to build for customers other than NAPA.. Thinking of this as an off the shelf ratchet at the factory,, the price would be less than tooling up for ratchets specified with a 90 tooth count. These 72 tooth count ratchets could be coming from a different factory... I would have to take My best guess or theory locally; as the local NAPA is the place to go for free coffee and a friendly BS session. Aside from going to the NAPA website, I lack a better place to inquire.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are you talking about the quick release flex head ratchets? Those were never 90 tooth.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Their website still lists 3/8" flex handle round head 100 tooth count, and a 90 tooth count flex head without the quick release, and an extra long locking flex head with a 72 tooth count and quick release. Add that 72 tooth count flex head with the quick release You are looking at; that is four 3/8" drive flex heads currently available.

 

[woody6904]

Their website still lists 3/8" flex handle round head 100 tooth count, and a 90 tooth count flex head without the quick release, and an extra long locking flex head with a 72 tooth count and quick release. Add that 72 tooth count flex head with the quick release You are looking at; that is four of them currently available.

Should also be an R38F somewhere on their site, flex head 60 tooth.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

 

[RayV]

The Roto head was a 100 tooth, the P90 flex head is/was a (R38F90) 90 tooth model. Has anyone seen the R38NLFL? It is in the real deal flyer and at the stores. It is a 72 tooth flex head. I know that the ecatalogue shows a R38F90, but if I try and buy it at the store, I am told that it has been replaced with the R38NLFL.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Should also be an R38F somewhere on their site, flex head 60 tooth.

Sent from my SM-G900P using Tapatalk

Yep, and add in a couple flex head stubby offerings; that makes 7, or is that 8. ??

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The Roto head was a 100 tooth, the P90 flex head is/was a (R38F90) 90 tooth model. Has anyone seen the R38NLFL? It is in the real deal flyer and at the stores. It is a 72 tooth flex head. I know that the ecatalogue shows a R38F90, but if I try and buy it at the store, I am told that it has been replaced with the R38NLFL.

Ray, I will be driving by the local NAPA in the morning. I have time to stop in to enjoy the coffee and BS.. They have a very impressive display of Carlyle right next to the coffee pot, so it will be no problem to check for that ratchet.

 

[RayV]

Ray, I will be driving by the local NAPA in the morning. I have time to stop in to enjoy the coffee and BS.. They have a very impressive display of Carlyle right next to the coffee pot, so it will be no problem to check for that ratchet.

That would be cool. My local store is very small and they have no more than 4 feet of wall space for a display.

One difference that was staring me in the face is that the older ratchet did not have a quick-release and the new one does. One of the previous comments mentioned 'quick-release' and I missed it.

 

[Mr_B]

The 60 tooth and 90 tooth ratchets are best ones in carlyle range (100 tooth rotos also very nice), 60 tooth QR are nice compact heads and nice ratchet action . 72tooth more the usual average taiwan ratchet so if has changed it a price based decision I expect .
If they marketed the brand better and got it in more napas with special offer flyers for account customers the tool line could do well . bit stagnant as is and likely go backwards rather than forwards without marketing tool range expansion.

Trouble is if goes backwards it makes the lifetime warranty bit useless if product range declines in quality/spec .
I like the ratchets, sockets and wrenches but they bit pricey due to uncertainty of brand strength in the retail market .

 

[BDT/NWMN]

The 60 tooth and 90 tooth ratchets are best ones in carlyle range (100 tooth rotos also very nice), 60 tooth QR are nice compact heads and nice ratchet action . 72tooth more the usual average taiwan ratchet so if has changed it a price based decision I expect .
If they marketed the brand better and got it in more napas with special offer flyers for account customers the tool line could do well . bit stagnant as is and likely go backwards rather than forwards without marketing tool range expansion.

Trouble is if goes backwards it makes the lifetime warranty bit useless if product range declines in quality/spec .
I like the ratchets, sockets and wrenches but they bit pricey due to uncertainty of brand strength in the retail market .

Good point to bring up regarding the Lifetime Warranty.. Over the years, NAPA has had various store branded tool lines, manufactured by various manufacturers. If NAPA sold a store branded tool with a lifetime warranty, and that store branded line is no longer available; NAPA will replace the tool with their current offering. I think of it more as a NAPA warranty... Yes, Hopefully, the quality level does stay high enough in their future offerings.

 

[BDT/NWMN]

Ray: The local NAPA did not have the R38NLFL in stock, but They can get one in overnight for the sale price of $54.95.. They did have the mate to Your 100 tooth count round head in stock.. That is a nice ratchet.