Who makes the new Duralast tools?

[Grokew]

I got a Duralast mechanics tool set and the sockets look the same as the Sata T09511U, Same details like knurled Metrics, smooth SAE etc.

The new screwdrivers also have a really nice handle, that has a square to oval shift similar to the crescent and Sata screwdrivers.

Are they being made by APEX?

Have you guys tried the new style screwdrivers on something that is a lil more heavy duty than fixing a pedestal fan?

 

[dstblj52]

Their apex basically identical to husky

 

[Jtels85]

They’re mostly Apex made. The ratchets and wrenches are GearWrench copies.

I was unaware they had new screwdrivers. I have the Duralast 6 piece Diamond tip screwdriver set and they’re fantastic. I have used them working mainly on golf carts and lawn care equipment. I have zero complaint. They are durable.

 

[dstblj52]

They’re mostly Apex made. The ratchets and wrenches are exact GearWrench copies.

I was unaware they had new screwdrivers. I have the Duralast 6 piece Diamond tip screwdriver set and they’re fantastic.

Ish more like husky then gearwrench imo

 

[Grokew]

They’re mostly Apex made. The ratchets and wrenches are GearWrench copies.

I was unaware they had new screwdrivers. I have the Duralast 6 piece Diamond tip screwdriver set and they’re fantastic. I have used them working mainly on golf carts and lawn care equipment. I have zero complaint. They are durable.

Maybe yours are the same. They used to habe 3 lobular handled screwdrivers now they have this kind https://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/atg/55-004/image/10/

The diamond tipped ones I own have that same handle design.

 

[Fedwrench]

They're SATA made in the PRC. Even a lot of the newer Gearwrench stuff is made in the same SATA plant.

 

[Ton ton]

Nice Philips screwdriver- Duralast brand. Yes, it's better than WF craftsman.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I actually really like the new Duralast stuff. It maybe Apex made but it’s really nice. Nicer than the old stuff that had the color stripes switched around that drove my OCD up the wall lol.

 

[lardy1]

The handle on the 100 position ratchets looks interesting. I really don't need more ratchets though.

 

[Jtels85]

Maybe yours are the same. They used to habe 3 lobular handled screwdrivers now they have this kind https://contentinfo.autozone.com/znetcs/product-info/en/US/atg/55-004/image/10/

The diamond tipped ones I own have that same handle design.

Those are it! The same handle my Diamond tipped screwdrivers have. I also bought the same Duralast Torx screwdrivers individually, T-10 to 10-30 (6 Pc. Total) and use them as well. I have not purchased the individual regular screwdrivers but if the ones I own and use are any indication of good quality, they are probably well worth the money.

 

[AJHD]

They're SATA made in the PRC. Even a lot of the newer Gearwrench stuff is made in the same SATA plant.

And there is a reason for that... Apex owns both SATA and Gearwrench. That's also why some of the newer generations of Gearwrench tools are being made in China and not Taiwan.

And yes, as others have mentioned Apex does make some tools for 3rd party brands they don't own like Husky... I have no doubt Duralast is also among these brands. I have their 10mm socket set from AutoZone and they look like Gearwrench to me.

https://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands-faceting

 

[Grokew]

Thank you for the information.
Now, I wish they sold a 16" long Phillips #2, to match the 16" long 5/16" slotted.

The bit driver included with the mechanics tool set has a really strong magnet, and almost no play when a 1" bit is inserted, but it isn't designed for power bits, so those have quite some play.

 

[Kscardsfan]

They're SATA made in the PRC. Even a lot of the newer Gearwrench stuff is made in the same SATA plant.

The Amazon targeted ads I get on social media etc have certainly given me that impression. It sort of seems like you can basically get the same tools, just changing the paint job on them.

 

[Kscardsfan]

The handle on the 100 position ratchets looks interesting. I really don't need more ratchets though.

Blasphemous talk on these boards.

 

[Jtels85]

Thank you for the information.
Now, I wish they sold a 16" long Phillips #2, to match the 16" long 5/16" slotted.

The bit driver included with the mechanics tool set has a really strong magnet, and almost no play when a 1" bit is inserted, but it isn't designed for power bits, so those have quite some play.

What set did you wind up purchasing?

The 180 Pc. Set has been available for awhile and looks to be fairly comprehensive. It would no doubt cover most needs. Recently, they came out with a 265 piece set in a 3 drawer, blow molded case. They have another set even bigger than that but the pictures and description lead me to believe the tools likely ship in plastic baggies inside of a box.

If that 265 Pc. set goes on sale anytime before Christmas, I might pick one up.

 

[Grokew]

What set did you wind up purchasing?

The 180 Pc. Set has been available for awhile and looks to be fairly comprehensive. It would no doubt cover most needs. Recently, they came out with a 265 piece set in a 3 drawer, blow molded case. They have another set even bigger than that but the pictures and description lead me to believe the tools likely ship in plastic baggies inside of a box.

If that 265 Pc. set goes on sale anytime before Christmas, I might pick one up.

I got the 61-950 180pc set. After reading your post I went searching for the 265 set, but it seems like they don't sell it on the island.

 

[Ign]

My annoyance with Duralast is the consistent change. Find something you like now, it won't be around in a few years. Also makes warranty problematic, if you care about that.

 

[Grokew]

My annoyance with Duralast is the consistent change. Find something you like now, it won't be around in a few years. Also makes warranty problematic, if you care about that.

Well, I must agree. I liked the sockets with the color bands. I was lucky to get a compact 1/4 & 3/8 set, but now I'm left wanting to complete it with bit sockets, and the like but they aren't available.

 

[Badgerstate]

Like the others have said, Apex. Its actually pretty impressive just how many different brands Apex makes and thats not a bad thing.

 

[AJHD]

Like the others have said, Apex. Its actually pretty impressive just how many different brands Apex makes and thats not a bad thing.

It's a double edged sword actually. I realize these are very generalized statements, but...

One side of the blade the company is able to share product and technology between different brands.
Examples would be Snap On having access to Williams or Stanley having access to Proto. Resulting in mostly USA made industrial brands becoming more easily available to the average consumer.

But the other side of the blade is quality usually suffers because mega corporate conglomerates will always minimize their cost vs. profit, and overall quality generally suffers as a result. Example moving manufacturing from the US or Taiwan to China because it's cheaper.

A good example of this would be Apex selling more cheaply made Gearwrench products, even before moving a lot of Gearwrench production from Taiwan to China. Anyone who has owned and used Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches over the years knows their quality have taken a serious nose dive over the years while their price continues to go up.

Personally I'm not a fan of this business strategy. I think a lot of it is dishonest. I don't like not knowing who actually manufactured a tool, where it was made or if it's just a rebrand. Keep in mind you're often paying a mark up for a brand name too, and can often find the same tool under a different name for less money (all be it maybe a different color or even a different warranty).

But I also realize the world we live in and only so many companies are willing to invest in raw materials, forging and manufacturing. Then again, these companies also seem to be going out of business by the day, at least in the USA (which again, brings us back to off-shore production and cost saving measures).

 

[dstblj52]

It's a double edged sword actually. I realize these are very generalized statements, but...

One side of the blade the company is able to share product and technology between different brands.
Examples would be Snap On having access to Williams or Stanley having access to Proto. Resulting in mostly USA made industrial brands becoming more easily available to the average consumer.

But the other side of the blade is quality usually suffers because mega corporate conglomerates will always minimize their cost vs. profit, and overall quality generally suffers as a result. Example moving manufacturing from the US or Taiwan to China because it's cheaper.

A good example of this would be Apex selling more cheaply made Gearwrench products, even before moving a lot of Gearwrench production from Taiwan to China. Anyone who has owned and used Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches over the years knows their quality have taken a serious nose dive over the years while their price continues to go up.

Personally I'm not a fan of this business strategy. I think a lot of it is dishonest. I don't like not knowing who actually manufactured a tool, where it was made or if it's just a rebrand. Keep in mind you're often paying a mark up for a brand name too, and can often find the same tool under a different name for less money (all be it maybe a different color or even a different warranty).

But I also realize the world we live in and only so many companies are willing to invest in raw materials, forging and manufacturing. Then again, these companies also seem to be going out of business by the day, at least in the USA (which again, brings us back to off-shore production and cost saving measures).

gearwrench is getting screwed by it being a relatively low volume operation inside apex, like i would bet husky sells more in a month then gearwrench sells in a year

 

[AJHD]

gearwrench is getting screwed by it being a relatively low volume operation inside apex, like i would bet husky sells more in a month then gearwrench sells in a year

Sure, but they all come from the same source. Or, at least some products do...
So is Gearwrench suffering because Husky sells more?

Being Husky is the "house brand" of Home Depot nation wide, their availability is far beyond that of Gearwrench.
Home Depot sells very little Gearwrench in store, and usually they are temporary specials. I assume this is on purpose as not to compete with Huksy. But Gearwrench is otherwise sold in limited quantities at very few physical locations, leaving their customers to buying most online.

Gearwrench is trying to market their brand as a tool source for the professional, rather it be a mechanic or even industrial. They have commercials with guys working on equipment and 2,000ft radio towers. Where as Husky is marketed more towards the DIY home owner.

Seems like bad business to use the same product for two brands with opposite marketing. Say for example the DIY'er is a getting a professional grade tool at that DIY home owner price. Although in this specific case at least, it seems to be the other way around.


Example; I'm 99.99% sure these are the same wrench sets only with a different brand name.

Husky ratcheting wrench set

Husky Ratcheting SAE/MM Combination Wrench Set (20-Piece) HRW20PCSMN - The Home Depot

Husky Ratcheting Wrenches feature a 12-point design pattern to help prevent fastener damage and increase torque. Their slim design fits into tight spaces where other wrenches may not. A durable, polished

www.homedepot.com

Gearwrench ratcheting wrench set

GEARWRENCH SAE/Metric 72-Tooth Combination Ratcheting Wrench Tool Set (20-Piece) 35720 - The Home Depot

GEARWRENCH is a premier mechanics hand tool brand, offering products that are designed to meet the tough requirements of Professional Mechanics and Automotive Enthusiast. This 20-piece SAE/Metric Combination

www.homedepot.com

Just my observations. Specifics change and can be expanded to AutoZone/Duralast or even Advance Auto/TEQ, etc...

 

[dstblj52]

Sure, but they all come from the same source. Or, at least some products do...
So is Gearwrench suffering because Husky sells more?

Being Husky is the "house brand" of Home Depot nation wide, their availability is far beyond that of Gearwrench.
Home Depot sells very little Gearwrench in store, and usually they are temporary specials. I assume this is on purpose as not to compete with Huksy. But Gearwrench is otherwise sold in limited quantities at very few physical locations, leaving their customers to buying most online.

Gearwrench is trying to market their brand as a tool source for the professional, rather it be a mechanic or even industrial. They have commercials with guys working on equipment and 2,000ft radio towers. Where as Husky is marketed more towards the DIY home owner.

Seems like bad business to use the same product for two brands with opposite marketing. Say for example the DIY'er is a getting a professional grade tool at that DIY home owner price. Although in this specific case at least, it seems to be the other way around.


Example; I'm 99.99% sure these are the same wrench sets only with a different brand name.

Husky ratcheting wrench set

Husky Ratcheting SAE/MM Combination Wrench Set (20-Piece) HRW20PCSMN - The Home Depot

Husky Ratcheting Wrenches feature a 12-point design pattern to help prevent fastener damage and increase torque. Their slim design fits into tight spaces where other wrenches may not. A durable, polished

www.homedepot.com

Gearwrench ratcheting wrench set

GEARWRENCH SAE/Metric 72-Tooth Combination Ratcheting Wrench Tool Set (20-Piece) 35720 - The Home Depot

GEARWRENCH is a premier mechanics hand tool brand, offering products that are designed to meet the tough requirements of Professional Mechanics and Automotive Enthusiast. This 20-piece SAE/Metric Combination

www.homedepot.com

Just my observations. Specifics change and can be expanded to AutoZone/Duralast or even Advance Auto/TEQ, etc...

The private label team managing the husky Duralast TEQ accounts are going to have more and more influence driving product and manufacturing investments as they become a bigger and bigger share of the business, which leaves gearwrench in an odd position compared to its stablemates especially given the challenges of being a private label supplier where restricting what you offer the retailer is a great way to lose both contracts

 

[qqzj]

GearWrench makes good stuff and the price is competitive. It is only better that it can share the production cost with Home Depot/AutoZone/Advanced Auto Parts so that they can drive the price down and become more affordable.

 

[dstblj52]

GearWrench makes good stuff and the price is competitive. It is only better that it can share the production cost with Home Depot/AutoZone/Advanced Auto Parts so that they can drive the price down and become more affordable.

Eh your going to see more and more and we already are clones between them so what are you getting for the Gearwrench versus husky markup

 

[Odd-job]

This kind of reminds me of GM's strategy with Oldsmobile and Pontiac (may they RIP). Hopefully all marketing expenses don't get shifted over to the consumers and prosumers. I appreciate their tool diversity and probably have a little of each of their brands (from Duralast to Matco) selectively except for the TEK stuff since that just rolled out.

 

[qqzj]

Instead of thinking them as complete replacement, think of them as funnels that channel users to GW in the end. The reason I got to know GW is that Sears used to sell a lot of GW wrenches and other stuff. So when Sears bit the dust, I was looking for alternatives and then I noticed that a lot of GW stuff were the same as Cman. Once I use a certain tool for a while, I got used to the look and feel of the tool and I give preference to any tool similar to my existing tool. So I migrated to GW tools. And have been happy with A LOT of GW tools so far.

Even though AutoZone/Home Depot/AAP all sell GW varieties, their selection is far less and less consistent than what GW offers online. So I tend to think them as feeders for GW, and I believe it works that way for many.

 

[Badgerstate]

But the other side of the blade is quality usually suffers because mega corporate conglomerates will always minimize their cost vs. profit, and overall quality generally suffers as a result. Example moving manufacturing from the US or Taiwan to China because it's cheaper.

I dont see moving production to Taiwan or China being a bad thing because if it werent, good cheap tools wouldnt exist. Not everyone can afford to pay Snap-On prices and for the weekend mechanic or DIYer, you dont need expensive tools.
Faster and cheaper has always been the American way. Capitalism is all about getting the best possible products for the cheapest possible price, no matter where they are made.
It seems to me like nowadays, people want to have it both ways: they want cheap tools that are of great quality but they want them to be made in the USA and they want people to make a living wage and have great benefits.
As Ive said in the past, Ive owned many tools: some Taiwanese and Chinese made Husky, Craftsman, Crescent and Masterforce as well as the old US made Craftsman stuff that everyone seems to be seeking out. You know what? They all did the exact same job and other than the warm and fuzzy feeling of seeing, "Craftsman made in USA" stamped on some of my tools, I can see no difference and Ive been turning wrenches for over 30 years.

 

[dstblj52]

Instead of thinking them as complete replacement, think of them as funnels that channel users to GW in the end. The reason I got to know GW is that Sears used to sell a lot of GW wrenches and other stuff. So when Sears bit the dust, I was looking for alternatives and then I noticed that a lot of GW stuff were the same as Cman. Once I use a certain tool for a while, I got used to the look and feel of the tool and I give preference to any tool similar to my existing tool. So I migrated to GW tools. And have been happy with A LOT of GW tools so far.

Even though AutoZone/Home Depot/AAP all sell GW varieties, their selection is far less and less consistent than what GW offers online. So I tend to think them as feeders for GW, and I believe it works that way for many.

i mean sure but they also destroy the margins on the core products which move the most volume, why by a gearwrench set of ratcheting wrench thats identically to husky for half the money and a better warranty

 

[qqzj]

i mean sure but they also destroy the margins on the core products which move the most volume, why by a gearwrench set of ratcheting wrench thats identically to husky for half the money and a better warranty

It is a competitive world. For basic stuff like sockets and short straight ratchets, if they don't destroy their margins, someone else will. So they really have no choice. But if you look at the Husky branded flex ratchets, locking flex ratchets, extendable ratchets etc, they are not cheap at all. GW/Apex obviously chooses certain product to make volume and others to make profit per unit. Their ubiquity is the best proof that the business logic is successful.

 

[qqzj]

Also I have both GW sockets and Husky sockets. I can easily show that GW ones are made with higher quality with less defects. Husky's works okay. But often have blemishes in appearance.

 

[AJHD]

I dont see moving production to Taiwan or China being a bad thing because if it werent, good cheap tools wouldnt exist. Not everyone can afford to pay Snap-On prices and for the weekend mechanic or DIYer, you dont need expensive tools.
Faster and cheaper has always been the American way. Capitalism is all about getting the best possible products for the cheapest possible price, no matter where they are made.
It seems to me like nowadays, people want to have it both ways: they want cheap tools that are of great quality but they want them to be made in the USA and they want people to make a living wage and have great benefits.
As Ive said in the past, Ive owned many tools: some Taiwanese and Chinese made Husky, Craftsman, Crescent and Masterforce as well as the old US made Craftsman stuff that everyone seems to be seeking out. You know what? They all did the exact same job and other than the warm and fuzzy feeling of seeing, "Craftsman made in USA" stamped on some of my tools, I can see no difference and Ive been turning wrenches for over 30 years.

The problem for me in terms of country of origin is not patriotic pride. It's quality vs. price. Unfortunately China has a well earned reputation for cheap low quality tools. Whereas Taiwan has definitely been better. But as more companies cheap out (or for whatever other reasons) and move their production from Taiwan to China (or India, etc.) their quality usually suffers.

Is this applicable for every tool and every manufacture? Of course not. The tool world is full of plenty of examples of quality made in China tools. Not everything Snap On makes is made in USA, for example. Or Milwaukee power tools, etc. Those examples are more because the USA doesn't manufacture electronic components, but you get the idea.

However, that brings me to my next annoyance, price. I get it, the world is ****, inflation exists and the cost of doing business around the globe continues to increase because of global politics. But, why am I paying a premium for made in China or even Taiwan? Again, plenty of examples exist. Many tools on the market are quickly approaching tool truck prices.

Also I have both GW sockets and Husky sockets. I can easily show that GW ones are made with higher quality with less defects. Husky's works okay. But often have blemishes in appearance.

Agreed... Example, I bought that 200 piece Husky socket set on sale for $100 at Home Depot back in 2019 and returned it shortly after. Why? Because the sockets were very inconsistent in terms of finish and machining. I feel like they were left overs or blemished/defect sockets that didn't pass quality control. Probably not the case, but even for $100 I wasn't happy with the investment. After all, I didn't actually need any of the sockets.

 

[consti2tion]

Sure, but they all come from the same source. Or, at least some products do...
So is Gearwrench suffering because Husky sells more?

Being Husky is the "house brand" of Home Depot nation wide, their availability is far beyond that of Gearwrench.
Home Depot sells very little Gearwrench in store, and usually they are temporary specials. I assume this is on purpose as not to compete with Huksy. But Gearwrench is otherwise sold in limited quantities at very few physical locations, leaving their customers to buying most online.

Gearwrench is trying to market their brand as a tool source for the professional, rather it be a mechanic or even industrial. They have commercials with guys working on equipment and 2,000ft radio towers. Where as Husky is marketed more towards the DIY home owner.

Seems like bad business to use the same product for two brands with opposite marketing. Say for example the DIY'er is a getting a professional grade tool at that DIY home owner price. Although in this specific case at least, it seems to be the other way around.


Example; I'm 99.99% sure these are the same wrench sets only with a different brand name.

Husky ratcheting wrench set

Husky Ratcheting SAE/MM Combination Wrench Set (20-Piece) HRW20PCSMN - The Home Depot

Husky Ratcheting Wrenches feature a 12-point design pattern to help prevent fastener damage and increase torque. Their slim design fits into tight spaces where other wrenches may not. A durable, polished

www.homedepot.com

Gearwrench ratcheting wrench set

GEARWRENCH SAE/Metric 72-Tooth Combination Ratcheting Wrench Tool Set (20-Piece) 35720 - The Home Depot

GEARWRENCH is a premier mechanics hand tool brand, offering products that are designed to meet the tough requirements of Professional Mechanics and Automotive Enthusiast. This 20-piece SAE/Metric Combination

www.homedepot.com

Just my observations. Specifics change and can be expanded to AutoZone/Duralast or even Advance Auto/TEQ, etc...

If Gearwrench want's to target industrial workers they need to step up their quality. Their modern ratcheting wrenches are abysmal in comparison to the ones of the past and they have 10 different variations of essentially the same wrench sets.

 

[consti2tion]

Eh your going to see more and more and we already are clones between them so what are you getting for the Gearwrench versus husky markup

You are getting the ease of the warranty exchange on the Husky tools always being available at HD, at least from my observation.

 

[Grokew]

I actually really like the new Duralast stuff. It maybe Apex made but it’s really nice. Nicer than the old stuff that had the color stripes switched around that drove my OCD up the wall lol.

Sorry, but for me, SAE is blue and Metric Red. The Duralast was my first socket set, so I wasn't used to red SAE, blue Metric.