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A look at the new Husky ratchet made by Apex Tools -PICS-

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SMKS

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My "good" camera is out of town right now, so I had to use my backup camera for the pics. This camera had a tough time with the reflections in the chrome, so I apologize in advance.

Home Depot has been getting some new tools that appear to be from a new supplier. Many of the previous tools appeared to be made by Stanley, but the new ones look like the have a different OEM.

Some of the new tools are made by Apex Tools, like this Husky torque wrench that is identical to the GearWrench torque wrench.

I bought this set of spline drive sockets and wrenches today and after looking at them it’s very clear that these new tools are made by Apex Tools. This set is made in Taiwan and was on sale or clearance for $19.99 at my local store. (NOTE - for some reason this set doesn't appear on the HD website. When I search for the part number it takes me instead to this set, which isn't spline drive sockets. I suspect the set I bought is on clearance).

All the new tool sets at my local store have this new ratchet design. I bought this one because I wanted to check out the ratchet and this was the cheapest set.
 
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Fedwrench

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stephen9666 said:
This ratchet uses a 72-tooth mechanism that is the same design as the Apex Tools mechanism used in Armstrong, Craftsman, GearWrench, MATCO and possibly other ratchets I’m forgetting. Note the “72” on the pawl. On some designs Apex marks the pawls with the tooth count.
Click to expand...

Looks like at least for now, only Husky gets the 72 tooth version. Everyone else has 60 or 80 something teeth. I find it unusual that the quick release has the moving pin design that was gone for many years until Craftsman started sourcing their hardline from China/Taiwan.:headscrat
 
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NC-Fordguy

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Concerning the sockets.......

Are they sae/metric combo or are they either sae or metric. Lowes has/had a set that are/were universal and the really didn't fit either metric or sae very well.

Looks like HD is coming out with an expanded line. I'd like to check them out but HD shuttered all of their stores around here during their store closing mode when the recession started a few years back. Closest one is now 100 miles away.

If I am ever in a location where they still have stores I might have to take a peek--looks to be interesting
 
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NC-Fordguy

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stephen9666 said:
Each socket and wrench has either a specific SAE size or a specific metric size. They aren't dual marked 3/4"/19mm or whatever.

For example, the socket I showed above is simply marked "3/4"
Click to expand...

Seeing how there is no HD in my area anymore to actually look at this stuff, your picture showing one side of the socket, creating the question if perhaps the other side is marked 19mm hence the inquiry.

Kudos for posting the pics :beer:
 
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monster1

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I needed a 32mm combo wrench to tighten the sector shaft gear box nut on my truck. Due to aftermarket bracing, I coukdnt get at it with a deep socket or box end. I bought a new open stock wrench from HD for about 12 bucks. The broaching is off and it definitely has a crab claw but it didn't spread when I put the hurt on it. It isn't nearly the quality my USA made husky wrench set is, but it got the job done. I'd think about starting a set of these jumbo combo wrenches but they have way too many skipped sizes.
 
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mmack66

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If only Sears had gone to Taiwan instead of China.

I guess there would have been about 20% less threads around here if that were the case, though.
 
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CWP1616L

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This is so confusing, on the main index page, it says this thread was started by stephen9666, but the original post was made by SMKS. :dunno:

And something else is peculiar: Even though the original post was made by SMKS, it says on the bottom of the post: "Last edited by stephen9666; 07-13-2013 at 12:21 PM" :eek2:

I think we gotta major software issue going on here. :willy_nil
 
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Hootbro

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CWP1616L said:
This is so confusing, on the main index page, it says this thread was started by stephen9666, but the original post was made by SMKS. :dunno:

And something else is peculiar: Even though the original post was made by SMKS, it says on the bottom of the post: "Last edited by stephen9666; 07-13-2013 at 12:21 PM" :eek2:

I think we gotta major software issue going on here. :willy_nil
Click to expand...


I suspect they are one in the same people and there was a admin level name change done on the account. The conflict is probably the software not jiving with the original registered name and the later admin level name change.
 
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LXCam

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Hootbro said:
I suspect they are one in the same people and there was a admin level name change done on the account. The conflict is probably the software not jiving with the original registered name and the later admin level name change.
Click to expand...


I think its a Russian mind control conspiracy to skew your focus away from the original intent of the thread. Obviously its working :Freak:


But anyhow, I have some original husky stuff that are great tools, it'd sure be cool to see them get back on track with a quality product.
 
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CWP1616L

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And I noticed this SMKS dude stole stephen9666's avatar. That's terrible, a guy gets sick and doesn't post in awhile, so someone steals the guy's avatar. That's a real shame because I know stephen9666 was a big SK fan.
 
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Hootbro

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CWP1616L said:
And I noticed this SMKS dude stole stephen9666's avatar. That's terrible, a guy gets sick and doesn't post in awhile, so someone steals the guy's avatar. That's a real shame because I know stephen9666 was a big SK fan.
Click to expand...

Use the search function and search for posts by "stephen9666". Comes back invalid. Like I said, the account name has been changed to SMKS.

Not a Scooby Doo mystery here.
 
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mmack66

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CWP1616L said:
And I noticed this SMKS dude stole stephen9666's avatar. That's terrible, a guy gets sick and doesn't post in awhile, so someone steals the guy's avatar. That's a real shame because I know stephen9666 was a big SK fan.
Click to expand...

stephen9666/smks said in another thread that the avatar wasn't an SK logo.
 
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senor fozz

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SMKS said:
Yes, I noticed that, too.

I suppose Home Depot could have said "we want 72 teeth" in the contract so Apex just did it. That's just a guess, of course.

As you mentioned, unless I've missed them, I've never seen any other ratchets that use this mechanism with 72 teeth. They're all 60, 84, 88, etc.
Click to expand...

If memory serves me right the SO 1/4" drive non roto head ratchets are 72 teeth. Just checked I was right.
oops didn't realize you mentioned with that "mech". With that said it is likely due to marketing. Matco doesn't want to say they have 80 or 72 teeth.
 
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ChevyEFI

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SMKS said:
It’s sort of a hybrid between the GearWrench ratchets and the Craftsman thin profile ratchets. It has a handle very similar to a GearWrench ratchet, but it has a quick-release mechanism like the Craftsman thin profile ratchet.

This ratchet uses a 72-tooth mechanism that is the same design as the Apex Tools mechanism used in Armstrong, Craftsman, GearWrench, MATCO and possibly other ratchets I’m forgetting. Note the “72” on the pawl. On some designs Apex marks the pawls with the tooth count.
Click to expand...
So has anyone (you?) tried the other internals in this housing? It sounds like a lower tooth count kit will swap over together, but the pawl and drive in 72 are unique to these?

SMKS said:
Stanley and Black & Decker merged
Click to expand...
Thanks. Didn't know that.
 
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03protege

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senor fozz said:
If memory serves me right the SO 1/4" drive non roto head ratchets are 72 teeth. Just checked I was right.
oops didn't realize you mentioned with that "mech". With that said it is likely due to marketing. Matco doesn't want to say they have 80 or 72 teeth.
Click to expand...

I think they were referring to none of the apex made tools use a 72 tooth pattern.

Craftsman TP and old gearwrench - 60t
Craftsman Premium and Newer GW - 84t
Armstrong and Matco 88t

I checked out the new Husky ratchets and they looked really nice, but I am not paying $20 a pop. At the rate home depot clearances Husky items I will just wait for the day they give them the axe.
 
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TwoInch

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ChevyEFI said:
So has anyone (you?) tried the other internals in this housing? It sounds like a lower tooth count kit will swap over together, but the pawl and drive in 72 are unique to these?
Click to expand...

the only other internals that will swap will be the craftsman thin profile with the quick release. they undoubtedly will interchange between ratchet bodies, but you must use the matching pawl and gear for each. 72t kit has its own pawl and the 60t has its own. they will not interchange.
 
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Skin

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Search his past thread creations. He works on quite a few projects and is one of the more active members to post them. Probably snapped the photos before or after trying them out.
 
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Trey T

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I'm beginning to love Husky hand tools as they're being made in USA more and more. Screwdriver set below as an example:
 

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mmack66

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Trey T said:
I'm beginning to love Husky hand tools as they're being made in USA more and more. Screwdriver set below as an example:
Click to expand...

The screwdrivers have always been made in the USA, but most of their other Husky tools haven't been made in USA for quite a while.
 
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TwoInch

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Skin said:
Search his past thread creations. He works on quite a few projects and is one of the more active members to post them. Probably snapped the photos before or after trying them out.
Click to expand...

just giving him a hard time skin, no worries. :beer:
 
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