Carlyle 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Review

BirdMobile · Dec 10, 2014

Hi again all.

Intrigued by the recent posting here about Carlyle releasing their new line of Locking Flex Head ratchets, I finally broke down and ordered one. I chose the 1/4" drive model, because it has a handle almost 2" longer than the Armstrong locking flex 1/4 I already have, and would give me the least amount of functional "overlap" with ratchets I already own.

The NAPA I ordered it from had no idea these even existed - and they had to research it before they could even put in an order. However, the day after they ordered it, they gave me a call letting me know it had arrived. A short drive and around $45 later, I had it in my hands.

Impressions: Quality all the way. Smooth, low backdrag, and solid fit and finish. Very nice locking mechanism that is easy to actuate and locks up solidly. Glowing perfect Carlyle chrome we've all grown to know and love. Really nice feeling soft grip handle, and I don't even like soft grip handles on ratchets (except Rotos, where I feel they are mandatory).

The only thing I don't like about this ratchet is that the locking mechanism is a spring loaded pushbutton, which means that you can't dis-engage the lock and use it in "free wheeling flex" unlocked mode like you can with the Armstrongs. This is slightly annoying, as I sometimes like unlocked flex - but I have plenty of other ratchets that will do that, and it will be super easy to fab up a "U" clip from thin sheet steel shim stock to depress the button constantly if I ever decide that I really need an unlocked flex mode with this ratchet.

Overall impression: excellent. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat!

Ruger_556 · Dec 10, 2014

Pictures man!

BirdMobile · Dec 10, 2014

Ruger_556 said:
Pictures man!

Soon... probably tomorrow. Slammed with work right now.

Ign · Dec 10, 2014

I'll get it out of the way for the board: you MUST be mistaken. It's a Taiwanese ratchet. You're merely confused. Some shock therapy and a frontal lobotomy will get you right as rain.

Seriously though, I'm intrigued. Look forward to pics!

BirdMobile · Dec 10, 2014

Ign said:
I'll get it out of the way for the board: you MUST be mistaken. It's a Taiwanese ratchet. You're merely confused. Some shock therapy and a frontal lobotomy will get you right as rain...

You forgot: "It ain't no Snap On, so it ain't ****!"

Bull · Dec 10, 2014

Taiwan has a good reputation on here.

MrJason · Dec 10, 2014

BirdMobile said:
Hi again all.

Intrigued by the recent posting here about Carlyle releasing their new line of Locking Flex Head ratchets, I finally broke down and ordered one. I chose the 1/4" drive model, because it has a handle almost 2" longer than the Armstrong locking flex 1/4 I already have, and would give me the least amount of functional "overlap" with ratchets I already own.

The NAPA I ordered it from had no idea these even existed - and they had to research it before they could even put in an order. However, the day after they ordered it, they gave me a call letting me know it had arrived. A short drive and around $45 later, I had it in my hands.

Impressions: Quality all the way. Smooth, low backdrag, and solid fit and finish. Very nice locking mechanism that is easy to actuate and locks up solidly. Glowing perfect Carlyle chrome we've all grown to know and love. Really nice feeling soft grip handle, and I don't even like soft grip handles on ratchets (except Rotos, where I feel they are mandatory).

The only thing I don't like about this ratchet is that the locking mechanism is a spring loaded pushbutton, which means that you can't dis-engage the lock and use it in "free wheeling flex" unlocked mode like you can with the Armstrongs. This is slightly annoying, as I sometimes like unlocked flex - but I have plenty of other ratchets that will do that, and it will be super easy to fab up a "U" clip from thin sheet steel shim stock to depress the button constantly if I ever decide that I really need an unlocked flex mode with this ratchet.

Overall impression: excellent. I'd buy it again in a heartbeat!

Would you mind if I shared your story with NAPA corporate? I have a direct line to one if their Director's and he always appreciates feedback like this.

Jason

Hiball · Dec 10, 2014

BirdMobile said:
You forgot: "It ain't no Snap On, so it ain't ****!"

Well look on the bright side.. At least some of you guys will get your chance to Keyboard Mash about Coo and Which brand is the Best for Everyone, Looks like your getting the party Started.

:beer:

SMKS · Dec 10, 2014

I'm interested in seeing pics.

Especially close-up pics of the locking mechanism so we can see how it works and how bulky it is.

BajaBound · Dec 10, 2014

I am very interested. I am looking at adding some Carlyle stuff to my tool box.

stage20 · Dec 10, 2014

I almost bit the bullet on one and a flex snappy popped up on clist so I had to take it. I'm impressed with carlyle for the price. I prefer it over gearwrench, but napa needs to whip these employees into shape or the average shopper will never know about these great tools. Its always "those are expensive" "we can't afford to keep them on the shelf" and employees telling me they are mde in the same place as snap on. Maybe you can inform your napa director to pass a few messages along. I think professional mechanics would really embrace the line if more stores were well stocked with sets. My local stores only have hit or miss of open stock, and I've never een a ratchet on the shelf in 5 different local stores.

Brownsfan · Dec 10, 2014

MrJason said:
Would you mind if I shared your story with NAPA corporate? I have a direct line to one if their Director's and he always appreciates feedback like this.

Jason

I think he would be more interested in the fact that the store had no Idea that these tools even exist. It the same with my local Napa. Actually most of the Napa stores near me. There is one. Ironically its the smallest store in my area. They love the stuff and know all about it. As good as these tools seem to be (the consensus is they are) they will be short lived if the stores dont get behind them and start selling them. Seems thhe idea is to have the parts delivery guys handing out catalogues and the guys ordering them and having them delivered. Or this would be a good way to get them into the hands of professionals. Oh and the stores that do stock them they are always behind the counter. Most customers will not ask to go back and look. Therefore will not buy.

MrJason · Dec 10, 2014

Brownsfan said:
I think he would be more interested in the fact that the store had no Idea that these tools even exist. It the same with my local Napa. Actually most of the Napa stores near me. There is one. Ironically its the smallest store in my area. They love the stuff and know all about it. As good as these tools seem to be (the consensus is they are) they will be short lived if the stores dont get behind them and start selling them. Seems thhe idea is to have the parts delivery guys handing out catalogues and the guys ordering them and having them delivered. Or this would be a good way to get them into the hands of professionals. Oh and the stores that do stock them they are always behind the counter. Most customers will not ask to go back and look. Therefore will not buy.

We're on the same wavelength, as I'm more interested to send the story based upon the abhorrent disposition of the customer service agents.

If your stores don't know what is going on, that is not providing their product lines to be successful.

NAPA loves to hear of these things, as they hold their operators to a fire when these stories come out.

Jason

Bigblue&Goldie · Dec 10, 2014

Is your Armstrong the 88T head? If so, how does the ratcheting mechanism of the Carlyle compare?

stage20 · Dec 10, 2014

MrJason said:
We're on the same wavelength, as I'm more interested to send the story based upon the abhorrent disposition of the customer service agents.

If your stores don't know what is going on, that is not providing their product lines to be successful.

NAPA loves to hear of these things, as they hold their operators to a fire when these stories come out.

Jason

i have a good friend who is an experienced mechanic. he stays backed up.. napa is right next door to his shop, but he chooses to use an autozone commercial account that is 15 minutes away for his parts.

napa is right next to my work and i usually only go there to buy duct tape..... napa brand duct tape is no joke. its a lil more pricy than the box stores, but it actually sticks.

***** we are getting off topic, but shows that napa needs attention in the tool dept. once they were the go to with a huge wall of tools, now its just hit or miss singles with a lot of empty hooks. one store just had a reset of their tool dept and except for some carlyle screwdrivers, you cant really tell.
:dunno:

92integra · Dec 10, 2014

Link to the ratchet anyone?

stage20 · Dec 10, 2014

http://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/C...p-Flex-Locking-1-4-/_/R-CHQR14LFQR_0151389659

BirdMobile · Dec 10, 2014

MrJason said:
Would you mind if I shared your story with NAPA corporate? I have a direct line to one if their Director's and he always appreciates feedback like this.

Jason

Go for it... I don't mind.

To others on the forum who have asked questions about this ratchet, I really will try to answer them and post photos tomorrow or Friday at the latest... I truly am slammed with work right now.

Off to bed for now.

Hiball · Dec 10, 2014

In my Area there are only a couple of Napa stores that carry Carlye, with that said they do have a fairly large selection. I normally only buy stuff on sale in the flyer, I haven't seen the locking flex in the store yet.

92integra · Dec 10, 2014

Thanks for posting birdmobile I'm in tested in this for sure if you could give us the full specs like total length and tooth count that would be awsome

shanny19 · Dec 10, 2014

I don't get the behind the counter thing. That's where my local store keeps the Carlyle, and it's an affront, honestly, to my patronage. Its as if to say, "we don't really think you'll steal a roloc or two, but as for our shiny chrome, we just don't trust you to be near it."

Spyder1gdsm · Dec 10, 2014

I just wish a Napa would stay open past 5 out here. The one here has some Carlyle stuff, but it's behind the counter and the employees are too busy with phone orders or sales to be asked to see their tools.

BK13 · Dec 10, 2014

MrJason said:
Would you mind if I shared your story with NAPA corporate? I have a direct line to one if their Director's and he always appreciates feedback like this.

Jason

Going way OT here, but maybe bend their ears about mid-length sockets as well? (Yeah, I know I'm dreaming... I'd love some 1/2" drive semi-deeps as I can't really justify Snappys as a DIY hack.)

T45 · Dec 11, 2014

Here's a pic for the lazy

Ratchet Length : 8.25"
Ratchet Swing Arc & # Teeth : 5 Deg Arc / 72 Teeth
Ratchet Type : Teardrop Flex Locking

Edit: street price $49

Dmar836 · Dec 11, 2014

I just asked, "Do you mind if I look at these?" They said, "Sure, come on back."
I have only the 60 tooth 1/4" ratchet($17.99) but I'm impressed with it.
I shimmed it a bit to reduce the already low play but it would lock up. Advice: don't try to blueprint these. Removed the shims and it works great again! My favorite ratchet yet. An aircraft mechanic friend showed up with one at my rec and loves it too. Most of his other stuff is SO. Nuff said.
Dave

wild cowboy · Dec 11, 2014

well given that Carlyle's 100 tooth roto-head ratchet is the BEST roto-head on EARTH, at ANY price, I am anxious to see a big clear pic of any new ratchet they come out with! :thumbup:

justme- · Dec 11, 2014

stage20 said:
i have a good friend who is an experienced mechanic. he stays backed up.. napa is right next door to his shop, but he chooses to use an autozone commercial account that is 15 minutes away for his parts.

napa is right next to my work and i usually only go there to buy duct tape..... napa brand duct tape is no joke. its a lil more pricy than the box stores, but it actually sticks.

***** we are getting off topic, but shows that napa needs attention in the tool dept. once they were the go to with a huge wall of tools, now its just hit or miss singles with a lot of empty hooks. one store just had a reset of their tool dept and except for some carlyle screwdrivers, you cant really tell.

That's disturbing he chooses Autozone parts over name brand parts and easily identifiable Napa branded parts. Autozone parts are generally very low quality, and hard to nail down suppliers (cardone is a big supplier - you couldn't pay me enough to use that junk after what I've seen from them) AZ is my last ditch when it's 5pm on Sat and I need a part.
My local Napa is great but pricey, and hours are lacking. Thing is with Napa they are not corporate stores - you may not realize this tho. Napa is a more like a franchise - my local is part of 3 one guy owns in the neighboring towns, all the others in nearby towns are single store independants. Not every store can know everything about all products, especially if there's not high demand for a line. The counter guys here may not know about what you're asking for, but they are always willing to research it and THAT is more important to me than regurgitating ad sheet info they had to memorize.

I've had quite a few times they had to look stuff up for me - and when they find whatever it is I need they have it the next morning by 8am. The only time I struck out was bringing in a NAPA tool looking for another or a slightly different version (pulley holder that uses a section of belt around the pulley). They couldn't find anything but identified the package (yes, it's still in the NAPA box) was at least 20 years old.
Out of the stores near me NAPA is always most like the auto parts stores when I was a kid my ol man took me to - small customer areas with an assortment of stuff and large back rooms full of parts. I'm not going to Napa to buy an air freshener, neon under car lights, japanese character stickers, 22" rim emblems, one of the 20 different brands of fuel injector cleaner bottles... or any other stuff retail parts stores like AZ, Pep Boys, etc have out front for browsing... I'm going because I need a part... and I need it now. The bigger the back room the better chance you have my part when I need it.

I think it's important to remember that as a customer and a Napa head. Now, I've only once bought a store brand tool from a parts store...warranty or not, needing to find that chain store again to get it warrantied is a huge turnoff, and knowing 90% of the tools on the wall (and yes it's an impressive wall out front to poke and drool over in most chains) are low quality homeowner stuff that will not stand up to moderate use regardless of COO and your beliefs on that...it's a non starter to me. I bought a set of E torx sockets from a C.A.P. store I was in getting parts when I needed a single E socket for a single time repair, and the set was cheap enough and has lifetime warranty...from some company I have never heard of or seen since. I've used the set maybe 3 times in 15 years.

GJ is the only way I've heard anything good about Carlyle brand tools, and I'm interested in this ratchet. I'd like to see Napa make a more obvious effort to promote their tools like they used to but having a wall of tools to browse isn't going to make or break my business for them.

MrJason · Dec 11, 2014

justme- said:
That's disturbing he chooses Autozone parts over name brand parts and easily identifiable Napa branded parts. Autozone parts are generally very low quality, and hard to nail down suppliers (cardone is a big supplier - you couldn't pay me enough to use that junk after what I've seen from them) AZ is my last ditch when it's 5pm on Sat and I need a part.
My local Napa is great but pricey, and hours are lacking. Thing is with Napa they are not corporate stores - you may not realize this tho. Napa is a more like a franchise - my local is part of 3 one guy owns in the neighboring towns, all the others in nearby towns are single store independants. Not every store can know everything about all products, especially if there's not high demand for a line. The counter guys here may not know about what you're asking for, but they are always willing to research it and THAT is more important to me than regurgitating ad sheet info they had to memorize.

I've had quite a few times they had to look stuff up for me - and when they find whatever it is I need they have it the next morning by 8am. The only time I struck out was bringing in a NAPA tool looking for another or a slightly different version (pulley holder that uses a section of belt around the pulley). They couldn't find anything but identified the package (yes, it's still in the NAPA box) was at least 20 years old.
Out of the stores near me NAPA is always most like the auto parts stores when I was a kid my ol man took me to - small customer areas with an assortment of stuff and large back rooms full of parts. I'm not going to Napa to buy an air freshener, neon under car lights, japanese character stickers, 22" rim emblems, one of the 20 different brands of fuel injector cleaner bottles... or any other stuff retail parts stores like AZ, Pep Boys, etc have out front for browsing... I'm going because I need a part... and I need it now. The bigger the back room the better chance you have my part when I need it.

I think it's important to remember that as a customer and a Napa head. Now, I've only once bought a store brand tool from a parts store...warranty or not, needing to find that chain store again to get it warrantied is a huge turnoff, and knowing 90% of the tools on the wall (and yes it's an impressive wall out front to poke and drool over in most chains) are low quality homeowner stuff that will not stand up to moderate use regardless of COO and your beliefs on that...it's a non starter to me. I bought a set of E torx sockets from a C.A.P. store I was in getting parts when I needed a single E socket for a single time repair, and the set was cheap enough and has lifetime warranty...from some company I have never heard of or seen since. I've used the set maybe 3 times in 15 years.

GJ is the only way I've heard anything good about Carlyle brand tools, and I'm interested in this ratchet. I'd like to see Napa make a more obvious effort to promote their tools like they used to but having a wall of tools to browse isn't going to make or break my business for them.

Some are corporate stores, nowadays. This feedback is great, thank you

Jason

BirdMobile · Dec 12, 2014

OK...
As promised, here are some photos.
I've taken all of these next to the Armstrong MAXX 1/4" drive locking flex, for size comparisons - since it is the closest ratchet to the Carlyle locking flex currently on the market.

First, the front view:

BirdMobile · Dec 12, 2014

The back view:

BirdMobile · Dec 12, 2014

And finally, a closeup of the locking mechanism and button:

SMKS · Dec 12, 2014

I think I see how the locking mechanism works.

How securely does it lock? Can you push it to the next detent or push it out of place when it's locked?

The Armstrong locks very securely and I've never been able to get it to pop out of place unless I accidentally hit the locking switch.

stage20 · Dec 12, 2014

if the armstrong was 8 or 9" long there would be no need for the carlyle. i love the armstrong stuff.

T45 · Dec 13, 2014

The carlisle has a better angle of attack for the pivot. More like a roto.

... so at least in theory it should havd less problems with off-axis force.

Anyone have a pic of tx72 next to the Armsrtong ?

BirdMobile · Dec 13, 2014

SMKS said:
I think I see how the locking mechanism works.

How securely does it lock? Can you push it to the next detent or push it out of place when it's locked?

The Armstrong locks very securely and I've never been able to get it to pop out of place unless I accidentally hit the locking switch.

The Carlyle locks up super tight. You cannot force it to the next position using your hands, it's nice and solid. The pushbutton actuates some sort of sideways mechanism which engages the flex teeth, and is spring loaded so it wants to be in the "locked" position.

I also love the Armstrong mechanism, but the Armstrong is shorter and its head is noticably larger than the Carlyle. For now, they'll both have a place in my toolbox. Liking the Carlyle quite a bit so far, but time will tell how well it holds up to heavy use.

lightning02 · Dec 13, 2014

Does that push style mechanism on Carlyle get in the way in tight places?

BirdMobile · Dec 13, 2014

lightning02 said:
Does that push style mechanism on Carlyle get in the way in tight places?

Not so far... it's only slightly thicker than the Armstrong lever, and is located correctly (unlike some Snap On lock buttons that can be scraped off!).

Again, time will tell... there's always that one particular situation where you can't make the best designed tools work with!

Ign · Dec 13, 2014

T45 said:
The carlisle has a better angle of attack for the pivot. More like a roto.

... so at least in theory it should havd less problems with off-axis force.

Anyone have a pic of tx72 next to the Armsrtong ?

Thank you for verbalizing that which has always been my concern with the Armstrongs -beautiful as they are- the head seems almost unreasonably long before it actually gets to the pivot. Certainly one can conceive an instance where this will help "reach" a fastener but it seems in most cases it just makes for funky leverage (this is where "off-axis force" is far more eloquent) that encourages the socket to try lean or tip to the side (left or right) during use.

And thanks to Birdmobile for the pics!

Ign · Apr 8, 2015

Looks like the 1/2" R12LFQR is on special for $69.99 and the 3/8" R38LFQR $44.99.

Good luck combining w the bucket sale, but still seems like good price(s).

buba · May 15, 2015

Thought I would share an image of the Napa Carlyle Flex 1/4" Drive next to a few other 1/4" sized ratchets.

From Left to Right:
1) Napa Carlyle (The smallest head of the lot, definitely not generic guts)
2) Harbor Freight
3) SK 40971
4) SK 40970
5) Cornwell TRF4
6) Cornwell TR4
7) Cornwell TR3
8) Cornwell TR32 (3/8" drive in 1/4" TR3 body)
9) C-Man 44994 (thin profile)

Been using the Carlyle instead of the Cornwell TRF4 (my old goto 1/4 flex) and like it a lot.

Enjoy

Carlyle 1/4" Drive Locking Flex Review

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