Tekton Support is unbelievably AWESOME!

8200rpm · Jan 7, 2018

As I'm writing this, I realize that it must come off as the work of a paid shill. I promise you that it is not. I'm just a regular DIY guy who recently had an opportunity to use Tekton's "Always Guaranteed" support. I'm not a professional or tradesman.

I recently purchased an array of Tekton products because I decided to go "All In" on maintaining my 10 year old Subaru rather than selling it and buying a new car payment. I purchased several Tekton products via Amazon and Tekton.com to complement some old Craftsman USA products I purchased in the early 90's.

I had to replace a pair of axles and ball joints on the Subie,

While using their torque wrench to torque axle nuts and lug nuts, I noticed that the ratchet mechanism was binding. The torque wrench was functional, but something inside the pawl mechanism was causing the ratchet to bind during part of its rotation.

I used the support page on Tekton's website Saturday night to report my issue. I received a response from Tekton on Tuesday (next business day as Monday was New Years Day) and a FedEx shipping confirmation. 4 days later, FedEx delivered a replacement torque wrench!

There was no time bomb warranty that expires if you don't jump through a series of complicated hoops for product registration within the first 90 days after purchase. No 'sorry we can't help you because Amazon is not an "authorized" vendor'. No 'you have to contact the retailer first'. There was none of the usual antics that make you feel like the manufacture is trying to give you the run around or brush you off.

The replacement process was so easy that it's unbelievable that a manufacturer can offer this type of support as standard business practice. It was so extraordinary that I actually looked up what their Always Guaranteed policy entails...

https://www.tekton.com/faqs

Way to go Tekton!

Shootinok · Jan 7, 2018

I bought a set of Tekton impacts because of the things folks on this site are saying about them (Tekton).
I am really impressed with the apparent quality.
Glad to hear they stand behind their stuff too!

ThatSickRip · Jan 7, 2018

I've filled my tool cart for working on my 4Runner with Tekton stuff based off what I've read and seen here. Felt it was a good choice, especially as secondary tools and for the prices

crewchief888 · Jan 7, 2018

in the past couple months ive ordered several sets of sockets from tekton's website.

i ordered 2 sets of 3/8" dr impact sockets and an impact adapter on new years day, they arrived on the 3rd :thumbup:

free fed ex shipping on orders over $30

i also have a set of long MM allen bits and long torx bits.

:beer:

Hiball · Jan 7, 2018

crewchief888 said:
in the past couple months ive ordered several sets of sockets from tekton's website.

i ordered 2 sets of 3/8" dr impact sockets and an impact adapter on new years day, they arrived on the 3rd free fed ex shipping on orders over $30

i also have a set of long MM allen bits and long torx bits.

I recently grabbed some Tekton impacts also, mainly just some sizing that I didn't have, the only disappointment so far, was that the sizes wherent stamped only engraved. We'll see how it holds up..

Diesel Mercedes · Jan 7, 2018

Hiball said:
I recently grabbed some Tekton impacts also, mainly just some sizing that I didn't have, the only disappointment so far, was that the sizes wherent stamped only engraved. We'll see how it holds up..

They're already wearing off on my 17mm socket, don't really care frankly.

Hiball · Jan 7, 2018

Diesel Mercedes said:
They're already wearing off on my 17mm socket, don't really care frankly.

I figured as much, I have a lot of tools from various manufacturers that utilize laser engraving, most of it's been holding up, but when talking about a socket wheeling on a Impact I had reservations. It's not a deal breaker, they where cheap enough and outside of instantly recognizing the common sizes based off the use alone, I have a engraver if things get too bad.

Empty Pockets · Jan 7, 2018

I was recently at Meijer's, bought 2 Tekton composite ratchets. Quality seems ok, ratcheting seems smooth enough, They are going to go in the kit in the back of wife's car.

I'm pretty impressed with quality/price of these tools

BMack37 · Jan 8, 2018

Some of these smaller and cheaper name brands are really hitting it out of the park with customer service. Wen and Tekton are both awesome and many of their tools are quite serviceable and certainly better than HF...they have some tools that are the same as HF but they are comparable price and they're the better tools that HF sells.

Tekton's big gem (besides the USA made stuff) is their hex wrench kit in the plastic case. You won't find a more complete set and they're machined better than Eklind's made in the USA hex keys.

apdxyk · Jan 8, 2018

Good to hear about great customer service, it is the differentiator in case of cheap tools.

On a sidenote: the cheap torque wrenches I tried in past were all broke in short time. If it is critical for your application, research a better ones. I settled on expensive Stahlwille and never looked back.

Tonyuk · Jan 8, 2018

Im very happy my my tekton tools, i use their impacts, usa pliers and roto-head ratchets often and they always get the job done.

8200rpm · Jan 8, 2018

BMack37 said:
many of their tools are quite serviceable and certainly better than HF...they have some tools that are the same as HF but they are comparable price and they're the better tools that HF sells.

I contemplated buying a set of HF torque wrenches at $11.99 a piece. After handling several specimens at the store, I couldn’t get myself to part with even $11.99 for those units. The fit and finish looked so bad. The chrome finished looked odd, the stampings for the N-m and ft-lb were not 180 apart on the shaft nor consistent among various units, the 0 on the adjusting knob didn’t quite line up to the markings on the shaft and were inconsistent among several units, some units were missing the o ring at the ratchet head. It just was not a product I would have any pride in owning. For $11.99, if they are mechanically sound, it might be worth it. But if fit and finish are any indication of mechanical quality, I just couldn’t trust it as a measuring device. I also didn’t have much confidence in HF customer support in case the units fail in the future. It was too much of a gamble.

I paid 3-5 more for the Tekton units and the fit and finish is FAR superior. I could have some level of pride of ownership, and the customer support is definitely top notch. There’s no gamble. I’m happy with Tekton products and have confidence in their support.

BMack37 · Jan 8, 2018

8200rpm said:
I contemplated buying a set of HF torque wrenches at $11.99 a piece. After handling several specimens at the store, I couldn’t get myself to part with even $11.99 for those units. The fit and finish looked so bad. The chrome finished looked odd, the stampings for the N-m and ft-lb were not 180 apart on the shaft nor consistent among various units, the 0 on the adjusting knob didn’t quite line up to the markings on the shaft and were inconsistent among several units, some units were missing the o ring at the ratchet head. It just was not a product I would have any pride in owning. For $11.99, if they are mechanically sound, it might be worth it. But if fit and finish are any indication of mechanical quality, I just couldn’t trust it as a measuring device. I also didn’t have much confidence in HF customer support in case the units fail in the future. It was too much of a gamble.

I paid 3-5 more for the Tekton units and the fit and finish is FAR superior. I could have some level of pride of ownership, and the customer support is definitely top notch. There’s no gamble. I’m happy with Tekton products and have confidence in their support.

Yeah, if Tekton is asking more than 5% more than HF, it's not in the same league as HF...and if it's that much more it's probably due to Amazon's algorithm. I haven't used the Tekton torque wrench but it sounds better than the Craftsman I have, I got that for free with points and it's serviceable or else I'd probably get the Tekton.

The impact sockets seem to get great praise even though they're Cr-V instead of Cr-Mo, I have a small set of deep wall I got for cheap but haven't really used it.

Their USA made screwdrivers get a lot of praise and they're pretty good but they did cheap out on the finish machining, a bit of a debur and you have some pretty decent lighter duty screwdrivers. I like Tekton personally.

scubadoober · Jan 8, 2018

Those ball joints don't look bad at ALL. You must live in a salt free environment. They can be a bear to get out with corrosion.

8200rpm · Jan 12, 2018

scubadoober said:
Those ball joints don't look bad at ALL. You must live in a salt free environment. They can be a bear to get out with corrosion.

I'm in SoCal. I spent $8 on a BIG can of PB Blaster and realized that it will probably last me a lifetime. :headscrat

I used a trolley jack with a piece of 2x4 under the brake rotor and jacked it up a few inches to pop the ball joint out of the knuckle.

Getting it out of the lower control arm was tougher. I tried banging on the LCA and the ball joint stud with a hammer to no avail. Had to make a mid-project run to HF for this...

Philbert · Jan 12, 2018

Now if Denton made a metric tool kit I'd be game for that.

Parrothead · Jan 12, 2018

I’ve been more than pleased with the Tekton stuff I own. I can’t say enough about the combination wrenches, as I’ve really beat on them doing suspension work and brakes in the rust belt. And by beat, I mean with a 3lb mini sledge. They’re not as pretty as they once were but given the fact that they’re really being used, there’s no complaints from me.

If I had to start over with tools again, I’d start with Tekton and fill in from there. This is a great deal for sockets if you’re starting out. Drops below $40 occasionally!

TEKTON 3/8-Inch Drive Socket Set, Inch/Metric, 6-Point, 5/16-Inch - 3/4-Inch, 8 mm - 19 mm, 45-Piece | 13101 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00RCYX4WI/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have lots of brands of tools, and I’m very very pleased too. I haven’t needed the warranty yet.

Parrothead · Jan 12, 2018

8200rpm said:
I'm in SoCal. I spent $8 on a BIG can of PB Blaster and realized that it will probably last me a lifetime.

I used a trolley jack with a piece of 2x4 under the brake rotor and jacked it up a few inches to pop the ball joint out of the knuckle.

Getting it out of the lower control arm was tougher. I tried banging on the LCA and the ball joint stud with a hammer to no avail. Had to make a mid-project run to HF for this...

I had to do that too, but AutoZone loans them for free.

jonshonda · Jan 12, 2018

I looked at the Tekton site and the Pitsburg Pro stuff looks extremely similar. Brothers from another mother?

I really would love to own some nice snap on ratchets, but man it's hard to justify the price for a DIY user.

Parrothead · Jan 12, 2018

jonshonda said:
I looked at the Tekton site and the Pitsburg Pro stuff looks extremely similar. Brothers from another mother?

I really would love to own some nice snap on ratchets, but man it's hard to justify the price for a DIY user.

Some of the stuff is a HF equivalent, but a decent amount is not. The combo wrenches...not close. I’d take their combo wrenches over anything locally available (Husky,Kobalt,Craftsman,etc.)They’re made in Taiwan vs China, and as I said earlier, durable. The sockets from Tekton are 6pt vs HF 12pt and if you buy the right set don’t skip sizes. Some sizes are unavailable at HF...period. The groove joint and slip joint pliers are USA made by Wilde. The screwdrivers are USA too. The Tekton 72t ratchet is the old 72t Kobalt which people seemed to like (the 90t isn’t getting the same love). All told, pretty good stuff!

The composite ratchets are HF clones and there’s other stuff too.

Tallpilot · Jan 12, 2018

apdxyk said:
Good to hear about great customer service, it is the differentiator in case of cheap tools.

On a sidenote: the cheap torque wrenches I tried in past were all broke in short time. If it is critical for your application, research a better ones. I settled on expensive Stahlwille and never looked back.

I agree but do you keep a cheap one around for lug nuts and things that can stand a 10% margin of error? I like to save cycles on my expensive torque wrench.

lightning02 · Jan 13, 2018

i spend about 150 to 200 bucks a year with tekton and never been disappointed. i buy mostly there impact sockets and there new line of wrenches but the bigger sizes like 32 and above.

they are making more and more stuff in the USA which is nice. if you go on there site they list where the stuff is made. i tend to say away from the china stuff. anything from taiwan or USA has been great.

Moparman390 · Jan 13, 2018

jonshonda said:
I looked at the Tekton site and the Pitsburg Pro stuff looks extremely similar. Brothers from another mother?

I thought they might be too, they are not:

I have the Tekton one.

Tallpilot · Jan 14, 2018

lightning02 said:
i spend about 150 to 200 bucks a year with tekton and never been disappointed. i buy mostly there impact sockets and there new line of wrenches but the bigger sizes like 32 and above.

they are making more and more stuff in the USA which is nice. if you go on there site they list where the stuff is made. i tend to say away from the china stuff. anything from taiwan or USA has been great.

The only thing that has ever disappointed me was the Chinese pliers. The sockets, ratchets and wrenches are the best value out there and the customer service is amazing.

Tekton Support is unbelievably AWESOME!

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