90s challenger by proto socket set?

[JohnDeere]

I have this 90s challenger 1/4 socket set, and it is common consensus the the later challenger stuff was no good. The ratchet is dual pawl with a metal switcher and the sockets seem good quality. Opinions?

 

[Shootinok]

I had a 3/8” set of those for years as my truck set. Really served me well.
The sockets were great, and the ratchet never failed me.

 

[four.cycle]

"... the later challenger stuff was no good ..."

could have fooled me... here's the Challenger stuff I picked up from GJ member motoretro a few years back .... doesn't appear to be anything wrong with it that I know of...

looks like you've got a really nice set there.

 

[JohnDeere]

The spinner is really nice !

 

[four.cycle]

^ yeah... that set is like brand new... I'm not sure why he wanted to sell it, but the price was right... it's out in the garage in a bag somewhere.

 

[JohnDeere]

The set I have is nearly new as well. Here is an angle that shows the box better. @craftsman creep has this set’s big brother

 

[Nutria]

I have a similar set. I suppose that someone could quibble over the quality of the makers marks, but it's worked fine for me. I think that's what it's all about.

 

[My Old Tools]

I always liked my Challenger stuff. I still have my deeps and two sets of open/box end SAE wrenches.

 

[1982fxr]

Iirc there was also a challenger brand not tied to proto. Could be confusion about that...

 

[craftsman creep]

Here is the big brother to @JohnDeere set
-Preston

 

[toolmiser]

I have a set that is similar to the pictured sets. I bought it at a garage sale and wondered if someone had taken the plastic insert and installed it in a tool box. Now I know the rest of the story!

 

[four.cycle]

Iirc there was also a challenger brand not tied to proto.

Earliest "Challenger" was marketed through Penens Corp., if I am not mistaken. I'm not well-versed on the timeline.
Later the entire "Pendleton" empire was acquired by Ingersoll-Rand. Some later Challenger is marked "PROTO" as well.

 

[IMCA38]

I acquired this 3/8 set that’s labeled Proto Challenger in a plastic case some time ago.
All of the sockets and the extension are labeled USA. The ratchet is 1260D. I can’t find a COO marking on it.

 

[four.cycle]

^ it's U.S. made - same as the one in my photo above. Not a bad ratchet, if you like that "thumbwheel" action.

 

[Ricky Joe]

could have fooled me... here's the Challenger stuff I picked up from GJ member motoretro a few years back .... doesn't appear to be anything wrong with it that I know of...

looks like you've got a really nice set there.

I have a 1/4” drive Challenger by Proto set that the chrome easily matches the worst I’ve seen.

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some of my Challenger spares. They seem decent to me. They are probably pre ‘90 though.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

^ all my Challenger stuff is beautiful in respect to the chroming. might well be a deal like Thorsen: some of it's great, some of it's terrible.

 

[JohnDeere]

The Thorsen thing is very true. Also "MFD USA" Proto stuff sometimes had iffy chrome.

 

[Zrxrunner]

Theres also a Stanley branded line of challenger marked sockets. I havent seen the ratchet, but came across some of the sockets. made in usa and seem to be same quality as the proto badged stuff. All from the same stanley parent company anyways now.

 

[Targa68]

Theres also a Stanley branded line of challenger marked sockets. I havent seen the ratchet, but came across some of the sockets. made in usa and seem to be same quality as the proto badged stuff. All from the same stanley parent company anyways now.

Here is the Stanley Challenger 1659 ratchet, 1/2"

 

[MAD]

The reputation issue with the 90s Challenger tools was not quality, but that the USA origin was less than honest. It was blatant enough that the FTC went after Stanley for their deceptive labeling and marketing practices.

https://www.ftc.gov/sites/default/files/documents/cases/1999/06/stanleyworkscmp.htm

 

[Provincial]

There was a point where Challenger was seen as Proto tools without the warranty. Most were just as good as the Protos. The quality of the finish was quite close to the Protos. No so much with the ratchets.

The quality of the Challenger ratchets seems to have varied over the years. I've found the ones that look like the one posted by Targa68 to be smooth and reliable. Later ones were loose and had noticeable drag.

I pick up Challenger tools to use as "onboard" tools or kits stashed in outbuildings. I evaluate each tool when I see them, so the variation in quality isn't much of a factor. I just buy the better versions. They are ridiculously inexpensive!

 

[Ricky Joe]

I don’t think Proto…

 

[Ricky Joe]

Actually says “Challenge”. Not much room for the “R”, if it was ever intended.