Auto parts stores tools

[KEH]

All auto parts stores I have seen carry hand tools and othere too. Back in the day NAPA carried New Britain tools, which were very nice and I couldn't afford them. Later in the late 60s NAPA came out with a cheaper line named Sparta which didn't have quite as nice finish. I needed a 7/8 deep socket for a Wisconsin motors spark plugs so I got a Sparta which I still have, chrome developed some rust spots from condensation, but never damaged it otherwise. Years later I got on the used market some New Britain and Sparta rachets. The Sparta has fewer teeth but I don't remember how many. These tools were guranteed, I think I heard on here that NAPA would still honor the New Britain warrenty but exchange for NAPA tools.

Parts stores advertise on their tools usually that they are guranteed. Some of the imports look and perform pretty good. As part of another transaction I recently got an Ampro 1/4 drive ratchet that is broken. It has a big rivet plus two screws holding it together so I don't know, yet, about any repairs. Ampros were sold by Advance Auto, but when I asked about them the clerks claimed to have never heard of them. I also called Ampro and they said I was supposed tto deal with Advance Auto. Not a high priority for me to repair the ratchet, but I was looking into it out of curiosity. Now Advance handles Gearwrench, don't know how the gurantee will work out for them down the road.

Auto parts stores now usually handle a good line of tools and a cheaper line, but both lines are made overseas now.

KEH

 

[mds47588]

Beleive it nor not, I've heard some respectable comments on the Autozone "Duralast" brand. I've got a few of their large torx sockets they've not failed me.

 

[97nismo]

I have a few duralast ratchets and they are nice...gearwrench is sold at advanced but it is not cheap about the price of used snap on

 

[woody 73]

KEH you made my day LOL...recently I took back a broken pair of ampro pliers because the tip broke off; sure enough the kid goes never heard of them tough luck! It took some time but I found an old codger at another store and he helped me out.

Although I have every tool receipt from the early 1970's it would have taken me another 50 years just to find the darn thing.

 

[raddksn]

I have some Duralast sockets and combo wrenches they have served me well, I'm just DIY not a jobshop but works for me.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

Beleive it nor not, I've heard some respectable comments on the Autozone "Duralast" brand. I've got a few of their large torx sockets they've not failed me.

Duralast is, in general, very high quality, for the price.

They have a disrespectful and shiesty warranty, "limited" lifetime, you must tie all your purchases to a phone number, which, as far as hand tool warranties (obviously, I'd say it's different for things like duralast branded starters or whatever) is a dead giveaway they're trying to weasel out of feeling any obligation to the customer, as though that somehow makes them look honorable, to set silly requirements so they don't have to replace your stuff... nobody's counterfitting duralast ratchets to warranty, it should be "here you go", no questions.

But other than my pet peeve about their warranty, I've actually never broken a duralast tool. My one return to auto-zone was a great-neck tap-die set: it didn't break, I never even used it - opened the box and was so disgusted with the quality that I returned it. I had to wait for the manager, but he was done with my refund while I was only half way through explaining all the giant issues with the "tools".

Don't buy ANYTHING branded great-neck, it's absolute trash. I did accidentally buy a great-neck torque wrench (branded duralast, opened the box and saw that it's got greatneck papers explaining that it's built on contract, and has no real warranty to speak of... but hey, it was a 30 dollar click wrench and has always worked nicely, accurate as far as I can tell. but beware of great-neck/duralast click wrenches in disguise).

They're a very consumery/condescending chain in some ways, but if you jump through the phone number hoops, they're pretty good to deal with, and want to make you happy.

NAPA, in my experience, has some fine tools, and businesses tend to like buying from them instead of auto-zone... but I find that their stuff isn't any better, and they're much less helpful and respectful, in fact they tend to be somewhat belligerent and act more like their little garage is a front that you're not actually supposed to frequent, you might get in the way of their protection, or whatever they really run.

But do beware, that duralast, though it's all good for what it is, has a wide variety of things. They have cheap ratchets that come with cheap sets, with plastic direction switches and such, and they have pretty nice (though kinda coarse) ones. They have very deep deep sockets, and some sets come with lame pretend-deep sockets. So, look at what you buy, but it's pretty good stuff overall, for whatever price bracket you buy from - and 98% of it has lifetime replacement if you can keep track of your accounts. (If you change phone numbers.... just keep using your old one, I say)

 

[d.mcfarland]

The Duralast brand has jumped around as far as manufactures though. Some are Snap On clones! Ratchets I mean.

 

[sonvolt]

I have some NAPA USA sockets, excellent quality and a few of their new Carlyle tools which are good quality as well.

 

[PC PaiN]

The Napa Carlyle stuff I've been reading is pretty good. I've been wanting to pick up one of their ratchets to try out.

 

[zkling]

I have a few duralast ratchets and they are nice...gearwrench is sold at advanced but it is not cheap about the price of used snap on

This. It's not bad stuff but for the price you can usually buy used pro brand tools. Or kobalt on sale a good bit cheaper. I think their prices are a bit higher so they can tap into the "need it now" market.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

The Duralast brand has jumped around as far as manufactures though. Some are Snap On clones! Ratchets I mean.

Yeah. I believe my duralast wrenches are snap-on clones, slightly shorter but otherwise, the same. Sockets are SK clones. Etc. They make a light ratchet and a few others I've been meaning to look at in some detail, but I think I'll just get snap-on or matco, if I want lighter or finer teeth.

Do you happen to know who those manufacturers are? I'd be curious. I assume un-marked duralast is from taiwan and china, despite (what I consider to be) it's quality?

Other than great-neck... but if they do much, I know they finish duralast tools to MUCH higher quality standards than their own brand, from the chrome to the steel to the grinding in the jaws, shape of socket points, etc. (I have a set of duralast metric combo wrenches I bought, and a set of greatneck ones I got in a used toolbox, side by side makes duralast look awesome, greatneck look absolutely pitiful)

I guess onece again, my over-arching point is, greatneck is scrap before it leaves the factory, but duralast rocks

 

[TDLMOMOWERS]

I own many New Britain and Sparta hand tools. I bought most of them in the early 70s when I worked for Napa, in Mansfield, Ohio. I worked as a industrial truck mechanic for General Motors for 32 years, retiring in 2009 when they closed the Mansfield stamping plant. I went back to work for Napa. We still honor the warranty on New Britain and Sparta hand tools. The Sparta ratchet you spoke of was more than likely a 45 tooth ratchet and was probably a model CB 45. We now carry the Carlyle brand of tools. They are imported from Taiwan and carry a lifetime warranty.

 

[jonti48310]

"limited" lifetime, you must tie all your purchases to a phone number

No sir, they don't ask for your phone number when you purchase tools. The only time they would ask for your phone number on a tool is for a loan-a-tool. They warranty their tools simply by damaging them out and giving the customer a new tool.

 

[n8n]

Advance sells Gearwrench now... NAPA Carlyle I only have one socket but I've already beat the snot out of it, so it gets a thumbs up too.

 

[jim1987]

I've used my duralast sockets for about 4 years now. I never worry about breaking them. I also have a long flex 3/8 ratchet that I bought from them, still going strong. Plus the ratchet wrench sets. My only complaint from duralast is the open stock ratchet wrenches are full polish, vs the sets are thinner and have a rough finish to them. Warranty is in and out. No phone number..

Gearwrench, well we've all heard about them.

Now Napa, Carlyle, is the cats meow for me. The Carlyle tools I do have don't get used much, but no complains from me. The open stock blows az and AAA away in my area. My only complain there, price, and.they close on 5, m-f and 2 on sat. Sunday? Closed, which I can half respect. But people still do things on the weekend.

 

[BFHtime]

Has anybody tried the Carlyle ratchet wrenches, I am thinking about trying a set.

What is nice about NAPA, is that if you break a tool, which seem pretty decent, (I have not really used them, but they look and feel decent) you can send it back and have another one sent with the next order of parts that same day, maybe even that same hour. Not breakages yet.

 

[DanCo]

The Ampro would get replaced with the comparable Auto Craft line in my store.
Some of the more specialized GW is just not stocked in our stores. I would call GW on the customers behalf to make the claim.

Dan

 

[justang1997]

I've used my duralast sockets for about 4 years now. I never worry about breaking them. I also have a long flex 3/8 ratchet that I bought from them, still going strong. Plus the ratchet wrench sets. My only complaint from duralast is the open stock ratchet wrenches are full polish, vs the sets are thinner and have a rough finish to them. Warranty is in and out. No phone number..

Gearwrench, well we've all heard about them.

Now Napa, Carlyle, is the cats meow for me. The Carlyle tools I do have don't get used much, but no complains from me. The open stock blows az and AAA away in my area. My only complain there, price, and.they close on 5, m-f and 2 on sat. Sunday? Closed, which I can half respect. But people still do things on the weekend.

I too discovered that sockets that come in sets **** and ones on the individual rack are finished very nicely. The sets have no part numbers and shallow stamps whereas the individuals are deep Shiney and have part numbers.

As for the ampro stuff I have a set of torx bits that are probably 6 years old or more and have been very good.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

 

[jim1987]

I too discovered that sockets that come in sets **** and ones on the individual rack are finished very nicely. The sets have no part numbers and shallow stamps whereas the individuals are deep Shiney and have part numbers.

As for the ampro stuff I have a set of torx bits that are probably 6 years old or more and have been very good.

Sent from my Q10 using Tapatalk 2

Umm.. you read my post wrong. I was referring to the ratchet wrench sets vs. Open stock. And I should have clarified, my duralast sockets are the 10-19 deep and shallow 3/8 drive. I feel the open stop stock sockets ****. The few I have (kobalt socket tray fillers) have pitting on them and haven't been used. The older set I have still looks good, minus a little chrome fade which is expected.

Something else to note on duralast vs. Kobalt, the labels they use for metric/standard (red/blue) is flipped flopped.

 

[jim1987]

Also to add on that ampro ratchet, that rivet isn't a rivet, its just pressed in the cover plate. A little love will get it out.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

No sir, they don't ask for your phone number when you purchase tools. The only time they would ask for your phone number on a tool is for a loan-a-tool. They warranty their tools simply by damaging them out and giving the customer a new tool.

At auto-zone? Seriously? They told me they'd need to know the account/card I bought my stuff under, I did ask them...

If you're right and it's a legit warranty, that beats the **** out of craftsman, because the tools are, imo, so much nicer (at least, than standard craftsman raised panel, etc).

But I suppose the fact that I've never had to warranty one says something, too. And I love doubled up wrenches, cheater pipes... they always spring right back, finish takes it, jaws are as close to perfect as I can imagine considering how I use them, etc. (by comparison, my craftsman US are sort of mucked up).

 

[nicksnothereman]

Never had a problem with any of their ****. Haven't used the pepboys one (the new one) though, don't look so hot. I'll even use the great neck stuff (which is also now being sold under the kobalt line)...I guess I just take care of my stuff. Duralast is good but don't think it's any better than the other taiwanese tools at harbor freight or lowe's, just easier to get to.

 

[mechanicalmoron]

Never had a problem with any of their ****. Haven't used the pepboys one (the new one) though, don't look so hot. I'll even use the great neck stuff (which is also now being sold under the kobalt line)...I guess I just take care of my stuff. Duralast is good but don't think it's any better than the other taiwanese tools at harbor freight or lowe's, just easier to get to.

WAY nicer than greatneck...

It just feels, and behaves, like higher quality steel IMO. And it's finished out much more nicely - if you want, I can take a picture of a greatneck next to a duralast, even with my phone camera you'll see the difference.

 

[Gmonkee]

I've gone the economy tools as the backbone of my kit for decades. GreatNeck varies wildy in origin as you go back through their history and includes USA items. I've not seen Duralast in person but I've had identical PowerBuilt brand from the same source, AZ.

The ratchets all are weak. I tried a dozen and all hit the recycle bin within a year. Spend money here and never look back. Cheap will cost you more in the long run.
The sockets from the better line (Allied Taiwan OEM) are great users. Oddly identical to Taiwan HF sockets among a slew of other house brands. I can't break them and other than normal wear from use they are great years later.

Wrenches can vary, half a year can be the difference between a great fitting good looking set or a poor fitting great looking set at the same price. Suppliers change without notice to you the consumer. Shop carefully and you'll be ok. I have a few better brands but the base of my user wrenches were this grade and they served me well.

If you want to shop cheap you'll have to be smart. Look past the finish and shine, good steel can come from anywhere now and make good tools. Bad steel can be from anywhere too. The if it is good consider the bling factor.
Does it fit fasteners right? Test a few from a friend's shop kit or in store as best you can. I didn't do this and ended up with a $40 wrench set that is too loose on fasteners on Korean made cars and perfect for German made cars. Get what fits your stuff the best.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

I'll even use the great neck stuff (which is also now being sold under the kobalt line)

I'm confused...

 

[Notgrownup]

I have some Thorsen, Ampro, Duralast tools and they all seem to last good...

 

[mailpup]

I have some auto parts store house brands and so far they've held up well. I'm a shadetree mechanic but I've tested them by breaking loose some tight fasteners such as Honda and Toyota crankshaft bolts and various axle nuts. I have O'Reilly's GM Performance Parts brand although they appear to be switching over to a new brand called PowerTorque but visually they look alike. I also have Pep Boys' Gearhead house brand and their quality appears comparable to O'Reilly's. In fact they are both comparable to the Taiwan made Powerbuilt brand they both used to carry awhile ago. I have some NAPA brand tools but no Carlyle yet.

I have a few China made Ace (Hardware) sockets but I haven't used them a lot yet. I have Danaher USA made Kobalt and Masterforce (Menards) sockets and they are comparable to their USA Craftsman, NAPA, Allen and Armstrong cousins (I have samples of these too). A have a few old Stanley USA made Husky sockets and they've held up fine. I even have some Paramount house brand tools from MSC. I've looked at Duralast tools at AutoZone but I don't have any yet.

It seems that more and more companies are selling their own proprietary brands. Maybe Taiwan and China sources have made it more affordable. Proprietary brands also simplify warranty returns since you could have only bought it from them.

 

[KEH]

Thanks for comments, some good info here. Jim1987, thats for telling me about rivet, I'll give it a try. Nothing to lose, it's just a project ratchet.

I wish I could remember some of the other tools the parts houses carried. At some early point they started carrying Japanese made tools, such as Truecraft? which were high quality tools. Japan got away from selling junk fairly early.

KEH

 

[mailpup]

Years ago, Pep Boys carried some Truecraft tools. I bought a tie rod end puller but it was actually made in USA.

 

[sberry]

I agree the stuff has got better, a quite a while ago already. I like Gmonkee's assessment, that's why I look and see that Cman really aint that bad, once in a while but not worth disregarding if a guy needs a few tools.

We got Napa, we got Auto Value which had ATD, I bought some things from it and never had anything that didn't work better than I thought it would.
They got a buyer and they got it just before it went on to be rebranded upwards, some of it is the exact same but the label.

 

[jonti48310]

At auto-zone? Seriously? They told me they'd need to know the account/card I bought my stuff under, I did ask them...

If you're right and it's a legit warranty, that beats the **** out of craftsman, because the tools are, imo, so much nicer (at least, than standard craftsman raised panel, etc).

But I suppose the fact that I've never had to warranty one says something, too. And I love doubled up wrenches, cheater pipes... they always spring right back, finish takes it, jaws are as close to perfect as I can imagine considering how I use them, etc. (by comparison, my craftsman US are sort of mucked up).

I agree, the Duralast line-up is far superior to craftsman quality wise, especially these days.

But yea, the account/card only keeps track of purchases over $20 to get your point towards getting the $20 rewards. The card doesn't however keep track of individual or specific items you bought to get you over the $20. Hope that makes sense.

So if you brake any Duralast tool you should be able to take it in to any AutoZone and get it replaced. That is unless the worker sees a reason to justify that the tool was used incorrectly, i.e cheater bar marks on a ratchet or something. Even then the employee would probably return it and give a fair warning.

The person up at AZ either told you that you needed your card to give you a tough time or because they were new.

Hope this helps.