Autozone/Duralast questions.

[Pro-Painter]

Ive been reading on this forum about Autozone's Duralast brand ratchets and it has peeked my interest.
JH Williams is my normal brand for ratchets and sockets but with no local retailers to turn to, it takes me weeks to get an exchange or repair kit when something does fail.


Has anyone ever exchanged a Duralast tool before? If so, How was the experience? Ive searched the forum and google and found a lot of mixed info.
Some say that Autozone has given them a hard time, others say that you MUST keep the receipt while some say it's as simple as returning a craftsman tool.

Also,
How well does the Duralast brand ratchets compare to the quality of the JH Williams ratchets?

Thanks.

 

[I can fix anything]

Best value in a ratchet you can buy. If it fails Autozone will exchange it. No paperwork needed. I have about a dozen of them and have never broken a ratchet.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Best value in a ratchet you can buy. If it fails Autozone will exchange it. No paperwork needed. I have about a dozen of them and have never broken a ratchet.

Sounds great.
Since you have never broke one, do you have any first hand experience with their warranty?

I really like the idea of an autozone warranty. Their stores are everywhere.

 

[bchee]

I would ***** if they hassled me. The latest tools are marked "guaranteed for life" right on them.

I don't have any personal experience with the warranty.

 

[I can fix anything]

Sounds great.
Since you have never broke one, do you have any first hand experience with their warranty?

I really like the idea of an autozone warranty. Their stores are everywhere.

Yes i have broke sockets and other tools just not ratchets. No problem getting a replacement. I own every duralast tool you can buy from vatozone and they are used in a pro setting daily.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Yes i have broke sockets and other tools just not ratchets. No problem getting a replacement. I own every duralast tool you can buy from vatozone and they are used in a pro setting daily.

That is just what im looking for.
Thanks !

 

[patrickw10]

i have 3 a 1/4 flex and also the 3/8 and 1/2 with comfort handles all are made very well and very strong the 1/4 is making a strong run at becoming my go to ratchet at that size.

 

[mrholeshot]

I absolutly love the Duralast ratchets. I have just about every ratchet Duralst makes except for the comfort handle 1/2 drive. I have Just about every major brand of ratchet and dollar for dollar it's the best ratchet money can buy IMO. The quality compares to Snap-On and exceeds that of Williams. Duralast only two drawback is it isn't built in the USA (like most stuff now) and they are 36 tooth which is fine for 99.9+% of most jobs. They are basicly copies of the Snap-On 936 line of wrenches. I havent had to warranty one yet but was assured by the Autozone manager that it was as simple as walking in with the old and walking out with a new one. If it's not in stock a max of 2 days to get a replacement. One of the best bang for the bucks on the market. If you must have USA the Williams ratchets (936 style and super ratchet) would be my next pick. I'd skip the import Williams(Blue Point) style.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

duralast ratchets are great. i own quite a few of them, and have never broke them. as far as warrenty goes...you walk in....hand the counter person the broken one, they get you a new one, they do a damaged swap, and you walk out the door.....i know this because i work there..haha.

 

[billymade]

RLRRLRLL; so how many come backs and warranty returns have you seen on these ratchets so far? Do they have rebuild kits or do they just swap the whole thing out?

 

[kab00m]

RLRRLRLL; so how many come backs and warranty returns have you seen on these ratchets so far? Do they have rebuild kits or do they just swap the whole thing out?

We swap the whole ratchet out. No repair kits that I know of in the last 5 years I've been there. I haven't seen one come back yet at my location.

 

[HandyManny]

I'll chime in here by saying that I didn't take Duralast tools very seriously before. In fact I never bought much from Autozone except for stuff like oil, windshield washer fluid, and shop towels occasionally. After reading Mrholshot's review on Duralast I decide to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Let me just say that as someone who has a lifetime of buying and using high quality professional grade USA made handtools I can tell you that I am way more than impressed with the level of quality, durability, useability, and workmanship of the Duralast ratchets, wrenches, sockets, and adapter. In fact I had always complained that the days are long gone when you could walk into an autoparts store and buy professional grade hand tool right off of the shelf. Well Autozone has proven me wrong with their line of Duralast handtools. It's been 30 years since I've seen quality even close to this level readily available to the average joe right off the shelf. Too bad that almost no domestic tool maker can offer this level of quality at this price point any longer. Sears and Craftsman have a whole lot to learn from Autozone and Duralast. By the way - the best warranty to have is the one you never have to use.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

I too am fairly impressed... I picked one up after Holeshots review. It is a very decent ratchet, especially for the money. The few things I don't like are preference issues and have nothing to do w/ it's quality or usability. This also being the 1st. "cheap asian" tool I have purchases in over a decade and 1/2, after a fairly knarly accident w/ a ratchet that yielded a cracked collar bone.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

RLRRLRLL; so how many come backs and warranty returns have you seen on these ratchets so far? Do they have rebuild kits or do they just swap the whole thing out?

I have never seen the good duralast ratchets come back. there are some cheaper ones now that are re-badged great neck that come back. I usually talk the customer in to upgrading for the price difference to one of the nicer ones(the type mrholeshot reviewed) and they have not had to warranty them out to my knowledge. I have seen maybe 1 or 2 sockets come back, quite a few breaker bars(i have a duralast breaker bar, and i have never had any failures...someone must have been beating on them pretty good) other then that, ive seen some ratcheting wrenches, and thats about it.

Idk if any of you have the 1/2" version, but i have the 1/2" comfort grip at school...when trying to remove a control arm bolt...we used a 4 foot cheater...prior to that i had a 300 pound guy pull on it with all his might, and even hung from it.....the ratchet still works good as new. ended up cutting the bolt off though.

 

[mrholeshot]

Most people think they are a joke because they come from Autozone. The joke is on those that don't take these ratchets seriously. Not only are they super tough but are finshed out with tool truck quality inside and out. I can't comment on the wrenches or sockets as I haven't tried them.

 

[jeffk14]

I bought the 3/8" drive, 40 piece socket set awhile back. It sells for $39.95 and is usually an "online order/store pickup only" item. Since the ratchet alone was around $25 at my local store, I thought the whole set was a better deal. I've not used them a lot yet, but initial quality seems VERY good for the money.

 

[bchee]

Only thing I never liked about them is the low tooth count.
However, that's probably why they are so strong.

 

[Pro-Painter]

You guys have sold me on duralast ratchets. I plan to pick up a few this weekend.
But I do have a couple more questions.

How long has Duralast tools been around?
I ask because, A few years ago when craftsman went south, I stocked my tool box with nothing but Williams made Kobalt socket/ratchets. The quality was great, and the price was fair.
For years they where great, But now if I break one I'm pretty much screwed. Sure I can still exchange them, but at what cost? The best I can hope for is to exchange the good kobalt for the bad and sell them on ebay to buy real Williams tools.

This is something Ive got to worry about now. I don't want more relabeled craftsman junk.


Also, Does autozone's website include ALL the Duralast ratchets? I was hoping for a ¼" drive soft handle ratchet, ½" drive flex head ratchet and A ⅜" & ½" (fixed head) long handle ratchets.

thanks for all the help and info!

 

[patrickw10]

i think they have been out about 6 7 years.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

You guys have sold me on duralast ratchets. I plan to pick up a few this weekend.
But I do have a couple more questions.

How long has Duralast tools been around?
I ask because, A few years ago when craftsman went south, I stocked my tool box with nothing but Williams made Kobalt socket/ratchets. The quality was great, and the price was fair.
For years they where great, But now if I break one I'm pretty much screwed. Sure I can still exchange them, but at what cost? The best I can hope for is to exchange the good kobalt for the bad and sell them on ebay to buy real Williams tools.

This is something Ive got to worry about now. I don't want more relabeled craftsman junk.


Also, Does autozone's website include ALL the Duralast ratchets? I was hoping for a ¼" drive soft handle ratchet, ½" drive flex head ratchet and A ⅜" & ½" (fixed head) long handle ratchets.

thanks for all the help and info!

i dont think there is a comfort 1/4, or flex 1/2, or long 1/2 or long 3/8, but who knows, once they catch on that people are wanting it, it may happen.

 

[MrMark]

I'll chime in here by saying that I didn't take Duralast tools very seriously before. In fact I never bought much from Autozone except for stuff like oil, windshield washer fluid, and shop towels occasionally. After reading Mrholshot's review on Duralast I decide to see for myself what all the fuss was about. Let me just say that as someone who has a lifetime of buying and using high quality professional grade USA made handtools I can tell you that I am way more than impressed with the level of quality, durability, useability, and workmanship of the Duralast ratchets, wrenches, sockets, and adapter. In fact I had always complained that the days are long gone when you could walk into an autoparts store and buy professional grade hand tool right off of the shelf. Well Autozone has proven me wrong with their line of Duralast handtools. It's been 30 years since I've seen quality even close to this level readily available to the average joe right off the shelf. Too bad that almost no domestic tool maker can offer this level of quality at this price point any longer. Sears and Craftsman have a whole lot to learn from Autozone and Duralast. By the way - the best warranty to have is the one you never have to use.

You obviously haven't walked into your nearest Sears Robuck in the last 30 years. You are getting to be a broken record. We got that you think the US is failing and the Asians passing us by at post 300.

 

[mrholeshot]

You guys have sold me on duralast ratchets. I plan to pick up a few this weekend.
But I do have a couple more questions.

How long has Duralast tools been around?
I ask because, A few years ago when craftsman went south, I stocked my tool box with nothing but Williams made Kobalt socket/ratchets. The quality was great, and the price was fair.
For years they where great, But now if I break one I'm pretty much screwed. Sure I can still exchange them, but at what cost? The best I can hope for is to exchange the good kobalt for the bad and sell them on ebay to buy real Williams tools.

This is something Ive got to worry about now. I don't want more relabeled craftsman junk.


Also, Does autozone's website include ALL the Duralast ratchets? I was hoping for a ¼" drive soft handle ratchet, ½" drive flex head ratchet and A ⅜" & ½" (fixed head) long handle ratchets.

thanks for all the help and info!

They don't have the soft handle in 1/4 drive just a all steel standard and a long flex, 3/8 you can get the long flex, standard steel, soft grip, and stubby, in 1/2 inch you are limited to steel handle and soft grip. I so hoped they had long handle 1/2 inch. The selection is pretty limited but what you can get are great.

 

[HandyManny]

You obviously haven't walked into your nearest Sears Robuck in the last 30 years. You are getting to be a broken record. We got that you think the US is failing and the Asians passing us by at post 300.

Actually I have in the last 30 years. Just haven't been into a Sears in about 6 months. If my factual observations bothers you, then please don't read them. This whole topic of Duralast in general is getting to be repetition often week after week. I don't hear you attcking anyone else. If my posts bother you then just chime out!

Obviously if others didn't think that Craftsman's quality was going down hill they wouldn't be asking about other options, even Taiwan made options. Would they? Evidently people are warming up to Duralast. Even other automotive forums are raving good reviews about them and were doing so long before they ever became controversial here on Garage Journal.

 

[Basskiller]

I would rather buy a used and abused F936 and use it as a hammer than buy an imitation.

 

[mrholeshot]

I would rather buy a used and abused F936 and use it as a hammer than buy an imitation.

Maybe when you figure out what they are used for then you can appreciate the workmanship in these ratchets.

 

[tyreguy25]

I had some great neck stuff and haven't bought any duralast yet. This thread tells me I need to. Thanks for testing these holeshot.

 

[NWphotog]

Maybe when you figure out what they are used for then you can appreciate the workmanship in these ratchets.

Lol, so true!

 

[Thumper]

For the record ...I've never seen a Duralast wrench returned due to failure in the 3 years I've slaved there.

Great necks ....come back like a boomerang.

 

[HandyManny]

For the record ...I've never seen a Duralast wrench returned due to failure in the 3 years I've slaved there.

Great necks ....come back like a boomerang.

From my personal experience with Great Neck I determined it was junk 20 years ago. I've never used a Great Neck tool that didn't fail early.

 

[HandyManny]

Maybe when you figure out what they are used for then you can appreciate the workmanship in these ratchets.

 

[ledthrax]

I picked up the 3/8" flex head during lunch and I am extremely impressed! Used it a few times this afternoon breaking down a hydraulic pump and really like it. The finish looks as good as my F80 and I like the nice tight joint.

I think I'll be picking up the 1/4" flex head tomorrow.

 

[3 at 8]

I bought the 3/8" drive, 40 piece socket set awhile back. It sells for $39.95 and is usually an "online order/store pickup only" item. Since the ratchet alone was around $25 at my local store, I thought the whole set was a better deal. I've not used them a lot yet, but initial quality seems VERY good for the money.

I want one too since I saw Mr Moleshots review. I was thinking the same thing about this set for $39. Anybody use this set to comment on the sockets and extensions?

Duralast socket Set: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...25k6?itemIdentifier=484029&_requestid=3557049

 

[lipadj46]

I know the open stock duralast sockets are very nice.

 

[pep]

If there was just a Toptul-Duralast product line, then you'd really have something.

 

[RLRRLRLL]

I want one too since I saw Mr Moleshots review. I was thinking the same thing about this set for $39. Anybody use this set to comment on the sockets and extensions?

Duralast socket Set: http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...25k6?itemIdentifier=484029&_requestid=3557049

I bought that set a couple years ago, and have had no issues. of course it was a bit more then 40 bucks then.....makes me want to buy another one haha.

 

[tellis84]

I have a set of the Duralast wrenches that I got for free and I really like them. I have other wrenches from Matco, Snap On, Craftsman, and Gearwrench. I use the Matco the most because they are at work, but at home I use the Duralast. They are comfortable, marked well, and have a great usable warranty (A few of the people at my work have broken Duralast stuff and had no problem swapping them out in uniform,once the part truck guy brought a replacement and took the old one with him).

 

[Pro-Painter]

UPDATE:

It's been two weeks since I purchased the Duralast 3/8" flex ratchet. Ive used it almost daily since, and put it through a few stress tests.
IMHO
It's an outstanding ratchet. The overall quality is better then my Taiwan made JH Williams and my Williams made Kobalt's. IMO it's every bit as good as my USA made Williams ratchets. Except better because of the easy access to replacements. (no local Williams dealers)
I have no doubt that it will last years to come. But if not, Autozone said I could exchange it for any reason if I ever become unhappy with it's performance.

IMO It is far better then any other ratchet of the same price/grade. (Craftsman, Kobalt, etc) The only thing I don't like is the "guaranteed for life" script on the handle... IMO it looks tacky. But who really cares?

I would like to thank everyone that recommended duralast to me. I would have never even looked at tools from autozone (or any other parts store) if not for this forum.

Now my only issue is how to convince the wife I need more tools..........





BTW:
Anyone know if the ratchets that come in the socket sets are the same as the individual ratchets? I ask because the standard 73-870 3/8" ratchet is $19.99 , But you can buy the 70-501 22pc socket set for the same price..... Free sockets and case? or cheaper ratchet? http://www.autozone.com/autozone/ac...&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=484028_0_0_

 

[jay50]

That duralast ratchet is made in the same taiwan factory as the snappy 80 tooth ratchers for the record

 

[briggsguy17]

That duralast ratchet is made in the same taiwan factory as the snappy 80 tooth ratchers for the record

Where do you people come up with this stuff? SO dual 80s are made here. The mechanism's are made elsewhere. Just because two things look identical does not mean that they come off the same line. The Chinese are masters of cloning, they have been cloning Honda engines for years.

 

[jeffk14]

Where do you people come up with this stuff? SO dual 80s are made here. The mechanism's are made elsewhere. Just because two things look identical does not mean that they come off the same line. The Chinese are masters of cloning, they have been cloning Honda engines for years.

And just recently, they've gotten pretty damned good at it too.