Autozone/Duralast questions.

[RLRRLRLL]

Sure, Snap On ratchets are awesome. But most people cant justify buying them. Im in tech school and i buy what i can afford, the $20 range duralast ratchets are great for the money. As far as saying that snap on is the only way to go, take this into consideration. On a rear control arm bolt on a 96 nissan pathfinder...i broke a craftsman socket...grabbed a snap on as i figured it would be strong enough, pulled..it broke. i then put on a "cheap asian tool" duralast socket, and it finally broke loose. Tools break, no matter what brand they are. So if you want to spend 80-100 bucks on a ratchet when you can barely afford to eat, go for it, but if you can spend 15-20 bucks on a ratchet, and its quality is between craftsman and snap on...id say its a good choice.

 

[chevy302dz]

Its all the same stuff, as you have learned. I get tired of people saying "so and so parts **** I don't use them". well you know what YOU DID It just depends on how much you want to pay. You go to autozone and pay less, or go to napa and pay more for the same thing.

Yup you're right they're all the same, and Craftsman is the same as Matco and Mac is the same as the Stanley stuff sold in Walmart and a Crown Vic is the same as a TownCar Even if there was only one supplier for everyone (which is not the case but for a second let's assume it is) don't you think that a large supplier like that would build to the customers spec? Just because 2 things are similiar doesn't mean that they are the same.

 

[I can fix anything]

calling elroy a tool snob? you must be kidding. if you knew the difference between a duralast and a pile of horse hockey i doubt that you would say such rubish. i do believe elroy is one of the wisest and most well respected members here. you don't have to stick your finger in a pile of horsehockey to know what it is and i don't blame elroy for not wanting to stick his finger in it.

More BS, I will still put Duralast ratchets up against anything at anytime. Yall can say any **** yall want, but that does not change the fact they are bad *** ratchets. I put them up against anything you got. I turn bolts with them on a daily basis. I have broken many snap on ratchets, but never a Duralast.

 

[I can fix anything]

Yup you're right they're all the same, and Craftsman is the same as Matco and Mac is the same as the Stanley stuff sold in Walmart and a Crown Vic is the same as a TownCar Even if there was only one supplier for everyone (which is not the case but for a second let's assume it is) don't you think that a large supplier like that would build to the customers spec? Just because 2 things are similiar doesn't mean that they are the same.

Dude really, just go to autozone then oriellys and buy an alternator. Then tell me they are different

 

[mikevango]

This thread is starting to get good.

 

[I can fix anything]

This thread is starting to get good.

Dude, I think its sad really.

 

[jay50]

This thread is starting to get good.

Yeah, wish a had another bottle of JD nearby to help me get through all the BS from both sides......

 

[chevy302dz]

Dude really, just go to autozone then oriellys and buy an alternator. Then tell me they are different

Well we don't have Orielly's around here but from what I know of them I'd believe a comparsion like that. Since AutoZone and Orielly's directly compete with eachother it would make sense that the spec similiar parts. Where I completely disagree is when you compare a AutoZone to a NAPA or CarQuest these companies market to a different type of customer one that demands quality over a good warrenty because they are installing the parts on someone elses car for pay and don't want to do it a 2nd time for free.

 

[I can fix anything]

Well we don't have Orielly's around here but from what I know of them I'd believe a comparsion like that. Since AutoZone and Orielly's directly compete with eachother it would make sense that the spec similiar parts. Where I completely disagree is when you compare a AutoZone to a NAPA or CarQuest these companies market to a different type of customer one that demands quality over a good warrenty because they are installing the parts on someone elses car for pay and don't want to do it a 2nd time for free.

I worked at a napa autocare center, I assure you its the same stuff. I have installed enough napa stuff to know.

 

[mikevango]

I was going to post about how I won't go to autozone and wouldn't Ever use a duralast ratchet but then I thought **** it. Buy your parts where you want and use whatever ratchet you want. Who cares.

 

[1969]

This isn't going to end well......... is it?

 

[sk farmer]

I was going to post about how I won't go to autozone and wouldn't Ever use a duralast ratchet but then I thought **** it. Buy your parts where you want and use whatever ratchet you want. Who cares.

good choice.

 

[chevy302dz]

I'll buy it's from the same place in some cases but it's not the same stuff. I've had, seen, and heard of too many failures on parts from some stores and few to none at others for it all to be identical. Not to mention small differences like plated studs or solonoids or painted vs plated alternator fans. I'll leave it at that but if you have some proof that it's all the same or even the name of this one rebulider I'd like to see it.

 

[PassnThru]

...i broke a craftsman socket...grabbed a snap on as i figured it would be strong enough, pulled..it broke. i then put on a "cheap asian tool" duralast socket, and it finally broke loose.

See - there ya go! The Craftsman socket broke it loose for you - but the Snap On couldn't finish it and the Duralast did. I think the real hero here was obviously the Craftsman socket.

 

[I can fix anything]

I'll buy it's from the same place in some cases but it's not the same stuff. I've had, seen, and heard of too many failures on parts from some stores and few to none at others for it all to be identical. Not to mention small differences like plated studs or solonoids or painted vs plated alternator fans. I'll leave it at that but if you have some proof that it's all the same or even the name of this one rebulider I'd like to see it.

Whatever dude I have bought $70,000 worth this year. I have had to warranty very, very little.

 

[Bull]

We're just not going to do the brand-war ******** anymore. If you have USED a tool, go ahead and talk about it. If you just hate a brand for reasons X, Y, and Z but have NEVER used it, restrain yourself.

 

[I can fix anything]

We're just not going to do the brand-war ******** anymore. If you have USED a tool, go ahead and talk about it. If you just hate a brand for reasons X, Y, and Z but have NEVER used it, restrain yourself.

Right on

 

[Wackerjr]

See - there ya go! The Craftsman socket broke it loose for you - but the Snap On couldn't finish it and the Duralast did. I think the real hero here was obviously the Craftsman socket.

LOL Snap-on loosened it

 

[jay50]

Right on

Dayum, i just had the gf buy me a case of beer for tonight; hope this thread continues for a while. I might have to get drunk just to endure it....

 

[SMKS]

CarQuest-- these companies market to a different type of customer one that demands quality over a good warrenty because they are installing the parts on someone elses car for pay and don't want to do it a 2nd time for free.

I have started calling Carquest for prices. They had the cheapest price by quite a bit for an idler pulley for my Nissan Frontier. It was branded as made by Gates in China. It turned out to be JUNK and failed in a few months. I got another under warranty and it hasn't failed yet.

Carquest doesn't put the warranty of a product you buy on the receipt. They also hassled me a little when I returned it. Overall, I haven't been too impressed with them.

 

[mrholeshot]

There is no speculation that the manufacturer of Duralast ratchets copied the Snap-On design to simply **** market share off a good name.

As far as the comments are concerned about being an idiot for not using a breaker bar well the combination of broach location and drive index didn't allow a breaker to to come up to the faster. There was also a bunch of hydraulic lines and a control junction box right in the way. The ratchet was the way to go.

Allow Elroy to rephrase that. The Snap-On ratchet was the way to go.

The duralast wasn't even considered. If you're EVER under the pressure we were under, you would be well advised to reconsider your endorsement of Duralast.

Elroy wrenches to earn a wage. Broken tools are simply unacceptable. It appears you endorse Autozone ratchets because they're cheap, look good and have never failed "you". Elroy on the other hands desires a domestically produced ratchet that he has confidence isn't going to fail. Duralast hasn't reached that level of confidence for Elroy



Call someone who cares about Autozone tools as Elroy doesn't.

I doubt anyone takes a person serious who refers to himself in the third person. Any ratchet can fail. Unless you own one, used one or tested one your opinion is about as solid as jello. Do you really beleive you are the only tech who has ever been under pressure? Reality to Elroy, hello

 

[boostedgt]

i once looked at a dodge aspen for sale by a man named elroy. he answered the door wearing an elmer fudd hat while eating a chicken leg! no lie! im not sure what his preferred brand of tools was though..

i prefer made in the usa tools(you can buy em used cheaper than new chinese) but to each his own

 

[jay50]

I doubt anyone takes a person serious who refers to himself in the third person. Any ratchet can fail. Unless you own one, used one or tested one your opinion is about as solid as jello. Do you really beleive you are the only tech who has ever been under pressure? Reality to Elroy, hello

Elroy will not understand a word of that; you didn't direct the writing in the 3rd person to stroke his ego....

 

[1969]

Who is this Elroy you speak of ?

 

[Toolhorder]

"I can fix anything"- There is a difference. Autozone markets to the bottom of the barrel consumer who isn't looking for a part to last just to get them by. The parts are 90% outsourced to the lowest bidder.
I've been in this business a long time and I know exactly what I'm doing. Our shop doesn't have any account with Autozone, in fact I'm thinking of dropping CSK/O-reilly's as well since they can't get their act together after the buy out and I find things like 0w-20 oil is cheaper at the dealer then with them.
I've been using WorldPac and Factory motor parts and couldn't be more happy. There is a difference between some junk asian pick up coil at Autozone and an AC Delco pick up coil from factory motor parts.
You'll learn eventually after doing jobs twice a couple of times. It's just not worth my time. I only install Autozone stuff if the customer brings it to me and signs that I'm not responsible if it fails and you'll have to pay labor again to fix it.
Just this month had two different cars take a dump after installing a coil in one car and a crank sensor in another. Both from Autozone and both cars had to pay twice. One guy wanted a better part and I got it from WorldPac and been running fine since. The other Autozone exchanged it out and it's running so far....Customer paid twice in both cases for labor.
I'm not saying every part is bad from them but the odds are not the best compared to other suppliers.

 

[sk farmer]

Who is this Elroy you speak of ?

never seen the jetson's? if you really don't know, look him up, read his stuff. it's all out there. spose you never heard of uncle buck, paramudduck, merkava and a bunch of others either. of course you rarely see guys like blackenwhitepit or bolster either do we?

 

[mrholeshot]

Unlike so many in this thread I actually went out and bought a Duralast ratchet, tested it, abused it and used it. Sorry haters but it's an excellant tool and not only that it's inexpensive. Now keep in mind I own over 150 ratchets and at least 50 of them are Snap-On and then SK, Mac and a bunch of other high quality brands. I own about 20 of those ratchets are asian and of those 5 are Duralast. The ratchets are copies of Snap-On 936 ratchets. They just happen to be excellant built copies with some things actually better. I don't own them because thats all I can afford, I bought them because I was impressed with them. I'm still impressed with them. It has no bearing on how I feel about my Snap-On ratchets. I still love those as well. My point to the Duralast thing was that for guys just getting started, people on a budget or someone who doesn't have access to high dollar tools that the Duralast will do the same job as a Snap-On 936 at a fraction of the price. I can buy any ratchet I want, some people just can't. I'm not afraid to step over that stigma line and tell someone. Hey! Thats a good tool. Those of you who have yet to try one or rather buy a flra market Proto thats fine. If you care about making money without selling your soul to the tool truck gods there is an alternative. The only thing I can find wrong with Duralast ratchets is they don't build them in enough configurations. Commenting on something you have 0 first hand knowledge about makes you ignorant to the real facts and your opinion worthless. If you really want to talk **** about it, go down to Autozone, buy one, take it home and break it then return it for a refund. Then you have earned to right to talk ****. Thats the approch I took and much to my surprize or better yet amazement it turned out to be an excellant tool. Enough so I bought one in each style I liked. Until then your comments are worth the price of the ink on this page

 

[Toolhorder]

Unlike so many in this thread I actually went out and bought a Duralast ratchet, tested it, abused it and used it. Sorry haters but it's an excellant tool and not only that it's inexpensive. Now keep in mind I own over 150 ratchets and at least 50 of them are Snap-On and then SK, Mac and a bunch of other high quality brands. I own about 20 of those ratchets are asian and of those 5 are Duralast. The ratchets are copies of Snap-On 936 ratchets. They just happen to be excellant built copies with some things actually better. I don't own them because thats all I can afford, I bought them because I was impressed with them. I'm still impressed with them. It has no bearing on how I feel about my Snap-On ratchets. I still love those as well. My point to the Duralast thing was that for guys just getting started, people on a budget or someone who doesn't have access to high dollar tools that the Duralast will do the same job as a Snap-On 936 at a fraction of the price. I can buy any ratchet I want, some people just can't. I'm not afraid to step over that stigma line and tell someone. Hey! Thats a good tool. Those of you who have yet to try one or rather buy a flra market Proto thats fine. If you care about making money without selling your soul to the tool truck gods there is an alternative. The only thing I can find wrong with Duralast ratchets is they don't build them in enough configurations. Commenting on something you have 0 first hand knowledge about makes you ignorant to the real facts and your opinion worthless. If you really want to talk **** about it, go down to Autozone, buy one, take it home and break it then return it for a refund. Then you have earned to right to talk ****. Thats the approch I took and much to my surprize or better yet amazement it turned out to be an excellant tool. Enough so I bought one in each style I liked. Until then your comments are worth the price of the ink on this page

I'll give you that much (I haven't actually bought or tried a Duralast ratchet) I'd try one buy I don't want to get contact high waiting in the welfare line ahh I mean parts line.

 

[I can fix anything]

"I can fix anything"- There is a difference. Autozone markets to the bottom of the barrel consumer who isn't looking for a part to last just to get them by. The parts are 90% outsourced to the lowest bidder.
I've been in this business a long time and I know exactly what I'm doing. Our shop doesn't have any account with Autozone, in fact I'm thinking of dropping CSK/O-reilly's as well since they can't get their act together after the buy out and I find things like 0w-20 oil is cheaper at the dealer then with them.
I've been using WorldPac and Factory motor parts and couldn't be more happy. There is a difference between some junk asian pick up coil at Autozone and an AC Delco pick up coil from factory motor parts.
You'll learn eventually after doing jobs twice a couple of times. It's just not worth my time. I only install Autozone stuff if the customer brings it to me and signs that I'm not responsible if it fails and you'll have to pay labor again to fix it.
Just this month had two different cars take a dump after installing a coil in one car and a crank sensor in another. Both from Autozone and both cars had to pay twice. One guy wanted a better part and I got it from WorldPac and been running fine since. The other Autozone exchanged it out and it's running so far....Customer paid twice in both cases for labor.
I'm not saying every part is bad from them but the odds are not the best compared to other suppliers.

We use autozone exclusively, you fix problems right they don't come back. We warranty almost nothing. 1 ball joint(in a lifted off road truck) and 1 water pump. Thats all I can find since 1/1/10

 

[mrholeshot]

I'll give you that much (I haven't actually bought or tried a Duralast ratchet) I'd try one buy I don't want to get contact high waiting in the welfare line ahh I mean parts line.

You have already admitted to going into Autozone. Will your welfare check and food stamps be in at the first of the month?

 

[jay50]

You have already admitted to going into Autozone. Will your welfare check and food stamps be in at the first of the month?

 

[MrMark]

Where is this Worldpak?

All the chain auto parts stores are trash (Napa included), I would never put any part from them in a good car. Their help is utterly useless and their parts, and they probably are all the same from the Chinaman, junk. Who cares about a warranty on an autopart? Not me. That's like a warranty on paint. Big deal, here's some paint now pay the man 4K to paint the house over.

The dealer parts have gotten to be bad enough. I even had an AC/delco rebuilt PS pump from Canada that was shameful in quality and shameful in directions too.

 

[Thumper]

Yeah....I always get my welfare checks cashed at the Zone......(blatent sarcasm)

Not everybody that shops there are low class, no class, bottom feeders that has been suggested.....y'all are kickin this dead horse again and it's starting to stink.

 

[Basskiller]

never seen the jetson's? if you really don't know, look him up, read his stuff. it's all out there. spose you never heard of uncle buck, paramudduck, merkava and a bunch of others either. of course you rarely see guys like blackenwhitepit or bolster either do we?

No Autoace either

 

[littlekillertoad]

I purchased a duralast ratchet after Mrholeshot's review. I only been able to use the ratchet a couple of times, but for a shade mechanic like me, it seems like a pretty darn good ratchet. I don't have nearly the collection that Mrholeshot has, but I own enough to know when a ratchet is well put together.
I definitely don't like that it's made in Taiwan but it's a surprising ratchet. I mean, I had this impression that auto parts store tools ****, so the duralast ratchet made me rethink those tools. For somebody on a tight budget, it's one of the better ratchets you can buy in it's price bracket. I don't think I'm going to go around buying a bunch of store brand tools and I probably won't buy another duralast ratchet (because I like digging through rust at the flea market and I'm not crazy about the duralst COO), but it was a nice reminder that tools need to be judged on their own merits, not just their name.

 

[Pro-Painter]

Like most of you, I chuckled the first time I seen the Duralast vs Snap-on title from mrholeshot.
But I read his (very well done) review, searched this forum and google searched for hours and could not find one single person that had a duralast ratchet fail, or even anyone that was unhappy with it. In fact, I found forum after forum of very happy owners.

SO I decided to give one a try. I waited two full weeks before I said a word about it, And every time I used it it impressed me more and more.
I even attached it to a 1/2" torque wrench locked in a vise and made multiple pulls to 200ft lbs (limit of my torque wrench) and the Duralast ratchet held up great! 200ft lbs is great from a flex handle ratchet! no matter WHO or WHERE it's made by.

After that I decided I would comment and give my $0.02. Everyone on this forum (and others) that have purchased the Duralast ratchet have been impressed by it. Thats a fact you CAN'T argue.
If it was pure **** like the SO guys claim, no one would be talking about it.




You Snap-on guys need to realize that Snap-on is a waste of money to the avg back yard mechanic. We don't have trucks that come by, We don't have EZ finance plans, and exchanging a snap-on tool is a major PITA for us. You either got to pay MORE by shipping it back to SO, OR keep it in your car for weeks until you spot a snap-on truck to BEG.

So my question is WHY would a non professional want to buy Snap-on? Why pay 4x more, have LESS customer support and run the risk of going weeks without a tool wile your waiting on Snap-on to return your repaired tool?
When you can go to autozone, or sears and buy your tools for much much less and have the convenience of same day replacement if it does fail.

I know what you guys are going to say, and I agree, Snap on IS better, stronger and comforting. BUT 95% of the time a craftsman, Kobalt or yes even a Duralast tool will do the same job. The other 5% (or even 10%) where a snap-on does prevail above all others is rarely seen by your avg non professional mechanic.
And if you do ever find yourself in that 5% then who cares if you break the duralast, a replacement is only 5 minutes away.

Snap-on has it place, and although it is the best brand, it's not the best choice for everyone.

 

[1969]

Snap-on has it place, and although it is the best brand, it's not the best choice for everyone. Well put.

 

[Bull]

More SO vs. Duralast ****?

We're done here.

Read Basskiller's sig line, and live by it.