Carlyle Sockets - QC Problem?

[cjarvis]

I just picked up a set of 1/2" dr. Shallow metric 6 pts. And noticed that on approximately half of them, the broach and chrome look perfect and on the other half, it looks like ****. Based on Carlyle's price, reputation and the ratchets I have, I was expecting better than this. Am I off base, or do these need to go back for exchange/refund?

 

[SuperCat]

I am surprised, a lot of people have posted that Carlyle tools are great quality and a lot of bang for the buck. I would return that set for another set or a refund. I agree, that looks like ****.

 

[Fedwrench]

It looks like it might have missed the interior polishing station.

I would use the hell out of it so, that the inside is full of grease, debris, and scratches. You won't notice the lack of polishing then...

I don't think the interior finish will affect how it grips a fastener

 

[ssdave]

So, are we starting the "finish inside the socket" complaint thread again? Essentially all manufacturers have less or poorer chrome inside the socket, some paint them. It's been beaten to death on about every socket brand here before.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=301662

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=142390

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=132134

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=303376&page=3

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=151204

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=313996

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=89777

 

[Ruger_556]

Here we go again...

 

[Hiball]

My opinion? Ru kidding me... Have you ever seen what the inside of sockets look like after being used? I fully didn't understand the "tool polisher" comments till I joined up here. If had to start over and buy A tool set with no personal experience, this place would have me so jacked up.. is this guys review based off actual use or how photogenic they are?? So many decisions... More Xanax please.

With all that said... If you ain't happy, send them back because nothing anyone else says matters, Your money, Your problems.

Good luck

 

[SuperCat]

I just took a quick look at the those threads and I didn't see Carlyle mentioned - this thread brings us closer to complete coverage of every brand.

Seriously, ssdave, you are right. I think people are truly surprised to see this issue, then they start thinking about rust, quality control in other areas, did I just waste my money on a poor quality tool, etc. So, they ask questions here to find out the truth of the matter. Some folks forget to search, and if they do, sometimes old threads are just plain old, and folks want to know if anything has changed. So, yeah, the same topics keep coming up. I want to thank you for taking the time to post the links, there is some good info in there.

For me, if I pay new quality tools prices with little or no discount, then my expectations are higher. If I pay less, then my expectations are lower. There is no point in owning a tool that makes you feel like you have been ripped off every time you look at it. If the OP is not satisfied with his purchase, then he should return, exchange or get a refund. If the price is right and the product is good enough, then it is good to go. Life is too short to be irritated forever with a tool purchase.

As for tool polishing, who has got time for that? I have enough trouble wiping stuff off and putting it back in the box. I'm getting better, but I'm embarrassed to admit it has taken a long time.

 

[APS2000]

Nice thing about NAPA is they have open stock. Perhaps, warranty out the bad ones?

 

[JohnDeere1]

They are fine it's just the inside they will either be full of grease,oil,dirt,scratches or rust before long I don't even bother looking inside my sockets as I don't care in the least I do keep the rust off and oil all the insides of mine just to keep them protected unless they are already full of grease from working on something I just hate when they're dry and rusty crusty I use a pick to scrape them or soak them in vinager or csl (buying used sockets).
Return if you want but it won't hurt anything I wouldn't have even thought to check them.

 

[Tonyuk]

Just use them, its not as if the chromes peeling off. Mine are all yellow inside from rust cant say ive ever lost sleep over it.

 

[Mr_B]

As new I would swap them out as wouldn't want hassle of peeling internal chrome as PITA especially on engine work etc .
Looks likenapa sockets changed a bit, pretty sure older set I have are satin on lower half and look thinner walled than those, have noticed most midrange sockets seem thicker walled than did !

 

[woody 73]

I suspect that the time it took to take a few pictures the op could have returned the tools, for another set... like the others have said after you use them the inside will change.

Your time, your money and your ocd.

 

[Ign]

They are fine it's just the inside they will either be full of grease,oil,dirt,scratches or rust before long I don't even bother looking inside my sockets as I don't care in the least I do keep the rust off and oil all the insides of mine just to keep them protected unless they are already full of grease from working on something I just hate when they're dry and rusty crusty I use a pick to scrape them or soak them in vinager or csl (buying used sockets).
Return if you want but it won't hurt anything I wouldn't have even thought to check them.

This. I don't even think to check.

IF I have concerns about quality I'll sometimes check their fit on a fastener 'cause that's what matters.

 

[openwheelracing88]

I have to wonder if you plan to use these sockets....

 

[Teenager with old tools]

I don't even know what the insides of my sockets look like. That's obviously a quality control issue but an issue with quality or usability no

Sent from my P027 using Tapatalk

 

[cjarvis]

I don’t make my living with hand tools and haven’t for over 20 years, so these aren’t likely to see “hard” use. The vast majority of my sockets are either Craftsman (ca. 1995) or inexpensive impact sockets and I’ve had no problems with them. I’m at a place now, where I can afford, and want, to upgrade a bit and replace sockets with peeling chrome, etc., with something a bit better, but not as expensive as Snap-On.

I think SuperCat has a pretty good handle on where I’m coming from. Up to this point, all of my chrome sockets have been 12 pt., so I’ve never seen issues like the ones I photographed. That’s why I asked y’all for your thoughts. I’m surprised, at this price-point, to see issues like this and it makes me wonder if other areas of QC have been skipped or missed.

 

[drtyler]

Except that there is no issue.

Ever seen the inside of a new Snap On socket?

I don’t make my living with hand tools and haven’t for over 20 years, so these aren’t likely to see “hard” use. The vast majority of my sockets are either Craftsman (ca. 1995) or inexpensive impact sockets and I’ve had no problems with them. I’m at a place now, where I can afford, and want, to upgrade a bit and replace sockets with peeling chrome, etc., with something a bit better, but not as expensive as Snap-On.

I think SuperCat has a pretty good handle on where I’m coming from. Up to this point, all of my chrome sockets have been 12 pt., so I’ve never seen issues like the ones I photographed. That’s why I asked y’all for your thoughts. I’m surprised, at this price-point, to see issues like this and it makes me wonder if other areas of QC have been skipped or missed.

 

[Shark Pilot]

Interesting, I have the same set - never bothered to examine them until now. They're not "perfect" but they work great which is all I care about.

 

[48548]

That kinda reminds me of the paint in the sk and some of my crafty... I wouldn't worry about it unless it was SO and then anything less then perfect is not right and because there is a difference, the price.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Looks better than some Snap On I've seen (snap on does next to zero polishing or prep of interior sockets).

I've seen plenty of gearwrench also that way (also from Taiwan, both sockets are machined, chromed, and then polished inside), so my guess is it is more than typical for them to be that way. The interior of the socket often is ignored for how it looks cosmetically because its cosmetics are pointless. Its all about function, so the chroming doesn't have to look nice as long as it protects the socket reasonably well.

As others have said, the interior of my sockets all look like **** after some good use. Coated in dirt, grease, and rust.

 

[Al Borland]

Give me the most perfect sockets you can find. They will look worse than these after a week of use...
Tools are not Jewels.

 

[Empty Pockets]

I'd just use them, Tools are for working with, not museum pieces

 

[cjarvis]

If it were just discoloration, I wouldn't have bothered to post. It isn't the color or "polish" that's bothering me, it's the pitting under the chrome that disturbs me. I have zero problems with a tool that shows honest wear if I bought it used or put it there myself. These look more like they were allowed to rust before they were plated or perhaps were forged with defective steel.

I'll be keeping the sockets I'm happy with and exchanging those I'm not.

 

[T45]

it's the pitting under the chrome that disturbs me.

OP, there looks like some kind of contamination under the chrome. Whatever the finish is, it should not be textured or 3D.

If you think the chrom is going to fail or flake, then order another set. If the second set is perfect, return the first one. Don't abuse the return policy, but you should have like 30 days for a manufacturing issue.

I would only be this particular if you are working on precision applications, however. If these tools are for taking off rusty bolts somewhere, and you don't keep your sockets clead to manage FOD issues, this issue will not really be moving the needle.

If you work on open engines, planes, or helicopters etc...FOD is a legit issue and its not worth playing games about.

Just my $0.02.

Good luck either way. Napa is a decent outfit and should take care of you one way or another.