Carlyle sockets quality?

[m6z]

I'm looking to add a complete 1/4 & 3/8 drive, standard & deep, SAE & metric six point socket set in chrome.

Are the Carlyle sockets higher quality than the current Tekton, Gearwrench, DeWalt and Craftsman offerings? Anything else I should be looking at $400 or less?

Edit:

1/4 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, Inch/Metric (55-Piece) | TEKTON | SKT05301

Includes: 5/32-9/16 inch (SAE), 4-14 mm (Metric) 6-point standard and deep sockets, ratchet, extensions, hex bit holder, u-joint, spinner handle, and case. No skipped sizes. SKT05301.

www.tekton.com

46-Piece 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set | TEKTON

Includes: 5/16-3/4 inch (SAE), 8-19 mm (Metric) 6-point chrome socket with large stamped markings, 90-tooth ratchet, extension, universal joint, and case. No skipped sizes. SKT15301.

www.tekton.com

Looks like the Tekton route is $150. Man, that's inexpensive. Carlyle would be at least twice that.

 

[ForrestT]

After using Tekton, I’d go that route for the money and warranty. Buy from Tekton online and you get free shipping and 10% back on a future purchase. If I was starting over, that’s where I’d go and not look back. If I were looking Chinese made and value, I’d probable choose duralast at autozone for ease of warranty and value.

 

[lardy1]

I think you can get Wright or SK for around that amount. That is assuming you mean one set of standard length sockets in each drive.

 

[m6z]

SK

47 Piece 3/8" Drive 6 Pt Std and Deep SAE and Metric Socket Set

47 Piece 3/8" Drive 6 Point Standard and Deep Fractional and Metric Chrome Socket Set

sktools.com

60 Pc 1/4" Drive 6 Pt Std and Deep SAE and Metric Socket Set

60 Pc 1/4" Drive 6 Point Standard and Deep Fractional and Metric Chrome Socket Set

sktools.com

SK is around $640 after the current 20% off.

 

[seanb02]

Carlyle are overpriced for what they are, import sets. But where they shine is the ease of warranty especially if you have a decent relationship with your local Napa parts store. Online based manufactures and distributors such as Tekton also have a great warranty program, but generally you will be waiting a few days at a minimum for the replacement. Love my SK sets that I use on my service truck, but warranty is not a painless process however it has been rare that I have needed to use it. If I was to do over, I would utilize Tekton for the majority of tools on my service truck. Length of time for the warranty process usually is not an issue as I have duplicates to get me by. I like having Carlyle in the shop box that everybody digs through since it is easy to take care of replacements when somebody breaks something, but rather expensive to replace when somebody loses the tool.

I've got Tekton in a lot of the tractor and equipment toolboxes. My vote would be to utilize them rather than Carlyle for your uses unless same day warranty is a requirement.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

All of them rate about the same to me. If you get Dewalt be aware that the 3/8 deep sockets are actually semi deep compared to other brands so that is something to keep in mind. I use all those brands on a daily basis honesty the Tekton and Craftsman would be my first choices probably now that Gearwrench is all China and the quality isn’t the same from my experience after having one warrantied.

 

[Fedwrench]

In my opinion, Carlyle offers the ability to look, touch, and examine their items provided your local NAPA stocks the item you're looking for.
Carlyle has a knurled band in the middle of their metric sockets that might aid in finger spinning or removal from a drive tool but, I don't think the sockets themselves are any better than Tekton's current offerings from tekton.com Additionally, unless you catch Carlyle on sale, and decent Carlyle sales are few and far between these days, I don't think Carlyle is that good of a deal anymore. Another thing to consider when purchasing Carlyle socket sets with ratchets, is that Carlyle's best ratchets were their 90 tooth versions which many are discontinued so, their set contain coarser toothed ratchets that are ok but, not impressive.
One other thing to note, most Taiwan made 1/4 drive shallow chrome sockets are taller that their US made versions. Taiwan made 1/4 drive chrome shallow sockets are usually an inch tall whereas, most US manufacturers use a 7/8 tall 1/4 drive shallow sockets. 3/8 and 1/2 drive versions are about the same as USA made versions.
If considering SK, I would look at Epstein's pricing after establishing an account or other vendors. 20% off the retail prices at SKtools.com isn't a great deal.
Lastly, many people here will never accept a Taiwan made tool line regardless of how good it is so, you have to separate the facts from background noise. To me, that's their loss. Most of the tools I use on a daily basis in a professional setting aren't US made. Good luck in your quest

 

[m6z]

SK has some semi deep in their 3/8 set too.

Icon from HF is around $250, so $200ish if we see another $20% off coupon.

Wright looks to be similarly priced to SK.

 

[qqzj]

I'm looking to add a complete 1/4 & 3/8 drive, standard & deep, SAE & metric six point socket set in chrome.

Are the Carlyle sockets higher quality than the current Tekton, Gearwrench, DeWalt and Craftsman offerings? Anything else I should be looking at $400 or less?

Edit:

1/4 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, Inch/Metric (55-Piece) | TEKTON | SKT05301

Includes: 5/32-9/16 inch (SAE), 4-14 mm (Metric) 6-point standard and deep sockets, ratchet, extensions, hex bit holder, u-joint, spinner handle, and case. No skipped sizes. SKT05301.

www.tekton.com

46-Piece 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set | TEKTON

Includes: 5/16-3/4 inch (SAE), 8-19 mm (Metric) 6-point chrome socket with large stamped markings, 90-tooth ratchet, extension, universal joint, and case. No skipped sizes. SKT15301.

www.tekton.com

Looks like the Tekton route is $150. Man, that's inexpensive. Carlyle would be at least twice that.

Have you looked this? It the best bang for the buck. Beats Carlyle, Tekton and whatever. There was a sale recently and many people got it for $120.

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

 

[m6z]

I didn't realize the import 1/4 stuff was taller. I've actually got about 25% of an SK 1/4 set via their socket of the month club.

I was also unaware that the Carlyle 90T stuff was being phased out, I've got a couple of the comfort grip's and they're quite nice.

 

[Jtels85]

Are the Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets discontinued or are they just having supply issues? A few ratchets that were recently out-of-stock are now back in stock, available for purchase. Same with the blue/yellow comfort grip breaker bars.

 

[plinker]

The only gripe I have with the Taiwan stuff is the 1/4 drive sockets are about 1/8" taller then any US made sockets. Big deal? Probably not for 95% of the time, but I've run into it where they are too long to fit and a Craftsman/S-K/Snap-on/ete.. fits fine. If I was buying new the 60pc S-K 1/4 S-K set would be on the list.

Not sure on 3/8 drive and larger, depends on price and ease of warranty and/or ability to buy a matching replacement. Though I'd probably go impact instead of chrome for 6pt since with most 6pt sockets there isnt enough difference to make a difference regarding wall thickness. It is nice to have 12pt chrome at times as they are thinner walled.

 

[visionguru]

I'm looking to add a complete 1/4 & 3/8 drive, standard & deep, SAE & metric six point socket set in chrome.

Are the Carlyle sockets higher quality than the current Tekton, Gearwrench, DeWalt and Craftsman offerings? Anything else I should be looking at $400 or less?
....

Yes, Carlyle quality is very good, similar to Gearwrench.

Gearwrench used to run Buy-One-Get-One for many years.
I got Gearwrench 80550P + 80300P for $100 shipped. Unfortunately, it seems the BOGO deal is over, otherwise it would have been perfect.

Tekon quality is good, but not as good as the above two. The only thing that Tekton stands out is the ability to get often-skipped sizes.

DeWalt and Craftsman often offer a big box with 200 pieces inside, not bad either. Costco seems to have a 184 piece DeWalt set for $100.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are the Carlyle 90 tooth ratchets discontinued or are they just having supply issues? A few ratchets that were recently out-of-stock are now back in stock, available for purchase. Same with the blue/yellow comfort grip breaker bars.

If you compare Carlyle's original 90 tooth ratchet offerings with what's listed today, there are several models like the 1/4 comfort grip flex head ratchet that aren't listed anymore.

 

[measuredtwice]

The big push for some of these import brands is driven by spam from social media influencers and sellers or resellers. They have the most intere$t in being online.

If you aren't in a hurry there is a greater reward searching for deals. It takes time to find the best deals but I've often bought new "expensive" tools for the price of cheap tools and sometimes I've even paid less. Get a bunch of searches set up and they'll do the work for you.

 

[BlackBowtie]

Have you looked this? It the best bang for the buck. Beats Carlyle, Tekton and whatever. There was a sale recently and many people got it for $120.

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

I may have to purchase this, I need a new dedicated junkyard run set.

 

[m6z]

73-Piece 3/8 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set | TEKTON

Includes: 1/4-1 inch (SAE), 6-24 mm (Metric) 6-point chrome socket with large stamped markings, 90-tooth ratchet, extension, universal joint, and case. No skipped sizes. SKT15311.

www.tekton.com

This has a huge range of sockets for 3/8 drive.

 

[lardy1]

1/4, 3/8, 1/2 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set (213-Piece) | TEKTON

Includes 5/32 - 1-5/16 inch (SAE), 4 - 32 mm (Metric) standard and deep length sockets, a 90-tooth ratchets, extensions, u-joints, and storage case. SKT95302.

www.tekton.com

 

[Fedwrench]

Have you looked this? It the best bang for the buck. Beats Carlyle, Tekton and whatever. There was a sale recently and many people got it for $120.

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

DEWALT Mechanics Tool Set, 192-Piece (DWMT75049) - - Amazon.com

www.amazon.com

Yeah but, that set has the old style ratchets in it that are short, fat, and heavy. I'd try to find a newer set with the newer version ratchets.

have you looked at what Capri Tools offers. Now, first off, I am not a fan of the the clunky old school quick release ratchets included in their master sets but, they offer a wide range of socket sets without drive tools if you only want sockets.

 

[BigBoreFan]

You gotta admit Carlyle has a huge range of chrome sockets, but I think they are overpriced for what they are.

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www.napaecatalog.com

 

[Mr_B]

Carlye is fine and nice socket design just overpriced .
Certainly many other equal taiwan options at 30 to 50% the cost. Premier brand is same socket manufacturer as carlyle for lot less .
amazingly carlyle is sold for about half the cost in England !
Only real thing I like about Napa and carlye is tools/warranty can be delivered with parts to my shop any day of week and local branch is pretty well run .
tekton seems a good punt, craftsman is waste of time .

 

[dnschmidt]

It's a damn socket. 99.999999% of the time it works no matter who makes it. Carlyle is good, Tekton is good. Why pay 3X for something that will do the same job as the 1X unless you're an Eric O. level tool molester. Carlyle is simply not worth the price - simple as that.

If you want a great price on individual sockets you can't beat Performance Tool (Wilmar) from Rock Auto. Same **** as everybody else sells and they give them away.