AreYaSerious
Well-known member
Are they the same but only cheaper? I am a huge channellock fan, was gonna buy the carlyle but ran into the video. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Channellock wrenches same as carlyle?
- Thread starter AreYaSerious
- Start date
Are they the same but only cheaper? I am a huge channellock fan, was gonna buy the carlyle but ran into the video. Does anyone have any experience with this?
DTuck
Well-known member
Yes they're the same.
OP
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
Yes!
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Yeah, No. They are made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan (Infar I believe) but, I think of the Channellock version as the economy model and the Carlyle as the higher end version. Kind of like ford compared to Lincoln, Chevrolet to Cadillac, or the advantage line compared to OE quality parts.
I own both and think the carlyles are finished better, have better chrome, and markings. However, the question you have to ask yourself is are the cosmetic differences between the two worth the price difference.
I do think that if you were to ever have one fail, it would be easier to warranty through NAPA.
On a side note, the Channellock wrench version is not the same Channellock brand as all of those us made blue handled pliers.
I own both and think the carlyles are finished better, have better chrome, and markings. However, the question you have to ask yourself is are the cosmetic differences between the two worth the price difference.
I do think that if you were to ever have one fail, it would be easier to warranty through NAPA.
On a side note, the Channellock wrench version is not the same Channellock brand as all of those us made blue handled pliers.
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OP
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
Very informative, thank you.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
I suppose it's too late to recommend a set of Snap-on wrenches huh? 
plinker
Well-known member
Saw some at the hardware store the other day, look kinda clunky in a way to me, but pretty nice for the money.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
jgromada
Well-known member
Yeah a Snap-on wrench is lean and curvy in all the right places.
maybe you need to get out more
DTuck
Well-known member
Yeah, No. They are made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan (Infar I believe) but, I think of the Channellock version as the economy model and the Carlyle as the higher end version. Kind of like ford compared to Lincoln, Chevrolet to Cadillac, or the advantage line compared to OE quality parts.
I own both and think the carlyles are finished better, have better chrome, and markings. However, the question you have to ask yourself is are the cosmetic differences between the two worth the price difference.
I do think that if you were to ever have one fail, it would be easier to warranty through NAPA.
On a side note, the Channellock wrench version is not the same Channellock brand as all of those us made blue handled pliers.
Fedwrench usually I agree 100% with you however we just differ on this topic. Look at the price difference between Carlyle and Channel lock. You shouldn't expect to have a top tier chrome on your wrenches at that price however the actual wrench itself in composition and tooling is the same to the point if it were stripped of chrome and markings you wouldn't be able to tell the difference.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough, I believe that the wrenches start life using the exact same blank. However, the Carlyle version is finished much nicer than the channellock version. My smaller channellock wrenches don't even have the name channellock stamped into them, only the banner is present
On a side note, i only acquire Carlyle stuff when it's on sale, never at list price and in my area, we don't have the Do It Best hardware stores which seem to be the best place to get Taiwan Channellock tools.
DTuck
Well-known member
Perhaps I wasn't clear enough, I believe that the wrenches start life using the exact same blank. However, the Carlyle version is finished much nicer than the channellock version. My smaller channellock wrenches don't even have the name channellock stamped into them, only the banner is present
On a side note, i only acquire Carlyle stuff when it's on sale, never at list price and in my area, we don't have the Do It Best hardware stores which seem to be the best place to get Taiwan Channellock tools.
Agreed. Carlyle is a much more aesthetically pleasing wrench than the Channel lock.
They decent for money but not a lean wrench, wouldn't call snapon lean either.
Some of best to actually use are stahlwille and facom IMO if don't like the bulk but like a proper fitting/gripping, strong and durable wrench .
toptuls long patern soft satin finish also pro usable yet mid range money.
Cheap poor quality/design wrenches really never worth having as a main set besides some larger sizes .
Some of best to actually use are stahlwille and facom IMO if don't like the bulk but like a proper fitting/gripping, strong and durable wrench .
toptuls long patern soft satin finish also pro usable yet mid range money.
Cheap poor quality/design wrenches really never worth having as a main set besides some larger sizes .
Yeah, No. They are made by the same manufacturer in Taiwan (Infar I believe) but, I think of the Channellock version as the economy model and the Carlyle as the higher end version. Kind of like ford compared to Lincoln, Chevrolet to Cadillac, or the advantage line compared to OE quality parts.
I own both and think the carlyles are finished better, have better chrome, and markings. However, the question you have to ask yourself is are the cosmetic differences between the two worth the price difference.
I do think that if you were to ever have one fail, it would be easier to warranty through NAPA.
On a side note, the Channellock wrench version is not the same Channellock brand as all of those us made blue handled pliers.
I agree with both of you that it appears they begin life as the same blank and use the same die. A important question would be if they use a more through finishing process which they obviously do, might they also use a longer heat treatment?
These factories produce to the spec they are given. I would hope for the fairly significant price difference Balkamp does spec a better process. But without an insider willing to commit industrial espionage or some distructive testing we will never know.
But I think simply assuming they are exactly the same and Balkamp is run by scumbags inflating the retail price even though the wholesale price is the same is fallacious.
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At this level you will find it not made to specs given but more what buyer selects from wrench range and options oem provides .
Also these don't appear in infar wrench range that I seen .
Have seen these in a taiwan oem catalogue and will try find it again .
Also these don't appear in infar wrench range that I seen .
Have seen these in a taiwan oem catalogue and will try find it again .
azchrisf
Well-known member
If it uses the same die as Carlysle, the only difference would then be a stamping die for different manufacturers, correct?
Well I remember it had finishing options but that more in satin and polished and metric/af color stripe option.
I would be doubtful if had cr-v grade options and options on finish standard before plating but it is all possible, roll stamping branding all pretty easy using fonts they got, specific logo roll stamp or at forging requires tooling and expensive .
I'm no expert in manufacturing but it seems to me that volume plays a big role in revenue. Waiting around for wrenches in the oven has to be the slowest part of the process. Value engineering must look at this area as a place to skimp. Especially since it is so hard for the end user to determine.
Of course this is just supposition but so is the notion they are the same.
It would make sense for the raw stock to be the same since a bigger discount could be negotiated based on order size.
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Reading through the Infar site and catalog it appears they make various wrenches with various design options (non-slip end, standard end, 6pt, 12pt, various lengths, etc), but other than selecting a different product line there are no options for an "entry level" or "premium version" of the same wrench. Looks like Channellock and Carlyle simply ordered the same wrench with the same end from Infar. Infar is obviously set up to roll mark tools for their various customers since they even show samples with the "Infar" roll mark but there's nothing else indicating they would make adjustments to their process.
Retail pricing is far more variable than "Cost + X%," and just because something costs more doesn't ALWAYS mean it's better quality, though as a general trend that may be true. It is very possible for two different companies to buy similar wholesale product but have very different retail pricing for various reasons that even include strategy and market position. If Carlyle sold their wrench set for $50 would anyone even consider it "professional quality" like they are trying to position the brand? Does Do It Best need charge "professional quality" prices for their Channellock Products line for their typical DIY/homeowner customer profile? Factor in the likelihood of warranty replacement for the two different consumers and various company's overhead and marketing expenses and you can explain the retail price difference pretty easily.
Here's their catalog. Looks like the "SN-Type Extra Long Combination Wrench) on page 83. The picture shows the standard end but there is a "non-slip open end" option listed that shows the Carlyle/Channellock end in the inset picture:
http://www.infar.com.tw/e-catalog/mobile/index.html#p=84
And website with the same options:
http://www.infar.com.tw/product-SN-TYPE-EXTRA-LONG-COMBINATION-WRENCH-1-3-1-1.html
If someone was really bored, it might be fun to contact Infar for a quote to get an idea on order minimums/unit costs/etc.
Just my $.02.
- B
Retail pricing is far more variable than "Cost + X%," and just because something costs more doesn't ALWAYS mean it's better quality, though as a general trend that may be true. It is very possible for two different companies to buy similar wholesale product but have very different retail pricing for various reasons that even include strategy and market position. If Carlyle sold their wrench set for $50 would anyone even consider it "professional quality" like they are trying to position the brand? Does Do It Best need charge "professional quality" prices for their Channellock Products line for their typical DIY/homeowner customer profile? Factor in the likelihood of warranty replacement for the two different consumers and various company's overhead and marketing expenses and you can explain the retail price difference pretty easily.
Here's their catalog. Looks like the "SN-Type Extra Long Combination Wrench) on page 83. The picture shows the standard end but there is a "non-slip open end" option listed that shows the Carlyle/Channellock end in the inset picture:
http://www.infar.com.tw/e-catalog/mobile/index.html#p=84
And website with the same options:
http://www.infar.com.tw/product-SN-TYPE-EXTRA-LONG-COMBINATION-WRENCH-1-3-1-1.html
If someone was really bored, it might be fun to contact Infar for a quote to get an idea on order minimums/unit costs/etc.
Just my $.02.
- B
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OP
AreYaSerious
Well-known member
I suppose it's too late to recommend a set of Snap-on wrenches huh?
Can not justify the price for snap on, because I don't make money with the tools, If these fail me then I will probably get Williams USA, or SK. I expect them to hold up for a while though pretty nice quality. Picked them up last week haven't gotten a chance to use them.