Composite ratchet HF/Tekton

[Scotsman1886]

I have the HF 3/8 composite ratchet and just saw the "tekton" on amazon.
Are they the same took branded different?

 

[MJB24]

I was wondering as well about the pink composite ratchet at sears appears the same as the HF ones.

 

[Loscaldazar]

Almost certainly. You can find everything HF sells branded differently. Sometimes you just have to search hard to find it... HF doesn't actually manufacturer anything. They buy rejected batches, overstock, 2nd runs, etc for their tools and shop around frequently from supplier to supplier. They do do some contracted production for some of their products, but even then, as soon as someone can make it cheaper, they switch.

 

[scaron]

probably; tekton is just a brand of the old "michigan industrial tools" which used to sell a lot of the same chinese-sourced stuff as HF does. i wouldn't be surprised if there's just one big chinese company making these things and then selling them to multiple NA brands.

 

[SMKS]

HF doesn't actually manufacturer anything. They buy rejected batches, overstock, 2nd runs, etc for their tools and shop around frequently from supplier to supplier. They do do some contracted production for some of their products, but even then, as soon as someone can make it cheaper, they switch.

Not exactly accurate. HF sometimes has closeouts, but not very often do I see them anymore.

And they don't always switch suppliers to get things cheaper. Some of their hand tools have been increasing in quality in recent years. The ratchets, sockets, bits and other related stuff seem to be better than they used to be and are now made in Taiwan.

The ratcheting wrenches also recently switched from Chinese to Taiwanese and appear better.

 

[PugetDude]

They buy rejected batches, overstock, 2nd runs, etc for their tools

Do you have proof of this?

 

[MJB24]

Do you have proof of this?

This is the internet. No proof is needed.

 

[monomach]

Not exactly accurate. HF sometimes has closeouts, but not very often do I see them anymore.

And they don't always switch suppliers to get things cheaper. Some of their hand tools have been increasing in quality in recent years. The ratchets, sockets, bits and other related stuff seem to be better than they used to be and are now made in Taiwan.

The ratcheting wrenches also recently switched from Chinese to Taiwanese and appear better.

This. I'd put those Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and sockets up against ANY store brand...and it seems like they keep getting better. Now, the pliers and non-ratcheting wrenches are another story...

 

[retDAC]

probably; tekton is just a brand of the old "michigan industrial tools" which used to sell a lot of the same chinese-sourced stuff as HF does. i wouldn't be surprised if there's just one big chinese company making these things and then selling them to multiple NA brands.

We have a member who works for MIT. He said they look for a certain level of quality vs price and if the chosen supplier doesn't perform as promised or drops the quality level, MIT gets another supplier.

 

[gagreen]

We have a member who works for MIT. He said they look for a certain level of quality vs price and if the chosen supplier doesn't perform as promised or drops the quality level, MIT gets another supplier.

If I'm buying cheap I'm buying tekton. A lot of it is similar to if not the same as hf but tekton/mit take their warranty service serious. It's not uncommon for them to ship out a replacement before you even send your broken tool back.

 

[nicksnothereman]

If I'm buying cheap I'm buying tekton. A lot of it is similar to if not the same as hf but tekton/mit take their warranty service serious. It's not uncommon for them to ship out a replacement before you even send your broken tool back.

The answer is: it depends.

It's true about "tekton" (michigan industrial tools) replacing stuff quickly but it's still a mail in warranty and I get the feeling that they do that to maintain their relationship with amazon (shhhhh!). I don't think it's all the same stuff though (with the impact grade stuff). The composites look very similar to the harbor freight ones though.

Still, the problem with tekton is that you have to buy it online they don't have any retail distribution that I know of. On amazon that means you have to order 35 bucks worth of the stuff to get free (slow as balls) shipping. I have some tekton impact stuff (extensions) but I don't have hf impact stuff to compare it to. I assume it's cr-v not chrome moly (similar to the lower end hf stuff), it's still serviceable but if you actually use an impact wrench gotta be careful with it.

 

[Aquaticbob]

This. I'd put those Pittsburgh Pro ratchets and sockets up against ANY store brand

I have accomplished such a test before. The results of my test left multiple Pittsburgh sockets dead on the garage floor while the craftsman prevailed with ease. My friend has some pics on his phone of what was left of the Pittsburgh sockets. I'm still using my craftsman sockets

 

[gagreen]

The answer is: it depends.

It's true about "tekton" (michigan industrial tools) replacing stuff quickly but it's still a mail in warranty and I get the feeling that they do that to maintain their relationship with amazon (shhhhh!). I don't think it's all the same stuff though (with the impact grade stuff). The composites look very similar to the harbor freight ones though.

Still, the problem with tekton is that you have to buy it online they don't have any retail distribution that I know of. On amazon that means you have to order 35 bucks worth of the stuff to get free (slow as balls) shipping. I have some tekton impact stuff (extensions) but I don't have hf impact stuff to compare it to. I assume it's cr-v not chrome moly (similar to the lower end hf stuff), it's still serviceable but if you actually use an impact wrench gotta be careful with it.

It's not all the same I said a lot of it is . HF has a more extensive catalog as well as offering some higher end tools on the budget side of the tool realm. As with any cheap tool you gotta be careful using it.

Whether they warranty fast to keep amazon happy or not they are keeping their customers happy. They are faster than a lot of the expensive industrial tool companies with warranties that also require mail in service (armstrong, sk, wright) and ask fewer questions.

You don't have amazon prime!? lol the free 2 day shipping no matter the size of the order as long as it is prime eligible is so nice. Amazon's instant video is really nice too.

 

[balane]

They buy rejected batches, overstock, 2nd runs, etc for their tools and shop around frequently from supplier to supplier.

Link please.

 

[monomach]

I have accomplished such a test before. The results of my test left multiple Pittsburgh sockets dead on the garage floor while the craftsman prevailed with ease. My friend has some pics on his phone of what was left of the Pittsburgh sockets. I'm still using my craftsman sockets

Pittsburgh PRO, not Pittsburgh, It's the difference between Chinese steel and Taiwanese. Pittsburgh Pro blows current Craftsman offerings out of the water.

 

[mark5767]

For ratchets, I agree the Pittsburgh PRO line is really nice for the money. I am cursing my Craftsman ratchets now, the HF ones I have are so much nicer!

CM USA sockets are fine, but their ratchets have been upstaged!

 

[Aquaticbob]

Pittsburgh PRO, not Pittsburgh, It's the difference between Chinese steel and Taiwanese. Pittsburgh Pro blows current Craftsman offerings out of the water.

Not 100% sure of this since I came into the project in the middle of it, and they were my friends sockets but he did say they were the more "expensive" sockets at HF. To be fair we have broken numerous tools on his car... Always seems to have things over torqued, or well aged and never removed.

 

[Responder]

This is the internet. No proof is needed.

That is funny!

 

[Spudland_Dave]

For ratchets, I agree the Pittsburgh PRO line is really nice for the money. I am cursing my Craftsman ratchets now, the HF ones I have are so much nicer!

CM USA sockets are fine, but their ratchets have been upstaged!

Agreed on both counts...
I cant & wont speak for the current crop of imported CMan chrome, as all of my CMan sockets are older Pre-Easy Read USA stuff. But the old sockets have served me well.

I think you need to try VERY hard to find a ratchet WORSE then a Craftsman...I cant think of a single rat currently available which is worse in function & performance then the RP Craftsman Ratchets.

I bought my Son one of those Composite Rats at HF to play with, I'll admit, I was mighty impressed.

 

[Dave.R]

Guys,

Figured I'd swing in on this one and clear up some misconceptions. Our warranty that we offer is to serve you guys. Whether you bought it at Joe's hardware, Amazon, or anywhere else, If you're not happy with it we take care of you. Most times all I need is a picture of the damage, rarely requesting a mail in on something more complicated like a torque wrench.

We don't have any hoops to jump through. If your tool breaks, we take care of it. Sometimes that's replacing it, sometimes its helping to find a better tool for the job, sometimes its me hearing about your project and helping to come up with another way to tackle it.

We do have a lot of traditional retail outlets. But with any distributor system its tough for us to know who exactly has what. The big benefit of Amazon is that we can offer our full and current listing.

As always, if you have an issue, or a project. PM, Email, or Call.

Dave
[email protected]
888-648-3371

 

[Defiant]

Guys,

Figured I'd swing in on this one and clear up some misconceptions. Our warranty that we offer is to serve you guys. Whether you bought it at Joe's hardware, Amazon, or anywhere else, If you're not happy with it we take care of you. Most times all I need is a picture of the damage, rarely requesting a mail in on something more complicated like a torque wrench.

We don't have any hoops to jump through. If your tool breaks, we take care of it. Sometimes that's replacing it, sometimes its helping to find a better tool for the job, sometimes its me hearing about your project and helping to come up with another way to tackle it.

We do have a lot of traditional retail outlets. But with any distributor system its tough for us to know who exactly has what. The big benefit of Amazon is that we can offer our full and current listing.

As always, if you have an issue, or a project. PM, Email, or Call.

Dave
[email protected]
888-648-3371

And this is why I've come to give Tekton tools a shot. Peruse through Tekton's reviews on Amazon. If you see a negative review, 10 times out of 8 you will see someone from Tekton personally comment on that negative review. Always professional. Always offering to replace the tool.

Purchased a set of their shallow 1/2" drive metric impact sockets and have showed them no mercy with my Snap-On MG725.

I am very impressed, and pleased, with their sockets and their customer service.

 

[Ratsofftoya]

You, my good man, just earned yourself some business.

 

[nicksnothereman]

I have the HF 3/8 composite ratchet and just saw the "tekton" on amazon.
Are they the same took branded different?

I THINK they come from the same (taiwanese) factory but the grips might be different. I'm always wrong with these things but I've seen the bulk advertisement from the manufacturer before in a rainbow of colors. They're a couple of bucks from the factory in bulk.

 

[kenburkholz]

I really enjoy reading people's opinions ,and answers, its nice to get the views of others, although , sometimes it is easy to spot a "****** intellectual" , or more commonly known as a f**king know it all. Ken.