I have researched inexpensive non-professional mechanic tools for hours on this forum. It led me to visit the nearby Napa dealer to check out Carlyle mechanic tools. Specifically socket sets and wrenches. The owner told me he switched from Carlyle to Dewalt due to cheaper price and easy warranty replacement. Those are two great factors, especially since it is nearby and I would not have to drive all the way to Beaumont 30 minutes away. Beaumont does have all your bigger tool suppliers including Napa with Carlyle tools, Harbor Freight, Lowes, HomeDepot, Sears, etc. So does anyone have any experience with Dewalt mechanic tools as to whether they are worth having?
Dewalt Mechanic tool Advice
- Thread starter Hog8541ss
- Start date
Are inexpensive non-professional mechanic tools worth having? I think so (except I don't care what brand they are). Besides, I like the challenge of making those work well together. It has made me a better non-professional mechanic (and I've never needed a warranty).
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shawndp
Well-known member
One of our former techs had the socket set and they worked well enough. The build on them is pretty decent and they came in a very convenient box system - the sort that you can attach together or somthing. The ratchet looked nice but wasn't my cup of tea in terms of ergonomics. That said, I would buy them if I didn't have 2 backup sets. Carlyle tools has been a pleasant surprise too - I am in love with their screwdrivers and the 8 and 10 wrenches I bought as spares function well too. I played with their ratchets in store but at the time was not in the market for one, so I passed. I would buy the Carlyle over the Dewalt ratchet though. All the best!
theluke
Well-known member
I have the wrenches. They have the teeth in the open end. Work fine. Nicer than the craftsman ones they replaced. Haven't used the sockets, but I do have some Stanley sockets and they've been fine.
I looked at the bigger mechanics set and was actually impressed with what it came with. All the sockets were 6 point including the 1/2" drive. They also included regular and deep for every size included (a few sizes were skipped but not many). They are made in Taiwan so I am sure there are worse sockets out there.
1foxracing
Well-known member
I like all the Dewalt mechanics tools that I own. I find it odd that a Napa dealer would stock Dewalt over Carlyle. Maybe he got tired of having to do in store warranty replacements. For Dewalt warranty you call their 1-800 # and they mail you replacements.
Dewalt does make some pretty nice stuff and I've made most of my purchases through Amazon. Combo Wrenches up to 32mm, deep offset wrenches, line wrenches, round head ratchets ( made in Italy), swivel impact sockets.
I do like the Carlyle brand of tools as well.
Dewalt does make some pretty nice stuff and I've made most of my purchases through Amazon. Combo Wrenches up to 32mm, deep offset wrenches, line wrenches, round head ratchets ( made in Italy), swivel impact sockets.
I do like the Carlyle brand of tools as well.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I think the Dewalt mechanics tools can be ok for an entry level or roadside tool kit. The selection can be limited so, if you wanted a 1/4 drive flex head ratchet you would have to go elsewhere. I think their standard Pear Head quick release ratchets are pretty heavy and i'm not a fan of their newer black line of non impact tools. I view the Dewalt stuff as kind of being Taiwan made Proto. Some Dewalt combination wrenches feature the same anti slip open end design.
NAPA features some dewalt tool in their real deals flyers. Carlyle offers a much wider and extensive line of mechanic tools that Dewalt doesn't even come close to in selection or quality. Your NAPA store probably isn't a corporate store.
The Dewalt mechanics tools i have have served me well and i got them on close out so, the investment was minimal. Carlyle on sale usually offers an excellent balance between quality, selection, and cost. I've never had to warranty anything but, with NAPA Corporate stores close by, i don't think it would be an issue. You could always start with Dewalt and fill any gaps with Carlyle as the need arose.
NAPA features some dewalt tool in their real deals flyers. Carlyle offers a much wider and extensive line of mechanic tools that Dewalt doesn't even come close to in selection or quality. Your NAPA store probably isn't a corporate store.
The Dewalt mechanics tools i have have served me well and i got them on close out so, the investment was minimal. Carlyle on sale usually offers an excellent balance between quality, selection, and cost. I've never had to warranty anything but, with NAPA Corporate stores close by, i don't think it would be an issue. You could always start with Dewalt and fill any gaps with Carlyle as the need arose.
Holy Skips!! No 9, 11, 15, 16, or 18?? Those offsets look really nice though, and so do their swivels. I have a set if their ratchet wrenches and some impacts sockets and they're good, held up so far. I just wish Milwaukee would dive deeper with hand tools, but then again I'm glad they don't because the last thing I need is more tools lolI like all the Dewalt mechanics tools that I own. I find it odd that a Napa dealer would stock Dewalt over Carlyle. Maybe he got tired of having to do in store warranty replacements. For Dewalt warranty you call their 1-800 # and they mail you replacements.
Dewalt does make some pretty nice stuff and I've made most of my purchases through Amazon. Combo Wrenches up to 32mm, deep offset wrenches, line wrenches, round head ratchets ( made in Italy), swivel impact sockets.
I do like the Carlyle brand of tools as well.
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1foxracing
Well-known member
I purchased those as individual wrenches on Amazon, I primarily work on Japanese motorcycles and there is no need for those sizes. I do have another tool board on the other side of my garage that does include those sizes.
I have a question. Those individual wrenches you purchased from amazon from dewalt, did they feature the anti slip design? I ask because I’m in the market for a new set and I narrowed it down to the dewalts or the channellock and I was leaning dewalt because they were a bit cheaper but it’s so difficult to find all the individual sizes to fill in my set if I were to start off with the 10 piece set. It seems all the loose wrenches I find don’t specify if they are the anti slip design or not.I purchased those as individual wrenches on Amazon, I primarily work on Japanese motorcycles and there is no need for those sizes. I do have another tool board on the other side of my garage that does include those sizes.
I had a Stanley socket set at work and they never seemed to fit into tight places. I'm glad they were not mine. I thought they were really low end. SB&D has so many brands of varying quality. I am curious where the new Craftsman line will be.
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Farmall450
Well-known member
The DeWalt tools are very nice. We have a set at work and for imports, they rock. Better than Craftsman, that's for sure.
southalabama
Well-known member
I use the Dewalt mechanic sets for roadside and away from the shop stuff because of the fitted cases.
I do not like their ratchets. Short and heavy to me.
I do not like their ratchets. Short and heavy to me.
1foxracing
Well-known member
On the individual Dewalt wrenches some have the anti-slip feature and some don't. On the Dewalt wrenches I bought as sets all of them have the anti-slip feature.
It wasn't a real concern of mine when purchasing, I have 3 other sets (2 WrightGrips & 1 Carlyle) of anti-slip wrenches and I only use open ended wrenches when necessary.
Hammer1963
Well-known member
As an owner of most every top end brand mechanics tool brand, I am pleasantly surprised by the Dewalt sockets and extensions. The impact sockets are as good as any I have used including Snap-on, Matco, MAC, Cornwell, Wright etc. I have no complaints about the chrome sockets as well. I have no experience with their wrench offerings,.
I purchased those as individual wrenches on Amazon, I primarily work on Japanese motorcycles and there is no need for those sizes. I do have another tool board on the other side of my garage that does include those sizes.
I like the look of the two impact cap drivers on the top.
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visionguru
Well-known member
I have this DeWalt metric wrench set.
The quality is very good, better than any common brands, including GearWrench. Probably just below the pro brands.
kgorman
Well-known member
I started buying Dewalt hand tools as replacements for broken and/or missing Cman stuff. I have sockets, ratchets, and ratcheting wrenches. Good stuff for the money imo.
That said, the screwdriver/bit driver that comes with the set is rubbish. Also the torx sockets aren't replaceable and are a bit soft.
That said, the screwdriver/bit driver that comes with the set is rubbish. Also the torx sockets aren't replaceable and are a bit soft.
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Brandon_Lutz
Well-known member
I bought one of their 205 piece mechanics sets to go into my old pick up truck as part of my roadside kit.
I've got one of the older kits that had the ratchets from 2 years ago and they are HEAVY. great ratcheting action, but heavy as hell. I'm not sure if the newer ratchet styles are as heavy though.
That said, the sockets and end wrenches in the kit have a nice finish and feel. I've only had to use them sparingly, but they got the job done. So far, other than the heavy ratchets, they have not let me down.
I've got one of the older kits that had the ratchets from 2 years ago and they are HEAVY. great ratcheting action, but heavy as hell. I'm not sure if the newer ratchet styles are as heavy though.
That said, the sockets and end wrenches in the kit have a nice finish and feel. I've only had to use them sparingly, but they got the job done. So far, other than the heavy ratchets, they have not let me down.
kctyphoon
Banned
Dewalt stuff is nice. I have some of their wrenches. They borrow the anit slip design from their proto line it seems. Gearwrench is another good option, and probably a much wider selection. Tekton might be another brand to consider. I hear their warranty is simply sending a picture of the broken tool.
These days just about any name brand socket set should be fine. Just pick out what you like.
There's a promo package from gearwrech that's been running forever now. Complete 3/8 and 1/4" kits with ratchets, no filler, in all 6 point shallow and deep in both metric and SAE for like $110. Really nice stuff, and in 2 sperate boxes that you can simply remove the tops from and lay in a drawer to use them as organizers. Deal is listed on the hot deals forum, with pics of the sets on page 2
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321931
These days just about any name brand socket set should be fine. Just pick out what you like.
There's a promo package from gearwrech that's been running forever now. Complete 3/8 and 1/4" kits with ratchets, no filler, in all 6 point shallow and deep in both metric and SAE for like $110. Really nice stuff, and in 2 sperate boxes that you can simply remove the tops from and lay in a drawer to use them as organizers. Deal is listed on the hot deals forum, with pics of the sets on page 2
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=321931
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