Duralast revisted

[bsaint]

Really? Factories in Japan and Germany don't have good QC?

Where in my post did I say that Japan and Germany don't have good QC? And honestly German tools are over rated like ALL their machinery.

 

[bsaint]

I'll put it this way, Somebody somewhere in Taiwan has some serious quality control going on. You don't just build that nice a tool without it. Somewhere back a few years ago some American companies forgot about quality control. Somewhere along the way American workers decided it was easier to live off welfare, disability, lay out high, drunk or a thousand other reasons not to show up to do an honest days work when they were perfectly healthy to do so. For every 100+ applications that came across my desk there may have been 2-3 that could fill a position for an auto technician and they were these.

PASS drug test
Pass background check (no Violent crimes)
Valid Drivers Licence
Own Transportation

It was hard to hit all four points and that wasn't even getting into experiance.
It use to take me 2-4 months to come up with a decent canidate for a job. Seems in this day and time that not many people take pride in their work until they are in fear of losing their job.

Like it or not Tiawan is hitting home runs in some areas and USA can't seem to get on base.

Like I said in my post I can't speak for all the facilities in China and Taiwan. I dont really care if you live in an area you can't find people to fill a simple job. I know what I see. I trust most stuff where 90% of it was made here especially if I paid an arm and a leg for it. For instance, Wolf Appliance/Subzero is one of our customers. The place is immaculate. When I am working there on field repairs, behind me in is a row of hydraulic stamping machines you could eat off their dies. Now compare that to our Mexican customers who make off name appliance stuff. Garbage. The places are pits. But look at the prices compared to cheap appliances vs Wolf Appliance.

 

[MrMark]

I wonder who makes this Duralast ratchet?

THey must make a ton of other private name ratchets and tools also.

Why can't they make their own design if they are so great? Why do they have to slavishly copy Snap-on. That should make anybody not want one.

If you want cheap, and I would suggest cheap is not really something you want to do with a ratchet as it is a primary tool, what is wrong with a similarly sale priced Craftsman Thin Profile ratchet. I have looked at those and the quality looks amazing. So, it's not worth a couple extra bucks for an at least as good product and to support American workers at Danaher who innovate and not copy other designs?

The Craftsman sockets, extensions, wrenches (US made) still look quality to me. I don't get the focus on the poor raised panel ratchets. Yeah, they **** compared to V series of the old days, but there are other, better, Craftsman offerings.

 

[mrholeshot]

I wonder who makes this Duralast ratchet?

THey must make a ton of other private name ratchets and tools also.

Why can't they make their own design if they are so great? Why do they have to slavishly copy Snap-on. That should make anybody not want one.

If you want cheap, and I would suggest cheap is not really something you want to do with a ratchet as it is a primary tool, what is wrong with a similarly sale priced Craftsman Thin Profile ratchet. I have looked at those and the quality looks amazing. So, it's not worth a couple extra bucks for an at least as good product and to support American workers at Danaher who innovate and not copy other designs?

The Craftsman sockets, extensions, wrenches (US made) still look quality to me. I don't get the focus on the poor raised panel ratchets. Yeah, they **** compared to V series of the old days, but there are other, better, Craftsman offerings.

I imagine they make other makes just like American tool companies do, nothing new. The Craftsman thin profile ratchets I just flat out don't like the feel. I bought several Craftsman pro ratchets a few weeks back that cost 10 dollars more per ratchet (or 30% higher) and are no near the same quality. Acceptable but not near as nice or well built. I used the rasied panel because it's in the same price range, in store in stock. Personally I don't care who copies who as long as it something I like.

Heres the thing, seems like everyone wants a peice of my *** when I go out an buy a ratchet from Asia and it turns out to be a great peice and I decide to share my thoughts. I've also bought a few cheap ones I'm not thrilled with. I take those and give them away to some local gearhead who could use it. BUT the thing I don't hear is any remarks when I buy an inferior American (compared to the Duralast) tool. In the last 5 months I have purchaced Three rasied panel Craftsman (were in a set) two Craftsman Pro ratchets, 1 Raised panel 1/2 long Flex craftsman and 3 SK 1/4 flex. 2 13 peice Craftsman Pro wrench sets, 13 sets of Kobalt USA Socket sets, I've purchaced about 20 screwdrivers(all USA), Pliers and various other USA tools.(all posted on this website) Then guys like you want to give me **** over a Taiwan ratchet. Tell me what you have bought new over the counter to support the US tool companies and post them up then come back and give me ****.

Here is my veiw of a few things. My New Craftsman Pro Wrench sets have inferior cloudly Chrome. I'm sure the wrenches are fine but i was really disappointed in the finish. One of my SK ratchets was drilled totally off center, My Craftsman Pros look good but have marginal acceptable strength, The Craftsman sockets in the set I bought look like **** as far as the chrome goes. Then I go out ang buy a Tiawan Duralast and the thing is flawless and less expensive. Who's to blame?

I've supported American tool companies for 45 years and have been steady buying all my life. It sure as hell wasn't my fault the quality went down while the price went up. If anyone has earned the right to try something new it's me. If that means going outside US companies to get it I will. I know not everybody has 100-200 dollars to spend on a ratchet so I show them a good alternative. If American tool companies want the business build a better tool and price it within reason. Not cheaper, but within reason.

 

[HandyManny]

I'll put it this way, Somebody somewhere in Taiwan has some serious quality control going on. You don't just build that nice a tool without it. Somewhere back a few years ago some American companies forgot about quality control. Somewhere along the way American workers decided it was easier to live off welfare, disability, lay out high, drunk or a thousand other reasons not to show up to do an honest days work when they were perfectly healthy to do so. For every 100+ applications that came across my desk there may have been 2-3 that could fill a position for an auto technician and they were these.

PASS drug test
Pass background check (no Violent crimes)
Valid Drivers Licence
Own Transportation

It was hard to hit all four points and that wasn't even getting into experiance.
It use to take me 2-4 months to come up with a decent canidate for a job. Seems in this day and time that not many people take pride in their work until they are in fear of losing their job.

Like it or not Tiawan is hitting home runs in some areas and USA can't seem to get on base.

That's really the whole point I've been trying to make with people these days. There seems to be a lot of pride about USA this and USA that. Great!! I love this country with all my heart and soul too. The US flag has flow in front of my home for decades (even when it wasn't popular to do so). BUT we simply are not the country nor the people that we once were during our industrial mightyness, and we need to stop kidding oursleves and take a serious look at just how far we have fallen in terms of quality manufacturing and work ethic. With the exception of a few quality tools still being made here the rest has to be made overseas. Even the over priced truck brands see it this way, they offer lots of tools produced overseas. Nothing would make me more proud than to see the same quality Duralast currently has except with the words "Made in USA" stamped right into them. To produce a quality tool at a competetive price and make them available right off the shelf (no lock and key), we as a country seem to be unable to do so. I'll give credit where credit is due. And I think Americans has totally lost the ability to produce quality at an affordable price point. It used to be what we were know for.

 

[HandyManny]

MrHoleshot
Thankyou for taking the time and energy used in your tests and replys. I honestly hope you keep doing them. It shows tremendous power on your end to keep at it. I am glad you are showing Americans that we are up against a world economy whether we like it or not. My point is to say THANKYOU for your time,effort and I hope not agony potrayed by others. Keep up the testing.
Ron

My thoughts too

 

[HandyManny]

And honestly German tools are over rated like ALL their machinery.

I totally agree And they charge a premium for them too.

 

[HandyManny]

I wonder who makes this Duralast ratchet?

THey must make a ton of other private name ratchets and tools also.

Why can't they make their own design if they are so great? Why do they have to slavishly copy Snap-on. That should make anybody not want one.

If you want cheap, and I would suggest cheap is not really something you want to do with a ratchet as it is a primary tool, what is wrong with a similarly sale priced Craftsman Thin Profile ratchet. I have looked at those and the quality looks amazing. So, it's not worth a couple extra bucks for an at least as good product and to support American workers at Danaher who innovate and not copy other designs?

The Craftsman sockets, extensions, wrenches (US made) still look quality to me. I don't get the focus on the poor raised panel ratchets. Yeah, they **** compared to V series of the old days, but there are other, better, Craftsman offerings.

Dahaher could care less about the Americans they employ. They lay off without blinking an eye. Craftsman chrome plating ***** big time these days. In fact I see more peeling and flaking of chrome on newer USA made tools than I really should. In comparison the Duralast chrome plating is at a level I have not seen in Craftsman for a couple decades. Besides, when is Danaher and Craftsman going to start putting knurling (checkering) on their Craftsman extentions?? It's damn useful in a tool like that and they don't have it. Why not? Duralast does. Truck brands do. Industrial tools do too. I wrenched professionally at one time and see absolutely no reason why anyone would need to pay $100+ for a ratchet these days.

 

[HandyManny]

Seems they're raving about Duralast on other forums too. http://www.moddedmustangs.com/forums/clubhouse/174130-duralast-tools-autozone.html

 

[CGarcia]

Well, I had been looking for a flex ratchet just like the one tested, so I stopped at the local Autozone after work and picked one up. I really like it. So last night I click on this thread but went to the first page (by Accident) and I noticed the HF caliper and some of the comments about it, since I have it. I go to the garage and grab both the caliper and the ratchet, to see if my caliper was black or gray, it turns out to be blue and looks otherwise identical to OP's on the picture. Then I think to myself, wouldnt it be something if I got the same reading if I measured my ratchet , and sure enough 0.579". I thought I would mention that after reading some of the comments about QC. I would say that shows pretty darn good QC on both whoever built the ratchet and the caliper.

 

[HandyManny]

Well, I had been looking for a flex ratchet just like the one tested, so I stopped at the local Autozone after work and picked one up. I really like it. So last night I click on this thread but went to the first page (by Accident) and I noticed the HF caliper and some of the comments about it, since I have it. I go to the garage and grab both the caliper and the ratchet, to see if my caliper was black or gray, it turns out to be blue and looks otherwise identical to OP's on the picture. Then I think to myself, wouldnt it be something if I got the same reading if I measured my ratchet , and sure enough 0.579". I thought I would mention that after reading some of the comments about QC. I would say that shows pretty darn good QC on both whoever built the ratchet and the caliper.

Good feedback. What interesting is just how much variation exists on a lot of USA made stuff. Noteably on stuff made by Danaher. Take 6 Cman ratchets on the same shelf and each one varies a bit different in tightness, ratcheting, chrome plating, etc. Same for the combo wrenches. I have 2 sets of Kobalt combo wrenches that have different tolerences in how well each size fits the same fasteners. Some are looser and others are tighter. Same for sockets made by Danaher for Kobalt, NAPA, and Cman. I've seen such variances on such tools that it's almost hit and miss when buying to get a quality product. It appears to me that there is much more consistancy from same product to product in many Taiwanese made tools.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Sorry to bring this back up...

Picked up the 3/8" flex last evening. I am impressed, been sitting at my desk all morning playing w/ it. The finish is good (as good as anything else I own), the ratchet action is clean (maybe a little dry at the moment), teh flex is tight (we'll see how long it'll last)...the head is a nice size. I like that it uses Torx for the assembly plate. The oxide finish seems better/thicker than Cman. The ball retainer isn't sticky. The weight is nice, I would like it heavier though.

Three things I don't like: The handle could be a bit thicker with a longer "hand" area (I have thick fingers), the selector isn't recessed (I'm used to recessed), and it's made in Taiwan (personal problem).

Overall, for 24.99, it's awesome... I will use it all next week in any application I can, but i'm going to take it apart and oil it first.

I have had zero experience w/ taiwan/china drive tools since an incident way back in the early 90's. My preliminary impression, is,this ratchet is far from the cheap, gear stripping, collar bone cracking **** from back then.

Thanks Mrholeshot.

 

[mrholeshot]

I took mine apart and put in a little lifter break in lube. Smoothed it up quite a bit. I would have rather had the selector recessed but I can find some fault i just about anything. I did notice when I took it apart they had the good sence to put locktight (or some type of thread locker) on the screws. I put the red back on. I did notice when I had the gear plate off that it has a really nice fit. Where the plate fits I measured with a Micrometer all the way around. Very impressive. I really like the small head size of this ratchet.

 

[jay50]

Sorry to bring this back up...

Picked up the 3/8" flex last evening. I am impressed, been sitting at my desk all morning playing w/ it. The finish is good (as good as anything else I own), the ratchet action is clean (maybe a little dry at the moment), teh flex is tight (we'll see how long it'll last)...the head is a nice size. I like that it uses Torx for the assembly plate. The oxide finish seems better/thicker than Cman. The ball retainer isn't sticky. The weight is nice, I would like it heavier though.

Three things I don't like: The handle could be a bit thicker with a longer "hand" area (I have thick fingers), the selector isn't recessed (I'm used to recessed), and it's made in Taiwan (personal problem).

Overall, for 24.99, it's awesome... I will use it all next week in any application I can, but i'm going to take it apart and oil it first.

I have had zero experience w/ taiwan/china drive tools since an incident way back in the early 90's. My preliminary impression, is,this ratchet is far from the cheap, gear stripping, collar bone cracking **** from back then.

Thanks Mrholeshot.

you need to be more careful with your wording

 

[Theloniousmonk]

yes, thank-you. at least i'm not discussing my recent purchase of ***** punches.

Oh, and as I stated earlier, if I don't like it - it will go in my wife's BOX. - tool kit for tire changing.

Hello saturday monring.

 

[mrholeshot]

you need to be more careful with your wording

Somebody needs to get laid

 

[stock z/28]

I dont have any of the Duralast stuff but I would like to have the 1/4 flex ratchet, if they make one, and I think they did.

Do you guys remember the the Benchtop tools that Kmart had?

I bought several 3/8 and 1/2 flex ratchets to use at the track and outside in general so that if one got lost it was no big deal, atleast compared to a Snap On, and I must say that I have got a lot of use out of them with no failures. Not bad ratchets.


I just hate to see jobs go to other countries, but its a complex issue. and I am really afraid that it will be resolved sooner than I would like.

Jeff

 

[gReves]

Why don't you just go pick up a Duralast ratchet, socket, or extention and feel it in your hands. See how they compare to some truck brands. Don't let the fact that they are made in Taiwan scare you. I think you'd be surprised

I have, because of Mr. Holeshots threads, several times have I visited autozone to look at the duralast ratchets, hoping I would like them better than the previous time I looked at them.

I just dont see what is so appealing about them. Are you guys modifying the grease or somthing in them? The ones I pick up and play with, have a awfully stiff ratcheting action to them.
Why let the cheap price and the shiney chrome sell you on a ratchet that would piss you off in a tight situation where you couldnt get your other hand up to the fastner/socket to keep it from spinning while your trying to work the ratchet?

 

[Bull]

It all seems sooooooooooo simple.

Buy the ratchet or don't.

Read mrholeshot's Duralast threads or don't.

What more people need to do is pick a brand, test it, and review it for us. Everyone is hopping on James' ballsack because of what he reviews and what his opinions are. It's stupid. Go review your own damn tools of choice and report back. Then maybe it'll be your own ballsack on the line

 

[MrMark]

Well, I looked at one in Autozone yesterday based on MrHoleshots reviews and "played" with it. I don't want MrHoleShot to get his ******* in a bunch because it seems that anything slightly varying from "Duralast is the greatest" gets some mad. I have purchased CMan box wrenches, sockets, and some other stuff recently too, James. I honestly see good quality in the stuff I have picked out (the offset box wrenches are as good as anything I have). A few of the sockets have bad finishing inside, but not all. You need to pick a few bad ones out. I think Craftsman has some bad batches, perhaps more than they should, but they still make good quality tools at a VERY reasonable price.

Disclaimer: I do have a new F80 and FLF80.

I played with the Duralast and it is stiff as hell. The action on ratcheting is a joke compared to the Snap-on or even the Craftsman. It feels cheap and poor. That is my honest review. Maybe it could be lubed as stated. But on the rack the action is terrible as compared to any quality ratchet.

 

[I can fix anything]

They are not fine tooth ratchets. The fresh ones are a little stiff. Use it for a bit and they feel great.

 

[Kirbot]

It all seems sooooooooooo simple.

Buy the ratchet or don't.

Read mrholeshot's Duralast threads or don't.

+1

Do I own a Duralast ratchet? No
Am I likely to buy one? No
Did I appreciate the time mrholeshot took to test the ratchet, and write the review? Yes

 

[Bull]

Hi MrMark, how are you? Hope things are ok out on the west coast.

I doubt mrholeshot's ******* are bunched much, but if they are, it wouldn't be because people aren't saying "Duralast is the greatest." It might be because he is one of, what, a few guys on here who do this kind of testing, as true tool enthusiasts to the core, and then a bunch of armchair QBs get all hostile about it. If anything would cause undie twisting, that might be it!

I don't want MrHoleShot to get his ******* in a bunch because it seems that anything slightly varying from "Duralast is the greatest" gets some mad.

 

[MrMark]

Hi MrMark, how are you? Hope things are ok out on the west coast.

I doubt mrholeshot's ******* are bunched much, but if they are, it wouldn't be because people aren't saying "Duralast is the greatest." It might be because he is one of, what, a few guys on here who do this kind of testing, as true tool enthusiasts to the core, and then a bunch of armchair QBs get all hostile about it. If anything would cause undie twisting, that might be it!

Bull, doing all right. Weather ***** out here right now, but could be worse. I am currently seeing about clearing all the parking in front of my house so Blue Dog and his friends can come out with their F350's and idle for hours. The bathroom is closed though.

Seriously, I get a big kick out of MrHoleshot and his reviews. Some of the best threads on here. His toolbox video was the best.

 

[gReves]

Well, I looked at one in Autozone yesterday based on MrHoleshots reviews and "played" with it. I don't want MrHoleShot to get his ******* in a bunch because it seems that anything slightly varying from "Duralast is the greatest" gets some mad. I have purchased CMan box wrenches, sockets, and some other stuff recently too, James. I honestly see good quality in the stuff I have picked out (the offset box wrenches are as good as anything I have). A few of the sockets have bad finishing inside, but not all. You need to pick a few bad ones out. I think Craftsman has some bad batches, perhaps more than they should, but they still make good quality tools at a VERY reasonable price.

Disclaimer: I do have a new F80 and FLF80.

I played with the Duralast and it is stiff as hell. The action on ratcheting is a joke compared to the Snap-on or even the Craftsman. It feels cheap and poor. That is my honest review. Maybe it could be lubed as stated. But on the rack the action is terrible as compared to any quality ratchet.

Finally someone else that doenst jump onto the "whats popular" bandwagon.
Being a tech student, I can see spending an additional 25-30 bucks on a Matco 88 or snappy dual 80 long before I buy a duralast ratchet.

I do appreciate the time and effort Mr. Holeshot puts into his reviews, but each person should draw their own conclusion.

 

[Hiball]

I don't want MrHoleShot to get his ******* in a bunch because it seems that anything slightly varying from "Duralast is the greatest" gets some mad.

Its not Just MrHoleshot, Duralast, Harbor freight etc. I would venture to guess 80% of the Tool Reviews here at GJ are shadowed by Finger pointing and Keyboard Mashing Replies. The Truth of the matter is that everyone is gonna have different Opinion on Items and there Pro's and Con's. Just because one person has given a Tool 5 Stars doesnt mean that the next guy is gonna like it or is required too. I dont care how many years you've been around tools your Opinion is Just that, and there is NO right or wrong here, Remember it was a "Review" and MrHoleshot never indicated that it was manadatory to purchase the Ratchet. I do think that the "Equal" comparison to Snap on was a bit "Trollish" but Unfortunately we get alot of that here. The Best advice is to Do your Own Investigation and Make your own Opinions. Its sounds like You did this MrMark and thanks for reporting back. In Response to the QC issues that have been discussed here lately, I dont care what brand your looking at, YOU WILL find Issues occasionally and Maybe Less in the Lower End Market as there is Less Human Error factored into them do to Automation. Ive bought too many tools in my time to even fathom that SK and Craftman is produced more Junk than Good. Remember.. GJ is such a small piece of the Pie that its Hilarious to think that we Represent the Majority of a Companies Tool production, Especially considering we like to see Carnage, Bad Qc Pics etc.... Just think about it Fella's.

 

[mrholeshot]

Well, I looked at one in Autozone yesterday based on MrHoleshots reviews and "played" with it. I don't want MrHoleShot to get his ******* in a bunch because it seems that anything slightly varying from "Duralast is the greatest" gets some mad. I have purchased CMan box wrenches, sockets, and some other stuff recently too, James. I honestly see good quality in the stuff I have picked out (the offset box wrenches are as good as anything I have). A few of the sockets have bad finishing inside, but not all. You need to pick a few bad ones out. I think Craftsman has some bad batches, perhaps more than they should, but they still make good quality tools at a VERY reasonable price.

Disclaimer: I do have a new F80 and FLF80.

I played with the Duralast and it is stiff as hell. The action on ratcheting is a joke compared to the Snap-on or even the Craftsman. It feels cheap and poor. That is my honest review. Maybe it could be lubed as stated. But on the rack the action is terrible as compared to any quality ratchet.

I have no problem with differing opinions on a tool. The thing you have to keep in mind is it's a 36 tooth ratchet, it's new. I took the ratchet apart and lubed it which helped it. I never said it was the best ratchet and I don't think it's the greatest. I do however think it a well made, quality made and very strong ratchet. It will never be as smooth as a 60,72, 80,84,88 or 100 tooth ratchet and is the reason I compare it to a 36 tooth snap-on. All ratchets like that are a little stiff out of the gate but just a few minutes of use with some good lube nomally cures that.
I am extremly happy that you at least picked on up before making a comment on it instaed of just assuming it was junk. If I compared it to say a Gearwrenh roto-head for smoothness then it would feel horrible in comparison. Here is the thing. If you want a super strong well built ratchet and realize it is 36 tooth that has all the same qualities as a Snap-On 836 36 tooth "high strength" ratchet at 1/4 the cost then this is a great option. It is what it is and that is a solid value.

I always welcome differant points of veiw because sometimes I might get one that especially nice and the rest be junk. This is just my perspective on this paticular tool. Like I said before I do appreciate you actually picking one up before making a neg comment. In defence of the ratchet well built fine tooth ratchets will spoil you to ratchets made just 10 years ago. Thanks for your input

 

[Wakefield]

Would 200 foot lbs. grenade an 88 or 100 tooth 3/8"s ratchet?

 

[MrMark]

I personally don't know but I do know that I recently had to pull 240 foot lbs for a trailer hitch ball and it took all I had to get a two foot torque wrench to click.

 

[MrMark]

I'll tell you how much I like MrHoleshot and his tests. Not only did I go into Autozone because of my respect - which stinks to me with its own stench and junk parts - but when in Target I tried to find his dolls that he uses to get all the haters!!

 

[mrholeshot]

Would 200 foot lbs. grenade an 88 or 100 tooth 3/8"s ratchet?

I doubt it would grenade a high quality ratchet but don't know as of yet

 

[tonydanzah]

Would 200 foot lbs. grenade an 88 or 100 tooth 3/8"s ratchet?

no it would not, i used a floor jack on a 3/8 ratchet after I layed under it and pushed on it in a bench press motion. I can also press more than 200lbs

 

[ratchet_gear]

I like these Duralast ratchets. I bought both of these sets for $40 3 years ago when Auto Zone had a clearance sale.

 

[jeffk14]

I just dont see what is so appealing about them. Are you guys modifying the grease or somthing in them? The ones I pick up and play with, have a awfully stiff ratcheting action to them.

Here's what I did. I picked up the 40-piece 3/8" drive socket set on Friday. Heck of a deal at $39.99 (special order only). The ratchet was, as you say, pretty stiff out of the box.

I put an extension on it, held onto the extension and whirled the ratchet round and round for a couple of minutes, reversed it and repeated. I then disassembled it, cleaned out the insides and applied a liberal amount of white lithium grease on the internals. Reassembled and I now have a pretty nice feeling ratchet for a cheap price plus a few minutes of my time.

 

[HandyManny]

Finally someone else that doenst jump onto the "whats popular" bandwagon.
Being a tech student, I can see spending an additional 25-30 bucks on a Matco 88 or snappy dual 80 long before I buy a duralast ratchet.

I do appreciate the time and effort Mr. Holeshot puts into his reviews, but each person should draw their own conclusion.

Spend a little more time on this forum and you'll see that the popular band wagon is everyone still raving about USA made tools and overlooking any of the current defects in some of them. The thing is that everyone has to decide what it us they like best. I don't think it's a popular band wagon thing. I hear more people here raving about Proto, Wright, S-K, and Snap-On more than any thing esle. I don't blame some, I love certain Proto hand tools, but that comes from many years of actual use with them. I also have many other high end name brands to compare these Duralast tools with. I think Autozone did a pretty damn good job with these tools. I can't believe some people bash this ratchet because it's mechanism doesn't sound like or feel like a Swiss watch movement. True it is a bit stiff and may not have that high pitch distinctive clicking that we all like to hear, but it is a well made ratchet that seems to be able to hold it's own. A shame that is so threatening to the Snap-On crowd - a Taiwan made inexpensive ratchet than can hold it's own againts a Snap-On, Oh my! What a threat!! If this Duralast was still the same ratchet but had USA stamped on it I know everyone here would be raving to no end about it. But because it's made in Taiwan then lets just knit pick every little thing about it even if it is a tough quality well made tool that sells for a pretty good price. I'll also say this - None of the high end universal joints I have can get to or offers as much as 90 degrees, The Duralast universal-joint does exactly that and seems pretty well functional.

 

[stereobbq]

i only use hand tools that are made in USA and taiwan for a good reason. duralast and other "auto store" branded tools that are made in taiwan (same manufacturer maybe) have excellent quality and durability at great prices.

US made tools imo feel a bit better in my hands but i have never had an issue/complaint on the taiwan made tools.

ratchets, sockets, and wrenches made in china however.. good luck with those. thats one big leap in quality downwards that i'm not willing to take.

 

[stereobbq]

What interesting is just how much variation exists on a lot of USA made stuff. Noteably on stuff made by Danaher. Take 6 Cman ratchets on the same shelf and each one varies a bit different in tightness, ratcheting, chrome plating, etc.

i had this exact issue when i went to purchase my last craftsman ratchet. i sorted through 3 or 4 that had different ratcheting feels until i found the one i liked most, and then the chrome/finish had a big variations as well. it bothered me to think they felt so different, where's the consistency, does lack of consistency = poor qc? it did cross my mind.

similar issue with the craftsman sockets. i picked up a set and took it home. so what did i find. 2 of them had flaking chrome. i went back to swap out the set but so many of the sets had similar defects. i ended up frankenstein-ing a flawless set from the others there but the color of the chrome didn't match? well, better than having flaking sockets that matched

 

[HandyManny]

i had this exact issue when i went to purchase my last craftsman ratchet. i sorted through 3 or 4 that had different ratcheting feels until i found the one i liked most, and then the chrome/finish had a big variations as well. it bothered me to think they felt so different, where's the consistency, does lack of consistency = poor qc? it did cross my mind.

similar issue with the craftsman sockets. i picked up a set and took it home. so what did i find. 2 of them had flaking chrome. i went back to swap out the set but so many of the sets had similar defects. i ended up frankenstein-ing a flawless set from the others there but the color of the chrome didn't match? well, better than having flaking sockets that matched

That seems to be a big problem with the chrome plating on current Craftsman sockets, and even some wrenches - peeling and flaking chrome. Overall the chrome plating being done on their recently made tools is of piss poor inferior quality. I see better chrome plating jobs done on cheaper Chinese made stuff these days. It's a real shame. I take most every recently purchased Cman socket and wipe out the inside of it after use and end up catching a burr in the chrome that results with a good sized layer of chrome being peeled off. Not only the peeling, but just overall the finished chrome plating looks very poorly done, variations in color, staining, etc. I don't see that problem with any Duralast sockets I see on the rack or on any of the ones I've purchased and used. The inside of those Duralast sockets are reletively smooth and evenly plated inside and out, no burrs or peeling chrome. That has to tell you something about USA quality and ability these days when compared to the Taiwnese.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

update on the dur 3/8 flex i picked up last week:

So far, so good. Did a MB w124 control arm/tierod/sway bar job on Mon. w/ it - no probs. Did my spark plugs yesterday - no probs. And will be using it this afternoon on a rear shock replace. The swing doesn't feel as tight as the teeth will lead you to believe, but the mech. doesn't stick. I did run into some clearance problems w/ the drive fitting my wright deeps, but no prob. fitting the SK or cmans. - probably a wright issue (though non of my other ratchets fit the wrights as tight) I may take a file to the bevel on the drive to add a bit more. All - in - all, just what Mrholeshot says, good ratchet, great price.

I too feel a bit "dirty" using a Taiwan ratchet, but hey it works and i'm warming up to the idea. I cracked my collar bone quite a few years ago using a cheap china ratchet from a parts store - stripped and I flew, but i didn't know much about tool usage and have since learned much. I however never felt dirty about my SK ratchet wrenches (taiwan) but that could be an emotional "SK" thing too.

Oh, and the Ace Pro line of tools look/feel very nice. Made by Apex, afaik, but made in taiwan. prices are in line w/ cman raised panel, build like cman pro - probably the same polished wrenches that are replacing the cman pro. the ace pro sockets (brother has some) are quite nice, thick and well finished. I will not hesitate to compare them to SK, at least the 10 and 12mm I've tried.