Duralast Tools

[woody 73]

Hi,

I hate to bring up an old topic:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75085

But did any GJ members ever come up with a consensus of dura last tools? They have been out for some time and the very few that I own have held up very well so far.

Do most of you like and use them (with the exception of the all USA crowd); or are you finding them failing at any kind of rate; ie. Never fail, only a few have broken, yes all have broken...

Thanks Woody

 

[wrenchr]

Lets keep the comments to factual experience and not flaming.

But I can honestly say I have had a few of the ratchets and used them for a short period and they worked great. Long term I have no clue how they would hold up though.

 

[OxJaw]

I have the standard length ratcheting flex wrenches and reversible ratcheting stubby wrenches, and haven't had any problems with them. I have beat on the flex wrenches pretty good over the past tens years or so and they have held up great. The chrome has even held up well.

I only have the SAE ones but would definitely buy the metric ones if I could find a deal on them.

 

[SCscoutguy]

The older stuff that was made in Taiwan was very well made but the new Great Neck China stuff is junk.

 

[mech-tech]

The 3/8" drive hex bit set I bought has been holding up quite well in the shop. And the 3/8" drive flex ratchet is still going strong, though the pivot screw keeps backing out.

 

[woody 73]

The older stuff that was made in Taiwan was very well made but the new Great Neck China stuff is junk.

Are all the new duralast coming from China, or can you still buy some from Taiwan?

 

[NC-Fordguy]

I keep some duralast tools in my road/junkyard boxes and in my trail rigs.

Although I don't use these tools as often as the brands I keep in my shop boxes, I have no complaints. The ratchet wrenches are still smooth and I haven't mangled a torx or hex bit yet. I use the T-55 bit often to disconnect sway bars on jeeps. Many newbie jeepers don't carry the tools needed or are unaware on how to disconnect sway bars to begin with.

IMO the COO thing that goes on here is for the most part over-blown hype as far as tool performance is concerned

 

[John316]

The Taiwan ratchets that match the pic below are very high quality.

(pic source is propainter from a previous thread)

I have upgraded most of my ratchets to fine tooth, but I still have and use the 3/8 long flex (although it usually gets slighted by my FLF80). The ratchet is a beast and still has nice action despite my basic abuse of the thing over the past few years. I would recommend these ratchets to anyone as far as quality and durability for the money. The downside is the toothcount and the fact that you really need to disassemble them and tweak the action by clipping the spring when new. The new ratchets included in sets are **** as well as the other single stock ratchets that do not have the head style as shown above.

I also have the wrenches (the ones with the red/blue dots) and they too have proven to be very high quality and have held up fine. I have CM pro wrenches from when they were made by SK, but often find myself reaching for the Duralasts. The new wrenches in sets are lower quality, but the singles with the dots are really great.

The screwdrivers are fine, not amazing, but very good...soft grip handles a bit squishy. The new screwdrivers have been chinafied with lesser materials. The original screwdrivers are identifiable by a red ring at the top of the handle where the shaft meets the handle.

I have the original CRMO sockets and they are very nice... have held up fine. I probably use my Gearwrench sockets more. New sockets have been chinafied as well with lower finish quality and are no CRV.

The pliers and vise grips were always crummy IMHO.

 

[woody 73]

Many thanks for the replies so far, it seems as if he early made tools are holding up very well and the newer batch are running into some quality issues, if I am understanding the above posts.

 

[John316]

Its not so much "newer batch", but a change in the design and quality of the duralast line. The original ratchets and wrenches that are still offered have not changed in quality. The screwdrivers sockets changed for the worse, and new cheaper "duralast" tools were brought into the mix.

 

[TinKnocker]

My only duralast experiance:
back in 2003-2004 i bought a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. It lasted under very heavy use and misuse until about a year ago when i broke it. Since then i can not get through even light use with out it breaking. Next time it breaks i think ill toss it.

 

[jjjrmx5]

Woody, GJ member ProPainter got me on the Duralast bandwagon a while back and the roto ratchtes are still Taiwanese made last time I looked.

Same price as the GearWrench units but a lot of the Duralast line has gone the China COO which means you now have to weigh HF and many others into the equation.

I;ve not dealt with Advanced Auto or any Duralast retailer re: warranty, but thatis a factor.

As for QC and current quality, I am asking around.

 

[Wakefield]

My only duralast experiance:
back in 2003-2004 i bought a 1/2 to 3/8 adapter. It lasted under very heavy use and misuse until about a year ago when i broke it. Since then i can not get through even light use with out it breaking. Next time it breaks i think ill toss it.

Was the original one that lasted a while Taiwan and was it warranted/replaced with China ones? (the ones that broke with light use)

 

[woody 73]

Was the original one that lasted a while Taiwan and was it warranted/replaced with China ones? (the ones that broke with light use)

Good question Still If their tools have that lifetime replacement I would not be throwing any in the trash.

 

[d.mcfarland]

I use the 3/8 ratchet like the one in the picture above and it takes abuse well!! The new ones I heard do not though.

 

[TinKnocker]

Was the original one that lasted a while Taiwan and was it warranted/replaced with China ones? (the ones that broke with light use)

They are not stamped.

 

[ChevyZ71]

I have an older duralast 1/4 drive set. It has held up good and the chrome on the sockets, ratchet, and extensions are great. The ratchet doesn't have the finest tooth count in the world, but it does the job well.

 

[zkling]

I've read some really good reviews about their ratchets. I personally don't own any thing from Duralast. I do have a few Taiwan Great Neck and even a few USA Great Neck pieces. No problems with them. A friend has a mix of duralast sockets. I don't think he has had any issues with them either.

 

[BigAl62]

I have a few of the older (better) ratchets and I like them. I really like that the 1/4" drive ratchet is shorter than most 1/4" ratchets, it came in handy when I had to replace the ABS module on my Crown Vic. There's not much room and the shortness really helped.

 

[Catamount]

ProPainter got me hooked on them as well. I have the older (better) ratchets and reach for them over my Craftsman ratchets. I really like the 3/8" stubby and the flex heads.

 

[monomach]

Good question Still If their tools have that lifetime replacement I would not be throwing any in the trash.

I can see where he's coming from. Sometimes it's not worth it. I've thrown away some Harbor Freight Lifetime Warranty stuff because it rounds off fasteners/breaks every single time you use it or whatever.

 

[TinKnocker]

Good question Still If their tools have that lifetime replacement I would not be throwing any in the trash.

Lifetime warranty means nothing to me if i have to get it replaced everytime i use it.

 

[mrborohachi]

I'm still on my original 3/8'ths short and deep metric sockets and i have yet to break ratcheting wrench. I've had these tools since the Duralast tool line first came out. I used to work on a store managers car and he gave me the tools

 

[monomach]

I stopped by a couple of Autozones today because I've seen people on the net talking about old vs new Duralast ratchets since way back in 2011. Conclusion: people are confused. All of the open stock pear head ratchets are still Taiwanese and still look like jewelry-quality snap-on knockoffs. The open stock 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" sockets are also from Taiwan. I really like the blue and red lines they have telling me whether they're metric or SAE.

The round head ratchets are all Chinese and the difference in quality is about as obvious as a neon sign flashing right in front of your face. Same for screwdrivers, extensions, adapters, and everything 3/4" drive.

All sets appear to be from China.

I forgot to check any wrenches or pliers.

At one store, no one working could answer whether warranty exchanges required a receipt...so there's potential for a hassle if you break something. At the other store, the counterman I asked said they treat exchanges the same as Craftsman.

I was tempted to buy three ratchets, but the packaging was the annoying kind that doesn't let the ratchet drive move. I can't buy one just because it's all pretty and shiny; I need to play around with it for a bit first. Couldn't even tell whether they're fine tooth.

 

[SCscoutguy]

I stopped by a couple of Autozones today because I've seen people on the net talking about old vs new Duralast ratchets since way back in 2011. Conclusion: people are confused. All of the open stock pear head ratchets are still Taiwanese and still look like jewelry-quality snap-on knockoffs. The open stock 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" sockets are also from Taiwan. I really like the blue and red lines they have telling me whether they're metric or SAE.

The round head ratchets are all Chinese and the difference in quality is about as obvious as a neon sign flashing right in front of your face. Same for screwdrivers, extensions, adapters, and everything 3/4" drive.

All sets appear to be from China.

I forgot to check any wrenches or pliers.

At one store, no one working could answer whether warranty exchanges required a receipt...so there's potential for a hassle if you break something. At the other store, the counterman I asked said they treat exchanges the same as Craftsman.

I was tempted to buy three ratchets, but the packaging was the annoying kind that doesn't let the ratchet drive move. I can't buy one just because it's all pretty and shiny; I need to play around with it for a bit first. Couldn't even tell whether they're fine tooth.

You are lucky your store has a some of the old stock then. Both of my stores have the great neck China stuff as the singles on the rack.

 

[KEH]

I have the ratchets 1/2 inch and down. They are not fine tooth. I think I counted 36 clicks.

KEH

 

[woody 73]

As far as I know they do the same as craftsman when it comes time for a replacement ,you do not need the original receipt.

 

[crewchief888]

i have a few bits and pieces of duralast in my trail truck, and home boxes.

no issues so far, but they are seldom used.

 

[032484]

most of my tools are duralast, they have held fine with no problems. I have their new and old 3/8 ratchet its a Taiwan greatneck. I have used it for about 8 years never failed and never oiled. Plus you cant beat the lifetime guarantee and with an autozone 1 city block away from me. I personally think that the greatneck gear lever looks more durable than the new duralast lever. I laso have a duralst 3/8 just like the greatneck one just not pictured.

 

[Denwad]

Autozone tool replacement is no-receipt, at least in my district

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hi,

I hate to bring up an old topic:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=75085

But did any GJ members ever come up with a consensus of dura last tools? They have been out for some time and the very few that I own have held up very well so far.

Do most of you like and use them (with the exception of the all USA crowd); or are you finding them failing at any kind of rate; ie. Never fail, only a few have broken, yes all have broken...

Thanks Woody

If you mean autozone tools (I think that's the brand on those). They're not bad. I have a duralast 1/2" breaker bar and a 1/2" impact wobble and they are excellent quality and can take a pounding. But, of course, those are 1/2" so they're generally a bit beefier. I wouldn't have a problem buying or using them if they're impact grade or have limited moving parts; most of them are probably re-brands.

I'm not a fan of looking down on certain brands of tools. You buy what you can afford to do the job you need to do; that's it. If it fails you learn a lesson and either return it (if it is warrantied) or go to a slightly higher brand level.

 

[TinKnocker]

Each time i exchanged my duralast i was asked for a receipt. I tell the guy no this one was an exchange. So he asks for my id and i sign the credit card thing. He gives me the new tool with no package and puts the old tool in the new package. And gives me no receipt again. Its never been any hassle at all.

 

[monomach]

As far as I know they do the same as craftsman when it comes time for a replacement ,you do not need the original receipt.

I think the official policy is no receipt required, too...but official policy doesn't help any if the people in the store when you show up don't know it (like the first store I visited), as people I know have had happen to them at both Sears and Menards.

The one closest to my house is the one that said they have no problem doing it without a receipt, though, so I think I'm at least going to buy some of those open stock sockets and a flex head ratchet (if they have an unpackaged one I can hold in my hands first). They're so damned good looking.

 

[d.mcfarland]

Bumping this to review. I had some seriously stuck bolts today and used the 3/8 Duralast ratchet to see how it held up with strength. It never even came close to failing as I busted the bolt loose.

 

[John316]

Call me weird, but I when I need a long flex, I always grab my FLF80 first, but when I decide to abuse/misuse a ratchet with a cheater pipe, etc. I grab my Duralast long flex. It has taken a beating and still has nice action for a coarse tooth ratchet.

I do realize the Snapon could likely take more abuse before failing, but I just try to avoid abusing $100 ratchets.

 

[DanCo]

I have their deep sockets, 1/4 flex ratchet no issues. I also have the 5/8 spark plug socket/extension...the magnetic retainer broke.

Dan

 

[Skin]

More info in this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=125780

It's from 2011, but was bumped just a few months ago. Multiple people say the good ones are still available and weren't discontinued.

Could be old stock floating around in the warehouses. People were claiming their Sears were still getting fully stocked with USA Cman while most were watching the China transition too.

 

[John316]

The "color dot" wrenches and single stock ratchet models (minus stubby and comfort grip models) are still the original quality and have not been discontinued. Some new china ratchets have been introduced as single stock and the ratchets included in sets are new/china. The screwdrivers and sockets have been downgraded in quality.

 

[cburnscrx]

Call me weird, but I when I need a long flex, I always grab my FLF80 first, but when I decide to abuse/misuse a ratchet with a cheater pipe, etc. I grab my Duralast long flex. It has taken a beating and still has nice action for a coarse tooth ratchet.

I do realize the Snapon could likely take more abuse before failing, but I just try to avoid abusing $100 ratchets.

So to clarify, you use the cheap Duralast ratchet for actual work, and save the expensive Snap On for...Does not compute...

To me, I'd used the Snap On like a rented mule. If I paid that kind of money for a ratchet, it better hold up to an atomic bomb. I would think that would be the reason to buy Snap On. Looks to me like in this case you really only needed the Duralast

 

[nicksnothereman]

So to clarify, you use the cheap Duralast ratchet for actual work, and save the expensive Snap On for...Does not compute...

To me, I'd used the Snap On like a rented mule. If I paid that kind of money for a ratchet, it better hold up to an atomic bomb. I would think that would be the reason to buy Snap On. Looks to me like in this case you really only needed the Duralast

There are probably two reasons for this:
1)Relatively easy to return/exchange vs. waiting for the guy to show up and trusting that they will warranty it.
2)Doesn't care if he junks it.

Some guys (like me) use the best quality tool as last resort because you expect it to do it's job. I do the same thing with ratchets AND sockets. **** socket fails=no big deal, good socket fails=big problem if you only have **** sockets to lean back on. Ratchet=meh though, could always tighten with a breaker bar, sliding bar, or nut driver; hell I'll do it with an extension if it has a grip (most of mine do).

I have a lot of **** tools but oddly don't break them that much (one socket, one wire cutter). My stubby 3/8 ratchet is a great neck that I plasti-dipped and it's lasted something like 6 years. That's pretty good for a 5 dollar chinatown ratchet. It's probably why I end up with 3 tools deep of redundancy even though I don't need it.