Hand tools for quick job--what local retailer

[JulianMorrow]

Let's say you're a DIY weekender working on your car. You break a ratchet and don't have a replacement. You need to finish the job today--it's your daily driver and it's Sunday afternoon. You don't have enough time to order online. Where would you buy that tool via your local retail options. Here in Central Oklahoma, my options ranked:

1. NAPA--their Carlyle line seem to be well-made. Mac Tools rebranded some of their ratchets.
2. Lowe's--large selection of Chinese-made Craftsman.
3. Harbor Freight--Pittsburgh line.
4. Autozone--Duralast.
5. Home Depot--Husky line. (Note: my local Home Depot carries GearWrench, but you have to order it--they don't stock it).

 

[n8n]

I'd probably go to Advance and get a GearWrench.

 

[rlitman]

Ace Hardware by me is one of the few places that has a good selection of open stock sockets. That's where I went when I need a specific 12 point for something. Here, they carry Allen, Craftsman, and Ace branded tools.

Break a ratchet and don't have a replacement?!? Bwa haa haaaaa HAAA haaaa! That's a good one. It sometimes seems that most people here have more ratchets than sockets.

 

[sgtgeo]

I'd probably go to Advance and get a GearWrench.

This or get one of the Lowes Craftsman Ratchets made in Taiwan. Some of the full polish ones

 

[ssdave]

I need it now and they got it, I'd just go to NAPA. Pay convenience store prices for Taiwan or China tools, but get the job done. You can always buy another one of your choice at your leisure after the job is done and throw away the temp tool. Or give it to someone, or save it for the next time you break a tool and need a spare.

I've bought a few sockets at NAPA that way, and they've been good.

 

[Davefr]

Let's say you're a DIY weekender working on your car. You break a ratchet and don't have a replacement. You need to finish the job today--it's your daily driver and it's Sunday afternoon. You don't have enough time to order online. Where would you buy that tool via your local retail options. Here in Central Oklahoma, my options ranked:

1. NAPA--their Carlyle line seem to be well-made. Mac Tools rebranded some of their ratchets.
2. Lowe's--large selection of Chinese-made Craftsman.
3. Harbor Freight--Pittsburgh line.
4. Autozone--Duralast.
5. Home Depot--Husky line. (Note: my local Home Depot carries GearWrench, but you have to order it--they don't stock it).

#3. The HF Pittsburg Pro ratchets are excellent. This is one example of HF really stepping up to the plate with a quality product. IMHO their higher end ratchets are getting within striking distance of tool truck quality.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I'd probably go to Advance and get a GearWrench.

My town doesn't have an Advance Auto anywhere; but I did a location search on Advance's homepage. They have a shop about 20 miles away in a neighboring town. That's not a bad option, but given the time constraints in this hypothetical, I'd probably still opt for NAPA-Carlyle.

 

[dacan23]

I would call a friend and borrow a tool. Doubt theres anything locally sold that I could buy in an emergency for the job that I would want to own afterwards.

Plus this is GJ and most of us own duplicate, triplicate, etc of tools. Your example of ratchets, I must own at least 25 different ratchets.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I need it now and they got it, I'd just go to NAPA.
I've bought a few sockets at NAPA that way, and they've been good.

I was in NAPA the other day--I like their Carlyle wrenches. But I checked the NAPA-Carlyle impact sockets--they were all 12 point. I couldn't believe it. And I didn't see any 6 point impact sockets. Anyone know why they'd only carry 12 point impact sockets. I just chalked that up to clueless local management.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I would call a friend and borrow a tool...Plus this is GJ and most of us own duplicate, triplicate, etc of tools. Your example of ratchets, I must own at least 25 different ratchets.

I've always thought that borrowing tools was a good way to lose a friendship. I'd rather drive a few miles and buy a ratchet. I'm trying to imagine why you'd need 25 different ratchets, unless you're a mechanic with a lot of specialty tools.

 

[dacan23]

Yes borrowing/lending tools can be tricky. I have some friends who are tool nuts, wrench like me, take good care of their tools, and have good quality ones. I would easily lend any of my tools to these guys, others maybe not so much.

Example, one of these guys, his Bosch Router was at one of his dad's places he didnt have a key to. I have the same $250 router, he asked if he could borrow it, needed it for a project the next day, without hesitation the answer was absolutely he could borrow it.

25 ratchets is not that bad.... 1/4, 3/8, 1/2... long, medium, short... flex, swivel.... it easily gets to 25.

After I got my new GW 120XP set and was putting them in the ratchet drawer I did remove 2 junk old ratchets that I am donating to a friend.

I've always thought that borrowing tools was a good way to lose a friendship. I'd rather drive a few miles and buy a ratchet. I'm trying to imagine why you'd need 25 different ratchets, unless you're a mechanic with a lot of specialty tools.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Depends what you’re looking for and want to spend.

 

[n8n]

I need it now and they got it, I'd just go to NAPA. Pay convenience store prices for Taiwan or China tools, but get the job done. You can always buy another one of your choice at your leisure after the job is done and throw away the temp tool. Or give it to someone, or save it for the next time you break a tool and need a spare.

I've bought a few sockets at NAPA that way, and they've been good.

Sockets yes, the last time I was in that situation I went to NAPA. Was doing a brake job on a SNAAB and found that I needed an E-Torx that was larger than the largest socket in my S-K "master set". Went to NAPA, they didn't have it, ordered it, had a long lunch, went back, received socket.

 

[Robinson1]

I've always used Ace Hardware for in a bind tool purchases. Napa if Ace doesn't have it.

 

[ssdave]

I'm trying to imagine why you'd need 25 different ratchets, unless you're a mechanic with a lot of specialty tools.

I don't know that you NEED 25 different ratchets, but you can certainly use 25 different ones easily. I personally have about 25 to 30 ratchets, and I probably use 15 of them very routinely, and all of them occasionally.

I don't do mechanic work professionally, but I've still used at least 3 or 4 different ratchets in the last week. The things I did could have been done with a single 3/8" straight handle, standard length ratchet, but they were much easier to do with the different ratchets I used.

Different length handles, flex, bent, different drive sizes, there's a place for a lot of different ones. You can get by with just one, or maybe 2 or 3. But, the next 5 really add capability in certain situations, and the next 10 add very specific and useful capabilities that are good in those situations. So, 15, 20, 25 ratchets can come in handy and make certain tasks much easier. Or, use the one you have for everything. Make do instead of making it easy. There's advantages and disadvantages to both approaches.

 

[nmantas]

I always thought Menards had a great full selection of tools, not just the Masterforce stuff which recently moved offshore but from top to bottom and across many different jobs (automotive, industrial, construction). Lots of big time quality brands like Knipex and German-made Bosch.

 

[rlitman]

#3. The HF Pittsburg Pro ratchets are excellent. This is one example of HF really stepping up to the plate with a quality product. IMHO their higher end ratchets are getting within striking distance of tool truck quality.

Actually, and don't laugh here, their PLASTIC ratchets are fantastic too.

 

[bczygan]

First, it would never happen.

True GJ guys have way more than one ratchet.

But theoretically, if it did, whatever place was closest and open.

Closest to me is AutoZone.

If all places were open, and I had the time and gas, HF is my go to.

Bill

 

[jd_1138]

Gotta love open stock sockets and wrenches at the car parts places. We needed a 14mm socket to get a friend's car on the road. His was missing, and my tools were 30 miles away. So off to Autozone I went and got one for $7. His tool storage is a cluster fudge -- tools spread all over in about 8 different little boxes (some literally cardboard boxes).

 

[rlitman]

First, it would never happen.

True GJ guys have way more than one ratchet.

But theoretically, if it did, whatever place was closest and open...

My problem is the "open" part. I usually only have time to wrench late at night, when I can't go out and buy a tool. You just have to learn to improvise, and have spares of things you cannot be without. It helps to have some torches and welding ability. My favorite seal puller was a broken screwdriver in an earlier life, and my exhaust hanger tool started as broken groove joint pliers.

At my work, it's even worse. We do preventative maintenance on certain equipment during an outage window of 0000-0400. If you haven't got what you need on-site, you're screwed.

 

[plinker]

When you're in the sticks you dont have many options. the local Do-it best would be closest, followed by Napa. HD & Menards are an hour away, HF even further.

That's why you need doubles of everything and then some.

 

[Yarpo]

Advanced for Gearwrench, Autozone for duralast, Napa for Carlyle, Home depot for Husky. Not sure which order I'd go in, but the napas the farthest away and the other three are all about equal so it forsnt matter. I'd rather keep GW or Carlye and then Duralast, the Husky would be a last resort

 

[finn]

Walmart is the only place open 24 hours.

Napa is ~120 miles away, as is Menards and Lowe’s.

Ace has a good selection.

Auto zone has a limited selection.

Auto Value has a pretty good selection, as does Advance.

I have only been in ORiley twice, and didn’t notice the tools.

 

[JVB]

Napa advanced and autozone all close early weekends and has slim selection unless you order it in. Carlyle gearwrench and duralast brands

Home Depot and Lowe’s both are excellent with warranty and are usually open until 9-10pm. Husky and Kobalt.

Walmart has a slim selection of Stanley but they are 24 hours.

I guess it really depends how bad you need the job done and what time of the day it is. Quality wise I would lean towards carlyle and gearwrench locally.


I am easily in the over 25 ratchet group as well.

One simply cannot have too many ratchets .

 

[ARFLY]

This is interesting. I have duplicates of just about every thing so when I am working on something I can work and not worry about shopping for tools. I did get stuck out one time without tools in the truck. Where did I go? The closest gas station and bought the crappiest pot metal made in Pakistan or some place tools and paid near Snap On prices. Never again. I would have been better off to have bought a cold pop and called a tow truck.
To the OP, I would go to HF and use coupons and get a free flashlight for the kids to play with.

 

[Nineeightyone]

If I'm in a place where I need a ratchet right here and now, it depends on the time of day and how desperately I need it. I'm within walking distance of a Home Depot, but that's my last resort -- the cabinet salespeople drive me insane. Harbor Freight isn't far from me, Pittsburgh Pro ratchets have been fine for my needs, so they're a strong consideration, but I've got a soft spot in my heart for the Taiwan-made Kobalt ratchets. While I have an Advance Auto near me, I don't really care for their pricing for the GearWrench 120XP stuff.

My list would look like:
Pittsburgh Pro
Kobalt (Taiwan)
Husky
GearWrench 120XP

Primarily because cost is a factor, and while yes a more expensive tool may last me many more years, if a purchase isn't planned I'd like to minimize the spending where reasonable. I wouldn't pay nearly double for a Kobalt when a Pittsburgh Pro can be had with a $5 off coupon, but I also wouldn't spend similar money to a ratchet I like for one I've never tried and heard mixed reviews regarding, in the case of Kobalt vs GearWrench.

Last but not least, if I can avoid going to Home Depot and encountering cabinet folks, I will.

 

[JulianMorrow]

but I've got a soft spot in my heart for the Taiwan-made Kobalt ratchets.

I have a Kobalt (USA) 15/16" combination wrench that's probably 10-15 years old. I rarely ever use it. But that wrench has a really nice finish. It's lightweight but feels quite strong--like a more expensive tool. It wouldn't look out of place with my Snap-on & Craftsman Pro (USA) combination wrenches.

 

[mudflap]

In this scenerio ..Carlyle is out..NAPA isnt open on Sunday, Gearwrench is out..all the local Advance stores have ditched them for their house brand. So...i guess i would go the the HF thats about 7miles away. But not a concern here either, drawers are crammed full of rats. And i have neighbors that would loan me one if i needed.. They know if i broke it or lost it i would buy them a new one.

 

[JulianMorrow]

In this scenerio ..Carlyle is out..NAPA isnt open on Sunday

What? My local NAPA is open Sundays from 9-5.

 

[DFB]

Really...just one ratchet?

 

[JulianMorrow]

Really...just one ratchet?

Let's say your best friend borrowed your favorite ratchet; and you just broke your backup ratchet, lol. Up until recently, I just had one 1/2" ratchet, one 3/8" ratchet, and a 1/4" ratchet. A more likely scenario: you're working on a friend's Euro vehicle. You suddenly need an oddball sized socket that's not in your set.

 

[logical]

Not only do we have 25 ratchets, we probably have 5 vehicles...several of which actually run. If not, how exactly would we get to NAPA to buy a new ratchet?

 

[Tallpilot]

What? My local NAPA is open Sundays from 9-5.

Mine too.

Carlyle is some of the best stuff you can buy locally. I'd start there if you intend to keep the tools for later use. Otherwise for a one time job or to toss in a vehicle for an emergency, Harbor Freight.

 

[JulianMorrow]

Not only do we have 25 ratchets, we probably have 5 vehicles...several of which actually run. If not, how exactly would we get to NAPA to buy a new ratchet?

Well, I was afraid Mr. Logical might show up. On a Sunday afternoon, most guys have access to a wife/girlfriend's vehicle. I have a daily driver; my wife has a daily driver. I don't keep spare vehicles around. And I don't keep 24 spare ratchets around, lol.

 

[DFB]

Let's say your best friend borrowed your favorite ratchet; and you just broke your backup ratchet, lol. Up until recently, I just had one 1/2" ratchet, one 3/8" ratchet, and a 1/4" ratchet. A more likely scenario: you're working on a friend's Euro vehicle. You suddenly need an oddball sized socket that's not in your set.

Well just to keep this thread alive and I am sure there are some others that can possibly share something similar

Now THAT Mr. Morrow is scenario I can almost relate to (well not really having the right sized socket omg why do people go for all these advertised "complete" sets anyhow) BUT anyhow...

There was this time I was doing a water pump replacement on my Dodge Durango and I had only one T30 1/4" socket drive bit and seems somewhere between the disassembly and re-assembly my "bud" went walking around the driveway talking on his cell phone holding the ratchet, extension and bit combo. And by the time he come back there was no longer the torx bit on the end I found out later when I went use it again.

So not that I had to make a trip out (I did configure a 1" long 1/4" hex shank bit into a 1/4" drive x 1/4" hex holder to get the job done not the greatest setup in world by no means ) but I did waste umpteen time looking all over in the engine bay, searching the shrouding beneath the rad and my skid plates and of course on the ground under the vehicle with no luck and figured was somehow lost for good.

Long story short I did buy a replacement bit at the Advance Auto after the fact once I had my vehicle back on the road

See it ALMOST relates

But even weirder was almost 24 months later, this same "bud's" goofy *** GF was walking around my yard and found the torx socket partially buried in the gravel driveway...like maybe a good 20 feet away from where we were working in front off the garage door.

 

[plinker]

What? My local NAPA is open Sundays from 9-5.

Napa here is open 8-9:00 to 2:00 on sunday, likely depends on the store and if it indy or corporate.

 

[joetech]

If I was stupid enough to break a ratchet in the first place.... or any tool in general in the first place... I have drive options from 1/4 all the way up to 3/4 at my disposal.

Now if I LOST a tool and needed to get a new one the local bomgaars would be the first choice and 2nd would be napa.

I have a better chance of losing tools than I do of breaking tools.

 

[wolf_from_wv]

Sunday afternoon:

I think Napa closes at 1.

I have a better tool selection than Advance.

Ace is 12 miles away.

Harbor Freight is 45 minutes away.

Sears Home Store is 20 miles away.

Lowes is on the other side of town.

Home Depot is technically in the adjoining town.

Autozone is the best bet.

 

[Rabid Badger]

I was going to say Napa because they're just 5 blocks from my house but then I looked at their site and saw they want $62 for a Taiwanese fine-tooth 3/8 ratchet.

I'll go to HF and get a Taiwanese fine-tooth 3/8 ratchet for $15 and get a free 6" magnetic parts tray while I'm at it.

 

[JulianMorrow]

I was going to say Napa because they're just 5 blocks from my house but then I looked at their site and saw they want $62 for a Taiwanese fine-tooth 3/8 ratchet. I'll go to HF and get a Taiwanese fine-tooth 3/8 ratchet for $15

I don't think $65 is a lot of money for a quality ratchet. How often do you buy a ratchet? But if you think the HF ratchet (Pittsburgh?) is the same quality, then ok.