To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

How are Carlyle wrenches?

C

chris142

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 19, 2011
Messages
6,533
Location
apple valley,ca
My brother is not very mechanically inclined. It was painfull to watch him assemble something with plyers and an adjustable wrench.

I want to buy him some better tools. But I dont have a snap on or cornwell budget. How do the Carlyle tools look? My napa does not stock them but can order them.

But if I dont like them I still own them.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
L

LXCam

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Apr 23, 2013
Messages
19,106
Location
AZ
They're pretty decent. But why don't you just get him some tektons and call it a day. They're excellent quality for next to nothing for cost.
 
E

ecotec

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 5, 2010
Messages
5,430
I have not bought any of the Carlyle wrenches, but I looked at them at my local Napa (while picking up a set of Carlyle flex sockets that I had ordered). They are really nice, they are made like Wrightgrip or flank drive plus wrenches (they have grooves in the open end).
 
T

T45

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 20, 2014
Messages
3,250
combos are very personal if one is being honest about it. its alot about ergonomics, length, and balance. some the that is universal, but depending upon your hand size and what you work on people will prefer different styles. eg, some like light, thin, and nimble. others like thick and more area/mass to pull on. some prefer short and nimble, others want the longest possible lever.,,etc.

All that aside, I would probaly suggest getting something mainstream, give the targer audience may have a minimal amount of expectations here given the OP.

IF you don't go for Tekton, or Carlyle, maybe look for some decent USA wrenches on the used market. Some old classic brands might be a steal if you get lucky with timing. I'd also look at Toptul which is very affordable and awesome quality for the money.
 
Last edited:
V

VocaTexas

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 20, 2014
Messages
808
If you want decent quality, life time warranty and relatively cheap, why not buy him some of the Evercraft tools NAPA sells? I've got some Evercraft and I have never broken any of them. My tools get well used working on tractors, plows, and other ag equipment. I he's used to working with pliers and an adjustable wrench, he'll be thrilled with a set of those tools.
 
6

6PTsocket

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,593
chris142 said:
Who sells those?
Click to expand...
You can buy directly from them. I think there is free shipping over $50. I think there is a sale right now if you buy from them direct. Probably the lowest price. You can get them online from HD with free ship to store or free to home over $45.. Tractor Supply but you pay shipping, Amazon. Menards has them in the store. Carlyle is just a NAPA house brand like Craftsman is/was for Sears. I don't keep track of their stuff but it can change depending on who they are buying from this week. The Harbor Freight Pittsburgh and Pittsburgh Pro stuff are decent and a big step up from a pair of pliers.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
T

TheCarbideRat

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
536
Location
a laundromat
The Powerbuilt 10 pc metric set is way on sale on amazon.

good quality for what they are I had a set and I have some of their other tools.

EDIT, just checked they are sold out Lol. Nice wrenches anyway but "currently unavailable"

They were goin' for $20 bucks! Try Stanley maybe?
 
Last edited:
6

6PTsocket

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 12, 2014
Messages
4,593
T45 said:
combos are very personal if one is being honest about it. its alot about ergonomics, length, and balance. some the that is universal, but depending upon your hand size and what you work on people will prefer different styles. eg, some like light, thin, and nimble. others like thick and more area/mass to pull on. some prefer short and nimble, others want the longest possible lever.,,etc.

All that aside, I would probaly suggest getting something mainstream, give the targer audience may have a minimal amount of expectations here given the OP.

IF you don't go for Tekton, or Carlyle, maybe look for some decent USA wrenches on the used market. Some old classic brands might be a steal if you get lucky with timing. I'd also look at Toptul which is very affordable and awesome quality for the money.
Click to expand...
Wrenches out of the dollar bin are an improvement over a pair of pliers.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk
 
T

TheCarbideRat

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
536
Location
a laundromat
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NIFJZU/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Set includes a 9 and a 20mm, which is kinda underhanded but still look like good wrenches and they are long pattern, I'd say they are worth a shot.
I had a Husky long pattern set some years ago they were ****, but Husky has stepped up it's game so, maybe check Home Depot. I have the current Husky large size metric wrenches they now stock [21,22,24,27,30,32] and they are hot ****. Lowes NO, screw those wrenches they have there.
 
Last edited:
A

anndel

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 28, 2015
Messages
3,270
Location
Hawaii, USA
Carlyles are more than decent. They are a bit better than Tektons but even then Tektons will exceed your brother's needs. Believe there's a sale on Tektons at Amazon.com, especially Father's Day is around the corner.
 
J

jumbojak

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
1,360
Location
Surry, VA
VocaTexas said:
If you want decent quality, life time warranty and relatively cheap, why not buy him some of the Evercraft tools NAPA sells? I've got some Evercraft and I have never broken any of them. My tools get well used working on tractors, plows, and other ag equipment. I he's used to working with pliers and an adjustable wrench, he'll be thrilled with a set of those tools.
Click to expand...

Be careful counting on a lifetime warranty with NAPA's Evercraft line. I know that at least some of it, like their crowfoot sets, don't carry any warranty. It's still a decent line of tools though and they do offer a lifetime warranty on some odd items. Their 5/16 insert bits are a prime example. Some scewdrivers however, aren't a warranty item.

I can't fathom why their crowsfeet carry no warranty, but a Phillips bit for an impact screwdriver does. It could have something to do with not offering certain items individually - the crowsfeet only come in sets while you can buy the insert bits in a two pack. It gets a little weird.
 
C

cheechi

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 29, 2012
Messages
4,384
Location
Triad, NC
Knipex Pliersrwench. Seems like a fairly low learning curve for them, and it is a nice gift anyway.

If I was gifting a wrench set to somebody who wasn't going to use them much Tekton would probably be high on my list. I just wish someplace local sold them as I'd like to get a feel for them anyway.
 
T

TheCarbideRat

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
536
Location
a laundromat
jumbojak said:
Be careful counting on a lifetime warranty with NAPA's Evercraft line. I know that at least some of it, like their crowfoot sets, don't carry any warranty. It's still a decent line of tools though and they do offer a lifetime warranty on some odd items. Their 5/16 insert bits are a prime example. Some scewdrivers however, aren't a warranty item.

I can't fathom why their crowsfeet carry no warranty, but a Phillips bit for an impact screwdriver does. It could have something to do with not offering certain items individually - the crowsfeet only come in sets while you can buy the insert bits in a two pack. It gets a little weird.
Click to expand...

You f*cked up a crow foot? Eh, then if they wont warranty it give them the whole set in return for a new set, problem solved! My NAPA knows better than to flim flam me....Hopefully anyway.

and they have warr'd several things for me in the past, of course I have been using them for 15yrs and at one time was running big money through their shop when I worked at a place near by them.
 
F

FlushingDIYer

Well-known member
Joined
May 13, 2016
Messages
342
Location
Queens, NYC
Cripe is selling a decent 13-piece USA metric wrench set right now for $33 + shipping. I would go this route if I needed a set of wrenches right now.

s-l1600.jpg

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Kobalt-22907-22919-13-Piece-Metric-Combination-Wrench-Set-12-PT-USA-/332247640732?hash=item4d5b80aa9c:g:GdsAAOSwIQdZMG2C
 
J

jumbojak

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 21, 2016
Messages
1,360
Location
Surry, VA
TheCarbideRat said:
You f*cked up a crow foot? Eh, then if they wont warranty it give them the whole set in return for a new set, problem solved! My NAPA knows better than to flim flam me....Hopefully anyway.

and they have warr'd several things for me in the past, of course I have been using them for 15yrs and at one time was running big money through their shop when I worked at a place near by them.
Click to expand...

No, I haven't broken any crowsfeet. Considering the only crowsfeet of theirs I have expressly come with no warranty I wouldn't bring it back if I did. If I find myself in that situation I'll buy a Carlyle in the broken size, which they will warranty should it break, and replace the offending foot. Honestly though, I doubt I'll need to. They are well made. I was just pointing out the strange warranty system NAPA has on their Evercraft tools.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
G

geartow

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2015
Messages
507
Location
ohio / pa border on I80
I feel the best value and accesability would be home depots husky line available on every corner $50 gets bot sae and metric sets and they are the same quality as tekton imho.
 
D

DD-ddd

New member
Joined
May 3, 2015
Messages
3
Tekton for casual use. This is what I ended up buying for my son last year after reasearch. We have to use his tools anytime he's helping me. Surprisingly good quality and reasonably comfortable, with what I've read a great no hassle warranty. I figure they will last him until he's grown, then he can upgrade if he wants too with his own money (or not).

TektonSet
 
T

Trey T

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 3, 2011
Messages
3,749
Location
Houston, TX
Their wrenches pretty much a copy of the SO flanks. If I start over, I would go entirely w/ Carlyle. My collection of wrenches share, primary, between SO and Craftsman Pro.
 
F

franzdom

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 7, 2009
Messages
3,136
Location
NC
Wait, did you (the OP) say that your NAPA store would not keep them if you don't like them when you see them?
That is a big red flag, and seems very consumer unfriendly.
 
T

TheCarbideRat

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
536
Location
a laundromat
Last edited:
N

njric71

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2011
Messages
180
My local Napa doesn't keep the set, but has individual wrenches in the non-slip design. They seem pretty decent. If I didn't already own flank drive plus these would be the set I'd be looking to get: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQCWL1219M

However it doesn't sound like your brother is much of a serious tool user so they would probably be overkill. I would avoid the HF sets only because they skip sizes. The Tekton would be a perfect option. I've also heard that the Dewalt wrenches are halfway decent for the price:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00FAE6F5U/?tag=atomicindus08-20
But I haven't used or even handled one of those.
 
M

M_George

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 25, 2016
Messages
966
Location
Eastern Pa.
Lots of fathers day sales out there right now. You should be able to find a bargain on many brands. Search them out and don't exclude Craftsman. The Stanley Web site states that they will continue to honor the warranty.
 
P

Parrothead

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
5,346
Location
Earth
TheCarbideRat said:
Good quality I guess but no 11, 16, or 19 and look short / medium pattern. I S'POSE one could use the 7/16" for 11mm 5/8" for 16mm and the 3/4" for 19mm. Kinda hodge podgey but a super deal.
Click to expand...

They sell the individual wrenches that are missing. Yes it increases the cost, but eliminates skips.
 
P

Parrothead

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 27, 2014
Messages
5,346
Location
Earth
DD-ddd said:
Tekton for casual use. This is what I ended up buying for my son last year after reasearch. We have to use his tools anytime he's helping me. Surprisingly good quality and reasonably comfortable, with what I've read a great no hassle warranty. I figure they will last him until he's grown, then he can upgrade if he wants too with his own money (or not).

TektonSet
Click to expand...

I'd go farther than casual use. I just changed all the rotors and brakes on the Altima using the Tekton set. I beat of some of them with a 3 lb mini sledge getting caliper bolts free in the rust belt. Very pleased

*I have the Craftsman Pros (Armstrong) that I normally use but I wasn't at home.
 
S

SuitorsGarage

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 18, 2011
Messages
222
Location
New Hampshire
njric71 said:
My local Napa doesn't keep the set, but has individual wrenches in the non-slip design. They seem pretty decent. If I didn't already own flank drive plus these would be the set I'd be looking to get: https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQCWL1219M
Click to expand...

I have this set in my home garage and are very pleased with them. They upgraded a craftsman set of raised panels that owed me nothing, I bought them sometime in the end of the eighties. I got the carlyle wrenches on sale for $160. Wishing I bought the SAE set at the same time now because I have a few older rigs I work on (and who doesn't like matched sets?). Actually I am upgrading most of my home tools to carlyle when I see them on sale. I buy them for work also and they are quality at a decent price that will be warrantied withing an hour or two if need be (that isn't the case though, they hold up). I got past the made in Taiwan with these tools.

For the OP, any set of wrenches is an upgrade from pliers. You can save yourself some $$ and make him just as happy with a lesser brand.
 
2

2ndGearRubber

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2014
Messages
14,185
Location
Pittsburgh
I really like my carlyles. While the open end isn't wright grip strong, it's plenty grabby. They're my main SAE set.
 
W

Wamsutta

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2014
Messages
10,871
Location
Amarillo, Texas
You must log in or register to reply here.
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom