Is Tekton dumb or not?

[qqzj]

I have been interested in its long double ratcheting wrenches for a while. But each time I got ready to pay, I balked because of one strange feature, ie, the 16-18 is longer than 17-19. Is there any reason for them to do that? I mean they can possibly sell a few more tools by saving some material, literally!

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

Forgot the picture.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[PelicanPines]

Strange... It's not the length of the tool... it's the motion of the ocean.

That said... I would get those if I needed them.

 

[jd_1138]

That is kinda weird. My only guess is that they are made on different machines in the factory?

If you need/want them, I'd go for it, as you are probably saving so much wrenching on your own stuff to more than make up for it.

 

[andersen24]

Its an optical illusion...... I have the long flex ratcheting wrenches. The 16 x 18mm is 16" long, the 17 x 19mm is 16.1" long. Also the specs for all of the wrenches are on their site.

 

[qqzj]

I don't need it. I want it when I can get a good deal. Right now, I can get it under $100. So it's tempting. But I can't get around the notion that it might have a flaw by design.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

Cool. Thanks!

That is kinda weird. My only guess is that they are made on different machines in the factory?

If you need/want them, I'd go for it, as you are probably saving so much wrenching on your own stuff to more than make up for it.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

Thanks!

Its an optical illusion...... I have the long flex ratcheting wrenches. The 16 x 18mm is 16" long, the 17 x 19mm is 16.1" long. Also the specs for all of the wrenches are on their site.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Nineeightyone]

My biggest argument with them is that they're non-reversible ratcheting wrenches, yet Tekton still doesn't offer long pattern traditional combo wrenches. I'd love to get an inexpensive set of long metric wrenches with no skips, but nothing has really caught my eye yet.

On the bright side, linking two of my Tekton wrenches to get the extra 'oomph' I need has done just fine for me, and they've stood up to it every time. So I can't complain too much, other than my wallet being a little too heavy.

 

[jeepnut24]

I always worried about the 6pt vs 12pt..... I thought the tekton set was 6pt....

 

[darkzero]

"Dumb or not"...... yeah sometimes!

I've got a Tekton socket & ratchet kit that I keep in my truck. The damn ratchet direction lever functions backwards! It bugs the hell out of me! I hate ratchets that are like that!

 

[finn]

So are we buying tools to use them, or is this another Garage Journal case of buying (or not buying) tools to look at?

 

[lardy1]

They've stopped selling some types of ratcheting wrenches. If I wanted something from their current lineup I'd buy it.

 

[gizardlizard]

I bought the SAE and metric sets. I love em.

 

[Alpine4x4]

I always worried about the 6pt vs 12pt..... I thought the tekton set was 6pt....

It is 6pt, all their ratcheting wrenches are, which in my opinion is odd. A ratcheting wrench is not made to be torqued on and is most definitely best suited for working in tight conditions where a 12pt makes more sense. I have their stubby metric ratcheting wrenches and they are very nice, but wish they were 12pt.

 

[Robinson1]

I view Tekton about the same as I do Harbor Freight's Pittsburgh Pro. Cheap, usually good enough, if I want to leave them in a tractor tool box or rattle around on a service truck. Who cares.

Buy them, will pay for themselves on the first job.

 

[demarpaint]

It is 6pt, all their ratcheting wrenches are, which in my opinion is odd. A ratcheting wrench is not made to be torqued on and is most definitely best suited for working in tight conditions where a 12pt makes more sense. I have their stubby metric ratcheting wrenches and they are very nice, but wish they were 12pt.

That's why I didn't buy them.

 

[p00p]

i have the set. The 10mm hangs up, was like that from the start. Wished they were a bit thinner around the heads, as they don't fit well in tight areas that are recessed.

 

[qqzj]

Well, that's exactly why I want them. I don't trust 12 point tools.

That's why I didn't buy them.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[qqzj]

What do you mean by 'hang up'? Thanks! For the tight areas they don't fit, what did you use? Thanks!

i have the set. The 10mm hangs up, was like that from the start. Wished they were a bit thinner around the heads, as they don't fit well in tight areas that are recessed.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[justintendo]

12pt wrenches do fine and allow much better positioning. there are no strength issues with 12pt wrenches...many have been used in industrial settings for 10-20 years no problems at my workplace. the grave concern over 12pt wrenches seem to be a tool polisher problem, and not from those who use them as mechanics or in an industrial setting.
sometimes at my job there are those who abuse them badly..but many of our wrenches are still the old style raised panel sk they quit making years ago. i have never had one slip or seen a broken box end.
12pt sockets are a different story...as theres a differences between driving and driven tools i believe.

 

[p00p]

What do you mean by 'hang up'? Thanks! For the tight areas they don't fit, what did you use? Thanks!

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

It becomes a "fixed" wrench. Once removed off the head, it'll thumb the face in & out while spraying some thin oil in the mechanism. It'll work for a few more jobs before it hangs up again.

If it doesn't fit, I'll grab the chinesium 10mm that is much smaller in profile IF the stress isn't too much.

 

[chipjumper]

I don't need it. I want it when I can get a good deal. Right now, I can get it under $100. So it's tempting. But I can't get around the notion that it might have a flaw by design.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

How are you getting the so cheap? I thought they were $135.

 

[visionguru]

I have been interested in its long double ratcheting wrenches for a while. But each time I got ready to pay, I balked because of one strange feature, ie, the 16-18 is longer than 17-19. Is there any reason for them to do that? I mean they can possibly sell a few more tools by saving some material, literally!
...

Yes, it's dumb to use 6-point with no reverse lever on these extra long wrenches, recipe for the tool to stuck.
Due to the thickness of the wall, you will run into car fasteners that those wrenches can't fit. Mountain set is far superior. In case you wonder 12pt vs 6pt, I used the Mountain set to do the front and rear suspension of a 12 year old car in Chicago (rust belt), not a single bolt was rounded.

 

[G1GRANDEUR]

12pt wrenches do fine and allow much better positioning. there are no strength issues with 12pt wrenches...

word, even 12pt sockets, never had a problem.

we use 3/4 drive 12pt impact sockets at work with no issue.

 

[American Locomotive]

12 point tools are completely fine on good condition bolts and nuts that are not removed very often. Even slightly rusty bolts and nuts are fine.

But well-worn nuts and bolts, very rusty nuts and bolts or extremely high-torque fasteners (like Grade 12.9 stuff) do not often play well with 12 point sockets. I've had plenty of bolts and nuts that would just spin and spin with a 12 point socket, but came right off with a 6 point.

The 6 point nature of the SK X-Frames is why I liked them so much. You could get real big and ugly on them without ever stripping anything.

 

[HenryAZ]

"Dumb or not"...... yeah sometimes!

I've got a Tekton socket & ratchet kit that I keep in my truck. The damn ratchet direction lever functions backwards! It bugs the hell out of me! I hate ratchets that are like that!

"Backwards" actually makes more sense to my feeble brain. You point the lever in the direction you want to "tighten". The only Ko-ken set I have is like that, as is my Vessel ratcheting screwdriver. But going back and forth from one system to another can get confusing.

 

[laser3kw]

It is 6pt, all their ratcheting wrenches are, which in my opinion is odd. A ratcheting wrench is not made to be torqued on and is most definitely best suited for working in tight conditions where a 12pt makes more sense. I have their stubby metric ratcheting wrenches and they are very nice, but wish they were 12pt.

I missed something here. I would think 6 point would be "standard" (I haven't compared brands). If it is a ratcheting wrench, what's the issue with 6 point vs 12 point? (please, not an argument here - I really just want to understand what a 12 point gains on a ratchet wrench)
Personally, for a ratcheting wrench, I'd rather have 6 point for the same reason as American Locomotive

 

[jeepnut24]

I missed something here. I would think 6 point would be "standard" (I haven't compared brands). If it is a ratcheting wrench, what's the issue with 6 point vs 12 point? (please, not an argument here - I really just want to understand what a 12 point gains on a ratchet wrench)
Personally, for a ratcheting wrench, I'd rather have 6 point for the same reason as American Locomotive

This was the only set of this style that seems to be 6pt, and pretty much why I asked. Most of the other sets I have seen are all 12. Come to think of it, what other sets come in 6pt?? The standard seems to be 12pt

 

[qqzj]

6 or 12 point also depends on size of the fasteners. 12 is okay for larger ones. For small ones, 6 is far better. 8, 10 & 12 are small, 13-15 is borderline.

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Alpine4x4]

I missed something here. I would think 6 point would be "standard" (I haven't compared brands). If it is a ratcheting wrench, what's the issue with 6 point vs 12 point? (please, not an argument here - I really just want to understand what a 12 point gains on a ratchet wrench)
Personally, for a ratcheting wrench, I'd rather have 6 point for the same reason as American Locomotive

The whole reasoning behind have a 6pt wrench I gather from most posters here is contact. The 6 point grips rusty and worn fasteners better as theres more contact on the bolt head. Here comes the conundrum, usually those fasteners require quite a bit of break way power to get them moving. Ratcheting wrenches and ratchets as we know are not always best suited for breaking seized fasteners free without damage. So why do we need a 6pt head for maximum contact when we most of the time wont be breaking seized fasteners loose with these wrenches? Furthermore, ratcheting wrenches (to me at least) are ideally suited for fasteners in odd spots where you have very minimal room for swing. You use the ratcheting wrench so you dont constantly have to reposition the wrench. Affixing the wrench head onto the fastener in this position may be impossible with a 6pt if its not aligned properly whereas a 12pt will make quick work of affixing to the fastener in most any position.

Is it that big of a deal either way? Not at all, I have both 12pt and 6pt ratcheting wrenches and they all work in 99% of the situations I run into, I just find it odd to have a 6pt head vs a 12pt on a ratcheting wrench. The majority of combo and DBE wrenches are all 12pt...

 

[Wrench97]

The 6pt/12pt debate depends on how many of these you run into...........


As pointed out above if the fastener is very tight you should be using a different tool to break it loose these ratcheting mechanisms do not hold up very long to a lot of abuse.

 

[justintendo]

The whole reasoning behind have a 6pt wrench I gather from most posters here is contact. The 6 point grips rusty and worn fasteners better as theres more contact on the bolt head. Here comes the conundrum, usually those fasteners require quite a bit of break way power to get them moving. Ratcheting wrenches and ratchets as we know are not always best suited for breaking seized fasteners free without damage. So why do we need a 6pt head for maximum contact when we most of the time wont be breaking seized fasteners loose with these wrenches? Furthermore, ratcheting wrenches (to me at least) are ideally suited for fasteners in odd spots where you have very minimal room for swing. You use the ratcheting wrench so you dont constantly have to reposition the wrench. Affixing the wrench head onto the fastener in this position may be impossible with a 6pt if its not aligned properly whereas a 12pt will make quick work of affixing to the fastener in most any position.

Is it that big of a deal either way? Not at all, I have both 12pt and 6pt ratcheting wrenches and they all work in 99% of the situations I run into, I just find it odd to have a 6pt head vs a 12pt on a ratcheting wrench. The majority of combo and DBE wrenches are all 12pt...

great post

 

[synchromesh]

After far too much deliberation between this Tekton set and the Mountains, I just purchased these Tektons few weeks back. I’m just a hobbyist, so I’ve only really used them so far to pull a transmission last week. They were great! Should have bought them long ago!

 

[qqzj]

After quite some hassle, my Tekton set finally arrived today.

I compared 16-18 vs 17-19. The handle in the middle are exactly the same length. The heads of 18 & 19 are same length. Just 17mm is slightly longer than 16mm. Kind of funny. Aesthetically, they're not perfectly designed. But probably doesn't matter for use.



The best thing is that I got a great deal. Instead of buying them for Tekton or Amazon, I bought them from Lowe's. I accumulated some gift cards and bought 20 off 100 coupon from eBay. So there's about $35 savings. Somehow Lowe's messed up my order first time and cancelled it. I was really pissed off. However, out of blue, it sent me a $50 gift card as its way of appreciation for my business. Man, that worked really well for me![emoji1787]

Sent from my SM-G981U1 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[KWatson]

Tekton will use the same blank twice in their metric wrenches to save cost. It makes them look weird in racks but it's not a mistake.

 

[vssjim]

why not warranty the wrench out as tekton is so easy

 

[anavrinIV]

Tekton will use the same blank twice in their metric wrenches to save cost. It makes them look weird in racks but it's not a mistake.

SAE as well, but not as many

 

[nbpt100]

I understand you should not be putting a cheater bar on a ratcheting wrench but you can still round a rusted fastener by hand. As earlier, someone intelligently pointed out the smaller the fastener the greater the chance of rounding with a 12 pt. When you get up to 17 and up the chances are greatly diminished. I get the positioning benefits with the 12 pt however, when you have a 72 tooth ratchet you have even better positioning benefits. So why aren't more ratcheting box wrenches 6 pt.? It seems the benefits are greater except for when you might have a 12 point bolt head. When I have encountered them it usually is not in a difficult position. I am not looking for an argument either. Just trying to understand the rational. Am I missing something?

 

[rogersmithiii]

"
About Us - Tekton

https://www.tekton.com › about-us
At this time, about 70% of our current product lineup is made in Taiwan, 25% in the United States, 3% in China, and about 2% across several other countries. You can find the country of origin for every tool on Tekton.com by scrolling to the bottom of the product page and referring to the "Specs" section.

It's not cheap, Chinese, Harbor Freight junk. I bought a 1 inch drive, 40 inch breaker bar and it seems solid.