freudianfloyd
Well-known member
Are NAPA brand hand tools any good? I know Carlyle are good, but I have not found much on NAPA brand. I found a 1/4" and 3/8" set of roto-ratchets for $28 new but wasn't sure if they were worth it. Any thoughts?
Napa Brand Tool Quality
- Thread starter freudianfloyd
- Start date
jfcasey
Well-known member
I have a 1/2 long handle ratchet I received as a gift that is napa branded. I have had it for about 5 years and I have never had an issue. It's made in USA and has a pretty decent feeling mechanism.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Are all the NAPA store branded tools made under contract by various tool manufacturers?
If Carlyle falls under this definition; I would think of their current Carlyle tools as being built under their "current contract arrangements", much like their other tools.. As with so many store brands; you have to ask: who is building it this month?
If it "looks OK to You" , and the price falls within your budget, and coo is not an issue; go ahead and buy it. There is a good chance it will meet some people's expectations very well.
If Carlyle falls under this definition; I would think of their current Carlyle tools as being built under their "current contract arrangements", much like their other tools.. As with so many store brands; you have to ask: who is building it this month?
If it "looks OK to You" , and the price falls within your budget, and coo is not an issue; go ahead and buy it. There is a good chance it will meet some people's expectations very well.
OP
freudianfloyd
Well-known member
I went ahead and bought them, I figured for the price it was worth it. Not sure of the manufacturer, but they look exactly like the Gearwrench set. Fingers crossed they are.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Which version of NAPA hand tools?
In the 1960-1970's they were New Britain. Then came Sparta as the early economy brand with NAPA professional Hand Tools as the main line. NAPA US Made professional hand tools were basically no frills, get the job done tools that were made in Armstrong/KD factories. They seemed to be more refined than their Craftsman brothers. Then there was a brief period of a year or two when NAPA professional hand tools became Gearwrench clones. Same Gearwrench tools like their 60 tooth ratchets only stamped NAPA. You see these on ebay often. That transitional period led to today"s Carlyle line which are quite good for the money when purchased on sale. The economy line Evercraft isn't much to write home about though.
I have lots of NAPA branded tools. Their full polished combination wrenches are some of my favorite wrenches. They briefly offered a 60 tooth next generation ratchet that was like a Craftsman thin profile ratchet but, with a much better shaped handle. The German made blue/yellow handled screwdrivers were also quite nice. NAPA branded tools have always seemed a little pricey when not on sale but, if you grab them in the secondary market they offer value and quality.
As for your Roto ratchets, If they have NAPA on the blue/yellow handle, they're gearwrench clones. If they don't have any name on the blue/yellow handle they could be Carlyle. Either way, nice ratchets. Pictures would help.
In the 1960-1970's they were New Britain. Then came Sparta as the early economy brand with NAPA professional Hand Tools as the main line. NAPA US Made professional hand tools were basically no frills, get the job done tools that were made in Armstrong/KD factories. They seemed to be more refined than their Craftsman brothers. Then there was a brief period of a year or two when NAPA professional hand tools became Gearwrench clones. Same Gearwrench tools like their 60 tooth ratchets only stamped NAPA. You see these on ebay often. That transitional period led to today"s Carlyle line which are quite good for the money when purchased on sale. The economy line Evercraft isn't much to write home about though.
I have lots of NAPA branded tools. Their full polished combination wrenches are some of my favorite wrenches. They briefly offered a 60 tooth next generation ratchet that was like a Craftsman thin profile ratchet but, with a much better shaped handle. The German made blue/yellow handled screwdrivers were also quite nice. NAPA branded tools have always seemed a little pricey when not on sale but, if you grab them in the secondary market they offer value and quality.
As for your Roto ratchets, If they have NAPA on the blue/yellow handle, they're gearwrench clones. If they don't have any name on the blue/yellow handle they could be Carlyle. Either way, nice ratchets. Pictures would help.
Last edited:
OP
freudianfloyd
Well-known member
Which version of NAPA hand tools?
In the 1960-1970's they were New Britain. Then came Sparta as the early economy brand with NAPA professional Hand Tools as the main line. NAPA US Made professional hand tools were basically no frills, get the job done tools that were made in Armstrong/KD factories. They seemed to be more refined than their Craftsman brothers. Then there was a brief period of a year or two when NAPA professional hand tools became Gearwrench clones. Same Gearwrench tools like their 60 tooth ratchets only stamped NAPA. You see these on ebay often. That transitional period led to today"s Carlyle line which are quite good for the money when purchased on sale. The economy line Evercraft isn't much to write home about though.
I have lots of NAPA branded tools. Their full polished combination wrenches are some of my favorite wrenches. They briefly offered a 60 tooth next generation ratchet that was like a Craftsman thin profile ratchet but, with a much better shaped handle. The German made blue/yellow handled screwdrivers were also quite nice. NAPA branded tools have always seemed a little pricey when not on sale but, if you grab them in the secondary market they offer value and quality.
As for your Roto ratchets, If they have NAPA on the blue/yellow handle, they're gearwrench clones. If they don't have any name on the blue/yellow handle they could be Carlyle. Either way, nice ratchets. Pictures would help.
How about a link?
https://www.handtoolsforless.com/collections/ratcheting-wrenches-and-sets-1/products/napa-2-piece-cushion-grip-roto-ratchet-set-1
I figured they were Gearwrench clones. Great deal judging by the cost of Gearwrench.
