Northern Tool Klutch Mechanics Tools

[Jtels85]

Hey everyone!

Before I ask my question, I am not interested in responses suggesting other brands. I don’t want Tekton, Gearwrench, etc… I have my reasons for asking about this specific brand of tools.

So now that I have that out of the way, does anyone have any experience with the current Klutch mechanics tools (sockets, wrenches, ratchets) from Northern Tool? Are they of good quality for a DIY/Homeowner type of person?

I tried performing a search and couldn’t find anything recent. Tool companies change suppliers often so answers/feelings on these tools may have changed between several years ago and now.

Thanks!

 

[ForrestT]

I do not have experience with using them, but have seen them at flea markets. I’d put them on par with other house brands like Pittsburgh at HF, Teq correct at advance auto, Husky and Kobalt. No experience using them, but from what I’ve seen handling just a few pieces and looking at them. Seemed ok.

 

[LXCam]

The only thing that comes to mind I own are all my stubbie combo wrenches are klutch. Bought them when the sets were on sale for like $15 and they work great, no complaints at all.

 

[Jlarson]

I've got a few big combos from them somehow, they work just fine.

I don't bother spending on high end large combos anymore cause they're going to get used to backup large guns 3/4" plus, beat on and often a few get cut or bent. So Klutch, hobo freight or TSC are great on the service truck.

 

[619DioFan]

I have the extra long klutch combo wrenches. I like them and no skips like the HF set. I have several sets of the Northern tools wrenches ( they were replaced by the klutch brand ) I like the northern tools brand as well, also they copied the titan tools long ratchets and put the klutch name on them.

 

[BTJHP]

I don't have any but looking at them, they look like the typical Taiwanese OEM/ODMs that everyone else uses like William, TST, Hung Hui, Chang Loon, etc. Prices seem higher than other retailers though. I usually just try to find the lowest price/best warranty for any rebranded tool.

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I’ve got a few of the newer sockets and they aren’t bad. I can’t remember where they are made but either way not bad. I’d say probably compares to most middle of the road tools. The drive end does tend to show signs of stress by the corners kind of rounding out if that is how you would describe it. And I didn’t use them hard either just normally.

 

[sparky 1971]

I have the angle wrenches in both metric and sae. Not the greatest quality but they get the job done. I don't have any complaints yet. and I doubt I will. A couple of years ago I was in Northern and saw they had X beam wrenches that were identical to my Gearwrench. I would guess that based on that, at least some of the Klutch is made by Apex. I also have a 1-5/8" wrench that I picked up at a Northern, but I don't remember if it's Klutch or "Northern". It survived unscathed after a beating with an 8 lb sledge to get some rusted nuts off of a light pole base.

 

[M635_Guy]

Hey everyone!

Before I ask my question, I am not interested in responses suggesting other brands. I don’t want Tekton, Gearwrench, etc… I have my reasons for asking about this specific brand of tools.

So now that I have that out of the way, does anyone have any experience with the current Klutch mechanics tools (sockets, wrenches, ratchets) from Northern Tool? Are they of good quality for a DIY/Homeowner type of person?

I tried performing a search and couldn’t find anything recent. Tool companies change suppliers often so answers/feelings on these tools may have changed between several years ago and now.

Thanks!

They're fine. I've owned a smattering over the years, and still have some of their hex sockets and a few other things. I don't think they're all that consistent over the years in terms of what OEM they're buying from for the same tool, but they're fine for a DIY guy for the most part. Not great/amazing, but fine. Personally, I've moved on to other brands.

 

[Jtels85]

Thanks for the responses so far! Very informative.

Does anyone know if the their current tools are in fact Apex sourced? Their 245 Pc. Mechanics tool set has many similarities to that if GearWrench. The case, the 45 tooth ratchets, extensions… even the sockets look like Husky/Duralast/China Craftsman.

 

[BTJHP]

I looked through their stuff online and there's a lot that isn't Apex. I looked at the 245 pc tool set in question and I'm 99.9% sure it's Apex. Even the L wrenches are branded "Allen" and the 3 drawer box is the same, along with the tools you mentioned.

 

[Jtels85]

I looked through their stuff online and there's a lot that isn't Apex. I looked at the 245 pc tool set in question and I'm 99.9% sure it's Apex. Even the L wrenches are branded "Allen" and the 3 drawer box is the same, along with the tools you mentioned.

Those were my thoughts as well. I’ve scoured the internet and YouTube, but haven’t been able to turn up much information on this set. There’s only one stock video by Northern Tool on YouTube and it doesn’t get that in-depth.

I was honestly expecting Pittsburgh style sockets with the Klutch name stamped on them, which would totally be fine. If they’re Apex, that’s even better as I’ve had no issues out of my modern day Duralast/Husky sockets and wrenches.

But you’re right, this thing screams Apex. I wish I had the time to drive an hour and a half to the nearest Northern Tool and look for myself, but I’m probably just going to have to make a blind online purchase.

 

[Bubba Fett]

Nothing special about them. Probably made in the same factories as or any other Chinese brand.