Props for Proto Challenger?

[Jake_hates_brakes]

I know the Challenger series of Proto is their econo brand but they seem stout. Recently I had to use my 1/2 challenger ratchet (hand me down from father who passed) to break a subaru diff plug, had to beat the handle with a mini sledge (IR impact wouldn't touch it). After the fact I found the matching 1/4 ratchet in some other tools and decided to buy the 3/8 online. They are made in USA, pn 1660(1/2) and p/n 1060(1/4). My question is does anybody know the rough age? Was it worth it to fill out set or just whimsy? BTW, took apart 1/2, no damge after mistreating it. Still Hates_Brakes.

 

[Provincial]

My personal opinion is that Challenger is as good as Proto, but did not have the warranty, so they could sell it for less $. I have a Challenger 3/8 drive flex handle ratchet that has a different head design than Proto. It works fine, not quite as smooth as my New Britain, but reasonable. Every Challenger tool I have used has held up well.

 

[four.cycle]

My father sold Challenger in the early 1960's. I still have a set of 8-inch slip-joint pliers and a 5/16" slotted screwdriver (from that era) that are among my favorites.
I recently acquired a 1/4" drive set of Challenger - shallows and deep-wells and two (or three?) variants of the 1060 1/4" ratchet (1060, 1060D, 1060-?) (can't remember right now) - they all appear to be well made and nicely finished - I actually don't see a lot of difference between them and older (pre-Stanley) Proto.
To be fair, I haven't used any of them to remove any head bolts or anything along that line yet.

 

[My Old Tools]

I bought my Challenger stuff in high school (1968 or so) and I still like them.

 

[Cope]

They're good tools. I have a few of their spark plug sockets and a 36MM 1/2" socket.

 

[MShaw]

I have a set of Challenger 1/4" drive shallow sockets that I recently replaced as the chrome was peeling around the stamping and I got snagged on the sharp edges a few times. I had them for 35 years and they held up well otherwise.

 

[Al Borland]

I've got deepwell chrome Challenger sockets in 1/2 and 3/8 drive that were my father-in-laws. He routinely used them on his impact guns. They survived just fine.

 

[Bruce Amacker]

My first set of tools was Challenger by Proto in 1975. I still have some of them......

 

[Jazz1]

My only Challenger is my hacksaw. I used their wrenches way back, as good as anything else made on this side of the pond

 

[Derek420]

I have a few Challenger sockets and 1 1/4 round head ratchet . I think they are good but have noticed that my ratchet is identical to a set of Stanley ratchets I have and those too have held u . I've moved up in the world onto snap on and wright and Mac but really not any performance changes other than newer ratchets.

 

[Larryjones]

I have a set of SAE combination wrenches, got them maybe 35 years ago. Don't have a mirror finish by no means but not rough either.