Does anyone have experiences with either the klutch brand or carlyle brand reversible ratchet wrenches? I'm looking to replace a set of kobalts I bought years ago. I like the six point design of the carlyle but the price is way high online. Can probably get it down talking with my napa's manager but don't know just how much he will come down. Any other budget ish reccomendations for reversible? I would just pick up a set of tekton or capri but it seems both are discontinued for updates.
Reversible ratchet wrenches
- Thread starter diysxs
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isb cornbinder
Well-known member
I clicked on the NAPAA on line link. I was surprised at the very high asking price. That is well into SnapOn territory. I checked AMAZON and I found several affordable options.
About 20 years ago, I bought sets of metric and fractional ratcheting wrenches from the SK dealer. The wrenches look really nice, BUT, I have almost never used any of them.
If I were in the market for these tools, I would do some more due diligence checking.
About 20 years ago, I bought sets of metric and fractional ratcheting wrenches from the SK dealer. The wrenches look really nice, BUT, I have almost never used any of them.
If I were in the market for these tools, I would do some more due diligence checking.
I have metric and SAE of the Carlyle 6 point reversible ratcheting wrenches.
They are fantastic, but there is no way I would pay over $300 for them. I think they were about $120 or so on a real deal a while back.
The Facom/USAG/Craftsman V-series are also really good and less $$. I suspect the standard Craftsman version at Lowes (if made in Taiwan) would be equal and much more budget friendly.
Tekton are ok if they are still available. I think they are offering 20% off on them right now (may be individuals only).
They are fantastic, but there is no way I would pay over $300 for them. I think they were about $120 or so on a real deal a while back.
The Facom/USAG/Craftsman V-series are also really good and less $$. I suspect the standard Craftsman version at Lowes (if made in Taiwan) would be equal and much more budget friendly.
Tekton are ok if they are still available. I think they are offering 20% off on them right now (may be individuals only).
dnschmidt
Well-known member
HERE IS THE HOT SMOKIN' DEAL OF ALL TIME. I bought this for ****'s and giggles and it turns out that these seem to be to be Gearwrench quality or better at 1/5 the price. They are or course made in China but are well made and extremely comfortable as the beams are wide enough not to cut into your palms. I've only used them a couple of times but I'm super impressed for the money. For less than $35 for a complete set I think you'd be crazy not to try these out.
Wow, nothing to lose giving those a try.
finn
Well-known member
Ahah! Sounds like the Malco syndrome.
or maybe SK.
”I like the product, but I want them at the lowest price of anything else similar in function out there!”
It’s no wonder SBD pulled the plug on the Ft Worth plant.
or maybe SK.
”I like the product, but I want them at the lowest price of anything else similar in function out there!”
It’s no wonder SBD pulled the plug on the Ft Worth plant.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
OK Finn let's go with the following scenario. You want to buy a bag of Ruffles. Walmart has the bag you want for X amount of money and Albertson's has the same bag for X +30%. Which bag are YOU going to buy? I have a complete set of TOPTUL reversible ratcheting wrenches that as a dealer I got for relatively cheap money and they are without a doubt great. If you don’t believe me ask LXCam who I special ordered a set for back when I was in the game. These wrenches that I recommended above seem to be equally effective. For a home gamer that doesn’t abuse them they will likely last forever. Now they don’t have the Satin Chrome Finish that’s so near and dear to my heart but I do like them. Since all ratcheting wrenches come from ether Taiwan or China, or at least the parts of them that matter do, why would you not take advantage of what I consider to be an absolutely INSANE KILLER DEAL. Your duty to yourself as a consumer is to get the most for your money. Malco made great Vice Grips when most people (>95%) only need good (Milwaukee or Bremen) Vice Grips. If this prevents American manufacturing well life’s a ***** and then you die. If American labor cost too much then automate, that’s how the Germans do it.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Although not nearly as cheap as they were awhile back, I still think this Dewalt set is a great set of reversible ratcheting wrenches. 
www.acmetools.com
I also like the USAG/Facom set that the Craftsman V series cloned but, Craftsman V series committed the unforgivable sin of omitting 15 and 18MM sizes
If you don't need those sizes, the set might appeal to you.
DEWALT 12 Piece Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set
DEWALT 12 Piece Ratcheting Metric Wrench Set - DWMT19230
www.acmetools.com
I also like the USAG/Facom set that the Craftsman V series cloned but, Craftsman V series committed the unforgivable sin of omitting 15 and 18MM sizes
If you don't need those sizes, the set might appeal to you.Are you a hammer? Because you nailed it.
Tekton has six point wrenches 20% off. They’re supposed to be coming out with the sets soon discounted as well. They’re getting a new vendor to make them sometime within the year. I’m sure somebody will go off about the warranty but I have never had a problem with getting a warranty replacement. If they don’t have it in stock anymore, they will give you a credit especially if you bought it on their website or whatever replaced that tool. At least that has been my experience. Your mileage may vary.
Madjik Man
Well-known member
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- Dec 3, 2015
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I wouldn’t mind a set of reversible ratcheting combo wrenches. But I have an old set of Husky ratcheting combo wrenches (non-reversible) and I never use the open end side.
My next set of ratcheting wrenches will be a DBE one side fixed one side reversible ratcheting. Use the fixed head to break the fastener loose, use the ratcheting side to run it out.
My next set of ratcheting wrenches will be a DBE one side fixed one side reversible ratcheting. Use the fixed head to break the fastener loose, use the ratcheting side to run it out.
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toddmorr
Well-known member
I have the Carlyle set and have used it a few years now. Got it back when it was around $100. The 10mm seized up and was warranted. No other issues but I'm not a fan, don't like the 6 point and they are too short. The six point seems to fit way too tight. Have been looking at the icon wrenches, tons available through clist or fbook. Laughable if napa thinks the Carlyle are worth 300.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
ultimategarage.com
Junkdrawer Dog
Well-known member
Awesome post...quoted for truth!
I've seen a few sets on Amazon. When I ordered I ordered from MisterWorker which I believe is over in Europe.
kudakev615
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picked up a set after seeing your post, they came in today and i agree with opinion on initial impression. i recently picked a bmw that ive been doing a lot of work on outside the shop and started adding on to my away from work tool arsenal. these wrenches have a solid feel to the selector switch and the gears have nice click when ratcheting. i'll err on the side of caution when really cranking down on them but they will see very minimal use compared to my work tools. thanks for posting the link
Lt CHEG
Well-known member
I know they’re probably the single most expensive option but I still think the SnapOn Dual 80 reversible ratcheting wrenches are the best there are. I seriously get more joy from using them than I probably should. They’re a truly great product.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I just ordered this 12-piece set for a several reasons: Great price, no skips, and I agree, they appear to be quality set, as well as having a nice finish. For the same reasons, I also ordered a 9-piece SAE set of Duratech. Dennis; Thanks for the Heads Up
Dakotadadv8
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Because you usually get what you pay for, if its too good to be true it probably is not. Nothing wrong with buying something for less but expect it to be of lower quality, older model, or it fell off the back of the truck
.dnschmidt
Well-known member
In many cases you're absolutely right but there are exceptions to this rule if the object in question comes from very few possible sources. These types of wrenches are all made in either China or Taiwan likely by less than five companies worldwide. An example: once upon a time I made my own golf clubs. Callaway’s Big Bertha drivers were all cast by a foundry in China. This same factory made identical copies on the same line from which they simply removed Callaway’s logos. Callaway charged an arm and a leg for a Big Bertha and these heads could be had of $10@. I hit my copy just as far as my golf buddies hit their Callaway drivers for which they paid several hundreds of dollars. These wrenches appear to be identical to the "high priced spread" as Imperial margarine used to say in their commercials. See the two positive comments above. Yes, there probably isn’t any warrantee, so what. I’ve never warrantied a wrench in my life and for $35 a set who cares? All this proves is the enormous profit margins these well-known tool companies have as they all have to be getting their wrenches from the same sources these guys do.Because you usually get what you pay for, if its too good to be true it probably is not. Nothing wrong with buying something for less but expect it to be of lower quality, older model, or it fell off the back of the truck
Thanks, I'm in for a set for my kids. They should be fine as long as they are passable quality.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
The Caryle 120T ratchet? Do you have more details? I've had my eye on the site, but none of the listings have had pictures that I've noticed.
Ton ton
Well-known member
Maybe try your local Napa to get more info on these wrenches.
Different brands might use the same factory but there's a quality difference between factories or lines.
I have some cheapo ratcheting wrenches that are coarse as hell. I bought an identical appearing 18mm to replace the broken one and its smooth as butter by comparison. Some of the ones in the set are barely usable.
Hold the replacement next to the original and the only obvious difference is the markings. But they operate very differently.
I'm assuming it was 120 based on the feel and how short the clicks are. Identical to the feel of the gearwrench 120xp. There was no picture and hardly any info of it on their website. I went in looking for part number r38lflqr and was told it was replaced by a part number very similar but with a 120 thrown on the end or close. Can't seem to find it online anymore. Different design then the 120xp locking flex heads though.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
The 3/8 is R38LF120. It's still on the site if you dig. Do you mind posting a picture? There's a Carlyle showoff thread.
WWheeler
Well-known member
I also bought the "HOT SMOKIN' DEAL OF ALL TIME" set of Towallmark reversible ratcheting wrenches that dnschmidt posted a link to above. Came to $37 shipped for me and my first impressions are they seem every bit as nice as my sets of Gearwrenches. With the roll-up they come in these are perfect for my road kit.
For me those Amazon wrenches are going to be perfect for my sxs box. I keep standard tools/ parts in a crate on the 4 wheeler. Just enough to get me fixed and off trail if something happens. Then in my truck I have old tools/ cheaper copies of my home tools that never leave that box except to fix buggies at the campground. They will fit that roll nicely.
dnschmidt
Well-known member
Be a man and **** it up.What a jerk. I just spent almost $40 because of you
WWheeler
Well-known member
That Towallmark brand linked above has reversible ratcheting, or flex head ratcheting.
It's a rarity for a set of any brand to have both options in a set of ratcheting wrenches. I believe only a few ever did (only two I can recall at the moment are Williams & Snap-on), and you probably aren't going to find a set of them for under $40, even if they are used.