Show off your.... Carlyle Tools!!!

[Drunkonunleaded]

Kind of annoyed with NAPA right now. Awhile back, I ordered the 3/8 deep SAE impact swivel set. It lacks the 5/16 and 13/16 sockets. I finally got around to ordering the skips and received old stock (branded NAPA Professional) that looked terrible.

The manager at my local store saw them and was real apologetic. He did me a solid and ordered two for stock, agreeing to swap them out. What arrived was also old stock in worse shape than what I had. He defected them out.

I then called Napa for a replacement. That was on the 12th. They FINALLY shipped replacements on the 21st. Those replacements arrived today. And again, I received old stock that was in terrible condition.

I called Customer Service again. The rep was not very helpful and offered to email the warehouse to get another set. I asked how following the same process as last time would net me the correct sockets and she never gave me a straight answer.

This led to me calling NAPA's tech line. While the tool guy couldn’t help my order, he did say that the customer support rep should be able to tell the warehouse that they don’t want old stock. He didn’t seem surprised that customer support wasn’t helpful.

Am I expecting too much here? Yeah it would be nice if things matched, but at the end of the day I don’t think it’s too much to expect them to arrive in “new” condition. The joint on these swivels are atrocious compared to the Carlyle-branded ones I have.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

On a side note, the gentlemen from the tech line also mentioned that Carlyle would be “changing things” come Q4. He didn’t give much detail, aside from stating that they were changing to green and black between October and January.

I’m just speculating here. Sunex, who is the OEM of their impact sockets, is moving production to China from Taiwan. That may be part of the issue with my sockets.

Additionally, I ordered a thread chaser kit (BK7761076) thinking it was a rebranded USA-made Lang like the previous kit they carried (SER 972). What arrived was marked Made in Taiwan. After looking at the item’s warranty page on Napa’s site, I see that the OEM is Great Neck aka OEMTools.

FWIW, I don’t mind OEMTools and have quite a bit of their stuff, but I’m annoyed that NAPA is charging USA Lang prices for Taiwanese OEMTools quality.

This is a very long way for me to say that based upon what the tech told me today, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that maybe this supposed green/black Carlyle is going to end up being rebranded OEMTools stuff.

Full Disclosure: The above paragraph is all speculation based upon a rumor. Honestly, I would be disappointed if this ends up being the case. OEMTools aren’t bad, but current Carlyle is a step up in quality.

 

[Hootbro]

On a side note, the gentlemen from the tech line also mentioned that Carlyle would be “changing things” come Q4. He didn’t give much detail, aside from stating that they were changing to green and black between October and January.

I’m just speculating here. Sunex, who is the OEM of their impact sockets, is moving production to China from Taiwan. That may be part of the issue with my sockets.

Additionally, I ordered a thread chaser kit (BK7761076) thinking it was a rebranded USA-made Lang like the previous kit they carried (SER 972). What arrived was marked Made in Taiwan. After looking at the item’s warranty page on Napa’s site, I see that the OEM is Great Neck aka OEMTools.

FWIW, I don’t mind OEMTools and have quite a bit of their stuff, but I’m annoyed that NAPA is charging USA Lang prices for Taiwanese OEMTools quality.

This is a very long way for me to say that based upon what the tech told me today, I’m going to go out on a limb and say that maybe this supposed green/black Carlyle is going to end up being rebranded OEMTools stuff.

Full Disclosure: The above paragraph is all speculation based upon a rumor. Honestly, I would be disappointed if this ends up being the case. OEMTools aren’t bad, but current Carlyle is a step up in quality.

NAPA and consistency has never been their strong suit. Only you know your patience level to know when to cut bait, but I would be looking to another tool source in the future if you are wanting less instances of what you are dealing with now.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

NAPA and consistency has never been their strong suit. Only you know your patience level to know when to cut bait, but I would be looking to another tool source in the future if you are wanting less instances of what you are dealing with now.

I'm under no delusions there. NAPA is very much an outdated company from an operational aspect, etc. If I ended up with two sockets that were objectively new, I'd be happy.

The good news is that there's not much else I need at this point that are not specialty tools. For those, I'll just go to the OEM as with the Lang thread chasers. I learned that my new employer has a Snap-On dealer that visits periodically. I'll probably buy from him to fill any remaining gaps.

 

[308guru]

Am I expecting too much here?

Yes, you are. Napa isn't a mom and pop shop, it's a big business. To think the customer service rep can "call the warehouse and have them hand pick the tools you want" is a bit delusional.

You could order 50 yourself, hoping a "new" one is in that group, and return what you don't want if you want to go the cherry picking route.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Yes, you are. Napa isn't a mom and pop shop, it's a big business. To think the customer service rep can "call the warehouse and have them hand pick the tools you want" is a bit delusional.

You could order 50 yourself, hoping a "new" one is in that group, and return what you don't want if you want to go the cherry picking route.

Only when I worked at Advance, we could do exactly that. The tech line at NAPA confirmed that the CSR could do this if they wanted. So could our local Tool & Equipment rep, who works with our Outside Sales Rep.

 

[KnurledNut]

@Drunkonunleaded
Were the ones you ordered listed as Carlyle?
I can understand wanting them branded the same to match your existing set.

But from an actual functional standpoint is there a defect or just cosmetic issues? They look okay in the pictures.
I believe NAPA used the same manufacturer for both anyways.

If they are being used, cosmetic isn't going to matter for long.
Unless they are defective, I personally would keep them.
These are pretty good swivels.

A few of my NPT's with some miles:

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

@Drunkonunleaded
Were the ones you ordered listed as Carlyle?
I can understand wanting them branded the same to match your existing set.

But from an actual functional standpoint is there a defect or just cosmetic issues? They look okay in the pictures.
I believe NAPA used the same manufacturer for both anyways.

If they are being used, cosmetic isn't going to matter for long.
Unless they are defective, I personally would keep them.
These are pretty good swivels.

A few of my NPT's with some miles:

Yes the sets are branded Carlyle. They're functionally identical (both look to be rebranded Sunex). The branding doesn't matter much to me, it's more of a compounding factor that adds to the annoyance.. Externally, they weren't in great shape when I received them, but Tub O' Towels took care of most of it.

From a functional standpoint, I was disappointed that the swivel joints are significantly more loose than the Carlyle ones. The second set look almost as though they were slightly used and returned.

My chief complaint, however, is with how NAPA handled it. I made due without the 5/16 as I waited for replacements, but the CSR's lack of follow-through or their ability to do anything but follow the same process is what frustrated me yesterday. Doubly so when I was told by the Tech guy that they could in fact dig deeper into the issue with little more effort than writing a slightly longer email.

Honestly, I doubt that I would buy from NAPA Online again. My local store has always taken care of me on things. All purchased will go through him moving forward.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Looks like the new site is up:

Carlyle Tools - Shop Hand Tools, Power Tools, Air Compressors, Battery Service and more!

Carlyle Tools provide unmatched quality and performance on Hand Tools and Power Tools. Trusted by technicians to get any auto repair job done right!

carlyletools.com

New font, new colors. I guess the guy I spoke with wasn’t lying.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Dang...dont know if I like it. I kinda like the old logo better. Wonder if all the old stuff will go on clearance ?

 

[Tynee]

I’m confused. Am I mossing the link to actually buy stuff? The only things I see on that website are an “About” page with some marketing fliff, and the link to sibscribe to a newsletter.

 

[fourjeepin]

Dang...dont know if I like it. I kinda like the old logo better. Wonder if all the old stuff will go on clearance ?

The boxes are going on clearance. Dunno about anything else.

 

[Fedwrench]

OK, we're switching colors, font, and getting a panther head logo?
I don't know. I'm still fond of the Goat Head Capri uses on some of their ratchets
I hope Carlyle's quality doesn't slip with the changes.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

I actually liked the blue and yellow. Sad to see it go.

 

[Fedwrench]

I actually liked the blue and yellow. Sad to see it go.

I agree Classic NAPA Colors.
I remember between the US Made NAPA professional hand tools and NAPA using Gearwrench Clones for a brief period, they had some really nice German made screwdrivers with blue & yellow trilobal handles. Great color combo.

 

[KnurledNut]

I agree Classic NAPA Colors.
I remember between the US Made NAPA professional hand tools and NAPA using Gearwrench Clones for a brief period, they had some really nice German made screwdrivers with blue & yellow trilobal handles. Great color combo.

If you're talking about the Wittes, those were a favorite!

 

[Smokeshow69]

I actually liked the blue and yellow. Sad to see it go.

I do too! I feel like the black/green is similar to a lot of other brands. The blue and yellow was distinct.

I agree Classic NAPA Colors.
I remember between the US Made NAPA professional hand tools and NAPA using Gearwrench Clones for a brief period, they had some really nice German made screwdrivers with blue & yellow trilobal handles. Great color combo.

If you're talking about the Wittes, those were a favorite!

Yes, the witte made ones are good. I like their current tri lobe design better

 

[lardy1]

I'm hoping it means they are going to keep the brand alive. There are some very nice tools in their lineup.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I'm hoping it means they are going to keep the brand alive. There are some very nice tools in their lineup.

I hope so as well. When they go on sale they are super nice! I own a bunch of them

 

[fourjeepin]

I do too! I feel like the black/green is similar to a lot of other brands. The blue and yellow was distinct.

it makes me think of Ryobi

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

I’m confused. Am I mossing the link to actually buy stuff? The only things I see on that website are an “About” page with some marketing fliff, and the link to sibscribe to a newsletter.

It’s a new site. I spoke to a NAPA tool rep recently and he said that there were some changes coming to Carlyle in Q4. This is the first evidence of that.

The boxes are going on clearance. Dunno about anything else.

They are? Where are you hearing this? Those didn’t last long. I missed out on the $1299 Homak RS Pro deals NAPA had. The Carlyle 1500s are more or less the same thing.

As for the colors, hopefully it ends up being more hiviz instead of the same green we see everywhere else. I don’t get the tool industry’s obsession with lime green.

The blue and yellow is classic NAPA. I’m kind of disappointed to see it go.

 

[fourjeepin]

They are? Where are you hearing this? Those didn’t last long. I missed out on the $1299 Homak RS Pro deals NAPA had. The Carlyle 1500s are more or less the same thing.

The website shows the lower prices (or it did for the one part# I checked). The best boxes are 41% off. Some of the others are 30%.
Prices started Oct 1 and go through the end of the year.

 

[Ton ton]

I’m happy to see Carlyle change the colors because I don’t really like Napa’s corporate colors. But I enjoy Carlyle hand tools for the most part.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

This was posted in a Facebook group this morning, no idea of origin. Kind of reads like an internal email.

EDIT - Guy said it "was an internal bulletin". Per him, "Corporate stores should have them fully in stock in Feb 2025 but they should start receiving some tools starting next month."

Get your blue and yellow while you still can. Or don't.

This may explain why we've seen wrenches and such dumped to liquidators and listed on eBay. Hopefully there's more of that in store.

 

[DarryT]

Carlyle long anti slip wrench are on sale for $70 for the 11 piece metric set. This is without using a coupon. A 20% coupon would make it a screaming deal. I have this set & it's very nice.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Saw this in a Facebook group. Looks like the new tools are starting to trickle in. The poster also claims that the OG stuff will be going on "stealth clearance".

I've placed an order for some things to fill gaps before this happens.

 

[Callelle]

Saw this in a Facebook group. Looks like the new tools are starting to trickle in. The poster also claims that the OG stuff will be going on "stealth clearance".

I've placed an order for some things to fill gaps before this happens.

Safe to assume that that means it'll be in store only stuff? Kinda like when Advanced was clearancing out all of the TEQ line of stuff to replace with DieHard.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Unsure. The new jack can be found here:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTC7916420

 

[89MustangGX]

Unsure. The new jack can be found here:

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTC7916420

The blue one carries the same part number and is on monthly special for $40 less.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/NLE7916420

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Stopped by my local store today to pick up roto ratchets that were on sale this quarter. Also got a line wrench that I need for a job this week.

50/50 whether I buy the rest of the line wrenches. I have an older USA Masterforce set that’s treated me well so far.

 

[Ton ton]

Both Napa and carquest push the gearwrench brand hard in my limited experience. The store brands such as TEQ or Carlyle seem to play second fiddle. This is not a reflection of inferior quality of the store brands. My local stores seem to be unable/ unwilling to order store brand tools in. Again this is my very limited experience.

 

[Tynee]

Both Napa and carquest push the gearwrench brand hard in my limited experience. The store brands such as TEQ or Carlyle seem to play second fiddle. This is not a reflection of inferior quality of the store brands. My local stores seem to be unable/ unwilling to order store brand tools in. Again this is my very limited experience.

I asked the owner of my local Napa franchise why this is true, he indicated that they have a lot of trouble getting corporate to replace stuff that they take back in warranty claims from customers. That's not true with Milwaukee and Gearwrench, so they'd rather sell those brands.

 

[Odd-job]

That's too bad. Seems like the franchisee always gets squeezed in these franchise deals.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

I asked the owner of my local Napa franchise why this is true, he indicated that they have a lot of trouble getting corporate to replace stuff that they take back in warranty claims from customers. That's not true with Milwaukee and Gearwrench, so they'd rather sell those brands.

Which is interesting because GW is TERRIBLE to warranty for an end user.

When I worked at Advance, we would take back anything GW no questions asked. I never handled the warranty claims, so I'm not sure how good they were with reimbursements. I left not long before they swapped all the GW stuff over to Teq.

As far as house brands go, what drew me to Carlyle in the first place is that they've been around long enough. I guess it's been long enough that they're set to remerchandise things a bit. I'm interested to see what the new stuff actually looks like and whether it'll actually be new or just "new". Considering that there's still impact tools floating around with NPT branding, I'm guessing more of the latter.

 

[Steve_P]

This was posted in a Facebook group this morning, no idea of origin. Kind of reads like an internal email.

EDIT - Guy said it "was an internal bulletin". Per him, "Corporate stores should have them fully in stock in Feb 2025 but they should start receiving some tools starting next month."

Get your blue and yellow while you still can. Or don't.

This may explain why we've seen wrenches and such dumped to liquidators and listed on eBay. Hopefully there's more of that in store.

I know that's not a good picture, but that looks like a giant thick head ratchet from 1975. Not sure what they're thinking but it appears they've moved decades backwards from the previous offerings, which still couldn't compete with GW, Tekton.... But yeah, the handle is green. Cool.

 

[jptbay]

Carlyle long anti slip wrench are on sale for $70 for the 11 piece metric set. This is without using a coupon. A 20% coupon would make it a screaming deal. I have this set & it's very nice.

Code NAPATEXT brings $10 off which puts this set at $53.44.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHTCWL1211M?ref=MA==

 

[Steve_P]

^ Thats a great deal. I have what I think are the same wrenches in a larger set and they're really nice. I got them on Ebay when they were posted here.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

20% is valid on their site right now as well.

 

[Drunkonunleaded]

Got some updates. It appears as though things are going on stealth clearance, depending upon store stock and your local DC. Someone on FB posted that the 1/4 master impact set (NPT 610110) is on sale for $175 from $584. YMMV.

A recent job had me needing stubby wrenches and the oddball thin wrench (ignore the line wrench shown previously). It was cheaper to buy them individually vs. the set. Most of the wrenches are only a few dollars each. Downside is that the 1” is out of stock if you REALLY want the “full” set. 7/8” and 19mm is big enough for me so it worked well.

One of the wrenches, the 3/4”, was clearly from another supplier. The label was more of a vinyl and left residue. Additionally, the logos are completely different. Otherwise it appears within spec.

I also grabbed their pliers wrench so I can put the Knipex back in my plumbing bag. Action feels very similar to the Knipex but with the added benefit of grips what don’t get slick when oily.

Last week I desperately needed a 3/8” to 1/4” impact adapter. Of course it’s out of stock everywhere. I grabbed the Sunex equivalent (still Taiwan, for now) and had NAPA order the 1/2” to 3/4” adapter. The latter is a lifesaver for motorcycle stem and axle nuts.

While I was picking up my order, the manager tipped me off to the fact that they just replaced the Evercraft planogram with Performance Tool. The Evercraft stuff is at a deep discount. I grabbed both sets of crowfoot like wrenches for $25.

I have some more stuff on order from Black Friday. When it arrives, I’ll post them up.

 

[fourjeepin]

This week I picked up a couple of things on super clearance:

• 7" linesman pliers $7.20 PN# LP7
• Mini end cutters (great for zip ties) $6.80 PN# MPEC5
• Mini diagonal cutters are also on clearance, but they are only down to $22.99 unless you have an account PN# MPDC5

Better hurry if you want the end cutters, they are getting scarce.