scooby074
Well-known member
Looks like this is the replacement. Foamed and double dipped grips. Dont see any other major changes other than color and the new logo.
They look somehow worse, cheaper.
Show off your.... Carlyle Tools!!!
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They look somehow worse, cheaper.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I havent seen any of the new Carlyle tools that I like better.
Seems they are trying to create a new image without the NAPA name but cutting costs by sourcing from cheaper manufacturers. All too often quality suffers too.
Regarding the wire strippers, they seem to be using the same OEM as before.
scooby074
Well-known member
I havent seen any of the new Carlyle tools that I like better.
Seems they are trying to create a new image without the NAPA name but cutting costs by sourcing from cheaper manufacturers. All too often quality suffers too.
Regarding the wire strippers, they seem to be using the same OEM as before.
The packaging just doesnt do it for me. If I saw them on the shelf, Id say they were cheap imports. The old Carlyle blue looked much classier.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Saw a NAPA email today where all Evercraft tools are on clearance and when they're gone, they're gone. I wonder what NAPA will replace Evercraft with if anything?
rct
Well-known member
In the main store for Buffalo (regional warehouse) this week I saw a section of Performance Tool brand sockets and wrenches. Although they also have Craftsman and some Gearwrench. Only saw the "new" Carlyle as some mini pliers which as above are the same as the old pliers with new handle colors.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Performance Tool. Craftsman is on clearance at a lot of stores too. YMMV.
montanafordman
Well-known member
Whatever management person is calling the shots on their tool brand & stocking decisions should go back to pulling parts at the counter. Personally I think they are making a mistake cheapening the carlyle brand and changing colors, while bringing in so many other common brands with so much overlap.
Keep the Napa colors and branding. I've bought a lot of Napa Carlyle tools over the years because I liked that it seemed to be equal or better quality than most hardware & home retailer tools and more economical than tool truck prices (especially on sale prices a few years or more, ago). I also liked the colors and branding. Trivial reason - sure but all other things closely equal it was a difference maker. It got me in the store to spend money and I usually bought other parts or consumables while I was in there. The colors and branding were great advertising for Napa too - even if much of it was rebranded HF icon, Oreillys Power torque, or whatever else. Sell the tools with the parts delivery service to commercial accounts too.
You can buy "Performance tool" at oreilleys and many parts or industrial tool stores as their cheaper import tool lines, craftsman at ace and lowes, milwaukee at HD... - there is simply too much competition in carrying everyone else's tool line while cheapening your own branded tools.
Maybe I don't get the big picture, or see the numbers from the inside - but as a consumer it gives me fewer reasons to buy any tools there, and fewer reasons to walk in the door when I can also order online.
Maybe the shelf space, branding cost, or brand notoriety doesn't make the carlyle brand worthwhile as a premium line, or worth the effort at all, - but this identity crisis and competition with other store brands can't be a lot better either.
Keep the Napa colors and branding. I've bought a lot of Napa Carlyle tools over the years because I liked that it seemed to be equal or better quality than most hardware & home retailer tools and more economical than tool truck prices (especially on sale prices a few years or more, ago). I also liked the colors and branding. Trivial reason - sure but all other things closely equal it was a difference maker. It got me in the store to spend money and I usually bought other parts or consumables while I was in there. The colors and branding were great advertising for Napa too - even if much of it was rebranded HF icon, Oreillys Power torque, or whatever else. Sell the tools with the parts delivery service to commercial accounts too.
You can buy "Performance tool" at oreilleys and many parts or industrial tool stores as their cheaper import tool lines, craftsman at ace and lowes, milwaukee at HD... - there is simply too much competition in carrying everyone else's tool line while cheapening your own branded tools.
Maybe I don't get the big picture, or see the numbers from the inside - but as a consumer it gives me fewer reasons to buy any tools there, and fewer reasons to walk in the door when I can also order online.
Maybe the shelf space, branding cost, or brand notoriety doesn't make the carlyle brand worthwhile as a premium line, or worth the effort at all, - but this identity crisis and competition with other store brands can't be a lot better either.
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CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
NAPA is probably trying to ride that green wave that washed over everything a few years back. But they’re too late, as a lot of guys are over the green phase. I agree that the corporate colors were much more distinctive and pleasing to my eye.
As far as pricing, the only thing I can guess is that they have had issues with their OEM for Carlyle tools. I noticed that during Covid and since that the Carlyle tools were extremely expensive and always on backorder. I’d imagine this is an attempt by NAPA to find a cheaper OEM.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Well said. Whatever money is being spent on this rebranding could've gone into pushing current offerings. The whole value proposition of the brand should've been "Icon price/quality with tool truck service". From what I've been told, that's how they were pushed initially. Cheapening things and painting them green isn't really a winning strategy anywhere. The green color alone screams cheap these days.
Agreed. As I said above, the lime green screams cheap. At least around here, all of the hack mechanics seem to love the green.
I’m a little late to the party, but man… that green looks awful and the new style socket looks cheap. I always held Napa in high regard, but now I’m not so sure…
If they wanted to dumb down the line, all they had to do was get Apex to be their OEM like everyone else. At least those tools are of decent quality.
I dunno what this **** is, but I’m not interested.
If they wanted to dumb down the line, all they had to do was get Apex to be their OEM like everyone else. At least those tools are of decent quality.
I dunno what this **** is, but I’m not interested.
Can someone explain to me how they justify their pricing?
How the hell are 3 long nose pliers $250???
$100 for 4 mini pliers?
My personal favorite, $79 for the 3/8" drive flex head ratchet, but $175 for the regular 3/8" ratchet?
That's gonna be a BIG no from me, dawg. Anyone who pays tool truck prices for this **** needs their head examined.
How the hell are 3 long nose pliers $250???
$100 for 4 mini pliers?
My personal favorite, $79 for the 3/8" drive flex head ratchet, but $175 for the regular 3/8" ratchet?
That's gonna be a BIG no from me, dawg. Anyone who pays tool truck prices for this **** needs their head examined.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
But it’s Green… so that means you should pay more green!Can someone explain to me how they justify their pricing?
How the hell are 3 long nose pliers $250???
$100 for 4 mini pliers?
My personal favorite, $79 for the 3/8" drive flex head ratchet, but $175 for the regular 3/8" ratchet?
That's gonna be a BIG no from me, dawg. Anyone who pays tool truck prices for this **** needs their head examined.
But it’s Green… so that means you should pay more green!
Yeah, but why do that when I can buy the same thing at True Value for $85 less?
WOW! A full set of black & green pliers for $45!
The tips of the WSCCP pliers I got in this set did not close all the way, so I called NAPA corporate customer service to get a replacement under warranty. Short story, they told me there is no warranty on this plier set. I called the store I picked them up from - told them the same thing and they said they're ordering a replacement for me to swap out. Didn't ask for receipt or order number.I like the little wave of wiring tool acquisitions
I was a bit surprised at how narrow the handles are on the needlenose models, but they do have smooth action etc.
and I'm not usually cutting screws. I mainly got the set for the WSCCP, but I can see all of them getting use at some point...
FYI, check your pliers and apparently, warranty may be subjective.
rct
Well-known member
I've noticed in the warranty tabs on the Napa website, that for sets, there is no warranty on the "Set" but only the individual item warranties. For example I bought the 3 piece pump plier set, the warranty tab on the set page has no warranty, but the individual plier pages has a "lifetime" warranty on the plier. I'm sure it makes sense to someone to not warranty a set, but warranty the individual components. I guess if you buy a big enough tool set, the multimeter and torque wrench can have a different warranty than a wrench.
rockinacummins
Well-known member
Hose clamp vises are sold out according the website. Shame, I wanted a set of those.
I hated the pair of wire stripping/crimping pliers I had. The screw wouldn’t stay tight so they would never actually cut anything. Ended up filing them in file 13.
I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the pistol grip long nose pliers and the SAE angle head wrench set. They weren’t in the real deals ad but I saw them listed on another site. I’m sad the metrics aren’t on sale as well.
I hated the pair of wire stripping/crimping pliers I had. The screw wouldn’t stay tight so they would never actually cut anything. Ended up filing them in file 13.
I’m thinking about pulling the trigger on the pistol grip long nose pliers and the SAE angle head wrench set. They weren’t in the real deals ad but I saw them listed on another site. I’m sad the metrics aren’t on sale as well.
I bought the crimper/stripper years ago when it first came out. When I got home and took it out of the package, I noticed that the head of the pivot BHCS was cracked from-over tightening during assembly at the factory. I didn't bother to call anyone, but a few days later I took it and the receipt back to the store to exchange it; they didn't have another in stock, so I had to come back again. The guy at the counter didn't complain about it or question it at all, he just basically said, "I don't have another one in stock, so you'll have to come back tomorrow."
My store is locally owned and unless something has changed, they don't have any Carlyle on display. They do stock some items in the back, but the typical customer would never know this. Not sure why they don't have a board behind the counter with common stuff like single sockets, etc, hanging up so people would know that they actually stock tools- for when they find out they need a 12-point 30mm socket when they're trying to change an axle.
Anyway, if it's defective out of the package, I don't view that as a true "warranty" issue where they can say, "oh, well you misused this..." But sure, check everything ASAP.
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
I'be been wanting a set of ratcheting wrenches for a while, and the angle wrenches seemed like a good deal.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Asking a BIG favor here. Does anyone have a stubby SAE wrench set on the shelves of their local NAPA? Willing to pay a finder's fee.
Caveat here is that it has to be the Made in Taiwan set. As I've stated previously, the newer ones are Made in China and not of the same quality.
Caveat here is that it has to be the Made in Taiwan set. As I've stated previously, the newer ones are Made in China and not of the same quality.
What is the part number for the set?
fourjeepin
Well-known member
Yes. I saw them on the promotional Carlyle tool truck (trailer) last week. It pained me to say it, but they seemed first rate to me and I figure they will stay nicer than the blue and yellow when subjected to grease and grime. I few have a couple of the blue and yellow ratchet and really, really like them but working on my leaky CJ7, they get dirty.
That said, I have no plans to buy any of the new stuff but will continue to stalk the old as it clearances.
CWS1212 (12 piece SAE stubby wrench set) shows up as $164 with none in stock at several stores nearby.
I'm no wrench expert, but that seems a bit high considering the ICON 10 piece set is $40. I can't imagine NAPA moved very many of these sets at full price.
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Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
CHT CWS1212 is the full SAE set.
I'm really looking for just the 3/4" (CHT CWFPS124) and 7/8" (CHT CWFPS128). I bought singles up to 7/8" and those two were the Chinese ones. If a place has those on the shelf, that's what I need most. I'd also take the 15/16" (CHT CWFPS130) and 1" (CHT CWFPS132) but only if I can get the 3/4" and 7/8".
I've tried multiple ways to get the correct wrenches including ordering a SAE set online, having my local store order a SAE set, and ordering multiples of the 3/4" wrenches online. It's incredibly frustrating to half a partially-completed set. Even the COO wouldn't bother me as much if the Chinese wrenches were physically different in every dimension.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
No, you're 100% right. FWIW I rarely pay full retail for this stuff. Willing to make an exception for these wrenches because I literally only need two wrenches in order to have what I need.
Brett in KS
Active member
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2009
- Messages
- 40
I just checked my local stores. No luck.
I understand your frustration, it also really bugs me to not have a complete matching set.
Really, really disappointed in Carlyle going with china junk. 95% of my tools are Carlyle, I thought I picked a good brand to stick with.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
I appreciate you taking the time to look. I've checked every store in their online tool as well as had our local sales rep look into it for me. He's the one who tracked me down a complete set out of the DC. It ended not only being MIC, but somehow packaged so terribly that all of the wrenches were completely loose in the box..
I'm also pretty disappointed. The COO and pricing changes are frustrating enough, but its doubly disappointing that the new stuff is such a drop in quality. Fortunately I do not warranty a lot of tools. Eventually I will rotate things out for Snap On/Williams/Cat with Icon filling the rest of the gaps. It's pretty sad when these days you can expect more consistency out of HF than you can NAPA.
I'm also pretty disappointed. The COO and pricing changes are frustrating enough, but its doubly disappointing that the new stuff is such a drop in quality. Fortunately I do not warranty a lot of tools. Eventually I will rotate things out for Snap On/Williams/Cat with Icon filling the rest of the gaps. It's pretty sad when these days you can expect more consistency out of HF than you can NAPA.
Smokeshow69
Well-known member
Yeah it’s really too bad. Back in the day I actually sought out Carlyle tools because they were a good price point and they had the “real deal” which were a good deal. They were more expensive than hf but offered a better product. Now they are way higher priced and are often more expensive than hf. This worked when there was no hf equivalent but now that hf has stepped up their “icon” game, I won’t buy Carlyle any more. It’s too bad, Napa has a history of doing this with their tool lines and this one is no exception. Why would I pay double on average for the exact same thing when I can use coupons at hf?
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Not wasting the time to post pictures, but I ordered the Metric Slimline Wrenches (LTSW9M) since they were on sale for only $70. Package was old and dusty. Made in China. I am not sure if these were ever Made in Taiwan as I do not have anything to compare these to (unlike the stubby and line wrenches). I'll likely keep these as I am not too worried about metallurgy with low-torque wrenches, but it does annoy me.
You go to the LatestDeals, then click on Tools and Equipment to get to the RealDeals. It is not obvious.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
I got to play with one of the new Carlyle shadow foam mechanic tool sets at a show.
I haven't seen it anywhere online yet.
It was more of a general use tool kit with a hammer, pliers, socket set, etc. The new generation long handled ratchet was pretty nice.
I haven't seen it anywhere online yet.
It was more of a general use tool kit with a hammer, pliers, socket set, etc. The new generation long handled ratchet was pretty nice.
What's weird is I've seen a bunch of stuff on sale with monthly special on it, but it's not on the RealDeals flyer or anything else I can find.
I bought a 1/2" set of larger metric chrome sockets recently for example, on sale for $40, but unless I'm an idiot that set isn't being advertised.
I bought a rail of different 10mm sockets last month for super cheap, and I don’t think that they were in the RealDeals.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
It was. Today is the last day for the quarter. There will be a new flyer going out tomorrow.
Tynee
Well-known member
No more blue and yellow in the new RealDeals. And the 10-pc set of 10mm sockets that was $15 last month is now $53.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
My eyes are bleeding from the horrid colors. FYI - the new Carlyle master catalogue is also up: https://www.napaecatalog.com/
EDIT - Also looks like the Carlyle site has been updated: https://carlyletools.com/
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