Yeah, unless they're on sale, I sure as hell won't be paying the asking price.
In all fairness, they have always been expensive and that's why I don't buy Carlyle (I only have 2 Carlyle tools I bought on sale). But their prices have only got worse.
Show off your.... Carlyle Tools!!!
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Yeah, unless they're on sale, I sure as hell won't be paying the asking price.
In all fairness, they have always been expensive and that's why I don't buy Carlyle (I only have 2 Carlyle tools I bought on sale). But their prices have only got worse.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
If only they had put this much effort into Carlyle years ago.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Gilbert Rd and Guadalupe?
How could you tell from just the picture?
I'm familiar with that store, in fact I worked at the AutoZone down the street. Also, my former boss (who is an abusive bi-polar drug addict) from another AutoZone store is, or at least was, the manager of that Napa store.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
That’s the store. Can’t say much beyond the fact that the fellow who I helped me was extremely courteous.
If y’all have a recommendation of a good NAPA or independent parts store nearby that’s worth browsing through, I have some time to kill tomorrow. Staying on the east end of Mesa.
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Unfortunately, I've semingly been there a lot lately. I drive by a lot of other stores to go to that NAPA. I was commenting here a couple of weeks ago about that new Carlyle display.
It's my favorite auto parts store; I've been going there since I was in high school. Matt has been there forever and is one of the best counter guys I've ever dealt with, and the rest of the guys are a cut above other parts stores. There's another good NAPA way out in AJ I used to go with my uncle many years ago that had more stuff geared towards the equipment and larger trucks he used as a dirt contractor. I doubt it's worth the trip as most stuff was behind the counter back then.
If you're into offroad/racing stuff, Superduty Headquarters has a cool retail front. Lots of high end parts and supplies.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Thanks! I didn’t realize that is SDHQ. Have spent a lot of money there over the years.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Doing a blend door actuator this weekend. Needed a low profile driver. These look identical to the old ones and are made in Taiwan.
I confirmed with the manager that stores did send back all of their old Carlyle tools to the DCs. Not sure what they’re going to do with them. All of the Evercraft stuff was blown out at the store level.
I confirmed with the manager that stores did send back all of their old Carlyle tools to the DCs. Not sure what they’re going to do with them. All of the Evercraft stuff was blown out at the store level.
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fourjeepin
Well-known member
I wonder if your store is independent? The one I frequent is company owned and they still have some of the old stuff. I’m stalking a few pieces hoping to get a good deal. Prices haven’t budged yet though.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
It’s a company store. Most in my area are.
In their computers, the new numbers supersede the old ones. I’m not sure if they’ll end up dropping prices unfortunately.
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fourjeepin
Well-known member
I stopped in today to purchase a stubby 3/8 (part # R38S) and discovered that my store is also sending the old stuff to the DC. They have gathered it all up, but not shipped it out yet or removed it from inventory. But they also wouldn't sell me one. They offered to order one of the new models, but I pushed them to order one of the older models from the DC. Yep, one is in the store. They can't sell it to me but can order me one and will have it tomorrow.It’s a company store. Most in my area are.
In their computers, the new numbers supersede the old ones. I’m not sure if they’ll end up dropping prices unfortunately.
EDIT - I posted those stubby wrenches in the classifieds here. Hope it’s ok to post in this thread:
SOLD - New(ish) Carlyle Stubby Wrenches SAE and Metric
Have a complete set of Carlyle stubby 12 point wrenches, SAE and Metric. Metric are 8-19mm and brand new. SAE are 5/16-1”. I purchased these piecemeal because the sets were out of stock. The 3/4” and 7/8” are from a different supplier to Carlyle and Made in China. Rest are Taiwan. All...www.garagejournal.com
I fear that you are correct on the prices not dropping. I guess I will continue to stalk the comfort grips and maybe one day get them. I typically only purchase when they are on Real Deals.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Real Deals dropped today. Not many deals on the hand tools, but there are a few.
I had my guy look into this as well. Yes, there is still limited stock of old stuff in some stores and DCs. At least on his end, he can choose where the stuff comes in from. Part of the issue it looks like is if you normally pull from the Indiana DC and try to order something out of Utah, you may get dinged for a shipping charge or they may substitute the "new" item in its place. That's apparently what happened with my torx driver.
I'm going to try to put an order together of some old stuff and will see what arrives. Worst case, I can always return it.
I'm curious what Napa is doing with the old Carlyle tools... typically when a product line is replaced or discontinued, it's discounted and sold off.
I wonder if they are collecting everything from stores and going to sell it online until stock runs out, or if there are some other plans for it.
I wonder if they are collecting everything from stores and going to sell it online until stock runs out, or if there are some other plans for it.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
If you order over $100, it should be free shipping to the store even if it isn't from a nearby Distribution Center. I will test this tomorrow, assuming my stubby ratchet is ready for pickup tomorrow. I hope they don't substitute the new green stuff, but those are more expensive so I doubt they will.
I think it will be collected at the Distribution Center level and sold from there.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
I’ve tried a couple of times to do that through the front end website and they seem to just pull from the nearest. Sales guy said he can try and force the order through via Pro Link.
If anyone could track me down a blue SDT8H I’d be forever grateful.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
fourjeepin
Well-known member
My stubby 3/8 ratchet arrived and I got it this afternoon. While I was there, I tried to order a different one that is only in a distant DC but they wanted $20 for shipping and I thought that was too much. They now require a $150 min for free shipping and the ratchet I was going to order was only $60. On the way home, I realized that together, the 1/2” and 3/8” ratchets I want put me just over the $150 free shipping threshold…. Maybe I’ll spring for them next week.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I found a guy selling the blue Taiwan ratchets on eBay and pulled the trigger on the R1290 and R1490. They were a pretty good deal and mostly complete my set.
I had previously bought the locking flex 3/8 when it was on real deals then picked up the 1/4” long soon there after. The new ratchets don’t match my old ones though; the new ones need some grease on them to fit in.
I had previously bought the locking flex 3/8 when it was on real deals then picked up the 1/4” long soon there after. The new ratchets don’t match my old ones though; the new ones need some grease on them to fit in.
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Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
It’s German car week here at the home shop. Grabbed these triple square bits off of eBay for all of $30.
I also have a manual impact driver on the way, also from eBay. My Tekton one isn’t terrible, but the Carlyle one is USA made. Paid all of $30. Should be here next week.
I also have a manual impact driver on the way, also from eBay. My Tekton one isn’t terrible, but the Carlyle one is USA made. Paid all of $30. Should be here next week.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
Those got down to $30 in the clearance sale. Actually less with the promo code. Nice find.It’s German car week here at the home shop. Grabbed these triple square bits off of eBay for all of $30.
I also have a manual impact driver on the way, also from eBay. My Tekton one isn’t terrible, but the Carlyle one is USA made. Paid all of $30. Should be here next week.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Those got down to $30 in the clearance sale. Actually less with the promo code. Nice find.
Is there a sale going on right now or was this previously? BIN price was $20. Seller got me for $10 shipping. Either way I’m more than happy even if I use these once.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Could anyone do me a solid and let me know how long the 12” socket rail is? I have a limited amount of space to work with in my shop box and I’m hoping the rail is under 12”. I’m referring to these guys:
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Do you still need this? I can check tonight.Could anyone do me a solid and let me know how long the 12” socket rail is? I have a limited amount of space to work with in my shop box and I’m hoping the rail is under 12”. I’m referring to these guys:
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I’d really appreciate it. Neither of my local Napas have them in stock.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
EDIT - Managed to get you pictures. They’re exactly 12”.
The shorter ones are 8.5”
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CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Thank you!
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Patience pays off. I finally found a new R14LFQR on eBay and it arrived today.
These have been out of stock since like 2021 and were replaced by the R14LF120. Unfortunately, the heads on the 120T ratchets are much larger so I prefer the older style. I was able to get a R14NLFQR.
My eBay alert was up for the part number, but I never had any hits. A separate one I made for “Carlyle Ratchet” showed this auction last week. The seller had the part number wrong, but it was the right ratchet.
These have been out of stock since like 2021 and were replaced by the R14LF120. Unfortunately, the heads on the 120T ratchets are much larger so I prefer the older style. I was able to get a R14NLFQR.
My eBay alert was up for the part number, but I never had any hits. A separate one I made for “Carlyle Ratchet” showed this auction last week. The seller had the part number wrong, but it was the right ratchet.
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Odd-job
Well-known member
@Drunkonunleaded you have real dedication to Carlyle. I left Carlyle for dead a while back, but 100% agree the old 72t ratchets are where its at. If some of the old Cornwell style with the blue button roto ratchets ever pop up I might have to buy them.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Dedicated is a strong word, but I’ll take the compliment. The 72T ratchet when it was like $20 was the gateway drug. Most of this I caught either in Real Deals or on eBay. The old stuff is of decent quality but has zero value on the secondary market. Over the years, this thread has been good at providing updates about sale items and the like.
Aside from that, I have a good relationship with the local store manager and their sales guy. I try to support the people who support me.
Some of this eBay stuff I fully admit that I grabbed because it was cheap, not because I necessarily needed it.
Tynee
Well-known member
I went Carlyle because they had the exact ratchet configuration I was shopping for: extra-long, locking flex head, QR. I liked those 2 ratchets so well that I bought some other stuff. Just as I was shifting over to only buying their stuff, it started getting hard to find at a good price and then Napa gave up on the brand.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Found this kicking around a local store. Seems to have been sitting awhile. Looks almost identical to my Pittsburgh one.
I didn’t necessarily need this, but these are extremely handy for belt changes on the ATV. Threw this in my box and now I have a dedicated one in the road box. I’d like a SnapOn with the comfort grip, but I don’t like the price for something I use sparingly.
I didn’t necessarily need this, but these are extremely handy for belt changes on the ATV. Threw this in my box and now I have a dedicated one in the road box. I’d like a SnapOn with the comfort grip, but I don’t like the price for something I use sparingly.
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fourjeepin
Well-known member
I don’t think I have ever seen one of these. There are none available in stores near me, but if there was, can you educate me on why i would want one? I mean need, why would I need one?
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
Tight access locations. You can unlock the pivot point and push/pull vs. swing the ratchet. For me, it's LS oil pressure sensors and ATVs with transverse belt configurations.
Edit - I'm not sure if Carlyle offers this in the new line. Gearwrench offers one that's nearly identical. There's also a very similar one at Harbor Freight (Pittsburgh) and a few offerings from SnapOn. I've seen these used to get to bellhousing bolts as well. As always, YMMV. I'd honestly recommend the Pitttsburgh one before paying more for one from another brand.
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fourjeepin
Well-known member
Thanks for the education! I get a fat discount at NAPA so I am often willing to pay for the Carlyle stuff but it doesn’t look like that is even an option with this ratchet.
Does anyone have real world experience with both the older (blue/yellow) packaged Carlyle vs. the new (green/black Carlyle)?
Are the newer tools of above average quality, or did Carlyle race to the bottom?
Does the revamped line seem to sell better, or does NAPA still **** at marketing?
From an end users prospective, I hate the lime green.
Are the newer tools of above average quality, or did Carlyle race to the bottom?
Does the revamped line seem to sell better, or does NAPA still **** at marketing?
From an end users prospective, I hate the lime green.
Drunkonunleaded
Well-known member
FWIW - I haven't used much of the new stuff, but I have seen a lot of it in person.
Most everything looks to be the same as the last run of blue/yellow but with new colors/branding. Note that they've changed suppliers on some items, I've pointed out where wrenches specifically COO has gone from Taiwan to China and have gotten thicker. Flex head ratchets have gone from one of the best (IMO) to a chunky design which I believe to be inferior. They've definitely dropped some SKUs too.
The big thing is the sockets. Someone else has commented here that the COO changed for the chrome sockets. Those went from Taiwan to "Product of Cambodia, Finished in China" which I would say is a downgrade. I cannot speak to the metallurgy, but the finishing looks inferior. The impact sockets went from Taiwan to China, but that isn't much of a surprise. The OE for the impact stuff was Sunex and all of their impact sockets made the same transition within the past year. Some say the new stuff is inferior but I do not have any of it.
As for the marketing, I guess I give NAPA some props here. They are definitely trying to partner with tool "influencers" to get their name out there. How successful that is, I don't know. The Den of Tools ripped NAPA on pricing in a recent video, which is valid. But also who really cares what that guy has to say? Most of his videos are shilling for HF or no-name Chinese tools and battery banks these days.
fourjeepin
Well-known member
I’ve fondled a lot of it but haven’t purchased anything. Much of it feels like really good quality while other pieces I question. It appears there is a large push on this changeover as they have a new drawer system for displaying the products in the store and it seems there are a lot more tools in this line, though availability is still a bit spotty.
My 2 cents
fourjeepin
Well-known member
If anyone is in the market for a toolbox, the old style (non-hellcat) are 50-60 something percent off.