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

[scooby074]

The ratchet.. Absolutely a used tool and needs to go back!

The wrenches however, Im thinking that they arent used but its just soft chrome thats showing some scratches from the tray they were shipped in? 2 "new" sets with the same sort of wear across all the wrenches kind of indicates that. Id expect the black oxide on the ratchet ends to show some wear on the splines if they were used.

I guess Im lucky to have a good couple napa guys who dont give me **** over small stuff. Theyd take that ratchet back no problem, probably the wrenches too, but I know id get "the look" if I tried, especially if I ordered a replacement set

 

[Fedwrench]

With all of this talk of warranty and Carlyle, and the rumors that Harbor Freight’s “Icon” line may be from the same OEM, is anyone holding out for Icon as well or shall we keep purchasing Carlyle.

I really want to try their metric 3/8 set, but if Icon is cheaper and easier to warranty...

Why does it always have to be either or

The Icon stuff looked real good at SEMA. However, just about anything can look good fresh out of packaging. ICON hand tools are yet to be released. Yes, you can get a spinning impact extension, a snap ring pliers set, and a couple of torque wrenches sporting the Icon label right now at Harbor Freight but, the real Icon line is still at least a couple of months away.

If you need tools now, like what Carlyle has to offer, and it's on sale, why wait for Icon? At this point no one even knows what Icon price point will be or if they will even offer open stock items.

As for Icon being sourced from the same Taiwan manufacturer as Carlyle, we don't really know yet. Yes, the long pattern Icon combination wrenches sported the same anti slip open end as you find on long Carlyle's but, that same open end is also found on Milwaukee wrenches, Capri ratcheting wrenches, and Sunex ratcheting wrenches to name a few. I doubt if the entire Icon line will come from a single supplier.
We are really lucky to have probably the widest selection of tools available today. Tool quality is up for the most part and features such as anti slip open ends, off corner engagement, and a wide variety of other options that were once only available off of a tool truck are now commonplace. As I have said many times, a good tool is a good tool regardless of whose name is stamped on it or where it hails from.

 

[jumbojak]

I fell in love with the bent handled ratchet today. Never used one before and I think I'm going to pass my trusty long flex Pittsburgh to someone else. It was perfect for tensioning an alternator belt.

 

[CR888]

Anyhow Carlyle tools are not sold in my part of the world which is a shame cause I like them, they are often really good value with well thought out design. Being made in Taiwan often its the handles and small feature that make a tool recognizable to a brand. Here are two ratchets made by Kincrome (Aussie tool co./Taiwan sourced) which may have resemblance & also some long pattern wrenches that 'could' be Kabo made, I dunno. I'll post a Gearwrench or two to help with size perspective.

 

[Cooter Brown]

All the comments about chrome scratching and used tools looking roughed up IMO is a problem driven by the consumer. Everyone wants shiny perfect chrome, often that's the first and sometimes last way a tool is sadly judged. Look at the finish on Stahlwille wrenches, they aren't as pretty when new as say Snap On but years of hard use down the road and they look as good if not better than new! If folks stopped obsessing over perfect jewelry style chrome, the tool co's would take a smarter, better approach to tool finish, but it starts with us the OEM's are giving us what we want/desire. I love the dog-headedness of a brand like Stahlwille that gives you whats best which is what you NEED.

You have something of a point--after a bit of use the tool is gonna look like that anyway.

But I suspect most people expect to get new tools when they pay new tool prices.

I know I do.

 

[CR888]

I expect new tools too but my point was, 'is mirror polished chrome really the best way to finish a tool that gets used hard in a harsh environment for many years daily use'? Sure they look great new but that don't last long, but still so many will talk about chrome finish before design, features & quality. My mirror polish chrome sockets, wrenches & ratchets look pretty horrible where my Stahlwille tools look the same as the day I bought them. Anyways...you think those extendable ratchets I posted with small 72t heads come out of the same factory as Carlyle? Are the long pattern DBE ratcheting spline drive wrenches made by Kabo?

 

[Rogers954]

My problem with the tools i received isn’t so much that there are scratches I’m not a polished tool kind of guy i could careless if a tool doesn’t look perfectly polished i understand that when i use them the finish is going to get marred up, for me its the priceable. I paid for tools that were marketed as new so i expect them to be new, the fact that they were scratched up, covered in dirt and grease, leads me to believe that they were previously used, now the actual drives themselves don’t look used, which makes me question did these get turned back in on say warranty and they just replaced the spline drives in them and fixed whatever other problems they had and then returned them to service? I have no idea what Carlyle does with there retuned tools, you would think that they would try to repair warrantied tools if they could to recoup some money but if that’s the case then they should me marketed as refurbished. I have literally not seen another single tool in this thread that looked anything like my set and yarpo’s set of wrenches, other than his ratchet also looking pretty beat, every other tool picture posted the finish looks great. Again i don’t really care if the finish is perfect, but i can’t help but think our wrenches were used and like i said it’s the principle of it at that point.

Would i have brought these if they were marketed as refurbished? For the price i paid i would probably say yes as long as they still carried the full warranty, i know warranty comes up a lot in these tools threads a lot of guys say don’t buy a tool just because it has a lifetime warranty buy the better tool and you won’t need it, and IMO that’s fine for things like sockets and regular wrenches because especially in the name brand field you will probably not ever break one of those tools if you aren’t abusing them, but ratcheting wrenches is to me at least is a whole different ball game, seems quite a few members have broken there’s or they just simply failed to work and that’s both coming from the cheap to high end offerings.


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[Cooter Brown]

I expect new tools too but my point was, 'is mirror polished chrome really the best way to finish a tool that gets used hard in a harsh environment for many years daily use'? Sure they look great new but that don't last long, but still so many will talk about chrome finish before design, features & quality. My mirror polish chrome sockets, wrenches & ratchets look pretty horrible where my Stahlwille tools look the same as the day I bought them. Anyways...you think those extendable ratchets I posted with small 72t heads come out of the same factory as Carlyle? Are the long pattern DBE ratcheting spline drive wrenches made by Kabo?

Understood. One reason why many companies including Snap-on have an "industrial finish", I guess.

I have no idea regarding the question about origin.

 

[ddc9999]

My problem with the tools i received isn’t so much that there are scratches I’m not a polished tool kind of guy i could careless if a tool doesn’t look perfectly polished i understand that when i use them the finish is going to get marred up, for me its the priceable. I paid for tools that were marketed as new so i expect them to be new, the fact that they were scratched up, covered in dirt and grease, leads me to believe that they were previously used, now the actual drives themselves don’t look used, which makes me question did these get turned back in on say warranty and they just replaced the spline drives in them and fixed whatever other problems they had and then returned them to service? I have no idea what Carlyle does with there retuned tools, you would think that they would try to repair warrantied tools if they could to recoup some money but if that’s the case then they should me marketed as refurbished. I have literally not seen another single tool in this thread that looked anything like my set and yarpo’s set of wrenches, other than his ratchet also looking pretty beat, every other tool picture posted the finish looks great. Again i don’t really care if the finish is perfect, but i can’t help but think our wrenches were used and like i said it’s the principle of it at that point.

Would i have brought these if they were marketed as refurbished? For the price i paid i would probably say yes as long as they still carried the full warranty, i know warranty comes up a lot in these tools threads a lot of guys say don’t buy a tool just because it has a lifetime warranty buy the better tool and you won’t need it, and IMO that’s fine for things like sockets and regular wrenches because especially in the name brand field you will probably not ever break one of those tools if you aren’t abusing them, but ratcheting wrenches is to me at least is a whole different ball game, seems quite a few members have broken there’s or they just simply failed to work and that’s both coming from the cheap to high end offerings.


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If you look closely at the slip joint pliers I posted a while back you will see one blemish where the pliers got scratched somehow. The jaws were definitely 100% new as this is an easy tool to tell if it’s been used at all. I have bought a bunch of stuff from Carlyle and this is literally the only scratch close to the degree of scratches I see on those wrenches, and don’t get me started on those ratchets. I see the scratch on my slip joint pliers as a case of **** happening and it doesn’t bother me. That’s the sign of a tool that may have accidentally got knocked during packages or delivery. That is within reason. But some of these tools I’m seeing are way worse than they should be.

I’ll also have you know that at my local Napa they have a small Carlyle section and it normally has the major monthly specials there too. Looking through all of them, they all look nice, new, and all virtually perfect finish. I have no reason to assume the specials are rebuilt, or refurbished used hardware based on that sample size. I do think the issue here is on NAPA corporate not doing quality control on what they are shipping out, not the Taiwan tool factory, literally Napa. If your local Napa is good, then there’s no issue. I just try to never deal with Napa corporate.


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[isuhunter]

Not sure how I didn’t catch one being upside down. Super excited for my Carlyle sockets.






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[CR888]

It would be nice if these small headed Carlyle flex head ratchets had a torx/hex screw instead of the pressed pin. I like to be able to swap heads, change flex heads to breaker bars etc & be able to adjust the 'slop' to where I like it. Though these are physically the smallest dimensions I've seen in head size. My ones are often smaller than the drive size below i.e the 3/8 head is smaller than many 1/4".

 

[1foxracing]

My latest haul, looks like lots of repeats on what others here have been recently purchasing.

For comparative reasons the spline drive flex ratcheting wrenches that Carlyle sent me for free last year were in perfect condition when received.

 

[itylerstewart]

Pull that 25" apart, get all that grease outta there and run some diff oil (75w-90 or so) and its a $200 ratchet

 

[Skeptic68W]

Pull that 25" apart, get all that grease outta there and run some diff oil (75w-90 or so) and its a $200 ratchet

How so?

I know when I got all my Carlyle ratchets, they were all pretty loud, indicating minimal lubricant. When I opened them, I found a little oil, but nothing more. I lubed mine with superlube grease and have been pretty happy.

Interested to hear how gear oil would be better though.

 

[Smokeshow69]

How so?



I know when I got all my Carlyle ratchets, they were all pretty loud, indicating minimal lubricant. When I opened them, I found a little oil, but nothing more. I lubed mine with superlube grease and have been pretty happy.



Interested to hear how gear oil would be better though.

Did you open up the newer 3/8 drive? If so how did you get it open it with the plastic snap ring ?


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[itylerstewart]

How so?

I know when I got all my Carlyle ratchets, they were all pretty loud, indicating minimal lubricant. When I opened them, I found a little oil, but nothing more. I lubed mine with superlube grease and have been pretty happy.

Interested to hear how gear oil would be better though.

Gear oil is just a lubricant. Replace it with whatever you have lying around. It's just better than the vasoline they ship them with is what I'm saying.

 

[Skeptic68W]

Did you open up the newer 3/8 drive? If so how did you get it open it with the plastic snap ring ?


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I've only opened the P90s, which have a steel snap ring. Didn't know any of them were plastic...

Gear oil is just a lubricant. Replace it with whatever you have lying around. It's just better than the vasoline they ship them with is what I'm saying.

O ok, I gotcha

 

[ddc9999]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRK38FL

If you look at the rebuild kit it looks like that’s just a plastic cover and there is a snap ring underneath. I haven’t gotten around to opening the Carlyle ratchets yet. Just superlubed all my old USA craftsman ratchets before I leave them at my parent’s.


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[ddc9999]

I actually lost the spring that’s in my craftsman 3/8” ratchet when I was blasting the individual pieces with brake cleaner. Had to find a similar sized spring, cut it to about the right length only to find it wasn’t stiff enough to keep the ratchet locked. Basically I had to use a spring 1.5 times the normal length to get the right load on the ball bearing. Compressing that down, keeping the ball on top, all without the spring buckling was a pain in the *** lol. After that the Carlyle’s should be EZ.


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[Smokeshow69]

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQRK38FL

If you look at the rebuild kit it looks like that’s just a plastic cover and there is a snap ring underneath. I haven’t gotten around to opening the Carlyle ratchets yet. Just superlubed all my old USA craftsman ratchets before I leave them at my parent’s.


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Good call. I really like these ratchets but despise their lack of super lube. Every ratchet I own gets super lubed so I will try to open this one up !


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[MarineTech]

Picked this ratchet up yesterday. I originally had a Snap-on FLF80, but traded that in for a FF80. Well long story short I never really needed the long length while I had the FLF80 but wouldn’t you know, as soon as I traded it in I kind of missed the extra length. All said and done I got the Carlyle ratchet for 35 bucks after veteran discount. I like how the flex joint doesn’t have the detents, like the Snappy flex heads.

 

[JVB]

This mornings haul. Right around 105$ for all after my rewards.

 

[Fedwrench]

Picked this ratchet up yesterday. I originally had a Snap-on FLF80, but traded that in for a FF80. Well long story short I never really needed the long length while I had the FLF80 but wouldn’t you know, as soon as I traded it in I kind of missed the extra length. All said and done I got the Carlyle ratchet for 35 bucks after veteran discount. I like how the flex joint doesn’t have the detents, like the Snappy flex heads.

How many teeth does that Carlyle Flex Head model have?

 

[hangfirew8]

If you need tools now, like what Carlyle has to offer, and it's on sale, why wait for Icon? At this point no one even knows what Icon price point will be or if they will even offer open stock items.

This is my biggest problem with HF. Some managers might break a set, some tell you to come back with the whole set in order to do an exchange. Why?

Because no Open Stock. Just sets.

Why did I stop dealing with Sears in the early 90's? Fake Open Stock (always out of stock of whatever I needed to be warranted).

I understand why retailers don't want do deal with the inventory hassle of Open Stock. I wish they understood how useless to me a "warranty" is if there is no Open Stock, and why I won't buy a set based on warranty if I don't see individual replacements in inventory.

Tekton found a way around this. HF has not.

My second biggest problem with HF by the way is, no parts support for their machines. A few things are available, an entire compressor for example, but try to find a small missing part of a chainsaw sharpener or bench power tool, good luck with that.

 

[BroncoAZ]

How many teeth does that Carlyle Flex Head model have?

72 for the ones with the rubber grip.

https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38FHBH

 

[1foxracing]

How many teeth does that Carlyle Flex Head model have?

It's a 60T model, I own it as well.
https://www.napaonline.com/en/p/CHQR38F

 

[MarineTech]

How many teeth does that Carlyle Flex Head model have?

Yes, 60 teeth as mentioned already. I was looking at the Williams USA made flex head ratchet with 36 teeth, but settled on the Carlyle because the higher tooth count. It’s pretty smooth but could use a little SuperLube. I wish Carlyle made a comfort grip 90 tooth flex head without a quick release.

 

[woody6904]

Picked this ratchet up yesterday. I originally had a Snap-on FLF80, but traded that in for a FF80. Well long story short I never really needed the long length while I had the FLF80 but wouldn’t you know, as soon as I traded it in I kind of missed the extra length. All said and done I got the Carlyle ratchet for 35 bucks after veteran discount. I like how the flex joint doesn’t have the detents, like the Snappy flex heads.

The R38F, my favorite 3/8 ratchet. It's a perfect combination of length, flex, small head, medium tooth count.

 

[Tallpilot]

This is my biggest problem with HF. Some managers might break a set, some tell you to come back with the whole set in order to do an exchange. Why?

Because no Open Stock. Just sets.

Why did I stop dealing with Sears in the early 90's? Fake Open Stock (always out of stock of whatever I needed to be warranted).

I understand why retailers don't want do deal with the inventory hassle of Open Stock. I wish they understood how useless to me a "warranty" is if there is no Open Stock, and why I won't buy a set based on warranty if I don't see individual replacements in inventory.

Tekton found a way around this. HF has not.

My second biggest problem with HF by the way is, no parts support for their machines. A few things are available, an entire compressor for example, but try to find a small missing part of a chainsaw sharpener or bench power tool, good luck with that.

I agree with you, sadly almost everything is that way now. Everything is considered disposable no matter what it costs. Finding parts and after sale support is nearly non existent on anything but the very high end.

 

[1foxracing]

Yes, 60 teeth as mentioned already. I was looking at the Williams USA made flex head ratchet with 36 teeth, but settled on the Carlyle because the higher tooth count. It’s pretty smooth but could use a little SuperLube. I wish Carlyle made a comfort grip 90 tooth flex head without a quick release.

They do in the UltraPro brand in Canada, you just have to find someone to pick it up for you like I did in 1/4 drive.
https://www.napacanada.com/en/p/UHTP38LFX90

 

[Smokeshow69]

Pick up a quick connect release tool set and a knife tip putty knife. I can’t believe how well their putty knives are made and how cheap they are


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[rockinacummins]

What’s the purpose of that style putty knife? I’m gonna pick one up just because, but I was curious what it’s actual purpose was?

 

[Smokeshow69]

What’s the purpose of that style putty knife? I’m gonna pick one up just because, but I was curious what it’s actual purpose was?

I could envision it being used to break the seal on fluid pans, diff covers and timing covers ? For the fantastic quality and less than $4 I was not questioning it


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[Smokeshow69]

I could envision it being used to break the seal on fluid pans, diff covers and timing covers ? Also for getting into corners where a conventional 90 degree putty knife would not work. For the fantastic quality and less than $4 I was not questioning it


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[ddc9999]

I also have that putty knife. It’s well made. That sticker on the blade though was annoying. Nothing Goo Gone, Acetone, or Isopropyl Alcohol can’t remove.


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[Smokeshow69]

I also have that putty knife. It’s well made. That sticker on the blade though was annoying. Nothing Goo Gone, Acetone, or Isopropyl Alcohol can’t remove.


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I just pulled it off the blade for the picture. It will get some brake cleaner on it!


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[Bluejoe]

Hello Members I just picked up some of the Carlyle tools ordered last week out of the NAPA Real Deal flyer. I think I should have looked at the new ratcheting wrenches a little better before walking out the door. It feels like there’s a lot of play in the ratcheting mechanism. They don’t have that snug tight taught feeling. Not sure if I want to keep them. I know there not Snapon but think they should not have a loose mechanism. Has anybody purchased the new ratcheting wrenches and have opinions.

 

[87FoRunner]

Hello Members I just picked up some of the Carlyle tools ordered last week out of the NAPA Real Deal flyer. I think I should have looked at the new ratcheting wrenches a little better before walking out the door. It feels like there’s a lot of play in the ratcheting mechanism. They don’t have that snug tight taught feeling. Not sure if I want to keep them. I know there not Snapon but think they should not have a loose mechanism. Has anybody purchased the new ratcheting wrenches and have opinions.

I recently picked up the 90 tooth “6 point” metric set. Mine are of amazing quality (especially compared to Gearwrench, and dare I say on par with Snap on)

Which set did you get?

 

[87FoRunner]

I picked this guy up a few weeks back and really “used” it for the first time on some furniture today... lemme tell you for the ~$5 I believe they charge for it, it is an awesome driver with a place for a ratchet out back. I had a roto head ratchet on and off zipping hardware in and it was definitely cool. I’m not sure what other brands may have this, but found this thread to be a perfect place to show it off.

 

[Bluejoe]

I got the 12 point reversible in metric and sae. I have a set of Gearwrench long box end ratcheting and they are snug not sloppy. Maybe different manufacturer.