Alright, I'm narrowed down to these two. It's up to you guys to spend my money.......The SK will be the long panel 86017 and 86040 or the Carlyle CWLNS 11pc sets. The SK's are smooth jaw, the Carlyles have the non-slip feature. I will fill in the sets with random open stock if needed.
SK long panel or Carlyle long panel Wrenches
- Thread starter BryanB
- Start date
Askme42
Well-known member
Carlyle for non slip open end
farmboy395
New member
Carlyle, non slip is very nice
Parrothead
Well-known member
SK - Support a USA tool company, plus they're fantastic wrenches.
Askme42
Well-known member
If he asked wright or Carlyle I would say the same. Go usa. However Carlyle is superior in this case.
NFH2740
Well-known member
SK.
The NAPAPro brand might have had a chance when it was manufactured in the US by Danaher.
The NAPAPro brand might have had a chance when it was manufactured in the US by Danaher.
The Carlyle stuff really does look excellent. That said if pricing is the same i'd support domestic, regardless of the open end advantage. Parts stores also change suppliers and discontinue brands all the time. SK is a known quantity.
As far as the advantage of open end advancements on a combo, 85% of the time im using the box end, 10% of the time I use the open end, 5% of the time the fastener is so degraded I need something like FD+. Point is I wouldn't let that feature weigh so heavily.
As far as the advantage of open end advancements on a combo, 85% of the time im using the box end, 10% of the time I use the open end, 5% of the time the fastener is so degraded I need something like FD+. Point is I wouldn't let that feature weigh so heavily.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I own both and would recommend Carlyle over SK. Why? Because the Carlyle have better balance and feel to me. SK combination wrenches suffer from that wide in the hips bulk around the beam by the boxed end. you may not notice it much in smaller sizes say 15mm and under but, the larger the wrench size the worse it gets. However, this is only my opinion. 
I own both and would recommend Carlyle over SK. Why? Because the Carlyle have better balance and feel to me. SK combination wrenches suffer from that wide in the hips bulk around the beam by the boxed end. you may not notice it much in smaller sizes say 15mm and under but, the larger the wrench size the worse it gets. However, this is only my opinion.
The SK guys have their guns on you now
The SK guys have their guns on you now
It doesn't matter which Brand someone makes a recommendation for, One of the Many things ive learned is the Membership doesn't like it when there tool brand of choice doesn't come in 1st.
OP.. I have both, The Carlyle have a Nice feel, I think the teeth are overrated and No where near as useful as the Wright/Snap on design, They do get Bonus points for having the meanest looking Open end style..
jteck75
Well-known member
I have and like both brands,but the only real issue I would have with an SK is the whole warranty issue. Alot of areas (like mine) don't have a SK dealer anywhere close,Carlyle on the other hand,can be swapped out at any NAPA store. I haven't had a SK fail me yet,but I still remember the horror stories of people mailing their broken tools back and not ever seeing them again. I'm sure the new ownership has improved the situation,but it isn't something I would want to have to deal with.
SuperSheep
Well-known member
My preference would be Carlyle tho my opinion is pretty biased considering I don't have any SK wrenches.
Stooge
Well-known member
I dont own any carlyle but the few times ive fondled their full polish wrenches they do seem really nice, but i would go sk, simply because they are my go to brand and they are comfortable in my hands. I own both sae and metric full polish sk sets and i've never had any issues with not having a special open end living in a rust state.
bobbycos
Well-known member
I personally would go with the Carlyle but I am supportive of SK as they are domestic
1950mercury
Well-known member
Neither....carlyle if those were my only 2 options. But id rather have wright grips. If you dont have ratheting wrenches id buy them first. A good set of reversibl. You will use them way more
Wright doesn't make a long pattern wrench.
Two things. Carlyle isn't available at many Napa stores either without special ordering. And more importantly what are you doing to your combo wrenches that breakage is a realistic consideration?
Two things. Carlyle isn't available at many Napa stores either without special ordering. And more importantly what are you doing to your combo wrenches that breakage is a realistic consideration?
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SMKS
Well-known member
Complaints about SK wrenches being "wide in the hips" are exaggerated. At most, it seems to me to be something to cosmetically dislike.
I'm no import-tool hater, but unless you're getting some kind of big discount the Carlyle wrenches seem a little overpriced to me for what they are.
I'm no import-tool hater, but unless you're getting some kind of big discount the Carlyle wrenches seem a little overpriced to me for what they are.
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I think that was during the pre-Ideal days of SK.
Last year I had an issue with a socket in a new socket set I bought so I called SK to warranty it. A 2 minutes phone call to explain the issue and give them my address and 2 days later I had a box on my doorstep from SK with a new socket.
JBradley500
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 19, 2013
- Messages
- 781
I have had to call SK about one (quite expensive IMO) piece in a kit being the wrong drive size. They told me to keep the wrong one and the right one was in my mailbox in two days. I couldn't imagine customer service for a mail-in warranty being any better than what they offer.
Between that, being US made, and not knowing when NAPA will change brands, i'd choose SK. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong either way though.
Between that, being US made, and not knowing when NAPA will change brands, i'd choose SK. Honestly I don't think you can go wrong either way though.
Loscaldazar
Well-known member
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2013
- Messages
- 2,385
This is very true. I've posted pictures a few times comparing the overall size, and they are about middle of the road of other US wrenches for actual size. They appear much larger and bulkier than they are.
http://garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4112640&postcount=32
sonvolt
Well-known member
I'm an SK fan so they get my vote, gotta love that superchrome.
Kirbot
Well-known member
I really like all the Carlyle stuff I've messed with, and I finally broke down and bought a 1/4" ratchet.
But I still can't bring myself to look at them like a real, premium brand, knowing that they're just a parts store name, and there's a good chance they'll be replaced with another line in a few years...
Kinda like Duralast, they all started out as really nice Taiwan tools, now the kits are China, and even a lot of the Taiwan stuff has gone down in quality.
It probably doesn't matter that much though, not too many people break wrenches anyway.
My vote would really go to Wright or Proto, (both of which have teeth in the open end) but between the two listed, SK.
Unless of course you can find a good deal on a used set.... Carlyle stuff carries a pretty pitiful resale value, so there are bargains to be had.
But I still can't bring myself to look at them like a real, premium brand, knowing that they're just a parts store name, and there's a good chance they'll be replaced with another line in a few years...
Kinda like Duralast, they all started out as really nice Taiwan tools, now the kits are China, and even a lot of the Taiwan stuff has gone down in quality.
It probably doesn't matter that much though, not too many people break wrenches anyway.
My vote would really go to Wright or Proto, (both of which have teeth in the open end) but between the two listed, SK.
Unless of course you can find a good deal on a used set.... Carlyle stuff carries a pretty pitiful resale value, so there are bargains to be had.
oldldh
Well-known member
I am retired from the Air Force, so I'm as much a "Buy American" guy, as the next fellow...but, some of us can't afford mucho bucko's to be patriotic...I have a bunch of "Forged in U.S.A." Craftsman wrenches...and they do their job...
However, I might as well be the one to start the USA vs "The World" part of this thread...
______________________________________________________________
The most important things about a tool is: 1.) Does it perform it's job in a satisfactory manner???...And...2.) Is it cost effective???
When I upgrade from my Craftsman...I'm going this way---
I give you the 44 pc/12 pt/SAE/Metric Long Pattern Combination Wrench Set for $ 218.31 from---
www.tooldiscounter.com
And now for the "Screaming Part"!!!
GearWrench Set # 81919...1/4" thru 1 1/2" and 6mm thru 28mm (with 30mm and 32mm to finish)
A pile of nice wrenches, for a reasonable price...And a tray comes with them...
They OP was stuck between SK an Carlyle...I feel these are a more cost effective alternative...and there's 18 more wrenches and sizes than the OP showed in his sets...
You may now flay the skin off my back---
However, I might as well be the one to start the USA vs "The World" part of this thread...
______________________________________________________________
The most important things about a tool is: 1.) Does it perform it's job in a satisfactory manner???...And...2.) Is it cost effective???
When I upgrade from my Craftsman...I'm going this way---
I give you the 44 pc/12 pt/SAE/Metric Long Pattern Combination Wrench Set for $ 218.31 from---
www.tooldiscounter.com
And now for the "Screaming Part"!!!
GearWrench Set # 81919...1/4" thru 1 1/2" and 6mm thru 28mm (with 30mm and 32mm to finish)
A pile of nice wrenches, for a reasonable price...And a tray comes with them...
They OP was stuck between SK an Carlyle...I feel these are a more cost effective alternative...and there's 18 more wrenches and sizes than the OP showed in his sets...
You may now flay the skin off my back---
Attachments
Kirbot
Well-known member
You may now flay the skin off my back---
But I left my knives at home.....
I will say that I think gearwrenches are a tad bit soft.
At least that's the impression I get from the open ends of my ratcheting wrenches.
Still nice for the money.
I was going to say Kobalt and a few other brands are just as nice and even cheaper, but tha's certainly not true with that 44 piece set...
That definitely looks like a fantastic deal.
If I didn't already have a bunch of wrenches, that would be a very hard deal to pass up
Im fairly certain the Picture you linked of Wrenches in a Tray are NOT Gearwrench, That Blue case looks Genius Branded to me. I don't believe the GW set to come in a Case, Mine came in a Roll. I suppose since we are Now operating outside of the OP's guidelines, I would take the Carlyle over the GW all day and twice on Sunday, Mainly because of the Carlyle are much more comfortable and you probably stand a better chance of finding a warranty replacement versus doing the Apex D!ck Dance.
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oldldh
Well-known member
You may be right...
I copied the photo off the Tool Discounter site...
The 24 piece GW set #81900 does have a "blow molded tray" and it's only $ 109.07 + freight...SAE 1/2" thru 1" and 8mm thru 22mm...
The biggest reason I slid off the OP's two choices was price...period...The GearWrench set is much more cost effective...I don't know if SK/Carlyle offer a 44 pc set, but I would hate to think about how much they would cost...
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Malczewski
Banned
Tell me a brick and mortar in Florida...........or Georgia.......or Alabama......or Texas....or Louisiana....or.....or.....or where I can go handle a set to check them out ?
Correct.. But common sense tells me it's gonna be a tough task to assemble 44 long pattern wrenches In a blow molded case, if you look at the picture you will see Stubbies, DBE, etc.. its obviously misrepresented via the picture.
Secondly Cheaper isn't always the best option, Nor is the most expensive. I suspect since the OP already had part numbers for the sets he was on the fence about. I'd be willing to bet he had a pretty good grasp of initial cost, and since it's his money... Well you get the picture.
oldldh
Well-known member
Generally if you try and compare a "V" notched open end (carlyle/Cornwell etc) to the more common rounded style of today's wrenches they will be a a bit shallower. If you even think your gonna be finding yourself leaning on a fastener with the open end of a wrench (think suspension work) you will be money ahead investing in a brand that has the ability to give you some bite.
devoncoolman
Well-known member
Sk has my vote. American company thats worth supporting. I own some sk wrenches and they are just as capable as most others. The chrome on the sk's is impecable.
There should be a graigner in each of those states.
My vote for SK, skip the import support USA. The few times I have called to warranty I have the replacement the next couple of days.
justme-
Well-known member
Really now - if you can't find a brick and mortar store on your own in your state to handle them.... you may not be alone, but then you may be in the same situation as the rest of us... not a brick and mortar store in my state I am aware of carrying any US tools I can look at. Several with Taiwan and China (not even the bix box stores there..) but no Armstrong, SK, anything.
As to the open end "teeth" - IMHO moderately worthless. Always seen it as a gimmick to sell wrenches... (flam on) just like fishing lures are to hook fisherman not fish. If you're putting that much force on the wrench you should be (and need to be) using the box end. I will admit I like the "V" style open end and have always thought that was a better fit (more contact points).
As has been pointed out, Napa has some factory making them today, who knows who will be making them next month and I have to say support our economy on as many levels as you can... SK.
If you can't afford to support American companies now, then buy what you can afford,... but don't hide behind the mask of " I support Us companies"... either you can or you can't... either you put your $$ where your ideals are or you don't. None of us like spending more than we have to, but buying premium tools from whoever costs premium, and buying US made anything costs more than import. Fact of life.
As to the open end "teeth" - IMHO moderately worthless. Always seen it as a gimmick to sell wrenches... (flam on) just like fishing lures are to hook fisherman not fish. If you're putting that much force on the wrench you should be (and need to be) using the box end. I will admit I like the "V" style open end and have always thought that was a better fit (more contact points).
As has been pointed out, Napa has some factory making them today, who knows who will be making them next month and I have to say support our economy on as many levels as you can... SK.
If you can't afford to support American companies now, then buy what you can afford,... but don't hide behind the mask of " I support Us companies"... either you can or you can't... either you put your $$ where your ideals are or you don't. None of us like spending more than we have to, but buying premium tools from whoever costs premium, and buying US made anything costs more than import. Fact of life.
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Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
The open ends are not shallow on the SK wrenches. They're normal u shaped open ends that fit fasteners just fine. The Carlyles appear deeper because of the v cut design and intimidating teeth.
As I've said before, it's not where a tool is made that's important, it's how the tool performs that matters.
I work on US badged cars that might be assembled in the USA with global components every day installing Chinese or Mexican made parts to keep them on the road.
The fasteners don't care where my tools come from, and I only care that my tools never let me down.