Tekton & Great Neck Tools
- Thread starter nahudson
- Start date
davbell22602
Well-known member
Great neck tools are cheap quality.
I can fix anything
Well-known member
Great neck sockets and ratchets are fine. I have a bunch of them. The other stuff I don't have experience with.
lalaland
Banned
WARNING:
MADE IN cHINA
MADE IN cHINA
Kirbot
Well-known member
I'm not crazy about the Greatneck stuff.
I think, even for the price, there are better options out there.
Personally, I would prefer Pittsburgh tools from Harborfreight to Greatneck.
Or spend just a little more and get Duralast from Autozone.
One of the problems with Greatneck is the hit-or-miss warranty.
I believe your supposed to have the receipt to get things replaced.
It depends on which store you go to though, I had a ratchet replaced hassle free once, then the next time, they wouldn't replace anything without a receipt.
The warranty is an important part of any tool, but especially cheap tools.
I think, even for the price, there are better options out there.
Personally, I would prefer Pittsburgh tools from Harborfreight to Greatneck.
Or spend just a little more and get Duralast from Autozone.
One of the problems with Greatneck is the hit-or-miss warranty.
I believe your supposed to have the receipt to get things replaced.
It depends on which store you go to though, I had a ratchet replaced hassle free once, then the next time, they wouldn't replace anything without a receipt.
The warranty is an important part of any tool, but especially cheap tools.
crewchief888
Well-known member
one fo the few ratchets ive ever broken without really trying was a greatneck 3/8" dr.
for the price duralast would be my choice.
american lockpicker
Banned
I had some ages ago. Its junk.
RLRRLRLL
Well-known member
i have the 1/4" great neck set does fine. also have 1/2" drive deep sets that ive used on an impact gun in a pinch a time or two, they have held up fine.
bmxr4life87
Well-known member
the few random greatneck sockets my dad had held up great and had very nice fit and finish their ratchets are a bit crude i too would just go duralast for ratchets i would take a gamble on their sockets though and if they **** replace em with duralast
DanCo
Well-known member
Tekton is new name for the MIT brand of tools, I own a bunch of Great Neck sockets never had an issue with any of them.
D9H 90V
Well-known member
I had a set of Great Neck combo wrenches, they wernt bad at all, but that was years ago
street131
Well-known member
like the other guys said tekton is the new name for tekton tools. The tools are OK, nothing special and probably at the same qguality of great neck. Ive had good luck with their sockets, but things such as pliers and drill bits and such are lacking
Voarghamanthar
New member
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2014
- Messages
- 4
I pull Aircraft Maintenance and I have a complete set of Tekton. What people don't know is, that Snap-on did not renew their patent on tools and Tekton is using their design in sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pry bars. Get the MaxTorque wrench set. Those are cheaper, but have the Snap-on machined design. I use the gear wrenches (stubby's), Extra long wrenches, flare nut wrenches, angle open end wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, and the 91813, 91815, 91817 socket sets with holders. The in. lbs. Torque Wrench is awesome. Love the Tekton brand, and they are backed by Goodyear Engineering. Which, I'm a huge fan of Bill Brennand and Michael Goulian, two of the best pilots this country has ever seen. Goodyear makes a great Aviation Tire as well. I also have the Goodyear WRANGLER ALL-TERRAIN ADVENTURE WITH KEVLAR tires on my truck...huge difference over Big-O, will never go back. So I suppose I'm a Goodyear fanboy, but that's ok because they have great products and know what they are doing.
OutsideMachinist
Well-known member
I haven't used any Tekton stuff. Great neck is junk in my experience. They break under even moderate stress. HF is better than Great Neck.
I picked up a set of duralast sockets at AZ and about a third of them had giraffes stamped into them.i should have bought them for show and tell but didn't.
all the tekton ive used has been great,especially for the price.
not everything Chinese is junk.
all the tekton ive used has been great,especially for the price.
not everything Chinese is junk.
619DioFan
Well-known member
I have a number of sets of Tekton impact sockets. I am very pleased with the quality.
I have a couple of Tekton sockets. They appear quite well made, but so often the material is the bugaboo. Who knows the quality of the steel? And the Lifetime Warranty is a joke. To claim it, you have to mail the tool back to Tekton along with the original receipt - it's only good for the original purchaser. Heaven help you if they decide you bought it from an unauthorized reseller. Who's the "original purchaser" anyway? The bulk wholesaler the factory sold to, the regional distributor they sold it to, the local warehouse they sold it to, the retail store they sold it to, the guy with the flea market booth who bought out the store's stock, or YOU??
Sorry for the rant. I've used the sockets a couple of times on light stuff and they worked.
Sorry for the rant. I've used the sockets a couple of times on light stuff and they worked.
jsharpphoto
Well-known member
i've never used Great Neck stuff. I have a variety of Tekton stuff, and the quality varies. Since most import (and some domestic) tool companies don't actually MAKE their own tools, it's hard to make blanket statements about their entire line of tools. Take the Pittsburg Pro line from Harbor Frieght. There is a lot of inconsistency with quality in that line. Their ratchets and torque wrenches seem to be popular, but not the screw drivers.
Read user reviews of individual tools, not brands. I have the Tekton scraper and pick set, and a dead blow hammer. The scrapers are great, the picks are so so, and the dead blow is one of the best i've owned. If i was basing my opinion of the brand off of just the picks, i would say maybe pass. But everything else has been great. I've heard their vices are the best new, sub $200 you can buy.
Read user reviews of individual tools, not brands. I have the Tekton scraper and pick set, and a dead blow hammer. The scrapers are great, the picks are so so, and the dead blow is one of the best i've owned. If i was basing my opinion of the brand off of just the picks, i would say maybe pass. But everything else has been great. I've heard their vices are the best new, sub $200 you can buy.
Steinmetz
Well-known member
I pull Aircraft Maintenance and I have a complete set of Tekton. What people don't know is, that Snap-on did not renew their patent on tools and Tekton is using their design in sockets, wrenches, screwdrivers, and pry bars. Get the MaxTorque wrench set. Those are cheaper, but have the Snap-on machined design. I use the gear wrenches (stubby's), Extra long wrenches, flare nut wrenches, angle open end wrenches, ratcheting wrenches, and the 91813, 91815, 91817 socket sets with holders. The in. lbs. Torque Wrench is awesome. Love the Tekton brand, and they are backed by Goodyear Engineering. Which, I'm a huge fan of Bill Brennand and Michael Goulian, two of the best pilots this country has ever seen. Goodyear makes a great Aviation Tire as well. I also have the Goodyear WRANGLER ALL-TERRAIN ADVENTURE WITH KEVLAR tires on my truck...huge difference over Big-O, will never go back. So I suppose I'm a Goodyear fanboy, but that's ok because they have great products and know what they are doing.
Patents are not renewable.
kythri
Well-known member
Based on limited personal experience, I'd buy Great Neck over Tekton.
The couple of pieces of Tekton stuff that I've personally purchased or used were, quite frankly, horrible.
The Great Neck stuff? Night and day difference.
The couple of pieces of Tekton stuff that I've personally purchased or used were, quite frankly, horrible.
The Great Neck stuff? Night and day difference.
As a long time bottom feeder on tools I have made a few observations over two decades. The big one is that any Asain sourced house brand could come from any of the bigger tool makers in China or Taiwan. It doesn't really matter the brand or the source after a year because the contract expired and now another factory is making them in the brand name. Or that was changed yet again at the sales point.
AZ in Mexico has Powerbuilt as the current house brand, it was GreatNeck for a while. Nobody is sure what it may be next week.
The same big factories in Asia are still competing for the contracts from the same corperate buyers behind the scenes and that means really nothing has changed but what is currently available in the stores.
A good example is that a while ago I wanted good swivels to toss in my socket sets. The ones in the assorted drive tool kits were pinned and questionable. The ones in the packaged sets were better chromed but still pinned. The loose stock version looked like a copy of high end Japanese swivels and had screws along with great finish. I bought two.
Years later and with use they are still functionally perfect and the finish held. The maker noted on the package was Allied Taiwan. Lessor quality units are dead and gone. The usual cheap tool failures most of us know.
I have since bought a few more odd bits always looking for that elusive Allied mark rather than the store brand and those items have held up to the test of time too.
The consistant failure is the ratchets, I have no luck with economy ratchets. It doesn't matter what store brand is stamped on it they're all about the same to me. None have held up to long term use.
This is the one area I suggest that even the home handyman get a better unit if he relies on it much at all.
AZ in Mexico has Powerbuilt as the current house brand, it was GreatNeck for a while. Nobody is sure what it may be next week.
The same big factories in Asia are still competing for the contracts from the same corperate buyers behind the scenes and that means really nothing has changed but what is currently available in the stores.
A good example is that a while ago I wanted good swivels to toss in my socket sets. The ones in the assorted drive tool kits were pinned and questionable. The ones in the packaged sets were better chromed but still pinned. The loose stock version looked like a copy of high end Japanese swivels and had screws along with great finish. I bought two.
Years later and with use they are still functionally perfect and the finish held. The maker noted on the package was Allied Taiwan. Lessor quality units are dead and gone. The usual cheap tool failures most of us know.
I have since bought a few more odd bits always looking for that elusive Allied mark rather than the store brand and those items have held up to the test of time too.
The consistant failure is the ratchets, I have no luck with economy ratchets. It doesn't matter what store brand is stamped on it they're all about the same to me. None have held up to long term use.
This is the one area I suggest that even the home handyman get a better unit if he relies on it much at all.
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raiderhillbilly
Well-known member
I have some Great Neck sockets that are missing some from the set if anyone wants to try them. They are 3/8 drive 11mm-19mm, and 5/16,3/8,1/2,5/8,11/16,3/4,13/16. Missing 7/16,9/16.
If anyone wants them, you can have them for the actual cost of shipping. Or, If times are hard and you NEED them, I will send them free.
If anyone wants them, you can have them for the actual cost of shipping. Or, If times are hard and you NEED them, I will send them free.
mickeyone
Well-known member
have 1/2 drive great neck set from 32 years ago made in japan, ratchet is similiar to my Sk ratchets no problems still going strong.
espyking83
Well-known member
I have a cheap set of Tekton angle wrenches and they work good enough. I am a big time USA guy, but I dont use angle wrenches near enough to justify spending >$200 on a set of them.
bpjr
Well-known member
I just checked the two Great Neck MM wrenches I bought at the auto parts store about 15 yrs ago. One is a 15mm and says made in India...its REALLY crude and finish is worse than the HF offests made in India.The other is an 8mm and only marked as GN. Its smooth all over and has no patterns or marks. Can't say how good they are due to lack of use.
bpjr
bpjr
metaldad
Well-known member
This!
Most people seem to confuse Patents, Trademarks and Copyrights as one. The latter two can be renew but Patents eventually expire.
Dave.R
Well-known member
I'm not sure where this information came from.
I'll keep it short, whether your grandpa bought it on the moon in 1965 or you at the local hardware in 2012, if it has our name on it, we'll take care of it.
I've never asked a customer to mail in a socket, and that isn't the policy I have in place. For most things, I just want a picture emailed showing the damage and label.
We call our warranty Always because there isn't a time frame. We sold it, we stand behind it.
Also, most tools have their material listed whether its high carbon tool steel, chrome vanadium, or chrome molybdenum.
I'm always up for a email, pm, or phone call.
[email protected]
MrJason
Well-known member
Tekton ratchets are solid! I did a review on their 3/8, and 1/2" Extra long ratchets, bought from Amazon.
They are everything I needed and then some.
Here's a pic of how they arrived:
The value you get for the price, is incredible.
Joe Cim
Well-known member
Hey Dave,
Let me first say thank you for knowing how to stand behind your products and how to run a business... I have some higher end tools for my basic hand tools but have been looking for something a bit more adorable for all of my other tool needs... I won't name names but I have called a lot of what I thought were good tool companies only to find that they have all kinds of strings attached... I don't have any Tekton tools just yet but plan to buy a good bit very soon... First the tools have to be a solid built tools with a solid design... Next a company must must must back it no matter what... If it has the company name on it the company must back it... And not look for loop holes to get out of it... So after tons of research Tekton is going to be getting a shot with me... I plan on buying the 3pc dead blow set and scraper set just to get some real world use but after that I plan on completing my tool set with Tekton(as long as they live up to what I have heard)... Sorry for the rambling rant but I just wanted to express my gratitude on this matter... Thanks for your time.
Joe Cim
Let me first say thank you for knowing how to stand behind your products and how to run a business... I have some higher end tools for my basic hand tools but have been looking for something a bit more adorable for all of my other tool needs... I won't name names but I have called a lot of what I thought were good tool companies only to find that they have all kinds of strings attached... I don't have any Tekton tools just yet but plan to buy a good bit very soon... First the tools have to be a solid built tools with a solid design... Next a company must must must back it no matter what... If it has the company name on it the company must back it... And not look for loop holes to get out of it... So after tons of research Tekton is going to be getting a shot with me... I plan on buying the 3pc dead blow set and scraper set just to get some real world use but after that I plan on completing my tool set with Tekton(as long as they live up to what I have heard)... Sorry for the rambling rant but I just wanted to express my gratitude on this matter... Thanks for your time.
Joe Cim
NoahG
Well-known member
Tekton has come a long, long way. They're not just the pot metal pliers I used to buy at ACO. I'd call them an Import Premium brand, at least for most products. They are also using USA based manufacturers more and more, and I like that. They seem to be about good tools at low prices, not just how cheap they can get them.
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
Surplus Center in Grand Forks, ND stocks a fair inventory of Tekton tools.. I have bought some odds and ends: Needed an extra 1 5/16" combo wrench, and had no problem finding a separate one. Tekton is a budget line that is reasonably priced.. I enjoy strolling through their tool department, and usually treat myself on my visits to that store..
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Joe Cim
Well-known member
The other day I called Tekton and spoke with Dave about their products and warranty... He took the time and answered every question I had and really knows the products they sell... I have seen a post or two on here saying they have poor CS and really I don't know where that is coming from... The guys at Tekton seem to care about their products and backing them no matter what... It's not fair to compare a $20 Tekton ratchet to a $100 high end ratchet... But even if the $20 ratchet was half as good that's like a $30 bonus right? Next week I plan to order a few Tekton tools($100-$200 worth) to give them a good test... I'm going to use them as intended but I'm not going to baby them either... If they live up to my needs I will use them as a staple for all my 2nd tear tool needs... Ever since Cman starting messing up years ago I have been looking for someone to fill that for my tool needs... Sure most of Tekton are imported as of now but they are priced very well for what you get... So this means you can either spend $300 or $3,000... Heck even Snappys ratchets internal parts are imported to my understanding... I think we are going to see good things from Tekton... I'll post some updates as I go through my testing... In the mean time I would like to hear what others think of the Tekton brand...
HanShotFirst
Well-known member
I have some Great Neck pliers that keep rearing their heads around my shop; they're horrible! I don't know about any of their other tools, but the fact they would put their name on those pliers means they're not too concerned about quality. I'll take Harbor Freight over Great Neck every day of the week. Can't really speak to Tekton, haven't had any of their stuff, but I hear good things.
MG11068
Well-known member
I only have a couple of Great Neck Tools and am not impressed with the quality.
I have quite a few Tekton tools, all purchased since I became a member here. I am impressed with Tekton. For the price it is hard to beat them.
I have quite a few Tekton tools, all purchased since I became a member here. I am impressed with Tekton. For the price it is hard to beat them.
Joe Cim
Well-known member
First impressions...
I got some Tekton tools in this week and have inspected and played around with them just a bit... I'm impressed for the bang for the buck for sure... I have the 3pc dead blow set, scrapper set, tack puller and a few other things and they perform as they should... From time to time I'll give updates if there's interest... And if you have yet to have experience with tekton go to amazon and pick something up to test out... I would like to see them expand in a few areas but I know there is a lot of marketing and research based on demand with all that... But it would be really cool to see them make things like ball joint c frame presses, pulley pullers, fly wheel turners, etc...
I got some Tekton tools in this week and have inspected and played around with them just a bit... I'm impressed for the bang for the buck for sure... I have the 3pc dead blow set, scrapper set, tack puller and a few other things and they perform as they should... From time to time I'll give updates if there's interest... And if you have yet to have experience with tekton go to amazon and pick something up to test out... I would like to see them expand in a few areas but I know there is a lot of marketing and research based on demand with all that... But it would be really cool to see them make things like ball joint c frame presses, pulley pullers, fly wheel turners, etc...