Tekton prototype small engine kit
- Thread starter lardy1
- Start date
Bigblue&Goldie
Well-known member
Nice set. I would've like to see the longer ratchet in a flex head and maybe a few more hex bits. I like how it includes both SAE and Metric sockets as quality sets always seem to only have MM.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
A YouTube comment from them says it's not a joke.
Nice looking set, would be a really odd joke, but the warranty part is weird
Nice looking set, would be a really odd joke, but the warranty part is weird
KnurledNut
Well-known member
The email they sent out for those not on the mailing list:
“We are excited to tell you about Tekton prototypes.
Tekton prototypes are experimental items made in small batches based on the personal vision of a Tekton employee, usually a product designer or engineer. We make them quickly using available resources, which may involve piecing together parts of existing Tekton products or using in-house fabrication equipment. The person in charge of the prototype also makes descriptions and graphics for the website.
Prototypes are intentionally experimental items, and you take the item as it is. We will not accept returns unless we sent you the wrong item. We may be able to provide some support help, especially with questions, but we will not typically be able to replace broken tools. You will, however, earn the usual 10% back in Rewards when buying a prototype item. We will also provide an opportunity for you to give feedback to our product development team, since the prototypes may lead to regular production items that will be added to our official lineup. In some cases, we will give out extra Rewards for the best feedback we receive.
New Prototype Coming Tomorrow, April 2nd - 50 Sets Available
1/4 Inch Drive Small Engine Socket and Bit Set
Check out the video below for a full walkthrough of the set from Josh H., one of the product developers.
Want to be notified when this set is available? Sign up for text alerts to get a same-day notification for all Tekton releases.”
“We are excited to tell you about Tekton prototypes.
Tekton prototypes are experimental items made in small batches based on the personal vision of a Tekton employee, usually a product designer or engineer. We make them quickly using available resources, which may involve piecing together parts of existing Tekton products or using in-house fabrication equipment. The person in charge of the prototype also makes descriptions and graphics for the website.
Prototypes are intentionally experimental items, and you take the item as it is. We will not accept returns unless we sent you the wrong item. We may be able to provide some support help, especially with questions, but we will not typically be able to replace broken tools. You will, however, earn the usual 10% back in Rewards when buying a prototype item. We will also provide an opportunity for you to give feedback to our product development team, since the prototypes may lead to regular production items that will be added to our official lineup. In some cases, we will give out extra Rewards for the best feedback we receive.
New Prototype Coming Tomorrow, April 2nd - 50 Sets Available
1/4 Inch Drive Small Engine Socket and Bit Set
Check out the video below for a full walkthrough of the set from Josh H., one of the product developers.
Want to be notified when this set is available? Sign up for text alerts to get a same-day notification for all Tekton releases.”
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To me this read's like "if we only make 50 of them, and yours broke, we're not making a new one for you"
Seeing as this kit looks existing tools in a special pouch, so the tools are not the prototype, just the container.
I would think they would still warranty the ratchet or socket if something broke, but probably not the pouch.
Tchicken
Well-known member
Probably just fishing for your cell # so they can spam you plus sell the number
Junkdrawer Dog
Well-known member
Nice little kit for keeping OPE and powersports equipment going. Small enough to stash out of sight in the vehicle.
four.cycle
Well-known member
$90 price point.
5/32" - 9/16" and 4mm - 14mm
Only 50 will be released.
Sales will start tomorrow.
Not sure if they will release in morning or afternoon.
Just tried to order over phone but have to wait until tomorrow.
5/32" - 9/16" and 4mm - 14mm
Only 50 will be released.
Sales will start tomorrow.
Not sure if they will release in morning or afternoon.
Just tried to order over phone but have to wait until tomorrow.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Unless Tekton requires a receipt for warranty or these tools are different from their regular offerings they can't.
It's just a 1/4" drive socket and bit set, nothing here is unique to small engines. This marketing gimmick @ $90 is the only joke.
Pretty clumsy demonstration video using a Philips bit with a ratchet when a spinner handle(not included) would be the more useful tool to use for that (already loosened) screw.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
No, it is NOT an April Fools joke. I called them on the phone about it.
four.cycle
Well-known member
^ Okay, but what do you do when you need to effect an emergency repair on the road on somebody else's car?
I can get ALL the stuff I need behind the seat except that hard-cased Tekton set. So this is just the ticket.
I can get ALL the stuff I need behind the seat except that hard-cased Tekton set. So this is just the ticket.
KnurledNut
Well-known member
This kit has a lot going for it but there are several things I would change.
If I was in the market, other options would be of greater consideration.
If I was in the market, other options would be of greater consideration.
Dave.R
Well-known member
Dave with Tekton here.
As with anything Tekton, if you run into trouble, we will do our best to help you out.
With sets like this, it’s often composed of previous Tekton tools, so something like a socket would be simple to replace. However, something like the case would be more of a limited run and the nature of that would make it tough to replace.
The idea of the prototype does come with some risk, but on anything we can help with - we would.
As with anything Tekton, if you run into trouble, we will do our best to help you out.
With sets like this, it’s often composed of previous Tekton tools, so something like a socket would be simple to replace. However, something like the case would be more of a limited run and the nature of that would make it tough to replace.
The idea of the prototype does come with some risk, but on anything we can help with - we would.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
All of my German cars came from the factory already with a basic set of tools. Just a few in most cases but some are rather comprehensive.
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mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Buy anything in the last 25 years?
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Nothing costing less than my home made in the past 25 years much interests me so, no. The modern stuff I see doesn't lend itself well to roadside repair anyway.
The only tool in the wife's "modern" Ford aside tire changing stuff is a bespoke funnel for the fuel filler as not just any funnel will work, really. Things like that are why all MY cars are old enough to vote.
Tool kits are one thing, needed repair parts another so tools on hand or not is often a moot point.
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
That kit needs a spinner handle with the female square drive at the top of the handle to take the place of one of the extensions perhaps. I'd skip the stubby ratchet too. $90 seems too high given all of the other compact socket sets on the market but, that's just me. The case seems nice though. Tekton Prototype? is that code for let's see if they'll sell? Here's an idea for another 1/4 drive prototype kit, use the recently released bit ratchet instead of a regular ratchet with metric only pieces. 
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Even just swapping the stubby for the bit ratchet and the long extension for a spinner would make this set a lot betterThat kit needs a spinner handle with the female square drive at the top of the handle to take the place of one of the extensions perhaps. I'd skip the stubby ratchet too. $90 seems too high given all of the other compact socket sets on the market but, that's just me. The case seems nice though. Tekton Prototype? is that code for let's see if they'll sell? Here's an idea for another 1/4 drive prototype kit, use the recently released bit ratchet instead of a regular ratchet with metric only pieces.
rust in the eye
Well-known member
Here is a far more useful set for same money. Add a few bits to it or better yet carry some real screwdrivers too.
Metric or SAE only for far less.
I'm curious to know how they figure a set with half the sockets, no spinner but with a few crummy bits instead should be priced same.
Pretty sure this set could also be deployed on small engines.
Metric or SAE only for far less.
I'm curious to know how they figure a set with half the sockets, no spinner but with a few crummy bits instead should be priced same.
Pretty sure this set could also be deployed on small engines.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Yes to all of that.
four.cycle
Well-known member
I'd pull out the stubby, replace it with a gimbal-headed reversible RHFT bit ratchet (mimicking the little Titan model), and include a spinner with a bolster.
Yes, I own one. It's too large to fit under a seat, in a glove box, or behind the seat of my Ranger.
That kit is actually a bit more comprehensive, in that it also contains the bits.
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Ohio Andy
Well-known member
I have one of those sets in every car.... I really do like that set, but sometimes I want a smaller set.
And that free space. I have bits that I put in some little containers I have.
And if I'm not mistaken, they're bit ratchet is out of stock which is the only reason I don't own one.
I think someone mentioned that they have a bit ratchet set with bits. Haven't seen that. I was just looking on their site. I couldn't find it... So I'm assuming I mistaken on that.
four.cycle
Well-known member
not showing up on site yet 04/02/25 06:03 PDT
1/4atatime
Well-known member
I love Tekton my whole toolbox is basically Tekton but at $90 and no official warranty I don't know. Especially considering it's just going to be something that gets thrown in a backpack or my truck for emergencies. Kobalt has basically the same kit for $29
finn
Well-known member
Here we go, obsessing about a warranty, one that will in all likelihood never be needed, on a sub $100 tool kit.
four.cycle
Well-known member
okay.. they're up now.. just ordered one. 04/02/25 07:03 PDT. Website says should arrive Monday 04/07/25.
www.tekton.com
@1/4atatime -
I also have that Kobalt Kit you just posted. Lowes was blowing them out for $20 bucks a pop right before Christmas. I have one here.
I also sent one to @BlakeTheCarGuy - not sure if he ever posted a review here.
The Kobalt set does not include the 4.5 or 5.5 mm sockets, if that makes a difference to you. It does include a spinner handle, which lacks a bolster and is (in my view) has a rather undersized handle - probably okay for smaller hands.
The pieces are extremely difficult to remove from the Kobalt set - the ratchet has to be pried out with a screwdriver.
Maybe it loosens up after extended use?
1/4 Inch Drive Small Engine Socket and Bit Set | TEKTON
Prototype release: a compact and portable 1/4 inch drive socket and bit set for maintaining a wide range of yard equipment and powersports machines. EXP00008.
@1/4atatime -
I also have that Kobalt Kit you just posted. Lowes was blowing them out for $20 bucks a pop right before Christmas. I have one here.
I also sent one to @BlakeTheCarGuy - not sure if he ever posted a review here.
The Kobalt set does not include the 4.5 or 5.5 mm sockets, if that makes a difference to you. It does include a spinner handle, which lacks a bolster and is (in my view) has a rather undersized handle - probably okay for smaller hands.
The pieces are extremely difficult to remove from the Kobalt set - the ratchet has to be pried out with a screwdriver.
Maybe it loosens up after extended use?
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FTWingRiders
Well-known member
I got the text five minutes ago and placed my order. should be nice little addition to my mobile kit.
mike93lx
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Already out of stock
1/4atatime
Well-known member
I had it in my cart just couldn't justify pulling the trigger on it for $90 I still have other Tekton stuff I want to buy with my money first and I already have their full 1/4 set in the full size case. Speaking of more Tekton stuff I couldn't go on the website and not get something 
so I got a banner for my new shop
so I got a banner for my new shopBuckgnarly
Well-known member
Size is cool, but for 90 bucks you get the full 1/4 kit with space in the case for bits. Based on sales I'm guessing this one gets the green light!
cody1325
Well-known member
Given what I use, chances are, this is all I really need.
I think it was $15 in the runup to Christmas. Mine replaced a bunch of sockets thrown literally everywhere, and the ratchet (and case) are nice to boot!
Needed it to be very compact to fit some cramped hand-carry boxes, and it does that just fine.
I love Tekton my whole toolbox is basically Tekton but at $90 and no official warranty I don't know. Especially considering it's just going to be something that gets thrown in a backpack or my truck for emergencies. Kobalt has basically the same kit for $29
I think it was $15 in the runup to Christmas. Mine replaced a bunch of sockets thrown literally everywhere, and the ratchet (and case) are nice to boot!
Needed it to be very compact to fit some cramped hand-carry boxes, and it does that just fine.
1/4atatime
Well-known member
If I didn't already have their full 1/4 set I think I would have grabbed it over buying the regular 1/4 set since it's the same price. However I don't like duplicating expensive tools especially for the use case of having it as a spare car set.
four.cycle
Well-known member
RE: Tekton EXP00008 / Kobalt 5996331
Kinda-sorta an apples-to-oranges deal: hard case / soft case - but the pieces inside are pretty much same/same. To be clear: I don't put these in the same league as the Tekton, but Joe Average consumer won't know the difference. I am NOT at all impressed by the ratchet in the Kobalt set, other than for its head having a surprisingly diminutive size. And it's tragically misbalanced in the hand - that big clunky handle was a design error on their part. The ratchet and the spinner handle have to be pried out of the kit with a screwdriver or a butterknife.
RE: Tekton EXP00008 / Tekton SKT05301
The difference in the overall size of the container can be seen in the video cited above.
The common problem with ALL plastic blow-mold cases is that they waste enormous amounts of space.
The EXP00008 was intended to address the issue of space savings. In that respect it does a better job than either the Kobalt or the larger Tekton set.
Obviously there were another 49 guys who saw that as an advantage and the price point wasn't in their way - they've all been sold now - in less than an hour. If they'd made 50 more, they'd be gone before lunch time.
Kinda-sorta an apples-to-oranges deal: hard case / soft case - but the pieces inside are pretty much same/same. To be clear: I don't put these in the same league as the Tekton, but Joe Average consumer won't know the difference. I am NOT at all impressed by the ratchet in the Kobalt set, other than for its head having a surprisingly diminutive size. And it's tragically misbalanced in the hand - that big clunky handle was a design error on their part. The ratchet and the spinner handle have to be pried out of the kit with a screwdriver or a butterknife.
RE: Tekton EXP00008 / Tekton SKT05301
The difference in the overall size of the container can be seen in the video cited above.
The common problem with ALL plastic blow-mold cases is that they waste enormous amounts of space.
The EXP00008 was intended to address the issue of space savings. In that respect it does a better job than either the Kobalt or the larger Tekton set.
Obviously there were another 49 guys who saw that as an advantage and the price point wasn't in their way - they've all been sold now - in less than an hour. If they'd made 50 more, they'd be gone before lunch time.