Tekton wrenches

[lightning02]

Amazon has a clip and save 20% coupon, so $80 for 30 pieces (metric+SAE).

If you decide to grab 'em, Lets get some reviews posted up of the new versions.

where is this coupon?

 

[T45]

It was online when I clicked your link from the firs post. I think it's some kind of coupon that you can use on any one item(?) or something. It says click it and will drop the price in your cart. This was about 30 min ago. Good luck hope it shows up for you, too!

 

[lightning02]

oh ok thats why i didnt see it. its just on those wrenches.

 

[T45]

Yep, It works for any of the tekton wrenches (9 piece etc or 30 piece), but not storewide on Amazon as a whole.

 

[John in OH]

I recently got a set of Tekton SAE angle wrenches, P/N 2008, for Christmas and was quite disappointed. Take a look at my brief comparison review at:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271152&page=2

See post #32

 

[lightning02]

Those are China if I recall. Very diff then there new line made in Taiwan

 

[thejudges69]

I'm pretty sure Dave said they were Taiwan. I emailed with him about these and he said the finish is amazing and he would put it against any do it yourselfer wrench, I.E. gearwrench, kobalt, and so on. I haven't got to see them in person but I'm willing to try them. My experience with Tekton has been positive 100%. I abuse them heavily and have had great results and when I did finally break one of there sockets I emailed Dave and it was in the mail the next day.

 

[lightning02]

I was referring to the ones John posted about above me.

Everything I have from Tekton has been great as well but then again everything I have from them is Taiwan made. Not China.

 

[Dave.R]

I recently got a set of Tekton SAE angle wrenches, P/N 2008, for Christmas and was quite disappointed. Take a look at my brief comparison review at:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271152&page=2

See post #32

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with the wrenches. That is part of our older line up and while they will perform fine, I agree the finish isn't as perfect as I'd like. The new wrenches are the Taiwan Line up and provide a much better finish. I don't have an alternative angle wrench set to offer you, but should you have any issues with that it still has the same warranty behind it.

 

[MagnumForce]

Been using the hell out of the 21 inch 3/8 ratchet lately as a ratcheting breaker bar. Very very impressed with the punishment it can take. Excellent product!

 

[John in OH]

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with the wrenches. That is part of our older line up and while they will perform fine, I agree the finish isn't as perfect as I'd like. The new wrenches are the Taiwan Line up and provide a much better finish. I don't have an alternative angle wrench set to offer you, but should you have any issues with that it still has the same warranty behind it.

Dave.R, I agree that appearance does not necessarily mean the performance will be poor; however, ....

If I were Tekton, and I saw how poorly one of my product lines compared to that of a close competitor (Sunex), I would cancel my contract with my Chinese fabricator in a heartbeat and shift production to a vendor that can produce a product better able to equal the Sunex offering. As I tried to point out with my pics in the other thread, these Tekton angle wrenches are really poorly forged, broached, stamped and finished!

The next step I would take after shifting production to a better vendor would be to consider a redesign of the angle wrenches with 30/60 degree heads in lieu of the existing 15/60 degree design. It seems that most of those commenting in my other thread (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271152) prefer angle wrenches with the 30/60 heads.

So, if Tekton had an angle wrench as nice as the Sunex, and offered the angle wrenches in a 30/60 design, I think Tekton would have a killer product that would outsell Sunex and even ****** some of Snap-On's 30/60 sales.

I'm not saying the Tektons would be equal to Snap-On; but, to many of us shade-tree mechanics I think we'd grab the Tekton 30/60s in an instant over an equal-quality, similarly-priced, 15/60 competitor (I'd even pay a few bucks more).

 

[MagnumForce]

They have shifted production on a lot of things already. You have to realize these are the cheapest angle wrenches on the market.

Honestly, for what they are they are perfectly fine. You want better quality then pay for it.

 

[thejudges69]

Dave.R, I agree that appearance does not necessarily mean the performance will be poor; however, ....

If I were Tekton, and I saw how poorly one of my product lines compared to that of a close competitor (Sunex), I would cancel my contract with my Chinese fabricator in a heartbeat and shift production to a vendor that can produce a product better able to equal the Sunex offering. As I tried to point out with my pics in the other thread, these Tekton angle wrenches are really poorly forged, broached, stamped and finished!

The next step I would take after shifting production to a better vendor would be to consider a redesign of the angle wrenches with 30/60 degree heads in lieu of the existing 15/60 degree design. It seems that most of those commenting in my other thread (http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=271152) prefer angle wrenches with the 30/60 heads.

So, if Tekton had an angle wrench as nice as the Sunex, and offered the angle wrenches in a 30/60 design, I think Tekton would have a killer product that would outsell Sunex and even ****** some of Snap-On's 30/60 sales.

I'm not saying the Tektons would be equal to Snap-On; but, to many of us shade-tree mechanics I think we'd grab the Tekton 30/60s in an instant over an equal-quality, similarly-priced, 15/60 competitor (I'd even pay a few bucks more).

This review bothers me. Its a review based on a product that was purchased with low cost and minimal use in mind. For a tool that a person is going to use maybe once a year he spent a lot of time picking it apart. I really think you should have purchased a SO or Mac or proto set so you'd have been happier. I really think you spent more time writing that review then it sounds like you will use the tool. If your not happy with them then return them and get what would make you happy. Just my opinion.

For the price tekton has a good product, I'm happy with everything I have from them and Dave has not once questioned what few warranty claims I've had. The man even took the time to notify me when a new specific socket set was released that I was needing. I think the company have the right course in mind. And also for a cheap tool they seem to be one of the few companies that's building there line and keeping cost down where a lot of companies make tools sell them cheap and go out of business a year or 2 later, or they change things and jack the price way up. I was told they have the back yard hobby mechanic in mind when making tools. They are not gearing for the big name brands so ease up a little.

 

[T45]

I think this is unfair, frankly.

Tekton has a history of poor wrenches.

I think everyone is hoping they step up their game.

The poster is providing valuable summary of "where the market is at."

The market is saying something here...

That's called constructive criticism.

people can listen or pretend not to here.

 

[T45]

But its not offensive or out of place to point out that once you move production, changing the angles shouldn't be a huge extra cost.Tekton has (already) put their money where there mouth is on quality, and moved COO on their combos. Connecting the dots to the angle wrenches isn't a huge leap.

 

[thejudges69]

I think this is unfair, frankly.

Tekton has a history of poor wrenches.

I think everyone is hoping they step up their game.

The poster is providing valuable summary of "where the market is at."

The market is saying something here...

That's called constructive criticism.

people can listen or pretend not to here.

But its not offensive or out of place to point out that once you move production, changing the angles shouldn't be a huge extra cost.Tekton has (already) put their money where there mouth is on quality, and moved COO on their combos. Connecting the dots to the angle wrenches isn't a huge leap.

I hear and read just fine. They are trying to make a better product hence the new wrenches they just released yet your picking them apart like they are a big name brand. I think that Dave has already admitted that there was issues with there old style combination wrenches hence the new design. Maybe we should just wait and see, maybe there is a better set in the works. His post above still bothers me, I'm really thinking that he should have bought a truck brand and then I think he would have been happy.

And honestly I think that changing the angles may cost more then one would think. I'm guessing it will take much tooling and redesigning on there end which in turn costs money. If they only sell a few hundred sets a year at $40.00 a piece and it cost them tens of thousands to redesign then it wouldn't be a feasible option to redesign, it would take several years to show a profit off of one simple redesign. With all the tooling involved with the change and the maintenance on the dies and machines to make it, I don't think I would be making them either.

 

[T45]

Tekton is a large respectable company with good distribution, at least in some parts of the country.

 

[2oolhound]

This review bothers me. Its a review based on a product that was purchased with low cost and minimal use in mind. For a tool that a person is going to use maybe once a year he spent a lot of time picking it apart. I really think you should have purchased a SO or Mac or proto set so you'd have been happier. I was told they have the back yard hobby mechanic in mind when making tools. They are not gearing for the big name brands so ease up a little.

So I'm looking for a set of angle wrenches. If I goole search or ask on GJ is there a Tier 1 and a Tier 2 grouping I need to look for. No, in the real world they are all thrown into the pit together.

I hear and read just fine. They are trying to make a better product hence the new wrenches they just released yet your picking them apart like they are a big name brand. I think that Dave has already admitted that there was issues with there old style combination wrenches hence the new design. Maybe we should just wait and see, maybe there is a better set in the works. His post above still bothers me, I'm really thinking that he should have bought a truck brand and then I think he would have been happy.

So what? Do we use a double standard for quality comparisons between truck brands and cheap offshore imports? Sorry, you can't be the judge on this one. I say ONE STANDARD by which ALL ARE JUDGED. An even playing field and let the score show on the same chart. Don't worry the price will be there too but just one standard to judge by.

Sorry to hear you're disappointed with the wrenches. That is part of our older line up and while they will perform fine, I agree the finish isn't as perfect as I'd like. The new wrenches are the Taiwan Line up and provide a much better finish. I don't have an alternative angle wrench set to offer you, but should you have any issues with that it still has the same warranty behind it.

I think John in OH's review is bang on. We've heard in this thread how Tekton already has a new line of these yet John in OH just purchased these. So how long will they be shipping the older defective ones? The Amazon ad says: "Precision Machined 15-Degree and 60-Degree Angled Open Ends" Now go take a look at John in OH's photos and tell me if that is what you'd expect.

Those who are saying "you bought the cheapest so what do you expect" I hear what you're saying but I think Tekton should be using John's photos in their ads so people know what to expect. I've looked at enough china made tools at the box stores and can't say I've ever seen anything quite that bad. His tools look as bad as any 30 year old badly abused worn tools you might find at a flea market. I've NEVER seen tools of that quality on display in any retailer anywhere EVER. It seems some peoples tool quality standards are getting awfully low when weighed against their own dollars.

This is the shot that gets me, I've got tools i've had for over 40 years but I don't have any wrenches that look like this:

 

[Dave.R]

So I'm looking for a set of angle wrenches. If I goole search or ask on GJ is there a Tier 1 and a Tier 2 grouping I need to look for. No, in the real world they are all thrown into the pit together.



So what? Do we use a double standard for quality comparisons between truck brands and cheap offshore imports? Sorry, you can't be the judge on this one. I say ONE STANDARD by which ALL ARE JUDGED. An even playing field and let the score show on the same chart. Don't worry the price will be there too but just one standard to judge by.



I think John in OH's review is bang on. We've heard in this thread how Tekton already has a new line of these yet John in OH just purchased these. So how long will they be shipping the older defective ones? The Amazon ad says: "Precision Machined 15-Degree and 60-Degree Angled Open Ends" Now go take a look at John in OH's photos and tell me if that is what you'd expect.

Those who are saying "you bought the cheapest so what do you expect" I hear what you're saying but I think Tekton should be using John's photos in their ads so people know what to expect. I've looked at enough china made tools at the box stores and can't say I've ever seen anything quite that bad. His tools look as bad as any 30 year old badly abused worn tools you might find at a flea market. I've NEVER seen tools of that quality on display in any retailer anywhere EVER. It seems some peoples tool quality standards are getting awfully low when weighed against their own dollars.

This is the shot that gets me, I've got tools i've had for over 40 years but I don't have any wrenches that look like this:

The new line is the standard straight wrenches, not these angled. As for defective, I haven't had any instances of these failing on consumers. Cosmetically they aren't perfect, but function all the same. It is easy for everyone to sell top teir but then there wouldn't be options. I personally love the look of the new wrenches, but at a certain point function is just as important as cosmetics.

We're always working to improve the line up, but at the expense of the consumer we have to weigh all options.

If anyone breaks one of these, let me know.

 

[thejudges69]

So I'm looking for a set of angle wrenches. If I goole search or ask on GJ is there a Tier 1 and a Tier 2 grouping I need to look for. No, in the real world they are all thrown into the pit together.



So what? Do we use a double standard for quality comparisons between truck brands and cheap offshore imports? Sorry, you can't be the judge on this one. I say ONE STANDARD by which ALL ARE JUDGED. An even playing field and let the score show on the same chart. Don't worry the price will be there too but just one standard to judge by.



I think John in OH's review is bang on. We've heard in this thread how Tekton already has a new line of these yet John in OH just purchased these. So how long will they be shipping the older defective ones? The Amazon ad says: "Precision Machined 15-Degree and 60-Degree Angled Open Ends" Now go take a look at John in OH's photos and tell me if that is what you'd expect.

Those who are saying "you bought the cheapest so what do you expect" I hear what you're saying but I think Tekton should be using John's photos in their ads so people know what to expect. I've looked at enough china made tools at the box stores and can't say I've ever seen anything quite that bad. His tools look as bad as any 30 year old badly abused worn tools you might find at a flea market. I've NEVER seen tools of that quality on display in any retailer anywhere EVER. It seems some peoples tool quality standards are getting awfully low when weighed against their own dollars.

This is the shot that gets me, I've got tools i've had for over 40 years but I don't have any wrenches that look like this:

I don't understand why you made it a point to highlight and use my username multiple times. It didn't help get the point across any better then you may have though by doing it. My username has nothing to do with being a judge or judging people.

I still stick to what I said in regards to the tools and the review, sorry if I upset or disappointed you.

 

[2oolhound]

I'm just thinking if all your wrenches were like that you'd start deforming the surface of the fasteners you're working on. Specially aluminum or light alloys. When you have to resort to an angle wrench it's because the fastener is hard to get to. These are the times you may even have to have the wrench canted across the face of the fastener to get a bite. I don't care about any other part of a wrench nearly as much as the working surface that contacts the fastener. That's my gripe with John's wrenches.

 

[2oolhound]

I don't understand why you made it a point to highlight and use my username multiple times. It didn't help get the point across any better then you may have though by doing it. My username has nothing to do with being a judge or judging people.

I still stick to what I said in regards to the tools and the review, sorry if I upset or disappointed you.

Hey judge, take a look at all the posts on this forum. All of our user names get highlighted on quotes, I didn't do that intentionally. I respect yours and everyones opinions here but I'm totally against accepting wrenches like are in that photo so that's why I wanted to make my point.

Maybe it's because I just watched "Jonestown - Paradise Lost" on netflix last night so maybe I felt some folks were blindly accepting a whitewashing on something they should think twice about.

 

[John in OH]

This review bothers me. Its a review based on a product that was purchased with low cost and minimal use in mind. For a tool that a person is going to use maybe once a year he spent a lot of time picking it apart. I really think you should have purchased a SO or Mac or proto set so you'd have been happier.

Judge, I think you've missed the point. I'm not comparing the Tekton set to a high-end product from Snap-On, Mac, Proto or Wright. I'm trying to make an apples-to-apples comparison of the Tekton wrenches to a SAME-TIER competitor ... Sunex. On Amazon, the Tekton 2008 angle wrench set costs about $48 and the Sunex 9914 set costs about $65.

I really think you spent more time writing that review then it sounds like you will use the tool. If your not happy with them then return them and get what would make you happy. Just my opinion.

I was trying to make an objective comparison of Tekton's angle wrenches to what I considered an same-tier competitor. Pics don't lie. Just my opinion.

For the price tekton has a good product, I'm happy with everything I have from them and Dave has not once questioned what few warranty claims I've had. The man even took the time to notify me when a new specific socket set was released that I was needing. I think the company have the right course in mind. And also for a cheap tool they seem to be one of the few companies that's building there line and keeping cost down where a lot of companies make tools sell them cheap and go out of business a year or 2 later, or they change things and jack the price way up. I was told they have the back yard hobby mechanic in mind when making tools. They are not gearing for the big name brands so ease up a little.

No one is questioning Dave's integrity, honesty, dedication or warranty support for the Tekton product line. And, again, I'm not comparing the Tekton wrenches to the "big name brands".

I hear and read just fine. They are trying to make a better product hence the new wrenches they just released yet your picking them apart like they are a big name brand. I think that Dave has already admitted that there was issues with there old style combination wrenches hence the new design. Maybe we should just wait and see, maybe there is a better set in the works. His post above still bothers me, I'm really thinking that he should have bought a truck brand and then I think he would have been happy.

"Picking them apart" ????? Can you honestly look at the comparison pics of the Tekton and Sunex wrenches and say that I've picked them apart??? The Sunex chrome is better than Tekton's. The Sunex stamping is better than Tekton's. The Sunex broaching is better than Tekton's. Is there any visual characteristic of the Tekton that is better than the Sunex???

If I had compared a Snap-On to a Mac and pointed out similar flaws in the Mac, would you say I was picking the Mac apart? I fail to see the difference as the Tekton/Sunex comparison is apples-to-apples. If I were Tekton, I'd be glad that a customer "gave a damn" enough to provide feedback.

And honestly I think that changing the angles may cost more then one would think. I'm guessing it will take much tooling and redesigning on there end which in turn costs money. If they only sell a few hundred sets a year at $40.00 a piece and it cost them tens of thousands to redesign then it wouldn't be a feasible option to redesign, it would take several years to show a profit off of one simple redesign. With all the tooling involved with the change and the maintenance on the dies and machines to make it, I don't think I would be making them either.

Retooling is always expensive and not a step to be taken lightly. I'm simply offering what I feel is a constructive suggestion to improve their product .... something you claim they are trying to do.

The new line is the standard straight wrenches, not these angled. As for defective, I haven't had any instances of these failing on consumers. Cosmetically they aren't perfect, but function all the same. It is easy for everyone to sell top teir but then there wouldn't be options. I personally love the look of the new wrenches, but at a certain point function is just as important as cosmetics.

We're always working to improve the line up, but at the expense of the consumer we have to weigh all options.

If anyone breaks one of these, let me know.

Dave, I'm not suggesting that you sell top tier. I'm suggesting that you should be as good as, or better than, a same-tier competitor.