Tekton

[Tallpilot]

Some Tekton fans here and some who are not. To each their own.

https://www.tekton.com/pliers/locki...e&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=locking-pliers

Taiwan manufacturer; wouldn't surprise me if they were made alongside the Doyle from Harbor Freight.

However with Tekton's free shipping with accounts and 5% rewards that now grow with interest it is hard to argue against giving them a shot. They are also very obviously moving their production one product line at a time out of China.

I'm sure you don't get Grip on quality for $9 but I'll bet they are much better than Chinese Irwin's. Unfortunately I don't have a need at the moment but hopefully someone will give them a shot and let us know.

 

[sweet victory]

I'm consistently finding Knipex locking pliers for under $20. For a few bucks difference, why wouldn't you get the Knipex ones? Prime 2 day shipping to boot...Just saying.

 

[bwringer]

Around here, quite a bit of Tekton stuff is on the shelf at Meijer stores. Excellent quality for the money.

And the locking pliers do seem quite nice -- a definite cut above the soft Chinese shite from Irwin.


For some weird reason, Knipex locking pliers are light-years away in quality from their "regular" pliers. Shockingly awful stuff from a company known for near perfection.

The Milwaukee branded locking pliers found in Home Despot and Horror Fright's new line of "Bremen" locking pliers are also both very good values and made in Taiwan.

 

[ocloc24]

I'm consistently finding Knipex locking pliers for under $20. For a few bucks difference, why wouldn't you get the Knipex ones? Prime 2 day shipping to boot...Just saying.

How are knipex locking pliers? I've always been curious.

I just ordered a few pairs of grip on from my snap on guy, hopefully those are good but so far I've had poor luck finding quality locking pliers. I tried a pair from harbor freight(Bremen brand, btw they dont sell any Doyle locking pliers tall pilot) and they were decent surprisingly

 

[Tallpilot]

How are knipex locking pliers? I've always been curious.

I just ordered a few pairs of grip on from my snap on guy, hopefully those are good but so far I've had poor luck finding quality locking pliers. I tried a pair from harbor freight(Bremen brand, btw they dont sell any Doyle locking pliers tall pilot) and they were decent surprisingly

My mistake and apologies! I got the made up names confused; thank you for correcting me. I like my Grip-on (Proto rebrand) and I hope you do as well. But sometimes you need a few extra that work but don’t need to be perfect so I would be pleased if Bremen and Tekton (whoever makes them in Taiwan) can fill the gap since Vice-Grip is now crappy junk. Plus it puts Irwin (whoever owns the trademark this week) on notice that dropping the quality too far has consequences.

 

[ocloc24]

My mistake and apologies! I got the made up names confused; thank you for correcting me. I like my Grip-on (Proto rebrand) and I hope you do as well. But sometimes you need a few extra that work but don’t need to be perfect so I would be pleased if Bremen and Tekton (whoever makes them in Taiwan) can fill the gap since Vice-Grip is now crappy junk. Plus it puts Irwin (whoever owns the trademark this week) on notice that dropping the quality too far has consequences.

Its next to impossible to keep up anymore.. I went in there 3 days ago and there were 2 new brands names that weren't there when I went a few weeks back. It's getting ridiculous

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm consistently finding Knipex locking pliers for under $20.

How do you like them?

 

[Bockscar]

You can find real Vise-Grips a dime a dozen at auctions......i don't even buy them anymore because I have too many as is

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[AmishFury]

You can find real Vise-Grips a dime a dozen at auctions......i don't even buy them anymore because I have too many as is

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

the problem i have with finding used usa vise-grips is they have been used hard for years so the teeth in the jaws are worn down and they don't have the grip they once had

 

[Tonyuk]

I've never had a problem with my Irwin grips, they're holding up great, so are my milwaukees.

Facom make good vise grips but are more expensive, similar looking to the Knipex although they aren't made in Germany.

Grip-on's are good but i wouldn't pay the snap-on pricing. I've 3 pairs but none of them have teeth as sharp as the facoms, irwin's or milwaukees so the others grip anything crusty a bit better imo.

 

[Mr_B]

snapon is total waste of good dollar for rebranded grips. gripon is soft as that chinese irwin .

I went and bought good used original visegrips and as new /old skock sets off eBay and got enough grips last me 3 lifetimes for small money.

I tried other grips and any time you struggle get a bite the old visegrips manage the best . The old ally and teeth hardening was the best by a long shot .
You can still get them individual or in sets so no need buy the **** on the shelves today.

For cheap abuse pliers and welding I used some 2buck chinese copies .
Toptul locking pliers not bad but again I would always try get original good used or old stock before spending on new brands .

 

[Mr_B]

Tektons do look half decent effort, if jaw alloy good grade and herdened right !
Like the hole in the adjuster screw.
Don't like the release lever as too easy knock it open when working with them in confined areas .

 

[Parrothead]

Some Tekton fans here and some who are not. To each their own.

https://www.tekton.com/pliers/locki...e&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=locking-pliers

Taiwan manufacturer; wouldn't surprise me if they were made alongside the Doyle from Harbor Freight.

It’s possible they’re made in the same factory, but it’s not an apples to apples comparison like the composite ratchets (which are identical to HF other than color). The release lever on the Tektons is different, as is the adjustment knob.

The 7” Bremen’s are also under $5 after the coupon. That’s tough to beat for a Taiwan made tool.

 

[Mr_B]

Bremen okay cheap sets for scruff jobs or modding to a special tool .
You don't get a top grade alloy or hardening for the couple bucks HF pay for them .
I would go online and buy old as new or old stock vise grips USA before wasting any budget on modern stock as my main use grips .
Difference with what achievable with old vs new grips is night and day .

 

[6PTsocket]

I wish somebody in my area, NJ, had Tekton on the shelf. The closest is HD who will ship to store for free. TSC will ship to house, with charges. It is often better to order direct from Tekton.

Around here, quite a bit of Tekton stuff is on the shelf at Meijer stores. Excellent quality for the money.

And the locking pliers do seem quite nice -- a definite cut above the soft Chinese shite from Irwin.


For some weird reason, Knipex locking pliers are light-years away in quality from their "regular" pliers. Shockingly awful stuff from a company known for near perfection.

The Milwaukee branded locking pliers found in Home Despot and Horror Fright's new line of "Bremen" locking pliers are also both very good values and made in Taiwan.

Sent from my SM-G900V using Tapatalk

 

[Parrothead]

Bremen okay cheap sets for scruff jobs or modding to a special tool .
You don't get a top grade alloy or hardening for the couple bucks HF pay for them .
I would go online and buy old as new or old stock vise grips USA before wasting any budget on modern stock as my main use grips .
Difference with what achievable with old vs new grips is night and day .

Have you used them?

I've played with them (friends), and they're every bit as good, probably better, as the Irwin's out there today, and all my Vice Grips are USA made. These are pretty darn good.

 

[ocloc24]

Have you used them?

I've played with them (friends), and they're every bit as good, probably better, as the Irwin's out there today, and all my Vice Grips are USA made. These are pretty darn good.

Yes they're better than current Irwin, but that isn't saying much. Ever since Irwin went to China, their locking pliers are ****. The Bremen is solid. They're just not top notch. I only have 2 pairs though so maybe it's just me

 

[Mr_B]

Have you used them?

I've played with them (friends), and they're every bit as good, probably better, as the Irwin's out there today, and all my Vice Grips are USA made. These are pretty darn good.

Jaws are soft, use them on something hardened and you find out they not as good as the USA petersons/vise grips.
They great for the coupon price and ideal good scruff use grips .
Anything better than irwin china visegrips .
Taiwan a big leap in tool quality over the average china made stuff, some people think it a myth but in general it a fact that taiwan will be better grade and finished tool product ...
Need to try some doyle pliers and cutters next .

 

[AmishFury]

Some Tekton fans here and some who are not. To each their own.

https://www.tekton.com/pliers/locki...e&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=locking-pliers

Taiwan manufacturer; wouldn't surprise me if they were made alongside the Doyle from Harbor Freight.

are you certain about the taiwan?... took a glance at the stock at my local meijer and they said china

 

[Mr_B]

website states taiwan .
Doubt made same oem as doyle as design and tooling details too different .

 

[Tallpilot]

are you certain about the taiwan?... took a glance at the stock at my local meijer and they said china

I believe you are looking at old stock. They were previously made in China. That was why I started this thread. I like to see design and manufacturing improvements instead of the usual ‘value engineering.’

 

[Mr_B]

How do the Taiwan prices compare to the previous china ones .
quality and design does seem a step up which good, really cheap locking pliers and pliers in general are never money well spent or cheap in the long run .
size range pretty good but couple extra sizes in long nose and long reach double jointed wouldn't go amiss .

 

[sweet victory]

How do you like them?

Finding may have been the wrong word. 'Come across' would have been more appropriate, as I was not looking to buy them. Sorry!

 

[snickers muncher]

The thing about Tekton products is that they are a lot like a woman. Looks mean a lot less than how she performs when it's time to use your tool.

On a serious note, I recently got a set of Tekton lineman's pliers for poops and giggles. They are made in China and the initial quality isn't too far behind the old Channellock tools I've used in the past, but I've only been cutting 12/2 romex with these. They replaced a Chinese piece of **** pair that was given to me years ago that I had finally had enough of.

 

[ptgarcia]

I picked up the 15356 1/2" Drive by 24-Inch Breaker Bar last week. Haven't used it yet but it appears to be of sufficient quality to do what I need it to do. It's the newer model with the CrMo drive head. And yesterday I ordered the 34406 10" Long Reach 90-Degree Bent Long Nose Pliers and 34435 10-1/2" Long Reach Hose Ring Pliers. Once those come in I'll gather everyone for a group picture.


Edit:

The pliers came in. These are Chinese made but decent quality. Some of the edges are a bit sharper than I'd like but not terrible. Tekton sure took care in shipping them, though: they came wrapped in plastic in those individual boxes inside a padded envelope.

 

[wrighttheway]

They're much better than that. You're just waving the flag. I've seen plenty of crappy Petersen vise grips. The Bremen I have are great. Even the jaws on the grip on and knipex are bad.

 

[bonneyman]

Some Tekton fans here and some who are not. To each their own.

https://www.tekton.com/pliers/locki...e&utm_medium=hero&utm_campaign=locking-pliers

Taiwan manufacturer; wouldn't surprise me if they were made alongside the Doyle from Harbor Freight.

However with Tekton's free shipping with accounts and 5% rewards that now grow with interest it is hard to argue against giving them a shot. They are also very obviously moving their production one product line at a time out of China.

I'm sure you don't get Grip on quality for $9 but I'll bet they are much better than Chinese Irwin's. Unfortunately I don't have a need at the moment but hopefully someone will give them a shot and let us know.

 

[ReggieR]

Buy the Milwaukee. I'm surprised Tekton doesn't have the r11 style welding clamp ?

 

[Empty Pockets]

If I needed locking pliers, and TEKTON was available, I'd consider them. I have a few TEKTON tools, and all work as advertised.

Obviously, they aren't tool truck quality, but neither are they tool truck priced.

 

[Mr_B]

The tekton china pliers like pictured above are bit overpriced for what they are, quite basic but usable but you can get same unbranded for half price or less .
Pliers one of those things usa or german made can be huge benefit in function and tool life.
These tekton taiwan locking pliers do look quite good in design/finish and price good if buy the sets .

 

[Whoismiked]

I have been very impressed with many of Tektons tools, especially considering price to quality ratio and their excellent customer service and no hassle warranty.

 

[snickers muncher]

I've got a Tekton file somewhere that is junk and won't cut. The rest of the Tekton tools I've tried have been good for the money though.

 

[gman007]

I have a number of Tekton tools and they are all made in China. I bought all of them at the local Meijer store. In terms of quality, let's face it these are no Channellock but then again for the price they are OK.

The Tekton (HQ) is based in Grand Rapids Michigan (which is virtually my backyard) and I have a feeling that there is a connection between Tekton and Meijer as the prices at Meijer store are always the lowest compared to Amazon as well as all the big box HW stores.

One thing is for sure though, the Tekton Customer Service is exceptional. Risking boring you to death with this long post, here is an example.

While generally I have been happy with the Tekton tools that I have, the pop rivet gun is not that good. Often the rivet pin can get stuck and not get ejected. One time finally the gun completely jammed up and I had to take it apart and then in process the spring shot out of the gun and I lost the spring somewhere in the garage. So I could not put it back together.

I contacted Tekton through their website and I had to fill in my name, email, address and state my issue. I was shocked when less than 30 min later I got an email response from a customer service manager which said sorry for your troubles with our product, a new rivet gun is on its way via express mail. I got the rivet gun the next day! And as is often the case in life when you badly need something you can not get it but when you do not need it you get it, well my son happened to find the spring the same day the new one arrived, so now I have two Tekton rivet gun. Hey they are not the best but they do work.

Incidentally many of their products are 100% identical to other "brands'" products on amazon and HF (made by the same common manufacturer) .

For example I was looking for a tap and die set and on amazon and Tekton and some brand called EFFICREE are identical expect for the price. In fact the same with the pop rivet gun too!

By the way rather than getting the cheap Chinese I end up paying $30 on eBay for a used but in great shape US made Hanson Ace set which cleaned up pretty nicely (last photo shows the before and after cleanup)

 

[wyattstihl]

I have a number of Tekton tools and they are all made in China. I bought all of them at the local Meijer store. In terms of quality, let's face it these are no Channellock but then again for the price they are OK.

The Tekton (HQ) is based in Grand Rapids Michigan (which is virtually my backyard) and I have a feeling that there is a connection between Tekton and Meijer as the prices at Meijer store are always the lowest compared to Amazon as well as all the big box HW stores.

Tektons HQ is in my back yard as well, but everywhere I look the Tekton 12 pc screwdriver sets sell for $30+. Wherever I go their tools are expensive for what they are, but that doesnt stop me from buying their US made pliers.
I think their made by Wilde but im not 100%.

I’ll have to run into Meijer and take a look at their prices.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gman007]

Tektons HQ is in my back yard as well, but everywhere I look the Tekton 12 pc screwdriver sets sell for $30+. Wherever I go their tools are expensive for what they are, but that doesnt stop me from buying their US made pliers.
I think their made by Wilde but im not 100%.

I’ll have to run into Meijer and take a look at their prices.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Honestly I did not know they have US made products too! And frankly I was surprised even when I saw earlier posts talking about Tekton tools made in Taiwan. Very interesting!

 

[Wyoming09]

......

The Tekton (HQ) is based in Grand Rapids Michigan (which is virtually my backyard)

Mine also. About 2 miles. I sure wish I could pick up my orders at the HQ. They could save a couple of bucks and I get my stuff almost immediately,

 

[Matt XYZ]

Honestly I did not know they have US made products too! And frankly I was surprised even when I saw earlier posts taking about Tekton tools made in Taiwan. Very interesting!

I am a fan of Tekton. I think you can't beat them for the money. As mentioned several times in other threads, Tekton is going the opposite direction of most mid range tool companies. They are adding more and more US made products- pliers, screwdrivers, pry bars... and improving the quality of the other tools from China to Taiwan. I think their wrenches are a great bargain and perfect for a non-pro. I don't have any ratchets or sockets since I already have multiple sets of craftsman and SK. Definitely worth taking a look at Tekton if you don't need tool truck quality.

 

[wyattstihl]

They are adding more and more US made products- pliers, screwdrivers, pry bars...

Pry bars? Thats news to me, I will definitley have to look into that. Their rubber air hoses are USA as well as their screwdriver/wrench racks. Believe their made by Ernst.

Edit: Just checked their website and they have new Hex drivers made in USA, just added to the lineup.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[wyattstihl]

Pry bars? Thats news to me, I will definitley have to look into that. Their rubber air hoses are USA as well as their screwdriver/wrench racks. Believe their made by Ernst.

Edit: Just checked their website and they have new Hex drivers made in USA, just added to the lineup. They have USA punches as well.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[gman007]

I am a fan of Tekton. I think you can't beat them for the money. As mentioned several times in other threads, Tekton is going the opposite direction of most mid range tool companies. They are adding more and more US made products- pliers, screwdrivers, pry bars... and improving the quality of the other tools from China to Taiwan. I think their wrenches are a great bargain and perfect for a non-pro. I don't have any ratchets or sockets since I already have multiple sets of craftsman and SK. Definitely worth taking a look at Tekton if you don't need tool truck quality.

Well I am glad to hear that they are shifting to US made tools as I like the company not only because of their customer service but also I guess I am a bit biased as they are based in Michigan and so close to me . Now I have an even bigger reason to like them.