Tektron tool quality

[southpier]

i want a complete 1/4" ratchet & socket set for occasional use. i priced an SK ratchet to match one i've had for almost 30 years and it was on the high side of $80.

as an "okay" alternative, how boned am i if i get this set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7WMK4L/?tag=atomicindus08-20 ?

i probably don't even need the deep sockets, but they're there already.

thanks

edit - not sure why it didn't link =

TEKTON 1/4 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, 55-Piece (5/32-9/16 in., 4-14 mm) | SKT05301​

​

 

[Bockscar]

Should serve you well.

 

[Fly YX]

Check the Tekton website sometimes they are cheaper or the same as Amazon. On there website you will get 10% back for future purchases. There warranty is great if you have a problem you just Fill out the form on the website take a picture and they will send you a new one. Had to do that with one of there 1/4 torque wrench. Got a new one in two days.

 

[FTWingRiders]

I’d buy directly from them. The 10% back, or more during promotions, is great!

 

[Fedwrench]

current Tekton socket/ratchet offerings are outstanding!!!

As others have pointed out, it's better to order from Tekton.com for the free shipping once registered and rewards points

 

[Maxcustody]

All my new sockets are Tekton. Awesome quality, price and customer service. Like others have said order directly from them.

 

[snickers muncher]

Tekton is fine by me. Their screwdrivers are what I reach for the most and I used my wrenches yesterday to work on the car.

If it's only occasional use and you can wait, AutoZone puts a ~40 piece Duralast set on sale for black Friday for about $15. It's actually pretty good. I keep one in the car and one in the shop.

 

[dnschmidt]

In my personal opinion Tekton and Capri killed the American market for TOPTUL which is of equal or better quality (except for their ratchets which, with a few exceptions sort of ****). The problem was that TOPTUL wasn't ready to take the plunge and these two companies were.

 

[M635_Guy]

I have chrome sockets from Tekton, Icon and SK.

Tekton - Fine quality and fantastic customer service.
Icon - Fine quality - they share less blanks across sizes than Tekton does, so the bottom range of sizes are shorter than their Tekton brothers, which has come in handy on occasion. Customer service hasn't been something I've had to deal with (other than in-store, which has been excellent).
SK - Excellent quality. I don't have an objective measurement for that, but my SK sockets feel beefy and heavy when I pick them up. I should weigh and measure all three at some point. Customer service is a big question mark these days (though I'm optimistic that once the transition settles they'll be fine)

 

[lardy1]

I have Tekton sockets in 1/4" deep and 1/2" standard six point and they work as well as the many configurations of SK that I have. A basic, no frills socket with excellent CS. If you also need a ratchet Tekton does well there also. Just be sure you're getting the current version (90 tooth). I also recommend buying directly from their user friendly website. There are still some Tekton Turds floating around the internet.

 

[oldwino]

Haven’t used them much but have been happy so far. 99% of my work is American SAE stuff but on rare occasion I needed metric. Bought set of end wrenches and impact sockets and have had no problems

 

[Madjik Man]

I’m aligned with everyone else here.

I’m a DIYer and Tekton’s quality serves me extremely well. I have sockets (chrome and impact), ratchets, extensions, breaker bars, and screwdrivers. All great tools so far.

I plan on upgrading most of my tools to Tekton for these three reasons:

1. High quality
2. Affordability
3. Extreme customer service

 

[BlackBowtie]

I have a older set of Tekton 1/2 drive deep impact sockets where the sizes are printed on. No complaints here. I also purchased their 3/8 drive impact sockets in deep/shallow in SAE and Metric about a year ago. I mostly use metric so those get the most abuse. Also picked up their 1/4 drive chrome sockets in SAE/Metric in deep/shallow + rails, only had them for about a month and used them a little so far for interior work. Again no complaints here. Some other Tekton stuff I have is their nut drivers, 16pc screw driver set, the new small red handle pick set, and I plan on trying out their ratcheting wrenches soon and their ratchets once they release the Non-quick release versions.

I would place another vote for creating an account and buying from them directly for the 10% back.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Another fan here too. A lot of people say the tool truck brands are better and I don't actually doubt them, but for a DIYer they are just too expensive. I have sockets in 3/8 and 1/2 as well as combination wrenches, screwdrivers, and multiple pliers. All good quality and they have never let me down. I also love that you can buy singles to fill in for lost or misplaced sockets (those 10mm sockets sure do like to disappear).

 

[JeepYJ]

Agree with above postings. Also, some of their tools are USA made. Their website is fantastic on details and clearly states the COO.

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

Im a fan, Ive re-bought all my sockets, chrome and impact, 1/4"-1/2" in the last year. Bought some soft handled ratchets as well, as combo wrench sets for my traveling tools ( I travel with tools allot ).

Love the functionality of their blow molded socket set cases. Also love the complete sizes.

Not used their CS yet, but I do buy everything direct, from Tekton, and I get my orders next day, always,... They always ship the same day, if you buy stuff in the AM.

I used to make my living with S/O tools, most of which I still have, but I run the Tektons most days, because of convenience, that and I can afford to lose some tools with Tektons prices ( when not working in the shop ).

 

[Madjik Man]

I can also add this: I have Tekton tools dating back to before they slid all their chips to the middle of the table and made their big push for their current position in the market.

All of the stuff I own of that era is Made in China (as was most of their line up) and the quality shows. Those era tools I own of theirs are poor quality and not much different than the 400 no-name brands you find on Amazon now.

The discrepancy between the quality of the tools they were producing at that time compared to now is incredibly significant. Every tool they are producing now is 1000x better quality for a very affordable price.

 

[Mekks082]

Replaced all my old g2s craftsman with tekton, been much better. Got sick of the craftsman end of the run ****.

 

[southpier]

thanks everyone for your endorsements; this is encouraging.

appreciate the help!

 

[demarpaint]

They make good tools for the money. Their CS is as good as it gets!

 

[Griff79]

Right now I have older (1978) USA made Craftsman, newer Koken nut grip, Williams ratchets, Snap On, Klein, others and TEKTON. As a hardy diy user the TEKTON wrenches, impact sockets and Torx/Allen sockets are excellent. The value/quality/ascetics/warranty/10% rebate/free shipping/occasional sales make for a very good product. There are other brands that are higher quality but this brand IMHO is pretty good.
Griff

 

[CS454]

I admitted to heinously abusing a crowsfoot and they mailed me a new one in 2 days. Love Tekton.

 

[visionguru]

$80 for that? Naa.... Tekton is run of the mill quality at premium price.
How about $40 for a SATA set? So many better choices...

 

[Newell33]

I was on the Tekton bandwagon until I purchased a set of their locking pliers. I believe I purchased PLK99903. The side to side deflection is horrible, and the teeth aren't that great either. Every time I need to use a set I end up grabbing my old school Vise Grip brand and using them instead. I have a Tekton axle nut impact set, and a few other tools of theirs and love them. The plier set missed the mark for me.

 

[toddmorr]

Tekton is fine but they are no longer the obvious bargain they were. Lots of other brands cheaper, just look for made in Taiwan and it's probably cheaper and same quality.

 

[Lucid Moments]

Tekton is fine but they are no longer the obvious bargain they were. Lots of other brands cheaper, just look for made in Taiwan and it's probably cheaper and same quality.

You are probably right about that, but there is still the customer service issue. I was introduced to Tekton's excellent customer service when they were still the obvious bargain so I know how good it is. I don't know how good the other companies customer service is yet. All of that is subject to change of course.

 

[kody1234]

i want a complete 1/4" ratchet & socket set for occasional use. i priced an SK ratchet to match one i've had for almost 30 years and it was on the high side of $80.

as an "okay" alternative, how boned am i if i get this set: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P7WMK4L/?tag=atomicindus08-20 ?

i probably don't even need the deep sockets, but they're there already.

thanks

edit - not sure why it didn't link =

TEKTON 1/4 Inch Drive 6-Point Socket and Ratchet Set, 55-Piece (5/32-9/16 in., 4-14 mm) | SKT05301​

​

I have that very set glad i bought it,no skip in sizes.

 

[toddmorr]

Yeah that customer service *can* be worth something to some people. I broke one of their ratchets due to obvious abuse and they didn't even blink

 

[Bockscar]

Yeah that customer service *can* be worth something to some people. I broke one of their ratchets due to obvious abuse and they didn't even blink

Isn't customer service the reason that many people pay the insane prices for Snap On?

 

[toddmorr]

well SO cust service might be *one* of the reasons people *say* they buy SO. Reality? generally high quality, prestige, peer pressure, a lot goes into it i would imagine. You gotta have many intangibles to sell at those prices, esp in today's marketplace. and the financing,,,that has to help.

 

[bubinga]

There is one on there for $56.25

 

[ed_v]

I have the 1/4" drive metric set and love it. Good value and I like the 10 percent purchase credit

 

[Sal Bandini]

Warranty is likely the last thing I consider when I buy these sorts of hand tools. I have Stahlwille wrenches, Wera sockets and ratchets, and know I won't be able to get easy warranty, especially considering I bought them from Germany. I also have CM, Tekton, HF, and Husky sockets and ratchets, so I buy most price ranges (SO is out for me). However, I don't expect the tools to fail, since we are talking basic piece of metal, not some intricate electronics. In the rare event that I do break a socket, HD has them for about $2. I can have it the same day and not wait for a replacement in the mail.

With that said, I think that Tekton set is good for what you are getting. You mentioned you don't need the deep sockets. Have you considered just getting the standard depth sockets and picking your own ratchet? Or is a molded case a requirement for you?

I also don't see the advantage of buying from Tekton directly. The Amazon prices more than offset the 10% discount on future purchases.

EDIT: It does seem like most of the items are the same price direct vs Amazon.

 

[CallumRD1]

[snip]

I also don't see the advantage of buying from Tekton directly. The Amazon prices more than offset the 10% discount on future purchases.

I'm seeing the amazon prices as the same as the direct prices for virtually everything, so purchasing direct saves you money. (And buying direct means free shipping with no order minimum, even if you just need a single socket.)

 

[Sal Bandini]

I'm seeing the amazon prices as the same as the direct prices for virtually everything, so purchasing direct saves you money. (And buying direct means free shipping with no order minimum, even if you just need a single socket.)

OF course, the one I picked was 28% cheaper, so I stand corrected. Everything else seems normal price.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08C23944W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Professional Tool User]

Isn't customer service the reason that many people pay the insane prices for Snap On?

Snap on tools are by no means the best in every case. Convenience, customer service, brand prestige, and how effective their overall marketing department is are among the reasons why people buy Snap on.

 

[Professional Tool User]

In my personal opinion Tekton and Capri killed the American market for TOPTUL which is of equal or better quality (except for their ratchets which, with a few exceptions sort of ****). The problem was that TOPTUL wasn't ready to take the plunge and these two companies were.

At the end of the day, Tekton and Capri don't actually make anything. Stuff that they rebrand can be found elsewhere. Taiwanese companies focus on the manufacturing side of things and leave marketing and distribution to others. I doubt that Toptul is capable of doing a good job of marketing their tools after I visited their website.

 

[CallumRD1]

At the end of the day, Tekton and Capri don't actually make anything. Stuff that they rebrand can be found elsewhere. Taiwanese companies focus on the manufacturing side of things and leave marketing and distribution to others. I doubt that Toptul is capable of doing a good job of marketing their tools after I visited their website.

Yes, but in this case Tekton make a lot of stuff that you cannot find rebranded anywhere else. Just because they don’t own the factory that makes their product doesn’t mean that they are not doing the engineering behind making it perform the way it does. The argument that these companies don’t actually make anything is frankly a little absurd in the modern age of global manufacturing. The iPhone in your pocket is made on contract by one of any number of Asian manufacturers. Does that mean that Apple doesn’t make iPhones?

 

[Busted_Knuckles]

At the end of the day, Tekton and Capri don't actually make anything. Stuff that they rebrand can be found elsewhere. Taiwanese companies focus on the manufacturing side of things and leave marketing and distribution to others. I doubt that Toptul is capable of doing a good job of marketing their tools after I visited their website.

Yeah, I dont know if that is 100% correct. While I dont work there or know anyone who does... if you have a look on their website, it might imply they are making some stuff.

I get letters from the CEO, because I buy direct, and recently he dispatched one talking about leaving Taiwan and bringing home the tool production. I was guessing that was more out of China wanting Taiwan back ( potential instability ), than wanting to meet customers wants, but either way its a win.

They actually show on the website how they are making some of their wrenches. At least it sounds like they actually have some input/control over what is being made, not just picking out a wrench in a catalog from company X in China and it arriving with their name on it.

Also if you look at their job opening page, they are manufacturing in Grand Rapids...

Where We Make Our Tools​

About 74% of our current product lineup is made in Taiwan, 22% in the United States, 2% in Canada, 1% in China, and 1% across several other countries. You can find the country of origin for every tool on Tekton.com by scrolling to the bottom of the product page and referring to the "Specs" section.

The coolest part about what we do is something new taking place here in West Michigan, one of the world's leading manufacturing hubs. All sorts of advanced fabrication methods are found here to meet the needs of the automotive, furniture, and medical device industries at globally competitive costs.

Why, we wondered, don't we employ the resources right in our backyard to make tools like no one has ever made them? So we did. We built our own specialized local supply chains to roll out products like our angle head wrenches, crowfoot wrenches, screwdrivers, and nut drivers.

 

[SRSemenza]

As far as buying just the shallow sockets and then a ratchet goes ........................ even with the lower Amazon price on that one particular set, if you add the extensions the cost is so near to the full set cost that the deep sockets are almost free.

Seth