Triangle Tools - Review

[Monte]

I received several 3/8" hand tools from Triangle Tools . The tools are available in the USA from Sears.
Here my review:

2.5° Nano-Ratchet
It has a 2.5 degree swing arc which is the lowest on the market today. The ratcheting action is smooth like other RHFT (Round Head Fine Tooth) ratchets like from Facom for example. The ratchet (like their other tools) has a nice flawless smooth satin finish and a comfortable not too small and not too big plastic handle with a recess for your thumb.

nice machined teeth.....

.....and the secret of the 2.5 degree swing angle. Dual pawl !

Quick release

"UGS" ridges
the tools have built in ridges for a better grip and as anti-rolling device.
The ridges also serve as a drive size indicator:
2 ridges = 1/4" drive
3 ridges = 3/8" drive
4 ridges = 1/2" drive

Good grip for quick spinning of the socket before the ratchet can engage.

Uni-Grip sockets

The size markings are large and visible really good. Each socket comes with 2 to 4 stamped size markings depending on the size of the socket which is quite practical because you don´t have to search for the size marking too long.

The sockets have a additionally exclusive size marking, you´ll find a "M5", "M6", "M8" or "M12" on the sockets which denote the size of the corresponding screw:

8 mm socket = M5 screw
10 mm socket = M6 screw
13 mm socket = M8 screw
19 mm socket = M12 screw

"Flank drive"

Fitment

The Uni-Grip extension

with laser etched scale for measurements

flat parallel sides so you can attach a open end wrench in difficult situations

The "Superman" U-joint

The attached socket stay almost straight

The secret is a built in spring

Product comparison

USA branch contact information

...

 

[Theloniousmonk]

Thanks Monte! Now i'm interested... i like the unijoint having a relief machined for, what looks to be, nearly 90deg.'s of swing... I guess my only questions is: Are you happy with them?

 

[cranky]

think i might add this to the ever growing list of tools to get. i have a soft spot for satin finish.

 

[old salvage]

Lotta pics and good ones too. Thank you. The pawls look extra big even though there are 2 of em. Really sturdy looking.

 

[Theloniousmonk]

One more, after looking at the pics more: Are the marking on the extension stamped/laser etched/physically marked, or are they a printing?

kthxbi

 

[superautobacs]

The scale is etched, I believe.

I found the scale on the extension to be inaccurate on mine, past the 60mm-ish area. Not that anyone should be using this as an accurate scale, but it if it's going to be done, it should be done correctly ... IMO.

 

[robertgreen79]

Those look really nice. Thanks for the review!

 

[boomerangg22]

Dang now I want those.
Is that a thumbs up Monte?
They sure look nice. Thanks for the review.

 

[bchee]

I see your ratchet is different, the shaft is square, not round. and of course it has the black grippy part

 

[littlekillertoad]

That ratchet is beautiful. Now, I've got something else on my wish list.

 

[Stuey]

Looks great! Where are these made?

Edit: nevermind

Triangle Innovative Tools Corporation
Chuck Chang, President
55-18 Shilin Lane
Hsitun Taichung 407, Taiwan
Ph: 886 4 2463 7366
Fax: 886 4 2463 7367
email: [email protected]

So this the company is based in Taiwan?

Still, they look fairly well designed and well made. I might need to try them out for myself!

 

[Cryptic1911]

wow, looks pretty slick! The flat sided extension is a good feature

 

[Theloniousmonk]

And now, as with some other tool brands, it seems the hard part is getting ahold of these... after a bit of online searching, I can't find anybody selling the Nano Plus ratchet like Monte's...

 

[I_AM]

I like it. Prices are better than i thought. 59.99 for the 1/4 and 3/8 ratchet set (not soft grip).

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00912771000P?prdNo=3&blockNo=3&blockType=G3

Monte, does yours have the sliding grip?

 

[Bull]

The one I received is the non comfort-grip ratchet. The handle shape feels nice in my hand, and I really like the weight of the ratchet as well. I just don't think anyone who touches these could deny they are great looking, great feeling tools.

 

[Monte]

@Theloniousmonk
I´m happy so far, tools for free are always good but i won´t throw my other tools away I think the marking on the extension is "laser etched/engraved"
The plastic handle ratchets are available here:
http://www.vintagespeed.com.tw/tria...ategory_id=45&option=com_virtuemart&Itemid=80
you also could contact the US branch. Phone number see my 1st post.


@old salvage
The ratchet head is bigger than other ratchets too, see pics below.


@superautobacs
Only measured the first 2 centimeters and it was ok, will measure again tomorrow.


@boomerangg22
Depends on the retail price if thumb up or not


@bchee
it seems somebody at the manufacturer knew that europeans prefer plastic handles


@stuey
yes the company is from Taiwan, i don´t know if made there but i guess yes.
Here is a bit more info:
http://cens.com/censv1/en/company_profile.jsp?SUP_ID=17886&thumb=


@I_AM
no mine looks like a solid handle. I´ll check tomorrow






Made some comparison pics with other 3/8" ratchets:

head heigth (approximately)

Triangle: 36.1 mm
Facom: 31 mm
Hazet: 30.8 mm

head width (approximately)

Triangle: 34.4 mm
Hazet: 30.6 mm
Facom: 29.7 mm

 

[lipadj46]

That seems like a big head on that ratchet.

 

[Stuey]

Tools for free?! Dang it, I must have missed that memo!

 

[matthew]

That seems like a big head on that ratchet.

The pictures makes the Triangle look large, but I'm actually I'm surprised by the Hazet / Facom. The head on my Triangle ratchet is very comparable in size to the old New Britain made RHFT models (Husky, Sparta, Blackhawk, etc.), which is a pretty good baseline - not compact, but a very good and very common ratchet. Anyone able to provide comparison photos of the Triangle with the classic Craftsman -V- RHFT, or it's Easco / KD / Allen family?

Nice pictures Monte. I'm always interested in how you think new items compare to the European stuff you use? Other than the larger ratchets, any comments?

 

[wrenchr]

All I can say is nano nano......................................

 

[vssjim]

I have some of these after seeing them here on a different post and the 3/8 sockets are great to use and the ratchets are very smooth over all very happy with the stuff I have from them .

 

[supertooljunkie]

The Triangle Tools line is manufactured in Taiwan. There was design input from a German, Dr. Roland Sommer, along with Mr. Chuck Chang, the president of Triangle Tools.

 

[Displaced Hokie]

Weird that the U.S. branch/importer is here in Alabama. Helena is a really tiny little bedroom town maybe 15 miles from me. I wonder if they have any for sale at their office? (which is probably just an office in complex). Might have to see...

 

[supertooljunkie]

Weird that the U.S. branch/importer is here in Alabama. Helena is a really tiny little bedroom town maybe 15 miles from me. I wonder if they have any for sale at their office? (which is probably just an office in complex). Might have to see...

I emailed the Alabama warehouse about six months ago to find out if I could buy direct from them, rather than Sears. At the time, they didn't stock at the US warehouse. All the stock Sears sells was shipped direct form Taiwan.

Things might have changed since then.

 

[mofo62]

@






Made some comparison pics with other 3/8" ratchets:

head heigth (approximately)

Triangle: 36.1 mm
Facom: 31 mm
Hazet: 30.8 mm

Hazet ratchet.its so so so awesome ,my favorite ,great quality ,i wanna Hazet ...soon

Facom good too


V!

 

[bchee]

Your ratchet is very different from the ones that other members received. It's not just the black handle, the shaft is square, and also connects to the head closer to the quick release button; very much like the Hazet that you have pictured.

I guess they are truly "german designed" like the brochure says.

 

[Bhae]

Nice review and nice tools.

Where did you buy?

 

[superautobacs]

Here's a link to where they can be purchased, along with product videos:http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=1129497&postcount=36

I don't know anything else about the site as I haven't shopped from it.

 

[supertooljunkie]

Triangle now has an online store, plus they sell online from Sears. Here is the address for the online store.
http://vintagespeed.com.tw/triangle/
Or go to Sears.com and search Triangle Tools.

 

[Monte]

The scale is etched, I believe.

I found the scale on the extension to be inaccurate on mine, past the 60mm-ish area. Not that anyone should be using this as an accurate scale, but it if it's going to be done, it should be done correctly ... IMO.

measured from 0 to 90mm it´s about 1mm off (or my caliper )

The pictures makes the Triangle look large, but I'm actually I'm surprised by the Hazet / Facom. The head on my Triangle ratchet is very comparable in size to the old New Britain made RHFT models (Husky, Sparta, Blackhawk, etc.), which is a pretty good baseline - not compact, but a very good and very common ratchet. Anyone able to provide comparison photos of the Triangle with the classic Craftsman -V- RHFT, or it's Easco / KD / Allen family?

i tried to make pics where the ratchet head don´t look big but didn´t work
It is only slightly bigger though, or let´s say the Facom is slightly smaller The "push button" adds height too. Maybe reduce the height of the push button and the gears/pawls would be a idea. (if possible without sacrifice strength)

For the americans : compared to 3/8" Snap-On pear head:

For the Japanese : compared to 3/8" Tone ratchet:

The head has about the same size as the head of the Koken round head ratchet. A swivel head ratchet would be a good addition to the Triangle line up i think.

Nice pictures Monte. I'm always interested in how you think new items compare to the European stuff you use? Other than the larger ratchets, any comments?

I didn´t really used the tools much, it will take a while until i can say anything, i like the U-Joint so far, the ratchet feels good too.
It depends on which "new items", and whats "new", like the joint which is a good idea, forged ratcheting wrenches for example or a 2.5 degree ratchet - all good ideas. Other things like the ridges are already there in different forms, which in case of the KoKen extensions also work better than the new invention

Nice review and nice tools.

Where did you buy?

got it directly from Taiwan.

Your ratchet is very different from the ones that other members received. It's not just the black handle, the shaft is square, and also connects to the head closer to the quick release button; very much like the Hazet that you have pictured.

I guess they are truly "german designed" like the brochure says.

yeah i got the other ratchet because Jerry told me: "Because according to our experience, American consumers prefer full metal ratchet like the Snap-on one, but European and Japanese consumers accept ratchet with plastic or rubber grip. However, their function are the same and the only difference is the outlooking."

Indeed i prefer plastic handles !

 

[bcradio]

Whatever happened to these guys? I can't find them at Sears anymore and can't find their website.

I really liked their sockets.

 

[bcradio]

bump

 

[retDAC]

This was the website in April: http://www.triangletools.com/

And this was good then also: http://store.triangletools.com/