Who makes Napa tools?

[Bull]

That wrench set is made in Taiwan. They are similiar to the Gearwrench nonratcheting wrenches in that they are shiney and have the modified open end. The NAPA wrenches have beams that are more square than Gearwrench.
They are trully great wrenches!!!
Cripe has set number 90933 which includes sizes 10, 11, 12,13, 14, 15, and 18mm in a rack for $10 plus shipping.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Napa-7PC-Fu...979?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a6fc147d3

The wrenches feature off corner boxed end engagement, modified open ends, great balance, and are nicely finished. NAPA sold the sets for $27.99 a couple of quarters ago as part of a real deal flyer special.
It a great set for working on GM vehicles.

Well now, this is the deal-sealer for me!

I wish to heck that Cripe had an SAE set for me. Now that I no longer have my '95 Firebird, I have little use for metric, except for when I work on my old Bolens tractor.

Although, if I ever inherit my dad's '96 Impala, I'll probably need metric again!

 

[Fedwrench]

I wish to heck that Cripe had an SAE set for me.

You should be able to get an SAE set on sale until 3/31/12 in this quarter's real deal flyer for $27.99 at your local NAPA store. Part number NHT90932.

 

[Bull]

You should be able to get an SAE set on sale until 3/31/12 in this quarter's real deal flyer for $27.99 at your local NAPA store. Part number NHT90932.

Even better for me than the Cripe metric deal!

I will have to call my local NAPA and hope they have them in stock.

How can they sell these so cheaply? I don't pay attention to NAPA tools, but maybe I should, unless this is a fluke.

 

[Bull]

The highlight of this rainy, gray day was going to be playing with my new set of long SAE combos from NAPA. I called the closest store this morning, and the fellow on the phone told me they would be in the store for pickup by 2pm. I arrived at the store a bit after 2, at which point he told me that there was some mistake by either the warehouse or the delivery person, and my wrenches did not arrive with the afternoon order! So, I'm supposed to call him in the morning and see when I can get these.

Lame.

 

[trboxman]

You should have turned that around where he's calling you in the morning to tell you when they'll be there.

 

[Bull]

You should have turned that around where he's calling you in the morning to tell you when they'll be there.

Probably. But, I have two modes: polite and angry. Not much of a middle ground. I wish there was, because people who have "firm but polite" as an option have an advantage over me.

 

[cruiser808]

Probably. But, I have two modes: polite and angry. Not much of a middle ground. I wish there was, because people who have "firm but polite" as an option have an advantage over me.

It's an aquired skill that one has to work on regularly in order to master it.

 

[rzazzera]

So I see now from the photo, the Taiwan made Napa Pro wrench has a second "Wrench Size" stamping where the "USA" stamping was.......Makes sense. I guess they're afraid to Stamp Taiwan or China on them. That would be too honest..........`;<(

 

[four.cycle]

Any "NAPA" experts in the house?

The part numbers are the same as New Britain on these 1/4" drive sockets and spinner: NM606, NM608, NM610, and NM64 on the spinner.
From that I would guess that they were made by New Britain, but poking around in various "NAPA" threads here someone mentioned that when NAPA dropped New Britain as a supplier and went to EASCO, they kept the same part numbers.
The knurling looks exactly like some EASCO sockets I have, so I'm puzzled as to who actually made these for NAPA.

 

[3baygarage]

Any "NAPA" experts in the house?

The part numbers are the same as New Britain on these 1/4" drive sockets and spinner: NM606, NM608, NM610, and NM64 on the spinner.
From that I would guess that they were made by New Britain, but poking around in various "NAPA" threads here someone mentioned that when NAPA dropped New Britain as a supplier and went to EASCO, they kept the same part numbers.
The knurling looks exactly like some EASCO sockets I have, so I'm puzzled as to who actually made these for NAPA.

Agreed, those look to be Easco. I'm no Napa expert but part numbers seem to have transferred from NB to the Napa line.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I can't make heads or tails from the spinner, because the spinner in my Easco 1/4" drive set has a ovoid black plastic handle - completely different.

So... if these are indeed Easco made, what would be an appropriate period-correct ratchet? Something along the line of the Easco 71-1106 ??



Would an Easco made NAPA have that raised panel on the shank?

 

[davethorik]

I have seen them with and without the raised panel. I don't know any specifics, however. Here are some pics I found.

 

[3baygarage]

^ I can't make heads or tails from the spinner, because the spinner in my Easco 1/4" drive set has a ovoid black plastic handle - completely different.

So... if these are indeed Easco made, what would be an appropriate period-correct ratchet? Something along the line of the Easco 71-1106 ??



Would an Easco made NAPA have that raised panel on the shank?

Idk on the Napa ratchet either.

The spinner matches Easco.
As far as your black spinner, that version is common to the Easco and Master Mechanic brand sets,with the different style round head ratchet that had either a black handle or all metal what some refer to as paint brush handle.

 

[wafrederick]

The Napa Carlyle combination wrenches are made by Infar whom also make the Channellock version.Look the same made at the same factory.Only differences are the Carlyle and Channellock name stamped on them and the price.The Channellock version is cheaper than the Carlyle version.What these are is a copy of the Snap On flank drive plus which the patent ran out.Here is a comparison video of them,

 

[Fedwrench]

The Napa Carlyle combination wrenches are made by Infar whom also make the Channellock version.Look the same made at the same factory.Only differences are the Carlyle and Channellock name stamped on them and the price.The Channellock version is cheaper than the Carlyle version.What these are is a copy of the Snap On flank drive plus which the patent ran out.Here is a comparison video of them,

I own both the Carlyle & Channellock versions. I think they share the same wrench blank but, the channellock isn't finished nearly as nice as the Carlyle. The chrome isn't as shiny, the size markings are smaller, and on the smaller wrench sizes, Channellock omits their name in the banner Still a nice wrench at a lower price point if you're cheap .
I wouldn't say that they were trying to copy snap on flank drive plus wrenches either but, i would say that they're offering anti slip open ends like other manufacturers such as Wright, Sunex, and others.

 

[rhandwor]

I thought New Britain made Napa tools.

 

[Fedwrench]

I thought New Britain made Napa tools.

Not for many years.

 

[wafrederick]

I own both the Carlyle & Channellock versions. I think they share the same wrench blank but, the channellock isn't finished nearly as nice as the Carlyle. The chrome isn't as shiny, the size markings are smaller, and on the smaller wrench sizes, Channellock omits their name in the banner Still a nice wrench at a lower price point if you're cheap .
I wouldn't say that they were trying to copy snap on flank drive plus wrenches either but, i would say that they're offering anti slip open ends like other manufacturers such as Wright, Sunex, and others.

Infar is the manufacturer of the Carlyle and Channellock,mdlee52 has a youtube video on it on the Channellock version

 

[R. Deschain]

EASCO used to make NAPA, but was bought by Danaher, which in 2010 merged it's tools division with Cooper Tools to form Apex Tool Group. I haven't found the listed link between Apex and Napa though. Carlyle Tools that are sold at Napa are made by Infar which is in Taiwan. It looks like FORTIVE (formally Danaher) makes MATCo Tools, but not NAPA. Also, a division of Danaher/Apex is making Craftsman tools now in China

This is a who owns what list for tool makers:

1. http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/
2. http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands-faceting

 

[Fedwrench]

EASCO used to make NAPA, but was bought by Danaher, which in 2010 merged it's tools division with Cooper Tools to form Apex Tool Group. I haven't found the listed link between Apex and Napa though. Carlyle Tools that are sold at Napa are made by Infar which is in Taiwan. It looks like FORTIVE (formally Danaher) makes MATCo Tools, but not NAPA. Also, a division of Danaher/Apex is making Craftsman tools now in China

This is a who owns what list for tool makers:

1. http://toolguyd.com/tool-brands-corporate-affiliations/
2. http://www.apextoolgroup.com/brands-faceting

When KD tools was killed off to pave the way for Gearwrench's expansion to a full line of mechanic's hand tools, NAPA lost its professional hand tool supplier. There was a brief period of about a year or two when NAPA professional tools were nothing more than rebadged Gearwrench tools. eBay and close out businesses have lots of these tools for sale. NAPA then sourced their current Carlyle brand from several suppliers.

 

[vaultdweller]

^ I can't make heads or tails from the spinner, because the spinner in my Easco 1/4" drive set has a ovoid black plastic handle - completely different.

So... if these are indeed Easco made, what would be an appropriate period-correct ratchet? Something along the line of the Easco 71-1106 ??



Would an Easco made NAPA have that raised panel on the shank?

I have an Easton set that came with an identical spinner as the one pictured. Like this:

have anothe like it that is Kobalt USA, Danaher era.

Buy have another set that has one like you describe like this:

Hopefully those images show.