Dewalt is coming out with several new socket and mechanics tool sets. This comes as somewhat of a surprise, but it’s not necessarily unwelcome. You see, Stanley Black and Decker already owns several brands and lines of mechanics and automotive tools. There’s Stanley, Proto, Blackhawk, Facom, and Mac. These brands already offer something for every type of user, from homeowners and weekend warriors, to professional mechanics and aerospace technicians.
Dewalt launched their hand tool line a few years ago, and at present there are a couple of neat innovations as well as a number of tools with strong resemblance to Stanley-branded hand tools.
While I’m sure that Dewalt reps would insist that these aren’t “lick and stick” derivative copies of tools previously developed by one or more Stanley Black & Decker brands, that wouldn’t be a bad thing. I am especially fond of Facom and Proto, and would love to see some of their products under Dewalt branding, as this would mean better prices and availability.
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In any case, these don’t look like “lick and stick” rebrands, they look like newly developed tools. The ratchet handles look comfortable, albeit a bit short. If I had to guess, I would think that pricing and quality will be somewhere between Stanley and Blackhawk brands.
Common Features
- 72-tooth pear head ratchets (5° swing arc)
- 6pt sockets
- sockets have “knurled beauty rings” for reduced slippage
- sockets have laser-etched markings
Ratchets
All of the sets includes ratchets of a similar 72-tooth pear shape design.
DWMT71803: 1/4″ drive, $25 via Sears
DWMT71804: 3/8″ drive, $30 via Sears
DWMT71805: 1/2″ drive, $40 via Sears
Dewalt DWMT72160 23pc 1/4″ Socket Set
1/4″ Socket Sizes
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SAE: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 inch
Metric: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
Buy Now($40 via Sears)
Dewalt DWMT72161 25pc 3/8″ Socket Set
3/8″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16 inch
Metric: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
Buy Now($50 via Sears)
Dewalt DWMT72162 25pc 1/2″ Socket Set
1/2″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1, 1-1/16 inch
Metric: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22 mm
Buy Now($60 via Sears)
Dewalt DWMT72163 118pc Mechanics Tool Set
1/4″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 3/16, 1/4, 5/32, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 inch
Metric: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
Metric (Deep): 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
3/8″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 inch
Metric: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
Metric (Deep): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 mm
Ratchets, Extensions, Drive Accessories
1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets
1/4″ extensions: 3″, 6″
3/8″ extension: 3″, 6″
1/4″ and 3/8″ universal joints
Additional Tools
Combination wrenches: 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 10mm, 11mm, 13mm
28 hex keys
Buy Now($150 via Sears)
Dewalt DWMT72164 156pc Mechanics Tool Set
1/4″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 3/16, 1/4, 5/32, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 inch
Metric: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
Metric (Deep): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
3/8″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 inch
Metric: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
Metric (Deep): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 mm
Ratchets, Extensions, Drive Accessories
1/4″ and 3/8″ ratchets
1/4″ extensions: 3″, 6″, 10″
3/8″ extension: 3″, 6″, 10″
1/4″ and 3/8″ universal joints
1/4″ F x 3/8″ M adapter
3/8″ F x 1/4″ M adapter
Additional Tools
Combination wrenches: 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 10mm, 11mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm
28 hex keys
3/8″ spark plug sockets: 5/8″, 3/4″, 13/16″
3/8″ hex bit screwdriver sockets: 5/32″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm
3/8″ Torx screwdriver bit sockets: T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45
Buy Now($200 via Sears)
Dewalt DWMT72165 204pc Mechanics Tool Set
1/4″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 5/32, 3/16, 7/32, 1/4, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 3/16, 1/4, 5/32, 9/32, 5/16, 11/32, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2 inch
Metric: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
Metric (Deep): 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 mm
3/8″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16 inch
SAE (Deep): 1/4, 5/16, 3/8, 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16 inch
Metric: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19 mm
Metric (Deep): 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17 mm
1/2″ Socket Sizes
SAE: 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1 inch
SAE (Deep): 7/16, 1/2, 9/16, 5/8, 11/16, 3/4, 13/16, 7/8, 15/16, 1 inch
Metric: 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 mm
Metric (Deep): 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 24 mm
Ratchets, Extensions, Drive Accessories
1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ ratchets
1/4″ extensions: 3″, 6″, 10″
3/8″ extension: 3″, 6″, 10″
1/2″ extensions: 2.5″, 5″, 10″
1/4″, 3/8″, 1/2″ universal joints
1/4″ female x 3/8″ male adapter
3/8″ female x 1/4″ male adapter
1/2″ female x 3/8″ ale adapter
Additional Tools
Combination wrenches: 11/32″, 3/8″, 7/16″, 1/2″, 9/16″, 5/8″, 10mm, 11mm, 13mm, 14mm, 15mm, 16mm
28 hex keys
3/8″ spark plug sockets: 5/8″, 3/4″, 13/16″
3/8″ hex bit screwdriver sockets: 5/32″, 3/16″, 1/4″, 5/16″, 4mm, 5mm, 6mm, 7mm, 8mm
3/8″ Torx screwdriver bit sockets: T10, T15, T20, T25, T27, T30, T40, T45
Buy Now($300 via Sears)
The sets all appear to come bundled with blow molded cases:
The ratchets and all of these socket sets are available at Sears.com, possibly in stores well.
LG
I can’t fathom why SB&D thinks the world needs yet another cheap “brand” of lower-end mechanic tools.
More surprisingly, I can’t fathom why SB&D thinks THEY need another such brand!
Stuart
If there’s a market, there’s money to be made. I feel that mechanics tools are a bit out of place within the Dewalt brand, but at the same time they fit in logically between Stanley Black & Decker’s other brands’ mechanics tool lines.
Anthony V
ummm… no thanks stanley.even if they werent made in china(which i know they will be) ,theres too many other choices out there that i would feel better about than a rebadged stanley tool
Stuart
I don’t think they’re rebadged Stanley tools, but the Stanley hand tool team might have had a part in designing and developing the new tools.
matt
Working in maintenance I certainl cross platforms between mechanic and contractor style tools often. If these are packaged toward the contractors they stay put in a case, have a good case, ETC. I can see them being valuable.
Mechanic tools are often used by contractors to. got to keep junk running in a pinch.
mnoswad1
The watering down of the DeWalt brand continues. Not interested. I’d rather use Husky or Master-force than spend for this marketing gimmick.
I do like the allen key holder that folds open…….but I won’t buy a black allen key set again….they have to be silver or similar, too hard to see the small ones when you drop them.
fred
Some of us old-timers who own big 5HP – 3phase – 16 inch Dewalt RASs from the pre-AMF (I think AMF bought out Dewalt in the 1946) might say that the decline started even earlier. But from what I heard – when B&D acquired Dewalt from AMF (I think in the 1950’s) RAS competition really heated up and the tool was being marketed to homeowners as “the universal home tool. Dewalt had invented the RAS – and nearly every lumberyard in my neck of the woods had one. I heard that some or all of the Dewalt RAS production in the B&D era – was done in Italy and the saw was downgraded to compete for a broader audience – with Sear’s very popular Craftsman product.
Stuart
I wouldn’t call it a marketing gimmick, but the reasoning behind these products elude me.
When drafting the post, I thought about what makes these ratchets, sockets, and tool sets stand apart from competing models. What did Dewalt come up with that their competitors haven’t thought of? What makes these products better?
Nothing. They seem to be born from “me too” thinking, where SBD marketing types saw an opportunity for profit. That’s not necessarily bad for consumers, as it’s good to have choices.
As worthwhile as these tools might be, there are plenty of great ratchets, wrenches, and socket sets already out there. If these are made in the USA, which I doubt since the tools and packaging don’t seem to be marked as such, my feelings would be completely different.
mnoswad1
To my eyes the marketing gimmick is just that these ratchets have the DeWalt logo……and thats it. And thats the only reason people will buy them. DeWalt cant add anything new to the socket tool genre.
For example…..Milwaukee’s new hand tool line has some interesting new fangled/supposedly functional features that haven’t been seen before, or at least the design looks unique, therefore that entry into a new tool line makes sense. But how can any brand name add anything to socket sets? The engraving isn’t even a contrasting color.
Seems DeWalt may have accidentally hired some of the same people that used to work for Craftsman.
Stuart
To be fair, Milwaukee has more unique hand tool innovations because they’re designing their tools from the ground up and with a different mindset. Dewalt has the benefit of drawing from Stanley designs, leading to occasional resemblances. It’s hard to compare the two brands, but if I had to I would say that Milwaukee seems to be aiming to be more cutting edge with tools for specific trades and applications, and Dewalt seems to be aiming to offer a broader range of tough hand tools, with a couple being new and innovative.
I searched for any similarities between these new ratchets and current Stanley, Blackhawk, and Proto models, and could not find a close match. So they’re not exactly Stanley tools in Dewalt clothing, unless of course we see the same tools soon hitting the market under Stanley branding.
I do agree that there’s not a lot that can be added in terms of socket innovation these days. But then again a lot of brands come out with “me too” tools as it broadens their product lineups and offer additional options for customers. In the long run I don’t see this as a gimmick, provided that the tools perform well.
5acesdown
Well said Stuart
Douglas Martin
i went and bought a 204 piece set and hzlf of the sockets are not correctly marked or miked with a micrometer or checked
Anton
I’m guessing that Stanley is trying to cash in on the DeWalt name. Since it’s trusted for power tools, many contractors that might not use a whole lot of mechanics tools might grab a DeWalt set instead of a Craftsman or Husky ( who make mediocre/ questionable power tools).
Same reason Jeep slaps their name on anything ever made, It’s supposed to stand for tough and adventurous. It gives a slight edge over unknown and mistrusted competition.
JCC
In my humble opinion, selling these tools is a truly idiotic move on the part of Sears, unless their goal is to someday brand them with the Craftsman name. Otherwise, I have no idea why Sears would bring them into the store to compete with Craftsman.
If the DeWalt tools are U.S. made, then all Sears has done is downgrade their Chinese Craftsman tools in the eyes of their customers. Not real smart if we’re thinking long-term. If the DeWalt tools are Chinese made, but look nicer than the Craftsman tools, then they’ve also shortchanged Craftsman by selling what appears to be a better quality brand right next to their own house line. Also not a good long-term move.
Wouldn’t the more intelligent move (on Sears’s part) be to either upgrade the quality of Craftsman tools and return production to the U.S., or sell these DeWalt tools (or similar) under the Craftsman Professional line?
jesse
The Craftsman Industrial line is made in USA. Some industrial distributors carry the tools, but of course they are a lot more expensive than their Asian counterparts because of the cost of domestic manufacture and the distributors’ mark-up.
http://www.craftsman.com/craftsman-industrial/nb-120000000108320
Craftsman Industrial search at Grainger: http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/wwg/search.shtml?op=search&N=4293888665
leroy
I just got my 204 piece set and think they will be useful. This set is all 6 point, wrenches are 12, and have a nice feel. With out having to take the tool box with me, working on something away from home I think they will come in handy. Only wish the set included a few scewdrivers.
MrChow
TBH I’d rather get these over craftsman now the way that craftsman has been going. For the price there not bad. I know someone out there has tested these tools and there pretty good. The wrenches has a flank drive on it that did good job. The sockets were the same. I’ve looking for a nice travel set I’ve been eye these for a long time.
Terry holden
Are the cases worthwhile on the dewalt mechanics tools, someone commented, but I didn’t see a follow up. I was wondering about whether they’re useful or whether it just shuffles your sockets into a big heap inside the case.
James Lee
How many cost ? Tools
sean
the case is well made, tools stay locked in position during transportation.
Roy
Recently bought a 3/8 set of 25 pc. for $20 deal from sears. They seems to be made in Taiwan. Finishing is good. The sockets seems good. for $20 24 sockets(there is no missing numbers from 9-19mm) and ratchet of this quality finish is not a bad deal. normally it costs only the sockets of that many around $20 bucks – so the ratchet is basically free. It may not be a professional quality but for the money its a decent deal. Even Crapman is now a days made in china. So for the price this is a good set.
Frustrated Buyer
Well, I’ve had the 204 piece set for eight months. I can say with confidence this is an outstanding set. It’s the most complete set with case I’ve ever seen. Nothing even comes close! No filler crap like screwdriver bits that strip after one use or excessive number of hex wrenches. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve needed a socket size that would not be found in any other cased set. Wish they would have used reverse/ratcheting wrenches, but it is what it is. I am of the group of people who want as complete a set as possible. There is a demand. This 204 piece is now obsolete and no longer available. I would gladly pay a high premium for a premium set. I get so pissed none of the manufacturers will listen. Dewalt’s individual socket sets are unique. They have a swivel holder which is easy to pull out and place back without these falling out. Add that patented feature to a case and better snap clasps and I guarantee it will sell tens of thousands. If I had the money, I’d be buying the newer NAPA mechanics hand tools. I actually love them over everything out there.
Ben
I understand this is an old post, but I tend to agree with “Frustrated Buyer” as far as the quality of the 204 pieces set is concerned. I got one, and I’m very impressed by the overall quality/price. Being a homeowner with some basic needs, this is plenty enough for me, and it would still be enough if I was a contractor. Actually, those mechanic tools are exactly marketed to contractors who need a ratchet set occasionally. I understand mechanics may have a different take on this as they use their tools everyday, but for the contractor who has to install lag bolts, or equipment, they don’t need much fancy stuff.
It is also my understanding that Dewalt discontinued those earlier sets, and the new ones are apparently not as good as the first generation introduced. I hold this information from a former Dewalt employee, so if this is true, this is certainly quite deceiving.
That being said, I’m just happy that I got a great ratchet set at even a greater price. It will serve me well for my actual needs, and I don’t see myself upgrading in the future.