Duralast is AutoZone’s private label brand for batteries, certain automotive parts, and tools. I don’t use Duralast tools, mainly because I built up my tool chest over time and don’t do the type of work where I might need specialty automotive tools beyond what I already have.
Here on ToolGuyd, tool coverage will typically focus on the tools we own, the tools we’re interested in, and the tools readers ask about most. Duralast doesn’t fit into the first two classifications, and only one reader ever has emailed in asking for more Duralast tool coverage.
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A few weeks ago someone from AutoZone emailed in and we started talking. They basically asked what it would take for Duralast tools to be featured on ToolGuyd. More specifically, they asked how to get Duralast coverage into ToolGuyd emails. I said:
The emails are drawn directly from ToolGuyd.com web content, so for Duralast to appear in the emails there would have to be web posts about the products. I currently do not place advertisements in any of the ToolGuyd newsletter formats.
I would happily consider featuring or covering Duralast products in a post, but such editorial content would have to be interesting for readers. Generally, this would be in the form of a new tool preview or hands-on tool review.
Posts are typically inspired by press releases and pitches; my own interests, research, or usage tendencies; or readers’ questions and requests. This is why Duralast hasn’t been featured before.
Answers to one or all of the following questions could help guide me to Duralast-related coverage ideas.
Are there any new unique tools coming to the Duralast product line?
What are some best-selling customer-favorite Duralast tools?
Are there any exceptionally good values unique to the Duralast line?Advertisement
I try to be accommodating. Just because we don’t use Duralast tools, don’t often think about Duralast tools, and don’t hear from readers telling us or asking about Duralast tools, doesn’t mean I’m not willing to talk about Duralast tools.
So, we started talking a bit, and it looks like there are some neat tools coming soon to AutoZone’s Duralast lineup. Some of them do look a little gimmicky, but from what I’ve seen this far they toe the line between innovation and gimmick to where I think the tools will actually be practical. You’ll see more about these tools later.
What I’m wondering is how many readers use Duralast tools, and what you think about that. Feel free to leave a comment, or you can also email me privately.
In order to help get me better acquainted with the Duralast product line, the AutoZone rep sent over a couple of links. Some of them had good info, and I’ll spend more time reading up on the brand before I’m ready to discuss the new tools.
Including in the reference info were links to two recent commercials, which promote Duralast batteries and brakes, and while they’re not at all tool related they were amusing enough that I’ll share them anyway.
http://youtu.be/HQAsvKE2E5A
http://youtu.be/8Q9aHLe1N5w
Now that you’re smiling and in a light mood, please tell me more about your experiences with Duralast tools!
Stan
Several years ago, I needed a 4mm socket and this was long before I started buying “real” tools but although this socket in question was imported, I believe Taiwan made, this wasn’t of horrid quality.
Definitely better than also imported Craftsman socket I had been using before.
As for their batteries, I’ve used those before and those are hit and miss. At least those have a decent enough warranty from what I remember.
Wish Autozone would choose some American manufacturers for hand tools, as while these tools would never be of Snap-On quality, would be nice to have a source for USA made tools as there is a Autozone near by.
Kyle
You mention Snap-On if you look at duralast ratchets they are a blatant, horrid copy of Snap-On ratchets, they have no interest in pro level tools. Instead they just make copies of them for use by the less than average diy guy. They are probably just good enough to preform emergency repairs in the parking lot
NCD
The first thing that caught my eye was.. Chuck Liddell. This alone could cause a negative impression, just my opinion. Also , what is he holding in his hand….. an adjustable, a glorified monkey wrench. People that use tools to make their living do not reach for an adjustable, rarely perhaps. Carry on…….JMHO.
Mike
Used some loaner tools from ORiley’s. (I know it’s not Duralast) It was a double flare tool set. It worked well. I was able to buy some brake lines and shorten them up for my travel trailer.
Loaner tools are deposit only. If you keep them in excess of 48 hours you pay for them. The double flare set was about $24.
Gary T.
Those commercials are entertaining. I’ve got a set of Duralast screwdrivers for the garage. They are about the quality of Craftman’s, maybe a little less. I got them because I liked the handles and they are easy to clean. I didn’t like the fit the #2 phillips head and used a grinder to make it fit screws better. Hey Stuart, if you get to talk to the Autozone guy again ask them if the Hi torque ratcheting screwdriver on their site is one of the new tools and why they listed it on the site if it is not available? Nothing is more of a turn off as a tool that you can’t buy, but they show it to you.
Stuart
This one? That’s not one of the few new tools that caught my eye. Might just be limited availability because it’s being replaced by something else.
Gary T.
That’s the one. It was the first time I had noticed it so I thought that maybe it was a new tool. I’m curious to see what new tools they have coming out.
Gilberto Arellano
The hi torque ratcheting screwdriver is one of the new tools that are about to hit our stores in 2 more weeks!
We apologize for the inconvenience, but should be available to ship home and in our stores in 2 more weeks. Thanks!
matt
Man those were both great commercials..
As far as duralast tools go.. Most of them are pretty decent certainly fine for any DIYer.. And IMO better then most of craftsman similar offerings at this point with a better price point..
I have used quite a few of them in a pinch on road work and some of them I have ended up using on a regular basis because they “work”…
No their not snap on but I dont really see them claiming to be either..
Toolfreak
The commericals are at least eye-catching, but are a lot of hype, not any facts or basis for the claims, but that’s modern marketing.
As for Duralast tools, they are ok as a house brand, some people do like their ratchets.
It would be nice if AutoZone was interested enough in promoting Duralast tools to have a giveaway on ToolGuyd – maybe something like giving away 50 Duralast 3/8″ drive ratchets, and a full 1/4″-3/8″-1/2″ 3-ratchet set to five winners – then all the winners write back on ToolGuyd to review the Duralast ratchet/ratchets against what they own now.
I also find it incredible that AutoZone is so interested in having it’s Duralast brand advertised on ToolGuyd – they don’t even care enough about it to promote it to their most loyal customers through their rewards card program. I’ve only received ONE promo mailer with coupons the whole time I’ve been enrolled (over a year now). At the very least, they could send out email coupons with $5 off 25/$10 off $50 coupons to encourage tool buyers to shop there. Maybe certain “free” items each month with the purchase of $99+ in Duralast tools could work, a free screwdriver set one month, a free specialty socket set the next.
You don’t really encourage people to buy your tools exclusively by just keeping them at full price all the time and thinking they will somehow buy them, when they can get more full lifetime warranty tools from your competition for way less.
DanG
Well I’d say that the commercials are extremely exaggerated and portray the tools tougher than they really are.
I’ve had to purchase the Duralast tools on several occasions. I’d be working on my 67 Mustang and my 68 Camaro (of which I no longer own any more) and one of my Craftsman tools would break and at that time I had a pretty good hike to get to Sears for a replacement so I’d trot right over to the auto store and purchase a replica which was a Duralast. Not a bad tool, at least it got the job done and did not break like the Craftsman did. Duralast also makes quite a few specialized tools that get the job done faster. A tool that you can’t find any where else.
About twenty five years ago I participated in a drawing in a Checker Automotive store and I think I got like third place in the drawing and won a complete Duralast Standard and Metric socket set. It was a nice set bet I think it got buried in my basement and never used. I’ll have to go on an Easter egg hunt and try to locate it some year. Duralast makes an OK tool but I would not let them dominate my tool box.
JohnnyFbomb
With Chuck Liddell, it should be called DuraLost!
Stan
I went into my local Autozone as I needed some supplies and I tried that wrench as this was a on a display. Not only was this made in China, but this tool had a very rough finish and was very difficult to manipulate as well.
According to the manager on duty, there have been several returns of this product.
Apparently there is a couple of Duralast branded items that partially USA made. At least made in USA of global and imported goods. These shanks are imported, but the handles are American made.
Stuart
Thanks for the notes, I hadn’t received a sample yet! I was hoping for better. =(
jeff thompson
i have purchased anduaed daily many duralast tools,sockets,ratchets,wrenches,02 sockets and none have dis-appointed me yet.they are a very well made tool and have held up to the daily use of a full time technician.i would highly recommend to anyone great tool and even greater price.
Chris B
Those commercials were great! Did he have his big toe nails painted????
The only time I’ve bought a Duralast tool was a 1-1/2″ socket I needed to beat in a transmission seal so I ran to the Autozone down the street. I’ve since used it on a wheel hub as well….It’s in one piece…sooo..yup.
Brian Smith
After spending a decade watching Craftsman’s quality sink into the dirt, a few years ago I thought I’d give them one more try. Not a single one of the tools I was shopping for there (Sears) was made in the USA, even though the “Made in USA” posters were all around the tool dept! End of Sears for me.
On the way home, I stopped into an AutoZone and found the socket I was looking for plus a set of metric ratcheting box wrenches. They were of the Duralast brand, made in Taiwan and the quality appeared to be at least the equal to the original Craftsman made in USA items.
The ratcheting box wrenches, in particular, were almost exquisite in feel and action. I’ve been using them a few years now and they’ve held up and haven’t disappointed one bit. I have noticed that an increasing number of Duralast tools are being made in China and are of noticeably lower quality, so last week I bought another set just to keep in reserve in case they become unavailable some day.
I enjoyed visiting this site and will bookmark it. I would like to see more country-of-origin info here though.
steve cox
So tired of the hearing how craftsman sucks now that they are made in china. In my opinion the quality at the end of the US production sucked, when it moved over seas it was hit or miss, some was good and some was bad. But in the last year the quality has improved, look at the plating you can tell a big difference in the last year.
Also we are talking about tools, just a piece of steel, about the lowest tech you can get. now look at where you computer is made.
aaron
well I’m an electrician and you know I was taught bye Klein Tools. then over the years I noticed how Klein screwdrivers really dropped in quality I went up in price. Not to mention just about every job I would have to buy 3 or 4 screw drivers just because somebody would grab mine.
one day I could not find a place to buy Klein screwdriver so stop at autozone bought me a set of Duralast I have had those Duralast for 9 years. Lol no one has taken them and I beat him to death and they still work great I had to take one back to Autozone. just wore it out laid it on the counter and the guy told me to go get another brand new one and that was it. Now I have the ratcheting box end wrenches. love them.I have no complaints with Duralast tools or return policy besides they’re not made in the USA unfortunately most klients, craftsmans are not either.
Will
Like the adjustable ratcheting wrench I mentioned a previous post, I bought a set of Autozone’s standard and metric offset ratcheting combination wrenches out of intrigue.
They’re made in Taiwan. The chrome, minus a few light scratches likely from transport or handling, is bright and nearly flawless compared to the Husky, non-U.S. made Craftsman and GearWrench wrenches I’ve seen in my local Sears, which have a wavy and/or cloudy finish to their mirror polish. When examining the joints where the handles meet the jaws and box ends, the forging appears to be much more consistent and smooth, on par at least with my older U.S. made Craftsman wrenches.
There was only one set each of the Duralasts on the shelf, so I didn’t have anything to compare them to.
The open ends are flat and don’t have any of the newer grip features like WrightGrip, though I don’t intend to compare these to Wright or other industrial brands. The ratcheting box ends are offset at 13 degrees (I checked with a protractor and they’re pretty consistent). The reverse toggles generally switch smoothly … a couple are somewhat rough, but I suspect they will smooth out with use.
I can’t speak to the quality of the steel used in their construction, or to how well the chrome will hold up, but the fit and finish in my opinion is very nice. I assume, as with most store brand tools, that if I don’t abuse them they’ll probably hold up well-enough.
I got these mostly out of intrigue and haven’t yet had cause to use most of them extensively. But on first glance and with minimal use, they appear to be generally well-made tools that the average person could satisfactorily use.
Paul Griffith
I have a set that includes 1/2, 3/8, and 1/4 set that I have had and used for over a decade. It has 3 ratchets, one of each size, metric and sae. It covers a good bit of what you need a set for. The chrome finish is tough, no rust and not as scratched up as I think they should be after over a decade of use.
I’m not a pro just a diy guy and do most of the work on 1 to 4 vehicles. Say what you will about duralast, they have served me well. The ratchets are smooth and still work very well. The sockets fit bolts & nuts well enough although the fit could be a bit could be a little tighter. All the same I can count the number of rounded off bolts on one hand with a couple fingers left over. I can afford snapon or matco but performance is what counts. I see no reason to change. In my opinion they’re good tools at a fair price.
PS. I’ve never had one break or bend on me.
Edward Davis
I came across this platform out of concern that Autozone might discontinue their Duralast line of tools and the lifetime replacement warranty might be null and void by just lack of replacement. I noticed the Duralast tool isle is shrinking rapidly and slowly being taken over by “OEM” brand that doesn’t have a very good warranty and might as well not have one at all. Let’s not get into the pun. LOL
Anyway, Sears Craftsman hand tools have really declined in quality and I was looking for a suitable replacement. I bought a Duralast ratchet about 10 years ago and I really love it. I pull wrenches regularly and it’s my go to 3/8ths ratchet. I was hoping to switch to Duralast tools.
I too have been building up my tool box with Duralast tools. They have been getting me out of a pinch quite a bit lately now that there are fewer Sears around. The quality overall is good. I haven’t had any issues with slipping due to fitment and none have broke to date. I like the feel and durability of the chrome finish. They’re great for me. I just hate to invest a lot of money and find out later their being discontinued.
If anyone knows anything about the future of Duralast tools please share. I’m a low budget mechanic and I’d really appreciate some reassurance or knowledge to make a sound decision.
Stuart
I haven’t heard anything about OEM Tools taking over for Duralast, and a quick search doesn’t turn up much else. I find this surprising. Maybe it’s just a temporary shift or regional testing.