Tools from the old world

[superautobacs]

@Monte,

I still like that Rastoflex of yours!
Ok, maybe it's the nut-grip socket then (?)....you know, I recall seeing a picture of that Ko-ken-like socket on a European tool brand...I just can't remember which brand it was. ....it's bugging me now.

Gedore socket...
even the new profile looks good. I think they studied the profile and did their homework. Have you noticed how some brands (cheap ones especially) have very well "sculpted" corners, with sharp edges? I try to stay away from them.

[UK Steve]

Originally Posted by Monte

@superautobacs:
The former Carolus employee to whom i spoke with said that the (flex head) ratchets were from Taiwan (The ratchet head) and from Germany (the handle - made by Gedore also before they owned the carolus company). So maybe the patent was for "Nut Grip" sockets which were once offered by Carolus similar to the Koken version but with a "band" around the socket like on bit holders instead of a "wire" like the Koken ones (iirc). Couldn`t find a original pic but you get the idea:




Carolus "Rastoflex" . Other versions are "Conterflex" and "Readyflex"



I like the translation !! Fruit skin !

Yes the socket is a old school non unit/flank drive socket. Just 6 straight flats.
The newer ones look like this:



old one:



I also have a couple of Hazet impact sockets which are still made the old fashioned way without "cut away corners".



@Dave:
Here are the recommendations by Rennsteig: click

Is it me,, or is the sq dr not centered on those sockets??

[UK Steve]

Originally Posted by superautobacs

@Monte,

I still like that Rastoflex of yours!
Ok, maybe it's the nut-grip socket then (?)....you know, I recall seeing a picture of that Ko-ken-like socket on a European tool brand...I just can't remember which brand it was. ....it's bugging me now.

Gedore socket...
even the new profile looks good. I think they studied the profile and did their homework. Have you noticed how some brands (cheap ones especially) have very well "sculpted" corners, with sharp edges? I try to stay away from them.

BETA do the same bit holder in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" drive (made by Ko-ken)
bit holder.jpg

[superautobacs]

Originally Posted by UK Steve

BETA do the same bit holder in 1/4, 3/8 & 1/2" drive (made by Ko-ken)
Attachment 44713

Yup, Ko-ken does supply Beta with ratchets as well....in exchange for some Italian wrenches.

What Monte and I are referring to is this style of nut-holding socket:


For those that are curious...
It uses a spring clamp instead of Ko-ken's spring wire. Another difference is that this type apparently holds the fastener tighter than the spring wire type. This is acheived through the clamp's ablility to move on the shaft, allowing the clamp to spring more force onto the ball for greater retention.

[Monte]

Originally Posted by superautobacs

@Monte,

I still like that Rastoflex of yours!
Ok, maybe it's the nut-grip socket then (?)....you know, I recall seeing a picture of that Ko-ken-like socket on a European tool brand...I just can't remember which brand it was. ....it's bugging me now.

Gedore socket...
even the new profile looks good. I think they studied the profile and did their homework. Have you noticed how some brands (cheap ones especially) have very well "sculpted" corners, with sharp edges? I try to stay away from them.

Do you mean "Wurth" ? I once posted a pic here. Here`s the link click They look like the Koken Nut-Grip sockets.
Yeah i once saw one of these sockets with a flat hex and "drilled corners". But the sharp edge will prolly be rounded off soon after using it often if it`s a cheap socket But for me also the old style sockets work...

from the Wurth page:



@UK Steve:
in fact there is a about 0,2mm difference measured from the inside of the square to the outside of the socket. I also measured the pictured noname spline socket which has a difference of about 0,15mm .Do you have koken sockets at home ?? I never feeled that there is something out of round while turning the ratchet/socket !? Time to measure other sockets




Some Beta impact sockets are also from koken. The koken Bitholders are nice, i have a 3/8 to 5/16" and 1/2" to 5/16" (came with the impact driver) bitholder..
perfect fitment..no gap ...

@superautobacs:
yes thats how the Carolus sockets did look too .. (iirc )
What manufacturer is that ?

[Monte]

@chreese:
Do you know who is the manufacturer of these "Garant" L-Keys with metal ball retainer ??
"Made in Germany" is on the holder.




Anybody already tried these ratcheting screwdrivers from PB swiss ?? They look good....

[superautobacs]

Originally Posted by Monte

Do you mean "Wurth" ? ...

I don't think it was that...I'm not so sure. ...but that's certainly a Ko-ken Nut-grip socket there.

Originally Posted by Monte

Some Beta impact sockets are also from koken. The koken Bitholders are nice, i have a 3/8 to 5/16" and 1/2" to 5/16" (came with the impact driver) bitholder..
perfect fitment..no gap ...

I have the 1/2" set and it sure is a nice peice of equipment.


The manufacturer is FPC (Flash Tool Co.)
I forgot....there's also Tone that makes a nut-holding socket:

[superautobacs]

Monte,

The holder for those hex keys are definately Wiha, but I'm not sure about the keys themselves as they offer the type with a ring for retaining purposes:



I want to try out the PB rat. driver, but I wish I can try it out in my hands first.

[Chreese]

Originally Posted by Monte

@chreese:
Do you know who is the manufacturer of these "Garant" L-Keys with metal ball retainer ??

Sorry, I don't know. You might like to have a look at Bondhus.

Chreese

[Monte]

hey thanks superautobacs !! Then i guess its Wiha. Maybe they have a deal/contract to supply the keys first to Garant and then after a year or so to the public. Wiha also have colored Hex keys like PB but they`re not on their site but i found a PDF with them and also HaFu has coloured hex keys but also not on their site.
Wiha on page 8 click

Hafu:


@chreese:
yeah but i thought a metal ball is better since it is used on ratchets and extensions forever and will not wear. "Anex" from Japan has a similar system like Bondhus while "Asahi" from japan also has a metal ball.



@superautobacs: To try them first would be nice and to feel the ratcheting but i only can get the PB stuff via mailorder

[superautobacs]

Monte,

Interesting take on how the OEM might wait for an "official" release under their own name.
Being that it's not Hafu, I checked out AMF and they don't offer anything either. Any other key manufacturers in Europe?

Interesting you brought up Asahi's Daxkey and Catcher wrenches.....I was thinking what if Garant's set was actually a Japanese product.



[EDIT] In the Forum advertisment, there's a Carolus set on sale and there's a Readyflex ratchet in there...are these current production or NOS?

[Monte]

Yes i also first thought that they were from Asahi but then i spotted the "made in Germany" on the holder. I don`t know.... Japanese hex keys in an german holder....hmmm i thought..... But you convinced me they`re from Wiha, Wiha holder , Wiha keys. Next time i should check the holders...lazy monte.....
I talked to a sales rep from Kukko (puller manufacturer) they sold a set of windshield wiper pullers exclusively to VW dealerships for a year. Now they are also available to the public. There are also special tools and socket sets made just for VW for example from Hazet and a special set from Stahlwille for aluminium body repair with red handles. Also not available for the public only VW.



edit: yes the carolus stuff is still in production: click a link with 1/4 ratchets as example with prices. The earlier round head ratchets had no plastic ring on top of the disc though.

Carolus at the Gedore site click

[Monte]

ok foud the VW tools page again: Link

some examples:

special set from Stahlwille to work on the VW Lupo 3 Liter car
Red handles to use only on aluminium parts:



special screwdriver from Hazet (250mm long) for VW cars with carburetor (idle adjustment)



special punch tool for Alumium cars (Audi A2, A8) from Hazet:



VW special tool for the compressor of the air condition








special socket set for VW by Hazet, also not available normally.



Torx bitholder



special pliers from Stahlwille for the roof of the Audi A2



special pliers from Hazet to remove the ignition lock



special scissors from Löwe for cutting hoses ( air suspension repair VW Tuareg)



Air restraint system pliers (repair of side "Airbags" Audi A4 + A8)



for ear clamps



relay pliers



new developed brake line flare tool for 5,25 mm brake lines



coil compressor from Klann for armored Audi A8 models




special puller from Kukko for the VW Crafter van (transmission repair)



special torque wrench from Carl Walter for cylinder head repair

[Monte]

just found the customer magazine from my car parts distributor in the p.o. box
with a advertisement of Kukko T-handle nutdrivers for triangular bolt heads on Bosch diesel pumps




@superautobacs:
hex key manufacturers besides AMF, Wiha, Wera, Hafu, Witte are Wuro/Athlet, USH , Schilt, SKG
Facom makes them and there is a company in Holland but coulnd`t find the site.
I also don`t know if they are all real manufacturers or just rebadged. A lot of the AMF stuff for example looks like it`s from Hafu: click screwdrivers and T-handles e.g.

The folding "Foldex" hex keys from Hafu you find also in the USH catalog and from AMF for example, the T-handle you`ll also see in the USH catalog.
The pictured blue box is patented by Hafu (the white hex is the button to open it) so you can identify even more Hafu customers like "Format", "Promat" and "Holex. The green "Fablex" holder you`ll also see often.

[Moose-LandTran]

Mmmm... VW tools...

[UK Steve]

@Monte:
in fact there is a about 0,2mm difference measured from the inside of the square to the outside of the socket. I also measured the pictured noname spline socket which has a difference of about 0,15mm .Do you have koken sockets at home ?? I never feeled that there is something out of round while turning the ratchet/socket !? Time to measure other sockets

I can hardly see the keyboard never mind 0.2mm, I think it's maybe an optical ollusion with the hex & the sq drive in view.
I do have Ko-ken sockets at home as I work from home.....


Ko-ken have dropped the Italian wrenches from the catalogue. I have some somewhere and they are terrible.

If you go through the Beta & Facom catalogue you would be amazed what Ko-ken produce for them.

[Monte]

Originally Posted by Moose-LandTran

Mmmm... VW tools...

only the tools or also the cars ?

Originally Posted by UK Steve

If you go through the Beta & Facom catalogue you would be amazed what Ko-ken produce for them.

That what was mentioned above and what else ?? impact sockets .....??




Grip-on plugweld pliers

[Monte]

I thought Hazet makes nice "Bowtie" style wrenches until i found this one from KBS kobayashi.

The japanese chevy bowtie wrench:

[superautobacs]

Chevy Bowtie wrench ...

How do such rare(?) wrenches end up in Germany? Flea market find?

[MD11]

Monte, lots of nice stuff... I love my German made tools as much as my American ones.. Swiss, UK, all of them... So long as it's not China!

I'll post pics of my extensive Knipex and Wiha collection one of these days... once I get all my tools re-assembled after my theft.