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PB Swiss Rainbows in SAE

Posted by 141drew Posted onApr 18, 2014 at 3:47 PM and filed under Reviews & Features
Updated onUpdated on May 28, 2021 at 11:37 AM


I’ve long admired the PB Swiss rainbow hex wrenches purely from an aesthetic standpoint, but as far as I knew they only came in metric sizes. I don’t do a lot of work in metric (I’m ‘murican), so I never gave them much thought. But last night I found that they are indeed making these in SAE now. This might be old news, but it was news to me!

Anyone have any experience with PB Swiss?


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M

MadMark

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This would be great for machinists and fabricators.

Most fabricators still use SAE cap head screws on this side of the pond.
 
P

psychob0b1977

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the rainbow ones are cool.

i have a set of pb swiss metric and sae, not the colored ones, and i think they are the best ones out there. super high quality.
 
4

4xdog

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Nice. The scientist in me woulda used the color sequence R O Y G B I V, but I like 'em anyway. Some of my favorite tools -- the ones reserved for bicycle use -- are PB Swiss.
 
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Hantke

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4xdog said:
Nice. The scientist in me woulda used the color sequence R O Y G B I V, but I like 'em anyway. Some of my favorite tools -- the ones reserved for bicycle use -- are PB Swiss.
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I agree, the OCD in me wanted R O Y G B I V!!!

I assume the doo-dad is the ball end? if so it lets you swivel similar to a universal joint (or a swivel socket, same thing)
 
4

4xdog

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Itinerant said:
It's the sequence of the hues in a rainbow.
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Exactly -- or, more technically, it's the mnemonic device for remembering the colors associated with the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, from highest wavelength (red) to lowest (violet).

R O Y G B I V is how we're taught how to keep it straight in beginning science classes. Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - Indigo - Violet. Typically pronounced Roy-gee-biv. As light is refracted by a prism or a raindrop, the shorter wavelengths are bent more, and this is what spreads the light into the component colors.

It woulda been kind of a inside joke to have red as the largest size hex wrench and violet as the smallest.

395px-Electromagnetic-Spectrum.svg.png
 
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D

Dave455

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I've got quite a few PB Swiss tools.

Started buying them probably 15 years ago after I was given some old ball hex drivers. Although they had obviously seen a load of use there was no noticeable wear and I was dead impressed!

I used to work in the armament industry in the U.K. and tools like pin punches and Allen keys get a lot of use. The P.B. Swiss, or P.B. Baumann as they used to be known, held up better than anything else I had used before, or have used since, and are without doubt my first choice if I need anything that they offer!

I met Max Baumann (the owner of the firm) a few years back and he is a true enthusiast. (He'd fit in well here). The level of research that the firm undertakes is awesome, and I learned a lot just from speaking to the guy!

The only downsides to the product range are, firstly, that the majority of their tools are metric. They do offer some imperial sizes (hex keys being one of them, 1/4 inch screwdriver bits being another) and where they do I would acquire them in preference to anything else! Secondly, many of their newer tools are designed more for the electronic industry and incorporate feature such as soft handles that are totally unsuitable for workshop use!

This can generally be got around, as there are more suitable products available in the catalogue! These rainbow coloured hex keys are an example! They do look good, but bear in mind that they are powder coated (I believe) and this will eventually wear off! I suspect the majority of contributers to this forum would be better served by their regular chrome plated lineup, which will have an awesome working life!

It's worth looking at the catalogue, if you can acquire one, or the website if you can't! There is some superb stuff in there. If you get nothing else, just get yourself a screwdriver, or a simple non ratcheting bit driver with a hard handle and see how it works for you! I suspect you will be back for more!
 
W

WWIIjeep

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4xdog said:
R O Y G B I V is how we're taught how to keep it straight in beginning science classes. Red - Orange - Yellow - Green - Blue - Indigo - Violet. Typically pronounced Roy-gee-biv.
Click to expand...

Or, if you prefer mnemonic devices built around a catchy phrase, you can use:

Rinse
Out
Your
Granny's
Boots
In
Vinegar
 
B

Biomed

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I have some PB Swiss screwdrivers, nutdrivers and ratcheting screwdrivers and have been pleased with them.

I am suprised that the PB Swiss rainbow set has ball drivers in the smallest sizes - many manufacturers do not offer ball drivers in the smallest sizes due to the increased possibility that the ball end might shear off.

Only concern I would have is warranty, especially with ball end tools. If I break an Eklind or Bondhus warranty is easy and local. PB Swiss really only has two USA distributors. If the distributors do not have it in stock you could wait 4-6 weeks for a warranty replacement.

Anyone warranty any PB Swiss stuff? Can the distributor do it or does the manufacturer/factory make the call?
 
S

sparky5982

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A friend of mine uses the PB Swiss metric at work, and they are the nicest hex wrenches I've ever used.

Tool Guyd covered these a little while back, and it looks like there's no 3/8" wrench in the set - it stops at 5/16. There's no way I'd pay $90 for a set of SAE hex wrenches and not get a 3/8. I'll stick with Bondhus and Wera, which are very nice also, just not quite as nice.
 
N

nicksnothereman

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RCStocker

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The Swiss make great tools and watch making tools. I really don't think anyone makes finder tools in the world. I have Swiss indicators I have been using for 60 years. I was a tool and die maker in my former life. I have used more hex wrenches in my life than I have a combination wrench. When you work with nuts, bolts and screws you know their size by looking at them. I think the coloured hex wrenches would be great. You know what size you need and you just pick it up.

There is only one problem with the Swiss wrenches. They are so pretty that I would not want to use them. LOL

I have some of their tools and they are all spot on.
 
Z

zkling

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PB swiss makes some awesome stuff. I wish the prices were a little more affordable to the common guy, but still awesome tools. They hammer head retention method is really clean.
 
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Jim C.

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RCStocker said:
........ I was a tool and die maker in my former life.......
Click to expand...

Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
 
J

jonathan75

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Here is a set I picked up when I was working in Canada. They sell it at Princess Auto for only $20. It even has a magnet built into the ball end.

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T

Trucky

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Jim, not a fan of Buddhism I see! :)

I would love if all my tools were PB Swiss (The ones they make, anyways. Dunno about a PB ratchet. Might approach or surpass SO prices), but I can't justify it. I have a few of their torx drivers that I got on clearance off of amazon and the US pb tools site for like 5$ a piece. And believe me, they are tough as nails and beyond. But again, only got them because they were cheaper. For hex keys, Bondhus has done me great. It took Rick, a 300 some pound dude with a 5 foot cheater to bend my 5/16ths wrench. (Tool holder as well). I'll take that any day. But there is no denying the quality that PB stuff just has.
 
C

Coach James

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Jim C. said:
Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
Click to expand...

I don't even know what that's all about and I couldn't help laughing.

Coach
 
Z

zkling

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Messages
16,939
Jim C. said:
Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
Click to expand...

Fantastic 1000th post. :beer: Although you forgot 12.) unassuming/humble. :spit:

Coach James said:
I don't even know what that's all about and I couldn't help laughing.

Coach
Click to expand...

Follow the guy's posts. He claims to have always been there done that, yet the ironic part is rarely are his posts accurate. :wtf:
 
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H

Hantke

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Jim C. said:
Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
Click to expand...

Trucky said:
Jim, not a fan of Buddhism I see! :)
Click to expand...
Aaaand that part made me laugh.

Coach James said:
I don't even know what that's all about and I couldn't help laughing.
Click to expand...
Agreed, Trucky pushed me just over the edge after reading that, not sure what it was all about, but I needed a laugh.

jonathan75 said:
Here is a set I picked up when I was working in Canada. They sell it at Princess Auto for only $20. It even has a magnet built into the ball end.

attachment.php
Click to expand...

How's the quality? They actually look pretty nice, and definitely a steal ago $20, i think i paid $20 for a ALLEN brand hex set, I assume ALLEN is the Leatherman of the hex wrench world, not the "best" (I assume some-one some-where has a solid titanium gold plated super hex wrench or some other ludicrously expensive set that works better) but built to be used every day.
 
B

bigd2203

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I purchased a PB Swiss pry bar from a garage sale. It sells new for $100. I payed the guy two dollars for it. The company produces top quality tools.
 
V

Vinko

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Ryan said:
Anyone have any experience with PB Swiss?
Click to expand...

If you search through the archives of this forum, you will find loads of reviews and experiences with PB Swiss over the past 5 years. Esp. about 3 years ago.

Esp. since a while ago they were blown out on amazon (and maybe some place out) at very good prices. I picked up a lot of great stuff (punches, chisels, hammers, etc). I bet they seized control of their distribution and really imposed restrictions on the way the pricing was displayed on the ‘net though. A high end company like this would want to.
 
J

jonathan75

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Hantke said:
How's the quality? They actually look pretty nice, and definitely a steal ago $20, i think i paid $20 for a ALLEN brand hex set, I assume ALLEN is the Leatherman of the hex wrench world, not the "best" (I assume some-one some-where has a solid titanium gold plated super hex wrench or some other ludicrously expensive set that works better) but built to be used every day.
Click to expand...

The quality is great. The fit, finish and feel is superb. You just want to sit and look at it because all the colors. It is the best set I ever had and it was only around $18 USD! The USD is strong now so we do good on the exchange rate in Canada.
 
W

woodrail

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Lorain, Ohio
Jim C. said:
Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
Click to expand...


Way to call the guy out! I'm sure that he feels great about himself now and you did a service to GJ!

You forgot to put a :D to make it all better!

:D
 
H

Hantke

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Messages
216
jonathan75 said:
The quality is great. The fit, finish and feel is superb. You just want to sit and look at it because all the colors. It is the best set I ever had and it was only around $18 USD! The USD is strong now so we do good on the exchange rate in Canada.
Click to expand...

Awesome, thanks! Still debating if i want colored hex's, but all blue metric / all red SAE would work just as well for me, choices... lots of choices! I need a new set starting a .050 inch, so i'm in the market. Thanks again!
 
C

chevelle67

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This is awesome, and I know what awesome is. I was an awesomeness appraiser when I worked for RCStocker setting up intergalactic teletype lines at a firm he owned.



Jim C. said:
Okay, so we should add tool and die maker to the list of things you've done professionally? Just off the top of my head, from what I can recall, this would be the list of things you've done...

1. Contractor
2. Thrift shop owner
3. Art dealer/appraiser
4. Farmer
5. Auctioneer
6. Architect
7. Millionaire
8. Know it all
9. Buy/sell used machinery
10. Real estate mogul
11. Tool and die maker

Did I miss anything? :dunno: I'm pretty sure there were a few other things. If we're including your hobbies too, then the list would also have rocket scientist, war hero, genius, inventor of all things necessary, and US diplomat to several foreign countries. Anything else?

Jim C.
Click to expand...
 
D

davethorik

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I like PB swiss tools but why wouldn't they offer a 3/8"? (at least i didn't see it). I am a machinist by trade and I work with 1/2 inch shcs extensively, so I'd need to buy an add on 3/8. Eklind or Bondhus are good at a lower price and they have all the sizes I need.
 
Y

yaidunno

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davethorik said:
I like PB swiss tools but why wouldn't they offer a 3/8"? (at least i didn't see it). I am a machinist by trade and I work with 1/2 inch shcs extensively, so I'd need to buy an add on 3/8. Eklind or Bondhus are good at a lower price and they have all the sizes I need.
Click to expand...

I was going to say the same thing. The set looks great...right up until you need a 3/8. From what i saw, they didn't even offer a single 3/8 for purchase.
 
A

ash

Member
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Sep 23, 2011
Messages
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I use them in the Metric size everday. Like any PB Swiss tools they are just fantastic. And i don`t just say that because i am from Switzerland. The Prices are here 65Dollar the set.

Albert
 
M

matt stott

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I have been using the PB hex wrenches (metric- rainbow) for about a decade now at work. The paint chips away around the heavy use areas, but the ends hold up better than any other wrench out there. I was going through 2-3 sets of hex wrenches/year before I got the PBs, and I have only replaced two of the PB wrenches in the last decade- good stuff.

While the engineer in me wants to see the ROYGBIV order, you really don't want adjacent tools to be close in color- it would be harder to tell them apart.

If you think $90/set is expensive, check out their titanium hex wrench set, at $390 for a ten piece set. (expensive, until you try working around linear motors and other giant-magnet-type assemblies with steel tools).

<a href="http://s4.photobucket.com/user/mstott/media/internet%20images/212LKTi_zps00c63ac2.jpg.html" target="_blank"><img src="http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y118/mstott/internet%20images/212LKTi_zps00c63ac2.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 212LKTi_zps00c63ac2.jpg"/></a>
 
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