Teng Tools on UK show "wheeler dealers"

[billymade]

I've been enjoying watching a show from Discovery UK called "Wheeler Dealers" on the new cable tv channel called Discovery Velocity; I always watch closely, what brand of tools that are used in shows such as this. I appreciate the show; it is more technical then Top Gear and gives you more a sense of how things are in the UK automotive scene with meeting local people, enthusiasts, dealers, parts and tuning shops.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wheeler_Dealers

http://www.discoveryuk.com/web/wheeler-dealers/

http://www.mikebrewer.tv/

http://velocity.discovery.com/tv-shows/wheeler-dealers

A couple of things I noticed from the chap doing the mechanical work:

1. All the tools seem to be Teng; I wonder if they provided the tools for the classic "product placement" scheme.

2. He doesn't use air tools much; the only one I see is a 1/2" impact (couldn't ascertain the brand).

3. The Teng seem to have decent size rollaway tool boxes and the tools look pretty good.

Questions for our UK mates:

1. Are Teng Tools popular and readily available in the UK?

2. What are the costs and quality compared to other brands, are they considered professional grade tools?

3. Do you think techs in the UK use more hand tools and less air tools?

I have seen other BBC based auto restoration shows and I did see some King **** tools being used (e.g. Mark Evans "Is Born" series of shows) what do you think, average techs are using at this point?

I appreciate any and all comments; I have never seen Teng here in the USA, much less handled any... they definitely, have a German style and finish to them. Thoughts?

After looking at the website; it seems they are based out of Sweden; offering Swedish design and Taiwanese production... interesting combo!

Corporate propaganda: " Only Teng Tools offers Swedish design and dependability of Taiwanese production at costs competitive enough to please price conscious professional users all over the world"

Teng Tools:

http://www.tengtools.com/

 

[ZRX61]

Chiwanese imports, on par with Craftsman etc

 

[zuk123]

Edd China has said in other seasons that he uses simpler tools on the show than he would if he were working for himself. He stated that he wants the backyard guys to feel like they can get a lot done without expensive (or extensive) tools.

I like the show, and even my wife likes it. They did another show where Mike sold cars and talked about them, while Edd helps someone 'sort out' their used car for sale. There were some good tips in that show too.

There was a previous thread here about the show. Quite a fanbase on GJ.

(and also some comments that Mike Brewer is nothing but a jumped up schemer who talks alot...)


zuk

 

[Rico.]

Teng in England are readily availiable and and priced in the upper middle of the tool ladder.
When I was researching tools allot of the UK forums mentioned Teng as very good quality
at a reasonable price. Some would argue that they are professional grade... I would not be
one of those people. Very few people complained about breakages though.

They have an awful finish to them as well, it's a kind of horrible matt finish and IMHO makes
them look cheap, but this opinion is all in the eye of the beholder, because there are people
who like the finish.

I have bought a few Teng tools though... A set of screwdrivers and a set of vice grips, and
they are strong and holding up just fine. I haven't used the screwdrivers much, as I have
a large set of 20+ Facom's that I prefer.


Teng Tools obviously sponsers Wheeler Dealers and Edd did not buy their tools with his own
money... Some of his own tools are Facom, Snap On, Britool, Draper Expert... His parts
washer is a cheap and cheerful Clarke unit, and his Vice is an old English Record.

I do love that show, I have been a fan of it since it first came on the air 2003 and
more than that, it was an inspiration for me to do as much as I could on my own car,
which then led me to build my little DIY workshop and to build a nice tool collection.

 

[billymade]

Rico, would love to see a thread; showing your tools, workshop and your own car. From looking through the catalog; I question the "designed in Sweden specifically, allot looks like OEM ROTAR Taiwan stuff to me but I could be wrong. The matte finish seems to be the choice of finish on most of the ROTAR oem tools that I have seen (matte that seems to be the preference for German made tools, maybe they think this adds a cache of quality to their tools: e.g. stahwille, hazet, etc.). ROTAR must be doing quite well; their tools are sold by so many brands all over the world, it amazes me! I can only imagine that they really have a great OEM dept and they must be very affordable for all these companies to have them produce their tools! Many here have even said that they think Facom has them make many of their tools now; I have a couple of TOPTUL pieces and was not impressed with how the ratchet ended up wearing in a pro environment but what do you expect for the prices?

 

[FLRover]

I still can't get over the ******* beating the cross member out of the Range Rover Classic. I guess the hydro frame spreader from Harbor Freight hasn't made it across the pond yet?

 

[Sick Puppy]

Teng in NZ were touted as professional tools - similar to King Tony, Kincrome, Sidchrome in terms of price and quality. As has been mentioned before, the finish on their sockets etc., is... unique to say the least, which is why I don't like them.

Having said that though, reviews from various forums etc indicate they are pretty sturdy. I have a set of their screwdrivers and a mini ratchet / bit set, and they are good to use.

 

[Rico.]

Hey Billy, I did take a few crappy mobile phone pics of just My Facom tools and
of my teeny workshop. It was quite ironic really that just as I was finishing
getting my tools and shop together the Head gasket on my MK3 Toyota Supra
Turbo blew. I always did my own oil changes and stuff like that but I have
never attempted anything like a head gasket before. But as I had my tools
I decided to give it a go. It's quite a complicated engine to strip for a first time
effort, but with the help of the good people on the forums and lots of reading
of the Toyota Manual I managed it and it felt amazing when I turned the key
for the first time after the rebuild and the old girl burst into life.

I also refurbed the wheels and mopped and polished the bodywork. It turned
out pretty good. I have since done suspension changes and my sisters Timing
belt and all have been successful. Plus the usual services and brakes. Here are
a few pics of the Workshop, the Facom tools and the Supra....
If you want me to remove the pics from your thread just let me know.



DSC00366




DSC00365




Facom 1/4" & 3/8" Drive Socket Sets




Facom 1/2" Drive Socket Set




Facom 6mm - 24mm Reversable offset Ratchet Spanners and Flare nut Spanners




Facom 6mm - 19mm Straight, Stubby and Flex Head Ratchet Spanners




Facom 6mm - 24mm Offset and Half Moon Spanners



Facom Protwist Screwdrivers




Facom Pliers and Cutters




Facom 4mm - 34mm 440 series spanner set




SANY0053




SANY0076




SANY0084




04s2

 

[ZRX61]

His parts washer is a cheap and cheerful Clarke unit,

Someone needs to drop by his shop & show him where the power switch is...

 

[FJ 432]

Hey Billy, I did take a few crappy mobile phone pics of just My Facom tools and
of my teeny workshop. It was quite ironic really that just as I was finishing
getting my tools and shop together the Head gasket on my MK3 Toyota Supra
Turbo blew. I always did my own oil changes and stuff like that but I have
never attempted anything like a head gasket before. But as I had my tools
I decided to give it a go. It's quite a complicated engine to strip for a first time
effort, but with the help of the good people on the forums and lots of reading
of the Toyota Manual I managed it and it felt amazing when I turned the key
for the first time after the rebuild and the old girl burst into life.

I also refurbed the wheels and mopped and polished the bodywork. It turned
out pretty good. I have since done suspension changes and my sisters Timing
belt and all have been successful. Plus the usual services and brakes. Here are
a few pics of the Workshop, the Facom tools and the Supra....
If you want me to remove the pics from your thread just let me know.

Rico, great tools and boxes and a very nice shop indeed but I'm in love with your Supra.

 

[allinon72]

I still can't get over the ******* beating the cross member out of the Range Rover Classic. I guess the hydro frame spreader from Harbor Freight hasn't made it across the pond yet?

That's part of the reason I like the show...he does most everything by hand just as most people would in the garage. He seems to have things like air tools but rarely uses them. It's annoying to watch a car show and see them bring out a $5,000 tool that no normal DIYer would ever have access to.

 

[Roverbo]

After looking at the website; it seems they are based out of Sweden; offering Swedish design and Taiwanese production... interesting combo!

Corporate propaganda: " Only Teng Tools offers Swedish design and dependability of Taiwanese production at costs competitive enough to please price conscious professional users all over the world"

Teng Tools:

http://www.tengtools.com/

Hi Billymade,
allthough i´m danish, I do some travelling in Sweden, and frequently visits swedish toolshops and box-stores... Well, just my observations:
Teng tools are very offensive in their marketing. They are the sponsors of racing teams, motor clubs and the like. Lots of Teng banners at the raceways.

Teng is sold like a premium brand, and are often the "top-notch" in stores. Often a box store has their own private label (china stuff), and then Teng.

Honestly, i haven´t got much experience with the tools myself. I own a ½" ratchet, which is quite good, but feels (too) heavy. I always prefer my Koken or my Gedore ratchet. The finish is OK, buy not as good as german tools.

So why is Teng a succes in a "tool country" like Sweden? They are premium-priced, an i think they filled the gap, when Bahco moved production of ratchets and spanners to the east. Strange though, that the gap wasn´t filled by the german brands - maybe they didn´t see it coming? Or maybe the shops was just offered a better profit margin from Teng?

 

[richfinn]

I,ve got a few Teng tools in my humble collection and I think they are pretty decent value for money, no shiny chrome more like your typical Euro finish.

I would put them on a par with Gearwrench if my serpentine belt kit is anything to go by

 

[gpalmer77]

I once thought that some of Ed China's sockets resembled a Newsome set I bought in the UK when I first started wrenching. I've posted here before to see if there are any opinions on its quality, but never got much back..... my Newsome set is still my go to set for most automotive work. Thinking about trying to pick up another set when I go back to England for a visit in May.

I've picked up some great tips from Ed China, particularly those that help you get by without the super-expensive tools.

Those who say Mike Brewer is a little obnoxious should read about his background, he used to be a used car salesman. His early shows were about the used car industry and the tricks they played on unsuspecting customers. He wasn't popular within his industry when he did this. He can be a bit of a tool sometimes, but overall I like him.

My wife wants me to grow and style my hair like Ed China.

 

[netcaretaker]

Congrats on the head repair, they are not really that hard once you get into them. I know the feeling about being in over your head (hehe), I rebuilt a 6 cylinder radial air compressor and once I got it apart I was like "holy ****, I am never getting that thing back together"

Nice shop!

 

[Hawk321]

worked alot with Teng because my old employer supplied me with them...bit sockets broke fast, bad design with the impact sockets, screwdrivers are the same quality like the cheap cmans.
Some sockets have no groove inside the square and the standard 1/4" bits...like those 100pc for 1$ sets...
All in all...no, they are not professional in my opinion.

@Rico

How are those workbenches? Seen them on the ebay uk marketplace for some pounds...worth the money???

 

[N.I.]

Teng would be mid range and would be fairly popular here. A fair few motor factors seem to stock them.

Their hard line stuff is grand - sockets, wrenches etc. I do like their bit sockets and find that they hold up well. I like the finish on them, but it is just personal taste. I try and avoid polished chrome.

Their ratchets are nasty.

I wouldn't recommend anything beyond their hardline tools. They seem to be hit and miss. There are better more trustworty alternatives for similar money.

 

[N.I.]

I once thought that some of Ed China's sockets resembled a Newsome set I bought in the UK when I first started wrenching. I've posted here before to see if there are any opinions on its quality, but never got much back..... my Newsome set is still my go to set for most automotive work. Thinking about trying to pick up another set when I go back to England for a visit in May.

Someone local to me sells Newsome tools and I have a catalogue. As far as I can tell they are just rebranders/importers, so quality depends on whoever the original manufacturer was. The sockets they are selling at the moment look to be the same as the Sealey stuff.

worked alot with Teng because my old employer supplied me with them...bit sockets broke fast

Interesting that you mention that their bit sockets break fast. I have their 3/8 non-impact ones - torx, security torx and hex bit sockets and have had no problems yet. So far any seized fastener had just rounded its head. The bit sockets have taken no hurt.

Are these the ones you mean and were they replaced under warranty?

 

[SCscoutguy]

That show has been on a while now actually. There have been a bunch of threads here on the GJ about Ed China and the Teng Tools he uses on the show in the past.

 

[rambo19]

Teng tools are quite popular here in the UK.

When ed changed the crossmember on the range rover, he did it the way most home mechanics do it. However, over here, we are starting to use a bottle jack for the same purpose.

 

[Rico.]

Rico, great tools and boxes and a very nice shop indeed but I'm in love with your Supra.

Thanks, sadly I had to sell the Supra once I had finished her to help fund equipment
for my new business. The new owner just text me a few weeks ago 18 months after
I he bought it to let me know it's still going fine 6,500 miles later. I was pleased to say
the least.

Congrats on the head repair, they are not really that hard once you get into them. I know the feeling about being in over your head (hehe), I rebuilt a 6 cylinder radial air compressor and once I got it apart I was like "holy ****, I am never getting that thing back together"

Nice shop!

Thanks, I spent weeks doing the repair... I just took my time labeled everything up and
took loads of digital pictures as a memory aid and just tried to enjoy it. I did have a few
Holy **** moments though.

 

[Rico.]

@Rico

How are those workbenches? Seen them on the ebay uk marketplace for some pounds...worth the money???

My benches are actually the fairly inexpensive ones you can get from Machine Mart, but I
have higly modified them. I first bolted them together and then bolted them to the walls using
dozens of bolts, then I bought a giant piece of 25mm Marine ply for the bench tops and cut
and sanded to fit, then screwed to the top from underneath.

For the overhead lights I used a standard piece of timber, mounted risers to it and then
fitted six kitchen style thin under cabinet lights and wired them all in together. The whole
thing is as solid as a rock and worked out very cost effective.

 

[gpalmer77]

Someone local to me sells Newsome tools and I have a catalogue. As far as I can tell they are just rebranders/importers, so quality depends on whoever the original manufacturer was. The sockets they are selling at the moment look to be the same as the Sealey stuff.

Interesting. I did find a website selling a 3/8" drive metric set almost exactly the same as one I bought 12 years ago, so maybe I should buy it and have it shipped to my old man. The ratchet itself looks identical, and the one I have has been through a lot, still super smooth. It is a 6pt socket set, goes up to 22mm which is nice for the BMWs I work on.

 

[Hawk321]

Are these the ones you mean and were they replaced under warranty?

@NI

yes, replaced but I had to many problems with them...perhaps the dealer ***** to much with his ******** he talks.

In one drawer I had my personal tools...WERA bits, Snapon ratchets and impacts...much better.
Specially the bits are the worst thing I ever used (Teng).

And than the pliers...omg what kind of junk compared to knipex.

Teng is only popular due to the wheeler dealer show...thats it. Product placement...funny how the people react on it.
But I don't see Ed China (his name speaks for himself) as a high skilled tech. Maybe he is and plays only the DIY guy.

 

[Jagmandave]

My wife wants me to grow and style my hair like Ed China.

What style is that? Sticking out from every direction like a deranged Dagwood?

Most of the time his hair looks greasy and nasty to me.......not that's there's anything wrong with that.....

What I think is fun is when poor old Edd tries to get into some of these tiny British cars, they were not designed for a guy 6'8" tall!

 

[N.I.]

Interesting. I did find a website selling a 3/8" drive metric set almost exactly the same as one I bought 12 years ago, so maybe I should buy it and have it shipped to my old man. The ratchet itself looks identical, and the one I have has been through a lot, still super smooth. It is a 6pt socket set, goes up to 22mm which is nice for the BMWs I work on.

I take it you mean the set on the bottom left-

The sets in the blow moulded cases certainly look like Sealey. The set in the metal case is different though and I have no idea about it. The ratchet I assume is a Facom based design.

The plice list from 2010 states £18.59 (exc vat) for the set.

 

[N.I.]

@NI

yes, replaced but I had to many problems with them...perhaps the dealer ***** to much with his ******** he talks.

In one drawer I had my personal tools...WERA bits, Snapon ratchets and impacts...much better.
Specially the bits are the worst thing I ever used (Teng).

And than the pliers...omg what kind of junk compared to knipex.

Teng is only popular due to the wheeler dealer show...thats it. Product placement...funny how the people react on it.
But I don't see Ed China (his name speaks for himself) as a high skilled tech. Maybe he is and plays only the DIY guy.

I ashamedly downloaded and watched my first episode of Wheeler Dealers tonight. Never had access to it on TV and never thought to download it.

There are certainly some rather staged close ups of the Teng Tools. It is hard to know how much is staged overall and how much work the 'presenters' have actually done. They only seem to show the glamorous side.

Personally I have never been tempted to purchase any Teng Tools beyond the bit sockets (most of which were picked up off eBay at an unresistable price). Pliers, screwdrivers certainly aren't cheap and I don't see any reason why you would buy them over well known alternatives (Felo, Wera, Knipex).

Its funny, if you have a search on the internet it is hard to find a real bad review of Teng Tools, and anyone I have talked to have said Teng is decent enough. However, anyone who reads your posts will now think twice .

Either clever marketing or you have had a real bad dealer (or a combination).

 

[gpalmer77]

I take it you mean the set on the bottom left-

The sets in the blow moulded cases certainly look like Sealey. The set in the metal case is different though and I have no idea about it. The ratchet I assume is a Facom based design.

The plice list from 2010 states £18.59 (exc vat) for the set.

Middle left, item 2 I think, SKS3826..... I found it from centralcarproducts.co.uk for about GBP35, my Dad is gonna see if he can get it.

Not sure why I go to this set all the time, it doesn't stand out in visible quality, but it feels nice to use, and as I mentioned, it has taken a pounding (when I first started wrenching.... the rubber grip was nice to pound on with a hammer!) I did break the u-joint, but that was from using it in an application that it was never gonna survive. Oops.

 

[gpalmer77]

What style is that? Sticking out from every direction like a deranged Dagwood?

Most of the time his hair looks greasy and nasty to me.......not that's there's anything wrong with that.....

What I think is fun is when poor old Edd tries to get into some of these tiny British cars, they were not designed for a guy 6'8" tall!

Yeah, I know, women are crazy. My hair is a buzz-cut all over anyway, so she has a while to wait.

 

[dogmir]

I actually like Edd's approach. I have a fair amount of tools but I don't have anything fancy. If I were to do anything he does on that show it would be with the same sort of tools he uses. He also has records for worlds fastest furniture which was a sofa clocked at 96mph. He made a toliet that went 42mph lmao.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edd_China

My wife actually likes the show too. For an American it is nice show to watch cause we get to see a whole other world of classic cars. Every now and then they will have a big ol yank tank on there as Mike Brewer likes to say. When I fix something around the house I respond to my wife when she asked how something worked..."As Edd China would say it works a treat"

 

[billymade]

Teng Tools marketing dept.; seems to use other tv shows to promote their tools as well, check out these video's from Australia http://4wdtv.com.au/:

Quite a bit of racing product placement too! Looks like the marketing is working; racing and popular enthusiasts tv shows are good market exposure. I wonder why they haven't tried to make the leap to the usa?

http://www.youtube.com/results?sear...1.0.103.717.8j1.9.0...0.0...1ac.1.NvLEFyZKzVw

 

[zuk123]

Probably because the name sounds chineese. Hardly a mark of quality here...

zuk

 

[dazcapri]

There was a program on TV a few years back called Gears and Tears about short circuit (stock car) racing,the two rival teams featured both had Teng Tools in their garages.The only Teng stuff I've ever used was a friends 1/2 ratchet which he's had for years with no problems

 

[richfinn]

Teng Tools have been around a long time in the UK (25 yrs maybe), I cant say I,ve tried the pliers but the sockets/ratchets and wrenches work just fine.

The pictures posted dont look like any Teng gear I have ever seen.

Ed China, owns a garage somewhere in southern England and he also builds many of the special stunt cars for "Top Gear" amongst other projects.

TV shows are all staged to some extent and they all use product placement.

 

[silver2000]

Nice tools!!!!

 

[cbracer]

I love the Teng composite handle ratchets.... True Value / Master Mechanic sold black ones many years ago when I worked there. Can't find them anywhere anymore. Would like a finer tooth version though

 

[zuk123]

Ed China, owns a garage somewhere in southern England and he also builds many of the special stunt cars for "Top Gear" amongst other projects.

Didn't know that! If you read the credits, you see he does have a helper, and he brings in specialists as needed. I like his sort of "this isn't too hard, and you can do it without a lot of tools or bother. Just get stuck in..." attitude.

Watching the show for a season or 2 actually made me a lot more comfortable with doing some work myself when the necessity arose.

(and we've seen what NOT to do to, especially the rattle can paint jobs in the first season.)

zuk

 

[Hawk321]

In Germany we have a similar show with a german women who is a pro mechanic...people love the show, but on message boards you can read the statements and coments of other pros...jez...she knows nothing...
She needs a specialist for bearing change, timing belts, diagnostics, polish jobs, electronics etc....the whole show is full with brand new Hazet and Facom stuff...to ridiculous. Of course the amateurs on diff. boards want now those tools. But it is what it is...amateurs.

Wanna know the opinion of you pro guys here about wheeler dealers...it's always a diff. view.

 

[richfinn]

I think they dumb all these Gearhead shows down to appeal to the "Armchair Mechanic".

I think Wheeler Dealers and Salvage Squad were two of the better shows from the UK.

There are also some shows along the lines of "A racecar is born" where the presenter Mark Evans builds all sorts of classic Bikes/Cars/4x4s/Helicopter. He is a TV Vet in real life and just a Hobby Engineer but his enthusiasm for his projects and getting dirty is fun.

Out of the USA shows I liked "American Hot Rod" and "Cafe Racer"

 

[Hawk321]

@richfinn

American Hot Rod...well...seems that this guy fired someone on each episode...same with "street customs" ...each episode a guy gets fired...wtf????
And always I think "dude...get a lawyer to sue this guy".