SpiderGearsMan
Banned
and hard to buy or warrantee
Hazet Tools, Whats the Appeal?
- Thread starter mrholeshot
- Start date
Hey Monte! Can you fix this link from pg 1? All I get is the 404 message.I have old 600 series and would like to know the years they were produced.
Thanks
I bought my 1st Hazet tools at Thomas Skinner on Main St. in Vancouver, B.C. I really grew to like and respect them after I had to grind down a few sockets and wrenches to fit in some tight places on motorcycles.
I've had this ground down 1/4" W socket for 40 years. It was used primarily for head nuts and bolts requiring a torque of 30 ft lbs. but it got lots more use than just that. My 1/4" W combo wrench was also ground as much too and neither ever broke.
Here is the end view of the socket next to a SO of the same size. SO are also nice and thin to begin with but it shows how much was taken off and how much it can take. Good Steel!
Sadly this is the only Hazet tool I have left from the 70's, the other's have all grown legs and disappeared. I would love to get them all back now. Anyone got any Hazet in withworth size you're not using? PM me please.
The basic Hazet wrench was more like the long SO wrenches. Here are 2 of the same size (5/16 W) side by side.
I've had this ground down 1/4" W socket for 40 years. It was used primarily for head nuts and bolts requiring a torque of 30 ft lbs. but it got lots more use than just that. My 1/4" W combo wrench was also ground as much too and neither ever broke.
Here is the end view of the socket next to a SO of the same size. SO are also nice and thin to begin with but it shows how much was taken off and how much it can take. Good Steel!
Sadly this is the only Hazet tool I have left from the 70's, the other's have all grown legs and disappeared. I would love to get them all back now. Anyone got any Hazet in withworth size you're not using? PM me please.
The basic Hazet wrench was more like the long SO wrenches. Here are 2 of the same size (5/16 W) side by side.
I guess you guy love Hazet because it has that "exotic" status...well here in germany it's much different.
In fact, the techs don't buy the tools,...the boss does (those have no knowledge about that topic) and this means also that the techs "loving" Hazet tools 'cause they know nothing else. This is a big market distortion!
If you find one of those rare open minded guys and give him the chance to compare the different brands...most people will tend to use Snap-on mainly and some of the german stuff.
Why? Hazet does not built high innovative tools. You will not find extra long,short or swivel head fine tooth ratchets, also not a good impact programm.
Further, Stahlwille...so the best quality I ever had and almost the same as Snapon...but here the same as by Hazet...poor Ratchet and impact program...
Gedore comes close and seems to be the one and only real serious brand. You will find here more ratchets variations and an acceptable impact program. AND
automotive special tools which are far superior than any OEM tool...brand name here is KLANN.
Also Hazet offers some special tools, but totally overpriced and rebadged. I am not willed to spend 500€ for a cooland pressure tester when I can buy the same (remember rebadged) set for 250€ somewhere else!
In the USA you have those Hardware stores and online shops with cool offers...not here (different), everything is made to sell it to people who know nothing about the tools and the job...you know...those clischee manager...
Dont misunderstand me...all made great tools, just try to bring you back to reality....before anyone expects he can buy the "UeberWerkzeug" (megatool) from old "Deutschland".
In fact, the techs don't buy the tools,...the boss does (those have no knowledge about that topic) and this means also that the techs "loving" Hazet tools 'cause they know nothing else. This is a big market distortion!
If you find one of those rare open minded guys and give him the chance to compare the different brands...most people will tend to use Snap-on mainly and some of the german stuff.
Why? Hazet does not built high innovative tools. You will not find extra long,short or swivel head fine tooth ratchets, also not a good impact programm.
Further, Stahlwille...so the best quality I ever had and almost the same as Snapon...but here the same as by Hazet...poor Ratchet and impact program...
Gedore comes close and seems to be the one and only real serious brand. You will find here more ratchets variations and an acceptable impact program. AND
automotive special tools which are far superior than any OEM tool...brand name here is KLANN.
Also Hazet offers some special tools, but totally overpriced and rebadged. I am not willed to spend 500€ for a cooland pressure tester when I can buy the same (remember rebadged) set for 250€ somewhere else!
In the USA you have those Hardware stores and online shops with cool offers...not here (different), everything is made to sell it to people who know nothing about the tools and the job...you know...those clischee manager...
Dont misunderstand me...all made great tools, just try to bring you back to reality....before anyone expects he can buy the "UeberWerkzeug" (megatool) from old "Deutschland".
Humble Mechanic
Well-known member
It is all about the special VW tools. They make a lot of our tools, and I can buy them from Hazet cheaper than VW.
i own it for a while, just wanted to bump the thread
The ratcheting mechanism is the same like the older Hazet ones (Facom style) so basically its just the design which is revamped.. They do sell spare kits for all their ratchets.
sorry couldnt find the pic
Hazet tools are designed for maximum strength in an objective environment. So you will always see Hazet tools scoring the best on strength tests. They use the best steels with the best treatment processes possible to provide the best possible tools. Besides being the strongest, they are also very ergonomic as well as being cool as hell!!! It's self evident. If you need the appeal of Hazet tools to be explained to you, then I don't know what else to say.
I am very happy with all the Hazet tools I have bought in the past. The only pain is the very high price. But as Ben Franklin said, “The bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
Much like the Snap-On tools I have bought, the joy of owning first rate tools far outweighs the pain of paying for them! If you think that they are too expensive, then you need to earn more money. They are worth every penny.
I'm not trying to be a snob, but seriously, if you are planning to be a tech for the next 30 years, it would be wise to invest in the best possible tools.
I am very happy with all the Hazet tools I have bought in the past. The only pain is the very high price. But as Ben Franklin said, “The bitterness of low quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten.”
Much like the Snap-On tools I have bought, the joy of owning first rate tools far outweighs the pain of paying for them! If you think that they are too expensive, then you need to earn more money. They are worth every penny.
I'm not trying to be a snob, but seriously, if you are planning to be a tech for the next 30 years, it would be wise to invest in the best possible tools.
dirtydogintex
Well-known member
You are joking, aren't you?
Most of your post is being said in jest?
Hafen_Kafer
Well-known member
I just started my Hazet collection with an overpriced hex bit driver from amazon.de
Still not here though.
Aircooled VW's got me into it.
Still not here though.
Aircooled VW's got me into it.
"Wizard1" once posted these pic. Very nice !
610N pics:
more pics:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=496102&highlight=610n#post496102
Well I finally placed my first order for Hazet, so stoked!
Monte is
canuckian
Well-known member
Well I finally placed my first order for Hazet, so stoked!
Monte is
careful Franz...that Hazet stuff is almost as addictive as Snap On!!
picked up the wrench set pictured above last year from Jens. awesome wrenches
ClineWrench
Well-known member
Ive seen some commentary and questions from some of our friends on here that question the point behind the desire to own Hazet tools. So I thought I'd chime in.
First let me qualify my statement by saying I currently do not own a single Hazet tool. I'm primarily a Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac, Craftsman guy.
That said, I used to work for a guy in a Ford dealer that had a set of Hazet wrenches and a few other Hazet tools. I've had the pleasure of trying out his Hazet wrenches a few times and can honestly say that if I had the option, I'd reach for a Hazet wrench over my Snap-On wrenches without question.
The Hazet feel better in the hand, and feel heavier (more solid). Not to mention, I saw him do things to those Hazet wrenches that I could never see myself doing with my Snap-On or Cornwell wrenches.
Hazet truly has earned thier cult like following with extremely high quality tools. Well done Hazet.
First let me qualify my statement by saying I currently do not own a single Hazet tool. I'm primarily a Snap-On, Cornwell, Mac, Craftsman guy.
That said, I used to work for a guy in a Ford dealer that had a set of Hazet wrenches and a few other Hazet tools. I've had the pleasure of trying out his Hazet wrenches a few times and can honestly say that if I had the option, I'd reach for a Hazet wrench over my Snap-On wrenches without question.
The Hazet feel better in the hand, and feel heavier (more solid). Not to mention, I saw him do things to those Hazet wrenches that I could never see myself doing with my Snap-On or Cornwell wrenches.
Hazet truly has earned thier cult like following with extremely high quality tools. Well done Hazet.
Interesting.... I hate air-cooled VWs, so I can't use that as an excuse for my desire for Hazet stuff. It could be that I'm just a Germanophile (is that a word?) but I don't lust for Stahlwille or Gedore tools (except the Gedore ratcheting combo wrenches) like I do Hazet.
Crown Imperial
Well-known member
btw: another wrench test
from a japanese magazine superautobacs posted once.
The result are in "Meter Kilogramm" multiplied by about 10 gives you the newtonmeter.
Ratcheting combination wrenches:
King Tony 30.66
Signet 25.92
Deen 24.06
Ratcheting reversible combination wrenches:
King Tony 31.3
Signet 29.3
Snap-On 26.34
Hazet 25.62
(ps: Hazet = Gearwrench)
Question on this: Does your PS comment mean that the Hazet ratcheting wrenches are made by High Five? The same maker of Gearwrench ratcheting wrenches?
Do you know if King Tony ( KT Pro) makes their own ratcheting wrenches? It's interesting that the King Tony wrenches did so well in this test given that they are in Taiwan in probably not too far from High Five.
Hinez Wengler
Banned
No one knows. You fill up a box the size of a home and owe the company for the rest of your life......or 2hey but the new ones are made in germany
So the price isn´t that bad
what does snap-on charge ?
If you see a mekanic with a box full of German tools, he really owns them 
superautobacs
Well-known member
AFAIK the inventor of the modern-day forged ratcheting wrench is Bobby Hu, and he opened up Lea Way (now part of Apex Tool Group, formerly Danaher) in Taiwan. Their 'in-house' brand is Gearwrench (the name is a trademark owned by Easco) and they provide OEM services to varying tool brand around the world.
Crown Imperial
Well-known member
Oh. I thought I read somewhere here that the "reverse gear" trademark from Hi Five "New Tools" in Taiwan was the actual inventor of the ratcheting wrench. Guess I am getting it wrong.
Did @Monte mean to say that the Hazet ratcheting wrenches are made by Apex tool group with his remark hazet=gearwrench? That's actually my main question. Inquiring minds want to know.
Did @Monte mean to say that the Hazet ratcheting wrenches are made by Apex tool group with his remark hazet=gearwrench? That's actually my main question. Inquiring minds want to know.
Monte, I got a question for you about a Hazet torque wrench. The Model is 6290-1 CT.
I have been able to find the tool online, but not the head part of it. Are these sold separately. Thus is the one where the head detaches from the rest of the body.
I have been able to find the tool online, but not the head part of it. Are these sold separately. Thus is the one where the head detaches from the rest of the body.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Yup, what you read is correct, Bobby is the inventor and is behind all of this.
He was part of Lea Way and at the time, Easco registered and trademarked the name "GearWrench". Easco was then absorbed by Danaher, so they enforced the "GearWrench" name. Danaher has since been bought out by Apex Tool Group, which brings us up to current times.
To paint the picture more clearly.....
Bobby Hu resigned resigned from Lea Way and started Hi-Five. He holds quite a number of patents pertaining to not just ratcheting wrench mechanisms, but also X-beam wrenches, and compact ratchets (ie "micro-tough" ratchets), to name a few. There's no question that he's the "father" of the modern day, forged ratcheting wrench. Lea Way, Hi-Five, Kabo, Infar (Geartech ratcheting wrenches) are all produced based on his numerous patents.
AFAIK, yes, Hazet=GearWrench (Apex/Danaher/Easco)
The head is sold separately. The wrench has a 9x12mm square drive. Several heads will fit: 6401-1 , 6402-1, 6403-1, 6408, 6408-1, 6401N, 6402, 6403, 6401-1 S , 6402-1 S, 6403-1 S
page 167: http://www.hazet.de/fileadmin/bilddaten/pdf/WHB_2014_DE/Seite_150-172.pdf
I agree with your statements about cultural differences. But in this case, I think it's just the difference between a massive capitalist, free market economy, and however you wish to describe the European economies. Snap On has a massive market, massive capabilities etc. a German tool manufacturer can't compete. So they strive for quality, adhere to tradition, etc. it works. They both make good tools. But not really comparable to Snap On.
I agree with the OP. Hazet and Gedore do nothing for me. They look very industrial. But I know they are good quality tools.
Crown Imperial
Well-known member
Kabman
Active member
I guess there is also a degree of aspiration (or snobbery, if that's not too strong a term). Purchasers often use price as a guide to quality and desirability. In the US Hazet tools are hard to find and expensive relative to Snap-on, for instance, so considered a little exotic and desirable. Whereas in Germany the reverse is true; Hazet stuff is everywhere and Snap-on is very expensive. They are all good and in the end it comes down to what you like and what you can get at a price that suits. I, and I'm sure most of you too, always like to get new, **** looking tools with a respected brand name even though I also have plenty of cheap, ugly tools that are strong, perfectly functional and never let me down.
elefantrider
Member
Interesting thread and tools. I like the look/feel of their wrenches. Has anyone had issues with cleaning them due to the recess, lettering and non-smooth surface. Many of my projects are fairly dirty/greasy. What do you use to keep them clean?
Interesting to note that Snap-On and Stahlwille, not Hazet, are the big names in tools for the aerospace/aviation industry. Probably due to their greater selection.
Interesting to note that Snap-On and Stahlwille, not Hazet, are the big names in tools for the aerospace/aviation industry. Probably due to their greater selection.
J.A.Varela
Banned
I usually give my tools a pass in the parts washer at the end of the day so cleaning isn't an issue.I like the rougher finishes for the grip.
I just bought a Force brand breaker bar off the truck a few minutes ago. 24" x 1/2" drive with a sort of glass bead texture finish. Seems pretty nice.$15
Art From De Leon
Well-known member
When I worked overseas, we were supplied with Hazet, Facom, or Geodore (?) tool sets.
While they served the purpose, they just look cheap, and they are extremely bulky in size.
While they served the purpose, they just look cheap, and they are extremely bulky in size.
Bigplum
Well-known member
I'm fond of my German tools , never thought of them as bulky or cheap , the satin or matt finish chrome feels nice and grippy with oily hands , my go to 10mm spanners are Elora's
Lovely slender tool , nice and snug on bleed *******
Lovely slender tool , nice and snug on bleed *******
Where's the Fat?
I've always considered my Hazet tools to be a little slimmer than my Snappys.
While the open end of the wrenches looks bulkier it is the long slim beam that gives that appearance. They are pretty much the same width at the open end:
However the Hazet are not as thick by a considerable amount:
The beam or handle on Hazet is quite a bit thinner on the flat and the edge than S-O.
The box ends are pretty much identical in size.
Comparing sockets I have 4 different 3/8 dr metrics in the photos, paired in size. The Hazet on the right beside S-O next to it on it's left:
Butting them up the Hazets are slightly thinner. The 12mm is very close to the same size however. In the photo below I have the 12 mm sockets reversed top to bottom so the Hazet is on the top row. The 12 mm Hazet has a bigger **** but it has a smaller top. On the 19mm or larger sizes the profile is tapered to only allow structure enough to support the drive tool. This feature that adds a great deal of extra clearance in close quarters than the S-O.
Again, butting up the sockets top to top the Hazet are again slightly thinner:
I'm not sure what Hazet tools you were using to give you the opinion they are extremely bulky in size. The ones compared here are less bulky in the overall scheme of things.
elefantrider
Member
Nice pics. I would say the differences are so minor between Snap and Hazat, that it doesn't matter. Sockets and Wrenches look nearly the same. Does one like Satin finish or Polished? What it comes down to is do you get a better price or better service on one or the other. I have seen pics of dirty, greasy Hazet wrenches and I must they don't look very good.... actually look like a royal PITA to get clean. Yeah, the knurl is done a little nicer on the Hazet sockets, but the Snap On ratchets LOOK really nice.... like jewelry.
On the wrenches, I actually like the Facom 440 OGV or Stahlwille indentation which makes them a little lighter and nice to use. And the Facom 440 has a nice offset/angled box end with easy to read numbers.
In any case, I would be happy to have a full set of each of the above!
On the wrenches, I actually like the Facom 440 OGV or Stahlwille indentation which makes them a little lighter and nice to use. And the Facom 440 has a nice offset/angled box end with easy to read numbers.
In any case, I would be happy to have a full set of each of the above!
but they´re tools, not jewelry
I'd have to agree. Choosing between fine tools is like deciding on which to date, Claudia Schiffer or Halle Berry. However with the super models making $30,000.00 for an hour on the runway that's pretty much an impossible choice. Fortunately we can all afford a smorgasbord of Hazet, Snap-On, Stahlwille and other quality tools.
decaf
Well-known member
I like it....
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William Payne
Well-known member
I'm odd I like snap-on sockets ratchets and drive tools. But with wrenches stahlwille is king in my toolbox. They are just really comfortable in your hand.
elefantrider
Member
but they´re tools, not jewelry
This also:
Nice pictures again! The one on the right is my style, made in Germany wins in this case!
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elefantrider
Member
Since I REALLY like the Hazet double knurl sockets, I keep coming back to this thread.
How does their fine tooth ratchets compare with the dual 80 tooth from Snap-On above? Have there been any magazine comparison tests on both?
How does their fine tooth ratchets compare with the dual 80 tooth from Snap-On above? Have there been any magazine comparison tests on both?
elefantrider
Member
Found the ratchet/socket test, but it doesn't rate the Hazet or Snap-on very good, even in their interesting "without regarding to price" evaluation. Stahlwille and Balco are 1 and 2. It would be nice to see the same test run again with their newer fine tooth ratchets.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=668809&postcount=1110
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=668809&postcount=1110