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Wiha Torx driver sockets
- Thread starter motoretro
- Start date
Wamsutta
Well-known member
The socket part is probably made in Taiwan; more than likely.
The socket part is probably made in Taiwan; more than likely.
I would say this is a safe bet. Also, I imagine soon or what may actually be shipping(Possibly old description) are bits made in Vietnam. The Vietnam bits are good quality but right now I think Felo is the only one making bits in Germany, maybe Witte is as well.
knobby
Well-known member
For a 3/8" drive T55 would be a tad oversize.
Anything over T50 I would be looking for 1/2" drive.
Anything over T50 I would be looking for 1/2" drive.
I bought a few single wiha torx socket bits about 3 yrs ago. German bits, sockets were unmarked but I think Taiwan. I didnt buy sets because the sockets aren't marked with the bit size which is important to me. Wiha USA is totally unethical IMO as far as marketing. I bought long torx socket bits from them that had bits marked USA. Not wiha manufactured, its something they piece together and put a Wiha sticker on. Buyer beware with them
I bought a few single wiha torx socket bits about 3 yrs ago. German bits, sockets were unmarked but I think Taiwan. I didnt buy sets because the sockets aren't marked with the bit size which is important to me. Wiha USA is totally unethical IMO as far as marketing. I bought long torx socket bits from them that had bits marked USA. Not wiha manufactured, its something they piece together and put a Wiha sticker on. Buyer beware with them
That's not encouraging to hear. I bought some 1/4" bits (slotted, phillips, torx) from them since their website said they were made in Germany. Should be here tomorrow. Curious to see what I get. I have some of their Vietnam made bits, so I do have those to compare to. Will report back with what I get.
Their German made bits are very durable and high quality, that's what's important, the sockets they fit into being Taiwan is not an issue IMO. I'd take them over Tekton or any other Taiwan bit any day of the week. I've come across good quality Taiwan bits but it is sooo hit & miss your taking a gamble, just get the Wiha and all will be good bits and how there treated is an area Wiha are experts in.
Wamsutta
Well-known member
If they're indeed Taiwan made, then I guess these should be considered as the price is very reasonable;
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00A50NBMO/?tag=atomicindus08-20
If USA made is considered, then I'd look at;
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00QGSD7FK/?tag=atomicindus08-20
While the Tekton set is very complete, to tell the truth, I've never used the female items.
I meant the part with drive end is perhaps made in Taiwan while the bit part is made in Germany or Czech Republic. I'm not sure Wiha is set up to manufacture sockets. But anyway, I'm just guessing.
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Wiha USA is totally unethical IMO as far as marketing. I bought long torx socket bits from them that had bits marked USA. Not wiha manufactured, its something they piece together and put a Wiha sticker on. Buyer beware with them
Unfortunately they do that with a few items. I bought a Wiha precision screwdriver set with long blades, and the blades were not real Wiha System 4 but parts stamped “Wiha USA.” I later bought a couple real Wiha System 4 blades, and the real German-made ones are clearly better than the American-made blades.
Now I only buy Wiha sets from European sellers. Often pricing is better that way, even after shipping...
I'm wondering why you would take the Wiha over Tekton sockets considering Tekton's reputation for fantastic customer service? No real dog in this as I'm leaning towards the Bondhus product although just curious.
Because the 'bit' is the important part you want high quality in a bit socket. The stress and wear is not going to take place on the socket for a long time but and Tekton 'bits' will not be anywhere close to the quality of Wiha. I have put Wiha bits into Chinese 1/4" & 3/8" sockets and ended up with a good tool. Torx T tips are easily damaged and vulnerable so having a strong high quality tip is important, Tekton just won't provide a service life like a Wiha tip will. I have several hundred bits from Wiha, I have full sets of their T handle torx, T handle nut drivers SAE/Metric and their hex screwdrivers. I am dismantling a Stihl MS261 right now with a T-27 T handle & 4" T27 bit. I use these tools daily & know what works. If you want to save money, cut corners or cheap out on tools do it on the not so important ones NOT on bits whether torx, hex, flat, Phillips or whatever. Its not the place to cheap out and save money it will cost you more buying junk.
Got my 1/4 insert bits today. One package of slotted bits said "made in Vietnam" instead of Germany unlike the other bit packs. However, a call to Wiha USA revealed the phillips bits despite being in a package that says "made in Germany" are likely made in Vietnam too. I was told something along the line of Wiha is switching over the production of some bits to Vietnam and there's kind of a mix right now. Not sure what to make of that, but that's what I was told. I was able to come to a resolution with the CS rep that I guess is good enough, but I'm reluctant to buy any more bits from them until I can be sure of what I am getting. I'm not against Vietnam made bits if the quality is there, but I want to know what I am buying.
I compared the supposedly German and apparently Vietnam made bits to some Vietnam made bit packs I bought last winter. That muddied the waters more since some bits are laser etched and some are stamped. The style of flathead bits was also different. Kind of makes it hard to know what is coming from where. I could go into detail as to what was marked how, but I'm thinking a person's time would be better spent buying Zephyr or Apex bits than try to figure out what Wiha USA has going on.
I compared the supposedly German and apparently Vietnam made bits to some Vietnam made bit packs I bought last winter. That muddied the waters more since some bits are laser etched and some are stamped. The style of flathead bits was also different. Kind of makes it hard to know what is coming from where. I could go into detail as to what was marked how, but I'm thinking a person's time would be better spent buying Zephyr or Apex bits than try to figure out what Wiha USA has going on.
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I like most Wiha products, but their bit sockets aren't particularly great. The lack of size markings on the socket part kills it for me.
Personally, I think Wera makes much better bit sockets. Hex plus is awesome and the torx ones are super durable.
Personally, I think Wera makes much better bit sockets. Hex plus is awesome and the torx ones are super durable.
The socket part is probably made in Taiwan
I think Felo is the only one making bits in Germany, maybe Witte is as well.
I meant the part with drive end is perhaps made in Taiwan while the bit part is made in Germany or Czech Republic. I'm not sure Wiha is set up to manufacture sockets. But anyway, I'm just guessing.
Tekton just won't provide a service life like a Wiha tip will.
Seems like a lot of guessing. So has anyone actually tried the Tekton bits?
Got my 1/4 insert bits today. One package of slotted bits said "made in Vietnam" instead of Germany unlike the other bit packs. However, a call to Wiha USA revealed the phillips bits despite being in a package that says "made in Germany" are likely made in Vietnam too. I was told something along the line of Wiha is switching over the production of some bits to Vietnam and there's kind of a mix right now. Not sure what to make of that, but that's what I was told. I was able to come to a resolution with the CS rep that I guess is good enough, but I'm reluctant to buy any more bits from them until I can be sure of what I am getting. I'm not against Vietnam made bits if the quality is there, but I want to know what I am buying.
I compared the supposedly German and apparently Vietnam made bits to some Vietnam made bit packs I bought last winter. That muddied the waters more since some bits are laser etched and some are stamped. The style of flathead bits was also different. Kind of makes it hard to know what is coming from where. I could go into detail as to what was marked how, but I'm thinking a person's time would be better spent buying Zephyr or Apex bits than try to figure out what Wiha USA has going on.
As I said in the third post of this thread; if it's old stock the bits will be made in Germany, new stock will be Vietnam.
As I said in the third post of this thread; if it's old stock the bits will be made in Germany, new stock will be Vietnam.
When I placed the order I knew that some Wiha bits were being made in Vietnam. My problem was the 10 bit packs I ordered were still listed as being German made on the website at the time I placed the order, (I see they changed that after my call yesterday), which was why I bough those specific packs. At the time of the order I trusted Wiha USA knew what was still German made and the website accurately reflected that. Guess not.
When I placed the order I knew that some Wiha bits were being made in Vietnam. My problem was the 10 bit packs I ordered were still listed as being German made on the website at the time I placed the order, (I see they changed that after my call yesterday), which was why I bough those specific packs. At the time of the order I trusted Wiha USA knew what was still German made and the website accurately reflected that. Guess not.
It's just a mistake, like Sears having some tools as "Made in the USA" that are no longer made in the USA. They have a lot of items, mistakes happen...it ***** when you expect something and get something else. I try to help KC Tool update their website as I find errors to help the community, it's tough to keep up when they're(Wiha, KC Tool, whomever) managing sales and adding new products.
I don't know for sure but I'd hazard a guess that the packaging being mismarked is because they don't make the packaging, they order it (Like every other company) so they're using what they have ordered. It is certainly their fault for not having stickers printed and added to the packaging to correct the information(over the COO mark). I believe that is fine-able when selling in the US.
I can confirm the Vietnam bits are very well made. I'm more of a Felo, Witte, Gedore and even Wera fan than Wiha but I'd put those Vietnam bits against all off those and PB Swiss, in fact I literally have.