Wiha Tools?

pfbz · Dec 27, 2008

Any opinions on Wiha tools? I like the looks and price several of their screwdriver and nutdriver sets.

Seems like many tools on their web site say "Guaranteed Quality - Made In Germany" (eg: 308, 460, 469, 520, 533 series screwdrivers, 341, 347 series nut drivers, 327 series pliers).

Others say "Guaranteed Quality Made by Wiha" (eg: 302, 530 series screwdrivers, most other pliers )
I am assuming means -not made in Germany?

Thoughts on the quality of their German and potentially non German tools?

LoneGunman · Dec 27, 2008

The only Wiha tools I know of are made in Germany, very high quality. Best pricing I have found is Chadstoolbox.com

krusty the clown · Dec 27, 2008

we discuused this before, chechoslovakia IIRC

Fedwrench · Dec 27, 2008

All of the screwdrivers I have from Wiha are made in Germany. However, I believe the bit holders for their torx and hex bits are Taiwan made. The bit itself is German though. I haver never been disappointed in the quality of Wiha screwdrivers. :beer:

elect · Dec 27, 2008

Wiha's made in Germany or the Czech Republic.

pfbz · Dec 27, 2008

krusty the clown said:
we discuused this before, chechoslovakia IIRC

I searched before I posted, and again just now and couldn't find anything... do you have a link perhaps?

Was the conclusion that the tools that are not described specifically as Made in Germany are made in the Chech Republic?

Coach James · Dec 27, 2008

My electrically insulated screwdrivers are Wiha and made in Germany. 100% pleased with them. Set of four cost me ~$25 at CWIS.

Coach

Rigmaster · Dec 27, 2008

pfbz said:
I searched before I posted, and again just now and couldn't find anything... do you have a link perhaps?

Was the conclusion that the tools that are not described specifically as Made in Germany are made in the Chech Republic?

He might be thinking of the Wera screwdrivers. I picked up a couple of sets from Amazon not too long ago, based on a thread here on this board. They are great screwdrivers, but they are made in Czech Republic. The box says "German Quality" or something to that effect on it, but they are clearly marked "made in Czech Republic". I don't think there's any huge difference in quality vs. the German made tools, and I'm generally pretty impressed with the quality of German made stuff.......

Rig

EDIT: heres' the thread I was thinking of where this was discussed:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=25971&highlight=wera

krusty the clown · Dec 27, 2008

that may be it rig. it seemed like someone stated that the germans are starting to outsource to the czech rebulic as a whole though.

MisterCMK · Dec 27, 2008

I like the small tweeker screwdrivers for working on alarm panels, fire alarms, etc.

billymade · Dec 28, 2008

Wiha tools, awesome stuff... get some; you will be glad you did!
http://www.wihatools.com/

Merkava_4 · Dec 28, 2008

The general consensus is that Whia is good stuff made by people who care about quality and their reputation.

pfbz · Dec 28, 2008

All good info, thanks.

I have used Wiha tools in the past and liked them very much, but was a bit cautious after seeing the "made in Germany" discrepancy.

Jononon · Dec 28, 2008

Wiha don't manufacture in the Czech Republic, although Wera and Witte do. I have never seen any cause for concern over any decline in quality of German hand tools.

Wiha manufacturing locations

They currently do forging, plating, and grinding in Vietnam, my understanding is that they produce cores for pliers there, which are then finished and the handles moulded on in Poland.

Merkava_4 said:
The general consensus is that Whia is good stuff made by people who care about quality and their reputation.

Vinko · Dec 28, 2008

krusty the clown said:
that may be it rig. it seemed like someone stated that the germans are starting to outsource to the czech rebulic as a whole though.

I think that may be. I've certainly noticed it on things fabricated from metal other than tools. Culturally and historically, there's a connection between a part of the Czech Republic and Germany.

Merkava_4 · Dec 28, 2008

Jononon said:
They currently do forging, plating, and grinding in Vietnam, my understanding is that they produce cores for pliers there, which are then finished and the handles moulded on in Poland.

They're doing all the dirty polluting work in Vietnam huh?

eschoendorff · Dec 28, 2008

Merkava_4 said:
They're doing all the dirty polluting work in Vietnam huh?

Might as well... soon enough everyone else will be too.

FNFS2000 · Jan 12, 2009

much of the WIHA "proturn" series is made in China. I've tried them all and I like WERA the best. Their low end line "comfort grip" comes from czech. its probably still good stuff, but I won't buy anyones low end product.

nordstar · Jan 13, 2009

I use wiha tools when repairing scanners and printers. I have turned a lot of screws with the basic Slotted & Phillips Precision 7 Pc. Set that I got at Fry's Electronics in San Jose about 2 years now. I have never stripped or marred a screw with them yet. I have slowly been buying more when needed. They are really high quality. I do have a wiha proturn 1/4 magnetic nut drive that I bought off of amazon real cheap it isn't that bad bud I wondered about the proturn series since I don't see many of them on the shelves or in catalogs. I just use to unscrew certain screws now and then so don't see a problem with it. The proturn stills seems to be pretty good.

billymade · Jan 13, 2009

nordstar, thats ironic that you got yours at Fry's; I got my first set at Fry's also, at the Cambell/Los Gatos location! Its a small world huh?

I was introduced to Wihas at Frys Electronics and really like them; the quality is excellent!

joeswamp · Jan 13, 2009

Regardless of where they're made, I have some mechanics screwdrivers and really really like them. Tips are very high quality (much harder, grabbier, and more accurately machined than Craftsman) and the grip has a sort of microroughness to it that maintains friction even when your hands are oily. You can really torque these babies without stripping the screw.

Jononon · Jan 13, 2009

FNFS2000 said:
much of the WIHA "proturn" series is made in China.

They're splitting hairs a bit, but Proturn insulated pliers are a brand made 'for' Wiha, rather than 'by' Wiha. The pliers and cutters are made in Taiwan, the screwdrivers in Germany.

I can't help but fear, though, that it's a Trojan horse, ready for more main line Wiha tools to come with

Designed and engineered in Germany Made in Taiwan/Vietnam/China

on the packaging

Jononon · Jan 13, 2009

joeswamp said:
Regardless of where they're made, I have some mechanics screwdrivers and really really like them. Tips are very high quality (much harder, grabbier, and more accurately machined than Craftsman) and the grip has a sort of microroughness to it that maintains friction even when your hands are oily. You can really torque these babies without stripping the screw.

Nothing beats Wiha MicroFinish when your hands are covered in grease.

I'm fully aware of sounding like an advert for Wiha, but they are the only brand I've used, including Snap-on, Facom, and Wera, where I would unreservedly recommend each and every tool I've owned, tried, or borrowed, irrespective of country of origin. Outsourcing is depressing inevitability, but at least the Germans seem to know how to get it right from the point of view of quality, owning their own factories and exporting their QC equipment and expertise.

I have heard of one crappy Wiha tool (mentioned on the board), the US distributor packages a Taiwanese bit holder as part of a kit that apparently isn't much use.

nordstar · Jan 13, 2009

billymade, I was in California for a paid week of training. Classes let out by 5:30 and there just wasn't much to do. The Fry's was in walking distance so I spent most of my nights browsing the aisles. I bought the basic wiha 7pc set, magnetize/demagnetize thingy, two sets of Bondhus hex keys and the Bondhus torx folder. I use these tools all the time at work and love them. Small compact and just plain work.

werktools · Mar 16, 2009

Wiha does not make tools in the Czez Republic, that would be Wera. Wiha has production in Germany, Switzerland, Poland and a forging Plant in Vietnam. All facilities are owned and operated by Wiha. Check out the German site at Wiha.com they list and have pictures of all of these production factories.

jerk_chicken · Mar 16, 2009

What's the story with the stuff sold as "Wiha" on the US Wiha Tools site that isn't actually Wiha?

HandyManny · Mar 16, 2009

As with everything else in tools these days. They day is not far off when all of Wiha's tool will be made in China or Taiwan.

FNFS2000 · Mar 16, 2009

jerk_chicken said:
What's the story with the stuff sold as "Wiha" on the US Wiha Tools site that isn't actually Wiha?

WIHA USA (a seperate dealership from germany acting as the sole importer) somehow has the right to slap a WIHA sticker on anything they want to sell. :headscrat

Its not right.

jerk_chicken · Mar 16, 2009

I've posed that question direct to them here a couple times now, both without an answer.

Those tools aren't cheap, either. Quality or not quality, they're not exactly mentioning that the label isn't even theirs, nor even part of Wiha Germany's operations.

Jeremy Fogg · Mar 16, 2009

I have used their screw drivers for years, they are by far the best you can buy. Go to their wed site www.wihatools.com. They have some awesome specials going on. These guys know screw drivers!
Jeremy

FNFS2000 · Mar 16, 2009

WERA and PB are better by anyones opinion that has tried them all. and their not out to rip you off with other items pretending to be WIHA. I also have no faith in a place that stabs their distributor base in the back by selling to end users online(especially at low sale prices), where else are they using shady underhanded practices? That goes for snap on, Klein and the very few others that sell direct to consumer.

Jononon · Mar 16, 2009

FNFS2000 said:
WERA and PB are better by anyones opinion that has tried them all.

I've tried Wera and Wiha (I used Wera exclusively in a job as a student) and I would never choose the former over the latter, but if I were presented with buying from a company that packages who knows what, made who knows where, as Wiha I'd run a mile.

dede2897234 · Mar 17, 2009

I have owned an 8pc slotted and Phillips Microfinish hex bolstered screwdriver set for the last few years. They're made in Germany. The screwdriver handles are coated with a non-slip material that stands up to oil and solvents. The tips have not worn one bit after being used for DIY automotive and house maintenance and repair duties. Wiha is a first rate hand tool manufacturer. Since this set purchase, I bought recently Wiha's ACR (anti-cam out ribs on the screwdriver tips) slotted and phillips screwdriver set and a couple precision screwdrivers.

Stuey · Mar 20, 2009

Jononon said:
They're splitting hairs a bit, but Proturn insulated pliers are a brand made 'for' Wiha, rather than 'by' Wiha. The pliers and cutters are made in Taiwan, the screwdrivers in Germany.

I can't help but fear, though, that it's a Trojan horse, ready for more main line Wiha tools to come with

Designed and engineered in Germany Made in Taiwan/Vietnam/China

on the packaging

Wera pulls that stunt too, albeit to a much lesser degree. The two sets I bought have big fat "German Design" stickers on them, but after some hunting, I found some small print on the packages: "Made in Czech Republic."

Yea, yea, I know, they were the "low end" drivers, but that doesn't justify that it's a bit misleading.

As for Wiha, they're great tools, but I do not patronize wihatools.com.

Does anyone recall if the "Production In Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Vietnam" link has always been at the top of wihatools.com ?

FNFS2000 · Mar 20, 2009

Stuey said:
Does anyone recall if the "Production In Germany, Switzerland, Poland, Vietnam" link has always been at the top of wihatools.com ?

That is definitely a new addition, at least they are being a little open about it. But still those are the places that really are officially WIHA, now if they would only list out all the items that are pretending to be WIHA tools because USA say's they are...
But either way, WIHA has gone downhill focusing on QTY more than quality.

scottmlew · Jun 27, 2009

I just used my Wiha security torx sockets for the first time, and noted something that I find to be really problematic: no where on the unit (the socket or the bit itself) does it say the size!!! Has anyone else noticed this? Although I otherwise love the quality of the tools (same goes for my other Wiha tools), I cannot recommend their socket bits for this reason alone.

bigrob26 · Mar 15, 2010

Manufaturing locations:
WIHA Schonac Germany. Administration, sales, engineering, toolmaking, plastic parts manufacturing

WIHA Monchweiler Germany. Blades and L-keys production

AG Buchs, Switzerland. (acquired by WIHA in 2002) measurement tools and articulated hose systems production

WIHA Poland. and WIHA Vieatnam. (these two did not specify exactly what they manufatured.)

WIHA USA is a sales subsidiary, that indeed is owned and operated by the German WIHA.
The German WIHA is originally Willi Hahn GmbH & Co.
The Usa WIHA is Willi Hahn Corp.

now i understand why people would be dissapointed if they claim to be made in germany but are really made elsewhere. but before you get too carried away i suggest calling or E-mailing Wiha tools USA and simply asking some questions. I am from Minnesota where Wihatools usa is housed and i know the VP and Managing director, Paul. I am sure that he or one of his employees would answer your questions

ricleh · Mar 15, 2010

FNFS2000 said:
WERA and PB are better by anyones opinion that has tried them all. and their not out to rip you off with other items pretending to be WIHA. I also have no faith in a place that stabs their distributor base in the back by selling to end users online(especially at low sale prices), where else are they using shady underhanded practices? That goes for snap on, Klein and the very few others that sell direct to consumer.

I don't know about Klein but Snapon does not discount their tools online. They charge the same price as the truck dealer plus the appropriate sales tax. Some people do not have a local truck dealer and therefore they purchase Snapon tools online. I don't think this is cutting into the distributor base (truck dealers). This simply creates a larger pool of tool purchasers for Snapon tools. Professional mechanics who have a dealer stop by each week are probably not going to buy Snapon tools online unless they really have a problem with their dealer.

Bo Heck · Mar 15, 2010

Snapon sells direct because of guys like me, if I were to buy snapon. It does not pay a truck dealer to cater to weekend warriors. They make their money in shops. Driving their truck around to random peoples personal garages is wasting time and money. If the truck dealers WANT these peoples business then they themselves can advertise and win customers, it wouldn't be hard to do so over a website that charges shipping and tax.

Jononon · Mar 16, 2010

Wow, zombie thread. FWIW, I stand by what I said back in '08, the tools in the German catalogue remain excellent, Wihatools remains a dubious undertaking.

bigrob26 said:
i understand why people would be dissapointed if they claim to be made in germany but are really made elsewhere. but before you get too carried away i suggest calling or E-mailing Wiha tools USA and simply asking some questions. I am from Minnesota where Wihatools usa is housed and i know the VP and Managing director, Paul. I am sure that he or one of his employees would answer your questions

You've missed the point. Wihatools.com is a sales subsidiary, but it's a subsidiary that has been allowed to operate in a bizarre pseudo-manufacturer role.

For example, they package German Wiha bits together with mediocre Chinese bit holders, in the USA, producing an inferior product that is marketed as Wiha but is not manufactured by or for the manufacturing arm of the company.

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