1/4" wrench set recommendation

[Rico.]

new taiwan made facom is nothing better then a toptul...but the price is 50% above toptul...

I couldn't disagree more...

I have Moon piles of Facom tools, including 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets. I've been using them for about 8 years now. Some sockets are from France and some from Taiwan, and I can't tell the difference between them in terms of quality.

If anything, the Taiwan sockets are a teeny tiny bit better finished. The Taiwan made Facom ratchet spanners IMHO, are amazing quality.

I have to push my tools every now and then and the Facom stuff still works like new, not a single thing has broken and the chrome still gleams.

Back to 1/4" socket sets... I use mine allot in engine work and my little Facom RL.161 Ratchet still clicks like a Swiss watch.

I am highly impressed with Facom and all their tools, wherever it's made and I think they're one of the best tool brands out there period.

Of course I would expect people to disagree with me... Just makes the world more colourful. [emoji4]




















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[Jure]

Rico,who makes facom palm control? its still made in italy by USAG or?

@taiwan made facom,its little too expensive for my taste,but i went with a cheap version,a toptul which is awesome,i have a few ratchets,deep socket set 3/8,shallow,universal's,extensions etc etc.

 

[Dave455]

Dave, pretty sure Facom was bought out by Stanley 10 years ago. Very possible your older stuff is different from modern Facom.

Yes, they were, and where the 'new' patterns have been introduced I don't think they are as good as the original, but... the old patterns mostly still seem to be available, and as far as I can see are as good as they always were.

A friends son recently bought a J161 3/8 drive ratchet. While I don't know where it's made, the quality seems as good as the 15 year old one in my road box!

Don't get me wrong, I'm not in any way in love with Facom, and in the long run I doubt if the Stanley buyout will improve the quality, but at the moment, if you buy any 'original' patterns, you still seem to get the original quality!

To get back on topic, and now knowing that the OP is in Europe, I would probably advise European brands, they're better value here.

Don't rule out the top end because you think they are too costly, keep an eye out on the big websites as the manufacturers often run special promotions that are hard to beat! Believe there is a Hazet promo on at the mo, and I've seen Snap On specials this year too, but you have to check the trucks!

U.K. eBay has some great deals on Facom sets for probably 1/2 that cost, and you should be able to get a good price on KoKen in Europe. Finally, check the sales flyers that firms such as Beta and Gedore put out each year! Sure you will find something to your taste!

P.S. Awesome setup Rico! I'm kinda jealous!

 

[colin39]

Ive gotta agree with rico, i maybe a bit bias, as i love alot of facom like rico, and cant recommend the nano set enough. Ive had my set 2 and a half years now and its been great. Its my go to tool set when i jump out of van on breakdowns. Ive just bought the facom blow gun , its like a peice of art, and so well made.

 

[Gmonkee]

Buying individual pieces is something I already considered, however I won't find a case to fit them all, surely don't like having them piled up in some random box.

Since I live in europe, some american brands you guys named are really expensive here due to taxes, some brands are almost impossible to see here. Amazon has its own shop for each european country, and one doesn't ship to another. With eBay is similar.

Also, I've noticed that here's very little knowledge on european brands (there are a lot), so I think I will look for a local brand for less pricing and even aesthetics (you know, that tool on your box that looks from another planet and you expect never need to use).

For a home use, Snap-on or Hazet are too way overpriced. SK seems cheap and even is sold on Dealextreme, but doesn't have likeable sets. Also some kits are missing pieces, like the 4mm socket, the universal joint, the short adapter, the bulky ratchet, so better leave them alone. Sets with long sockets are even worse to find, maybe for a second buy.

I'll take a look around for some brands and tell something later

This is what I expected. I live in Mexico and the " best brands " listed in these threads do not exist in my market new and I do not have unlimited funds to Ebuy all the top US stuff according to this crew. To buy the odd bits used would leave me with a barely useful mishmash of stuff not better than buying a better Asain set first.
Spain has few domestic brands and what you will find are mostly imports from somewhere either near or far. We have two guys from Spain living with the family now and get this as good information. What one has is almost all Asain import shipped over with his bike, the other came without and just buys whatever he finds here.

I say look toward the German first for quality and see if price fits the budget. Again I speak from experience as I have a solid base of Asain rebrands augmented with some key stuff in the Wurth brand. it isn't a large % of the total but covers the most used stuff.

Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[woody1407]

I have recently acquired some gearwrench socket sets (1/4, 3/8, and 1/2) and I absolutely love them. The 80300p set i have comes with the 120xp ratchet (love it) comes with a thumb ratchet, 2 extensions and a swivel. You can find them all over the internet at different websites for $80 or less. So far every gearwrench product I have ever bought has been from Taiwan and has been fantastic quality and finish. I think gearwrench is going to be your best bet as far as quality and price.

 

[Rico.]

Rico,who makes facom palm control? its still made in italy by USAG or?

@taiwan made facom,its little too expensive for my taste,but i went with a
cheap version,a toptul which is awesome,i have a few ratchets,
deep socket set 3/8,shallow,universal's,extensions etc etc.

Those palm control round heads are made in the Gemonio plant in Italy, They are
actually Facom ratchets sold under the USAG name... Still as good as ever.

Please don't get me wrong... Toptul tools are very good indeed... If you notice
in my socket sets I have a couple of Britool roto head ratchets. I also have the
Britool socket sets in my car toolbox.

They are exactly the same as the Toptul ones, made by Rotar, and are excellent
quality, especially for the money, but definitely a step down from the Facom tools
I have... of course, only in my humble opinion.


p.s. Cheers Dave.

 

[HairMetal]

The best one money could possibly buy is wera German made I have 3/8 socket set it comes with all bits and pieces but it's costly very comfortable and ergonomic.t


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As a pro mechanic I can't see myself using that.Way too much plastic.Wera should know better.

 

[ultgar]

The Stanley buyout has not affected the quality of Facom (or Lista). What Stanley has done is rebrand some Facom designed tools as Mac and some of the Proto tools have made their way into Facom Aerospace tool sets.

Facom continues to come out with new products and re-engineer some of their older ones (eg, the 500 Series lockgrip pliers are now 500A's).

All palm control ratchets are still made in Italy and the newer rotator and maintenance free ratchets are made in Taiwan. I have a spreadsheet on my website that lists the Country of Origin for approx 3000 Facom items. See http://www.ultimategarage.com/Facom-Inventory.xls

Steve D

 

[03protege]

Take Asian junk over seppo **** any day thanks.

 

[popit]

Finally I decided to get the Irimo 129-101-4. A deal for 82€ is good, this tools have high quality, plus I get the 1/4" + 1/2" combo. I already have a 1/2" set from this brand and is outstanding, but I was missing the ratchet, an adapter and some sockets. It adds also some quality bits and long size sockets.

The Irimo has the NPP profile which I already tested on nuts with worn out egdes and works well.

The set I already have:

Other considered options were:

The GearWrench combos are more complete since they have inches and mm sockets with both short and long versions. However, you end up with two cases instead of one. One the GearWrench 1/2" 80700P, 100€. The other the GearWrench 1/4" 80300P, 220€, so is less portable. Didn't need sockets in inches yet, since I have only european and japanese vehicles which use metric hardware. I would consider it if the sockets had the Universal Spline profile, which would fit 6 point, spline, XZN (12 point), E-torx and square. However it's only available for ratcheting wrenches.

List of Carolus socket sets (30 listed in total)
http://www.carolus.de/steckschluessel.php?lang=en
Example: Carolus 4004.79 1514326 SOCKET SET 1/4" II, 33 PCS

Felo Ergo and XS series
http://www.felo.com/de/catalog/series/ergo/
http://www.felo.com/de/catalog/series/s-xs/
Example: Felo R-GO 057 836 16 - mm 1/4 sockets and most common bits

Example: Felo R-GO 057 827 06 - mm and inches 1/4 sockets with no bits

XS series are even more compact and are missing adapters and universal joints. Has different sets with either metric or inches sockets.

Facom 1/4" Radio sets. It has sets with only metric, only inches or combined. Some sets are hexagonal sockets and other bi-hexagonal.
http://catalogue.facom.com/en/categorie/ratchets-sockets-accessories/radio-1-4-range/gamme-1-4-radio
Example: Facom R.420MU metric and inches 1/4" set

Example: Facom R.360NANO metric 1/4" set

Bahco has several sets too
Bahco S560 (bihexagonal sockets)

Bahco SL25L

Bahco SL25

 

[mercucho]

There are many quality brands. An example Stahlwille.

 

[jensputzier]

This one from Hazet is good if you can live with the case: http://www.jensputzier.com/Hazet-To...6-1-1-4-Socket-Set-6-Point-in-Smart-Case.html

This one from Stahlwille is a good deal as well: http://www.ebay.de/itm/JP-Stahlwill...6010140-/261898897743?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

 

[popit]

There are many quality brands. An example Stahlwille.

This one from Hazet is good if you can live with the case: http://www.jensputzier.com/Hazet-To...6-1-1-4-Socket-Set-6-Point-in-Smart-Case.html

This one from Stahlwille is a good deal as well: http://www.ebay.de/itm/JP-Stahlwill...6010140-/261898897743?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT

Hands down for the Stahlwille No 40/44/17/5 QR, it has 3.5mm socket! Hazet 856-1 is even missing the 4mm socket

 

[bcradio]

I couldn't disagree more...

I have Moon piles of Facom tools, including 1/4", 3/8" and 1/2" socket sets. I've been using them for about 8 years now. Some sockets are from France and some from Taiwan, and I can't tell the difference between them in terms of quality.

If anything, the Taiwan sockets are a teeny tiny bit better finished. The Taiwan made Facom ratchet spanners IMHO, are amazing quality.

I have to push my tools every now and then and the Facom stuff still works like new, not a single thing has broken and the chrome still gleams.

Back to 1/4" socket sets... I use mine allot in engine work and my little Facom RL.161 Ratchet still clicks like a Swiss watch.

I am highly impressed with Facom and all their tools, wherever it's made and I think they're one of the best tool brands out there period.

Of course I would expect people to disagree with me... Just makes the world more colourful. [emoji4]

Is that your tool collection Rico? That is quite a nice collection there.

It does look like you are missing a 3/8" impact as well as 3/8" dr. impact sockets though.

 

[Rico.]

It does look like you are missing a 3/8" impact as well as 3/8" dr. impact sockets though.

Hahaha...... Don't Start....

 

[shockwave]

My favorite set in 1/4 would have to be the hazet 854t has screwdriver bits,torx ,etorx and sockets up to 14mm but over 300 atleast

But best price point will be gearwrench

 

[dutchgray]

I bought a Facom set recently, really pleased with it and I was cheap.
I would also consider Koken if you can get them where you are.

 

[Superbec]

new taiwan made facom is nothing better then a toptul...but the price is 50% above toptul...

I have the "new facom 440 sets in 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2.

There's nothing but high quality from the box to the last bit !, the consensus here is the sockets are tw and ratchets italian.... couldn't care less, they could be made in hell .

As for toptul, I have a dealer 15 km from me, went there to see some tools upclose, some discounted very well, I just bought a set of screwdrivers to see how they hold... nothing impressive.
Tested ALL the toptul ratchets in the store, they feel like 1980 chinese (branded made in germany) too like objects, really there's nothing fancy about them. Actually wanted tio buy a 1/2 set but couldn't live with the low tooth count .

So, please don't compare toptul with facom. and the price difference is not that big, for +20-30-40% I prefer a brand name (german or facom).
Good thing now I have so many tools I can wait till something gets a discount

Also some gedore 1/4 sets are better quallity then other, the beste ratchet in 1/4 I ever used was gedore, don't know the tooth count but it was big, smooth like butter and barely any drag

Finish is not great on any of the german manufacturers, when my hazet trolley came in I almost sent it back, but the tools are top notch.

As for wera being second choice in europe , let me LOL, yes it's not for the industrial market but they make amazing tools, the best inbus set in the world (found the test around here) is made by WERA ( i own one and it really is great) that kind of says enough for me.

 

[ultgar]

I sold Toptul and Facom concurrently for a few years and despite the lower Toptul cost, most customers were willing to pay a few dollars more for the Facom name and reputation.

Toptul still contacts me from time to time to place another stock order but Facom is a much "deeper" tool line with quicker delivery time from Europe (Taiwan to NJ was 8 weeks). In addition, Facom has dropped a lot of their pricing for 2016 and cost is now much closer to what I paid for Toptul. These reductions are being passed onto the end users. SD

 

[rhandwor]

I think SK 1/4 drive is good for lower price quality sockets. You will have to go to Stahywille or Koken for smaller size sockets not made by SK.

 

[Vinko]

I sold Toptul and Facom concurrently for a few years and despite the lower Toptul cost, most customers were willing to pay a few dollars more for the Facom name and reputation.

Toptul still contacts me from time to time to place another stock order but Facom is a much "deeper" tool line with quicker delivery time from Europe (Taiwan to NJ was 8 weeks). In addition, Facom has dropped a lot of their pricing for 2016 and cost is now much closer to what I paid for Toptul. These reductions are being passed onto the end users. SD

Is Facom still being made primarily in France? I picked up some sockets from you a while back. An impact set with case. I was impressed with the quality.

 

[ultgar]

Is Facom still being made primarily in France? I picked up some sockets from you a while back. An impact set with case. I was impressed with the quality.

Tool boxes, screwdrivers, pliers, and a lot of specialty sets are still made in France. Ratchets and torque wrenches are Italy (newer ones in Taiwan). Wrenches, sockets and drive accessories from Taiwan. Full list of COO by item is on my website at http://www.ultimategarage.com/Facom-Inventory.xls .

There's also a Reseller version of this price sheet with additional discounts from 10-50%. Garage Journal members can buy from this list today and periodically throughout the year. Email me directly if interested and I'll send you the price file ( [email protected] ). SD

 

[Bielio]

1/4" wrench set recommendation

I have been pricing stahlwille socket sets and found that customizing your own (piece by piece) is way cheaper and you get exactly the sizes / pieces you need.

I've built up a list of all 12-point sockets.
Personally I'd custom build my own set.
Neglecting the case a socket set would come in.
For example:

I'm going 1/4" 8,10,11,12,13,14mm
Then 3/8" 15-19mm
1/4" to 3/8" adaptor
1/4" T-handle
1/4 swivel / universal Joint
1/4 spinner Handle
60 tooth 1/4" ratchet
1/4" 150mm extension

All stahlwille, Brand New for under $160 USD

 

[Bielio]

There are simple sets that Hazet and Stahlwille sell, along with other manuf. but there's always things you don't really need tossed in there (majority of the time)
Like 3mm 3.5mm 4mm 4.5mm sockets.

 

[Bielio]

As a pro mechanic I can't see myself using that.Way too much plastic.Wera should know better.

The wera sets are real nice. Everything fits snug and looks/ functions great (especially those extensions with the plastic barrels)
Ended up flipping the set I had.
Living in VA with humid weather, my set just started rusting (tiny tiny spots) between the chrome plating.

I couldn't bare it any longer and we parted ways... If only they had better chroming. The plastic wasn't so bad.

But like you said, as a professional using these, I wouldn't want to see much plastic either.