An Apology...

[Wera Tools]

Maybe he/she's sincere. An apology is an apology, and I accept. If you stay away from a tool because it looks like ****, then that just leaves more high quality tools available for the rest of us.

I'd take the ugly crappy looking tools that work well over the pretty crappy performing tools any day. A lot of members have nothing but great things to say about Wera's tools to make them undeniably non-crappy in my eyes even though I have yet to try them.

Wera guys/gals - all is almost forgiven, at least from my perspective, and likely most of everyone else. Now how about doing as I recommended and showing us why Wera is the "best tool for the job". Some internal insight might work wonders...

First off, I would like to state that the individual that started this enthusiastic discussion is not a direct employee of Wera in North America, and as a result, was not officially speaking on behalf of our company. This situation has recently been brought to my attention, and, although I believe this was an innocent mistake made by someone with little experience in the forum community and it's etiquette, I would still like to apologize for the afront to the obvious pride and regard you all have for this site.
I have read throught this thread in it's entirety, and overall there seems to be a fairly balanced and objective view with regards to european ergonomics in hand tool design. Obvioulsy, tool preference is a very personal thing, and we will likely never design a tool that everyone will fall in love with, however, we do believe that there are certain attributes of most of our products that particularly professional users would find to be beneficial.
Regardless, rather than risk sounding like another round of spam with this response, I would prefer to simply invite any specific questions regarding our products, and I hope that Wera will be able to become a valued and trusted resource for your tool research here in the Garage Forum.

Again, my apologies.

Ian Parkhill
President - Wera Tools Inc.

 

[goodfellow]

Now that is a class act -- thank you for the explanantion Ian

 

[Uncle Buck]

The man is class for sure.

 

[Stuey]

Thank you for the thorough explanation - I'm sure that the entire community will appreciate it. I am sure that I speak for myself and others when I say that we welcome and look forward to any official Wera forum participation in the future.

 

[bluesman2a]

Class.
Good for business too.
A quality example for ALL vendors who would like to participate in this type of community.

While I was not aware of Wera, this alone would make me take a look at their wares.

 

[Jiffycake]

Hrmm, I like their ratchet and torque screwdriver. I have been searching for a quality torque screwdriver for use on electrical panels. Has anyone had experience with their warranty?

 

[car99r]

Excellent post Ian!

I too had never heard of your tools and I am in the market for a new screwdriver set. I was looking at some earlier before the first post but had changed my mind. This post helps my confidence a little.

However, before I buy anything I do have one questions if you will share with us. I have seen some negative posts regarding the writing on the driver handles to come off very easily. Has their been anything changed with this on the newer sets? I personally like the ergonomic facts of your drivers because I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands but am still required to use tools often. If this is something that has been remedied I will be ordering a set very soon.

Thank you for your time and clearing this matter up!
Chris

 

[Wera Tools]

Excellent post Ian!

I too had never heard of your tools and I am in the market for a new screwdriver set. I was looking at some earlier before the first post but had changed my mind. This post helps my confidence a little.

However, before I buy anything I do have one questions if you will share with us. I have seen some negative posts regarding the writing on the driver handles to come off very easily. Has their been anything changed with this on the newer sets? I personally like the ergonomic facts of your drivers because I have carpal tunnel syndrome in both hands but am still required to use tools often. If this is something that has been remedied I will be ordering a set very soon.

Thank you for your time and clearing this matter up!
Chris

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the question.
In the past, our manufacturing process for applying the product markings to the handles was a simple pad-stamping process, and it did not stand up very well. We have revised this process to a "hot-stamping" technique, which has proven to be much more durable. Regardless, as with any type of ink, continued abrasion from the grit associated with working on engines, etc., or the sometimes harsh chemicals (cleaners, etc.) used, can degrade the stamping. The only truly permanent marking is with the use of laser-etching (which we do use on many of our screwdrivers, on the blades themselves), or moulding the information into the handles or blade covers (which we do on our 1,000 volt insulated Safety screwdriver range).
I hope this helps, and thanks again for your understanding!

 

[Wera Tools]

Hrmm, I like their ratchet and torque screwdriver. I have been searching for a quality torque screwdriver for use on electrical panels. Has anyone had experience with their warranty?

The torque screwdrivers are ideal for installations in electrical panels, to ensure that you get a consistent, reliable connection with the fasteners. Good choice!
Our warranty is a limited lifetime warranty on defects in materials and workmanship, on all of our "non-consumable" products. Consumable products like our screwdriver bits and adaptors, due to the nature of their usage, are excluded from this warranty. All of our distributors are instructed to inspect any product returned for warranty replacement, and have been advised to watch for certain signs of abuse (you know who you are - me included!) that would void a claim.
Without blowing our own horn, the warranty return rate on our products is extremely low, and they do tend to stand up to pretty demanding use, very well.
I hope this is helpful. Thanks.

 

[russlaferrera]

Mr Parkhill, you thru me a curve. All this time I thought people in Stoney Creek just made ice cream, now their making tools. Last time I was up there Stoney Creek Diary had fish in aquarium.

I wish your business does well!

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

Good job Mr. Parkhill, we all like tools here and love to discuss them in detail. Too much so sometimes. LOL
But we of course are like most people and are just wore out on the spam thing, and are getting pretty jumpy about it.
Hope you stay around and ask some question for your self your home projects or for how to better some of your products. We have some good ideas here too.
And what the heck show us your home tool collection. It must be a doosie.

 

[Wera Tools]

I think the fish are still here...
Thanks!
Actually, all of the products are manufactured in Europe, and our facility here is the North American sales/marketing/distribution center.

 

[Wera Tools]

Good job Mr. Parkhill, we all like tools here and love to discuss them in detail. Too much so sometimes. LOL
But we of course are like most people and are just wore out on the spam thing, and are getting pretty jumpy about it.
Hope you stay around and ask some question for your self your home projects or for how to better some of your products. We have some good ideas here too.
And what the heck show us your home tool collection. It must be a doosie.

My problem is that I have 2 sons that like to "borrow" my tools, so the doozie ain't what she used to be...
Thanks for the hospitality! I think I'll stick around... it's been fun so far!

 

[Lloydthumper]

I've used Wera Insulated screw drivers for years on of course German equipment and I have never had a problem or a failuare for that matter I put there quality against anyones on there electrical screw drivers anyway. just my 2 cents.

 

[Wera Tools]

Thank you Sir!
Our insulated tool program is one of our best selling product lines. Every screwdriver is tested under a 10,000 volt load, for a safety rating against 1,000 volt loads, so, a 10 times safety factor. Again, we have funny looking handles... but if it keeps you from getting that new hair-style you really didn't want, then they can't be all bad.