AST - Assenmacher Specialty Tools Inc., Boulder, CO

[four.cycle]

Assenmacher / Assenmacher Specialty Tools, Inc., 6440 Odell Place, Boulder, CO 80301 / https://asttool.com/ / "AST" / est. 1978 / patent 4040763 Aug 9 1977 Gerhard Assenmacher / automotive specialty tools /

AST / (see Assenmacher Specialty Tools) /

Founded in 1978 in Boulder, Colorado by Gerhard Assenmacher, the company specializes in problem-solving tools for the automotive repair industry.

The company's product catalog is available for download in *.pdf format on their website (as well as other information which may be of value to service technicians.)

Searching "Assenmacher" on this site turns up no fewer than 13 pages of posts - so it's pretty obvious that you guys are using their tools - but I didn't find a thread dedicated to Assenmacher, so here it is.

It's apparent from reading through some of the posts where Assenmacher's name is mentioned that they are the OEM supplier of a number of items to some better-known tool distributors, some of which drive around in big white trucks.

Let's see what you got, guys.

<edit>

I've been informed there is some additional information on the company founder, Mr. Gerhard Assenmacher:

"Gerhard Assenmacher’s story is one of hard work and excellence. As a young man, he came to the United States and founded a successful auto repair business in New York State. From that base, he gradually began to design and manufacture a line of specialty tools leading to the successful firm of Assenmacher Specialty Tools, Inc, based in Boulder, Colorado....)the article continues here. "

 

[Tools4Me]

I guess I'll start. I only have one Assenmacher tool, so I should probably send out a warning to my fellow GJers...

Prepare to be visually underwhelmed!

It's a TOY 640 oil filter canister removal tool. I bought it 10-12 years ago, so I could do oil changes on a family member's Toyota V6. At the time it was one of the only options available. Now there are several tools out there, which grab the filter canister more securely and do a better job overall. I keep using this one though, because it works fine as long as I'm the one who last changed the oil (so everything is torqued properly). The only quirk it has, is that it will occasionally stick to the aluminum Toyota filter canister when torquing things back down to spec after changing the filter cartridge. It takes a couple light taps from a small plastic faced mallet to get it to pop off. I think of that as the tool having "character".

 

[Steve_P]

I doubt they actually make anything themselves; they're a serial re-brander. I think I have one thing by them but it's China or Taiwan. Not USA or Germany. And certainly nothing made in CO.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

The original part name/number for the Toyota filter cup was "Asstoy" .

I got a ton of assenmacher stuff. Stud pullers, cam style, are top notch. Prior to the import explosion of specialty tools, they were the tool truck filter cup of choice. Specialty plastic disconnect tools, engine tools, etc. I got their ball joint air hammer nut set, they work okay.

I've seen their stuff, in their branding, on snapon, mac, matco, and cornwell trucks. Good brand IMO.

 

[javyLSU]

I guess I'll start. I only have one Assenmacher tool, so I should probably send out a warning to my fellow GJers...

Prepare to be visually underwhelmed!

It's a TOY 640 oil filter canister removal tool. I bought it 10-12 years ago, so I could do oil changes on a family member's Toyota V6. At the time it was one of the only options available. Now there are several tools out there, which grab the filter canister more securely and do a better job overall. I keep using this one though, because it works fine as long as I'm the one who last changed the oil (so everything is torqued properly). The only quirk it has, is that it will occasionally stick to the aluminum Toyota filter canister when torquing things back down to spec after changing the filter cartridge. It takes a couple light taps from a small plastic faced mallet to get it to pop off. I think of that as the tool having "character".

This is literally the same tool that I thought of when I saw this thread…

 

[Fedwrench]

I have a few AST tools, cooling system pressure test adapters and their hose clamp pliers. Their hose clamp pliers are basically thick jawed slip joint pliers with a couple of grooves so, they can be used on constant tension spring clamps from the front or from the side.

SCP2014

Tools

asttool.com

They also were the first company to come out with the dedicated oil funnel system.

They have some unique items.

 

[AJHD]

Think I only have one AST tool. The 5/16" fuel line disconnect;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M9OJ9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would like to buy a pair of those hose clamp pliers though. But they are hard to find. Not sure if they are the OEM or not.

 

[2ndGearRubber]

Think I only have one AST tool. The 5/16" fuel line disconnect;

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B000M9OJ9W/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I would like to buy a pair of those hose clamp pliers though. But they are hard to find. Not sure if they are the OEM or not.

Not sure they're the OEM for those, I've seen them under other brands. Snap on also makes something similar. The AST design looks slimmer and less bulky. Frankly the snap on version is simply "okay".

 

[Qualitytools]

I first heard of the brand when I saw an oil funnel available from them that would connect to the opening of my valve cover allowing me to use both hands to pour the oil and not one hand to hold the funnel and the other to juggle the oil container.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B002N2T3OM/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[Jarhead0408]

No kidding. I always thought they were a German brand.
Thanks for posting this.

 

[Steve from Socal]

I have a number of Mercedes special tools from AST, they are good quality and well thought out(at least for the old timers)

Steve