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Bahco Tools

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kartracer55

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Jun 21, 2005
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5,317
By snap on made in USA, how bad can they be? Bahco Nut drivers are supposed to be pretty popular. I think Bahco is a line intended to be sold overseas

Jim
 
U

Uncle Buck

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I dunno, I don't have a good feelin about this brand. Looks good but are you guys for sure it's made by Snap-Off? :bs:
 
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ringer

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Aug 22, 2005
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Big Sky Country!-Montana
Yeah, its made by Snap-on, and while I have no idea on the quality, you can get the Bahco stuff super cheap on ebay. I buy all of my snap-on stuff on ebay too BTW.
 
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Luckydevil

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Tampa
I spoke with a Snap-On rep on the phone and he said that Bahco tools are made to Snap-On standards. Bahco is just a company that Snap-On bought and took over. He said they are made in the US and are not meant for sale overseas.

Bahco is a seperate entity from Snap-On though, and if you did have a warranty issue you would have to go through Bahco and not Snap-On.

I tried to get a hold of someone at Bahco to find out about the warranty, but all I got was voicemail. She said she would be back tomorrow.

Bahco: 1(800)867-8665
 
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djjack

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I'm not sure about the quality of the Bahco tools however the Overstock babe looks first rate.
 
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Uncle Buck

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This is one of those deals like when Snap-Off bought Williams tool a few years back. Everyone assumed that they were making the Williams tool line. Snap-On kept Williams a few years then I think they sold em, but they never did actually manufacture the Williams line.
 
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Uncle Buck

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I got to lookin at the close-up view of those tools on the link and decided that whoever makes I think either Allen brand, or Kobalt is the true manufacturer of this stuff. Probably Danaher (sp). Look for yourself at the double line font to the letters that can be seen on the tools. The lettering reminds me of one of those two brands, I just can't put my finger on which one. :headscrat
 
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kartracer55

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Jun 21, 2005
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Check out the handle on thier 1/4 driver... Looks like a snap on handle. Hell anybody want to go for it and try them out? The tools look to be of just a less intricate design... The ratchet handle is less complicated that a current snap on, probably keeping the cost down.

Jim
 
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Thumper

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Jun 5, 2005
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N.E.Ga
I have a pair of Bahco pliers. They are marked Sandvik Bahco and mine are stamped Made in France. The model number is 8224. They are about 15 years old. A guy gave them to me.
 
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Theo

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Oakville, On Canada
Bahco North America was a division of Snap-on Tools, and a brand of tools up until Jan 1, 2007 when Snap-on launched the J.H. Williams Tool Group.

Bahco North America no longer exists as a company, but only as a brand within JHWTG.

JHWTG is the distribution arm of Snap-on Tools. The business model is to sell industrial tools via distribution (Motion Industries, Hagameyer, PTS etc.) rather than via franchisee (Snap-on Truck) or direct sales (Snap-on Industrial).

The JHWTG line consists of J.H. Williams Hand Tools, CDI Torque Products, Bahco Tools, and Milford Band Saw Blades.

The quality for the tools range from good/better/best.

Good - JH Williams "Global" tools. Any Williams tool not marked as "Made in the USA" falls into this category. The tools are made at various offshore facilities to Snap-on Specs. These tools are designed to offer a quality tool at a lower price point.

Better/Best - There's a lot of interchangeability here between which Williams tools is better than Bahco and vice versa. The Williams Tools in this category are "Made in the USA" while the Bahco tools can be made in any number of global facilities in UK, Sweden, Portugal, Spain or France. I know I'm forgetting some. These are high tech facilities and in most cases I believe they are union shops. The Williams tools are very rugged and high quality no nonsense industrial tools. Bahco Tools feature some interesting ergonomic features and tend to focus more on "tradesman" (Plumbers, Electricians, HVAC Techs etc.)
 
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reversegear

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May 24, 2007
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Taichung, Taiwan
Bahco is still sold in Europe by Snap-On's European division (SNE). They also sell a couple of other brands that I can't remember right now. Anyway, the stuff we tested was all good.
 
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danski0224

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chevy302dz said:
Does anyone have some actual experience or a opinion of this line of tools?
Click to expand...

I own a Bahco adjustable wrench- think Crescent brand, not Channelock.

No complaints, seems to be very well made. The jaws seem to be a bit longer than the Crescent style, which is good. Much nicer than the Craftsman style that I have- not that Craftsman is bad, though.

It was more $$$ than Craftsman, and it may be difficult to return the Bahco if there is a need for warranty service, unlike the Craftsman version.

According to the casting, this type of tool was "Invented by Bahco".

I suspect the other tools in the line are equal quality.
 
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Theo

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Oakville, On Canada
It was more $$$ than Craftsman, and it may be difficult to return the Bahco if there is a need for warranty service, unlike the Craftsman version.
Click to expand...

If you call JH Williams they could direct you to a local distributor that could help you out if it every broke.

I should make it known that I am I J.H. Williams Tools Group employee. I didn't join The Garage Journal to sell tools though ( I couldn't, even if I wanted to anyway)

I'm just a "tool guy" hanging out.
 
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ImportTuner

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Theo said:
If you call JH Williams they could direct you to a local distributor that could help you out if it every broke.

I should make it known that I am I J.H. Williams Tools Group employee. I didn't join The Garage Journal to sell tools though ( I couldn't, even if I wanted to anyway)

I'm just a "tool guy" hanging out.
Click to expand...

So, what's your personal opinion of JH Williams tools ... compared to other tool companies like Snap On, Matco, Mac, etc ...
 
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Major Ramifications

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Feb 28, 2005
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Location
River Ridge, Louisiana
Theo said:
If you call JH Williams they could direct you to a local distributor that could help you out if it every broke.

I should make it known that I am I J.H. Williams Tools Group employee. I didn't join The Garage Journal to sell tools though ( I couldn't, even if I wanted to anyway)

I'm just a "tool guy" hanging out.
Click to expand...


Cool, thanks for letting us know.
I would say that you are fortunate to work in an industry that you love.
Do you mind if I ask what you do?
 
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Theo

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ImportTuner said:
So, what's your personal opinion of JH Williams tools ... compared to other tool companies like Snap On, Matco, Mac, etc ...
Click to expand...

BrianAltenhofel said:
That's a question that can damn someone either way they answer :wtf:
Click to expand...


Yes, yes it is...

All the brands you've mentioned are great, and tool performance varies by application. It's hard to make a blanket statement that would hold true for any application.
 
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Charles (in GA)

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Jan 11, 2006
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12,489
Location
50 mi south of Atlanta
danski0224 said:
I own a Bahco adjustable wrench- think Crescent brand, not Channelock.

No complaints, seems to be very well made. The jaws seem to be a bit longer than the Crescent style, which is good. Much nicer than the Craftsman style that I have- not that Craftsman is bad, though.

It was more $$$ than Craftsman, and it may be difficult to return the Bahco if there is a need for warranty service, unlike the Craftsman version.

According to the casting, this type of tool was "Invented by Bahco".

I suspect the other tools in the line are equal quality.
Click to expand...

Bahco History

http://www.bahco.com/asp/pubs/index.asp?lngLevel=0&lngStructureID=1219&lngMenuID=1255

Bahco Milestones

http://www.bahco.com/asp/pubs/index.asp?lngMenuID=1255&lngID=1987

Yes, they invented the adjustable wrench, I have a Volvo branded one that is from the 50's. Has the V shaped opening in the end of the handle, one side smooth, one side serrated, for turning nuts. Interestingly, the threads on the open close knurled nut are backwards to American made adjustables.

Charles
 
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