Beta Tools

[4stroker]

Hey guys I'm new here, from Australia.

Has anyone on here used Beta Tools? They are made in Italy, and used by many MotoGP teams, among others.

What is the quality of them like? How do they compare to Snap-On? The tools I am most interested in are the basics like wrenches, sockets, geared wrenches etc..

The Beta distributor here in Australia told me they have a lifetime warranty, no questions asked..

Thanks, Mark

 

[expatriated]

I'd like to hear opinions, too. I posted one of their tool chests/work benches before that I really like but dang, that stuff is pricey!

 

[4stroker]

Since I posted this I did a bit more digging on here. They dont seem as nicely finished as Snap-On, for example.

I guess I will have to get my hands on a set before I outlay the cash!

 

[doctorschmullus]

Since I posted this I did a bit more digging on here. They dont seem as nicely finished as Snap-On, !

They sound like great quality tools but don't worry if they don't look as fancy as snap on. Looks aren't everything, At my work most technicians say stahlwille makes better spanners than snap on and Stahlwille spanenrs arent that pretty.

Also where do you live in Australia because if theres a distributor in queensland I'd love to find out, PM me his number if you can

 

[Stuey]

Beta tools are very nicely made, and well designed. Their price and limited availability can be frustrating.

 

[4stroker]

These are the guys I found in Australia for Beta Tools:

http://www.toolsandtrade.com.au/

They gave me a very good price for what I wanted including shipping up to Townsville NQ.

Thanks, Mark

 

[y20dth]

I've worked with Beta tools in the past profesionally, and consider them to be on par with the other European tool brands like Hazet, Gedore, Facom, Stahlwille, etc... Taken into account that every brand has its 'baby', like Stahwille's wrenches.

As for price, I think they are really reasonable, atleast when you look at the promo's.
http://s1047.photobucket.com/albums/b471/y20dth/Tool%20Promos/Beta%20Promo%202010/

I have noticed however, especially in the latest promo, that some of the tools advertised, seem to bare resemblence to tools being marketed by other (Taiwan/China) brands.
The screwdrivers on the bottom of page 23 for example look a lot like the drivers from Force.





That doesn't mean all Beta tools are ****.

 

[sarel.wagner]

Wonder why most of the F1 teams, and MotoGP teams use Beta Tools then, even if a lot of it is Sponsored tools.

Rgrds

 

[Monte]

i think the screwdrivers pictured above are made by Lancer/Yih Cheng: http://www.lancertools.com.tw/product.php (top row on the far right)

I would look if the tools have "Italy" on them. Otherwise there are lower priced alternatives out there or alternatives where you can trust the quality more at the same price.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

They dont seem as nicely finished as Snap-On, for example.

Most European tools have a satin finish instead of a full-polished finish like Snap-on use. There's nothing bad about it. In fact, with oily hands the satin finish gives better grip.

 

[MarcSeattle]

I have a 1/2" set of Beta sockets. Finish and machining are great, equal to my snap on. Beefy construction, heavy. I like the big engraved size numbers (I can never read that frickin' tiny SO printing - I put Facom socket tags inside my SO 3/8 sockets).

If you can find it at a good price, I'd say go for it. Try MotoGF in the U.K.

 

[crewchief888]

Wonder why most of the F1 teams, and MotoGP teams use Beta Tools then, even if a lot of it is Sponsored tools.

Rgrds

the magic word is sponsored

a few years ago i was a crewchief for an off road race team. we were looking for crew shirts ect for race day. we were looking for sponsors everywhere, my drivers SO man wouldnt give us a set of tools and a tool box,
but we gladly accepted his offer of 6 free SO racing crewshirts, hats, and gloves.

 

[4stroker]

Ok here is the quote that I got in Australia:

C23 5 Draw tool Chest
C24 7 Draw Roller Cab
M15 6mm-21mm Wrenches
M16 22mm - 32mm Wrenches
M50 2mm - 8mm Hex T Handles
M92 3/8 Drive Socket and Ratchet Set
M82 1/2 Drive Socket and Ratchet Set
M90 1/4 Drive Socket and Ratchet Set
M170 Phillips Screwdriver Set
M172 Flat Screwdriver Set
M234 Hammer Set
M131 Plier Set

All up its 125 pieces of tools plus the storage.

The price they gave is $3950 including freight, which is well under retail and I think is a hell of a deal!

Since I got that quote I have spoken a bit more with the dealer and done some more digging through the catalogue, and found some things I would rather have than whats in that list above.

For example, I would like to replace all the wrenches with the 42MP series, which are bright-chrome plated, and I would also replace all the socket/ratchet sets with pieced together combos based around there 910M/55 series ratchets, which are metal handled and IMO look alot sturdier and classier. I would also add the 142 series ratcheting wrenches, which I didnt have before in the list at all.

I am waiting to hear back on how much dearer this will make the quote..

Also, I happened to see the Snap-On van on my travels today. I pulled up and went though pretty much the same process with the Snap-On guy. For a similar sort of tool list as above, and KRA2212AK Roll cab only, it came out to well over double the price of the Beta quote. He did say that he would probably be able to give me a 15% discount, if I ordered it all at once and all through him.

Im going to get a chance to check out all the Beta stuff first hand in the next month or two. If I think it looks and feels anywhere near as good as the Snap-On stuff (which I think it will) then I am going to go with it.

Thanks, Mark

 

[MarcSeattle]

I think Beta wrenches and sockets are great. For ratchets I prefer SO or Facom. I haven't tried Beta pliers. For screwdrivers, pick a top German brand.

 

[supertooljunkie]

I have a Beta deep box end 20 x 22 wrench in satin finish. It is a #90 with no COO stamped on it. The finish is really nice. It looks better than the Hazets I own. I haven't used it yet, but I am ready. Bought it on Ebay for $7-8, new.

 

[Robertob]

I ordered a set of the sliding T-handles from the UK, I'll post review if I ever get them. Most of the stuff looks pretty good but expensive at least in the U.S. I probably wouldn't bother if it weren't stuff that I can not get elsewhere.

 

[MarcSeattle]

the magic word is sponsored

a few years ago i was a crewchief for an off road race team. we were looking for crew shirts ect for race day. we were looking for sponsors everywhere, my drivers SO man wouldnt give us a set of tools and a tool box,
but we gladly accepted his offer of 6 free SO racing crewshirts, hats, and gloves.

Yes, I think Beta sponsors about a dozen MotoGP and WSBK teams. Doesn't Ferrari choose Beta for the toolkits that come with the cars, or is that still Facom/USAG?

 

[sarel.wagner]

These teams can afford anything or make anything. If Beta is not very very good, they wont last in F1 or MotoGP.

Rgrds

 

[impulse922]

the magic word is sponsored

a few years ago i was a crewchief for an off road race team. we were looking for crew shirts ect for race day. we were looking for sponsors everywhere, my drivers SO man wouldnt give us a set of tools and a tool box,
but we gladly accepted his offer of 6 free SO racing crewshirts, hats, and gloves.

another magic word is "professional" or "amateur". Keep in mind, some of the finest sports machinery out there is made in Italy. Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Ducati, Aprilia, MV agusta, etc.

 

[Robertob]

Got 'em today. Sliding t-handle hex wrenches. Can't wait to use them, I hope they last longer than the Allen-made Craftsman ones I've had for the last few years.

 

[MarcSeattle]

For the price of those things I hope your grandkids will be using them.

 

[impulse922]

For the price of those things I hope your grandkids will be using them.

on sale:

http://www.primetools.co.uk/getinfo.php?product=21773

look like nice pieces to have if you use them enough(IE: bicycle technician)

 

[Merkava_4]

Beta tools are about the same price as Snap-on. You might as well buy Snap-on unless the Beta item has a particular feature you like better for some reason...

 

[SpiderGearsMan]

Hey guys I'm new here, from Australia.

Has anyone on here used Beta Tools? They are made in Italy, and used by many MotoGP teams, among others.

What is the quality of them like? How do they compare to Snap-On? The tools I am most interested in are the basics like wrenches, sockets, geared wrenches etc..

The Beta distributor here in Australia told me they have a lifetime warranty, no questions asked..

Thanks, Mark

sounds like they are hard to acquire , expensive and not nearly snap on quality

 

[Robertob]

on sale:

http://www.primetools.co.uk/getinfo.php?product=21773

look like nice pieces to have if you use them enough(IE: bicycle technician)

Motorcycles. I wear out 5mm with regularity. The sliding feature and extra length are what made me want these. Second choice was the SO t-handles but these are much cooler.

 

[MarcSeattle]

Motorcycles. I wear out 5mm with regularity. The sliding feature and extra length are what made me want these. Second choice was the SO t-handles but these are much cooler.

How true. I reach for the Motion Pro or Gearwrench flex hex keys if I'm not using hex bit sockets. I never seem to have room for long t-handles.

 

[expatriated]

Look at this freaking showroom. Looks like something at a high-end mall.

http://www.procarestores.com/contact/index.php

 

[4stroker]

Beta tools are about the same price as Snap-on. You might as well buy Snap-on unless the Beta item has a particular feature you like better for some reason...

can you get a quote for me please with the same items that i listed above and let us know the price?

 

[tyreguy25]

sounds like they are hard to acquire , expensive and not nearly snap on quality

Is this said anywhere? I haven't read it. I, like some, do not polish my tools and prefer a textured finish to a smooth polished finish. Yes, it is not as pretty, but is more effective with oily or greasy hands.

 

[blarf]

Beta tools are about the same price as Snap-on. You might as well buy Snap-on unless the Beta item has a particular feature you like better for some reason...

Amazon has a Beta deep offset box wrench (21mm) for about half of what SnapOn wants for the same piece. I'd say that's a pretty good feature.

 

[tyreguy25]

That is a killer feature Blarf. I have been looking for good, imported wrenches that are along the same lines as SO, Mac, etc and all of them have been CHEAPER!

 

[blarf]

That is a killer feature Blarf. I have been looking for good, imported wrenches that are along the same lines as SO, Mac, etc and all of them have been CHEAPER!

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E368H4/?tag=atomicindus08-20

vs

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=334&group_ID=539

Or:

http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?P65=&tool=all&item_ID=78207&group_ID=539

vs

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003E368CO/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Of course if Amazon doesn't bother to stock the Beta stuff the price is moot.

 

[tyreguy25]

That is much cheaper than SO. That wrench in a Snappy would run you $52.25 for a 20/21mm just like that.

 

[american pioneer]

Got 'em today. Sliding t-handle hex wrenches. Can't wait to use them, I hope they last longer than the Allen-made Craftsman ones I've had for the last few years.

I"ve tried these--great tools-also their 96t range of offset hexkeys with a plastic handle are worth looking at-and less expensive
stu