OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
How do Beta hand tools compare to the likes of Snap-On, Matco, Mac, SK, etc.? They look like very high quality products and the price reflects that.
Beta Tools
- Thread starter OctaneMotorsports
- Start date
Jay H 237
Well-known member
I found a website here, http://www.procarestores.com/company/profile/index.php
OP
OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
Check it out:
http://www.beta-tools.com/default.asp?lang=en
Made in Italy. Extremely high quality. Just looking for some other opinions of people who have actually hammered on them.
http://www.beta-tools.com/default.asp?lang=en
Made in Italy. Extremely high quality. Just looking for some other opinions of people who have actually hammered on them.
Canadian Charlie
Banned
I have a few Beta tools, they are very high quality stuff, nice finish and built tough. So far I have a metric nut driver set, a few sockets and a torque wrench.
Prices are not cheap though
Prices are not cheap though
Canadian Charlie
Banned
Beta Distribution USA
12656 E. Jamison Place #12
Englewood, CO 80112
TOLL FREE: 888.700.BETA
PHONE: 303.689.9363
FAX: 303.689.9360
12656 E. Jamison Place #12
Englewood, CO 80112
TOLL FREE: 888.700.BETA
PHONE: 303.689.9363
FAX: 303.689.9360
dink
Well-known member
They will be opening up Beta Stores in select major cities in 2007....basically the same as Snap-on with trucks but the added bonus of a actual showroom.....Dallas is one of there select cities...I cant wait
dink
Well-known member
bmwpower said:
Nope but I can always find out for ya
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Can you see if Detroit will be one of them?dink said:
WhatThaFrig
Well-known member
- Joined
- Dec 7, 2006
- Messages
- 152
They just opened a store here in Knoxville,TN. Very nice stuff. On the same lines(price and quality) as Snap-On,Mac,etc....
Moltar
Well-known member
How about Houston?
Matt Matthews
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2007
- Messages
- 20
sorry for bringing up a old thread but, I own a few beta tools and can attest to their quality. www.procarestores.com is where I purchased mine.
Also a 20 percent discount for SCCA members. Shipping was fast, and well packaged. The screwdriver handles just fit me so much better than S.O.'s I also have a stubby wrench set and a adjustable creeper, That has a infinite amount of head adjustment on a strut type design vs. the fixed slots of S.O.'s.
They will never replace my snap on collection but I have had no complaints with the products I have purchased. and they have some unique pieces much like knipex and Facom.
As far as Italian engineering I cant afford a ferrari, don't want a alfa. But I love my esab plasma cutter and my aprilia rs250...
matt
Also a 20 percent discount for SCCA members. Shipping was fast, and well packaged. The screwdriver handles just fit me so much better than S.O.'s I also have a stubby wrench set and a adjustable creeper, That has a infinite amount of head adjustment on a strut type design vs. the fixed slots of S.O.'s.
They will never replace my snap on collection but I have had no complaints with the products I have purchased. and they have some unique pieces much like knipex and Facom.
As far as Italian engineering I cant afford a ferrari, don't want a alfa. But I love my esab plasma cutter and my aprilia rs250...
matt
OP
OctaneMotorsports
Well-known member
Yep old thread, but I figured since it's bumped already I will throw in my $0.02
Since I made this thread I have bought a fair amount of Beta stuff. Wrenches, hex t-handles, screwdrivers and pliers. Excellent products.
Since I made this thread I have bought a fair amount of Beta stuff. Wrenches, hex t-handles, screwdrivers and pliers. Excellent products.
Merkava_4
Banned
I was checking out their long pattern polished wrenches; I sure wish I could see them in person. 
Beta Long Pattern
Beta Long Pattern
Matt Matthews
Member
- Joined
- Sep 15, 2007
- Messages
- 20
I was checking out their long pattern polished wrenches; I sure wish I could see them in person.
Beta Long Pattern
I understand, Its hard to invest that kind of money on a set of wrenches that you cannot touch, I borrowed a flat tip screwdriver while having trouble at the track, And liked the way it felt in my hand, studied their construction, went home and ordered the set. They included a nice catalog. The wrenches and creeper I bought blind. after researching what little info there is on the net about beta tools. I am very happy with them.
If you like the fit and finish of any of the truck brands the price is comparable, Or roll the dice buy the combo wrench you use most and do a comparo for all of us. I am very impressed with the quality of my set of stubby wrenches but really they are much like snap on's product. And lets face it stubbies don't see very much abuse..
No pun intended
matt
chammyman
Well-known member
Again to bump an old thread I use Beta tools everyday.
In my work I mainly use Beta and Snap On tools.
Quality wise snap on wins, snap on feels nicer and most is chrome finish. A lot of the beta stuff is matt finished.
Snap on ratchets are much, much stronger than the Beta ones, the beta ones strip - often, but repair kits are just given out by our man in the van so its not to bad.
Spanners are ok, never broken one yet.
The T handle flex head spinners are excellent and take abuse (abuse being adding a spanner over the handle for more leverage).
The L shaped wrenches again excellent.
Screwdrivers the grips not very comfy to me.
The 1 inch airgun we have is excellent. I have a 1/2 inch Beta gun, not as good as the titanium ingersol ran but it does the job and has lasted many years.
The Torx bits are the bits that break the most but thats due to my workmates using airguns on them, often using step downs on the 2/4 gun!
Our man in the van is very good and replaces anything that gets broken quickly and without moaning.
Price wise, some things vary, some bits the radiator clip pliers spring to mind are dearer from Beta than Snap On.
Tool box wise I have a C23C top box at home, its not bad, its not as good as snap on though. One of my work mates has an older friction slider version of my box and its quite beat up. The Snap On boxes seem to last longer.
I have a ferrari supertank in work. The quality is not great, its about 2 years old. The paints come off on some of the drawers and a wheel collapsed. All the drawers still work perfectly except one which sometimes bounces open. But on the other hand its had gearboxes, engines etc sat/dropped on it, its been driven into by cars, trucks and buses and had various chemicals spilt on it and its still all there so its not to bad.
Gee thats a long message!
In my work I mainly use Beta and Snap On tools.
Quality wise snap on wins, snap on feels nicer and most is chrome finish. A lot of the beta stuff is matt finished.
Snap on ratchets are much, much stronger than the Beta ones, the beta ones strip - often, but repair kits are just given out by our man in the van so its not to bad.
Spanners are ok, never broken one yet.
The T handle flex head spinners are excellent and take abuse (abuse being adding a spanner over the handle for more leverage).
The L shaped wrenches again excellent.
Screwdrivers the grips not very comfy to me.
The 1 inch airgun we have is excellent. I have a 1/2 inch Beta gun, not as good as the titanium ingersol ran but it does the job and has lasted many years.
The Torx bits are the bits that break the most but thats due to my workmates using airguns on them, often using step downs on the 2/4 gun!
Our man in the van is very good and replaces anything that gets broken quickly and without moaning.
Price wise, some things vary, some bits the radiator clip pliers spring to mind are dearer from Beta than Snap On.
Tool box wise I have a C23C top box at home, its not bad, its not as good as snap on though. One of my work mates has an older friction slider version of my box and its quite beat up. The Snap On boxes seem to last longer.
I have a ferrari supertank in work. The quality is not great, its about 2 years old. The paints come off on some of the drawers and a wheel collapsed. All the drawers still work perfectly except one which sometimes bounces open. But on the other hand its had gearboxes, engines etc sat/dropped on it, its been driven into by cars, trucks and buses and had various chemicals spilt on it and its still all there so its not to bad.
Gee thats a long message!
chammyman
Well-known member
not got any Hazet that I can recal.
Got a few stahlwille spanners and they sure take a lto of leverage, pretty good. got some really old ones that have stood up well. Good tools
Got a few stahlwille spanners and they sure take a lto of leverage, pretty good. got some really old ones that have stood up well. Good tools
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Fedwrench
ALLIANCE MEMBER
What the hell is a ferrari supertank?????
a big beta tool trolley! but it my have prancing horses on it
http://www.procarestores.com/product/general_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=028000013
eschoendorff
Well-known member
a big beta tool trolley! but it my have prancing horses on it
http://www.procarestores.com/product/general_catalog/product_info.php?products_id=028000013
Oh. Gotcha.
Thank you. Have you noticed any degradation in the quality of Snap-on Tools over the years? I have heard some people make that claim.
chammyman
Well-known member
heres a ferrari supertank that didn't sell a wee while back on ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270262203481
Quality is good but not quite the snap on good, for example the bottom drawers you can't add more runners to them.
As for the snap on tools, same as anything, if they are abused and neglected yes they break. However they take the abuse and neglect longer than most...
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270262203481
Quality is good but not quite the snap on good, for example the bottom drawers you can't add more runners to them.
As for the snap on tools, same as anything, if they are abused and neglected yes they break. However they take the abuse and neglect longer than most...
Thank you again. How often do you see your snap-on dealer? Are snap-on tools more available than Beta, Hazet or Stahlwille?
chammyman
Well-known member
the snap on man parks his van in what usd to be my work so I saw him everyday. The Beta man every week or 2 as he delivered solvents and spray cans etc as well.
Stahlwille have always been a tool shop visit requirement and theres only one which is up the Barras that supplies them.
Stahlwille have always been a tool shop visit requirement and theres only one which is up the Barras that supplies them.
Interesting. It would appear that you use Snap-on and Beta simply because they are the easiest tools to buy. How often do you make a purchase? Would it be cash or credit? Do the dealers in Scotland carry the financing as they often do this side of the pond?
chammyman
Well-known member
I have a wide variety of tools, snap on and beta are only some of them, I have a lot of Britool (more britool than either snap on or Beta), halfords pro (surprisingly good the older stuff), Ten, Snail, Stahlwille, Gordon and a lot of no name stuff.
Yes they offer finance. I never use it. I always pay cash for everything except the house bills which are direct debits. Credits for people that should know better but don't.
Yes they offer finance. I never use it. I always pay cash for everything except the house bills which are direct debits. Credits for people that should know better but don't.
A man needs a rather fat wallet to be paying cash for Snap-on tools. Presumably these other brands are the original tools with which you started your career. I suppose it is safe to assume they were considerably cheaper than Snap-on.
Have you noticed a change in the quality of Britool products? Some time ago they were taken over by Facom, and just lately Facom was bought out by Stanley. Just to remind everybody, Stanley is the outfit that owns Mac Tools. It is Mac Tools that has been facing a barrage of multi-million dollar lawsuits for screwing its dealers. As a matter of fact Snap-on has had its fair share of lawsuits as well from disgruntled dealers. By the way, does Mac Tools have a subsidiary up there in Scotland?
stroh
Well-known member
Where can you buy Beta tools in the U.S. I tried calling procare 3 days ago and only get voicemail and they have not returned my call. I live in Wisconsin, do they have a store in Illinois or Minnesota?
And does anyone know if their ratcheting wrenches are made in Italy?
Thanks Stroh
And does anyone know if their ratcheting wrenches are made in Italy?
Thanks Stroh
chammyman
Well-known member
you just need to save up the cash. I never buy anything with card or credit, I find it vulgar. I lost my wallet and £500 (nearly lost it with 7 ton in it a week before) which pissed me off no end but thats the price you pay I suppose.
Its like cars, people that pay a car on finance are insane, just go to the bank and either get a cheque or go in with a wad of notes, when you have notes they knock thousands off.
Britool, the new spanners seem inferior to the older ones, they look like they are sintered. Still not snapped one right enough.
As for mac dunno, sometimes they are on the random trucks that come in otherwise its ebay.
As for my tools I have been given or bought most of them. I have done a lot of work in various areas since I was 12 or so and I got on with the old boys and they gave me a lot of stuff as they retired etc.
If I need something and don't have it handy I wil buy it, I actually bought a few deep 3/8 stanley sockets a few weeks beck, they were much better than I was expecting.
Its like cars, people that pay a car on finance are insane, just go to the bank and either get a cheque or go in with a wad of notes, when you have notes they knock thousands off.
Britool, the new spanners seem inferior to the older ones, they look like they are sintered. Still not snapped one right enough.
As for mac dunno, sometimes they are on the random trucks that come in otherwise its ebay.
As for my tools I have been given or bought most of them. I have done a lot of work in various areas since I was 12 or so and I got on with the old boys and they gave me a lot of stuff as they retired etc.
If I need something and don't have it handy I wil buy it, I actually bought a few deep 3/8 stanley sockets a few weeks beck, they were much better than I was expecting.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
Chammy are you still "resting" or have you got a new job yet?
chammyman
Well-known member
well depends on what you define as resting really?
The last few days,
Wednesday done the brakes on an Iveco flatbed, easy money.
Thursday 3 of us got a loan of a van and done a scrap run which gave us a bit of cash, we also moved a load of furniture and done a few runs to the dump.
Friday done a bit of work on a quad bike.
Saturday another iveco recovery wagon popped a headgasket went and diagnosed it early am will do the job this week. Then went laid slabs and erected a tin shed then in the afternoon got a job to do a 525 gearbox this week.
Still got a car in the drive awaiting full payment so it can be released.
So yeah getting by. I'm not on the dole if thats what your asking.
The last few days,
Wednesday done the brakes on an Iveco flatbed, easy money.
Thursday 3 of us got a loan of a van and done a scrap run which gave us a bit of cash, we also moved a load of furniture and done a few runs to the dump.
Friday done a bit of work on a quad bike.
Saturday another iveco recovery wagon popped a headgasket went and diagnosed it early am will do the job this week. Then went laid slabs and erected a tin shed then in the afternoon got a job to do a 525 gearbox this week.
Still got a car in the drive awaiting full payment so it can be released.
So yeah getting by. I'm not on the dole if thats what your asking.
Frank Elson
Well-known member
Just worrying for a virtual friend.
So long as you have cash coming in and can pay the bills.
BTDT I don't want to wallpaper (woodchip) flats for cash in hand ever again.
So long as you have cash coming in and can pay the bills.
BTDT I don't want to wallpaper (woodchip) flats for cash in hand ever again.
Are you a backyard mechanic, or just between jobs? I wouldn't think a guy could afford Snap-on or Beta Tools unless he's making union wages. By the way, do you think that Stahlwille torque wrenches are as could as the company claims? I've heard that Boeing and Airbus use them exclusively.
vssjim
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Beta and USAG tools are almost carbon copies of each other, the stuff is fairly good but some of the USAG fine tooth ratchets are alittle rough and not smooth maybe the new ones are better but I have not bought one in a long time. The new Britool stuff is imported probably from Taiwan or China they don't say on the web site where as the old Britool stuff was a real quality British made tool the new company a investment group type of company kind of killed off the tool line.