Beta Utensili

[Joao]

Hello everyone,
I would like to start a new topic about BETA tools:
Quality?
Where are the different tools manufactured?
Whether it is an underrated or overrated brand?
Which ones do you have?
Which ones would you like to have?
I think it is a brand that almost nobody talks about here, being only german, american and japanese tools.

 

[eyeball]

Never heard of the brand. Maybe the OP can start us off with his take?

 

[dsaabm]

Nice tools but expensive with little support in the USA

 

[old-air-performance]

we have them at work.
Its an italian brand.
I would say they are a medium quality brand, about the same quality as facom ( which i find overrated), custor, teng-tools, kraftwerk, ... .

I think they are ok for hobby use, as for professional use, or you want tools that will outlast you i would suggest to go stahlwille, gedore, hazet, ... (and these brands arent more expensive as beta)

if for hobby, i would suggest maybe go teng-tools , same quality as beta etc, but more value for money.

The beta ratchet which you can also use by turning the handle can come in handy in serveral situations, altough , for other situations they are much to thick.
Some motogp teams are sponsored by beta

Kind regards, Toon

 

[Fedwrench]

Where are you located?

I remember when I was stationed in Italy years ago, those Beta orange tool trolleys were in most, if not all the car repair shops.

However, I don't think BETA has established much of a foothold in the USA. There are a few distributors online, and BETA usually has a booth at the annual AAPEX show in Las Vegas but, i don't think they've caught on here as well as FACOM or even USAG has.

 

[rice rocket]

I have quite a bit of Beta, picked up a bunch in the brief period Amazon was stocking them, and then have imported a bunch over the years.

They have a few standout tools, namely the P-handle hex keys which are fantastic. Everyone throws praise on the PB Swiss, I think the Betas are better (I have both). If you believe them, they're the only company other than PB Swiss that forged tips on their hex tools, even the venerable Snap-Ons are extruded. Their screwdrivers and pliers are also very good, ergonomics are second to none.

That's kinda where it ends though. Their wrenches are good but nothing outstanding, their sockets aren't bad but aren't great either. The ratchets are probably their weakest point, lots of backdrag and the selector switched completely flush, which makes it hard to change direction.

I haven't sold any of it and it still all lives in my tool chest, the P-handles, pliers, and screwdrivers are the only things I reach for first. The rest I could live without.

I did pickup the tool trolley as well recently, which you'll see littered around the MotoAmerica paddock. It's a great trailer box if you're a trackday/racer type.


Also, be aware of the difference between their Beta brand, and the Beta Easy brand. The Beta Easy stuff is almost all made in Taiwan, and is priced lower to suit. They still make all the hard goods in house in Italy, from what I understand (wrenches, hex tools, screwdrivers, sockets, etc.).

 

[rice rocket]

Most of the screwdrivers/hex tools, scattered amongst the Wera/Vessel/Bondhus/Williams/Eklind.

Pliers in the rack.

This is my box I chuck in whatever car I'm in.

The 1/4 set migrated to the tool trolley, the sockets on the rail (upside down) are Betas as well, P-handles are PB Swiss. The ratchet, while also black and orange, is actually a Bahco.

 

[rice rocket]

These were at MotoAmerica (not mine).

 

[Joao]

we have them at work.
Its an italian brand.
I would say they are a medium quality brand, about the same quality as facom ( which i find overrated), custor, teng-tools, kraftwerk, ... .

I think they are ok for hobby use, as for professional use, or you want tools that will outlast you i would suggest to go stahlwille, gedore, hazet, ... (and these brands arent more expensive as beta)

if for hobby, i would suggest maybe go teng-tools , same quality as beta etc, but more value for money.

The beta ratchet which you can also use by turning the handle can come in handy in serveral situations, altough , for other situations they are much to thick.
Some motogp teams are sponsored by beta

Kind regards, Toon

Some questions just for debate and exchange of ideas:
Don't you think German brands are overrated?
You enter a store you see made in germany and you are immediately attracted!
Another example is the snap-on, which used to make a lot of tools in Spain and after being given its name, they worth 7 times more!!!
Group psychology often works in the toolmania, we are like the sardines where one goes, they all go?

 

[vssjim]

I have found BETA and USAG are a lot alike on what they sell and how they pattern tools, now in some ways after USAG was bought it's not quit so copy each other as it was. I don't know how much they both make in Italy anymore vs Taiwan type stuff as they don't label things the same in EU vs USA. The BETA and USAG tools I have work good and were a good value at the time but I had a USAG dealer back then.

 

[vssjim]

As far as a German tool store in the US they almost don't exist really a lot of areas like were I live don't really have tool stores anymore period.

 

[geo9]

Beta are considered good tools, at least in my part of the world (which is close to Italy, lol). Sadly, many are not made in Italy any more. It all comes down to value-for-money I would guess, so if the price is right and the feel at hand is nice, why not.
Guarantees are also important for professionals.

 

[Joao]

Beta are considered good tools, at least in my part of the world (which is close to Italy, lol). Sadly, many are not made in Italy any more. It all comes down to value-for-money I would guess, so if the price is right and the feel at hand is nice, why not.
Guarantees are also important for professionals.

Lifetime warranty

 

[measuredtwice]

Some questions just for debate and exchange of ideas:
Don't you think German brands are overrated?
You enter a store you see made in germany and you are immediately attracted!
Another example is the snap-on, which used to make a lot of tools in Spain and after being given its name, they worth 7 times more!!!
Group psychology often works in the toolmania, we are like the sardines where one goes, they all go?

You are making broad generalizations that are as bad or worse than the "group psychology" that you are admonishing.

What is actually useful is discussion and comparison of individual tools. Post photos and give detailed comparisons.

Rice rocket, your photos aren't showing up. If you use "http" instead of "https", the photos will show up. I fixed it in this quote.

Most of the screwdrivers/hex tools, scattered amongst the Wera/Vessel/Bondhus/Williams/Eklind.

Pliers in the rack.

This is my box I chuck in whatever car I'm in.

The 1/4 set migrated to the tool trolley, the sockets on the rail (upside down) are Betas as well, P-handles are PB Swiss. The ratchet, while also black and orange, is actually a Bahco.

These were at MotoAmerica (not mine).

 

[rice rocket]

Some questions just for debate and exchange of ideas:
Don't you think German brands are overrated?

I do think so, I have a set of Hazets that I would be ashamed to show anyone. It's the set of double box offset wrenches, and they look like ****. They're made on old tooling that clearly needed to be retired, but that trait seems to be shared among the legacy German brands (Stahlwille, Hazet, etc.). Maybe it doesn't affect the durability of the tool in the end, but it just feels like the attention to detail has been lost over the years.

I guess it works for them to keep making the same old tired stuff, but I probably won't be buying anything else from them.

 

[seber]

I have a few Hazet and Stahlwille wrenches. I keep them in case I need to make a special tool. I would never reach for them first. Poorly made and miserable finish. If they cost more than made in Taiwan they are vastly overpriced.

 

[OMMP]

I have a few Hazet and Stahlwille wrenches. I keep them in case I need to make a special tool. I would never reach for them first. Poorly made and miserable finish. If they cost more than made in Taiwan they are vastly overpriced.

Well, it could be little... Harsh. Would you post some pics of such tools?

 

[geo9]

My only Beta tool is this bit driver. I use it quite a lot when there is enough room, as the end is quite thick due to the locking mechanism.

 

[OMMP]

Geo9, are there any greek quality tools manufacturers?

 

[Joao]

You are making broad generalizations that are as bad or worse than the "group psychology" that you are admonishing.

What is actually useful is discussion and comparison of individual tools. Post photos and give detailed comparisons.

Rice rocket, your photos aren't showing up. If you use "http" instead of "https", the photos will show up. I fixed it in this quote.

I am making broad generalizations, yes I am, on purpose,to try to demystify some myths.I think you understand the purpose.

But you're right is the discussion and comparison of individual tools that is needed.

 

[bsaint]

The only thing I have left is sliding T hex drivers


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[geo9]

Geo9, are there any greek quality tools manufacturers?

Not really, for this kind of hand tools

 

[fanders]

I really like the T-handles, in both hex and torx:

View media item 90051
View media item 90043

 

[jimmyin3D]

You are making broad generalizations that are as bad or worse than the "group psychology" that you are admonishing.

What is actually useful is discussion and comparison of individual tools. Post photos and give detailed comparisons.

Yes. Putting down a whole brand for some of there tools is wrong. I don’t believe one tool company makes the best in everything, I think most tool companies make a few they really shine in.

Take Stahlwille for example, there deep offset Stabil 20 wrenches are awesome. Designed very well with the offset and box ends made thin enough to clear obstacles. There ratchets are okay but not something that is one of the best out there.

You can do this with every tool company: PB Swiss with there hex & Torx L-keys, Snap on with there wrenches, Facom with there oil filter tools, Koken with socketry, the list goes on.

 

[65k10]

I bought a few of their ratchets because they were Koken rebrands that I could buy cheaper than actual Koken. Not much to say about them other than they are just a 24 tooth Koken with a different name one them.

The only funny thing to note is while the bag they came in had a label saying they were made in Japan, the ratchets themselves are not stamped Japan. Not a big deal, but I don't really understand why they had that omitted when Koken stamps it on their own ratchets.

1/2 flex head ratchet
1/2 standard ratchet

 

[geo9]

@fanders I have seen such T-handles in person and they really look ergonomic and robust. Nice tools.

 

[Joao]

Some story:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=9&v=axTyOwYVrOk

 

[Joao]

https://www.beta-tools.com/media/ca...9de82fb58b1/9/6/96bp-cl_slash_sc9_foto_01.jpg

 

[Joao]

Does anyone have allen keys Beta?
What´s your opinion about them?

 

[OMMP]

Joao, are you thinking of Beta as just italian produced? Because I don't think they produce all of their tools...

 

[rice rocket]

I don't have their colored keys, I have a set of their regular ones. They're fine, they're whatever. If you're in the US, I would just pickup the Bondhus Briteguard/Goldguard keys instead, they're cheaper and better.

If you're doing a lot of work w/ allen headed bolts though, you should get the P-handle hex wrenches, that has been mentioned a few times in this thread.

 

[iwantone]

I recently bought a set of Beta 951 sliding T-handle hex drivers through Amazon.de mainly to work on my bikes.

I fully expect the durability of these to last my lifetime of use, but a bit disappointed with the finish quality on them... The tips are blackened on the 6mm and smaller sizes, but it is very inconsistent, see pictures. Would have preferred that they left them raw like the 8/10mm.

From the limited use I've put them through, they perform fantastically, not sure how often I'll reach for my HexPlus allens anymore.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Tapatalk

 

[dutchgray]

@fanders I have seen such T-handles in person and they really look ergonomic and robust. Nice tools.

They are really great those T handles, if you get one Beta tool, make it a set of those. I have torx and hex myself.

 

[Joao]

Joao, are you thinking of Beta as just italian produced? Because I don't think they produce all of their tools...

You are absolutely right, my friend.
The Beta easy line is produced in China.
But most of the external suppliers are mainly based in Italy.They are also supplied by Taiwan and Germany.

 

[rice rocket]

And Japan.

 

[superautobacs]

Back when Amazon.com was carrying them I did purchase a few things like cold chisels (I believe Italian), PVC/hose cutter (made in Taiwan), and others that escape my mind.

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/25880503771/in/photolist-Rorh3x-Q9LjAv-Q9LjmT-GG5gDU-ReSJqy-ReSJou-RpDGw3-RpDGtN-FqYm7g-EBsgRY-F7Nzwj/" title="Beta"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1471/25880503771_af60ffdf9c_c.jpg" width="800" height="600" alt="Beta"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>











My first Beta tool was a GJ secret santa gift back in 2009. Back drag is pretty heavy, and the directional switch is .... different, for a lack of a better word. Handle ergonomics is great, but isn't hard wearing.

When it was new:






<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/25674900850/in/photolist-Rorh3x-Q9LjAv-Q9LjmT-GG5gDU-ReSJqy-ReSJou-RpDGw3-RpDGtN-FqYm7g-EBsgRY-F7Nzwj/" title="Beta"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/1541/25674900850_29c5f8f49e_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="Beta"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>



I've bought a few select BETA wrenches over the years for particular automotive tasks and have nothing bad to say.

Here's just a couple photos i took when new:

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/32318494272/in/photolist-Rorh3x-Q9LjAv-Q9LjmT-GG5gDU-ReSJqy-ReSJou-RpDGw3-RpDGtN-FqYm7g-EBsgRY-F7Nzwj" title="Ko-ken DBE (Beta) Wrench"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/284/32318494272_6fbc462dc9_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="Ko-ken DBE (Beta) Wrench"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/32429116486/in/photolist-Rorh3x-Q9LjAv-Q9LjmT-GG5gDU-ReSJqy-ReSJou-RpDGw3-RpDGtN-FqYm7g-EBsgRY-F7Nzwj/" title="Ko-ken DOE (Beta)"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/553/32429116486_70dc3890b8_c.jpg" width="800" height="532" alt="Ko-ken DOE (Beta)"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[geo9]

I have never seen the words "Koken" and "Italy" on the same tool until now