Cheaper alternatives to Snap-On
- Thread starter Sn0wlink
- Start date
Cynical huckster
Well-known member
Both sets are made in China and Taiwan. Yes, brands are registered in Germany, but the tools are made overseas. Sad but true.
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Likely not. This is from their about us page:
"The company decided to market high-quality hand tools to certified German quality standards with worldwide production specialists."
Assuming that's still true, they're likely made somewhere in Asia.
All Carolus with very few exemptions are made in China.
The torque wrenches are still from Gedore, confirmed at TBS shop in Germany.
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Sounds like Gedore learned from their Indian manufacturing in the 80s. Don't dilute your primary brand.
Other brands have started doing so. Hazet has established Vigor brand
And quite often they source items that they are not their core business from Taiwan, China, etc. These could be ratcheting wrenches and screwdrivers, utility knives, measure tapes.
The worst I have tried is Vigor. Carolus they feel very nice, especially for the money and the ratchets feel the best of the cheapo ones even better than Proxxon.
I think KS Tools might be a premium brand but I have never seen them in TBS or in other shops, just preorder or online. I got a couple of screwdrivers from them to carry in the car and they feel hefty but only used a few times.
BTW, TBS in Germany told me a few months back that they would become an online only shop. I will check them out at Christmas when visiting Germany.
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Careful with the brands you mentioned, probably all made in Asia, that's probably fine but not what you are looking for. Plenty of cheap Bahco stuff from China now for example. They are still draining the brand name to death, almost finished actually.
I believe these Facom wrenches are currently made in Italy, They were made in Taiwan at some point but I think it's Italy now. Either way, very good wrenches.
http://www.uktools.com/facom-440jp14-14pc-combination-wrench-set-p-64675.html
Another place to check is TBS Stahlwille special offers:
https://www.tbs-aachen.de/Stahlwille_special_offer_c3736.htm
However - instead of focusing on COO I suggest you consider what length you prefer. For example there is a big difference between Stahlwille 13 and 14 series. Also Hazet 600N versus Facom 440, different animals.
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premier socketry is pretty good and cheap in uk
facom cheaper than snappy in uk/europe .
werkzueg do few good bits too.
stahlwille do world class wrenches although facom good here too.
Look out for japan style impact sockets, sometimes found under laser brand.
knipex & ck top quality pliers .
facom cheaper than snappy in uk/europe .
werkzueg do few good bits too.
stahlwille do world class wrenches although facom good here too.
Look out for japan style impact sockets, sometimes found under laser brand.
knipex & ck top quality pliers .
Those Bahco ratcheting screwdrivers are sold here in the States as Blue-point. I have the standard length handle one at home.
I also have a 1/2" drive 36" breaker bar thats BAHCO but its made in the USA and clearly has Snapon factory stampings on it
I also have a 1/2" drive 36" breaker bar thats BAHCO but its made in the USA and clearly has Snapon factory stampings on it
Huh. I hadn't heard of Vigor before. Definitely looks lower quality judging from their website. I've never tried Carolus, but was somewhat apprehensive judging by the photos.
Proxxon's quality isn't nearly Hazet or Gedore, but they do offer some unique tools, which is why I keep a couple of them in my toolbox. Is there anything from Carolus that's worthwhile and not available from any of the major German tool companies?
For tools over here i would recommend the following;
Draper Expert - pretty much all of the standard Draper kit is absolute **** however their Expert line is actually good for the money. They do a nice set of combo spanners, the colour coded ones for about £40. The lettering on them has changed over the years but they still get great reviews. Sockets are good, both chrome and impact. Their crowsfoot sets are very good for the money and fit well on the fastener.
Halfords Pro/Advanced - This used to be a re-brand of the Draper Expert line above but now could be made anywhere i'm not sure, probably Taiwan or China. Their tray sets are very good and often good value with a trade card (1/4" tray set is excellent) It all comes with a lifetime warranty that includes the moving parts, so if you strip a ratchet or ratchet spanner it'll be replaced in store if they have it in, otherwise they order it for you. Good for breaker bars and torque wrenches (re-branded Norbar, ratchet is covered)
Wera/Wiha - Both excellent for screwdrivers and driver bits and not that expensive. The new wera all metal handle ratchets are seem nice, and my 3/8 is very smooth and comfortable.
Tekton - Good for impact sockets, we can get the large sets over here for very reasonable money, just a bit dearer than in the states but still good value over here. You can also get their made in the USA pliers off ebay cheap-ish. Their swivel head ratchets seem nice but are a bit on the pricey side compared to whats available over in the states.
Facom - The best quality for the price i've found. Cheaper than snap-on but just as good imo, most of my kit is being replaced with Facom as and when i've got the funds for it. Their ratchets are very good as well as their standard combo spanners, and their ratchets spanners are the best i've used. All of their tools are covered by a lifetime guarantee, including all moving parts if bought through an authorised dealer.
Beta & Toptul - I have a great long handled box-end spanner set from Beta that came in at about £120, much cheaper than any equivalents but still good quality. Toptul do a great long handle combo spanner set for about £75 all in, and the quality is excellent.
Cheap china brands - Bergen is a good example, most of their stuff is made of cheese but they sell a set of 3 ball pein hammers for £12 delivered, and they actually not bad if a little rough. They chisels and punches are fine for rough work and their basic chrome sockets are also good if a bit rough under the chrome. The sets of impact sockets you can get off ebay for about £20 delivered in cr-mo are excellent for the cost and they make up the majority of my set of impacts, with some cheaper singles bought to fill in gaps.
Draper Expert - pretty much all of the standard Draper kit is absolute **** however their Expert line is actually good for the money. They do a nice set of combo spanners, the colour coded ones for about £40. The lettering on them has changed over the years but they still get great reviews. Sockets are good, both chrome and impact. Their crowsfoot sets are very good for the money and fit well on the fastener.
Halfords Pro/Advanced - This used to be a re-brand of the Draper Expert line above but now could be made anywhere i'm not sure, probably Taiwan or China. Their tray sets are very good and often good value with a trade card (1/4" tray set is excellent) It all comes with a lifetime warranty that includes the moving parts, so if you strip a ratchet or ratchet spanner it'll be replaced in store if they have it in, otherwise they order it for you. Good for breaker bars and torque wrenches (re-branded Norbar, ratchet is covered)
Wera/Wiha - Both excellent for screwdrivers and driver bits and not that expensive. The new wera all metal handle ratchets are seem nice, and my 3/8 is very smooth and comfortable.
Tekton - Good for impact sockets, we can get the large sets over here for very reasonable money, just a bit dearer than in the states but still good value over here. You can also get their made in the USA pliers off ebay cheap-ish. Their swivel head ratchets seem nice but are a bit on the pricey side compared to whats available over in the states.
Facom - The best quality for the price i've found. Cheaper than snap-on but just as good imo, most of my kit is being replaced with Facom as and when i've got the funds for it. Their ratchets are very good as well as their standard combo spanners, and their ratchets spanners are the best i've used. All of their tools are covered by a lifetime guarantee, including all moving parts if bought through an authorised dealer.
Beta & Toptul - I have a great long handled box-end spanner set from Beta that came in at about £120, much cheaper than any equivalents but still good quality. Toptul do a great long handle combo spanner set for about £75 all in, and the quality is excellent.
Cheap china brands - Bergen is a good example, most of their stuff is made of cheese but they sell a set of 3 ball pein hammers for £12 delivered, and they actually not bad if a little rough. They chisels and punches are fine for rough work and their basic chrome sockets are also good if a bit rough under the chrome. The sets of impact sockets you can get off ebay for about £20 delivered in cr-mo are excellent for the cost and they make up the majority of my set of impacts, with some cheaper singles bought to fill in gaps.
Just called bahco and gedore, so :
Bahco spanners are made in Spain or Portugal, for sure not asia. Lifetime warranty
Carolus spaner .. Asia made , what is nice about it, all tools have 2 years warranty, but in case anything will happend you can send tool to them for up to 5 years and still they can give it new one if you did not kill it by your stupidy
Bahco spanners are made in Spain or Portugal, for sure not asia. Lifetime warranty
Carolus spaner .. Asia made , what is nice about it, all tools have 2 years warranty, but in case anything will happend you can send tool to them for up to 5 years and still they can give it new one if you did not kill it by your stupidy
Bahco's adjustable's are made by Irega in Spain im sure, along with a few other companies who buy from them and re-brand.
They dont make standard combo spanners however so they're probably made somewhere else,
http://www.irega.es/en/
They dont make standard combo spanners however so they're probably made somewhere else,
http://www.irega.es/en/
They're an asian import. I believe they sell them in the US now as well. They sponsored Wheeler Dealers at one point. So, that's what they used on the show.
They're okay tools, quite pricey for what they are really. I would only buy them if i liked any of their designs but i don't at the moment.
Just checked, and it seems that this bahco set is in really good price compare to online prices that are about 250 to 300 euro. 150 euro for set is a real bargain . Found a similar Gedore set ... but price is killing 400 euro ... and i'm guessing they will do the same job.
Just need to find my piggy bank and drill it
About a ratcheting spanners set 8 to 19 mm, carolus is 120 euro, but ... gedore is "only" 74 euro more . For liftime warranty im willing to pay a diffrence.
Lets see, for sure need to buy them till the end of next month.
Just need to find my piggy bank and drill it
About a ratcheting spanners set 8 to 19 mm, carolus is 120 euro, but ... gedore is "only" 74 euro more . For liftime warranty im willing to pay a diffrence.
Lets see, for sure need to buy them till the end of next month.
Teng used to be very good about 7-10 years ago when used them in a garage environment for student formula in the university.
Not sure they are still that good, for the money you may get something cheaper or better!
Now people vow about Facom and yes they have some very good tools but their sockets are not their best, in my opinion, and I have a few because they sell really cheap in the UK.
I am changing them though to Stahlwille/ Hazet.
Facom round ratchet on the hand
Also best hack saw I have ever jhand in the last 10 year as well as the Made in France vice grips!
Teng used to be very good about 7-10 years ago when used them in a garage environment for student formula in the university.
Not sure they are still that good, for the money you may get something cheaper or better!
Now people vow about Facom and yes they have some very good tools but their sockets are not their best, in my opinion, and I have a few because they sell really cheap in the UK.
I am changing them though to Stahlwille/ Hazet.
Facom round ratchet on the hand
Also best hack saw I have ever jhand in the last 10 year as well as the Made in France vice grips!
Would agree facom sockets not a best buy, don;t think any big brand is needed for sockets, I find the taiwan premier socket rail sets with the lower half satin finish a good buy and totally self warranty capable due to price, design, quality and durability .
Stahlwille do pretty nice tools, love their combo wrenches .
Love facom ratchet spanners and the ns1600f nano impact, not tried a hacksaw or the vise grips but will take a look I think .
Today went to my friend''s place. He has spanners from gedore, bahco and Asian made no name but still not that cheap with din 3113a norm.
So the results are pretty funny. Most stiffer one is Asian made then bahco, gedore is even springing a little .
About the bolt grip. Asian one gripping the edge of bolt wall. Bahco like gedore has a special grip that is not on the edge of bolt but couple mm from the edge. That is really good idea. Demaged bolts shouldn't be a problem for them that much like for Asian made.
Bahco is the longest one from them. Gedore and Asian has the same length.
George feels the be to thin in hands. So if you are pulling spanner really hard it can hurts your hands I guess.
Best feel has bahco for sure. Asian is normal, simply ok.
About price. Asian costs up to 100 e . Bahco is for about 250 euro and gedore you can find for up to 350 euro. Depends on the market.
Need to tell that I did not worked with them that much. I'm basing my opinion on my experience as a car tech.
Was try to be as honest as I can be. No one pay me for this.
Different people can have different opinion on this.
Later will put the pictures.
Regards Oktawian
So the results are pretty funny. Most stiffer one is Asian made then bahco, gedore is even springing a little .
About the bolt grip. Asian one gripping the edge of bolt wall. Bahco like gedore has a special grip that is not on the edge of bolt but couple mm from the edge. That is really good idea. Demaged bolts shouldn't be a problem for them that much like for Asian made.
Bahco is the longest one from them. Gedore and Asian has the same length.
George feels the be to thin in hands. So if you are pulling spanner really hard it can hurts your hands I guess.
Best feel has bahco for sure. Asian is normal, simply ok.
About price. Asian costs up to 100 e . Bahco is for about 250 euro and gedore you can find for up to 350 euro. Depends on the market.
Need to tell that I did not worked with them that much. I'm basing my opinion on my experience as a car tech.
Was try to be as honest as I can be. No one pay me for this.
Different people can have different opinion on this.
Later will put the pictures.
Regards Oktawian
Where the Facom made in? Are they reliable?
I am also between Facom and Gedore ratchet spanner. Facom I think they are smoother/ finer but Gedore are Made in Germany and very strong.
Thanks!
Kasal
Well-known member
According to e read in a tool lining in Spain facom has lost a lot in recent years.
I have some tool bahco and irimo (bought by the group snap europe) and lately they have a lot of remarkable tool of asia.
I have some tool bahco and irimo (bought by the group snap europe) and lately they have a lot of remarkable tool of asia.
Those are pictures,
I found one ratcheting spanner from KStools so i've compare it as well , open ends is made very poorly
Bahco has difrfent angle than gedore and asian.
I found one ratcheting spanner from KStools so i've compare it as well , open ends is made very poorly
Bahco has difrfent angle than gedore and asian.
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I have had a set of the Toptul ratcheting combo wrenches, extensions, and ratchets for several years and they have held up quite well.
Just ordered a set of the long reach combo wrenches in Metric and SAE. They arrived yesterday and I will be using them this weekend. The Metrics are Satin and the SAE are full polish. The length is the longest I had found on the market and the test fit on a couple of fasteners was great. Reasonable price - $140 for both sets shipped using the Garage Journal discount through Wren Tools. Mike Wren is great to work with and was very quick to reply to my order.
Sure beats welding angle iron to a POS HF wrench!
Just ordered a set of the long reach combo wrenches in Metric and SAE. They arrived yesterday and I will be using them this weekend. The Metrics are Satin and the SAE are full polish. The length is the longest I had found on the market and the test fit on a couple of fasteners was great. Reasonable price - $140 for both sets shipped using the Garage Journal discount through Wren Tools. Mike Wren is great to work with and was very quick to reply to my order.
Sure beats welding angle iron to a POS HF wrench!
How do you like Williams and Bahco pliers?