Do Hazet wrenches have a special "grip"?

[Krician]

Hello, I am building my tool inventory at a foreign auto shop and have SnapOn, Matco, and Max come every week. I have researched on what their brand name wrenches have to offer and enjoying working on Mercedes and Porsche's, at times my boss hahas told me that Hazet works the best on these tight corners the engineers places bolts and nuts. So I started searching sets and cam up with
HAZET 163-140/33 as what I am looking to purchase. I will order them from http://tools-from-germany.com/en/HAZET/General-Workshop-Equipment/Tool-Assortments/HAZET-163-140/33-Wrench-Set if the said set is highly recommended for me. Do these technically out wrench AnapOn's FD+ system? Thanks!

 

[Skin]

Talking about combo wrenches, they're a nicely forged and finished wrench. They're also very light. They are not as nice as Snap-On FD+ in my opinion. The open ends do not have any modification to help them grip better nor do they have any unique design features or offsets so I have no idea what your boss is talking about. I purchased 2 600N Hazet sets, one each in both Standard and Metric, played with them a little, and moved them along. Again nice wrenches but in the end I still have my Snap-Ons.

I still have a small itch for Gedore 7UR and Gedore XL wrenches (my long Snap-Ons are my go-to wrenches) but for the most part my little dive into Hazet kind of quashed my desire for German hand tools. They're nice but they aren't import at great expense and have zero support state side nice. I'm sure i'd own a set and be very content if I was in Germany and the store around the corner had them on the shelf.

My other problem is I like brands that offer innovations and variety. Hazet, Stahlwille and Gedore are very meat and potato manufacturers. They make the basics and the bare minimum of what works. Germany needs more companies like Knipex (constantly innovating with a wide variety of tools-made in Germany to boot).

The only thing I have left from my Hazet fever that I actually like and use often is a fender cover, magnetic spark plug sockets, and these awesome parts bowls.

I LOVE those parts bowls. Beat the pants off those shallow metal things that everyone else sells.

 

[Toyota mechanic]

In your case I would go with the Hazet set. Hazet don't have the bright chrome, but they are great tools, and go with your application. If you have access to both, try them out yourself, and see what you prefer. They will both work equally well, but Hazet is superb! I love the satin finish, and fine forgings, in a more 'raw' state... I think Snap-on and Hazet will equally do the job, just preference. NO WARRANTY with Hazet... Kinda like Knipex... expected life of tool..

 

[Dave455]

Well, I've got a fair selection of wrenches from many makers and countries, most of them not my own, so hopefully I can give you a balanced view!

After nearly 30 years of owning them, I reckon Snap On make the best wrenches overall! Good materials, good machining, heat treatment and finish all mark 'em out as the best to me! Now, I know somebody will say 'Fred Sprocket tested them and found that the Bearsarse brand was stronger' or whatever! Sure they are. It's easy to make a strong wrench, just make it bigger, but overall Snap On are the best!

Don't have much Matco here in the U.K. but we have Mac. They're nice, but not in the Snap On league! Of the other U.S. makers, Wright are probably the closest to Snap On quality

Of the European makers, I have a lot of Stahlwille and that's nice too. Finish not as shiny but it wears really well. Overall their wrenches are pretty close to the Snap On. Hazet are really nice nice too. I particularly like their combination wrenches which are almost identical in proportion to the 70's era Britool which are my all time favourites, but long discontinued! I would recommend the Hazet without hesitation! Tools from Germany are a good place to buy 'em too!

Hazet, together with Snap On, and I suspect Stahlwille, are one of the few manufacturers who actually broach their wrench jaws rather than just punching them! This process makes all the difference, as you can see if you look at the quality of the finish inside the jaws, where it really matters!

The 'new boys' here are Nepros. Although they are a new name compared to the others, their parent company is not, and for the couple of years I've owned Nepros I'm already forming a very favourable impression, and would rate them up there with Snap On, Stahlwille and Hazet!

I very much doubt that any particular make of wrench works any better than any other in tight corners so maybe buy a 'test piece' from each of the makers you are considering before buying the whole set! In truth, I doubt you will be disappointed with any of 'em!

As a matter of interest I don't particularly like the Snap On Flank Drive Plus! I seldom need to exert that much force on an open end that the feature is needed, but If I'm working on a classic, which I often am, I don't particularly want the fastener marked! Regular Flank Drive would be my choice if you go the Snap On route!

 

[Gregg33]

A friend of mine has a set of those Hazet combos. They have a quality feel to them and they do feel good in your hands. The fit in fairly tight areas, though not as good as SO. The only downside for the clean freaks among us is the design/ logo on the beams is basically a dirt and grime trap. Unlike SO or Gray a quick wipe with a rag won't clean them. You either have to live with that or use a brush and solvent.

 

[2oolhound]

Hazet makes a ton of specialty tools for Mercedes, Porsche's and euro vehicles. You may want to enquire around the shop to see what ones are the most commonly used/needed/recommended ones. Hopefully the shop may supply some as they are expensive. If you have any cash left after acquiring those then think about buying the basic wrenches etc.

 

[wild cowboy]

The 'new boys' here are Nepros. Although they are a new name compared to the others, their parent company is not, and for the couple of years I've owned Nepros I'm already forming a very favourable impression, and would rate them up there with Snap On, Stahlwille and Hazet!

Agreed!

 

[Adam.C]

I worked on older mercedes and Porsches. The older models were a joy to work on, as if they were designed with the mechanic in mind. The new models, especially MB, are chocked full of specialty fasteners. Make sure you have etorx wrenches and sockets, stubby torx, and triple square, long ang regular length Allen and torx sockets. Gonna need good flex head sockets and ratchets.

Last thing I would consider would be combination wrenches. One combination over another is not going to save you. Get Snap On 0 degree "high performance" box wrenches or the ratchet versions XHDRM.

PS: Beware the onslaught of 16 and 18mm hexhead bolts on german cars.