facom 440 spanner small ding or nick

[cleeny]

Hello, folks,

I'm new to "exotic" tools and recently wanted to try out a Facom 440 series spanner/wrench.

Upon receiving it, however, I realized there was a small nick or indentation in it as can be seen in the attached image.

I'm fairly "****", but it doesn't bother to me to the point of wanting to return it for another one, especially if I'd just get another with a dent in it. But I do have a few questions:
1. Is this normal at times for some higher-priced spanners?
2. This doesn't affect the overall integrity of the spanner, does it?
3. What would cause such a ding? I ask because I'm simply curious and because I feel that this is a strong spanner and can't imagine this happening during shipment. I actually tried making a dent myself using another metal object but was quite unsuccessful, thus I wonder. Thanks.

 

[ChevyEFI]

I can't bring myself to read, let alone respond to elevated levels of rubbish. So I'll contribute the best I can here.

TOOL POLISHER ALERT

 

[cleeny]

Yet you did read and respond, Chevy, and in the way "the highest level of rubbish" would!
Regardless, in advance, I apologize if my post does offend anyone to this extent. I'm simply curious and would appreciate it if someone state what part of the manufacturing process or other deed would cause this?

 

[Rico.]

Hi, first of all welcome to the forum. This is definitely the place to be if you are a little "****"
about your tools. OCD is quite prevelent amongst members here.

In answer to your questions.... I'll do them in reverse order.

3. The most likely cause is a knock somehow, just after or during forging.

2. It won't have any effect what so ever in the performance or strength of the spanner

1. The reason I chose to anwser your question is that I probably have a couple of
thousand pounds worth of FACOM tools, and if I'm honest, I'm not quite as "****"
as you in terms of cosmetic perfection so I haven't examined every individual tool
closely.... However I haven't noticed any dings or blemishes in any of my FACOM
tools, so I would say the answer is NO.... it's not common at all.

I would also add that, try not to worry much about minor blemishes... They are just
tools and are going to get all scratched up when you use them anyway... It just
gives them character...

 

[cleeny]

A big thanks for the really helpful reply, Rico^_^

Figure I'd ask you one more thing that somewhat relates to my original question.
Take a look at the attached image of a KTC (non-Nepros) spanner.

After using this spanner once to simply undo a shift lever bolt IIRC or something like that, indentations formed where the open-ended end makes contact with the bolt head or nut. Otherwise, the spanner functions normally even after adopting these indentations.

Would you happen to know why this happens after first use?

 

[outdoorsman310]

I can't bring myself to read, let alone respond to elevated levels of rubbish. So I'll contribute the best I can here.

TOOL POLISHER ALERT

thanks!

 

[Applesauce]

Holy ****. I can't believe this thread is a thing.

 

[tweedlestan]

They're wrenches.

They're fine.

Use them.

 

[Gmonkee]

The steel in tools work hardens under regular use and stress, not a night and day difference but very slowly. I've had undersized fasteners mark lines in my then new Wurth wrenches but once they had a few years of use on them it seems nothing can mush or mark the open ends.

The alloy and quality of the steel used plays a part too, as does the heat treating the particular tool got.
I have 90 year old wrenches, very well used that have remained in tolerances and others that are V shaped with visibly less wear. Others cracked from a hard heat treating taking out natural flexibility of the steel.
Too soft, springy or hard are all bad. There is a magic point in between that makes the perfect wrench.

 

[nicksnothereman]

Hello, folks,

I'm new to "exotic" tools and recently wanted to try out a Facom 440 series spanner/wrench.

Upon receiving it, however, I realized there was a small nick or indentation in it as can be seen in the attached image.

I'm fairly "****", but it doesn't bother to me to the point of wanting to return it for another one, especially if I'd just get another with a dent in it. But I do have a few questions:
1. Is this normal at times for some higher-priced spanners?
2. This doesn't affect the overall integrity of the spanner, does it?
3. What would cause such a ding? I ask because I'm simply curious and because I feel that this is a strong spanner and can't imagine this happening during shipment. I actually tried making a dent myself using another metal object but was quite unsuccessful, thus I wonder. Thanks.

Probably a "tooling mark". Side note: How the f do you even use a tool if you're afraid of scratching it? I mean...come on. Shenanigans. Depends on what you paid, if you're paying 100 bucks for some shiny wrench it should be perfect cosmetically and will probably stay that way because you'll be afraid to use it. If you buy a whole set of them for 10 bucks it's okay if they look like they came out of an intestinal tract of a rabies infested camel.

I don't know what a spanner is. That's a french wrench. I prefer my (chinese) freedom wrenches. You and the guy who puts anti-seize on his rotor hats should get along like two dudes that like counting the dimples in bmw seats at the auto show.

 

[Duarte]

I wouldn't lose any sleep over it.

 

[Rico.]

Come on Chaps.... Play nice with the new guy.


Cleeny... I would guess you're quite young, or new to tinkering with spanners.

The guy's above ^^^ do have a point, if less than subtly made... Tools will get dinks,
marks and scratches... they're to use not to look at. When i use my tools, if it's a dirty
job just a quick wipe down and back in the box it goes... I spent allot of money on my
tools, so I make sure every tool goes back in it's place when I'm done, but for me and
probably a majoirity on here, that's as far as our OCD goes.

I don't know how many scratches or dinks they have because I don't look for them.
Try and embrase that philosophy... worry about things worth worrying about and learn
to love the character your tools will develop... You will be a much happier person for it.

 

[cleeny]

Haha, it's cool. I'm not young actually, but I used to act the same way when I was younger. So much ego, bias, and anger in the world I tell ya!

It's just, I really have an appreciation for things that are well made and always closely check out products from a brand I've never dealt with due to my interest and curiosity. If something seems off? I like to know why.
And I'd have to admit that I have a Ron Dennis-like mindset when it comes to things.

Thanks, Rico. Your answer regarding 'just before or after forging' was especially helpful.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

Rico's pretty much got the answers covered.

But I think it's ******** to give this guy grief for liking his tools to ANY point he deems necessary. And he did ask real questions.

This is Garage Journal. It's full of tool polishers, and yes, users who polish too. This is the one place on the internet to talk about it.

What did momma say? "If you don't have anything nice to say...."

 

[Adam.C]

The answer is ABSOLUTELY a nick like that reduces the integrity of the wrench.

A nick placed in that position along the handle will reduce the strength of the wrench by the fourth power of the difference between full width and width minus nick depth. It is a failure initiation sight, possible finish failure initiation sight (chrome flaking, pitting) and also a reduction in the resale value of the tool.

These do not seem to be very expensive tools, so maybe resale isn't really a factor, nor should cosmetics be. As to strength, my guess is the stresses in the handle are no where near the stresses in the ends. It is liable to be the case that such a small nick in that location will never adversely effect the performance of the tool. But that is a guess without knowing how you will use it, whether you hit it with a dead blow hammer etc.

I can say I have second hand Snap On wrenches that look better used than that wrench does now. I would be very concerned if the ends of my wrenches were yielding in use. I'd be inclined to send the whole set back and buy a better set of wrenches.

 

[Bull]

I don't want GJ to become what some of these replies suggest it is becoming. I'm on my phone, so can't write at length.

New member: welcome and I'm sorry.