Facom OGV profile

[dukefx]

I'm either a terrible engineer (although I'm not a mechanical one) or I simply have no clue how this profile "maintains the integrity of the fastener" and "prevents good fasteners from rounding out". I get that it's great for rounded fasteners but I can't imagine this profile not ripping out pieces of a perfectly good hex head.

Any thoughts?

 

[bwringer]

I can say from experience that the Wera Hex-Plus, a much gentler modified shape, does indeed make a big difference. It can and does get a grip on rounded hex fasteners, and allows you to apply far more torque on undamaged fasteners.

However, the Hex-Plus shape does leave marks inside undamaged fasteners when you have to really crank on it to break a stuck fastener free. In ordinary use for screws that aren't stuck, it's fine.

So in any case, I strongly suspect that this Facom version can and does work as advertised, but given the far more aggressive modified shape, it probably does leave even bigger marks inside undamaged fasteners if you have to apply a lot of torque. I'd also wonder how strong the Facom bits are because more metal has been removed to form the shape. Maybe they're best reserved for difficult situations.

Both of these exploit the fact that there's always a certain amount of clearance; a tool with a perfect zero-clearance fit would not be usable. Any tool has to rotate a few degrees to engage the hex.

 

[drtyler]

Regular hex bits can leave marks in fasteners too, along with the added bonus of chewing up the corners. I don't see the big deal. I would rather use this off corner engagement style (Wera hex plus, MAC RBRT, Facom OGV grip) since it does help prevent rounding out the inside.

 

[dukefx]

My Wera Hex Plus L-keys don't leave any marks, but then again they are used for light duty. German Tool Reviews did a Hex Plus torque test where the Hex Plus could achieve way more than the Wiha L-keys (which have one of the best fit on the market but no special profile) and didn't really leave any blatant marks on the fastener either. For heavy duty I use Stahlwille sockets that don't have any special features.

This OGV profile on the other hand seems so aggressive to me that it looks like it'd do the rounding itself and not prevent it.

Edit: for reference, this is one of my most frequently used fastener (Wera Hex Plus set)

 

[Fedwrench]

Facom OGV Grip Bits = MAC RBRT

 

[dukefx]

I'm gonna bump this thread. I'm thinking of buying the 7 piece 1/4" set for rounded ihex screws but can't really find anything other than Mr. Subaru being extremely satisfied with the longer, black coated version rebranded as MAC RBRT and a 1-star Amazon review where one broke off after 4 uses. Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm concerned about durability. They supposedly made in France in Facom's factory and they aren't cheap.

 

[Draftpick1]

I'm gonna bump this thread. I'm thinking of buying the 7 piece 1/4" set for rounded ihex screws but can't really find anything other than Mr. Subaru being extremely satisfied with the longer, black coated version rebranded as MAC RBRT and a 1-star Amazon review where one broke off after 4 uses. Does anyone have any experience with these? I'm concerned about durability. They supposedly made in France in Facom's factory and they aren't cheap.

Proto has the same design and just picked up some off zoro in the last couple weeks, who is stocking the Facom OGV?

 

[dukefx]

They are available in Europe in various shops, incl. Amazon.de and ebay. I'm guessing SBD isn't gonna compete with itself and has the MAC and Proto in the US (along with those that stock Facom like Ultimate Garage), and Facom and USAG in Europe.

I'll expand my review search to Proto as I didn't think to check under that brand.

Edit: found only 1 positive review on Zoro, but they are not exactly the same. Facom/USAG offer the same as MAC but these Proto bits are a lot longer.

 

[Draftpick1]

They are available in Europe in various shops, incl. Amazon.de and ebay. I'm guessing SBD isn't gonna compete with itself and has the MAC and Proto in the US (along with those that stock Facom like Ultimate Garage), and Facom and USAG in Europe.

I'll expand my review search to Proto as I didn't think to check under that brand.

Edit: found only 1 positive review on Zoro, but they are not exactly the same. Facom/USAG offer the same as MAC but these Proto bits are a lot longer.

Proto might be longer, it’s the same technology as the Facom

 

[ultgar]

I stock the Facom and USAG versions. Facom sells them with the bit holder socket. USAG only has the smaller sizes for use with a 1/4" bit holder. The Facom sockets are also available individually in all 3 drive sizes.https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/images/gripbit-4.jpg

 

[dukefx]

I've had better luck finding reviews with the USAG variant and they are quite discouraging. I think I'm gonna pass.

 

[KnurledNut]

Grip Edge RPT

 

[dukefx]

They are pretty much the same and are even marketed as rounding prevention bits. For that purpose Wera Hex Plus is not only fine but I think it's superior. What I need is an extractor for rounded (which is mostly caused by rust) hex fasteners. According to most reviewers it's "practically useless" (or praticamente inutili in Italian) for extraction. Even in the USAG demo video they have to wiggle it and keep it at an angle to actually bite into a barely rounded fastener.

 

[KnurledNut]

They are pretty much the same

Thats because they are the OG.

 

[ultgar]

I haven't seen the USAG reviews but I also prefer the Facom ones that are available in all 3 drive sizes and come as a bit socket. The USAG ones are less expensive but I'd only use them for light duty applications. When Facom released the GRIP sockets, there were some pricing errors on the 1/2" drive sockets and the large ones (14mm, 17mm and 19mm) were selling for under $5.00ea. They fixed the problem a month later and they're now around $30ea. Wish I had stocked up at the time.

 

[Draftpick1]

Grip Edge RPT

I’m liking my Proto versions, would like to see Grip edge put out the Torx Mac is the only one with a Torx version. Has anyone seen Torx?

 

[dukefx]

I ended up buying the USAG set. For a bit over 35 Euros it's not that expensive. Not gonna use it until I run into some rounded hex head tho. I doubt it'll perform any better than Wera Hex Plus but we'll see.