Facom Screwdriver Set, What Would You Do?

[dps]

I just received this 10 pc. Facom set from an order placed in June. The set has been discontinued, and Brandsplace had mis-marked them at $5.95. I didn't want to be greedy, and so only ordered two sets. But they shipped just one, saying it was the only one they received. I was happy they didn't want to modify the price since the only other sets still available are $108 and up.

So now that I've got this bargain to build on, I went to Ulimate Garage and added another 14 to a shopping cart for $165 w/shipping. It's actually 18 screwdrivers because I got a 5-pack of #2 phillips since it's the most common and they have a great deal on them. The prices at Ultimate Garage seem very reasonable.

But before I hit the "Buy" button, I read the warranty on them, which does not include the tips or cosmetic damage.

So should I buy them or not? How good are these compared to the brands that are easier to replace like Craftsman, MAC, or Snap-on?

For the money, this is a great set which at worst will go in the portable chest. But I'm looking to assemble a pretty good sized collection of something, and wondering if these should be it?

 

[Fedwrench]

I would say you got a steal with your initial purchase, and be happy with your score. I don't think I would build upon that set with additional Facom screwdrivers though. The availability of Facom tools here in the US is sketchy at best. With Stanley replacing SK as the distributor for Facom, and Stanley rebadging facom tools as their own, who knows what models and available supply there is going to in the future.
If the warranty against cosmetic issues and normal wear is the most important thing to you, buy Craftsman. If you're looking for quality foreign made screwdrivers, I would look at Wiha, Wera, Witte, Gearwrench, SK, and Felo. I would buy whatever brand you like using and that feels good in your hand. It's hard to say which brands or models within brands will still be around years from now. Who would have ever thought that the Snap on hard handle screwdriver line would be replaced with the instinct series and they wouldn't be able to get the old style handles?

 

[hamburglar]

..If you're looking for quality foreign made screwdrivers, I would look at Wiha, Wera, Witte, Gearwrench, SK, and Felo. I would buy whatever brand you like using and that feels good in your hand. It's hard to say which brands or models within brands will still be around years from now. ...:

I would have to interject here that in a world where a set of Wera Chiseldrivers costs around $35, I think I'd spend about a nanosecond worrying about something like a warranty. It's kind of like freaking out about whether you're getting a warranty on a DVD or a couple of pairs of decent socks.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Buy them and put then on eBay, let other people worry about the warranty. Good opportunity to make some monies.

 

[Merkava_4]

How do those screwdrivers feel in your hands?

Are they a soft grip or hard plastic?

They look beautiful.

 

[MAD]

Why not try out the set that you got on the cheap and then decide how much you like them?

 

[olds88]

Who would have ever thought that the Snap on hard handle screwdriver line would be replaced with the instinct series and they wouldn't be able to get the old style handles?

I thought my Snap-on guy was givin me the business, figured he made more money selling Instinct screwdrivers!

Another note: I warrantied a screwdriver with a rotten handle, and he replaced the whole thing, rather than just the handle. Of course it was an Instinct.. they're alright but when you been using Snap-on hard handle screwdrivers since before you could even read the words "snap on", anything else just doesn't feel right!

 

[vssjim]

Very good quality screwdriver I have the same type in tamper proof torx and have been real happy with them

 

[eschoendorff]

I have a set of those Facom drivers and I think they are fantastic... I'd say you did quite well on your initial purchase.

 

[eschoendorff]

How do those screwdrivers feel in your hands?

Are they a soft grip or hard plastic?

They look beautiful.

The handles feel like nice firm breasts. Really.

 

[ImportTuner]

The handles feel like nice firm breasts. Really.

 

[dps]

I think Mssr. Schoendorff plays with you a little bit In fact, my wife had a very different comparison. But they do feel good.

They are hard handled. The red portion has a little "bead blasted" type of texture while the dark gray is smooth. The shape feels nice, though the parting seams are a bit bigger than I would wish. I'm going to try removing the "flash" with an X-acto blade. A nice touch is the Posi-drives have black shafts instead of chrome so there's no mistaking it for a phillips.

I guess my fear is (and I know this'll sound a little silly!) is not that they aren't a good product, but that I'll damage one in the future and not be able to replace it with the same handle. Though I guess that's even happened with some of the Snap-on handles as well...how about MAC, have they kept the same handles over the years?

 

[wilbilt]

I think Mssr. Schoendorff plays with you a little bit In fact, my wife had a very different comparison. But they do feel good.

I trust Herr Schoendorrf's reviews ranging from things like breasts to screwdriver handles. His unsolicited and quite informative photo essay on shiny musical objects has proven to us he has nothing to hide.

I have been increasingly tempted to purchase some of those FACOM screwdrivers based upon his comments. The only thing holding me back is my general distrust of anything I need to depend on that comes from France.

This view may be the result of my experience with my first automobile, which was a Renault, or it may not.

 

[wrenchr]

The handles feel like nice firm breasts. Really.

Facom Awesome!!

 

[elect]

essay on shiny musical instruments? must have missed that.

 

[Vinko]

I have been increasingly tempted to purchase some of those FACOM screwdrivers based upon his comments. The only thing holding me back is my general distrust of anything I need to depend on that comes from France.

I think at the high-end of manufacturing and finished objects, the French do (and are capable of) very good work. The quality on a lot of their "luxury" trade is ridiculously high. You pay for it though.

As for Facom, I've bought a few things from H. Epstein, and I think I'll get the punches next.

 

[dogbucket]

I have a plenty of those Facom Ergotwists both screwdrivers and torx, some are from a set I bought 10 years ago and still going strong.

Recently got a set of SO orange handles and I would not say either is better than the other, just a different designs. Probably still use the Facoms more.

Its a shame Facom have changed them in the same way SO has with its screwdrivers, and not necessary for the better.

I would certainly buy some more, in fact I think I will start looking myself before they dry up.

 

[dps]

Thanks for the opinions; I went ahead and ordered the rest of them to have a pretty complete set. Am not a heavy user, so they may be good for life; otherwise I'll do it all again.

Will post a pic when they arrive.

 

[eschoendorff]

I think at the high-end of manufacturing and finished objects, the French do (and are capable of) very good work. The quality on a lot of their "luxury" trade is ridiculously high. You pay for it though.

As for Facom, I've bought a few things from H. Epstein, and I think I'll get the punches next.

True. You may not like France's politics, but the quality is definitely there.

As far as my opinions, you have to remember taht I was in music school in college... and as a musician, there are opportunities to "audition" a variety of "instruments." Ahem.

 

[dps]

... and as a musician, there are opportunities to "audition" a variety of "instruments." Ahem.

Oh...I get it...screwdrivers, different screwdrivers, right? Neato!

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm glad you got it, i didn't have a clue what he was talking about.

 

[dps]

No, I dunno either. I just pretended. Somethin' dirty...

 

[eschoendorff]

Oh...I get it...screwdrivers, different screwdrivers, right? Neato!

Yeah... screwdrivers with long legs and firm.... uh....

 

[a390st]

I don't particularly care for Facom, even if they do feel like a pair of firm breasts in your hands. I love breasts as much as the next guy, but I don't want to have breasts in my hand when I'm working on a vehicle. Especially not French ones.

Don't make any comments about me liking hard handle Snap On screwdrivers, either. You do too.