Facom

[dutchgray]

Forgot I also have a set of their precision screwdrivers, couple pairs of precision pliers, cutters, couple 500 series grips, circlip pliers with the inserted tips, those are nice, a few large spanners and a couple 3/4" and 1" drive sockets and a 1/2" drive torque wrench which the knurled anodized alloy handle and the roundhead ratchet, which is a very nice tool to use.
Probably some other bits and pieces as well.

 

[geo9]

Let me try to upload again these ratchet pics for comparison purposes.

 

[ZRX61]

Are we getting spammed by bots promoting Facom & Beta?

 

[OMMP]

Don't think/believe so... But, I do believe it could have something with 'other than german european quality tools' feeling... Especially having in mind our mediterranean friends

 

[richfinn]

I believe it was the older Ergotwist, not Protwist, series where handles crumbled. In particular these with the red -not black- handles.

Yep I think your correct, thanks

 

[geo9]

Are we getting spammed by bots promoting Facom & Beta?

That's a pretty harsh statement from a self proclaimed "Tool Afflictionardo"

If I am breaking any rules here (by posting tool pictures in a tool forum), Mods please feel free to delete anything you (don't) like

@richfinn You are welcome

 

[dredoubleu]

Been really enjoying the anti slip ratchet wrenches, definitely not cheap but they’re my favourite wrenches I’ve used. I love the smaller box end compared to Gearwrench and the anti slip open end has been a life saver here in the rust belt. I also have some Proto and SK rebrands of the Facom ratchets and they’re lovely as well.

 

[victor252]

Some () Similar tools..

I believe those cutters are made by VIM. They make the Matco rebrands. VIM sells them cheap sometimes.

 

[Fedwrench]

Are we getting spammed by bots promoting Facom & Beta?

It's kind of nice having a different brand of tools to talk about.

 

[Joao]

Facom is superb

 

[jimmyin3D]

Are we getting spammed by bots promoting Facom & Beta?

I just revived this thread because of my love for Facom tools. I initially didn’t know much about them even while working in the automotive field so I thought others would enjoy them that’s all.

I believe those cutters are made by VIM. They make the Matco rebrands. VIM sells them cheap sometimes.

The Matco shears look similar they probably are made by the same maker but I doubt Vim makes them, they are a tool company that buys tools from factories in Taiwan.

It's kind of nice having a different brand of tools to talk about.

Yesss there are plenty of threads about Snap-On, Hazet, and Stahlwille I thought some appreciation for Facom would be cool.

 

[superautobacs]

I believe those cutters are made by VIM. They make the Matco rebrands. VIM sells them cheap sometimes.

The Matco shears look similar they probably are made by the same maker but I doubt Vim makes them, they are a tool company that buys tools from factories in Taiwan.

Jimmyin3D is correct. VIM is an importer of tools from premiere OEM/ODM type
Taiwanese tool manufacturers.
I don't even know what VIM has been manufacturing on their own in recent times.

Over the past decade, those shears have been re-branded into at least a dozen names by now. OEM is NuSharp

 

[ZRX61]

That's a pretty harsh statement from a self proclaimed "Tool Afflictionardo"

If I am breaking any rules here (by posting tool pictures in a tool forum), Mods please feel free to delete anything you (don't) like

@richfinn You are welcome

Sorry to burst your bubble, wasn't referring to your posts. Purely the OP is all.

 

[superautobacs]

The old grips are just about perfect. The new ones are quite clumsy by comparison. But probably cheaper. Perhaps the redesign is to conceal a switch in country of manufacture.

I have no idea about COO on their newer pliers, but I tried a set of brand new USAG pliers with the same handles and was really unimpressed with the stiff joints!

Here is another unique Facom tool, the Facom 43 Series flare nut line wrenches. They have a flanged back so the nut wont slip or slide out. I was very close to buying a set but a SO set landed in front of me for cheap. I wish more manufacturers would take this on, it’s very simple. I can see the drawbacks too though where it won’t let you slide down.

[/IMG]

KTC/Nepros has offered that style as well, just not as comprehensive or presented nicely in tray.















I wonder how much better durability these Gen.ll wheel impact sockets will offer with the reinforcement ring. COO=Taiwan and can be found under other brand names too

<a data-flickr-embed="true" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ccassan/33968387610/in/photolist-TKEScm-GG6uZu-GG6v9N-GG6uCN-GJnHAX/" title="IMG_20170425_143616305"><img src="https://live.staticflickr.com/2840/33968387610_2c84a749bb_c.jpg" width="800" height="450" alt="IMG_20170425_143616305"></a><script async src="//embedr.flickr.com/assets/client-code.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

 

[JBH]

A few Facom and Facom-adjacent tools. Some pics are new, some have been previously posted on the Old World thread (hence the overlap).

Ratchets/Sockets:

View media item 102047
-1/4" drive and 3/8" drive rotator ratchets. Thick (newer ones may be thinner) but at times extremely useful ratchet.
-1/4" locking flex head. Technically a FUP (Facom design, USAG make, Proto branded) but close enough
-3/8" and 1/2" extendable flex QR. These are just excellent all around ratchets. My only critique of note is that they don't have a 1/4" drive one. Also, as you can see 1/2" drive is MUCH larger than 3/8" drive. That is different from Gedore locking flex, which is the same body for 1/2" drive and 3/8" drive.

View media item 93490
1/2" D-Box set is nice enough, but I've rarely used it. I very rarely need sockets this big.
View media item 102048
Nano sets
View media item 102050The two Facom Nano sets with 1/4" locking flex bit ratchet, bits, and sockets are not mine technically. They are in the girls' toolboxes. This set is just a great all around little tool kit.
I believe USAG shallow 11mm outer hex+1/4" drive socket set with locking flex 11mm ratchet, and USAG locking flex bit ratchet and bit set also have Facom Nano equivalents, but the specific tools included may differ slightly.

Insulated 3/8" drive set.
View media item 98653View media item 98654
Wrenches:
View media item 102044Angled metric, DOE inch, DOE metric.

The angled ones are older, and French. Finishing is a little more detailed than the (Italian-made, per the bag they came in) DOEs, with Hazet-style matte body and polished jaws. Italian ones are wholly satin finish.
View media item 102045

Pliers
View media item 102049
Combi - my favorite straight combi pliers, possibly my favorite combis overall. (NWS Ergocombi is the only strong competition.) Strong, precise, and just generally excellent. Reasonably inexpensive, too. I prefer the new grip and larger leaf spring over the old Facom grips. These have a very smooth joint.

Duckbill - work well enough but are annoying to use because the leaf spring squeaks like crazy.

Needlenose - I own a lot of 200mm needlenoses and these are one of my favorite pairs. Bought this colorway only because at the time only they were the cheapest version on Amazon.


Crimp set
View media item 91219Rebadged Pressmaster MCT, but Facom-unique colorway. Pressmaster MCT is ideal for portable use, because the dies have covers that lock together, and removal/insertion is toolless. For bench use Rennsteig is probably a little better, because of the locators available.

 

[1cargarage]

Yes.......approx 85% of the USAG line are rebranded Facom tools. Facom ratchets (161B series) and most torque wrenches are made at USAG's facility in Gemonio Italy.

Many of the USAG items that I bring in are cheaper than those with Facom branding. Plus USAG has a US warranty.

One other note..........Vidmar now stocks rebranded Facom JET.6M3 and ROLL.6M3 6-drawer tool cabinets (in Black and Gray) in their Allentown PA warehouse. They are currently on "close-out" at $450-650ea + shipping from Allentown PA. Close-out implies they won't be bringing any more of these in. Great price for these tool boxes which are $1,000-1300+ in Facom branding (mainly due to high import freight). The gray ROLL cabinet probably looks like this (w/o the Facom labels....see https://primetools.co.uk/shop/facom-roll-6gm3-6-drawer-mobile-roller-cabinet-grey/#) and is a bargain at $450. Both of these cabinets are made in France.




SD

BIG UPS to ultgar.

I have ordered a few times from ultimategarage and have always had a positive experience.

 

[geo9]

Sorry to burst your bubble, wasn't referring to your posts. Purely the OP is all.

Well you sure said that after my post with the big pictures in case you didn't notice but that's ok, you know what they say about arguing on the net Apology accepted though, thank you for your kind words @ZRX61
In the past I have read many of your posts with interest and find them informative, especially regarding aviation.

Back to tool (any tool) discussion now

In European catalogues most USAG tools look like Facom rebrands. Their availability is different in many EU countries though, from what I understand. They can be readily found in Italy (that makes sense...) for example, whereas in other countries like mine the French have established a strong presence for many years now. Hence, that is why many people here use them.
Gedore and Facom seem to be -or used to be- the top sellers in "premium" (or call them whatever you like) brands locally.
Be safe everybody!

 

[mr.lemons]

History of USAG from their website.

The USAG brand was established in 1926, when entrepreneur Hermann Amos built the first manufacturing plant in Gemonio, Italy under the name Utensileria Società
Anonima Gemonio.
USAG began to manufacture and operate in the professional tools sector alongside other small firms in Italy. In 1991 USAG became part of the French Group Facom Tools S.A., then of the American Group The Stanley Works and, by March 2010, of the Multi-National Group Stanley Black & Decker Inc.

Apart from the round head ratchets, does anyone know any other Facom or USAG tools that are made in Italy?



The Facom extending ratchets have one annoying issue. The rubber cap that dampens the play in the extension mechanism is held on just with friction so when oil gets inside the cap pops off every time you extend the ratchet. With the cap off the handle is rattly/wobbly. Glued it on a couple of times but sticking oily rubber to oily chrome is not easy.

 

[JBH]

Apart from the round head ratchets, does anyone know any other Facom or USAG tools that are made in Italy?

The small DOE wrenches I posted above came in a package that said made in Italy.

 

[mr.lemons]

The small DOE wrenches I posted above came in a package that said made in Italy.

Sorry, missed that in your post. Trying to figure out what is left of USAG other than the name. Thanks.

 

[jimmyin3D]

KTC/Nepros has offered that style as well, just not as comprehensive or presented nicely in tray.

That’s true I forgot about the Nepros wrenches, I believe they offer the main essential sizes 10-14mm

The Facom extending ratchets have one annoying issue. The rubber cap that dampens the play in the extension mechanism is held on just with friction so when oil gets inside the cap pops off every time you extend the ratchet. With the cap off the handle is rattly/wobbly. Glued it on a couple of times but sticking oily rubber to oily chrome is not easy.

My 3/8 had the same problem, a bit of superglue has fixed it, oddly on the 1/2 the cap has never come off.

 

[ultgar]

I was maintaining a Facom/USAG blog for a few years. Haven't posted to it in awhile. Lots of large pics of Facom including some vintage stuff........see https://www.ultimategarage.com/Facom/facomnews.html

 

[geo9]

@ultgar Link is not available ("The request was not completed due to preconditions that are set in the request header"). I am not in the US though.

 

[OMMP]

@ultgar Link is not available ("The request was not completed due to preconditions that are set in the request header"). I am not in the US though.

Hmmm... I'm not sure it matters... Try with another browser - page is popping nicely for me

 

[dutchgray]

Hmmm... I'm not sure it matters... Try with another browser - page is popping nicely for me

Will not load for me in the UK either, not will the ultimate garage home page, a lot of USA based sites will no longer work in Europe, you have to use a vpn if you want access.

 

[ultgar]

Sorry. Because of the May 2018 GDPR Privacy Policy and compliancy requirement, my site is not visible in the EU.

 

[Ton ton]

I was able to get your ultimate garage link to work.

 

[JBH]

One more (from Old World thread about the Wiha) - torque screwdriver.

View media item 101643
Stout metal handle, comfortable shape.

 

[jaceq]

I have following piece in my collection:

Does anyone know where was this wrench produced? France, Italy? It is quite new, I got it March, 2019.

 

[geo9]

jaceg cannot see your pics. You probably need to remove the "s" from the "https" in your links

 

[NYBODYMAN]

I would love to have the oil filter wrench. I only own 1 Facom tool/item and it's a cantilever rolling tool cart/shop seat. I picked it up a few years back just because it was interesting and I had never seen anything like it. It's been sitting in my garage since and I want to clean it up and actually use it.

 

[afazz]

Here is my Facom punch drawer. There are a few PB Swiss items in there, but it's mostly Facom.

 

[geo9]

That drawer really packs a punch! Very nice

 

[jimmyin3D]

I would love to have the oil filter wrench. I only own 1 Facom tool/item and it's a cantilever rolling tool cart/shop seat. I picked it up a few years back just because it was interesting and I had never seen anything like it. It's been sitting in my garage since and I want to clean it up and actually use it.

That’s super cool! It looks to be in solid condition minus some cleaning like you said. And maybe a bit of touch up paint.

 

[ultgar]

Here is my Facom punch drawer. There are a few PB Swiss items in there, but it's mostly Facom.

Nice custom fit with that drawer. What tool box is that?

 

[Dave455]

Nice setup!

I like the way they include the tapered starter punches as well as the pin punches. Very sensible.

I quite covet this drawer, and that’s coming from a PB Swiss fan!

 

[eschoendorff]

I like their pliers too.

These are from my road box. I wanted chrome plated as I’m not using these every day, but the German makers only offer chrome plating with massively oversized grips that I don’t get on with.

These grips are perfect. Although they are a little more bulky than a vinyl dip, they don’t get in the way, and they are made of a hard material that wipes down easily

Yes!!!! My all-time favorite pliers.

 

[afazz]

Nice custom fit with that drawer. What tool box is that?

Thanks! It's a Snap-on KRL1032, the narrow bank of drawers is the same as any KRL box. The red bins are Schaller, I think 3"x6" size.

 

[jaceq]

jaceg cannot see your pics. You probably need to remove the "s" from the "https" in your links

I have changed the link as you suggested, below as follows:

I have following piece in my collection:

Does anyone know where was this wrench produced? France, Italy? It is quite new, I got it March, 2019.

 

[OMMP]

Jacek, when posting with images, Go Advanced, Attach Files-Manage Attachments, upload your images and then Submit Reply