Hazet 166C Assistent Tool Trolley

[The Critic]

Apparently, the 166C is a newer and larger version of the 166N.

The 166C also appears to be better-built than the Beta C27 but the price is absolutely staggering.

Does anyone own a 166C? I would be interested in seeing photos of your setup. I really like the size, portability and aftersales support of these trolleys - but the price gives me pause.

166C:
View attachment 2020287

HAZET-WERK - Hermann Zerver GmbH & Co. KG

Tool trolley i 166C ∙ 725 x 398 x 1102 mm

www.hazet.de

166N:
View attachment 2020288

HAZET-WERK - Hermann Zerver GmbH & Co. KG

Tool trolley i 166N ∙ 650 x 415 x 965 mm

www.hazet.de

 

[Dave455]

I don’t own a 166C, but as far as I’m aware, the only real significance is that the trays are sized to take Hazet’s standard tool box inserts.

If you want to use these inserts, then that’s every reason to get the 166C.


Otherwise, I’d probably go for the classic 166N. There’s usually a reason things become “classic’s”, and in this case it’s a combination of practicality, style, and quality.


I have actually seen one of the Beta tool trolleys as well. There’s a fair bit of Beta in the U.K. and I have to admit their boxes are quite good value.

I can’t really say the same about the trolley. The “trays“ appeared to be toolbox drawers mounted on plastic supports and the thing seemed to have had about as much effort put into the whole design as Hazet put into the plastic knobs on theirs.


If you were issued one where you worked, I suppose it would do the job, but if you owned one, I reckon that every time you used it you’d wish you’d worked harder at school, got a better job, and could afford the Hazet!

Having said that, I don’t know what you’re paying for a 166N in CA. In the U.K. they can be had for the equivalent of $650 new, and often about half that used. The Beta’s about the same as a used Hazet.

 

[The Critic]

Having said that, I don’t know what you’re paying for a 166N in CA.

Appreciate the detailed response and the thoughts. They're about $1400 delivered to CA.

 

[F-22]

Paid around 80-90€ for each of my used 166N toolcarts.




They're cool. But I wouldn't pay much more than I did for them.
I wouldn't be surprised if the "updated version" isn't as high quality as the classic version. Haven't seen one in real life but it looks more plastic on the photos.

My carts are very sturdy and well thought out, and I believe Hazet used some nice steel sheet meral for them. The metal has a certain ring to it and seems to be very hard to dent despite not being thick.

As Dave said, a lot of thought went into their design, even the plastic knobs are made of multiple parts and with special threads etc...

The Beta definitely does not look like a nice example of Italian design.

 

[jensputzier]

The 166N is the classic old school style version of the cart that has been around for ages and is famous with the Volkswagen community. The 166C was introduced with slightly larger trays that take the foam inserts. In addition it is sturdier.
We stock both and with our discount code for GJ members 10%OFF you get 10% off the tool price.

 

[jensputzier]

I wouldn't be surprised if the "updated version" isn't as high quality as the classic version. Haven't seen one in real life but it looks more plastic on the photos.

It does have more plastic to it but overall it is sturdier.

 

[The Critic]

The 166N is the classic old school style version of the cart that has been around for ages and is famous with the Volkswagen community. The 166C was introduced with slightly larger trays that take the foam inserts. In addition it is sturdier.
We stock both and with our discount code for GJ members 10%OFF you get 10% off the tool price.

Thank you.

 

[smunczen]

anyone tried the mini assistant? looking at buying one vs the 166

 

[crashmtb]

anyone tried the mini assistant? looking at buying one vs the 166

I have one. I like it, but I also wish I had the larger compartments of the 166N.
Would buy a 166N to go with it but the price is...a lot.

Bought mine from toolteam24.

 

[smunczen]

I have a 160 on order thinking about cancelling it and ordering a 166.

 

[tamaraw]

anyone tried the mini assistant? looking at buying one vs the 166

I do, quite like mine!

The size is pretty decent and it is quite possible to load full enough to make it difficult to lift solo. I don't own the full size models, but I'm not sure how I would handle the weight. I'm guessing that it would not go into vehicle trunks or up/down stairs as well.

Coincidentally, the internal width is an exact match for the Protoco 12 piece wrench racks, which is nice. Bear in mind that the upper tray has fixed (spot welded) dividers while the larger models are modular.

Construction of the metal is quite nice (sturdy, hard to dent, no flex when loaded) but I did have to initially file down some burs on the inside lips of the tray stampings.

Brand new, furnishings are pretty sparce and a little disappointing for the price. I ditched the stinky rubber mat on top for a layer of adhesive cork and carefully cut foam liners for every tray which make it a lot nicer to use.

Not sure how this compares to the full size models, but the chain does sometimes get tangled up and jams, but that's mostly if it has been rattling around in a trunk on the road.

Overall, the price is a bit steep, but there is nothing really similar on the market and it has proved very useful to me. I can try for some photos later.

 

[smunczen]

Thanks for input. I have always wanted one and Amazon had a good price on the 160st shipped to USA. I have a very large main tool box so i have plenty of storage. I just would like cart to cut down all the back and forth to get the tools i need.

 

[smunczen]

Well in just purchased a new 166n. I was able to buy one here in the US that was already in country and the price was not allot more so i bought it. I have always wanted one of these since my VW restoration days. Very excited to get to own one now.

 

[FJ 432]

Well in just purchased a new 166n. I was able to buy one here in the US that was already in country and the price was not allot more so i bought it. I have always wanted one of these since my VW restoration days. Very excited to get to own one now.

Congratulations and welcome to GJ. Now the waiting begins....

 

[smunczen]

yes hopefully it will be here by friday. I still might buy the 160st and use it on my work truck.

 

[ricleh]

166c, 166n and 160st for size comparison

 

[smunczen]

thanks for the picture

 

[smunczen]

I guess I get to do a unboxing first impressions.

 

[californiamilleghia]

Are the Asian copies still being made ?

 

[crashmtb]

Well in just purchased a new 166n. I was able to buy one here in the US that was already in country and the price was not allot more so i bought it. I have always wanted one of these since my VW restoration days. Very excited to get to own one now.

Where'd you buy from?

 

[smunczen]

i bought it Autoplicity they had a good price on it and it was in stock. it will be in my hands tomorrow.

 

[nutsandbolts]

I love my 166c, I went through the same thoughts between the C and the N. I went for the larger size. You will love it!

 

[smunczen]

I have always wanted one since my early days of working on old VW’s and couldn’t afford one back then.

 

[Dave455]

166c, 166n and 160st for size comparison

That’s a really useful picture. Thanks.

The 166c is obviously considerably bigger than the 166n. Something not apparent from the pictures I’d seen previously.

I can see the advantage in a workshop environment, but I know at least one person (machine setter / maintenance) who regularly closes up his 166n and takes it to another site in his car. I think the 166n is probably on the limit if you want to do that comfortably.

Is the 166st steel?

 

[tamaraw]

Is the 166st steel?

160ST, and yes, it is all metal.

 

[ricleh]

I can see the advantage in a workshop environment, but I know at least one person (machine setter / maintenance) who regularly closes up his 166n and takes it to another site in his car. I think the 166n is probably on the limit if you want to do that comfortably.

You are correct. The 166n loaded with tools would be much heavier than I would want to attempt to transport in a car. The 160st mini-assi is about perfect for that purpose.

 

[tamaraw]

I can see the advantage in a workshop environment, but I know at least one person (machine setter / maintenance) who regularly closes up his 166n and takes it to another site in his car. I think the 166n is probably on the limit if you want to do that comfortably.

You are correct. The 166n loaded with tools would be much heavier than I would want to attempt to transport in a car. The 160st mini-assi is about perfect for that purpose.

Yep, I bring my 160st to car shows, junk yards, other people's houses, etc. and it's the perfect size size for moving around but not being impossibly heavy when loaded.

 

[Dave455]

160ST, and yes, it is all metal.

Thanks.

I sometimes see the 160st available for reasonable money.

I’d previously disregarded them, but I’m regarding them as a viable alternative to a cantilever box now, for portable use.

 

[isb cornbinder]

I have 2 Hazet tool caddy copies. These are exact copies of the Hazet 166n. I bought the red one for $25 and the blue one for $40, on the same day. The red caddy cleaned up nicely and became my keeper. I sold the blue one for an alarming amount of cash. The person who bought the blue caddy had asked me to go and buy a collection of HAZET tools on Craigslist. He was out of town and may not make it back on time. Two years later I had not heard from him. When he was he was here, he asked to see the Hazet tool. He started to pick though the tools. I got very angry and told him to GFL. He still wanted the Caddy. After paying $750 he was on his way. I kept the tools.
I would like to sell the Hazet hand tools as a lot.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Hazet wrenches I do no use or need.

 

[FJ 432]

My tool trolley journey:

Toyota FJ40 Tool Caddy/ Assistent/ Trolley

I purchased this Hazet Assistent back in 2009. I used it as a detailing cart and found that its’ size worked well around my garage. I sold the cart in 2012 because I knew that I bought it for a good price ($250) and could double my money. Sold it to a nice kid who was a VW mechanic and was in...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[ricleh]

Most of my Hazet tool carts along with a Gedore and KTC. Also a Stahlwille Rollmaster.

 

[WhoWhatNow]

I have a small “a” 166N and a pair of Stahlwille Rollmaster carts. The second Rollmaster is green like @ricleh’s.

 

[JFP58]

Just took delivery of a Hazet 166C and I have an issue. The top intermediate shelf doesn’t suspend itself between the bottom intermediate and the top tray. It just sits on top of the bottom tray. I seems to me that something is missing but I’m not sure what. A latching mechanism on the shelf or maybe something on the chain? any assistance would be appreciated. Thanks! John

 

[LWB]

There should be a pin (IIRC) under the shelf through the chain. Look at the one that works right and you'll see it.

 

[JFP58]

Like a cotter pin? i don’t have access to another and i can’t find any photos of that area on the web.

 

[LWB]

You should be able to lift the shelves up along the chain, no? Mine is ancient and a knock off so could be different.

 

[JFP58]

You should be able to lift the shelves up along the chain, no? Mine is ancient and a knock off so could be different.

Yes, I can lift the shelves along the chain but there’s nothing holding up the upper shelf , so it just sits on of the lower one.

 

[LWB]

Right, so what's holding the lower one?

 

[JFP58]

There’s a cotter pin on the lower one but that shelf has a built in loop for the pin and chain end. The upper shelf just has an opening that the chain passes through. I suppose a pin and maybe a large washer would support it. Im really surprised that it didn’t come with anything there.