Hazet - are they any good?

[karambos]

I just bought a couple of Hazet items off a guy on Craigslist. He claimed Hazet were the absolute best tool brand in the universe not "cheap stuff like Snap-On". Also amongst his various claims was that in certain high-end machine shops, if your toolbox isn't full of Hazet tools, they won't let you work there.

I am just a weekend warrior vintage car enthusiast and am not aware of how good this brand is (or is not, as the case may be).

I am curious as to how other people think Hazet tools compare to other brands and am grateful for any advice.
Thanks
~K

 

[IndyGarage]

Possibly the best German pro brand. Expensive and not widely available in the US.

I'm sure there are some who would question the claim of "absolute best", and not being cheap like Snap On. German tools have a different finish than is favored in the US.

I've never been in a machine shop that specifies a brand of tool to own - unless they buy it, and I've been in a lot of machine shops.

 

[Beerman]

I would agree that Hazet is top end, but not that Snap On is cheap. Very comparable in quality.

I would also be leary of claims that you can't come to work here, unless you have X brand of tools.

 

[Mojave888]

Among the best. At least as good as Snap On.

Like Indy said, they have a different (matte) finish but I like it.

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

We had some Hazet stuff YEARS ago... I wasn't impressed when compared to Snap-On, but then again we only tried a variety of combo wrenches.

 

[jvitez]

Hazet is world class quality, the rest was blowing smoke.

Hazet (pronounced hah-tzet) was the factory tool kit for many German automakers in the past. They have a full line catalogue of tools for the trades. Hardline tools are made in Germany, many of the rest are rebranded Asian items like many multi-national companies. European hand tools are predominately mat finish. Their Hazet Assistant and cantilevered tool box are iconic items that have been around for decades and are still being made.

You lucked out! Post a pic of your Hazet items.

 

[Skin]

I've purchased a number of things, ended up moving almost all of it along. Only thing I kept were a fender cover, terminal release set, and deep magnetic parts bowls. Im not even sure they actually even made any of those themselves. Hand tools are nothing to write home about in my opinion except for some very specifically designed specialty tools. USA and Taiwan brands definitely offer many more products and a number of those more modern to boot.

Just a couple examples of things that less than impressed me.

Pear head ratchets are very old school designs. They're bulky, clunky, and the directional levers are pressed in plastic.

Wrenches are forged well but they put this HUGE indent into the beam where the brand name is which is a good area for dirt and grease to get packed into. No modified open ends. Ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan, XL wrenches only in specific sizes.

Bought a couple other random nicknacks they just stuck their name on like a lighted magnetic pick-up tool, which fell apart practically during the first use, and pocket screwdrivers with plastic scrapers for bodies which were utter garbage.

For a country notorious for over engineering their hand tools are pretty damned basic.

 

[vga]

Hands down, one of the very best brand of hand tools money can buy. Very expensive.

 

[KM223]

I have a Hazet 74mm 14 flat oil filter socket that I bought from my Porsche dealer and it's a total POS. When compared to my 74mm Snap On socket it's a cheap piece of tin. And the Hazet was almost twice the price!

 

[karambos]

thanks for all the opinions! I appreciate the advice

Post a pic of your Hazet items.

I got these Hazet Allen sockets 'cos mine tend to go walkies

 

[fasteddie313]

German cars are engineered to be maintained by Hazet and Stahlwille tools, American cars are engineered to be maintained by Snap-On tools..

They are equally the best in the world for their intended purposes..

 

[T45]

Actually I might consider my Proto stuff a little bit better. For instance the proto torque wrench is all steel whereas the Hazet torque wrenches have plastic handles

Pretty sure the 6000 hazets are among of the best in the world

2% accuracy and extended calibration ranges.

 

[T45]

Hands down, one of the very best brand of hand tools money can buy. Very expensive.

Like snap-on, hazet is famous for sockets and wrenches, and specialty bit sockets. Beyond simple tools, they both offer huge catalogs of storage and shop tools.

 

[FigureItOut]

German cars are engineered to be maintained by Hazet and Stahlwille tools, American cars are engineered to be maintained by Snap-On tools..

They are equally the best in the world for their intended purposes..

I'd venture to say you have that backwards. I don't believe an automotive engineer is considering what brand of tools will be used to maintain their car. It's more likely Hazet and Stahwille design their tools for German cars, and SnapOn for those common in America.

 

[md21722]

A lot of the specialty "dealer tools" used to maintain Mercedes, etc. are made by Hazet or Stahlwille. If you buy it from the dealer it will have the Mercedes star & part number and actual manufacturer.

 

[fasteddie313]

I'd venture to say you have that backwards. I don't believe an automotive engineer is considering what brand of tools will be used to maintain their car. It's more likely Hazet and Stahwille design their tools for German cars, and SnapOn for those common in America.

Who changes the general design of their products more often, the car manufacturer designing completely new models of cars or the tool manufacturer designing completely new models of tools?

The tools don't change much, the cars change drastically.. Auto engineers design their cars to be maintained by existing tools, German cars-German tools, American cars-American tools..

 

[LXCam]

I'd venture to say you have that backwards. I don't believe an automotive engineer is considering what brand of tools will be used to maintain their car. It's more likely Hazet and Stahwille design their tools for German cars, and SnapOn for those common in America.

And I'd venture to guess he was joking.

 

[FigureItOut]

And I'd venture to guess he was joking.

I guess I missed that, it seemed odd.

 

[oldtools]

Suppose to be equivalent to SO. I prefer SO chrome finish over Hazet matte finish. I have several Hazet tools and the quality do not look that impressive. I would take SO over Hazet.

 

[LXCam]

I guess I missed that, it seemed odd.

Well I sure hope he was joking..

 

[Mojave888]

Suppose to be equivalent to SO. I prefer SO chrome finish over Hazet matte finish. I have several Hazet tools and the quality do not look that impressive. I would take SO over Hazet.

How does one decide what looks impressive? It's obvious when looking at Chinese junk. But to say a shiny chrome piece is better than a matte one is just a matter of what pleases your own eye. It's a fact that every **** brand out there relies heavily on a fat chrome finish to look (falsely) good.

 

[ToolNuttt]

Never use Hazet tools but even if it's better than Snap On, I much rather stick with the US tools where I know where to go for warranty.

 

[Mojave888]

Never use Hazet tools but even if it's better than Snap On, I much rather stick with the US tools where I know where to go for warranty.

Good luck on warranting a Snap On if you are a regular person without a relationship with a truck.

 

[PeterT]

Doesn't that guy (bloke) on Wheeler Dealers use Hazet tools?

 

[Local]

I like the satin finish light feel of hazet tools. However, they are too rich for me and only own a few pieces.

 

[Local]

Good luck on warranting a Snap On if you are a regular person without a relationship with a truck.

Snap on has great customer service, just call and they will send a shipping label.

 

[M6erfan]

Doesn't that guy (bloke) on Wheeler Dealers use Hazet tools?

I believe he uses Teng tools

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

I like my Hazet tools, I think the finish looks much better in person. I would rank the quality right up with Snap on.

 

[Virgil Cain]

I have some Hazet ratchets. They're "ok". Certainly not bad. But the best ever? Not in my opinion. My ratchets are from the late 90s/early 2000s so maybe what they are making today is better. They aren't as fine toothed as most of what you'll find on the market today and they aren't super smooth. But, they are strong and I haven't broken anything.

 

[mickeyone]

The car kit tools supplied with Vws are nothing special.Some of their stuff is ok,Snap on way better and more variety, more expansive hardline.Ill take Snap on and Mac over Hazet any day.

 

[M6erfan]

I have some Hazet sockets and a few wrenches. They are very good. If there was better availability/pricing in the US, I'd probably own more...

 

[pa wrencher]

I dont know what KC Tool co. is going to sell. I seen the other day they are going to start selling them.

 

[Gmonkee]

The car kit tools are a bit different than the sets in production. Built to a higher standard in finish for sure.

Hazet is good stuff. I wish it was more available in my market.

 

[Mojave888]

Snap on has great customer service, just call and they will send a shipping label.

Wow, I didn't know that. Thank you.

 

[T45]

The car kit tools supplied with Vws are nothing special.

You have to be kidding...VW bug is a budget car from the 1950/60s.

Hazet makes mercedes and BMW specialty service tooklit(s) which are pretty awesome and go toe to toe with snap-on, you just need to have a proper catalog of their offerings and a BIG wallet.

 

[Exceller8]

I really like the satin finish of Hazet tools. Price and availability keep me from buying more from them.

 

[ptgarcia]

You have to be kidding...VW bug is a budget car from the 1950/60s.

Hazet makes mercedes and BMW specialty service tooklit(s) which are pretty awesome and go toe to toe with snap-on, you just need to have a proper catalog of their offerings and a BIG wallet.

I didn't see where he said "Bug," but some VWs today cost more than $50k. I wouldn't call that a "budget" car.

 

[T45]

I didn't see where he said "Bug,"

Hazet VW service sets were from the 1960s ... hence my comment

 

[bmwpowere36m3]

The factory tools in older MB and BMW are a joke (think dollar store, stamped cheese)... so I wouldn't even compare the two. Second, I don't recall them ever being Hazet/Stahlwille either.

They [Hazet, Stahlwille] do make a lot of "specialty" tools and we use them in the shop. As far as hardline stuff.... availability and warranty would be an issue. Beyond that, the finish is not impressive. Some may like the matte look though. Even the stamping isn't that great.

Ours were older, but I don't remember the wrenches having an "anti-slip" feature either if that important to you. Their certainly good quality tools, but in the US you have other choices for the $$$.

 

[Gmonkee]

An early 2000's BMW 7 series has two DOE, a screwdriver and the tire wrench. The MB had about the same.
By now most cars just carry the tire tools from the factory.

Car tool kits are about gone in US models, in Europe law in some countries says they require one good for changing bulbs and othe basics.

The kits designed for the mechanic or dealership on the other hand are spiffy deals. Again Europe leads the way by far. Both tool and car makers can set you up with all you need for a Porsche, Benz or beemer in one shot.
All somebody has to do is pay the bill.

Its a different dynamic in the US where the technition has to get his own stuff for the most part.