How It's Made: PB Swiss hex keys

[L.Cheapo]

This popped up in my YouTube suggestions, thought some of you PB Swiss fans might like to see it.

 

[JimH74]

Thanks!

 

[American Locomotive]

No wonder why they cost so much! I can't believe how much manual/hand work they go through.

 

[Snap_cap]

That was both interesting and cool!

 

[cvairwerks]

I'm surprised they are aren't using a Swiss lathe to make them. Face, turn, cut and face the other end, then ready for bending. Cycle time probably under 15 seconds. No need to cut the bar stock first, lots less handling.

 

[jshillin]

Damn, no wonder they are so expensive.

 

[manwithtools]

If you observe closely, the automation is combined with manual labor from a "limited skill" group of folks. This is very common in the US as well. The whole process looks very efficient to me.

 

[Mojave888]

Very cool, thanks for posting!

 

[wkndwarrior29]

I have a few sets of hex wrenches, but after that video I would really like one of those color coded sets - beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my XT1650 using Tapatalk

 

[SRSemenza]

That is freakin' cool! Also makes want to buy some


Seth

 

[James-W]

Pretty slick how they are made. I enjoy watching that show "How it's Made" because you can learn a lot from it. Each show they tour 3 different manufacturing plant to show you how 3 different things are made.

 

[American Locomotive]

If you observe closely, the automation is combined with manual labor from a "limited skill" group of folks. This is very common in the US as well. The whole process looks very efficient to me.

Nah, the whole station with the guy cutting the pieces to length was ridiculous. There's no reason why that couldn't be automated.

As cvairwerks mentioned, you could eliminate that cut-off station, and one of the CNC lathes by using a swiss-style machine, or a multi-spindle automatic lathe. With those kind of machines you could load entire lengths of hex bar stock, and the machine will do all necessary turning operations and part the bar sections off.

 

[PureLeaf]

I have alot of PB swiss screwdrivers. Love their flat bladed stuff. That being said, after watching this video, I do not see why people rant about their hex keys. Don't see anything special about them that no other manufacturer couldn't do or probably doesnt do already?
Would've been nice to understand if they're made to more precise tolerances, or have a higher rejection rate during batch testing, etc.

 

[MBfreak]

Hi to all.
Great tools and they are absolutely solid. I work with high voltage gas insulated switchgear were even a microscopic piece of metal will float around in the very high elctrical field and soon lead to flashovers.
So, we are VERY fuzzy what tools are allowed. Hex keys for the internals of the circuit breakers during inspection ( every 10 years) are just the PB Swiss Hex.
One reason they are costly is the excellent steel used.

On the manufacturing front, I admired they turning of the hex ball end. I would love to see that in slow motion!

Ola

 

[cvairwerks]

MB: Here's a decent clip on turning on a two spindle, 8 axis machine.

www.youtube.com/watch?v=8AxoJyWkDgA

 

[manwithtools]

Nah, the whole station with the guy cutting the pieces to length was ridiculous. There's no reason why that couldn't be automated.

As cvairwerks mentioned, you could eliminate that cut-off station, and one of the CNC lathes by using a swiss-style machine, or a multi-spindle automatic lathe. With those kind of machines you could load entire lengths of hex bar stock, and the machine will do all necessary turning operations and part the bar sections off.

You missed my point. I realize the whole operation could easily be automated, it's what I've done for the last 36 years.

Sometimes the labor cost is not worth replacing with automation. If the labor is "limited skill" folks, there are many times tax breaks for employing them and the cost for that labor is very low. Limited skill means they have handicaps that don't allow them to pursue higher level jobs. There are reasons beyond monetary that these folks are given work in certain manufacturing companies.

 

[American Locomotive]

I'm looking at it purely from an efficiency stand point. You said it "looked very efficient - I disagreed, since a lot more efficiency could be gained in those steps alone. The Cut-off man could be replaced with two rubber rollers, a small motor, plc and a prox sensor. Probably less than $600 in parts and could be built in a few hours by the factory support team.

Same thing with the lathe operations. Any time you have to move the part from one machine to another you impart huge penalities. A modern multi spindle machine could do all those machining operations AND cut the bar to length.

 

[manwithtools]

Yes it could be further automated easily, agreed. They might not want to for political reasons as well as monetary reasons. My "looked very efficient" comment was not a good choice of words in this instance. I was wrong to state that.

 

[davewo]

I just can't get over the crayon box look.

 

[Schmidlapper]

Yes it could be further automated easily, agreed. They might not want to for political reasons as well as monetary reasons. My "looked very efficient" comment was not a good choice of words in this instance. I was wrong to state that.

I find your original observation very valid.

 

[TMcCay]

That was very informative to watch. Thanks for posting

 

[dutchgray]

Nice video, whilst I'm sure they could automate the manufacturing more, only PB Swiss knows if it would be financially beneficial for them to do so, I would expect their batch sizes to be quite small compared to a major Hex key manufacturer, such as Bondhus, which would make a big influence on how much dedicated machinery they would have.
I like PB Swiss stuff, I have 2 sets of hex keys and some screwdrivers, you know you will always get a great tool when you buy PB, the chance of getting a dud is very low, I have other Hex keys that are probably just as good, and Wera's hex plus design (which is patented) has been shown to apply higher torque without rounding, I like those too.

 

[sqaurelizard]

Only have there chisels and they are the best I have in my kit bar none , edge retention is amazing

 

[American Locomotive]

Yes it could be further automated easily, agreed. They might not want to for political reasons as well as monetary reasons. My "looked very efficient" comment was not a good choice of words in this instance. I was wrong to state that.

I definitely fully agree that there may be political or "initial capital" reasons why they their production line is the way it is, however