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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Hey all! Apologies again for the radio silence. We are staying super busy at the new space getting everything organized and improving operations. How about a long overdue update...

Hello @billspreston will there be any coupons for Christmas?
Sorry there were no Christmas coupons. The Black Friday sale is our big "Holiday" sale.

If PBSwiss restarts special orders, Re-do the C6 bitsets in C6-L. And offer a complete set.
Would you (and any others) kindly elaborate on what your use case looks like for C6L where E6L wouldn't offer sufficient performance? Obviously being aware of the differences between C6.3 and E6.3, we find both bit styles still perform pretty interchangeably well within the PBST family of bit drivers. I would be appreciative if you could help me better understand the demand as we don't have any first hand experience with the discontinued C6L.

----------------------------------------------------------
GENERAL DRPD UPDATE
----------------------------------------------------------
  • Inventory organization at the new warehouse is complete. New fulfillment processes have been implemented to increase shipping speed and order accuracy.
  • New custom LISTA packing center has been installed, again improving fulfillment efficiency and general staff satisfaction.
  • Photo studio is now operational.
  • With the photo studio operational, we have recently (within the last week) added a number of new KTC, Ko-ken, and nepros items that we had been sitting on waiting for photos.
  • Customer pick-up option is now available for local customers (available at checkout).
  • New phone system operational.
  • With the above steps completed, we are well positioned with increased warehouse capacity and fulfillment bandwidth to now expand our inventory in 2024 by adding more SKUs from brands we stock and considering additional new brands to bring in to fill some holes in our offerings.
  • Brand Highlights:
    • PB Swiss
      • Many new and exciting standard products on the horizon for this year!
      • Special productions are available to us again and we are currently working through several new tool concepts/sets/etc.
      • 2 items scheduled for production in Q2 that many customers have been requesting and waiting for...
    • Ko-ken
      • Many new and exciting standard products on the horizon for this year.
      • Considering offering some special productions.
      • Working on offering a more comprehensive selection of gap-less Z-Series, standard and impact socket sets.
    • KTC/nepros
      • Many new and exciting standard products on the horizon for this year.
      • New 3/8" 90-Tooth ratchet coming soon from KTC.
      • Working on offering a more comprehensive selection of gap-less socket and wrench sets.
 

ebarker9

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 1, 2010
Messages
85
Dumb question about the bit sets. I have a bunch of these for working on bicycles, but I mostly use them with a ratchet with a socket adapter, which is a little bit of a hassle. Do people generally use these with a bit ratchet? Something else?
 

Reed Prince

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2017
Messages
586
Location
Northern Virginia USA
Dumb question about the bit sets. I have a bunch of these for working on bicycles, but I mostly use them with a ratchet with a socket adapter, which is a little bit of a hassle. Do people generally use these with a bit ratchet? Something else?
I mainly use them in powered drivers, but I do have a number of other holders. The one that is marketed as a tool for bicyclists is the two part Fix It Stick, a tiny ratcheting T-handle.
IMG_0809.jpg
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Hi Bill,

You mentioned Lista cabinets: when are those available to order through you? Or, if they already are, what is the process/pricing/etc?

Thanks!
You can order Lista through us! We are still trying to figure out the best way to get it up on the website – the catalog is massive and highly configurable with extended lead times so it's quite a bit different to our other items. I would say the best way to do this at this time is to email us at [email protected] with your requirements and we can advise from there.

Dumb question about the bit sets. I have a bunch of these for working on bicycles, but I mostly use them with a ratchet with a socket adapter, which is a little bit of a hassle. Do people generally use these with a bit ratchet? Something else?
What @Reed Prince said! We are using primarily C6 bits with SwissGrip bit drivers – PB 255.MR-80, PB 8510.R-30, PB 8510.R-100, PB 1254.10-30 being the favorites. Or we are using E6 bits in the Milwaukee M12 Fuel 4-in-1 installation driver.
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA

angusp

Member
Joined
Jan 16, 2021
Messages
18
Location
-
I received my first order from DRPD recently. Experiences with smaller online shops can vary wildly, but I was impressed with how quickly the package shipped out and pleasantly surprised that it shipped from close by, meaning it was delivered the next day. Too often “free shipping” means USPS and it takes a few days to ship out.

I’m not sure if it’s intentional, or if many people would even notice/care but what really sold me was that the included receipt that was in a nice black envelope and printed on some quality high-gsm paper, not the thinnest stuff you get at Staples with a toner that ran out a few weeks ago. Do I keep receipts? No, but if I did I would appreciate that attention to detail.
 

DekNgo

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 15, 2022
Messages
178
Location
TX
I received my first order from DRPD recently. Experiences with smaller online shops can vary wildly, but I was impressed with how quickly the package shipped out and pleasantly surprised that it shipped from close by, meaning it was delivered the next day. Too often “free shipping” means USPS and it takes a few days to ship out.

I’m not sure if it’s intentional, or if many people would even notice/care but what really sold me was that the included receipt that was in a nice black envelope and printed on some quality high-gsm paper, not the thinnest stuff you get at Staples with a toner that ran out a few weeks ago. Do I keep receipts? No, but if I did I would appreciate that attention to detail.
Agreed. It's by far the best packaging I've experienced in quite some time.
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Stoked you guys like the packaging. We definitely care about that stuff here and use some nice Neenah (Environment) and Mohawk (Loop) papers.

In other news – it's GJ early access time. We are running a sale starting tomorrow for the upcoming President's Day weekend, but have a code available for you now – details below:
  • 10% Off Sitewide (no restrictions)
  • 15% Off $250+
  • Ends Monday, Feb 19 @ 11:59 PM Pacific Time
  • Coupon code WINTER24GJ active now
 

Breaker49r

Member
Joined
Jan 4, 2023
Messages
16
Dang, think Ad Blocker blocked the image in the email which must of had the discount code. I assumed it was "select tools were 15% off" and didn't see anything I wanted "on sale".

@billspreston I'd suggest putting the details in text form as well in your email marketing.
 
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reclaimer

Well-known member
Joined
May 24, 2023
Messages
56
Anybody spot a difference on that BitBlock photo? :cool:
Did they add a little catch on the front so they hook together? If so that's great! You kind of needed the plastic case for them otherwise. I made a custom bit holder- holder out of some wood trim to keep them spread out how I like. The PB bit holders are my favorite, I've ordered about 20 of them from you lol
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Did they add a little catch on the front so they hook together? If so that's great! You kind of needed the plastic case for them otherwise. I made a custom bit holder- holder out of some wood trim to keep them spread out how I like. The PB bit holders are my favorite, I've ordered about 20 of them from you lol
You got it, the upcoming new blocks can snap together.
 

Outahere

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 13, 2021
Messages
870
Location
Idaho
Made a few purchases from DRPD over the last month. Here is a 6" Keiba flat-nose (4mm wide), smooth-jaw pliers and a PB Swiss #2 Phillips with a 10" shank/shaft. This is my first Keiba tool and it makes a very good first impression, and is well worth the $26 I paid.

DSC02020.JPG

Some more PB Swiss
DSC01988.JPG

The bit set close up:
DSC01994.JPG

PB Swiss "bargains" ranging in price from $3.20 to $7.05:
DSC02036.JPG


DSC02022.JPG
 
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Shelbylex

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 20, 2018
Messages
3,093
Location
MA
Does anybody have a combination of BP Swiss interchangeable magnetic bit holder and classic (or other) screwdriver handle?
Is it tight fit?
Can you make a picture of combined product and short axis view of the handle (where the incertion hole is?) - can not figure out if it's piece of metal there (to which the bit holder gets attached) or just plastic?

... Classic and Multicraft handles are made out of Cellulose acetate butyrate - thus they can start smelling eventually (think old Craftsman screwdrivers) - thinking about getting the combination instead of a regular driver if I go classic pathway - this way once it starts smelling, I can replace the handle (or if handles for the models will be NLA, I can probably make a wooden one...)
... Wonder how long it takes to start smelling if kept out of sun in a warm relatively dry tool room

Also, if I do not go classic and go model 8215 which is not cellulose acetate butyrate - are they hard to clean?

... One more question: magnetic bits come in 14cm and 18cm length. How much of this is actually protruding from the handle?

Thank you!


P.S. Should have thought about all of it when I was in Swizerland few years ago, but I did not get a recommendation from GJ of getting the bits yet : )
 
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Dave455

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 19, 2013
Messages
5,796
Location
Sussex, England
Does anybody have a combination of BP Swiss interchangeable magnetic bit holder and classic (or other) screwdriver handle?
Is it tight fit?
Can you make a picture of combined product and short axis view of the handle (where the incertion hole is?) - can not figure out if it's piece of metal there (to which the bit holder gets attached) or just plastic?

... Classic and Multicraft handles are made out of Cellulose acetate butyrate - thus they can start smelling eventually (think old Craftsman screwdrivers) - thinking about getting the combination instead of a regular driver if I go classic pathway - this way once it starts smelling, I can replace the handle (or if handles for the models will be NLA, I can probably make a wooden one...)
... Wonder how long it takes to start smelling if kept out of sun in a warm relatively dry tool room

Also, if I do not go classic and go model 8215 which is not cellulose acetate butyrate - are they hard to clean?

... One more question: magnetic bits come in 14cm and 18cm length. How much of this is actually protruding from the handle?

Thank you!


P.S. Should have thought about all of it when I was in Swizerland few years ago, but I did not get a recommendation from GJ of getting the bits yet : )
I don’t have the bit holder blade but I do have these handles, and a fair number of the regular interchangeable blades.

Are the blades a tight fit? Depends on the vintage. The first I had was very tight. Much more so than any other bit driver. Very like using a regular driver.

I was told they had problems with the handles being too tight in some climates, so they changed to a looser fit. I thought it was too loose, so I believe they have now reverted back to a tighter spec.

The 215 handle is just plastic where the blade is inserted. You might think this is a problem, but it isn’t.
98249FCB-E457-461F-9446-2204A149EEC8.jpeg

There’s a metal catch with a ball detent in the base of the handle that locks the blade in place. These are very positive.
84A75F9A-C1AA-432F-93C5-DDBAFFFAB4AB.jpeg

If you are worried, you can always go for a 225 handle where the part that blades engage with is steel.
C6369DCA-21CF-480F-B438-AEF7FE63B512.jpeg

Does the CAB smell? It can do. The material that PB use seems to me more stable than some. I have CAB chisel handles that are far worse than PB handles.

The smell doesn’t get worse over time. I have PB handles I bought in the 90’s that are no worse than newer ones. I have some even older drivers I bought used, and any smell seems to have disappeared.

The storage conditions do affect the smell. If you store your tools in say a tool box drawer there will be no issues. If you seal them in a plastic box and leave them for 18 months there will be some smell.

Current handles have a vanilla additive. Most of mine pre date this.

Yes, go for the classic, or Multicraft, handle. The material is superbly durable and easy to clean. I have a few tools with the Swissgrip handles and can’t say I like them. Perhaps o.k. in a clean environment, but not for anything I do.

The 140 and 180mm blades have a protrusion of 60 and 100mm respectively.
CACC7C10-5734-470F-A757-432D80EFC6B3.jpeg

Personally, I would only go down the interchangeable blade route if I really needed the portability. Don’t do it because you think the handle might degrade. It won’t. If you fancy some regular drivers, go for them. They’re one of PB’s best products!
 

Odd-job

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 13, 2017
Messages
2,255
Location
SF Bay Area
Bought the 215.A - classic hard handle and 8215.A - soft grip from DRPD a while back. I went this route only because I really like the PB Swiss knurling on the shaft in the smaller sizes that don't come on their classic fixed blade drivers. This and the fact that I wanted to try something other than Vessel.

Also FYI - there is a degree or 2 of slop which is mildly annoying.
 

programmer255

New member
Joined
Feb 25, 2024
Messages
2
Pricing for the Pick Set(s) are in, preorder to follow later this week:

PB 8681.Set CBBSwissGrip Pick Set, 4 pcs w/ Roll-Up Case
$50.05​
PB 8685.Set CBBSwissGrip Pick Set, 5 pcs w/ Roll-Up Case
$62.60​
That's a bit more expensive than I was hoping... I see on your website that the old 4 piece SwissGrip Pick Set (No Case) was only $33.55. That's $16.50 or 49.2% more expensive.

Any chance of getting either set without the case for *some* savings? (Don't really care about the case, just gonna toss them randomly into the tool box anyway... lol)
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
That's a bit more expensive than I was hoping... I see on your website that the old 4 piece SwissGrip Pick Set (No Case) was only $33.55. That's $16.50 or 49.2% more expensive.

Any chance of getting either set without the case for *some* savings? (Don't really care about the case, just gonna toss them randomly into the tool box anyway... lol)
They will eventually be available sans-case, but I'm not sure if these will be on pre-order or not:

PB 8680.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 4 pcs
$35.90​
PB 8684.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 5 pcs
$46.35​

IMO the case is worth it for pick storage – throwing them loose into a box will dull the points quicker and/or end up embedded in your fingertip when fishing through the box.

Good news is there will be a variety of setups to pick from if the case isn't your thing.
 

AJHD

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2020
Messages
3,005
Location
AZ
They will eventually be available sans-case, but I'm not sure if these will be on pre-order or not:

PB 8680.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 4 pcs
$35.90​
PB 8684.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 5 pcs
$46.35​

IMO the case is worth it for pick storage – throwing them loose into a box will dull the points quicker and/or end up embedded in your fingertip when fishing through the box.

Good news is there will be a variety of setups to pick from if the case isn't your thing.

I definitely want at least a few of these picks, but I too don't need the case or care to spend an additional $15 for it.
I will wait to see what other options you offer.
 

programmer255

New member
Joined
Feb 25, 2024
Messages
2
They will eventually be available sans-case, but I'm not sure if these will be on pre-order or not:

PB 8680.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 4 pcs
$35.90​
PB 8684.CNSwissGrip Pick Set, 5 pcs
$46.35​

IMO the case is worth it for pick storage – throwing them loose into a box will dull the points quicker and/or end up embedded in your fingertip when fishing through the box.

Good news is there will be a variety of setups to pick from if the case isn't your thing.
Thanks for the information, glad to hear that there will be a variety of options. Nice pun! ;)
 
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billspreston

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2020
Messages
170
Location
San Luis Obispo, CA
Hey guys – got a little promotion going on this weekend:
  • Get 20% Off:
    • 1 Item / Spend $150+
    • 2 Items / Spend $250+
    • All Items / Spend $500+
  • Above thresholds are applicable to order sub-total (does not include shipping & tax)
  • Pre-orders excluded from discounts (does count towards order sub-total)
  • Ends Sunday, Mar 17 @ 11:59 PM Pacific
  • Coupon Code: MARCHMADNESS
This is a nice opportunity to score 20% off some larger ticket items that you may have been eyeing in between our big seasonal sales.
 

KnurledNut

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 28, 2011
Messages
8,064
Location
n/a
Does anybody have a combination of BP Swiss interchangeable magnetic bit holder and classic (or other) screwdriver handle?
Is it tight fit?
Its not as tight as one might expect from a company that focuses on precision. If you hold the blade, you can wiggle the handle back and forth before it engages the wings. The blades are very high quality, but I have other hex blade/handle options with less slop. Compared to those, I cant call it a tight fit, to be honest.
I can shake mine and hear it rattle if that tells ya anything.
 
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