Is this original Facom spanner?
- Thread starter Howe
- Start date
Unusual to see a shiny Facom wrench (maybe it's the lighting that makes it look shiny). I don't think it's from a currently available model range. Any pics of the other side, with possibly a part number on it? I'm sure it must be genuine. Has anyone seen counterfeit wrenches, or other hand tools?
Shiny (polished) like Snap on, so you can see a clear reflection, or satin?
I've seen some counterfeit tools - but not wrenches. Here's a pair of fake NWS pliers, for example:
Pretty convincing no?
But what's the point for a <$3 spanner? Is there a reason this deal is suspicious - or is it just that it seems too cheap?
Well, as I wrote that I was sure they were mirror polished but since you asked I started thinking... =)
Pic
This is the kit I have and they are sort of both mirror and satin. Some areas are mirror and some satin.
I have used mirror polishet Facom tools in my life though, of that I'm certain =)
Dave455
Well-known member
Doesn’t look genuine to me.
If it is a genuine Facom, what series?
The old 40 series wrenches look like this : -
Very decent tools, but quite distinctive.
The older 40 series are even more distinctive with quite square edges.
The newer tools are the 440 series, which look like this : -
These are even more distinctive.
There are still some plainer designs around, but only in the very large sizes, and the one you are looking at isn’t!
My guess is would be that the tool you are looking at is a generic Taiwanese, or more likely Chinese, wrench with “Facom” stamped on it. I.e. - fake!
If it is a genuine Facom, what series?
The old 40 series wrenches look like this : -
Very decent tools, but quite distinctive.
The older 40 series are even more distinctive with quite square edges.
The newer tools are the 440 series, which look like this : -
These are even more distinctive.
There are still some plainer designs around, but only in the very large sizes, and the one you are looking at isn’t!
My guess is would be that the tool you are looking at is a generic Taiwanese, or more likely Chinese, wrench with “Facom” stamped on it. I.e. - fake!
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, it does!It looks similar in style to their '39' series spanners. (but they only go up to 17mm).
But they are short series, the tool shown appears to be standard length. I didn’t know they only went to 17mm, but another factor suggesting fake.
Also, the 40 series I have are not a high gloss chrome. Brighter than the satin Stahlwille perhaps, but not that “made in China” cheap chrome, and overall a quality feel.
Pretty sure the 39 series are same as the 40’s, but again, the wrench shown appears different.
neophyte
Well-known member
Facom used to own SK Tools.
I’m not sure ehy Facom purchased SK, maybe for SK’s US distribution network, or maybe because SK made really nice shiny chrome, and Facom wanted a shiny chrome line to compete in Europe with the USA made Snap-On shiny chrome, and SK was also made in the USA like Snap-On.
After the purchase of SK, Facom tools were sold in the USA as SK Facom. I’m not sure about in Europe.
That’s one possibility.
Another possibility is that Facom has some items made for them by SAM Outillage, another French manufacturer of automotive and related tool lines.
Some Facom and SAM tools look almost identical, and may be a low production item, so Facom may just source the wrenches from SAM.
SAM does manufacture some of their wrench lines in a high polish finish.
I’m not sure ehy Facom purchased SK, maybe for SK’s US distribution network, or maybe because SK made really nice shiny chrome, and Facom wanted a shiny chrome line to compete in Europe with the USA made Snap-On shiny chrome, and SK was also made in the USA like Snap-On.
After the purchase of SK, Facom tools were sold in the USA as SK Facom. I’m not sure about in Europe.
That’s one possibility.
Another possibility is that Facom has some items made for them by SAM Outillage, another French manufacturer of automotive and related tool lines.
Some Facom and SAM tools look almost identical, and may be a low production item, so Facom may just source the wrenches from SAM.
SAM does manufacture some of their wrench lines in a high polish finish.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I was hoping to see a post from Steve at Ultimate Garage here about this, maybe he will chime in.
other way round sk bought facom
neophyte
Well-known member
Nope.
Facom purchased SK.
Facom was owned by a major French conglomerate, that not only made tools, but which also owned other manufacturers like a kitchen appliance manufacturer, and various furniture manufacturers, including Cassina, the high end Italian manufacturer of modern furniture.
A bunch of those weird divisions later got sold off.
SK Tools became independent again later when the management bought the SK division back from Facom, which I believe happened around the same time the French investment firm that owned Facom, decided to sell it since the Investment firm found the Facom group not to be profitable enough.
I sort of suspect that the SK management may have known Stanley Tools might have been a potential buyer for Facom, which is the reason management arranged to purchase Facom, since Stanley already had US manufacturing plants and likely wouldn’t need the SK facilities at that time.
Unfortunately I can't the other side of this tool picture, I got those pictures from a seller in local online marketplace.
a set of Facom spanner cost around $200 or more, so I have trouble to convince myself that this product is genuineI've seen some counterfeit tools - but not wrenches. Here's a pair of fake NWS pliers, for example:
Pretty convincing no?
But what's the point for a <$3 spanner? Is there a reason this deal is suspicious - or is it just that it seems too cheap?
taiwan i believe their made at the stanley churo plant but im not sure
I got a 3pc. set of new French Facom tools- Pump pliers ,Side cuts and needle nose pliers at a silent auction at work for $15 because no one there had heard of Facom. but me
. Maybe it's the same kind of deal ?seber
Well-known member
Facom was part of USAG for some time. During that time the two made tools and marked them almost completely interchangeably. I don't doubt that is where the wrench came from.
ultgar
Well-known member
Every wrench I've seen from Facom has the model number stamped on it. Looks close to a 39 series but these short combo wrenches only go up to 17mm. I have no idea what it is.
Most Facom wrenches have a matte satin finish. The 440XL's and 56L's are highly polished and the 59L is a chrome finish.
Most Facom wrenches have a matte satin finish. The 440XL's and 56L's are highly polished and the 59L is a chrome finish.
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as mentioned by other members facom always stamp the model number on their wrenches so it's a fake one.
I've seen wrenches (combination, angled socket and a ratcheting) always stamped without model number, pliers(cutter, universal, end cutting nippers), measuring tapes and screwdrivers.
Here is some pics of a fake facom tool.
I've seen wrenches (combination, angled socket and a ratcheting) always stamped without model number, pliers(cutter, universal, end cutting nippers), measuring tapes and screwdrivers.
Here is some pics of a fake facom tool.
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