My Somewhat Unusual Toptuls

[redvalkyrie]

I've been acquiring Toptul tools for over a decade. As you'll see, I have a mixture of everything from Snap-on, SK, Gearwrench, Knipex, Nepros, Koken, Lobster, Blackhawk, Beta, and so forth. However, I usually have a Toptul product in my hand. I've never had an issue with one and they tend to work very well.


A 1/2" torque wrench


Screwdrivers, extensions, t-handles, 1/4" bits--mixed in with Vessel and Anex


T-handle nut drivers


Wrenches--some are powder coated to show customers colors. I recently lost my 8mm so I replaced with a Nepros 8mm.


Short offset and moon wrenches


Oil Filter Strap Wrench and that black wedge is a plastic scraper


Well Used Scraper


A whole bunch of sockets


Lineman pliers, Valve Seal Pliers, Locking Pliers


Ratchets--I believe these to be copies of the ones Toptul made for Facom.

 

[GSMotorrad]

Nice stuff! Thanks for sharing. So is TopTul your favorite out of Snap-on, SK, Gearwrench, Knipex, Nepros, Koken, Lobster, Blackhawk, Beta, etc?

 

[redvalkyrie]

This would be my drawer of favorites...


I definitely like Toptul. It's what I grab the most so if that's criteria for favorite...then yes. Different companies make certain tools better than others. Toptul is just quality across the board.

I use mostly Toptul sockets and ratchets. Sometimes I break out the Nepros ratchets or the Koken Z-eal set.

I prefer Vessel for screwdrivers. Although I use Nepros when working on carbs that require flatheads.

Knipex or Keiba for pliers.

I really like the Toptul extra long wrenches. They have a nice feel and work.

 

[Sprintman]

Same here, Toptul only from now on. Can't beat their forged stuff...

 

[DSM_PWR]

what's the best priced vendor for Toptul in the USA?

 

[Jim Diesel]

Nice write up. Good to hear positives about other smaller brands. I will keep an eye out for some down here

 

[Sprintman]

Nice write up. Good to hear positives about other smaller brands. I will keep an eye out for some down here

'Smaller brands' Have you seen the size of their cattledog??

 

[bassbone52]

what's the best priced vendor for Toptul in the USA?

There is a member on here who sells Toptul. I've dealt with him and have nothing but good things to say. His user name on eBay is schmidtdn. His user name on GJ is different but I can't remember it.

 

[buckwheat_la]

His name is dnschmidt on here. Good guy. I was going to pull the trigger on getting the Toptul brand but came across a clear out on Gray tools that I couldn't refuse. Great looking tools.

 

[plinker]

How do the Toptul locking pliers compare to the Vise grips?

 

[redvalkyrie]

How do the Toptul locking pliers compare to the Vise grips?

They're better than current Vice-Grips. They're excellent.

 

[plinker]

Thanks, good to know. I've got a nice supply of NOS Vise grips, But I see Toptul has a couple different styles available.

 

[Strouty]

'Smaller brands' Have you seen the size of their cattledog??

How big is their cattledog???? What do they feed it?

The toptul tools look great, I love unique ones, but without a local seller, the warranty process always makes me nervous.

 

[dnschmidt]

To specifically answer your question: 416 pages with a 20 page index and six pages of promotional stuff. Check out the TOPTUL swag at: http://www.toptul.com/style/frame/t..._id=92175&content_set=color_4&fid=0&nid=23232

I have the AXG00008904 hats and they are great. I bought these for myself hoping to be able to wear them here in Phoenix where only those that love skin cancer go out into the sun without a hat. Sadly, my huge German head is too large and they don't fit so I'm willing to sell them to those with normal sized heads. I'll sell the hats cheap at $5.00@ but you're going to get killed on shipping as I have to put these into a Regional Flat Rate Box A to keep from crushing them and those go for anywhere between $8 and $12 depending on how far you're from Phoenix, AZ.

 

[espyking83]

I have a few odds and ends from Toptul, great quality for the money. Would put them on par with SK.

 

[espyking83]

How do the Toptul locking pliers compare to the Vise grips?

I think they're way better than what you find in most hardware stores. I've become a fan of Grip On though.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

How big is their cattledog???? What do they feed it?

I would also like to know more about their cattledog. What breed is it?

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL's Vise-Grips are made exactly like the Peterson Vice Grips were: out of Cr-V and Cr-Mo steel. The current Irwin vise-grips appear to be made out of pig iron. They look and perform exactly like the Peterson's did, not as the Irwin's current now do.

 

[Jim Diesel]

'Smaller brands' Have you seen the size of their cattledog??

Hahah good pick up. No i meant in regards to their market

 

[redvalkyrie]

Toptul as a company is massive. I've seen pics of their facilities. They are up to date on everything. And they make a lot of tools for other companies like Facom...if you notice the round head ratchets with the black handles--those are Facoms. Toptul had a little trouble when they made those as it was very clear they were what Facom was selling. So, you won't see those ratchets again.

Toptul has a huge prescense everywhere but in the USA. They sponsor several race teams in various countries.

I also have a bunch of Toptul spark plug sockets but those are hardly used as my Koken Z-eal spark plug sockets are so awesome.

I think I have a few auto body tools from Toptul...

Mr. Schmidt is the only person keeping the brand alive in the USA. His prices are very fair. If you look at the UK sellers, their prices are ridiculous. I only wish that this could be a more profitable business for Mr. Schmidt as I'd like to have access to the entire Toptul lineup. I really dig their tool carts and wall cabinets. I've mentioned this before but I tried to get a deal going with Toptul and the logistics and required minimum purchase was just too much. What got me is that they wouldn't allow me to make special orders of single items. Not a whole lot of people are going to want a Toptul torque wrench and it makes no sense to stock several for the chance one person will buy a torque wrench.

So, if a customer came to me and wanted a torque wrench, I'd have to wait until my next complete restocking order to get that one wrench. There's no reason Toptul couldn't airmail special items...

 

[Jure]

toptul is dirty cheap and great quality for the money...

 

[dnschmidt]

redvalkyrie, there are plenty of reasons why TOPTUL couldn't airmail special items. It would cost more than the item is worth. It's also why their excellent warrantee is completely worthless. For me to send something broken back to TOPTUL cost a minimum of $30.00 and that's for a small flat rate box which doesn't hold much. Almost everything I sell cost less than $30.00. That's why I offer no warrantee as I would be giving away free tools if I did since with shipping I would never get reimbursed. Selling TOPTUL as a business in America is a sure fire way to bankruptcy. As you know I do it as a hobby. I have complete access to anything TOPTUL makes but that doesn't matter much since the smallest order that makes economic sense is $5,000.00 one of which I've just placed. The freight forwarding charges on any order will be about $1,000. If you order $1,000it's $1,000 to get it here from Taiwan. if you order $10,000 it's $1000 to get it here from Taiwan. So for economic reasons you have to place large orders.

The biggest reason TOPTUL will never make it here, other than the fact that they don't care about the American market, is their tool sets normally don't include 15 and 18mm tools which are the most common sizes used on American cars. That's why I don't sell most of their tool sets. Harbor Freight's tool sets often have this problem as well as they also skip these sizes as they are not used in Asia where they are made. What I do on their wrench sets is buy the missing ones individually and add them to the sets myself when I sell them.

TOPTUL makes fantastic product and it's priced right. You would think that this would be a recipe for success. Not true. It takes me approximately six months to move $5,000 worth of tools at a time. That tells you how difficult this market is. It's a good thing I was rich before I started this little part time business as I certainly will never get that way selling TOPTUL. Without TOPTUL investing in an American warehouse the situation will never get any better. And they will never invest in an American warehouse after the beat down King Tony received after they tried the American market.

K-T spent a bundle on an American operation in Los Angeles and just sold the whole deal to Cal-Van Tools at a huge loss. Their M7 tools did reasonably well but the K-T Pro, which are outstanding hand tools and their main product line, just didn't make it. To most Americans Harbor Freight is the way to go. Some of their stuff is good and some **** but it all has a lifetime no questions asked warrantee that you can claim just by walking into any store. None of the Taiwanese companies can compete against this. KABO makes the Carlyle stuff for NAPA and with NAPA's countrywide presence they do well but they will never try to market their own brand here as the distribution doesn't exist.

He who makes the best tool ALMOST NEVER WINS! That's the harsh reality for TOPTUL, King Tony and KABO.

 

[redvalkyrie]

redvalkyrie, there are plenty of reasons why TOPTUL couldn't airmail special items. It would cost more than the item is worth.

I'm going to respectfully disagree. I import and export very large and very small car parts to Japan. The cost is always within reason. KTC/Nepros will ship a single item and will accept returns with no questions asked. And items arrive within three days. I don't think they make any money selling Nepros in the US but they still go out of their way for a US customer. Unfortunately, that will probably be their eventual downfall in the US market.

Maybe the shipping situation is different in Taiwan. Maybe the hassle of receiving a broken tool, and pulling another from inventory is just too difficult and time consuming given the size of their facilities.

 

[drtyler]

Interesting bit about the Facom round head ratchets. I thought those were made in Italy.

Maybe Toptul manufactures the ratchets that are part of socket sets/kits (some of which contain sockets from Taiwan)?

Either way, it probably says a lot for the quality of Toptul, if Facom uses them as a supplier.

Toptul as a company is massive. I've seen pics of their facilities. They are up to date on everything. And they make a lot of tools for other companies like Facom...if you notice the round head ratchets with the black handles--those are Facoms. Toptul had a little trouble when they made those as it was very clear they were what Facom was selling. So, you won't see those ratchets again.

Toptul has a huge prescense everywhere but in the USA. They sponsor several race teams in various countries.

I also have a bunch of Toptul spark plug sockets but those are hardly used as my Koken Z-eal spark plug sockets are so awesome.

I think I have a few auto body tools from Toptul...

Mr. Schmidt is the only person keeping the brand alive in the USA. His prices are very fair. If you look at the UK sellers, their prices are ridiculous. I only wish that this could be a more profitable business for Mr. Schmidt as I'd like to have access to the entire Toptul lineup. I really dig their tool carts and wall cabinets. I've mentioned this before but I tried to get a deal going with Toptul and the logistics and required minimum purchase was just too much. What got me is that they wouldn't allow me to make special orders of single items. Not a whole lot of people are going to want a Toptul torque wrench and it makes no sense to stock several for the chance one person will buy a torque wrench.

So, if a customer came to me and wanted a torque wrench, I'd have to wait until my next complete restocking order to get that one wrench. There's no reason Toptul couldn't airmail special items...

 

[dnschmidt]

KTC/Nepros are five times as expensive as TOPTUL. Perhaps that's why they provide that level of service. Also, there are likely far more planes going back and forth to Japan as there are going to Taiwan which could explain the reasonable shipping you've found. I've found zero reasonable air freight from Phoenix to Taiwan or visa-versa. A small box of AirPro air ratchets (30 ratchets) cost $300 in DHL air fees from Taiwan.

Why would any company go OUT OF IT'S WAY for an American customer when they don't make any money here. That's stupid business. In my many dealings with the Chinese I've found that they aren't in any manner stupid.

 

[Al Borland]

You MAY find some of the parent company's offerings for sale here as well. I posted about Taiwan Kobalt ratchets here and was told they are a TopTul/Rotar product, After looking at the pictures of TopTul ratchets and comparing to my Kobalts, I believe it.
I like those ratchets.
Unfortunately, Lowes is switching over to ChiCom Ratchets/sockets. (Appear to be Stanley/Ape-x, which are WAY cheaper at Homely Despot/Husky).

 

[dnschmidt]

TOPTUL does not make it's own ratchets. It buys them from William Tool in Taiwan. Here's their Website: http://www.wtools.com.tw/. You will find some familiar faces there.

 

[redvalkyrie]

Also, there are likely far more planes going back and forth to Japan as there are going to Taiwan which could explain the reasonable shipping you've found. I've found zero reasonable air freight from Phoenix to Taiwan or visa-versa

With the amount of commerce done between the US and Taiwan I find it hard to believe Japan would have more commercial flights. I'm assuming the Toptul orders come via a port/boat to you?

And be careful using Chinese and Taiwan in the same sentence...I've never experienced more racism than that which exists between the two.

 

[Sprintman]

With the amount of commerce done between the US and Taiwan I find it hard to believe Japan would have more commercial flights. I'm assuming the Toptul orders come via a port/boat to you?

And be careful using Chinese and Taiwan in the same sentence...I've never experienced more racism than that which exists between the two.

Yep, more like two separate worlds than two separate countries.

 

[dnschmidt]

Yes, they come by container ship as that's the only practical way to ship something that's as heavy as tools. My normal shipments weight close to a ton. Air freight is ludicrously expensive. My shipments land at the port of Long Beach since that's the closest container port to Phoenix, AZ and then shipped by truck to a warehouse here in Phoenix where I go to pick them up. Taiwanese or Chinese they both speak the same language and they both come from the same place. Yes, they are sort of like the Yankees and the Confederates but unless one of them is carrying Mao's Little Red Book you can't really tell them apart as an outsider.

 

[KevinF]

But those folks at Rotar will tell you that the Chinese produce DIY tools

 

[dnschmidt]

Which they do. This Chinese/Taiwanese debate is amusing as it's all about Quality Control. Are Taiwanese tools almost always better? Of course they are but that's because the Taiwanese companies must be better than the Chinese or they are doomed. However it's obviously possible to build high quality product in China otherwise our I-phones wouldn't work. Also, Gearwrench produces product in China that is of high quality. The Chinese will give you whatever you're willing to pay for.

With respect to TOPTUL, In my obviously biased opinion, they make the best tools for the money in the world. That's the reason I sell them.

 

[Cryptic1911]

Do you have a price list? or is it a quote per order kind of setup?

 

[ultgar]

Yes, they come by container ship as that's the only practical way to ship something that's as heavy as tools. My normal shipments weight close to a ton. Air freight is ludicrously expensive. My shipments land at the port of Long Beach since that's the closest container port to Phoenix, AZ and then shipped by truck to a warehouse here in Phoenix where I go to pick them up. Taiwanese or Chinese they both speak the same language and they both come from the same place. Yes, they are sort of like the Yankees and the Confederates but unless one of them is carrying Mao's Little Red Book you can't really tell them apart as an outsider.

When I last purchased Toptul directly (back in 2009), freight was remarkably cheap. In fact, the cost from Taipei to Port Newark (NJ) was less than the brokerage, customs and delivery fees from Newark NJ to my warehouse in Northern NJ (45 miles).

Still the best quality/value from Taiwan these days, good margin for the dealer/importer but not enough profit dollars to sustain a business since the costs are so low. SD

 

[Blöckw@rt]

Recently I'am a big fan of Toptul combo's.

The quality and processing is awesome and the prices here in Germany are a big joke compared to my HAZET, Stahlwille, GEDORE....... stuff.

Thanx to GJ !

 

[dnschmidt]

Ultgar, with respect to the actual cost of ocean freight you are of course correct. Normal freight charge is $300 for my normal shipments which normally weigh about a ton and take up 1.5 m3. Where the shipping kills you is in duty, port charges, warehouse storage in Long Beach and Phoenix, trucking from Long Beach to Phoenix and every imaginable weird charge such as the cleaning the container charge. My normal freight forwarding charge for a $5,000 order is about $1350 to get the tools to my door in Phoenix and as I previously mentioned this is a fixed charge. It doesn't matter how small or how large the order is it's about $1350. That's why small orders are impossible. You of course understand this but many don't.

 

[terryo1965]

I bought a set of Toptul wrenches about 6 months ago from Mr. Schmidt because of all the positive comments I read about them on GJ. After using them a few months they are my favorite wrenches by far and I would give up my Mac set before them.