New TX & EX sockets

[Krokodil]

I would like to buy myself a set of TX and EX sockets but I don't know which brand. I'm partial to Gedore as most of my other sockets and ratchets are Gedore.

The failure rate on these special type of sockets are usually higher than with say wrenches so a lifetime warranty is also important to me. Once again Gedore ticks the block!

The thing is Kennedy Professional (Cromwell from the UK) also sells some nice torx and etorx sockets at half the price of the the Gedore set and has a lifetime warranty = no worries!

What should I do? These special sockets are not used every week, let alone every day and I don't make a living stripping German cars and American bikes.

With the lower usage cycle I should surely be OK with the Kennedy sockets? Please help!

 

[Mr.Nutcase]

How about Snap On?
or Stahlwille
http://www.stahlwille.com/

 

[Monte]

Why not something made in South Africa ?

 

[y20dth]

Internal or external sockets?

 

[y20dth]

Torx an E-Torx are designed to enable highter torque-values than regular fasteners, so it's not really the kind of application where you should be trying to save a buck tru cheap tools.
That being said, I have a set of torx wrenches, e-torx drivers and torx-sockets from Taiwan-made Force http://www.force.com.tw/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1, and they have been holding up very good. On the gearbox of a BMW 525 recently, I thought "Oh, **** i'm gonna strip the bolt", but no, the thing came of just about when I thought I didn't have anymore strength. No damage to the bolt or the tool.
This set promo-price is: €60+tax.
http://www.forcetools-kepmar.eu/epages/457210838.sf/nl_NL/?ViewObjectID=2421984&ViewAction=ViewProductDetailImage


Promo's:

 

[Monte]

I wonder why the german Force importer Welt der Werkzeuge stopped importing the tools. In this press release they say that the quality has gone downhill and that they had problems with the warranty of the tools. One founder of "Force" left "Force" and founded his own company "Pard". So i probably wouldn`t buy them. In South Africa probably also not available...

 

[Krokodil]

On the Snap On, I'd rather buy a German tool!

Looks like I should get the Gedore sets, but oh the premium!

 

[y20dth]

I wonder why the german Force importer Welt der Werkzeuge stopped importing the tools. In this press release they say that the quality has gone downhill and that they had problems with the warranty of the tools. One founder of "Force" left "Force" and founded his own company "Pard". So i probably wouldn`t buy them. In South Africa probably also not available...

Well, wenn I look at their website, I can see they are still selling Force tools.
Partly under it's original name, partly under the name "Schwarz Industrie". I guess a german name is more trustworthy.
I was told the Force Tools have gotten a bad rap in Germany because the importer himself was doing a ****** job warrantying tools.
The fact that they are now selling Force under another name kinda supports that theory.
And just to be clear, for the price, they offer VERY good tools. But if you have the budget I to recommend Gedore, Stahlwille, Hazet or Facom.

 

[y20dth]

On the Snap On, I'd rather buy a German tool!

Looks like I should get the Gedore sets, but oh the premium!

If you can afford them, do it. You'll enjoy them, I promise .

Let us know what you've bought.

 

[Monte]

Well, wenn I look at their website, I can see they are still selling Force tools.
Partly under it's original name, partly under the name "Schwarz Industrie". I guess a german name is more trustworthy..

yeah Schwarz industrie sounds much better

I was told the Force Tools have gotten a bad rap in Germany because the importer himself was doing a ****** job warrantying tools.
The fact that they are now selling Force under another name kinda supports that theory..

that could be true too

And just to be clear, for the price, they offer VERY good tools. But if you have the budget I to recommend Gedore, Stahlwille, Hazet or Facom.

Force is quite expensive imho. just checked the prices @ www.forcetools-kepmar.eu
Force Pliers cost up to 100 % more than Knipex ! WOW !!! 180mm comination pliers from Force 19,95.... Knipex 10,70€ click
10" Force locking pliers 19,95€ - i can get 2 german made ones for this price..... click and still have money for a beer.... . 12 pc. open end wrench set from Force 64,95€ (sale price) click, german made set see below (+ tax)... wow....didnt know that its sooo expensive to make tools in Taiwan + China.... lol ... i wonder who buys these tools ???... crazy.....

@ Kokodil:
Do you have Matador over there ??

 

[Krokodil]

Hi Monte,

I haven't seen Matador around here.

The major brands that we have are:

Gedore (very popular, used in industries)
Jonnesway
King Tony
Mastercraft (Canadian Tire)
Kennedy
Stanley
Gearwrench

Cheap Chinese stuff

Stahlwille, Snap On, etc are very scarce.

 

[Monte]

Couldnt find anything about Matador in South africa, but Stahlwille:

Matus
P.O.Box 8116
Johannesburg 2000
Tel: 0027 / 11 / 4341540
Fax: 0027 / 11 / 4341575

Mail: [email protected]

they also have Stahlwille : www.crtech.co.za
(+ african made "Will" pliers)

Hazet is available too:

Harry P. Will South Africa (Pty.) Ltd.
P.O. Box 401
Parklands 2121

contact: H. H. Schmidt
Telephon: 0027-11-781-9811
Fax: 0027-11-781-9824

E-Mail: [email protected]

 

[lynam]

Was wondering if anyone tried out Vim yet? There made with S2 Alloy steel and have a life time warranty. I was thinking about picking up a set by them because there so cheap.

Here a master set for 70 bucks or so
http://www.amazon.com/Vim-Tools-TMS34PF-Torx-Master/dp/B000LQG3A4/ref=sr_1_14?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1274811187&sr=1-14

I was thinking about picking this set up to try them out for my self. Its only 30bucks or so.
http://www.amazon.com/Vim-VIMXZN100-8-Piece-XZN-Set/dp/B000I1Q60O/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1274811187&sr=1-1

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Why not something made in South Africa ?

I think Gedore have a factory in South Africa.

 

[Brandon_K]

Owning a Jeep, I'm very intimate with Torx. I've gone through many different sets, HF (was in a pinch early on) being the worst, Snap On's being the best. The Craftsman set I had were marginal, but I still broke a few. I've yet to break a Snap On.

That being said, I would buy the best that you can, while still being able to get it warrantied locally. Even if you buy the best that money can buy, you're still likely to break one. Torx is just a horrible fastner and I would like to punch the engineer at Camcar that invented it. Do you have any idea how easy it is to round one out after it's been in a vehicle in the rust belt or painted over (Jeep windshield hinger are notorius for this) I would say by the best that you can afford while still being able to get it warrantied locally. I assume Snap On doesn't service South Africa? I would also recommend getting an impact driver (the smash it with a hammer and it turns type). This helps firmly plant the bit in, but it's still not a save all solution. Then again, I suppose you don't see a lot of rust down there.

 

[Krokodil]

South Africa is also surrounded by an oceans and therefore are subject to rust!

I also think the reason that most people damage torx is because they don't seat the fastner properly. An impact driver would work best.

Monte, we do have Stahlwille, Hazet and the like on sale here, but most stuff are on order from Germany. Like you can never see what you want to buy on display and warranty issues are even worse.

Most of the Gedore stuff are manufactured locally.

 

[y20dth]

I also think the reason that most people damage torx is because they don't seat the fastner properly. An impact driver would work best.
.

Quite right. I remember years ago, me and my boss looking at a tech from BT starting work on one of our pallet trucks. He reaches for his allen socket, puts on a ratchet, and starts pushing it in a bolt.
When my boss asks "don't you clean out the bolt first?", he looks at us puzzled and says "euuh, no......those allen bolts are real ******* doh, I mess up atleast one a day.....******* ****-engineer....."

My boss and I both look at each other and smile.....

An internal torx- or etorx- fastner has the same issue. Clean it out, make sure your socket is fitted properly, use your head, feeling and experience and you'll be fine.
Offcourse it takes one reall nasty rounded off bolt, before you really can appreciate prep-work and taking it slow.....

I am conviced the torx bolt design is a very good design. You can apply much higher forces on it, before it wil damage or round off.
You do have to know how to work with them though....

 

[Monte]

Why not something made in South Africa ?

I think Gedore have a factory in South Africa.

that was a hint

www.gedore.co.za

they have several branches in South Africa - interestingly one in "New Germany" ...

P.O. BOX 68,
NEW GERMANY,
3620,
SOUTH AFRICA