PB Swiss Tools Review

[posaune]

I better not wax about those bits again... I'm starting to sound like Merk

I think as long as you aren't actually waxING the bits, you'll be fine...

 

[Diesel-Mech]

I just picked up the PB Swiss 7681 mini pick set, awesome tools with out a doubt although mine don't have any serial numbers which I suppose is because they are the mini set.

 

[zuspiel]

I think as long as you aren't actually waxING the bits, you'll be fine...

Don't give me any ideas!!!!

Now you've done it... I just thought about what the best way would be to buff the tip of a philips bit... I need help (not that I'll find any around here )

I just picked up the PB Swiss 7681 mini pick set, awesome tools with out a doubt although mine don't have any serial numbers which I suppose is because they are the mini set.

Yeah, my minis don't have the serial numbers on them, either. I guess the shafts are just too thin.

 

[Monte]

a different PB design...

 

[zuspiel]

Wow! Are those black swissgrip drivers (soft finish)? Very nice.
They don't seem to make them in black, anymore.
At least I didn't see them in the catalog...
Thanks a lot for the pics.

Care to share your opinion of them and PB in general?

 

[Monte]

the pictures are a little bit crappy but they are blue. I just received them, what i can say is that i like the handle (design, ergonomics, "santoprene"-rubber coated) the overall appearance and finish and the blade design because i think it makes sense to put a parallel blade into a parallel screw head.

a better pic which i found at a webshop.

 

[64merc]

Monte, thanks for the pic of the blad tip. I didn't know they made them that way. Makes me want to sell off all of screwdrivers and start fresh with PB Swiss. Any closeups of the phillips?

 

[Monte]

the PH

PZ

If you want to sell (slotted) screwdrivers in switzerland you must offer them in the swiss "VSM norm" with these parallel blade tips. Every good screwdriver manufacturer should get you screwdrivers with these tips on request.

PS:
I found this interesting article from 2004 about PB Swiss which states some interesting facts:

- The screwdriver blades are made of german steel
- The handles are made of plastic which comes from the USA
- They manufacture 8 million tools a year
- They have a market share in switzerland among professional users of about 95% and 25% in the DIY market.
- They export 56% of their products mostly to japan, germany, holland, italy, thailand and denmark
- The classic PB 100 screwdriver was made more than 100 million times and was unchanged the last 50 years.

 

[billymade]

I wish I could read German! LOL!

 

[zuspiel]

Great article! Thanks for the link.

Wow, my slotted screwdriver from the first post has 100 million brothers out there!!!

A bit more history:

- original forge was started 1878
- in 1916, the grandfather of the current owner (Paul Baumann --> PB) bought it
- before WWII, they made "household" articles (no clue what, exactly)
- in 1942, they started to make tools. The Swiss army wanted a local producer.

BTW, a week ago I broke down and ordered a set each of the multicraft slotted and Phillips drivers. Now, I'm officially done with screwdrivers for a while. The only set I'm not completely happy with are my Torx but I use them too little to justify getting the PB ones...

I'll post pics of the drivers when they get here (sometime this week).

 

[pirana]

I haven't got any of their screwdrivers yet but I can vouch for their punches. I recently broke an easy out in a broken pinch bolt on the fork leg of my motorcycle. I had to use carbide dental burs in a pneumatic hand piece to remove part of it then drove out the remainder of the easyout with a PB punch. I put it through quite a bit of punishment & it wasn't fased one bit. Have to say i'm real impressed & will definitely buy more of their tools.

 

[Vinko]

I was looking at the punches and the screwdrivers. I can't decide which driver handles I like better. I like the nail punches especially.

And they've got some hammers. Though I just got a Vaughan today.

I can't take it anymore. I must get the entire catalog of PB Swiss.

Even the Posidrive, though I don't think I'll ever use such a thing.

 

[Stuey]

Vinko, when in doubt, try both. I bought one driver with a hard handle and then a 5 piece set of soft handled drivers. Now that I have a good feeling (literally) of the handle styles, I can more easily choose the style of any additional drivers I might want to buy.

 

[zuspiel]

I have both Felo and Wiha soft handle drivers. While they are super comfy, I need hard handles in the garage. The multicraft ones are hard but textured (see radiator hose picks in the first post). They are also really comfy and fit my hands well. The plain, straight ones are a bit too old school for me... So I decided to get the multicraft handles for the drivers. Good grip, easy to clean. But I agree with Stuey, just get single ones to figure out which style you like best.

 

[pbtoolman]

The slotted tips have a unique shape.

Here is a link that explains the PB Parallel Tip:
http://www.pbtools.us/parallel_tip.html

 

[pbtoolman]

a different PB design

These SwissGrip drivers are only offered by the Hoffman Group in Europe. They are a specially licensed brand of the PB screwdrivers call Garant Tools. Nothing different other than color (dark blue and orange) and logo.

Also, we do offer some black SwissGrip screwdrivers, but they are the heavy duty ones with through-going blades.

Phillips: http://pbtoolsus.thomasnet.com/viewitems/swissgrip/pb-8193-d-screwdrivers-for-phillips-screws?&forward=1

Slotted: http://pbtoolsus.thomasnet.com/viewitems/swissgrip/pb-8102-d-slotted-screwdrivers?&forward=1

 

[zuspiel]

Thanks for the link. My full set of drivers seems to have arrived today. I plan on having a closer look at the parallel tips on the new ones...

 

[billymade]

Looking forward to pics and your assessment of your new tools!

 

[Vinko]

I want to driver a PB Swiss Tools Truck around! Maybe white with a big red cross and the rainbow hex keys as a hood ornament

 

[Stuey]

I want to driver a PB Swiss Tools Truck around! Maybe white with a big red cross and the rainbow hex keys as a hood ornament

Bite your tongue! I'm happy with the prices the way they are!

 

[zuspiel]

Just to feed the pic addiction. I haven't had a real chance to test them...

​

 

[Monte]

 

[zuspiel]

Now, those are COOL!!!!!

 

[Monte]

Look what i found

http://blogs.yahoo.co.jp/under_line_logo/37003006.html

 

[zuspiel]

I've wondered about doing that myself!!!

I was afraid the grip would crack, though. Did he use a swissgrip handle? My Japanese is a bit rusty, ahm, I mean, nonexistent...

 

[Vinko]

How are everyone's PB Swiss bits holding up. Particularly phillips?

My Milwaukee set (China) are shot to **** after a week's use. One of my Hilti's is already no good after one use! It's crazy. I swear I ain't abusing my stuff.

Of course, I'm using them in my drill....

 

[zuspiel]

So far, so good. However, I've only used them around the house with my little Hitachi impact driver. Probably 100 screws with the #2 phillips and it still looks like new. And I did grate up at least two of the screws...

 

[Stuey]

Yep, they're holding up pretty well. Granted I'm only using them for manual driving thus far, but they're super duper. =)

 

[zuspiel]

The latest additions:

I should have taken pics before I put the blades in... The handles use interchangeable blades that have a little ball at the end that snaps in and the shanks have "wings" for the torque. Like all interchangeable blade drivers of that type, there was some wiggle even with the blade locked in. I put some masking tape on the shank, slowly inserted the shank and, voila, absolutely no wiggle. Now I finally have comfortable bit drivers for the smaller stuff where I don't want to use an SO ratcheting driver...

BTW, the handles are like $4 each, so they don't quite break the bank. If I were the type that likes handles on ratchets, I think I'd use these...

 

[hossmwp]

Just read through this thread. There are some great photos here and I am eager to try out a set of these drivers.

I was curious if any of you have tried the other products. I am in the market for a set of punches and saw they have some. With all of the information on the steel used in the drivers I figured possibly the punches would be top quality as well??

 

[zuspiel]

Definitely go for the drivers. Now you have to make up your mind which kind of grip...

I only have drivers, bits, bit holders, picks, and the clip removers. I did order some hole-maker-biggers (sometime the stupid foreigner in me shines through ) but they are on back order. So I don't have any experience with their cutting tool. I'm pretty sure the punches will be pretty decent, though... I haven't bought a single tool from them that I was disappointed with.

 

[scottmlew]

I've read many positive comments on the PB Swiss punches on GJ...poke around, you'll find them too. Among other items, I just bought some PB Swiss punches and screwdrivers (they arrived yesterday) and I'll provide some feedback and comments once I have a chance to use them a bit.

 

[hossmwp]

I've read many positive comments on the PB Swiss punches on GJ...poke around, you'll find them too. Among other items, I just bought some PB Swiss punches and screwdrivers (they arrived yesterday) and I'll provide some feedback and comments once I have a chance to use them a bit.

Please do! I am very interested in what they are like. I need to basically replace the majority of what I have. Its extremely worn and I would like to keep them in a box that lives in my truck and get new ones for my shop. I think latter today/tonight I will put an order together for the drivers.

 

[Stuey]

If there's a lot of interest, I'll order a few punches for review. How about a center punch, scribe, and a pin punch? I might pick up a set in the future, but right now I only have about $10 allocated for new "review tools".

 

[hossmwp]

Sounds like a great idea for a review. I am going to order a set of the punches tonight. I read that Starretts are great also. I havent had them before.

 

[zuspiel]

I have no clue why I thought about hole punches... Maybe because I was using one to punch holes into foam last night...

Anyway, Stuey, your list sounds great! If you review those, I promise I'll finally get around to posting a screwdriver tip comparison

 

[garfunkle24]

I have some of the carbide tipped centre punches on the way. Will post my thoguths when I've used them.

 

[zuspiel]

Great! Looking forward to it

 

[Monte]

someone already have one of their new ratcheting screwdrivers ?

 

[Stuey]

No, but I want one!!! My favorite retailer doesn't have them in stock yet, but if/when they do, I'll be one of the first to order!