Taiwan tools question

[Vitko]

Hi people,

after spending some hours reading the forum, I decided to join with a couple of questions.

Three brands are in my scope of interest (both as price and availability), and I would like to hear how you rate them.

KS Tools / Proxxon / Toptul (I know that KS Tools and Proxxon are German brands, but to the best of my knowledge - they are made in Taiwan)

I'm about to get a ratchet and sockets and a set of combinations spanners for a portable car maintenance tool set (I'm not a professional, I want to keep it simple).

I think I'll go for 3/8 (rather than 1/2), cause it's lighter, cheaper, and OK for smaller sizes.

Given the fact, that I can get the deep ones at the price of the short sockets, what would be better? Short or deep?

I've almost decided to go for the deep ones, cause I really like this package - there is just something wrong with the price:

http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0043C1YL0/

So I might get it some day if I find it 50%+ discounted

Thus I'll get some short sockets, and will start adding the rest.

Last point - there's no fun for me in buying a complete set - I want them piece by piece.

I know it's far more expensive this way, but ... you can get what you need in a nice suitcase, skipping the extra weight.

 

[woody 73]

I have been told by my woodworking friends that the proxxon rotary tool is a fantastic tool well worth the extra money.

 

[ticci]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/FACOM-TOO...629?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_3&hash=item1e92a2ad5d

Is this too much of a complete set? I suppose you are located in Europe? Ratchet can be too short to be the only one in box though.

 

[wild cowboy]

you can buy mid-deep (also called semi-deep) sockets from several manufacturers, including Snap-On, SK, and several Taiwan manufacturers (which are the best value)

These sockets are a good compromise between shallow & deep.

 

[JonnyMac]

In your situation i wouldn't limit myself to specific makes just look for something that is good value and suited to your purpose, but you are right in sticky to a country as taiwan is a good choice. A couple more taiwanese producers are teng and t&e..
Just stay clear of chinese made tools, whilst some can be ok the vast majority are poor quality.

 

[Vitko]

Thanks for the answers guys.

Ticci, the Facom price is OK, but delivery from England to Eastern Europe will make it e bit more pricy, and I'm no sure the seller would like to ship it at all

(I'm OK with the German Amazon). And ... I really do prefer another Facom's ratchet if I'm paying for Facom (which I'm not in a mood for atm)

Mid deep sockets are not available here.

Toptul deeps are like ... 16 EUR per full set 7-21 (14 pieces, no 20), which is a great deal. I just don't know the quality.

I'm familiar with the Nichers quality (another taiwanese brand), it's OK as toughness for me, but the chrome plating and the overall finishing does not feel OK. They get rusty, they are somewhat ... loose. Ratchets are strong, but ... 24 teeth? Nah ...

http://www.amazon.de/dp/B0001JZRYY/

This is something that I'm tempted to get, but ... I don't need the bit driver handle, neither I need those bits, there is no size 8 (I'm shocked), and there is 20 instead of 21 (I've never seen a 20mm size used anywhere).

Everything else is perfect though. May be if I replace the 20 with 21, and the 11 with 8 it would look better

Getting a full set is OK price-wise, but ... I can't fit more in this case, and I need more sockets. I got to get a second case just for the extra stuff

Snap On? Nobody sells Snap On here. I got (was surprised to see it) a fairly worn 10" Adjustable Wrench, Blue - point, Made in USA from a local guy. Bought it just to see why everybody is into Snap On's.

Well ... it is what a perfect tool should be. No more, no less. It just has that different feeling when you hold it in your hand.

But as I said - nobody sells it here. And after I checked the prices - well ... not just now. Some day - for sure. If they are still made in USA.

So I'm focused on Taiwan tools, because they are cheap. And the quality is OK. You can't beat a 1 EUR per socket deal

 

[woody 73]

Not sure if this helps you out but the set says made with cv tool steel so that is off to a good start:

http://www.proxxon.com/en/industrial/23110.php?list

 

[Jure]

i really like toptul,bought few socket sets and had zero issues...

 

[wild cowboy]

Mid deep sockets are not available here.

Oh YES they are, bub!

www.amazon.co.uk/Drive-Metric-Length-Socket-6-19Mm/dp/B00829RMAM

 

[Vitko]

Oh YES they are, bub!

www.amazon.co.uk/Drive-Metric-Length-Socket-6-19Mm/dp/B00829RMAM

Yeah, but 40 pounds for the same socket set that I will get for 16 EUR from Toptul ...

GearWrench is the number one (for a Taiwan tool) - no doubt. But it's pricy.

Btw, I have a ratchet already (though I'd prefer a Facom one). I have extra spark plugs in 1/2 (16 an 21), and I can always use adapter for them. I have extension bars.

I still want to keep it simple - if I have to use only one socket type - short or long - what would you advise? The midsized are not made by the cheapo brands

And I don't want to carry both in the case. I want it "portable". And I need to fit in there some wrenches, the big 1/2" L iron and the double impact socket 17+19 for tyres. Some screwdrivers, a flashlight, a gas soldering kit ...

So many things and so little space

 

[FMC1959]

I do not have the other 2 brands but have some TopTul, and I like them very much. I haven't used them enough to say they are on par with XXXX brand, but so far very satisfied, nice fit and finish, they have a good quality feel to them.

 

[Olafur]

Last week I was disasembling Turbo and Exhaust manifold from MAN D2066 engine. Plenty of nuts and some bolts for heat shields on the manifold - all badly rusted and stuck.

So the method was to hammer undersized 6 point sockets onto the nuts. And once I got a decent fit I removed the socket and used Acy/oxy torch to heat the nuts. Then very quick hammer the socket back on and use braker bar to loosen the nuts/bolts.

Nasty job for 3/8 drive 13,14mm chrome sockets. The Toptul set I used came out almost without a scratch. Like they always do. They hold up with the very best of them.

And they are almost free!