My 117B pin spanner was definitely made in France - it was on the packing when I bought it.
Doubtful. Maybe makes sense for them to only sell one in the USA (or only Mac/Proto). In Europe, USAG has a way bigger reputation in Italy than some French tools, and likewise Facom in France.
Just something I wondered, as there is a good deal of crossover, but sometimes it seems that the USAG have a satin finish compared to the Facom polished.
It's always a bit weird how these brands can offer some slightly different tool patterns for different markets. Since they're all owned by Stanley for so long now, I'd assume they would try to completely unify and through that lower the cost.
Very few of the Proto tools seem to be rebranded Facom / USAG. It only seems to be a few ratchets (the steel handle “palm control” ratchets) and the 440 / 440 XL wrenches.
I think Proto also offers the rebranded Facom vise grips (which are genuinely just the most interesting and advanced vise grips on the market). I have the "XL premium" ratchet from Proto, which seems to be their mid-range offering (a lot cheaper than the 90 tooth version) and it is a really nice tool (smooth, low backdrag, 45 teeth are fine enough for me, made in USA).
Well congratulations!
That’s interesting.Hi Dave, You were right, Lauravia and SAM merged in the early 70's but had been working more or less in partnership since the mid 60's and you can even find typical Lauravia 1/4 ratchets stamped "SAM".
There were at least 4 other tool brands after the war: Perfex which, I think, was more of a reseller than a real tool factory (with their "Vana" range DOE, DBE, sockets and ratchets), an enigmatic D.ET. A, see the photo at the end of the post, Bost, specialized in pliers of all kinds, Bem Muller who was, like Wanoda/Willemonda and, to a certain point Lauravia, more specialized in tools specific to each car model although they sold hand tools under their own name.
Note that DOE’s Eternum “Furia” range is highly sought after and expensive.
The D.ET.A rachet set looks much the same as my old Lauravia of the 40's and note that the original ratchet has been replaced by a "modern" 1980/90 S157
SAM and MOB are two French tool manufacturers that are hard to search for because of the names.
Interesting!Here are some of my favorite Facom tools.
It seems that SAM outsource a good deal of their range. It’s hardly surprising, as it’s a fair range, and I suspect their industrial customers. want to source everything from the same place.Not sure if they are made in France,
SAM snap ring pliers.
Very interesting.I have the same SAM S.157 1/2″-drive ratchet handle that vf1000g24 shows in the otherwise D.E.T.A socket set (a brand I too have never heard of). The picture foreshortens it a bit, but I believe mine is identical.
Mine is stamped “12 80”, which I assumed to mean a December 1980 date of manufacture. Is that right, vf1000g24?
Here’s mine as photographed earlier to show the lube port with nylon (?) cap on the head:
This is an interesting ratchet for its integrated spinner, 60 teeth, and surprisingly low back-drag. It certainly gave me a good impression of the SAM company. On the downside, the spinner makes the head too deep for many modern applications.
By the way, just to correct the widespread impression that this company was named after me (LOL) … SAM was set up by a former mine engineer, François Blanc, who started a forging company called les Forges Stéphanoises. When American troops came to France in 1918, they brought with them high quality mass-produced forged tools. Blanc was impressed with these and, after the war, converted some of his forging operations to hand tools. He named the tools in honour of Uncle Sam.
I have a couple of Eternum pieces too: an S.215 1/2″-drive extension and an S.240 1/2″-drive universal joint (cardan in French).
The universal joint is held together with coiled spring pins, which have 2¼ coils like all the other coiled spring pins I’ve come across (why is it always 2¼ spirals?). I’ve never been hugely confident in the strength of those coiled spring pins, but maybe I should be?
The Eternum tools also use a distinctive method for retaining the detent ball on the square drive. I’ll try to take pictures later.
My particular Eternum extension is not quite as neatly made as typical Facom equivalents, but it rings with an interesting, clear tone when struck. And the square drive measures slightly larger than my Facom ones – actually a touch over half an inch. (The Facom square drives in turn measure slightly bigger than the ones on my Toptul extensions. I’ll have to look up the tolerances for the 1/2″-drive standard sometime.)
That’s interesting.
I have a friend who works on military / specialised vehicles, including some French ones (Panhard). He has a lot of SAM, and I quite like it.
I hope that SAM continue to make their tools in France. If so, they may prove to be an alternative to Facom for some patterns. I know they used to offer very nice angled socket wrenches, for those who like this pattern.
Edit - they still do.
My Father told me of Lauravia. He used to fly new aero engines to Toulouse for the Caravelle, so spent much time there in the early 60’s. I think he knew Lauravia from then.
I was in Toulouse in 2018, but didn’t see any Lauravia, or even any SAM (and I was looking).
Anyone know of a source for SAM tools that ships to the USA? I really like bent fixed handle ratchets and I've been looking for a nice one in 1/4" driveWhat about the new SAM ratchets? The pear shape looks quite unique and very slim:
That is interesting, and reflects my own experience.
Maybe you can ask [email protected] That's the SAM R-157B 1/4" drive. I looked at the 2023 catalog and it's listed at €45.30 about $48 before tax but they are beautifully finished. My French grandfather used to say "Le prix s'oublie, la qualité reste!" which means "Price forgotten, quality remains" and he would add "I am not rich enough to buy cheap tools !"
Thank you, I’ll give that a shot! Will have to dust off my French. Briefly lived in Montreal in my early 20s where I got many a parking ticket because I couldn’t read the street signs. The phrase “livraison seulement” is seared into my brain now but I don’t remember much else.Maybe you can ask [email protected] That's the SAM R-157B 1/4" drive. I looked at the 2023 catalog and it's listed at €45.30 about $48 before tax but they are beautifully finished. My French grandfather used to say "Le prix s'oublie, la qualité reste!" which means "Price forgotten, quality remains" and he would add "I am not rich enough to buy cheap tools !"
The classic 440 combination wrench, too short for my liking.
In my opinion, the 440/467 pattern is the best overall, in terms of ergonomics and beauty. But, compared to the ratcheting ones, they are comically short, again in my opinion. For my main set I would like a bit longer, so I went with Stahlwille 13 pattern. For comparison, a ratcheting 19 is lengthier than a non ratcheting 21!
I watched Day of the Jackal (the original 1973 version) and in a couple scenes Edward Fox was using one of those Facom Hacksaws.Lets go back to Eternum! (clic on the pics to enlarge)
The Eternum socket case aside the classical Facom saw:
inside the box:
tacking the tools out:
This is an example of the very last tool boxes they made before closing, quality and finish we're still good but not as good as before.
