The Facom Tools Thread.
- Thread starter Dave455
- Start date
I prefer 12-point sockets and spanners for perhaps mainly contrarian reasons but know what you mean.
Ha ha.
The guy who sold me that 3/8″-drive set was a great believer in motor oil too. He must have poured it onto the sockets with a funnel. They were sitting in half-inch deep pools of the stuff. Same for the ratchet head and unfortunately the handle too. I’m glad he did that because it obviously preserved the tools for decades, but I can’t be dealing with that mess so cleaned it all up and gave it a light coat of Duck Oil instead … skipping the handle this time.
Yes, totally agree on the “sweet spot”.I have seen more broken lock mechanisms than hinges on those metal-and-plastic cases, and, yes, would prefer all-metal.
I guess all-metal costs a fraction more (or does it really?). And the market at one point thought plastic was more modern. I guess it is more modern. But as a thinking person, I have considerable misgivings about modernity.
Low-tech Magazine has a great tagline: Doubts on progress and technology. You bet!
Here’s a little 1/4″-drive Facom socket set with metal hinges and lock that passed through my hands (gone now). Again made in France and OGV:
That narrow window after OGV but before production was moved off-shore is for me the Facom sweet spot. Not really because French Facom is any better than Taiwanese Facom – although, actually, my French stuff tended to fit better; but with off-centre engagement (OGV) that clearance doesn’t do much harm. But French manufacture befits an iconic French brand like Facom.
All my older Facom is from this period - purchased new - although I bought mostly wrenches.
I remember the same sets with the Isoryl spinner handle, and similar ones with plastic boxes. I feel the same regarding metal boxes. Even if they do cost more, I am happy to pay that.
I had never heard of “Low-tech magazine” - sounds like it’s for me!
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Yes, I think the photo hosting is probably the problem.And two more photos in separate posts for the usual reason (is it because I’m hosting these photos on another site, ImageShack? No-one else seems to have problems):
The way this forum used to work, you had to use a hosting site in order to post full size photo’s.
Since Ryan updated it though, you can upload full size photo’s by hitting “Attach files”, tick the ones you want, and once they appear select “Insert” and “Full image”!
neophyte
Well-known member
There is or at least was a German manufacturer who made that type of Clamshell tool case.
Rothenberger used to use the cases as standard for a lot of their tool sets, and other German tool manufacturers as well.
The cases came in multiple sizes.
Usually, the handles were folding and made from metal rod.
The handles were usually welded on as a separate piece, do it would likely have been possible to easily switch the handle style out for a different design.
I have no clue whether the same manufacturer would make the cases for Facom, but I suspect it might be like steel and plastic drill indexes (the bit cases) were there aren’t necessarily a huge number of manufacturers.
The forming dies for making the clamshells would require dedicated equipment which would be somewhat specialized.
In the USA, steel cases are usually bent sheetmetal, with the corners and seems welded which can be done using more generalized sheet metal equipment.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Yes, 46mm is quite common, if you work on anything much bigger than cars you will definitely find a need for one.
I use a 50mm offset double box end on our Merlo telehandler to get the hydraulic oil fill bung out, it's not particularly tight but I hate it when the mechanics can't be bothered and mangle them up with a pipe wrench. I think one of my 50mm spanners is a Facom, will have to check.
Will be in the workshop tomorrow so if I remember I will snap a pic of my big sockets.
It does. It's a great feature when you can only get one hand near the fastener. I hate having to keep re adjusting as the fastener lifts from the surface.
They are beautiful socket sets Samuel D shared with us 
. Late design French made metal case lollypops. I have a fairly large collection of screwdrivers from many known Euro/Japanese makers. I firmly believe the Facom French made screwdrivers are right up there as the best quality one can buy. They are still made in France and can be purchased under other SBD companies including Craftsman at VERY reasonable prices. The tips must be well treated as they seem to be about the strongest I've seen. And I have MANY brands to compare. I wish I had more older pre SBD takeover Facom tools. They were VERY expensive here in Australia compared to other options.
. Late design French made metal case lollypops. I have a fairly large collection of screwdrivers from many known Euro/Japanese makers. I firmly believe the Facom French made screwdrivers are right up there as the best quality one can buy. They are still made in France and can be purchased under other SBD companies including Craftsman at VERY reasonable prices. The tips must be well treated as they seem to be about the strongest I've seen. And I have MANY brands to compare. I wish I had more older pre SBD takeover Facom tools. They were VERY expensive here in Australia compared to other options.CGarage
Well-known member
I reach for my Vessel screwdrivers more often than my Facom screwdrivers these days.
Yes, there's at least one German brand that still does not mess about when it comes to their metal cases, but it has its own thread...
Looking at photos, seems even old Snap On cases went that route, before they started with the plastic ones. I think a nice stamped case really expresses quality and assurance that the company does not cut corners. I guess from a practical standpoint a well designed modern blow-moulded case is mose usable and possibly even more durable (sheet metal can bend faster sometimes). But those Hazet boxes are just so ****!
kyrbz
Well-known member
Several years ago, Epstein's had a bunch NOS Facom stuff that I bought a lot of. There was also a period of time when Zoro had a lot of Facom reasonably priced. The last time I looked, Zoro still had some but the price had jumped way up. I'll post more in the future but here's a pic of a partial vintage set of #40 wrenches and some newer 440's which I'm guessing were not made in France. Unusual that there was no country of origin on the 440's. I've been trying to put together a set of period correct French tools for my Citroen 2CV but haven't had much luck other than the #40 wrenches
kyrbz
Well-known member
A thin wrench set and a small wrench set I got at Epstein's many years ago
Sadly, even Hazet are supplying relatively few of their sets in their classic metal boxes now.Yes, there's at least one German brand that still does not mess about when it comes to their metal cases, but it has its own thread...
Looking at photos, seems even old Snap On cases went that route, before they started with the plastic ones. I think a nice stamped case really expresses quality and assurance that the company does not cut corners. I guess from a practical standpoint a well designed modern blow-moulded case is mose usable and possibly even more durable (sheet metal can bend faster sometimes). But those Hazet boxes are just so ****!
dutchgray
Well-known member
Some 1" drive sockets.
All French made.
2 3/16"
55
58
67
71
82mm
They actually get used as press tooling usually.
I have others that are not Facom.
I have relatively few large metric sockets, and sadly no Facom.
Some 1" drive sockets.
All French made.
2 3/16"
55
58
67
71
82mm
They actually get used as press tooling usually.
I have others that are not Facom.
I had to buy the ones I have new - at the time I could find no metric available used - and that was costly!
Hopefully I won’t need 1 inch drive - but then I thought I wouldn’t use 3/4“ drive much, but now I find I need it to change a brake disc dust shield….!
BMW’s……!
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Maybe 25-30 years ago Taiwan had a bad reputation, but I’ve been beating on Taiwan made tools for most of my wrenching days and can count the number of broken Asian tools on my fingers. (And I’ve broken roughly the same number of SO tools in that time too).
These days I assume if a tool is Taiwan made it will be strong and well finished, China tools require a bit more careful selection, but I have bargain basement Chinese tools from US Pro/Bergen that have literally taken a decade of abuse.
Anyway, back on topic…
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Bolt thru wrenches, a few USAG in there as well.
T-Handle / holder
T-Handle / holder
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Stubby ratcheting
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Wow - some lovely stuff in there.Bolt thru wrenches, a few USAG in there as well.
T-Handle / holder
I own the No. 117 pin wrench as well. Superb tool - best of it’s type.
I believe that the No. 66 flex head wrenches are now discontinued.
Those USAG wrenches are interesting. I haven’t seen those before.
In style, they remind me of the Facom NO. 97 box wrench.
banditbigdog
Well-known member
Wow - some lovely stuff in there.
I own the No. 117 pin wrench as well. Superb tool - best of it’s type.
I believe that the No. 66 flex head wrenches are now discontinued.
Those USAG wrenches are interesting. I haven’t seen those before.
In style, they remind me of the Facom NO. 97 box wrench.
Agree, pretty similar.
Always had a soft spot for the USAG stuff.
Over the years at work we’re purchased several large Italian pieces of automated equipment.
Often they include a decent compliment of USAG tools to include steel toolboxes.
Strangely the more recent ones have Facom bolt thru wrenches vs. USAG
mcj115
Well-known member
As a younger guy here is my small collection of Facom tools.
1) R.151 I got in an auction lot...I like the feel of this toom
2) S.151AVSE electrical use ratchet , new in bag never used...I just picked this up at a swap meet two weeks ago. For $20 I thought it would be nice to have just in case
I have other made, but not branded, tools...such as a few 3/4 drive SK sockets...labeled as made in France.
1) R.151 I got in an auction lot...I like the feel of this toom
2) S.151AVSE electrical use ratchet , new in bag never used...I just picked this up at a swap meet two weeks ago. For $20 I thought it would be nice to have just in case
I have other made, but not branded, tools...such as a few 3/4 drive SK sockets...labeled as made in France.
Attachments
Ratchet.
Well-known member
Nice seeing a thread on facom, I have a decent selection of their tools, both old and new stuff, the mac tools van here sells it, and they make a lot of nice quality speciality tools like ratchet tap wrenches and auto adjust oil filter straps.
Despite them no longer being made in france, i really like their current wrenches, particularly the ratchet ones, they have a nice shape, and the satin chrome finish is really to my liking.
I got this little R1PICO bit ratchet/ 1/4" drive set a few years ago, and its been extremely useful, the extension can be used to either extend the ratchet handle, or convert it into a t-bar, as well as just being an extension.
Usually lives under the seat of my motorcycle, has cme in handy so many times. It impressed my mate enough that he went and bought one himself, and uses it daily in his job doing IT installs etc for server racks and the like, definitely worth the £60 or so i paid for it
Despite them no longer being made in france, i really like their current wrenches, particularly the ratchet ones, they have a nice shape, and the satin chrome finish is really to my liking.
I got this little R1PICO bit ratchet/ 1/4" drive set a few years ago, and its been extremely useful, the extension can be used to either extend the ratchet handle, or convert it into a t-bar, as well as just being an extension.
Usually lives under the seat of my motorcycle, has cme in handy so many times. It impressed my mate enough that he went and bought one himself, and uses it daily in his job doing IT installs etc for server racks and the like, definitely worth the £60 or so i paid for it
CGarage
Well-known member
That above set is one of my most used tools 
I rec'd my Facom 505A's from Amazon UK. I can't think of too many tools that can do all of this and much more. It's a cross between Knipex Cobras and Vise Grips. The jaws remain parallel from 0 to about 5" and lock tightly. And you can also grab and lock around the circumference of some pretty big stuff. These probably won't be used that much but when they do, they have the potential of being the only tool that will do the job. They look very well made. Nice job Facom!!
Catfishdan
Well-known member
This thread reminded me to dig out this vintage 1/2” drive set I have. Everything’s marked made in France and the sockets go from 8mm all the way up to 32mm.
Attachments
Speciality tools have always been a strong area for Facom, though over time I’ve come to realise how good their regular tools are.Nice seeing a thread on facom, I have a decent selection of their tools, both old and new stuff, the mac tools van here sells it, and they make a lot of nice quality speciality tools like ratchet tap wrenches and auto adjust oil filter straps.
Despite them no longer being made in france, i really like their current wrenches, particularly the ratchet ones, they have a nice shape, and the satin chrome finish is really to my liking.
I got this little R1PICO bit ratchet/ 1/4" drive set a few years ago, and its been extremely useful, the extension can be used to either extend the ratchet handle, or convert it into a t-bar, as well as just being an extension.
Usually lives under the seat of my motorcycle, has cme in handy so many times. It impressed my mate enough that he went and bought one himself, and uses it daily in his job doing IT installs etc for server racks and the like, definitely worth the £60 or so i paid for it
Unfortunately, you can only tell so much by looking at a new tool. Sometimes you need to use it for a couple of decades to realise how good it is.
Yes, the “Nano” and “Pico” sets are incredibly well designed. Both tools and packaging.
I have something of a weakness for them myself.
Facom purchased USAG in 1991. Stanley bought the combined company in 2006, after Facom had sold SK.
honcho
Well-known member
My Facom made in France punches bought on clearance from Sears a number of years ago.
I also have the adjustable pin spanner that Banditbigdog posted, I purchased it from Staples using a good coupon. The pin spanner was, I believe, made in Taiwan but it is a nice piece of equipment.
I also have the adjustable pin spanner that Banditbigdog posted, I purchased it from Staples using a good coupon. The pin spanner was, I believe, made in Taiwan but it is a nice piece of equipment.
