The Facom Tools Thread.

[Dave455]

I like the matte finish on Gedore. I tried checking Elora, no distribution where I live. Also checked on Amazon.de, not available there either.

I know what you mean. The finish on the 7/7XL wrenches is a lot better than most of Gedores other wrenches, which seem to be dog rough.

You will still see grind marks etc on the Gedore, which you won’t on the Facom.

Is the Hazet 600N an option? Probably more money I know, but nicer tools.

And yet here I am in Europe needing a 12 mm. How can it be?

Besides, why does the 440 set include 12 mm by this logic?

That cannot be the reason. And I’m sure it’s not random either. I think Facom either identified something in their market research to support these different set contents, or they inferred something – perhaps mistakenly but probably not – or they designed the set with other sets in mind including their own sets, the other Stanley B&D brands, the competition’s sets, and what they think people already have in their toolboxes.

Historically, I haven’t worried about what a set omits, as it’s easy to add anything you need to.

This works fine for a set in a cardboard box, or a wallet with spare slots (Stahlwille), but not for Facom with their dedicated holders - which are about the best out there.

I'd go for something else then, Gedore overall isn't that nice in my opinion. Pricey for what they offer.

That has always been my opinion too.

Historically, before Taiwanese tools were any good, Gedore sold in the U.K. to guys who couldn’t run to better domestic made tools.

I always suspected they sell primarily to companies who have to supply tools to a workforce, rather than folks who buy their own.

I’ve bought Gedore on a couple of occasions, and regretted it.

Some of Gedores subsidiaries are good though - e.g. Habero hammers and punches. And their better torque wrenches are basically Torqueleader.

 

[gsanvi]

I know what you mean. The finish on the 7/7XL wrenches is a lot better than most of Gedores other wrenches, which seem to be dog rough.

You will still see grind marks etc on the Gedore, which you won’t on the Facom.

Is the Hazet 600N an option? Probably more money I know, but nicer tools.


Historically, I haven’t worried about what a set omits, as it’s easy to add anything you need to.

This works fine for a set in a cardboard box, or a wallet with spare slots (Stahlwille), but not for Facom with their dedicated holders - which are about the best out there.

That has always been my opinion too.

Historically, before Taiwanese tools were any good, Gedore sold in the U.K. to guys who couldn’t run to better domestic made tools.

I always suspected they sell primarily to companies who have to supply tools to a workforce, rather than folks who buy their own.

I’ve bought Gedore on a couple of occasions, and regretted it.

Some of Gedores subsidiaries are good though - e.g. Habero hammers and punches. And their better torque wrenches are basically Torqueleader.

Hazet is not an option because they are expensive AF. Too expensive in my opinion.

I have a set of Gedore hammers and they are really good. Regarding Gedore tools being used in industrial settings you’re probably right. When you look at Troostwijk or Surplex, there is a lot of Gedore items for sale, Facom sometimes, Hazet rarely, Stahlwille almost never.

 

[Dave455]

A Facom 1/2” Drive set that I purchased earlier this year.

I didn’t really need more 1/2” Drive, especially 12 point, but complete sets are always useful, and this set was on a promotion from a British dealer. The price asked was little more than the price of the cantilever box that the set is supplied in, and I’ve always coveted these sets, so I didn’t delay!


As is so often the case with European tools, none of the handles supplied offer anything like enough leverage for the socket sizes included, but the addition of a long ratchet (probably this one) should solve that!

 

[F-22]

enough leverage for the socket sizes

Two hand length leverage for a ~32mm socket really is optimistic to say the least. That wouldn't end well after I had some of the nice French garlic soup.

 

[Squankum]

This is the closest thing GJ has to a French tools thread, so I thought I'd put these fun pics here. The other night we were watching Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, now in its second season -- in France! The most recent episode, Daryl, and now Carol, are on the road (in France!) and meet a sympathetic old farm couple. The old farmer is willing to donate a car to them, if they can get it running. The choices are a blue car? small truck? (I don't recognize it) a VW Thing, then Citroen 2CV or DS.




But then the baddies come! Daryl hides in the shop area and searches for a weapon. Aha! A very large clés à pipe.






After a while, he concludes he needs a better weapon and grabs a very French hammer.




Eventually there is more drama with the baddies, with more suitable weapons. (We should have shotguns for this kind of deal.) At the end of the episode, Daryl and Carol hit the road in the Citroen DS.

In the zombie apocalypse, Daryl never scavenges for a comb or scissors or shampoo. It's been years now.

 

[f121]

Came across a 16mm today, so reached for my 440. Could have done with a XL really.

 

[Dave455]

Came across a 16mm today, so reached for my 440. Could have done with a XL really.

It’s surprising how often that slight offset on the Facom 440’s is exactly what’s needed.

I’ve got a full (ish) set of 440’s in my ”road box” now, and I find the length is just fine for anything below about 16mm, but above that the longer length is sometimes needed.

Having said that, there are many situations where I’m dealing with lower torques, such as undoing oil filter housings, or attaching something to my angle grinder, where the shorter wrench works just fine.

And of course there are some situations where the long wrench gets in the way.

I’ve added a few 440 XL’s, just in the larger sizes, and I think that’s the way I’ll run for a bit.

 

[Reed Prince]

Unusual clé à pipe application.

3.9M views · 43K reactions | 🧙🎩🪄Wingardium Leviosa… à l’approche d’Halloween, mettons un peu de sorcellerie dans nos vies …. Prenons de la hauteur pour ce Cover d’Harry Potter … même pas peur ! 👻 #musicwithoutinstruments #lesfoplafonds #cover #magie

🧙🎩🪄Wingardium Leviosa… à l’approche d’Halloween, mettons un peu de sorcellerie dans nos vies …. Prenons de la hauteur pour ce Cover d’Harry Potter … même pas peur ! 👻 #musicwithoutinstruments...

www.facebook.com

 

[Dave455]

Unusual clé à pipe application.

3.9M views · 43K reactions | 🧙🎩🪄Wingardium Leviosa… à l’approche d’Halloween, mettons un peu de sorcellerie dans nos vies …. Prenons de la hauteur pour ce Cover d’Harry Potter … même pas peur ! 👻 #musicwithoutinstruments #lesfoplafonds #cover #magie

🧙🎩🪄Wingardium Leviosa… à l’approche d’Halloween, mettons un peu de sorcellerie dans nos vies …. Prenons de la hauteur pour ce Cover d’Harry Potter … même pas peur ! 👻 #musicwithoutinstruments...

www.facebook.com

I don’t think they are Facom….

Much sweeter tone on the genuine item. Bit like a Fender, vs a copy…

 

[Dave455]

Facom 440XL update.

A while back I posted some 440XL’s I bought.

Buying them was a bit of an afterthought. I’d ordered some standard 440’s for my road box, and thought I’d add a few of the XL’s in the popular sizes.

Well, here’s a bit of an update now I’ve had a chance to use them in the real world. And here’s a “real world” picture I’ve just taken before I pack up. Not on a torque tester, or even in a workshop, but outside on a pleasantly warm November day, with some tools balanced on a bin!

Despite this being a Facom thread, readers may note I have no particular allegiance to any manufacturer. I have old Britool, Snap On, Stahlwille, and of course some Facom. My box is as mixed as my “bench” and I grab whatever is appropriate.


So, how have the 440XL’s been working out? In all honesty, very well.

I do mostly use the box end. If I‘m at base I’ll generally reach for a double box end first, and have a selection. In my road box I only have the 440 combo’s, so the box end sees most use. So far they have done all I ask, and the extra length has been useful.

The open ends have seen less use, but I’ve found myself using them at base, despite other options. Why? Well, sometimes the extra length is needed, even on an open end. (It shouldn’t be, but this is the real world).

Sometimes, like today, the extra leverage just makes life easier. Sometimes, you just reach for a tool that’s comfortable, and these really are. Overall though, if you have an open end with an anti slip profile, you might as well use it!

Durability wise, they seem to be fine so far. No wear to the box ends, or even the open end, and the finish seems to be holding up well. I do always wipe them down before packing though.


Overall, I’m quite happy. For the price paid, I’m very happy, and I see more of these being acquired.

 

[3baygarage]

An old piece of Facom.

1/4” drive breaker bar.

Does anyone know how old off hand?

 

[Squankum]

(cross-posted from Show your new tool arrivals)

After two weeks of impatient waiting, my Craftsman (FACOM) Torxdrivers arrived today. I paid $24.99 plus tax from Amazon. I think I saw it listed for $23.99 earlier today, and now it's $29.99. It all depends on how much you tip the bouncer, really. For FACOM, it's a steal.

At the top of the photo, the Torxdrivers I already had. That there was only one overlap made the sale for me.

T20, T25, T27, T30, T40.

I often gently rib people for using manufacturer-supplied trays because they're space hogs and those same manufacturers want to sell you big tool chests with lots of drawers, too. This is a denser tray than many. In fact, there aren't many places to stick a fat fingertip to retrieve one, often, you need to touch the tip, ew, I might get oils on it. (Meh. I later realized, there's no law saying you need to push these down until their grooves hold them, all depends on drawer depth.) I'll probably just put them in a drawer without tray for max density. But it's a fairly nice tray.


FRONCE

FRONCE

FRONCE

Box looks like it went from a warehouse to a store to shelf and then eventually back to a warehouse then an Amazon warehouse then shipped to me in an envelope. (I'm certain about the thick brown envelope.) No skin off my back! I got a deal!

T20 next to my Wera 1/4". The Wera handle is a nice concept but to my hand, kinda small. (As I traditionally gripe, just because the fastener got smaller doesn't mean my hand did.)

A note about the grips. I constantly sermonize about "oh just make the whole grip grippy, please." The Wera above, the green is soft and grippy, the black is slippery plastic. (Wihas, all the black is slightly soft and has good grip.) On this FACOM, er, "Craftsman", there are two slick, shiny panels, the rest are very finely grained and seem to give good traction. However, I spent the past months daydreaming about FACOM/USAG/Craftsman screwdrivers (and in the past, FACOM/Stanley or FACOM) thinking they had lovely ergonomics and were mushy-squishy, too. Nope! No squish. On the other hand, they claim good solvent resistance.

But right off the bat I can say I love the contouring. Feels great! **** is slippery smooth for pivoting in your palm/heel of hand.

Biggest handle (T40) in my somewhat big (just sub-palm-a-basketball_ hand. Daddy like!

Now, I don't feel silly overlapping with three perfectly great Wiha (just one) but well, this is all in the context of me already owning this sweet Bondhus T-handle set.

A little silly. But this is GJ. I think you know the urge to have just the right tool for the right situation. Oh, and do I have some 1/4" and 3/8" drive Torx bits? Why, of course I do! That's where you start, in my book.

 

[Dave455]

(cross-posted from Show your new tool arrivals)

After two weeks of impatient waiting, my Craftsman (FACOM) Torxdrivers arrived today. I paid $24.99 plus tax from Amazon. I think I saw it listed for $23.99 earlier today, and now it's $29.99. It all depends on how much you tip the bouncer, really. For FACOM, it's a steal.

At the top of the photo, the Torxdrivers I already had. That there was only one overlap made the sale for me.

T20, T25, T27, T30, T40.

I often gently rib people for using manufacturer-supplied trays because they're space hogs and those same manufacturers want to sell you big tool chests with lots of drawers, too. This is a denser tray than many. In fact, there aren't many places to stick a fat fingertip to retrieve one, often, you need to touch the tip, ew, I might get oils on it. (Meh. I later realized, there's no law saying you need to push these down until their grooves hold them, all depends on drawer depth.) I'll probably just put them in a drawer without tray for max density. But it's a fairly nice tray.


FRONCE

FRONCE

FRONCE

Box looks like it went from a warehouse to a store to shelf and then eventually back to a warehouse then an Amazon warehouse then shipped to me in an envelope. (I'm certain about the thick brown envelope.) No skin off my back! I got a deal!

T20 next to my Wera 1/4". The Wera handle is a nice concept but to my hand, kinda small. (As I traditionally gripe, just because the fastener got smaller doesn't mean my hand did.)

A note about the grips. I constantly sermonize about "oh just make the whole grip grippy, please." The Wera above, the green is soft and grippy, the black is slippery plastic. (Wihas, all the black is slightly soft and has good grip.) On this FACOM, er, "Craftsman", there are two slick, shiny panels, the rest are very finely grained and seem to give good traction. However, I spent the past months daydreaming about FACOM/USAG/Craftsman screwdrivers (and in the past, FACOM/Stanley or FACOM) thinking they had lovely ergonomics and were mushy-squishy, too. Nope! No squish. On the other hand, they claim good solvent resistance.

But right off the bat I can say I love the contouring. Feels great! **** is slippery smooth for pivoting in your palm/heel of hand.

Biggest handle (T40) in my somewhat big (just sub-palm-a-basketball_ hand. Daddy like!

Now, I don't feel silly overlapping with three perfectly great Wiha (just one) but well, this is all in the context of me already owning this sweet Bondhus T-handle set.

A little silly. But this is GJ. I think you know the urge to have just the right tool for the right situation. Oh, and do I have some 1/4" and 3/8" drive Torx bits? Why, of course I do! That's where you start, in my book.

That’s sounding like a very good deal.

I have little experience of the newer Facom drivers. They seem to have tried to come up with a handle that everybody likes, with some success. The older Facom drivers I possess have high quality blades and have lasted well.

I have to say, that one of my pet peeves is a bench full of drivers, all with different tips, and all looking the same.

One of the attractions of the Facom is the way they colour code them, which Craftsman seem to lose. (This isn’t all of them ).


On the upside, for the price I suppose I could find some coloured bands of heatshrink!

 

[Pexto]

Since all my flush cutters are fairly small, I picked up a pair of the Craftsman V-Series that are made by Facom in France.

Overall, I like them. The handles are straighter than most of the other cutters I have. I tried them out on some 12-gauge copper and they cut it like like butter and leave a very smooth cut. Fit and finish are overall quite good, except for a couple of raised areas near the base of the cutters. Seems like a slip in the final finishing. Shouldn't affect function, hopefully.

 

[Callelle]

I went to 2 Lowes tonight to try and find a pair of flush cuts, no dice.

 

[Etchase]

I went to 2 Lowes tonight to try and find a pair of flush cuts, no dice.

They are available free ship to home at my location anyway

 

[Dave455]

Since all my flush cutters are fairly small, I picked up a pair of the Craftsman V-Series that are made by Facom in France.

Overall, I like them. The handles are straighter than most of the other cutters I have. I tried them out on some 12-gauge copper and they cut it like like butter and leave a very smooth cut. Fit and finish are overall quite good, except for a couple of raised areas near the base of the cutters. Seems like a slip in the final finishing. Shouldn't affect function, hopefully.

Are you sure those are Facom?

Although some of the styling is similar, there are also a good number of differences. The machining is different, the fit and finish are not so good, the grips are different, and the overall quality doesn’t look like Facom, which are up there with the best I own.



I wonder if they are a cheaper line made in the Facom plant, but I don’t see “Made in France” on the tool or the packing, and I’m sure I would if they were!

 

[Etchase]

The card said France. They are flush cutters suitable for soft metal which I think might explain the difference in construction. The craftsman are certainly more of an industrial finish then your shinny finish. I don’t have FACOM flush cutters to compare with. My Proto’s are USA. They seem pretty similar to the insulated FACOM I have which are older and a different format. I find them of good quality.

Edit: in these pictures the three sets of pliers look completely different. This is due to my pathetic photography skills and bad lighting. In person all three pliers look very similar.

 

[Pexto]

Are you sure those are Facom?

Although some of the styling is similar, there are also a good number of differences. The machining is different, the fit and finish are not so good, the grips are different, and the overall quality doesn’t look like Facom, which are up there with the best I own.



I wonder if they are a cheaper line made in the Facom plant, but I don’t see “Made in France” on the tool or the packing, and I’m sure I would if they were!

They are definitely made in France! Sorry, I should have posted a pic of the back side of the label before. Here it is:


I looked in the Facom catalog and could not find a matching product. It appears that unlike the pliers wrench, these are not just a rebranded Facom. You may be right that they are a cheaper line.

And finally, on a sad note, I really wish that I'd seen @Etchase 's post earlier. You will note that Etchase's pliers say clearly "Plastic and soft wire only". Well, mine do not! And there is no warning on the product card. Anyway, I tried to cut some bicycle brake cable housing (which is not particularly hard) and I ruined the cutting edges on my pair. Needless to say I am not very happy. Given the low cutting angle on these, I was worried they wouldn't be up to the task, so I looked at the packaging card carefully to see if there were any restrictions. Seeing none, I proceeded, with disastrous results. :-(

 

[Andres26tnt]

They are definitely made in France! Sorry, I should have posted a pic of the back side of the label before. Here it is:


I looked in the Facom catalog and could not find a matching product. It appears that unlike the pliers wrench, these are not just a rebranded Facom. You may be right that they are a cheaper line.

And finally, on a sad note, I really wish that I'd seen @Etchase 's post earlier. You will note that Etchase's pliers say clearly "Plastic and soft wire only". Well, mine do not! And there is no warning on the product card. Anyway, I tried to cut some bicycle brake cable housing (which is not particularly hard) and I ruined the cutting edges on my pair. Needless to say I am not very happy. Given the low cutting angle on these, I was worried they wouldn't be up to the task, so I looked at the packaging card carefully to see if there were any restrictions. Seeing none, I proceeded, with disastrous results. :-(

They are flush cuts, not meant for anything other then soft wire and zip ties/plastic. Should be obvious by the name, fyi most "flush cuts" have soft blades. For hard metals you need something like a high leverage pliers. Bad on craftsman for not putting the cutting specs on the card.

 

[KnurledNut]

Facom diagonal cutters in my insulated kit.

 

[Squankum]

I went to 2 Lowes tonight to try and find a pair of flush cuts, no dice.

One option:

Amazon.com

Alas, for now, that's just about list price Lowe's had before marking it down to $17.49.

 

[Callelle]

One option:

Amazon.com

Alas, for now, that's just about list price Lowe's had before marking it down to $17.49.

I ended up ordering it online through Lowes. When I'd looked earlier yesterday, it wasn't available for shipping.

 

[neophyte]

Are you sure those are Facom?

Although some of the styling is similar, there are also a good number of differences. The machining is different, the fit and finish are not so good, the grips are different, and the overall quality doesn’t look like Facom, which are up there with the best I own.



I wonder if they are a cheaper line made in the Facom plant, but I don’t see “Made in France” on the tool or the packing, and I’m sure I would if they were!

Facom owned Bost, a major French plier manufacturer, that produced pliers under multiple brands, but mostly for brands Facom owned.
A dark grey or black finish is and was used on some Facom items, including the small ESD pliers, and the VDE 1000V insulated tools, at leadt ip to about a decade ago.
The black finish has since been dropped from the 1000V plier line, or at least most of it.
The forgings for the flush cutters do look like Facom, and Facom is one of the manufacturers that uses a cold forging process for most of their pliers, which tends to give the pliers a cleaner finish, even with the bead blast surface finish that was used afterward.
Maybe Stanley had Facom make some flush cutters in a large size due to the popularity of the Snap-On and Icon ones with US users.

 

[mjdarg]

So I posted this in tools of the old world, but realize this is probably the better thread. I found this wrench roll set on FB from an older lady getting rid of some tools. Her listing was kind of vague but this set is super cool. I don't have any other Facom tools, so I'm not exactly sure what to do with these. It feels sacrilegious to use them at this point. The roll is a 12 piece metric set of No 40 series wrenches. The 4, 5, and 5.5 are branded Vanachrome and the box end is a 6 point. The 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 19 are 12 point wrenches.

On the Vanachrome wrenches, there are some additional numbers stamped on the side that says Vanachrome. Does anyone know if these are date or factory codes or something else?

 

[Dave455]

So I posted this in tools of the old world, but realize this is probably the better thread. I found this wrench roll set on FB from an older lady getting rid of some tools. Her listing was kind of vague but this set is super cool. I don't have any other Facom tools, so I'm not exactly sure what to do with these. It feels sacrilegious to use them at this point. The roll is a 12 piece metric set of No 40 series wrenches. The 4, 5, and 5.5 are branded Vanachrome and the box end is a 6 point. The 6, 7, 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, and 19 are 12 point wrenches.

On the Vanachrome wrenches, there are some additional numbers stamped on the side that says Vanachrome. Does anyone know if these are date or factory codes or something else?

Wow! What a find!

I picked up an almost complete set of No.41’s earlier this year, but mine are older.

Yours look to be the “sweet spot” of French made tools with OGV profiles. 1990’s I would think.

The No.40’s I posted right at the start of this thread are similar vintage, but have been in regular use since new.

 

[Etchase]

My Isoryl, including my only Pozidriv’s.

 

[drtyler]

Wow! What a find!

I picked up an almost complete set of No.41’s earlier this year, but mine are older.

Yours look to be the “sweet spot” of French made tools with OGV profiles. 1990’s I would think.

The No.40’s I posted right at the start of this thread are similar vintage, but have been in regular use since new.

Not certain those wrenches have the OGV profile.

 

[mjdarg]

Not certain those wrenches have the OGV profile.

I’ve never seen it in person, but I don’t think they do either.

 

[drtyler]

I’ve never seen it in person, but I don’t think they do either.

After zooming in on the 19mm, the box end has defined corners. They are not radiused like OGV profile.

 

[mjdarg]

After zooming in on the 19mm, the box end has defined corners. They are not radiused like OGV profile.

Have you any idea when Facom introduced OGV on their combo wrenches? I can't find anything online.

 

[Dave455]

Not certain those wrenches have the OGV profile.

I think you are right.

A close inspection suggests they don’t. And a not so close inspection show’s no “OGV” script.

When I see that exact pattern of No.40, I associate them with OGV tools, although the earlier ones were not.

 

[drtyler]

I think you are right.

A close inspection suggests they don’t. And a not so close inspection show’s no “OGV” script.

When I see that exact pattern of No.40, I associate them with OGV tools, although the earlier ones were not.

Yes, they are the later design 40 wrench, but non-OGV. Probably a fairly short window of production.

 

[Dave455]

Have you any idea when Facom introduced OGV on their combo wrenches? I can't find anything online.

I think mid to late 90’s.

I have a 2001 catalogue that shows OGV, and I’m pretty certain my 97 one does too. I have a 1992 one somewhere that would help narrow it down, though I have some of those non OGV No 40’s and I think I bought them early 90’s

 

[mjdarg]

I think mid to late 90’s.

I have a 2001 catalogue that shows OGV, and I’m pretty certain my 97 one does too. I have a 1992 one somewhere that would help narrow it down, though I have some of those non OGV No 40’s and I think I bought them early 90’s

Seems plausible. I bought a set of Wright metric wrenches from the same lady and they have '95 and '96 production dates on them, so maybe they bought them around the same time.

Thanks fellas.

 

[Squankum]

FACOM 3/8" flex-head extendy-ratchet JXL.171. Made in Taiwan, I assume.

Detent divots:

I like the handle's thickness for my large hands. Grip is not rubbery soft-grippy, but there's a fine grained texture to it that seems to work and the grooves on the side edges help for grippiness, too. Head is not super thin but it is not thick, either. About average. Head is certainly not wide. Has a quick release button and a flippy-lever for on/off changes, which is how I like 'em! I first bought an extendy ratchet from HF a few years ago in 1/2" dr. and found out they're pretty neat indeed. Great for a junyard box, that one is.

The ring that is partly a red FACOM logo is the release ring for the detent keeper. It slides towards the **** of the handle about 7mm, and returns to normal position via a spring. 72 teeth.

Purchased from Amazon UK, shipped from North-Rhine Westphalia using Australia Post Global. Purchased November 25, received in USA December 3. A fair price for this sort of FACOM at $81.85, free shipping, plus my usual state tax.

Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

 

[f121]

FACOM 3/8" flex-head extendy-ratchet JXL.171. Made in Taiwan, I assume.

Detent divots:

I like the handle's thickness for my large hands. Grip is not rubbery soft-grippy, but there's a fine grained texture to it that seems to work and the grooves on the side edges help for grippiness, too. Head is not super thin but it is not thick, either. About average. Head is certainly not wide. Has a quick release button and a flippy-lever for on/off changes, which is how I like 'em! I first bought an extendy ratchet from HF a few years ago in 1/2" dr. and found out they're pretty neat indeed. Great for a junyard box, that one is.

The ring that is partly a red FACOM logo is the release ring for the detent keeper. It slides towards the **** of the handle about 7mm, and returns to normal position via a spring. 72 teeth.

Purchased from Amazon UK, shipped from North-Rhine Westphalia using Australia Post Global. Purchased November 25, received in USA December 3. A fair price for this sort of FACOM at $81.85, free shipping, plus my usual state tax.

Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

I’ve looked at this a few times. How is the ratchet action?

 

[richfinn]

FACOM 3/8" flex-head extendy-ratchet JXL.171. Made in Taiwan, I assume.

Detent divots:

I like the handle's thickness for my large hands. Grip is not rubbery soft-grippy, but there's a fine grained texture to it that seems to work and the grooves on the side edges help for grippiness, too. Head is not super thin but it is not thick, either. About average. Head is certainly not wide. Has a quick release button and a flippy-lever for on/off changes, which is how I like 'em! I first bought an extendy ratchet from HF a few years ago in 1/2" dr. and found out they're pretty neat indeed. Great for a junyard box, that one is.

The ring that is partly a red FACOM logo is the release ring for the detent keeper. It slides towards the **** of the handle about 7mm, and returns to normal position via a spring. 72 teeth.

Purchased from Amazon UK, shipped from North-Rhine Westphalia using Australia Post Global. Purchased November 25, received in USA December 3. A fair price for this sort of FACOM at $81.85, free shipping, plus my usual state tax.

Oh, and MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ME.

I've got both the 3/8" and 1/2" versions of these, you can't beat them for the price

 

[Squankum]

I’ve looked at this a few times. How is the ratchet action?

So far, I can't say it's in the Snap On Dual 80 zone or whatever finer-toothed things have come from GearWrench and others since. It's not broken in, but backdrag is not bad, not like that Wright ratchet I got from HJE that looks great, feels great, makes the good ratchet noise I was lacking as a young man, but the backdrag, boo.

Can't complain for the price, let's say. When I use it, I'lll know better.

 

[KwikFab]

I know nothing about Facom, so I have to ask -

Is this Facom set actually by Facom, or is it just a cheaper set that has the Facom branding?



I ask because I just purchased a similarly made tool kit that was recommended to me just to have, a Craftsman V Series.

Just arrived today.



The box layout is identical, including even the nametag on the left corner there.