Facom seems that always made short wrenches, the 40 series is even shorter than newer 440 series.
Tools from the old world
- Thread starter Monte
- Start date
I totally agreed with you guys! When i choose a combo wrench the first thing I look after are how thin the ring are, then the open end! Why make a wrench fat if you can do it nice,thin and strong? I was looking after snap on wrenches but I am not anymore because they have allmost double thickness in the open end and box end ring when you comparing to hazet, stahlwille etc! Sure they are great wrenches and the open end doesnt need to be that slim so many times, but they are places they need to be half the size, same with the ring!
willhollin
Well-known member
I'll post up some comparison pics I have of some combination wrenches tomorrow.
Facom, Toptul, Palmera / Bahco.
Facom, Toptul, Palmera / Bahco.
d-rive
Well-known member
It's romanian product.
They have old tradition in making tools.
Good quality with affordable price.
I have one like this from 30 years ago but in metal case.
It is still ok, i didn't broke anything
N.I.
Well-known member
They wouldn't have been as bulky though?
Will, on a completely unrelated note. How are you getting on with your Makita 18v cordless SDS drill you posted up here a while ago?
I have used other people's 36v versions in the past. They are pretty sweet ( but rather pricy).
I am quite tempted by the 18v version especially with the new 4 AH batteries.
How does it compare to the corded version? How long does a battery last? I'm not expecting it to handle the 2 foot long 25mm bits, but if it can handle a 10 or 12mm bit with ease, then it would save a lot of time instead of pulling out the extension leads every time.
willhollin
Well-known member
I've not had a chance to give it a good work out to determine battery life, but I put four 22mm holes through a double brick and block cavity wall without too much trouble.
Not having to pull out the transformer and cable reel out is a godsend.
I'm sure i've seen the naked version of the 36v for around £180, still expensive but not much more than the 18v version.
Not having to pull out the transformer and cable reel out is a godsend.
I'm sure i've seen the naked version of the 36v for around £180, still expensive but not much more than the 18v version.
40 series were to the bulky side but not fat like 440 series
N.I.
Well-known member
I noticed that the bare versions are similar prices. The 36v has a slightly higher impact force - but then it holds up two batteries and would end up quite a heavy, awkward brute to use up a ladder.
The 18v brushless looks quite compact.
Hi guys,
Just wanted to clarify an issue:
Both the Usag and Facom spanners are made in Taiwan by a factory called TE WEI.
So are the Toptul wrenches.
Toptul is perceived to be a manufacturer but it is not, Taiwanese factories OEM for most of Toptul's range.
Regardless of this fact, i too believe that that the 440 series wrenches are very nice.
Just wanted to clarify an issue:
Both the Usag and Facom spanners are made in Taiwan by a factory called TE WEI.
So are the Toptul wrenches.
Toptul is perceived to be a manufacturer but it is not, Taiwanese factories OEM for most of Toptul's range.
Regardless of this fact, i too believe that that the 440 series wrenches are very nice.
how ? where ? why ? i want too !!
.
True ? ...
V!
this
calendar day 22:
now the Wiha "bit buddy" is complete:
Wiha BitBuddy video:
<iframe width="640" height="480" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/jqVF34k0jxQ" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
willhollin
Well-known member
I'd have no hesitation in recommending it. Only downsides are no LED light or battery gauge.
willhollin
Well-known member
I assumed it was Rotar who are Toptul's parent company. It certainly is shrouded in mystery whoever it is!
I have visited this factory (TE WEI) a couple of years ago.
Attached picture shows an USAG raw forged spanner prior to broaching, grinding, heat treatment etc. - taken at this factory.
Yes, Rotar is the parent faactory; it is actually a surface finish machine (vibration cleaning) manufacturer also offering vibration cleaning service to many Taiwan hand tool manufacturers. This was they accumulated a lot of knowledge about Taichung area hand tool manufacturers and launched the Toptul brand back in 2000s - which admittedly has been a success.
Attachments
Miskin
Well-known member
I think the debate about Facom 440 origin just comes to an end... thank God...and CplusF!!
Hang on now, that's not a Facom wrench pictured and... meh, I got nothing.I think the debate about Facom 440 origin just comes to an end... thank God...and CplusF!!
We can all sleep at night now, dreaming of a long version.
superautobacs
Well-known member
Hah, interesting.
A few years ago I said:
I've always thought the Taiwanese hand tool industry to be a complex network.....and it still certainly is to this day.
I think the debate about Facom 440 origin just comes to an end... thank God...and CplusF!!
Agreed!
nowlan
Well-known member
Beenman
Well-known member
Found a few more "old world" wrenches at one of the local Swop shops. Picked them up for around $1 a piece.
A few spanners from Elora, Dowidat and Hazet. The two Hazet imperial sized spanners are to work on my old British Ford ******.
View media item 36418View media item 36417
The middle spanner badged "Mercedes Benz" is made by Dowidat. I think this spanner is way cool... Hope to find a few more down the line.
View media item 36419View media item 36420
12" shifting spanner from Dowidat for $6. Just needed a good clean of the 'teeth' set and is now as good as new.
View media item 36421View media item 36422
And as I was about to leave, spotted this Mitutoyo 0-25mm Micrometer for $8. Bargain.....
View media item 36423
A few spanners from Elora, Dowidat and Hazet. The two Hazet imperial sized spanners are to work on my old British Ford ******.
View media item 36418View media item 36417
The middle spanner badged "Mercedes Benz" is made by Dowidat. I think this spanner is way cool... Hope to find a few more down the line.
View media item 36419View media item 36420
12" shifting spanner from Dowidat for $6. Just needed a good clean of the 'teeth' set and is now as good as new.
View media item 36421View media item 36422
And as I was about to leave, spotted this Mitutoyo 0-25mm Micrometer for $8. Bargain.....
View media item 36423
First Ive ever seen of those. They look like serious business.
That's some good stuff for little money. Agree on the Mercedes-Benz wrench. Car brand named tools are always cool.
Well, those Dowidats could be displayed as is if you ask me. Maybe a vitrine as a tool cabinet in the garage.Tools are not only for the collector vitrine.
*snip*
How long is that 14mm?
25cm
Nice.
I note that the Elora, Dowidat and Mercedes items are stamped 'Made in Germany'
These days it is only "Germany'.
The truncation always seems to me a means of avoiding the full truth, or at the very least allowing for downstream sourcing from other manufacturing sources.
I note that the Elora, Dowidat and Mercedes items are stamped 'Made in Germany'
These days it is only "Germany'.
The truncation always seems to me a means of avoiding the full truth, or at the very least allowing for downstream sourcing from other manufacturing sources.
Beenman
Well-known member
Yup. I've come to learn that unless it specifically states "Made in...", you can safely assume its made elsewhere.
Miskin
Well-known member
Beenman
Well-known member
I posted it here couple of pages back
Sorry, there are almost 900 pages here, I haven't been able to read all of them yet....
Miskin
Well-known member
Beenman
Well-known member
Krokodil
Well-known member
Merry Christmas to you too! Was the Wiha calender better than last year's Wera?
Laro13
Well-known member
Merry Christmas!
mac_intosh
Well-known member
Merry Christmas! 