dutch79
Well-known member
In the Netherlands the 'Hornbach' is a interesting one because of the German brands they sell. Most other have rebranded and cheaper tools.
Tools from the old world
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dutchgray
Well-known member
Yes, I meant Portugal, I mix them up sometimes
NOS Unior electronics nippers of the box joint variety.
Very nice, its a real shame box jointed electronics pliers/ cutters have all but disappeared, I have picked up 3 pairs of box jointed Lindstroms recently but they were not cheap.
Schmitz still makes them (links go to their online store), and they're resold under multiple brands (NWS's ESD line, Bernstein, & CK Tools for example). Almost certainly cheaper than what you got your NOS Lindstrom's for.
Wiha also has a line of double box joint ESD pliers that I believe are forged in-house (German facility), as does Knipex. Not tried Wiha's electronics pliers, but you can do better than Knipex for less money IME (grips may be comfortable, but the steel isn't so wonderful on some I've seen; there are even lap joint products that do a better job due to properly hardened steel).
Not sure about any Japanese brands (those I can think of are all lap joint), but I'd be surprised if there aren't any at all.
StanleyAdams
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What about Orbis?
http://www.orbis-werk.de/fileadmin/orbiswill/pdf/ElectronicLine_2008_Inhalt-lr.pdf
Last category
BTW Unior had not much of a selection of these box joint ones while they were in production. Only a few models and only smooth jaws on the pliers. The side cutters are not flush. The joints have great action and no play on any unit I've seen and the whole tool are well made. But I can tell you for sure they will have corrosion issues as with other unfinished electronics pliers. Also the original prices were along with CK maybe more.
http://www.uniortools.com/media/Attachments/Rocno_orodje/Eng/PDF/4-Electronic_pliers.pdf
They look OK, but I don't see any with teeth.
Smooth jaws are needed for bending component leads and you cannot have any nicks in them (compliance), but round nose and flat nose exist specifically for that purpose.
Smooth jawed snipe and needle nose are more oriented for jewelry making IMHO, not pulling broken components off of a board during desoldering.
They're not huge sellers, so most don't offer a large variety. Most rebrand from one of a handful of manufacturers that do nothing but pliers for this reason. NWS's ESD line is a perfect example. Around 5 - 6 models offered IIRC.
Knipex is one that offers a lot of different styles, as does Erem, Lindstrom, and Schmitz (precision pliers & cutters is all Schmitz makes, so they offer more styles than anyone else).
You don't want chrome plated pliers and cutters around electronics, as metal flakes can wreak havoc on your boards. Which is why they're usually polished steel or black oxide.
If you decide to get a pair or two more of the Unior and the corrosion isn't bad, you can polish it out (i.e. the joints move just fine, corrosion is minor and cosmetic only).
I keep mine in a wood cigar box to control moisture (borrowed the idea from a machinist's tool box). Oil the joints, not the surfaces (prevents contact contamination).
Crown Imperial
Well-known member
I don't suppose there is a U.S. dealer / distributors of Schmitz tools?
StanleyAdams
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I don't think they have a distribution network at all outside Germany. They probably mostly deal with larger custom orders and rebrands. You can get them from the link nanofrog posted, or as he said get them as a rebrand from NWS or CK.
Hako86
Well-known member
As Dutch79 already said, the Hornbach would be great (lots of Wiha tools).
An autoparts store like Broekhuizen would also be nice. They have Hazet, Kraftwerk, Beta, Knipex and even Channellock
ultgar
Well-known member
Any info on these? Doesn't say either Solingen or Germany.
Unior chisel/prybar + suicide-drivers
Looks similar to these.......
Unfortunately, No. No Schmitz brand distributors anywhere in fact.
The only way to get them with a Schmitz label on them, is to buy directly from their online store (Schmitz online store).
I know it's intimidating to buy this way, but don't be.
Here's why:
1. When you enter in the US as your country in the address information, the VAT figures will vanish (also affects shipping costs).
2. Payment is done with PayPal, and they do the currency conversion for you (fee, but it's not much). Worst case is 4% if you use a credit card as the source, and is ~2% if you use a checking account as the payment source.
3. Shipping won't take that long. ~9 days to me IIRC, so reasonably, within 14 days if you live in CA for example. Faster than ordering from Chinese sellers on eBay.
4. Most of all, the quality is definitely worth it IME. Best precision pliers I've ever gotten my hands on, hands down. Especially those with teeth (like an alligator, they're not letting go once the teeth are sunk in and the job is done).
Ordering more than one pair helps reduce the shipping cost per item (makes it viable). I ordered Round, Flat, Standard Snipe with serrated jaws, and Long Snipe with serrated jaws for electronics work, which resulted in a final price of ~$28 per (includes item cost, currency conversion, and shipping).
______________
Your other option is to get one as a rebrand, but do be aware, that they tend to carry a very limited range. NWS's range is very limited for example, and you'd do better selection wise with either CK Tools or Bernstein, neither of which are cheap (quite a markup added by these brands).
Hence all the information above on buying directly. Better selection than most, if not all (their online store is quite limited vs. what they actually offer), and most of all, it's the least expensive way I know to get them if you buy more than one (particularly if you want anything with teeth in the jaws).
Hope all of this ^ helps.
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Schmitz pliers @ Amazon.co.uk
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/node/ind...PVD5O7E&merchant=A1OPF0VPVD5O7E&redirect=true
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DVRpiEAA2yU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
I´ve not really tried the one Nicholson file i have. It has a "Magicut" pattern which is quite coarse.
I got it for 1.80€ so thats why i have it
looks exactly like this:
PB Swiss pin punch
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/node/ind...PVD5O7E&merchant=A1OPF0VPVD5O7E&redirect=true
<iframe width="420" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/DVRpiEAA2yU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
i guess they´re Taiwan now..... ?I doubt the NWS are Japan, but you never know. The Knipex, maybe, usually their rebranded stuff is very high quality. Still I can't justify paying that much for a stamped steel stripper/crimper.
That **** file
How are Nicholson files compared to Spanish Bahco?
I´ve not really tried the one Nicholson file i have. It has a "Magicut" pattern which is quite coarse.
I got it for 1.80€ so thats why i have it
coo Taiwan ??Looks similar to these.......
looks exactly like this:
PB Swiss pin punch
Crown Imperial
Well-known member
Sweet PB Punch handle!
Sold direct from the manufacturer!
Good to see they're getting their products out. That's been my one big complaint, as they don't have enough exposure. They're trying though, so there's hope.
Is that the new Knipex nibbler?
Fortunately my knipex were all stored inside the house. I did wonder if the remains of my mallet were in his Thor-ax though
ttpete
Well-known member
It's for dummies who don't know how to use a hammer.
Big klunky rubber handles make tools clumsy and inconvenient to use. I wouldn't think of buying Euro punches and pliers like that.
dutch79
Well-known member
It's for ergonomics and safety, but that has nothing to do with european tools. Offcourse there are also normal punches for sale:
StanleyAdams
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Similar, not the same. The non-insul terminal crimping part is different. The facom/knipex ones do seem to be nicer.
Don't feed the trolls
I like shiny things in ergo handles
And not so ergo handles
Things without handles
And things that get hot
Sold direct from the manufacturer!
Good to see they're getting their products out. That's been my one big complaint, as they don't have enough exposure. They're trying though, so there's hope.
i guess they´re busy to produce pliers for other companies so maybe thats why they´re not that well known because every store already sells Schmitz pliers.....with a different name on the tool... new 10,8 volt Panasonic tools
On a serious note, some sort of restricted/limited compete clauses in their ODM contracts (i.e. cannot use the same authorized distributor networks as the rebrands)?
Hozan's highgrade electronic pliers still have double box joint with a screw in the middle, like some old lindstrom cutters have. http://www.hozan.co.jp/catalog/Cutters/Precision_Cutters.htmThey are precisely made and comparable with erem and lindstrom ones, even more accurately machined.
Thanks.Hozan's highgrade electronic pliers still have double box joint with a screw in the middle, like some old lindstrom cutters have. http://www.hozan.co.jp/catalog/Cutters/Precision_Cutters.htm
Those do look
worthy. dutchgray
Well-known member
Thanks for that link, will have to try those sometime, I will still look out for more Nos Lindstroms though, all mine are Swedish made and the last 3 pair were all €45 so I was happy with that. I have a really old metal handled tiny pair of CK pliers and those are outstanding.
Mmmm..... Swedish made Lindstrom's....
Not the same since shifting production to Spain IME though.
dutchgray
Well-known member
Mmmm..... Swedish made Lindstrom's....
Not the same since shifting production to Spain IME though.
I agree with you on that, but its not the fault of Spain, they can and do make great tools.
Sorry if it wasn't clear, I'm not blaming Spain.
But rather the cost cutting measures that accompanied moving production to Spain (implemented by Sandvik IIRC, and has continued to this day IME).
dutchgray
Well-known member
You were quite clear, I know about the cost cutting, I just wish the tool companies would learn that when they have the brand with the best reputation and the one that always gets recommended, they don't have to cost cut, the people that use the tools will accept that prices have to go up sometimes in order to maintain the quality level. I have almost stopped buying Bahco for the same reasons, as you can get better tools for less easily from the internet, but the local shops lose out as they only stock the common brands.
Some brands are absolutely shameless about cost cutting and switching to low cost countries:
Facom and Bahco come to mind.
They try to fool everybody and coast on their brand power, but it won't last much longer.
Hazet is always very forthright about what is made in Germany and what isn't. Like their screwdrivers (which have always been outsourced) are not made in Germany any more.
Facom and Bahco come to mind.
They try to fool everybody and coast on their brand power, but it won't last much longer.
Hazet is always very forthright about what is made in Germany and what isn't. Like their screwdrivers (which have always been outsourced) are not made in Germany any more.
jensputzier
Well-known member
Just to let you know that Hazet will change all their socket sets to foam inserts in the new style Smart Boxes as of January 1st 2015. Just received the new 2015 catalog and I am not quite sure whether this is a change towards better.
Luis Arturo
Well-known member
Set of screwdrivers unbranded manufactures made in West Germany
i dunno, i guess it don´t make sense to compete with your own products and possibly undercut your customers prices...
On a serious note, some sort of restricted/limited compete clauses in their ODM contracts (i.e. cannot use the same authorized distributor networks as the rebrands)?
Pferd file handles
Weralit file handles
My Norbar 3/8th reverse ratchet torque wrench. Seems to fit in quite well aesthetically with Facom stuff.
Norbar have a large factory in Banbury in England, I assume that is where this model is made ? You can certainly find their fixed rate torque wrenches in places like the BMW engine factory at Hams Halls in Oxford.
Their automotive wrenches are often re-branded for other companies to sell.
Norbar have a large factory in Banbury in England, I assume that is where this model is made ? You can certainly find their fixed rate torque wrenches in places like the BMW engine factory at Hams Halls in Oxford.
Their automotive wrenches are often re-branded for other companies to sell.
Yeah, both brands turned around by new owners wanting to earn their purchase money back. I guess Bahco should be glad they got to live at lest, unlike other brands purchased by SNA. That said, I think both brands still makes many good products. Bahco have had some **** products introduced into their lines though (see previous rant about their utility knifes for example).
In my experience the Facom Taiwan stuff is really good. Their sealed head ratchets are my first choice in 3/8" and 1/2" size. The 440 wrenches are comfortable and give a good grip, but a bit too short. I wouldn't pay what some places are charging for Facom stuff though, the same quality can be had for other brands at lower prices. This is regarding ratchets, sockets and wrenches.
I have gotten some new tools to post. Another order from Mutsuura (via Rakuten). Nothing that haven't been posted here previously by others I think, but you guys usually don't complain about tool pics
I'm not used to getting tools in retail packaging, always fun
Tone clip plier.CLP150. Have been going nuts on plastic body clips more than once, so I will try if these makes it any better... A bit disappointed in the handles, they're a hard plastic, would have preferred something bigger. But as long as they give grip and stay on.
Vessel precision nut driver set. Looks good, was a bit disappointed that the spinning top part was plastic though.
KTC breaker bar. I have been looking for a good heel pry bar for a while, got this one. Seems solid, nicely forged and machined.
Tiny KTC PH2 stubby.
The Koken Nut grips. Finally got them! Koken impresses again in perceived quality, and I'm sure they will work great also.
Tone 24mm 12-point 1/2" socket. Must say these looks good! Polished to part and satin at the drive end. This was to fill a hole in my socket set.
Completed the Tone M05 set with the 16-18 one. Now I just miss the 15mm, we'll se if I get it later or manage without a complete set.
KTC 3/8" spinner. It is made for a brake caliper wind-back set, but I got it as a separate item. I like using a spinner for 1/4" stuff, but just a handle is a bit weak for 3/8". So this will probably give a bit more torque.
The Koken Nut grips. Finally got them! Koken impresses again in perceived quality, and I'm sure they will work great also.
I gotta get some of those
upgrading
Well-known member
The "cooling slots" are an interesting concept.
handtools-from-germany
Well-known member
A collection of Stahlwille 40aDL SAE sockets...
Since most of my tools are "old world" origin I will post some pictures.
First out my srewdrivers. I replce them quite often since there's nothing worse than worn screwdrivers, especially PH and PZ.
I really like these Facom,
/pbv301
First out my srewdrivers. I replce them quite often since there's nothing worse than worn screwdrivers, especially PH and PZ.
I really like these Facom,
/pbv301