Tools from the old world

[Phang]

You are right, some of the fasteners on my motorcycles call for 10Nm, 8Nm and 7Nm which are below my FACOM 10Nm-50NM torque wrench so I need one that can measure torque values below 10Nm accurately.

I wish KTC can make the body of the digi-ratchet slimmer. Apparently they are using the same electronic module/handle across the digi-ratchet product range, not a big concern on the greater torque models but the bulkiness of the electronic module/handle is more apparent on mine.

KTC’s look less slippery to greasy fingers than Stahlwille

p/s: I can read Katakana and Kanji

 

[Monte]

The Japanese tools in my box are all from KTC as they are easier to get and priced reasonably here.

Here is my electronic torque wrench (6Nm to 30Nm) from KTC which is not commonly seen in CONUS and Old World I guess

The only shop which i know of here in europe who is selling KTC (and Nepros) is this http://www.toolsandstorage.com/ *click* one from Netherland. The only japanese brand which widely known is Mitutoyo, others like KDS and Olfa you`ll find often too , Tajima and Tohnichi seldom and basically that`s it with japanese handtools here. Sometimes you stumble across strange things like this single Keiba tool which i saw in a big box store:

 

[Phang]

GWEC3-030 selling at €205.00… wow

I paid €165.00(excluding 7%tax) in Singapore. You can get it at around €140 in Japan.

Do you notice the prices at http://nepros.net/ are much lower than the prices of the same items in Japan?

Take a 3/8” standard ratchet NBR3UN for example.

Folks in the states pay USD40, you guys in Europe pay €54 (USD76) but Japan is selling it at JPY11,056 which is around USD117.

Nepros is not available off the shelve at the KTC dealers in Singapore. If I place a nepros order via Singapore dealers, likely I will need to pay it base on the Japanese Yen price.

It is 21st century now, I can always buy it online from http://nepros.net/ but to my great disappointment the website does not ship out of USA. Never mind that, I can always use shipping services like http://www.borderlinx.com/en/. Again, no go. The online ordering form will take my credit card issuing address as delivery address by default.

Sorry for the lengthy post on Nepros, I am very reluctant to pay Nepros prices in Asia after I found out that they are promoting it at 65% discount in the USA. I am still finding a way to buy Nepros from http://nepros.net/

 

[superautobacs]

Do you notice the prices at http://nepros.net/ are much lower than the prices of the same items in Japan?
......

Sorry for the lengthy post on Nepros, I am very reluctant to pay Nepros prices in Asia after I found out that they are promoting it at 65% discount in the USA. I am still finding a way to buy Nepros from http://nepros.net/

Yeah, I mentioned in another thread about how surprised I was to find the nepros.net site selling at those prices; it makes me reconsider buying Nepros now.

Monte, I've got some Keiba pliers, Anex bits, Asahi stubby wrenches. Well, since Japan can be considered Old World as well, maybe I should post my small selection of Japanese-made tools?

 

[Phang]

Well, since Japan can be considered Old World as well, maybe I should post my small selection of Japanese-made tools?

I reckon it would be an eye opener

 

[roygrady]

Hi Phang !
sorry for the late reply !

I don´t think there is much difference in quality between the two - It`s more a difference in the finish and the target market and the concept of the companies .

I own almost everything from Hazet since they`re easier to get + i like the design better and the matt side and knurling makes sense, you have a good grip if you turn the sockets with your hand , yet they`re easy to clean on their polished heads e.g. so fitment on countersunk bolts is no issue. So you have both advantages of easy cleaning which is better with sleek polished/chrome plated tools and a good grip because of the matt rough side and the double knurling which is better if you have oily hands or rust remover is all over the place. The wille sockets offer less grip but they are a fraction thinner .
But since it`s not bad to own a tool twice I`m currently building another socket/wrench set with stahlwille tools so I don`t have to decide. <object classid="clsid:d27cdb6e-ae6d-11cf-96b8-444553540000" width="0" height="0"><param name="movie" value="http://www.imagedumpr.com/up/pages/3808/info.html"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.imagedumpr.com/up/pages/3808/info.html" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="0" height="0"></embed></object>

Thanks Monte thats some good info!

 

[GDA]

..... Do you notice the prices at http://nepros.net/ are much lower than the prices of the same items in Japan?

Take a 3/8” standard ratchet NBR3UN for example.

Folks in the states pay USD40, you guys in Europe pay €54 (USD76) but Japan is selling it at JPY11,056 which is around USD117.

It is 21st century now, I can always buy it online from http://nepros.net/ but to my great disappointment the website does not ship out of USA. Never mind that, I can always use shipping services like http://www.borderlinx.com/en/. Again, no go. The online ordering form will take my credit card issuing address as delivery address by default.

Sorry for the lengthy post on Nepros, I am very reluctant to pay Nepros prices in Asia after I found out that they are promoting it at 65% discount in the USA. I am still finding a way to buy Nepros from http://nepros.net/

Thanks for sharing. I've never heard of these tools. I bet I would like the ratchets and the beefy section of the handles.

I just perused the Nepros website and those all look like nice tools; however, their sets seemed very geared towards working on Hondas and the like. Are they a "truck" brand or more similar to Proto or SK in the States.

 

[FiftyCalAl]

Here are the German manufactured handtools I presently have. I have more Knipex pliers and Wera Drivers on order with Chad's Toolbox. I am hooked on Wera and Knipex.

Knipex cutting tools. I especially like the mini angled bolt cuters with Ergo grips.

My collection of Cobras (3 more on order); the 22" is a monster!

Wera Kraftform Chiseldrivers. The large bladed ones are solid. They have a insert that goes all the way through the handle and is exposed so you can strike with a hammer if needed. I have 6 more sizes on order.

Wera Kraftform (some have Laser tips)

Wera Insulated handle drivers and Kraftform handy ratchet driver. It is smooth without any perceptible clicks-uses 1/4 hex bits.

Knipex Plier Wrenches in 7", 10', and 12" sizes - these are the most unique and functional tools I have seen in a while. Knipex lock grip pliers have an unusual mouth/teeth set shape -will grip almost anything well. I have 2 more ordered.

Knipex pliers

And here they all are just hanging out together in the floor:

 

[FiftyCalAl]

If you are thinking about buying some WERA drivers, Chad's Toolbox offers a 15% discount on WERA by using the following code at checkout:

testthebest

 

[Monte]

wow seems there is someone convinced by Wera + Knipex ?

 

[Monte]

Yeah, I mentioned in another thread about how surprised I was to find the nepros.net site selling at those prices; it makes me reconsider buying Nepros now.

Monte, I've got some Keiba pliers, Anex bits, Asahi stubby wrenches. Well, since Japan can be considered Old World as well, maybe I should post my small selection of Japanese-made tools?

I guess they sell it for a lower price to get some market share and to make the brand more well known, and for more than 100$ a ratchet its hard to sell something since everybody would buy snapon for this price, so with a price like 65% discount more people would consider buying nepros ( me too )
Same with ko-ken (which i forgot to mention earlier) , for the swivel head ratchet i paid only less than half of what they want in japan. The 1/2" SAE Impact socket which i bought range from 3,15 € (3/8") to 4,69 € ( 1") + 19% tax which is a crazy low price for made in Japan, with those prices i dont have to consider chinese stuff ( ok the 10 pc. impact socket set for 12,50 € + tax cant be beat ) But I`m not that greedy

Yes thats what I was waiting for all the time ....the old world is bigger than just germany
So show us what you got.....Keiba, Anex, 3 Peaks, Aigo, Flash tool, Asahi, ABC, IKK, IPS, Tsunoda, Best, Wise, KDR, Denko, Toptools, Eight, Mitoloy, Tone, Vessel, Hozan, Tsubosan, Fujiya, NKC, KTC, Nepros, Tohnichi, Olfa, KDS, Lobster, Ko-ken, Hasco, Tokoma, KBS, Sunflag
oh and not to forget Beta, Pastorino, MoB, SAM, Facom, Acesa, Irimo, Bianditz, Bost, Edma, Tome Feteira, Hugoniot, Izeltas, Bahco, Palmera, Peugeot Muller, Peddinghaus,Hultafors, Fiskars,Urko,Altas, Racodon, scangrip, egamaster, Tona, Momento......
and so on and on .....


@phang: i was a customer here http://www.myus.com/index.shtml They can take their credit card/payment method for ordering stuff so its a US payment adress and US delivering adress then, maybe ordering should work then.

 

[Monte]

The appropriate pliers for snap-on fans

 

[Phang]

I have had many bad experiences with inferior tools when I was a teenager, coincidentally most were mirror finished. I have this tendency to stay away from shinny tools when I started collecting my own set of tools. Mirro-chromophobia?

 

[Phang]

This is interesting. After I posted the photo of my non-chromed version 03-180 combination pliers, while looking at Monte's chromed version and mine on the computer screen I am convinced that the chromed pliers are made of softer steel…..

 

[Monte]

you`re probably right. As we know chrome plated tools are just for looking at and not for working - so these tools are made of softer steel or just stamped steel ...

 

[bchee]

I haven't checked this thread in a while. I can't believe how many responses there are. The quality of the picts is amazing.

 

[bchee]

These look like wooden wedges. How much do you think Snap on would charge for these?

some more stahlwille tools

 

[Monte]

the stahlwille listprice (2004) for these solder paddles is about 25$ , ok not really cheap but if you soak them in bees wax or linseed oil and pay attention not to burn them too much they should last long. Snap-On probably had them in their catalog for $200.- but i guess most people just use bondo nowadays ....or maybe snap-on had too much people warranty them after each use because the turn a bit black and with too picky customers like merkava its no wonder they don`t offer them no more ??

 

[Moose-LandTran]

What do you use them for, Monte?

 

[Monte]

For "tin-plating". The wooden paddles are used to smear the lead into the areas where needed and to smoothen the lead

 

[Monte]

some more pics:

Wera "Hex-plus" keys

Facom "Le Tag" socket inserts

Beta stubby ratcheting wrenches

 

[Monte]

Bessey sliding arm clamp

Hazet 610N box wrenches

 

[Phang]

Nice 610N set Monte how do you find the new design comparing to the conventional flat double ring?

Postman rang my doorbell yesterday delivering these from the other end of the old world.

 

[lethallyinjected]

Where are you guys that aren't in Germany purchasing your hazet from? Browsing this thread is giving me the itch for 600n sets again...

 

[Monte]

@phang: good purchase !


I can`t see any advantage of the Hazet design

maybe in odd situations where you can`t reach with a normal straight wrench ? I just constructed such a situation

now here you could turn the Hazet wrench maybe 5 degrees more.

Maybe if you have to reach a bolt in a "L" shaped area you have better acess since you can always flip the wrench to reach better in the confined area ?
I don`t know I just bought them because i think they`re the most beautiful double box wrenches

 

[superautobacs]

Maybe if you have to reach a bolt in a "L" shaped area you have better acess since you can always flip the wrench to reach better in the confined area ?
I don`t know I just bought them because i think they`re the most beautiful double box wrenches

Good demonstration there, Monte.
I like both of your reasonings.
We can all thank Peter Welp, the designer for Hazet.

 

[superautobacs]

From the Far East:

From Asahi's Lightool line: the super midget combi wrenches.

They look like tools for kids, but they are the real deal. I've actually used the 12mm a few times.

 

[Monte]

Sweet ! How light are they ?
Where do you get them from ? I like those asahi revowave wrenches too...
but luckily (?) most japanese tools are not available here which helps me to save a lot of money

 

[Monte]

Looked around in the garage what the other guys here own....:

some 1/2" ratchets...:
CAT, Stahlwille, Hazet (mine), Facom and Facom

A collection of "Proxxon" ratchets , some older ones with push button on/off switch and with missing handle, the most recent version is on the bottom.

1/4" Belzer (note where the square drive is and the lever...), 3/8" Facom, 1/2" Rahsol

 

[superautobacs]

Oh they are light, that's for sure. Apparently their Revowave series was awarded the G-mark (Good Design award).

I get them from Japanese online tool stores like Abit, Factory Gear, and Rakuten stores.
I've had my little phase of buying (some unique) Japanese tools late last year ... I just went through my second phase and I'm expecting another shipment of goodies later this month. So you, and anyone else interested in Japanese-made tools, can expect to see some pics of Aigo, Anex, IPS, more Ko-ken, Top, Tone, and FPC stuff.

 

[superautobacs]

That 1/4" Belzer....does the square drive move in and out so that you can attach a sockets on either side?

Monte, have you heard of a company or a line of tools named Polynova?

 

[Phang]

Thanks for the demonstration Monte. I am more convinced by the second reason, those are really nice set of double ring spanners

 

[Monte]

superautobacs: uh oh that sounds expensive ! There will be another phase and another and......

the square drive of the Belzer ratchet can`t be pushed in, it belongs like that, also the reverse lever must be on this side, there is no recess on the other side of the ratchet body ....? Maybe they thought so you can use your index finger to switch the lever ? I don`t know , or somebody messed up big time ....

Do you have a pic of any of the polynova tools or a logo etc. (where did you hear, saw it?) Couldn`t find any infos regarding polynova tools

 

[Monte]

i like those facom wrenches, you can read the values very good (imho much better than on the engraved ones) , but got this lower priced Gedore/Rahsol alternative a couple of years back. There was a test a couple of month ago where a Facom Torque wrench scored 2nd place (after Hazet ) so if you can get`em for a good price buy`em ! (btw: don`t buy those 30 or 40$ wrenches they are wayyy off.... up to 10% tolerance !! (allowed max. 4%) even higher priced ( 130$) taiwanese torque wrenches were not within DIN standards....

 

[bchee]

Those look pretty bad-***. My hands always get tired after using stubby wrenches. These look like just the wrenches I need

Is this the same Asahi that makes the beer?

 

[Phang]

I bought them in 2006 when our local FACOM distributor clearing their stock at €100 each

Both came with a fine tooth (72 teeth) ratchet head.

The rubber handles are beefy and comfortable, the only down side is the torque wrenches came in a cheap plastic storage tube, not even a proper case that you find in a $40 wrench.

 

[Monte]

100 euro sounds ok ! Unfortunately Facom dealers here don`t clear their stock since they have nothing in stock (ok couple of sockets, wrenches and screwdrivers.. ) For 100 ea. i would get them too.

But better a cheaper case (or no one) instead of cheapen the product....

 

[Monte]

Gedore and Rahsol strap wrenches

Peddinghaus and Habero pry bars

Käfer dial gauge

 

[Monte]

"Kukko" puller set

"Dako" pliers - the last one - from 2009 on "Gedore" branded

 

[superautobacs]

Is this the same Asahi that makes the beer?

I wish I could buy some Asahi wrenches at my local liquor store.

"Dako" pliers - the last one - from 2009 on "Gedore" branded

Yeah, I got the newsletter from Gedore a few months ago stating that they were going to consolidate everything to a single name--Gedore. Kinda sad that they dropped the other names. I like the names Dako, Habero, Rahsol, etc.

Do you have a pic of any of the polynova tools or a logo etc. (where did you hear, saw it?) Couldn`t find any infos regarding polynova tools

I took the opportunity to take pictures of all the vintage, German-made wrenches in my collection. As you'll see in the pictures below, it includes the Polynova product; it was a line under Belzer--I don't know what era it's from though. Apparently, the 15 degree offset had the Polynova name and the 10 degree versions had a Polygon name to it.
The acronym "DRGM" stands for Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster (German Reich Registered Design). So, the "DRGM" forged onto it is sorta like the German equivalent of "Patented Design"?
For it's size, this 17 x 19mm double-box is quite long; something like 30cm or so.

The whole lot:

Some old Hazet stuff:

Note the changes in the Hazet script over time:

Miscellaneous brands:

Front side:

The back side:

Front side:

The back side: