Tools from the old world

[Monte]

Nice collection ! Where did you get all these wrenches from ? I only wonder because the Belzer wrench must be from pre 1945 (because of "DRGB" - now DBGM , "B" for "Bundes" instead of "Reichs") and also the Rheidco wrench is odd. "Deutsches Reich Gebrauchsmuster" and nowadays "Deutsches Bundes Gebrauchsmuster" is like a patent for technical inventions but only valid for 10 yrs. while a patent is valid for 20 yrs. A design patent ("Geschmacksmuster") protecs only the design while the "Gebrauchsmuster" or patent always includes a new invention and a new technical feature to be able to be patented, so my guess is thats probably the first (german) 12 point wrench (??) . If this would be the case the name "polynova" would make sense:
Poly = latin for many /plenty , nova = "new" . Or the 15/10 degree offset was patented ?

ps: nice pics as always !

 

[Monte]

A Rheidco-Metabo wrench. Metabo owned the company in the 50s and 60s. The production closed and the name was then bought by Elora to sell pliers.

 

[superautobacs]

Hey, I never would've guessed that; it makes sense to me, based on your breakdown of the word "polynova". That's pretty interesting!
I got this from an older gentleman who was selling his tools that he inherited from his father--he worked as a technician somewhere in Europe (can't remember any longer). So you can bet that this baby is old.
I should probably take more detailed photos of it as it's a really a unique wrench.

 

[Monte]

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.

Therefore i bought the habero hammer and chisels which i posted weeks ago and these Dako pliers and punches to got this brands covered in my collection

Dako "Eck-schwede" elbow pipe wrench (for just $20)

hollow punches (arc punches ? ):

 

[Moose-LandTran]

"Eck-schwede"

Swedish Pattern?

 

[superautobacs]

Dako "Eck-schwede" elbow pipe wrench (for just $20)

Man, what a deal! I would've grabbed that without any second thoughts...even though I don't have any practical use for it...for the time being. I'd prefer the Eck-Schwede-Snap one, though.

On the subject of Gedore...

I have a Gedore catalog with me and there's a sticker slapped on the front cover and it reads:

SOLID BLUE HANDLED TOOLS
-------------------------------
ARE NOT AVAILABLE FOR SALE OR
DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES

I was as to what that meant, so I emailed their NA representative and a reply back confirming the sticker is to be taken quite literally. The reason wasn't surprising--it's because Channellock has the US patent on solid blue handles; their Code Blue handles.

Those arc punches...first time to see it close up.
My first thought was: it's a rivet setter.
Actually it's used for stamping out cardboards, leather, rubber, sealing materials and other soft materials.
I guess the opening near the base of the handle allows easy retrieval of the material your just punched through. Pretty cool.

Swedish Pattern?

The Swedish pattern one's all have 90 degree heads.

 

[Zorro13]

Therefore i bought the habero hammer and chisels which i posted weeks ago and these Dako pliers and punches to got this brands covered in my collection

Dako "Eck-schwede" elbow pipe wrench (for just $20)

This kind of "Mega-Knipex" or pipe wrench is the type I'm looking for in the US but never found something similar. Tried to describe it already in one of the recent plier Knipex threads.

I used them in Germany from time to time to break a bolt loose (if nothing helped). They come in different sizes and are incredibly strong.

Has anyone an idea where I can buy them in the US?

 

[superautobacs]

Contact Marie at Klann Tools Inc. located in South Carolina:
http://www.klanngedore.com/
E-mail:
[email protected]

or

Contact Samstag Sales in Tennessee:
http://www.samstagsales.com/
E-mail:
[email protected]

 

[superautobacs]

I was just reading through a magazine that featured a factory tour of Stahlwille in Wuppertal. One thing I learned from that article is how it ties closely to The Stanley Works' acquisition of Facom in 2006 and the subsequent factory closures in France. I then dug out these quotes from this thread, several pages ago.

To quote as a refresher:

Found this statement from 2006: "the Facom Tools
plant in Nevers, France and distribution center in Cannock, UK were
successfully closed in September and a second plant in Ezy, France is
scheduled to close in the fourth quarter.
source: click
The 2006 annual Stanley report says that 580 jobs were quit because of rationalizing
2 plants closed and 4 distribution centers are closed (UK,Belgium,Germany,Switzerland) and another 440 jobs quit from the 2 factories and the UK distribution,....... (now I know why i have to wait 1,5 - 2 weeks before the Facom stuff i ordered arrive...)...
source: click (search: facom)

The 2008 stanley news: 2000 jobs planned to be cut and another 3 plant to be closed.
source: click

.....hmmm....

Being part of the Stanley Works group is killing Facom as a French manufacturer. Stanley is a publicly traded corporation. Corporations don't have national loyalties or sentimentality. They are stictly focused on maximizing profits and minimizing costs. Since French labor is expensive, they will step-by-step close every French and western European plant that they possibly can. Since Europe doesn't have country or origin requirements, they will move all production to lower cost countries. Some of Stanley's other companies like Proto have a strong "Made in USA" image that's important to their marketing. But not Facom.
They're screwed forever now...Even if they were to escape the clutches of Stanley, would they be able to reopen their French plants now that they've closed them?

.....

So, what's the connection between Stahlwille and Stanley/Facom you ask?

Before Facom got bought out by Stanley, they were the sole supplier for the famous French airline company, Airbus. Facom made specialized aircraft spec tools for them.

But, after Facom got swallowed by those nasty folks at Stanley, Facom was no longer became the supplier for Airbus. In March of 2006 the Facom factory in France that produced the aerospace industry tools was shut down.

Here's where Stahlwille fits in. Since then, Stahlwille has been the major supplier to Airbus.

I guess Stanley didn't see the aerospace specific tools be viable in $$$$$$ figures. Whatever the case, I hate reading what Stanley has been doing in the past 2 decades.

For those who care to read more info about The Stanley Works:
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-stanley-works
Go down to the far bottom to read their recent "works".

 

[dede2897234]

Monte,

You have such a huge, impressive, and expensive tool collection made up of high-end German tool manufacturers? What do you do for a living? If you're an auto mechanic, which makes do you repair? Do you have pictures of your garage setup you can post on this board (ex: pictures of your hand tools inside tool cabinets or on workbenches)?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[billymade]

superautobacs, can you tell us what magazine you were looking at? I wouldn't mind checking out the article you mentioned! Thanks!

 

[superautobacs]

Billymade, probably the greatest tool magazines out there are published by the Japanese; such is the one that I was reading.
Maybe I'll need to learn how to scan and upload them onto this page?

 

[Monte]

"Schwede" means swede and "eck" = corner

Basically all the pipe wrenches sold here have the swedish pattern since Mr. Johansson from sweden invented the pipe wrench and also the adjustable wrench.

Pipe wrench Form A (90 degree)

Form B (45 degree)

Form C (S-shape)

I also have a set ( 1/2" , 1" , 1 1/2" ) from the "Eck-schwede snap" pictured in the middle ( 22 Euro from Ebay )

@zorro:
The pipe wrenches should be available where knipex is sold - here for example: klick or here klick

Thx for the info about the gedore pliers ! Very interesting ! So no pliers are available or only with the comfort handles i guess ?


Exactly ! The dude where i found this pic made "jumping jacks" out of paper with them i just needed some to make templates, you also could make gaskets with them etc.
I bought some more different sizes to cut an exact radius in an putty knife so i can bondo edges with exactly the same radius over a couple of inches which saves a lot of sanding time.

@superautobacs: yes please buy a scanner so you also can scan the ratcheting wrench test

It seems stanley want to focus on more fruitful dealings. They`re only interested in growth, income, sales etc. But its ok - less work for them - more work for stahlwille
klick more about stahlwille and aviation business in the US.

BTW: Airbus is an european company (france, UK, Germany,spain)
There was an report about EADS/Airbus (aerospace, defence, space) on tv a few weeks ago where they showed a robotic torque wrench ( torque robot arm ...or something...) and you could exactly see a stahlwille socket attached ! Then they interviewed a dude and in the background there was a dude pushing a tool box with a snap-on logo through the picture

@dede2897234: I`,m only a hobby mechanic who want to be prepared for every situatuion Most of the tools are from ebay, promo sales, NOS which nobody wants etc. I think the only full or almost full retail i paid for the Hazet stuff ( 1/4" , 3/8", 1/2" sockets + drive tools) and what i really wanted now , where i couldn`t wait , but the rest i got for a good price ....wille + wera 20%-30% off , gedore 30-60% off knipex 20-30% etc. .... so it only looks like a lot of $$$ ($ exchange rate is no good too) but i "only" have about 9K $ in hand tools.....

here my small place ín a big hall

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Lol ! Sprechen Sie Deutsch ?

Basically that are the tools which i bought for my hobby. Here`s a pic of my "garage". Basically its a big hall where i rented a small place
( about 20x30 foot ) so i can work on my monte or on other cars....
no pro shop , only DIY shop

Thats a huge tool set you have, very impressive. I have a few European line of tools but stick closer to the USA tools.

You say that you rent a 20x30 foot space in a big hall. What about theft, is that a problem where you live? Where I am if it isn't bolted and welded to a wall or floor it's gone the next day. You have alot of things in the open and laying around.

 

[Canadian Charlie]

Can you please post more pics of that shop?

Thanks

 

[superautobacs]

Monte, can we get an encore shot of that overloaded Hazet assistant one of your neighbour uses?

 

[Monte]

@Canadian Charlie: There are 9 other people in the "garage" . I have locked everything (handtools, power tools , etc.) away since handtools are often "borrowed" but nothing disappear forever (except 1 jack stand and a small cable drum from me). There are only 2 ******** wrenchers (the one w/ the hazet box and another one) so its not too crowded there. However some of the hazet-box dudes tools magically transform from "hazet" to "drop forged" brand sometimes....
i have no lift and engine hoist etc. the good thing is i can use them too.



The infamous hazet Assistent
i only have 2 pics, to post more is too ridiculous

on top

there is a saying here which goes like this: "Only the small mind keep everything in order, the genius can overlook the chaos.


"the shop"

 

[Diesel_Crawler]

Now that is one awesome shaggen waggon. Tell me it has carpet and a bed in the back!!!!!!

 

[billymade]

Monte, its interesting to me how many American cars are in the shop; are these former or current US military personnel vehicles? I know when I was in Germany; I saw more US vehicles around the American military bases.... is there a strong American car scene/enthusiasts in Germany? When I asked people in Germany about American cars; they all seemed to think they were unsuitable for Germanys Autobahn and used too much gas! I did see many cars that under the GM/Opel marque; were similar to their American counterparts. Care to comment? I would think there would be a certain "cool" factor to having a car that not everyone else had; like all the millions of VW Golfs/Jettas (Bora?) on the autobahn!
Also, being a old vw aircooled freak; that old VW bus looks cool!
Oh, one last question; I seemed to remember a restriction of how/where you could work on your car in Germany as a non-professional; is this why you rent a shop?

 

[The Rusty Gear]

Here's a wrench I found with Poland stamped on it (this thread is so long I can't recall if something similar has been posted)

Any idea what it is used for?

 

[Monte]

Now that is one awesome shaggen waggon. Tell me it has carpet and a bed in the back!!!!!!

It`s still under construction but it will get a carpet, bed, music, lights etc.

Monte, its interesting to me how many American cars are in the shop; are these former or current US military personnel vehicles? I know when I was in Germany; I saw more US vehicles around the American military bases.... is there a strong American car scene/enthusiasts in Germany? When I asked people in Germany about American cars; they all seemed to think they were unsuitable for Germanys Autobahn and used too much gas! I did see many cars that under the GM/Opel marque; were similar to their American counterparts. Care to comment? I would think there would be a certain "cool" factor to having a car that not everyone else had; like all the millions of VW Golfs/Jettas (Bora?) on the autobahn!
Also, being a old vw aircooled freak; that old VW bus looks cool!
Oh, one last question; I seemed to remember a restriction of how/where you could work on your car in Germany as a non-professional; is this why you rent a shop?

We`re up in the north here at the coast, the US Army is in the south so its more a coincidence that there are other guys in the same garage with "US-cars" . I think in the south (Bavaria etc.) you`ll find more american cars since i heard that the army personnel can transport their cars for free from the US to germany and i think the carmakers have special discounts for army personnel. The american cars which you usually (but seldom) see are the jeeps, chrysler (they only offer the voyager (=town+country), 300c and sebring here + 3 dodges) and a few cadillacs, even more seldom a corvette etc. and cars which are not officially imported like the new Mustang you`ll see quite often since a Mustang is a dream car for many people so you also see the first generation of Mustangs every now and then. Here is a statistic from 2008 which carmakes are sold and how many units they sold: click and here a list which models were sold: klick . Chevrolet which is listed is not the US-chevrolet . In europe they sell rebadged korean "Daewoo" brand cars with chevy sticker.... so this is how a chevy looks like here…..:

:supergay:

So you can see that not many real american cars are driving around here. (Listed as “General Motors” = cadillac, corvette, Tahoe etc. 3037 cars sold in 2008...) American cars have (or had) a bad reputation (gas guzzler, too big, quality, pimp car) but the small korean chevys sell quite good.
I don`t know how many classic american cars drive around here but the german version of the AAA says there are 803.000 cars older than 30 yrs. still registered but most cars are old german cars (mercedes, NSU, käfer/Bus etc. ) italian, or british (Austin, MG,Morgan etc.) There a a couple of dozen "US-car meets" like this click . I personally like only american cars , yes i think they are way cooler than a golf or opel (there are some cylinders missing in these cars ...and size...) and also look better and different. (like the "Lego design" of the 80`s , i love that) but unfortunately the "real" american cars are no longer made (full size, V8, RWD, full frame / except Town car + Grand Marquis))
I basically rent the space so i can work on stuff since the normal garages of older houses seems to be made just for the VW käfer so you can`t work there (to small) and cant make noise because of the neighbours. So the dude from whom i rented the space has also a license that you can work on cars ( because of oil , fire safety etc.) and you can make noise 7 days a week, which is not possibly at home (not allowed on sunday, "Siesta-time" in the week from 12-3 p.m. and in the evening from 8 or 10 o`clock to 6 in the morning). So you could work at home (private) if you dont spill oil around (could be pretty expensive to dig out the contaminated earth and dispose it) , and don`t make noise too often otherwise you`ll run into problems with your neighbours and the police...

 

[dede2897234]

Monte,

Have you heard of "Klann Tools"? If yes, do they manufacture quality hand tools? I am interested in purchasing its 1/2" drive stud extractor: http://www.tooltopia.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=28624. Have you or someone you know used this stud extractor?

Thanks,

Dave

 

[billymade]

They are a division of Gedore; they seem to specialize in suspension/brake tools. Check 'em out here:
http://www.klanngedore.com/

 

[Monte]

yes Klann is the special tool specialist from Gedore. Unfortunately i never used this type of stud extractor ( the "2 nut method" is most common )

 

[Monte]

Dako chisels, punches, scraper

"Lufth." = Lufthärter = Air hardened , "Hartkopf" = "hardhead" (head hardened)

 

[dede2897234]

Monte,

Do you own a set of metric hex (allen) and/or internal torx (ex: T-60) impact drivers? If yes, which vehicle makes (ex: BMW) have you used the impact drivers to perform repairs? When mentioning the repairs, can you please specify the component (ex: brake caliper bolts) that required the use of the hex or internal torx impact driver.

Thanks,

Dave

 

[Monte]

Monte,

Do you own a set of metric hex (allen) and/or internal torx (ex: T-60) impact drivers? If yes, which vehicle makes (ex: BMW) have you used the impact drivers to perform repairs? When mentioning the repairs, can you please specify the component (ex: brake caliper bolts) that required the use of the hex or internal torx impact driver.

Thanks,

Dave

Hi Dave,
I own only hand sockets (Torx E4- E24, T10- T60, hex 3 -19mm, XZN 5-14) and only 1 impact socket (Torx 50) . Most cars what we have here are a little older and cheaper strange euro cars, so i could tell you about a "opel vectra" a "Rover 75" ( brake discs exchanged -->> Torx50) smart (brakes --> pentagon socket) Land Rover(6-point everywhere IIRC) VW Golf driveshaft (XZN socket) , Renault 19 (cylinder head hex 10 or 12 IIRC), Golf 3 GTI (cyl. head bolts XZN 12).
If you`re looking for a specific information i can try to find out what car uses which type of socket where.

 

[Monte]

Bahco file set:

Newer and older (with clear red acetate handles) knipex pliers

"Baldur" and "Kukko" nut splitters

 

[Canadian Charlie]

With all these tools you're buying I take it you're single

 

[Monte]

how do you know ?? is it so obvious ??


BTW:

Bahco saw

Summit racing tube bender, Stahlwille + Ridgid tubing cutter

 

[Phang]

Hi Monte, I got one of this recently but couldn’t get it to work properly. The upper “V” shape blade scrapes along the insulator of the wire instead of cutting/stripping it when I squeeze the handle

I do recall you have this wire stripper too, is there a trick to get this thing works?

 

[dede2897234]

Monte,

I also own a few Bahco files. The ones I purchased are also made in Portugal. They make filing metal a smooth operation!

Dave

 

[dede2897234]

I forgot to mention where I purchased the Bahco files last year. Harry Epstein's lists them here: http://www.harryepstein.com/snaponbahcowilliams.htm.

Dave

 

[Monte]

yes i have this stripper too, works with normal insulation, only have problems with thicker rubber insulation what you find here used for 400 volt /16 A cables ( AWG14/ 2,5 mm² for example. Which AWG/mm² are you trying to strip ? if it doesn`t work with any its defective.

 

[Phang]

The very first strand of wire that I used to try out my new Knipex stripper was a bad example. It was an old 230V/13A wire which the insulation turns rubbery. I tried out the stripper again with some new wires after I read your reply and it works!

 

[Monte]

Maybe this would be working better, there you can adjust the pressure with the orange disc underneath the jaw.

 

[Monte]

Here's my Metabo grinder. Metabo definitely makes the best grinders. (and Hilti definitely makes the best rotary hammers)
Take that from an industry insider.

When i made my decision for an angle grinder i didn`t like the "tail" of the Metabo so i choosed the Bosch. But with the new Metabo style i will consider them if my Bosch should ever stop working. But until then it`s my "king of the grinding disc hill" ...

 

[Monte]

Monte,

I also own a few Bahco files. The ones I purchased are also made in Portugal. They make filing metal a smooth operation!

Dave

A file i found in the garage. A original "Öberg" file from sweden before they became Bahco.

with "weralit" (Wera) handle.

 

[Monte]

Stahlwílle chisel: (with instructions forged in : "Remove burr" + "grind wet" ... )

sockets:
Hazet, Elora, Gedore, Format (= WGB), Matador, Stahlwille

 

[FiftyCalAl]

I have some hand saws that we use in rescue that are collapsible. They are (were) made by Sandvik (they made lots of forestry axes and saws). Iwent to order 5 more from Forestry Supplies yesterday and they are now BAHCO. Anybody know what's up with them?