Tools from the old world

[node105]

Wiha (probably a bit of overkill for my needs...)

Nice set. Not that one would buy it locally, but the tray would be nice.
I bought my first set in Spain a few years ago, and have accumulated perhaps 70% of the set items.

As an indication of how much we get bent over in Australia, and why one does not buy locally the images show the German and the Australia Wiha pages for some of the Pico

The current exchange rate is 1 EUR = 1.5017
for a set of 6, 265P K6
DE website 67.35 EUR ~ $101.14 AUD
AU website $167.01

In 2 years of conservative government, the AUD has gone from 1.05+ to 0.71
The GBP is now 2.14

Maybe Wiha AU is backing a trend.

 

[upgrading]

Good stuff.

 

[rice rocket]

Nice set. Not that one would buy it locally, but the tray would be nice.
I bought my first set in Spain a few years ago, and have accumulated perhaps 70% of the set items.

As an indication of how much we get bent over in Australia, and why one does not buy locally the images show the German and the Australia Wiha pages for some of the Pico

The current exchange rate is 1 EUR = 1.5017
for a set of 6, 265P K6
DE website 67.35 EUR ~ $101.14 AUD
AU website $167.01

In 2 years of conservative government, the AUD has gone from 1.05+ to 0.71
The GBP is now 2.14

Maybe Wiha AU is backing a trend.

There's often other reasons why pricing varies between markets. Competitors for one, but also if it's a market they're trying to break into, or the opposite (established market, and just in it to reap profit). Or the distribution structure is that they buy at one currency and have to sell in yours.

Australia isn't the mecca of precision tools, so I'm guessing it's lack of competition compounded w/ **** exchange rate means you get the raw end of the stick.

Festool Canada is having the last issue, where Festool NA hold their USD and CAD prices at the same EUR price, and selling in CAD means the Canadians are getting bent over completely.

 

[neophyte]

There's often other reasons why pricing varies between markets. Competitors for one, but also if it's a market they're trying to break into, or the opposite (established market, and just in it to reap profit). Or the distribution structure is that they buy at one currency and have to sell in yours.

Australia isn't the mecca of precision tools, so I'm guessing it's lack of competition compounded w/ **** exchange rate means you get the raw end of the stick.

Festool Canada is having the last issue, where Festool NA hold their USD and CAD prices at the same EUR price, and selling in CAD means the Canadians are getting bent over completely.

Shipping costs might also come into play for Australia.

 

[Monte]

What about Flex?

i think they buy 29 of their 84 tools they offer (if i counted right and if i´m right )
(without measuring tools + vacuums)
i think you can´t go wrong if you buy the original Flex tools. Most of the orignal Flex tools are easily identifiable since the vast majority comes in 2 different angle grinder housing designs...

.

awesome tool collection !!!














Fein vs. Bosch brushless

 

[NonSenCe]

now that bosch looks like very compact drill.

but it seems that looking at the pictures there is huge difference in the size of the handle thickness. so i think the handle is about as big as it has been in earlier bosch models. so it would be just too chunky to my chubby hands to hold comfortably. but it sure looks nice and short.

 

[Precivilization]

I thought this video is interesting, hope you guys find it so as well. Sorry in advance if it has been posted here before

Also, does anyone know any info about AFA Tools? I got these long nose pliers but I wasn't able to find anything about them online..

 

[hautpot]

Twin Force - Made in Germany

Spax T30 - Made in Czech

 

[101% Loko]

 

[Reto]

Nice set, I'm pretty jealous! I do have a question I hope you can answer; how deep are the nut drivers for say the 5mm? As in how deep can a nut sit in it, not how deep is the hollow shaft.

I measured 6mm depth for the 5mm and 5mm depth for the 4.5mm. Not sure if this helps. Maybe someone else who has the set can confirm that...

 

[Reto]

Where did you find these? I'm envious!! I've got a spot for them in my toolbox if you'd like them looked after...

Thanks

Found them a year ago or so on ebay, but the BP Bauman or PB Swiss Philips in this style are in fact apparently very rare. If I ever decide to get rid of them, I pm you, but don´t count on it... ;-)

 

[hautpot]

Man those PB bauman look like they don't even have serial numbers!

 

[BMack37]

I measured 6mm depth for the 5mm and 5mm depth for the 4.5mm. Not sure if this helps. Maybe someone else who has the set can confirm that...

Thanks! Looks like I'll be picking up some of these, I was looking at both Wera and Wiha and went with Wera on a whim...darn thing is shallow as heck, the 5mm for example is a hair less than 2.97mm deep. It does its job but it isn't how I'm used to nut drivers fitting, it just doesn't feel right.

 

[Reto]

Man those PB bauman look like they don't even have serial numbers!

Yes correct, no serial numbers on them. I don´t know when PB Swiss started with the serial numbers - that would be interesting to know.

I know that at some point in time, PB Swiss added vanilla scent to the cellulose acetate butyrate handles because they really smelled bad. What I can tell is that the ones I have smell very strong and not very pleasant, so maybe that was also before they tried the vanilla scent.

 

[node105]

Shipping costs might also come into play for Australia.

When I can buy the same thing at full retail price and have it shipped (air freighted) from UK for example for c. $30 freight as a single item, even if I was prepared to pay the full German price, that still is $130 vs $167 AUD.

Real world prices of course are substantially less than Wiha list price.
Shipping costs accounting for a c. 67% increase in the cost of a c. 250g item. I don't think so.


Given companies like Wiha get vastly better shipping costs, per container... Wiha Au is ludicrous.

Why would anyone but local, except for immediate need, even when they can actually find it locally; when source from o/s can be delivered of c. 30-40% of local price?

 

[node105]

There's often other reasons why pricing varies between markets. Competitors for one, but also if it's a market they're trying to break into, or the opposite (established market, and just in it to reap profit). Or the distribution structure is that they buy at one currency and have to sell in yours.
.

At 67% above their parent list price?

 

[pozidriv]

Nice set. Not that one would buy it locally, but the tray would be nice.
I bought my first set in Spain a few years ago, and have accumulated perhaps 70% of the set items.

As an indication of how much we get bent over in Australia, and why one does not buy locally the images show the German and the Australia Wiha pages for some of the Pico

The current exchange rate is 1 EUR = 1.5017
for a set of 6, 265P K6
DE website 67.35 EUR ~ $101.14 AUD
AU website $167.01

In 2 years of conservative government, the AUD has gone from 1.05+ to 0.71
The GBP is now 2.14

Maybe Wiha AU is backing a trend.

Waaw thats *****, especially because those prices listed on wiha's website seem to be the highest I've ever seen (maximum retail?). Even in local stores, prices are half of what's listed there

Yes correct, no serial numbers on them. I don´t know when PB Swiss started with the serial numbers - that would be interesting to know.

I know that at some point in time, PB Swiss added vanilla scent to the cellulose acetate butyrate handles because they really smelled bad. What I can tell is that the ones I have smell very strong and not very pleasant, so maybe that was also before they tried the vanilla scent.

From their official website:
http://www.pbswisstools.com/en/quality/serial-number.html
Their database reaches back to 1992

Great collection BTW, reto!

 

[hautpot]

Square bits - Made in Czech

 

[Monte]

now that bosch looks like very compact drill.

but it seems that looking at the pictures there is huge difference in the size of the handle thickness. so i think the handle is about as big as it has been in earlier bosch models. so it would be just too chunky to my chubby hands to hold comfortably. but it sure looks nice and short.

thats the "problem" with all tools with battery inside the handle....Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee... I prefer the slimmer handles like from Fein or Dewalt. The Bosch handle is not that bad though.

Twin Force - Made in Germany

Fein 12 volt vs. 18 volt

 

[hautpot]

From their official website:
http://www.pbswisstools.com/en/quality/serial-number.html
Their database reaches back to 1992

This is a prime example of why I trust PB Swiss. Excellence and dedication at its uttermost finest. To some, the serial number is unnecessary on simple hand tools, but for me adds another cool factor.

 

[Jolomite]

Heya Monte,

I was looking at reviews of that 18V Fein- it seems to be a great, flexible tool. I was wondering what you think about the torque/ clutch settings. One reviewer mentioned that the slow speed (speed 1) he desired did not have enough torque limitation available. His example was that he claimed to be able to deeply countersink/ drive through a screw into timber on the low speed setting with the torque control clutch fully engaged. Is this anything you've experienced?

Are there any drawbacks for either model?

Thank you for posting!

-Joe

thats the "problem" with all tools with battery inside the handle....Bosch, Makita, Milwaukee... I prefer the slimmer handles like from Fein or Dewalt. The Bosch handle is not that bad though.


















Fein 12 volt vs. 18 volt

 

[pozidriv]

Twin Force - Made in Germany

Do they really provide a noticeable difference in the force required to cut?

 

[NonSenCe]

another thing i like in that fein design.. the one hand.. or one finger push button to release the battery.

i am searching for cheaper end drill for my dad to use with similar easy release. he REALLY struggles with dual release buttons with his arthritic fingers. he needs to use screwdrivers to get the battery locks to open them or a hookclamp crimping them buttons down. and his bosch (green) locks are now pretty badly mangled already.
why do they make the battery so hard to remove i never understand.

----------
the wiha screwdriver set (and plier) arrived. i now understand why you guys seem to like the handles of these softfinish screwdrivers. they seem to be very grippy indeed.

--------------

also got a gadget tool to try out for fun. just because it was designed and made in finland (by kk-product)

supposedly will fit all sizes between 9 to 22mm, one end 9 to14mm and other end from 15 to 22mm. as you twist it, it is supposed to tighten on the nut and lock into it. and it is supposed to work little like ratchet.. so you dont have to lift and readjust the tool on the nut, just twist it backwards like ratcheting action opening and closing the tools "jaws"/"box-end" into the nut.

never heard of it.. nor the company.. and it is in the clearance section.. only one left at the moment. so.. likely it wasnt a huge hit.

for those interested: http://www.tooloutlet.fi/fi/Tuottee...2/Lenkkiavain+säätyvä+9-22+mm+KK-Product/4601

 

[rice rocket]

another thing i like in that fein design.. the one hand.. or one finger push button to release the battery.

i am searching for cheaper end drill for my dad to use with similar easy release. he REALLY struggles with dual release buttons with his arthritic fingers. he needs to use screwdrivers to get the battery locks to open them or a hookclamp crimping them buttons down. and his bosch (green) locks are now pretty badly mangled already.
why do they make the battery so hard to remove i never understand.

How about this kit? Like all the Metabos, you just hit it w/ the heel of your hand.

http://www.cpometabo.com/metabo-us6...ll-driver-kit/mtbnus602217620,default,pd.html

 

[Dave455]

This is a prime example of why I trust PB Swiss. Excellence and dedication at its uttermost finest. To some, the serial number is unnecessary on simple hand tools, but for me adds another cool factor.

Totally agreed!

I met Max Baumann once, and he's into this stuff at an almost unbelievable level!

We were talking about diamond coated bits, and he told me he ran tests on all the types he could find and subjected them to an electron microscope examination after 'every screwing' (to use his phrase)!

He reported that they were good at first, but the diamonds got pushed flat with the steel after a few uses , and then offerred no advantage! He had measured the 'break out' torque in a test rig of his own design to prove this too!

When my Snap On rep tried selling me some Spanish made Snap On drivers with diamond tips, it's no wonder I wasn't convinced!

But, you are 'preaching to the converted' to a degree here!

You'll be telling me next that beer tastes great, and if you drink enough you feel really good!��

 

[Vinko]

That's the Wiha 92191 set, I've been wanting it for a while. It's $185 at KC

What's KC?

EDIT: just realized it's KC German Tools. How long's that outfit been around? I knew about SamStag but I don't think I've ever come across them before.

 

[Vinko]

Totally agreed!

I met Max Baumann once, and he's into this stuff at an almost unbelievable level!

We were talking about diamond coated bits, and he told me he ran tests on all the types he could find and subjected them to an electron microscope examination after 'every screwing' (to use his phrase)!

He reported that they were good at first, but the diamonds got pushed flat with the steel after a few uses , and then offerred no advantage! He had measured the 'break out' torque in a test rig of his own design to prove this too!

When my Snap On rep tried selling me some Spanish made Snap On drivers with diamond tips, it's no wonder I wasn't convinced!

But, you are 'preaching to the converted' to a degree here!

You'll be telling me next that beer tastes great, and if you drink enough you feel really good!��

Very cool. Thanks.

 

[hautpot]

Twin Force ist Wunderbar! One of the smoothest pliers I have had the pleasure to use. They are similar to center cutters, but with a diagonal cutter feel. I did not have to use double cut technique to cut nail.

Bolt cutter has highest cutting force, but Twin force is very close in strength. Next Bahco high leverage diagonal had the least, but was still able to cut nail after struggle.

Lastly My Twin force was the nicest finished out of all my knipex. The grinding is so precise and forging is not very sloppy. Twin Force is not gimmick! I have bought three more just in case.

 

[Peeb]

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[upgrading]

Nice GIF's hautpot.

 

[rune-hammer]

Got a pair of pliers today on sale, the knipex 1098 are crimping pliers for oetiker hose clamps and the bahco 222 are their tiniest model I think, under 6"

5 euro each was not bad, both are new old stock

 

[Monte]

Heya Monte,

I was looking at reviews of that 18V Fein- it seems to be a great, flexible tool. I was wondering what you think about the torque/ clutch settings. One reviewer mentioned that the slow speed (speed 1) he desired did not have enough torque limitation available. His example was that he claimed to be able to deeply countersink/ drive through a screw into timber on the low speed setting with the torque control clutch fully engaged. Is this anything you've experienced?
Are there any drawbacks for either model?
Thank you for posting!
-Joe

The 18 V model is definately made for larger screws. Maybe for smaller screws i would use the second gear because the drill has lower torque in 2nd gear. There is also a difference in torque if you fully push the switch or if you don´t. But i also would recommend a 10,8 volt tool for all smaller screws for let´s say up to 6mm screws. So a combination of the 10,8 and 18 volt Fein drills would be ideal
The drawbacks are the price and the limited selection of available tools. So it depends which tools you need or must have...

another thing i like in that fein design.. the one hand.. or one finger push button to release the battery.

Dewalt or the new Makita would be a (cheaper) option too. But if you want something really Fein ehhh fine...











Fein 12 volt drives a 8x220mm screw...

 

[Reto]

Lux pliers (rebranded) West Germany. Not sure who the OEM is...

 

[Reto]

HPW Germany pliers

 

[Reto]

Will pliers

 

[Reto]

More pliers...

 

[Reto]

PB Philips 0, 1, and 2

 

[Reto]

Bahco Portugal

 

[Reto]

Facom France (still available in shops). I think I bought them at Zoro

 

[Reto]

Knipex