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rice rocket

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
3,175
I've had pretty good luck with my Beta stuff. I have their combination wrenches, two sets of sockets, a set of their MAX line of screwdrivers, a few of their pliers, and both the P-handle and sliding handle hex wrenches. Their ratchet is decent too, it seems to share a ratcheting mechanism with Facom.

I'm pretty sure they make all of the above in house in Italy.

The sockets are nice, nothing groundbreaking though. My Koken sockets are nicer, but the Kokens are nicer than just about anything out there. The screwdrivers, pliers, and ratchet ergonomics are easily my favorite amongst any brand, they seem to always get ergos right on every tool. Longevity-wise, the ratchet probably isn't great since the teeth are part of the handle body, but I'd buy another for sure. Screwdrivers, I haven't beat on so I don't know how strong the tips are, but the tri-lobal handle shape fits hands perfectly. The P-handle hexs are awesome, easily my favorite of any brand. Ergos are great, and more importantly, the tips are forged, which apparently Beta is the only manufacturer that does. Allen USA used to, but they shut down their plant and moved everything to Taiwan.

Avoid their Beta Easy line, they import most of that from Taiwan and China.
 

nanofrog

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 1, 2012
Messages
1,323
WHERE did you obtain those gold drivers?? Must have!
There's a few places that sell PB Swiss here in the US that I'm aware of:

1. PB Swiss Tools Online Store (they also sell on Amazon; direct link to their store).

2. Tool Lady (not the easiest site to navigate IME).

3. There's also eBay sellers, including some in Germany I've purchased from (trick is to search by the P/N; German seller I've used). FWIW, this has been the least expensive route IME, as I missed all the good sales on Amazon a few years ago or so (found out too late). Never had any problems, and shipping is both reasonable and fast (air mail to the US, then by truck takes ~ 1 - 1.5 weeks).

Hope this helps. :)
 

Moto77

Active member
Joined
Dec 19, 2012
Messages
35
Location
Calgary, Alberta
They are good tools. In my opinion, I don't like them as much as Stahlwille, but you'll see them in plenty of race paddocks.
Thanks for the reply, I'll have to take a chance and give them a try. I've never been too brand loyal as there are so many good tools from all over the world.

I've had pretty good luck with my Beta stuff. I have their combination wrenches, two sets of sockets, a set of their MAX line of screwdrivers, a few of their pliers, and both the P-handle and sliding handle hex wrenches. Their ratchet is decent too, it seems to share a ratcheting mechanism with Facom.

I'm pretty sure they make all of the above in house in Italy.

The sockets are nice, nothing groundbreaking though. My Koken sockets are nicer, but the Kokens are nicer than just about anything out there. The screwdrivers, pliers, and ratchet ergonomics are easily my favorite amongst any brand, they seem to always get ergos right on every tool. Longevity-wise, the ratchet probably isn't great since the teeth are part of the handle body, but I'd buy another for sure. Screwdrivers, I haven't beat on so I don't know how strong the tips are, but the tri-lobal handle shape fits hands perfectly. The P-handle hexs are awesome, easily my favorite of any brand. Ergos are great, and more importantly, the tips are forged, which apparently Beta is the only manufacturer that does. Allen USA used to, but they shut down their plant and moved everything to Taiwan.

Avoid their Beta Easy line, they import most of that from Taiwan and China.

Yeah I have a few Koken tools and they have been great, I'll have to make sure I'm getting the Italian made stuff rather than the Chinese junk. Thanks Gj more money out of my jeans lol
 

hautpot

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2015
Messages
824
Location
California
Well I did some endurance testing between the NWS Fantastico Cutter and Knipex Twinforce. The results are depressing as the Fantastico edge deformed after a few nail cuts. Knipex twinforce is still going strong.

Really disappointed in the NWS.
 

submariner

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 25, 2011
Messages
212
Location
Western Australia
Well I did some endurance testing between the NWS Fantastico Cutter and Knipex Twinforce. The results are depressing as the Fantastico edge deformed after a few nail cuts. Knipex twinforce is still going strong.

Really disappointed in the NWS.

Interesting...although I'm not surprised, Knipex is much older and larger than NWS and they're the largest pliers company for a reason.

Nevertheless I think this is worthy of a thread of it's own, with pictures ;)
 

DSM_PWR

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
119
Location
Illinois
Toptul (heavy duty) combo wrenches Super-Torque and Super-Torque Dynamic Series.

Direct comparable to the Facom 440's, for 1/4 of the price ! :D




So what did the set cost you? I see people post Toptul quite often on here, but am unaware of any vendors and unfamiliar with the brand's price point.
 

Blöckw@rt

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 11, 2013
Messages
662
Location
Germany
So what did the set cost you? I see people post Toptul quite often on here, but am unaware of any vendors and unfamiliar with the brand's price point.


I paid for the 5 Super-Torque + 1 Super-Torque Dynamic €20 incl. shipping !

But the seller ships only to Germany, Poland, Czech Rep. and Slovakia.
 

losvre

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
1,199
Location
UK
For PBSwiss you could also check at onlyqualitytools.com.

Happy with all tools from pbswiss so far
 

hautpot

Well-known member
Joined
May 25, 2015
Messages
824
Location
California
I said the same thing when I saw them. :D

I do not believe PB Swiss makes them anymore.. they did about five years ago. Luckily, Monte found a vendor that still had some in stock.

Wow thanks! You just made my week! How was the shipping to the USA? This is very damaging to my bank account
loudly-crying-face.png
 
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DSM_PWR

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2015
Messages
119
Location
Illinois
Wow thanks! You just made my week! How was the shipping to the USA? This is very damaging to my bank account

my order total was around $40 with shipping. I figured 20 bucks per driver is about what you pay when you buy a Snap-On set and the quality is on-par if not better with PB Swiss. I'm happy with the purchase.
 
OP
M

Monte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
12,663
Location
Germany
Thanks for more excellent pics.

Those Gedore blue and black torque wrenches look really cool.
yes ! If i wouldn´t have a torque wrench already...... :)
Well I did some endurance testing between the NWS Fantastico Cutter and Knipex Twinforce. The results are depressing as the Fantastico edge deformed after a few nail cuts. Knipex twinforce is still going strong.

Really disappointed in the NWS.
For cutting nails i always would use (mini) bolt cutters...The blade/cutting edge geometry is simply better for that task....
I will upload pictures of NWS pliers later :)

Also, did Wiha ever make the Bi-cut Pliers in Europe? Or only in Vietnam?
Vietnam only. But the Bi-Cut pliers would be better suited than the NWS pliers because the Bi-Cuts have a different blade geometry (not as sharp and different angle)
 
OP
M

Monte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
12,663
Location
Germany
WTF? Forged in Germany? I have bad expirience with their screwdrivers.

Ceta form is a sort of "Never again" for me!!!
Maybe their pliers are better...? :)






some more pics... :)


Wera

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Zyklop Hybrid ratchet
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new Bit-Checks. Everything is now also color coded...bits, sockets, wrenches....
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screw holder sockets
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nut grip sockets
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Bamax compressors

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New "Arm-Strong" hammers from HKR. (item #196 on the wish list :))

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Urko clamps from Spain

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Bollmann locking pliers and Selzer punch pliers

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hose clamp pliers and grounding pliers
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Unior hand tools

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Piher clamps from Spain

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NWS pliers

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Starrett

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Fratelli Ghiotto tire inflating guns made in Italy

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Ramia work benches from Czech Republic

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...and more booth here....

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...and there....

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the exhibitors list of just one hall.... and there were 6 two-story halls with 2787 exhibitors...

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until next time... :)

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Stop.

Just stop.

I can't take anymore!
ok :)
 
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M

Monte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
12,663
Location
Germany
Great job Monte!

:thumbup:
Thanks :)
That Starrett sabre saw has the worst colour scheme ever
you´re right :D:evil:









....on the way home i drove through Remscheid, one of the german tool cities:

First stop was Framür-Halbach...

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where i picked up this tubular socket set:
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next stop was Tracht Odenthal/Otra pliers. Unfortunately nobody opened the door :sad:

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...then i passed the Gedore factory...

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...and headed to the Bollmann locking pliers factory:

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Next stop was HKR-Werkzeuge. Unfortunately the hammer i wanted to buy was not yet in production i learned and they only had pre-production samples at the fair...
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On the opposite of the street i saw Paffrath tools and BTW special tools:

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...and about a KM away: Elora

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maico

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
711
Location
England
I can't compete with Monte's tool rampages, but then again, factories don't lock their doors if they think I am coming :Twitch:

My humble offering, Rennsteig 50mm chisel and Gedore slitting chisel, both with hand-guards and made in Germany.

IMG_2248-2.jpg

IMG_2244-2.jpg
 

ttpete

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 8, 2011
Messages
6,737
Location
Dearborn, MI
I can't compete with Monte's tool rampages, but then again, factories don't lock their doors if they think I am coming :Twitch:

My humble offering, Rennsteig 50mm chisel and Gedore slitting chisel, both with hand-guards and made in Germany.

IMG_2248-2.jpg


IMG_2244-2.jpg

What's with the huge hand protectors? I'd be ashamed to have those in my toolbox. Someone might think I didn't know how to use a hammer......
 

losvre

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 13, 2011
Messages
1,199
Location
UK
....on the way home i drove through Remscheid, one of the german tool cities:

next stop was Tracht Odenthal/Otra pliers. Unfortunately nobody opened the door :sad:

Probably they are watching the thread and they were hiding from you:lol:

Monte, thank you for all the information you are keep providing and your efforts to post all these photos:beer:
 

maico

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 21, 2014
Messages
711
Location
England
What's with the huge hand protectors? I'd be ashamed to have those in my toolbox. Someone might think I didn't know how to use a hammer......

Well take them off then !
The Rennsteig one isn't actually that big.
The thin slitting chisel needs a handle otherwise you would stand a good chance of cutting your hand on the edge
IMG_2246.jpg
 
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decaf

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 14, 2011
Messages
514
Location
Stockholm, SWEDEN
some more pics:


Knipex extra long pliers, wire stripper...

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Wow now this is really funny, i sent an e-mail to Knipex for about a year ago, where i explained that i thought that a long noose plier really would be in the place for the car repair market, especially for growing in the USA. Seems like they already had that plan. What a coincidence :lol_hitti:lol_hitti.
Nice done Knipex, i hope its going to be a success!
 
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jessysirazvan

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 9, 2013
Messages
209
Location
Romania,Live in Italy
:shocking:wow nws is made of "plastic"
i have a diferent model of nws 109-69-180 with a very large play on joint.i will never buy again nothing from nws
Firstly, an informal head to head between the NWS and Knipex. 75 Nails with about 6-8 cuts per nail and one roll of soft craft wire. The edge on the NWS deformed after 5 nails, I stopped completely on that. Twinforce continued to cut. My hands are really sore after this test.
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And then I also compared the cutting power between various pliers.
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I don't remember if I uploaded the picture of the soft grips. Used it frequently already and they still grab pretty tight!
nfii95z.jpg


And Knipex Warranty in USA is really quick and easy!
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Cwalter

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 7, 2016
Messages
55
Location
Persia
Hi to all, my first post in Garage Journal.

Vintage Belzer socket set ( 1/4") :

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Very nice set with finger ratchet!
 
OP
M

Monte

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 23, 2008
Messages
12,663
Location
Germany
When a vid comes out of this "Europäer" wrench please post it.
ok :)
Fein Dustex 35 LX AC 2016 :D
very nice machine !!! :drool::thumbup::pimpflash
Many tanks for the pics Monte. A feast for us Toolus Sapiens. :thumbup:
:thumbup:
:beer: I have Bahco tool box, its very good. But we have an expression in Croatia "silent suffering", the geodre and Stahlwille tox box are my silent suffering :drool:
...we too: "silent demand" over here....my silent suffering: Gedore, Hazet, Stahlwille :D
I can't compete with Monte's tool rampages, but then again, factories don't lock their doors if they think I am coming :Twitch:
:lol::D
..their fault...i would have bought their spark plug pliers. :)
What's with the huge hand protectors? I'd be ashamed to have those in my toolbox. Someone might think I didn't know how to use a hammer......
...and in the US everybody has a chisel holder in their toolbox....:D;)
Probably they are watching the thread and they were hiding from you:lol::
i think they would benefit if they would roll out the red carpet for me :D I might spend a few bucks.... :);)
Monte, thank you for all the information you are keep providing and your efforts to post all these photos:beer:
you´re welcome :)
And then I also compared the cutting power between various pliers.
how is the ranking ?
Wow now this is really funny, i sent an e-mail to Knipex for about a year ago, where i explained that i thought that a long noose plier really would be in the place for the car repair market, especially for growing in the USA. Seems like they already had that plan. What a coincidence :lol_hitti:lol_hitti.
Nice done Knipex, i hope its going to be a success!
Finally they listened to you :thumbup: But it seems it´s a rebadged Orbis...
I like the new Rennsteig handle color scheme. :drool: I've got a set of MultiCrimps with the old red/blue Knipex color handles. Almost makes me want to buy some new ones.
i´m sure you´ll find someone who buys your Knipex for a good price :D
This must be the OEM for Klein ratchet cutters. Always kind of wondered since the Klein ones say Made in Germany, but don't seem to look like any of the usual manufacturers.
I guess the Klein is made by Wezag:
sh-header.png

Hi to all, my first post in Garage Journal.
Vintage Belzer socket set ( 1/4") :
Very nice set with finger ratchet!
indeed a very nice set !!!! And welcome to the forum !










Forgot to post these pics:
Got this T-shirt and a drill bit at the Tivoly booth:

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Their new "Furius" Ti2CN coated drill bit. Drills through steel like butter ! So if you´re looking for a good "Made in France" drill bit please consider Tivoly :)

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---end of advertisement--- :)
 
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