Tools from the old world
- Thread starter Monte
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Reed Prince
Well-known member
While we're talking about adjustable wrenches, thought I'd post a couple of pictures from the Tools of Japan thread. The Lobster and TOP wrenches have been compared favorably to Bahco, and have patented play-free designs. I bought a TOP Hyper Monkey Zero a little while ago and can attest to it's quality. Extremely smooth jaw action.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
While we're talking about adjustable wrenches, thought I'd post a couple of pictures from the Tools of Japan thread. The Lobster and TOP wrenches have been compared favorably to Bahco, and have patented play-free designs. I bought a TOP Hyper Monkey Zero a little while ago and can attest to it's quality. Extremely smooth jaw action.
Very Nice, thanks for sharing!
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Would anyone that has some Facom wrenches as well as Gedore compare the finish? I just received a set of deep offset Gedore double box end wrenches and they have a very ruff "industrial" looking finish, not as smooth as the Facom for example. Are the Hazet or Stahlwille similar? Any photos for comparison would also be very helpful. Thanks! 
What's a use case for an worm-gear adjustable wrench over a pliers wrench?
Don’t necessarily agree with the former. In fact often a PW has more compact jaws.
Yes, pliers wrenches (Knipex 86, VBW/Stahlwille Powergrip, etc) are more expensive, if that’s an issue.
I’m really just curious, because since I bought my first PW I’ve not picked up a wrench of any sort. It’s been either PW or ratchet/socket. Even for tight tasks such as removing a Lexus CT200h car battery. But people still buy them so I figured they must have a use that a PW can’t fill. I just can’t figure it out.
Land Rover 109
Well-known member
Familiarity, continuity and the fact you need only reach for or carry one to fit a multitude of sizes.
It is what their Grandfathers and Fathers used, so it is what they use.
Many people never own a pair of battery terminal pliers, but once you use a set you hardly ever use anything else like a fixed or adjustable wrench for the job again.
Plus a lot of folk use adjustables where you have plenty of room and you are not squeezing a tool into tight spots because they fit into the space easily.
Guess it's a preference thing. I would pick up a spanner/wrench before a socket and ratchet as I prefer the less offset levering. The PW just hasn't clicked with me so far. Find it a bit awkward to adjust. Think I'm sulking a bit because all the rave reviews here got me excited and I haven't found much use for it.
Obviously all totally subjective.
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Alava
Well-known member
Irimo had 2 factories and I think that in one they still produce some tools. Maybe they make them there...
I can talk with one friend that has worked in SNA and I'll reply here
Guess it's a preference thing. I would pick up a spanner/wrench before a socket and ratchet as I prefer the less offset levering. The PW just hasn't clicked with me so far. Find it a bit awkward to adjust. Think I'm sulking a bit because all the rave reviews here got me excited and I haven't found much use for it.
I agree with you that I find them awkward to adjust but I've gotten better with them the more I've used them. So I'm sure its a familiarity issue. Once they are sized right, the ability to ratchet is a huge benefit, rather than tightening an adjustable on the nut, turning, loosening the adjustable, move it on the nut, and tightening it again. (I know many of us skip using the correct method with adjustable and just move it).
The upside of adjustable I've found however are areas where I couldn't fit a pliers wrench, but could fit an adjustable, and being able to just tighten it onto the nut, and then really focus on pushing the handle for super stuck nuts. Plus you can't put a breaker bar onto a plier's wrench (or plumber's wrench for that matter) handle.
Both are tools with different pros and cons. Both are useful.
Stahlwille finish is rather unique.
Gedore and Hazet are similar, at least the unpolished portion of the Hazet.
Facom 440 finish is different from these as well. All are quite durable.
Monte's 13mm wrench thread, lots of pictures for comparison:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258941
Gedore and Hazet are similar, at least the unpolished portion of the Hazet.
Facom 440 finish is different from these as well. All are quite durable.
Monte's 13mm wrench thread, lots of pictures for comparison:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=258941
Would anyone that has some Facom wrenches as well as Gedore compare the finish? I just received a set of deep offset Gedore double box end wrenches and they have a very ruff "industrial" looking finish, not as smooth as the Facom for example. Are the Hazet or Stahlwille similar? Any photos for comparison would also be very helpful. Thanks!
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I get the preference thing, and the continuity thing, but the other points apply equally to worm gear adjustables and PWs.
I’m intrigued by your battery pliers comment though. I’ve always used a 10mm socket or PW to loosen battery terminal nuts and combi or water pump pliers to lift the terminal. Is there a better option?
Would anyone that has some Facom wrenches as well as Gedore compare the finish? I just received a set of deep offset Gedore double box end wrenches and they have a very ruff "industrial" looking finish, not as smooth as the Facom for example. Are the Hazet or Stahlwille similar? Any photos for comparison would also be very helpful. Thanks!
I don't have Gedore to compare. Is the finish similar to my Stahlwille?
Picked out the worst bits on the Stahlwille set. No bad bits to pick out on the Facom. No idea if my Stahlwille are a good representation of the general finish on Stahlwille spanners. Like to think the Stahlwille is more artisan than mass produced
Haven't used either long enough to say if one is more functional or durable than the other.
Facom
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scubadoober
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The Stahlwille is the smoothest of the three with the Hazet being a close second. The Gedore that I have is a very uniform rougher surface almost as if it was bead blasted before chrome. I will see if I can get a picture.
Land Rover 109
Well-known member
There certainly WAS another option, most of them made in the good old USA, but they were also offered by British tool makers and most probably European makers.
I believe SnapOn still offer a version, but just call them Angle Nose Pliers now, model 208CCP?
You can also get terminal expanding pliers.
Prowagen
Well-known member
Facom is more comparable to Snap-On, pretty tools and functional.
Hazet, Stahlwille and Gedore are very industrial, they concentrate on form and function rather than looks.
Hazet, Stahlwille and Gedore are very industrial, they concentrate on form and function rather than looks.
scubadoober
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Prowagen
Well-known member
Here’s my Hazets, like Scubadoober Just cell phone shots. On the smaller size you can actually flex them, as they are so light and thin, but I don’t think it would ever be an issue on a fastener as the jaw sections are much beefier!
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Thank you drtyler, very helpful!
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I don't have Gedore to compare. Is the finish similar to my Stahlwille?
Picked out the worst bits on the Stahlwille set. No bad bits to pick out on the Facom. No idea if my Stahlwille are a good representation of the general finish on Stahlwille spanners. Like to think the Stahlwille is more artisan than mass produced
Facom
Thank you mr. lemons, yes my Gedore is similar to the Stahlwille finish you show
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Thank you 5ktq, I am going to post a photo of my Gedore and a Facom 440 for comparison
Qualitytools
Well-known member
You've got it right! That's what I have discovered. Thank you for the response
Qualitytools
Well-known member
It does show the difference infinishes, thank you very noticeable
Qualitytools
Well-known member
Here’s my Hazets, like Scubadoober Just cell phone shots. On the smaller size you can actually flex them, as they are so light and thin, but I don’t think it would ever be an issue on a fastener as the jaw sections are much beefier!
Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app
The Hazet you show look a lot like what my Gedore set looks like finish wise
My stahwillie's are the same, rough underneath but quite smooth to the touch. My gedores are much more of a matte finish, very grippy and comfortable.
Facom 440's have the best finishing i've ever seen, i don't think any of mine came with any flaws at all.
Facom 440's have the best finishing i've ever seen, i don't think any of mine came with any flaws at all.
Three new Facom ratchets for me: 1/4" and 3/8" rotators and 3/8" telescoping flex head.
The rotators are entirely Superautobac's fault, thanks to his Youtube videos and a recent dead car battery.
The 3/8" drive telescoping flex head I bought because I was a little disappointed that the Gedore 3/8" drive flex head I recently bought had the exact same head dimensions as the 1/2" drive model. The Facom is not as silky smooth out of the box as the Gedore, but has a usefully thinner and narrower head.
Gedore's locking mechanism is much better, but Facom's hex screw allows the head to be pretty tight too. I'm not yet sure if I'll keep both.
The rotators are entirely Superautobac's fault, thanks to his Youtube videos and a recent dead car battery.
The 3/8" drive telescoping flex head I bought because I was a little disappointed that the Gedore 3/8" drive flex head I recently bought had the exact same head dimensions as the 1/2" drive model. The Facom is not as silky smooth out of the box as the Gedore, but has a usefully thinner and narrower head.
Gedore's locking mechanism is much better, but Facom's hex screw allows the head to be pretty tight too. I'm not yet sure if I'll keep both.
Attachments
New Elora 300mm spark plug pliers in gunmetal finish from Amazon for $16, and Belzer (Bahco?) 145mm round nose pliers from Amazon.de for about $9.
I know basically nothing about Belzer. They were labeled as Bahco on Amazon, they seemed like a good deal, and I was curious. The translucent dipped handles over top the forged brand-name are pretty neat. They seem well made, though the joint is pretty stiff. Made in France according to the box.
I really like the Elora pliers, had no idea that I was getting the 300mm model since they had the wrong picture on the product page. And I'm a fan of the gunmetal finish versus the matte chrome, which I also like, but the gunmetal finish is just cool.
Sent from my XT1575 using The Garage Journal mobile app
I know basically nothing about Belzer. They were labeled as Bahco on Amazon, they seemed like a good deal, and I was curious. The translucent dipped handles over top the forged brand-name are pretty neat. They seem well made, though the joint is pretty stiff. Made in France according to the box.
I really like the Elora pliers, had no idea that I was getting the 300mm model since they had the wrong picture on the product page. And I'm a fan of the gunmetal finish versus the matte chrome, which I also like, but the gunmetal finish is just cool.
Sent from my XT1575 using The Garage Journal mobile app
Soak it in ATF overnight, works on mine.
No ATF but have some Power steering fluid left over so will give it a try. Thx.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I have the rotator Facom and the Stanley both in 3/8 as it's the size I tend to use most. I like them a lot!
Not to say I've been on a tool buying spree but I've definitely dropped some coin lately on some very specific tools for my business I am developing. Pictured here are three screw driver sets. I'll snag some pictures of the other goodies I picked up. It's mostly German of various brands--I purchased both secondary/backups of tried and true tools and some new testers. For now here's the *adjustable* torque screwdrivers. Very very impressed with them.
Wiha 38790 20 Piece ESD Safe Quick Release Set
Wiha 28591 and Wiha 28895 24 Piece Sets (5-10in/lbs and .04-.46Nm respectively)
I do a bit of precision work on electronics and was tired of over-tightening super small screws/stripping them--yet if not tightened enough they fall out. No more!
Wiha 38790 20 Piece ESD Safe Quick Release Set
Wiha 28591 and Wiha 28895 24 Piece Sets (5-10in/lbs and .04-.46Nm respectively)
I do a bit of precision work on electronics and was tired of over-tightening super small screws/stripping them--yet if not tightened enough they fall out. No more!
I am so disappointed... i was hoping for my pico set and screwdriver. Ordered on the 15th from amazon.uk... and the box was open on each end and it is missing... the screwdriver was there.. not cool, amazon shows out of stock but they should send another one. I paid 113.22 us dollars for both, i thought that was a good deal.
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beelsr
Well-known member
that's how they ship from across the pond, both .uk and .de. Much, much cheaper to ship that way...
About half my orders come in that way. Just open a chat or send an email and have a picture of the empty flatpack available. they will send out a new package. .de sends them replacements out DHL next-day, signature required. .uk just sends them out the same way.
About half my orders come in that way. Just open a chat or send an email and have a picture of the empty flatpack available. they will send out a new package. .de sends them replacements out DHL next-day, signature required. .uk just sends them out the same way.
I already did... back ordered but i can wait. The screwdriver is pretty cool. I might look at the de site.. the question is what does ups or i parcel do with all the stuff they get that falls out of the packing?
Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk
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beelsr
Well-known member
i have a pair of knipex circlip pliers on backorder since early may. They are the giant 48 21 J41 precision 12" ones. they were 9 euros. i don't know the german backorder laws but i hope they don't get cancelled because that's lower than i've ever seen them.