Tools from the old world

[Samuel D]

OGV is facoms name for their off-corner engagement profile.

Yes, but I thought most OGV Facom was made in Taiwan, so I wondered if these Made in France OGV sockets had a narrow date window. Dkroth has roughly dated the set anyway.

I’m slightly surprised they included an 8 mm socket in 1/2"-drive as late as ~1990.

Is the black rubber handle all gummy? I have a 3/8" ratchet in that style. I have to clean the handle before using it.

No, though that’s the reason I prefer metal handles on quality tools. But this plastic handle has aged well, maybe because it hasn’t been used much.

 

[JBH]

I’m slightly surprised they included an 8 mm socket in 1/2"-drive as late as ~1990.

They include 8mm in the current 1/2” drive “detection box” sets.

https://www.ultimategarage.com/shop/part.php?cPath=35_100_219&products_id=8317

 

[Samuel D]

I can’t view www.ultimategarage.com from Europe, but I looked up the Facom 1/2" Detection Box and … now I’m very surprised. Someone must be asking for 8 mm 1/2" sockets. What are they doing with them, I wonder.

Many tool companies don’t offer that at all, much less in a set.

 

[mr.lemons]

Bahco 228-32-10P 150mm hacksaw blades.

Box marked 'Made in Germany.'

 

[Bogdan M.]

 

[Tylermorris]

Hazet 1/2” extension and adapter

 

[driven04]

So I've finally received all of them and had a chance to do a quick overview. I'll do a slightly more in depth review in a separate thread, but here are some pictures.

Part Numbers:
Knipex (DE) 78 91 125

Schmitz (DE) 1232EP02

Piergiacomi (I) TR5000PR

Tsunoda (Jp) PM-120 18G

I wanted to get a variety of comfort grips/dipped handles, and the two main styles of cutting heads to evaluate my own preferences. I additionally wanted to try a variety of brands because I'm looking to purchase a number of additional pliers/cutters and wanted to evaluate.

First thing I'll say is the Schmitz were the most expensive, and also the most disappointing of the bunch.

 

[mr.lemons]

Hi driven04. Imgur image host does not work properly on this forum. I think most people will not see your pics.

Shame about the Schmitz. Interested to hear why you are disappointed.

 

[Reed Prince]

Hi driven04. Imgur image host does not work properly on this forum. I think most people will not see your pics.

I think Imgur works if you change "https" to "http".

Part Numbers:
Knipex (DE) 78 91 125

Schmitz (DE) 1232EP02

Piergiacomi (I) TR5000PR

Tsunoda (Jp) PM-120 18G

 

[Reed Prince]

I didn't even know pozidriv/slotted screws existed before I watched this.

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I have a set of PB Swiss pozidrivs, but they don't seem to make pozidriv/slotted screwdrivers, just bits. Since I already have Wiha phillips/slotted screwdrivers, I bought this Filo 63697 set. Best price was on eBay. Beat KCTool even with GarageJournal discount code. Couldn't find them on Amazon.de.

 

[Samuel D]

Thanks for fixing driven04’s images for us, Reed Prince. I like the look of the Schmitz the best. What is disappointing about it? The handles of the Piergiacomi are absurdly bulky and clumsy and the Knipex handles not much better. But I prefer my tools to have as little ostentatious design as possible. And I like to feel a tool sink into my hand as I put some pressure on it.

 

[Dave455]

I didn't even know pozidriv/slotted screws existed before I watched this.

I have a set of PB Swiss pozidrivs, but they don't seem to make pozidriv/slotted screwdrivers, just bits.]

They do - part no. Is PB 5180.SL followed by the tip size and blade length (eg 1-80). These are insulated soft grip drivers, which I suppose they assume is the pattern everyone would want to use with these screws, though it wouldn’t be my choice!

 

[Reed Prince]

They do - part no. Is PB 5180.SL followed by the tip size and blade length (eg 1-80).

Thanks for that info. I only looked at the 8000 series drivers. Didn't think to check the 5000 series. Live and learn.

 

[mr.lemons]

Bahco 268 junior hacksaw.

Looks and feels cheap but it's comfortable to use compared to the tradition all metal hacksaws. Blade changing is easier than on the all metal saws too. Packaging is marked 'Made in Germany.'

 

[driven04]

I made the post here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7874394#post7874394

And addressed some of the questions.

I'm thrown off by the imgur thing because even when I use the https, I can still see them in my own post. Are they showing up normal sized or huge for you? because they look normal sized in both of my posts, but huge when I "previewed" the post.

 

[Samuel D]

I'm thrown off by the imgur thing because even when I use the https, I can still see them in my own post. Are they showing up normal sized or huge for you? because they look normal sized in both of my posts, but huge when I "previewed" the post.

Your photos showed up normal size for me after they were fixed (first I didn’t see them). When I preview my own posts, the images also show up huge, but appear normal after posting. So you’re not alone.

 

[mr.lemons]

I made the post here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7874394#post7874394

And addressed some of the questions.

I'm thrown off by the imgur thing because even when I use the https, I can still see them in my own post. Are they showing up normal sized or huge for you? because they look normal sized in both of my posts, but huge when I "previewed" the post.

The imgur thing is a bit confusing as you will be able to see the pics but no one else can. I think they show for you as once you have viewed the pics in imgur and they are cached on your computer they will then show on the forum.

While making a post when you hit 'preview' the pics show as their original size (usually way to big) but when you submit the post they get resized to look right on the forum. Pics can then be clicked on to view them full size. Your pics (with the 's' removed) show scaled to foum size for me.

 

[mr.lemons]

A few posts ago I made a bold claim that I may be able to bend a Gedore spanner in my hands. Today after using the spanner and not liking it so much I thought f'it and attempted to bend it. It easily flexes a small amount however could not come close to bending the beam enough for it to deform. Sorry Gedore for my previous slander.

I will say though they are a tool polishers nightmare. After just one use I cannot get it clean. Even after a good wipe down (dry rag) there is dirt in the finish and between the logo and lettering. Not had this issue with other satin finishes.

Next Generation FACOM Protwist® Screwdrivers.

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[Samuel D]

A few posts ago I made a bold claim that I may be able to bend a Gedore spanner in my hands. Today after using the spanner and not liking it so much I thought f'it and attempted to bend it. It easily flexes a small amount however could not come close to bending the beam enough for it to deform.

Yeah. As you probably know, steels all have similar stiffness even though their strengths vary enormously. Any good spanner uses a strong alloy, and because your Gedore has an approximate I-beam section, even less steel than usual is needed to achieve the necessary strength for applying torque to a fastener. With minimal metal and a shape that does nothing for stiffness in the wrong direction, it doesn’t surprise me that it feels flexible. But as you observed, it can flex elastically a long way without taking a set. That’s the strength of the steel showing.

What don’t you like much about this ratcheting spanner, by the way? Just the finish?

 

[Hybert]

...
I will say though they are a tool polishers nightmare. After just one use I cannot get it clean. Even after a good wipe down (dry rag) there is dirt in the finish and between the logo and lettering. Not had this issue with other satin finishes.
...

From own experience with the Gedore satin chrome finish on the tools. Parts cleaners and a rag is great for keeping the tools looking sharp.
Not as easy as shiny chrome finish.

 

[losvre]

I never polish my tools the just get better with the time.


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[mr.lemons]

What don’t you like much about this ratcheting spanner, by the way? Just the finish?

The finish isn't a real issue, just something I noticed. Part of my job is working in a clean room (lab) environment so I'm a professional tool polisher. I was using the Gedore alongside and comparing it to my Halfords (same or very similar to Gearwrench) ratchet spanners and prefer the Halfords. The ratchet mechanism in the Halfords is smoother with quite a bit less back drag. Pains me to say on this thread but I prefer the Chinese made spanners.

 

[mrspeed]

Pains me to say on this thread but I prefer the Chinese made spanners.

How do you ban someone from a specific thread?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

 

[JBH]

Würth stuff

“all the bits” set (except inch security hex), and the new cheap Wiha set:
View media item 92521
“all the Torx sockets” set
View media item 92526View media item 92527
drill bits
View media item 92524View media item 92523
through-socket and short bit set, and “cap lamp”
View media item 92591View media item 92592
Bits are very short, and necked down on the back side to be flush with the back of the ratchet.
View media item 92593
Ratchet is 1/4 hex on one end, 11mm (same as Facom/USAG/Wera and Snapon through sockets) on the other. Case is smaller than one Facom/USAG “pico” but smaller than the 2 Pico sets that would equal this set.
View media item 92600
Ratchet+bits is super short. Shorter than Anex with their cut-down bits.
View media item 92595
Sockets are compatible with Facom/USAG/Wera:
View media item 92598but somewhat surprisingly differently shaped from F/U/W in the smaller sizes:
View media item 92597

 

[JBH]

Felo Smart Engineer magnetic nut driver set from a KC Tool Tool of the Day. I was dismayed, given Felo’s general quality and attention to detail, that the Smart handle was missing. KC Tool promptly sent me one. Initial impressions are that I like the case less than any of my other Felo cases. Instead of foam there’s some thin molded plastic inside the tough outer shell. I have not really used it yet. It was an impulse buy - I wanted to get free shipping so I could pick up some square-drive Wera bits….
View media item 92525
Gedore “branded” Pressmaster MCT dies for 2.8/4.8/6.3mm open barrel connectors. Branded in quotes because Gedore didn’t even replace Pressmaster’s part numbers with their own:
View media item 92661
I think overall I prefer Rennsteig/Knipex Crimp System to Pressmaster MCT, but MCT makes a compelling case for itself as a portable kit. No tools required to change dies, die cases lock together neatly, and the whole kit fits really nicely in an i-boxx mini.
View media item 92662
I’ve found myself using more ferrules lately, and thought I could do better than the trapezoidal crimps of Crimp System and MCT dies.

Gedore tried a little harder with their rebranded Wezag AE 0816, shown here with a Wiha-rebranded Wezag AE 22. The differences are that 0816 crimps in a hex pattern (better for round wire entry) and 22 crimps in a square pattern (better for square wire entry). AE 0816 has locator that works really great, too.
View media item 92522
Here’s what the different crimps look like, using Knipex-branded German-made insulated ferrules on 12AWG;
View media item 92637Red: Gedore-Wezag
Black: Wiha-Wezag
White: Pressmaster MCT
Green: Rennsteig Crimp System

Note how the insulation is somewhat crimped on all but the hex crimp. Wezag’s locator works well. MCT/Crimp System crimped ferrules have three flat sides. They deform more readily than the corrugated-all-around crimps from the dedicated tools.

 

[mr.lemons]

How do you ban someone from a specific thread?

Würth stuff

Impressive haul. The magnetic nut spinner set is interesting. Does the handle convert into a t-handle or is there two different styles?

New quick release round head ratchets from Toptul.
72 tooth. 1/4, 3/8, 1/2.

https://www.toptul.com/en/product-620779/Reversible-Ratchet-Handle-with-Quick-Release.html

 

[motorenzo]

I think Imgur works if you change "https" to "http".

Part Numbers:
Knipex (DE) 78 91 125

Schmitz (DE) 1232EP02

Piergiacomi (I) TR5000PR

Tsunoda (Jp) PM-120 18G

which one do you like best ?

 

[eschoendorff]

which one do you like best ?

I like the look of those Knipex! I need to get a pair

 

[JBH]

Impressive haul. The magnetic nut spinner set is interesting. Does the handle convert into a t-handle or is there two different styles?

Yes, it's the standard Felo Smart handle. It's about the size of the woodie PH2 handle.

View media item 92689
Overall I'm not impressed by the Smart handle. Shape is typically Felo - i.e. excellent. But the small ball bearing for retention does not work well. It's acceptable with the nut driver sockets, but it's terrible with the bit holders. Lots of up and down play. They should redo this handle with a better retention system - and maybe a ratchet gear. Or go all out and use it as the base for a convertible roto-ratchet a la Würth/VIM/Tone.

And I really don't like the cheap plastic inside the case. They really should have used foam, as on the bit boxes and the R-Go ratchet set.

 

[Tylermorris]

Some European tools, picture 1 and 2 Dowidat Germany, 3 and 4 matador Germany, 5 Hazet Germany, 6 Britool England, 7 Zubi-Ondo Spain

 

[mrspeed]

Some Bahco/Belzer pliers and cutters. Chrome plated with translucent handles that show the Belzer logo stamped into the sides of the handles.

The left 4 are made in France and the cutters in the right are made in Spain.

I like the look and feel of these much more than I had expected, but the pliers are all pretty stuff and need to be worked in. Also the handles on the longer 160mm pliers is more red than the rest. Also, the cutters have a torx serviceable joint while the rest do not.

The model numbers of these seem random. From left to right, they are 2727, 2724B, 2718B, 2694B, and 2674NB.



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[mrspeed]

Some new safety wire pliers from Elora, model 525-230, to replace the old Milbars. I found one site that says they're made in Germany, but no COO anywhere on the pliers or box. I'd email Elora to ask, but they never answer my emails. I wonder who the OEM is for these, as these kinds of specialty tools or usually sourced from smaller, more specialized tool companies.

They look and feel very nice, and the spring return will make then easier to use.



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[M6erfan]

The finish isn't a real issue, just something I noticed. Part of my job is working in a clean room (lab) environment so I'm a professional tool polisher. I was using the Gedore alongside and comparing it to my Halfords (same or very similar to Gearwrench) ratchet spanners and prefer the Halfords. The ratchet mechanism in the Halfords is smoother with quite a bit less back drag. Pains me to say on this thread but I prefer the Chinese made spanners.

I'll take those Gedore ratcheting spanners off your hands. Ship to the states?

 

[Fedwrench]

New quick release round head ratchets from Toptul.
72 tooth. 1/4, 3/8, 1/2.

https://www.toptul.com/en/product-620779/Reversible-Ratchet-Handle-with-Quick-Release.html

Interesting, the 2.5 degree ratchet head looks just like the old triangle tools ratchet recently brought back by Motivx tools only with a comfort grip handle

 

[mr.lemons]

Interesting, the 2.5 degree ratchet head looks just like the old triangle tools ratchet recently brought back by Motivx tools only with a comfort grip handle

Just googled them. Same specs and same name 'Nano-Ratchet.'

 

[928'er]

Just googled them. Same specs and same name 'Nano-Ratchet.'

Interesting, looks like Toptool has all three sizes of the "nano ratchet" and Motivx brought back the 1/4" drive set (with minor revisions) of the Triangle Tools drives and sockets.

I bought two of the Triangle Tools 1/4" drive sets and it's my "go to" 1/4" set (gave the other set to a friend). I wish I'd bought the 3/8" and 1/2" sets when Sears was clearing them out. I was disappointed when Triangle Tools disappeared. Glad to see that the other sets might be available again.

James

 

[driven04]

which one do you like best ?

I posted a thread with some more detailed analysis here https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=7874394#post7874394

Long story short, I think I like the knipex and the Tsunoda ones the best. I'll take some new pictures that are a bit clearer and post them in that thread as well.

 

[driven04]

Interesting, the 2.5 degree ratchet head looks just like the old triangle tools ratchet recently brought back by Motivx tools only with a comfort grip handle

It really seems like Toptul has a version of almost everything coming out of taiwan.
Similarly, they have the "rotating handle" ratchet, (I purchased from BGS for 17 Euro off amazon)

 

[driven04]

Some other wins in the "made in europe" category.

I know these have been talked about a lot, but for 11euro, they are top notch.

The bit ratchet set from Wera is pretty nice. Sockets and bits are Czech made IIRC, while the ratchets are both Taiwan. As you can tell, I've made some additions in the form of Facom R.180. I was surprised because looking at them online I could have guaranteed they were made out of the same factory, but in person, you see a different plastic was used, while the design/construction is still very similar, that was a bit surprising. It even appears to me like the knurling/machined grooves on the plastic is different. You can find an identical tool in TopTul's catalog (to Facom version) and USAG has another very similar but non flex head version of the bit ratchet, while also having a flex head version of the "short/through socket" ratchet.

Combined, they are super useful for all applications I've come across recently, but I think each by itself is missing some utility.

Also a good addition to have is the extendable screwdriver handle from Wera. I'm surprised an "extension" bit driver isn't included in the bit ratchet set as it's extremely helpful to have. The facom one being thinner is nice in some places, while the "positive lock" on the Wera is nice in others. Sometimes, I use them together for an extra long extension (came in very handy recently)

 

[Skin]

Im quite certain most of the Wera ratchets, sockets, and wrenches are made in Taiwan and finished in the Czech factory. They primarily do molding and screwdrivers there. Top quality regardless but they definitely play games with COO.