Tools from the old world

[measuredtwice]

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[Dave455]

HAZET 953SPC. 1/4" + 1/2"

Purchased for £100 (+£9 post) new or NOS from Ebay. Going to keep the 1/2" sockets and sell on the rest. Hoping I will be left with the sockets at a reasonable price. Not sure how easy it will be to sell the low tooth count ratchets.

Those sets were a factory “special offer” a couple of years back.

They are still generally available, but not at the price you paid. That was a great deal. I paid more a couple of years back when I wanted a set to keep on a vehicle.

I wouldn’t bother selling the parts. Keep ‘em and enjoy ‘em. The Hazet accessories work really well together (great fit) and you might not get the same experience using other ratchets or extensions.

That’s also a pretty well “balanced” set, covering a relatively large range of sizes, and with some 1/4” hex and torx as well. I’ve used mine on a load of jobs because I just happened to have it with me!

The Hazet 1/4” drive is superb stuff too. I didn’t realise how good till I used the items in this set. I ended up buying some more, but no way would you get that ratchet, extension and sockets for what they owe you.

 

[savas]

View media item 109721

Does it say anywhere on the box where it is made?

Does anyone know who makes this set for Wurth? One seller claims it is made by BGS, but I doubt that.

 

[JBH]

Does it say anywhere on the box where it is made?

Does anyone know who makes this set for Wurth? One seller claims it is made by BGS, but I doubt that.

No, but I also haven’t looked very hard. I assume it’s made in East Asia somewhere.

 

[Cynical huckster]

Does it say anywhere on the box where it is made?

Does anyone know who makes this set for Wurth? One seller claims it is made by BGS, but I doubt that.

BGS doesn't have any production facilities in Europe.

 

[mr.lemons]

Those sets were a factory “special offer” a couple of years back.

They are still generally available, but not at the price you paid. That was a great deal. I paid more a couple of years back when I wanted a set to keep on a vehicle.

I've seen spanner sets with SPC in the model name. There was a thread about them. 'Worldwide promo' or something like that.

 

[mr.lemons]

More Wiha bits.

Ordered from a UK supplier that gets the tools direct from Wiha. Took about a month. Wonder if all Wiha packaging is now Wiha USA? Hex still made in Germany.

I've never seen hex so small, and will need more powerful glasses if I ever need to use them. Needed the larger sizes to complete my 'kitchen drawer' set. Also wasn't aware that the smaller hex sizes aren't in .5mm increments. (.7, .9, 1.3, 1.5mm)

German bits with printed info, not stamped.

 

[Dave455]

I've seen spanner sets with SPC in the model name. There was a thread about them. 'Worldwide promo' or something like that.

Yes, if you go onto any of the dealers websites (such as TBS Aachen) they have the “factory specials” flyer online.

Hazet don’t tend to offer the killer deals that Stahlwille sometimes do, but still very decent prices for what you get.

Many of the 1/4” and 3/8” Hi per ratchets are on a deal this year.

 

[Dave455]

More Wiha bits.

Ordered from a UK supplier that gets the tools direct from Wiha. Took about a month. Wonder if all Wiha packaging is now Wiha USA? Hex still made in Germany.

Wiha have quite a big presence in the U.K. and most of what I’ve seen has been English language / German address, so I assume for the U.K. market.

If you’re buying online you never know where it’s being sourced, and these very small hex bits are a bit specialised. Glad they haven’t shifted production of these to the far east!

 

[Dave455]

Does it say anywhere on the box where it is made?

Does anyone know who makes this set for Wurth? One seller claims it is made by BGS, but I doubt that.

My first thought was Taiwan, but you never know with Wurth.

I’ve seen their “Zebra” socket sets and I thought they were made by USAG even before I saw the “Made in Italy” marks. Quite a good choice for a sub contractor - good quality “mid range” tools at a reasonable price.

Everything I’ve seen from BGS was a generic far eastern tool, so I doubt they actually make anything. It’s feasible Wurth and BGS buy in the same tools, but the Wurth stuff is often a frac better than that!

 

[mr.lemons]

You're actually seeing a difference in how the sockets are produced, not defects. Gedore hot forges their sockets while Hazet are cold forged.

I should have said 'cosmetic inconstancies' and left if to the individual to decide if they consider them defects. Referring to tool marks, dents, wobbly edges etc that are in the sockets before the chrome is applied. Visible on both brands, so present with hot and cold forging. I think, on Taiwan made sockets, these inconsistencies would be considered defects, but with German sockets it's 'character.'

 

[measuredtwice]

Regarding the Wurth set: Wurth likes to just mark products with their German address and not the COO. A lot of their stuff is made in Taiwan. I suspect the bit set is as well. ...By the way, I don't think I've ever seen a bit sit with Y shaped eye bolt bit made anywhere except Taiwan or China.

Regarding the Wiha hex bits. I've run into 1.3mm and 1.5mm hex with electronics. I don't think I've run into the smaller sizes though.

Here's my Wera 1.5mm hex plus driver with tiny screw on the end.

 

[mr.lemons]

Wera hex keys.

Must be missing something, but I'm a little befuddled by the case.

 

[Dave455]

Wera hex keys.

Must be missing something, but I'm a little befuddled by the case.

Nah, I’m totally with you on the holder, seems a bit pointless, but they’re pretty decent hex keys and the prices are reasonable so I’ll forgive them this!

I still reckon PB Swiss are the “top end” in hex keys, but... the Wera are pretty decent, and a fraction of the price. The “Hex Plus” is a good feature you’re working with screws that are not the best quality. I like the Stainless hex keys too.

 

[Nick H]

Don't know what these are, but this is the forum to ask. Someone asked me and its been bothering me since.

SOTEG - Made in Germany

Current owner has had the over 60 years any doesn't know what there for. The box isn't original and that hasn't helped me with google.

Seem to soft to be traditional chisels, not sure if its for clay - ice - leather - spork prototypes?

Someone put me out of my misery.

 

[mr.lemons]

I've seen Narex talked about on here previously and thought they just made woodworking tools and wooden handled screwdrivers, but they also look to manufacture a range of comfort and hard handle screwdrivers in CZ. At least, I assume they make them, or maybe they work with Wera?

https://www.narextools.cz/?lang=en

Bought a 150mm PH0 to try at work.

Wiha 44590

First impressions.

Out of interest, does anyone see/use PZ0 screws? I see a few manufacturers make drivers and bits for them. Wondering if I'm coming across them and assuming they are PH0.

 

[measuredtwice]

That Narex "Classic line" looks almost identical (except color) to the blue PPC handle Felo drivers that I got locally from Fleet Farm. I like the PPC handles a lot. Hard handles are easy to keep clean. They were $9 for a set of 5 screwdrivers which is very cheap in the USA.

I have the Felo right in front of me and the handle is the same exact shape. But I have no info on whether it is made in the same factory. The Felo drivers have "Germany" molded into the handles and printed on them as well. The CZ origin of the Narex drivers does bring Wera to mind.

 

[SAA44-40]

Can anyone recommend a European double ended ratcheting wrench. I see a nice Gedore set but not much else. Thanks

 

[mr.lemons]

That Narex "Classic line" looks almost identical (except color) to the blue PPC handle Felo drivers.

Maybe Narex makes the metal part, but uses handles from Felo. The boxes for Narex sets say 'Made' in CZ, so I guess they cannot be 100% made by Felo. Assuming they are being honest about COO.

 

[tungas123456]

Let me ask if elora plier is made by another company

 

[mr.lemons]

Let me ask if elora plier is made by another company

I think it's these guys, but not sure what the company is called, Tracht-Odenthal?

https://otra-zangen.de/index.php/en/standard-pliers

 

[measuredtwice]

I was looking at photos and noticed that the resemblance has come up before. Looking through the Narex online catalog I see the overlap is only partial and they offer some drivers not offered by Felo.

handle looks almost like Felo

Narex Screwdriver 6.5x125

 

[Qualitytools]

That handle is very similar in shape as the WIHA 45062 handle

https://www.google.com/search?q=wih...sclient=mobile-gws-wiz-hp#fpstate=imgv&imgv=0

 

[tungas123456]

Thanks for responding to me

 

[tungas123456]

I think it's these guys, but not sure what the company is called, Tracht-Odenthal?

https://otra-zangen.de/index.php/en/standard-pliers

Thanks for responding to me

May I ask you a few more things:

Currently, Hoffmann sells three types of screwdrivers:

The first is Garant screwdriver (PB Swiss OEM)

The second is a PB Swiss screwdriver with the logo of the Hoffmann printed

The third is a regular PB Swiss screwdriver

Is there a quality difference between them?

I find the quality control on the Garant screwdriver looks inferior

 

[mr.lemons]

Thanks for responding to me

May I ask you a few more things:

Currently, Hoffmann sells three types of screwdrivers:

The first is Garant screwdriver (PB Swiss OEM)

The second is a PB Swiss screwdriver with the logo of the Hoffmann printed

The third is a regular PB Swiss screwdriver

Is there a quality difference between them?

I find the quality control on the Garant screwdriver looks inferior

Sorry, I have no experience with Garant or Hoffmann screwdrivers. I would like to know in general, if tool manufacturers supply the same quality for tools that are to be rebranded as the tools they put their own name on.

Do you have both Garant and PB swiss branded drivers and see a difference?

 

[SAA44-40]

Just purchased from Steve at Ultimate Garage- highly recommended. Very pleased with the quality and tactile mechanism. These are made in France, and it was a bit of a challenge as most ratcheting wrenches appear to be Taiwanese

 

[mr.lemons]

Narex and Bestmore hammers.

Vintage, bought used. I cannot find much info about Bestmore other than, 'Bestmore Drop Forgings Ltd' was located in Cannock England.

This is a label from a NOS Bestmore hammer that sold recently on Ebay.

The Narex hammer was cheap on ebay, so thought I would give it a try. This is what got me looking at Narex screwdrivers.

The plastic looks and feels cheap. You can feel the sharp mold flash along the handle in your hand. However, to me, it feels very nicely balanced and the shape of the handle fits my hand well.

 

[Skin]

Just purchased from Steve at Ultimate Garage- highly recommended. Very pleased with the quality and tactile mechanism. These are made in France, and it was a bit of a challenge as most ratcheting wrenches appear to be Taiwanese

Not to burst your bubble but those are made in Taiwan. Ratcheting wrenches that arent made there are Snap-on, Proto, SK, and Gedore.

Most of mine are Taiwanese as they generally make the most styles but I do have a couple singles of SK, Proto, and a set of Snap-on. Snap-on makes the best reversible combo but you pay through the nose for it. My most used are double box, long reach/leverage wrenches and those are Kabo (Taiwan).

The modern ratcheting wrench was born in Taiwan so no reason to shun the country particularly when its a product they designed and perfected.

 

[SAA44-40]

Steve assured me COO was France and showed me French COO SKU list. Oh well I’m proud of them either way

 

[mr.lemons]

COO is listed as 'FR' on rs-online too. Maybe they are finished in France or something? I'm sure they will be great spanners either way. Their ratcheting combo spanners are very nice.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/spanners/0139593/
Photo is wrong, but part number and description (72 tooth) is correct.

 

[Amnashaikh]

Very nice. The Facom locking pliers

 

[Skin]

Steve assured me COO was France and showed me French COO SKU list. Oh well I’m proud of them either way

Yea I suspect the COO is a typo and those come from the same factory that makes their other ratcheting wrenches. The thing is Facom is a fairly sizeable tool company so I dont see them only making a very specific single type of hand tool in France while everything else is made in Italy and Taiwan. Some things are made in France, largely the stuff that falls under what their Bost division makes (pliers, screwdrivers, hex keys, punches etc..). Wrenches, sockets, and ratchets havent been made there in quite some time though.

 

[beelsr]

or they're old stock? steve has/had lots of old stock.

 

[AlexT2020]

Just wanna see if this is common. Anybody keeping rusty hammers in their toolboxes that has been passed on for generations for good luck? Kind of like an heirloom.

 

[neophyte]

Yea I suspect the COO is a typo and those come from the same factory that makes their other ratcheting wrenches. The thing is Facom is a fairly sizeable tool company so I dont see them only making a very specific single type of hand tool in France while everything else is made in Italy and Taiwan. Some things are made in France, largely the stuff that falls under what their Bost division makes (pliers, screwdrivers, hex keys, punches etc..). Wrenches, sockets, and ratchets havent been made there in quite some time though.

SAM Outillage is another manufacturer of hand tools in France, and some of the tools are “very similar” to those offered by Facom, such as the flanged flare nut wrenches. It would not surprise me if some of the wrenches and other tools still listed as Made in France were being made by SAM and maybe always have been.

As far as the ratcheting wrenches, I would think those were Taiwan.

 

[ultgar]

Steve assured me COO was France and showed me French COO SKU list. Oh well I’m proud of them either way

Facom sends out a Master Price Sheet that includes COO, Tariff codes, weights/dimensions, etc. This is the official info that is reported to US Customs when those Facom items come into the US. Believe me, if there's a CN (China) next to the part number, it's likely to get hit with an additional (25%) tariff on top of the regular (6-9%) tariff.

This is my only source for COO. I can (we all can) speculate otherwise but this is the only info I have to go by.

 

[dutchgray]

Steve assured me COO was France and showed me French COO SKU list. Oh well I’m proud of them either way

If the spanner body was forged and finished in France and a Taiwan made ratchet mechanism was dropped in there in France that would count as made in France under European law.
Things don't have to be wholly made in the country to count as made there, we have no equivalent of the made in USA with global materials coo markings in Europe and coo marking is quite lax in general compared to the US, lots of things won't be marked at all.

 

[HRNTK]

Facom assemble tools in morangis plant (france) or the MOD.64J7 is Composed from 64 (Taiwan) and PL.608A which is the plastic module tray (france).

The older ones of 64 are 68B.

 

[HRNTK]

SAM Outillage is another manufacturer of hand tools in France, and some of the tools are “very similar” to those offered by Facom, such as the flanged flare nut wrenches. It would not surprise me if some of the wrenches and other tools still listed as Made in France were being made by SAM and maybe always have been.

As far as the ratcheting wrenches, I would think those were Taiwan.

The wrenches produced in france are the insulated ones, the similarities of facom and sam are in finition both uses chromed and satined finishes or if they are supplied with the same product as wooden screwdrivers, but the dimensions and styles of wrenches are quite differents.