Tools from the old world

[pare]

Wera always seem to have some Facom tools out on display, presumably to compare unfavourably with Wera. It backfired a bit though, as I came away wanting a Facom ratchet with a knurled handle.

The roto ratchet was part of their aerospace range. That style of tool was discontinued, and replaced with steel handle versions of the “palm control” ratchet, which are also now discontinued. (Some of mine shown).

I've wanted one of those steel handle Facom rotohead ratchets with the palm control head for a while (J.159A), never seen one for sale though.

 

[Monte]

Anyone have experience or information about this Elora torque wrench? It looks similar to Stahlwille ones, with square tube and quick setting. Do they make it inhouse or OEM from other manufacturer? Just can't find more information anywhere. Wonder what's the mechanism inside.

Looks italian:

Il sito è sotto manutenzione

Il sito tornerà a breve online. Vi ringraziamo per la pazienza!

www.tecnogisrl.it

 

[mr.lemons]

Random pic from ebay. Just think the blue driver is nice looking. Looks to have a Swiss type parallel tip. Not much left of the tips on the other drivers. Still cool collector type pieces though.

Both are infinitely better tools than anything Wera offer, so have no idea why they have them on the stand.

I'm guessing there was some sort of spiel that I missed, about the extra features on the Wera roto ratchets. I wanted to make them an offer on the Facom roto, but it felt a bit too cheeky.

 

[kjbenner]

Wera always seem to have some Facom tools out on display, presumably to compare unfavourably with Wera. It backfired a bit though, as I came away wanting a Facom ratchet with a knurled handle.

I've got the flex-head (not the roto, the one underneath) with a knurled steel handle from Proto, which I assume is the same thing as the Facom, part J5257F.

 

[mr.lemons]

Used Facom 1/4" deep sockets from Ebay.



Shiny chrome on the top part, textured chrome on the lower part.



Old sockets, so flat sides rather than flank drive type.



I think Facom changed from the fluted design on newer sockets.



Was just looking at the Facom web catalogue. Looks like they may have dropped the 1/2" flex head, extending ratchet.

 

[mr.lemons]

Not sure if it's new.

Weiterleitung

 

[Reed Prince]

Received a package from Amazon Germany today and when I opened it I found that one of the boxes inside had torn open and many of the parts of the Gedore KD 26 R-120 tool set were missing. When I try to initiate an exchange/return, I get a error message telling me to try again later. Hope this works out OK in the end.

 

[pizza]

Not sure if it's new.

Weiterleitung

someone should import them for us in the US.

 

[ukruser]

I inherited this tape meassure from my grandfather. Could anybody help to identify this brand and the country of manufacture? I suppose it is from Germany

 

[Reed Prince]

A friend's father bought a pair of inexpensive wire strippers around 30 years ago in Germany. They were lost a little while ago and he has not been able to find anything similar. They were the style of the tool in the picture but with nicer, rounded handles, and the original's wire gauge selection screw locked into detented positions. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

 

[Dave455]

A friend's father bought a pair of inexpensive wire strippers around 30 years ago in Germany. They were lost a little while ago and he has not been able to find anything similar. They were the style of the tool in the picture but with nicer, rounded handles, and the original's wire gauge selection screw locked into detented positions. Does this sound familiar to anyone?

Something like these?

 

[Reed Prince]

Something like these?

I believe that the cutting width was selected by a sliding part, but unlike all the ones I can find today, it clicked into different positions.

 

[Dave455]

I believe that the cutting width was selected by a sliding part, but unlike all the ones I can find today, it clicked into different positions.

Hmm, struggling a little bit then. Might be worth searching the German makers.

Trouble is, wire stripping tools have come on big time in recent years. I hardly ever use those old style adjustable wire strippers any more. Most times now I use a wire stripper with slots the exact size of the wire I’m using.

Alternatively, I have the tool shown below. Available with a number of brand names, inexpensive (think I paid about £12/$16), and works amazingly well. Even strips the outer insulation off cables. Don’t know what the lifespan is, but if it failed now I’d go and buy another.

 

[Vicks]

My most recent Knipex acquisitions, I was looking for these for some time especially since I had to work on some spring type clamps on the transmission cooler hose on the Patrol.

noticed these cute little babies at the checkout counter but resisted the temptation to buy since these would be practically useless for me


now only if Amazon would hurry up and deliver my Metabo SSW 400BL Impact wrench, hey Jeff, you better hurry up if you’re reading this !

 

[Monte]

I inherited this tape meassure from my grandfather. Could anybody help to identify this brand and the country of manufacture? I suppose it is from Germany

I guess it´s from Taiwan or so. Looks like it could come from a company with a name like "SO tools" or something like that......(?)

 

[Monte]

"JMP" cooling system/Radiator flushing tool
www.jwl.dk

 

[wreckdiver1321]

I needed some new wire cutters, mine are all cheap with chewed-up jaws. They've been irritating me for a long time and I lost one set a while back, so I ordered a 3-pack of Knipex to jump on the bandwagon. I'm slowly going to a more eclectic and higher-quality tool set. A few weeks ago I bought my first set of Vessel screwdrivers. We'll see what comes next.

 

[ukruser]

I guess it´s from Taiwan or so. Looks like it could come from a company with a name like "SO tools" or something like that......(?)

I doubt that this tape meassure can be from Taiwan, because at the time when it was bought, the Soviet Union did not recognize Taiwan. I found a similar roulette with the same logo and with a text in German.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

bought this set of Wera combination spanners a while ago,

Are those replaceable jaw inserts? Are the box ends also replaceable? How common is this across industry? And is this a fairly recent trend?

I don't buy new tools, hence my unfamiliarity. Just curious.

 

[Monte]

I doubt that this tape meassure can be from Taiwan, because at the time when it was bought, the Soviet Union did not recognize Taiwan. I found a similar roulette with the same logo and with a text in German.

This picture clarifies everything It´s a tape from DDR/east germany.
Now the numbers/letters on the tape make sense too..... EVP = price...
Parts of the former manufacturer still exist:

Startseite | Solidor Heuer GmbH

Zinkdruckguss Stanztechnik Gleitschleifen Kunststoff Montage Werkzeugbau Ihr kompetenter Partner für Metall- und Kunststoffprodukte nach Maß Bei SOLIDOR HEUER verbinden wir Tradition, Innovation und höchste Fertigungsqualität, um unseren Kunden individuelle Lösungen aus Metall...

www.solidor-heuer.de

Home

TNI - Chirurgisches Nadelwerk Ichtershausen - Germany

www.t-n-i.de

 

[ukruser]

This picture clarifies everything It´s a tape from DDR/east germany.
Now the numbers/letters on the tape make sense too..... EVP = price...
Parts of the former manufacturer still exist:

Startseite | Solidor Heuer GmbH

Zinkdruckguss Stanztechnik Gleitschleifen Kunststoff Montage Werkzeugbau Ihr kompetenter Partner für Metall- und Kunststoffprodukte nach Maß Bei SOLIDOR HEUER verbinden wir Tradition, Innovation und höchste Fertigungsqualität, um unseren Kunden individuelle Lösungen aus Metall...

www.solidor-heuer.de

Home

TNI - Chirurgisches Nadelwerk Ichtershausen - Germany

www.t-n-i.de

Thank you!

 

[mr.lemons]

Hazet 1/4" T20 torx. 'Titanium Nitride' coated.





Another one piece design, rather than a bit pressed into a socket.

 

[Vicks]

Are those replaceable jaw inserts? Are the box ends also replaceable? How common is this across industry? And is this a fairly recent trend?

I don't buy new tools, hence my unfamiliarity. Just curious.

This is the Wera Joker line of hand tools. I believe these are in the market since couple of years (someone correct me in this), the jaw inserts are non replaceable I think, The box ends are certainly not. Checkout a couple of YouTube videos from Wera on these where they explain the other features including the ability for the open end to “hold” a fastener for one handed applications.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the jaw inserts are non replaceable I think

Thanks. What is that little set screw for then?

 

[mr.lemons]

Just been watching the new series of Wheeler Dealers. Had given up on it, but finding this series quite enjoyable. They are back in England. Not sure who the US series was aimed at?

Looks like Hazet is a sponsor.

 

[CHI_Tool&Die]

Hazet 1/4" T20 torx. 'Titanium Nitride' coated.





Another one piece design, rather than a bit pressed into a socket.

Please let us know how those single piece bit sockets hold up. I’ve been eying some Hazet hex bits of the same build but I haven’t pulled the trigger on them yet.

 

[corn chip]

Looks italian:

Il sito è sotto manutenzione

Il sito tornerà a breve online. Vi ringraziamo per la pazienza!

www.tecnogisrl.it

yes i would say so. its not stahlwille im sure of it

 

[garfieldzzz]

Please let us know how those single piece bit sockets hold up. I’ve been eying some Hazet hex bits of the same build but I haven’t pulled the trigger on them yet.

We use them regularly at work and as far as I can tell from the return rate, they are just too soft and chew up quite quick. I can’t recommend them. The Stahlwille version is a bit better but still not really good. We mostly use bit holders and PB swiss bit inserts instead

 

[mr.lemons]

We use them regularly at work and as far as I can tell from the return rate, they are just too soft and chew up quite quick. I can’t recommend them. The Stahlwille version is a bit better but still not really good. We mostly use bit holders and PB swiss bit inserts instead

Thanks for that. Even though it is not good news, it's good to know. I don’t think I will be using it enough to give any meaningful feedback, unless it's really bad and fails with light use.

Do you use locking/quick release bit holders? I find that bits in bit holders often stick in fasteners, then drop out and get lost.

 

[garfieldzzz]

We use the Stahlwille 412 bit socket which has a „ring-spring“ a circular coil spring to retain the bit. Yes the bit sometimes stay in the fastner but in general the retention is quite firm and does a good job.
I had no complaints yet and we use the setup for 8 years now. Obviously its a personal preference.
Downside is the price, if you want to build a whole set.
I couldn’t find a proper locking bit socket with acepptable fit, finish and size for this application yet.

 

[mr.lemons]

I see 'Expert' is now Facom rather than Britool, and has been integrated into the Facom website. Maybe for some time now. Wonder if this means that the Britool name is now completely gone. I guess Britool has been a brand associated with cheap tools long enough now that it no longer represents quality, or adds value, at least to younger generations. Used up and discarded.





I know it's unfair to say that Expert tools are 'cheap,' but it would undermine my rant a little to say 'mid-range, pretty good quality.'

 

[mr.lemons]

1/4" hex open-end spanners.

 

[GerMec]

I am getting mad at Hazet. Instead of using their resources to give us some useful tools they invest time and money into this ******* joke
The first time I saw some models of the new 90 tooth Hazet ratchets was like 3 years ago. Took them 2 years after that to release them..
Where are my flex heads? Where is my 24 inch breaker bar?
Why the hell do you need a million different screwdrivers when they have the best handle ever made (IMO) but do not make the tools I want.
They claim to have a lot of tools for motorcycles. I do not see one.
Hazet get your **** together

 

[Private Lugnutz]

@Vicks

I did some follow-up on my own question about your Wera Joker ratcheting combination wrenches.

Here is the set screw that made me wonder about replaceable jaw inserts. And from the angle of your photo of your set, you can see why I may have wondered. That looks like its securing a replaceable jaw insert.



And here is an excerpt I made from illustrations on the Wera Joker site...



As can be seen (and of course you can see, you own the wrenches...), what I mistook as an entire jaw insert is what I might call a helper jaw or jaw plate insert. Those jaw plate inserts are replaceable.

From the Wera site...

"The Joker’s clever double-hex geometry makes for a positive connection with nuts or bolts – it’s a perfect fit. And the exchangeable, hardened metal plate in the Joker’s mouth literally bites itself into the bolt with its extremely hard tips. Both aspects prevent any unpleasant slipping, even at higher torque."

From Amazon product description...

"Set of ratcheting combination wrenches. 4-piece set. Most popular sizes. Durable pouch. Hexagonal nuts or bolts. Ratcheting combination wrench; unique holding function, thanks to the metal plate in the jaw, reduces the risk of dropping nuts and bolts; replaceable metal plate in the jaw secures nuts and bolts with its extra hard teeth and reduces the danger of slipping."

I don't buy many new tools, and the vintage tools I buy are almost exclusively USA made, but I am really starting to have a high level of appreciation for Wera. Replaceable jaws and jaw inserts haven't been a serious "thing" in US toolmaking for 100 years (see Park Metalware, which later became Xcelite). I don't participate too often in this thread, but it's telling that the last time I did it was to comment on the Wera Joker line's self-adjusting crescent type wrench. (Like FACOM's cles-a-pipes, another example of a modern European mfgr making a tool that has been obsolete from serious US mfgrs for a century, there hasn't been a serious self-adjusting crescent since the 1920's SPEED-NUT wrench.) Wera's design team is really sharp and apparently not afraid to look backward to move forward.

Thanks for posting your set. I probably would've never known otherwise.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

1/4" hex open-end spanners

they invest time and money into this ******* joke

If they welded a tap hammer head onto the end of the major jaw, like this new Perfect Tool line, they might be onto something!

 

[yamahaxt6600]

Tona / made in czechoslovakia

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Wow! That's a beautiful set!

I found a partial beat-up version of that same set here in the states last year, posted on this thread, linked here. I'd love to find the missing pieces, or run into a complete set one day, but I'm not holding my breath. My maternal grandparents (Hrnchar and Stefko) were born in Gondova, a village outside Bratislava, and my paternal grandparents (Podbrohovsky, Hajduk) were born in Kosice.

 

[yamahaxt6600]

Thanks, in slovakia and czech republic you can buy them easily, nuts and spare parts, im collecting them, ive bought torque wrench which is less common in my opinion

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That set in the attache style case with the decal/label in the lid and the swiveling leather handle is spectacular!

 

[Vicks]

Thanks. What is that little set screw for then?

Sorry fir the late reply, I see from your later post that you found more information about these.

The inserts are hardened plates intended to “bite into” worn out fastener heads that are not sufficiently gripped by the open end. The plate is fixed onto the open end with the screw to hold it in place due to which it “can” be replaced but I’m not aware if Wera sells the hardened plates as spares. Hence my earlier comment that these may not be replaceable due to lack of replacement parts and not so much due to lack of design.

Thanks to your excerpt, I now know that Wera qualifies these as replaceable plates, I may need to look harder where they sell these as replacements/spares.