Toptul Reviews

[Taylor J.]

let us know how those torx bits hold up (if thats what im seeing) even the snapon ones break so id love to know how well they hold up

I used the torx bit set fairly extensively today and had no problems. All of the bits that I used had a tight fit on the fasteners and had no slippage.

The only problem I ran into was the 6" 1/4dr extension. The male end does not have a very tight fit with sockets, especially the TOPTUL brand. ???

Others were asking about the pliers set, I used it lightly today and still love them!!

Taylor J.

 

[wrenhandtools]

Taylor, if that 6" extension is from me, let me know the part number....

 

[Taylor J.]

Mike,

The part number is CAAA0806

Taylor J.

 

[wrenhandtools]

Taylor, weird.....that is just a plain extension. And just to be clear, you're not quite happy with the tolerance when you put a socket on it??

 

[Taylor J.]

Mike,

Yeah it's a little loose. Its worse on the TOPTUL sockets.
The ball seems to be fine, just not a tight fit.

Everything else that I have tried is AWESOME!!
Probably just a fluke.


Taylor J.

 

[Taylor J.]

Mike,

I was able to work a little more with the sockets this afternoon. The extension works fine with other brand sockets, and the sockets work fine with other brand extensions. When I pair the TOPTUL extension and a TOPTUL socket it is loose.


Thanks,
Taylor J.

 

[wrenhandtools]

hmmmm sounds like something I need to tell the factory about....and if it get to be that you don't like that extension.....or others...or anything else....let me know. It is my job to make you as happy as I can.

Sincerely,

 

[wrenhandtools]

ALso, just so we don't take up this thread go ahead and email directly.

 

[GT89mustang]

Placed an small order from mike for a couple things. Quick review.

1) 14 pc star socket set (e-torx). E4-24.
Set is nice, chrome is good, it has 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 sockets and they all seem to fit pretty snugly. Only compliaint is the snap rail the set comes on doesnt have a handle lol.

2) 1/4 in drive 1/4bit holder socket
3) 3/8 drive 5/16 bit holder socket
4) 1/2 drive 5/16 bit holder socket.

The 1/4 drive socket did not have detents cut into the drive side to hold it in place on the ratchet etc. I emailed mike and he said and he said all his stock were like that. Seems like a stupid/bad design.

The 3/8s drive and 1/2 drive have a hole drilled through that you line the detent ball up with to hold the socket in place (instead of having 4 detents cut into the socket). The 3/8 drive socket fits pretty loosely on just about everything I have, give or take a ratchet or socket. On some stuff its almost not useable. The 1/2in is somewhat better, but still somewhat sloppy on some ratchets/extentions. Overall the bit sockets were pretty disapointing. For $3-4 im not that worried about it but I dont see why they werent designed like regular sockets.

Anyway thats it for now.

 

[Vinko]

Mike -- when's your next shipment coming?

 

[WSMC633]

Just wanted to chime in on the Toptul Stuff since I've been using it for quite sometime now. Just for reference I own a Motorcycle (and now Custom Car shop ) So They see use everyday. My go to Drive tools have become all Toptul and I couldn't be happier. I have sets of 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2", in both the Satin and the Chrome. Deep and Shallow. Everything has been holding up awesome. All the sockets have a great fit on the fasteners and do not Mar anything up. I really liked the chrome when I received them. Then I got the Satin and they've really grown on me. Though they get used every day, they show nearly zero scratches etc. (The Satin that is.)
I do wish that the size markings were larger on them. I can, 98% of the time grab the right size by sight, but larger markings wouldn't hurt.

I also have a couple sets of Combo wrenches. In Chrome, which I don't know the current availability or if only Satin is available now. They are certainly showing some surface scratches. Nothing out of the ordinary though. They fit fasteners really well as well. I haven't found many places they wouldn't fit. I did fill the size markings with Orange paint to make them easier to read.

I also have a number of 1/4" and 3/8" ratchets. My favorites are definitely the Flex head stubby 1/4" and the Long handled flex head ratchet. Those are by far my go-to ratchets these days.

I also really dig the Magnetic Spark Plug Sockets.

I still feel the quality is far above C-man and certainly into tool truck level with more reasonable pricing.

For the Record. I have complete sets of SAE wrenches and Sockets. But I have almost zero idea as to their fastener fitment. Nearly everything I work on is Metric. I presume they're as good as the MM sets, but I can't say for sure.

I think I got lost in the Shuffle when Mike's last order came in. I had sent him a "wanted" list quite some time ago which he was able to fill at least half of. But I never got notification of the remainder being available. To be fair, I should have sent him a note to follow up, I know he's only one guy that's really busy so I don't hold it against him. Especially considering the Service I got from him before that was simply amazing.
I do still wish availability was a little higher. For the record though, I have no idea what Mike's current inventory is since I haven't tried to order anything for many months.


I have a collection of Snap-On, SK, and Cman Pro Screwdrivers, but I'd like to try out the Toptuls. I'd also like to try out the Pliers etc. at some point.
A long handled 1/2" long handled Flex is Definitely in my future though.

Sorry for no pics. I just saw the thread Update come through my email, so I thought I'd chime in on it. Hopefully it helps.

 

[Monte]

As a Facom tool dealer, I've been watching this thread waiting for Toptul to fall on its face with quality issues. Frankly, it doesn't look like its going to happen and as a further testimony to Rotar's capabilities, several large European tool companies have outsourced some of their hand tool production to them (in Taiwan).

As such, I've added Toptul to my product offerings with over 600 part numbers currently in production for mid-August delivery. After speaking with the folks at Toptul, it appears they'd like to see distributors spread geographically here in the US. With Ultimate Garage on the East coast and Mike in WA state, there's a good 3000 miles between us. Toptul is a very high value (high quality, low cost) line and I suspect there will be more US tool distributors importing their products before the year is out. SD

"Ultimate Garage" ? Kaeser, Nußbaum, Facom, Nilfisk, cemb, Kränzle, Festool, Lista... a ferrari or porsche in the garage ..... and ....Toptul....
how does that fit together ? just curious

 

[Vinko]

As a Facom tool dealer, I've been watching this thread waiting for Toptul to fall on its face with quality issues. Frankly, it doesn't look like its going to happen and as a further testimony to Rotar's capabilities, several large European tool companies have outsourced some of their hand tool production to them (in Taiwan).

As such, I've added Toptul to my product offerings with over 600 part numbers currently in production for mid-August delivery. After speaking with the folks at Toptul, it appears they'd like to see distributors spread geographically here in the US. With Ultimate Garage on the East coast and Mike in WA state, there's a good 3000 miles between us. Toptul is a very high value (high quality, low cost) line and I suspect there will be more US tool distributors importing their products before the year is out. SD

I was looking at your site (I'm considering the knock-off AC Hydro jacks), and noticed you mentioned carrying a good deal of the TopTul line by August. You'll be putting up your stock on your site?

 

[mattwgrizwald]

I bought a cjck1640 long 1/2" fixed ratchet from mike about a month or so ago It was like $30.00 I use it primarily to bust heavy duty rear end plugs out . and use it for driving in spring pin pin bushings in and other stuff to this ratchet is awesome
Ive dropped it a couple of times and have already got a few scratches in it It's holding up great I really like the grip on the handle it's very comparable to Snap on, Matco ratchets and the handle cleans up very well after use. Mike was great to deal with and I look forward to making some more toptul purchases in the future

 

[Merkava_4]

ultgar

Is that a carpeted floor under that Porsche?

 

[Merkava_4]

I used the torx bit set fairly extensively today and had no problems. All of the bits that I used had a tight fit on the fasteners and had no slippage.

The only problem I ran into was the 6" 1/4dr extension. The male end does not have a very tight fit with sockets, especially the TOPTUL brand. ???

Others were asking about the pliers set, I used it lightly today and still love them!!

Taylor J.

Taylor, if that 6" extension is from me, let me know the part number....

Mike,

The part number is CAAA0806

Taylor J.

Taylor, weird.....that is just a plain extension. And just to be clear, you're not quite happy with the tolerance when you put a socket on it??

Mike,

Yeah it's a little loose. Its worse on the TOPTUL sockets.
The ball seems to be fine, just not a tight fit.

Everything else that I have tried is AWESOME!!
Probably just a fluke.


Taylor J.

Mike,

I was able to work a little more with the sockets this afternoon. The extension works fine with other brand sockets, and the sockets work fine with other brand extensions. When I pair the TOPTUL extension and a TOPTUL socket it is loose.


Thanks,
Taylor J.

hmmmm sounds like something I need to tell the factory about....and if it get to be that you don't like that extension.....or others...or anything else....let me know. It is my job to make you as happy as I can.

Sincerely,

ALso, just so we don't take up this thread go ahead and email directly.

Whatever happened to this case of the socket/extension interface looseness? Just curious.

 

[Taylor J.]

Whatever happened to this case of the socket/extension interface looseness? Just curious.

I would not recommend the TOPTUL extension paired with the TOPTUL 1/4 sockets. Other brand sockets work well with the extension and other extensions work well with the sockets, but when paired together it is just loose. Nothing I can't live with just have to grab the right extension and socket combo.

 

[wrenhandtools]

I have mentioned this to the factory and have not heard a response yet, but I will.

Taylor...let me know what brand of socket DOES fit the extension well so I can replicate what you are experiencing and then send it to the factory for them to feel for themselves. I will say that I have used the 1/4 stuff for myself and found it to be just fine...I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary...but you ...the customer's opinion matters about a million times more than my own.

 

[msrfrog]

MY first toptul order from mike. I really like the satin finish on the 14/17 wrench.
The xl wrenches are also nice, a little more length on them would be awesome.
The gearless ratchet is nice and smooth although the head is a little bulky. It is fine because I got it just to have a standard length 3/8 gearless to go with my titan stubby set. And the sockets are nice also they will all be used at work where I am a flat rate tech at a dealer. So the tools will get a work out.
I am off for 6 days now for the birth of my new baby. So I will report when I get some real use out of them.

p.s. thanks mike for fair shipping and no hassle ordering. I will order again without a second thought.

 

[The Muffin Man]

Here are more pictures of a some of the items I ordered a couple months ago...

Pictured is a extra long pattern wrench. I bought the 10pc set (10mm to 19mm) for $65 before the 20% discount. Since the 3/4in and 19mm share the same length, I also pictured a Snap-on SOEX and Toptul standard length wrench for some comparison. The total length of the Toptul wrench is arbitrarily close to 13.5". I checked the tolerances of the open end for the entire set and found that they averaged .14mm over the indicated size. In SAE, that converts to .0051in. My Cornwell set averaged .004in over while Wright Grips came out to mean of .005in. I was very impressed to say the least.

I also ordered a complete 6pt metric shallow socket set from 1/4in to 1/2in. The price was $47 before the discount for all three drives.

Last, is a Toptul 3/8in drive 10mm shallow impact socket. One thing that really stood out here is the finish. Toptul uses a black phosphate finish on their impact sockets vs. black oxide. To show the difference, a 10mm 1/2in Snap-on impact is also pictured.

 

[Taylor J.]

Hey guys,

Sorry to bring up an old topic, but I finally had the chance to use the 1/4 sockets and extensions to death this weekend. (Finally remembered to put them in my racebox)
It really is not a problem, I was being picky about the looseness, When really working with them it does not seem feel any different then my other 1/4 sockets at all.

Again sorry to bring up an old "problem" but it seems to be just fine!

Taylor J.

 

[LJRead]

This is my first post here and I only learned about Toptul a couple days ago, after I had ordered a few items off Ebay. I live in the South Pacific and am glad to hear that, if necessary Mike can ship down here. I placed three orders to Toptul in the past two days, I kept thinking a few new things I needed and kept going back. They will be sent to my daughter in Utah who will forward them down to me. I think Toptul will combine the orders into one to save them shipping, so no harm done. I ordered a number of sockets to round out a smaller Williams set I ordered off Ebay, then got to thinking of quarter inch sockets that I would like and screwdrivers too, so the orders kept going in. Too bad I learned of the 20% discount to members too late! But at these prices, who's complaining!

Thing is, even on Ebay, things like Snap-on and Mac are way overpriced, they are becoming almost cult items, with no end in site. Some, like Snap-on's Blue Point series are made in Taiwan also, and the prices are high, like Snap-on. Consensus has it that Craftsman has deteriorated over the years, though I think they have started to at least try to improve, but who knows where they are made. Buy American (I am from there) is becoming very difficult these days.

I sure do wish Mike and Toptul the best of fortune and look forward also to tuning into this forum from time to time - good stuff and nice people here.

 

[jamesemery728]

Back on 7-28-09 Mike ran an ad for Toptul Tool Deals on a variety of items that he was offering for 20% off plus 5% more for GJ members. I decided to try the 8pc Set of 45 Degree Double Ring Wrenches. Mike is a true professional, the wrenches look and work great, they were shipped and arrived when Mike said they would, and the price was right. What more could anyone want?

 

[X1 Mike]

Back on 7-28-09 Mike ran an ad for Toptul Tool Deals on a variety of items that he was offering for 20% off plus 5% more for GJ members. I decided to try the 8pc Set of 45 Degree Double Ring Wrenches. Mike is a true professional, the wrenches look and work great, they were shipped and arrived when Mike said they would, and the price was right. What more could anyone want?

X2

I ordered the same set of wrenches.

 

[ourkid2000]

Just got my 72 tooth 1/4" ratchet and 3 wobble extensions. All seem like top quality items, can't wait to put em to use.

Mike was great to deal with as well. Total professional.

 

[mdoolittle]

I tried to order some things but, 1 email and 1 PM went unanswered. I know, why not call him? Not really a phone person and there should be no need to call. I purchased another brand after waiting several days to get a response. Maybe I will try some other time.

 

[vette-kid]

mdoolittle, Thats pretty odd. Mike is as professional as they come. Im not sure if the email on his website is correct. The one I used to place my order was; [email protected] I encourage you to give him a try, you will be pleased.

 

[wrenhandtools]

JUst FYI,

It was my fault with mdoolittle....damn spam folder with emai but still my fault. Just got back from some vacation days as well.
As for PM messages here......I get to them when I have NOTHING else to do. That's why I always say to contact me directly and I usually don't leave a person hanging like mdoolittle....very sorry.

Sincerely,

 

[vette-kid]

Hey Mike! We havnt heard from you in a while. Anything new going on?

 

[wrenhandtools]

Nothing new really.

Getting set up to offer and price complete socket sets....have to make sure of my current stock and have an easy way to pull the order.....for example if someone wants a complete Hansen tray full.

Trying to sell as much as possible as quickly as possible so as to get my next shipment ordered and here asap.

There will be a new easier shopping cart in a few days time that won't be perfect, but it will allow me to slowly make shopping easy on my site.

Thanks for asking!

 

[vette-kid]

Glad to hear it Mike! Im looking forward to placing another order soon (hopefully). Socket sets would definitely be a part of it. Im extremely happy with my last order.

BTW, I got your card...thanks

 

[wrenhandtools]

I'm glad you got the card! I pretty much tried to send one to every customer I have.

 

[expatriated]

I got my card, too, Mike. Thanks!

Know where I can order pen refills for the pen you sent? I used that thing every day until it ran out.

 

[supraman1990]

Got my card as well. Probably going to order some more stuff soon as well. Mike, will corporate listen if you make suggestions for product improvement? I love my gearless ratchet, but the switching mechanism could be implemented differently. I find myself switching directions some when I am using it.

 

[alexigtivr6]

to mike. Got my card last week way up in Canada

I have purchased a few Toptul's and have been very satisfied with them and mike

 

[CamarosRus]

Much talk elsewhere on this site about users being unhappy with the misc "soft" and/or ergonomic (sp?) screwdrivers handles and maybe rachet handles.

Users also complaining about cleaning these soft grip handles. I dont like when I see the cosmetic marring of misc used handles. Dont know how much of this is from abuse, or just wear and tear.

Anyway, asking users that have REAL experience with the TOPTUL screwdriver and rachet handles to comment on the good, the bad and the ugly.

If you dont want to voice your negative comments in public, please contact my Email or call my cell .................

Thanks for your thoughtful replies,

 

[wrenhandtools]

If I'm honest, my business need to become a bit bigger before they take my instruction on any new items.....but current items.....they would love to hear feedback. I know from working with that gealess ratchet myself that it is easy to bump the direction wheel and have it change directions VERY quickly.

As far as pen refills, GENTLY remove the chrome pointed end where the actual writing tip is. Then take the ink cartridge out and match it up at some fine writing instrument store or architect/blueprint store. WHat's in there now is a Schneider Topball from Germany, but I have had a few not work so well either. Personally I like the shape of the pen more than anything else so you can probably even get a better insert than what you were using before.

I had no idea that these pens would be such a hit!! They aren't cheap but I'll budget for some more maybe as the holidays get closer. A pen with a businesses name on it is so "old school" that even though I still like the idea I thought that maybe it wouldn't be appreciated so much. Boy was I wrong!

Sincerely,

 

[vette-kid]

Chuck, I have a few of the ratchets, so I can comment on that. I too was a bit leary about it, but I actually really like them. The material isnt so porous that it soaks up any oil/grease and they wipe off pretty well. I do tend to keep a pretty clean work environment, so they have never gotten TOO dirty. But they have has some oil and whatnot on them. Like I said, it wiped off real easy with a clean dry rag. Of course they may mar up if abused (like if you take a pair of pliers or something crazy to the handle), but with normal use they feel like they will hold up well. Im pleased with them enough that I will probably be ordering the screwdrivers at some point too. Hope that helps!

Mike, glad to hear your thinking of bringing the pen back! I may have to place another order just for the pen!

 

[Joelfke]

Chuck, I have a few of the ratchets, so I can comment on that. I too was a bit leary about it, but I actually really like them. The material isnt so porous that it soaks up any oil/grease and they wipe off pretty well. I do tend to keep a pretty clean work environment, so they have never gotten TOO dirty. But they have has some oil and whatnot on them. Like I said, it wiped off real easy with a clean dry rag. Of course they may mar up if abused (like if you take a pair of pliers or something crazy to the handle), but with normal use they feel like they will hold up well. Im pleased with them enough that I will probably be ordering the screwdrivers at some point too. Hope that helps!

Mike, glad to hear your thinking of bringing the pen back! I may have to place another order just for the pen!

x2 on all counts

the handles are nice and they feel good when using them. i have a whole set of torx screwdrivers and a 1/4" CJLN0816 ratchet with the toptul handle and i love it. oil and grease come off easily but like vette-kid im not in EXTREMELY dirty scenarios with it so I can't relate to heavy amounts of dirt/grime on the tools.

as far as the pens go...i was EXTREMELY happy to find one in my first order of a few pieces...when i ordered alot more there was no pen but its ok im still using the one i got and am very happy

thanks mike

 

[Tooless]

Mike - I'm looking for a fairly complete 1/2 inch metric deep socket set (6-point preferred) with sizes up to at least 23mm. I found the GBB2305 on Toptul's Web site, but couldn't find it on yours. Is this something you plan to carry, or do you have something similar?