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Toptul Reviews

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dirty old man

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 28, 2007
Messages
117
Location
Portland, OR
Mike has definitely been a pleasure to deal with. Once my tools shipped, I received them quickly.

So far the quality of Toptul products has been great and I've only had to warranty one item (which was a breeze).

The only thing I'm not happy about is the lack of 6 point combo wrenches. I've let Mike know about this more than once though. :lol:

Will Toptul be releasing more dies for the crimper set? That would be very nice.
 

48548

Well-known member
Joined
May 14, 2008
Messages
4,015
Location
Phoenix
Also I must say I like the satin finish better than the chrome, just looks cleaner and easier to keep fingerprints off of.
 

T56 Impala

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Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
3,650
Location
Roswell GA
I'll post up my initial impressions.

I received my order yesterday. Mike is great to deal with I just hope his stock builds up so orders ship quicker! ;) Once shipped, the tools arrived very quickly.

The price? I must say it is great considering the apparent quality of this stuff. The finish and tooling appear to be top notch. The full polish variants are nicely done and the polish it top rate. I too prefer the matte finish now that I have them in hand.

The weight is good and as expected from a quality tool. Remember, I have no problem paying for quality off shore products. That has been a problem until now. These are quality tools. These are NOT HF tools.

I hope to get out this weekend and put a few to the real test. I picked up a 23 mm 1/2 drive socket for a special project. It will be put through its paces this weekend. I will pass on further info on how it performs at that time.

I'd like to thank Mike publicly for having the courage to openly encourage feedback on the products he is offering. Not many people these days are open to that kind of pressure. Good, or bad. I have nothing but good things to say about Mike. So far his tools meet my expectations for quality.
 

ImportTuner

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
5,855
Location
SF Bay Area
I purchased the following 1/4" metric sets from Mike

GAAQ 1301 Mirror - 1/4" metric shallow set
GAAQ 1304 Mirror - 1/4" metric deep set

First of all, the chrome and finish quality is excellent (much better than the Craftsman set). Both sets came with a socket rail with handles. The shallow set went from 14mm to 4mm covering the entire spectrum. The deep set only goes from 13mm down to 4mm.

The shallow set fits the Hansen 1/4" socket holder without any problems. The deep set does NOT fit. The hole diameter of the 13mm socket is .204 and the post measured .220 in. on the Hansen holder. I decided to leave the deep sockets on the socket rail it came with.

Price is excellent and Mike was a pleasure to deal with. Thanks!

Oops .. just found the 14mm deep socket in the bottom of the box; also does NOT fit the Hansen socket holder ..
 
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wrenhandtools

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Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
I'll make this quick...I am now starting another order list to submit to Toptul and trying my best to get it here before the end of the year. I already have a good idea of what I need, but I again am going to put it out there to you all that if you have some items in mind as far as a "wish List" of what you might want to.......sometime in the far away future....purchase..........please let me know with an email directly to my site with part#, and what finish you would like. Already in the order will be a lot of stuff in SAE sizes to balance out the metric.
 
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wrenhandtools

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
Also talking with Admin to find the best way to inform you all of my upcoming sale to Journal members only. I think a fair way to show my appreciation of the business that has come my way.
 

vssjim

ALLIANCE MEMBER
Joined
Aug 5, 2007
Messages
2,713
Location
McLean Va.
So far the stuff has been pretty good, I have tested the ratchets fairly well at work and they are holding up perfectly, handles are very comfortable.
 

T56 Impala

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Joined
Dec 8, 2007
Messages
3,650
Location
Roswell GA
Well, I gave the 23mm a good test (beating) this weekend. I have no complaints at all. Fit was nice an tight, both ends, and it was completely satisfactory. The matte finish cleaned up well and it looks as good as new. The "T" handle worked great too. The slightly beveled ends were nice on the hands too. The polished finish cleaned up and resisted scratching.

These appear to be pretty good tools. I will be ordering a few more filler pieces!
 
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wrenhandtools

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
Speed.....they just came out with a set and I have yet to get pricing and consequently I do not have any in yet either. But will let you know. Just in the last couple of weeks they have come out with quite a few auto related specialty tools.
 

speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
Cool, ill probably be picking up a set sometime here in the future, also how do we order again? Do I just give you a call?
 
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wrenhandtools

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Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
The easiest way is to send me an email to [email protected] telling me what you want. I can check inventory and get back to you with what I have and the prices. Also if you include your address I can give you a shipping quote via UPS ground as well. Then if everything looks good you call me at your convenience with your card info. 509-993-4678
 

john w

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Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
225
Location
Damascus, MD
ups delivered my first toptul order today. the first thing i noticed about the ratchets was that the sockets were held on firmly even though they're both quick-release models several weeks ago i bought 3 cm q-r models to help with my arthritis but i noticed right away that the sockets were held on loosely these toptuls look and feel really good i'll take pics later in the week i received the cjck1640 extra long 1/2 drive ratchet, a cjbt 0816 gearless 1/8 ratchet, and the gaat 0702 double swivel-end wrenches. i have a few items on backorder and am going to place another today. mike is a great person to deal with and he is selling a great tool at a great price!:bowdown::bounce::)
 

PeteW

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 8, 2008
Messages
81
Location
Minneapolis, MN
I have not posted a review because I haven't had the time to put the tools to the test yet, but they appear to be really high quality and I really like the satin finish.
The satin finish is a lot more subtle than I was expecting and is really cool looking.

Mike is great to deal with and I highly recommend Mike and his wares.
 

speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
Just got a new set of the 8" heavy duty dykes from Mike.

First dealing with mike is a pleasure, if your wary of buying from him I would say call him up and have a chat with him. Also for those of you that might be wanting to hear him in Missoula MT apparently he is on the air on one of the stations there.

Now to the tools. I ordered two things from him a 1/2" drive rotoratchet and some 8" dykes.

As far as testing them out. I cut about 10 brads with them on a project and they came out just fine and no visible damage. I put them in the Rockwell hardness tester today and the steel has a value of somewhere around 45C-50C unfortunetly I don't have the fixturing to test the blades directly. To give you an idea of that hardness a good quality american file is about 55-60C and an SK 1 1/2" socket we had laying around was about 40-45 HRC. I didn't have any other pliers handy to compare but I probably will in the next few weeks.

The grips are nice and remind me of the Klien Journeymen style handles. They seem like they should be able to hold up well under hard use but only time will tell. The one thing I wish TopTul would do is offer the heavy duty pliers with the light duty pliers grips.

Bottom line: If you use 8" dykes all the time I will tell you to get a set of Kleins but for 90% of the people out there for about 1/2 what the Klein Journeymen cost this is a pretty darn good set of pliers.

Also for Wilbuilt these tools are not marked with a country of origin stamp despite TopTul being upfront about where they make stuff.

As far as the 1/2" rotohead goes I will make some observations that I have while playing with it in the packing since its for a friends birthday. I love the soft handle. My SO rotohead has a stupid finger indentation which makes it incomfortable to use in various positions and for alot of things the handle is rather small. With the TopTul handle its the same shape all the way around and seems well sized for using the ratchet like a driver.

For whoever hates handles with holes it might not be for you becuase it has a whole in it.

As far as the mechanism it feels pretty smooth and kind of reminds me of a smoother f80 action after spinning it alittle.

Overall without actually using it I would say its a very nice well built ratchet and the only gripe I can think of is that the direction lever feels like it requires slightly more turn to change direction than I think is needed.
 
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speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
Well, after reading my above review mike thought I needed a set of the DEAC2208 8" light duty Dykes. Since he sent them to me I figured I would do a big review of the pliers and compare them to other brands somewhat more directly. Unfortenetly I haven't had the time so i'll just do a quick review at the moment and maybe a big one after the semester finishes.

I rockwell hardness tested them and came to the conclusion I messed my last test. I probably should be slightly higher since these were about 45-50 when I got them properly set up.

As far as fit and finish they are nicely put together and the finish is very good. I did find one flaw in the previously flawless machining from TopTul though. The top of the cutters appear to have been improperly broached. If I can get a good picture i'll try to post it up to show this.

As far as cutting stuff goes they held up fine to the one test I had which was changing guitar strings. I think these are more designed for cutting soft stuff though so unless you only do electrical or something spend the extra $2 for the DEBCs.

The handles aren't bad but I found they are a different shape which doesn't quite fit in my hand as well the as the DEBCs. A friend of mine who is into ergonomics commented it was probably due them being a light duty cutter and this helps limit leverage slightly so you don't destroy them hacking through heavy stuff.


As for whether or not to buy them, I can't believe the The DEBCs are only $2 more becuase it kind of eliminates any want for these unless you are buying several hundred pairs or absolutely have to save $2. So my reccomendation is to buy the DEBCs unless you have your heart set on these.

Also Mike you said that TopTul was coming out with a hook, pick set any idea when on these yet. Also when will you have the 1/4" rotohead ratchets in?

Also I don't know if you sell the TopTul air stuff or not but do have any idea on the air ratchets noise level?
 
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wrenhandtools

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Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
Hi Speed.

I need to check on the hook and pick set. I feel the same way regarding the different style of pliers, dykes, etc.......the green handled stuff has made the less expensive ones irrelevant.

The air ratchets are a tough one because I use a couple of them and I like them, but I don't use them as much as a tire shop...and I was thinking of getting a couple for a tire shop locally to use for free. But if there was someone here who used air tools quite a bit, I would 100% consider sending them 2-3 examples for their use and then they could report back on what was liked and not liked....if the price was fair,......etc.
It is one of the ways I could get some feedback. The only restriction is that I would like to talk to them, in person, on the phone so I can get an idea of how they communicate and what they use now so I know a little bit about the person reporting back to me.
 

PowderKeg

Well-known member
Joined
May 20, 2008
Messages
961
Location
Little Rock, AR
Been meaning to post my experience with Mike, but kept getting sidetracked and forgetting - not any longer.

In short, dealing with Mike was great! Good email commo when finding out what was and wasn't presently in stock, pleasure to talk to on the phone when I placed my order, and quick and well packed when shipped. Ordered a couple screwdriver sets (1 large set and a set of precision torx drivers), few long drivers, and some wobble extensions for now, with some more stuff on the wish list when it comes in.

Wobble extensions have a really nice mirror chrome finish and hold sockets securely (tighter than some of my older straight extensions). They're machined flat below the wobble so that you can push the socket down farther and "lock" the socket straight.

Fullsize screwdrivers are also real nice and fit the hand well - not sure what to compare them to, as most of what I have are old Crapsmans. Not a complete hard plastic handle - hard plastic caps on each end of the grip with a comfort-grip-like hard rubber center. Used a few the other day and the phillips tips didn't deform at all - unlike the Crappy's which deform at the mere sight of the screw head. Magnetic tips that I must've missed when I was reading the catalog - wasn't sure if I'd like that 'till I realized my most used drivers are my ratcheting ones with magnetic tips, so no concerns - the largest flat blade driver will pick up a 3/8" 10mm socket. Micro drivers are also good, although I wish they had somewhat longer blades. Plenty good for the price.

Overall very satisfied, excellent first-rate quality for a surprisingly low cost. Looking forward to getting what's left on my wishlist when Mike gets it in.

Thanks!

PK
 

speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
Hi Speed.

I need to check on the hook and pick set. I feel the same way regarding the different style of pliers, dykes, etc.......the green handled stuff has made the less expensive ones irrelevant.

The air ratchets are a tough one because I use a couple of them and I like them, but I don't use them as much as a tire shop...and I was thinking of getting a couple for a tire shop locally to use for free. But if there was someone here who used air tools quite a bit, I would 100% consider sending them 2-3 examples for their use and then they could report back on what was liked and not liked....if the price was fair,......etc.
It is one of the ways I could get some feedback. The only restriction is that I would like to talk to them, in person, on the phone so I can get an idea of how they communicate and what they use now so I know a little bit about the person reporting back to me.


I was more curious on the noise level. I have an air ratchet that I hate using becuase of the noise level. I have been looking at the Aircat since its only 79db but looking at the one in the TopTul catalog had me curious. They list everything but the noise level. If it was fairly quiet I would take a hard look at one otherwise I can't say I want another noisy one.

While i'm thinking of it, do you have the DFAI1211, DFAH1211, DFAG1211 pliers or the FEAB tamper proof torx screwdrivers

Finally could you explain the TopTul torque wrench? It says it will automatically return to zero once it clicks. How does that work and can you keep it at one setting for multiple bolts like if your doing lug nuts or something.
 
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wrenhandtools

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Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
I do not have the long pliers yet.

I do have a set of the tamper-proof screwdrivers...GAAT0807 8pcs $22.86 before the discount. You will find it in the Master Tools Set section because it comes with the storage tray to fit inside your tool box.

As far as the torque wrench, it sounds like you'r reading about the ones that are pre-set to one specific torque value (setting) ...for example 80ft lbs. Body shops and wheel places use these to make sure some lug nut does NOT get over-tightened. They are color-coded as to the different settings and I do have a couple in stock.

Did this help?

sincerely,
 

speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
Mike the torque wrenches I was looking at was the ANAA or the ANAB models on the bottom of page 21. I wasn't quite sure what they meant.
 

terabyte

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Joined
Apr 7, 2006
Messages
690
Location
Southwest Ranches, Florida
I did rear wheel bearings on a BMW this weekend and used the roto ratchet for the first time. I was able to disconnect it from below the car when the nut was facing up and in the middle of the suspension arm. Yes I could have gotten in there with a gear wrench but this was MUCH more comfortable position wise. They are loaded up with Permatex and worked great.

I've also used the wobble extensions and they were really handy as well.

I will be buying more stuff from Mike now that I am happy with the quality of his wares.
 
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wrenhandtools

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
Tera...another lube that I use for my ratchets is I think the Park Tool 1000 lube from my bicycle stuff. Works great in a ratchet as well as my Bianchi bottom brackets!!!
 
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wrenhandtools

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
This was sent to me by a customer yesterday:

Just want to express my gratitude for the fast shipping and personal attention. The tools are in every way quite satisfactory, especially at their price point. The screwdriver handles are probably the most anti-slip i have felt yet; and comfortable. I will be buying more tools and will send you a wish list soon so when you get in your next shipment we can do more business. Good luck, Mike, your a first class, down home, kind of guy which us old timers especially prefer to deal with. This is a super-tough economic climate but great quality at low price should survive. Thanks Again and have a great Christmas. Brian Race, East Brunswick, New Jersey&NYC.
 

anewman

Member
Joined
Aug 18, 2008
Messages
15
Just write more checks the money is there at least thats what my Gov. teaches me!!!
 

amishman

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Joined
Jan 6, 2006
Messages
579
Location
Northern California, USA
Received a nice Christmas Card from Mike today. I wonder how many tool vendors send out Holiday cards to their clients? I appreciated the little extra here.

tj
 

john w

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 29, 2008
Messages
225
Location
Damascus, MD
I also received a card from Mike yesterday, wishing me happy holidays and thanking me for my business. I should be the one sending the card though, because his service, products and prices have been outstanding. I bought a long-handled 1/2" dr. ratchet that has undone a lot of stubborn steering and suspension fasteners at school. I don't use my old cm standard handle ratchet unless I have to now - I'm spoiled. Thanx, Mike! :bowdown:
 

speed bump

Well-known member
Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
6,317
Location
Butte Montana
I also received a card from Mike yesterday, wishing me happy holidays and thanking me for my business. I should be the one sending the card though, because his service, products and prices have been outstanding. I bought a long-handled 1/2" dr. ratchet that has undone a lot of stubborn steering and suspension fasteners at school. I don't use my old cm standard handle ratchet unless I have to now - I'm spoiled. Thanx, Mike! :bowdown:

Yep, I recieved a card as well. Thanks mike
 

Vinko

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 7, 2008
Messages
5,829
Location
Los Angeles
This is a super-tough economic climate but great quality at low price should survive.

This is an interesting thought. I think it's certainly true that top of the line quality at a high price can do very well despite tough times. An old machinist I was talking to the other day opined that, as paradoxical as it sounds, quality is the only thing that matters in a tough economy.

At any rate, I work for a family business that manufacturers in the US and in Taiwan (and in China). The Taiwan stuff is very, very good. And has been since the 70's. (We went into China in the early 90's). It's mainly 1018+ steel products made with American and European tooling and machines. We've been able to get very good quality out of Taiwan. But part of it is selection of quality final product from a lot of spoilage. I wonder if Toptul has much spoilage? At any rate, we've found the quality between Taiwan and China is like night and day.
 
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wrenhandtools

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Joined
May 28, 2008
Messages
430
Location
Spokane, WA
Vinko...pretty good thoughts and I have come across the same thing when comparing China to Taiwan. I do not encounter much spoilage (messed up items) at all.
I would kinda like to ask just to keep this thread to just reviews of of folks who actually have my tools in their possession. Nothing wrong with your post at all and you know it, just was trying to keep a concise area where someone can go and get mostly reviews of what people like and don't like about my service or tools.
Humbly and sincerely,
 
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