pedrodagr8
Well-known member
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2013
- Messages
- 613
First off, I want to thank Nina at Tronex for sending the samples that made this review possible!
I apologize if this is a bit wordy, it actually was longer but I split it into two parts.
A review on the tools (this part) and a comparison under the microscope (against two other cutters), see the thread here.
Background
I am a bit obsessive about tools, OK more than obsessive at times. Unfortunately, my wallet is not. Student loans are great at the time but damn do they **** to pay back While I am always on the lookout for a good deal, I don’t consider a tool that breaks or lets you down often to be a good deal no matter the price. Instead of buying many low quality tools I would rather save up and purchase high quality/value tools. For the tools I use regularly, I would gladly pay 2-4x, or more, for a tool that lasts a lifetime and I know that I can rely on time and time again than buy a cheapie that lasts a year or two. Basically, what I am saying is the I have a Filet Mignon taste on a Because most of my work is electronic repair, I tend to gravitate towards high quality precision stuff, rather than the larger high-end stuff common on here.
Recently, I had been looking at getting a good quality pair of flush cutters and needle nose pliers. Being how I am, I had to know what was out there and the various price ranges. This lead me down the path of looking at companies like Lindstrom, Schmitz, Excelta (see my note at the end), Erem, Swanstrom, etc.; as well as some of the more budget companies like Xuron (which is made in the USA), Xcelite, Knipex and the lot. As I searched, I kept seeing a name come up that I hadn’t encountered before: Tronex. This intrigued me as it was an unknown company to me (and likely most other hobbyists) but the reviews that I found were exceptional. It appears that this company is better known in the electronics industrial setting and oddly enough jewelry making than it is for electronics hobbyists like me. Quite simply they have a reputation of being one of the best precision cutter manufacturers PERIOD!
Tronex is an American company, located in Fairfield, CA just outside of Silicon Valley and they cut their teeth designing high precision tools for the electronics industry. Unlike many of the other companies that used to manufacture in the USA but had shifted their manufacturing overseas, Tronex still manufactures in the USA today. I came across this quote from their CEO Arne Salvesen:
“In many applications, our tools will be used for several hundred thousand cuts before they require sharpening. People are very often surprised that we actually manufacture in Fairfield as a lot of manufacturing has moved overseas. We use American specialty steel and other raw materials. We design and manufacture with such care that the performance of our tools is exceptional, which enables us to be competitive.”
So not only are they manufacturing entirely in the USA but they are using USA sourced metals so it is supporting US manufacturing on multiple levels. This is likely no easy task due to the crush of imports of Asian steel but they know what they want. Instead of searching for the lowest common denominator they instead let the quality speak for itself. I like supporting quality US and European manufacturing when I can so I decided that I would look into Tronex a bit more. At least on paper, they seem to be what the crème de la crème of US manufacturing is about.
The first thing I should mention is the price; these are not cheap budget tools. If you are looking for something that is budget priced, in the traditional sense, these are not it. They are high reliability professional tools and are priced accordingly. Most of the models run in the $50+ range which sounds like a lot, but at hundreds of thousands of cuts before it needs its first SHARPENING, this tool will likely last your lifetime and even your children’s lifetimes as well if treated properly. The second thing that I should mention is that their product line is rather diverse and a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing. Terms like oval head, taper head, Class T/W, Angular, Tip, Standoff, flush, semi-flush, razor flush and combinations of several of these thereof result in a dizzying array of options. I ended up emailing them for some assistance in determining what would be best for me. They were very helpful to say the least. In the end, I ended up getting the 7222 (Ergonomic taper relief flush cutter) snd the 521 (Standard Handle Needle Nose Pliers) .
Unboxing
The boxes are rather nondescript and minimalistic.
Nothing indicates the contents at all other than a small printed label affixed to the side. It would be nice to at LEAST see the number printed on the box itself. Nit-picky, I know, but labels have a tendency to fall off.
The boxes appear to be a one-size fits all, for their entire product line. This is perfectly acceptable for the professional markets which they predominately target. For the hobbyist market, it would be nice to see a bit flashier more robust box. I for one, prefer keeping my tools in the box if it makes logical sense. Inside the box, we find the tool encased in a thick plastic bag with the tips protected in a silicone cover. For the 7222s the silicone cover fits perfectly, it is snug and secure. For the 521, the cover feels acceptable but a tad loose. I think this is because the tips are so thin, there isn't much surface for friction. Considering these are just for storage, that (just like the box) is not a big deal. The tools are clearly marked that they are ESD-Safe. For those of us working in electronics, this is important.
The Excelta cutters did not come in a box so there is no uboxing!
Build Quality
Now for the part everyone cares about, how is the build quality. I have to say they are EVERYTHING the reviews said they are and then some. I can’t imagine a nicer feeling set of cutters. Just looking at them and you can tell they are high precision tools. The edges are clean and crisp, junctions are tight, etc. The Tronex handles come in two lengths, standard and ergonomic (denoted by the first digit in the part number being a 5 or a 7 respectively). The ergonomic handle is longer. I have large hands, I’m 6’ 4” (194cm), and these fit perfectly in my hands. To be honest, they are so nice and precisely done I am having a hard time capturing the quality on a cell phone camera. The Tronex tools use carbon steel because of its increased hardness (62-63 on the Rockwell C Scale) instead of stainless steel (only in the 50s). The downside is that carbon steel can rust so you have to keep a light coat of tool oil on these tools.
Needle-Nose Pliers
The needle-nose pliers are very nice, the tip comes to a very fine point (listed as less than 0.4mm). This is perfect for bending component leads. The thinness of the tip does give a bit of "sponginess" to the feel when bending leads but it works perfectly. The tip comes to a very flat precise junction at the end. This tool has the only blemish on it of any of the tools. It looks like someone tapped the pliers with the grinder/polisher. See the last image for the discolored spot.
See my later post for info about this blemish.
Flush Cutters
I can't say enough about these cutters. They feel amazing in the hand. When they are making cuts, they snap responsively through the material being cut. They are tip is thin enough to get in between the legs of an IC for cutting them, while strong enough to easily cut through the leg. These are BY FAR my favorite cutters I have EVER encountered.
Conclusion
If I had to rate these tools, I would give the cutters a 10 out of 10. While the pliers I would give a 9.5 out of 10 (minus 0.5 for how loose the silicone cover is). The quality is second to none, the handles are soft, nicely cushioned without compromising feel, the performance is excellent. I really can't say enough good things about these. If you would like to see more, check out my comparison thread where I put these tools (plus two others) under a microscope.
Excelta:
Also, I mentioned Excelta before, it turns out, at least some of the Excelta line is actually rebranded Tronex. In particular, the five-star line. I found this list which is a cross-reference between Excelta and Tronex part numbers:http://www.bomir.com/downloads/bomir/Excelta-Models-Crossed-to-Tronex-Models.pdf
I make no claims about its accuracy
I apologize if this is a bit wordy, it actually was longer but I split it into two parts.
A review on the tools (this part) and a comparison under the microscope (against two other cutters), see the thread here.Background
I am a bit obsessive about tools, OK more than obsessive at times. Unfortunately, my wallet is not. Student loans are great at the time but damn do they **** to pay back
While I am always on the lookout for a good deal, I don’t consider a tool that breaks or lets you down often to be a good deal no matter the price. Instead of buying many low quality tools I would rather save up and purchase high quality/value tools. For the tools I use regularly, I would gladly pay 2-4x, or more, for a tool that lasts a lifetime and I know that I can rely on time and time again than buy a cheapie that lasts a year or two. Basically, what I am saying is the I have a Filet Mignon taste on a Because most of my work is electronic repair, I tend to gravitate towards high quality precision stuff, rather than the larger high-end stuff common on here.Recently, I had been looking at getting a good quality pair of flush cutters and needle nose pliers. Being how I am, I had to know what was out there and the various price ranges. This lead me down the path of looking at companies like Lindstrom, Schmitz, Excelta (see my note at the end), Erem, Swanstrom, etc.; as well as some of the more budget companies like Xuron (which is made in the USA), Xcelite, Knipex and the lot. As I searched, I kept seeing a name come up that I hadn’t encountered before: Tronex. This intrigued me as it was an unknown company to me (and likely most other hobbyists) but the reviews that I found were exceptional. It appears that this company is better known in the electronics industrial setting and oddly enough jewelry making than it is for electronics hobbyists like me. Quite simply they have a reputation of being one of the best precision cutter manufacturers PERIOD!
Tronex is an American company, located in Fairfield, CA just outside of Silicon Valley and they cut their teeth designing high precision tools for the electronics industry. Unlike many of the other companies that used to manufacture in the USA but had shifted their manufacturing overseas, Tronex still manufactures in the USA today. I came across this quote from their CEO Arne Salvesen:
“In many applications, our tools will be used for several hundred thousand cuts before they require sharpening. People are very often surprised that we actually manufacture in Fairfield as a lot of manufacturing has moved overseas. We use American specialty steel and other raw materials. We design and manufacture with such care that the performance of our tools is exceptional, which enables us to be competitive.”
So not only are they manufacturing entirely in the USA but they are using USA sourced metals so it is supporting US manufacturing on multiple levels. This is likely no easy task due to the crush of imports of Asian steel but they know what they want. Instead of searching for the lowest common denominator they instead let the quality speak for itself. I like supporting quality US and European manufacturing when I can so I decided that I would look into Tronex a bit more. At least on paper, they seem to be what the crème de la crème of US manufacturing is about.
The first thing I should mention is the price; these are not cheap budget tools. If you are looking for something that is budget priced, in the traditional sense, these are not it. They are high reliability professional tools and are priced accordingly. Most of the models run in the $50+ range which sounds like a lot, but at hundreds of thousands of cuts before it needs its first SHARPENING, this tool will likely last your lifetime and even your children’s lifetimes as well if treated properly. The second thing that I should mention is that their product line is rather diverse and a bit overwhelming if you don’t know what you are doing. Terms like oval head, taper head, Class T/W, Angular, Tip, Standoff, flush, semi-flush, razor flush and combinations of several of these thereof result in a dizzying array of options. I ended up emailing them for some assistance in determining what would be best for me. They were very helpful to say the least. In the end, I ended up getting the 7222 (Ergonomic taper relief flush cutter) snd the 521 (Standard Handle Needle Nose Pliers) .
Unboxing
The boxes are rather nondescript and minimalistic.
Nothing indicates the contents at all other than a small printed label affixed to the side. It would be nice to at LEAST see the number printed on the box itself. Nit-picky, I know, but labels have a tendency to fall off.
The boxes appear to be a one-size fits all, for their entire product line. This is perfectly acceptable for the professional markets which they predominately target. For the hobbyist market, it would be nice to see a bit flashier more robust box. I for one, prefer keeping my tools in the box if it makes logical sense. Inside the box, we find the tool encased in a thick plastic bag with the tips protected in a silicone cover. For the 7222s the silicone cover fits perfectly, it is snug and secure. For the 521, the cover feels acceptable but a tad loose. I think this is because the tips are so thin, there isn't much surface for friction. Considering these are just for storage, that (just like the box) is not a big deal. The tools are clearly marked that they are ESD-Safe. For those of us working in electronics, this is important.
The Excelta cutters did not come in a box so there is no uboxing!
Build Quality
Now for the part everyone cares about, how is the build quality. I have to say they are EVERYTHING the reviews said they are and then some. I can’t imagine a nicer feeling set of cutters. Just looking at them and you can tell they are high precision tools. The edges are clean and crisp, junctions are tight, etc. The Tronex handles come in two lengths, standard and ergonomic (denoted by the first digit in the part number being a 5 or a 7 respectively). The ergonomic handle is longer. I have large hands, I’m 6’ 4” (194cm), and these fit perfectly in my hands. To be honest, they are so nice and precisely done I am having a hard time capturing the quality on a cell phone camera. The Tronex tools use carbon steel because of its increased hardness (62-63 on the Rockwell C Scale) instead of stainless steel (only in the 50s). The downside is that carbon steel can rust so you have to keep a light coat of tool oil on these tools.
Needle-Nose Pliers
The needle-nose pliers are very nice, the tip comes to a very fine point (listed as less than 0.4mm). This is perfect for bending component leads. The thinness of the tip does give a bit of "sponginess" to the feel when bending leads but it works perfectly. The tip comes to a very flat precise junction at the end. This tool has the only blemish on it of any of the tools. It looks like someone tapped the pliers with the grinder/polisher. See the last image for the discolored spot.
See my later post for info about this blemish.
Flush Cutters
I can't say enough about these cutters. They feel amazing in the hand. When they are making cuts, they snap responsively through the material being cut. They are tip is thin enough to get in between the legs of an IC for cutting them, while strong enough to easily cut through the leg. These are BY FAR my favorite cutters I have EVER encountered.
Conclusion
If I had to rate these tools, I would give the cutters a 10 out of 10. While the pliers I would give a 9.5 out of 10 (minus 0.5 for how loose the silicone cover is). The quality is second to none, the handles are soft, nicely cushioned without compromising feel, the performance is excellent. I really can't say enough good things about these. If you would like to see more, check out my comparison thread where I put these tools (plus two others) under a microscope.
Excelta:
Also, I mentioned Excelta before, it turns out, at least some of the Excelta line is actually rebranded Tronex. In particular, the five-star line. I found this list which is a cross-reference between Excelta and Tronex part numbers:http://www.bomir.com/downloads/bomir/Excelta-Models-Crossed-to-Tronex-Models.pdf
I make no claims about its accuracy
Last edited:
Well, the cutters at any rate. 