- Thread starter Ryan
- Start date
LeonardY
Well-known member
I have a metal case Wera driver set. It's old maybe as much as 25 years. It has the basic sockets and bits. It has a regular Wera handle, T handle and an extension. They make a great product.
It's my grab and go.
It's my grab and go.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
I got hooked on Wera when I bought their laser tip screwdrivers. I have been getting their Advent Calendars since 2019 as well. All stored in bulk in a backpack go bag. With a few additions like pliers to make it completely functional.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Wera does a fantastic job on the packaging of their sets. I have bought a ton of Wera bit and socket sets for that reason alone. As far as the sockets, I thought I would hate them but the knurling and the satin-like finish have turned them into some of my favorites for dirty work. I wish they were roll-stamped instead of laser etched though. The Take It Easy system is awesome too, except it seems to only cover the most popular sizes as my larger sockets do not have any color and my hex sets do not match the rest of the Wera tools which is confusing. Overall I'm going to be adding more Wera stuff into my rotation and the Tool Check Plus is on the list.
Ryan, have you found the new case to still be good? I know that Wera ditched the locking button and a lot of complaints speak of the bit ratchet not being as well secured to the top of the case as it needs to be.
Ryan, have you found the new case to still be good? I know that Wera ditched the locking button and a lot of complaints speak of the bit ratchet not being as well secured to the top of the case as it needs to be.
OP
I don't know anything better... as I've never fooled with the old case, but from where I sit this thing is pretty great. Slides right into my tool roll and doesn't rattle or lose tools/bits as its jostled around.
I'm most impressed with the quality of the tools themselves. Seems like a pretty damned good value to me...
Dave455
Well-known member
I’ve had very similar experiences with Wera.
Wasn’t that excited by their sockets originally - they’re only Taiwanese after all..!
But I bought one little set on a deal. Primarily got it to leave in a vehicle, and never intended it to have heavy use.
Yet I use it loads - because it’s always with me. Taiwanese or not, the sockets are decent. Not top end perhaps, but pretty good. This 13mm has seen a load of use, and has no noticeable wear!
Wera really excel at making these small sets with sockets and a good selection of bits.
To be honest, given all the different fasteners we seem to encounter on a daily basis, I wish every manufacturer would make this style of set.
I know others offer similar sets, Facom and Hazet for example, but the Wera sets are far less costly.
I quite like the Wera hex and Torx sockets too. I know they are maybe not the toughest, but they are o.k, and the selection is good. Inch or metric hex (or Torx), in two lengths, and 3 drive sizes. All with the colour coding, and packed in nice wallets. They’re good to use!
Wasn’t that excited by their sockets originally - they’re only Taiwanese after all..!
But I bought one little set on a deal. Primarily got it to leave in a vehicle, and never intended it to have heavy use.
Yet I use it loads - because it’s always with me. Taiwanese or not, the sockets are decent. Not top end perhaps, but pretty good. This 13mm has seen a load of use, and has no noticeable wear!
Wera really excel at making these small sets with sockets and a good selection of bits.
To be honest, given all the different fasteners we seem to encounter on a daily basis, I wish every manufacturer would make this style of set.
I know others offer similar sets, Facom and Hazet for example, but the Wera sets are far less costly.
I quite like the Wera hex and Torx sockets too. I know they are maybe not the toughest, but they are o.k, and the selection is good. Inch or metric hex (or Torx), in two lengths, and 3 drive sizes. All with the colour coding, and packed in nice wallets. They’re good to use!
Locker537
Well-known member
Have you posted more about the Porsche before?
I have an old 911 and have coincidentally thought about that Wera set as an item to leave in it.
I have an old 911 and have coincidentally thought about that Wera set as an item to leave in it.
OP
No. It’s not my build. It’s a ‘67 912 turned 911 that I am now turning into a 911R race car.
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I am also a big fan of Wera and their products. One of the things I like about the Wera sockets is the knurling. I have an older set that does not have the color rings as well as the newer set with the colors.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
I'm surprised that Wera sockets do not get more love on GJ. I get that they are a bit pricey for Taiwan-made in many eyes, but they really are stout, ergonomic, and finished beautifully. Would they be my only set as a mechanic? No, but for a general-purpose mobile set or for other mechanical trades, they would be a handy item to own.
OP
$90 seems a bit steep to me, but maybe that‘s just me. No arguments on the quality though - they are really nice.
I’m not thinking about any wera sockets because I’m well supplied with sockets already. But I have been thinking about their screwdrivers…
I’m not thinking about any wera sockets because I’m well supplied with sockets already. But I have been thinking about their screwdrivers…
Firebrick43
Well-known member
I don't know if I would say that they are finished beautifully. In fact I think they are kind of ugly.
I have a set of metric and SAE in my travel box and I do like the color coding and the straight knurling no doubt, and have no qualms about their function. But they are not beautiful like snap on or SK supercrhome by any stretch of the imagination.
IndyGarage
Well-known member
Wera makes a 1/4 Zyklop set that I like better than the little tool check. It's a little more money than the tool check.
The Zyklop ratchet is so good because it literally turns into a ratcheting screwdriver with one of those bits in it. Or it can be used as a conventional ratchet or a speed ratchet. It's especially good in the 1/4 inch size. I have one of these sets that I've used thousands of times over the past 10-12 years. If you like the tool check, you'll like this.
They also make this set with the conventional fixed-head ratchet - I have that one too. It's a little more compact, but I would say less useful than the one with the swivel head Zyklop.
The Zyklop ratchet is so good because it literally turns into a ratcheting screwdriver with one of those bits in it. Or it can be used as a conventional ratchet or a speed ratchet. It's especially good in the 1/4 inch size. I have one of these sets that I've used thousands of times over the past 10-12 years. If you like the tool check, you'll like this.
They also make this set with the conventional fixed-head ratchet - I have that one too. It's a little more compact, but I would say less useful than the one with the swivel head Zyklop.
Last edited:
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Ok, beautiful was probably a strong word.
I do think they are broached better than my other sockets just based on how clean the sidewalls are. I believe only my Ko-kens are neater, if that makes sense. But yeah, on the outside they aren’t as sweet as chrome sockets.tez929rr
Well-known member
I bought one a couple of years ago after seeing it on GJ, and keep it in my motorcycle tank bag. On a recent trip to the Big Bend we had to take the fuel tank off of one of the bikes (a BMW GS) and the Wera had all the bits to get the multiple fasteners off. When we got home all three of the other guys bought one. That Zyklop set that Indygarage posted looks excellent but compact size is more important for motorcycle travel.
Attachments
IndyGarage
Well-known member
I do not believe Wera is made in Taiwan, unless that is a recent development. Wera is German, and everything I've got from them was either made in Germany or the Czech Republic.
Firebrick43
Well-known member
You are correct, the Wera sockets sets I have and the ones on KC tool have them manufactured in the Czech Replublic which is were most of wera tools are made.
OP
Can confirm... just checked my set... made in Czech Rep.
Regardless, they won't be replacing my Snap On sockets... but man, do they feel well made and look dope as hell.
Dave455
Well-known member
Wera may be a German company, but they haven’t made anything in Germany in certainly two decades, probably longer!
Their screwdrivers, interchangeable bits, and hex keys are all made in the Czech Republic. They never moved production as such, their current designs have only ever been made there. I believe their ratchets could be made there too. I have no problem with that, as the Czech’s produce good quality engineering, and Wera control the quality well.
All their sockets (and extensions etc) are made in Taiwan. Again, always have been.
Gives Wera a problem when they sell sets of mixed origin, or even things like bit sockets that have Taiwanese sockets with Czech bits. In my experience, they tend to mark them “Czech Republic”. They are obviously able to get away with that, but while parts of the set are Czech made, the sockets are not!
If you buy a set of sockets alone, then they are all made in Taiwan, so there’s no avoiding it, and they have to mark them as such. Or they have to in my Country at least!
I don’t have a big problem with Taiwan either, at least not any more. If the customer wants decent sockets, the Taiwanese are capable of making them, provided the customer is prepared to pay. Again, Wera seem prepared to do that.
Here’s the evidence!
Last edited:
OP
Wera may be a German company, but they haven’t made anything in Germany in certainly two decades, probably longer!
Their screwdrivers, interchangeable bits, and hex keys are all made in the Czech Republic. They never moved production as such, their current designs have only ever been made there. I believe their ratchets could be made there too. I have no problem with that, as the Czech’s produce good quality engineering, and Wera control the quality well.
All their sockets (and extensions etc) are made in Taiwan. Again, always have been.
Gives Wera a problem when they sell sets of mixed origin, or even things like bit sockets that have Taiwanese sockets with Czech bits. In my experience, they tend to mark them “Czech Republic”. They are obviously able to get away with that, but while parts of the set are Czech made, the sockets are not!
If you buy a set of sockets alone, then they are all made in Taiwan, so there’s no avoiding it, and they have to mark them as such. Or they have to in my Country at least!
I don’t have a big problem with Taiwan either, at least not any more. If the customer wants decent sockets, the Taiwanese are capable of making them, provided the customer is prepared to pay. Again, Wera seem prepared to do that.
Here’s the evidence!
Well done sir.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Snap On... is all glam and glitz like Hollywood
Wera... is just ****
I've was using Wera screwdrivers at work and liked them, so about ten years ago I got a KK62 set to keep at my desk. It's nice, but it has so much stuff I never use it bugs a little. I wish it had a set of nut-drivers rather than some of the crazier stuff.
Made in Czech Republic:
One thing I do really like is that the drivers work great in my screw-guns.
Made in Czech Republic:
One thing I do really like is that the drivers work great in my screw-guns.
4xdog
Well-known member
They weren't thinking of Toyota (or other Japanese marques) when they stopped at 13mm, alas. We who drive Toyota-Lexus-Honda-Subaru, etc need 14mm for the kit to be truly useful. That's why I've never gotten one of their Tool Checks.
But I use -- and really like -- Wera sockets in my garage, and their pocket bit driver with handle storage is quite nice.
But I use -- and really like -- Wera sockets in my garage, and their pocket bit driver with handle storage is quite nice.
Wera makes a 1/4 Zyklop set that I like better than the little tool check. It's a little more money than the tool check.
The Zyklop ratchet is so good because it literally turns into a ratcheting screwdriver with one of those bits in it. Or it can be used as a conventional ratchet or a speed ratchet. It's especially good in the 1/4 inch size. I have one of these sets that I've used thousands of times over the past 10-12 years. If you like the tool check, you'll like this.
They also make this set with the conventional fixed-head ratchet - I have that one too. It's a little more compact, but I would say less useful than the one with the swivel head Zyklop.
For anyone interested, the SAE version is KC Tool's Tool Of The Day today.
Tool of the Day®
KC Tool's Tool of the Day™! A new tool every day at unbeatable prices. Check out what we've got for you today. America's #1 German Tool Distributor. Free Shipping to 48 states over $75.
www.kctool.com
I have one version of this kit and there was space to add another socket so I added a 14mm.
13 mm is actually a rational breakpoint. The DIN/ISO equivalent of JIS M10 14 mm headed fasteners is 17/16 mm. So you're not behind what most any other 1/4" tool set can do for the equivalent Euro/American stuff.
1/4" drive has a proof load of 62-68 N•m (ISO-ANSI), so while it can handle the ~50 N•m tightening torques for M10 Gr 8.8, loosening would be pretty marginal, especially for repetitive loading to that level.
You can see on the chart why 13, 19, 22, 24 are pretty common breakpoints on sets.
There is space to add (or swap out a less-used size).
Last edited:
4xdog
Well-known member
That's not a bad idea. Did you take out one of the existing sockets (like 13mm) to fit the 14mm?
Thanks for the info and ideas. When I went through all these options a year or so ago, I ended up with a FACOM R.360NANO set. That one comes native with 14mm / 1/4" drive (and FACOM's lifetime warranty).13 mm is actually a rational breakpoint. The DIN/ISO equivalent of 14 mm headed fasteners (JIS M10) is 17/16 mm. So you're not behind most any other 1/4" tool set.
1/4" drive has a proof load of 62-68 N•m (ISO-ANSI), so while it can handle the ~50 N•m tightening torques for M10 Gr 8.8, loosening would be pretty marginal, especially for repetitive loading to that level.
You can see on the chart why 13, 19, 22, 24 are pretty common breakpoints on sets.
I really do like Wera sockets, though -- I use them at the bench all the time and would recommend them to anyone.
VolvoRyan
Well-known member
Tool check is old old news worth repeating. It's amazing how many tools this replaces... and in a convenient package. I actually *wailed* on the bit ratchet and a hex or torx bit. Volvo put a water pump in a funky spot on the later Short-Inline-6 engines, and changed teh fasteners on me for the last engines off the assembly line. I was amazed the Wera pulled the job off.
Wera is just a fun brand. The tools are good. The screwdrivers just genuinely feel good in the hand.... and I hate it when people say stuff like that. The screwdriver drawer just brings the smiles.
-Ryan
Wera is just a fun brand. The tools are good. The screwdrivers just genuinely feel good in the hand.... and I hate it when people say stuff like that. The screwdriver drawer just brings the smiles.
-Ryan
Not to pile on but….
The tool check is the first tool related item that I have purchased on a whim (just thought it was cool) that I actually use a ton. It is a great kit to use in my boat. I have done full boat projects with this kit and nothing else.
The tool check is the first tool related item that I have purchased on a whim (just thought it was cool) that I actually use a ton. It is a great kit to use in my boat. I have done full boat projects with this kit and nothing else.
Jpd
New member
Bought this wera kit and and the small screwdriver kit in 2017 in Holland, refitting a 170’ schooner interior. Used every day. I swapped out some other tips along the way, but for the size and quality, you can’t go wrong. Still using it today, is is always in my primary kit bag. When I left the boat I bought one for the engineer, he was so genuinely grateful.
PelicanPines
ALLIANCE MEMBER
After using "The Tool Check" for a few months I reorganized what bits it held. I added Robertson bits #1 and #2. Most recently .. I added those new "Combo" electrical bits. I pulled out the torx bits because I rarely hit those away from my "service desk".
PolishX
Active member
Nice I like reviews on new stuff that fits in tidy small cases like this. Just so happens I am looking for a new small metric set like this
tez929rr
Well-known member
I just checked and the Amazon price has increased 38% since I bought mine two years ago. Probably all the GJ members drove up the market price.
CHI_Tool&Die
Well-known member
Wera has, more so than other German tool companies, raised prices considerably since Covid and all that jazz afterward. Still not stupidly expensive, but their lineup outside of screwdrivers has gotten high enough that you have to consider other options just to see what is out there. At least that is my experience as of late.
Dave455
Well-known member
I notice that Wera have recently introduced some slightly more comprehensive sets. This one is in 1/4” drive, and includes sockets from 4 to 15 mm, plus hex and Torx sockets.
Although Wera have traditionally been a bit of an “outside runner” in the socket wrench business, they’re making ground fast…!
These sets have been out for a while, but if you’re prone to losing 1/4” hex bits, they offer a comprehensive selection of bit sockets in a compact package.
Still not fussed about the soft handle ratchet, but the roto head design suits this application.
Although Wera have traditionally been a bit of an “outside runner” in the socket wrench business, they’re making ground fast…!
These sets have been out for a while, but if you’re prone to losing 1/4” hex bits, they offer a comprehensive selection of bit sockets in a compact package.
Still not fussed about the soft handle ratchet, but the roto head design suits this application.
Last edited: