Wera Tool Reviews Koloss

[AdamtheMillwright]

Hello All,

I am quite new here but have been reading everyone’s reviews for a while now. So I feel it is time to return the favor.

I will tell you about my Wera tools. I am an apprentice millwright so all these tools are used in an industrial setting.

Tools to be reviewed: Wera Koloss Ratchet, Wera BitRatchet, Wera Chiseldriver, Wera Kraftform Micro screwdrivers.

First is my Wera Koloss ½” ratchet.

After bringing the tool to work I noticed right away the handle extension handle says 600 Nm (about 450 ft. lb.) Max Torque. Witch I don’t think is humanly possible with that length of ratchet unless I was to jump on the handle.

I wanted to see exactly what this ratchet can do. So I picked up a 3/8” nut, bolt and washer and threaded them together and placed in a vice. With only the ratchet no handle extension and minimal effort I was able to tighten until it stripped which is good since I know my Ingersoll rand impact gun is capable of doing the same.

I then repeated this test but with a 1/2 “ bolt (grade 5). This time with handle extension I was able to strip the bolt with some effort. I used my impact to remove the nut and the washer was squeezed so tight it had welded itself to the bolt and took more than 3 hits with a hammer to separate. Not even my impact is able to strip a 1/2 “.

The ratchet didn’t slip at all and the handle extension holds in place very well with a spring pin. Wera uses a 4 ratcheting pawl system in the head that seems to work very well. It is very strong in every way and I am comfortable using this on some stubborn bolts without any worry of smashing my knuckles.

The other part of this ratchet is the hammer. Made out of one solid casting about 1/2 “thick at the face of the hammer and even thicker for the body, I have no problem giving it the odd swing if putting in concrete floor anchors. I’m sure I could just beat the ground with this ratchet and would never affect the ratcheting mechanism inside. But I can’t justify doing that since I did spend about 85$ on it and waited a good 4 weeks.

One down side to this tool is the size of the head. It can stop you from getting into some tight spots if you don’t have a good wobble extension. Also the hammer heads do limit the socket size that you can use (I think it’s about Max 1-1/4” socket without extension).

So if you do pick this tool up you should consider getting a small wobble extension. Wera part number 05003639001.

Over all I am happy with the quality of the tool and am sure it will come in handy.

This is my first review so please feel free to comment on anything I chould have done better. I will post my own pictures by saturday.

 

[canuckian]

I bought that same kit that's in the picture you posted. Like you, the only complaint I have is the size of the ratchet head but I knew that would be a factor when I pulled the trigger on it. I think I'm going to pick up a couple of the extensions for it so it'll be an all-wera unit when I use it (I like things to match - I'm wierd that way). but you are right, with the handle extension, it can generate quite the amount of torque!!

oh...and good review, by the way

 

[trainwreck]

I appreciate the review, and that you tested the ratchet with some real world examples, and not just "oooh, it's shiny." (Yes, I've been guilty of that myself. Often.)

That ratchet head looks enormous. If I'm reading you right, do you mean that this ratchet was actually designed to be used as a hammer as well? I guess Wera figured enough people were using ratchets as hammers anyway?

And what's the spike and three black pads for?

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

I appreciate the review, and that you tested the ratchet with some real world examples, and not just "oooh, it's shiny." (Yes, I've been guilty of that myself. Often.)

That ratchet head looks enormous. If I'm reading you right, do you mean that this ratchet was actually designed to be used as a hammer as well? I guess Wera figured enough people were using ratchets as hammers anyway?

And what's the spike and three black pads for?

Hello Trainwreck

I’m glad you liked the review. To answer some of your questions,

Yes the ratchet has been engineered to work as a hammer when needed.

Those black square pads you see in the picture fit the hammer face so when you have to hit something that is more fragile you can do so with these pads and lower the risk of marking your work piece.

The Spike fits right into the end of the ratchet handle so that you can use it to line 2 holes up so your bolt will fit through.

Here are some pictures of mine.

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

http://www-us.wera.de/wera-tv_us.html?&no_cache=1&L=1&tx_codetv_pi1[startVideo]=115

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

Second Review Wera Micro Screwdriver Set

I have had a few micro screwdriver sets before and these are so far the best.

The set comes with 6 screwdrivers: 4 Slotted and 2 Phillips

The tips are very well made and fit the screws snugly. The screwdriver points are so precise that I am able to use my Phillips size 0 on Phillips size 00 (size smaller) screws. I am not able to do that with any of my other 0 size screwdrivers.

Also I have yet to twist one of the Slotted tips out of shape they are able to hold up to a decent amount of torque.

Like on many Micro screwdrivers the end of the handle is able to spin freely. But something new Wera added is a bump at the front of the handle. It makes it quite easy to turn the screwdriver with your fingers as you push forward with your palm.

One thing I am unsure about is the type of finish on the tips. They are black so I thought they were heat treated and would be close to that color throughout the tip of the screwdriver. But after some use I can see silver on my screwdriver tips which now makes me think the black was just a coating that seems to come off quite easily. Anyone know what the reason for this is? Should it come off very easy? Most of Wera’s screwdrivers have the same finish not just the micros.

Over all I would recommend these to anyone. The tips hold up very well other then the loss of black coating they are still very sharp and fit the screws just like when they were new.

Sry my camera is to S#ity to get a pick of the tips.

 

[archirelic]

Excellent write-ups! I've been pondering for some time now on whether to expand my Wera assortment, and I think you've just sold me on their micro screwdriver set.

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

New Wera tools coming to Chadstoolbox.com in March!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! maybe new chiseldriver will be added to their selection. The new screwdriver has a female socket adaptor on the back to the handle so u can attach a t-handle.

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

Archirelic try not to pay more then 30$ for a Micro screwdriver set. and if you get them at Chadstoolbox use the code "testthebest" for any wera product to get another 15% off

 

[archirelic]

Archirelic try not to pay more then 30$ for a Micro screwdriver set. and if you get them at Chadstoolbox use the code "testthebest" for any wera product to get another 15% off

Sweet! Thanks for the heads up on the discount!

 

[Rocklim]

Where does this Wera Koloss made ?

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

The Wera tool company is German but there manufacturing plant is in Czech Republic. So that is where the Koloss is made, Czech Republic. Right next to Germany.
Every tool is checked for quality and it is very common to find a Wera quality control sticker on their tools.

 

[z28snksknr]

Great review. I have the Chisel Driver, Kraftform, and S/S screwdriver sets and I really like all three. The handles are fantastic - easily the best screwdrivers I've ever used. I would definately consider the ratchet you reviewed, but $85 makes an akward head shape and size hard to overlook. I haven't checked for a past thread, but I'd love to see a review of the Cyklops ratchet they sell as well.

 

[Rocklim]

USD 85 is just the Wera Koloss and not included any extender

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

just looked at the bill and it cost me 92$ for Koloss + extender.

 

[trainwreck]

Thank you for clarifying that, Adam. I might not have seen the usefulness of this ratchet without your review, but after your explanation, I can see how a lot of thought went into designing this to be more than just another ratchet.

 

[StinkyBunny]

That coating is more than likely titanium nitride Adam.

 

[Patz]

That coating is more than likely titanium nitride Adam.

I'm pretty sure the coating on the Kraftform Micro tips is just plain old black oxide. The reason for not chroming the tips is that chrome would chip under load.
I have noticed that a lot of the Kraftform Plus series have "gold colored" tips. This may well be titanium nitride.

 

[AdamtheMillwright]

That makes perfect sense
thank you Patz

 

[Robert123]

Hello,

Thank you for your nice Information. I like it very much.

Thanks