Wera tools?

[DucRunner]

Looking for input on Wera tools.
I mostly do light wrenching on motorcycles.

Anyone have any feedback on this brand?
Looking at purchasing a set like this.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0024LRV00/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[shanker]

you'll get mixed reviews on the screw drivers. I have a set of them & like them for what I use them for. (My wiha's are my extreme duty drivers).

But as far as the Zyklop ratchet is concerned...I don't think you'll find a single person to say its ****...I want one BAD...I just have no need for another ratchet in my toolbox as I already have too many

 

[Cryptic1911]

I bought a set of their screwdrivers with the grip-tips thinking they would be the cats ***.. well, the handles are great, but my god the tips were like soft butter and got mangled after just a few uses, even on soft fasteners. Honestly, that was the most disappointing tool purchase I've ever made

 

[ddo]

So far i love the zyklops. Ive got 1/4 inch model, soon im gonna need 3/8.

 

[N.I.]

I have these sockets sets in 3/8 and 1/2" both metric and SAE.

I have been using away at the metric sets so far and do like them (I haven't decided whether or not to keep the SAE sets yet)

If you have any specific questions I can happily answer them.

3/8" is the ideal size for these sets. The 1/2" ratchet is rather heavy and chunky, the 1/4" ratchet looks rather small, but the 3/8" fits perfect in my hand to be used as a screwdriver. Once you get used to the ratchet you will wonder how you lived without it.

The good-

The bits and bit adapter are excellent

I love the knurling on the sockets. They give excellent grip even when plastered with oil.

The locking extensions are nice and compact and the plastic sheath/ spinner is handy.

The bad-

The fit of the square drive is rather sloppy. The 3/8 sockets are particularly bad.

When you get down to the smaller socket sizes, the base of the sockets where they are knurled are quite bulky and have found they don't fit into tight spots.

I have had trouble using the locking feature of the extensions with other brands of sockets, for example Gedore, who have particularly tight tolerances of the square drive.

 

[DucRunner]

Thanks for sharing.

N.I., tight spots are definitely a common thing when wrenching on the motor bike. Any idea if the 1/4" ratchet may be a better tool for that type of job?

 

[allinon72]

I like Wera but for that price I'd rather target some USA Craftsman and Armstrong.

 

[lilscorpion]

I have all three sizes in the Zyklops ratchets. Hind sight I probably wouldn't get them again. My GearWrench and Craftsman work just fine. Look cool in the box if you're into that kind of thing.

 

[N.I.]

Here is a quick photo showing the 3/8" drive 1/2" and 1/4" sockets compared to Hazet 1/4" drive 13mm and 6mm sockets. Perhaps not a far comparison but it is all I have near me atm and should illustrate what I mean. The Hazet came in the post this morning.

Excuse my crappy phone photo, but you can see that below 1/2" the base of the sockets becomes large compared to the top. It is worse that any other brand I have ever come across.

Although it is a disadvantage in tight spots, it gives better grip for normal fasteners and makes them excellent for finger turning.

I would say that the 1/4" Wera sockets would are similar. But you have to decide whether the advantages outweight the disadvantages.

 

[DucRunner]

Thanks for the pic.
The thickness on the metal at the base is also appreciable.

 

[I van putski]

I think wera is a bit gj trendy. Their tools are cool looking, no doubt. But their too damn big. The handles are ridiculous to me.

 

[IndyGarage]

I bought a set of their screwdrivers with the grip-tips thinking they would be the cats ***.. well, the handles are great, but my god the tips were like soft butter and got mangled after just a few uses, even on soft fasteners. Honestly, that was the most disappointing tool purchase I've ever made

I couldn't disagree more. I have a set of them and the tips are better than any other screwdrivers I've owned.

I have three of the Zyklop ratchets and they are great. I can't comment on the sockets

 

[N.I.]

The laser grip tips are a bit of a gimmick. They soon wear off.

I have found the tips on Felo screwdrivers to be alot better than Wera, however they tend to be a bit pricier.

 

[Lasu]

I do have an impact driver set,good quality.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

I think wera is a bit gj trendy. Their tools are cool looking, no doubt. But their too damn big. The handles are ridiculous to me.

Yep. I needed a swivel-head ratchet, and looked at the Zyklop. For the price, it simply didn't do anything different or better than a much cheaper Gearwrench swivel-head. The handle was ungodly big, I didn't really like the locking head feature (to me, the whole point of having a swivel-head is to maintain free range of motion the whole time you're using it, not to have a set indexable head), socket fit wasn't great, and the ratchet action reminded me more of an import ratchet that a German tool. Course, it might not be made in Germany, not completely sure.

Their screwdrivers are decent, not as nice as Wiha, but they work well enough.

 

[ddo]

Personally i like the locking flex when it comes to being in the straight position for use as a driver. The zyklops also has a lot of details done right in being able to remove bit and reverse in any position. Releasing the lock is easily done when you get used to it. Ill frequently carry the 1/4 and a set of sockets in a pocket for mobile work.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I couldn't disagree more. I have a set of them and the tips are better than any other screwdrivers I've owned.

I have three of the Zyklop ratchets and they are great. I can't comment on the sockets

Where were yours manufactured? They changed from Germany? to Czech republic. Mine are from Czech republic, and they are absolute garbage

 

[DucRunner]

I'm reading all these posts. Thanks for the great feedback.

 

[shoturtle]

I have the wera screw drivers and zyklop. They are very good tools. My wera drivers are better then my kleins, craftsman pros which I really like. And up there with my wiha and felo. They are just a tad softer tips then those 2 brand. But none of my USA made ones come close to the tip of my wiha and felo. The mix review comes form the handle, some like the ergo grip some don't

I love the zyklop, I got the 3/8 for a bday present form my wife. After using it I added the 1/4 and 1/2. I wrench with the 3/8 primary on my motorcycles. They have replaced my protos as my go to ratchet. The 72t is very smooth. They are made in the czech republic. The sockets are nice as well. I really like the locking roto head of the zyklop

 

[mobiledynamics]

Does then handle *throw* you off on the Zyklop.....just due to wrench with a much smaller profile

And or how well or not does it clean or get Gummy ?

 

[shoturtle]

I find the handle very comfortable for me. the head may seem big but it is really not that much larger. I will try to take a photo of all my 3/8 ratchet next to each other. The head is seal so they do not gum up to easily. But clean up is the same as my other ratchets. Just wipe clean after uses and never an issue.

 

[Jeff]

I use Wera's Vario system and have had no issues. I recently added the Vario ratcheting handle as well.

 

[BrokewrenchLS1]

Does then handle *throw* you off on the Zyklop.....just due to wrench with a much smaller profile

And or how well or not does it clean or get Gummy ?

My Wera screwdriver handles are still pretty good, they've seen everything from hot motor oil to used vacuum pump oil to regular "greasy car dirt" and come clean reasonably well. The green will stain a bit as far as color, but doesn't seem to retain anything as long as you clean it when you're done.

 

[shoturtle]

Just one question to the op, you have a photo of a ducati, why are you looking at a sae set to wrench on motorcycles?

 

[Jure]

Just on question to the op, you have a photo of a ducati, why are you looking at a sae set to wrench on motorcycles?

harley's lol if they are still sae

 

[shoturtle]

Here are some photos of the wera zyklop next to my other ratchets.

Head to head a zyklop next to a HF 72t ratchet. Above it my slimest ratchet, Cmans RP and next to the rp, Proto big dawg, Then you have the proxxon rotary head next to a HF 72t composite, and the stubby is a power built 72t.


then length wise

 

[mobiledynamics]

Jeff -

How are you liking the Vario

I hemmed and hawed. Looked at Wiha Drivelock. Ended up ordering the Kompact 64 and a T6 3.5" bit to complete the set for how I needed it.

 

[DucRunner]

Ok, decision made. Gonna give Wera tools a try.
The Zyclop ratchet seems ideal for tight spots.
Shoturtle seems to have answered my next logical question, which size?
I'll try out the 3/8" drive.

Just one question to the op, you have a photo of a ducati, why are you looking at a sae set to wrench on motorcycles?

That's the set I'm after but in metric. I didn't much pay attention to the link I posted.

 

[shoturtle]

3/8 is the prefect dr for motorcycles. I used it on my duc, aprillia, bmw, and suzuki. It will pretty much do everything you want on a bike. Only time I use 1/2 is for the rear axel bolt with 22mm or 24mm

 

[shoturtle]

PS the locking extension are great. And the spinning feature with the black plastic make seating a bolt allot quicker.

 

[DucRunner]

That's great. Thanks for the help shoturtle!

 

[IndyGarage]

As far as cleanup. The other day I rebuilt and reinstalled an auto transmission into a car.

Used the 1/2 Zyklop extensively. At the end of the job you couldn't even see the green. Everything was covered with ****** fluid, including me. I went through 2 rolls of paper towels on that job.

30 seconds or so with some degreasing spray and a shop rag, and Zyklop looked nearly good as new - I've scratched it up a bit, but it still cleans up nice.

 

[Jeff]

Jeff -

How are you liking the Vario

I hemmed and hawed. Looked at Wiha Drivelock. Ended up ordering the Kompact 64 and a T6 3.5" bit to complete the set for how I needed it.

I like the Vario set. Initially I carried under the seat of my 78 Kawasaki. Now I use it as my go-to set in the shop. The ratcheting handle makes a ton difference as well. Very smooth.

 

[Nocturnal-G]

The Wera Zyklop is my go to ratchet as of now... it's smooth, works great.

And just like Indy said, they clean up great. Here is a before and after pic of how well they clean up.

 

[Adam.C]

I get the desire to have some funky European tools. I have some including sockets, but I can't recommend them. You just can't beat Craftsman. Especially if you are working on bikes. You may end up grinding sockets for special purposes.

And if you honestly break an unmodified socket on a Sunday afternoon, you can go to Sears, and they will GIVE YOU a new one, and you get back to work. In 20 years as a shade tree German car mechanic, this has only happened twice. But in both instances, Sears was a life saver. And they are probably near by and open at night. I have a massive collection of Craftsman. I have used other brands (snap-on and Euro models etc) and I like Craftsman just as much. And you can't beat the price.

As for sloppy fits on the drive side, a common complaint, I've never broken a socket there. Most sockets will break on the socket side. In my opinion, a little looseness on the drive side serves as a slight wobble, making the tool easier to use. That's my opinion.

 

[TjoFrasse]

Well, a bit late perhaps considering that the OP has posted his decision, but anyway.

I bought the Wera chiseldrivers after seeing them recommended here (was about two years ago). Since then I have bought many more Wera tools, since I loved the handles so much. Good grip, comfortable and cleans up good.

I can't comment on the durability of the lasertips, mine have not seen much use (I seldom use regular screwdrivers). The durability of the chiseldrivers have been very good though.

I have the 1/4" and the 3/8" Zyklops, and while they have not become my regular use ratchets, they do have their place in my toolbox. The same good handles, and smooth ratcheting action. The swivel lock is good at times, and sometimes a hassle. I wish they had a way to temporary disable it.

 

[McFarmer]

I've got the 1/4 inch set, very happy. The sleeve on the handle bugs me however.

 

[shoturtle]

To be honest I doubt you will break a 3/8 dr socket when wrenching on metric street motorcycles. I use 3/8 craftsman and never broke one. No I do not cheater bar them or use them as impact sockets. I have impact sockets I used for abusive work. Right tool for the right job.