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Where are wiha maxxxtor impact bit sets made?

ive

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Mar 8, 2011
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Canada
Hi all.

Anyone know? Looking to buy some, wondering if they are European made.
 
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Steve_P

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Sep 15, 2010
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I don't know, but see if someone like KC Tools lists COO. Wiha has moved a lot, maybe all, of their bit production to Vietnam. I have some of their Vietnam bits and they seem just as good as the German stuff.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Sussex, England
All the Wiha bits have been made in Vietnam for some years.

I own a few of the Wiha Vietnam bits. They’re o.k. but not outstanding. I’m not convinced they’re the quality of the German made bits.

I’d buy Witte (German made) or Wera (Czech made) in preferance.

PB Swiss or Zephyr would be a big upgrade.
 
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Steve_P

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Project Farm tested phillips impact bits a few years ago. The Wiha Vietnam bits were one of the best, but also cost ~twice as much as ones that performed about as well. Since these are consumables, you need to judge life vs cost. He didn't test PB or Wera, but neither of those did fantastic in his screwdriver test. Yes, I know, here come the PF *****, his tests aren't valid, PB is the best since it's Swiss.... If you have better data, share it.

The bottom line is that PB Swiss is raved about here as the best of everything they make, but they test about the same, or worse, as Wiha and Wera and cost much more than either in the US. You will probably pay more in shipping for 10 PB bits in the US, and probably Canada, than you will for ten bits; you'd be better off just going to Home Depot and buying Milwaukee or Makita and getting 90%+ the life for 25% of the cost.
 

Dave455

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Mar 19, 2013
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Location
Sussex, England
I’ve used 1/4” hex bits a fair amount, both in my own shop, and professionally. While I’m talking about the regular bits, not impact, there’s no doubt in my mind that the PB cannot be bettered.

I had one job that involved assembling a product with an air screwdriver, and we had to use a 2.5mm ball hex bit. We were getting about 20 assemblies out of each Wera bit before they broke, but when I switched to PB we didn’t break one.

In the U.K. and Europe, Wiha, Wera and Witte are “mid price” industrial tools. I favour the latter two, but I’m more than happy with either. PB are a notch up price wise, but also quality wise. Generally I’m happy to go PB Swiss, but sometimes other makers (usually Wera) are more suited.

If I was in the U.S. I’d probably be buying Zephyr as they are much better value that side of the pond.

I’ve used PB Swiss screwdrivers, ball hex drivers, hex keys and bits for nearly 30 years now. The first PB tools I ever got were ball hex drivers. They were used then, and still show no wear now. I don’t believe a comparable tool from any other manufacturer could match that performance. These drivers and bits from my service bag are newer, but still wearing well.
92C1B744-3DF0-402F-BF29-B91691D2BFA9.jpeg

PB don’t make the best of everything, but they make the best of quite a lot!
 
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