Why Don't Stahlwille Offer More Socket (Only) Sets?

[Earl Grey]

I'm hoping this isn't a really dumb question.

But why, when I look through Stahwille's current catalog, don't they offer more sets of just sockets?

I have a 3/8" drive set with metric 12-point sockets (the "45" line). Now I want to pick up a set of SAE sockets (the "45a" line).

The Stahlwille catalog doesn't contain, and / or I can't find offered anywhere, a set of 45a sockets that isn't part of a full kit - with another ratchet, another set of extensions etc.

This isn't true across the board (1/4" drive Stahlwille offer an SAE sockets-only set, for example) but it seems to be true for at least a few Stahlwille socket series.

Is there an obvious reason for this that I'm missing? I realize I can buy 45a sockets as singles and build up what I want / need, but I'm assuming sets are generally at a discount to buying their pieces separately.

 

[bimmer630]

Because Germans


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[M6erfan]

Because Germans


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LOL, yeah. A lot of German manufacturers do this. Why? I have no idea...

 

[Wamsutta]

I'm looking at their 2018 catalog and it looks like the 45a sockets are available separately in SAE (12 point only) from 1/4'' thru 1''.

You'll have to get you a socket holder and build your own set.

 

[upgrading]

Probably not much need for SAE over there.

Is Imperial exactly the same as SAE ?

 

[Earl Grey]

I'm looking at their 2018 catalog and it looks like the 45a sockets are available separately in SAE (12 point only) from 1/4'' thru 1''.

You'll have to get you a socket holder and build your own set.

Thanks - I realize I can do that, but it just seems weird. You'd think there would be demand for socket-only sets (and that it would be a more economical route if available).

Probably not much need for SAE over there

Could be part of it but it applies to 3/8" drive metric sockets too - deep, 6pt, 12pt, all of them. The only sets available in 3/8" drive include ratchet, extensions etc.

Weirdly, in 1/2" drive Stahlwille offer a bunch of socket-only sets.

 

[mr.lemons]

Yeah I've been looking at Stahlwille sets recently and wondered the same thing. Unless for some reason you want a 30 tooth ratchet you're mostly stuck buying separates. Not sure why they do this.

Seen these sets that I cannot find in the current catalogue. 1/4 and 3/8 metric.

https://handtools-from-germany.com/...stahlwille-96017705-socket-set-40-8-8pcs.html

https://handtools-from-germany.com/...tahlwille-96027705-socket-set-456-8-8pcs.html

 

[jonshonda]

Doesn't

 

[Wamsutta]

Thanks - I realize I can do that, but it just seems weird. You'd think there would be demand for socket-only sets (and that it would be a more economical route if available).

Stahwille is big on modules for ease of inventory. It seems like their target customer is big industry like Aerospace that would have a tool control program. I'm thinking that's why they don't offer smaller individual sets.

 

[scubadoober]

3/8 ratchets are less common on the other side of the pond. Most use 1/4 and 1/2 rats. Combine that with SAE and it is slim pickings. Even Gedore/Hazet don't have what you are looking for so it might just be a German thing. I always found it odd Stahwllwille didn't offer there 220 series spanners in a set.

 

[Earl Grey]

Doesn't

Haha, thank you for the grammatical diversion. In my defence, in the dialect of English I speak (British) treating collective nouns as plural (and treating company names as collective nouns) is pretty common, at least in casual contexts...

 

[Earl Grey]

Stahwille is big on modules for ease of inventory. It seems like their target customer is big industry like Aerospace that would have a tool control program. I'm thinking that's why they don't offer smaller individual sets.

3/8 ratchets are less common on the other side of the pond. Most use 1/4 and 1/2 rats. Combine that with SAE and it is slim pickings. Even Gedore/Hazet don't have what you are looking for so it might just be a German thing. I always found it odd Stahwllwille didn't offer there 220 series spanners in a set.

Thanks both.

And yeah, 3/8" being uncommon in Europe might be a major factor (there are at least some sets in both 1/4" and 1/2").

 

[Earl Grey]

Seen these sets that I cannot find in the current catalogue. 1/4 and 3/8 metric.

Good find, thank you. Yeah, no SAE sets but 3/8" 6pts are useful. Doesn't appear to be current product, hidden away in the "Extra" section of the website.

 

[PFSard]

Earl Grey >> Did you try to contact Stahlwille?

 

[Earl Grey]

Earl Grey >> Did you try to contact Stahlwille?

Didn't even occur to me - you think it'd be effective?

 

[PFSard]

Didn't even occur to me - you think it'd be effective?

You never know in contacting companies. Some are good; some not so much. Wouldn't hurt to ask, as far as I'm concerned.