Exotic Tools: German, Swiss, French ?

[Kayvan]

Recently decided to trade up to nice set of hand tools.

I don’t tear down engines; but like to work out that last
3% in aligning, fitting and correcting what no shop will do.

Looked at Wiha, Wera, Gedore, Facom, Felo, PB Swiss; researched tips, from sandblasted, to precision; to laser etched to parallel machined.

I was sorely in need of upgrading from my ace hardware stubby and acetate craftsman; made my SL project literally surgical in precision.

Just got these PB SWISS and they are stunning.

 

[Kayvan]

Ordering these FACOM ratchets too...

Formula 1 grade !

 

[Kayvan]

Arrived today; FACOM France

Precision fit; stunning finish; 72 teeth, 5 deg.

May put 10mm in seat pouch for Battery ground bolt.

 

[soroush]

nice pieces, looks medical grade

 

[2112]

Those are pretty...............too pretty to use?

I love my Snap-On tools and have a lot of pretty good craftsman as well. Some of my best craftsman tools are older than I am and work beautifully.

But they aren't like those.

 

[Kayvan]

Thanks

I did on an un-natural level of research into the world of hand-tools.

Snap-On is still the gold standard; the quality, durability and robustness is held in awe the world over. Even status symbols among German Master Mechanics.

Craftsman (the original U.S. made) and their famed guarantee are also lauded.

However, there is just something special about using European Metric tools on a vintage European car. Same feeling I got using Bergeon Swiss tools to open case-backs, swap links, and change spring-bars on vintage chronographs. The slim tolerances, satin metal finish, turning CAD / zinc-plated fastners and SS brushed-finish trim and parts.

From that experience I decided to just buy the 'best' (PB Swiss and Facom) and enjoy.

I learned shortly after that there is 'super-best' level with names like Hazet, Matador, Heyco etc; but, I decided to keep the focus on the cars, and put that $ towards a future Gullwing.

Fair warning, don't click on below links unless credit card is in safe OR several dozen hours are free.

https://www.kctoolco.com/

https://primetools.co.uk/


If you want a bit size of this exotic world get these!

https://www.kctoolco.com/wiha-31191...nish-stubby-slotted-phillips-screwdriver-set/

 

[BlackICE]

Be aware that many fasteners that look like Phillips screws are posidrives for your collection to be complete you need a set of both in multiple sizes. Also many flat blade screwdriver tips have edges that taper which is not ideal for many fasteners which is better to have parallel flats found on hollow ground tips

 

[twobjshelbys]

The screw driver set and some other tools from the same place were part of our standard lab tool box. We could go to the stock room and get them on signature. Not the whole set just the one size for the screws that were on the hdd circuit boards 9f the time which varied. But there were lots of different ones including Torx and Phillips. I probably had a dozen different ones.

 

[2112]

It is good to see there are tool makers with such passion. Sometimes it feels like a race to the bottom in the name of "cheaper".

Speaking of Gullwings, did you see this beauty in the news last week? I am not a Gullwing guy, but this one would change everything.

https://www.hemmings.com/blog/2018/...-from-nurburgrings-front-doorstep/?refer=news

 

[PeteK]

I have a collection of hand tools that has grown from Craftsman stuff I bought 30-40 years ago, and Proto and SK and other brands that are no longer made that were handed down to me by my father and grandfather, plus other acquisitions of Snap-On and various other brands over the years. I expect they will still be on the job when I hand them down to my son and grandson (no women in my family seem to have the mechanics gene--yet). I like the sense that some of these were used by my father's and grandfather's hands, and now by mine, and eventually by my son and so on. As you can tell, I have a very deep connection to them.

 

[Kayvan]

Quality Tools are heirlooms; having the right tool for a job has to be one of the most satisfying feelings.

'Outlaw' Gullwings are rare to see; started with E-types; Porsches, and now M-B; never will happen with BMW, owners too OCD!

M-B is actually producing OEM body-panel for the Gullwing again.

Many of the '80s boom 'restorations' have aged and deferred use/maintenance have taken a toll, so M-B has has stepped up parts supply.

The Gullwings massive race-bred oil-cooler means the oil almost never gets up to temp; one has to red-line on every drive to boil-off cylinder fuel leak down.Owners manual oil-change interval was like 1500 KM.

 

[Kayvan]

better to have parallel flats found on hollow ground tips

Some pics of PB Swiss 'Parallel Machined' tips

 

[Sinovac]

25-year-old Craftsman screwdriver and some spent 9 mm casings.

 

[The Grey Ghost]

25-year-old Craftsman screwdriver and some spent 9 mm casings.

View attachment 51899

Paul, you've been hanging around Gary for too long.

 

[fjpikul]

Just remember, Craftsman replaces tools for free. Can't even count ha may screwdrivers I've retired for free replacement.

 

[soroush]

wow that gulwing..... amazing.. probably my second favorite body line of all time..

K1 as I said before those are very fine and expensive looking tools... I cant say I have ever used anything like those but I mostly work on old american Iron and mainly use craftsman because of what Frank said they will replace them for free if there ever is a problem. It is as easy as walking into sears, yes I know they still have some stores open, and just swapping out the tool.. If I bought snap on or other expensive brands I would be broke, I have lots of tools and use most of them often. I've been accumulating tools over the last 25 years and every time I came across a job I didnt have the right tool for I would just buy it. Ie I recently wanted to do my own exhaust so i bought a welder and learned how to weld. The tools have become good measure of the type of work that has been done. I recently HAD to redo my whole garage... here is a peak of some of the drawers...

these pictures were taken when I was putting everything back together




View attachment 51904

 

[fjpikul]

You did your garage again? Most of that stuff looks like dental instrument write-off just like my "autopsy" instruments. Ask the GT Guys how to use a vaginal speculum on a car.

 

[Sinovac]

Paul, you've been hanging around Gary for too long.

Yeah, Gary is a bad influence. Seriously though, quality tools are a joy to own and work with. I just had that conversation with my son after paying $800 for a Made in U.S.A. bench vice rather than $80 on a piece of junk.

Soroush, your garage is insanely nice and well organized.

 

[w.a.nelson]

Why are you shooting your tools?

 

[Xcentric]

Yeah, Gary is a bad influence. Seriously though, quality tools are a joy to own and work with. I just had that conversation with my son after paying $800 for a Made in U.S.A. bench vice rather than $80 on a piece of junk.

Soroush, your garage is insanely nice and well organized.

Pfft.