new hand tool game

[HowardH]

Last year, I discovered, thanks to our good friend Peter Parfitt, the Wera brand of hand tools.  They are a joy to hold and use and have a number of unique features that, IMO, separate them from the American offerings. For example, the sockets themselves are knurled at the base so you can finger tighten quickly.  The socket extensions have a button that is green on one end and red other other which when selected, will firmly hold the socket on the extension so it won't come off when you are removing it from the bolt.  I found a new vendor of fine German hand tools, including Wera.  Uberlegen.  I received a set today from them of the Wera 3/8" drive metric sockets to compliment the SAE equivalent full set I got myself for Christmas.  Over time, I plan on replacing a lot of the 30 year old hand tools with a suitable new version.  You can't have too many innovative German tools. 

 

[Dan Clark]

Howard,

I'm a big fan of Wera tools.    They are a bit pricey, but worth every penny.  My tool sets include:

Screwdriver set:https://www.amazon.com/WERA-Screwdriver-Piece-Set-Laser/dp/B0039ZIQZY
(Pluse a couple others that I bought from other sources)

Kraftform screwdriver:https://www.amazon.com/Wera-Kraftfo...&ie=UTF8&qid=1483477739&sr=1-11&keywords=Wera

Metric and SAE Hex Wrench sets - Link to Metric:https://www.amazon.com/Wera-L-Wrenc...coding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=ZE8F71RT288ZD331VE7Q

Zyklop:http://www.toolstop.co.uk/wera-05-003534-001-socket-set-1-4in-drive-imperial-15pce-p52673
(Same as mine, except in 3/8 drive.    I have both metric and SAE sockets.)

And I have a 1/4" screw bit set.

ALL of these are extremely high quality and ALWAYS my go-to for these types of hand tools. They are amazing, especially the hex wrenches and Zyklop.  I've tortured the hex wrenches, but none have broken or bent.  And the Zyklop features are unique. 

VERY highly recommended.  If one ever breaks, I'd immediately replace it with another Wera.  NO exceptions.

Regards,

Dan.

P.s. The screwdriver and Zyklop handles allow much more torque than any standard handle.  A few years ago, when a new glass shower door was being installed, I watched a fairly beefy guy crank down on the hinge screws.  Then he said, "You'll have to tighten these in a year or so because they come loose."  So I got my largest Wera Phillips screw drive and said, "Let me give it a try."  After I cranked them down another 1/4 turn, I suggested that he might want to consider a Wera screwdriver.  (Yes that was a bit arrogant, but I paid top dollar to get the shower door installed.) 

FYI, I'm 5'5" and was 65 at that time.  I'm moderately strong, but not THAT strong.  Try out Wera handled tools.  Your hands will thank you.

P.P.S.  It's been at least 5 years since the doors were installed, but the screws are still tight.

 

[Huxleywood]

I love Wera socket sets and screwdrivers and like NWS pliers.  I tend to buy them when Chads Tool Box or KC Tool have them on sale and Amazon UK and DE are your friends for a lot of German hand tools.

 

[HowardH]

The only "problem" is that there are so many choices/versions it's hard to know which ones to buy.  I absolutely love their tool containers, especially the socket sets.  Everything has it's place and even the way the container lid is secured with the rubber straps is excellent.  Much easier to open and close. 

 

[Huxleywood]

There are indeed a lot of choices, I also like their bits the diamond coated ones are excellent.

FYI Zoro has competitive and often the best daily prices on Wera and for two days 1/4-1/5 they have 20% off $250 and 25% off $300 or more and free shipping.  The code is NEWGEAR  I had $270 sitting in the cart so I added another $30 and got some great deals on Wera and Knipex. 

 

[Birdhunter]

Anyone able to compare Snap-on to Wera?

 

[Huxleywood]

Anyone able to compare Snap-on to Wera?

If you are talking screwdrivers I like the Wera better than the Instinct soft both ergonomically and screw holding and both the ratchets and Joker wrenches feel better in my hands.  I can't compare the longevity since many quality mechanics tools need decades in a hobbyists hands to even begin to show wear.  Higher end mechanics tools for the hobby guy really come down to ergonomics since most of us don't beat on them daily. 

 

[Poindexter]

Not exactly a hand tool, but this thread pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger on some Wera bits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y8Y31K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Like Peter Parfitt says in his video about them... I've got too many failed and lost junky bits from the LoweSears Depot.  Time to try these.

 

[Dan Clark]

The only "problem" is that there are so many choices/versions it's hard to know which ones to buy.  I absolutely love their tool containers, especially the socket sets.  Everything has it's place and even the way the container lid is secured with the rubber straps is excellent.  Much easier to open and close.

Agree completely, especially about the Zyklop storage box.

 

[semenza]

The only "problem" is that there are so many choices/versions it's hard to know which ones to buy. 

I got my hands on an old fashioned print catalog (you know , the kind you can hold in your hands and page through)  from Wera. Sometimes when it comes to getting a grasp of all the choices with something like the Wera line it is easier than using a computer. [smile]

Seth

 

[Huxleywood]

Not exactly a hand tool, but this thread pushed me over the edge to pull the trigger on some Wera bits: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y8Y31K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Like Peter Parfitt says in his video about them... I've got too many failed and lost junky bits from the LoweSears Depot.  Time to try these.

Next time around try the diamond coated ones. https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01BNGH3TK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF

They are more expensive (Much cheaper on German Amazon than US Amazon) but hold screws much better, better than the laser etched tips of the Wera screwdrivers even.  It helps to buy as many things as you can at once from the UK and German Amazon which keeps the shipping per item low.  You can also buy the individual bits just to try out from most any supplier you can probably add one on Amazon at least as an add on item and get free shipping. 

The mention of a paper catalog is on point, the organization in a paper catalog often makes it much simpler to zero in on what you need and the breadth of Wera and Knipex for example makes it hard to understand the line.  I will say dealers like KC Tool and Chads Tool Box know the product lines well and really are helpful on the phone despite me always feeling like I am wasting someones time on my small hobby orders.

 

[semenza]

Yes, I once contacted Chad's about the length of a bit or something (dimension not shown on the website) and they got right back to me with the info.

Seth

 

[antss]

I can also reccomend those diamond coated Wera bits, they grip like nothing else.

My preference for screwdrivers are those from Wiha though.  I like their grips better - but this is solely personal taste.  I guess it's kinda like the BMW/Mercedes debate.

 

[semenza]

Got the Wera paper catalog out last night. Forgot that it is 400 pages!

Seth

 

[HowardH]

I can also recommend those diamond coated Wera bits, they grip like nothing else.

I ordered some last week.  Very curious to see how well they work.  I kinda feel guilty relegating my old craftsman set to the wasteland of the bottom drawer of my tool cabinet.  They have fallen pretty far down the pecking order of tools...

 

[AlexThePalex]

I got plenty of Wera stuff in my arsenal too, been using them for decades now. The diamond coated bits were my first introduction to the brand and I was sold right away, best grip ever. I later saw I already owned some of their screwdrivers, handed down from my father.

I'm not a big fan of their modern handles though, I prefer normal thin handles as they're more comfortable for my hands. My older wera screwdrivers have the same handle shape but smaller, and they are fine to use.

 

[Poindexter]

Next time around try the diamond coated ones.  https://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B01BNGH3TK/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A3JWKAKR8XB7XF

Going to have to try those.  On Amazon.com I picked these up instead:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004VZKNDY/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s02?ie=UTF8&psc=1 ....the impact-driver-capable bits that are also considered "diamond."

After putting some cabinet hardware together using both the "cheap $40" set and the "impact $80" set I found the cheap set to be better.  Granted, all this Home Depot hardware used was a Phillips #2, the screws held to the cheap set better, and I absolutely love the Rapidaptor!  The adaptor that comes with the impact set is just a magnet and the bit came out multiple times.  It was annoying.  Even my "really really cheap" Dewalt bits didn't do that.

Before stating a final verdict I need a few more chores and projects, but so far...."cheap" set (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000Y8Y31K/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) is winning. 

P.S. When can we retire the Phillips screw head?  Give me a square or a hex!

 

[Huxleywood]

The Rapidaptor is very nice, to get a longer one the bit holder set is a good way to go:https://www.amazon.com/Wera-0505102...1?ie=UTF8&qid=1484298190&sr=8-1&keywords=wera+screwdriver

I usually pick them up on sale (for example Zoro) and have gotten mine for 22-25 bucks which is not more than the long Rapidaptor by itself.

Note you can buy the bits separately so you can try each for a lot cheaper and decide what you like.  My favorite is the Bitorsion diamondhttps://chadstoolbox.com/05056702001-wera-855-1bdc-pz2-x-25mm-dc-bit/