If any of you North American owners know someone going to Germany or Austria, and who doesn't mind doing a little shopping for you, there is a high-quality, low-cost (relatively) German tool maker called Proxxon whose products are worth a good look. Our member and friend Roman Bartl has a Proxxon automotive tool set for his car, and I was so impressed with it I insisted he buy me one on his next trip home--and I just received it yesterday. He doesn't know it yet but I think I'll have him get me some additional socket sets in 1/4" and 3/8" drive.
http://www.proxxon.com/Click their European section (don't do US or North America; they don't have the hand tools there) and then under
industrial hand tools, you'll see their
general automotive set. They also have socket sets and box/open end sets as well. I'm astounded at the quality for the price, and it is all made in Germany. They do have North American distribution, but only for their woodworking power tools, not for these mechanic's hand tools.
What has frustrated me for years is how "fat" Craftsmen and most American (and Chinese sold in America) wrenches are. I find them hard to work with in tight areas; my recent fuel pump cover work a great example. Some inexpensive tools strip heads or strip themselves as well. I think this Proxxon set is a happy medium between really expensive (Griot's Garage, Snap-On, etc.) tools and acceptable tools of mediocre quality. The trick of course, is getting them here!
They are apparently sold in discount stores and Hypermarts in Germany and Austria. This particular automotive set was purchased at the Hornbach Baumarkt in Austria for 129 Euros. I think Hornbach is something like a Home Depot and they have them throughout Germany and Austria.
I am all for "cheap tools" when they work and they are appropriate; I revel in my $59.00 Harbor Freight rotary hammer that I've used for drilling countless holes in concrete at my carwash; getting a similar unit from Milwaukee or Porter Cable would be well into the hundreds of dollars and NOT include any carbide bits. But tools that don't work well really annoy me.
If you have the opportunity check out the Proxxon site and see their selection.
I've looked arount the 'net and found several USA suppliers of quality German tools but at very high prices.
Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored
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