Great Tool Set!

[mdsalemi]

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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[merrill]

Michael,
I have used samstagsales.com for mb tools,  prices seem high but I do not have a reference point for comparision.


matt

Matt
66 230 sl - "white"
78 300 D - Blue
98 C230

[ja17]

Hello Michael,

This may be a nice thread to keep going! I found a nice tool the other day. It was a nice extending magnetic pick-up with bright little LED light built in the end! It is the greatest thing for fishing little parts out of dark holes or from under the car!  It was less than $4.00! I have used it quite a few times already and it works great.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[mdsalemi]

quote:Originally posted by ja17

Hello Michael,

This may be a nice thread to keep going! I found a nice tool the other day. It was a nice extending magnetic pick-up with bright little LED light built in the end! It is the greatest thing for fishing little parts out of dark holes or from under the car!  It was less than $4.00! I have used it quite a few times already and it works great.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

...YES we should keep this thread going, but tell us where you got the tool!  Magnet pickups and mirrors on a stick are two indispensible tools to have...on the two projects I tackled myself this year both were important.  So, we know it costs $4 but where can we get it?

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Werbefuzzi]

Hello to all from germany.

maybe its possible that can help you.
If u send me your requests i can have a look for e.g. prices.

So we can maybe build an amercan - german connection ;-)

Best regards
Stephan

[hauser]

Michael, the tool kit you have looks very nice and useful.  I have one that is very similar to it that I purchased from Beverly Hills Motoring Accessories (no longer in business) about 20 years ago.  It's a Heyco Expert Plus which I think it was their lagrge tool case.  It's German made of chrome vanadium.  I like that it keeps everythig organized and before I close it only takes a quick glance to see if everything is in its place.  I haven't lost a tool yet!

1969 280sl 5 spd
Gainesville, Fl.

[ja17]

Hello Michael,

I got it at the counter of the local "Car Quest" autoparts store.  I will try to post a picture soon.

Joe Alexander
Blacklick, Ohio

[mdsalemi]

Hauser, Merrill, et al.

This Samstag sales http://samstagsales.com/ is a great find on the internet; I discovered them a while back while searching for "German made tools".  They have a lot of specialty tools in addition to high quality but run-of-the-mill kinds like Heyco and Hazet.  The only issue is they are kind of expensive; its not their fault, the dollar is low, the euro high, and there's that shipping issue.  But sometimes what they have is what you need.  Take a good look at their website.

But the Heyco 1/4" drive socket set--not specific to automotive--is USD $230.00.  A set of 12 combo wrenches is $195.00.  My set was 130 euros.  The trick is getting it back.  If you paid someone to ship it forget it!  Way too expensive.

If you are going to Germany or Austria, set aside a couple of hours to visit a tool store, or a Hornbach.

Michael Salemi
1969 280SL
Signal Red w/Black Leather
Restored

[Bob G ✝︎]

Yes Andrew at Samstag sales is a really nice guy. I got some special tools from him for my 280SL and my wife's 300-E. He frequently runs specials on certain tools so you need to visit the site on a frequent time to time manner to know if some tools are discounted.
I also like the tool manufactor Michael posted Proxxon. IU would like to order one kit and a 1/4 inch ratchet and the engine oil changer that connects to a car battery.
Would any one else like to do an order with me?

Bob Geco