Looking for a good hardened Torx set

[kreisler]

I got off back and forth direct line communication (phones, mails) with Wiha HQ Germany. Much first-hand info was exchanged but to keep it simple (and easy to remember) here a summary of the most relevant facts:

• all Wiha PicoFinish drivers (= handle "Griff" + metal business end "Klingen") on the market are completely made in Germany, without exception. so one should find the marking "Made In Germany" somewhere on the seller's page, on the packaging, on the driver. ((if you read "china" w/ reto this product line, then it's fake)). In particular, all Wiha PicoFinish Torx drivers are made in Germany.
• when a Wiha product states "Made In Germany" on the product, e.g. on the SoftGrip handle, then the full product is made in Germany (and not only the handle). In particular, all Wiha SoftGrip Torx drivers are made in Germany.
• Torx bits and all other standard-sized bits, however, are all made in the Wiha-owned Wiha-operated factory in Vietnam, following Wiha Germany production standards/machinery/quality. Bits are just small bits, they don't come with an integrated Wiha handle, and they are not made in Germany. If you want Wiha Torx made in Germany, then get the PicoFinish or the SoftGrip product line, not the single small bits.
• Xiaomi's licensing of the Wiha name expired some time ago, there is no current nor future cooperation between Xiaomi and Wiha anymore. The Xiaomi bit set had absolutely nothing to do with Wiha production (the bits didn't come from Wiha's Vietnam factory). Xiaomi had sourced the bits on their own (prolly from a CN factory) and was allowed to temporarily market them with the Wiha name. This name license cooperation has ended. No more.

hope this helps.

 

[sv4]

I got off back and forth direct line communication (phones, mails) with Wiha HQ Germany. Much first-hand info was exchanged but to keep it simple (and easy to remember) here a summary of the most relevant facts:

• all Wiha PicoFinish drivers (= handle + metal business end) on the market are completely made in Germany, without exception. so one should find the marking "Made In Germany" somewhere on the seller's page, on the packaging, on the driver. ((if you read "china" w/ reto this product line, then it's fake)). In particular, all Wiha PicoFinish Torx drivers are made in Germany.
• when a Wiha product states "Made In Germany" on the product, e.g. on the SoftGrip handle, then the full product is made in Germany (and not only the handle). In particular, all Wiha SoftGrip Torx drivers are made in Germany.
• Torx bits and all other standard-sized bits, however, are all made in the Wiha-owned Wiha-operated factory in Vietnam, following Wiha Germany production standards/machinery/quality. Bits are just small bits, they don't come with an integrated Wiha handle, and they are not made in Germany. If you want Wiha Torx made in Germany, then get the PicoFinish or the SoftGrip product line, not the single small bits.
• Xiaomi's licensing of the Wiha name expired some time ago, there is no current nor future cooperation between Xiaomi and Wiha anymore. The Xiaomi bit set had absolutely nothing to do with Wiha production (the bits didn't come from Wiha's Vietnam factory). Xiaomi had sourced the bits on their own (prolly from a CN factory) and was allowed to temporarily market them with the Wiha name. This name license cooperation has ended. No more.

hope this helps.

Thanks for doing the research, that’s good information.

 

[greater]

Well my information is my Wiha #6 power torx bit (marked made in Germany on the package) inserted into my Brownells screwdriver handle loosened a well locktited ( permatex blue done by me) partially stripped torx screw on my Buck 722 spitfire with absolutely no problem when I did my part (carefully.) When that same screw was not locktited my cheapo bit would slip very easily that cheapo bit was also partially stripped by that same screw some time ago due to imprecise fit. It was a pleasant surprise when the Wiha didn't slip after finding out the screws were in tight. I was really worried for a while. The cheap bit would have never handled it. I guess that locktite primer that I used really does make that locktite bind better. Thankfully I had the Wiha bits.

The wider Brownells screwdriver handle (more control first and foremost and more torque leverage) also contributed very well to the task which may have been a problem if I used one of those typical narrow pen like handles that are flooding the market like the one on my cheapo set.

My first hand experience tells me this #6 powerbit torx bit fits right and works damn good.

Now can anyone tell me what kind of extension/extensions/adapters are available for this 60 lb/inch torquefix driver handle that I brought out of curiosity. I want to use it with "standard bits" the same size as the powerbits.

I have used the T10 torx size of the US made metal folding Eikland sets (T6, 7, 8 , 9 , 10, 15, and 20) and they seem to work fine but I have not used them on a tough to grip (partially stripped) screw yet. I chose to go straight to the Wiha for that. My research is still ongoing and incomplete maybe I will keep in touch about it.

I have ordered some German made Witte and Hazet drivers. Finding out what is up or down with Wiha is not any easy task. Candor is important to me and I don't like it when people try to sell me stuff they know I don't want no matter how good those products may or may not be. A lot of businesses and stores dislike my inquiries but I push because I want full disclosure and if it was reasonably easy to come by there wouldn't be a problem. I have a good idea why there is a problem but it shouldn't be and it's not on me.

Some photos of some of my set (my powerbit set has sizes T1 thru T9 marked made in Germany on packaging but not on the bits) of Wiha powerbits and a T6 inserted into my Brownells handle. I do not have the powerbit sizes T10 and up that have no country of origin listed (Vietnam ?) but I do have a couple of Wiha T10 winged torx drivers marked made on Germany on the handles (wings.) I think the prices are reasonable and after handling them I must say I do like them.

 

[kreisler]

Got some KS Tools stuffz the other day, complementing each other (Torx from T6 to T45). Sealed retail cardboarding, me likey:

One big air-plastic box, one small hard-plastic box (341g):

Prolly the most complete Made In Taiwan bit set for private end consumers in the europe:

Oh i have some tapes. Let's use them, punch some 5x5mm² holes, because i'm bored:

A different kind of Made In Taiwan bit set, called TORSIONpower™ bits, is included in the KS Tools locking flex head bit ratchet set. Those bits are color-coded for a rough grouping. The bits will still break at overload but the wear and tear of the bit tips'n edges is supposed to be less:

So why did i tape the hard-plastic inlay of the box? Let's guess, i'm not insane:

 

[Swp321]

I’ve got just a box of benchmade blue box. I bought some other ones on Amazon but it wasn’t a month or so before the t6 rounded off. The benchmades seem to be holding up much better. $25 at a sportsman’s warehouse near you!!

 

[91bravo]

Wiha, Wera, and Bondhus.

 

[jjg6319]

I like Wiha too.

 

[Greggy]

I bought the Wiha drivers (the spherical handle shaped ones) and a set of Felo Torx bits. After rounding off Milwaukees and others, the Felo bits are holding up well.

 

[bermo]

Wiha, Wera, PB Swiss, all are good.

Just stay away from Torx Plus. Different fastener than Torx.

 

[kreisler]

Prolly the most complete Made In Taiwan bit set for private end consumers in the europe:

oops i was so long! while this was a 17€ shipped set, i found a bigger more complete 32€ shipped set from KS Tools in the pdf catalog. i am returning the former, have ordered the latter instead. I'll update the post with clear photos again stay tuna

 

[kreisler]

geman tool trading company KS TOOLS has a similar set. prolly the Wiha-Xiaomi, the Ezarc, the KS Tools, etc are all made in the same factory, safe fair to assume.

btw can you see a product quality flaw in this photo:

i didn't include the bit holder handle in the pic sorry:

now i own 3 precision bits sets (iFIXIT, KS TOOLS, and a decent FASTTECH set):

For precision bit sets, if i had to pick just one set, i'd pick the iFIXIT glad that you asked:

 

[Swp321]

I use craftsman and have a box of the bm blue kit between those I’ve never had a problem

 

[Greggy]

Following up from my earlier post. I buy off of KC Tools website (not KS). They specialize in German tools. I have a Whia 1/4 inch driver and Felo torx bits. After about a year of use they have never stripped of otherwise failed in moderate use. Highly recommended. Milwaukee and Husky, on the other hand, failed after mild use. The Felo T6 has performed without issues. Good stuff in my opinion.

 

[AlongTheRazorsEdge]

Just something to think about..certain industries specify softer bits so that the bit breaks rather than the screw. Brownell's bits are this way, the idea is that the bit breaks rather than buggering up a irreplaceable screw on an antique.

 

[AlongTheRazorsEdge]

What would you rather break, a $10 bit or a manually machined screw of non standard threading on $10,000 rifle made 150 years ago?

 

[kreisler]

Agreed