Table of contents

• Product test: tool case How good are cheap tool cases really
• Product test: tool case part 2
• Ellix tool case
• Hi-Q Tools tool case
• HM Mullner tools
• Industrial tool case
• Kraftmann socket wrench set
• Lux tool case professional
• Mannesmann tools socket wrench set
• Proxxon car and universal tool case
• Rothewald industrial tool kit
• Rothewald professional tool case
• Rothewald socket wrench set
• Rothewald customs tool set
• Stanley Expert tool case
• Interview with Hazet quality assurance
• Interview with the Remscheid testing institute

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Product test inexpensive tool case

Product test: tool case
How good are cheap tool cases really

100 parts for 100 euros: In this price league, professional screwdrivers turn up their noses with contempt. MOTORRAD wanted to know anyway, collected 13 tool cases in motorcycle shops and hardware stores and took them to Remscheid, the stronghold of German tool art: there are real men’s toys for little money?

Klaus Herder

02/04/2010

Men on a shopping spree in the tool store: a dream situation for US comedian Tim Allen in his cult sitcom “Hear who’s hammering” (“Tool Time”). The only appropriate answer to women when buying shoes: archaic grunts when rummaging through the shelves, orgiastic heightened when tool fanatic Tim comes across particularly finely forged goods. And then when his (TV) wife Jill acquires “even more tools” smugly comments, he throws down their objections just as brusquely as unswervingly: “Women have no idea!”

At least now, Sandra Muller would critically raise at least one eyebrow. Because she has a clue. As head of quality at the traditional German manufacturer Hazet (see interview on page 102 and the company profile below), the 42-year-old has a keen eye for what distinguishes good from bad tools. A reason for MOTORRAD to take a close look at 13 tool cases from the discount league with her at the Remscheid headquarters of Hazet in terms of workmanship, dimensional accuracy and finish.

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One of the parties is Bodo Hoppe from the Tools and Materials Research Association, in whose experimental and testing facility (VPA) pretty much all tools that are available in Germany are taken apart. From the high-end workshop equipment down to the discounter goods sold by Aldi, Lidl and Co. “temporarily in the range” is.
Incidentally, they were not used in procurement. On the one hand, because most products would no longer be available by the time this test was published. And on the other hand, because the test result cannot be transferred to future special sales by discounters. Because even if the brand name and packaging remain the same, the content can long since have been compiled from other sources.

This part of the tool industry is like an Arab bazaar. Except that it takes place in the Far East, primarily in Taiwan and China. It is more than unlikely that the entire content will come from a single production facility. And that even a set of sockets (“nuts”) is thrown together from different producers is not uncommon and also applies to some assortments from this test.
Our test candidates are all regularly available in stores. The price bracket ranges from 50 to just under 150 euros, some at a reduced price, such as the Lux tool case, for which Obi was offering a discount of 35 euros at the time of the test (99.99 euros instead of 134.99 euros).

We also made use of the range of large motorcycle specialist chains (Polo, Louis), various hardware stores (Obi, Hornbach, Toom) and the automotive accessories trade (A.T.U). The content should be sufficient for basic work on the motorcycle. The minimum: reversible ratchet, nuts, Allen key. In addition, if possible, an open-end wrench, pliers and screwdriver. The upper limit of the equipping, however, is open.

Product test: tool case part 2

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Programmed frustration experiences. Tool check in the MOTORRAD workshop.

Which is why the table of contents ranges from clear 43 parts (Proxxon) to 445 parts (hi-Q). But be careful: Most of Polo’s own brand hi-Q consists of filler material: cable ties, cable lugs, fuses in many facets and shapes. The actual hardware for screwing is not offered any more than the majority of the other cases, which are equipped with 70 to 100 pieces.

When it comes to quality, tool professionals across the board usually notice the same defects. The coarse and frequently encountered carvers include open-end wrenches that have not been deburred, with which many an editorial colleague could treat themselves to an urgently due shave. The missing indentations in the ring spanners, which make it difficult to place them on the workpiece, are also represented with a high rate. Badly fitted rubbers in the spark plug inserts spoil the pleasure of screwing, as does hooking reversible ratchets.

By the way, Bodo Hoppe’s passion is hammers. Only the Lux hammer passed the Hoppe check without rebuke. All the others, clamped in a vice, were quickly straightened: sanded heads, without surface finish, poorly wedged handles made of lousy wood. And this although the hammers should meet the DIN requirements according to the labeling. From the print on the stick “Genuine hickory” The specialist was not blinded at all: A short hand movement without great effort was enough to separate the handle and head: A look at the broken edge brought certainty: The wood was at most in the sawmill next to a trunk of hickory wood. In any case, Hoppe and Muller repeatedly complained about the missing or inadequate identification and labeling of the parts. Correct manufacturer information is not a DIN end in itself, but is absolutely necessary in the event of a complaint.

wolf

Quality check at Roland Kellner from Hazet. The hi-Q keys held out.

Item two on the tool agenda: the practical assessment of the MOTORRAD workshop by chief mechanic Gerry Wagner (“Nothing works without a clever gag”) and top tester Georg “Schorschi” Jelicic. The sometimes poor quality of many parts also caught the eye of the two experienced screwdrivers. If it fits in terms of finish, important parts such as a 32 mm socket, the 18 mm spark plug insert or a sufficient range of keys, which usually ended in size 19, were missing. With quite a few of the sparsely stocked cases, even removing the rear wheel would fail. In terms of grip, only a few tools were convincing. Especially the thin, slippery handles of many screwdrivers kept falling with hers “Shooting gallery quality” (Jelicic) through the grid of the MOTORCYCLE screwdrivers. A slender 3/8-inch set of ratchets, which is better tailored to motorcycle needs than the unwieldy 1/2-inch format, was also sorely missed.

CONCLUSION: The bottom line is that there are two purchase recommendations with restrictions. On the one hand for the Mannesmann case, which offers an acceptable quality, but is too weakly equipped for standard work on the motorcycle. The hi-Q case from polo equipped, with which the occasional screwdriver will get along well, but in terms of quality it does not come close to the Mannesmann.

Ellix tool case

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Ellix tool case

relation: OBI hardware store, phone 02196/7601, www.obi.de;
price: 52.99 euros

Contents:
125 parts in a plastic case; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder and 3/8-inch toggle-
ratchet, 23 hexagon sockets 4–22 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 15 open-end wrenches 8–17 mm, 6 open-end wrenches 6–24 mm, adjustable wrench, 10 Allen wrenches 1.5–6 mm; 5 slotted, 3 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit screwdriver with 22 bits; Water pump, truss, grip and crimping pliers, side cutters, feeler gauges, wire brushes

Quality:
Open-end wrench not deburred, e.g. Partly extremely sharp-edged, with forging residues and not sunk; Pliers crooked, do not close; Allen key partly only punched out; Ratchet handle loose; Inner groove on inserts is missing z. T .; Screwdriver tips chrome-plated; Lettering is missing

Handling:
Ratchet runs very roughly; Screwdriver completely unsuitable; Bit holder too short, no correct grip possible; ordinary crimping tool; Box unwieldy

Motorcycle benefits:
3/8-inch size makes sense in theory, but important wrench sizes and tools are missing; Execution unsuitable

Conclusion:
Not cheap, but cheap. Extremely cheap! This tool is great for ruining components and fingers.

MOTORRAD verdict: poor

Hi-Q Tools tool case

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Hi-Q Tools tool case – MOTORCYCLE best buy

relation: Polo, phone 0180/5225785, www.polo-motorrad.de;
price: 149.95 euros

Contents:
445 parts in a metal case with lid compartment and 3 pull-outs; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder, 25 hexagon sockets from 4–32 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/18 mm, 15 combination wrenches 6–22 mm, 9 Allen keys 1.5–10 mm; 2 slotted, 2 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit screwdriver with 24 bits; Combination pliers, truss pliers and crimping pliers, mini nippers, side cutters, voltage testers, cable lugs, fuses, safety pullers, adhesive tape, cable ties

Quality:
Open-ended ring spanners mostly neat, but rings partly off-center and without countersinking; Pliers and side cutters z. Partly crooked, do not close completely; small Allen keys partly punched out; Creaking stiff; Depth of stakes z. T. too low; Cardan joints riveted somewhat unclean

Handling:
Creak grid somewhat coarse; Ratchets, wrenches and screwdrivers are easy to hold; top box service

Motorcycle benefits:
very practical, only water pump pliers and hammer are missing

Conclusion:
The parts specification is window dressing, the pliers are lousy. The rest is okay – “the one-eyed among the blind”.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

HM Mullner tools

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Universal tool kit

relation: Toom Baumarkt, Tel. 0800/7763422, www.toom-baumarkt.de;
price: 99 euros

Contents:
88 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder, 29 corrugated profile inserts from 4–32 mm, 12 combination wrenches 6–22 mm; 2 slotted, 2 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit recording with 30 bits; Water pump and combination pliers, voltage tester

Quality:
Rings of the open-end wrench partly off-center and not lowered; Water pump pliers stick and wobble; Combination pliers don’t cut, just squeeze; Creaks sometimes run a little unclean and hook; Inserts z. Partly processed improperly (paragraphs); Good quality screwdriver

Handling:
Except for the hammer and the pliers, this tool can be used properly and lies comfortably in the hand; Bit boxes very handy; Knurling of the extensions practical; Attachment of tools in the case unsatisfactory and not very durable

Motorcycle benefits:
practical equipment, size range of keys and inserts very well chosen; The choice of tools (not the quality!) is completely sufficient for standard work

Conclusion:
Extreme savings were made on hammer and pliers; The creaking and the bits and the screwdrivers are okay.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Industrial tool case

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Industrial tool case

relation: Hornbach hardware store, Tel. 06348/6000, www.hornbach.de;
price: 79 euros

Contents:
74 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4 inch socket wrench holder, 19 hexagon sockets from 5–24 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 8 combination wrenches 10–19 mm, 7 Allen keys 2.5–10 mm; 3 slotted, 2 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit reversible ratchet with 22 bits; Water pump and combination pliers; 300 g hammer, tension tester

Quality:
Open-end ring spanners partly improperly processed and with a burr, rings partly off-center, not sunk and with forged overlap; Combination pliers with large air slot; Hammer ground, tiller not rounded, breaks even under low loads (handle according to the label “Genuine Hickory”, but probably something else); Manufacturer designation is missing, lettering is coming off z. T.

Handling:
Type of bit ratchet impractical; 1/2-inch ratchet ergonomically unfortunate, pliers handles slippery; Tools in the lower part of the case are completely unsecured

Motorcycle benefits:
Tool sizes that are too small and unrelated to practice

Conclusion:
Inappropriate tool sizes, poor quality, a failing hammer and lousy pliers – still questions?

MOTORRAD verdict: poor

Kraftmann socket wrench set

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Kraftmann socket wrench set

relation: Polo, phone 0180/5225785, www.polo-motorrad.de;
price: 69.95 euros

Contents:
94 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4 inch socket wrench holder, 43 corrugated profile inserts from 4–32 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 3 Allen keys 1.5–2.5 mm; 2 bit recordings with 33 bits

Quality:
Creaking open and sensitive to dirt, housing improperly processed; Inserts partly with a poor surface finish and already corroded when new; 1/4 inch bit sockets without internal groove, cannot be secured on ratchet; Cardan joints very poorly processed; Rubbers in spark plug sockets do not fit; Allen key only punched; Manufacturer information is missing

Handling:
Ratchet barrel okay, but handles a bit slippery; ¼ inch bit sockets can slip off easily; Cardan joints only work very roughly, tools in the case base are largely unsecured

Motorcycle benefits:
Inserts with practical sizes, the long inserts (also in 1/4-inch!) Are very practical, but there is no knurling; Bit sizes partly oversized

Conclusion:
Good size range; Equipped very similar to the Mannesmann case, but processed significantly worse.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Lux tool case professional

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Lux tool case professional

relation: OBI, Tel. 02196/7601, www.obi.de;
price: 99.99 / 134.99 euros (offer / regular)

Contents:
70 parts in a metal case with a lid compartment and two pull-outs; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder, 21 hexagon sockets from 4–27 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 7 combination wrenches 8–17 mm; 2 slotted, 4 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit recording with 20 bits; Combination pliers, side cutters; 300 g hammer, tension tester, hacksaw

Quality:
Open-end ring spanners not properly deburred, rings e.g. Partly out of round and not lowered; Creaks run a bit rough; Inserts partly with slight edges in the square; Pliers, hammer and screwdriver with good quality, PH2 x 100 but available twice, PZ1 x 80 missing; Sturdy case with a good pull-out lock, but cheap lid locks

Handling:
Ratchet handles not very ergonomic, screwdriver handle shape good, but a bit slippery; Bit holder fiddly to use; Suitcase service very good

Motorcycle benefits:
the very small and very large sizes are a bit scarce; Water pump pliers missing

Conclusion:
Overall solid quality with slight weaknesses in the keys; not quite practical for motorcycle screwdrivers.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Mannesmann tools socket wrench set

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Mannesmann tools socket wrench set – MOTORRAD bestseller

relation: A.T.U Autoteile Unger, Tel. 0961/3060, www.atu.de;
price: 99.99 euros

Contents:
94 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4 inch socket wrench holder, 43 corrugated profile inserts from 4–32 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 3 Allen keys 1.5–2.5 mm, 2 bit holders with 33 bits

Quality:
Ratchets run very clean, well-made and closed housing; Inserts partly with slight edges in the square; very good: Cardan joint screwed, not caulked or riveted; slightly less good: bit holder only with a simple locking plate instead of a ball; Most of the tools in the lower part of the case are not secured, the 1/4 inch ratchet does not fit properly into the case insert

Handling:
Good ratchet handles; Knurling of the extensions very practical; all 1/4-inch bits are also well secured thanks to internal grooves; The handle of the 1/4-inch socket wrench holder is a bit slippery

Motorcycle benefits:
sensible equipment, good size range; the long inserts (also in 1/4-inch!) are very practical; only an 18mm spark plug insert is missing

Conclusion:
Practically equipped, consistently good quality – as a socket wrench set (not as a universal tool case) a tip to buy!

MOTORRAD verdict: good

Proxxon car and universal tool case

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Proxxon car and universal tool case

relation: Proxxon, phone 06575/780, www.proxxon.com;
price: 147.50 euros

Contents:
43 parts in a plastic case; 1/2 inch reversible ratchet; 10 hexagon sockets from 8–24 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 12 combination wrenches 6–19 mm, 8 Allen wrenches 1.5–8 mm; 4 slotted, 2 Phillips screwdrivers; Water pump and combination pliers; 300 g hammer, tension tester

Quality:
Open-end ring spanners partly improperly processed, rings partly off-center and not lowered; Ratchet runs very roughly; very high quality branded pliers (Knipex); Screwdriver Partly not true to size; “No risk of breakage” as a guaranteed property for the inserts is wrong: the 10 mm insert breaks at 190 Nm (DIN value 147 Nm); the hammer head is partially not machined (which it should be according to DIN); small Allen key not machined on the front; robust case with (almost too) firm tool lock

Handling:
no small gun available; Inserts only up to 24 mm; Screwdrivers are easy to hold

Motorcycle benefits:
very spartan equipment, more suitable for cars than motorcycles

Conclusion:
The Proxxon classic has waned; In the MOTORRAD test in 1994 (!) the equipment was the same, but the quality was better.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Rothewald industrial tool kit

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Rothewald industrial tool kit

relation: Detlev Louis, phone 040/73419360, www.louis.de;
price: 139.95 euros

Contents:
122 parts in a plastic case; 1/4, 3/8, and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder, 35 hexagon sockets from 4–32 mm, 16 combination wrenches 6–22 mm, 9 Allen keys 1.5–10 mm; 2 slotted, 4 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit reversible ratchet and 2 bit holders with 30 bits; Water pump and combination pliers, side cutters; Voltage tester

Quality:
Open-end ring spanners not properly deburred, rings e.g. Partly off-center and without depression; Inserts with heels in a square; Creaks open (risk of contamination), but run cleanly; Combination pliers do not close, water pump pliers can pinch fingers; Screwdriver Partly not true to size; Allen key unstable; Cardan joint just riveted; Case quality good

Handling:
Good bit retention; Ratchet handles ergonomically unsatisfactory

Motorcycle benefits:
Lush and thoroughly practical equipment; Size range very good; only a hammer is missing – and the quality of workmanship

Conclusion:
The contents of the case look very impressive at first, but you quickly become disillusioned when you screw the screws.

MOTORRAD verdict: Sufficient

Rothewald professional tool case

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Rothewald professional tool case

relation: Detlev Louis, phone 040/73419360, www.louis.de;
price: 139.95 euros

Contents:
201 parts in a metal case with lid compartment and two pull-outs; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 21 corrugated profile inserts from 4–27 mm, 16 combination wrenches 6–22 mm, 3 spark plug sockets 16/18/21 mm, 9 Allen keys 1.5–10 mm; 3 slotted, 2 Phillips screwdrivers; Bit recording with 18 bits; Combination pliers, needle nose pliers and crimping pliers, side cutters; 300 g hammer, voltage tester, spark plug brush, feeler gauge, caliper, cable lugs, fuses with holder, adhesive tape, cable ties, carpet knife with spare blades

Quality:
Open-end ring spanner processed improperly; Paragraphs in inserts; Side cutter does not close; Hammer handle not wedged and loose; Crimping pliers extremely stiff, handles can be easily removed; Pull-outs not locked when closed

Handling:
Pliers and ratchet handles are not practical; Screwdriver handles too short, practical hexagon socket holder

Motorcycle benefits:
Equipping is theoretically very good, practical execution weak

Conclusion:
The “pro” in the model name is a joke. The lush parts specification is window dressing (cable ties!), The quality is mediocre.

MOTORRAD verdict: poor

Rothewald socket wrench set

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Rothewald socket wrench set

relation: Detlev Louis, phone 040/73419360, www.louis.de;
price: 79.95 euros

Contents:
108 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4 inch socket wrench holder, 43 corrugated profile inserts from 4–32 mm, 13 Torx sockets E4 – E24, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 3 Allen keys 1.5–2.5 mm; 2 bit recordings with 35 bits

Quality:
Creaking partly open (risk of contamination), run well; Bit holder only with a simple locking plate instead of a ball; Cardan joint only riveted; Rubber stoppers on spark plug inserts not exactly fitting

Handling:
Knurling of the inserts and extensions very practical; Ratchet locking good, but handles too slippery; very good: robust padding with size information (not in the picture); Case looks very cheap, tools in the lower part of the case are unsecured

Motorcycle benefits:
Absolutely practical size range; The corrugated profile also holds in place with screwed-up screw heads; the long nuts (also 1/4-inch!) are very good; External Torx inserts are rather superfluous, a 3/8-inch ratchet would have made more sense

Conclusion:
Of the metric Rothewald sets by far the best choice. Equipped well, the price-performance ratio is right.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Rothewald customs tool set

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Rothewald customs tool set

relation: Detlev Louis, phone 040/73419360, www.louis.de;
price: 99.95 euros

Contents:
92 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 3/8 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4-inch socket wrench holder, 29 hexagon sockets from 5 / 32-1 inch, 3 spark plug sockets 5/8, 3/4, 13/16 inch, 9 open-end wrenches 1 / 4–3 / 4 inch, 9 Allen keys 1 / 16–3 / 8 inch; 2 bit recordings with 29 bits

Quality:
Open-end wrench z. Partly a bit sharp-edged, rings partly eccentric and without countersink; Inserts processed quite neatly, but the square is too short for some inserts; Creaks run well, marking on tools is partially missing; very good: robust padding with size information (not in the picture); only moderately robust case, does not lie flat when opened; Most of the tools in the lower part of the case are unsecured

Handling:
Creaks sit comfortably in the hand, but the release button is a little too deep; Ratchet barrel good; good: Allen key with ball heads, practical holder

Motorcycle benefits:
good composition, practical size range; good range of long stakes

Conclusion:
Solidly made; Well suited as a beginner’s and occasional screwdriver set for tinkering with US or UK bikes.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Stanley Expert tool case

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Stanley Expert tool case

relation: Stanley, Tel. 0421/598777, www.stanleyworks.com;
price: 129.80 euros

Contents:
97 parts in a plastic case; 1/4 and 1/2 inch reversible ratchets; 1/4 inch socket wrench holder, 42 hexagon sockets from 4.5–32 mm, 2 spark plug sockets 16/21 mm, 2 bit holders with 41 bits

Quality:
Surface quality fluctuates very much; Inserts z. Partly corroded, presumably come from different manufacturers; 1/4 inch inserts partly crooked and crooked; Bit recording made cheaply and stiff; Cardan joint only riveted; good case quality, solid and separable hinges; Most of the tools in the lower part of the case are unsecured

Handling:
1/4-inch ratchet runs stiffly and with a rough detent; Ratchet handles very well shaped, but a bit slippery; no knurling on inserts and extensions; impractical, fiddly bit holder

Motorcycle benefits:
Practical range of sizes, except for the 18 mm spark plug insert, all common sizes are on board; very practical: the long socket wrench inserts also in 1/4-inch

Conclusion:
The very good brand name is a bit misleading here. The case is far from “expert quality”, okay for amateurs.

MOTORRAD verdict: Satisfactory

Interview with Hazet quality assurance

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Sandra Muller (42) is responsible for quality assurance at the Remscheid-based tool manufacturer Hazet. In an interview with MOTORRAD, she reveals what development potential a classic wrench still has.

 ? If the customer can still rely on the “Made in Germany” on tools and their packaging, the reputation of “real” German products is endangered (due to cheap imports from the Far East)?

 ! By and large, the customer can rely on “Made in Germany”. “Made in Germany” is a clearly defined term that says that the majority of the added value takes place in Germany. But more and more providers are entering the market who display their company name in connection with “Germany”. In case of doubt, however, this only means that this company is based in Germany, but not that the products are also manufactured in Germany. Hazet still has an in-house production share of around 75 percent. I am of the opinion that products that are manufactured in Germany are of a higher quality overall. In the area of ​​quality management in particular, there have been enormous developments over the past twenty years. And that is a crucial point: The quality of the tools is already generated during the development of the tools.

 ? What role does product piracy play in the tool industry, is it a problem for Hazet?

 ! Unfortunately, product piracy is also playing an increasingly important role in the tool industry. Hazet recently discovered this when copied tool trolleys turned up at a trade fair in Essen. Only the Hazet logos were missing from these workshop trolleys. The optical quality of the plagiarism unfortunately takes on frightening proportions, so that a layman can hardly recognize the fakes when looking at them.

 ? Are classic tools such as hammers, keys and bits already “perfect”, or do you still see development potential?

 ! There is development potential for every tool, which is constantly being redefined by the users or their applications. For example, combination wrenches had to become slimmer and thinner while maintaining the same load-bearing capacity. There is development potential, for example, in the design of the tools and in the selection of materials to increase the load capacity, in the improvement of ergonomics, the increase in occupational safety and with regard to possible new operating profiles.

Interview with the Remscheid testing institute

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Keep your eyes open when buying tools! Bodo Hoppe (57) from the Research Association for Tools and Materials / Experimental and Testing Institute in Remscheid (www.fgw.de) has been taking a close look at tools for 30 years. In an interview with MOTORRAD, he reveals the typical weak points of discounter goods.

 ? Tools are often advertised as “chrome vanadium”. What does that actually say about the quality?

 ! The elements chrome and vanadium are added to the steel to make it tough and wear-resistant. The process is expensive and is often “forgotten” for cheap products despite the “Cr-V” marking. For this purpose, different grades of chrome vanadium are produced. The reference to Cr-V steel cannot be used to deduce anything about the actual quality.

 ? What can the customer deduce from markings such as DIN or GS tested?

 ! First of all: DIN does not stand for “German Industrial Standard”, but is the abbreviation for “German Institute for Standardization”. People like to mix it up. If it says DIN, it should also have been produced according to the specifications of the corresponding DIN standard. Often, however, the praised standard is only the minimum quality: good tools can produce significantly better values! The GS mark indicates that at least one type test has been carried out and that the manufacturer is able to produce a uniform quality. But: It doesn’t have to correspond to DIN quality.

 ? Is there a quality check that even laypeople can do quickly in the store? In short: How does the layman recognize good tools??

 ! First of all, the simple thing: Pliers should be able to close and cut paper. You can easily check that with a piece of paper. Handles must be firm, non-slip and twist-proof, so: pull on it and turn it – as tightly as you can. There must also be protection against trapping. The manufacturer’s identification must be permanent on all tools from three millimeters in size, e.g. B. be applied by stamp. This is the only way to provide evidence in the event of a complaint. The tools must be cleanly processed: without grooves, cavities, scale or anything else. With screwing tools, the toothing must be exactly in the middle, creaks must be easy to turn without hooks. Hammers must be properly keyed and the hammer heads attached accordingly. Make sure that the wood by the handle is clean!

 ? What are the typical weak points that keep popping up in cheap tools?

 ! As a rule, there are dimensional accuracy errors, especially with the bits. In addition, there are insufficient hardnesses and torques, which mean that cheap tools cannot cope with constant stress.

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