Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

Wiha German Precision Tools

LARGE picture files allowed here. Those with slow connections, beware!!! do NOT go here on your PDA or Cell Phone!
Post Reply
Message
Author
MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Wiha German Precision Tools

#1 Post by MikalE » Sun Dec 25, 2016 6:04 pm

I received a very unexpected Christmas gift from my sister this year. I mentioned something about the tools she used at a plant that manufactured industrial ink jet print heads and ink cartridges for marking packaging. She said she too had a set of these. I had forgotten about that conversation until I opened this package this morning.

Image

Image
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

TonyJZX
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 729
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:33 am
Location: Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#2 Post by TonyJZX » Mon Dec 26, 2016 2:51 am

I'm old enough to have lusted after equipment that was labelled "Made in West Germany"... the ultimate seal of the best made stuff anywhere.

This is the current seal as well except for the E class sitting in the garage right now. Apparently not so good.

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#3 Post by MikalE » Mon Dec 26, 2016 11:44 am

I own many German made products from my tools and hiking boots (Meindl) to most of my firearms collection and a few knives.

I lived there for two years so I know how well made their products are.
Last edited by MikalE on Mon Dec 26, 2016 9:48 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

shawross
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:48 am
Location: Perth Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#4 Post by shawross » Mon Dec 26, 2016 7:51 pm

The Wiha brand is a great brand and used across the industry. That looks like a Instrument Tech's kit and it will be handy even if you never use it. Great for servicing printer heads and instrumentation used on production lines.
Active --- Love the X series
X301 W 7/Mint | X201 540M L Mint | X220 2520 W7/Mint

Nostalgia
X61 T7500 / T41 T42 T43 / A31

Rogue daily driver - Samsung RV511 15.6 " Screen - W 7

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#5 Post by MikalE » Mon Dec 26, 2016 9:49 pm

I'll be using it for certain. I work on laptops and tablets.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

excal32
BANNED
Posts: 240
Joined: Sat Apr 05, 2014 2:55 am
Location: Banned

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#6 Post by excal32 » Tue Dec 27, 2016 4:27 am

I made a thread about screwsdrivers after wrecking countless budget sets, unanimously was recommended Wiha, bought a 4 piece set, have seldom been happier with a sub $20 investment. No idea what that set you received is worth.... but I am VERY jealous!
1x R500 (P8600), R61e [T9300], X61 (T7300) - RIP T420 (replaced by HP Z420 workstation)

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#7 Post by MikalE » Tue Dec 27, 2016 9:08 am

I've always said cheap tools are not good and good tools are not cheap. And neither were these.

Good stuff though. :banana:
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

wisdomkeeper
Freshman Member
Posts: 74
Joined: Thu Apr 24, 2014 6:22 am
Location: Bourgas Bulgaria

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#8 Post by wisdomkeeper » Tue Dec 27, 2016 9:31 am

MikalE wrote:I'll be using it for certain. I work on laptops and tablets.
The bits are wayy too big for laptops or tablets. For laptops or tablets most of the time you will use PH0, PH00 and PH1

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#9 Post by MikalE » Tue Dec 27, 2016 11:53 am

I have other uses for them as well.

The pentalobe bits are neccessary for Apple products, and many older avionic components all use flat head drivers or Allen head.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

JPOESQ
**SENIOR** Member
**SENIOR** Member
Posts: 259
Joined: Sun May 16, 2004 2:26 pm
Location: San Francisco, CA
Contact:

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#10 Post by JPOESQ » Wed Dec 28, 2016 5:25 am

wisdomkeeper wrote:
MikalE wrote:I'll be using it for certain. I work on laptops and tablets.
The bits are wayy too big for laptops or tablets. For laptops or tablets most of the time you will use PH0, PH00 and PH1
I saw the OP's post and ran out and bought a set. The set comes with 5 - Phillips Bits: #000, #00, #0, #1, #2 so it is quite suitable for laptops.
John P. O'Banion, JD, PE, BSEE
Registered Patent Attorney
http://www.intellectual.com

X220 (McDonnell bios), X230 (1vyrain bios), T530 (1vyrain bios), X1 Carbon 5th Signature Edition

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#11 Post by MikalE » Wed Dec 28, 2016 12:56 pm

I discovered a manufacturing defect in my kit.

The magnetic storage bit holder was not pressed or machined correctly. When the bits are inserted into the holder they all sit in there cock-eyed at an angle. The effect is magnified with the 100mm extension. The bits will all wobble as the handle is rotated.

I wrote to Wiha USA yesterday and sent them a photo of the defective handle. They are sending a new handle out at no charge and did not want the defective handle returned.

You might want to check yours.

This is what mine looks like with a bit inserted:

Image

I was mystified. I would have never in a million years thought that this would ever leave the plant, let alone Germany with a defect like this. I guess German QA isn't what it used to be in the '70's and '80's.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

shawross
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:48 am
Location: Perth Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#12 Post by shawross » Wed Dec 28, 2016 4:46 pm

I wouldn't be at all surprised if the Kit or just the handle were made outside of Germany.
Active --- Love the X series
X301 W 7/Mint | X201 540M L Mint | X220 2520 W7/Mint

Nostalgia
X61 T7500 / T41 T42 T43 / A31

Rogue daily driver - Samsung RV511 15.6 " Screen - W 7

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#13 Post by MikalE » Wed Dec 28, 2016 6:32 pm

All Wiha tools are entirely Made in Germany. I wouldn't pay good money for crap made in China.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

shawross
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:48 am
Location: Perth Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#14 Post by shawross » Wed Dec 28, 2016 9:07 pm

You need to understand companies are profit driven. Wiha may be totally made in Germany but as you said before this is not the 70's or 80's and today it is murkier and less transparent in the corporate world.

Whether it is Lenovo or Wiha or whoever, companies will do whatever it takes to make money and to remain viable. It is survival and dog eat dog. This is why on this forum we cherish products from a yesteryear and quality today is compromised IMO.

In your Signature you have some items made in China. Are these crap or did you spend bad money to procure this items?
Active --- Love the X series
X301 W 7/Mint | X201 540M L Mint | X220 2520 W7/Mint

Nostalgia
X61 T7500 / T41 T42 T43 / A31

Rogue daily driver - Samsung RV511 15.6 " Screen - W 7

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#15 Post by MikalE » Wed Dec 28, 2016 9:20 pm

That depends entirely upon the product. Do you know where I can buy an American or German made Lenovo T series laptop?
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

shawross
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 662
Joined: Mon Oct 28, 2013 5:48 am
Location: Perth Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#16 Post by shawross » Wed Dec 28, 2016 10:30 pm

As you say it depends on the product. But my point is the "Made in Label" on a product means less than it did in an earlier time. Would a "Made in America" laptop be better than a "Made in China" laptop?
Active --- Love the X series
X301 W 7/Mint | X201 540M L Mint | X220 2520 W7/Mint

Nostalgia
X61 T7500 / T41 T42 T43 / A31

Rogue daily driver - Samsung RV511 15.6 " Screen - W 7

TonyJZX
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts: 729
Joined: Sun Feb 19, 2006 12:33 am
Location: Australia

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#17 Post by TonyJZX » Thu Dec 29, 2016 3:52 am

It would not surprise me if the HANDLES for the wiha tools are not made in Germany.

The handle is NOT the tool is it? Its the bits. I assume the bits are all cast and machined in Germany but they get the handles from China.

The handles arent the 'critical path' item (such as it is).

In the end, I think we are complaining about a German factory vs. a Chinese factory.

To take this to the Nth degree, the Mercedes E class we have is a German made car. Its full of China bits and pieces. The wheels are Chinese as are the seat frames and other bits.

To my surprise, they actually also make this car in China. With Chinese workers and German management and QA/QC the cars are essentially identical.

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#18 Post by MikalE » Thu Dec 29, 2016 6:18 am

I guess nothing means what it says any longer.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

MikalE
ThinkPadder
ThinkPadder
Posts: 1451
Joined: Sun Sep 13, 2015 9:51 pm
Location: Marissa, Illinois

Re: Wiha German Precision Tools

#19 Post by MikalE » Fri Dec 30, 2016 5:50 pm

The replacement handle arrived today. It has been manufactured correctly and the bits seat squarely in the opening. The design is slightly different but looks nearly identical to the handle included in the kit.

The plastic bag it came in did indeed say Made in Taiwan. I was slightly disappointed.

You were correct though. Not everything is made where they say it is made for all parts of a kit.
A31p P-IV 2Ghz, 2MB, 2653-R6U
T500 T9600 2055-BE9
T510 i5 4384-DV7
T510 i7 4349-A64
T520 i7QM 4242-4UU Highly Modified
T16 i7 1260P 21BV000SUS

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Pictures of your ThinkPad & desk setup”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 26 guests