Bahco or Snap-On? A SURPRISING history!

[@rasmusrappell9073]

Eyy I actually work at Bahco in Lidköping Sweden, old Sandvik. Great tools and other products, to bad we are owned by Snap On. We actually produce a lot of their tools as well and I'ts basically just a change in colour and brand

[@ShedTorque46]

Great info! I do try to tell people the same. I do like Bacho tools, great value for money. Great to have you on board. Thank you. I haven't done much recently but fitted some heated grips last night on a friends bike so will upload that, also fitted a complete exhaust system on a friends bike so just in the middle of editing that! Thanks again!

[@FedericoPalma]

Hey! You must be proud. I love my Bahco tools, specially my Sandvik blades... yet even those made in Taiwan or elsewhere are top notch quality across the board. Saludos desde Argentina!!!

[@lovejoyone]

I have the S138 set - and the snap locks on the box are the worst quality on mine - when i set the box down on the ground(holding the handle) the snap locks open by themselves - box opens and all parts all over the floor. Is yours acting like that?

[@adrian_dickinson]

I bought a big Bahco set in 2008 the big set with 1/2 inch & 1/4 drive with spanners got at a good deal from a BOC gases shop £130.00 it's been brilliant, the sockets have had some pain. what I like is you pick it up & you have most thing to do a job. I'm thinking of buying a S138 set roughly £170 delivered when on offer. I not sure if the quality will be as good. I have 3/8 snap on ratchet & sockets, but just like the idea you pick up 1x box & it's all there tidy.

[@faderthurfjell]

I own a lot of Bahco tools, of course a good few modern ones, but many inherited from my grandfathers. The modern stuff is on par with most modern tools (not with WERA, Knipex and the like), but the old stuff is super. I actually live in Enköping, so a bit patriotic here, and sad about the fact that SNA was allowed to take the company over…

[@ShedTorque46]

I totally agree. It's good kit to be fair but yes, being made in Sweden is a fantastic bit of history.

[@jonasvilhelmsson9460]

hi,i own baco "argentine",the are from a swedish steel plant.

[@jfamily7821]

Here in S. America the Bahco tools are the best you can buy. They are made in Brazil and you can feel the superior quality of the metals and the greater precision.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thank you. Much appreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@wnicklas]

Great video. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻 Agree, nothing been the same in Sweden 🇸🇪 since.... Bacho, Ericsson, Sandvik, Atlas Copco, Electrolux, SAAB, Husqvarna motorcycles and so on.... When Bacho-Sandvik closed nearby, it was about 4500 people without work.... RiP Bacho. Today, Sweden is nothing but violence in the streets. Companies today like Spotify run to the U.S.... Glad to see you bought Bacho and made this lovely video. Thanks ❤️ //Regards, a 🏍️💨 🇸🇪

[@ShedTorque46]

That's a really nice comment. Much appreciated. I bought Bahco as the quality is great. They are definitely my number one go to now for tools. Welcome from Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 to Sweden!

[@alexejnemov]

Bacho i well known in Norway and i own several tools from the company, recently im looking to get the S530T set.

[@cristhoferpalacios8111]

I changed the entire exhaust system of my 2011 F-150 using my Bahco S240, S330 and S160 socket sets and they seem to be very good quality. I have used this brand before and they have an excellent reputation. For me, this brand has been with me for about 7 years and not even They show signs of rust or anything similar. very good video and perspective

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for sharing!!

[@nomad90125]

Anything produced in china is a sad state of affairs for any business that had a good reputation. I have genuine bahco made in Sweden over 50 years old and still as good as new. ❤️

[@nickhannaford3253]

I think you might find that Belzer is in the mix. Belzer was German and got taken over by Sandvik. Belzer socket sets are cracking quality. I wonder if the Bacho socket set production originated from Belzer?

[@ShedTorque46]

Interesting. I will look into this. Thankyou

[@zcramos2266]

Very good video. The Swedish brand Bahco also absorbed the best Spanish tool brands (Irazola, Palmera, Acesa and Irimo). Irimo continues to be sold as Bahco's second brand and its catalog, although smaller, has very good quality tools. Both Bahco and Irimo manufacture in different places around the world (Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Argentina, China, Taiwan...). Greetings from Spain

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for the info dude! Appreciate it.

[@davidweston9115]

Bahco saws still made in Sweden.

[@berenzable]

Yep, bought one today. Nice saw at a great price

[@peterkeane7767]

I worked for a Builders Merchant in the early 80's in Bury St. Edmunds,and part of the deal was Tools at 'Cost' ! I bought a useful Toolkit over time all Bahco. They were excellent, So much so when my Ford Cortina was stolen, the Car turned up,but the Tool Kit was gone! I was heartbroken and I've never had a Tool Kit to match it, just couldn't afford it! Re 'China' while the C.C.P. has effectively changed its attitude to the outside World,it is I think fair to say that they have revolutionised their Technology and Industrial ability, They can make excellent quality products,however the standards and quality reflect the Orders from the Buyers,and most want their Kit to primarily be as good as will be acceptable,but made as cheaply as possible! Which is why most of them moved their production to the other side of the World. Anything but a "Fair days Work for a Fair days Pay " that Western Workers seem to want!

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks Peter. Totally agree. Everyone wants everything for nothing these days. Something has to give.

[@OBWanKenobi]

You keep saying no one had heard of them, I'm 52 and have worked in industry all my life, Bacho and Sandvic have always been recognized as top of the line tools. Mainly Sandvic renowned for making the best hacksaws and Bacho the best adjustable spanners.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks Jay. Many haven't, but glad you have.

[@OBWanKenobi]

What is extremely shameful is the decline of British industry, if I want quality tools there are no UK tools that are anything above garbage

[@ShedTorque46]

Totally agree Jay. As an Engineer the decline of manufacturing in the UK was shameful, although over recent years there seems to be some green shoots of recovery. ⚙️🔧

[@OBWanKenobi]

@@ShedTorque46 yup without getting political Thatcher started it off and Blair finished off our industry ( more jobs in industry were lost under Blair than Thatcher) the job has been completed by the EU(Germany) who have sold the UK order book to the likes of Spain as a reward for helping them in WW2. At least now we are out and our industry as you say has a few green shoots, just no or very few skilled workers

[@craigmackay4909]

I have an old school “ made in Sweden “ Bahco 8” adjustable and a new one . Neither have had the abuse to determine quality difference.

[@AlexKall]

It is sad that Bahco are almost completely gone from Sweden. All we have are the saws as you say, made in my town Lidköping. We'll see how long they will stay there.

[@ShedTorque46]

Very sad. But, I can say that the tools I have bought recently are very very good. Good to talk. Thanks for the comment.

[@AlexKall]

@@ShedTorque46 bought the s4rm/3t today, very happy with it, made in Taiwan 👍

[@ShedTorque46]

Good to know. I have a similar set, how is the manufacture of it?

[@AlexKall]

@@ShedTorque46 Missed your reply, they feel good, honestly not used them that much, just for home use.

[@markuspersson3969]

Great video. It is a sad story for a great brand. I always look after good old Bahco tools here in Sweden. But some new have also get in to my shop, just have to know what is quality and not.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for that comment. All the way from Sweden? ⚙️🔧🏍️👍

[@larion3296]

I think many Swedish people have the opinion (and experience) that the Swedish made Bacho tools from 30-40 years ago had the best quality, better than today and on par with the very best tool brands. Primarily adjustable wrenches, pipe wrenches, socket sets and spanners. Then they moved the manufacturing to Spain and Argentina, and the quality and design suffered. Still some very good tools today, but also some low quality tools. Apparently, there were real high quality adjustable wrenches made in Spain since the early 20th century, but the quality of the Bacho wrenches still suffered.

[@jwbrobiker5741]

Mate... back in the 70s & 80s I used My dad's Britool 1/2" socket set. I used to put scaffold bars on the ratchet & jump on it to shift driveshaft nuts: Didn't flinch mate. Loads better than snap-on but like everything else that was once great about British engineering got swallowed up & cheapened. I'm sure if Britool still exists its a load of crap now?

[@ShedTorque46]

Bought out in 1991 mate. Exactly like you said, outsourced to Europe. I can't fault Bahco mate. They look and feel quality. Not a fan of Snap-On to be honest. Maybe because I can't afford them.. 😂

[@robloupart4653]

I still use my dad's Britool ratchet 👌 Big shout out to my KingDick mini adjustable spanner. So well made and stays tight, unlike modern adjustables

[@ppal64]

Just because things were over engineered and you could abuse it didn’t mean things now are crap. There is a thing called a breaker bar - try it sometime instead of a ratchet.

[@jwbrobiker5741]

I WAS 12 years old at the time & didn't know a breaker bar even existed but I now have quite a few breaker-bars the oldest being 30 years old. The last one I broke was on your wallet mate!

[@ShedTorque46]

@@jwbrobiker5741 30 years old 👍

[@rodrigodelallata7140]

these are made in Taiwan right?

[@drengskap]

I'm surprised that you think no-one had heard of Bahco until recently - I've been using Bahco tools since the 1990s, in particular the adjustable spanners, which were the best you could get. I still have plenty of the made in Sweden spanners, though I think they're made in Spain by Acesa now. Sandvik and Bahco merged at some point, but they're both part of the same conglomerate as Snap-On now, as is Acesa. Tool companies and brands are always merging and taking each other over, it's hard to keep on top of who really makes what.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for the message. Yes, I mean adjustable spanners and saws were fairly well heard of, but a lot of people I spoke to at the time of the video had no idea Bahco had such a range. There is a lot of coming out of Spain now, mechanically. The milling machines I use are Spanish, and they are pretty good to be fair. 👍

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

Theres a new bahco plant in Argentina that some wrenches are made in and pwz pliers.

[@ShedTorque46]

Cheers for the information Doug. Much appreciated.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

@@ShedTorque46 no problem m8, heres something kinda odd I recently put up a video that featured the snap on pwz which a argentina label was on it, and then I ordered the bahco branded same style tool just a little larger and it came from spain. Its very interesting how they have so many plants around the world.

[@ShedTorque46]

@@Toyotas_n__Tools Yeah, they are a really well respected brand from what I can see.

[@ShedTorque46]

@@Toyotas_n__Tools Dropped you a subscribe buddy.

[@Toyotas_n__Tools]

@@ShedTorque46 thank you I did the same, im on the US west coast but have a few good UK channels im subb'ed to Micks Mowers is one channel and another is ToolAddict that I can think of off the top of my head.

[@MERBABU-AC]

I bought bahco 8072 made in spain, the quality is not good, the upper and lower jaws are not parallel, when I hold the jaw it is also loose, let the upper and lower jaws align then I sand it, it turns out the material is soft not hard

[@mrtracing3292]

I like Bahco tools just not very keen on the actual finish they seem more towards the industrial side with what seems to be a spray painted type of finish. I definitely prefer the polished finish easy clean automotive stuff

[@dazzer_]

I've had a Bahco S106 for 2 years now, no complaints. I think the fact it was made in China isn't the whole story. The quality is still excellent, and everything is a tight fit, even after all this time. I've yet to break anything, despite the abuse I've given it, so not much else to say really. The price was right, it does the job, and if you're in the market for a socket set, you could definitely do worse than this.

[@SonyJohnGeorge]

i wish you didn't put that background music, i was really struggling to hear what you were saying

[@ShedTorque46]

I will bear that in mind Sony.

[@RxLush]

Bahco manufactures tools in the Argentinian factory since 1963. They still make some tools there but most models are now made in other factories (mostly in Asia). They also make some tools and parts for Snap-on, I think. Anyway, all that, made in Sweden, Germany, Spain, USA or China is really 80% perception base on the racism WE all have, whether we want to admit it or not. If a tool made made in China it's not good it's because the company chose to manufacture there to save money, so, they probably used lower quality materials. Great tools are made in Asia and crappy tools are made in the USA. Same for all countries. So, please stop with the "chinesium" rhetoric. (I know you didn't said it, but i speak in general). If the factories are no longer in your country, it is because of the greed of the owners of the companies, not because of the labor of the Chinese workers. (and, I'm from Argentina, where many factories closed to manufacture cheap in china, so, I'm not please of the situation either)

[@rodrigodelallata7140]

I am going to try them out,

[@scod3908]

I've used and abused the S106 kit for ~4-5yrs, especially the 1/2" ratchet before I purchased a breaker bar. They're good kits, many of the cheap kits sold in Australia are all 12 point which is rubbish. Just need to be careful which kit you buy as there are several variants that are very similar

[@scod3908]

Just checked the email receipt: Jan 2016. >5yrs used and abused, put away wet, they just keep going.

[@ShedTorque46]

@@scod3908 Cheers for that, good to hear some of the Bahco stories coming out. Quite a history, a real engineering history! Drop me a subscribe, it would be much appreciated SinM

[@davidweston9115]

Even if the quality is very good, tools from china, no matter the brand, are not assets which will appreciate. They are liabilities. You don't want to ever spend money on liabilities. It won't even be sellable for the amount you paid. Not even half usually. (and that's if you don't use it even once.) People who have Hazet, Snap On etc. can sell their tools and buy a new house with the money, even after using them for decades. Because the tools appreciate over the years. The Hazet tools I got two years ago are worth double now because I got good deals. I have sold some because I like doubling my money for buying stuff I love to use. I know a mechanic who retired recently. He sold his Snap On tools for $120,000 which cost him $6,000 new when he bought them 35 years prior. Those tools are assets. If he had bought high quality stuff from the east, sure it would have been cheaper but it would have been scrap long before he retired. You are reluctant to believe this because you are trained by the establishment to desire liabilities. That's how they get your money and keep you from retiring from the labour pool from which they derive all your labour.

[@ShedTorque46]

Cheers for commenting and watching.

[@rhydtuned]

The more expensive the tools the less likely you are going to use and abuse them ;)

[@ShedTorque46]

True story Rhyd.

[@asmautollc]

Sounded like you were saying SNA owns Snap On. SNA is just the stock market symbol for Snap On Incorporated itself. And Snap On owns SNA Europe / Bahco.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for your comment 👍 As far as I was aware, Herramientas Eurotools and Bahco Group joined Snap-on Inc and merged to create SNA Europe. But interesting none the less. ⚙️🔧🏚️

[@ppal64]

Bahco is a Swedish brand within the hand tool industry, which is now part of SNA Europe, part of Snap-on.

[@ShedTorque46]

@@ppal64 Yep. Thanks.

[@Pleos118]

There is a SNA Europe factory in norther Portugal. Its common knowledge in the area that they make files. So it seems that Bahco production its well spread around the world.

[@1FaSS01]

There is a lineup of bahco ratchets that has the snap on design

[@leebrand2172]

Bahco made the original Swedish pattern pipe wrench. Incredible gripping power. Still use a “Swedish” often. When I need to use a shifting spanner Bahco are the best of the best. If I see a used one up for sale I buy it 😂 Problem is they tend to disappear 😡

[@guitarplayerwannabee]

Very interesting. Thanks

[@ShedTorque46]

No worries, thanks for viewing 🔥

[@TheMrBennito]

Weird, never knew it is Bahco, a brand. In the Netherlands we just say 'baco' , and its a specific tool that has a rolling adjustment part to adjust the size of the wrench

[@ShedTorque46]

Thank you for that!

[@TheMrBennito]

@@ShedTorque46 I am pretty sure that it's origin is this Bahco company 😉

[@devon896]

I don't buy Bahco or Snap on pliers. Knipex are a much better quality for that.

[@branned]

I buy both. Knipex does not make a great needle nose like Snap-on.

[@Nikosk00]

knipex is at like 90%. they can make them better. there was a french company named bost that made amazing tools but i can no longer find them in the market. in greece, every builder that was putting iron on the skeleton of the building was using bost

[@devon896]

@@Nikosk00 Never heard of them. In aviation we use pliers all the time, I've used all the big brands Snap on, Blue Point, Bahco(which all my other tools are) but pliers Knipex are the best they always stay sharp and take a lot of abuse.

[@branned]

@@Nikosk00 Iteresting. I have never seen Bost but they sound excellent. I also buy Japanese pliers as they all are the best at taking out screws. Brands like Engineer, Lobster, Fuji-ya, TsunoDA, etc.

[@johanneso6083]

Spanners, wrenches, pliers, saws and pneumatic tools are still top tier. Some other products are a mix of genuine Bacho and rebranded China-crap. Speed-Clamps are a good example. Even the adjustable wrenches can be really bad now, i bought a set of three and they were far from the quality of my old ones given by parents and grandparents. So if you find a Bacho tool that is inexpensive, watch out! As a Swede I am both sad and proud of Bacho and Sandvik.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for that comment Johannes. Appreciate it and pleased to meet you.

[@-KetTune-]

5.30 Taiwanese set next to him..

[@hachicoification]

Hola cómo estás soy de argentina pregunta la comparación la calidad de las herramientas bahco vs snap-on porque la mayoría de las herramientas son toda echa en argentina no hay una comparación con snap-on no hay muchas herramientas acá en argentina pensamos esas herramientas snap-on son mejores por su diseño pero son muy difícil de conseguir snap-on. Yo que usado herramienta bahco la calidad que tiene es muy difícil de romper por ejemplo un mango de fuerza aplicando mucha carga de fuerza esas el trabajo que realizamos, acá en argentina la mayoría de herramientas bahco vikingo después cambio su diseño pero la comparación que tenemos o que hacemos bahco vs irimo vs biassoni vs Stanley cómo última opción

[@fomocore]

I have a ratchet and it uses the guts of a Snap-On

[@rodrigodelallata7140]

most of snap-on tools are made in Milwaukee Wisconsin, USA.

[@gingebrien2408]

I have a bahco adjustable wrench. It was made in Spain. It is truly a great tool. But to hear they are making Bahco in China breaks my heart. Snap On tools usually are expensive but ultimately are heritage tools that your grandkids will use. My experience with China is variable. Disappointing to hear.

[@OBWanKenobi]

Snap on is laughable, America has to make it bigger and better which is nonsense.

[@ShedTorque46]

True.

[@ronniesand3594]

Bigger and better is not nonsense......snap on is great at certain things .....other things not so much but bahco is great tools especially the pliers...America is made of everyone

[@garybrown9719]

Snapon owns bahco

[@RDR1456]

You say priced right mate, but whats the price you paid? Lol

[@ShedTorque46]

£121

[@RDR1456]

ShedTorque grrr just ordered its £144 now lowest price, more at other places. Is it still holding strong? Only Issue is that I will be mainly using it for cars and so it would be good to have some deep sockets

[@ShedTorque46]

@@RDR1456 it is, it's a great bit of kit to be fair

[@cerealkiller4248]

In the 80's Bahco adjustables were the ones to have. Hence I have them in 4", 6", two 7" wides, 12" and an 18". They have served me well. I also have the SL25, S160 and the S240 socket sets, a bit set and many other tools. No complaints from me from a pro working in heavy industry. You mentioned Draper too, I still have some of their stuff I bought in the 80's, not used now but they lasted the distance. My kit is now predominantly Klein. Nice stuff but difficult/expensive to get parts for, postage makes them a throw away item because its cheaper to buy a new replacement. So Klein in being replaced by Knipex, Wera and Milwaukee. Tools are an expensive hobby.

[@ShedTorque46]

Good to know! Thanks for the info mate. Thanks for watching! I haven't done much recently but fitted some heated grips last night on a friends bike so will upload that, also fitted a complete exhaust system on a friends bike so just in the middle of editing that! Thanks again!

[@disclosed2229]

There are many companies which produce high-quality products in china. People think that because they are good at producing cheap products for the people who dont want to or can't spend a lot of money on something, that doesn't mean that's all they are good at. I think people would be surprised at the big brand names whose products are made in China.., Ps, I've had bacho stuff for years and still seems really good quality to me.. excellent value for money, and they will stand up to the test of time.. I wiil watch your ten year review of yhat socket set if im still alive 😂😂

[@markmall7142]

China has caused its own shit by copping others and making crap so why should we sift out the good out all the bad they produce? If its made in that shit hole I try avoid it out of principle.

[@johnmartin2079]

Snap-on

[@ZGoddessLola]

It is a shame

[@yute-hube779]

I've got a Bahco Sweden 8072 and I'd never sell it.

[@ShedTorque46]

Good investment

[@yute-hube779]

@@ShedTorque46 Not even that, it was my grandad's, then my dad's, now I'm the only one left so it's mine! It's probably from around the 1980's I think. I always knew it was good because of how little play it had in it, in fact it typically fits tighter on a nut than a proper size spanner would.

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks for that. Great to hear!! 👍

[@thecollector6629]

Bachos are harder to get in the US than snap on

[@ShedTorque46]

Thanks Ryan

[@boosted2.4_sky]

5:29.. Spain and France too...