KC Tool Haul #77: Witte ProTop II and Stahlwille Socket Expansion

[@timb791]

I like this Stahlwille set. As for additional sizes to get: 21, 22, 24, 27, and maybe 32 would address most common needs in addition to what you already have. While the 1/2 drive Stahlwille ratchet is quite nice, the 3/8 seems much smoother.

[@petecs1655]

I’ve a bunch of Stahlwille 1/2 ratchets and noticed the QRN ones do have variable gear feeling, from smooth to slightly crunchy. They’re a pain to take apart, so I oil them with 3 in 1 and let run through the gaps top or bottom. It smooths them a good bit. I think maybe it’s the nylon anvil face to blame, being pressed in during manufacturing. If you shake them you can hear the gear moving on some and on others it’s silent, the silent ones run smoothly. So check them like a gunfighter checks his revolver.

[@chadroy16]

My 1/2" round head 60t stahlwille ratchet is louder but still feels as nice as my 3/8" The 3/8" ratchet is perfect. I got it in a set and the sockets have zero play on that ratchet. Yet the 1/2" is definitely looser. It's obviously not super important but I appreciated it on the 3/8"

[@lonestarmopars]

I've had a couple of people say that their 1/2" were similar...I believe one or two even said they were bone dry. I probably should take it apart and check...maybe I'll try your 3-in-1 strategy as a quick upgrade, lol. It isn't terrible, but is a very noticeable departure from the 1/4" and 3/8" drives...I've got multiples of each and they are all consistent with one another.

[@MarzNet256]

Those quality sockets remind me of some of the vintage fractional sockets from my collection...very stout with perfect broaching depth. Also, a 22mm would be same size as a 7/8", which might be reason enough to get it.

[@lonestarmopars]

Yeah, they are really nice sockets. Most of the stuff at work is old American, but I imagine when they were new they would be pretty comparable. I use a 7/8" wrench a lot on flare nuts...seems like some suspension part was always a big 1/2" bolt that needed 7/8" sockets, just can't think of it...

[@MarzNet256]

@@lonestarmopars The two bolts that hold Macpherson strut to knuckle are 22mm on my car (2006 Matrix).

[@chadroy16]

12 Point is my favourite too, and stahlwille 12 point is one of my favourites. Gedore does a super nice 12 point.. As for machining I've always used the super uncomfortable t handled square drivers. The chuck keys are always a nicer size, that being said I've worked machines where the chucks are huge, I'm talking over 2m. I've got the round head 60 toothed stahlwille 1/2" ratchet and it's like my 3/8" one, super nice and smooth and no backdrag. It's definitely louder than the 3/8" though. I am awaiting a stahlwille 1/2" set I recently ordered, been waiting years to make that purchase. Maybe buy a rebuild kit for your ratchet? 11mm is good for grease nipples as it's 7/16". 15mm is rarely used.12, 14, 16 and 18mm are common. 16 and 18 were usually for stainless bolts but that seems to have changed in my opinion. 21mm usually hydraulics, 22mm is fairly common but 24mm is super common. After that it's 27, 30, 32, 36, 41, 46, 50 and then 5mm increments from there, 55, 60, 65 etc I have some mint old HPQ spanners, they're beefier and heavier Sorry, but I have a lot to say when it comes to stahlwille lol

[@lonestarmopars]

No worries...Stahlwille has been good to me, so I can appreciate the rapport. Thanks for the insights on the more common sizes. I think what throws off my perception, is a lot of the stuff I do work on that has metric, was early cross-over. So, there is older components still utilizing SAE and then newer additions the OEM went with metric...but, as they phased out SAE, by default, they sought out the closest metric size, which results in a different selection than say something from Europe, or Asia etc. I have it on my list to pick up the previous generation of ratchets so I can have a comparison and appreciation of the changes. Glad you also prefer 12 point. Oh yeah, all our lathe chucks are giant T-Handles with square ends. Congrats on the new set...hopefully it comes in soon!

[@chadroy16]

@@lonestarmopars stahlwille has been really really great to me to, I did however get an 11mm open ended crowfoot socket that looks like a crab claw because the machining is so badly off square. Yes, there is a lot of crossover between them, but I still like having the correct spanner or socket, metric or SAE. More sizes more tools right? Lol I should say that those common metric sizes I mentioned were only referencing the ones you got in this tool haul and then above 19. Obviously 10, 13, 17 and 19 are super common. Just had to add lol

[@justineells9857]

I bought the same ratchet set as in the video. My ratchet feels great, but I don't have smaller ratchets to compare to. I agree with all the sizes toolsample with the exception that 15mm is common on bicycles and drain plugs on some older cars.

[@chadroy16]

@@justineells9857 ah okay 15mm is good for bicycles, good to know, thanks. I know 15mm is used by Mercedes and some other car manufacturers too. I'm a guy that doesn't like skips in sets, so I'll always have one anyways

[@liveyourbestlife1513]

Have you tried putting some grease in the ratchet mechanism?

[@BrentKung89]

Love me the stahlwille ratchets, got the 3/8 set but still want the deep sockets. Also why is it that the witte looks identical to the stahlwille drall? They made in same factory?

[@Troppa17]

Witte makes the Stahlwille Drall. They make a lot of OEM stuff and yes its an variation of the Witte Pro or formerly known as ProTop II.

[@lonestarmopars]

Yeah, the deep sockets are pretty pricey. I believe I have brought in 1 or 2 as I slowly build that out, lol. And that is correct, Witte makes the Stahlwille drivers.