AmPro - Good or Bad?

[Motorbreath]

Hey guys.

Recently I've been looking for a good metric 1/4" socket wrench set at some local stores.

Since Bahco and Kamasa tools for some wierd reason are hard to find the only brands I came across were AmPro and Tengtools.
Tengtools doesn't seem cost efficent to me so I prefer to buy Bahco or Kamasa instead if I found it around here. Guess I'll just have to start looking closer.

But what about the brand that's new to me, AmPro, is it worth looking at or is it just another Asian junk brand for the dump?

/K

[SixFifty]

Sheesh... I've never even heard of Bahco, Kamasa, or Tengtools. :eek: Then again, I couldn't tell you the name of Canada's president :o :D

Anyway, I looked up AmPro, and they (Frenway Products Inc.) say they've been around since 1984, and they say they're a "Global Professional Tool Company."

However, they don't mention where the tools are manufactured, so go figure.
I can't say they're junk because I haven't used 'em, but I will say buyer beware. Although there are always a few exceptions, I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for.

[Motorbreath]

Sheesh... I've never even heard of Bahco, Kamasa, or Tengtools. :eek: Then again, I couldn't tell you the name of Canada's president :o :D

Anyway, I looked up AmPro, and they (Frenway Products Inc.) say they've been around since 1984, and they say they're a "Global Professional Tool Company."

However, they don't mention where the tools are manufactured, so go figure.
I can't say they're junk because I haven't used 'em, but I will say buyer beware. Although there are always a few exceptions, I'm a firm believer that you get what you pay for.

Bahco is probably the biggest tool brand in Scandinavia. It's a Swedish company who invented the adjustable wrench and the pipe plier in the late 19th century. Owned by Snap On since 1999 i think. Manufactured in Spain nowadays.

Kamasa Tools is also a Swedish brand created in 1968, very popular among the mechanics down in the mines up here.

I don't know much about Teng Tools but they seem to be designed in Sweden and manufactured in Taiwan.

I think AmPro is also manufactured in Taiwan. Some of their socket wrenches actually felt good in the local dealer shop. But the pliers felt a bit awkward. Their wrenches was a bit too glossy to me, hard keepin hands clean from oil and grease when repairing a car.

[John Larson]

If they are popular by the professionals, they're usually pretty good.
If I recall, most of the Spanish made stuff is good quality.
The wrenches should ring like a bell. The ratchets should feel firm but not so stiff that they can't thread a nut and bolt together with normal drag.
The sizing should be very close. If its too loose, you may slip off the fastener or round it off. the serrations on pliers should be crisp, not rounded off.
Using some of those guidelines, you should be able to evaluate any tool in the store and be somewhat certain that it will be decent.

[Motorbreath]

If I don't find Kamasa Tools at my local Volvo-dealer I think I'll give AmPro a chance. Don't know why but I just have this feeling that I GOTTA buy something. Wierd, since otherwise I'm quite careful with money.

[redltg]

If I don't find Kamasa Tools at my local Volvo-dealer I think I'll give AmPro a chance. Don't know why but I just have this feeling that I GOTTA buy something. Wierd, since otherwise I'm quite careful with money.


If they have a warranty on them, whats the worst that could happen, it breaks you take it back.:clap:

[Motorbreath]

If they have a warranty on them, whats the worst that could happen, it breaks you take it back.:clap:

Yeah, the catalogue says total warranty. The shop that sells the brand isn't too far away so if something breaks I wouldn't hesitate to bother them to get me a new piece. :devil:

There is a low-budget brand in Sweden called Biltema who has some good tools with 10 years warranty among their otherwise crappy product range. One of them is a 150-piece tool set for about $143. Too bad their closest department store is more than 370 miles away and they don't ship. Don't think I'd even bother them if something broke, just replace it with a Bahco- or Kamasa-piece. :)

[redltg]

Now your on the right track , make the best decision you can and above all make sure they will warranty it .