Wera has started publicizing a number of new products as part of their Autumn-Winter 2019 campaign. Their new 58 page catalog covers their pretty extensive range of screwdrivers, wrenches, L-keys, and socket sets.
What’s very welcome is an expanded socket range, which will now include impact ready, deep, and VDE sockets.
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Wera Impaktor Impact-Ready sockets
First up, there will be a new range of Wera Impaktor impact sockets, designed for 1/2″ electric or pneumatic impact wrenches. They will be available in 9 metric sizes (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21mm). As expected, the new Impaktor sockets feature Wera’s “Take it easy” color coding system, which makes it easier and faster to find the right socket.
Wera’s Impaktor sockets have a 6pt hex profile, which allows for higher force transmission and less strain on fasteners compared to 12pt sockets.
The Impaktor sockets also feature an internal groove and pin holes, allowing them to be used with impact wrench hog ring and pin detent retention mechanisms.
Wera Deep Sockets
The new deep socket range includes 40+ new sockets for 1/4″, 3/8″, and 1/2″ drive ratchets. The new socket sizes closely match Wera’s existing range of stand height sockets:
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- 1/4″ drive: 4, 5, 5.5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15mm
- 3/8″ drive: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22mm
- 1/2″ drive: 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24mm
These also feature color coding and use the same hexagonal profile to reduce the stress on fasteners.
Wera VDE (Insulated) Bit Sockets
VDE stands for Verband der Elektrotechnik and is a certification for tools designed to work with electrically-energized systems up 1,000 VAC or 1,500 VDC. Wera already has a comprehensive range of insulated screwdrivers, and they are expanding the range with new screwdriver bit sockets:
- Torx: 20, 25, 27, 30, 40, 45
- Hex: 8, 10, 12mm
- Sockets: 4, 5, 6, 8mm
To complete the system there’s also a new Zyklop VDE ratchet to go with these sockets.
Discussion
I own a complete set of Wera’s 1/4″ and 1/2″ sockets in metric and imperial sizing, and have found them to be very well designed. I am quite fond of the color coding and the ratchet is comfortable to use. The lack of deep sockets has been limiting at times, and so I am pretty excited about this new expansion. I will probably buy the sockets individually, rather than spending the money on a complete set with another ratchet.
The new sockets will also be available in small “sockets on a rail” sets.
I did find a link to these products on the Wera US website but no mention of imperial measurements. We reached out to Wera US, which confirmed that imperial versions will be available in due course. They have also confirmed the metric versions will start shipping next month (October 2019).
Looking through their catalog, I didn’t see any expansion of the Joker wrench range, which is a shame. I also don’t see an imperial multi-color L-key set, which I would like to pair up with the metric set I picked up on Amazon Prime Day.
What did catch my eye is a range of Bicycle tool kits, which include a couple of different torque wrenches. These would be a useful addition to my workshop socket kit. If I didn’t already have a bunch of Park Tools in my bike maintenance tool kit I would be tempted by some of these sets.
You can read more about the full range in the catalog on their German website, an English version is available. You can also see the full range on Wera’s US website.
Jared
Can you explain the “double hexagonal profile” on the impact sockets Ben? Does this just mean they’re 12-point sockets or is there some kind of trickery going on with the “flats”?
Greg
That appears to be an error on Ben’s part.
“With hexagonal profile and grooved socket. The hexagon profile allows the transmission of high forces and puts less strain on the edges of bolts or screw heads THAN A double hexagon profile. For hexagon headed bolts, screws and nuts.”
https://products.wera.de/en/innovations_and_autumn_winter_campaign_2019_2020_8790_c_impaktor.html
and here’s a picture from that page showing the face of the impact socket: https://products.wera.de/images/products/additional-big/8790_c_impaktor_profilschonend.jpg
evadman
Thanks for the picture. other manufacturers, like grey pneumatic, call that style ‘wave’ or some other marketing name. basically, the corners are voids in the impact socket.
I have noticed that the gp sockets in that style impact the flats about 1 milimeter away from the point. I noticed it this weekend when I was replacing a shock that was rusty, and it was clearly evident where the socket was applying force to the bolt head.
Is it better? got me. I haven’t done enough with them to tell the difference.
fred
The corners look to be round – probably this reduces any propensity for stress concentration at a sharp corner potentially leading to fracture.
Stuart
Sorry, I was tripped up by the terminology too, should have done more fact-checking when scheduling Ben’s post for publishing.
The different terminology might be due to translation?
Basically, it looks like the new Wera Impaktor sockets have 6pt profiles, and they’re saying it’s stronger and less stressful on fasteners when compared to 12pt sockets. The corners are also relieved a little to avoid putting undue stress on fastener corners, but that’s a feature found on their hand sockets too.
Ben V
Yeah, I tripped over:
“The hexagon profile allows the transmission of high forces and puts less strain on the edges of bolts or screw heads than a double hexagon profile”
🙂
fred
Insulated XZN (triple square) bit sockets – interesting!
Altan
yea, It is, I have not seen also. This does not have an end 🙂
Kizzle
There’s just something about Wera tools that I love. Call it clever marketing or quirky designs, but they have a whole ecosystem about them. Very thoughtfully designed products.
Ben V
Agreed, I think it’s because they are very focused on a small range. The quality shines through.
Ben
Geert Hesselberg
I have a high regard on German tools the Wera brand is very good. My Dad has worked for Renault Auto in 60’s and the tools he used in their service shops were Hazet , Wera, and US made Snap-on tools . These tool brands were the preferred by Renault .
GH
Altan
The brand is a German brand but mainly produced in Czech Rep. and I think no Wera product is produced in Germany, some in China (drill bits) and some in Taiwan (some ratchets and magnetic nut setters), but they are quality as German made products, Lots of DeWALT tools are produced in Czech Rep. also and are very durable, being a neighbour to Germany had some good effects on Czech Rep. I would say.
fred
And south of the Czech republic – in what once was Czechoslovakia – and is now Slovakia – they make some “German Cars” – like Porsches. When we were in Bratislava – our tour guide was proud to tell us that Slovakia “is the world’s largest producer of automobiles” – but I think she left off the enjoinder (or it got lost in our understanding of her English) that it was on a per-capita basis and the country has a smallish population. I understand that they produce about as many cars as are made in the Czech Republic – but neither are in the top 10 (#1 China #2 Japan #3 Germany #4 India and #5 South Korea #6 USA #7 Spain #8 Brazil #9 Mexico and #10 France) from what I’ve read.
Altan
I know that as one of my Slovakian friends were working for Porsche in Slovakia, Czechoslovakia was always good in industry, Czech Rep. is the origin of Skoda cars also. He was telling me that Slovakian government has made a law that if a foreign brand opens a production plant in Slovakia then it will not pay tax for ten years, that was to create jobs for the population after collapse of communism, he added that brands were mostly leaving the country after ten years :)))
I think Slovakia with 4-5 million population (half of Czech Rep.) is in first 20 in car production by the number of cars produced (Not per capita), the last statistic I read was China #1 18 million, then US #2 11 million, Japan #3 7million and Germany #4 3.5 million. I can see US has reduced the car production dramatically now which is not good, in my country American cars were the second after German cars that had good reputation, I can say quality is going down just. I did not expect the US to be #6 in the list. Nicht gut!
ca
I wish they catered to North America a bit more and offered SAE sizes.
Ben V
They will be expanding to imperial measurements “soon”. Their current standard set comes in both, so it’s only a matter of time.
Are you looking for a more complete SAE set of sizes?
Ben
Altan
I wish North Americans (mostly Americans) would give up from SAE sizes :))) Canada is adopting Metric already! I don’t like to see different standards for different countries, like ANSI, DIN or JIS, from all these three (which are the main ones) DIN makes more sense to me.
fred
Its complicated – may be rooted in the American psyche and desire to be different – or some other thinking. Anyway Thomas Jefferson had the chance – and although a Francophile – he did not like the idea of adopting the new French system. Jefferson did set the US dollar on a decimal basis – so no shillings for us. Then John Quincy Adams was said to have reaffirmed the thinking of staying with the then English system of fractional (32nds, 16ths and so on) inches .
Fast forward to 1975 and Congress passes an act to convert to metric – but it is voluntary – with no enforcement provisions. So the US auto industry (possibly to help sell cars elsewhere in the world) moves to metric – but the US construction and supporting hardware industry stay with inches and fractions.
For me – it always seemed a bit odd. A decimal based system (we have 10 fingers and use base 10 math for the most part) always seemed more logical. If we had 16 fingers then hexadecimal math and 16th’s would be logical. If we had 12 fingers then maybe duodecimal math and the old English shilling would have made sense.
Kenneth Stephens
I love wera too. But I can’t bring myself to pay their prices for Taiwanese made sockets. I bought a shallow quarter inch set from KC Tool and was disappointed to find out their coo. I have plenty of Taiwanese tools. These are just too pricey compared to others.
ca
Not that it matters to me where something was made, isn’t their factory in the Czech Republic?
Kenneth Stephens
For many of their tools. But not their sockets. Made in Taiwan right on the box. I even contacted kc tool to make sure
Kenneth Stephens
Coo doesn’t bother me as long as I’m not paying USA/Euro made prices for a Taiwanese or Chinese tool
Frank
there are new Joker wrenches (new to me at least): double open end in metric. I’ve seen a 10/13 and a 17/19
https://www.kctoolco.com/wera-003760-joker-double-open-ended-wrench-10-13mm/
not sure how long these have been available.
Ben V
Interesting, that slipped me by.
I brought a full set in Oct 2018 and I don’t think it was available then. Given it’s available in store now, I would guess it’s not new in this release but came out some time in the last year…
Ben
Ben V
Actually I think a 10/13 & 17/19 have been available for a while, I didn’t buy them because I got separate 10, 13, 17 & 19 wrenches.
The reviews on the link go back quite a few years…
Eric
I think it is great they are expanding their offerings.
There are some Wera tools I really like and think are superior to other options, such as the Hex Plus keys, the chiseldrivers, etc. Some of the offerings seem really out there, like the Joker wrenches, which I thought I would try on sale and now am surprised how much I rely on them.
Other things like the socket sets seem like nothing special, but… I got the bit check plus sets and like them fine for me, but my kids took to them like they were the only tools they had ever seen. On accident, those sets are perfectly kid sized, and everything is easy to identify and auditable. I remember using the tool check set with my daughter and asking for a specific socket and she said, “what color”. After that I was done, full 1/4″ and 3/8″ socket sets, joker wrenches, the nicer bits with the ID bands, etc. We even got a big nail polish kit and color-matched Gearwrench Midlength socket sets.
2018 advent calendar was a huge hit, 2019 is on the way. I range from satisfied to smitten with every Wera product that has come in house, and I could not quantify how valuable it is to have my kids be able to help with tools more effectively building confidence and interest.
Philip
This just made my day. What a great experience you’ve had–thanks for sharing.
Patrick McIntosh
I know I am going to be yelled at here but I have to say it….More sockets……..all we need now is for Hersheys or someone like them to bring out a range….
Rory
Looking at the sets pictured the sizing seems very German – “Ve do not vuse 14mm so ve do not provide vis size in de sets”
I’ll pass.
Kizzle
All drive sizes have a 14mm as does the impaktor line. Did you just glance at the promotional image and not read the post? None of the drive sizes skip within their range.
Rory
Looking at the kits pictured they all skip sizes.
Kizzle
My point is that none of them actually do and your statement based on a cursory glance is inaccurate.
Altan
Do they use different steel for impact rated sockets and non impact ones? Or just the design is different? I don’t use sockets almost.
Kizzle
I’ll just say yes. I could try with futility to summarize the differences, but someone with a lot more knowledge of metallurgy than myself usually comes along with a ” well, actually” and explains the hows and whys of the differences with much more eloquence than I ever could.
Harry
Does Wera actually sell a shallow 1/4 drive 15 mm socket? it’s nice that they’re coming out with the deep sockets.
Ben V
Yes it looks like they do have one:
https://products.wera.de/en/zyklop_ratchets_and_accessories_the_zyklop_ratchets_weras_new_socket_expertise_sockets_1_4_8790_hma_hf.html
15mm appears to be the largest size.
Brian M
I really like Wera’s sockets, really nice finish and the strap is nice. I ended up mounting my metric set (on the socket strap) to the outside of my tool bag, just used an awl to sew it on.
Too bad they only have the holding function sockets in metric 🙁
Martin
Any idea if Wera will ever produce 12 point sockets?
Ray CR
12point. Sockets round off bolts. Better 6 points with a fine tooth ratchet.