False beams

[Dan_Johansson]

What do you think about Bessi/Erdi pliers? Comparable to Stubai or lower quality. Haven't found a Stubai plier around 500-600 kr but did find a Bessi/Erdi.

I think you've missed how tool manufacturing works nowadays... There aren't 300 different factories producing seam pliers, but just a few. One day they make Stubai, the next day Bessey, the third day Biltema, the fourth day ETC. All with a certain quality, at a certain price. It could be that Stubai owns the factory, or some Chinese tool giant does.

The problem with Biltema is not that they have their own factories that only produce bad products, but that you don't know beforehand what you're getting when you buy their products. In some cases, it might be foolish to take a chance, like with a timing belt tensioner, but in some cases, you can buy and test, like with pliers...

 

[useless]

Yes, looking at the ones above, the Biltema pliers seem to have nice forging at least. Not as roughly made as the others. If you're not a professional and will use them sporadically, they will probably suffice.

Yes, I don't see any obvious fault with it, like a shorter lever/other gearing or any other functional difference. So the question is how dissatisfied you'll be if you're going to flange some window sills once in a lifetime?

 

[Jesper Ronn]

There is some written about Biltema's and Jula's cheaper pliers: Jula's are supposed to be decent but coarse in forging and therefore leave marks on the sheet metal if not padded with rags, etc. Biltema's have received the attached review below. I want a plier of decent quality without trying simpler alternatives that I might have to test and possibly exchange. That's what the question is about, i.e., primarily I am looking for tips from those who have tried and know what to invest in within the segment (I think 1200-1300 for e.g., stubai is a bit too steep).

 

[GK100]

There is a lot written about Biltema's and Jula's cheaper pliers: Jula's are said to be decent but coarse in forging and therefore leave marks on the sheet metal unless you wrap it with cloths, etc. Biltema's have, among other things, received the review attached below. I want pliers of decent quality without trying simpler alternatives that I have to test and possibly replace. That's what the question is about, i.e., I primarily want tips from those who have tried and know what to invest in within the segment (I think 1200-1300 for, e.g., Stubai is a bit excessive)

I have a pair from Biltema and have used them quite a bit on different jobs around the houses. As previously mentioned, I don't see any direct faults or problems with them, and it's easy to adjust them a little if needed, they are really good value for money. If there is something I appreciate much more when it comes to sheet metal work, it would be shears of different and correct types, where the cheap options fall short. I've acquired shears from discarded professional models, same with some folding pliers, but I see little difference compared to Biltema's.

If there's ever a situation where training and skill matter more than the tools, it's with sheet metal work. As always, it's good to have the right tools, but here you can hardly reach the finish line even with the top-tier materials without being a full-fledged operator.

 

[Jesper Ronn]

The different perspectives led me to settle on a simple Falstång from Jula's selection. I would compare it to Biltema's version, I think. I checked the "basket" and noted that the pliers felt quite solid as such, but the quality of precision in the jaws of the pliers was uneven. Some were also very uneven in the material. Anyway, I picked a good specimen and hope that it will serve its purpose.

 

[kulle]

Even it out a bit with a file and it will work well.