Sorry this is so long, but I'm really frustrated.
I don't know how many have seen these tools, but they managed to catch my eye, in particular the 'push' ratchet combination wrenches. I really like ratchet combination wrenches, but if you own any of them, you know the issue with always guessing which way to orient the box end of the wrench to accomplish an operation (tighten/loosen). Seems I invariably guess wrong and have to flip it over. Anyway...
Olsa has addressed this issue with a 'push' technology which reverses the direction of the ratchet by just pushing the wrench toward the bolt and turning in the direction you want to go. It's pretty slick, and easier to use than it sounds like it would be. (There are videos on youtube.)
So, despite the lack of name brand recognition, I plunked down for a set. When they arrived I was impressed, not only that they worked as advertised, but they are beautifully done wrenches, very well finished, feel great in the hand, everything I like in a wrench. So far, so good.
We're in the process of moving, and I was remounting my lathe to it's home atop a 44" US General tool chest. It involves reaching inside the top drawer of the chest to tighten the mounting bolts. In what I consider a freak accident, my brand new Olsa 15mm wrench slipped and fell into the inside of the double end wall of the chest which is open at the very top. So now it's down a well at the bottom inside the chest wall with no access except the opening which swallowed it. I can't justify cutting holes in the tool chest just to retrieve a wrench.
Fiddled with a magnet on a string for a while with no luck whatsoever (I haven't given up yet), but I thought OK, just bite the bullet, contact Olsa, and purchase a replacement.
Received a very friendly and timely response from Olsa... sorry, we don't sell individual wrenches, just the sets. What? I asked how they handle warranty replacements, and if they have replacements for warranty, why won't they sell me a single wrench? Nope, for warranty they 'send' the entire set for replacement (meaning that they don't manufacture them).
I tried to shame them into helping me by pointing out that it appears that they are a marketing company, not a tool company, because a stand-up tool company would not operate this way. I also pointed out that every time I need a 15mm wrench, I will be cursing their name for their inflexibility, and that I would certainly never buy Olsa again, all to no avail.
I learned a lesson that I already knew about buying no-name tools. No matter how spiffy the product is and how much you like it at first blush, it's just junk without good customer service.
I don't know how many have seen these tools, but they managed to catch my eye, in particular the 'push' ratchet combination wrenches. I really like ratchet combination wrenches, but if you own any of them, you know the issue with always guessing which way to orient the box end of the wrench to accomplish an operation (tighten/loosen). Seems I invariably guess wrong and have to flip it over. Anyway...
Olsa has addressed this issue with a 'push' technology which reverses the direction of the ratchet by just pushing the wrench toward the bolt and turning in the direction you want to go. It's pretty slick, and easier to use than it sounds like it would be. (There are videos on youtube.)
So, despite the lack of name brand recognition, I plunked down for a set. When they arrived I was impressed, not only that they worked as advertised, but they are beautifully done wrenches, very well finished, feel great in the hand, everything I like in a wrench. So far, so good.
We're in the process of moving, and I was remounting my lathe to it's home atop a 44" US General tool chest. It involves reaching inside the top drawer of the chest to tighten the mounting bolts. In what I consider a freak accident, my brand new Olsa 15mm wrench slipped and fell into the inside of the double end wall of the chest which is open at the very top. So now it's down a well at the bottom inside the chest wall with no access except the opening which swallowed it. I can't justify cutting holes in the tool chest just to retrieve a wrench.
Fiddled with a magnet on a string for a while with no luck whatsoever (I haven't given up yet), but I thought OK, just bite the bullet, contact Olsa, and purchase a replacement.
Received a very friendly and timely response from Olsa... sorry, we don't sell individual wrenches, just the sets. What? I asked how they handle warranty replacements, and if they have replacements for warranty, why won't they sell me a single wrench? Nope, for warranty they 'send' the entire set for replacement (meaning that they don't manufacture them).
I tried to shame them into helping me by pointing out that it appears that they are a marketing company, not a tool company, because a stand-up tool company would not operate this way. I also pointed out that every time I need a 15mm wrench, I will be cursing their name for their inflexibility, and that I would certainly never buy Olsa again, all to no avail.
I learned a lesson that I already knew about buying no-name tools. No matter how spiffy the product is and how much you like it at first blush, it's just junk without good customer service.