The park and Hozan tools seem to be a similar design. Generally I'm more impressed with Hozan stuff, but I'm open to suggestions.

As this is a pretty pricey tool I'd like to get the most bang for the buck.

Which one is more durable?
Are replacement/different taps easy to come by or do they tend to be backordered for months?
Is one easier to use than the other?
Is there something better than either of these I'm unaware of? (that isn't twice the price)

As it stands now, the Park version appears to have the advantage as it comes with a basic facing tool. I realize it's not meant for heavy use, but it would suit my purposes for now and is better than no facing tool at all.

Thanks for your help or comments!

We've been very happy with the Park BTS-1 at my shop. Yeah, the darned things are expensive.

I have Var taps.
Have heard over the years that Campagnolo's are the most durable?

https://www.vartools.com/fr/index.php

If you're optimizing for price, you may want to look into the cyclus bb tap. Unlike the Park, tapping and facing is two different tools. Forgot the exact pricing but your Orange catalog gives you the prices -

I have Brand new Park tool and quit old Campagnolo BB tools, both are very sharp and durable. If you're optimizing for price, Park tool's better.

I have Cyclus BB facing and tapping tools. Nothing fancy...but they work. But, I've only used 'em twice.
I was wondering how these are: https://cgi.ebay.com/New-Icetoolz-Xpe...item439cee368c

Looking into the cyclus tool. Looks like they actually have a few others I'd be interested in too.

Thanks for the tips!

Cyclus makes top-quality tools. They are the Park Tool of Europa.

Probably not meant for heavy shop use. Handles aren't even padded.

Neither are the handles on my Campagnolo BB tap set:


We must have been tougher back in my day.

That's far from the only indicator that "Icetoolz" is not the best tool for shop use.

I believe operator was being generous by only criticizing the handles.

The Cyclus one looks pretty sweet. You can tap then face all without taking out the taps.

We use a Cobra Campy clone and it works well.

Padded handles just get dirty. There is no need for padded handles

Somewhere in the forums there is a photo of his hands. They are quite small and delicate anatomical structures. So padding of handles is needed to prevent damage. He also has stated he hates Cyclus Tools. I suggest we take up a fund to buy him some padded gloves. A $20 expenditure could open a wealth of opportunities.

I'm soon to be shopping for a tap and facer for BB's. Cyclus is likely to be the choice - based on my experience with their tools.

Don't buy the facer.

We just did. And I would whole-heartedly not recommend it. Because it only uses a pilot on the opposing side - the tool sucks hard core when facing - chatter et al. Unlike the park, which has pilots on BOTH sides when you're facing. You've been warned.

Yeah probably.

Those handles also fall out (seriously, why do we have replaceable handles?) when those cir-clips go missing.

You never know when someone's going to try to tap a bottom bracket backwards, with a breaker bar, because "it was hard to turn."

This happens. You'd probably need to replace more than just the handles though...

The VAR appears good, too. But more $$$. VAR v. Park - any suggestions? Money is NOT object.

IIRC, Park and VAR have a cross-licensing agreement for many of their tools. I think the BB tap/facer set is one of those tools and there is little or no difference between them.

You should see some old Park Catalogs and Var catalogs. They are exactly the same.

Been there done that, actually. Heh.

I'll forever remember L.H, R.H means thread direction, NOT where the taps go.

If you look carefully at the Park taps it actually says " left side of bike" or "right side of bike", not thread direction.

I'd like to know how you fixed that one, threadless BB?

^^Retap Italian maybe?