Tool ReviewsWhat some people are saying about PDR Finesse ToolsIke's tools are all anyone will ever need again. Mark my words, right now today. I got his new whale tail last week. That was the last thing left to do. Now there's no need to own anything else. Ike's whale tails are as good or better than Dentcraft's, except they have a better handle and they don't get surface rust. Sad to say, as I have used Dentcraft and Dent Gear and Ultradent for so long. Ike's tools and Bill Hulett's lights are the first things to come along in 10 years that actually upped the ante to the next level. Ike's tools are all I use now, with the exception of a couple standard sized rods which I will be having him make his own version of shortly. It's not rocket science, the reason Ike's stuff is what it is is because of a few simple reasons: I got a wall full of Ultradent tools that are bowed like an overstressed bridge. They are like that because they are not heat treated. They are the same shitty bar stock you can buy at Home Depot. Dent Gear tools are the same way. Weak as hell. I broke three of the same Dent Gear tools last year, the Terry Siegel style tool. Ike's version of the same tool is about three times as expensive, but it is worth it and more and more, because it is stronger and will not break in the middle of a dent repair and fall down inside the panel, while you sit there wondering what to finish your repair with while the customer is in the waiting room.-Trey Pool, Dentworks of Austin, Texas (PDR tech since 1995. Owner of Dentworks of Austin, 7531 Burnet Road, Austin TX 78757, Vale Certified Master Craftsman, In regards to pdr, you name it, I've done it. Except train new technicians.) A while ago I posted something about the 1/4" PDR finesse shaved tools not driving as well as another company and I wanted to correct that. I guess Ike got a batch of bad 1/4 stainless and I got one of the shaved tools made from this stock. I sent it back because It drove OK but nothing to write home about. Ike sent me through my order of tools and im impressed. They got here within a week and the order was spot on. We had Ike from PDR Finesse Tools with us in the shop for the past two days. First off, Ike is one of the most genuine and decent people I have ever met in our industry. He is more interested in what we want in our tools than anyone I ever met. Secondly, I am pretty much convinced he makes the best pdr tools in the world right now. They are expensive, but very much worth their price. The first tool company to make tools stronger than Dentcraft OKC. Plus his designs are much more progressive. We've been using the tools for 2 days now, and today Jerry Powell had Ike begin drafting designs for his new custom set. Three other techs already asked for a duplicate set to be made for them as well. Jerry's set is going to be 21 tools, all with adjustable handles. I bought myself a bunch of Ike's tools yesterday. I put about 5 of his tools on my cart, and took about 8 of my old ones off. I will probably be able to lose a few more in the next few days. What I am really excited about is that I am using smaller diameter tools and they have all the drive of bigger ones. This is the best stuff available, in my humble opinion. And they are made by one of the most gracious gentleman you will ever meet. Ike will probably be in Austin for another week or so. If you are here, get on his trailer and get some tools. -Trey Pool, Dentworks of Austin, Texas (PDR tech since 1995. Owner of Dentworks of Austin, 7531 Burnet Road, Austin TX 78757, Vale Certified Master Craftsman, In regards to pdr, you name it, I've done it. Except train new technicians.) In response... Dittos, that's why I had him make a set for me last fall personally.....they are now my "go to" tools for hail. Who would have ever thought anyone could make stainless tools so strong and awesome? I'm waiting to see his newly improved whaletails...save some for me Ike.-Tom Price,Boulder, Colorado (dentnetwork.com hailnetwork.) In response... I bought some of his big headed whale tails. They work good. So far anyway. I've really never had a problem with any of his tools. He does have a new design for upper window braces that I am going to road test for him. I haven't had a chance to really test it yet but it looks like it will work. In response... Ike's tools are the first tools out of my truck 99.9% of the time. I agree with Ricky, if it works great and is of good enough quality to last I would probably buy it if it were much higher than the competition. When I was doing body work, all I ever bought was Snap-On because they are great quality and stood behind their product, that made them worth more than the others to me. -Tim Childers, Jacksonville, IL. www.prodentremoval.com (I started doing bodywork in the mid 70s. The last shop I worked for was part owned by a car dealer and when the shop closed I stayed on just doing body work. I have been doing PDR in house for that dealer since 1997. In 2003 I started doing some PDR for other dealers and body shops in the area after work and on weekends. After 23 years working for the same person in 2005 I quit my job and stated doing buisness as ProDent. I am married to a wonderful woman and have several grandchildren!) hey ike if you make it by rickys on your way home, or you plan on rollin through houston, let me know. every one i have shown your tools to wants some. i reach for your tools first every time i just wish i had gotten more when you where here. have any of you guys tried ike's blending hammer...there is a learning curve, but wow. i dont know how i ever lived without it -Wade Hartley,gotdents@yahoo.com (3 years with the wizard...fired sued and won. 5 years solo. 3 have a retail shop in the galleria area in Houston. married 7 years 3 kids. seminary student.) In response... I bought one last fall from Ike. I really don't know how I considered my work finished the last 11 years without it. -Rick Champagne, Michigan DentguyRick@aol.com (Family Man,43 years old. Enjoy meeting and working with other good professional techs. Vale Certified Master Craftsman #10039.) So I finally got to meet up with Ike here in lowballer Lawton. Ike is very informative about PDR tools and the industry in general. |