The Sidchrome thread

[kitdoctor]

Seriously impressed with the 1/4" set collection @colmal has shown us.

Being born in 1964 it was only in the mid '80s I had my first car. I now regret not having started collecting some Sidchrome items. Nevertheless, I'll keep my eye out for some pieces for my shed (a link to the build thread is in my signature).

 

[kitdoctor]

Now this is a solid collection, now doubt that took some time to put together. Photos stolen from Facebook, credit to Sid Krome.

 

[oldpliers1]

Now this is a solid collection, now doubt that took some time to put together. Photos stolen from Facebook, credit to Sid Krome.

Sid is the most knowledgeable guy on the product He used to work for Blackwoods ( biggest engineering and tool supplier in the country Australia) His collection is extensive to say the least. He is happy to share his expertise and show his collection .

 

[kitdoctor]

Sid is the most knowledgeable guy on the product He used to work for Blackwoods ( biggest engineering and tool supplier in the country Australia) His collection is extensive to say the least. He is happy to share his expertise and show his collection .

@oldpliers1 I sure do enjoy his posts. He would have to have some of the best examples of many sets etc. Do you know over what kind of period did he put together his collection?

 

[oldpliers1]

@oldpliers1 I sure do enjoy his posts. He would have to have some of the best examples of many sets etc. Do you know over what kind of period did he put together his collection?

That’s a great question, I i gather he was there from the late 70s but has been on a long quest with a lot of new old stock back to the sets in the late 50s . He is in WA , I personally have had some incredible finds from WA mint boxed items . Closed mines and bush suppliers. My brother has a full set from 77 that’s like new he was issued in 3rd year . I have a old cabinet and it’s not fully filled , I picked it up for free with a lot of spanners in it , but mines day to day and not for show , I have a pliers board that I am trying to fill the vinyl handle stuff is the hard to find . But I am a bergs and crescent collector which is different for a skippy , most of the Sidchrome spanners I bought were for electrical installation and the cost was restrictive in the start of the 80s ( we got $2 a week tool allowance) . Regards A

 

[d42jeep]

Here is my only Sidchrome tool.
-Don

 

[kitdoctor]

Here is my only Sidchrome tool.

@d42jeep, add one more piece and then you're collecting.

 

[jabberwoki]

Makes you wonder what it story is.

 

[humber2]

Those cadmium plated examples are not often found, the inset name went for a long time through the 1950’s and 1960’s but they were not the earliest profiles used.

There was a Worldwide nickel shortage around the Korean War time and I suspect that spanner is from that era.

 

[Mintgrun]

I found my first Australian wrenches yesterday. They were spread out in all three wrench bins at the Habitat store, so it took some digging to be sure I found them all.



I only found one catalog on the IA site and it is from 1972. It shows wrench kits and I'm relieved to see that this little set of six is complete. Apparently, set # 165-2 would have come in a roll.

Sidchrome & Dawn : Quality Tools & Equipment Range : Siddons Pty. Ltd. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 29.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Tom

 

[humber2]

From the flea mkt today a Sidchrome 25150 4” shifter.

No country of origin but I’m sure we can rule out Sweden or Australia

 

[Jack Ryan]

Based on Facom but made in China - at least they are now.

The "premium" version is, I believe, made by Irega and is made in Spain.



Jack

 

[esben57]

Sidchrome & Dawn : Quality Tools & Equipment Range : Siddons Pty. Ltd. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 29.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Tom

Useless information incoming.

The crowsfoot !!/16" AF. Britool made one specifically for Vauxhall engines. Holden being the Vauxhall GM brand in Austalia/NZ.

You're welcome.

 

[jabberwoki]

I found my first Australian wrenches yesterday. They were spread out in all three wrench bins at the Habitat store, so it took some digging to be sure I found them all.



I only found one catalog on the IA site and it is from 1972. It shows wrench kits and I'm relieved to see that this little set of six is complete. Apparently, set # 165-2 would have come in a roll.

Sidchrome & Dawn : Quality Tools & Equipment Range : Siddons Pty. Ltd. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

28 p., illus., 29.4 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

Tom

Damn it...im my state too.
Great find mate.

 

[humber2]

Here is an unused old set I bought recently.

Set 192-7 includes 6 to 19mm and appears in two catalogs I have but the wallet layout differs.

On the left is a 1987 printing with NZ$ of the day written in.

On the right is a 1981 printing and note the placement is incremental.

But the wrenches in my set have a newer numbering sequence from 8mm thru 19 starting at 22217 except for the 6 and 7 which show my earlier Cat numbers.

So I deduce possibly from 1991 but before Proto was added to labelling.

 

[colmal]

Here is an unused old set I bought recently.

Set 192-7 includes 6 to 19mm and appears in two catalogs I have but the wallet layout differs.

On the left is a 1987 printing with NZ$ of the day written in.

On the right is a 1981 printing and note the placement is incremental.

But the wrenches in my set have a newer numbering sequence from 8mm thru 19 starting at 22217 except for the 6 and 7 which show my earlier Cat numbers.

So I deduce possibly from 1991 but before Proto was added to labelling.

22 series also




The 'K' after Made in Australia is a year code, if you have a letter you could date the spanners, 'H' for example is 1987

 

[colmal]

I haven't been getting much Sidchrome the last few years, mainly doing some Vices and Rota toolboxes,but I have been keeping my eye out for some bucket list sets and completing, without getting ridiculous some cabinets and toolboxes.

Spent the last few days cleaning, and sorting out some rare sets that are new to me.

All original 1975-83 Marine Kit.

 

[cody1325]

From the flea mkt today a Sidchrome 25150 4” shifter.

No country of origin but I’m sure we can rule out Sweden or Australia

This looks just like a Craftsman wrench I bought 4-5 years ago--I think it was made in Vietnam.


Loved the handle, hated the build quality.