British Tool Manufacturers

[Dave455]

Following a request in another thread here's a bit about some British tool manufacturers.

The most prolific of the 20th century was the British Tool and Engineering Company, better known by their trademark 'Britool"

Not sure when they started, but I have first world war surplus tools bearing their name, so obviously before that. They certainly were not the first to market interchangeable socket spanners, as examples can be found from manufacturers such as Accles and Polock dating back to the 1880's (so sorry Snap On - you didn't invent it either!) but they were certainly one of the best.

Britool sockets originally used a 7/16 Hex drive. The same size tools then became 3/8 square drive, and it's for this reason that Britool Sockets and accessories, at least up till the 1980's, were a bit heftier than their U.S. counterparts. Conversely, of course, you could sometimes get a Snap On "Ferret" (their original 3/8 drive) into place you couldn't get Britool.

Britool was of the highest quality. The fit of the parts was second to none and the finish was good too. Most importantly, the steel was first class (I believe they forged their own in house) as was the heat treatment. Many Britool socket wrenches 40 or 50 years old are still going strong!

The quality generally got better over the years, peaking in the late 60's/ early 70's. which is the era most of the tools below date from. In the late 70's they changed the patterns. While the quality was still good, it wasn't as good, and the designs had been cheapened, (sliding t's for example, became shorter and were not "flush fitting")

Eventually, they sold out to Facom, and were used as Facom's "economy brand", however the British management had already done a pretty good job of finishing off the firm, as the last British made stuff was nowhere near the quality of the earlier.

Pics below show a 3/8 drive socket , a 1/2 inch drive socket compared with a modern Snap On (great minds think alike, no wonder so many Brit's go straight for Snap On now Britool are gone), some 1/2 inch drive accessories, and a comprehensive 1/2 inch drive set. The latter belonged to my Dad, and lived under my bed as a kid as he wouldn't risk leaving it in the garage!

 

[north]

Very cool. Mighty impressive set. MM, AF and W sockets?

 

[Dave455]

Another well known firm was Bedford Tools.

I don't know muh about their history, but my Grandfather, who worked for Bedford Trucks, thought they may have owned Bedford Tools at one point.

Bedford never quite matched Britool in terms of volume, but they came close on quality! Bedford tools are made to a unique flowing design with no sharp corners. In practice they are great to use as they don't hang up on pipes and suchlike. They were renowned for the quality of their finish, and I can certainly vouch for that. The Sliding T and extension shown below bounced around in the tool box in Dad's car for 20 years plus, and still show little wear!

If there was a downside to Bedford it was their 1/2 inch drive ratchets. I have one from the 1960's and it looks old enough to have been used by Noah to build the ark! By the 70's they were including U.S. made Husky ratchets in their sets. Nothing wrong with those, but not really the same quality as the rest of the set!

1/2 inch drive tools are quite common, 3/8 drive less so. When my Father visited the British Aircraft Corporation in the late 70's he remarked that many of the fitters seemed to be using Bedford 3/8 drive tools. When engineers removed a socket from the innards of his BAC 111 it was Bedford too, probably left from manufacture, which supports the theory! (He kept it!) I have certainly seen two different grades of 3/8 drive, the standard (which is pretty good) and the truly awesome. The latter only with sockets in A/F sizes and Bedfords own 'hard handle' ratchet. (SBAC Tech Spec perhaps?)

I still use a Bedford Sliding T, extensions and BS sockets (together with a MAC ratchet and metric sockets - they work great together) to set up machine tools! Not bad for 40 years old.

Below are pictures of some Bedford Sockets and handles, a Bedford 1/2 inch drive set (note distinctive orange box) and a Bedford Wrench compared to a Britool. Don't know how much Bedford made it to the USA, but worth acquiring if found at a reasonable price!

 

[Dave455]

Very cool. Mighty impressive set. MM, AF and W sockets?

Yes! Very handy to have 'em all in the same box. Double Square sockets too - invaluable for setting up machinery, as you can use them on square shafts!

The ratchet unit is good too. Works really well with a T bar. I liked it so much I got a snap on In 3/8 drive. Don't see 'em around much though

Shame I can barely lift the box!!

 

[cryan]

I believe that Bedford tools were from the John Bedford company of Sheffield not Bedford motors. Now known as Bedford Steels the tools division was bought by Spear and Jackson in 1972.

http://www.bedfordsteels.co.uk/history.php

 

[north]

*snip*
Shame I can barely lift the box!!

Hey, I'll be more than happy to take the burden off of you.

And thanks for the history lesson and pics. I love this stuff.

 

[Dave455]

I believe that Bedford tools were from the John Bedford company of Sheffield not Bedford motors. Now known as Bedford Steels the tools division was bought by Spear and Jackson in 1972.

http://www.bedfordsteels.co.uk/history.php

I think you're right!

I believe Spear and Jackson still own the Bedford trademark! Maybe there's some hope!

 

[vssjim]

The worst part of this is the only one left standing and making tools in the UK is King **** and as far as I know the body tools of Sykes Pickavant. What a shame that Britool isn't British etc.

 

[N.I.]

Excellent Dave, very interesting especially considering they are all before my time.

But don't stop there. What about Gordon and Williams?

And by any chance do you know the dates of different Britool spanners?

I have fallen in love with this type:



Hazet seem to have based the shape of their shank and box end on the Britool (the Britool are more comfortable imo).

But I also see there ones without the central depression and ones with a totally different shape such as -

 

[Dave455]

The worst part of this is the only one left standing and making tools in the UK is King **** and as far as I know the body tools of Sykes Pickavant. What a shame that Britool isn't British etc.

Too right! King **** seem to have maintained their position, and still offer a good range, including a comprehensive set not unlike the one shown! Sadly, they were never 'top end' and can't really compete with the likes of Snap On. Good usable stuff though!

The rest all seem to have fallen victim to management that know nothing about tools, listen to their useless accountants who reckon cheaper is always better, and who couldn't run a whelk stall anyway!

For the benefit of readers in the U.S.A. I should probably mention that we are referring almost exclusively to wrenches and socket wrenches here. If you want any other tool we still have a good choice of British manufacturers such as Elliott Lucas (pliers), Maun (ditto - still offering 'Barnards pattern'), Thorex (every variety of hammer), Eclipse (punches and chisels), Priory (ditto) and so on! Most of these manufacturers offer top quality at reasonable prices, but hardly ever advertise, are not well known in the U.S. and suffer in the U.K. because the big chains just want to sell cheap **** at a huge mark up!!!

 

[Olliecampbell]

Some great information there. Is it easy to date Britool items? I'd quite like to see if I can find a decent Britool socket set.

 

[Dave455]

Excellent Dave, very interesting especially considering they are all before my time.

But don't stop there. What about Gordon and Williams?

And by any chance do you know the dates of different Britool spanners?

I have fallen in love with this type:


Hazet seem to have based the shape of their shank and box end on the Britool (the Britool are more comfortable imo).

But I also see there ones without the central depression and ones with a totally different shape such ]

I was planning to write something about Gordon next! Trouble is I need to take more photo's and all this stuff is scatterred about!

Yes, it's interesting how good manufacturers seem to end up producing very similar tools! I'd noticed it with regard to old Britool / new Snap on, but not the Hazet. Well spotted! (I've recently acquired a couple larger Hazet wrenches and really like 'em!)

I'm afraid I've never researched any of this stuff. it's all based on what I was told by family etc, the tools I've got, and whatever I can glean from old catalogues!

The exact type of combination spanner you like (don't blame you by the way - fantastic tools) are shown in the Britool catalogue of 1973! I bought a couple in the mid 80's and they are the later pattern so that gives you a start! Maybe somebody here knows more!

It's worth bearing in mind that in this era Britool offered two styles of, for example, open end wrench. The 'slim pattern' are the ones most commonly found, whereas the 'engineers pattern' are much heavier and are to be preferred! If you didn't know two types were available you could easily get confused!

I still consider that my Britool ring spanners of the 1980's set the standard by which I judge all others!

 

[Dave455]

Some great information there. Is it easy to date Britool items? I'd quite like to see if I can find a decent Britool socket set.

I think you can date them to a degree, but only by the style of logo, and you would need to know more than I do! Military contract stuff has the date of manufacture stamped on and that would allow you to narrow it down further, but I don't have much of that! If in doubt just look - if it looks good it's from a good era!

The best era seems to be late 60's/ early 70's. Aside from the quality, look for the Britool inside an oval logo, extensions with the top hole for a tommy bar,and of course the black and red crackle painted boxes!

Before that the tools were still good quality but the chrome was much darker, almost grey, and wartime stuff wasn't chromed at all. In the late 70's (I think) they changed styles completely (recognisable by the blue plastic handles and plain red boxes). Quality was o.k. but the tools were not quite as nice, finish not as shiny, and of course the plastic handles never lasted. I have to admit it was variable in this era. Some was awesome, despite plastic handles and change of style, but some was only average!

Beyond that they changed to black plastic handles, even less glossy chrome and things started going downhill fast! I went to buy some metric stuff in the very late 80's and the finish was rougher than a bears ****! The dealer said he was sending it all back,and had phoned their management to complain, but they didn't think it was a problem! I was so disappointed I stopped by a Snap On van I was passing, spent a huge sum on a few sockets and never regretted a penny as I'm still using 'em!

 

[cryan]

New Britool stuff is named Britool Expert or just Expert and does not have made in England on it. I would disagree that King **** is not top end. They are certainly thought of as top end in my industry (marine/Merchant Navy) They are perhaps not the prettiest but they work, don't break, are accurate and can take an enormous amount of abuse.
Thorex are the only brand of mallet I have ever used in the shipping industry, for good reason they are the best and Chief Engineers always buy them.

 

[Dave455]

New Britool stuff is named Britool Expert or just Expert and does not have made in England on it. I would disagree that King **** is not top end. They are certainly thought of as top end in my industry (marine/Merchant Navy) They are perhaps not the prettiest but they work, don't break, are accurate and can take an enormous amount of abuse.
Thorex are the only brand of mallet I have ever used in the shipping industry, for good reason they are the best and Chief Engineers always buy them.

Yes, new 'Britool' is Britool in name only. The name has changed hands twice since the last decent tools were produced and is now just a 'brand' applied to poor quality tools in the hope of trapping the unwary. In fact, the tools themselves are just branded 'expert' and the packaging is branded 'Britool expert' for the U.K. market, and probably something something else 'expert' elsewhere!

Nope, the tools are not British made, probably outsourced to Taiwan or China or somesuch, and production will probably get shifted to the planet Zarg if the Zargons will do 'em really cheap!

Agree to an extent with regard to King ****, but if you compare the regular King **** 3/8 ratchet with the Snap On Dual 80 there just is no comparison! Snap On are in a different league! The King **** are tough though, and if you are in the Merchant Navy I suspect you only use 3/8 drive for jewllery!!

I acquired a Thorex copper sledgehammer, brand new, for £20 surplus! Havn't been able to find anything to hit with it yet!

 

[SCscoutguy]

I actually had some Britool stubby wrenches once that were actually SK superchrome wrenches labeled as Britool instead. I think they were from the Facom era.

 

[Dave455]

Yes, Facom bought out Britool, and I believe they owned SK as well for a while, so that doen't surprise me. If you bought a Britool tool in that era it was generally a Facom one without such a good finish, so it doesn't surprise me they did something similar with SK!

I have to admit I've never handled an S K tool, they've never been imported into the U.K, but they look really quite nice! Same goes for Wright - I'm going to have to try and get hold of some!

There's a big gap in the British market at the moment for some good quality tools that are just a notch cheaper than Snap On. Of course there are European brands, some of which are really nice, but British tastes are far more along American lines - we expect polished chrome and red boxes! If someone imported Wright (for exmple) they'd probably be popular!

 

[vssjim]

With the Pound higher than the dollar it would be a good biz. deal for somebody to start selling SK and Wright tools in England.

 

[jmm]

I'd kill for some more Britool stuff. I have a few odds and ends -- a few wrenches, some sockets, and a set of adjustable hook spanners. The hook spanners came as part of an order the company I work for made with Facom. Never understood why, but if Facom bought Britool out, it makes sense: I got some NOS.

My Britool combo wrenches have an incredible fit. I've tested them against others in my box, and they fit tighter than Stahlwille, Heyco, and Mac. Haven't checked them against my Snap-Ons (only got em about a year ago), but I wonder who'd win out? Wish I had a full set.

 

[Dave455]

With the Pound higher than the dollar it would be a good biz. deal for somebody to start selling SK and Wright tools in England.

Probably would! I'd give 'em a go.

Suspect there a lot of others who are buying Gedore, Beta and suchlike who would much rather be buying a US made product!

 

[cryan]

[QUOTE British tastes are far more along American lines - we expect polished chrome and red boxes! If someone imported Wright (for exmple) they'd probably be popular![/QUOTE]

So true! We might only be 24 miles from the Europeans at our closest points but culturally we are much closer to North America and even the Ausies and Kiwis.

 

[Mud]

Britool always had well designed tools, their spanners were always a bit over tempered. They tended on the softer side. I'll post some pics when I can.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

It's so sad when I see what happened to some of our great tool manufacturers!

I still have some Britool spanners that my grandfather gave me when he worked as a tool maker for ICI.

As Dave stated the best Britool is early to mid 1970s full chrome and good steel.

It pains me to see it outsourced and bastarding the name. I have handled a few bits of Britool Hallmark which was sold from the trucks like Snap On. Anyone know where it is made?

 

[Dave455]

It's so sad when I see what happened to some of our great tool manufacturers!

I still have some Britool spanners that my grandfather gave me when he worked as a tool maker for ICI.

As Dave stated the best Britool is early to mid 1970s full chrome and good steel.

It pains me to see it outsourced and bastarding the name. I have handled a few bits of Britool Hallmark which was sold from the trucks like Snap On. Anyone know where it is made?

Britool Hallmark was a totally separate outfit. I was told Facom cocked up and gave their former 'tool truck' business the rights to the name by mistake! Think they still occupied part of the original site too!

I bought some screwdrivers and they were o.k. French made (presumably the Facom factory) with blades like the then current soft handle Britool, but a hard plastic handle. Think they sold the same drivers under the SK name, but the Britool Hallmark ones were colour coded to suit British tastes. I later tried some 6 point sockets, but they were nothing special, had no country of origin marked, (assume the worst) and felt Taiwanese. I gave 'em away!

Another great opportunity flushed away!

 

[Rico.]

I have bought some new Britool Hallmark spanners... A full short set 6mm to 19mm
and a few extra long ones. They are all made in England and each one is marked
Britool England.

I was under the impression that all the Britool Hallmark stuff was still made in England.
There is quite a bit of it on ebay, but very rarely comes up on here. I will be extremely
disappointed if the Britool Hallmark socket sets are not made in England... and to my
mind that would be the final nail in the Britool coffin.

On the upside, the spanners I have seem very well made but as I bought them only
for difficult access situations, they have hardly seen any use so I can't comment as to
their functional quality... I was just really happy to have some new English made Britool
tools in my Toolbox.

 

[Chris1984]

Deleted

 

[lbgradwell]

Excellent thread! Happy so many Brits have been drawn out into the open...

Keep the photos coming!

Here's most of my collection...

Some Gordon:




















Bedford:





And a set of small BA DBE spanners from after the Spear & Jackson acquisition...







Britool:









(the socket set in the middle bottom in the photo above are actually the Bedfords, as is the sliding T-handle)


The little socket set is actually 9/32"-drive...











And some Record vises, hammers and a small anvil...

 

[lbgradwell]

I believe that Bedford tools were from the John Bedford company of Sheffield not Bedford motors. Now known as Bedford Steels the tools division was bought by Spear and Jackson in 1972.

I think you're right!

I believe Spear and Jackson still own the Bedford trademark! Maybe there's some hope!

Yes, quite right indeed; there was no connection to the truck company...

 

[north]

That's a nice collection of gold there lbgradwell. Thanks for sharing. Those S&J DBE's looks really nice.

 

[Dave455]

That's beautiful stuff you've got there ibgradwell! I always liked the Gordon ratchet's - nice and durable!

Those BA ring spanners must have been amongst the last made, most have pale blue cases! Nice to see it looks like they maintained the quality to the end though!

If anybody needs BA sizes, Elora make a good selection, offering open ender, combination, and ring spanners in BA, and I think they are nicer than the Gedore. They make sockets too, but I much prefer the Ko Ken, who offer BA deep sockets as well!

I think the 9/32 Britool sets were made for government contracts, but strangely, I've seen them without dates ar any other service markings, so who knows? I've got a 9/32 UJ that I got for next to nothing thinking it was 1/4!

I never cease to be amazed at the variety of stuff Britool turned out. Just when you think you've seen everything, you find something new!

 

[lbgradwell]

Those S&J DBE's looks really nice.

Those BA ring spanners must have been amongst the last made, most have pale blue cases! Nice to see it looks like they maintained the quality to the end though!

The chrome is superb on those little wrenches. It's very impressive...

That's beautiful stuff you've got there ibgradwell! I always liked the Gordon ratchet's - nice and durable!

Likewise the chrome on the Gordon DBEs.

I was very lucky to find that Gordon set nearby for $50.

As you might imagine, these old British sets are not very common here in the "colonies"...

 

[N.I.]

This is the perfect thread to show off my latest purchase.

King **** 5 piece Whitworth wrench set




(^The lighting is bad in bad in this photo and makes the bottom 2 look terrible^)
















The polish is excellent. Broaching is excellent. And, perhaps more importantly they feel excellent in my hand.

They have a fairly wide beam and everything is well rounded so they are very comfortable to hold.

One minor gripe is that the baby sizes are less pretty, e.g. the 1/8 whitworth-



I think this is due to the fact that they are trying to use the one size of branding stamp for all wrench sizes. This obviously leaves less room for mirror polishing. That been said, the broaching is still spot on and its not the end of the world.

And a comparison shot of similar sizes-




This is my first 'brand new' King **** purchase but it certainly won't be my last. They are undoubtedly top notch and deserve a place among the best.

I an also vouch for their customer service being fantastic.

I originally received a set in which the 3/8 W had a piece of chrome flaking off the ring end, down to the nickel coating. I contacted King **** and send them a photo.

They replyed back with a long email explaining the likely cause and were concerned such an item had made it through quality control. Anyway, long story short, they arranged a courier to collect the whole set and sent out a complete replacement at the same time. (Top marks in my opinion)

It is also worth noting that most tools seem to be dispatched direct from King ****. You place and order with one of the dealer websites and they relay to order back to King ****, so you should receive the order next day.


I do think it is a bit sad that they don't get more of a mention here. They are our last manufacturer of hardline tools and really should be supported more

 

[lbgradwell]

Those look excellent!

 

[N.I.]

Hmmm,

I see your 3 inches and raise you 2 1/4 inches!

 

[Dave455]

This is the perfect thread to show off my latest purchase.

King **** 5 piece Whitworth wrench set


The polish is excellent. Broaching is excellent. And, perhaps more importantly they feel excellent in my hand.

They have a fairly wide beam and everything is well rounded so they are very comfortable to hold.

One minor gripe is that the baby sizes are less pretty, e.g. the 1/8 whitworth-


I think this is due to the fact that they are trying to use the one size of branding stamp for all wrench sizes. This obviously leaves less room for mirror polishing. That been said, the broaching is still spot on and its not the end of the world.

And a comparison shot of similar sizes-


This is my first 'brand new' King **** purchase but it certainly won't be my last. They are undoubtedly top notch and deserve a place among the best.

I an also vouch for their customer service being fantastic.

I originally received a set in which the 3/8 W had a piece of chrome flaking off the ring end, down to the nickel coating. I contacted King **** and send them a photo.

They replyed back with a long email explaining the likely cause and were concerned such an item had made it through quality control. Anyway, long story short, they arranged a courier to collect the whole set and sent out a complete replacement at the same time. (Top marks in my opinion)

It is also worth noting that most tools seem to be dispatched direct from King ****. You place and order with one of the dealer websites and they relay to order back to King ****, so you should receive the order next day.


I do think it is a bit sad that they don't get more of a mention here. They are our last manufacturer of hardline tools and really should be supported more

I agree. I've got the same set and they're not bad at all!

Can't say how well they will hold up in the long term, as I havn't had 'em long enough to find out, but they seem to be very nice! The King **** sockets and accessories were always 'workshop grade' rather than 'top end' and I think they largely still are, but the current spanners seem to be a notch above!

They also make ratcheting ring spanners in Whitworth sizes - one of the few firms who do! Havn't got any yet but might give'em a try!

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Here are some of the old Britool spanners which belonged to my grandad

 

[plumber84]

Smith-Francis tools in Birmingham still manufacture the Snail-Brand of spanners and wrenches, they also make Priory scaffolding and joiners tools aswell, Visa tools based in leeds are the only British maker off hammers left, they make a huge range of hammers and other equipment such as axes, shovels and chisels, footprint tools still make their legendry pipe wrenches, saws, chisels and decorators tools in Sheffield, Clico tools are makers of aerospace tools aswell as quality wood planes, augers and other hand tools also in Sheffield, Fisco tools owned buy Hultafors still make all types off tape measures in England, and Talco tool boxes still manufacture all their products in England as do Norbar torque tools who make torque wrenches and other tools in Oxford, to name but a few.

 

[humber2]

There's still a lot more British tool makers to review.

Who has anything about Brenco spanners?

This seller has provided NOS packaged tools
http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRENCO-Bren...RY-unused-SPANNERS-3-8-x-6-1953-/380625642609

 

[lbgradwell]

Who has anything about Brenco spanners?

That's a new one for me, Peter.

I presume all their production was for military use? Did they only produce BSW? What sizes were used on Bren guns?

 

[cryan]

I have seen a few Brenco ring spanners before. I don't think they're MoD stock? I think the ebay seller is spinning a yarn. Bren Guns were made by the Royal Small Arms Factory, Enfield and were based on a Czech design. Bren came from Brno in Czechoslovakia and Enfield- BR/EN - Bren.
I have no idea who Brenco tools were though?