British Tool Manufacturers

[neophyte]

Moore and Wright have always dominated the U.K. market, but Starrett has always been available as well, for those who prefer it!

Moore and Wright don't produce the range they used to, but Starrett don't really seem to put themselves out for the U.K. market either, so much of the slack gets taken up by the likes of Mitutoyo!

I've got both Moore & Wright and Starrett micrometers, and both makes are excellent! For small tools such as Tap Wrenches, Pin Punches and suchlike I've always preferred the Starrett!

Most of the Starrett I have was made in the U.S.A, so I've always assumed that the U.K. factory makes specific lines, such as the hole saws, rather than for a specific market!

I actually like the looks of the Eclipse Tap Wrenches.


I just checked the Starrett website. The Starrett division in Scotland Manufactures band saw blades, power tool accessoriees and optical measuring projectors.

Starrett also produces saw blades in Brazil, China, and the USA.

 

[Ratchet.]

Very interesting thread, I didn't realize Starrett had a factory in Scotland (being a Scot myself this is interesting as very few tools etc are marked as made in Scotland...) oddly enough after reading this thread i came across a bunch of nos Starrett hole cutters which I will be buying in due course...

One UK tool maker which hasn't been mentioned yet (possibly as it is seemingly very obscure) that would like to find out about is Swinborne, seems there is no information about them on the internet, other than a few eBay auctions and a link to the 'tools from the old world' thread on here, which yields little information.

They seem really nicely made tools, I have a couple of impact sockets by them, but they appear to have made boxed sets with ratchets and extensions and non impact sockets too as there are a few that crop up on ebay from time to time (I have resisted the urge to but one so far...)

I only have two sockets by them at the moment, one I've had for years and have no idea where i got it from, and another purchased recently from eBay, i have another five sockets coming that i bought on ebay recently though





Not sure what the "CPT Co" means, maybe a larger company owned them? or swinborne was a trademark of said company, neither show up on company's house etc as far as i can find out,

Interestingly CPT co is the acronym for Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company which was based in Fraserburgh Scotland, and seems to have been part of Chicago pneumatic if the logo is anything to go by, though that may be purely a coincidence again though there is little to no info about it online. (what I've found is here http://www.fraserburghheritage.com/default.asp?page=15) and there isnt any link to Swinborne that i can see.

They are in nicer condition than they look in that picture by the way, flash just seems to make them look a bit corroded somehow

 

[lbgradwell]

Interestingly CPT co is the acronym for Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company which was based in Fraserburgh Scotland, and seems to have been part of Chicago pneumatic if the logo is anything to go by, though that may be purely a coincidence again though there is little to no info about it online.

Given that your sockets appear to be impact, I think that CPT Co. being the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company is a fair bet.

And, yes, the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company was an offshoot of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. In Canada, the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company became known as the Canadian Pneumatic Tool Company - conveniently permitting the use of the same CPT Co. and the CP-logo in all three places.

 

[lbgradwell]

Here's a Swinborne set that is available on ePay right now:





and another smaller set:

 

[Ratchet.]

Given that your sockets appear to be impact, I think that CPT Co. being the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company is a fair bet.

And, yes, the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company was an offshoot of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. In Canada, the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company became known as the Canadian Pneumatic Tool Company - conveniently permitting the use of the same CPT Co. and the CP-logo in all three places.

Here's a Swinborne set that is available on ePay right now:





and another smaller set:

The sockets i have are impact ones, would like to see if the non impacts are also marked CPT Co

That's really interesting, wonder why they saw fit to use alternate names in different countries, maybe to appeal to the locale? Seems feasible that Swinborne were a subsidiary of CPT, producing hand tools though I wonder what the name connection was.

Yeah the larger set is one one of the sets I've been trying not to buy for a while now

 

[Dave455]

Bumped to the top for Mr MoAiZo

 

[SCscoutguy]

I picked up a box of sockets today at the flea market and in the bottom were several "Britool" brand sockets and one "King ****" brand. I never thought I would find and tools made in England in my neck of the woods but they seem to be extremely well made tools. I know that the BS stands for British Standard and the W for whitworth but what does the AF stand for on the other sockets?

 

[Van Steele]

I know that the BS stands for British Standard and the W for whitworth but what does the AF stand for on the other sockets?

Across Flats, or what you guys call SAE.

 

[humber2]

I picked up a box of sockets today at the flea market and in the bottom were several "Britool" brand sockets and one "King ****" brand. I never thought I would find and tools made in England in my neck of the woods but they seem to be extremely well made tools. I know that the BS stands for British Standard and the W for whitworth but what does the AF stand for on the other sockets?

The equal size letters spelling BRITOOL are relatively recent.

Earlier names ascended in size to T then descended.

A full set of 1/2 drive Britool WW sockets has 11 sockets from 1/8 thru' 3/4

 

[3baygarage]

I picked up a box of sockets today at the flea market and in the bottom were several "Britool" brand sockets and one "King ****" brand. I never thought I would find and tools made in England in my neck of the woods but they seem to be extremely well made tools. I know that the BS stands for British Standard and the W for whitworth but what does the AF stand for on the other sockets?

I thought it stood for American Fractional.

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Nice score.

I picked up a box of sockets today at the flea market and in the bottom were several "Britool" brand sockets and one "King ****" brand. I never thought I would find and tools made in England in my neck of the woods but they seem to be extremely well made tools. I know that the BS stands for British Standard and the W for whitworth but what does the AF stand for on the other sockets?

 

[ndoran]

I thought it stood for American Fractional.

the earlier poster was correct Across the Flats is the correct definition for AF

 

[Bigplum]

Surely it stands for "almost fit"

 

[minimowog]

Surely it stands for "almost fit"

only when using them on metric nuts/bolts....hehe

i'm in GLoucester so not far away from you

 

[Bigplum]

I've got some WW (whitworth ) sockets that fit With a Whack

 

[Toolcuddler]

New to the forum guys, but find these discussions fascinating.

Great to know that there are others out there that passionately care about premium quality tools, especially from yesteryear.

My first shout out has to go to Bedford sockets - They are simply beautiful to look at hold and use.

 

[Dave455]

My first shout out has to go to Bedford sockets - They are simply beautiful to look at hold and use.

Yes, I must agree with you there!

The Bedford stuff is made to a unique 'flowing' pattern with no sharp edges! A joy to use as it doen 't hang up on parts or pipes in a confined space! Good quality chrome plating too!

I can recall Bedford tools being sold by Halfords in the early to mid 70's! Hard to imagine now!

One day, if I ever get really bored, pissed off with the numptys running tool companies, want to chuck some cash away and return to the manufacturing world, I may make some tools! If I ever make socket spanners it'll be the Bedford design I copy!

 

[nickjj]

With regard to impact sockets, one British company we did come across during our research is Deltec, we may look into stocking them in the future.

Seem like good quality:

http://www.deltec.net/home/121-set-4.html

 

[Monte]

i don´t know if this brand already was mentioned:
Spencer loggers tape. Made in England

 

[2oolhound]

Hey Monte, I don't think is says Made In "England" there. I've had these since 1969 to the mid 80's and they were made in Pullman, Washington state, USA. Land of Big Timber.







This one's new in the box, a little 50 footer. Fantastic tapes. In around 1980 they quit imprinting the scenic logger logo and just used the painted "S" that you can see on the right side of my 1st picture.

OK, looking at your photo it says "SEATTLE, WA" for Seattle Washington, not far from the original factory in Pullman.

 

[Monte]

hey 2oolhound that´s a nice collection !!
It seems the tapes are made in the USA and England. In England a company named "J.A.Gadd Ltd"makes them. This shop advertise them also as "Made in England"
https://www.chainsdirect.co.uk/logger-tape/4155-spencer-plastic-round-file-handle-x-3.html
The tape i saw in a store looked like this one and on the back "Made in England" was stamped into the case:

 

[Beenman]

British tools were very popular in South Africa when I grew up. Won't find much new stuff from Britain today though (except maybe some Sykes Pickavant or Norbar at a select few tool shops), but fortunately the Swop Shops still have some old British tools if you're willing to dig around a bit.

Some of my British collection:

One lonely Britool spanner.
View media item 38267
View media item 38269Not sure what this code refers to.

Old Footprint tin snips.
View media item 35648
View media item 35649
Two of my favourite tools - scribe (by Eclipse I think) and Moore & Wright engineer's square.
View media item 35644
Feeler gauge by Chesterman.
View media item 35642
Steel rule by Rabone Chesterman.
View media item 36839

 

[Beenman]

Starrett internal mic set.
View media item 35646
View media item 35645
View media item 35647
Old Mole grips.
View media item 38086

 

[2oolhound]

hey 2oolhound that´s a nice collection !!
It seems the tapes are made in the USA and England. In England a company named "J.A.Gadd Ltd"makes them. This shop advertise them also as "Made in England"

That's news to me. I've been out of the scene for a while though (30 years ; )
I went through a few of those tapes. When it's real wet and they gum up you never get them cleaned out very well in those conditions. We were paid piece work so time is money, it made more sense to buy a few of them than fool around fixing and cleaning them in the field specially if you were holding up the show.

 

[thedts]

I came across this thread searching for info on Britool and Gordon socket sets. I have decided that my vintage 1960s Britool and possibly 1950s Gordon socket sets are no longer required. Both are collections of AF and BSW/BSF sockets with ratchet, universal joint, plug spanner, etc. The former was my father's whose joy was a 1936 Riley. The Gordons set came to me as part of a 1937 Morris 8. I can endorse other people's comments as the quality is superb and better than anything I have bought for modern metric use. If anyone has a vintage or pre-metric car these are the dbs. I also have a Britool torque wrench (20-100footpoundals) from the same period and lots of vintage spanners of various sorts. I will be putting them on ebay in the next few days if anybody is interested or you can contact me through this forum. I live in Surrey England.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Thought you mates and blokes might enjoy this..., from a British friend of mine.

 

[RODRIGO DA SILVA]

UNFORTUNATELY BRITOOL does not exist anymore their U.K workers got fired and they are only using the company name to sell you cheap Chinese tools, they don't even bother marking their tools with the name, all it says is Expert. Facom went pretty much the same way. And Snap on is going the same way, their new ratchets are not marked USA anymore soon the whole lot! I don't bother buying any of their **** anymore I don't like holding anything in my hands that was made with SLAVE labour. Thanks for reading.

 

[Dave455]

UNFORTUNATELY BRITOOL does not exist anymore their U.K workers got fired and they are only using the company name to sell you cheap Chinese tools, they don't even bother marking their tools with the name, all it says is Expert. Facom went pretty much the same way. And Snap on is going the same way, their new ratchets are not marked USA anymore soon the whole lot! I don't bother buying any of their **** anymore I don't like holding anything in my hands that was made with SLAVE labour. Thanks for reading.

You're right about Britool!

Unfortunately, when a firm is bought out by a foreign company, you have lost control! It was 'game over' for Britool when they got taken over by Facom, so my heart doesn't bleed too much now Facom are getting the same treatment!

Having said all that, there are still a lot of the old Facom items manufactured in Europe, so there's hope!

The new Snap On ratchets ARE marked USA. They never stopped making them there and only removed the marking for a short period! O.K, it was a stupid idea, but they seemed to have learned their lesson! The dual 80 ratchet's are not ****, they're probably the best ratchet out there! It's not compulsory to buy one though!

 

[scottish]

Given that your sockets appear to be impact, I think that CPT Co. being the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company is a fair bet.

And, yes, the Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company was an offshoot of the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company. In Canada, the Chicago Pneumatic Tool Company became known as the Canadian Pneumatic Tool Company - conveniently permitting the use of the same CPT Co. and the CP-logo in all three places.

Worked in the fraserburgh Aberdeenshire CPT (Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company) for around 20 years sadly closed down now but building still there although long before it moved it diversified into making lifting equipment
It was taken over by powerjacks who have moved to nearby Ellon

Used to make compressors and other impact tools and used to make guns during the war and more info can be found here
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Consolidated_Pneumatic_Tool_Co
and here
http://www.fraserburghheritage.com/default.asp?page=112

 

[melle]

....

 

[Dave455]

Great pics, thanks for posting!

I'm intrigued by those bayonets. The First World War SMLE No.1 was generally issued with the 1907 bayonet - a massive thing with a 17 inch blade! There were other patterns, but I've never seen any like that!

The Second World War No.4 rifle was generally issued with either a spike or blade bayonet of totally different style! Nearest thing I've seen to those in the picture was the No.9 (I think) bayonet issued with the No.5 Jungie Carbine - but the guard was totally different on those!

There must be some bayonet enthusiasts who can help here....?

 

[scottish]

some guns they used to do as well this one i believe was called a bofors gun

and on the subject of old British tools here are some more old imperial spanners some still in use

 

[Ratchet.]

Worked in the fraserburgh Aberdeenshire CPT (Consolidated Pneumatic Tool Company) for around 20 years sadly closed down now but building still there although long before it moved it diversified into making lifting equipment
It was taken over by powerjacks who have moved to nearby Ellon

Used to make compressors and other impact tools and used to make guns during the war and more info can be found here
http://www.gracesguide.co.uk/Consolidated_Pneumatic_Tool_Co
and here
http://www.fraserburghheritage.com/default.asp?page=112

nice pictures, and info there its a shame that many of what were big British tool manufacturers have so little info available on them, and often have no following at all, unlike their American and european contemporaries

need to post some more of mine, as recently got a bunch of Swinborn sockets, including some metric ones (pretty uncommon) some war finish Britool a few more Garrington tools and some Tipco stuff, including a really nicely made ratchet.. which is almost completely made of aluminum!

 

[Land Rover 109]

I can recall Bedford tools being sold by Halfords in the early to mid 70's! Hard to imagine now!

Dave, were the Bedford tools sold by Halfords- branded as Halfords?
I have a small set of Whitworth/BS sockets, just four individual sockets- three of them Halfords marked and the other Bedford marked. Apart from the spelling of the first part of the name, there is very little to distinguish the two types and I feel sure they were all made on the same assembly line?

 

[Dave455]

Dave, were the Bedford tools sold by Halfords- branded as Halfords?
I have a small set of Whitworth/BS sockets, just four individual sockets- three of them Halfords marked and the other Bedford marked. Apart from the spelling of the first part of the name, there is very little to distinguish the two types and I feel sure they were all made on the same assembly line?

The only Bedford tools I have that I can positively confirm came from Halfords (on account of me being with my Dad when he bought ‘em) are only marked ‘Bedford’.

However, it sounds from what you have as though Bedford made Halfords marked tools as well.

Bedford sockets are quite distinctive, different from Britool, King ****, Gordon, Tipco or whoever, so if your Halfords sockets look like Bedford, they probably are!

 

[Land Rover 109]

Bedford sockets are quite distinctive, different from Britool, King ****, Gordon, Tipco or whoever, so if your Halfords sockets look like Bedford, they probably are!

Seeing as how good British made hand tools were never far away over here, I have smatterings of most all the tool brands you mention and they certainly are different from any I have- but VERY similar to each other in shape, markings and finish.
Will work on some photographs.

Unfortunately I cannot age them as they were purchased secondhand, show some usage wear and chrome chipping at the mouth of the sockets.

 

[Land Rover 109]

 

[Land Rover 109]

Anybody know anything about these?

 

[Dave455]

Yep, all look like Bedford to me! I’d guess early to mid 70’s!

 

[Dave455]

Anybody know anything about these?

There is a spanner with similar markings shown in the Britool thread.

I think the conclusion was Armstrong, Stevens and Sons of Willenhall!

Probably some age to these!