What an Australian Tool Collector might have in his toolbox

[Coolabah]

wow thanks I didn't know that ! I'll try Amazon next time.

 

[Coolabah]

Nice kit there, jedi.

I see you've already ordered but you'll be happy with the SP Tools. The Motorsport range I find better than the standard spanners - longer and anti-slip. I also have a selection of SP sockets with which I'm also very happy.

Couple of pics (notice the smattering of Sidchrome, some Australian made, Kincrome and the odd Dowidat)

<snip photos>

...and, yeah, I'm like you. I clean them after use.

Thanks for posting those pics and also for your insights into SP tools - I must admit I bought them on impulse as I was looking at a better "complete kit" to load up in the van. Might have to do some gym work first- even empty the chest is heavy ! I ended up changeing the order to this one :
http://www.transquip.com.au/product...d-Service-Diamond-White-Tool-Box-SP50058.html

seems to fit my use but yeh, the SP motorsport tools look interesting ...

Made in Taiwan apparently ? Seem reasonable quality but I am a big fan of Taiwanese tools second only to Japanese if we are talking Asia , otherwise of course no one can argue with US tools and many European tools too.

I can see you also clean your tools before putting them away - this was drummed into me by my grandfather so many times when I was a kid I can't do it any other way. I will dump my tools onto one of my benches after a project to wipe over with a rag before putting away, any major grease on a non-metal handle I will remove with hand cleaner and rinse it. I realise this will get me some flack from some of the guys here.

I helped my brother the other day with some projects around his house - needed a screwdriver so he handed me one straight out of his toolbox. My SIL was not impressed with all the grease marks I instantly spread (from this tool's black handle- didn't see black oil getting all over my hands) all over the plasterboard wall .... oops ...

 

[Coolabah]

Im reluctant to ask this... but... could you post the website you used to generate the sears $25 shipping. I did look at at an earlier link but it came back blank...
It's gonna cause me some grief with the wife but I cant resist!!
cheers...

One thing to note is that I ordered around 20 items from Sears over 2 orders, so far they are arriving as individual packages of maybe one to three items in them . Packages are often squashed in transit but nothing damaged so far.

 

[submariner]

I ended up changeing the order to this one :
http://www.transquip.com.au/product...d-Service-Diamond-White-Tool-Box-SP50058.html

I can see you also clean your tools before putting them away - this was drummed into me by my grandfather so many times when I was a kid I can't do it any other way.

That white box with black trim looks great

I don't clean my tools but spray them with Rost Off once in a while. My elderly father in-law cleans them after every use, even with his fishing rods.

One thing to note is that I ordered around 20 items from Sears over 2 orders, so far they are arriving as individual packages of maybe one to three items in them .

Yes, they split large orders, just like Amazon. Although shipping cost is still capped to $20 (checked today, reduced from $25). It may be a short term glitch because I don't think they can make money if you order a truck load.

 

[Coolabah]

That white box with black trim looks great

I don't clean my tools but spray them with Rost Off once in a while. My elderly father in-law cleans them after every use, even with his fishing rods.



Yes, they split large orders, just like Amazon. Although shipping cost is still capped to $20 (checked today, reduced from $25). It may be a short term glitch because I don't think they can make money if you order a truck load.

Yeh , thanks for the comment - I am really glad I bought it, and the white looks really clean in the flesh. I thought if I didn't like it ( all my other boxes are red or blue) - it would be a good base coat for a custom metallic candy coat to match my van... plus it is only slightly above RRP for the box alone, with some great tools to boot.
Mate , apart from being elderly your FIL and I might have a lot in common !
I'm not 100 % sure but I think Borderfree seems to be a re-packing company. If I peel off my Aussie address label , there is my name delivered to a US address. I tried logging onto Sears as if I lived in the USA and the prices are cheaper.... I am happy for someone to tell me I'm wrong , but without looking into it too far my guess is the price above Sears price goes to Borderfree so subsidises/pays for the shipping + profit ?? Either way it is a good deal for me , I am not complaining...
Thanks once again for the Amazon tip !

edit: I've hired these guys to carry the box to my van , they seem pretty good ?

 

[submariner]

Mate , apart from being elderly your FIL and I might have a lot in common !

Lol...I'm not implying that you're old. I'm just saying that the older generation really take care of their tools. Perhaps tools were hard to come by. The tools they had are not toys like nowadays, they were made with pride in the motherland.

I tried logging onto Sears as if I lived in the USA and the prices are cheaper.... I am happy for someone to tell me I'm wrong , but without looking into it too far my guess is the price above Sears price goes to Borderfree so subsidises/pays for the shipping + profit ?? Either way it is a good deal for me , I am not complaining...

I think you nailed it, prices are about 20% higher in the AU site compared to the US site but our dollar is also worth about 6% less. In any case they're still a bargain for large and heavy items.

 

[Coolabah]

Lol...I'm not implying that you're old. I'm just saying that the older generation really take care of their tools. Perhaps tools were hard to come by. The tools they had are not toys like nowadays, they were made with pride in the motherland.



I think you nailed it, prices are about 20% higher in the AU site compared to the US site but our dollar is also worth about 6% less. In any case they're still a bargain for large and heavy items.

Thanks Submariner, your input into this thread has been astounding ! June has been a really big tool spend month for me as a result.
Hazet assistent- totally , entirely , 100% your fault. You know it , too.
other tools - well you just plain encouraged me.

My wife is reading this over my shoulder , and I'm sure it is meant with affection but she wants to hit on you....

no ,wait , that was "she wants to pay for a hit on you " ?? I don't understand what she means . I am just a simple bear....

/joke




I am going to try to limit my posts nos by editing this one ... some photos of stuff in my garage sitting ready to go...white did not photograph correctly

 

[submariner]

Hazet assistent- totally , entirely , 100% your fault.

Lol...you gave us a sneaky peek, show us the rest of the Hazet Assistent.

My wife is reading this over my shoulder , and I'm sure it is meant with affection but she wants to hit on you....

no ,wait , that was "she wants to pay for a hit on you " ?? I don't understand what she means . I am just a simple bear....

/joke

I don't know what to say...

 

[jedigazza]

Yeh , thanks for the comment - I am really glad I bought it, and the white looks really clean in the flesh. I thought if I didn't like it ( all my other boxes are red or blue) - it would be a good base coat for a custom metallic candy coat to match my van... plus it is only slightly above RRP for the box alone, with some great tools to boot.
Mate , apart from being elderly your FIL and I might have a lot in common !
I'm not 100 % sure but I think Borderfree seems to be a re-packing company. If I peel off my Aussie address label , there is my name delivered to a US address. I tried logging onto Sears as if I lived in the USA and the prices are cheaper.... I am happy for someone to tell me I'm wrong , but without looking into it too far my guess is the price above Sears price goes to Borderfree so subsidises/pays for the shipping + profit ?? Either way it is a good deal for me , I am not complaining...
Thanks once again for the Amazon tip !

edit: I've hired these guys to carry the box to my van , they seem pretty good ?

my tools from sears arrived the other day, i think you guys are 100% right, the tools are shipped to border free and then on-shipped to us, i think they are like a customs agent or freight forwarder or something.


more pics Coolabah!!!!

 

[NFT5]

sweet set of tools there NFT5! Excellent tool organization. where did you get those hex sockets from. they look to be really nice quality

The E sockets? Kincrome. I was impressed with what looked like quality and they have been. I have a paint repair shop so we come across those on body fittings fairly often.

And what make are those socket tray holders??? Not seen them before. .

Great idea, eh? Just a flate plate with a handle on one end and socket rails riveted on. I found them first at a stall at a local Sunday Market and I've since seen them at another tool shop. They're branded IDG Tools but I don't think that means much. Made in China but I've since bought a stack of them and put in every tool box I have - home, car, shop. My guys have them too. Cost varies but $10-$15. Makes organising easy and I've even made some myself for a tool box that those ones didn't really fit.

 

[NFT5]

One thing to note is that I ordered around 20 items from Sears over 2 orders, so far they are arriving as individual packages of maybe one to three items in them . Packages are often squashed in transit but nothing damaged so far.

Yeah, Sears do some dumb things. I ordered a few things once and it all turned up in 4 different boxes. Best one though was this, box and complete contents:

 

[jedigazza]

Yeh , thanks for the comment - I am really glad I bought it, and the white looks really clean in the flesh. I thought if I didn't like it ( all my other boxes are red or blue) - it would be a good base coat for a custom metallic candy coat to match my van... plus it is only slightly above RRP for the box alone, with some great tools to boot.
Mate , apart from being elderly your FIL and I might have a lot in common !
I'm not 100 % sure but I think Borderfree seems to be a re-packing company. If I peel off my Aussie address label , there is my name delivered to a US address. I tried logging onto Sears as if I lived in the USA and the prices are cheaper.... I am happy for someone to tell me I'm wrong , but without looking into it too far my guess is the price above Sears price goes to Borderfree so subsidises/pays for the shipping + profit ?? Either way it is a good deal for me , I am not complaining...
Thanks once again for the Amazon tip !

edit: I've hired these guys to carry the box to my van , they seem pretty good ?

The E sockets? Kincrome. I was impressed with what looked like quality and they have been. I have a paint repair shop so we come across those on body fittings fairly often.



Great idea, eh? Just a flate plate with a handle on one end and socket rails riveted on. I found them first at a stall at a local Sunday Market and I've since seen them at another tool shop. They're branded IDG Tools but I don't think that means much. Made in China but I've since bought a stack of them and put in every tool box I have - home, car, shop. My guys have them too. Cost varies but $10-$15. Makes organising easy and I've even made some myself for a tool box that those ones didn't really fit.

thank for the info mate

 

[jedigazza]

Yeah, Sears do some dumb things. I ordered a few things once and it all turned up in 4 different boxes. Best one though was this, box and complete contents:

hahaha and they fill the entire box with these blow up air things

 

[racingtadpole]

I'll play. Got a random assortment of:

Old Sidchrome
New Sidchrome
Blue Point
Snap On
Williams
SP Tools
Other asst'd stuff

If I get time this arvo I'll take a couple of pics

 

[submariner]

Something unique: my tubular box wrench set, to fit various Australian taps. They're forged steel, like sockets.

 

[Coolabah]

Something unique: my tubular box wrench set, to fit various Australian taps. They're forged steel, like sockets.

sweet... wee all over my el cheapo $10 set of pressed tin..where did you get those if I might ask ?

 

[north]

snip*

I checked Amazon and shipping is only $7.99.

*snip* not the cheapest but shipping is dirt cheap.

*snip*[/IMG]

Lucky bazted. I get prority shipping as the only option. US$ 34.48!

 

[Hako86]

@jedigazza: you got some very nice tools there! I absolutely love that ko-ken socket set, but those Stahlwille wrenches and NWS pliers are really sweet too

 

[jedigazza]

Something unique: my tubular box wrench set, to fit various Australian taps. They're forged steel, like sockets.

where the hell did you get those??????? Ive been searching for a German made set, except the stahlwille set is like 500 bucks.

 

[jedigazza]

@jedigazza: you got some very nice tools there! I absolutely love that ko-ken socket set, but those Stahlwille wrenches and NWS pliers are really sweet too

Hi Hako86, thanks! I love the koken sets, i was planning to buy all my sockets in Stahlwille, and then i bought some koken stuff and was so impressed with it i decided to buy the remaining things i needed in koken instead. absolutely beautiful to work with. The NWS pliers are really nice , very lightweight, but i really love the knipex and the channellock ( i have had that plier for so long its like family )

 

[submariner]

sweet... wee all over my el cheapo $10 set of pressed tin..where did you get those if I might ask ?

Got it from Plumbers Choice, I think it's their in house brand. It's Aussie designed I believe so it includes Australia's most popular tap wrench sizes.

Previously I've gone through 2 sets of those pressed tin ones, rounded them off fairly quickly. I could've paid much less if bought from Germany but don't think they have Aussie sizes on one wrench (e.g. hex 29 mm x square 24 mm).

where the hell did you get those??????? Ive been searching for a German made set, except the stahlwille set is like 500 bucks.

$500? is that the special price for Aussies?

The Stahlwillie set is actually reasonably priced, about $100 (minus 20% VAT at checkout). Although the smaller sizes are probably useless and I don't think they make a square one in 24 mm. Nevertheless, they look pretty in chrome

 

[jedigazza]

Got it from Plumbers Choice, I think it's their in house brand. It's Aussie designed I believe so it includes Australia's most popular tap wrench sizes.

Previously I've gone through 2 sets of those pressed tin ones, rounded them off fairly quickly. I could've paid much less if bought from Germany but don't think they have Aussie sizes on one wrench (e.g. hex 29 mm x square 24 mm).



$500? is that the special price for Aussies?

The Stahlwillie set is actually reasonably priced, about $100 (minus 20% VAT at checkout). Although the smaller sizes are probably useless and I don't think they make a square one in 24 mm. Nevertheless, they look pretty in chrome

Thanks Sub, yeh i agree those pressed tin bunnings specials dont last very long.

yeh i enquired to white international a few years ago it was pretty close to 500 bucks if you get it through them.

do you need to be a tradesman to purchase that set from plumbers choice?

 

[submariner]

do you need to be a tradesman to purchase that set from plumbers choice?

No, I'm not a tradie although they do ask about it during checkout, I BS and typed apprentice. I've also bought from other trade only stores (Blackwoods, Coventry) without issues, just ask. Anyway, it may be illegal to discriminate.

 

[jedigazza]

No, I'm not a tradie although they do ask about it during checkout, I BS and typed apprentice. I've also bought from other trade only stores (Blackwoods, Coventry) without issues, just ask. Anyway, it may be illegal to discriminate.

hahahah genious!

 

[Giddyup]

I inherited this socket set that I have added to my camper tailer. I am not sure if it came out from the old country or it was a local colonial item ( it is a mixture of BSW and AF) It does have a drive that I have not seen before as per the photos Seems to be quite good quality (good British steel)
I might have to get a British car just to use the BSW sockets

 

[1/2 Cup]

I inherited this socket set that I have added to my camper tailer. I am not sure if it came out from the old country or it was a local colonial item ( it is a mixture of BSW and AF) It does have a drive that I have not seen before as per the photos Seems to be quite good quality (good British steel)
I might have to get a British car just to use the BSW sockets

Britool made/make some great tools, I have a 3/4" breaker bar that tend use all the time.
I have never seen a hex drive before. thanks for posting.

 

[bonneyman]

I don't have anything fancy, I'm more into woodwork now but I purchased these 25 years ago they have not had much use as you can tell.

That ratchet looks like a "Frankenstein" design. Switch direction by pressing in the pin on the neck. Yes?

 

[submariner]

I inherited this socket set that I have added to my camper tailer. I am not sure if it came out from the old country or it was a local colonial item ( it is a mixture of BSW and AF) It does have a drive that I have not seen before as per the photos Seems to be quite good quality (good British steel)

I'm amazed that the chrome is still good, I assume it's close to 50 years old?

I'm also perplexed at how Stanley Tools turned Britool to a second-rate company

 

[humber2]

I inherited this socket set that I have added to my camper tailer. I am not sure if it came out from the old country or it was a local colonial item ( it is a mixture of BSW and AF) It does have a drive that I have not seen before as per the photos Seems to be quite good quality (good British steel)
I might have to get a British car just to use the BSW sockets

That drive is 0.448" hex and was advised as deleted in undated Catalog 107 which I believe is from the 1960's

That tooling started in the 1920's

At the same time 9/32" sq drive socketry was also deleted.

 

[Carves]

.......... I'm also perplexed at how Stanley Tools turned Britool to a second-rate company

.... by practice/experience .... with other well known and respected, brands they purchased ..



Question .... some time back - I bid ten bucks at an auction and got a handful of, original, 11mm flexhead gearwrenches.

In addition, there was a bunch of mixed sizes, OE/Ring spanners, and a 1/4" drive, metric & imperial socket set,

... which were etched with abw 40th anniversary edition

... anybody got any clues who abw chose to supply 'em ???

Items were all new / still in packaging.


Also ..... This might be a handy link - for some of you interested in aussie tools. They have a few stories and piccies.
.

http://www.htpaa.org.au/index.php

 

[Matt Irvine]

I have a whole heap of new gear on the way, looking forward to sharing!

 

[1/2 Cup]

I have a whole heap of new gear on the way, looking forward to sharing!

Pictures are mandatory.

 

[Giddyup]

Wow, thanks humber2 that's great info. These tools are almost like new and will not get too much use in the future, I have my regular tools for all the heavy work. Hey if you are right those tools are as old as I am.....

and they are in better shape

Glenn

 

[Matt Irvine]

Pictures are mandatory.

Waiting on a heap of knipex and gedore gear from Germany so soon!
Set of combination spanners from 3/8 through to 2" , 41-60 combinations, circlip pliers, plus - 3/4" socket set and a sidchrome ratchet,
Some is here but not sharing until all is!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Waiting on a heap of knipex and gedore gear from Germany so soon!
Set of combination spanners from 3/8 through to 2" , 41-60 combinations, circlip pliers, plus - 3/4" socket set and a sidchrome ratchet,
Some is here but not sharing until all is!

That's a fair call

 

[jedigazza]

Waiting on a heap of knipex and gedore gear from Germany so soon!
Set of combination spanners from 3/8 through to 2" , 41-60 combinations, circlip pliers, plus - 3/4" socket set and a sidchrome ratchet,
Some is here but not sharing until all is!

Pics or it didnt happen

 

[Carves]

Posted this link to an aussie tool company reference, a coupla days ago.

http://www.htpaa.org.au/index.php


Found something in the link today ... that sent me scurrying off to my woodworking, box of bits.


Tah Dahhhh ... An aussie made, drill powered, belt sander ...

Good bit of kit ........ Now that battery drills have been invented ..

Also mentioned some odd spanners / sockets I have ......


a couple of the ABW 40th Anniversary spanners

The 1/4"drive sockets ... and some nasty, cheap extras,
and the handy little gearwrench ratchet, I got not long back.

Keep in mind that I'm no "collector" ... but since everyone seems keen on seeing old sidchrome ....

What I've got left of what was once, a large and comprehensive, 1/2" drive set ...

Missing sockets have been replaced with, whatever was handy at a store selling something, of reasonable quality.

A handful of stuff from out of the spanners box.

Some new bling ... that I bought last year.

but out of habit ... I still reach for some of the old gear ...

Some sidchrome branded stuff ... designed to be hit with a hammer.
(top one is a sutton)

... and some chinese stuff ... not designed to be hit with a hammer ..

 

[1/2 Cup]

Thanks for posting the link Carves.

The old Sidchrome stuff is ageless.

I must share a few of mine.

 

[DieCastElectrician]

Nice Vice.
I would Like To See More Pictures Of It.
How It Works?

 

[DieCastElectrician]

I Don't See Many Machinist Tools.
I Like To Collect Old Ones I Find At .Garage Sales Here In The USA.
I Would Like To See Old Ones .And Some History