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Well, I’m on midweek days off again here in the U.K. (typical), the only upside being that Tuesday is market day in my nearest small town. I usually avoid markets, most are not what they were, but my local one is more traditional. A fair amount of fresh produce, and some stalls with sensibly...

Today I’ve been working on a bathroom, including changing the light fitting. I needed to work ‘upside down’ and reached for my Snap On Pozidriv. Now, don’t get me wrong, I love these tools. Good quality blades, durable handles, and perfect for most engineering tasks. But, it just wasn’t...

I was out and about last week and got this! At first glance it’s just a regular Estwing hammer, except it’s not! They call this the “English Pattern” and it differs from the American pattern in the shape of the head. (They are correct, this is a traditional English pattern of carpenters hammer...

Just bought a Silky folding saw. Been thinking about one for a while, but after a week when I could have used one on a couple of occasions, I decided to add one to my ‘road bag’. Following the advice of a farmer friend who raves about these, I went for the curved blade. If I don’t like it I’ll...

I’ve been working away from my own workshop today, helping a friend make up some small tools, and set up some machines. Anyway, as I was cleaning up my stuff I thought I’d share a few of the useful things I’ve been using. KoKen tap holding sockets. These are great. I’ve got a load of tap...

I’ve been installing ovens today. I know that’s not very GJ, but such is life! Once the oven is fixed in, you have to install the side trim which is held by two Torx head self tappers. Top one in is fine, but to access the bottom one you have to hold the oven door half open, and even then you...

Got some time off this week so had a half day looking round the local used tool dealers. First off I got this ‘King ****’ ring spanner. (Box End Wrench). I normally prefer Britool or Bedford, but this was a popular metric size (30 x 32mm) so thought I’d grab it. Like most British manufacturers...

I was on the Snap On truck today (always risky) mainly for a browse of the “specials”. This 1/4 inch bit ratchet wasn’t a “special” but I couldn’t help picking one up anyway. Seriously useful looking tool. I use 1/4 inch hex bits (pozidriv, hex or torx as appropriate) on the majority of screws...

A friend recently passed away (really decent guy, one of the last of my fathers generation) and his Brother asked if I wanted any of his tools? Most were of pretty average quality (if that!) and well used. To be honest the most useful thing was his store of nuts, bolts and screws, most of which...

I know some would say I should post this in a knife forum, but I know a lot of folks here like their pocket knives, and Victorinox Alox handles knives are about the best ‘tool’ knives out there! Anyway, in case anybody hasn’t seen these, here is the latest Victorinox Hunter Alox! They’ve been...

Perhaps not strictly a tool, but thought some of the guys here would be interested in this! It’s a new version of the small flashlights made by ACR / Fulton for the Nasa in the late 60’s / early 70’s. They’re made in Spain by a company called Barbolight who make divers lights. The owner is...

Well today I helped wire a workshop. No big deal, belongs to a friends Dad, just needed a bit of sorting out. Put in a few new sockets and switches, put some ‘no volt release’ switch’s on his machines, made up some proper supports for the switchgear and sorted out the wiring on his woodworking...

Hi guys, I know there are a load of threads asking this question about different things, but this thing’s always been a mystery and I’d love to know what it is. It belonged to my grandfather, and I’d guess it dates no later than the 50’s. It has the feel of a piece of inspection equipment and...

Like a lot of folks here, I spend a fair amount of time turning wrenches. I’m not a pro, but I restore and set up machine tools, tinker around with classic cars, maintain four modern ones, and generally do all the stuff that needs doing, from appliance repairs to plumbing! Like a lot of folks...

I know that most folks here are wrench turners rather than wood maulers (so am I normally) but increasingly often I find myself having to work with raw tree! My strategy is usually to mechanise things as much as possible, and I find that if I can batch make a 'kit of parts' with all cuts at 90...

I was reading another thread about Mac Tools, and without knowing all the facts didn't want to comment, but it did get me thinking about Mac. I was a bit late to the Mac Tools party! By the time I'd come across 'em, some of the really nice stuff, such as the ratchets with the square hard...

It may not have escaped the notice, of even the most garage centric reader, that today is Christmas Eve. So, when asked by a friend if I'd help finish her decorations by putting up some pictures, the answer, in the spirit of goodwill to all men (and especially fit girls) was of course yes...

Well folks! Been on the forum for a while now! Enjoyed the chat and got some useful advice! (Cost me a bit too, but there you go!) I reckon now's the time to try and give something back! Reading the various threads it's apparent that there are some tools that I use regularly that others do...

Well, I was at a tool dealers today, and seeing a selection of Crescent tools on display thought I'd buy myself a large pair of Tongue and Groove / water pump pliers. Well the bad news was that they were all costly, the biggest being £45, but what the hell! The best is never cheap, and I've...

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...