Anyone know about "Stanley Expert" ?

[willhollin]

I was browsing Ebay for a set of metric combination wrenches and found these -

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/221008641046?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Not listed on the Stanley UK website, but I did find this PDF from Stanley Finland! -

http://www.stanleyworks.fi/WebUserControls/PageDocument.aspx?ID=720d7628-e235-42df-b71a-a7ac718bc671

Seems like it never took off, just wondered if anybody had some and could comment on quality?

 

[Rico.]

They are exactly the same tools being sold as Britool Expert and a few others. They are
nothing special and a couple of members have said that the quality is questionable. Rough
finish and slightly flaky chrome and one member said that Halfords Professional are, and I
quote, "far far nicer" The older Rotar Industries made Britool tools are much better and of
course the Britool Made in England tools are top notch but I am going to be staying away
form these "Expert" tools.

I really hate Stanley for what they have done to Britool and what the name stood for, but
ironically I still love Facom tools, so at least they haven't ruined them. It's a shame but
such is life I guess.

 

[richfinn]

I was browsing the other day and stumbled across the USAG site (rebranded Facom) and found this link to Pastorino (look familiar?)

http://www.pastorino.it/

 

[Rico.]

I was browsing the other day and stumbled across the USAG site (rebranded Facom) and found this link to Pastorino (look familiar?)

Ha..! Classico

Well thats another one to add to the list.... then quickly cross it out.

 

[marcone]

Seems Stanley's "Expert" line of tools is propagating to multiple brands, we have Britool, Tona, Pastorino all carrying the same line-up.
My guess is that Stanley is looking for additional profit by exploiting the local resonance of the purchased tool brands but I don't see this lasting for long, people are going to be upset by the declining quality and rebranded tools.
I'm not considering any Britool in my future although the Expert socket set I have right now is defect free.

 

[CanUK]

I have a suspicion that the various brand-prefixes will eventualy be dropped, and all we'll be left with is "Expert" tools. So no more Britool at all, although putting them out of their misery might be the kindest option now.

 

[north]

Expert site.

Might find that some of the Expert tools are the same as the brand name tools, at a lower price tag. And might find that some of the brand name tools are the same as the Expert tools, at a lower quality.

Hard to stay atop with the conglomerat of brands and manufacturers under the Stanley umbrella.

 

[willhollin]

Looking for a wrench set for the van, it seemed like a decent price but maybe not based on the "Expert" experience!

Any sets knocking about for similar money?

 

[Rico.]

I think maybe we're all just coming over as very negative on these tools, which maybe isn't
completely deserved. I'm sure the tools themselves will be just fine, and will work as you
would expect them to.... What I don't like is the fact the quality has gone down a little bit
and the price has gone up a fair bit, compared to the old imported Britool line, that had
Britool stamped on every tool.

My guess would be that the Stanley Expert tools would be similar in quality to....

Draper Expert
Halfords Advanced Professional (Haven't seen a poorly finished tool yet, my choice in this braclet, Great price but limited range)
Sealey Premier (Great value, some stuff is poor though)
Bluepoint
Signet (Same as Halfords Pro, but more expensive)
Teng Tools (Some would argue that quality is more on par with Facom/Snap on... I am not one of them)

All of these brands will serve you well for a nice set of not too expensive good quality
spanners, if you have more money then I would look out for....

Facom
Snap-On
Stahlwille
Hazet
Beta

Sometimes the odd bargain pops up, but not very often on these makes. Good luck.

 

[willhollin]

Well the trouble is, since joining here, all my Facom, SK, Toptul wrenches have migrated into their own dedicated tool chest in the garage. I just can't bear to pull them out of the Ernst wrench holders to rattle around my van!

I've got a set of Teng and I agree the fit and finish is nowhere near Facom let alone Snap On. I often need two of the same size wrenches.....to me the Stanley Expert look different as they are stamped with "Stanley" rather than "Expert" but I may be clutching at straws!

 

[Rico.]

Hmmm interesting.... They may be worse, they may be the same, I doubt anyone on here
would know for sure. My guess would be that they will be fine for chucking them in the van.

I personally went with Halfords Pro for the car toolbox, for 65 quid they sell a tool chest tray
of spanners from 6mm to 24mm with some flare nut spanners included. They don't feel as
strong as my Facom set of 440's but they haven't bent or broken and are nicely finished, and
also allot less expensive.

Maybe spend an hour on ebay going through the brands I mentioned and see what you can
come up with.... or if you're anything like me that will be 5 hours...

Good luck.

 

[willhollin]

I'll give them a miss, I found out a company on Ebay were selling that set for £14.99 so it must be too good to be true!

Spotted these few sets -

http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B005DW2NUK/?tag=atomicindustr-21

Heytec is the imported brand of Heyco, but i'm sure they are pretty good, i'll await Monte's comments!

 

[Monte]

Heytec should work too, Elora would be another choice

 

[plumber84]

I dont know if anyone is familiar with Bost brand tools, they are a French company owned by Facom, they seem to offer a mixture of Britool and Facom although the they are the new Britool offering which at best is DIY quality.
King **** combination spanner sets can be had on ebayuk for about £20 high quality and still made in Blighty.

 

[Rico.]

If you're willing to spend that kind of money, there is actually right now, a full set of
Facom 440 series 14 piece spanner set from 7mm to 24mm for only £58 including
delivery on ebay. The seller has 2 sets left and that would be where my money would
go in a heartbeat. Some of those sets sell for twice that.

Unfortunately I can't copy and paste the link on the device I'm using, but type in
Facom 440.jp14 in the ebay search bar, lowest price plus p+&p, and it will be the
first listing that pops up.

Hope the Heyco's are good if thats the way you went.. Cheers.

 

[jfdestree]

I dug up an old post, but I'm looking for some more info about this brand.
I went to the auto parts store yesterday and found that they now sell Expert-tools. Prices seemed correct as well as the tool box I checked.
The guy behind the counter said me that the brand is owned by Stanley Black&Decker and Facom and the tools are the same as Facom but older design.
Do you have any more info about the actual quality, where the tools are made and if anyone of you use them?
Here is a scan of the catalog.(Prices without 21% taxes...).

And check the Email adress...

 

[willhollin]

As far as I know it's pretty much all Far East sourced.

 

[cookefab]

Ah, that Expert...check Mac Tools (US) website for the disappointing info...its 'Nese made junk, being sold on the Mac trucks and online as a "budget" alternative to Mac...only its not so much "budget" as it is ****...

 

[jfdestree]

Thanks. If for this price I can't get good quality tools, I will stay with the brands I trust

 

[devoncoolman]

Junk mac has them now. My mac guy wont stock any of it and wont sell it either. U know its bad if the tool guys wont sell it.