Aussie Brands

[SPtoolLover]

That reminds me, I do need some magnetic rails!


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[Supe]

Checked out Kincrome spanners at Bunnings. They are made in China. The finish on the ones I looked at were hit and miss and for the price I didn't see the value in them. I'd buy the ASD Sidchromes (under $100 for 12pc set) or their newer 440 range for not much more (Taiwan made). Approximately equivalent in price to Kincrome set.

Most of my tools are not 'Australian' because local manufacture is almost non existent. I've got an Aussie made Lufkin tape measure, Sutton drill bit set and magnetic welding clamp set. That's about it.

 

[SPtoolLover]

I went to total tools today, never heard of TTI, but most of there stock is that brand?

 

[Coolabah]

Checked out Kincrome spanners at Bunnings. They are made in China. The finish on the ones I looked at were hit and miss and for the price I didn't see the value in them. I'd buy the ASD Sidchromes (under $100 for 12pc set) or their newer 440 range for not much more (Taiwan made). Approximately equivalent in price to Kincrome set.

Most of my tools are not 'Australian' because local manufacture is almost non existent. I've got an Aussie made Lufkin tape measure, Sutton drill bit set and magnetic welding clamp set. That's about it.

I would definitely go for Taiwan made in a contest between China made vs Taiwan . There seems to be a downturn in Kincrome quality from what everyone is saying ( and there is the problem with Chinese tools right there IMHO - quality varies unpredictably) . I bought a large set 5 years ago on special , no comparison to current stuff (gone downhill it seems) which is disappointing to say the least. Once again - horses for courses, if you are a pro or trying to loosen rusty bolts go for a higher quality tool. It depends on persons budget not everyone wants to have multiple tool sets of varying quality like I do!!

 

[tank4114]

for air tools shinano air tools are good also alot of the SP air tools are made in japan just bought a few myself, rattle guns i got snapon if you have the cash they are the best imo
for t handles i got the wiha's made in germany also very nice
torque wrench id go for a CDI click style oem for snapon
screwdrivers i use snapon at work but i also have felo made in germany and there very good too can get them at masters

 

[wvrrcarknocker]

Unfortunately, the situation ain't much better here in the states. Sorry to hear you guys are having trouble getting good stuff from the states. Not sure I can help, but if you guys need someone to source something from the states and ship it to Oz, I would be glad to help if I can. Everything is going chinese and it *****! I'm a big fan of quality tools, be it US, Germany, or elsewhere. Taiwan ain't bad but chinese downright ***** for the most part (there are exceptions) Let me know if I can help out in any way.

 

[Matt Irvine]

My tool box is full of Sidchrome combo, double ring and double open spanners, ratchets, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 sockets, Sutton drills taps and reamers, Warren and Brown torque wrenches, a huckson deadblow, all made in Australia. Adjoining it is Snap On spanners, Gedore spanners, Starrett odds and ends, Mitutoyo, OD mics, ID mics, depth mics and squares.

Quite a variation availible. In terms of consumer grade stuff, JBS from blackwoods is good bang for your buck, as well as the Repco stuff.

 

[Sprintman]

See PM

 

[Coolabah]

My tool box is full of Sidchrome combo, double ring and double open spanners, ratchets, 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 and 3/4 sockets, Sutton drills taps and reamers, Warren and Brown torque wrenches, a huckson deadblow, all made in Australia. Adjoining it is Snap On spanners, Gedore spanners, Starrett odds and ends, Mitutoyo, OD mics, ID mics, depth mics and squares.

Quite a variation availible. In terms of consumer grade stuff, JBS from blackwoods is good bang for your buck, as well as the Repco stuff.

Hi Matt,

Very similar to mine but I do not have any Warren and Brown torque wrenches, and have not heard of Huckson ( my bad I guess ! )
I have lots of Hazet , Stahlwille , older Bahco, Siddons, Danial Forge, but no Gedore at this point . I have also , on a lower quality scale , SP Tools , KC , Jimy Industrial, Kincrome , non-Au Sidchrome ... whatever does the job. I have become less of a tool snob lately .... what can I say ?

 

[wombat31x]

I guess I was fortunate back in the early 90's when Sidchrome were closing down their Australian manufacturing I went out and bought all the Aussie made spanners I needed to fill out my sets.Some I could not get but Stanley( the owners of Sidchrome) were flirting with the idea of up marketing Sidchrome and for a while sold under the brand Sidchrome-Proto,subsequently Proto must have phased out their US manufacturing,but for a while you could buy US made Proto tools in Sidchrome boxes and rolls.A lot of people now poo poo Sidchrome but have some Tiawanese made sockets and spanners and have never had a problem their ratchets however are a different story and I find their quality only on par with SP, Kincrome and their like.If you want a better ratchet for not a lot more money check out Koken(If you can find a dealer who stocks them)I did as the American here say and "drank the kool aid" and bought some Snap On ratchets these are about the best I have ever used even better than Stahlwille whose screwdrivers I find the best and their open enders are thinner than most others ( a big bonus when working on pipe fittings and such)The other place to check out for tools is your local Caterpillar dealer (Hastings Deering here in Qld) they sell Cat branded tools which are made by Williams(Part of Snap On)however some Cat tools sold here are snap on I bought two hose removing picks and while they came in a Cat box they are Snap On and their prices are almost half of what you'll pay on the Snap On truck.
As far as air tools go I have never gone past Ingersol Rand (Yes now made in China I know) but still the easiest and quickest to obtain parts and service for.also check out E bay I have seen quite a few NOS Ingersol Rand impact guns from the US these should give years of good service and when it comes time to repair them I will wager you will still be able to get parts for them..try that with most other brands over 5 years old.I am also fortunate enough to have a few Bonney tools(A brand never marketed here) but a Brisbane tool dealer bought up a lot of stock and when they shut down in the US and I got a few bits from there.

 

[zyx5432]

I'm a fan of my Triton router.

 

[node105]

Do yourself a favour, and look at purchasing decent German brands like Stahlwille and Hazet, Knipex... from some of the online european suppliers. You will land including freight for about the same cost as corresponding chinese 'oz' brands. Freight out of the US is typically ludicrous by comparison.

for example:

TBS Aachen
- Hazet, Stahlwille, Knipex, Gedore...

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/

Tools From Germany
Tools from Germany

- Hazet, Knipex



The catalogues are extensive and complete. Delivery is not uncommonly 10 days or so. I have had c. 100 orders for tools from o/s over the last few years, no problems.

I have some 700 suppliers in 25 countries in a databases ( I code db's) cross-referenced against brands I have some interest in. Most purchasing has been from Germany.

'Aussie' brands are just that, brands. I grew up on Sidchrome, (and some Dowidat and Gedore). Argue all you want, chinese does not cut the mustard. Tawainese does usually have good engineering.

Just a personal perspective.

 

[sam.coll]

www.kltoolsaustralia.com is another good site for Stahlwille, Knipex, Starrett etc and shipping is usually free

 

[node105]

Do yourself a favour, and look at purchasing decent German brands like Stahlwille and Hazet, Knipex... from some of the online european suppliers. You will land including freight for about the same cost as corresponding chinese 'oz' brands. Freight out of the US is typically ludicrous by comparison.

for example:

TBS Aachen
- Hazet, Stahlwille, Knipex, Gedore...

http://www.tbs-aachen.de/

Tools From Germany

Tools from Germany

- Hazet, Knipex

Jens Putzier ( on the forum)

Hand Tools From Germany ( also on the forum)

http://handtools-from-germany.com



The catalogues are extensive. Delivery is not uncommonly 10 days or so. I have had c. 100 orders for tools from o/s over the last few years, no problems.

I have some 700 suppliers in 25 countries and 918 brands in a databases (I code db's) cross-referenced against brands I have some interest in. Most purchasing has been from Germany.

'Aussie' brands are just that, brands. I grew up on Sidchrome, (and some Dowidat and Gedore). I am not interested in chinese but occasionally immediate needs must situations arise. Tawainese does usually have good engineering.

Just a personal perspective.

Brands in my actual tool inventory:
3M, 80/20, Abbot & Ashby, ABW, Albrecht, Alex Mathieson & Son, AlSafe, AMF, Arch, Archer, Arlec, Armstrong, Aron, Athlet, Atoma, Bahco, Beacon, Bessey, Black & Decker, Blum, BMI, Boehm, Boker, Bondhus, Bordo, Bosch, Bowers, Bridge City Tools, Brockhaus Heuer, Brownbuilt, C.K, Carbatec, Channellock, Chesco, Cigweld, Clipsal, CMT, Coleman, Concord, Contico, CRC, Crown Hand Tools, Dawn, Dayco, Daylight, De-Sta-Co, Desoutter, Devcon, DeVilbiss, **** Smith, Dillon, Disston, Dowidat, Dremel, Dubuque Clamp Works, Dulux, Dutton-Lainson, Dy-Mark, E.C. Emmerich, E.D.L. Lighting, Eclipse, Elora, Empire, Eschenbach, ETC Tools, Euro-tech, F. ****, Facom, Famag, Fein, Felo, Festo, Festool, Finkal-Watt, Fischer, Flexovit, Fluke, Footprint, Freud, Friatec, Fuller, G.V.Wickens Ltd, Gedore, Gilbow, GMF, Goliath, Govt., Griffin & George Ltd, Griplock, Gunson, Hakko, Hassunme, Hazet, Hercules, Hitachi, HS, Imperial, Incra, irwin, Iwata, iWood, Jacobs, Jamec-Pem, Jimy Industrial, John Heine, Josco, Justrite, JWT, Knipex, Koken, Kontor, Kreg, Kukko, Kunz, Langline, Lee Valley, Linishall, Lisle, Loctite, LordWear, Lufkin, M-Power, MacLab, Makita, Malco, Marples, Marson, Master, Maun, Mayhew, McDonald-Dixbro, McGrath St.Paul, McNaught, Meco, Melco, Melnor, MEP, Mercedes, Metabo, Metal Removal, Milbar, Minimax, Mitutoyo, Mityvac, Moore & Wright, Motor Guard, Mumms, Nally, Nelson, NeuTechnik, Nicholson, Nobex, Norbar, Norton, NWS, Oneida, P&N, Parker Hale, PB Swiss Tools, Pfeil, Pferd, Pica-Marker, Picard, Picard, Planet, Precision Dogs, Pressol, Primus, Priory, Proctector, Protectoseal, Quando Veloce, Quick-Wedge, Qwas, Rabone, Rabone/Chesterman, Record, Rema, Rennsteig, Richmond Industrial, Rider & Bell, Rigid, Robert Sorby, Rocol, Ross, Rota, Rothenberger, RS, RTS Engineering, RubberMaid, Ruko, Rytool, Sandvik, SATA, Seneca Woodworking, Shinano, Shinwa, Sidchrome, Sigma, SIP, SIT, Snap-on, Sordin, Spear & Jackson, Spear & Jackson, Speco Thomas, Stabila, Stahlwille, Stanley, Starrett, Sundstrom, Sutton, Sykes-Pickavant, T&E Tools, Tesa, Thomas Turner & Sons, Thor, Toledo, Tormek, Tough, Ullman, Ulmia, Unbrako, Uni-Syn, Utilux, Vallorbe, Veritas, Vermont American, Vise-Grip, Vitrex, Vogel, Volpi, W. Butcher, W. Tyzack & Sons, W.Logemann KG, Waldown, Walko, Walter, Waterloo, Weldcorp, Weller, Western Electric, Wiha, Willow, Wiltshire, Wiss, Wolfcraft, Woodpeckers, Zag

 

[Charles (in GA)]

Warren and Brown torque wrenches.

 

[Coolabah]

Brands in my actual tool inventory:
3M, 80/20, Abbot & Ashby, ABW, Albrecht, Alex Mathieson & Son, AlSafe, AMF, Arch, Archer, Arlec, Armstrong, Aron, Athlet, Atoma, Bahco, Beacon, Bessey, Black & Decker, Blum, BMI, Boehm, Boker, Bondhus, Bordo, Bosch, Bowers, Bridge City Tools, Brockhaus Heuer, Brownbuilt, C.K, Carbatec, Channellock, Chesco, Cigweld, Clipsal, CMT, Coleman, Concord, Contico, CRC, Crown Hand Tools, Dawn, Dayco, Daylight, De-Sta-Co, Desoutter, Devcon, DeVilbiss, **** Smith, Dillon, Disston, Dowidat, Dremel, Dubuque Clamp Works, Dulux, Dutton-Lainson, Dy-Mark, E.C. Emmerich, E.D.L. Lighting, Eclipse, Elora, Empire, Eschenbach, ETC Tools, Euro-tech, F. ****, Facom, Famag, Fein, Felo, Festo, Festool, Finkal-Watt, Fischer, Flexovit, Fluke, Footprint, Freud, Friatec, Fuller, G.V.Wickens Ltd, Gedore, Gilbow, GMF, Goliath, Govt., Griffin & George Ltd, Griplock, Gunson, Hakko, Hassunme, Hazet, Hercules, Hitachi, HS, Imperial, Incra, irwin, Iwata, iWood, Jacobs, Jamec-Pem, Jimy Industrial, John Heine, Josco, Justrite, JWT, Knipex, Koken, Kontor, Kreg, Kukko, Kunz, Langline, Lee Valley, Linishall, Lisle, Loctite, LordWear, Lufkin, M-Power, MacLab, Makita, Malco, Marples, Marson, Master, Maun, Mayhew, McDonald-Dixbro, McGrath St.Paul, McNaught, Meco, Melco, Melnor, MEP, Mercedes, Metabo, Metal Removal, Milbar, Minimax, Mitutoyo, Mityvac, Moore & Wright, Motor Guard, Mumms, Nally, Nelson, NeuTechnik, Nicholson, Nobex, Norbar, Norton, NWS, Oneida, P&N, Parker Hale, PB Swiss Tools, Pfeil, Pferd, Pica-Marker, Picard, Picard, Planet, Precision Dogs, Pressol, Primus, Priory, Proctector, Protectoseal, Quando Veloce, Quick-Wedge, Qwas, Rabone, Rabone/Chesterman, Record, Rema, Rennsteig, Richmond Industrial, Rider & Bell, Rigid, Robert Sorby, Rocol, Ross, Rota, Rothenberger, RS, RTS Engineering, RubberMaid, Ruko, Rytool, Sandvik, SATA, Seneca Woodworking, Shinano, Shinwa, Sidchrome, Sigma, SIP, SIT, Snap-on, Sordin, Spear & Jackson, Spear & Jackson, Speco Thomas, Stabila, Stahlwille, Stanley, Starrett, Sundstrom, Sutton, Sykes-Pickavant, T&E Tools, Tesa, Thomas Turner & Sons, Thor, Toledo, Tormek, Tough, Ullman, Ulmia, Unbrako, Uni-Syn, Utilux, Vallorbe, Veritas, Vermont American, Vise-Grip, Vitrex, Vogel, Volpi, W. Butcher, W. Tyzack & Sons, W.Logemann KG, Waldown, Walko, Walter, Waterloo, Weldcorp, Weller, Western Electric, Wiha, Willow, Wiltshire, Wiss, Wolfcraft, Woodpeckers, Zag

WOW !!! even if I had just one tool in each of those brands , I would probably own more tools than I do now !!

 

[SPtoolLover]

Got some knipex circlip pliers after work today

 

[Carves]

I went to total tools today, never heard of TTI, but most of there stock is that brand?

The tools are made by someone else ... and sold under the TTI logo.

Brands in my actual tool inventory:

Thats one heck of a list ..

Got some knipex circlip pliers after work today

They should last you for a while.

 

[SPtoolLover]

They should last you for a while.

The action feels really nice

 

[SPtoolLover]

Just got a stahwillie catalog in the mail, reading up on all there gear, it's quite nice

 

[JonnyMac]

Have a look at nepros too. I think its a .net address.
They do delivery to Australia for not much money.
Their website looks dreadful but it is genuine.

 

[SPtoolLover]

I got this blue point T bar off eBay for $15
Good deal or what? I know blue point is a branch of snap on, but what's the overall quality like? I've used their T bars before hand, but nothing else

 

[1/2 Cup]

I got this blue point T bar off eBay for $15
Good deal or what? I know blue point is a branch of snap on, but what's the overall quality like? I've used their T bars before hand, but nothing else

I think that deserves a you **** award, nice score.

 

[SPtoolLover]

I think that deserves a you **** award, nice score.

I thought it was pretty good too!

 

[racingtadpole]

I was gifted a heap of newer Taiwanese Sidchrome about 7 or 8 years ago. I have long since replaced the ratchets with Snap On, seriously, that is the best move you will ever make. Sidchrome ratchets are just cheap **** by comparison to a Snap On. Most of my stuff now is either Sidchrome, Snap On, Williams or Blue Point. I did a pretty good of capitalising on the strong dollar and got some excellent deals through the Garage Journal for sale section and made a couple of friends along the way. My best score was the $35US 3/8 Snap on torque wrench that I got when the dollar was up over $1.10 US....
With some regular and careful searching of evil bay I have a nice collection of Mitutoyo and Starret. Ive also procured quite a bit of Starret through GJ classifieds.
Pneumatics are a mix of name brand American and Japanese. Dotco, IR, Shinano and Snap On mostly.

I do have a set of 3/8 SP Metric deep impacts that were gifted to me :Thumbup:

 

[ernie2525]

I find it surprising that not many tools are made in the worlds largest penal colony.

 

[Mud]

I find it surprising that not many tools are made in the worlds largest penal colony.

Come on mate, most of the 'tools' in this country are from overseas!

 

[SPtoolLover]

Come on mate, most of the 'tools' in this country are from overseas!

I'd like to think we've evolved from a penal colony

 

[The Toolest Guy]

In regards to SPtoolLover. I got myself a SP Tool 251pc kit a couple of weeks back. Seems good so far (for the price). I wouldn't hesistate buying more of their stuff in the future.
The rest of my tools are either cheap and easy to purchase (supercheap auto, repco, or total tool TTI) brands, or Japanese. I have a small collection of Koken and Kyoto Tool Co tools which I like very much.
I'm only a hobbyist and only time will tell if the SP Tools are any good.

My next purchase will be the Ingersoll Rand R3130
I already have a 240v Hitachi Impact Wrench for the tough stuff.

 

[shockwave]

Not sure if this classifies but my redback boots are great from Australia
And my hose pinchers are made aswell

 

[PJNJ]

I find it surprising that not many tools are made in the worlds largest penal colony.

If you live in the US (as I do), you're already living in the worlds largest penal colony.

 

[SPtoolLover]

Not sure if this classifies but my redback boots are great from Australia

And my hose pinchers are made aswell

I have a pair of them, good quality

 

[SPtoolLover]

Something came in the mail today!
got the T bar and first thing I'm going to do with it is clean it up (very little, but irritating all the more, rust)

 

[Carves]

Something came in the mail today!
got the T bar and first thing I'm going to do with it is clean it up (very little, but irritating all the more, rust)

Piccys ??? Must be taking a while to clean up that T Bar ..

I find it surprising that not many tools are made in the worlds largest penal colony.

From http://www.htpaa.org.au/

The Turner story had a lifespan of only 35 years. It began in April 1935 and closed on the 30th of November 1970, when Stanley - Titan acquired the business, and either absorbed or ceased to manufacture the Turner products from that date.

... which pretty much sums up, our homegrown tool manufacturing situation ...

 

[submariner]

I was selling my Facom thin spanner set on eBay Aus recently and I came across this incredible spanner set for only $900. I don't know whether to laugh or cry. For the same amount of money you can buy TWO sets of Stahlwille/Hazet/Gedore spanner, even with today's poor exchange rate

 

[SPtoolLover]

That must be a joke!

 

[1/2 Cup]

Tell them they are dreaming.

 

[submariner]

Not a joke, 124 people have actually bought the $900 POS. 124 x $900 = $111,600. Only in Australia...

 

[Carves]

Unbelievable ..


... and I thought the new stuff, sold as sidchrome, was overpriced ..

The $600 double ended ringy set, sold by that torquepoint mob ... shows the manufacturer name ... MaxTop.

Some MaxTop history .. ... http://maxtoptool.en.made-in-china.com/company-Zhejiang-Maxtop-Tools-Manufacture-Co-Ltd-.html

 

[JonnyMac]

I was gifted a heap of newer Taiwanese Sidchrome about 7 or 8 years ago. I have long since replaced the ratchets with Snap On, seriously, that is the best move you will ever make. Sidchrome ratchets are just cheap **** by comparison to a Snap On. Most of my stuff now is either Sidchrome, Snap On, Williams or Blue Point. I did a pretty good of capitalising on the strong dollar and got some excellent deals through the Garage Journal for sale section and made a couple of friends along the way. My best score was the $35US 3/8 Snap on torque wrench that I got when the dollar was up over $1.10 US....
With some regular and careful searching of evil bay I have a nice collection of Mitutoyo and Starret. Ive also procured quite a bit of Starret through GJ classifieds.
Pneumatics are a mix of name brand American and Japanese. Dotco, IR, Shinano and Snap On mostly.

I do have a set of 3/8 SP Metric deep impacts that were gifted to me :Thumbup:

Yep,the older sidchrome ratchets werent too good and i avoided them... however they are now rebranded facom ratchets same as their range of pliers, sidecutters and slip joint pliers all of which are made in france.