Australian made tools

[ayersbrents]

I'm originally from the USA but currently working in Australia. I'm out in the middle of the "outback" but will be returning to Adelaide within a week or so then going home to the US. While I'm over here I wanted to pick up a small set of descent Aussie tools. Does anyone have a suggestion of a good quality tool manufacturer/set that is actually made in Australia?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. If there is a thread that already contains the info I'm looking for then please point me in the right direction for that.

 

[submariner]

suggestion of a good quality tool manufacturer/set that is actually made in Australia?

Is this a trick question

 

[racingtadpole]

In all seriousness mate, there isn't such a thing any more.
There are no Australian manufacturers doing sockets, ratchets, spanners and the like here any more. Sidchrome used to be made in Melbourne and then they were bought out by the Stanley Group, now they come from Taiwan.

 

[catsteve]

Im going to take a punt a suggest that you are in Australia for the same reason we don't actually manufacture any tools here.
Digging stuff up?

If you really have your heart set on some Aussie tools then check ut ebay for some ol' school 'Sidchrome'. the new stuff is from Taiwan.

heres some inspiration - the famous, 'Tools from Down under' thread.

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=76769

thats not a knife...

 

[neophyte]

Dawn offset vise. Somebody commented in a past thread that Dawn doesn't seem to have an interest in exporting them so your unlikely to find them outside Australia. The "OFFSET SUPER GRADE" are ductile iron.

http://www.dawntools.com.au/products/Dawn_Offset_Vices_Cast_06a_6.pdf?20110428

http://www.dawntools.com.au/products.php?cat_id=1&sub_id=3#6

Dawn also makes regular English pattern vises.

http://www.dawntools.com.au/products/Dawn_Vices_Cast_05_5.pdf?20110428

 

[jabberwoki]

Find your self some 70`s sidchrome

 

[tank4114]

socket set notice the sticker on the lid ( unconditionally guaranteed) http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/VINTAGE-...53737723?pt=AU_Hand_Tools&hash=item1e777d94fb

Pliers never before have i seen NOS pliers still in packet
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/SIDCHROM...75890233?pt=AU_Hand_Tools&hash=item35c73c6339

just some examples lots more

but your best bet would be going to swap meets lots of sockets spanners and singles of old Aussie sidchrome stuff

 

[nowlan]

$199 for 3 pliers?
Tell him he's dreaming.

 

[jsackin]

Klein's sleever bar that was US made forever, recently showed up with "Made in Australia" on it. Not sure who the OEM is, but you might check out their bars and see what you can find.

Jori
HJE

 

[neophyte]

Klein's sleever bar that was US made forever, recently showed up with "Made in Australia" on it. Not sure who the OEM is, but you might check out their bars and see what you can find.

Jori
HJE

I think Klein has some sort of distribution deal with MUMME Tools.

http://www.mummetools.com/

 

[sberry]

That sleever bar is a hard assed tool isnt it? Who ever come up with that idea must have invented the vise grip and the channelock. It is highly imitated. I got a couple 42's a size larger from railroad maybe but they aint the same, not the same steel, although the wedge look similar its not and neither is the common wreckon bar. I think otc has one, I have a couiple rounds but really like a hex best.

I got a couple jackleg bars on my crane truck, need to pony up and get another sleever bar to leave on/with it.

 

[lbgradwell]

$199 for 3 pliers?

I agree, but 3 pairs of vintage NOS Petersen Vise-Grips would probably actually sell for that (to some fool)...

 

[racingtadpole]

$199 for 3 pliers?
Tell him he's dreaming.

I looked at some vintage made in AUS sidchrome for last years secret santa. People were listing stuff for stupid prices, and people were actually buying it..

If Sidchrome didnt have the unconditional warranty 'back in the day' they wouldnt have the reputation they have now. Good luck getting a warranty claim now, we busted a couple of 18mm ratcheting spanners at work in October last year, we took delivery of the new ones in February this year.