Britool Combination Spanner Old Stock

[aelsherbiny]

Hello Everyone,

I live in the Kingdom of Bahrain and I have a local old store that has a decent stock of Vintage tools.

Looking for decent good quality combinaiton spanner set He offers ( GORODON, CARL SCHLIEPER, DURO, THORSEN & BRITOOL)

I liked Both the GORDON & BRITOOL sets, However, the close look and in-hand inspection made me slightly prefer the Britool for silly reason than GORDON 10 ~ 14 spanners are not labeled while 15 upward are labeled GORDON ENGLAND.

All BRITOOL Spanners are labeled (MADE IN BRITOOL ENGLAND) RJ(SizeMM). However, the lettering finish is not good

Few questions if anyone can help:

Is there is any reason that I should Pick Jordon over the Britool? "Both are same price & the same number of spanners"

Is it worth purchasing the Britool Made by James Neil? (Set as shown In picture # ND353D In a Labeled JAMES NEILL Red Box)

The asking price for this set (10~24) equivalent to 35 GBP, Is it a good price for 14 pieces set?

Many Thanks.

 

[Dave455]

Hello Everyone,

I live in the Kingdom of Bahrain and I have a local old store that has a decent stock of Vintage tools.

Looking for decent good quality combinaiton spanner set He offers ( GORODON, CARL SCHLIEPER, DURO, THORSEN & BRITOOL)

I liked Both the GORDON & BRITOOL sets, However, the close look and in-hand inspection made me slightly prefer the Britool for silly reason than GORDON 10 ~ 14 spanners are not labeled while 15 upward are labeled GORDON ENGLAND.

All BRITOOL Spanners are labeled (MADE IN BRITOOL ENGLAND) RJ(SizeMM). However, the lettering finish is not good

Few questions if anyone can help:

Is there is any reason that I should Pick Jordon over the Britool? "Both are same price & the same number of spanners"

Is it worth purchasing the Britool Made by James Neil? (Set as shown In picture # ND353D In a Labeled JAMES NEILL Red Box)

The asking price for this set (10~24) equivalent to 35 GBP, Is it a good price for 14 pieces set?

Many Thanks.

Go for the Britool.

Provided the spanners are the same era as the box, those are 1970’s stock and pretty decent. Generally anything with the oval logo is first rate, even if they are from the “James Neil” era. £35 is an awesome price.

The Gordon tools are O.K. but the Britool are better.

Edit - Here’s a picture of the 1974 catalogue showing the set in question. I suspect yours are a fraction newer, but would need to see the actual tools.

To get comparable spanners today, similar proportions, style and quality, you would have to buy Hazet 600’s. A comparable Hazet set would be £180 today. I’d be round to that shop first thing in the morning…!

 

[aelsherbiny]

Many thanks Dave for your kind support.

I got it today and I am happy with the purchase.

Although the finish is average but it will be much better spanners compared to modern Taiwanese tools.

I added three small sizes below 10mm.

I had a little chat with the old lady who owns the store. The stock belongs to her Father who passed away many years ago.

I was chocked to know that he established his business as tools distributor in early 40's.

I would definitely visit them again after lock down, I Noticed some pliers boxes from Elliot Lucas.

Thanks again! Stay safe!

 

[jabberwoki]

Thats a ****** nice looking set mate.

 

[aelsherbiny]

Thats a ****** nice looking set mate.

You should see the 10 pieces double-end offset ring spanner set (7~27mm) from the same era, It looks more rugged with a really thick ring and shaft, Also has a nicer lettering finish than the combination.

I hesitated to buy it as It has a heavy large size spanner that I think I will never use. Thought the sockets will be enough. What do you think?

 

[Dave455]

Many thanks Dave for your kind support.

I got it today and I am happy with the purchase.

Although the finish is average but it will be much better spanners compared to modern Taiwanese tools.

I added three small sizes below 10mm.

I had a little chat with the old lady who owns the store. The stock belongs to her Father who passed away many years ago.

I was chocked to know that he established his business as tools distributor in early 40's.

I would definitely visit them again after lock down, I Noticed some pliers boxes from Elliot Lucas.

Thanks again! Stay safe!

No problem! Glad you got a good deal!

You will find that the finish isn’t flashy, but they will continue to look like that despite use! Note that these are quite long (longer than an open ender would be) so it is possible to apply more torque than the open end can handle.

I’m sorry to say that the three small sizes you added are much later production and not quite of the same quality, though they still should be o.k.

I would be interested to see around this shop, I wonder what other treasures it contains…!

Elliot Lucas stuff is very decent too. If there are boxes, look out for their “Elect” range, which were their top end range years back, and very desirable. All are very good to use though!

 

[Dave455]

You should see the 10 pieces double-end offset ring spanner set (7~27mm) from the same era, It looks more rugged with a really thick ring and shaft, Also has a nicer lettering finish than the combination.

I hesitated to buy it as It has a heavy large size spanner that I think I will never use. Thought the sockets will be enough. What do you think?

Buy them!

I know exactly the tools you mean, and I still have two sets (one from that era, one from later) in regular use!

If I was there I would buy them as spares!

It’s very hard to get that quality today, and I suspect that the nearest you find will be far more expensive than the prices you will likely be paying!

 

[jabberwoki]

You should see the 10 pieces double-end offset ring spanner set (7~27mm) from the same era, It looks more rugged with a really thick ring and shaft, Also has a nicer lettering finish than the combination.

I hesitated to buy it as It has a heavy large size spanner that I think I will never use. Thought the sockets will be enough. What do you think?

If its a good deal grab it, you`ll only regret not doing so in the future.

 

[aelsherbiny]

No problem! Glad you got a good deal!

You will find that the finish isn’t flashy, but they will continue to look like that despite use! Note that these are quite long (longer than an open ender would be) so it is possible to apply more torque than the open end can handle.

I’m sorry to say that the three small sizes you added are much later production and not quite of the same quality, though they still should be o.k.

I would be interested to see around this shop, I wonder what other treasures it contains…!

Elliot Lucas stuff is very decent too. If there are boxes, look out for their “Elect” range, which were their top end range years back, and very desirable. All are very good to use though!

You are right!
It is also noticeably longer than other combination spanner sets in the shop.

I compared it to a couple of really nice looking USA made sets from Duro and Thorsen. The British tool set a clear winner in length. Not sure about other aspects of quality.




I followed your advice, Unfortunately all the individual spanners for sale had no oval logo on boxes. I still believe that it is made in England not sure. With 2 pounds each price tag was enough to grab them.

I will check pliers out and keep you updated with the purchase.

Thanks.

 

[aelsherbiny]

If its a good deal grab it, you`ll only regret not doing so in the future.

If its a good deal grab it, you`ll only regret not doing so in the future.

Thanks for the advice. I will consider it

 

[aelsherbiny]

Buy them!

I know exactly the tools you mean, and I still have two sets (one from that era, one from later) in regular use!

If I was there I would buy them as spares!

It’s very hard to get that quality today, and I suspect that the nearest you find will be far more expensive than the prices you will likely be paying!

Hello Dave,

Is this the same spanner you meant?

---

 

[Dave455]

Hello Dave,

Is this the same spanner you meant?

---

Yes!

Superb quality tools!

I bought most of mine new in the 1980’s and for probably 15 years they were my only ring spanners. They wore very well.

I have others now, which ease the wear on the Britool, but I‘d leap at the chance to buy a set of “new old stock”!

 

[aelsherbiny]

Thanks for confirming, I found the set was missing 10~11mm and I was not sure about the oval pattern as the pack was completely worn out. That individual 9RBM1415 sold separately on the shelf for 5 pounds which is similar to the set. I would grab the set tomorrow.

Have a nice weekend!

 

[Dave455]

Thanks for confirming, I found the set was missing 10~11mm and I was not sure about the oval pattern as the pack was completely worn out. That individual 9RBM1415 sold separately on the shelf for 5 pounds which is similar to the set. I would grab the set tomorrow.

Have a nice weekend!

Go for it, but ensure the spanners you buy are exactly like the ones shown. No reason why not, as they made these for many years, but the very last of this pattern (90’s I think, under Facom ownership) were made of poor steel and poorly finished. You can tell by the matte finish, different typeface, and lack of “Made in England”, but they can fool the unwary.

 

[aelsherbiny]

Go for it, but ensure the spanners you buy are exactly like the ones shown. No reason why not, as they made these for many years, but the very last of this pattern (90’s I think, under Facom ownership) were made of poor steel and poorly finished. You can tell by the matte finish, different typeface, and lack of “Made in England”, but they can fool the unwary.

Thanks Dave!

I think it is belong to 80's, JN time. It is labeled made in England.

I got it, it was last set piece. Missing 10/11MM. Maybe that why it was collecting dust on shelf waiting for me.

To complete the set I offered different British spanner (last piece also.. Lol) it is long and has strong offset. The ring thickness Looks similar to the Britool anyway.

 

[Dave455]

Thanks Dave!

I think it is belong to 80's, JN time. It is labeled made in England.

I got it, it was last set piece. Missing 10/11MM. Maybe that why it was collecting dust on shelf waiting for me.

To complete the set I offered different British spanner (last piece also.. Lol) it is long and has strong offset. The ring thickness Looks similar to the Britool anyway.

Those look excellent! Looks like you got a great buy.

Shame they didn’t have the 10 x 11, but there you go!

Look after them and they will last you well.

 

[aa261]

Thanks for your write up! Do you have the name of the store on hand by any chance?