Britool (Made in England) thread

[Graeme]

View media item 74287

Is this my set? Unfortunately I can't read this, not sure if it's the scan, or my phone.
Why are the badges sometimes on the inside, sometimes outside?

 

[humber2]

I have 2 EB687 sockets, presumably from different eras, the one on the left being older. But nice not seen that kind of knurling before. It's not even really knurling.

The left one is WW2 era. Until the mid 50’s sockets were knurled as per the right one but they and all the tools were marked British Made.

 

[humber2]

I assume it should have had an mh324.
These are ba size sockets right, but why do they only have the part number and it the size on them?
The 2ba stamped replacement is also cracked. If anyone in the uk has a mh324 (assuming that's what it should be), and fancies helping me complete this set again, let me know!
I assume nothing else is missing?

The 9/32” series was over from c1968 but here’s a guide.

Note that the decimal inch size is in the part number.

 

[Graeme]

The 9/32” series was over from c1968 but here’s a guide.

Note that the decimal inch size is in the part number.

Thanks, I hadn't twigged the part number was decimal size of BA!
I can't find much info on this set, they don't seem very common. If I see parts of this set for sale they are often described as ex RAF.

Thanks for the date range on the other socket too, I have an extension of the same era but they are the only 2 earlier britool items I have, the rest I assume is 60's or 70s.

 

[Graeme]

Been picking up britool as I find it. Amongst today's finds was a nice 1/2 9/16 4205 double find spanner, stamped war finish

 

[humber2]

Here’s the 4200 group listings from the 1968 catalog. Cat# 107

Putting the sequence numbers together reveals lots of missing numbers, some of which may have been used and dropped over the years.

I don’t know if Metric Spanners were made in this series.

 

[Mark Stansbury]

Just scanned for the International Tool Catalog Library, Britool Catalogue No. 109, 1971. I have No. 102 to scan but can't locate it.

 

[humber2]

Page 92 of the scan lists deletions and many of the 4200 series are (un)listed.

 

[humber2]

BA set as best I can do.

From Cat #107 the top of the page shows the lone wrench as British made which dates from at least a decade earlier.

From L to R ...

The 0-2 unnamed wrench I suspect is a Bedford product.

The 1-3 wrench is Made in England from late ‘50’s thru ‘60’s with Chrome Alloy identifier on reverse side.

The balance do not have any Country of Origin or alloy identification.

I suspect these and the PVC wallet date from later last Century.

Edit: I see this wallet in the 1971 and 1975 Catalogs.

 

[Dave455]

BA set as best I can do.

From Cat #107 the top of the page shows the lone wrench as British made which dates from at least a decade earlier.

From L to R ...

The 0-2 unnamed wrench I suspect is a Bedford product.

The 1-3 wrench is Made in England from late ‘50’s thru ‘60’s with Chrome Alloy identifier on reverse side.

The balance do not have any Country of Origin or alloy identification.

I suspect these and the PVC wallet date from later last Century.

I don’t think the O - 2 is a Bedford wrench. The small Bedford wrenches were of particularly high quality, probably better even than Britool, certainly in the smaller sizes.

I have seen this pattern before though, and I think they are relatively recent!

Even from new, those sets tended to incorporate 3 slightly different wrench patterns, This is normal.

I think the wallet, and probably the Britool wrenches, all date from mid 70’s at the latest.

 

[humber2]

Three examples of 1 - 3

 

[Richard3552]

Just scanned for the International Tool Catalog Library, Britool Catalogue No. 109, 1971. I have No. 102 to scan but can't locate it.

Mark,

I have just had a look at the catelogue. Nice scan, and great to have access to another piece of history.

This is such a superb forum, with some really knowlegable people on it. Particular thanks to one individual who knows who they are and I won't name here for their privacy but they have offered me lots of advice off line for which I am most grateful. Please do scan any other catelogues as they are most helpful in my quest to complete my own fairly newly acquired Britool set.

Thanks

Richard

 

[Bob H]

Just scanned for the International Tool Catalog Library, Britool Catalogue No. 109, 1971. I have No. 102 to scan but can't locate it.

Magic, thanks. My set is in there !

 

[Bob H]

On Fleabay now, a Vintage 2011 Britool Catalogue for, wait for it, £35 starting price.
Clearly a comedian, who has an entirely “NEW” understanding of the term Vintage.

 

[Bob H]

Magic, thanks. My set is in there !

Actually, on closer inspection, yes my 1/2“ set is there, and so is my 1/4” set. It will also have my AF and BA spanner’s in, but it was the socket set numbers I wanted confirming !

 

[seber]

Here are three sets I found last weekend at an estate sale. One DBE is SAE, the other two sets are Whitworth.

 

[Jacko264]

Hi all
i have just read Most of the Britool posts and am very impressed with your collection.

I have a britool box set with hexagon drive and quite a lot of different spanners at my dads next time I’m at his house I will dig them out and take some photos
Graham

 

[bmwrd0]

They aren't Britool, but they are English, and very well made at that:

All the bits are British made, obviously Speer & Jackson is British, and the brace is a Toga:


They all, plus an Eclipse saw set and a couple of screwdrivers made by Stead and another by Hibernia, came from the home of an Englishman living in the states who is moving to a retirement home.

 

[Farmer J.]

They aren't Britool, but they are English, and very well made at that:

All the bits are British made, obviously Speer & Jackson is British, and the brace is a Toga:


They all, plus an Eclipse saw set and a couple of screwdrivers made by Stead and another by Hibernia, came from the home of an Englishman living in the states who is moving to a retirement home.

Nice haul of tools bmwrd0. The PO should be pleased they have gone to an appreciative new owner.
I think that Steadfast screwdrivers were the makers for the ones included in Britool tool kits, someone please correct this if I'm wrong, it's just a guess. Here''s some pics of my Steadfast drivers which I bought new from a local agricultural engineers, out of a discount bin in the late 1970s when they changed over to selling imported junk tools..

 

[Dave455]

Nice haul of tools bmwrd0. The PO should be pleased they have gone to an appreciative new owner.
I think that Steadfast screwdrivers were the makers for the ones included in Britool tool kits, someone please correct this if I'm wrong, it's just a guess. Here''s some pics of my Steadfast drivers which I bought new from a local agricultural engineers, out of a discount bin in the late 1970s when they changed over to selling imported junk tools..

Ahh, I see we have another admirer of Steadfast! One of my favourites too. I’ve a few in the collection, and some that I regularly use. Here are a couple with square shafts. I love this pattern. Very heavy duty!


I remain to be convinced though, that Steadfast made the Britool screwdrivers. Steadfast made several patterns of handle, but I don’t think any are identical to the Britool. The fluted ones I’ve seen are subtly different, and the ribbed ones like ours are very different.

The handle colours are different too. The amber colour of the Steadfast is a deeper shade than the Britool that I own.

I agree it would have made sense though. Steadfast were a screwdriver specialist, and not a competitor, so a logical choice.

The Britool drivers do seem to be similar to the Gordon and Footprint. Gordon would be a weird choice, but I have some with handles identical to the Britool in shape, size and colour.

Farmer J - are you aware that Zoro are (or were) selling off basically Steadfast screwdrivers. They are Spear and Jackson branded, and are mis described in terms of tip style and shaft length, but they still had them last year. There were some 1/8” tip electricians drivers, and some long shafted Pozidriv instrument drivers. The latter identical to 40 year old tools I have.

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks Dave, interesting. I don't have any Britool screwdrivers for side by side comparison with my Steadfasts. I will check out Zoro as I don't have a pozi 1 or 2.

 

[Dave455]

Thanks Dave, interesting. I don't have any Britool screwdrivers for side by side comparison with my Steadfasts. I will check out Zoro as I don't have a pozi 1 or 2.

They have sold out of some, but there are a few left. You have to go to the menu, look for tools - screwdrivers - unbranded and you will see them.

 

[piehammer]

Britool E74 40T ratchet

 

[Bob H]

And lastly for the pics (the rest of my britool stuff is pretty common)

I have this set.
Is it the midget set?

If it’s 1/4 square drive, it’s Dwarf.

 

[four.cycle]

^ that's a nice little set!

 

[Jacko264]

Wow some great tools on show in this thread
And I’m sorry I have not taken photos as promised of my hex drive britool socket set but I will
Graham

 

[Jacko264]

As promised some of my tools
Graham

 

[Jacko264]

Since posting the photos above I have been thinking should I clean the tools and box up or clean and paint the box if paint what paint should I use any ral codes for the paint colour ? Please
Graham

 

[humber2]

What might be the latest date for this packaging/logo for this NOS extensions pair?

 

[Dave455]

What might be the latest date for this packaging/logo for this NOS extensions pair?

I think 1960’s, perhaps early 70’s.

The best era either way!

 

[Tostal]

Little and Large!

7/8"W x 1"W 4250, vs 9x10mm RHM910 ring spanners (double box ends).



~Tostal

 

[humber2]

Little and Large!

7/8"W x 1"W 4250, vs 9x10mm RHM910 ring spanners (double box ends).



~Tostal

 

[humber2]

I got these three interesting combos with stamped sizes today.

The 0BA is RJ413

The 3/16W is 3504

The 5/16W is 3511

I'm curious to know when combos were introduced and when they all got the RJ. . grouping.

 

[DAustin]

You can still pick up some Britool 3/8 " drive metric sockets. It says 5 but I got 6- 10,1213,14,17&19 mm.

Britool (England) ,3/8" Drive Socket Set of 5 metric sockets 10,13, 14,17&19 mm | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Britool (England) ,3/8" Drive Socket Set of 5 metric sockets 10,13, 14,17&19 mm at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

 

[humber2]

Here are 5 sockets on parade for inspection and comments.

From L to R

Left one is a British Made 14mm 3/8 drive ABM14

Next is a British Made 9/16” 3/8 drive AB562.
Note the 1955 date and broad arrow.
Does anyone have a more recent dated example of a British Made Britool.
I’ll revise my opinion that this is the last year of British Made markings if credible evidence is offered.

Next is a Made in England Chrome plated Impact 7/8” drive PEH875

Finally a dual stamped 1 1/8” 3/4 drive HB1125

 

[Bob H]

My latest buy.
Under a tenner - Not a lot of brass for a Britool socket set !
Till you spit it’s Hex drive, and it’s Whitworth.
Bit of a clean up to follow, but it’s not bad.
History comes cheap at that price, more for show than for go. Unless I get that old Brit Bike, that is !!!.

 

[Bob H]

On FaceAche I have started a group called “Britool Tools”.
Novel Name !
If any members here would like to join, please feel free, and mention this group in your request.
I will mention this group on that one.

 

[Richard3552]

My latest purchase. Tractor box to compliment my Universal service set.

 

[Bob H]

My latest purchase. Tractor box to compliment my Universal service set.

Is there a badge on the right of your box, and if so, is it anything like this ?

 

[Bob H]

Hi all, has anyone a better image of the early round badge than this ?
Its for an early hex drive set I recently acquired.
I size a badge appropriately, re colour to bring out the sharpness, then laminate. Once cut out to shape, though clearly they are not original, it’s Much better than no badge.