Britool (Made in England) thread

[Richard3552]

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

Bob, no just the two on the front, I think as per the Facebook group, probably Britool box not supplied via Ferguson Massey?

 

[Bob H]

Hi Richard,
Ferguson. This was from the days before Massey split with Harris, and then later joined with Ferguson. So Massey Harris first were mainly implements, whilst Ferguson did both tractors (little grey fergie), and the equipment for them mounted on 3 point linkage. This was the biggest game changer in agriculture since forever.

 

[Bob H]

I think 1960’s, perhaps early 70’s.

The best era either way!

The badge on the box looks early ‘70’s to me too.

 

[Richard3552]

Hi Richard,
Ferguson. This was from the days before Massey split with Harris, and then later joined with Ferguson. So Massey Harris first were mainly implements, whilst Ferguson did both tractors (little grey fergie), and the equipment for them mounted on 3 point linkage. This was the biggest game changer in agriculture since forever.

Ok, I know little about the history and less about Tractor's. MG old cars more my interest. Cheers Richard

 

[Bob H]

Ok, I know little about the history and less about Tractor's. MG old cars more my interest. Cheers Richard

I worked on a few MG’s in the early ‘70’s. I preferred the looks of the Triumph Spitfire, but the Midget was a far better car for road holding In my opinion.

 

[kwigly]

A 6" adjustable wrench labeled "Jenbro" "British Made". (Looks like a King ****).
I understand "Jenbro" stands for Jenks Bros who owned/operated the Britool Works in Wolverhampton into the 1930s, but how long was the "Jenbro" brand continued as Britool passed thru successive owners in its long history?

 

[humber2]

Here’s Set 116 as featured in the 1968 Catalog. It is’nt in the 1975 James Neil Catalog.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Pulled this out of a bin of a hundred tiny screwdrivers yesterday. I like the mottled finish on the insulated handle.

 

[Beantin]

Just wondering if anyone can help me out with any info on the CC series of spanners?
Most of my Britool spanners are the common RJ combinations spanners.
However I did buy a set of Britool combinations spanners from a Britool van in the UK during the mid 90'S.
They were sold in a set of 20-32mm and had the code CCM32 for the 32mm combination spanner, but it also had an E inside a square.
Please see photo attached.
Any info would be helpful as what makes them different from the RJ series?

 

[Pwardy]

This 1/4 drive metric and AF set was bought from the Neill Tools factory shop Sheffield circa 1983. It has seen a lot of action and has worn well with the exception of the ratchets. The original on the left was troublesome from new, is relatively unused and is now a rare ratchet. The 90s ratchet addition on the right has done all of the work and failed recently. I discovered, all credit to Britool, that Facom still manufacture a version of that ratchet. It is repaired with a Facom repair kit.

 

[Ton ton]

Hi Richard,
Ferguson. This was from the days before Massey split with Harris, and then later joined with Ferguson. So Massey Harris first were mainly implements, whilst Ferguson did both tractors (little grey fergie), and the equipment for them mounted on 3 point linkage. This was the biggest game changer in agriculture since forever.

I appreciate Massey Ferguson tractors.

 

[bonneyman]

Found an unusual 3/8" extension marked Britool. Nice tool.

 

[humber2]

Found an unusual 3/8" extension marked Britool. Nice tool.

That’s the style, All lengths had the cross hole for a tommy bar to be used.

See my post #709

 

[bonneyman]

Cool! I didn't need another short extension but thought about getting the right size of steel rod and making a sliding-T of sorts.

 

[Farmer J.]

The hole in the Brotool extensions can also be used with the crowsfoot adaptor, to maintain an 'in line' drive to the fastener. Handy when using a torque wrench I suppose. Pics from an eBay listing:

 

[humber2]

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

102 dates from 1958/59 era and will be a worthwhile addition when found.

Here’s what the cover features....

 

[Bob H]

This 1/4 drive metric and AF set was bought from the Neill Tools factory shop Sheffield circa 1983. It has seen a lot of action and has worn well with the exception of the ratchets. The original on the left was troublesome from new, is relatively unused and is now a rare ratchet. The 90s ratchet addition on the right has done all of the work and failed recently. I discovered, all credit to Britool, that Facom still manufacture a version of that ratchet. It is repaired with a Facom repair kit.

I bought a similar set in the early ‘70’s. Still have it. My ratchet also was faulty from new. Sent it back, then the motor factor went bust. Bought a machine mart one as a replacement.

 

[Bob H]

Found an unusual 3/8" extension marked Britool. Nice tool.

I have one just like it, and it’s equivalent in 1/2” as well.

 

[Tostal]

I was aware that Elliot Lucas made pliers and was part of James Neil Tools who also owned Britool, Eclipse, Stubs and Moore & Wright.
But I didn't know that Elliot Lucas made spirit levels....
And an adjustable one at that.


~Tostal.

 

[oldpliers1]

I was aware that Elliot Lucas made pliers and was part of James Neil Tools who also owned Britool, Eclipse, Stubs and Moore & Wright.
But I didn't know that Elliot Lucas made spirit levels....
And an adjustable one at that.


~Tostal.

What a nice item great find

 

[DK Syndrome]

Just wondering if anyone has had much success recreating this hammered red finish

 

[Farmer J.]

Just wondering if anyone has had much success recreating this hammered red finish

I got fairy close to it by mixing some red hammerite, (which is much darker) with silver hammerite to lighten it up. That is just what i happened to have on my shelf that evening.. Get a few tins of paint, some paper cups and clean stirring sticks and experiment..! Use a 'colour wheel' if guidance required.

 

[Chrisuk]

Hello all !
I have finally got round to getting some pics of my 2 Britool sets, a complete hex drive set and a almost complete 3/4 drive set, it’s missing a few sockets but will get there ! The box is blackened one side as it survived a fire years ago according to the gentleman I bought it from.
Cheers Chris

 

[Farmer J.]

Hello all !
I have finally got round to getting some pics of my 2 Britool sets, a complete hex drive set and a almost complete 3/4 drive set, it’s missing a few sockets but will get there ! The box is blackened one side as it survived a fire years ago according to the gentleman I bought it from.
Cheers Chris

What is missing from your 3/4 drive set? I have just a few spare sockets.

 

[Chrisuk]

What is missing from your 3/4 drive set? I have just a few spare sockets.

Thanks for the reply, I’m missing 15/16”, 1”, 1/1/2” is damaged badly, 1-11/16, 1-3/4” and 2”. All AF in 3/4 drive, I have the odd one that shouldn’t be in the box and I have yet to see a list of what “should” be in there.
Cheers Chris

 

[humber2]

Thanks for the reply, I’m missing 15/16”, 1”, 1/1/2” is damaged badly, 1-11/16, 1-3/4” and 2”. All AF in 3/4 drive, I have the odd one that shouldn’t be in the box and I have yet to see a list of what “should” be in there.
Cheers Chris

Here’s the sets from c1968

 

[Chrisuk]

Here’s the sets from c1968

Thankyou @humber2 I will take some better pics today and post them, my set has a lift out tray that holds the ratchet in place, leaving space for more Britool goodies underneath

 

[Chrisuk]

A few more pics, some non Britool bits and pieces in there too.
Chris

 

[Farmer J.]

Thanks for the reply, I’m missing 15/16”, 1”, 1/1/2” is damaged badly, 1-11/16, 1-3/4” and 2”. All AF in 3/4 drive, I have the odd one that shouldn’t be in the box and I have yet to see a list of what “should” be in there.
Cheers Chris

I had a look, and discovered I only have one 3/4 drive socket left in my storage which is modern and fits a machine here..... so don't have any of those sizes so sorry unable to help. I had packed the box up with a pallet of stuff which was sent to New Zealand!

 

[Chrisuk]

I had a look, and discovered I only have one 3/4 drive socket left in my storage which is modern and fits a machine here..... so don't have any of those sizes so sorry unable to help. I had packed the box up with a pallet of stuff which was sent to New Zealand!

No problem and thanks for looking

 

[Farmer J.]

No problem and thanks for looking

I do feel rather foolish about this though.. I should have checked first before getting your hopes up! Maybe something will show up, those sizes you are seeking cant be too difficult to find and 3/4 drive not so popular amongst collectors so hopefully they will be affordable.

 

[Shergar]

Just brushed the dust of this -3/8th Britool torque wrench, which *I think* is a post Facom takeover one. Its not seen a lot of use as I bought it about 15 years ago just as my main tool became a desk!

I didn’t pay much (£30?) I bought it off a trader selling loads of old/surplus stock. Any more accurate information out there gents?

 

[oldpliers1]

It’s funny where this stuff got too , this came from Perth the most isolated capital city in the world , I have found nice British tools their, this is part of a recent find , Lucas Elliott 3000 series pliers , I gather late eighties or early nineties .

 

[Dave455]

It’s funny where this stuff got too , this came from Perth the most isolated capital city in the world , I have found nice British tools their, this is part of a recent find , Lucas Elliott 3000 series pliers , I gather late eighties or early nineties .

My favourite pliers of all time.

I have a pair of 7 inch combination pliers, very similar to yours, that have been in regular use since the 1980’s. I use a pair of Knipex on rougher jobs now, to try and preserve the Elliott Lucas, but they are nowhere near as nice.

 

[Farmer J.]

A couple of years ago I got some NOS Elliot Lucas 'Welders Pliers', which appear to be the same thing but with no plastic grips, so as they don't melt or get swarf and spatter stuck in them I suppose. They're nicely made, but not easy for me to use reguarly, stiff pivot and rather large for my arthritic fingers. I keep them in a vehicle tool roll, as they're top quality and I know they won't fail when I need them in an emergency.
I last used them half way across Bodmin Moor, by the roadside, in truly foul weather after breaking my Leatherman Tool pliers. They did the job easily, should have got them out first!

 

[Shergar]

@Farmer J. I’ve had these Elliot Lucas pliers since I was issued them in 1991, regularly used, regularly oiled - still as stiff as they were new



To avoid thread drift and steer this back to its lane here's a draw of BSW Britool (right side) and metric King **** (left side) all from that same apprentice toolkit in 1991! Wearing well really, especially as an apprentice you tend to handle tools in a different way

 

[oldpliers1]

@Farmer J. I’ve had these Elliot Lucas pliers since I was issued them in 1991, regularly used, regularly oiled - still as stiff as they were new



To avoid thread drift and steer this back to its lane here's a draw of BSW Britool (right side) and metric King **** (left side) all from that same apprentice toolkit in 1991! Wearing well really, especially as an apprentice you tend to handle tools in a different way

Did you get the pliers New ?when did the name change to Eclipse happen ? I have not seen a pair of 8 inch side cutters with the black grips before. I do have a number of NOS Elliott Lucas items . And I fully agree a good apprentice conserves and looks after his tools

 

[oldpliers1]

We’re these 6 inch Eclipse cutters very popular?

 

[Shergar]

Did you get the pliers New ?when did the name change to Eclipse happen ? I have not seen a pair of 8 inch side cutters with the black grips before. I do have a number of NOS Elliott Lucas items . And I fully agree a good apprentice conserves and looks after his tools

New from the stores, August 1991 - however when British Railways purchased them is anyones guess! The grips are still pliable and not degrading either, but the length did encourage you to use them as shears on cable far too big for the intended use used through my HV contracting days too without ruining them, perhaps all the insulating oil helped?

 

[Shergar]

We’re these 6 inch Eclipse cutters very popular?

Elliot lucas were not something you’d spot in a run of the mill hardwear/DIY chain, but sister brand Eclipse above seemed to be everywhere, and still is fairly prominent, if not to the sane quality of old - the other Neill brands tended to be specialist retailers or in the tool boxes of nationalised industry employees. Hope you got them for a fair price!