Craftsman Whitworth socket set

[Swan]

I am new to Garage Journal, but am an active member of the Britbike, Do The Ton and Jockey Journal motorcycle forums. My passion is restoring British motorcycles and I have a decent set of modern British Standard Whitworth tools but recently decided I want older Whitworth tools. I cannot afford E-bay prices for Snap-on, Edora, King **** et al so I posted wanted ads here and on other forums. Last week I picked up a Craftsman Whitworth 10 piece, 1/2" drive socket set for $50. The person selling it did not use them and was tickled I was so excited about finding them and was going to put them to good use.

I understand collectors snap up many of the BSW tools, but I find it frustrating that they do not actually use them. If anybody has some usable Whitworth wrench sets at a realistic price, knowing they will be put to good use, I am still interested.

My BSA Gold Star Restoration

 

[mrholeshot]

Very Cool

 

[lbgradwell]

Outstanding! They're pristine!

 

[mikevango]

I am interested in them too. For cheap too. So I could resell them.

 

[Skin]

I understand collectors snap up many of the BSW tools, but I find it frustrating that they do not actually use them.

theres a number of manufacturers that still make Whitworth tools so i'm not sure why someone would insist on purchasing high priced out of production versions. Obviously those would appeal more toward collectors, hard to fault them. Theres at least 1 manufacturer in taiwan who makes wrenches and sockets, Koken makes sockets, King **** makes both sockets and wrenches.

 

[Swan]

I have open, combination and ring sets of Koken, Everest and another generic Asian Whitworth tools. I like the design, feel and idea of using older tools (like most here) on my older bikes. I must be patient until the right ones come along at a price I can afford or bite the bullet and buy new sets of King **** tools.

 

[Skin]

Wasnt aware Koken had wrench sets. Their site hasnt been updated in years. Very nice restoration you have going on there by the way, just clicked on the link. Will have to read it when i have the time.

 

[Swan]

Thanks!

Koken sockets, not wrenches. My error.

 

[2oolhound]

Nice score!

 

[71Datsun510Wagon]

Nice pickup on the set. I've never seen Craftsman whitworth tools.

Very interesting postings of the BSA project too.



Cheers,

Rob

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I have some Craftsman sockets and wrenches in Whitworth sizes also. Others are Dowdat. I will hang on to mine however, for the inevitable day when I have to work on a 1) automobile with Whitworth sizes, 2) motorcycle with whitworth sizes, 3) Rolls Royce Merlin engine, or 4) Rolls Royce Dart Turboprop.

Charles

 

[Even 11]

Wow, I have to say I have never even heard of Cman Whitworth tools before!

-Dane

 

[ZRX61]

I have a bunch of them for working on RR Merlin engines etc.

If ya need tap/die sets:
www.tracytools.com

 

[jchase63]

Hi Swan,

We have just become the Koken North American Master Distributor. Our company is KokenUSA.
If you have a certain Whitworth socket that you need, I am more than happy to get them for you. We will be stocking all of the various sizes. We have sold through Rolls Royce in the past.
Feel free to contact me with any questions you may have. I am more than happy to help!

 

[Ledslinger]

I wouldn't have thought craftsman made whitworth tools. My wrenches and sockets are proto that were given to me. As a fellow brit single owner I look forward to viewing your resto pics. I have had my victor special since 1978. I just started it and revved it a few times just because a half hour ago. Still kicking myself for missing a 1971 B5OT on craigslist for $15OO with 375O miles last week.

 

[wornoutoldman]

That is an awesome set! I am sooo happy that I purchased all my SO whitworth/BSF stuff in the 80s. I think I have one of everything they made in 1/4, 3/8, 1/2 drive plus combo wrenches and no I will never sell them!

 

[Ledslinger]

I perused your restoration and I look forward to seeing the rest of it. You are a master! I know why the saloon that used to be in pat the welders shop went out of business. Too much f'ing overhead!

I love the Hendrix poster! I am a Hendrix and BSA singles fan and love seeing them together in this composition.

 

[KraftwerkMk1Jetta]

That's a cool Craftsman set for sure. I bougth a set of Koken whitworth sockets. I've got a 78 Triumph Bonneville and an old 69 Triumph Trophy. The most important tool any British bike owner needs are rags to wipe up the oil they leak, haha.

 

[davesnothere]

Way cool set!

 

[Jim C.]

I really like old Craftsman stuff. I like that set a lot. Nice find. I didn't even know Craftsman made Whitworth. Enjoy them. Glad to see that you'll be using them instead of letting them collect dust.

Jim C.

 

[Gregg33]

I recently bought a set of 4 BS (not BSW) box ends. It's a complete set with a c-shaped holder with a set screw. They are made in Canada (think they are unmarked Gray). 3 of the wrenches are in great condition, the large one has some chrome peeling, overall the condition is quite good though for the age.

 

[lbgradwell]

I recently bought a set of 4 BS (not BSW)...

Same thing, Gregg...

Can you post a picture of your set?

 

[snapmom]

A Blue Point 1W whitworth line wrench, its a monster.

 

[Keep]

How about some Williams and Blue Point?

Oh and some Armstrong:

I think I have some more around here somewhere.

 

[Gregg33]

Same thing, Gregg...

Can you post a picture of your set?

Will do, unfortunately the larger one looks a bit ugly with all the flaking chrome.

 

[Gregg33]

Here are the pics of my Cdn made BS box end wrenches, sorry for the delay been very busy lately.

 

[mrobins297aaa]

I think I might have some of that whitworth stuff. i bought a set in 1968 to work on my 66 Bonneville, I'm sure i still have the sockets somewhere , I never get rid of tools, now the bike on the other hand is long gone.

 

[NY Old Guy]

Dude that bike is/was SWEET

I have so many Whitworth tools and I can't stop buying more.

So far i have:

Crummy Rolson made in Taiwan 9 piece combination set - new (before became tool snob)

Assorted open end Spearpoint, Superslim etc, 5 piece set (not too shabby)

9 piece (I think) Dowidat combination set (not shabby)

5 piece King **** combination set (nice - new)

7 piece mint Snap On combination set which I stole on Ebay (not even remotely shabby)

9 piece Koken socket set (nice - new)

3 Piece stubby box end set vintage Blue Point (bought from chap in UK, not shabby)

3 Piece stubby box end set vintage Elora (also bought from Uk fella, also not shabby)

Big *** Bedford box end wrenches up to 7/8 W (a little shabby) have about 5 of these bought from chick in Canada

I'm still looking to buy more of this stuff want specific blue point box ends and a snap on socket set also would like Snap On open ends

 

[mrobins297aaa]

Dude that bike is/was SWEET

I have so many Whitworth tools and I can't stop buying more.

So far i have:

Crummy Rolson made in Taiwan 9 piece combination set - new (before became tool snob)

Assorted open end Spearpoint, Superslim etc, 5 piece set (not too shabby)

9 piece (I think) Dowidat combination set (not shabby)

5 piece King **** combination set (nice - new)

7 piece mint Snap On combination set which I stole on Ebay (not even remotely shabby)

9 piece Koken socket set (nice - new)

3 Piece stubby box end set vintage Blue Point (bought from chap in UK, not shabby)

3 Piece stubby box end set vintage Elora (also bought from Uk fella, also not shabby)

Big *** Bedford box end wrenches up to 7/8 W (a little shabby) have about 5 of these bought from chick in Canada

I'm still looking to buy more of this stuff want specific blue point box ends and a snap on socket set also would like Snap On open ends

Thanks...I sold that bike in 1970 and bought a new sportster, I never really liked that sportster as much as that bonneville......

 

[snapmom]

I buy Snap on and BP whitworth and b/s tools too.

 

[vette-kid]

I dont mean to highjack your thread here, but I need to fess up to a little ignorance here. I kind of thought the whitworth standard was more about the thread pitch? Is there a difference between a 1/2" hex bolt in whitworth vs any other 1/2" hex bolt (with regards to the head, not the thread pitch)?

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I dont mean to highjack your thread here, but I need to fess up to a little ignorance here. I kind of thought the whitworth standard was more about the thread pitch? Is there a difference between a 1/2" hex bolt in whitworth vs any other 1/2" hex bolt (with regards to the head, not the thread pitch)?

The sizing on Whitworth is based on stud size, that is why a 9/16 W will look huge as it is the hex found on a bolt or nut that FITS a 9/16 stud. Yes, the thread is different, but the sizes are oddball also, and short of an adjustable wrench, nothing else seems to fit.

Here is a chart that shows the Whitworth size, the corresponding BS size and the corresponding size across the flats in both decimal inches and mm.

http://www.samstagsales.com/whitworth_table.htm

Charles

 

[Swan]

Thanks all. I recently bought two very nice Craftsman British Standard Whitworth open and box end wrench sets.

 

[BSAschields]

Love the Triumph. I too am on the look out for some decent older Whitworth tools. Got some cheapies to get me through but like you say, they just don't feel right.

 

[Dave455]

I have some Craftsman sockets and wrenches in Whitworth sizes also. Others are Dowdat. I will hang on to mine however, for the inevitable day when I have to work on a .... Rolls Royce Dart Turboprop.

Sir, I kneel at the holy site that your workbench must be!!!


For everybody else, there are numerous sources of Whitworth wrenches and sockets available!

Wrenches are available, among others, from Snap On, King ****, Gedore and Elora! The Snap On are as good as you would expect, but rather hidden away in the catalogue! King **** are fine (and cheaper) and of the German tools I prefer the Elora, but all are acceptable!

Sockets are available from KoKen, King ****, Gedore, Elora and a host of others! The King **** are acceptable, but the Ko Ken have the edge! If you're not familiar with these tools don't confuse them with 'Generic Asian', they are not! The quality is close to Snap On and there's a huge range on offer including 1/4, 3/8 and 1/2 inch drives and even deep sockets! Both British Aerospace and Rolls Royce use KoKen tools in BA and Whitworth sizes!

Until fairly recently it was still feasible to source Snap On Whitworth sockets in the U.K. Sadly supplies seem to have dried up now!

 

[motoretro]

I received a set of C-Man BSW boxed end wrenches, new still in the pouch as payment for a snow-mobile welding job back in the early 1980's. I was riding Triumphs and Nortons at the time plus doing work on other British bike owner's machines. They came in handy although eventually I moved on to Moto-Guzzi and sold the wrenches on EBay for a small fortune!

 

[merbie]

I have sealey made whitworth sockets and spanners but I have a 1/2 Geordre socket set passed down from my grandfather that will never leave my family


Sent from the sticks

 

[straightcut]

I have two sets of 3/8" drive Koken Whitworth sockets and am extremely impressed with the quality! I think I would wet my pants if Koken would make a set of combination wrenches in Whitworth!

Currently, I'm making do with a set of unbranded Asian combination wrenches and a set of King **** box wrenches aka ring spanners.

The tools see use on vintage Land Rover Series II's.

Swan, if you're still following this old thread, you can find more vintage Whitworth tools on eBay.UK than here in the states if that's your interest.