Garringtons tools (made in england)

[Stubby1743]

Here is my contribution to the thread.

 

[jaceq]

This morning arrival:

 

[1968etype1&1/2]

I think these were from a 68 e/type - NZ - series 1&1/2 roadster

 

[Stubby1743]

A 20pence purchase at my local small car boot sale this morning. Traces of the original red paint in the diamonds.

 

[Stubby1743]

I picked up this nice Garrington "Kestrel" on Saturday. After some light cleaning, it looks to be pretty much unused.

I assume that the 3/51 stamp in the manufacturing date.

 

[humber2]

This 1964 magazine news snippet is revealing.

 

[winchman]

Thanks for that I did wonder what happened to Garringtons, I had a Garrington's adjustable spanner in my pocket for most of my apprenticeship. I have a small Gordon collection and when I found a Gordon catalogue I was amazed at the range they made.

 

[esben57]

Did not know Garrington bought out by Gordon tools - catalogue.

winchman,​

make a pin for your adjustable. Some of those were Jag toolkit and may have been marked Jaguar.
So many British tool manufacturers all gone. Names on far eastern products in some cases.
Britool, Gordon, Bedford, Lion, Eagle, Snail Brand, Brenco, TW, Swinborne, Tipco, not sure about King ****. Those just spanners socketry and the like. All other tool makers will have gone.
We had Presto, Dormer FBT making drill bits and HSS taps in Sheffield,

 

[Targa68]

A Garrington MERLIN OAW 1412
7/16W - 3/8 W
Assuming early -50s

 

[winchman]

Heres a Gordon box I have

 

[esben57]

The list of tools that go with it. Looks like you have some flat ring spanners. Not come across any from Gordon before.

 

[winchman]

Thanks I have a catalogue somewhere! It has scooter tool kits and all sorts of stuff I have never seen.
I do still buy the odd Gordon item and stick it in the box Screwdrivers are vary rare, I suspect in modern times people don't know how good Gordon and several other older brands are

 

[esben57]

Thanks I have a catalogue somewhere! It has scooter tool kits and all sorts of stuff I have never seen.
I do still buy the odd Gordon item and stick it in the box Screwdrivers are vary rare, I suspect in modern times people don't know how good Gordon and several other older brands are

Might still have a Gordon screwdriver although I suspect they may have been made by Steadfast or even the Stanley works in Sheffield.
Amber handles very similar. Other items obviously out sourced, hacksaw maybe Eclipse, pliers SSP or TW. I have a Gordon No. 2014 ratchet and the odd spanner, sold loads of Gordon. Too many tools not enough room.

 

[Targa68]

Found another Garrington MERLIN.

- Garrington Merlin OAW 0806. 1/4"W - 3/16"W, early -50s ?


Here it is with the bigger brother found earlier

 

[humber2]

No problem dating, Feb. 1954 is stamped on the shank.

 

[Targa68]

Ha! Didn't notice....thank you!

 

[Stubby1743]

I couldn't resist this little 8" Blackbird at my local small car boot sale this morning for 50p. I've just given it a light wire wheeling.

 

[Stubby1743]

This is what Garringtons and other Midlands engineering firms were capable of. The production of a replica vintage Bugatti hollow front axel.

 

[Stubby1743]

Got this late production short series 1"x7/8" DBE at my local small car boot sale this morning. It's in great unused condition.

 

[Stubby1743]

I got this very nice condition Jay 3/8 x 7/16"W DBE at my local car boot sale a few weeks ago. Dated 11/54.

The Jay series are very nicely made with thin box ends.

 

[esben57]

Just been informed on a Britool forum this may be a Garrington Blackbird.

 

[Stubby1743]

Picked up this large 7/8"BSF/3/4" Whit x 11/16"BSF/5/8" Whit DBE "Kestrel" to-day. Makers date of 2/52 and UK Govt property mark broad arrow and 1952 date. 15 1/2" long.

 

[Stubby1743]

To-days Garringtons find was this "Kestrel". Dual size marked 3/16"BSF/1/8"W x 14"BSF/3/16"W. Dated 6/57.

 

[Fvespi]

Not sure whether this will be of interest to anyone, but as there is a thread on Britool, I though some might like to see some tools from one of the more obscure old British tool manufacturers, one which has been mostly forgotten these days.

Garringtons forging works, who were a large company manufacturing parts for the auto industry etc up until the 70s or 80's and made very nice hand tools, mainly wrenches and adjustables


Most of their tool lines were named after birds, Kestrel was their standard double box wrench, Wren used the same size ends but had a shortened shank, for use on cars etc, Merlin was their double open end wrench, and Jackdaw was an adjustable.

There are many other types including ratchets and socket sets (possibly made for them by another company), but the above are by far the most common, along with the tools they made for Jaguar car tool kits

As with most older UK made tools the vast majority seem to have been made for BSW/whitworth sizes, but they made SAE/AF, although they turn up far less often,


A few photos of some of my Garringtons tools, I have some others but didn't have them to hand.










Helpfully they put date stamps on most of their production, the kestrel wrench is marked with 8/50, august 1950 i guess, and the adjustable is later, being marked 8/55, the wren doesn't have any date marking, but seems to be far later judging by the polished chrome finish, and the refinements to the design.

They are very nicely made, sadly don't get used that often being whitworth, though the adjustable does, and is on par quality wise with my old Bahco wrenches


Bit of the history of the company here: http://www.historywebsite.co.uk/articles/Darlaston/Garringtons.htm


Anyone else got some garrington tools? I'm not sure if they made it across to the USA, or even Europe, other then in the toolkits of jaguars i guess

I have a lot. I’m going through them now from my grandfather’s old toolbox. He was a mechanic that worked on the cars so he has all these tools. I believe they’re from the 40s and 50s.