King **** tools.
- Thread starter rhandwor
- Start date
LMAO!!!Sorry for bringing this back to the top, but I was about to post a similar topic before I saw this.
I have some of the older King **** WW sockets and some ancient spanners and have been very pleased with them.
Of course we all know the King **** of old was forged from of bits battleship and bovril and pretty much indestructible if rather basic.
The prices on the newer stuff is quite reasonable, but does anybody know how it compares?
I saw a recent thread where the broaching didn't look great and I've been burnt before buying on the strength of a brand name. I have a small set of their BA spanners which look to be just pressed out of sheet metal and didn't inspire me.
However if their main line of spanners and sockets are still as good, and still made in Britain I probably need to take a closer look. I currently have a mixture of Stahlwille, Ko-Ken and Facom.
Anybody have some of their newer stuff? How does it compare?
I have some of the older King **** WW sockets and some ancient spanners and have been very pleased with them.
Of course we all know the King **** of old was forged from of bits battleship and bovril and pretty much indestructible if rather basic.
The prices on the newer stuff is quite reasonable, but does anybody know how it compares?
I saw a recent thread where the broaching didn't look great and I've been burnt before buying on the strength of a brand name. I have a small set of their BA spanners which look to be just pressed out of sheet metal and didn't inspire me.
However if their main line of spanners and sockets are still as good, and still made in Britain I probably need to take a closer look. I currently have a mixture of Stahlwille, Ko-Ken and Facom.
Anybody have some of their newer stuff? How does it compare?
Snakebyt
Well-known member
best thing i have read all day...lol
Dave455
Well-known member
I have some relatively recent stuff!
The spanners (wrenches) are good. Nicely finished in a polished chrome, and seem to wear well. For the prices paid, they are superb value. If you compare a King **** ring spanner (box end wrench) with say it's Gedore equivalent there is no comparison. The broaching on the King **** is way ahead, as is the finish.
I have a lot of their stuff in Whitworth sizes and really have no complaints. A plumber friend uses their wrenches exclusively, and seems to be very happy.
Their socket wrenches and accessories are not quite finished to the same standard, but in all fairness that's always how they have been. As others have alluded, their 1/2 inch drive sockets are f'ing tough, and just about every factory seems to have a set around for general use. You see people hammering sockets on damaged bolts, using a sliding T with a 3 foot pipe slid over it, and all sorts of abuse. Ratchets are a bit agricultural, but again, tough!
Unfortunately, like many other manufacturers, they outsource some items. Remember that they are not, and never have been, a plier or screwdriver maker, but industrial customers want complete sets so they end up buying stuff in.
Screwdrivers etc seem fine, albeit nothing special, but sadly a few items are utter shite, and the miniature spanners are one of them. Personally, I wouldn't put my company name on them, but the managers of British tool manufacturers have never really understood their own products, or their customers!
If you stick to the 'hard line' tools that they make themselves (spanners, socket spanners, accessories and industrial tools) you will be fine!
If you want a small set of BA spanners, older ones of top quality by Bedford or Britool are often available on fleabay. The new ones by Elora are superb too, and they even offer miniature combination wrenches!
The spanners (wrenches) are good. Nicely finished in a polished chrome, and seem to wear well. For the prices paid, they are superb value. If you compare a King **** ring spanner (box end wrench) with say it's Gedore equivalent there is no comparison. The broaching on the King **** is way ahead, as is the finish.
I have a lot of their stuff in Whitworth sizes and really have no complaints. A plumber friend uses their wrenches exclusively, and seems to be very happy.
Their socket wrenches and accessories are not quite finished to the same standard, but in all fairness that's always how they have been. As others have alluded, their 1/2 inch drive sockets are f'ing tough, and just about every factory seems to have a set around for general use. You see people hammering sockets on damaged bolts, using a sliding T with a 3 foot pipe slid over it, and all sorts of abuse. Ratchets are a bit agricultural, but again, tough!
Unfortunately, like many other manufacturers, they outsource some items. Remember that they are not, and never have been, a plier or screwdriver maker, but industrial customers want complete sets so they end up buying stuff in.
Screwdrivers etc seem fine, albeit nothing special, but sadly a few items are utter shite, and the miniature spanners are one of them. Personally, I wouldn't put my company name on them, but the managers of British tool manufacturers have never really understood their own products, or their customers!
If you stick to the 'hard line' tools that they make themselves (spanners, socket spanners, accessories and industrial tools) you will be fine!
If you want a small set of BA spanners, older ones of top quality by Bedford or Britool are often available on fleabay. The new ones by Elora are superb too, and they even offer miniature combination wrenches!
Unmarked Bill
Well-known member
some impact sockets you don't see every day
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454ragtop
Well-known member
Empty Pockets
Well-known member
https://britishfasteners.com/tools/abingdon-king-****-tools/king-****-sockets.html
What kind of impact do they fit?
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
The kind swung by a big hairy fist.
Use a punch to get in enclosed spaces.
Use a punch to get in enclosed spaces.
Unmarked Bill
Well-known member
Slewfoot knows the score! Is that little airstrip still over by Freedom, on the way to Gilroy?
that sweet, never seen them before ... battery and airless impact lol .