New Britain collectibility

[OldnSlo]

I've become more aware of this vintage brand as of recently. I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to get rid of the few sockets I have or begin the hunt to finish out a complete set.

They have a fantastic history and pretty nice looking when in pristine condition.

Anyone collect this stuff?

 

[kc-steve]

I've become more aware of this vintage brand as of recently. I'm wondering if it's worthwhile to get rid of the few sockets I have or begin the hunt to finish out a complete set.

They have a fantastic history and pretty nice look to them when in nice condition.

Anyone collect this stuff?

Yeah, I have been trying to collect a set of New Britain flare nut wrenches but then learned they have several logo designs over the years. That makes it even MORE difficult to match up a set. But in my opinion they are as good as any premium flare nut wrenches.

Steve

 

[HandyManny]

I've always valued my full sets of New Britain tools (combo wrenches and sockets), they have seen plenty of use over the years and have served me well. Too bad they went under as a company sometime in the late '70s or early '80s. NAPA used to be a good source for them, made by New Britain for the NAPA brand, but also often sold at NAPA stores under the New Britain brand name itself. They were pretty good hand tools.

 

[Danglerb]

Seems like availability of many old tool brands vary by location, so my view is buy what you find locally at good prices, then decide on keeping, trading, or selling. As long as you don't lay out a lot of cash there isn't any down side to buying good quality old tools.

 

[kc-steve]

I've always valued my full sets of New Britain tools (combo wrenches and sockets), they have seen plenty of use over the years and have served me well. Too bad they went under as a company sometime in the late '70s or early '80s. NAPA used to be a good source for them, made by New Britain for the NAPA brand, but also often sold at NAPA stores under the New Britain brand name itself. They were pretty good hand tools.

Handy, NB didn't go under implying they were forced out of business. They were purchased by Litton in 1972 and then eventually by Stanley in the 80s. In other words, they faded away like so many quality tool makers by losing their identity.

If anyone knows more about them please let me know what ya know. This is all I have to date.

http://junkyardtools.com/tool_history/new_britain

Thanks,
Steve

 

[HandyManny]

Handy, NB didn't go under implying they were forced out of business. They were purchased by Litton in 1972 and then eventually by Stanley in the 80s. In other words, they faded away like so many quality tool makers by losing their identity.

If anyone knows more about them please let me know what ya know. This is all I have to date.

http://junkyardtools.com/tool_history/new_britain

Thanks,
Steve

Yeah I knew that, just didn't see the need to go into intricate details. basically what I was trying to say is they are no-more, plain and simple. They were pretty good hand tools, too bad they are no longer around. Maybe it's better they are not around anymore, because you know Stanley would be having them made in Taiwan or China by now. Today they'd compete too much with Proto and Blackhawk within the Stanley line up to keep them a higher-end professional brand.

 

[metaleltr]

Unless i threw it out I have an old New Britan catalog aroung here somewhere that came from my grandpa.

 

[kc-steve]

Yeah I knew that, just didn't see the need to go into intricate details. basically what I was trying to say is they are no-more, plain and simple. They were pretty good hand tools, too bad they are no longer around. Maybe it's better they are not around anymore, because you know Stanley would be having them made in Taiwan or China by now. Today they'd compete too much with Proto and Blackhawk within the Stanley line up to keep them a higher-end professional brand.

This is just MY opinion, but I think New Britain's direct competitor was, or would be, Danaher because NB was primarily a manufacturer for other tool retailers.

But yeah, I agree, too bad NB isn't around anymore.

Steve

 

[kc-steve]

Unless i threw it out I have an old New Britan catalog aroung here somewhere that came from my grandpa.

Wow! I and maybe others would really like to get a hold of a pdf copy if you have the capability.

Steve

 

[Jbullfrog]

New Britain went into Danaher, not Stanley. The Napa tools still use the NB part numbers and Napa still warranties NB tools. The pullers are now K-D with the same part number as the old NB ones. Sockets and wrenches are Armstrong sourced with Napa Proffesional logos.

 

[metaleltr]

Wow! I and maybe others would really like to get a hold of a pdf copy if you have the capability.

Steve

I will dig around and see if i have it. I have a scanner so a pdf would be possible if I can find the book.

 

[kc-steve]

New Britain went into Danaher, not Stanley. The Napa tools still use the NB part numbers and Napa still warranties NB tools. The pullers are now K-D with the same part number as the old NB ones. Sockets and wrenches are Armstrong sourced with Napa Proffesional logos.

Wikipedia disagrees with you . . .

In 1972, New Britain Machine Company was acquired by Litton Industrial Products. Litton continued to be the owner of New Britain Machine Company until the latter's closure in 1990.[2] Its assets (including the Blackhawk and Husky trademarks) were acquired by The Stanley Works which continues to use the Blackhawk name for one of its product lines. On July 8, 2004, New Britain Mayor Timothy Stewart announced that twenty-six acres of New Britain Machine's former property on South Street was being sold to two local businesses, Dattco and Guida's, after reaching an agreement.

Steve

 

[HandyManny]

This is just MY opinion, but I think New Britain's direct competitor was, or would be, Danaher because NB was primarily a manufacturer for other tool retailers.

But yeah, I agree, too bad NB isn't around anymore.

Steve

Interesting that you should say that. I think you would be right. Interestingly enough most all the tools that New Britain once made for NAPA are now replaced by tools made by Danaher. Supposedly the current Danaher made NAPA tools still carry the exact same product numbers today as they did when NB made them for NAPA.

 

[HandyManny]

New Britain went into Danaher, not Stanley. The Napa tools still use the NB part numbers and Napa still warranties NB tools. The pullers are now K-D with the same part number as the old NB ones. Sockets and wrenches are Armstrong sourced with Napa Proffesional logos.

Nope Stanley absorbed New Britain. Alloy Artifacts website has a full history on NB. Current NAPA pro wrenches and sockets are now Danaher, but that's not to be mistaken to mean that New Britain went Danaher. As I recall from memory New Britain once made tools for a long time for NAPA as well as other brands, and also under their own New Britain name too. With NAPA those New Britain tools were later replaced with certain tools made by Danaher. NAPA went Danaher because Stanley simply faded out New Britain.

NAPA has carried and sold K-D tools for a very long time as I recall, long before Danaher acquired KD. Sears, through their catalog, as well as quite a few automotive supply stores also sold KD tools for a long time too. If I recall KD used to be independent or operated independently. Keep in mind that NAPA carries and sell many types of tools, not all of those always came from one place.

As far as current Armstrong sourced wrenches for NAPA goes I think the same could be said for the high polished Craftsman Professional combo wrenches, the ones that were made in USA.

 

[thesilverone]

love my Husky cb-43 and 45 ratchets

 

[metaleltr]

No luck finding the catalog. It was a small blue pocket sized book. Whether I have thrown it out or it is simply MIA is unknown. I a come across it at some point in the future I will scan it.

 

[metaleltr]

My grandpa has a tool that looks like this. Whether it is New Britan or not I do not know.

 

[HandyManny]

My grandpa has a tool that looks like this. Whether it is New Britan or not I do not know.

How can you not know? Does the one you have not have a maker stamp on it? Is the one picture not the actual one you have?

 

[metaleltr]

That picture is from alloy artifacts, I remember seeing a similar tool in my grandpa's basement.

 

[kc-steve]

no one ever reads post #20

Steve

 

[kc-steve]

. . . The Napa tools still use the NB part numbers and Napa still warranties NB tools. . .

That actually makes sense when you consider New Britain manufactured the NAPA tools for NAPA and their own specifications. In business reality, it doesn't make any real difference who made them but consistency is required. I'm betting those so-called "NB part numbers" are actually NAPA's.

Just like Danaher making tools for Sears under the Craftsman name. Without Sears network of outlets, who would buy 'em?

Steve

 

[OldnSlo]

I sure could have used that wrench when I was 12. Those metal wheeled skates were always in need of adjustment!!!

 

[lbgradwell]

Unless i threw it out I have an old New Britan catalog aroung here somewhere that came from my grandpa.

Ack!

Yes, please scan & share if it turns up...

 

[woody 73]

I like New britain tools very much,I hunt for them all the time when napa stopped using them I was very sad...

 

[HandyManny]

no one ever reads post #20

Steve

Confused. I'm quoting post #20.

 

[MShaw]

if there are specific questions I was a manufacturing engineer for New Britain in the early 70s. I was in charge of wrenches and set up the manufacturing for their flare nut wrenches which had been purchased.

In those days we made New Britain, Blackhawk, Sparta, Husky and Penncraft. We also made spark plug socket and ratchet sets for Champion and 3/4" drive ratchets for Mac Tools.

 

[Cope]

Nope Stanley absorbed New Britain. Alloy Artifacts website has a full history on NB. Current NAPA pro wrenches and sockets are now Danaher, but that's not to be mistaken to mean that New Britain went Danaher. As I recall from memory New Britain once made tools for a long time for NAPA as well as other brands, and also under their own New Britain name too. With NAPA those New Britain tools were later replaced with certain tools made by Danaher. NAPA went Danaher because Stanley simply faded out New Britain.

NAPA has carried and sold K-D tools for a very long time as I recall, long before Danaher acquired KD. Sears, through their catalog, as well as quite a few automotive supply stores also sold KD tools for a long time too. If I recall KD used to be independent or operated independently. Keep in mind that NAPA carries and sell many types of tools, not all of those always came from one place.

As far as current Armstrong sourced wrenches for NAPA goes I think the same could be said for the high polished Craftsman Professional combo wrenches, the ones that were made in USA.

New Britain made ratchets for Matco which were replaced in 1990 or so.

 

[WJD]

I don't know about collecting New Brittain, I'm still getting service from what NB sockets that have not turned into 'napa' brand sockets and NB flair nut wrenches

New Brittain tools if ya got'em, better keep'em. If ya don't have'em and want them...boy have you got a treasure hunt in store for you

 

[pauls_workshop]

Hey Mshaw and others, join us over on the pretty new New Britain thread over in the new Vintage section please! We need your input there! - Paul

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=277603

 

[Toole]

 

[Colec]

Hello I found a 20 inch new Britain Napa tool box in my garage does anyone know how old it is?

 

[B.S.A. (ret.)]

This is just MY opinion, but I think New Britain's direct competitor was, or would be, Danaher because NB was primarily a manufacturer for other tool retailers.

But yeah, I agree, too bad NB isn't around anymore.

Steve

I grew up in New Britain, CT and my first "real" job was with New Britain Machine Co. The Tool Division was "liquidated" by the Litton acquisition a few years later (early '80's if memory serves correctly). I have some 1/4" drive tools (RHFT ratchets, breaker bars, universals, etc.) that are some of the most compact and strong tools that I own. New Britain Tool Division, in addition to making New Britain, also made Blackhawk, Husky, Mustang, Craftsman, VACO, Penncraft and other private label brands of quality tools. Ironically, a few years back, Stanley (another New Britain, CT company) purchased the Husky brand name and those tools are now manufactured by Stanley either in Taiwan or at the MAC / Proto plants. It will be interesting to see what will be made at the new Texas Craftsman plant in addition to Craftsman tools.

 

[Semi-hole mechanic]

I have, and still use, my Dad's Craftsman 1/2" drive socket set that still has the original breaker bar and speeder wrench that were made by NB.

 

[Chris321]

Did New Britain manufacture their own tool boxes or contract it out to MBC etc?
I’m looking at a 11 drawer NB box. Looks much like Mac from that era.