Sidchrome Tools and Other Australia Brands

[dr_clyde]

I have an Australian friend here in the states who wants to swap some tools with me. He’ll be heading home in a few months and he’ll ship me back some stuff. I think it would be neat to have some Aussie stuff in my USA shop. I realize Sidchrome is owned by SBD, but it still would be neat to have some.

What other Aussie tools should I have him look for?

I’ll be sending him back with some Snap-on, Wright, SK and Proto.

 

[2oolhound]

Check this link for a meager thread about Sidchrome over in the vintage tool section. I just posted a recent local score of authentic sockets in a cool box. Maybe get him to find you some older stuff.

Another cool thing from OZ is their offset Dawn vises. I've always drooled over them.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=115749

Here's a link to a reseller, note they make about 4 types from woodworking, engineers, ductile iron and a stainless welded version of this same design (but all available new)

https://www.gasweld.com.au/shop-by-brand/dawn

 

[rockettgpw]

Sidchrome Was an Aussie owned co.
There's not a lot of Aussie stuff available anymore, well not worth sending OS unless you are a mad keen collector. Not even sure if Sidchrome is still made here or offshore, their wrenches/spanners now look just like the gear available for half the price
I'm a big Sidchrome fan, the local stuff is good and there are differences in design from era to era. Between Dads collection and what I've found in sales I think I have one of everything. They don't seem to have produced the range of gear that snap on have.
The dawn vices as 2oolhound says are ****** good and have come in a range of styles and duty ratings. I've owned Dawns from 2" up tp 6" quick release.
We had a co named Litchfield who made specialist auto tools for trade and manufacture. Their plant was not far from GM Holden in Adelaide South Australia. Litchfield gear has a very utilitarian/military feel to it and a handle knurl I can spot clear across a swap meet stall.

For true Aussie Sidchrome I think you need to find something from the 1980's. My apprentice ratchet set from 1983 proudly states "made in Australia" and "unconditionally guaranteed". No such boast on my set bought in 2001.

 

[Elvie84]

Not worth getting sidchrome these days as it just falls apart in your hand

 

[dr_clyde]

I’ll have him look for some 80s vintage stuff sounds like. He told me his dad and his granddad had those Dawn offset vises out in the shed. Might still have them he said.

 

[Fly YX]

Years ago my friend what's going home back to Australia. She was going to pick me up a couple australian-made tools. Ended up finding some used ones none of the new stuff she ran across was made in Australia anymore.

 

[Rico.]

Not worth getting sidchrome these days as it just falls apart in your hand

Some Sidchrome tools are rebadged Facom and are top quality. Maybe there is way
to identify the wheat from the chaff when it comes to Sidchrome branded stuff.

 

[four.cycle]

Australian Tools * Made in Australia

Hand Tool Preservation Association of Australia Inc

https://www.htpaa.org.au/



(* Check out their write-up on this company you never heard of before:

Turner / Turner Industries Ltd., Chapel Street, South Yarra, Melbourne, Australia / est. 1935 acquired 1970 by Stanley Titan / https://www.htpaa.org.au/hand-tools/australian-tools-makers/australian-makers/turner-tools /

 

[jabberwoki]

Vintage Siddy stuff is good stuff.

 

[oldpliers1]

Bumping the thread here are some very hard to find items