The Sidchrome thread

[oldpliers1]

Hi in regards to your Sidchrome Sweden thread .
I clearly recall between 79 and late 81 seeing the sidchrome shifters new in packet with the made in Australia and made in Sweden sitting side by side in the store , the Quality was always there the two main competitors were Crescent USA and Gedore . This was in in Sydneys best tool shops ( Paul’s)

 

[oldpliers1]

Some of the more recent Sidchrome socketry for sale at the big green box store does have a downmarket air about it and I would guess is made in China - the newer adjustable wrenches and low end pliers certainly are.
Outside of the box store the vast majority of sockets, ratchets and spanners are still made in Taiwan. Much of the higher end pliers are from France with the Facom connection, and the better adjustable wrenches are made by Irega in Spain.

Hi I agree Sidchrome have made constant changes to the plier line in particular the facom product, personally I preferred the range 20 years ago , yet my son loves the red black 208 mm pliers with crimper. Yet they have recently made them obsolete. The 7 and 8 inch side cutters are true to the Siddons casting . The multi grips are no where near as good as the old ones . To sum it up they have gone backwards. Whatever Stanley are doing with the product they did not consider the Australian end users . Thanks for your post

 

[Tactile]

Time to revive another Aussie thread...whats going on here - why have AU shed nerds gone quiet?

Anyway, latest new Sidchrome acquisition. I also collect a few older pieces - whats the hot item to keep an eye out for?

 

[jabberwoki]

.................

 

[Jack Ryan]

Time to revive another Aussie thread...whats going on here - why have AU shed nerds gone quiet?

Anyway, latest new Sidchrome acquisition. I also collect a few older pieces - whats the hot item to keep an eye out for?

Are they French, Taiwanese or Chinese? Check the other side of the tag.

I got some multigrips a while back - Sidchrome SCMT28500 Multigrip - they are French. A lot of the other Sidchrome branded Facom stuff (like Facom style shifters) are Chinese. The Sidchrome branded Irega shifters are still Spanish.

Jack

 

[Tactile]

They are Taiwan, same as the FACOM units.

 

[oldpliers1]

I have not found a lot of local stuff lately. but I’ll put up a few locally home grown items in my kit .

 

[oldpliers1]

Some crescent out of Albury another sad loss the quick connect Clipsal were made by crescent in Albury as were the shear pliers ( a 1950s European knock off )

 

[oldpliers1]

I bought these May 1987 the first pair with a crimper and the first ones finished from rough imported forgings in Albury in the 80s this was because the Australian dollar had been floated and lost a lot of its worth around 30% Sidchrome had launched their version of the plier with great success with government departments. Marvel flooded the market with $10 specials, note the 1990 commonwealth games logo. I have added the Sidchrome knock offs with and without crimper.

 

[desmo55]

I bought my first Sidchrome spanner about fifty years ago and haven't seen a spanner like this one before . I recently bought this spanner , it was sold as a 3/8" AF but after measuring it I found it to be ten millimeter at the open end and eleven millimeter ring end . Apart from Sidchrome being stamped on the shaft there is nothing to identify the size of this spanner . The end's were not ground to remove the excess metal . This spanner is one that slipped through quality inspection . Anyone else have any Sidchrome tool / tool's that have escaped inspection ? . Or does this spanner have a reason for being the way it is that I am unaware of .

 

[oldpliers1]

I bought my first Sidchrome spanner about fifty years ago and haven't seen a spanner like this one before . I recently bought this spanner , it was sold as a 3/8" AF but after measuring it I found it to be ten millimeter at the open end and eleven millimeter ring end . Apart from Sidchrome being stamped on the shaft there is nothing to identify the size of this spanner . The end's were not ground to remove the excess metal . This spanner is one that slipped through quality inspection . Anyone else have any Sidchrome tool / tool's that have escaped inspection ? . Or does this spanner have a reason for being the way it is that I am unaware of .

It might be a prototype? And as no marking It’s come home via a toolmaker did you find it in greater Melbourne? it’s a great post thanks for sharing (living in Sydney as a apprentice you never saw the range or oddities that that came from the forge) Yet I have had some great rare tool finds from Beaudesert and SEQ mostly from southern migration.

 

[desmo55]

The person that sold me the spanner lives in Kangaroo Flat, Victoria . I prefer to buy older used tools from other collectors , weekend markets or deceased estate sales and put these tool's to use again .

 

[oldpliers1]

The person that sold me the spanner lives in Kangaroo Flat, Victoria . I prefer to buy older used tools from other collectors , weekend markets or deceased estate sales and put these tool's to use again .

Their is a guy that really knows his stuff George R he sells a lot of old Sidchrome , He would be a great opinion or Sid krome. And the fact it’s from north Melbourne makes a prototype plausible. Regards

 

[john.k]

Just got a set of Sidchrome Whitworth combi spanners in the mail.......seemingly unused ,and trying them on nuts and bolts,the broaching in the rings is very sub standard ........bihex is well tapered ,very loose at the top ,loose at the bottom...........If I bought a set like this new ,Id send them back as being faulty.

 

[Tactile]

I bought my first Sidchrome spanner about fifty years ago and haven't seen a spanner like this one before . I recently bought this spanner , it was sold as a 3/8" AF but after measuring it I found it to be ten millimeter at the open end and eleven millimeter ring end . Apart from Sidchrome being stamped on the shaft there is nothing to identify the size of this spanner . The end's were not ground to remove the excess metal . This spanner is one that slipped through quality inspection . Anyone else have any Sidchrome tool / tool's that have escaped inspection ? . Or does this spanner have a reason for being the way it is that I am unaware of .

My bet is that it failed inspection and one of the QA guys took it home. They saw all the imperfections in the forging (there are strange marks all over that thing) and didn't bother with it after broaching the hex end.

 

[spanimal]

Here is a 3/8 Aussie made Sidchrome ratchet that I rescued a few months ago. They're so hard to find period, whereas the 1/2 inch are a dime a dozen.

I put it to work everyday after cleaning the guts. The plastic handle was broken, so I took it off and wrapped silicone tape as a handle for now.

I really love the sound of course toothed ratchets as that was what I have always used. The back drag on this, being well used, is next to non existent.

 

[john.k]

The Sidchrome push button ratchet seems to be unique .......not copied off any other........Ive got one thats so worn there is no chrome left ,all worn off by my hands .........it still works OK tho ,the Sidchrome ratchets seem to be indestructible .

 

[john.k]

The early 60s ratchet had an egg shaped head ,with the push button ,later on the head was straighter across the back,but still curved ,to the 1980s one that is straight across the back,with the logo and part no .............It seems the early egg shaped head,they were hedging their bets ,as the forging could easily be machined to the common lever type as well as push button.

 

[spanimal]

The early 60s ratchet had an egg shaped head ,with the push button ,later on the head was straighter across the back,but still curved ,to the 1980s one that is straight across the back,with the logo and part no .............It seems the early egg shaped head,they were hedging their bets ,as the forging could easily be machined to the common lever type as well as push button.

The earlier egg shaped ratchets are easier to switch directions with a heavy glove.

I believe the reason they moved away from the first 'frankenstein' switch style was to reduce accidental tripping of the switch. The opposite side of the selected direction would stick out quite a fair bit and would easily hit an obstruction and change directions inadvertently. The revised shape would reduce the button sticking out significantly... although these ratchets will still flip on you on modern confined engine bays. 'Frankenstein' ratchets just don't quite suite modern vehicles anymore. For heavy industry use they're still awesome, especially with thick gloves.

I agree that those 1/2 inch ratchets, still produced today in Taiwan, are indestructible. I have never came across one that didn't just work. They only needed a cleaning of the guts if you come across one that doesn't ratchet properly. The 'frankenstein' ratchets have the least amount of parts of any reversible ratchet design. There is nothing inside it to break.

 

[Stubby1743]

Got my first Sidchrome spanner at my local car boot sale this morning. I wanted a beater 17mm combo and I passed on some other sizes that the seller had. I only very rarely see Sidchrome tools here in the UK.

 

[humber2]

Does it have Made in Australia on the reverse side?

 

[Stubby1743]

Yes it does.

 

[humber2]

Catalogue M2 dates from c1972 shows it.

 

[colmal]

Their is a guy that really knows his stuff George R he sells a lot of old Sidchrome , He would be a great opinion or Sid krome. And the fact it’s from north Melbourne makes a prototype plausible. Regards

He has his own site, Sidchrome is only a small part of his stuff, and had some input into this book which is still selling on Ebay

He drops in on occasion to drop off stuff if it is too heavy to post (pretty sure he is the reason I have so many vices now) normally when he goes to Bendigo Swap -

 

[oldpliers1]

He has his own site, Sidchrome is only a small part of his stuff, and had some input into this book which is still selling on Ebay

He drops in on occasion to drop off stuff if it is too heavy to post (pretty sure he is the reason I have so many vices now) normally when he goes to Bendigo Swap -

I have the book and a cabinet and a few boxes but I’m not a perfectionist and I have been looking for the non chrome 7 inch pliers and 6& 8 inch non chrome cutters to finish my Sidchrome board.

 

[colmal]

I have the book and a cabinet and a few boxes but I’m not a perfectionist and I have been looking for the non chrome 7 inch pliers and 6& 8 inch non chrome cutters to finish my Sidchrome board.

I only have the 6" same as you, and a chrome 8 inch (vinyl handles), both of which I got of George. plus a few insulated handle examples.

Have a a bit, 5 wall cabinets, 5 tool chests and somehow 5 toolboxes, not sure how that happened.
I have a thing for 1/4 " sets, Sidchrome Proto (including 1 Wall cabinet), Dawn vises

I'm probably a bit fussy, bring everything back to as original as I can get, have 7 display cabinets full of sets/vises as well.

 

[oldpliers1]

I only have the 6" same as you, and a chrome 8 inch (vinyl handles), both of which I got of George. plus a few insulated handle examples.

Have a a bit, 5 wall cabinets, 5 tool chests and somehow 5 toolboxes, not sure how that happened.
I have a thing for 1/4 " sets, Sidchrome Proto (including 1 Wall cabinet), Dawn vises

I'm probably a bit fussy, bring everything back to as original as I can get, have 7 display cabinets full of sets/vises as well.

The cabinet and large box were from toss out at CSIRO along with a lot of mixed spanners , I had some nice 1/4 drive local sets but always getting stolen and a lot of my early stuff unfortunately, the pliers are daily drives and stuff I bought cheap in the 80s still mint. I have the French facom versions and rate them nice product , I do have a small metric set of spanners and sockets made offshore I keep in the van, but junkies see electricians trucks as nice pickings. I have a nice American and Australian Crescent collection which I prioritise over Sidchrome due to the crazy prices $412 for a MINt packet 8 inch pliers they are highly overpriced . Regards ( are you western Victoria? I’m up north

 

[oldpliers1]

I have the book and a cabinet and a few boxes but I’m not a perfectionist and I have been looking for the non chrome 7 inch pliers and 6& 8 inch non chrome cutters to finish my Sidchrome board.

George OZwrenches Melbourne smart guy , I struck a real belligerent Man that was the self proclaimed Sidchrome Guru who trashed the book and its information on the shifters. I have a new spare chisel if your after one mint . Regards

 

[colmal]

The cabinet and large box were from toss out at CSIRO along with a lot of mixed spanners , I had some nice 1/4 drive local sets but always getting stolen and a lot of my early stuff unfortunately, the pliers are daily drives and stuff I bought cheap in the 80s still mint. I have the French facom versions and rate them nice product , I do have a small metric set of spanners and sockets made offshore I keep in the van, but junkies see electricians trucks as nice pickings. I have a nice American and Australian Crescent collection which I prioritise over Sidchrome due to the crazy prices $412 for a MINt packet 8 inch pliers they are highly overpriced . Regards ( are you western Victoria? I’m up north

I LOLed before, am in Kangaroo Flat but not the chap who was mentioned in a post, I haven't sold anything.

Yeah not into the high prices, have been mainly doing Dawn vices last 18 months, unless some Sidchrome pops up at my prices.

I started my collection as was always pissed off when i remembered/came across tools that were broken, stolen never returned by others- had enough of feeling that so I replaced everything, starting with a NOS set of Peterson -Dewitt (?) Parrot nose vise grips. ( had been borrowed without out my knowledge and returned with chipped jaws)-the best tool I've ever had-I owned a valiant Wrecking yard/Spare parts for 10 years and it never failed to remove anything rusted/burred nuts.

 

[colmal]

George OZwrenches Melbourne smart guy , I struck a real belligerent Man that was the self proclaimed Sidchrome Guru who trashed the book and its information on the shifters. I have a new spare chisel if your after one mint . Regards

George is really good, LOL he has a Col box to pop things in for his next visit.

Yeah, self proclaimed experts- It was even worse with Valiants- good luck to them, I'm just doing this to enjoy, learn a bit of history, like seeing stuff I've done to a good level and to be honest really need something to focus on sometimes,push aside a few medical issues-so much cheaper than Doc's and have something to show for my moolah.

 

[colmal]

George OZwrenches Melbourne smart guy , I struck a real belligerent Man that was the self proclaimed Sidchrome Guru who trashed the book and its information on the shifters. I have a new spare chisel if your after one mint . Regards

And yeah, as far as the book goes, to even contemplate let alone complete it- very impressed.
May have some errors, been updated version I think, but yeah massive kudos far as I'm concerned.

 

[oldpliers1]

George is really good, LOL he has a Col box to pop things in for his next visit.

Yeah, self proclaimed experts- It was even worse with Valiants- good luck to them, I'm just doing this to enjoy, learn a bit of history, like seeing stuff I've done to a good level and to be honest really need something to focus on sometimes,push aside a few medical issues-so much cheaper than Doc's and have something to show for my moolah.

Love my Val’s grew up with 69 slant six, 2 vj sedans vk regal 265, vk 340 charger , and a unusual vk 265 , 770 , 4 speed with a RT pack ,big alternator and a 4bl manifold came from the Val dealer out near Bathurst , factory delivery for the dealer principal always wanted a CL drifter. But Sidchrome was costly even as a apprentice and I bought piece meal as we had a $2 a week tool allowance, and the set spanners were the ones needed for the trade 10,13,17,19, and the AF equivalent, the pliers ,multi grips shifters were more desirable to the elec trades. Having some of those same issues above. I seriously looked at kangaroo flat And Warrandyte and it’s still winter with 35 degree 95F temperatures this week I’m coming back south soon. Hey Charger

 

[colmal]

Love my Val’s grew up with 69 slant six, 2 vj sedans vk regal 265, vk 340 charger , and a unusual vk 265 , 770 , 4 speed with a RT pack ,big alternator and a 4bl manifold came from the Val dealer out near Bathurst , factory delivery for the dealer principal always wanted a CL drifter. But Sidchrome was costly even as a apprentice and I bought piece meal as we had a $2 a week tool allowance, and the set spanners were the ones needed for the trade 10,13,17,19, and the AF equivalent, the pliers ,multi grips shifters were more desirable to the elec trades. Having some of those same issues above. I seriously looked at kangaroo flat And Warrandyte and it’s still winter with 35 degree 95F temperatures this week I’m coming back south soon. Hey Charger

Hey Charger indeed, I got hooked after buying one from a wreckers yard when I was 17,didn't know what it was but cool- ended up with a VJ 770 I put 3/4 million km's on, whenever I needed a new engine, I just bought another Charger and eventually started up a wreckers. My first big Sidchrome set I bought was a Proto long and short socket set as I had always wanted them when I had the Wreckers-more interested in buying cars/parts at the time thou. Also had a CL Drifter, 265 auto P/V, after getting a bit of prizemoney from My camels winning a few races at Forbes. missus drove it 500km home, and had a Dodge D5N 600 series (12 ton) to cart them around and pick up Val's.
If I say Sidchrome, Sidchrome Sidchrome will that constitute still being on topic ?

 

[colmal]

The cabinet and large box were from toss out at CSIRO along with a lot of mixed spanners , I had some nice 1/4 drive local sets but always getting stolen and a lot of my early stuff unfortunately, the pliers are daily drives and stuff I bought cheap in the 80s still mint. I have the French facom versions and rate them nice product , I do have a small metric set of spanners and sockets made offshore I keep in the van, but junkies see electricians trucks as nice pickings. I have a nice American and Australian Crescent collection which I prioritise over Sidchrome due to the crazy prices $412 for a MINt packet 8 inch pliers they are highly overpriced . Regards ( are you western Victoria? I’m up north

Oh, and did look to see if I had some Crescent, did have some but pretty sure I passed them on to Dad, I'll see if you want them in future-normally get some extras every now and again.

 

[colmal]

.

 

[colmal]

I have a thing for 1/4" sets, starting with the first Sidchrome 1/4 in 1972, like the ratchets.

 

[esben57]

 

[ranger08]

here are two early sets, af and a very early metric 1/2 inch set

 

[colmal]

here are two early sets, af and a very early metric 1/2 inch set

They have come up well, do you have a Whitworth set as well ?

 

[ranger08]

They have come up well, do you have a Whitworth set as well ?

no i havent seen a whitworth set yet at least i think, what colour label do they have, those 2 sets shown above are original, the metric i dont think has been used more than a few times, the af set behind has the later plastic handle breaker bar