MechManiac
Well-known member
Old school "made in "britool" england" stuff are legendary. Built to last. I'm afraid to try their new line
Tools from the old world
- Thread starter Monte
- Start date
Old school "made in "britool" england" stuff are legendary. Built to last. I'm afraid to try their new line
I was reffering to pre-Expert Britool.
The sockets might be made in France by Facom (although I'm doubtful), but they definitely aren't made the same as Facom. I own both and the finish, design, and fit (on the ratchet) are notably different.
For whatever it might be worth, I think they might have a closer association with Bost than Facom-they both use the same dimpled pattern.
I'm not so much doubting that they're functional and maybe even reasonably durable, but I'm not at all impressed with the finish. Not just the pieces that are flawed, bur even the "good" bits look cheap next to some better quality items. I'll try and get some pics when time permits.
Off the top of my head, from the Britool Expert range, I have the 1/2" metric rail, the 1/4" metric rail, the mixed female torx rail, a set of hex bit sockets, and a 61-piece 3/8" set in a case. All brand new and for sale if you're keen
For comparison of sockets, I have a large selection of Facom and Halfords and older Britool (stuff from the red and blue packaging, pre-Expert) along with some Ko-ken, Toptul even stuff from Aldi and Lidl (and even that I'd rate a better quality of finish).
Then there's the issue of product support from Britool -which as mentioned seems non-existant.
I could have decided to keep the Expert stuff I have and just live with it. I may never have had any real issues. I wouldn't have been happy though, knowing that I could have spent similar or less money on better quality Halfords tools and been able to exchange them in my local store if I had any issues.
I have this socket set: http://uk.farnell.com/britool-exper...v-metric-26pc/dp/1889834?Ntt=Britool+E032900B and as COO it's marked France.
Ratchet is definately Taiwan: http://uk.farnell.com/britool-exper.../dp/1889890?in_merch=true&MER=i-9b10-00001460
I'll be keeping mine because it's a compact socket set, easy to store around the house in the absence of a garage but I'm not specifically keen on buying more Britool. Pelase post pics of yout tools' defects
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willhollin
Well-known member
What are the dimensions of that 1/4" Britool set please?
mr_jack
Well-known member
Hello everyone!
My name is Stefan and I'm from Bulgaria. I'm 29 and I work as a security installer (I think that's how you call someone who installs burglar alarms, fire alarms, CCTV, access control). I work also as an electrician (part-time).
I really like this thread and that's the reason why I joined "The Garage Journal". Hopefully I'll find other useful information here, but for now this is my most favorite thread here.
My name is Stefan and I'm from Bulgaria. I'm 29 and I work as a security installer (I think that's how you call someone who installs burglar alarms, fire alarms, CCTV, access control). I work also as an electrician (part-time).
I really like this thread and that's the reason why I joined "The Garage Journal". Hopefully I'll find other useful information here, but for now this is my most favorite thread here.
OK, pics of my Britool Expert stuff as promised. Please excuse my poor photography skills. The tools in all of these pics are all new and unused.
Here's an example of really bad chrome. I have a lot like this in the set - most are probably not quite as bad, but there may be a couple that are slightly worse as well.
View media item 21922
Here's an comparison of Britool, Britool Expert, and Facom 3/8" 17mm sockets. The Expert socket is obviously 12pt, but without breaking open a blister pack of sockets it's the best I can do. Left to right are Britool (pre-Expert stuff from the red/blue packaging, but not the old made-in-england variety), Britool Expert, and Facom.
The Britool is a satin finish (really nice actually), the Export and the Facom are polished chrome. It's hard to photograph chrome, but in person, next to the Facom the Expert chrome looks thin and sort of plasticy. It's also a noticably different colour -more silvery/white - not commenting on whether that aspect is good or bad, but it's definitely different.
View media item 21923
View media item 21924
View media item 21925
Here you can see a slight flaw on the chrome of the Expert socket
View media item 21926
Here's an example of really bad chrome. I have a lot like this in the set - most are probably not quite as bad, but there may be a couple that are slightly worse as well.
View media item 21922
Here's an comparison of Britool, Britool Expert, and Facom 3/8" 17mm sockets. The Expert socket is obviously 12pt, but without breaking open a blister pack of sockets it's the best I can do. Left to right are Britool (pre-Expert stuff from the red/blue packaging, but not the old made-in-england variety), Britool Expert, and Facom.
The Britool is a satin finish (really nice actually), the Export and the Facom are polished chrome. It's hard to photograph chrome, but in person, next to the Facom the Expert chrome looks thin and sort of plasticy. It's also a noticably different colour -more silvery/white - not commenting on whether that aspect is good or bad, but it's definitely different.
View media item 21923
View media item 21924
View media item 21925
Here you can see a slight flaw on the chrome of the Expert socket
View media item 21926
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willhollin
Well-known member
I'm not sure where that Britool Expert stuff is coming from but I will be avoiding it!
http://www.tona.cz/
Looks like the "Expert" brand is used elsewhere too!
http://www.tona.cz/
Looks like the "Expert" brand is used elsewhere too!
decaf
Well-known member
I haven't posted lately--very busy summer--but of course I have been keeping up with you all!Here are a two 27 mm Bacho combination wrenches I found today for use with 1/2" BSPP (G-thread) hydraulic fittings we use in the air lines in the garden shed. View attachment 197397 These wrenches are made in Argentina and cost $4.50 US--about 3.67 Euros--for both!
View attachment 197398We have never needed 27 mm wrenches for anything else but these fittings.
View attachment 197400 Nonetheless, it's always nice to have good feeling wrenches even for occasional use.
Angoo-ey happy!
Nice price for the wrenches!
Did you buy them in a store?The price in a store here in Sweden for one 27mm is 30-34 Euro.
I like them alot even if they come from Argentina. I think the quality is great!
Tnx for pics...
Finest example of globalization, you offer the same China/Taiwan produced tools to all the world under local brand names previously purchased and devoided of their own portfolio in order to keep a healty profit margin.
Thank you Stanley! NOT
If you're looking for a compact 1/4" drive set, have a look at the Facom Nano. They do a few different versions, based around the R.360 and RL.161 ratchet. I have the RL.161 version, but I also have the R.360 ratchet which fits the same case(see pic beow). I suppose you might be able to retro-fit the round-head ratchet as well, but I don't have one to try:
View media item 21927
View media item 21928
View media item 21929
Both ratchets are small, but there's a large difference in head-size:
View media item 21930
The list price for these is a bit silly, but they come up for <£60 which is a bit more reasonable. I got (quite) lucky and found this one new for <£30, but I haven't seen them for that low since.
There's decent looking Bahco sets on ebay for around £20, but not sure about actual size or quality as I haven't seen one in person.
willhollin
Well-known member
What are the dimensions of that case CanUK?
I've already got three of these in various locations!
But it doesn't fit in a particular tool bag pocket!
Might be cheaper to change the tool bag.
I've already got three of these in various locations!
But it doesn't fit in a particular tool bag pocket!
Might be cheaper to change the tool bag.
Approx LxWxH = 6" x 3.75" (including latch and hinge) x 1.875"
SUPER set
willhollin
Well-known member
Cheers, should fit, off to trawl the internet.
Sent you a PM that *might* save you some time.
I forget where I got mine from, but I think what happened was they advertised an old special/intro price (was around £30). I placed orders at that price with a few online sellers, but only one place bothered to fill the order even though they had to order it in themselves (I had to wait a few weeks).
bart1
Well-known member
Hazet SmartCase is also nice.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Hazet-856-1...n_Heimwerker_Handwerkzeug&hash=item2ebff53f9f
That does look good, but too rich for me. Maybe a different story if the girl is included, but I might have hard time convincing my wife
decaf
Well-known member
Wera Vario Ratchet, nice set. Easy too carry it with you.
Do you have some pics of the creeper and your workshop ?
here we go
The only mountings I had were way too large but I already had them and didn´t want to shop some new ones. 
Cheap creeper bought from Lidl and its already broken after 1 year of use. Probably have to repair it one day.
A small pic of one side of the workshop. It just shows frequently used tools plus maybe 30% of the chemicals that I have in stock
Had a short trip to germany today and was a bit pissed that my hazet order wasnt already there
so I only picked up alot of other stuff, these carolus combination spanners and some transfer punches :
my mother and some tools in action
She wants to use this old bucket as another composter in the garden and needed some holes so I told her to drill some holes with the 10mm drillbit and later to switch to the conical drill for bigger holes.
Gave her the machine with the 10mm bit went into the garage and later retured wanting help her change to the conical drill when this dialog happened:
"Oh you already changed the bit by yourself?"
-"Of course am I a dummie or what?"
mr_jack
Well-known member
Hello again!
I made a few pics of the tools I use as a security installer/electrician. I own tools from several brands - KNIPEX, USAG, NWS, GEDORE, UNIOR, WERA, BAHCO and some others.
I prefer buying 1000V VDE insulated tools because of the electrical work i do, but not all of my tools are VDE.
Starting with my favorite brand of pliers - KNIPEX. I own few of these. I personally like them better than NWS.
My NWS pliers. I like the cable shears on the right.
I made a few pics of the tools I use as a security installer/electrician. I own tools from several brands - KNIPEX, USAG, NWS, GEDORE, UNIOR, WERA, BAHCO and some others.
I prefer buying 1000V VDE insulated tools because of the electrical work i do, but not all of my tools are VDE.
Starting with my favorite brand of pliers - KNIPEX. I own few of these. I personally like them better than NWS.
My NWS pliers. I like the cable shears on the right.
mr_jack
Well-known member
Something from USAG
mr_jack
Well-known member
Thanks buddy!Браво Стефка. Радвам се да видя още един българин в тоя сайт!
shoturtle
Well-known member
your photos are not visible.
willhollin
Well-known member
Quality names but I can't see the pictures.Hello again!
I made a few pics of the tools I use as a security installer/electrician. I own tools from several brands - KNIPEX, USAG, NWS, GEDORE, UNIOR, WERA, BAHCO and some others.
I prefer buying 1000V VDE insulated tools because of the electrical work i do, but not all of my tools are VDE.
Starting with my favorite brand of pliers - KNIPEX. I own few of these. I personally like them better than NWS.
My NWS pliers. I like the cable shears on the right.
mr_jack
Well-known member
Damn! I thought this might happen. I'll try uploading them to another domain.
I'll try to fix that tomorrow.
shoturtle
Well-known member
USAG, Knipex and Wiha all make excellent vde tools, it is more a personal preference. I have used all and can not say one is better then the other. I prefer wiha for the finish on their vde tools. But it is not a better tool then knipex or USAG.
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flyingkite
Well-known member
Wera Vario Ratchet, nice set. Easy too carry it with you.
Nice tool, but inserts are playing. Very frustrating.
mr_jack
Well-known member
Hello everyone!
I had troubles last night uploading my pics and I'm trying a different domain now. I just wanna ask is the following picture visible?
I had troubles last night uploading my pics and I'm trying a different domain now. I just wanna ask is the following picture visible?
mr_jack
Well-known member
As I was saying last night ...
KNIPEX, USAG, NWS, GEDORE, UNIOR, WERA, BAHCO - these are the brands of tools I like and own.
I prefer buying 1000V VDE insulated tools because of the electrical work i do, but not all of my tools are VDE.
Starting with my favorite brand of pliers - KNIPEX. I own few of these. I personally like them better than NWS.
My NWS pliers. I like the cable shears on the right. They are very good for cutting thick cables.
The diagonal cutters/strippers in the middle are not so good. After short usage they started wobbling.
KNIPEX, USAG, NWS, GEDORE, UNIOR, WERA, BAHCO - these are the brands of tools I like and own.
I prefer buying 1000V VDE insulated tools because of the electrical work i do, but not all of my tools are VDE.
Starting with my favorite brand of pliers - KNIPEX. I own few of these. I personally like them better than NWS.
My NWS pliers. I like the cable shears on the right. They are very good for cutting thick cables.
The diagonal cutters/strippers in the middle are not so good. After short usage they started wobbling.
mr_jack
Well-known member
USAG
My very first set of quality tools:
The second screwdriver on the left is VDE insulated PH2. I don't know why i bought it, cause I don't use it. I use the other three.
Tips of the two on the right - PZB/SE2 - pozidriv & slotted - for the fuses in electrical cabinets.
Some screwdrivers
Nice scissors
My very first set of quality tools:
The second screwdriver on the left is VDE insulated PH2. I don't know why i bought it, cause I don't use it. I use the other three.
Tips of the two on the right - PZB/SE2 - pozidriv & slotted - for the fuses in electrical cabinets.
Some screwdrivers
Nice scissors
mr_jack
Well-known member
I forgot these:
Same as the FACOM one
This little screwdriver is just great. Again made by FACOM
Same as the FACOM one
This little screwdriver is just great. Again made by FACOM