Tools from the old world
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dutchgray
Well-known member
English pattern hammers are becoming somewhat of a rarity, quality ones anyway, plenty of cheaply made low quality ones are still available.
Dave455
Well-known member
Yes, that’s it! Estwing have it exactly right, certainly in line with the patterns I’ve seen!
I have one of those Estwing “English Pattern” hammers (as well as some traditional ones by both Whitehouse and Brades) and I must admit they are lovely to use.
I have an “American Pattern” too, which seems better suited to heavy nailing.
Tools evolve to suit local conditions, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that an “English” pattern is optimal for joinery, and an “American” for timber framing, though I appreciate it’s not a “framing hammer” as such!
The “garage journal” answer, is of course to have one of each, probably in each weight, probably in some custom made tool rack...!
I have one of those Estwing “English Pattern” hammers (as well as some traditional ones by both Whitehouse and Brades) and I must admit they are lovely to use.
I have an “American Pattern” too, which seems better suited to heavy nailing.
Tools evolve to suit local conditions, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that an “English” pattern is optimal for joinery, and an “American” for timber framing, though I appreciate it’s not a “framing hammer” as such!
The “garage journal” answer, is of course to have one of each, probably in each weight, probably in some custom made tool rack...!
Hey guys,
I'm moving back to Europe and I need a little help with choosing some cheap but good quality tools. I'm looking for good quality socket wrench kit. Could you guys recommend any good brand(s)?
Thanks!
Edit: Mostly I need these tools for automotive use.
I'm moving back to Europe and I need a little help with choosing some cheap but good quality tools. I'm looking for good quality socket wrench kit. Could you guys recommend any good brand(s)?
Thanks!
Edit: Mostly I need these tools for automotive use.
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Dave455
Well-known member
Well, generally speaking, European tools are best value in Europe, much as U.S. ones are in the U.S.
You may have a good supplier locally, but the cheapest option will probably be to go online to one of the big online dealers. For European tools generally, I tend to use TBS Aachen, but there are many others.
One difference you will find in Europe is that buyers don’t expect to be able to get everything from one manufacturer. You will get wrenches from a wrench maker, pliers from a pliers maker, and so on!
As in most places, there is good, and there is cheap, but seldom both.
I don’t know where to start to be honest.
If the emphasis is on ‘good’, have a look at maybe Hazet for wrenches and sockets, maybe Stahlwille also (some good deals at TBS)
For a little less money, maybe Gedore (German) or King **** (U.K.)
For screwdrivers, maybe Wiha, Wera or Facom. Maybe PB Swiss for top end.
For pliers, probably Knipex
For hammers, perhaps Habero (German), and for soft hammers Thorex (U.K.)
Loads of choices though. Enjoy choosing and using!
Avenging Bankroll
Banned
nothing
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frankieg
Active member
It's also worth looking at lesser known German brands, where you might find some decent deals. Among others: Athlet and Arndt for screwdrivers, Orbis and Saltus for pliers. In Europe these can be found on Amazon and/or eBay.
Jack84
Well-known member
dutchgray
Well-known member
Got a NOS Paramo 11" pry bar
View media item 105160And a NOS set of Stanley Proto 300 series open ended spanners, the set is missing the 1/4" by 5/16"
View media item 105161View media item 105162View media item 105163
View media item 105160And a NOS set of Stanley Proto 300 series open ended spanners, the set is missing the 1/4" by 5/16"
View media item 105161View media item 105162View media item 105163
Very nice.
Not sure if this thread is the right place to ask but I've just been Googling 'Made in Germany' and why it's written in English. Does anyone know if there is a reason to keep doing this? Not just for Germany but for all non-English speaking countries?
Would be cool to have German spanners with German writing on.
Info on why 'Made in Germany' is in English.
https://www.dw.com/en/125-years-of-made-in-germany/a-16188583
Would be cool to have German spanners with German writing on.
Info on why 'Made in Germany' is in English.
https://www.dw.com/en/125-years-of-made-in-germany/a-16188583
That reminded me, we used to have a super cool roll-up tool pouch of Porsche mechanic hand tools, that came with a vintage (1956/58) 18' Reinell inboard/outboard boat, that my Father bought and we used mainly for deep sea fishing—in the Strait of Juan De Fuca & Pacific Ocean (La Push, Westport, Ilwaco/off mouth of mighty Columbia River & Oregon coast too), but also water skiing &c.
It had an air-cooled Porsche engine, approx 98hp if I recall correctly, which was great for working on engine while the boat was on trailer under a side lean-to off our detached garage. The tools were all custom— for the Porsche engine.
My Father gave me the boat when I turned 21, but like a fool I never came and got it, or worked on it, so he sold it.
The tools & pouch looked very similar to this, but the leather pouch was a lighter green, and included dbe spanners:
Attachments
Dave455
Well-known member
Carry this in my pocket at work and am always amazed at what a tiny but sharp Swiss army knife can do.
Absolutely!
The most important thing with any knife is that the blade is well enough ground that they can take a good edge.
The Victorinox knives are quite nicely ground, in fact, for the money, very good! On so many modern knives they seem to spend an age working out what fancy steel to use, then even longer designing the thing, then grind the thing so badly you have a “whetted edge” an 1/8” wide that’s nearly impossible to sharpen!
I prefer a slightly bigger Victorinox personally, but as you say, you can do a lot with those small ones, and any knife that’s with you is worth waaay more than one that’s been left behind as it’s too awkward to carry!
Have a look at a “cadet”, which is a lot more knife for not much more bulk!
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Here in Sweden I've found many tools marked "IMPORT" (same word in Swedish and English). I haven't been able work out of this was from legislation or just some voluntarily thing to put on. It's almost always a secondary stamping though, so something made by importers, not the manufacturer.
Agreed! I always have a Victorinox Rambler (same but with a bottle opener also) on me and it's great!
Would need to know more for a good recommendation, like what do you mean by cheap? Do you want the more common European 1/4" and 1/2" set or a single 3/8" set?
This Gedore set might be a good option:
https://www.tbs-aachen.de/GEDORE/ra...4undquot1/2undquot_69_pieces_i1973_118869.htm
I would say it's a quite unbeatable price for the quality, and can even compete with many cheaper brands!
Miskin
Well-known member
I think Unior is a good choice.
Jack84
Well-known member
Sonic tools?
frankieg
Active member
CK T4837 Plasterboard Punch (Made In Germany)
Hans Arndt 1525-0120 Magnetic Bit Holder
Hans Arndt 1525-0120 Magnetic Bit Holder
Cybermike
Well-known member
Hi! I bought these tools from the fleamarket.The pliers do not have a brand or logo. Does anyone know who made them? Regards!
<a href="https://ibb.co/GsVwSLw"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/N1LhBPh/IMG-20200714-172039.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-172039" border="0"></a>
A few photos from the cleaning of the finds from Sunday
<a href="https://ibb.co/5TbWhYB"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/6YjR0vg/IMG-20200714-125626.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-125626" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/f9D13fV"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/r3d7BYK/IMG-20200714-131106.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-131106" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/GsVwSLw"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/N1LhBPh/IMG-20200714-172039.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-172039" border="0"></a>
A few photos from the cleaning of the finds from Sunday
<a href="https://ibb.co/5TbWhYB"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/6YjR0vg/IMG-20200714-125626.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-125626" border="0"></a>
<a href="https://ibb.co/f9D13fV"><img src="https://i.ibb.co/r3d7BYK/IMG-20200714-131106.jpg" alt="IMG-20200714-131106" border="0"></a>
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I am left-handed as well and whenever I've used a tape measure, the numbers were upside down. I always thought that tape measures are designed for righties but now I'm thinking maybe I've been using them incorrectly all my life.
NOS Marples Paring chisel arrived today. Gorgeous boxwood. Unmarked, as it left the factory; except for one small blemish right on the "l" of the Sheffield logo!
Bought on ebay, from a seller only 10km away.
1 1/4" (31.8mm) blade width, 16 1/2" overall length.
Bought on ebay, from a seller only 10km away.
1 1/4" (31.8mm) blade width, 16 1/2" overall length.
Attachments
frankieg
Active member
NOS Stanley 1lb ball pein hammer. Made in Sheffield, England.
monkeyspanners
Well-known member
I got some pliers the exact same shape but with black crackle finish paint on the handles when my local too shop was closing down, they were marked made in the GDR, Think the name is Smalcalda but difficult to read.
Jaysreal
Well-known member
AirBoy? Same as Snap on? I have often wondered if they make one with attachments
Sent from my ASUS_I01WDX using Tapatalk
hautpot
Well-known member
JWL is contracted by Snap-on.
I have soooooo many PB Swiss punches now
とてもかわいい
I have soooooo many PB Swiss punches now
とてもかわいい
Qualitytools
Well-known member
JWL is contracted by Snap-on.
I have soooooo many PB Swiss punches now
とてもかわいい
I like the rubber covers for the jaws but can't make out the item number, would you please share it? Thanks
hautpot
Well-known member
Knipex 86 09 250 V01
They will have jaw covers for all three sizes soon in the USA.
They will have jaw covers for all three sizes soon in the USA.
Really like the knurled punches. I seem to use punches quite a bit with just hand pressure rather than hitting them with a hammer so the knurling has been useful.
I like those stubby screwdrivers! Who makes them?
Qualitytools
Well-known member
I did not know they had 3 sizes, thanks for sharing!
measuredtwice
Well-known member
measuredtwice
Well-known member
I nicked the photo from Ebay... I also nicked the photos you posted. I enjoy the manufacturing details so I saved the photos. Some drivers probably had the displays but I don't recall seeing it previously.
I enjoy the manufacturing details so I saved the photos. Some drivers probably had the displays but I don't recall seeing it previously.Frefacluste
New member
These are good tool which help in our daily life and we can not think without these tools
Hazet also has a commercial display for wrenches, with the different production stages of double open-ended wrenches (actual pieces, not photos). It takes 8 - 10 steps to make the finished product iirc. I'll take a picture next time I visit the store.