Tools in the UK

[Sukh]

I know there are a few members here in the UK and wanted to start a thread specifically about the good stuff we can get over here.

We have snap-on, but it is possibly more expensive than what you guys get so wanted to know what are the good brands to get?

Is Bacho or Sealey well regarded?


Any helps appreciated

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Depends what kind of work you're doing. I have a fair bit of Draper Expert and have no complaints about it. The sockets are pretty good, the spanners seem pretty good but i haven't used them much. The Halfords Professional ratcheting spanners are from Gearwrench and are good.

Largely Bahco is good, but they're lost some quality since they were bought out. (By Stanley?)

Sealey are ok. Their own stuff isn't all that but is adequate. They sells lots of stuff from people like AST, which is very good.

 

[Sukh]

I read that all of Halfords Pro is Draper Pro just rebranded and of course, with a life time warranty

Either way, the three thigns I will invest in are 3 Snap on ratchets with a high tooth count.

Would you rather have Bacho or Teng?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I read that all of Halfords Pro is Draper Pro just rebranded and of course, with a life time warranty

Would you rather have Bacho or Teng?

I don't know about all, but yes, a lot of Draper Expert and Halfords Professional stuff is the same. I don't know about Draper's warranty though.

I've not had much experience with modern Bahco, aside from my adjustable spanner which is very nice. I have a Teng torque wrench which seems to be the same as every other one of that style aside from the paint. I've never used another Teng tool, but i did buy my friend a Teng 3/8" socket set, which was very nicely made.

 

[rodm1]

What are some good UK web sights to order tools from?

 

[Moose-LandTran]

These guys are the best for Draper and Sealey:

http://www.justoffbase.co.uk/

Excellent customer service, very fast dispatch and delievery. Cheapest around.

 

[Robertob]

I just bought a set of Beta hex t-handles from thetoolacademy.com

great price, cheaper WITH shipping than the USA price by about $50.

 

[rodm1]

Yep, It is well worth your time to import the smaller stuff.

Anyone have a UK source for Hazet tools? I would like to eventually get a Hazet 779

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Yep, It is well worth your time to import the smaller stuff.

Anyone have a UK source for Hazet tools? I would like to eventually get a Hazet 779

Kent Europe and Hoffmann Group.

I use eBay.de, or German online stores.

 

[impulse922]

i just bought some Facom stuff from Primetools.co.uk . Prices seemed pretty good.

Only downside is a 2-3 week wait on the stuff i ordered, but oh well, dont need em that bad, so i'm waiting.

 

[dede2897234]

Does anyone know of a reliable UK based online retailer that sells Koken hand tools besides UKtools
(http://www.uktools.com/)?

In the next month, I would like to purchase a Koken 6 piece blade through screwdriver set (model # 166PS/6).

These screwdrivers are not available for sale in the U.S. due to Koken's binding design agreement with another tool company.


Thanks,

Dave

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Does anyone know of a reliable UK based online retailer that sells Koken hand tools besides UKtools
(http://www.uktools.com/)?

In the next month, I would like to purchase a Koken 6 piece blade through screwdriver set (model # 166PS/6).

These screwdrivers are not available for sale in the U.S. due to Koken's binding design agreement with another tool company.

Contact our very own member quattrojon as he may well be able to help you there.

 

[jsackin]

Largely Bahco is good, but they're lost some quality since they were bought out. (By Stanley?)

Bahco was bought by Snap-On. Some of the bahco tools I've seen have both the snap-on logo and the bahco logo. Stanley bought Facom.

Jori
http://store.harryepstein.com

 

[Aza]

I like Knipex stuff, and I get it from this ebay shop:
http://stores.ebay.co.uk/xpn1_Knipe...11QQ_sidZ306180801QQ_trksidZp4634Q2ec0Q2em322
Prices are pretty good and the deliveries are fast

BTW I am an electrician, so that may bias my opinions

 

[MattT]

Few decent UK brands nobody else has mentioned yet. Britool, Moore and Wright, SKF/Dormer and Sykes-Pickavant.

Mac used to be available over there. Don't know if it still is.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

Few decent UK brands nobody else has mentioned yet. Britool, Moore and Wright, SKF/Dormer and Sykes-Pickavant.

Mac used to be available over there. Don't know if it still is.

Britool used to be really good. Then Stanley bought them and like everything else bought out by Stanley they sucked. They seem to be getting better though.

Moore and Wright are good, they produce really nice stuff.

Isn't SKF Swedish and Dormer German? (As in SKF bearings and Dormer drills/machine tools?)

Sykes-Pickavant make really good stuff, when you can find it. I have one of their drop arm puller, stout *******.

Being used here to pull a VW 020 DFQ CHE gearbox driveshaft flange:

I also have a HUGE 2-jaw puller from them which is great. They make some great specialist stuff.

2-Jaw puller, 3/8" ratchet for size reference:

Laser offer a good mix of tools too, i have some of their stuff without any complaints so far.

Norbar make excellent torque wrenches. I have 3 or 4 and they're really good. And still made here!

 

[51rider]

I quite like the Teng stuff. It's not as pretty as Snap-on but will do for the hobbyist mechanic.

I had heard that the Halfrauds pro stuff was rebadged Blue Point?

I have some Sykes Pickavant stuff mainly specialist tools from my Mini rebuild days. Bahco adjustable spanners are great as are their saws. I have some of their files but my Snap-on set get more use.........

We have Facom roll cabs in one of the workshops & it stands up to the abuse from students quite well. I've always thought Facom/Beta were expensive though.

You can still get Mac, one of my neighbours has a very nice service trolley in Rizla Suzuki colours.

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I quite like the Teng stuff. It's not as pretty as Snap-on but will do for the hobbyist mechanic.

I had heard that the Halfrauds pro stuff was rebadged Blue Point?

I have some Sykes Pickavant stuff mainly specialist tools from my Mini rebuild days. Bahco adjustable spanners are great as are their saws. I have some of their files but my Snap-on set get more use.........

I think some Halfords stuff is the same as Blue-Point, like Draper Expert and some others.

Bahco have moved production of their adjustables away from Sweden.
I have one of the last Made In Sweden ones, it's very nice.

Snap-on files are made by Bahco in Portugal. At least, mine are..

We have Facom roll cabs in one of the workshops & it stands up to the abuse from students quite well. I've always thought Facom/Beta were expensive though.

Do you work in a tech college?

 

[MattT]

Britool used to be really good. Then Stanley bought them and like everything else bought out by Stanley they sucked. They seem to be getting better though.

***** Britool got swallowed by the Stanley megacorp. They used to make good stuff about equivalent to Proto quality.

Isn't SKF Swedish and Dormer German? (As in SKF bearings and Dormer drills/machine tools?)

Always thought Dormer were made in Sheffield I've got one of their tech data booklets that lists a Sheffield address.

Sykes-Pickavant make really good stuff, when you can find it. I have one of their drop arm puller, stout *******.

Buck and Hickman used to carry S-P.

Halfrauds

 

[Moose-LandTran]

***** Britool got swallowed by the Stanley megacorp. They used to make good stuff about equivalent to Proto quality.

Always thought Dormer were made in Sheffield I've got one of their tech data booklets that lists a Sheffield address.

I have some old Britool spanners, really nicely made. It's a shame Stanley decided to ruin a good company like they've done to everyone else. Hopefully they'll be back to their former glory one day.

I don't know about Dormer, i thought they were German but their site doesn't give any hints as to where the company originated.

EDIT - You're right, they're English. Owned by Sandvik now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandvik

 

[phi2039]

Contact our very own member quattrojon as he may well be able to help you there.

...AND he sells Armstrong

 

[Moose-LandTran]

...AND he sells Armstrong

He's a thoroughly nice guy.

 

[Monte]

Does somebody know somethin about "Mor-Less" ??

 

[ZRX61]

Dunno if it's still there, but there used to be a great tool store on Newmarket Rd in Cambridge. Trying to remember the name of the place...

Edit:
Found it!!
http://www.mackay.co.uk/

 

[adm84]

as far as im aware king **** and sickes-pickavant still make tools in the uk. draper and halfords are the same as clarke which can be readily sourced from machine mart online though i suggest ordering a catalogue as it lists more stuff. if your after higher quality tools from the EU or US try "prime tools.com" they supply king ****,syckes=pickavant,armstrongUSA,wera,stahlwill to name but a few. ive recently taken delivery of some wright tool USA stuff from an online company called damar international they also supply hazet,koken,proxen and allen they are based in lancaster the guys name is bryan and is sound to deal with.
on the topic of bahco ratchets and sockets i have tried them in the past and all i can say is if your going to use them proffessionaly every day buy snapon instead, or if your budget doesnt allow go for clarke proffessinal range is good value with a huge range from1/4" all the way up to 1" drive with a lifetime guarentee, its the same stuff as halfords advanced+draper expert

 

[Cinneagh]

I'm traveling to the UK later in the year and was thinking about visiting some shops or markets that would feature British-made tools. Would there be anything like that, new (King **** only I guess) or used, in the London area? Would Camden Market have something for old automotive-type tools?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jononon]

It's a bit depressing, all this. On the plus side Stanley still maintains a colossal plant in Rotherham and there are several makers of beautiful woodworking tools in Sheffield.

Customary plug: You can't buy a better pair of traditional scissors than from these very nice chaps

Sykes-Pickavant.

Sykes Pickavant also suffered the Stanley treatment. Although it's once more an independent company Churchbridge Works is long gone.

EDIT - You're right, they're English. Owned by Sandvik now: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sandvik

Sadly Sandvik ended up with more production capacity than they knew what to do with. The old Dormer factory in Rhodesia* has been flattened, the new site at the AMP in Rotherham is purely a training and technical centre.

*Worksop, not Zimbabwe

 

[Monte]

Footprint still make tools in the UK

www.footprint-tools.co.uk/

 

[Jononon]

Footprint still make tools in the UK

Yes they do

Some more Sheffield makers, including the wonderful Clifton planes. There's also Thor, Richard Carter and Bulldog across the UK.

 

[american lockpicker]

I don't think their planes are made in England.

 

[Jononon]

I don't think their planes are made in England.

The company history will make your head spin, it's a bit of a mess to this day, but Clico is a 'Made in Sheffield' member with its factory in the city. This is not Guangzhou

 

[Moose-LandTran]

I'm traveling to the UK later in the year and was thinking about visiting some shops or markets that would feature British-made tools. Would there be anything like that, new (King **** only I guess) or used, in the London area? Would Camden Market have something for old automotive-type tools?

No, Camden market is where you go to buy t-shirts, bongs and useless ****. I live up the road from there.

Buck & Ryan is about the only good retail tool store in North London that i know of.

 

[Monte]

some Makita angle grinders are made in the United Kingdom and the Makita plunge saw

 

[vssjim]

It's a bit depressing, all this. On the plus side Stanley still maintains a colossal plant in Rotherham and there are several makers of beautiful woodworking tools in Sheffield.

Customary plug: You can't buy a better pair of traditional scissors than from these very nice chaps



Sykes Pickavant also suffered the Stanley treatment. Although it's once more an independent company Churchbridge Works is long gone.



Sadly Sandvik ended up with more production capacity than they knew what to do with. The old Dormer factory in Rhodesia* has been flattened, the new site at the AMP in Rotherham is purely a training and technical centre.

*Worksop, not Zimbabwe

I thought Sandvik is part of Bahco/ Snap on, and as far as I know King **** is the only British made hand tool for mechanics, and Britool is no longer owned by Stanley but is still just a importer of tools.

 

[Sick Puppy]

I've just seen the Draper Expert VDE insulated screwdrivers online, and they are the same as the Powerbuilt ones here - they are made by Lancer in Taiwan, and they must have licensed the handle design off of Koken. Either way, they look alright, I'm curious to see how they perform.

Moose, Teng have the same design Torque wrench as many other Taiwanese makes, I forget what they are called though, although Proxxon use the same type I think. Allstar? I dunno

Teng stuff is good, and has a lifetime warranty. I have a screwdriver set and the handles feel good to use. They have a matt finish on their sockets and wrenches though, and I hate it - it's rougher than bahco's which is saying something...

Bahco is owned by Snap on, and their stuff is highly regarded here. I don't like the finish of their sockets (again, rough), but that's my opinion I guess. Their files and saws are meant to be very good, and (if it ever happens) I plan on grabbing their 325 Hacksaw and a complete set of files.

Thorex hammers - again, well regarded, and sell here at about 3-4 times the price they sell for in NZ Oh, for cheaper shipping to NZ...

We're hoping to be in the UK in 2012, so if anyone does know of any decent markets, let me/us all know!

 

[catfish]

Footprint still make tools in the UK

www.footprint-tools.co.uk/

There is also Crown Tools for woodworking stuff which is cheaper and lower quality but still reasonable.

I would go with footprint since they were close to shutting down a couple of years ago and the tools are a higher quality , they could use the support.

 

[Jononon]

I thought Sandvik is part of Bahco/ Snap on

Sandvik divested their hand tool ranges, including Bahco, to Snap-on, but the remainder of Sandvik, of which Dormer was part, continues to be an independent company.

as far as I know King **** is the only British made hand tool for mechanics

Sadly it is the only remaining manufacturer of a full range of sockets and spanners. There are speciality manufacturers of other mechanics' tools, such as Norbar.

Britool is no longer owned by Stanley

It's still part of Stanley.

but is still just a importer of tools.

Yes and barely even that, every part of the company including their office space is integrated into the Stanley empire. A handful of Britool tools are made in England, but not in Britool facilities.

 

[vssjim]

Well I stand corrected on the Britool part I thought they had dumped them after finishing off the tool making part of the company. I have some older Britool wrenches which are very good and I'm sorry to see another proud company only now a name and a warehouse.
I do have some King **** wrenches from the 150th special sets and they are very nice I hope they tough it out and stay British made.

 

[Jononon]

I do have some King **** wrenches from the 150th special sets and they are very nice I hope they tough it out and stay British made.

I couldn't agree more

 

[Cinneagh]

No, Camden market is where you go to buy t-shirts, bongs and useless ****. I live up the road from there.

Buck & Ryan is about the only good retail tool store in North London that i know of.

Thanks for the reply.

Yeah, I thought as much about Camden market and don't need any of that stuff. Buck & Ryan looks good and I'll be staying in North London so I'll give it a go.

I'll ask my car friends if they know of cool places in the UK in general and I'll pass it along if there is anything. I'll start checking ebay UK since that might be the best bet for old British tools, especially those made by Churchill.