Hello and British Made Tools
Discussion
Hi all, my first post so I should start by saying a bit about me...
Like the username says I'm not as young as I once was - and that's putting it mild.
I've been a mechanic of diesel and petrol for a lot of my working life before turning to mechanical engineering (in steam, hydraulics and mechanical handling systems) which I really enjoyed.
Hobbies naturally revolve around making all sorts of madness in my shed, which, when it turns out right, puts a big fat smile on me kissa.
I joined your site having been a quiet reader of the forums for a while and liked what I saw.
I don't do much adventurous stuff these days, it takes me all my time keeping my ole shed on the road without trying to make it any more devilish than it already is.
I noticed a thread put up in about 2016 asking where British made tools could be purchased?
It so happens that some thieving little barstool had helped himself to my tool kit from the back of my van, so I had to replenish my kit.
I too appreciate 'British made' so after a good deal of searching replaced all my stolen Sykes Picavant tools with 'King Dick' - (made in Birmingham) - a word of warning if you go down this road, you will be buying excellent tools but they ain't cheap crap from China - so they won't be dirt cheap. What they WILL be is reliable and with you for the rest of your life - providing you can keep the little light fingers away from them.
Anyway, enough for now.
ATB, George
Like the username says I'm not as young as I once was - and that's putting it mild.
I've been a mechanic of diesel and petrol for a lot of my working life before turning to mechanical engineering (in steam, hydraulics and mechanical handling systems) which I really enjoyed.
Hobbies naturally revolve around making all sorts of madness in my shed, which, when it turns out right, puts a big fat smile on me kissa.
I joined your site having been a quiet reader of the forums for a while and liked what I saw.
I don't do much adventurous stuff these days, it takes me all my time keeping my ole shed on the road without trying to make it any more devilish than it already is.
I noticed a thread put up in about 2016 asking where British made tools could be purchased?
It so happens that some thieving little barstool had helped himself to my tool kit from the back of my van, so I had to replenish my kit.
I too appreciate 'British made' so after a good deal of searching replaced all my stolen Sykes Picavant tools with 'King Dick' - (made in Birmingham) - a word of warning if you go down this road, you will be buying excellent tools but they ain't cheap crap from China - so they won't be dirt cheap. What they WILL be is reliable and with you for the rest of your life - providing you can keep the little light fingers away from them.
Anyway, enough for now.
ATB, George
I used to sell hand and machine tools in the 70s.
All the good stuff was British, but the Japanese and German manufacturers were catching up fast.
Moore & Wright, Rabone Chesterman, Britool, James Neil Tools, Gordon Tools, Clarkson International, Osborn Mushet, Easterbrook Alcard... there were loads of them. Not many of them left now, or part of some multi-national conglomerate so in name only.
All the good stuff was British, but the Japanese and German manufacturers were catching up fast.
Moore & Wright, Rabone Chesterman, Britool, James Neil Tools, Gordon Tools, Clarkson International, Osborn Mushet, Easterbrook Alcard... there were loads of them. Not many of them left now, or part of some multi-national conglomerate so in name only.
Apologies if I appear to be biased toward King Dick, it was not intended in any way. I do like them though, because I just happen to like GOOD quality tools.
I am just an ordinary ole git who, like you, have to watch the pennies. Consequently, when I lay out money for tools I don't want to be buying again to be able to do the next job, because the cheap crap I bought to save money actually costs more in the long run.
I must say that I am inclined to agree with Lord Grover though, because not that long ago we really did make very high quality tools, and your preference could be as simple as to where you lived because almost every city or big town had big engineering factories and they made absolutely everything.
OK, (he said, stepping off the box) enough said
ATB, George
I am just an ordinary ole git who, like you, have to watch the pennies. Consequently, when I lay out money for tools I don't want to be buying again to be able to do the next job, because the cheap crap I bought to save money actually costs more in the long run.
I must say that I am inclined to agree with Lord Grover though, because not that long ago we really did make very high quality tools, and your preference could be as simple as to where you lived because almost every city or big town had big engineering factories and they made absolutely everything.
OK, (he said, stepping off the box) enough said
ATB, George
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