Total tool Confusion... who STILL makes quality?

[leafspring]

Which quality old school brands still make tools in their own name?

'Britool' were always good... except these days 99% sold as 'Britool' is labelled as being made by 'Expert' 'Britool' doesn't appear on any of it

Most 'Bahco' is still top quality made in Sweden from Scandanavian steel so I bought a set of 6 spanners for nearly £40... except the 'Bahco' spanners are made in Argentina and are not finished properly

So can 'Expert' be trusted to be as good as 'Britool' used to be?
are Argentinian 'Bahco' still 'Bahco'?

I doubt it, so unless it's 'Bahco' and has 'made in Sweden' stamped on it... back to 'Halfords Pro' I go


unless... are the reassuringly expensive and nicely photographed 'Facom' good?
and can 'Draper Expert' still be relied upon?

Edited by leafspring on Saturday 28th December 16:22

[leafspring]

The Swedish made Bahco stuff is still superb... the new spanners (made in Argentina) just look poorly made with rough finish, the ring ends look thin and they are very light I expected better.

Never tried Laser

Usually have Clarke Pro, Draper Pro, Halfords Pro, Hilka, Stanley and Bahco (labelled 'made in Sweden')

[leafspring]

NB: this isn't for DIY use, I got a new job in the workshops at a marina.

[leafspring]

Snap on are partners with/own Bahco don't they.

Update:
I been on here www.facom.com and they tell you who makes what for them.

So I went for http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B006MSR3CC/ref=... which looks like all I'll need for now.

I can transfer my still complete 13year old 150piece Halfords Pro set back home (it was far to big as I only needed the spanners and 1/4" drive ratchet/sockets) without splitting it up. I knew from the start Halfords Pro was good

Now the sockets are sorted it's just various GRP/Wood/Metal working and paint preperation tools I need now

Edited by leafspring on Sunday 29th December 12:35

[leafspring]

JoeMk1 said:

This list is obviously not exhaustive and is only based on my personal experience...

Draper Expert = Elora now there's a name I haven't heard in a while

The www.drapertools.com web site catalogue leads to http://www.drapertools.com/en/catalogue/Pagesource...

Edited by leafspring on Sunday 29th December 12:49

[leafspring]

Update: My newest kit is mostly

Bacho spanners, adjustables and hex keys
Draper Expert engineers screwdriver set (far superior to the Halfords which appear to have points made from shiny cheese)
Makita & DeWalt drill and driver bits
3M sanding blocks
Hilka impact driver
Facom Nano 1/4" drive socket set (awesome bit of kit)

and Stanley 19" & 16" tool boxes.

All been well used and the only casualty has been a Makita 3mm HSS drillbit

My 13 year old Halfords Pro 150piece socket set is still in excellent condition

Edited by leafspring on Saturday 22 February 19:45

[leafspring]

^^^ that's the problem, they used to be the best... but

I've switched to Facom and Bahco. Brilliant, my new favourite brands
Draper expert engineers screwdrivers have far out stripped the Halfords pro driver set too.

I'm still using the Halfords sockets and ratchets although comparing their 1/4 drive ratchet to the Facom one... Facom wins hands down it's just tighter, more precise and feels more robust.

Makita still seems good, no problems so far, although there is still that nagging doubt about the drill batteries.

Chippy at work has a lot of Stanley FatMax gear that seems to hold up well too

[leafspring]

except cork Or wooden sanding blocks... which float away to just out of arms reach