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Old 7th Feb 2018, 9:14 am   #1
kellys_eye
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Default Tool manufacturers

Combining two threads I recently saw on the forum - one on 'tools you can't do without' and another on 'wood tool boxes'.

I've always hankered for a wall-mounted, double-door tool case with cut-outs for tool placement - both for the convenience of tool selection and identification of 'missing' items and have seen some beautiful examples made by craftsmen.

Whilst I'm not in their construction skill league by any margin of measure I can still make a case that will do the job and wish to do so however......

Although I know the basic tools that I wish to install I want to both improve the quality of tools I use (sick and tired of 'buying cheap, buying twice') but would also like to purchase tools from manufacturers that have HISTORY in the sense that, should I need a replacement or an extended range, I can return to them as established suppliers without fear that they've closed down i.e. reliable companies.

If this means paying over-the-odds then so be it. The tool case project wouldn't be an instant solution, rather a build that can extend and incorporate items over time but WHO would be the manufacturer(s) to use?

I've never been dedicated to any one supplier - indeed I doubt there IS a dedicated supplier that can cover 90% of all the tools required - but there must be a number of such manufacturers that, between them, have all the tools one could realistically find useful?

Can anyone help point me in the right direction and/or make relevant suggestions for tool types that suit 'our' hobby?
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 9:43 am   #2
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Its not straightforward with tools for electronics, they come from many different makers who specialise in their own fields. Hellerman for instance.
For carpentry tools its much easier, Record, Stanley and Tyzac spring to mind. There are others of quality.
Regrettably I think if you want quality tools these days you will more often than not have to find used in junk shops and auctions, the current standards of hand tools is generally abysmal.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 10:59 am   #3
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I've never thought for a moment that there would be a single-source solution to tool acquisition but I used to swear by Snap-on tools when I was deep into mechanical hobbies and made a point of preferring them over any other supplier and still could, today, if I was still into the hobby but Snap-on aren't the be-all and end-all of such tools either. There is much to be said for the HALFORDS tool range which are considerably less expensive and, purportedly, of equal quality and it is THIS type of approach I'm looking for.

The RS catalogue used to be the go-to place for reliable tools but even then they were purchased only because they were RS-recommended (if they sold them then they were deemed to be of pretty reasonable quality) but little attention was placed on the actual manufacturers, trusting in the 'RS' name alone. Are RS-supplied tools still of such quality/reliability?

I don't mind shopping around but there must be preferred suppliers of such things as screwdrivers, pliers, spanners etc where even one 'name' (such as the aforementioned Snap-on) would cover everything in their given range? What I'm looking for are the names of the 'Rolls Royce' as well as the 'BMW' suppliers where quality-over-name may be applicable. I want to avoid the 'Robin Reliant' suppliers!

As mentioned, I never used 'names' when purchasing tools many years ago - I suppose the quality was generally better then? - so can't even go back to them BY name but there are so many poor quality tools out there now and even MORE names to consider that I'm asking for advice on reliable suppliers from those who may (still?) be buying tools from established manufacturers.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 11:05 am   #4
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I don't think professional grade tools like Snap-on are necessary for hobby use. I've been using Halfords spanners, screwdrivers and socket sets for years and I've never had any problems. I have no doubt that they will outlast me.

You can generally tell the real rubbish stuff just by looking at it.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 11:09 am   #5
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Re sourcing tools, our local Homebase store has just transformed in to a "Bunnings", as apparently, most Homebases will in the coming months. I wondered in specifically to checkout the tools dept and was met by quite a lot of brands that I'd never heard of before. Presumably, these are brands that our Australian colleagues will know about? I just did not get a feeling that this was going to be a supplier I'd be spending much money with, just as I never spent much at Homebase (overpriced). Wonder if anyone else has formed an impression of Bunnings yet?

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Old 7th Feb 2018, 11:34 am   #6
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Check your local.. SCREWFIX and/or TOOLSTATION

https://www.screwfix.com/

https://www.toolstation.com/
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 12:44 pm   #7
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I know where to get tools 'now' but the idea is to build a custom cabinet to house them and, should a tool be lost/fail etc, it will require replacement and that replacement needs to fit the toolcase and/or match the set already 'sculpted' for.

Hence I need a tool supplier that is 'established' and not one that comes and goes as the market suits. Problem is I don't know the NAMES of the suppliers (RS, Farnell, Toolstation whatever) - I know where they can be found but not the actual established manufacturers names.

Knippex? springs to mind. Are they 'established'?
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 12:53 pm   #8
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I think that these days trying to find an exact replacement for a lost tool can be very difficult, especially if it's part of a set.

Record seem to be an exception though with their range of vices and clamps seemingly having used to same design from the year dot up to the present day.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 1:06 pm   #9
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I admire what you are trying to achieve but I thing it is a futile exercise.
In these days of global trade, when the container load is sold, that's it. The next one comes from another place where the item is 1p cheaper and made by another firm.
Nobody keeps stocks of anything really beyond what they can sell tomorrow.
Quality and long life are not qualities vitally important in sales anymore, even Rolls Royce. Items are made wherever is cheapest, the pressure to reduce costs is relentless. If it breaks it's cheaper to give you another different item than worry as to why it failed.
Sorry to paint such a gloomy picture but this is why most of us got out of the service trade, it was simply not sustainable as we knew it.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 1:29 pm   #10
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazz4CQJ View Post
Presumably, these are brands that our Australian colleagues will know about?
I wouldn't put many (if any) of Bunnings tools in the 'best quality' category.

Downunder, they have a smattering of better quality things like name brand drill bits, screwdrivers and other odd bits and pieces, but the bulk of their tools are made to a price more than anything else.

Battery and power tools I would put in the 'intermittent use' category.

If you don't want to 'buy twice', look elsewhere, I don't buy tools from them unless I'm desperate.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 2:43 pm   #11
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bazz4CQJ View Post
Re sourcing tools, our local Homebase store has just transformed in to a "Bunnings", as apparently, most Homebases will in the coming months. I wondered in specifically to checkout the tools dept and was met by quite a lot of brands that I'd never heard of before. Presumably, these are brands that our Australian colleagues will know about? I just did not get a feeling that this was going to be a supplier I'd be spending much money with, just as I never spent much at Homebase (overpriced). Wonder if anyone else has formed an impression of Bunnings yet?
I've never rated Homebase - too expensive, and more into decorating and soft furnishings, BBQs and awnings. I'd rather hoped that Wesfarmers - who own Bunnings, which is is huge in Oz, (200,000 staff) - would make a good fist of re-branding Homebase, but unfortunately, they've got their fingers burnt and it's bombed in the UK, losing Homebase traditional customers and not gaining new ones, posting UK losses of £54mill. It remains to be seen if they can make a go of it or cut their losses..

https://www.verdict.co.uk/wesfarmers...e-sales-crash/

Not really a matter for discussion.

To get back on topic, as well as electronics, my main interests are woodworking, woodturning and metalworking. Mostly in an 8' x 10' workshop that I built, with insulated walls, double glazing and a balanced flue gas heater. All very cos, but half the sized I'd have liked it to be. I've got two full length home-built benches, one of which has my woodturning lathe and small band-saw on it. my small metalworking lathe is in my brick-built double garage.

I keep electrical tools in toolboxes and drawers in the benches, woodworking tools in a shallow double cupboard, and also make extensive use of magnetic holders as often used for kitchen knives. The often crop up cheap in flea markets, car boot sales etc. For cabinet making, I like to use traditional screwdrivers, for which I made a wall rack.

Tool wise, Aldi 'Workzone' have much to commend them (3-yr warranty), and Lidl 'Parkside brand. Also I find Toolstation good for lots of things and we have a branch nearby.

Hope that's of interest.
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 3:42 pm   #12
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Maplin have an offer on just now of a variable speed rotary tool with a kit of accessories for £24.99. A lot of Dremels and other similar tools don't go below 10,000 RPM, which can be rather too fast for some uses. This one ranges from 8,000 - 33,000. True, it's not a Dremel, but at a third of the price of say a Dremel 4,000, it looks ideal for occasional use:

https://www.maplin.co.uk/p/130w-vari...8&S2REF=659476
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Old 7th Feb 2018, 3:59 pm   #13
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I have got one of those really fast small tools with an iron transformer in the wall wart.
My Variac tames it nicely.
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 10:26 am   #14
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Brands I am happy to use/recommend:

For side-cutters/pliers: Lindstrom [their box-jointed ones are the bee's knees] and Bahco.

Small/medium spanners: Kamasa and Facom.

Larger spanners/socket-sets: Facom, and Teng Tools. Both as good as Snap-On but without the silly pricing.

Screwdrivers: Wurth, Spiralux. (I believe the RS own-brand screwdrivers etc. with the reddish-maroon handles are actually made by Spiralux]

"Sets" of tools - the kind where you get one handle into which a range of different screwdriver/allen-key/spline/nut-runner 'bits' fit - Xcelite. My Xcelite set with the flexible-drive (like a thick, short piece of the inner of a car speedometer-cable) has got me out of plenty of inaccessible-to-a-straight-screwdriver fastening issues.

Bahco are my go-to brand for files too.

It's worth keeping an eye on the "special offer" shelves in places like Halfords: a while back I got a Facom 1/4-inch-drive 'deep' socket-set [so usable for things like potentiometer- and toggle-switch nuts] of better-than-Snap-On quality for about 25% of its original list-price.
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 10:37 am   #15
kellys_eye
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Many thanks G6 - I actually recognise some of the names you quote too! I wasn't aware of the RS/Spiralux link but do have a fondness for the RS range anyway as they were standard issue when I was working as a travelling engineer.

I'd previously been wary of interchangeable tools but, again on an historic basis, have seen and used some decent sets and the Xcelite name rings a bell - this would be an ideal way to cut down on the physical size of any collection.

Cheers

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Old 8th Feb 2018, 12:43 pm   #16
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

A couple more :

Mechanical measuring tools (micrometers, vernier calipers, etc) : Moore&Wright, Mitutoyo or L.S. Starrett

Spanners and socket sets : Elora are useable. I like Facom, but I put them as 'second best'. The make I put top of the list (but be sitting down when you see the prices) is Stahlwille
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 3:26 pm   #17
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

Quote:
Originally Posted by G6Tanuki View Post
For side-cutters/pliers: Lindstrom [their box-jointed ones are the bee's knees].
I agree with this and have a few Lindstrom tools. A bit off-topic, but how on earth do they assemble box-jointed tools?
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 3:59 pm   #18
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

hehe - Lindstrom a famous Swedish brand.
Last bought - Made in Spain. They have been OK so far but not like the originals....
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 4:15 pm   #19
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

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Originally Posted by ColinTheAmpMan1 View Post
[ A bit off-topic, but how on earth do they assemble box-jointed tools?
Colin.
I think that's one of those questions to which the traditional answer is "if we told you that we would have to kill you".

Box-jointed stuff is still the best for serious long-term use.

A couple of other brands worth looking at: for pliers/side-cutters/component-lead-croppers Knipex, and for quick-action single-handed wirestrippers as well as Knipex the Weldmuller "Stripax" was the weapon-of-choice for the guys I always used to contract for doing light-duty mains wiring. A Stripax lets you prepare the ends of a length of 2.5mm T&E in under a second.
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Old 8th Feb 2018, 4:57 pm   #20
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Default Re: Tool manufacturers

I have some of my late Father in Law's ex PO tools. Footprint and Paramo seem to be good quality.
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