Quality Hand Tool Manufacturer and Supplier

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I need to replace some tools on the yacht and add some more into the box. Over the years I have collected all sorts of tools from various makes, probably Draper being the most common.

Who makes quality tools and who is a good on-line retailer? I have been renovating my anchor windlass and rounded some shit hexagonal keys (which I guess they are supposed to instead of the cap screw). Although my initial need is for Allen Keys (ball end), I will be buying a set of imperial spanners and sockets. I also need a set of quality files, all mine are shit having rattled around the same tool box for years, which probably has not done them any good: Allen Keys, Spanners, Sockets, Files.
 
Axminster tools have a good selection of files which I have found to be very good quality.

Teng Tools seem to be very good mechanics' hand tools. But I personally have also had good service from Halfords, Sears in the States and even Aldi. In fact a lot of Aldi woodworking tools are good quality steel but just need a bit of time with some emery cloth and an oil stone improving the finish.
 
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Teng Tools as used in the Cardiff Aircraft Engineering courses College. Not as expensive as SnapOn. And there is always the Professional Range from Halfords with a lifetime warranty that really works. I was leaning heavily on a 27mm wheel nut on a farm trailer with a 5ft scaffolding pole and the UJ (3/4 nch) driver shattered. Halfords replaced no quibble. :)


http://www.teng.co.uk/


For some reason Teng tool cases seem to be a lot better than anyone else's.
 
For spanners and screwdrivers, the Halfords Professional range are ACE! the lifetime guarantee is worth it, although I've not broken a socket yet, unlike the Draper and Tyco sets I have. For stuff you leave on the boat, get a cheap Draper set. You can get a box with sockets, spanners and cheap pliers, my boat kit cost £25.00. They'll not last for ever, but my set's 15years old and apart from the screwdriver and bits, pliers and cutters does the job for on-board emergencies. Axminster are the guys for woodworking hand tools. Cheap ones are awful, just don't leave them on the boat. For power tools, I've been replacing my old one's with Aldi & Lidl Specials as they fail. I'm not so sure about the multi-tool, though. I've a Bosch one that's for the bin next time it fails, but I rather fancy the Fein. Even their consumables seem to last better.
 
I can really recommend hex sockets instead of allen keys. I can't remember what brand mine are - bought from Amazon avoiding the obvious rubbish but not paying too much.
 
Modern Britool is OK - not up to the standards of the original but better than Draper, say. It's made by Facom now, which I think is also the case with Halfords Professional. Another vote for them, by the way. I broke a spanner and when I walked into my local Halfords carrying it the manager at the door asked one of the staff to bring me a replacement before I had said a word.
 
lpdsn said:
I can really recommend hex sockets instead of allen keys. I can't remember what brand mine are - bought from Amazon avoiding the obvious rubbish but not paying too much.
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'Stubby' (short) hex sockets are particularly handy, although a little less versatile than the usual long ones. The short hex prevents that wrist-jarring wind-up when the fastener releases.

JumbleDuck said:
Modern Britool is OK - not up to the standards of the original but better than Draper, say. It's made by Facom now...
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And Facom themselves are excellent tools, now more widely available in the UK than they once were.
 
I can recommend Axminster as a source or at least a place to start looking.

Specifically in terms of sockets, Teng are excellent, I have 3 sets 1/4" 3/8" and 1/2" drive. Snap on and Facom are a good alternatives. If you are looking for an imperial set look for an old Britool set on e bay I sold a very large set of imperial sockets and drives when I moved to France, sometimes they go for £50 to £75 at other times silly money.
 
Thanks everyone, must admit I have never heard of Facom. The eBay socket set is a good idea peteb.

BlowingOldBoots
 
For the better quality files I once posted a question on the Model Engineers forum & a lot of replies came up with Vallorbe swiss files. Although , as with all forums there were many different opinions.
Arc Euro trade have started importing Tome Feteira Files& actually have a video showing its manufacture. This is rated as a good file by the engineering "experts"
 
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Daydream believer said:
For the better quality files I once posted a question on the Model Engineers forum & a lot of replies came up with Vallorbe swiss files. Although , as with all forums there were many different opinions.
Arc Euro trade have started importing Tome Feteira Files& actually have a video showing its manufacture. This is rated as a good file by the engineering "experts"
Click to expand...

Assistant: "Would sir like one of these big bastards ?"
Sir: "No thanks, I'll have one of the little buggers over there"





I'll get me coat...
 
RobbieW said:
.... I'll get me coat...
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I have mentioned this before. At Technical College I had 6 months of basic machine shop stuff, taught by ex pattern makers from the then dying Lanarkshire steel industry. Me at the store mans door, 'A ruler and a scribe please.' Storeman, 'Henry The VIII and William Shakespeare', this went on for a bit always with a different monarch and author until he acerbically corrected me. To a man they were a shower of bastards to us students but they were skilled and good at teaching as well.
 
BlowingOldBoots said:
I have mentioned this before. At Technical College I had 6 months of basic machine shop stuff, taught by ex pattern makers from the then dying Lanarkshire steel industry. Me at the store mans door, 'A ruler and a scribe please.' Storeman, 'Henry The VIII and William Shakespeare', this went on for a bit always with a different monarch and author until he acerbically corrected me. To a man they were a shower of bastards to us students but they were skilled and good at teaching as well.
Click to expand...

:) Hadnt heard that one before, like it. Not convinced anyone ever actually fell for the long weight though
 
You're lucky you weren't an apprentice, I remember being sent for a long stand and a short weight and metal glue by my journeyman. I twigged the short weight and went for a cuppa in the howf and returned with Araldite for the glue, which was hugely expensive and logged to the job we were on. Things went quiet for a bit after that, but they still fooled me on numerous occasions.
 
The problem with the very high end tools is that they are not so widely available in retail stores, so if you need a particular tool urgently you might end up being forced to buy from a lesser manufacturer.

I have for several years now bought only Facom. They are widely available in France and Italy where I sail (and UK now). Gradually I have been throwing away all the junk tools as I build up an exclusively Facom selection.
 
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