My Britool Collection

[Dieselman 63]

Also got this fairly recently. Now to find a jacket to attach it to. Bit unusual…

 

[James1979]

Just been reading the thread. Some good stuff on here.

I had no use for speedbrace either @8ob till I saw this. Guy Martins wheelman uses one. You have to go on the tool van and take it like a man as strap on own the patent but it’s damn handy for wheels if you don’t have a battery gun.

Breaker / brace combo

as for size, 99.9% of stuff on 3.5t it’s easier with 3/8 or even 1/4 drive. Even a lot of stuff I do on big marine and HGV I don’t get the 1/2 set out.

edit - P/N: SN4B for those interested

 

[Dieselman 63]

Just been reading the thread. Some good stuff on here.

I had no use for speedbrace either @8ob till I saw this. Guy Martins wheelman uses one. You have to go on the tool van and take it like a man as strap on own the patent but it’s damn handy for wheels if you don’t have a battery gun.

View attachment 311092View attachment 311093
Breaker / brace combo

as for size, 99.9% of stuff on 3.5t it’s easier with 3/8 or even 1/4 drive. Even a lot of stuff I do on big marine and HGV I don’t get the 1/2 set out.

That’s a cool tool. I do not own a gun, so it’s always the speed brace for me. Plugs on a Mitsi GDI engine too, lost in the deep caverns they are… brace is the perfect depth without faffing with extensions.

Surprised about the marine not needing larger sizes. When I was working on wheel loaders that had been working in sand the bolts on the cleaner bars were nigh on rusted to the nuts. 3/4 with a 4ft breaker bar struggled, it’s the only time I’ve ever used 1” sockets on a rattle gun, some we even had to use the gas axe on!

 

[James1979]

That’s a cool tool. I do not own a gun, so it’s always the speed brace for me. Plugs on a Mitsi GDI engine too, lost in the deep caverns they are… brace is the perfect depth without faffing with extensions.

Surprised about the marine not needing larger sizes. When I was working on wheel loaders that had been working in sand the bolts on the cleaner bars were nigh on rusted to the nuts. 3/4 with a 4ft breaker bar struggled, it’s the only time I’ve ever used 1” sockets on a rattle gun, some we even had to use the gas axe on!

Big nuts on big stuff, yeah it needs a bit of love to shift it but you’d be surprised how much you actually use <19 or 20mm sockets on big things. I’ve up to 22mm in 3/8 and usually it’s enough. On big machines it’s more an access issue nowadays anyway. If I need big sizes I tend to jump to the 3/4 set. I rarely use the 1/2 as the other two overlap. Maybe 24, 27 and 32 in 1/2 sometimes but that’s about it.

Battery gun is always a go to but that brace lives in the truck under the seat. It’s awesome on motocross bikes

 

[plewlandsbob]

Just been reading the thread. Some good stuff on here.

View attachment 311092View attachment 311093
Breaker / brace combo

edit - P/N: SN4B for those interested

I have, seen that brace in the catalogue, for years. Could never figure out a use for it. It makes perfect sense. Just never thought of using a brace for, loosening anything other than finger tight bolts and nuts.

I was taught as an apprentice, never start a bolt , with anything other than your fingers , or a brace, in case you cross thread it. Have a 3/8ths and 1/2inch, still use them both on engine work

 

[James1979]

I was always taught the same People don’t seem to be now, or they are lazy. I get a decent amount of crosssed stuff to be machines out. All this battery gear being so available I suppose.

It’s a handy tool especially on bikes. I leave it in the truck as you know when you get a flat you won’t have a battery gun with you and it’s tons better than that poxy wheel brace they give you!

Ive never got on with them on engines to be honest. Never enough room. I do like to use a T spinner though. Handy for running things on and off once they’re started.

 

[Dieselman 63]

I was always taught the same People don’t seem to be now, or they are lazy. I get a decent amount of crosssed stuff to be machines out. All this battery gear being so available I suppose.

It’s a handy tool especially on bikes. I leave it in the truck as you know when you get a flat you won’t have a battery gun with you and it’s tons better than that poxy wheel brace they give you!

Ive never got on with them on engines to be honest. Never enough room. I do like to use a T spinner though. Handy for running things on and off once they’re started.

Probable next purchase

 

[Bobupndown]

Liking the speed brace / breaker bar combo. Assume its 1/2"?

 

[James1979]

Liking the speed brace / breaker bar combo. Assume its 1/2"?

Yes. I’m not sure if they do different drive ones

 

[Dieselman 63]

A different, much larger 3/4 box found. Might as well use it to store my 3/4 gear and free up a drawer in the roll cab. Filled with mostly non-Britool, I’ll hunt the accessories down later.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Starting to build quite a pile of tins! All full

 

[Dieselman 63]

Interesting find. 7/16 hex drive set so very early, and it’s all metric. I love the mini speed brace that came with it! I actually got the larger brace with a 1/2” set that had the wrong brace in it. I like this old stuff, $40 for this little set.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Earlier 3/8 set found, bloody lovely used but very good condition, 1950s crackle finish tin.

 

[Dieselman 63]

As far as tins go, this is the current situation. I had to let some go recently.

 

[winchman]

Nice collection its not as collectable here in the UK but its great quality so great value

 

[rosinante]

Bought a set of minature Britool spanners in original plastic bag for £2.80 in a charity shop , also have a Britool Torque wrench in lbs inches , never used it ,it was originally used in the Stingray torpedo assembly line . Engraved as such
Chris

 

[not done it yet]

Just come across this thread.

My Britool box (like the one in the original post) is crammed full with britool bits, plus a few quality sockets in sizes that are missing. Can’t beat them, IMO. My largest torque wrench (600Nm) now resides near Hastings, but the smaller sizes still remain. First (the smallest) was purchased in the middle/late ‘60s for Honda 50cc Sport motorbike repairs.

Couldn’t afford a 3/4” drive Britool set, so bought a reasonable substitute. 3/8” socket set is Mastercraft, bought cheap as chips in Canada, earlier this century.

I’ve not been to a car boot sale for about 3 years, now, but I would always look out for Britool sockets/spanners.

 

[arian]

Started a holiday job where Britool hex was standard. Was very surprised later to see square drives. Never seen sockets before, mind

Speed brace from that holiday job meant the first socket set I bought had to have one. Now, sliding tommy bar seems the dog's. Different times, different tasks.

Edit: the Britool spanners in that job were wonderful: comfortable in the hand, and always fitted, unlike some Elora that arrived around then. Gordon brand was there too, but they weren't so comfortable, being, as I recall, much thinner.

 

[Dieselman 63]

Britool E67 found today, in non-working condition. I had to turn down a new taper pin and fully dismantle it to clean this. Then I re-oiled it with some ep460, and rebuilt it. Nice unit.

 

[not done it yet]

I’ve rarely used my E67 in 35 years. About the only times have been twiddling it between my fingers for a few inaccessible jobs. Probably the most used ’extra’ accessory has been the stud extractor which has had a lot of use.