BSW sockets or spanner set

[bryco]

A good friend of mine is currently a rebuilding an Austin Healy 100/6.
He has been searching locally for a few sockets/ spanners but to no result... Any one out there that may be able to loan or direct to an aussie supplier for BSW tools??

[Bushie]

Garage sales.


Martyn

[pop058]

Garage sales.


Martyn

Yep and troll through all the tool sites at swap meets and markets

[bee utey]

I should think that ebay would be the first port of call.

new spanners from the UK:

Whitworth Spanner SET British Standard Whitworth BSW 8pc Combination Wrench SET | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Whitworth-Spanner-Set-British-Standard-Whitworth-BSW-8pc-Combination-Wrench-Set-/281721297429?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item4197e5da15)

sockets

Whitworth BSF BSW 3 8" Drive Shallow Sockets 7pc SET 1 8" 1 2" BI HEX LSR29 | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Whitworth-BSF-BSW-3-8-drive-shallow-sockets-7pc-set-1-8-1-2-bi-hex-LSR29-/141149462839?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_15&hash=item20dd29e137)

Postage from the UK is plenty fast enough for a classic rebuild.

[gromit]

Most tool shops can get them, my wife got me a set of Whitworth combination spanner for Christmas, they are Trax brand (Taiwan).

They turn up at trash & treasure markets along with swap meets as mentioned.
You'd be surprised what a 'wanted' ad in your local paper will turn up or a wanted card in the local shop.......I got a complete set of Whitworth Sidchrome ring spanners from an advert.


Colin

[crackers]

Remember, your mate probably doesn't need a full set, so keeping an eye open for the right ones is a good move. Dunno what a Healy workshop manual is like but my factory MGB manual has a list of the spanners needed at the front.

Professional tools suppliers should be able to get the correct spanners and I'd pay for them before buying cheap - cheap tools will bugger up nuts and bolts and oftimes, will not provide as much torque to the offending fastener. A restoration isn't like weekend tinkering and paying for good kit is a good move.

[Scouse]

Yep and troll through all the tool sites at swap meets and marketsThe Central Coast's biggest swap meet is on tomorrow at Gosford Showground. Plenty of tool guys used to be there.

[banarcus]

Whitworth refers to the thread. Just use imperial AF spanners/sockets instead.

[crackers]

I recently bought a set of Whitworth sockets, just the sockets. Cost me $35 off Fleabay, delivered, from Sydney. Ordered monday, was pulling off mudguards on saturday. They've done some very heavy work and seem good, strong sockets.

Just check the dreaded eBay.

[JDNSW]

Whitworth refers to the thread. Just use imperial AF spanners/sockets instead.

No. Imperial or AF fasteners have the bolt heads or nuts a simple fraction of an inch. Whitworth fasteners have the bolt heads or nuts a seemingly meaningless size, that is specified by the size of the fastener. (So that Whitworth spanners have a size marking that is clearly a lot less than the actual spanner opening.

There are a few sizes that are close enough to the same, for example, 7/16"AF is the same as 3/16" Whitworth (Also very close to 11mm), but for most sizes you need to use the right spanner.

The Whitworth spanner sizes were specified by Whitworth in the mid nineteenth century, and envisaged the use of fasteners made from wrought iron. When British Standard Fine (BSF) threads were introduced about the beginning of the twentieth century, steel was the commonly used material, and smaller nuts were strong enough, so BSF specifies one size smaller spanner than Whitworth. Many spanners have both the Whitworth and BSF sizes marked. Most Whitworth fasteners made since about the beginning of WW2 also use BSF size spanners. This includes all those used on Landrovers.

Do not confuse Whitworth fasteners with NC or UNC, the American or unified Imperial threads. These use the same number of threads per inch as Whitworth in most sizes you are likely to encounter except 1/2", but the thread form is sufficiently different that using bolt and nut from the two is only acceptable if you wear your striped apron. NC and UNC were not, as far as I am aware, used anywhere on any Landrover, but some may have found their way in over the years, despite their being fairly rare in this country.

Then you will occasionally encounter really weird combinations - for example, the Warn free wheel hubs on my 2a are attached by BSF bolts (anything that screws into a Series hub is) - but they have 9/16" AF heads, and are unobtainable. I had to make a couple of replacements!

John

[scarry]

I often go to Sunday markets,mainly pick up shifters as the boys are always loosing them.They often have heaps of whit worth spanners of all types and brands there as well.

In fact i was at the Beenleigh Sunday markets recently(for those of you that live in the area),and one guy had a whole box of whit worth sockets and spanners for sale.

Most stuff is very cheap,i often pick up very good quality shifters,at ridiculously low prices.

[banarcus]

Yep. Thanks for that info. I'm well aware of the differences. I'm a machinist.

Should the OP's mate feel the need to use BSW sized spanners, go for it. If it were me, AF all the way.

[mick88]

On a recent trip to NZ I was browsing through Hayes Store in Invercargill and picked up a set of 3/8 drive WW sockets to add to my tool kit.
They were Kokon brand made in Japan and decent looking kit.
Surprisingly Hayes had a huge assortment of WW spanners and sockets.




Cheers, Mick.

[scarry]

Yep. Thanks for that info. I'm well aware of the differences. I'm a machinist.

Should the OP's mate feel the need to use BSW sized spanners, go for it. If it were me, AF all the way.

With a full set of AF and metric spanners or sockets you will still find a couple of whitworth sizes that they will not fit perfectly.

[Lotz-A-Landies]

Eurotech tools do new sets of BS/Whit spanners and sockets. All four X 4 in Kotara are vendors or Eurotech have a website, where I have bought replacements for lost tools in my main tool chest.

Whitworth (http://www.wpdaustralia.com.au/page/shop/browse/a/category/e/eurotech_whitworth)

The tools themselves seem good quality

[Dare2]

Gday guys you may consider a set of Metwrench sockets and spanners they will get out ot trouble as they will fit ww,af and metric.

Sent from my SM-G920I using AULRO mobile app

[JDNSW]

Considering how cheaply you can get Whitworth tools of good to excellent quality from markets, boot sales, garage sales and op shops, I have difficulties seeing why anyone would want to buy new ones.

Mind you, most of mine are either inherited or I bought new in the days when a lot of cars still used them, and people weren't giving them away.

John

[Tins]

A good friend of mine is currently a rebuilding an Austin Healy 100/6.
He has been searching locally for a few sockets/ spanners but to no result... Any one out there that may be able to loan or direct to an aussie supplier for BSW tools??

There's a mob in Melbourne, Ringwood actually, called The Healey Factory. Your mate's car is exactly what they're into. Ok, I doubt they supply tools, but a phone call might come up with a list of suppliers. And, yes, he shouldn't be trying to fudge it with metric or A/F tools, or those things that are supposed to 'fit all'.

[1950landy]

Trouble with 2nd hand ones they are usually worn out so close inspection is needed & open ended spanners are usually stretched. Most good tool suppliers can supply new ones, even cheep ones are usually better than 2nd hand.

[Tins]

Trouble with 2nd hand ones they are usually worn out so close inspection is needed & open ended spanners are usually stretched. Most good tool suppliers can supply new ones, even cheep ones are usually better than 2nd hand.

Hard to disagree, especially if the car is to be a 'true' restoration. I'd want new bolts and nuts if I could get them, and new tools so I didn't wreck them by slipping and burring.

[JDNSW]

Trouble with 2nd hand ones they are usually worn out so close inspection is needed & open ended spanners are usually stretched. Most good tool suppliers can supply new ones, even cheep ones are usually better than 2nd hand.

Not my experience - I have found that Whitworth spanners second hand are often hardly used. Of course, some are, but you simply give them a miss.

John

[numpty]

Not my experience - I have found that Whitworth spanners second hand are often hardly used. Of course, some are, but you simply give them a miss.

John

I agree with John.

I bought most of my Whitworth spanners and sockets as a 16 year old apprentice in the late '60's (yes, last century) :D and they are almost as good as new.

Perry

[DoubleChevron]

I thought everyone used A/F and whitworth tools ....................... where they don't have the right metric size.

eg:
35mm == 1 3/8
44mm == 1 3/4

etc...

It's way easier to find larger sized spanners and sockets at your sunday markets in A/F than it is in metric :wasntme:

[mick88]

Not my experience - I have found that Whitworth spanners second hand are often hardly used. Of course, some are, but you simply give them a miss.

John


Have to agree.
I have purchased a lot of second hand Sidchrome spanners on Ebay and Gumtree and find most are as the good as the day they were made. Occasionally there is a buggered one, but most likely from misuse or neglect, rather than overuse.
Sockets too can be a bit tired if they have had a lot abuse/use on rattle guns, otherwise they are also near new.


Cheers, Mick.

[scarry]

Have to agree.
I have purchased a lot of second hand Sidchrome spanners on Ebay and Gumtree and find most are as the good as the day they were made. Occasionally there is a buggered one, but most likely from misuse or neglect, rather than overuse.
Sockets too can be a bit tired if they have had a lot abuse/use on rattle guns, otherwise they are also near new.


Cheers, Mick.

May as well add my 2 cents worth,i agree as well.

My main target is shifters,as the boys are always losing them.

I find the majority are in excellent condition,and most are the older good quality brands,not the Chinese garbage that you can pick up new.

And very cheap,i picked up 10 for $80 a few weeks ago at one local market.And they were all made in either Europe,USA or Japan.

Ditto for set spanners.