Thread: Where to buy tools in brisbane?

Originally Posted by Brian Hjelm

If you don't mind good used tools, call Tyron (Jeckle) Saunders who is a tool dealer, 3348-9859. He usually has a big selection available including Whitworth.

If buying new, my order of preference for industrial quality professional tools is Armstrong Bros of Chicago, Allen (the Allen of Allen head bolts), Britool, Dowidat, Proto, Beta. Armstrong's range are industrial quality built to last and not pretty shiny things made for pyramid selling from vans.

Brian, do you have any proof that are any of these tools are far superior to Snap-on?

I have Allen, Gedore, Stahlwille, Snap-on and I know which I go for first. Im still to find as nice a finish and use in sockets/ratchets as Snap-on.

BTW, Proto was bought out by Stanley Tool works in 1984 (from Ingersoll Rand), the last time I saw anything new in Proto was just after Stanley bought out Sidcrome, tools being branded Sidcrome Proto. For a minute there, Sidcromes quality actually rose to a good standard. Now its junk and Proto is no longer to be seen....maybe in the good Ol USA where it has brand recognition, but after veiwing their website, doesnt look like its anything flash.

Where is Dowidat made? Funny thing is, the Dowidat brothers were the founders of Gedore.....I wonder if there is any link?

When I first bought some combination spanners back in the early 90's, I certainly could not afford Snap-on or Stahlwille. Someone told me Gedore were ok. I found a local shop and bought their 1b series in Metric, SAE and WW. Today, Gedore is the same price as Stahlwille and while I figure they would be much of a muchness steel wise etc, the fit and finish on the Stahlwille is MUCH better. They are both spec'd as a chrome finish, the Gedore being almost like a gal, Stahlwille like a dull chrome. Both fall short of Snap-on. I only buy Snap-on here when its on sale, evry month they have something going and my dealer is very helpful and friendly. Other than that I troll online and cross price....

If you are going of quality levels from 30 years ago, I can tell you things have changed....alot of companies no longer exsist as their former selves, brand name being the real value to a corperation...

I'd get a list together in the first place. Then give that list to a few places and see what they come back with.

Secondly I'd look at ebay and second hand tools at garage sales etc. A lot of my own tool collection is from garage sales and quite often most of them are the old Sidchrome stuff. Not fancy by any means, just do the job that I require.

Guess it comes down to what time do you have available. Because chasing stuff through individual places and ebay etc is very time intensive, compared to just getting a quote from one place (which may give you a discount based on quantity required).


Cheers
Chris

Look at Kinchrome gear.Top quality and nice feel.
bunnings only sell their basic stuff.
Bought my boy a kit for Xmas to keep in his car,was on special for $300,nice tools should last him a lifetime if he looks after them.
Andrew