Since the 1950’s and the birth of the mainstream “Home Mechanic” it is widely recognised that no man in the British Isles can have under his possession enough tools.

Whether you’re an Iron and Steam enthusiast with air hammers and fishplate spanners or a boy racer with a full plastic encased set of Halford’s professional, every man has his own specialised tool fetish.

My heart is set  in the golden era of engineering when brands such as Britool and King Dick were everyman’s market leader if he wanted a sturdy tool for his cantilever box which he tucks in the “work’s van.” The test of time has proved their worth.

One great supplier I’ve found in my countless hours of dossing about at college is whitworthspanners.com , They sell what I can only imagine is ex-mod and railway tools obtained via warehouse clearances etc. The products that I’ve had from them have been nice and low priced yet really good quality. My favourite is a 1940’s Britool cylinder head spanner which is 3/4″ american fine on each end, it’s perfect for my Land Rover as it has a double bend in one end and a long handle, this enables my to tighten up the head bolts without removing the rocker cover, due to a socket not fitting above them. I also have a really good and strong pair of pry bars from them for just nine quid, bargain!

If anybody has any links to good websites selling old tools for restorers etc, I’d be extremely greatful if you left a comment.

Jake,