Sears/Craftsman Whitworth Tool Set

[Papaw]

At the risk of repeating myself, since I haven't contributed to this thread-

I got my first experience with Whitworth when I bought a Triumph Daytona 500 in 1970. The bike had problems and warranty fixed it the first time, but 3 months later when I had moved to near New Orleans, the dealer there didn't want to honor a warranty on a bike not bought from him!
I bought a service manual and took the top end down myself. I soon found the fasteners weren't exactly compatible with the wrenches I had, so I bought Whitworth.

Later I became a motorcycle mechanic and did a lot of work on Triumph and BSA bikes.

Even later, I owned an MGA and needed them again. Those wrenches are still in my tool box somewhere, along with tins of Whitworth fasteners.

[Bill Houghton]

Those wrenches are still in my tool box somewhere...

Just in case you buy another old British machine, right?  Maybe a Royal Enfield this time?  Or a Matchless?

[d42jeep]

Those wrenches are still in my tool box somewhere...

Just in case you buy another old British machine, right?  Maybe a Royal Enfield this time?  Or a Matchless?

Did somebody mention Matchless? Here are some bikes in my old buddy’s shop.
-Don Houghton

[Bill Houghton]

Dang, your old buddy has some nice machines!  I assume this picture was taken after someone mopped up the drool puddles from any recent visitors to the shop.

[Papaw]

I had a Matchless for a short time. Someone had made a chopper out of it and did very poor job. I think I sold it for parts.

[amecks]

Did someone say Royal Enfield?  My 1967 Royal Enfield Interceptor - which requires all British Standard/Whitworth wrenches.
When I bought it in 2010...

This photo is a year or two later...Enfield's motto is "Made Like a Gun" with the logo of a cannon.  I think every Enfield owner has a photo of their bike with a cannon.

[Papaw]

Great restoration, Al !

[lptools]

Hello, Al . Very nice bike, and very nice work!!! Regards, Lou

[amecks]

Thanks guys, but its not really restored.  Its more refurbished.  I tried to keep it as original as possible.  Very little polishing and the rusty tank left as is.  I even left the last inspection sticker in place from 1974.

[Bill Houghton]

Had I ever wanted to purchase a British bike, an Enfield would have been at the top of the list - specifically an Interceptor.  That motor, with the cooling fins running up the side all the way to the top, and the chrome gas tank...makes a Triumph look puny.

[amecks]

The remarkable thing about the Interceptor, today, is the availability of parts, thanks mainly to Hitchcocks in England.  They also post illustrated parts lists.  Many parts are related to the Bullet model which is yet manufactured in India.  My bike sports a twin leading shoe brake plate from a Bullet.  Not an impressive stopper but way better than the original single leading shoe brake.

We should get back on topic - a couple years ago I was at my clubs swap meet and I saw a set of four box wrenches in a guys van.  I didn't think much of them (I rarely use them).  A few minutes later my friend Hunter walks up and says look what I got for (some ridiculously low price), a set of Craftsman Whitworth box wrenches , and in excellent condition.

[Jim C.]

........

We should get back on topic .....

GREAT photos!  Anything in this thread that’s related to Whitworth sized tools is on topic.  What good is it to talk about the tools if we can’t also talk about the cool old motorcycles and cars they service?  Here's my mine!  Notice the vintage correct tools in the foreground of the second photo.  I try to use them whenever I can.     

Jim C.

[Bill Houghton]

Nice TF, Jim!  I've been impressed over the years by MG's sublety in updating the T series with the TF model.  While the MGA is pretty, it doesn't hold a candle to the T series.

[Jim C.]

Thanks Bill.  I agree, the T series cars are sharp.  I remember growing up and occasionally seeing that car at family parties, etc., from the time I was about six or seven, give or take.  Back then, it reminded me of an “old fashioned” car.  My attitude towards it changed as I got older and more interested in cars.  As I learn more about the car, I’m quickly becoming a fan to say the least.

Jim C.

[lptools]

Hello, Jim. Nice ride!!!. Is that a Craftsman tool set? Regards, Lou