Rolson Ratchets, Spanner Sets and Bolt Cutters for UK Trades
This is the heavier end of the Rolson Tools UK catalogue, aimed at people who use tools for a living rather than once a year. The Rolson ratchets, spanner sets and bolt cutters here are joined by 300mm and 400mm water pump pliers, 200mm long nose pliers, a universal drive palm ratchet wrench, a 400g chipping hammer on a hickory shaft, a fibreglass pick axe shaft, an aluminium pocket hole jig, an automatic wire stripper, a telecom punch down tool, a plastic contour gauge, a scriber and magnetic pick up tool, nitrile coated work gloves and a 7.2 by 5.4m tarpaulin. Every product code is listed so you can match a replacement exactly.
Composite Offset Ratchets and Drive Sizes
Ratchets are the tools you notice most on a long day. The composite offset ratchets come in 3/8 inch and 1/2 inch drive, and the offset head is the point: it clears obstructions and lets you work in a shallower arc than a straight handle allows, which matters under a vehicle or inside a plant housing. The 3/8 inch drive suits general assembly and automotive work in the 8mm to 19mm range, while the 1/2 inch drive handles higher torque on suspension, towbars and structural bolts. The universal drive palm ratchet wrench is the one that lives in a pocket, since it grips a range of sizes without a socket set.
Combination Spanner Sets and Gripping Tools
The 11 piece combination spanner set in chrome vanadium comes on a rack, which is the difference between a set that stays complete and one that scatters across a van floor. Chrome vanadium is the right specification for repeated loading: it flexes rather than shears and shrugs off oil and damp. On the gripping side, 300mm and 400mm water pump pliers with slip joint adjustment cover pipe, nuts and awkward round work that a spanner will not touch, while 200mm long nose pliers handle electrical terminals and tight cavity work. For the wider pliers and hammer range, see Rolson hand tools.
Bolt Cutters, Site Gear and Workwear
The 450mm bolt cutters use drop forged heads, which is what lets them shear padlock shackles, rebar tie wire, chain and fencing without rolling the jaws over. Keep them for cutting rather than levering, since twisting is what ruins a good pair. Around that sit the genuinely useful site items: a heavy duty tarpaulin at 24 by 18 feet for covering materials or a roof opening, nitrile coated work gloves that keep grip in the wet, a contour gauge for scribing around pipework and skirting, and a scriber with a magnetic pick up for dropped fixings. Store it all in a bag from tool bags and belts.
