Proto socket differences

[posaune]

Does anyone happen to know the difference between the Proto sockets with two lines around the bottom and the ones with no lines at all? I just bought a mixed set (THIS ONE (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=380067435621)) and wondered. The ones with no lines are also the ones with darker insides (which you can see in the pic).

No matter what, I got 20 Proto 1/2" drive 6pt. sockets and a Proto ratchet for $60. :bounce:

[bchee]

they might be just stanley brand.

[vssjim]

The older proto stuff had lines around them but the newer stuff is just plain smooth, no difference in the tool but just a style of different times. The older ones also use to have a star stamped in to the socket where the indent was was cut to hold the socket on with the ball in the drive tool.

[posaune]

they might be just stanley brand.

No, they have exactly the same markings and part numbers (and they all say "Proto Professional") as the others except for the lines. I'm assuming that one style is just older, but was curious to see if anybody knew for sure.

[old salvage]

Protos been making sockets for 60 years now. I bet the aesthetics have changed many times.

[Bolster]

No, they have exactly the same markings and part numbers (and they all say "Proto Professional") as the others except for the lines. I'm assuming that one style is just older, but was curious to see if anybody knew for sure.

The numbers have been consistent for many moons. For example, on wrenches, pre-war Plomb stuff has the same parts numbers as new Stanly/Proto wrenches...

(Plomb became Proto in the late 1940s, then Proto merged with IR, then IR sold Proto to Stanley...)

I'd bet the lines are older, but that's a complete guess, based on the fact that lines would take extra tooling to make, and it seems that over time tools use less 'superfluous' details. FYI, old Plomb sockets had lines on them. I think I've seen what, four or five lines on some big Plomb sockets? Maybe someone here can verify that.

[cruiser808]

The numbers have been consistent for many moons. For example, on wrenches, pre-war Plomb stuff has the same parts numbers as new Stanly/Proto wrenches...

(Plomb became Proto in the late 1940s, then Proto merged with IR, then IR sold Proto to Stanley...)

I'd bet the lines are older, but that's a complete guess, based on the fact that lines would take extra tooling to make, and it seems that over time tools use less 'superfluous' details. FYI, old Plomb sockets had lines on them. I think I've seen what, four or five lines on some big Plomb sockets? Maybe someone here can verify that.

Bolster's right on target. I checked my Proto catalogs from the 80's, 90's and 2006 and the older ones had the lines. The newer ones don't. This is also consistent with my own socket collection which has Proto's dating from the 70's to the millenium. I hope this helps.

[Vinko]

Bolster's right on target. I checked my Proto catalogs from the 80's, 90's and 2006 and the older ones had the lines. The newer ones don't. This is also consistent with my own socket collection which has Proto's dating from the 70's to the millenium. I hope this helps.

I have a few Proto Professional sockets, bought new, c. early 90's. With the lines. I recently warrantied one, and received a replacement, but I didn't notice whether or not it had the lines. I'll have to check next week.

[cruiser808]

I have a few Proto Professional sockets, bought new, c. early 90's. With the lines. I recently warrantied one, and received a replacement, but I didn't notice whether or not it had the lines. I'll have to check next week.

This thread is only referring to 1/2" shallow sockets, right? At least that's all the OP showed us. So yes, the 90's 1/2" sockets had the lines, but sometime between the early 90's and the 2000's, Stanley stopped putting them on. When exactly, I don't know since I bought out a large Proto inventory from a closing distributor in the early 90's and haven't bought much Proto since then. The shallow 1/2" sockets back then did have the lines.

[eschoendorff]

Posaune... I love that screen name!!!

I just checked a set of Proto sockets that I have. They are by no means new, but they do not have the two lines either. They are just plain.

I don't used them much... they are 12 point SAE and seem to have more chrome flaking than any cheap socket I have ever used... Hmmm.... :(

[posaune]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It makes sense that the lines are older. I checked last night and none of the other Protos I own have them.

Fwiw, the older ones have a more consistent finish on the inside, but seem to be painted (or some other not-very-durable coating). *That* will chip off, but what is underneath looks like the rough chrome that is visible toward the bottom of the newer sockets. The newer ones are chromed well all the way around the working end and into the socket where it fades to rough.

I think that makes sense. If I had a decent camera, it would work better. Maybe I'll have to see about getting one tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving all. :beer:

[cruiser808]

Thanks for the responses everyone. It makes sense that the lines are older. I checked last night and none of the other Protos I own have them.

Fwiw, the older ones have a more consistent finish on the inside, but seem to be painted (or some other not-very-durable coating). *That* will chip off, but what is underneath looks like the rough chrome that is visible toward the bottom of the newer sockets. The newer ones are chromed well all the way around the working end and into the socket where it fades to rough.

I think that makes sense. If I had a decent camera, it would work better. Maybe I'll have to see about getting one tomorrow!

Happy Thanksgiving all. :beer:

Yup, that's an accurate description. :thumbup:

[KLars1]

[QUOTE=posaune;330831]Fwiw, the older ones have a more consistent finish on the inside, but seem to be painted (or some other not-very-durable coating). *That* will chip off, but what is underneath looks like the rough chrome that is visible toward the bottom of the newer sockets. The newer ones are chromed well all the way around the working end and into the socket where it fades to rough.
[QUOTE]


Yup, great description as I have noticed the same thing. When I ordered some new Proto sockets I was surprised that the inside wasn't painted like the older ones. At first, I thought they were 2nds since I got them new off ebay.

I'm glad to know other tool junkies notice these things like I do! :thumbup: :beer:

Happy Thanksgiving All!!!

[billymade]

My brother bought some brand new Proto and Blackhawk large sockets to work on some of his spray on bedlining equipment; the sockets finish seems much "crude", fit/finish lower, almost "matte" finish and you could see the rough nature of the outer "machining" process to thin down the socket from the "slug" they used to create the socket with. The sockets were pretty expensive and I was surprised that the finishing quality seemed so low; I don't know if this necessarily affected the performance of the tools but for the amount of money we were paying, the finish seemed like it should have been to a higher standard. I guess we are seeing this across the whole tool industry regardless of the brand...