tell me about this proto socket set

[goodwrench]

found it pawn shopping this morning. I don't know much of this brand, so any info you can give me is appreciated. I was wondering about the vintage of these? Any idea the year? What is the quality of these? any history of proto would be nice.. So whatcha think??
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/1protolid.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/2protosticker.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/3inside.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/4socketsall.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/5extensions.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/6socketclose.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/7ratchet.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/8headback.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v613/84chevy/9headfront.jpg
Any guesses what i paid? What would you have paid? I wasn't sure the worth but i hope i did good at 40$$ whatcha think???

later!! chris

[v8garage]

Not sure about the vintage on these. I would think probably 1980's or 1990's. Proto made that style ratchet for a long time. Those ratchets are tough but are not very fine tooth. Usually about 24 tooth. I like the fact that it is a 6 point set. I would say it is well worth the money.:thumbup: Is the universal a Proto? It looks like a Craftsman in the picture.

[cruiser808]

Yeah, ya did good and deserve a "you suck" award. I have that set and it's mid-80's to mid-90's vintage. Most of my tools are Proto and they have served my well over the years, both as a money maker and a weekend wrench. MSC or Grainger may have an updated version of the set that you can check for a retail price comparison. You may want to soak the universial in some Kroil as it looks kinda rusty. And of course, lather the insides of the ratchet with Merk's red lube of love.

[cruiser808]

Not sure about the vintage on these. I would think probably 1980's or 1990's. Proto made that style ratchet for a long time. Those ratchets are tough but are not very fine tooth. Usually about 24 tooth. I like the fact that it is a 6 point set. I would say it is well worth the money.:thumbup: Is the universal a Proto? It looks like a Craftsman in the picture.

It's definitely a Craftsman. :thumbup:

[posaune]

It sucks. Send it to me and I'll dispose of it properly. :lol_hitti

When I got frustrated with the quality and/or design of Craftsman recently, I started getting Proto whenever I could. Everything seems to be high quality and well built - definitely better than Craftsman's recent offerings imo.

MSC lists that set HERE (http://www1.mscdirect.com/CGI/NNSRIT?PMPXNO=1688704&PMT4NO=56105662), so yes - the "you suck award" goes to you today. :thumbup:

[MOPARHOUND!]

Looks to be Stanley produce Proto, but definitely bought right. Biggest plus is it's all 6-point, hard to find second-hand as a set.

Proto's head design is surprisingly strong for the thickness of the head, hard to break one. The best part I like about Proto's ratchet is the minimal ratcheting resistance the mechanisms have.

[CAT_serviceman927]

Nice set. :thumbup: I have a newer version of that set with a Big Dawg ratchet. That set new from J&L/MSC is about $190.

Mine is on this page, seventh post down:

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=18999&highlight=ebay&page=36

[riley.m]

i love proto tools.that is a nice set you got.does anyone know anything about the bronze selector and when it was being used.i have a plomb 1/2 drive with a bronze selector and a 1/2 proto without but my 3/8 drive and 1/4 drive proto ratchets have bronze selectors.anyone with insight?

[wrenchr]

$40.00 and 6 point is a good deal!!!

[Paladin]

Good buy! Congrats!

[Bolster]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a big difference between the Ingersoll-Rand Proto ratchets (1960-1984) and the subsequent Stanley Proto ratchets (1984-on) in terms of function or quality.

Over time I think the Proto pear style heads got a little stouter as did the neck, but I can't say for certain when the "thickening" occurred.

And at some point the chrome became more "chrome-y," more of that "liquid silver" look you see on new SO, TopTul, Blackhawk, and many others...

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Any guesses what i paid? What would you have paid? I wasn't sure the worth but i hope i did good at 40$$ whatcha think???

later!! chris

I think you did pretty well for $40! :pimpflash

[v8garage]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a big difference between the Ingersoll-Rand Proto ratchets (1960-1984) and the subsequent Stanley Proto ratchets (1984-on) in terms of function or quality.

Over time I think the Proto pear style heads got a little stouter as did the neck, but I can't say for certain when the "thickening" occurred.

And at some point the chrome became more "chrome-y," more of that "liquid silver" look you see on new SO, TopTul, Blackhawk, and many others...

It seems like everyone wants to knock the Stanley Protos. I guess it is just because they don't like the Stanley Co. As far as I know all Proto stuff is still US made and I can't tell that the quality is not just as good or better than the old stuff. Most of my stuff is old but I do have some never sockets. They have larger and better lettering than the old ones. I also use a lot of newer Proto stuff on the nuclear plants that I travel to around the country. A lot of people may not know it but operating nuclear plants supply all their own tools for the work to be done there. They don't want you bringing your own tools in. Traditionally most of the tools have been Proto however now I am seeing a mix of Williams, Stanley, Wright and a sprinkling of Snap-On and Craftsman along with the Proto.

[cruiser808]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a big difference between the Ingersoll-Rand Proto ratchets (1960-1984) and the subsequent Stanley Proto ratchets (1984-on) in terms of function or quality.

Over time I think the Proto pear style heads got a little stouter as did the neck, but I can't say for certain when the "thickening" occurred.

And at some point the chrome became more "chrome-y," more of that "liquid silver" look you see on new SO, TopTul, Blackhawk, and many others...


Bolster - you're correct about the ratchet heads getting a bit fatter over the years. I put two of my Proto 5449 1/2" ratchets side by side and it seems the smaller head is pre-Stanley (prior to 1984). Also, the chrome is more of a brushed style whereas the newer Stanley version is polished chrome. The good news is that ratchet kits will work on both of them.

[MOPARHOUND!]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's a big difference between the Ingersoll-Rand Proto ratchets (1960-1984) and the subsequent Stanley Proto ratchets (1984-on) in terms of function or quality.

Over time I think the Proto pear style heads got a little stouter as did the neck, but I can't say for certain when the "thickening" occurred.

And at some point the chrome became more "chrome-y," more of that "liquid silver" look you see on new SO, TopTul, Blackhawk, and many others...

I like the ratchets, old and new. I could be wrong, but IMO, the socket quality I believe is not what it use to be, but still made to a good quality standard.

[48548]

you are correct for sure about the heads getting wider on the newer stuff, the IR proto's were pretty narrow around the bottom plate that can be removed and changed, where as the newer ones had a lot of metal on the narrow parts of the plate.