Had a full polished PROTO in my hand today

[Merkava_4]

I had to go down to Gordon Industrial today to get a V-belt for my lawn edger; at $4.31, they're alot cheaper than the mower shop. But of course before a walk up to the counter, I gotta check out the toys on the floor. :bounce:

One wall is all PROTO - so I saw a shiny combination wrench on the tool board and picked it up to molest it. It was a long pattern full polished 11/16". The first thing I noticed was how thick the beam was. The second thing I noticed was how nice and rounded the beam was too. The third thing I noticed was how accurately broached the box end was - it was dead on center. Highly recommended!! A very comfortable wrench to handle. :)

[autoace]

I had to go down to Gordon Industrial today to get a V-belt for my lawn edger; at $4.31, they're alot cheaper than the mower shop. But of course before a walk up to the counter, I gotta check out the toys on the floor. :bounce:

One wall is all PROTO; so I saw a shiny combination wrench on the tool board and picked in up to molest it. It was a long pattern full polished 11/16". The first thing I noticed was how thick the beam was. The second thing I noticed was how nice and rounded the beam was too. The third thing I noticed was how accurately broached the box end was - it was dead on center. Highly recommended!! A very comfortable wrench to handle. :)

I really like Proto! There you go Merk. you can see the wrench and investigate how perfect it is without getting on a tool truck, and the store is there if you notice an imperfection later.I think Proto USA stuff is a good alternative to Cornwell or Snap-on. My Cornwell dealer is great though, so he still gets quite a bit of business from me. Notice how similar the Proto wrench is to the Cornwell, and of course MAC. My Cornwell guy says, many years ago, some guys from Cornwell branched off to create MAC and Proto. Don't know how true it is though.

[cruiser808]

I had to go down to Gordon Industrial today to get a V-belt for my lawn edger; at $4.31, they're alot cheaper than the mower shop. But of course before a walk up to the counter, I gotta check out the toys on the floor. :bounce:

One wall is all PROTO; so I saw a shiny combination wrench on the tool board and picked in up to molest it. It was a long pattern full polished 11/16". The first thing I noticed was how thick the beam was. The second thing I noticed was how nice and rounded the beam was too. The third thing I noticed was how accurately broached the box end was - it was dead on center. Highly recommended!! A very comfortable wrench to handle. :)

I couldn't agree more, Merk. Ask Elroy and I how we like our older Proto 500 combo sets. :drool:

[autoace]

Proto has some black oxide, ratcheting wrenches, I have my eye on. I was wondering it they were USA, I imagine all but the guts are. I have not bought any Cornwell ratcheting wrenches yet, because they look the same as the Gearwrench ones I have, maybe actually worse than the GW ones. The Cornwell ones are Taiwan source also, so I cannot see paying mega bucks for them.

[Merkava_4]

I forgot to mention....the screwdrivers are still made in England....not Taiwan like the MACs. :thumbup:

[pjcforpres2020]

My Uncle has a full set of Proto 6pt combo's that I drool over every time I step foot in his shop. He keeps hinting they are mine when I start at my new shop... then again he also says when he dies they will all be for sale! And let me tell you, he was a mill wright for about 20 years and a crane operator for another 20 years... he has a crap ton of tools, actually helped him build his tool shed, 30'x30'!

[myslow2002gt]

I wish we had places around here that stocked quality tools like that. :(

[Merkava_4]

I wish we had places around here that stocked quality tools like that. :(

I would love to take pictures of that store and post them up, but I'm afraid to ask. :shocking:

[Diesel-Mech]

They are very nice wrenches.:thumbup:

[Big Bad Jon]

How much was it Merk?

[krusty the clown]

My Cornwell guy says, many years ago, some guys from Cornwell branched off to create MAC and Proto. Don't know how true it is though.

thats true that MAC was started by former cornwell employee's but not proto.

[Hermit]

thats true that MAC was started by former cornwell employee's but not proto.

Plomb was later changed to Proto

In January 1957 the company name changed from Plomb Tool Company to Pendleton Tool Industries Inc and was listed on the New York and Pacific Coast Stock Exchanges in 1962. Ingersoll-Rand acquired Pendleton Tool Industries, Inc. in February, 1964 as a wholly owned subsidiary. It operated as a division of Ingersoll-Rand known as the Proto Tool Division. Manufacturing plants were located in Los Angeles, CA; Jamestown, NY; Schiller Park, IL; Portland, OR; London, Ontario, Canada; and an affiliated company, Protomex, S.A., in Guadalajara, Mexico. Distribution Centers were in Columbus, OH and Tucson, AZ.

Ingersoll-Rand sold the Proto Division to the Stanley Works in May 1984. It is, as of this writing, the Stanley - Proto Industrial Tool Division, headquarters in New Britain, CT.

[Merkava_4]

How much was it Merk?

They don't put price tags on their stuff over there, but I'm sure it would've been very reasonable. :)

[BB26]

Proto has some black oxide, ratcheting wrenches, I have my eye on. I was wondering it they were USA, I imagine all but the guts are. I have not bought any Cornwell ratcheting wrenches yet, because they look the same as the Gearwrench ones I have, maybe actually worse than the GW ones. The Cornwell ones are Taiwan source also, so I cannot see paying mega bucks for them.

The black finished ratcheting wrenches are made in Taiwan. All other Proto wrenches are currently US made.

[BB26]

I had to go down to Gordon Industrial today to get a V-belt for my lawn edger; at $4.31, they're alot cheaper than the mower shop. But of course before a walk up to the counter, I gotta check out the toys on the floor. :bounce:

One wall is all PROTO - so I saw a shiny combination wrench on the tool board and picked it up to molest it. It was a long pattern full polished 11/16". The first thing I noticed was how thick the beam was. The second thing I noticed was how nice and rounded the beam was too. The third thing I noticed was how accurately broached the box end was - it was dead on center. Highly recommended!! A very comfortable wrench to handle. :)

I can attest to the quality and fit/finish of Proto's wrenches. Last year I purchased sets of their metric and SAE box end wrenches from MSC. 18 wrenches and they were all flawless. Perfect chrome, straight as an arrow, on center broaching, perfectly rounded handle edges. I will take some photos and post them when I get a chance. Even the roll pouch that they came in was nice. Much better than Armstrong's cheap vinyl pouches.

[cruiser808]

I can attest to the quality and fit/finish of Proto's wrenches. Last year I purchased sets of their metric and SAE box end wrenches from MSC. 18 wrenches and they were all flawless. Perfect chrome, straight as an arrow, on center broaching, perfectly rounded handle edges. I will take some photos and post them when I get a chance. Even the roll pouch that they came in was nice. Much better than Armstrong's cheap vinyl pouches.

Please do send us pics. :thumbup:

Most of my tools are Proto, albeit from the 70's, 80's and 90's and overall, they have served me well and made me money. I am a Proto fan. Now, I haven't been so happy with some of the slop between the older ratchets, extensions, and sockets, but my more recent Proto purchases have solved that problem. And, of course, there's always my Proto 500's and collection of vintage body hammers. My Proto 500 metric combo set actually has a real leather pouch and my 500 SAE sets have very nice thick simulated leather pouches. :drool:

[BB26]

Please do send us pics. :thumbup:

Most of my tools are Proto, albeit from the 70's, 80's and 90's and overall, they have served me well and made me money. I am a Proto fan. Now, I haven't been so happy with some of the slop between the older ratchets, extensions, and sockets, but my more recent Proto purchases have solved that problem. And, of course, there's always my Proto 500's and collection of vintage body hammers. My Proto 500 metric combo set actually has a real leather pouch and my 500 SAE sets have very nice thick simulated leather pouches. :drool:

Yeah, Proto is right at the top of my list. :beer: I have a few older wrenches and extensions from them, but most of my stuff was purchased new within the last year. I have complete sae and metric std/deep socket sets in 3/8'' drive, a full set of their latest round and pear head ratchets and the previously mentioned box wrenches. It has all been great with the exception of one ratchet that had a bent handle. MSC sent me a replacement the next day that was flawless. I am not sure what my pouches are made of; I will have to look at them a little closer. They have been very durable so far and are also US made. :thumbup: Thoes body hammers sound cool. :drool:

[cruiser808]

Yeah, Proto is right at the top of my list. :beer: I have a few older wrenches and extensions from them, but most of my stuff was purchased new within the last year. I have complete sae and metric std/deep socket sets in 3/8'' drive, a full set of their latest round and pear head ratchets and the previously mentioned box wrenches. It has all been great with the exception of one ratchet that had a bent handle. MSC sent me a replacement the next day that was flawless. I am not sure what my pouches are made of; I will have to look at them a little closer. They have been very durable so far and are also US made. :thumbup: Thoes body hammers sound cool. :drool:

And BB26, let me give you a belated "welcome to the board." I look forward to discussing tools and future projects with ya. :beer:

[BB26]

And BB26, let me give you a belated "welcome to the board." I look forward to discussing tools and future projects with ya. :beer:

I appreciate the warm welcome. Same to you; this forum is great. I look forward to learning a lot and sharing my experiences too... :thumbup:

[cruiser808]

BB26, I see you're from Oregon. I spent two years at Linfield College in McMinnville, wallnut capital of the world before I moved on to the University of Washington. In that time, I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. It is truly God's country. Hawaii's nice, but we don't have the Cascades, the Columbia River, and ole Jim Bridger. I miss Oregon and Washington and look forward to treating my Florida wife to the magic of your part of the world. Go Ducks!

[BB26]

BB26, I see you're from Oregon. I spent two years at Linfield College in McMinnville, wallnut capital of the world before I moved on to the University of Washington. In that time, I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest. It is truly God's country. Hawaii's nice, but we don't have the Cascades, the Columbia River, and ole Jim Bridger. I miss Oregon and Washington and look forward to treating my Florida wife to the magic of your part of the world. Go Ducks!

I went to college at Willamette U in Salem and still live in the area. Linfield was our biggest rival in sports. :) It is a beautiful area; I have lived in Oregon my whole life and consider myself fortunate. I have never been to Hawaii but I have an Aunt and Uncle who moved there from the Oregon Coast about five years ago. They love it. I now work in Corvallis so I have to say "Go Beavs."

[cruiser808]

I went to college at Willamette U in Salem and still live in the area. Linfield was our biggest rival in sports. :) It is a beautiful area; I have lived in Oregon my whole life and consider myself fortunate. I have never been to Hawaii but I have an Aunt and Uncle who moved there from the Oregon Coast about five years ago. They love it. I now work in Corvallis so I have to say "Go Beavs."

Outstanding! We'll talk later, my friend, on the joys of Willamette Valley living.

[BB26]

Outstanding! We'll talk later, my friend, on the joys of Willamette Valley living.

Sounds good! :beer:

[wantedabiggergarage]

I have one Proto, one Wright, and one (OLD) Williams wrench. All feel a LOT better to me then Snap's dull knife feeling ones. I had to borrow/use a flank plus at the shop the other day (the only way I could get on the nut without some major hand munching), and they hurt like hell to use.

Yet the fatter flare nut/open end ones feel ok.

I would really like to see the new Williams (compare) or find some that the head (open end) tapers down, where your not going to grab it.

[cruiser808]

I have one Proto, one Wright, and one (OLD) Williams wrench. All feel a LOT better to me then Snap's dull knife feeling ones. I had to borrow/use a flank plus at the shop the other day (the only way I could get on the nut without some major hand munching), and they hurt like hell to use.

Yet the fatter flare nut/open end ones feel ok.

I would really like to see the new Williams (compare) or find some that the head (open end) tapers down, where your not going to grab it.

Excellent analysis. My wrenches are old, so I don't know how the new ones feel.