Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[nailheadmatt]

why not

Or are at least more interested in creating criteria for toolbox assessments based on construction features than others! It seems necessary to emphasize that me expressing that I have not considered Plomb boxes noticeably inferior in reply to Beemer is not the same as me arguing with you that they're made as well as boxes that Snap-on and Blackhawk were issuing. My statement has no impact on your empirical observations and conclusions, any more than your empirical observations and conclusions have any impact on my statement. Maybe the boxes are good enough. Maybe I don't overload them. Maybe I have them underloaded. Maybe the extra material and stiffeners is overkill. Or maybe they really aren't made as well as other contemporary boxes. If you can't see how that doesn't change my observation that I have never found them noticeably inferior - experientially, in use, you should probably ignore me rather than fall further prey to Rousseau's dictum about last resorts.

Good questions! That have already outstripped the boundaries of my interest, however.

why not just admit you're wrong, instead of just talking in circles? i respected you until this point. "opinion" is a statement based on preference. ignoring compared factual data between two objects is ignorance. you can park a kia next to a rolls royce and you can say, "i like the kia better." that would be an entitled opinion. to say that they are both the same quality is not opinion, its a wrong statement.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...to say that they are both the same quality

But I didn't say that. This is what I said...

I have never considered Plomb boxes noticeably inferior.

I trust your construction breakdown. Thanks for sharing it. It's interesting. Etc. I just have never been given any reasons to think of them as deficient. I think you're reading that as a refutation, but it's not.

We should move on.

 

[MR.X]

wait! wait!,wait!.don't stop now. Do one on those jet age / torpedo / bomb Blackhawk toolboxes that everyone loses their chit over, go for frickin bank, and couldn't carry your shaving kit in without popping open and spilling your stuff all over the ground.

 

[stormking]

For not being very good toolboxes there sure are a lot of them still around 75+ years later.

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

FWIW I am not planning on upgrading any of my Plomb chests. I do appreciate other makers designs though, each for what they are. I have seen the 9980's pack one heck of a load and travel well while doing it. I have also seen many very nice boxes of modern design destroyed in short while doing rough service truck duty. Even my open fronted seven drawer managed to survive in a stationary shop setting for at least 70 years, even though it could have been built better. Pic is what came out of this little box, an overload for sure but still, none the worse for wear. Ed.

 

[Smokeshow69]

FWIW I am not planning on upgrading any of my Plomb chests. I do appreciate other makers designs though, each for what they are. I have seen the 9980's pack one heck of a load and travel well while doing it. I have also seen many very nice boxes of modern design destroyed in short while doing rough service truck duty. Even my open fronted seven drawer managed to survive in a stationary shop setting for at least 70 years, even though it could have been built better. Pic is what came out of this little box, an overload for sure but still, none the worse for wear. Ed.

That’s a good point Ed. Each maker has their own strengths and weaknesses for sure. And even that’s all a matter of personal perspective.
And I’m with you there, I won’t be modifying my plomb boxes if I can help it in any way. I’m a stickler for originality when possible or whenever feasible

 

[d42jeep]

I’m perfectly happy with both of mine and they both pack a pretty good load without whimpering.
My Plomb GMTK box is as robust as any of my other wartime boxes.
I’m perfectly satisfied with my current boxes. I would be happy to examine a Toolmobile close up but the opportunity hasn’t presented itself yet.
-Don

 

[ladydfunkyg]

Those canvas roll-ups are fabulous, especially with what looks like a sewn-in handle at the top, but I am wondering if they're factory. I think they may be custom. In my opinion, that doesn't diminish your sets, and actually enhances them. Someone liked their full set of Plomb Pebble DOE and DBEs so much they made bags for them. Late 40's is not an era I have studied deeply, so someone else may be able to correct me on that. Here's a snapshot from a late 40's catalog.

N/a

 

[Smokeshow69]

I’m perfectly happy with both of mine and they both pack a pretty good load without whimpering. View attachment 1859284
My Plomb GMTK box is as robust as any of my other wartime boxes.
I’m perfectly satisfied with my current boxes. I would be happy to examine a Toolmobile close up but the opportunity hasn’t presented itself yet.
-Don

I’m sure you will find one soon Don! Your in the right area

 

[stormking]

Don, you might have to import one from Portland. They are literally everywhere up here.

 

[d42jeep]

I requested that RTM pick one up for me on his trip north. I’m still waiting.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

I requested that RTM pick one up for me on his trip north. I’m still waiting.
-Don

If I see any more pop up I’ll see what I can do to procure it if you can arrange transportation . Obviously i would consult you on price before I buy it but maybe us guys up here can help you out

 

[Smokeshow69]

I was discussing pliers tonight with ragtopta. I really don’t have a lot of pliers and I’m wondering if you guys are also running low on pliers inventory? I have 6 total, not including brake pliers and ignition pliers. They are split evenly between name knurl and Danielson made pliers. Do you guys struggle to locate pliers? I believe all of these are found in the wild or traded with friends.

 

[d42jeep]

I would like to find more name knurl pliers for my wartime Plomb based GMTK. I’ve found the Danielson pattern pliers but they are postwar. I’ve seen a couple of name knurl pliers that I could use on the internet but they are quite expensive. I’ve only found one pair of name knurl water pump pliers at a garage sale. Oh well, the fun is in the hunt. I need 6” and 8” slip joint pliers, longnoses and dykes. In the meantime, I have plenty of other correct brands as placeholders.
-Don
Here is a picture sent to me years ago by another tool collector.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Do one on those jet age / torpedo / bomb Blackhawk toolboxes that everyone loses their chit over

Troublemaker!

For not being very good toolboxes there sure are a lot of them still around 75+ years later.

I’m perfectly happy with both of mine and they both pack a pretty good load

Even my open fronted seven drawer managed to survive in a stationary shop setting for at least 70 years, even though it could have been built better. Pic is what came out of this little box, an overload for sure but still, none the worse for wear.

So, then, do we read Matt's handy construction features clipboard, left to right, as "flimsy and deficient" (Plomb), "ideal" (Snap-on) and "very good" (Blackhawk)? Or "good enough" (Plomb), "best" (Snap-on), and "better than good enough" (Blackhawk)? If they don't sag or bend or fall apart under heavy loads, and if you only notice the features that ostensibly make them, according to the criteria in column A on Matt's clipboard, lesser quality boxes than Snap-on and Blackhawk, isn't it the latter? In other words, what is "par"? And are they "sub-par" (because they have fewer of the column A features) even though that lack doesn't seem to have had an effect on their durability? They can apparently be of technically lesser quality and good enough at the same time. (Plomb, Pressteel, and Duplex might argue they were being efficient!) Without disputing either Ed or Matt, that's all I was trying to get at.

There was a definite label at a time on these bags.

I see. With a blue and gold color scheme. That's not ringing Plomb bells for me. P&C used that scheme, though. The number and range of both wrench sets perfectly matches complete 15* angle pattern DBE and DOE offerings in the pebble era, which is interesting. The catalogs don't include any mention of roll-ups other than leatherette, though, as far as I can see. Someone else may have other thoughts.

 

[3baygarage]

I was discussing pliers tonight with ragtopta. I really don’t have a lot of pliers and I’m wondering if you guys are also running low on pliers inventory? I have 6 total, not including brake pliers and ignition pliers. They are split evenly between name knurl and Danielson made pliers. Do you guys struggle to locate pliers? I believe all of these are found in the wild or traded with friends.

My experience is about the same. I haven’t shopped for them online, and also have roughly a half dozen. I bet the pliers and adjustables were crowded out by other brands at the time. Look at Proto though, there are a million Proto pliers and wrenches around. Of course Proto has had many more years.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Same. I have only found a handful in the wild, probably on the order of six or seven, only two Name-Nurls, all moved on to other collectors.

 

[MR.X]

Troublemaker!

 

[Smokeshow69]

My experience is about the same. I haven’t shopped for them online, and also have roughly a half dozen. I bet the pliers and adjustables were crowded out by other brands at the time. Look at Proto though, there are a million Proto pliers and wrenches around. Of course Proto has had many more years.

I think a lot of them went the way of warranty or being used hard and then discarded. Very similar with craftsman long c era. Those pliers from the 30’s/40’s are much harder to find versus more modern units. Age and attrition. You can find either brand on eBay but they are crazy expensive so I prefer finding them in the wild. I did pick up a plomb 12” adjustable at the swap meet just because I don’t find many adjustable wrenches in the wild.

Stop it. No one posted a hinge handle so you can’t get that excited

 

[four.cycle]

I see. With a blue and gold color scheme.

You're seeing blue and gold in that third image?
I see black and gold.
Just a tiny snip of it along the border. Am I missing something?
Not ringing any bells here, but I'm thinking repurposed.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We're looking at the same snip. Could be black.

 

[Smokeshow69]

You're seeing blue and gold in that third image?
I see black and gold.
Just a tiny snip of it along the border. Am I missing something?
Not ringing any bells here, but I'm thinking repurposed.

We're looking at the same snip. Could be black.

These 2 wrench sets can be seen on eBay fyi… same seller name as the member name.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

These 2 wrench sets can be seen on eBay fyi… same seller name as the member name.

Yeah, 4.c PM'ed me that yesterday. I usually ignore the 1-post posters obviously just trying to generate some free advertising, but, to their credit, at least they took the time to locate the right thread instead of posting a new thread - which is ironically more than many of our recent run of new members are doing, they did not break any rules (the post was not worded like a classified ad and no sale was mentioned), and those roll-ups are an interesting topic.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Yeah, 4.c PM'ed me that yesterday. I usually ignore the 1-post posters obviously just trying to generate some free advertising, but, to their credit, at least they took the time to locate the right thread instead of posting a new thread - which is ironically more than many of our recent run of new members are doing, they did not break any rules (the post was not worded like a classified ad and no sale was mentioned), and those roll-ups are an interesting topic.

Ok cool. I wasn’t trying to call that person out. Just was saying that there may be better photos on eBay but I agree, at least it was posted in the correct thread. I hate it when new members post their new “finds” with links or other super obvious info to run up bids. But regardless these are nice wrench sets

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I wasn’t trying to call that person out.

I didn't take it that way. Sorry.

But regardless these are nice wrench sets

Yeah they are! For someone who shops on eBay looking to one-fell-swoop. The roll-ups are very intriguing. Still don't think they're factory. But cool nonetheless.

 

[four.cycle]

^ I am in agreement with you on the pouches. Very well-made, but I don't think by Plomb. I advised you via P/m on those because I didn't want it to blow up into some kind of deal.
Stuff like that used to kind of annoy me when I'd find myself doing a bunch of research so somebody could post their wares online with an accurate description of them, but now I just kind of figure it comes with the territory.
What I'm most curious about is if somebody is really willing to step up into that price range for "instant pebble collection" - THAT is really the larger question and would give us an indicator as to which direction the market's going, it's uniqueness notwithstanding.
(We have at least one thread(s) running concurrently here where the resale value of vintage stuff has been debated for the last several years.)

 

[Smokeshow69]

I didn't take it that way. Sorry.

Yeah they are! For someone who shops on eBay looking to one-fell-swoop. The roll-ups are very intriguing. Still don't think they're factory. But cool nonetheless.

No worries. I wasn’t offended at all

 

[ladydfunkyg]

N/a

 

[3baygarage]

Ebay Fishing Rule #1: Don't wrap the Plomb in Aunt Ethel's old WWll era girdles and try to pass it off as a collector's cosmoline dream.

 

[ladydfunkyg]

N/a

 

[Private Lugnutz]

What I'm most curious about is if somebody is really willing to step up into that price range for "instant pebble collection" -

Certainly not I said the blind skinflint! I pieced my pebble combo set together between flea market finds over the course of a few years and flipped them to a GJer for a very fair price that was 5 x lower.

Very well-made, but I don't think by Plomb.

I'd be very surprised. Stranger things have happened, especially in that postwar era. But I remain very skeptical. It is interesting that they have the precise number of pockets for the precise number of wrenches in each set at that time.

Stuff like that used to kind of annoy me when I'd find myself doing a bunch of research so somebody could post their wares online with an accurate description of them, but now I just kind of figure it comes with the territory.

I'm not that tolerant.

 

[Outlawmws]

Plvmb Pilers, I only have 3 pair, and none are Name Knurl...

1 pair of dykes, 2 NN

12 Proto, but that includs all years.

 

[RTM]

I requested that RTM pick one up for me on his trip north. I’m still waiting.
-Don

Me too, I’m going back soon, and if I find one, will have to find a friend to leave it with, as I am flying this time.

 

[mritchie77]

^ I am in agreement with you on the pouches. Very well-made, but I don't think by Plomb. I advised you via P/m on those because I didn't want it to blow up into some kind of deal.
Stuff like that used to kind of annoy me when I'd find myself doing a bunch of research so somebody could post their wares online with an accurate description of them, but now I just kind of figure it comes with the territory.
What I'm most curious about is if somebody is really willing to step up into that price range for "instant pebble collection" - THAT is really the larger question and would give us an indicator as to which direction the market's going, it's uniqueness notwithstanding.
(We have at least one thread(s) running concurrently here where the resale value of vintage stuff has been debated for the last several years.)

Someone did. They both sold today.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They both sold today.

$20 per wrench. Girdles for free!

 

[d42jeep]

Both sets sold on a best offer. The exact amount wasn’t shown. It would be interesting to know exactly what they ended up selling for. Perhaps the seller will let us know.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Perhaps the seller will let us know.

I'm just going to take a wild *** guess that price is "$N/a."

 

[Smokeshow69]

I'm just going to take a wild *** guess that price is "$N/a."

Dang, you beat me to it

 

[four.cycle]

The final selling price might be "N/a" but the photo images are not, nor are the shipping charges:
shipping $81.39 on the double-end box wrench set
shipping $91.68 on the open-end wrench set

 

[Smokeshow69]

The final selling price might be "N/a" but the photo images are not, nor are the shipping charges:
shipping $81.39 on the double-end box wrench set
shipping $91.68 on the open-end wrench set

I refuse to buy from sellers that gouge on shipping