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A. Plomb Calif-Tool

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Tool Pants

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http://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html

Alphonse Plomb co-founded the company in 1907. What I had not seen mentioned until recently is that he left his own company in 1916-17, to start another company.

From the article it looks like it was called A, Plomb Tool Co., until it was sold in 1927. California Tool Company was registered in 1931 and used A. Plomb on some of their tools.

I have been looking on ebay for 2 months for A. Plomb. I found 3 items, which went for crazy money. Some had just A. Plomb and some also Calif-Tool. I assume from the article that if both names are on the tool it was made after Plomb sold the company in 1927.

I found this yesterday at the flea market. When I saw A. Plomb I thought my eyes were playing tricks. But when I turned it over it also had Calif-Tool.
 

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Tool Pants

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I looked for 2 months on ebay for an A. Plomb, so I will keep it.

I tried to buy the brake wrench in the 3 ebay pictures 2 months ago, but it went for $42.04. It had A. Plomb and Calif-Tool on it.

I paid 50 cents at the flea market for my wrench....

There are Plomb collectors out there, so it will be interesting to see if anyone has info on the second company Alphonse Plomb started.

Searched the net and came up with a California Tool Company, 1929 S. Figuero St., Los Angeles. No website. Plomb started in Los Angeles. Could just be a coincidence. If it is the same Calif-Tool I would lkie to see the Plomb tool collection.
 

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Tool Pants

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Forgot to mention.

As I was leaving the flea market I stopped by a seller I have bought stuff from before. Sells mostly Craftsman. I showed him the A. Plomb and he said he has a ratchet at home with A. Plomb on it. I asked if it was just Plomb, or A. Plomb, and he siad A. Plomb.

I'll believe it when I see it. He said he will bring it to the flea market next week. Hope he remembers because I will be there.
 
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PowderKeg

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I've got a "Calif-Tool" box wrench (no "A. Plomb" on the reverse side though) that looks to be a kissin' cousin to early PLVMB (pre-pebble) ones. Figured there was a connection of some sort, but could never dig up any info before.
 
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T56 Impala

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I have a long tappet wrench marked Calif Tool with no other markings. Interesting that it is a Plomb. It has only one end and is about 18" long.
 
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Tool Pants

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They say it comes in threes.

Today at the flea market I am looking at a bunch of wrenches on the ground from one of the regular sellers. I see what looks like cadmium plated box wrenches that look like old Plombs. Pick them up to see if they are Plombs, and they are Calif-Tool. No A. Plomb stamped this time.
 

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T56 Impala

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I have also recently been informed that Skyway Precision tools was also a part of Plomb. I have yet to confirm this and only mention it to see if anyone else has heard of it. I know that several smaller foundries did contract work for Plomb just before and during the second world war. It seems, for a while at least, they were the big fish in the tool pond.

FWIW, any time I look at garage sales, flea markets or pawn shops, the first item on my mental check list is ANYTHING that looks cadmium plated. Only after I select those do I start looking at stampings.
 
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Tool Pants

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As I have said before, the name Plomb on a tool is interesting. From 1907 of the founding. To the Proto name change; and now the once proud name is Stanley junk.

I found another brake line wrench. A.Plomb and Calif-Tool. One is longer than the other.
 

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Tool Pants

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I bought this A.Plomb from the ebay seller. No Calif-Tool on it. Looks like it was stamped out of steel plate.

Would be interesting if this was produced by Alphonse after he left Plomb and before he sold his second company to California Tool Company.
 

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7lamar7

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I have a Calif-Tool 1 5/16 crowfoot on one side it says A. Plomb Ford Can anyone one tell me about it.
 
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d42jeep

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I received one of these in a lot of tools on eBay recently. It looks just like Bonneyman's example above but mine is a D-16. It is stamped CALIF-TOOL on the opposite side.
-Don
 

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