Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

It makes sense, since it doesn't look like either of the other two styles of WF-38 ratchets.

Not sure how the chrome-plating was explained away before, but the Bog plant Air Corps contract (highlighted in yellow in the attached below), which was awarded (6/41) prior to the chrome-plating restrictions going into effect (9/41), clearly helps confirm that.

I am still curious about the finish on RagTopT/A's, though. When you get a chance, Rags, please clean it up and inspect it more closely to determine if it's natural steel or if, as 3baygarage suggests, it was chrome-plated and it wore off. The two examples, yours and DD T/A's sort of contradict each other on that, where one is so well-plated it's an icon of the plating process and the other is so poorly plated that it has worn off to the extent of looking like it was never plated. Reason I am curious is because the Bog contract was terminated (10/41) after the plating restrictions went into effect, suggesting Bog may have made a few runs without plating and we just haven't seen them until now.

3baygarage · Mar 20, 2019

Look at post 885 by Chopper.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=5583794&postcount=885

and post 644 by Ganymede.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4919208&postcount=644

It’s not uncommon to see Bog ratchets, not Plomb, but Bog, in complete **** condition as far as the chrome. They are old and were probably heavily used.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

Either we have different definitions or I am really missing something, 3bay.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (in terms of remaining chrome-plating), I would rate chopper's Bog-made Plomb WF-38 ratchet as a 9.5. It is in almost perfect condition, showing a little wear at the very top of the head.

Same scale, I would rate Ganymede's Bog-made WF-38 a 7. It is missing a swath of chrome around the insert on the drive side and in scrapes along the shank.

In comparison, if RagTopTA's Bog-made WPlomb WF-38 was plated, I would rate it a 0. Literally. I don't see any chrome whatsoever. If that's plating on the plug not polished steel. Otherwise, there is not a lick of chrome remaining anywhere on the selector, head, frame, shank or handle. I'm not sure what kind of use would do that.

Not trying to make an issue out of this. Also not trying to justify it as un-plated to match the documentation. I have no stake here. It just looks like plain steel to me. I will defer to his up close and personal opinion.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

Actually, if you scroll up and look at pic 3 in his original post #6004, there's a shot of the drive side and that almost looks like cadmium remains to me. So I am even more eager to hear from Rags.

d42jeep · Mar 20, 2019

sdeeter19555 said:
I'm not sure what automotive thing that 6524 socket is for...these are just a few of the pieces I have...

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

That 6524 socket doesn't appear in any price sheet I could find. Probably for some specific purpose. Plomb would make tools to specifications for customers.
-Don

MR.X · Mar 20, 2019

Ref. the Bog / Plomb WF38 here's an old thread with a couple of pics....if i don't mess up the link.
I'd dig out some of my BOG made ratchets, ...I know I have a Bog made Plomb PWA 1394 and a Hinsdale and maybe something else, but by the time I find them this subject will probably have run it's course.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=123907

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

Thanks, MR. X. The examples in the thread you linked are, like DD T/A's, chopper's, and Ganymede's, obviously chrome-plated, in my opinion, further affirming the prior conclusion that the Bog WF-38's were plated. And without seeing RagTopT/A's, I would certainly say the same thing. If Rags determines his was chrome-plated and almost completely denuded through use, we have status quo. If it looks to Rags like it was originally plain steel, or cad, it further affirms the inference that the "Chicago" address contract was the Bog plant, and implies that Bog had a few runs into the wartime plating restrictions. No big deal, just an interesting potential discovery.

What is your opinion - from afar - on Rags' Bog-made WF-38? Don? Roy? Anybody? Am I really the only one who thinks it looks like plain steel?

MR.X · Mar 20, 2019

Rag's Bog?....doesn't look like it was chromed, or if it was, not removed by natural wear. I can also see where you see what looks like traces of cadmium type finish. I'm no expert though.

d42jeep · Mar 20, 2019

MR.X said:
Rag's Bog?....doesn't look like it was chromed, or if it was, not removed by natural wear. I can also see where you see what looks like traces of cadmium type finish. I'm no expert though.

I don't think that there is any doubt that this ratchet was originally cad plated.
-Don

3baygarage · Mar 20, 2019

Private Lugnutz said:
Either we have different definitions or I am really missing something, 3bay.

On a scale of 1 to 10 (in terms of remaining chrome-plating), I would rate chopper's Bog-made Plomb WF-38 ratchet as a 9.5. It is in almost perfect condition, showing a little wear at the very top of the head.

Same scale, I would rate Ganymede's Bog-made WF-38 a 7. It is missing a swath of chrome around the insert on the drive side and in scrapes along the shank.

In comparison, if RagTopTA's Bog-made WPlomb WF-38 was plated, I would rate it a 0. Literally. I don't see any chrome whatsoever. If that's plating on the plug not polished steel. Otherwise, there is not a lick of chrome remaining anywhere on the selector, head, frame, shank or handle. I'm not sure what kind of use would do that.

Not trying to make an issue out of this. Also not trying to justify it as un-plated to match the documentation. I have no stake here. It just looks like plain steel to me. I will defer to his up close and personal opinion.

Sorry for the confusion. I wasn’t judging the two rats I linked. I’m talking old Bog rats in general, how they are often so worn looking.

I will agree the lock ring on Rag’s looks like cad from a distance, but I want to say every one of those rats I’ve seen was chrome. Mr. X has a point that if worn, it was caused by something, maybe through a method of cleaning when disassembled. The gear and switch look chrome still. :dunno:

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

No problem, 3bay. It's possible it was stripped (it would require undiluted acid or reverse polarity), but I still think the more logical explanation is that it was never plated to begin with. I have no explanation for the back of the gear/plug being shiny other than replacement, but I'm not convinced the switch shows any plating remains. But again, I will defer to Rags who is with the tool itself. Where is that guy when we need him anyway?!!!! :lol:

Provincial · Mar 20, 2019

The plug may have been left over from a run of parts made before the ban. I would think that manufacturers would have been able to use up existing parts stock, rather than storing it until the rule was revoked.

Edit: Perhaps the ratchet was repaired after the War and they used a pre- or post-ban plug.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 20, 2019

Provincial said:
I would think that manufacturers would have been able to use up existing parts stock, rather than storing it until the rule was revoked.

I'm not sure that was the case with chrome-plated old stock, only because I have not read that anywhere, but it was definitely the case with old stock with steel compositions that were restricted (due to the amounts of chromium, molybdenum and vanadium). Preference Order E-6 allowed Mfgrs to use up old CV and CM stock until September 1942.

Provincial said:
Edit: Perhaps the ratchet was repaired after the War and they used a pre- or post-ban plug.

That's what I meant by a replacement.

RubiconJK · Mar 20, 2019

Here is a pic of my BOG style Plomb WF-38. Chrome plated, mostly ok condition except for some finish loss on the head.

RagTopTA · Mar 20, 2019

Here's some close ups. Seems there are bits of plating but only on the face. Also included is a pic of a BOG version on the AA site.

bmwrd0 · Mar 20, 2019

d42jeep said:
That 6524 socket doesn't appear in any price sheet I could find. Probably for some specific purpose. Plomb would make tools to specifications for customers.
-Don

Its for an oil sensor I believe. I have one, and a MAC I think.

Private Lugnutz · Mar 21, 2019

RagTopTA said:
Here's some close ups. Seems there are bits of plating but only on the face.

Thanks, Rags!

Agreed, but those bits don't look like old chrome to me. It looks like old cadmium. Cadmium is a lot softer than chromium, and it will wear off from years and years of regular use. I have untold numbers of vintage tools with just a few traces of cadmium remaining. I don't have any tools with just a few traces of chrome.

In my opinion, your ratchet was very likely made at the Bog plant in Chicago, in October 1941, in the last month of Plomb's first ever US Army Air Corps contract.

But I am happy to be in a minority of 1 on this one!

twertsy · Mar 21, 2019

Private Lugnutz said:
Thanks, Rags!

Agreed, but those bits don't look like old chrome to me. It looks like old cadmium. Cadmium is a lot softer than chromium, and it will wear off from years and years of regular use. I have untold numbers of vintage tools with just a few traces of cadmium remaining. I don't have any tools with just a few traces of chrome.

In my opinion, your ratchet was very likely made at the Bog plant in Chicago, in October 1941, in the last month of Plomb's first ever US Army Air Corps contract.

But I am happy to be in a minority of 1 on this one!

Make it two. I see no evidence of chrome on that. I'll dig out my Bog/Hinsdale/WF examples later this morning.

RagTopTA · Mar 21, 2019

I believe you are correct that is was Cad plated. Zero evidence of chrome here. I have another BOG socket cap wrench I can dig out to see what kind of plating it has as well tonight after work .

3baygarage · Mar 21, 2019

Thanks for confirming. The moving parts appeared quite shiny.

Cooter Brown · Mar 21, 2019

I guess I missed it in the thread--what does "BOG" refer to?

oldmantaylor · Mar 21, 2019

Bog Manufacturing of Chicago. It's a company that Plomb Tool Company bought out.

3baygarage · Mar 21, 2019

Chrome X 1/2”, and the 1/4” x 3/8” I had on Tool Archives.

I know these are off the topic of Plomb, but the same design as above.

twertsy · Mar 21, 2019

2 Bogs front, WF rear

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Cooter Brown · Mar 21, 2019

oldmantaylor said:
Bog Manufacturing of Chicago. It's a company that Plomb Tool Company bought out.

Thank you.

3baygarage · Mar 21, 2019

twertsy said:
2 Bogs front, WF rear.

Cool. I’d like to find some more examples. Bog made ratchets have been impossible to find in the wild for me, like many other items.

d42jeep · Mar 21, 2019

I found these two unmarked tools at an estate sale this morning. I wonder why they are unmarked? The ratchet is 1/4” drive.
-Don

MR.X · Mar 21, 2019

I didn't even plan on buying any tools today and I stumbled onto these. In my experience the 6 point early Plomb sockets are much harder to find than the 12 pt. ones so pretty happy with this score.

r_olson_06 · Mar 21, 2019

MR.X said:
I didn't even plan on buying any tools today and I stumbled onto these. In my experience the 6 point early Plomb sockets are much harder to find than the 12 pt. ones so pretty happy with this score.

Very nice find. Even the early numbering system. Never seen a 3/4" 6pt in Plomb before besides contract stampings.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

MR.X · Mar 21, 2019

r_olson_06 said:
Very nice find. Even the early numbering system. Never seen a 3/4" 6pt in Plomb before besides contract stampings.

,

Thanks, When I was looking at them I was thinking how scarce the 1/2" drive 6 point
sockets from that era are, and trying to think if my 3/4" dr stuff was the same way.

r_olson_06 · Mar 21, 2019

Couldn't pass these up and will put me 1 wrench away from a full set. This puts my 10XX count up to 15 wrenches. Will get a family shot this weekend.

Also.i believe that the 1069 is longest Plomb tool made and possibly the heaviest cataloged Plomb wrench made.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

MR.X · Mar 21, 2019

r_olson_06 said:
Couldn't pass these up and will put me 1 wrench away from a full set. This puts my 10XX count up to 15 wrenches. Will get a family shot this weekend.

Also.i believe that the 1069 is longest Plomb tool made and possibly the heaviest cataloged Plomb wrench made.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

so which one are you missing? I picked up a few of those when i lived in Houston.

r_olson_06 · Mar 21, 2019

MR.X said:
so which one are you missing? I picked up a few of those when i lived in Houston.

1068 (2" X 2-3/8").

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

MR.X · Mar 21, 2019

yeah, I think the 1066 is about the largest double box I have. Not sure, but pretty sure.

r_olson_06 · Mar 21, 2019

MR.X said:
yeah, I think the 1066 is about the largest double box I have. Not sure, but pretty sure.

Thanks for checking. I really appreciate it.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

r_olson_06 · Mar 23, 2019

Post of the almost complete set. There is a 3/8" drive breaker bar to show the size relationship.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3061, 3070,

RubiconJK · Mar 23, 2019

r_olson_06 said:
Post of the almost complete set. There is a 3/8" drive breaker bar to show the size relationship.

Nice!

Provincial · Mar 23, 2019

I picked up the following at an estate sale yesterday:

WF-84 DBE 13/16 x 7/8
1140 DBE 13/16 x 7/8
5414 socket 7/16

d42jeep · Mar 24, 2019

Found a couple of unusual pieces today at an Albany, CA estate sale.
My fourth SR socket is a 1” deep. The other is a rusty 2006 PL∇MB brake spoon. I see that RubiconJK found one in March of last year. I guess they aren’t that common.
-Don

TjoFrasse · Mar 24, 2019

I've never expected to find any Plomb tools out in the Swedish countryside, but when I was the head of this ratchet poking out I went for it. If it weren't for spending way to much time on this site I probably wouldn't have known what I was looking at.

It works in both directions, but the selector is a bit mangled. Came with the box and three sockets, but one was ground down and broken.

Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member

Attachments

Well-known member