Just how Black is Proto Black

Elroy · Nov 13, 2008

Elroy was playing with the camera the other night and snapped these shots. As a service to the board, Elroy wanted to post up a few details of a recently acquired "Black Oxide" Proto ratchet. You talk about ROUGH!

If anyone is considering such a purchase sight unseen this is what you can expect.

This "Oxide" finish is MUCH rougher than any other black tool in Elroy's inventory. Hope these views are useful.

krusty the clown · Nov 13, 2008

never been a fan of industial finish tools although i own a few.......nice pics!

daveblank · Nov 13, 2008

I've always liked the industrial finish. It made it real easy for me to find my tools when they got borrowed.

davestlouis · Nov 13, 2008

Well, at least they didn't skimp on the finish, they really laid it on there.

russlaferrera · Nov 13, 2008

Black Oxide is a bath the etches the metal. The finish looks to me the metal was never machined or a rough casting.

Merkava_4 · Nov 13, 2008

Yikes!!! :eek2:

speed bump · Nov 13, 2008

So ****, I love it, more pictures please.

jay50 · Nov 13, 2008

I like shiny, polished handles so I can see my paw prints after wrenching....

Fedwrench · Nov 13, 2008

I've always thought Proto has excellent finishes on their tools. Their industrial finish and thefinish on their impact sockets is tough and durable. I don't care much for using alot of industrial tools as I can't find them when dropped in an engine compartment. :beer:

Nealcrenshaw · Nov 14, 2008

It looks good to me.

Stuey · Nov 14, 2008

It looks very uniform and was probably intentional. That, or it was left in the reaction chamber for too long.

Frank Elson · Nov 14, 2008

oh my god !
Does that mean they won't turn those socket things ?

nissan_crawler · Nov 14, 2008

That knurling makes me want to cry. God I hate that stuff. Great way to tear up your hands while wrenching.

chammyman · Nov 14, 2008

agreed nissan, especially on tight bolts and you have about ohh say 50 billion to undo that day :lol:

If you lapse concentrationa nd slip with knurling like that then the pads on your palms where you fingers start get rippe dright off.

Have to say though that ratchet won't slide easy on a smooth surface...

billymade · Nov 14, 2008

I bought a used 1/2" drive Industrial finish Proto pear head ratchet with the rough surface on the handle; I wish Proto would make their handles more comfortable and ergonomic! I haven't used it yet but can only assume it will tear up the palm of your hand!

paramudduck · Nov 14, 2008

I have never had knurling tear up my hands. I have had greasy hands slip off of smooth or ergo handles and slam into large masses of metal. I leave it to you which hurts worse.

I actually prefer the Proto black tools when I am working in the bright sun. Reflections off of highly polished tools can be quite painful.

wrenchr · Nov 14, 2008

Industrial finish IMO is a no nonsense tool that is intended for one thing........Working the bajesus out of it!!

Stuey · Nov 14, 2008

Proto's knurling is usually MUCH softer than it appears, and feels great.

Just how Black is Proto Black

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