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A glimpse into Proto tool making (pic heavy)

K

KnurledNut

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These were posted on FB. Thought i would link them here.
Some pics behind the scenes of some USA manufacturing...enjoy.

Sockets & parts coming out of heat treatment:
https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/555564_511468898931453_858930951_n.jpg

Sockets coming out of final plating tank.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/1186804_511469195598090_1779060388_n.jpg

Sockets being cleaned prior to plating.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1231344_511469402264736_1785235679_n.jpg

Finished ratchet bodies after plating.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1186180_511469648931378_125884127_n.jpg

Wrenches on plating racks.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/599248_511469965598013_596114664_n.jpg

Wrenches awaiting final finishing.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1150215_511470868931256_201623141_n.jpg

Wrench forging edges being ground smooth.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/999209_511471245597885_111681920_n.jpg

Wrench head being ground smooth.
https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1000589_511471538931189_1953794310_n.jpg

More smoothing.
https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn1/1174525_511471805597829_585996610_n.jpg

Wrenches in a vibratory polishing tank.
https://sphotos-b-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/576539_511473185597691_214130344_n.jpg

Wrench being tested to ultimate torque in controlled lab. Notice that the wrench bends and does not break.
https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash4/1002357_511473538930989_1733996704_n.jpg

https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/1003750_511473535597656_1956608745_n.jpg

Torque testing equipment.
https://sphotos-a-ord.**.fbcdn.net/hphotos-prn2/1240135_511473635597646_813177220_n.jpg
 
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J

JoeMA

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It is always interesting see tool manufacturing pictures/videos. I have been very impressed with my Proto tools.
 
V

vssjim

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rshadd said:
It would be interesting to get a tour at one of the plants were tools are made.
Click to expand...

The plant they show making the Proto stuff is in Dallas about five miles North East of DFW airport. They call it Stanley Dallas Mechanics Tool Div.
 
S

Skin

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Also the same building that many of MACs hard line tools come out of.
 
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T

Tx308

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Awesome! Thanks for posting, Proto is my addiction of choice. :-D
 
C

Conductor562

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The equipment and process looks exactly like the Snap-On videos floating around on YouTube. Of course Proto isn't forged out of the same reverse engineered, martian, alloys secretly brought brought back by the Mercury missions and crafted by Leprechaun Blacksmith's at a secret factory in Atlantis, that make Snap-On worth 300% more.

:FIREdevil

But in all seriousness, Snap-On are fine tools and I'm not knocking the quality. Maybe to someone working in a shop, with a good SO driver, that can fully utilize the convenience of the truck, they might even be worth 300% more, but You can't convince me that in the vast majority of cases, Proto isn't as good a quality of tool for 1/3 of the price. They may not always be as flashy, and the finish might not be as perfect, but I'd put my hardline Proto stuff against any. IMO, when you factor in cost versus performance, Proto offers one of the best values on the market.

:thumbup:
 
R

rusty65

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Conductor562 said:
The equipment and process looks exactly like the Snap-On videos floating around on YouTube. Of course Proto isn't forged out of the same reverse engineered, martian, alloys secretly brought brought back by the Mercury missions and crafted by Leprechaun Blacksmith's at a secret factory in Atlantis, that make Snap-On worth 300% more.

:FIREdevil

But in all seriousness, Snap-On are fine tools and I'm not knocking the quality. Maybe to someone working in a shop, with a good SO driver, that can fully utilize the convenience of the truck, they might even be worth 300% more, but You can't convince me that in the vast majority of cases, Proto isn't as good a quality of tool for 1/3 of the price. They may not always be as flashy, and the finish might not be as perfect, but I'd put my hardline Proto stuff against any. IMO, when you factor in cost versus performance, Proto offers one of the best values on the market.

:thumbup:
Click to expand...

I have just recently am starting to understand your Proto love I picked up a new 17 piece metric 1/4 drive Proto set off eBay for 40 shipped in a metal case and am loving every second using the Proto tools the older stuff is nice that I have picked up used but the newer stuff really is top notch!
yjy3anys.jpg



Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.
 
C

Conductor562

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rusty65 said:
I have just recently am starting to understand your Proto love I picked up a new 17 piece metric 1/4 drive Proto set off eBay for 40 shipped in a metal case and am loving every second using the Proto tools the older stuff is nice that I have picked up used but the newer stuff really is top notch!
yjy3anys.jpg



Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.
Click to expand...

Do yourself a favor and pick up a 3/8" Proto "Palm Control" flex ratchet. J5257F is the model #. They are the same as the Facom's and man are the sweet. 72 tooth round heads with a 13 tooth engagement. I'm not aware of any other rats (Snap-On included) that have that much engagement. They're stout! Nice, comfortable, knurled handle, it's been my primary user since the day I got it. Same goes for the 1/4" model as well (J4757F). I never added the 1/2" model because I have a bunch already, but they are fine rats for sure. They come in non-flex versions to (same model # minus the F on the end).

Another Proto gem is the Clik-Stop adjustables. When you set the size it stays put! Never walks out of adjustment like standard adjustables.

I like the ASD Combos as well. I have 15 piece SAE, and 18 piece metric sets and couldn't be happier with them. All their sockets and drive tools are awesome and I've seen several people on here say that the Torqueplus 12 points are the only 12 points they have no reservations about. The new Anti-Vibe ball peins are killer too.

The only Proto tools I've been disapointed in are the red handled "Super Screwdrivers". The shanks and tips are good quality, but the handles (although comfortable) don't hold up very well. One drop of gasoline or brakekleen and the Proto logo, model #, etc., vanishes. They mar up ridiculously easy as well. If I had it to do over I'd have bought the hard yellow handled models. Proto has a new handle due out in the near future that they claim is a vast improvement over the red ones. That isn't saying much though because it would be hard for them to be worse.

Man, here I went and got all worked up about Proto at 2:00 a.m. :sad:
 
R

rusty65

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Thanks for the lowdown conductor. I have several of the proto adjustables with the clik stop and your right they are damn fine.


Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.
 
J

jowwo

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Colo
rusty65 said:
I have just recently am starting to understand your Proto love I picked up a new 17 piece metric 1/4 drive Proto set off eBay for 40 shipped in a metal case and am loving every second using the Proto tools the older stuff is nice that I have picked up used but the newer stuff really is top notch!
yjy3anys.jpg



Sent From Snap On Headquarters deep in China.
Click to expand...

Cool pic. I don't have any recent proto ratchets, but I do have a plomb 3/8" that looks exactly like that one you have pictured. Why change a good thing I guess. ;)
 
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