Advice learned from completing a Plomb Pebble Combination Wrench Set

[The Copilot]

removed

 

[-Brent-]

Nice work on completing the set. Thanks for posting this... very neat write-up. Do you think that, as a whole set, you've increased the value over what you spent?

 

[MattVette89]

That's very impressive. Clearly you had a lot of dedication to put that together.

 

[OctoMan]

I'm beginning to appreciate vintage tools. Tough part is picking a brand. I'm currently searching for a Thorsen 1/2" ratchet to match the 1/4" one I have. Let the madness begin! The set looks great. I have a 1/2 Plomb breaker bar WF -37. Nothing like vintage tools. Found a lot of good ones at the Restore for cheap.

 

[chrismenke]

There's no 1 1/2?

I'm a metric guy but it strikes me as odd that there wouldn't be a 1 1/2 wrench/fastener.

 

[RM209]

Excellent write-up. Congratulations on completing your set.

RM209

 

[zeet]

...And then there's the wraith-like "mystery size" 1-3/16, that they reserved the part number "1238" for and seemingly never produced.

Hmmmm.... Curious, very curious.

 

[Smokeshow69]

...And then there's the wraith-like "mystery size" 1-3/16, that they reserved the part number "1238" for and seemingly never produced.

Hmmmm.... Curious, very curious.

Funny you should mention this... I am in the exact same spot in my pebble collection. I have yet to ever see this size for sale. I am working on a useable set of pebbles ie: owners marks, some chrome missing. I am currently looking for the 5/16ths wrench and also the 3 wrenches after the 1 1/4 wrench to complete my set. When they are done they will hang on my wall in the garage to be used occasionally when I don't feel like using my proto set. Just the other night I was using my 3/8th pebble on my lawn mower and it was so nice to use them and they felt so good in my hands! The set of pebbles in this thread are really nice! I appreciate how much time went into this set and you are right, the hunt is half the fun!

 

[Smokeshow69]

The 1238 is absent from the Plomb catalogs as well. My guess is that it was never produced.

My thoughts as well! I have searched the catalogues and can't find anything! Of course if someone did ever find it, it would be the holy grail of wrenches! You where so right on with the comments about the biggest and the smallest wrenches being the hardest to find! They are super expensive and almost impossible to find. As far as your wrenches over the 1 1/4 size diameter, I don't know if I have ever even seen any pictures of them besides in catalogues.

 

[KZ1000J]

Nice post Copilot and congrats. on completing your full set.

About 9 months ago it was Plomb tools that lead me to GJ, they looked so different, so cool, I wanted to learn all I could about them. While learning about Plomb, I also learned of others and the insanity happily began.

KZ

 

[Greasymofo]

Hey guys. Theres a pawnshop I know of that has a small toolbox filled with plomb wrenches for 50 bux. I almost bought them but I do not need them at all. But I think I might just have to now !!

 

[woody 73]

sigh...years of looking and I only have a few examples darn I had better learn more about E-bay but then I would have been broke years ago.

 

[Conductor562]

Excellent thread CoPilot, and all your info is spot on.

 

[Greasymofo]

Yeah I'm not sure they are pebbled or not. Whats the difference?

 

[Greasymofo]

Right on man I'll send pics when I get them

 

[stormking]

Congratulations young Plomuan (lame star wars reference) on completing the 12xx series. When you catch your breath and need a new challenge try the next hardest set the 37xx line wrench's. After that the 11xx series box end set (1164 is very tough). Not for the faint of heart is the 30xx set, good luck in completing this one, you may be old and gray before you finish. Once you have completed all the sets you will become a Plomi Master and all the secrets of the Tooliverse will be unlocked for you. All kidding aside, you are correct that the hunt is the best part, and in my experience the hardest one to find is the one you need to complete "your" set.

 

[Carla]

Well, I am impressed........ : )

I think I may have some duplicates of the smaller sizes which could be trade material.....I'll have to go do some sorting.

Myself, I thought I'd just collect Plombs up to the 7/8" to 1" or so size range, as I use them, and only work on small stuff these days.

Maybe there should be a specific 'Plombs wanted/offered for trades' thread on this site?

cheers

Carla

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well, I am impressed........ : )

I think I may have some duplicates of the smaller sizes which could be trade material.....I'll have to go do some sorting.

Myself, I thought I'd just collect Plombs up to the 7/8" to 1" or so size range, as I use them, and only work on small stuff these days.

Maybe there should be a specific 'Plombs wanted/offered for trades' thread on this site?

cheers

Carla

Pm me if you have a 5/61ths or 3/8ths pebble as I am looking for them or any bigger than 1 1/4 size pebble please!

 

[Lump]

I really enjoyed this post, Copilot. Well done.

 

[bczygan]

Dang, now everyone is going to be beating the bushes....

I've got a couple somewhere, mixed into the piles of misc. wrenches. Should pull them out and see what they are.

 

[bczygan]

Rummaged through the junk drawer in my HF roller and found a 1226 and a 3035.

 

[bczygan]

Are these ratchets worth collecting?



Bill

 

[Lump]

Bill, Yes, there are many collectors who would like to own a Plomb-branded ratchet. Of course, condition plays an important part of the value of any tool, so plan accordingly.

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . . that is Plomb beautiful !!! . . .

All the more impressive is you've gathered them in Nebraska !!

I could see Los Angeles, CA guy putting that together, but NE is much tougher.

 

[bczygan]

Bill, Yes, there are many collectors who would like to own a Plomb-branded ratchet. Of course, condition plays an important part of the value of any tool, so plan accordingly.

Guy wants $50 for that little collection. Too much?

 

[Ratchet.]

Very nice collection,

I have just started getting into Plomb tools after coveting them on here for a long while

as you would expect its a bit more of a challenge over here, wf series stuff comes up occasionally, , either from US military stationed here i guess, or from ex MOD (there are a few NOS still in cosmoline tools on ebay at the moment)

Not seen any pebble era tools at all though, so importing is the only way, have recently got a pair of early (marked made in USA) breaker bars in 1/2 and 3/8 drive, and just bought a 3/8 ratchet, at least the current exchange rate makes it a bit easier on the wallet

They are fantastic tools, everything about them exudes quality, and the finish is right up my street (not one for mirror polished chrome) I use the two breaker bars most days, just how it should be, were made to be used.

Will look at building a set of plomb wrenches some day, as i don't have a full set of AF/SAE wrenches yet....

 

[Lump]

Guy wants $50 for that little collection. Too much?

Everyone has their own opinion about these values, Bill. But it would be too much for me. Might be different if the original finish was gorgeous, etc.

 

[bczygan]

Everyone has their own opinion about these values, Bill. But it would be too much for me. Might be different if the original finish was gorgeous, etc.

Yeah,
I don't need to be collecting this stuff.

They are on Detroit CL if anyone is interested.
Guys number is 313 800-3173

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/tls/4950710992.html

 

[bczygan]

How about 18 pieces for $70? And he will ship...

I can't get. My wife said I'd be Plomb crazy to start collecting them.

http://nmi.craigslist.org/tls/4867307870.html

 

[PETE14]

Thanks for sharing your set with us, Copilot. Nice write up and photos. Those are pretty sweet.

For what its worth, The Craftsman USA combo wrenches also skip the 1 3/16 size. There must not be anything in existence that requires that size. Still, it kinda messes with my OCD a little.

 

[Plombob]

Great job copilot! It's not easy getting a full set in nice condition even here where Plomb tools were made.

 

[crasher]

I'd kinda like to know why he removed the info, but he's not here to ask.