Brand New Proto 500 set

[mrpowderkeg]

I went to our local used tool store, and asked the guy if he had any proto t-500 wrenches. He walked to the wrench rack, and grabbed a leather pouch. There right in front of me was a brand new never used Proto 500 set, not a t-500. They look and feel like my T-500s, perhaps they are the precursor to the t-500? So yeah I had to have them. They have never been used, I don't know if I should ever use them....

 

[AA/FC]

Very nice!

What was the price tag?

 

[amolaver]

sure look purdy...and long! doesn't look like they have any of the open end anti-slip technologies (don't mean to rain on your parade) but they look like some damn fine wrenches.

now go get 'em dirty and use 'em like they were intended!

ahm

 

[toolmutt]

They are pretty; but, definitely use them.

 

[Fedwrench]

That is probably one of the most pristine sets of 40 year old wrenches I've ever seen.

Back in the day Proto had an affiliation with the Indy 500 hence, the Proto 500.

Yes, they were the ancestors of today's current T500 fully polished ASD wrenches.

I'm not much of a tool polishers and tools are meant to be used but, a 40 year old plus set of wrenches that have never been used probably should be in a museum.

 

[sk farmer]

nice find......classics!

 

[woody 73]

Very nice put them away for the next generation to enjoy.

 

[shanny19]

wow. speechless.

 

[mrpowderkeg]

I discovered they came with literature that was packaged with the set

500 lying on top of a t-500

 

[Bigblue&Goldie]

Those are beautiful wrenches, nice find!

 

[lbgradwell]

Simply outstanding. I'd love to own those...

 

[Josey Wales]

You can't use them. You'd ruin the value...and they'd never be new again.
IMHO

 

[dfndr]

That's a hard choice. Classic and pristine. They could be used and enjoyed but I'd probably keep them new and pristine and enjoy them that way. Not many treasures around like that.

 

[sonvolt]

Sweet set of wrenches, good find !

 

[lynnbilodeau]

Not using wrenches is like not driving the Ferrari. Sacrilege.
I have a 69 Z/28 with less then 28k on it. I drive it to work almost once per week. I just don't care that it may be hurting the value. It's mine, and it was made to drive. I even have a few little bits of rubber deposited behind the back wheels.

I bought a set of absolutely pristine vintage 7 or 8 Blue Point ball peen hammers at an auction years ago. Fellow never struck anything with them. I am proud to say I have used every one in an appropriate circumstance. That is what they were made for.

Besides, not driving your classic car (or using your classic tools) is like not having *** with your wife (or girlfriend), just so she will be more desirable for her next boyfriend or husband.

 

[lbgradwell]

...is like not having *** with your wife (or girlfriend), just so she will be more desirable for her next boyfriend or husband.

Which is often a good thing!

 

[rapid robert]

Besides, not driving your classic car (or using your classic tools) is like not having *** with your wife (or girlfriend), just so she will be more desirable for her next boyfriend or husband.

That is a great comparison!

 

[zcbauer89]

Beautiful set. The wrench wrap is in perfect condition as well! Great find!

 

[methomas70]

So nice those are!
Thanks for sharing.

 

[dnschmidt]

Here's my set of Proto 500 Metric Box Wrenches. They have never been used. They have sat at the bottom of my tool box since the 1970's. Don't know why I never used them. Maybe it's because they were at the bottom of my tool box. Maybe it was because they were too nice to use. If somebody would want to buy, notice I didn't say steal, them from me I'd consider it.

 

[lbgradwell]

Again... beautiful!

 

[mrpowderkeg]

Nice

 

[Zeke]

Only in S. Dakota.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Just keep the 7/16 open end away from valve covers and you should be ok.

 

[spacedoutbob]

Beautiful set of wrenches, Congratulations on the great find. I remember when they came out, I already had my Snap-On wrenches by then, and there was no way I was going to purchase the Proto 500 line at that point in time. They are nice though.

Bob

 

[bcradio]

sure look purdy...and long! doesn't look like they have any of the open end anti-slip technologies (don't mean to rain on your parade) but they look like some damn fine wrenches.

now go get 'em dirty and use 'em like they were intended!

ahm

That's not really a negative. Those 'anti-slip technologies' have both pro's and con's. It's like saying "That's a nice chrome socket, but you can't really use it on an impact gun." Chrome sockets have their advantages just the same as wrenches without 'anti-slip technologies'.

 

[bob15]

The paperwork says for than 70 years of tool making, which if you include Plomb, would make the set 1977 or newer.

 

[RM209]

Congratulations on your find. I picked up a couple of 500's at an estate sale a few years ago, and they are beautiful wrenches. The chrome is brilliant and very high quality; a real tribute to Proto.

RM209

 

[3baygarage]

Very nice.

I saw a couple different NOS 500 sets a year ago at a flea market. The seller was some type of industrial dealer and they were priced at about retail. Couldn't help but gawk at them.

Cool to see that paper, the term "Protoloy" is new to me.

 

[carcajou]

Just showed up and i thought i would share them. Brings a whole new dimension to the term NOS. Didn't need them but i could not pass them by. Hard to believe someone would buy these and not use at least one in all that time.