Calling Proto experts - Real or Fake? What year?

[spv]

I recently purchased a bunch of Proto tools online. Having received the tools today I am not sure what to make of them. I am not sure if these are genuine proto or poor copies. The finishing is a bit of a shock. I am looking for some feedback on if these are real or fakes. What year they would be and some idea on why the finishing would be this way.

USA made

Satin then chrome (maybe a hint on the year?)

Extremely poor finishing.

Close up of poor finishing.

Poor socket work. What is going on here? Why the drill holes?

Example of a good socket in the set.

Box that some of them came in.

Tin that some items are in. 1982??

 

[back2class]

I think the idea of fake proto tools is pretty silly. I have seen some pretty rough Proto and yours seem to be of that style.

 

[lbgradwell]

Genuine.

The bad socket looks like it may have been used on an impact...

 

[Lump]

I've seen these kinds of defects, flaws, etc, in lots of different brands of tools...especially recent vintage stuff. Newer Proto tools are not valuable enough to bother faking...in my opinion. If you were going to commit fraud and make cheap tools look like an expensive US brand, you would likely choose Snap On, Matco, Mac, Cornwell, or Craftsman...since consumers would likely pay more for them.

As an example, that is why there are rarely ever any counterfeit one-dollar bills. Why take the risk of criminal punishment for such a small return on your investment? Takes the same effort and cost to produce fake twenties, etc. Therefore...

 

[Boiler]

I recently saw a williams wrench that had similar chrome as the one you had. It almost looked like the chrome flaked off and then it was chromed again.

 

[spv]

Ok, so if we move the discussion from "Real", the next question is what vintage? Are these tools from the 80s? I may have my wires crossed but I thought Proto made high quality tools under Ingersoll Rand? These have no word of Stanley on them.. made in the USA. Did I just buy rubbish?

 

[chevy302dz]

Ok, so if we move the discussion from "Real", the next question is what vintage? Are these tools from the 80s? I may have my wires crossed but I thought Proto made high quality tools under Ingersoll Rand? These have no word of Stanley on them.. made in the USA. Did I just buy rubbish?

Probably 70's to very early 80's. Stanley purchased Proto from Ingersoll around that time (I'm sure someone can chime in with the exact date) which may explain the lower quality. As far as the socket that definatily looks like it was caused by a impact as opposed to a manufacturing flaw.

 

[mrholeshot]

Typical early 80's quality. The one with the drill marks just skiped final machining. Nothing to do with impact use. About everybody had rough finish tools in the early 80's. There was so sorry stuff coming out of the 80's. Workers spent to much time at Discos sniffing cocaine, lol

 

[mrholeshot]

As far as the socket that definatily looks like it was caused by a impact as opposed to a manufacturing flaw.

If that was the case the inlet square would look the same and the inside of the socket would show wear.

 

[chevy302dz]

If that was the case the inlet square would look the same and the inside of the socket would show wear.

You are correct, the first time I looked at the pic was on my laptop and the damage looked like it went all the way through.

 

[spv]

Typical early 80's quality. The one with the drill marks just skiped final machining. Nothing to do with impact use. About everybody had rough finish tools in the early 80's. There was so sorry stuff coming out of the 80's. Workers spent to much time at Discos sniffing cocaine, lol

Are these considered "good" or "rubbish" tools by the GJ members? I do not know what to make of them. Will these likely break on my first ******* bolt or are these likely to be ugly but strong?

 

[olds394]

You didn't buy rubbish, you bought collectors items.