Cool Plvmb Tool Box

[damnesia]

I scored this over the weekend for almost nothing. I'm not even into Plvmb stuff but I couldn't pass this up. Got a few items, just some files and c-clamps ( two of them forged steel ) but not really worth showing. The box is in great shape, albeit in need of a good cleaning.

 

[Rileysan]

I scored this over the weekend for almost nothing. I'm not even into Plvmb stuff but I couldn't pass this up. Got a few items, just some files and c-clamps ( two of them forged steel ) but not really worth showing. The box is in great shape, albeit in need of a good cleaning.

Right now you're one of the most envied person on this forum. The good news is that if you can't take the pressure that envy brings, you can pass that box on to one of our caring members, of which I am the caring-est.

Nice find! We need more pictures!

Brian

 

[bcexplorer]

Right now you're one of the most envied person on this forum.

x2

 

[damnesia]

A few more pictures, let me know if you want something more specific. This thing is surprisingly heavy.

If anyone really wants it I'm open to trades. It seems to be a in very good condition for as old as i *think* it is.

 

[damnesia]

hmm. the first two are basically the same and I accidentally included a picture of something else I bought at the same auction.

 

[notlob]

PM sent.

 

[MShaw]

Here's my one. A friend salvaged it from a scrap pile in 1970 and gave it to me. I used it for a few years and then put it under my workbench where it lived for 40 years. When I saw the interest on this forum I pulled it out, cleaned it up, did some minor straightening, sanded what little paint was left and rattle can painted it to preserve it.

 

[tym]

That thing's gorgeous and would love to add it to my tool-menagerie.

 

[damnesia]

Seems a lot of you are familiar with these things. Any idea how to determine the approximate year this thing would have been made or sold?

 

[Rileysan]

Seems a lot of you are familiar with these things. Any idea how to determine the approximate year this thing would have been made or sold?

I don't know enough about these to be of much use but I can say for certain that it was made before the name change from "Plomb" to "Proto" in 1948, by a third party manufacturer who was under contract with the Pendleton Tool Company. I believe that these were made for a number of years, if not decades (1930s and 40s), without any identifiable marks, like date stamps, to determine exactly when they were made.

I'm certain others here can offer more useful information but if you're wondering, these boxes are highly sought after, but only by a handful of collectors. Most people don't know who or what Plomb is and seeing an old, worn-out tool chest, throw them out or sell them for next to nothing at yard/garage/estate sales.

Brian

 

[JHuston]

I have the match to that box; it resides in the trunk of my wife's car. Mine still has the decal under the lid of the train and ocean liner. It's a sturdy box, just the right size and the "mezzanine" till at the top is surprisingly handy.
-James Huston