Did I get a good deal? Proto wrenches

[AntiqueVises]

I'm pretty new to buying tools, always check flea markets and garage sales for decent brands.

Anyways, found 2 Proto combination wrenches today for $7.00 a piece. Tell me if I got a good deal or overpaid, be honest!

Need advice on cleaning them too please!

Top: 1-1/4" model no. 1240
Bottom: 1-5/16" model no. 1242

 

[Banana Man]

You didn't get ripped of but from the looks of those you could've got both for maybe $10. It's hard to say really.

 

[AntiqueVises]

You didn't get ripped of but from the looks of those you could've got both for maybe $10. It's hard to say really.

well at least i didnt get taken. i figured being usa made and proto brand they would at least be good quality, even if i overpaid a little.

how could i clean these up good?

 

[Jarhead0408]

Honestly man, I wouldn't have paid that much for them considering the shape they're in. But from a functionality standpoint they'll still get the job done.

Use 'em with pride.

Not really too much you can do to clean them up. Looks like they've got a fair bit of pitting and chrome loss. Fwiw, many Proto tools came painted safety yellow for visibility in an industrial setting. Maybe paint them?

 

[AntiqueVises]

Honestly man, I wouldn't have paid that much for them considering the shape they're in. But from a functionality standpoint they'll still get the job done.

Use 'em with pride.

thanks for the honesty!

 

[weg_guy]

If you did not have those sizes wrenches all ready I think you did just fine. Oddly enough I picked up the exact same Proto 1 1/4" wrench at a pawn shop last year for $7. Mine is in better shape but hey I will take a functional quality wrench that doesn't look to great over a crappy chinese wrench that looks good but maybe thats just me.

Oddly enough I have a 1 5/16" wrench but its a chinese crescent brand. I wish mine was a Proto cause sometimes I have to use the open end and sometimes I have to put a cheater on it and I have to use a wrench I can't use a socket its a tight area. So far so good on the crescent but I still wish it was a Proto or better as much as I use it.

 

[AntiqueVises]

If you did not have those sizes wrenches all ready I think you did just fine. Oddly enough I picked up the exact same Proto 1 1/4" wrench at a pawn shop last year for $7. Mine is in better shape but hey I will take a functional quality wrench that doesn't look to great over a crappy chinese wrench that looks good but maybe thats just me.

Oddly enough I have a 1 5/16" wrench but its a chinese crescent brand. I wish mine was a Proto cause sometimes I have to use the open end and sometimes I have to put a cheater on it and I have to use a wrench I can't use a socket its a tight area. So far so good on the crescent but I still wish it was a Proto or better as much as I use it.

yep i was actually looking at these sizes at lowes and im thinking kobalt ones were around $30-40 each maybe. these proto seem extremely well built, im pretty happy with it. im not sure how to clean them though besides maybe steel wool and penetrating oil?

 

[Hiball]

I would have bought them in a heartbeat, I've filled all my bigger sized wrenches by the piece up to 2 1/4". I could care less if there are finish issues or not, at least there both Proto. If they where mismatched brands the community would really be putting you thru the wringer.

Good job...

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

A day in vinegar mixed with a bit of light wire brushing, and they will look cleaner, but not new.

Thats all I did with the 5/8 that looks like a ball of rust here

to get this

 

[AntiqueVises]

I would have bought them in a heartbeat, I've filled all my bigger sized wrenches by the piece up to 2 1/4". I could care less if there are finish issues or not, at least there both Proto. If they where mismatched brands the community would really be putting you thru the wringer.

Good job...

thanks! thats what i like to hear! there was a lot of balcor and blue-point tools in the same stall. didnt buy any of them though.

A day in vinegar mixed with a bit of light wire brushing, and they will look cleaner, but not new.

ill have to try that, thank you!

 

[AntiqueVises]

didnt see the pic, wow thats a major change! just regular vinegar?

 

[four.cycle]

white vinegar is $2.00 a gallon at "Big Lots". find a lonnnnnggg skinny container and drop 'em in there with the vinegar for a few hours - maybe overnight. when you pull 'em out they're going to be ugly - clean the black stuff off fast using baking soda, rinse and dry immediately so they don't surface rust. they ain't gonna look new, but that will clean 'em up.
maybe take a rattle-can of silver paint to 'em and doll them up a bit?

$7 bucks a pop ain't bad for a big Proto like that. hell of a lot more wrench for the money than made-in-China **** any ol' day, pimples and all.

 

[AntiqueVises]

white vinegar is $2.00 a gallon at "Big Lots". find a lonnnnnggg skinny container and drop 'em in there with the vinegar for a few hours - maybe overnight. when you pull 'em out they're going to be ugly - clean the black stuff off fast using baking soda, rinse and dry immediately so they don't surface rust. they ain't gonna look new, but that will clean 'em up.
maybe take a rattle-can of silver paint to 'em and doll them up a bit?

$7 bucks a pop ain't bad for a big Proto like that. hell of a lot more wrench for the money than made-in-China **** any ol' day, pimples and all.

do i just pour dry baking soda on the wrenches then wipe all off?

thanks! they feel really well made, they would look like this in a few years of use anyways, so no big deal

 

[four.cycle]

err... no... you want to mix a baking soda/water solution to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.
there's a thread here somewhere with some more detailed info but that's pretty much it - it ain't rocket science.
bugaboo is preventing the immediate surface rust that develops after you pull it out of the vinegar, wash it, and get the black stuff off.

 

[AntiqueVises]

err... no... you want to mix a baking soda/water solution to neutralize the acid in the vinegar.

there's a thread here somewhere with some more detailed info but that's pretty much it - it ain't rocket science.

bugaboo is preventing the immediate surface rust that develops after you pull it out of the vinegar, wash it, and get the black stuff off.

ohh i see now. that all makes sense

ill give it a shot and see how it turns out, thanks

 

[Superbec]

do you know how much a brand new proto wrench in that size costs? why people buy garbage for the price of new?

I'll start buying sets, beat them to hell and post on ebay singles for 2-3x the price

 

[RM209]

I would have bought them in a heartbeat, I've filled all my bigger sized wrenches by the piece up to 2 1/4". I could care less if there are finish issues or not, at least there both Proto. If they where mismatched brands the community would really be putting you thru the wringer.

Good job...

Agreed. If the ends aren't rusty, that's a good deal. The wrenches above 1" get pricey in a hurry. I assume they'll be worked and not polished. They might not be pretty, but a good quality large wrench for $7.00 is a bargain.

RM209

 

[1950mercury]

For 14 dollars who cares

 

[6PTsocket]

Vinegar works,as does Coke, Naval Jelly or anything containing phosphoric acid or acetic acid (vinegar). My preference is Evaporust or the home version, molasses and water. It removes the rust, votes not etch the steel,doesn't have to be neutralized and flash rust doesn't seem to be a problem. You can stick your hands in the stuff and safely pour it down the drain. It does not convert the iron oxide into something like iron phosphate, the black junk you see. It flat out removes it by a process called,chellation, whatever that is.

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[Milwookie]

Since the chrome is already ruined, you can get excellent results using a Dremel and some polishing wheels. I have an old pair of Kleins I inherited that had deep rust. I polished them up and used a light coat of WD40 to prevent oxidation. Here's some before and after pics: https://imgur.com/a/eObJ2

 

[AntiqueVises]

do you know how much a brand new proto wrench in that size costs? why people buy garbage for the price of new?

I'll start buying sets, beat them to hell and post on ebay singles for 2-3x the price

i price checked around and found most to be in the $50-60 range for the exact model numbers for both.

 

[woody 73]

Wow you got a smoking good deal just check out what three large used Chinese wrenches are going for:

http://columbus.craigslist.org/tls/5572131536.html

 

[fatfillup]

You did great on the price for the condition they are in. Big wrenches get pricey quick as someone said.

 

[Bierisch]

Just using a wire wheel will do wonders getting the rust off of the bare metal, then just hit them with something to keep the rust away.

 

[SAATR]

I have a decent collection of used Proto wrenches in the 1"+ sizes that I've bought from used industrial surplus lots, pawn shops, etc. I just hit em with a wire wheel and put them to work. They aren't pretty, but they are longer than any of the Chinese wrenches that I've seen, and the price was right. They get used daily in my line of work, and they do just fine, I promise. Use them with pride.

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[Empty Pockets]

I have bought my share of "previously enjoyed" tools at auction, flea markets and pawn shops. I've used the Vinegar, baking soda, WD40 method before. It doesn't make them new, but it does remove a few layers of ugly.

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I paid $10 for a 1-1/4 Proto last year. You got a decent deal. Mine has some flaking chrome as well, but I have not messed with it.

 

[AntiqueVises]

thanks for the responses guys! buying some vinegar and baking soda tomorrow and will try this method out. if it works good i will have to go back to the flea market and buy some of the other cheaper $1 wrenches.

there were a couple blue point, but i think the majority said balcor, buffalo NY usa made? never heard of them

 

[bsg1]

you did just fine on the deal. i would have been interested in the Blue-Point wrenches.

 

[KnurledNut]

Barcalo.

http://alloy-artifacts.org/barcalo-buffalo.html

 

[Greg85mcss]

I saw the same 1 1/4 at a flea market for $10 so you're in the ball park.


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[fatfillup]

Stopped in Tractor Supply today and strolled by the wrench section. 1 1/4 chicrap RP was $11.99.

So you did great.

 

[AntiqueVises]

you did just fine on the deal. i would have been interested in the Blue-Point wrenches.

i think there were 5-6 all for about $1 each

Barcalo.

http://alloy-artifacts.org/barcalo-buffalo.html

are these old tools worth anything by chance? there had to be 10-15 different tools all saying barcalo-buffalo. useable shape but not pretty

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

Barcalo has a following, but it is rather unknown compared to some of the other big names. That fact makes the value rather low, but they still made some good tools. I don't usually pick them up, unless they come as a package deal.

 

[AntiqueVises]

Barcalo has a following, but it is rather unknown compared to some of the other big names. That fact makes the value rather low, but they still made some good tools. I don't usually pick them up, unless they come as a package deal.

looked them up on ebay, your right they arent bringing too much

 

[Berserk]

Not bad considering what they cost new, if you have a local swap meet or flea market I would suggest you go there.

Last year I bought a set of 14 SAE Proto wrenches minus one for 35$, and later that summer got a complete set of armstrong ratcheting wrenches for 35$ again.

Keep looking and don't be afraid to haggle, especially at a garage sale or swap meet/flea market. You would be surprised how much cheaper I have gotten tools after haggling.

 

[bsg1]

regarding getting the most for your money, the best advise i can give you is to learn the market values on tools from many companies. learn about the companies as well, and you'll feel more confident in the tool selections that you make.
take your knowledge and your money to the swap meet. a little bit of money and knowledge is powerful stuff for the treasure hunter running amok at the swap meet. the early bird gets the worm as long as he knows that it's a worm that he is looking at.