Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[r_olson_06]

Okay, so no interest in the classifieds on the Plomb tools, so they're getting a chance on ebay before they get dumped. I'm thinking putting them into 4 lots or so, the LA sockets, the rest of the sockets and drive tools, the wrenches, the screwdrivers, and trash the speeders and chisels. I found another pebble dbe this morning in 1/2 x 19/32. I wish it was Proto LA to match my personal set, as I don't have that size. Probably wasn't made in Proto.

Anybody see something in the lot that I should sell individually instead? I just want to make the ebay lots big enough to make paying for postage effective is why I don't sell them all individually.

Thanks for any and all insight!

Sent PM.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[outofbounds]

Okay, so no interest in the classifieds on the Plomb tools, so they're getting a chance on ebay before they get dumped. I'm thinking putting them into 4 lots or so, the LA sockets, the rest of the sockets and drive tools, the wrenches, the screwdrivers, and trash the speeders and chisels. I found another pebble dbe this morning in 1/2 x 19/32. I wish it was Proto LA to match my personal set, as I don't have that size. Probably wasn't made in Proto.

Anybody see something in the lot that I should sell individually instead? I just want to make the ebay lots big enough to make paying for postage effective is why I don't sell them all individually.

Thanks for any and all insight!

You do know that you can probably fit all that into a USPS Large Priority Mail Flat Rate Box and ship anywhere across the lower 48 for about $18 right? The long breaker bar might be the only exception to that thought....

 

[four.cycle]

Really quite a nice collection there, Dave.

Gotta be somebody out there interested.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Fantastic stuff. Would you be interested in parting with the screwdrivers and chisels?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Okay, so no interest in the classifieds on the Plomb tools,

Probably because the majority of the tools would be duplicates for most collectors, but you were offering them only as a very large lot for $200. If you group the chisels and someone needs one of them, they might buy the lot of chisels to get the one they need. Ditto that concept with just the DOEs, or just the Pebble tools, etc. Veteran collectors like to be more selective, as you see going on in this thread now. Just trying to help. Good luck with it.

The long breaker bar might be the only exception to that thought....

It'll fit in a Large Flat Rate Game Board box. They're 24" long.

 

[d42jeep]

I finally got the Plomb tools cleaned up that I found on Saturday.
-Don

 

[ssdave]

Probably because the majority of the tools would be duplicates for most collectors, but you were offering them only as a very large lot for $200. If you group the chisels and someone needs one of them, they might buy the lot of chisels to get the one they need. Ditto that concept with just the DOEs, or just the Pebble tools, etc. Veteran collectors like to be more selective, as you see going on in this thread now. Just trying to help. Good luck with it.


It'll fit in a Large Flat Rate Game Board box. They're 24" long.

I know that the large lot is a deterrent. But, I also don't want to sell individual pieces, and have had good luck with larger lots of related tools. On ebay, medium sized lots do well, so that's my fallback if they don't sell here. The 4 lots I proposed are more or less what I've had offers to buy, so most of it is sold now, pending final deals. Thanks for the replies back.

Next up I have to purge out the old Bonney, a bunch of New Britain, a drawer full of SK, some Cornwell, and then start in on the Proto, tap and dies, and lots of miscellaneous who knows what brands. I've got one of the big 59 x 52x28" Shure 16 drawer chests full of extra stuff, plus a 16 drawer 26" stack. I'm looking forward to getting rid of the excess. I've emptied out and sold 4 hand boxes and top chests and sold the boxes locally in the past few weeks, so getting a little bit of a handle on the excess. Every item that sells makes it easier to sort what's left. I try to repost something on here or ebay every time something sells. Persistence pays off, eventually I'll have room in my shop to actually work......

 

[Skooch]

Do you have any Plomb oddities? Early or pieces you do not see often.

This isn't an oddity, but it is one I like.
It's a 1397 rubber tip mallet
The handle is 18" and it weighs a little over 2 lb.
Face diameter 2-7/8".
Head width 1/2" shy of a bill.
It's a double stamp, but a grindoff.
The Plomb side is still very visible, Proto tougher.
(I'm guessing the warp in the handle may be the QC fail.)

 

[four.cycle]

I know that the large lot is a deterrent. But, I also don't want to sell individual pieces, and have had good luck with larger lots of related tools.

Just a matter of findin' the right buyer, Dave!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Next up I have to purge out the old Bonney, a bunch of New Britain,...[ ]... some Cornwell...

If it's WWII or earlier production and offered in smaller lots, I look forward to looking through it down on the Classifieds board.

 

[r_olson_06]

I finally got the Plomb tools cleaned up that I found on Saturday.
-Don

You always do well cleaning up what looks to be a lost cause.

I know that the large lot is a deterrent. But, I also don't want to sell individual pieces, and have had good luck with larger lots of related tools. On ebay, medium sized lots do well, so that's my fallback if they don't sell here. The 4 lots I proposed are more or less what I've had offers to buy, so most of it is sold now, pending final deals. Thanks for the replies back.

Next up I have to purge out the old Bonney, a bunch of New Britain, a drawer full of SK, some Cornwell, and then start in on the Proto, tap and dies, and lots of miscellaneous who knows what brands. I've got one of the big 59 x 52x28" Shure 16 drawer chests full of extra stuff, plus a 16 drawer 26" stack. I'm looking forward to getting rid of the excess. I've emptied out and sold 4 hand boxes and top chests and sold the boxes locally in the past few weeks, so getting a little bit of a handle on the excess. Every item that sells makes it easier to sort what's left. I try to repost something on here or ebay every time something sells. Persistence pays off, eventually I'll have room in my shop to actually work......

Good work. Presistance pays off.

Do you have any Plomb oddities? Early or pieces you do not see often.

This isn't an oddity, but it is one I like.
It's a 1397 rubber tip mallet
The handle is 18" and it weighs a little over 2 lb.
Face diameter 2-7/8".
Head width 1/2" shy of a bill.
It's a double stamp, but a grindoff.
The Plomb side is still very visible, Proto tougher.
(I'm guessing the warp in the handle may be the QC fail.)

That is a nice hammer. It is always good to get another Plomaniac on the thread. This thread always surprises me. Plomb had so many tools in their catalog plus countless contract productions. They have been gone for close to 70 years and we still are finding information we didn't know.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[RagTopTA]

Longshot but is anyone near Waco, Texas?

 

[r_olson_06]

Is there a tool mobile there? I am no where near there.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[RagTopTA]

no but there is a 3/8 tool box in good shape and the guy will not send it in the mail for some stupid reason I even offered him extra money.

 

[outofbounds]

Next up I have to purge out the old Bonney, a bunch of New Britain, a drawer full of SK, some Cornwell, and then......

I'd be interested to put my eyes on any New Britain tappet and/or angle head OE wrenches that you make have lying about.

 

[r_olson_06]

no but there is a 3/8 tool box in good shape and the guy will not send it in the mail for some stupid reason I even offered him extra money.

I still don't have a 3/8" box yet. Must be worried you are trying to scam him.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[tin medic]

no but there is a 3/8 tool box in good shape and the guy will not send it in the mail for some stupid reason I even offered him extra money.

Sent you a pm.

 

[RubiconJK]

Longshot but is anyone near Waco, Texas?

Wish I could help. I'm in the Houston area for future reference if you need something here.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up a WF-38 at the flea market today. Normally I wouldn't even report it they're so common, and there's nothing noteworthy about this one except for the action, which is smooth and Swiss clockish, and the big "230 USN" marking in electric pencil on the face plate. That number could mean almost anything (property number, room number, etc), but, there were two ships in the Navy with the 230 designator during WWII, a Clemson-class destroyer (DD-230, USS Paul Jones) and a Haskell-class AT (ARA-230, USS Rockwall). Not saying it came off a ship. But interesting nonetheless!

 

[Skooch]

Picked up a WF-38 at the flea market today. Normally I wouldn't even report it they're so common, and there's nothing noteworthy about this one except for the action, which is smooth and Swiss clockish, and the big "230 USN" marking in electric pencil on the face plate. That number could mean almost anything (property number, room number, etc), but, there were two ships in the Navy with the 230 designator during WWII, a Clemson-class destroyer (DD-230, USS Paul Jones) and a Haskell-class AT (ARA-230, USS Rockwall). Not saying it came off a ship. But interesting nonetheless!

Nice find Lugz. That's an 'owner's mark' that actually adds to the tool, imo.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice find Lugz. That's an 'owner's mark' that actually adds to the tool, imo.

Definitely falls into that category for me as well. Not many do!

 

[r_olson_06]

Picked up a WF-38 at the flea market today. Normally I wouldn't even report it they're so common, and there's nothing noteworthy about this one except for the action, which is smooth and Swiss clockish, and the big "230 USN" marking in electric pencil on the face plate. That number could mean almost anything (property number, room number, etc), but, there were two ships in the Navy with the 230 designator during WWII, a Clemson-class destroyer (DD-230, USS Paul Jones) and a Haskell-class AT (ARA-230, USS Rockwall). Not saying it came off a ship. But interesting nonetheless!

Very neat piece Lugz.

Thanks to Don another one crossed off the list with this 1-1/16" LA. Only 4 left to complete the LA series.
Thanks again Don.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[d42jeep]

Roy,
It was my pleasure. I should have cleaned it up more before sending it.
-Don

 

[Provincial]

Roy, I have a 1" LA that I've set aside for you. It will be a couple of weeks before I can follow up.

 

[RubiconJK]

Roy, I'll also recheck my LA sockets to see if I can help. Lugz, that is a cool ratchet find and as opposed to a normal PO mark, your's is indeed significant. Would be great if you could tie it back to one of the two vessels you mentioned! BTW, I have recently added a partial Challenger set to my collection and I'll try to get some pics and post it during the weekend.

 

[r_olson_06]

Roy, I have a 1" LA that I've set aside for you. It will be a couple of weeks before I can follow up.

Thank you.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[RubiconJK]

Here is the recently acquired 3/8 drive challenger set mentioned earlier. According to catalog 18A, the 5200X Plomb Challenger set originally held the following: 5212H 3/8, 5214H 7/16, 5216H 1/2, 5218 9/16, 5220 5/8, 5222 11/16, 5224 3/4, 5265 hinge handle, 5266 pin for hinge handle, and the box was 5292. My set is missing the 1/2 socket and the pin. Also, my 3/8 and 7/16 are 12 Pt instead of 6 point as shown in the catalog. The date codes on the sockets correspond correctly for the 1940 date on cat 18A. Do you guys with these sets have hex or 12 pt smaller sockets?

 

[Catfishdan]

Here is the recently acquired 3/8 drive challenger set mentioned earlier. According to catalog 18A, the 5200X Plomb Challenger set originally held the following: 5212H 3/8, 5214H 7/16, 5216H 1/2, 5218 9/16, 5220 5/8, 5222 11/16, 5224 3/4, 5265 hinge handle, 5266 pin for hinge handle, and the box was 5292. My set is missing the 1/2 socket and the pin. Also, my 3/8 and 7/16 are 12 Pt instead of 6 point as shown in the catalog. The date codes on the sockets correspond correctly for the 1940 date on cat 18A. Do you guys with these sets have hex or 12 pt smaller sockets?

I have a similar set but with all 12pt sockets. The cross bar is a generic stand in.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is the recently acquired 3/8 drive challenger set mentioned earlier. According to catalog 18A, the 5200X Plomb Challenger set originally held the following: 5212H 3/8, 5214H 7/16, 5216H 1/2, 5218 9/16, 5220 5/8, 5222 11/16, 5224 3/4, 5265 hinge handle, 5266 pin for hinge handle, and the box was 5292. My set is missing the 1/2 socket and the pin. Also, my 3/8 and 7/16 are 12 Pt instead of 6 point as shown in the catalog. The date codes on the sockets correspond correctly for the 1940 date on cat 18A. Do you guys with these sets have hex or 12 pt smaller sockets?

Rube,
My unmolested 1939 set has all 12 point sockets.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

Here is the recently acquired 3/8 drive challenger set mentioned earlier. According to catalog 18A, the 5200X Plomb Challenger set originally held the following: 5212H 3/8, 5214H 7/16, 5216H 1/2, 5218 9/16, 5220 5/8, 5222 11/16, 5224 3/4, 5265 hinge handle, 5266 pin for hinge handle, and the box was 5292. My set is missing the 1/2 socket and the pin. Also, my 3/8 and 7/16 are 12 Pt instead of 6 point as shown in the catalog. The date codes on the sockets correspond correctly for the 1940 date on cat 18A. Do you guys with these sets have hex or 12 pt smaller sockets?

That is an early set. I have not seen challenger sockets that early before.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[d42jeep]

Roy,
The tools are Plomb in every way. Plomb wouldn’t break up Challenger sets. They only sold them as packed. The only Challenger marking is the tag on the box and the listing in the catalog.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

Roy,
The tools are Plomb in every way. Plomb wouldn’t break up Challenger sets. They only sold them as packed. The only Challenger marking is the tag on the box and the listing in the catalog.
-Don

I agree. And those sockets are very unique on the larger sizes. The taper is very sharp and the smaller dimension looks to be shorter than the 40s era stuff.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[Billt681]

Some pretty nice plomb collections ...awsome

 

[RubiconJK]

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Attached are the pages from catalog 18A (1940) showing hex sockets for 5200X and 5200Y, but I can't say I've ever seen a Plomb 3/8" drive hex socket even individually. I have access to 17B (Aug 1939) but I don't see the Challenger sets shown. I'd be curious to see what catalog 17 (Apr 1939) shows. In previous discussions, did we decide that these sets were limited to '39 and '40?

 

[RubiconJK]

Just a quick follow up to the above post. Below is a link to a post Don made on the Challenger topic showing the same catalog page which also indicates hex sockets on the smaller sizes.
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7296599&postcount=4371
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7296641&postcount=4374

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I believe they introduced the "Challenger" brand in late 1939, Roob. As discussed in a post on this thread linked here, the first catalog reference I have ever found to the "Challenger" name is page 24, 18-A (printed October 1940). But as I mentioned in that linked post, Carla's 1939-dated set hints at Challenger production in late 1939, or at least to No Earlier Than August 1939 (Catalog 17-B), and then Don's 1939 dated set with the "Challenger" name on the decal confirmed it. I can't seem to find them, but I know I have mentioned before that Plomb seems to have very oddly dropped the name until 1949, at which time it kicked off the period of famous and popular production that most collectors think of when they think of "Challenger." I am away from home and my access to catalogs or I would double-check that for you.

 

[r_olson_06]

Guys, thanks for the feedback. Attached are the pages from catalog 18A (1940) showing hex sockets for 5200X and 5200Y, but I can't say I've ever seen a Plomb 3/8" drive hex socket even individually. I have access to 17B (Aug 1939) but I don't see the Challenger sets shown. I'd be curious to see what catalog 17 (Apr 1939) shows. In previous discussions, did we decide that these sets were limited to '39 and '40?

I have a few hex 52XX-H but they are rare.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[RubiconJK]

I believe they introduced the "Challenger" brand in late 1939, Roob. As discussed in a post on this thread linked here, the first catalog reference I have ever found to the "Challenger" name is page 24, 18-A (printed October 1940). But as I mentioned in that linked post, Carla's 1939-dated set hints at Challenger production in late 1939, or at least to No Earlier Than August 1939 (Catalog 17-B), and then Don's 1939 dated set with the "Challenger" name on the decal confirmed it. I can't seem to find them, but I know I have mentioned before that Plomb seems to have very oddly dropped the name until 1949, at which time it kicked off the period of famous and popular production that most collectors think of when they think of "Challenger." I am away from home and my access to catalogs or I would double-check that for you.

Thanks Lugz. I double checked my copy of 17B and confirmed that these sets are not referenced there. 18A is the only publication I can find where they are shown. Of course, since Don's example is 1939, then it confirms what you mention that they were introduced late in '39 after the catalog was published. With reference from both Don and Dan that their sets (like mine) contain 12 point sockets vs 6 point (per 18A) I'm assuming they offered both options? Also thanks for the reference to Carla's post. Here is a link to that post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4201448&postcount=355

I have a few hex 52XX-H but they are rare.

Cool. Were they found loose or with sets?

 

[r_olson_06]

Thanks Lugz. I double checked my copy of 17B and confirmed that these sets are not referenced there. 18A is the only publication I can find where they are shown. Of course, since Don's example is 1939, then it confirms what you mention that they were introduced late in '39 after the catalog was published. With reference from both Don and Dan that their sets (like mine) contain 12 point sockets vs 6 point (per 18A) I'm assuming they offered both options? Also thanks for the reference to Carla's post. Here is a link to that post. https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=4201448&postcount=355


Cool. Were they found loose or with sets?

Loose. I also have a 4 point in 3/8" drive. The only one I have ever seen. I will grab a pic later today. I have another one arriving today.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrench 3061

 

[d42jeep]

I think this could be how it happened. The marketing people came up with the Challenger plan which offered the public a lower cost option that still offered regular high quality Plomb tools at a slightly lower price. When it came time to actually put my set together at the factory, the hex sockets shown in the catalog weren’t available so they substituted 12 point sockets figuring (I guess) that nobody would care. What I find interesting is that the hex sockets listed in the catalog seem to be made of unobtainium. It looks like Roy has one tiny one. I don’t have any. The Challenger plan seems to have been unsuccessful and was quietly dropped. WW2 would have shortly put an end to it anyway since duplications were forbidden. The problem we have as collectors is that with the exception of Carla’s set and mine, there just aren’t any examples available.
-Don