Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
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Provincial
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
I have had a few Plomb tools since 1964 when a family friend raided a pawn shop to set me up with a tool kit. It had Plomb, Thorsen, P&C, Crescent, and a bunch of other brands. I still have all of them.
This is my first Pebble wrench. I found it at a garage sale a few weeks ago and couldn't pass it up because it is so pretty! As found in the wild:
I have had a few Plomb tools since 1964 when a family friend raided a pawn shop to set me up with a tool kit. It had Plomb, Thorsen, P&C, Crescent, and a bunch of other brands. I still have all of them.
This is my first Pebble wrench. I found it at a garage sale a few weeks ago and couldn't pass it up because it is so pretty! As found in the wild:
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camarotoolman
Banned
r_olson_06
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
here is my ranger at wrench now for sale in amazing condition.
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and my firestone set mosly complete also for sale.
here is my ranger at wrench now for sale in amazing condition.
and my firestone set mosly complete also for sale.
Bolster
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Yes, Mostly.
You find pebbles on some Plomb tools far before 1945. Pliers in particular, all the way back to 1939.
And you can find pebbles on some Proto tools all the way forward until--well, I'm not sure, but at least past 1979. PlomBob here on GJ remembers seeing NEW Proto pebbles for sale, and I don't think it was that long ago.
So the "pebble period" spanned 40 years at least, not the three claimed in AA. AlloyArtifacts is a little sloppy in this bit of history but are reasonably accurate if you're just talking wrenches.
Wrenches, yes Plomb Pebble wrenches AFAIK were constrained to 45-47 and maybe a little into 48. I actually think 47 was the last full year they were actively produced, can't speak to stores in the warehouse. PRVTV was registered Feb 48 but first USED in Jan 48. The grindoffs probably occurred early to mid 1948.
'48 was one helluva chaotic year for Plomb. They'd just won the WWII and then got shellac'ed by a judge for a quarter million, for using their own founder's name as they had since '07.
Funny side note: The Stanley website erroneously locates 1950 as the first date for PRVTV tools. They can't even get their own history straight. LOL
Yes, Mostly.
You find pebbles on some Plomb tools far before 1945. Pliers in particular, all the way back to 1939.
And you can find pebbles on some Proto tools all the way forward until--well, I'm not sure, but at least past 1979. PlomBob here on GJ remembers seeing NEW Proto pebbles for sale, and I don't think it was that long ago.
So the "pebble period" spanned 40 years at least, not the three claimed in AA. AlloyArtifacts is a little sloppy in this bit of history but are reasonably accurate if you're just talking wrenches.
Wrenches, yes Plomb Pebble wrenches AFAIK were constrained to 45-47 and maybe a little into 48. I actually think 47 was the last full year they were actively produced, can't speak to stores in the warehouse. PRVTV was registered Feb 48 but first USED in Jan 48. The grindoffs probably occurred early to mid 1948.
'48 was one helluva chaotic year for Plomb. They'd just won the WWII and then got shellac'ed by a judge for a quarter million, for using their own founder's name as they had since '07.
Funny side note: The Stanley website erroneously locates 1950 as the first date for PRVTV tools. They can't even get their own history straight. LOL
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Regarding the pebble finish, I primarily meant ratchets within the Plomb-marked tools era, since those are what gol4 posted photos of.
I probably could have worded my answer a little more clearly, but sometimes I do well to barely keep my train of thought long enough to type a few words and press submit.
Regarding Plomb/Proto pebble finish in general (and this could get both wordy, and derailed of thought)....
I've never paid much attention to Plomb-era pliers, because I've only got a couple. Now I have to find more just to see (dammit).
I've been buying new Proto tools since the mid-60s. Most of my Proto tools date from the mid 60s to the early 80s. But, I've only bought a few Proto pliers (70s era). Most of my pliers are Snap-On "Vacuum Grip"--which is actually a poor name--they should have called them "Vacuum Slip" because that would be more accurate. Snap-On might have done well to have borrowed Plomb/Proto's pebble finish instead of those stupid little circles. See, I told you I'd derail. Back on topic...
There were the two styles of Pebble finish on the wrenches--the long pebble strip on Plomb era wrenches, and the little pebble boxes (for want of a better way to describe them) on the Proto LA era wrenches.
Regarding PlomBob seeing Proto pebble finish as late or later than 1979, yes, pebble finish was on certain things for a long time. Two things in particular--long after the Plomb era--cross arm pullers, and single-end flare nut wrenches. Why change a good thing, or something like that.
But, I'm not sure things after the late 70s would have been still being made with pebble finish. Rather, they might just be older dealer stock. I say that because while I've got Proto 6 and 10-ton crossarms with pebble finish from the 60s/70s, I've also got a 6-ton crossarm I bought new around 1980 that doesn't have pebble finish.
I'm pretty sure that when they changed the size of the forcing screw around that same time, they dumped the pebble finish on the crossarms.
I'd be interested to hear what other pebble things remained at that time, because aside from the pullers and the flare nut wrenches, I can't remember any other pebble stuff from the 70s. Not disagreeing, just that I can't remember.
I tried to find PlomBob's website, since maybe what I'm asking is already there, but plombtools.com which I thought was his, isn't working now.
Speaking of older dealer stock, I've got Proto "flying lady" tool rolls and box labels I bought new in the late 60s/early 70s, but they're probably just older dealer stock, because I'm pretty sure IR was using the newer same-shaped logo but minus the flying lady by 1970 or before.
And maybe even better than that, I've got a "Proto Los Angeles" carbon scraper that I got new in the mid/late 60s. I'd guess there must have been a lot of stock and not much movement on that one.
So, if some of those things happened to sit on the shelf for an awfully long time, why not pebble finish things too, or at least maybe some of them?
No argument that Alloy Artifacts may be a little sloppy on Proto and a few other things. In their defense--because I know some of the guys who have contributed to both AA and to Ed Boudinot's old Plomb site, and I've contributed a few things myself--they (AA) have done a better job of assembling a Proto webpage than Stanley has.
Not trying to defend Stanley, but wasn't 1950 the deadline for the name change to be completed? That may be where Stanley got the 1950 date. Maybe Stanley just had someone look in the Risk Management files instead of actually looking at the old catalogs, if they even have any of the old catalogs.
Regarding the pebble finish, I primarily meant ratchets within the Plomb-marked tools era, since those are what gol4 posted photos of.
I probably could have worded my answer a little more clearly, but sometimes I do well to barely keep my train of thought long enough to type a few words and press submit.
Regarding Plomb/Proto pebble finish in general (and this could get both wordy, and derailed of thought)....
I've never paid much attention to Plomb-era pliers, because I've only got a couple. Now I have to find more just to see (dammit).
I've been buying new Proto tools since the mid-60s. Most of my Proto tools date from the mid 60s to the early 80s. But, I've only bought a few Proto pliers (70s era). Most of my pliers are Snap-On "Vacuum Grip"--which is actually a poor name--they should have called them "Vacuum Slip" because that would be more accurate. Snap-On might have done well to have borrowed Plomb/Proto's pebble finish instead of those stupid little circles.
See, I told you I'd derail. Back on topic... There were the two styles of Pebble finish on the wrenches--the long pebble strip on Plomb era wrenches, and the little pebble boxes (for want of a better way to describe them) on the Proto LA era wrenches.
Regarding PlomBob seeing Proto pebble finish as late or later than 1979, yes, pebble finish was on certain things for a long time. Two things in particular--long after the Plomb era--cross arm pullers, and single-end flare nut wrenches. Why change a good thing, or something like that.
But, I'm not sure things after the late 70s would have been still being made with pebble finish. Rather, they might just be older dealer stock. I say that because while I've got Proto 6 and 10-ton crossarms with pebble finish from the 60s/70s, I've also got a 6-ton crossarm I bought new around 1980 that doesn't have pebble finish.
I'm pretty sure that when they changed the size of the forcing screw around that same time, they dumped the pebble finish on the crossarms.
I'd be interested to hear what other pebble things remained at that time, because aside from the pullers and the flare nut wrenches, I can't remember any other pebble stuff from the 70s. Not disagreeing, just that I can't remember.
I tried to find PlomBob's website, since maybe what I'm asking is already there, but plombtools.com which I thought was his, isn't working now.
Speaking of older dealer stock, I've got Proto "flying lady" tool rolls and box labels I bought new in the late 60s/early 70s, but they're probably just older dealer stock, because I'm pretty sure IR was using the newer same-shaped logo but minus the flying lady by 1970 or before.
And maybe even better than that, I've got a "Proto Los Angeles" carbon scraper that I got new in the mid/late 60s. I'd guess there must have been a lot of stock and not much movement on that one.
So, if some of those things happened to sit on the shelf for an awfully long time, why not pebble finish things too, or at least maybe some of them?
No argument that Alloy Artifacts may be a little sloppy on Proto and a few other things. In their defense--because I know some of the guys who have contributed to both AA and to Ed Boudinot's old Plomb site, and I've contributed a few things myself--they (AA) have done a better job of assembling a Proto webpage than Stanley has.
Not trying to defend Stanley, but wasn't 1950 the deadline for the name change to be completed? That may be where Stanley got the 1950 date. Maybe Stanley just had someone look in the Risk Management files instead of actually looking at the old catalogs, if they even have any of the old catalogs.
Bruce Lancaster
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- Apr 3, 2006
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
I recently noticed someone calling the Vacuum Grips "Octopus Pliers"...colorful, but if only...and octopus can really grip ewith little circles.
Probably one control in the duration of pebbles was simply die wear when the design changed. Wrenches were made by the zillion and presumably needed new dies continually, big ticket items like pullers sold more slowly and dies would have lasted a while.
I recently noticed someone calling the Vacuum Grips "Octopus Pliers"...colorful, but if only...and octopus can really grip ewith little circles.
Probably one control in the duration of pebbles was simply die wear when the design changed. Wrenches were made by the zillion and presumably needed new dies continually, big ticket items like pullers sold more slowly and dies would have lasted a while.
Bolster
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Indeed. The fly in the historian's ointment is often the new-old stock, is it not? Most my sleuthing comes from catalog photos, and if they were showing old stock in catalog photos, which is possible, then my production system's off. I guess I have a better bead on "availability" than "production."
Clearly you will make an excellent addition to the Plomb Historian's club, Professor WWII.
I recollect one of the other long-time-pebble items (extending well into the Proto era) was/were the big ratchets, like the 3/4 and 1". But I would have to check that statement for accuracy.
The most commonly used name I've seen for the pebble-in-a-box wrenches are "PFPs," or Pebble Field Protos. Even that leaves some ambiguity, because there were also PFPPs, "Pebble Field Plomb/Protos," the notorious lawsuit tools.
Indeed. The fly in the historian's ointment is often the new-old stock, is it not? Most my sleuthing comes from catalog photos, and if they were showing old stock in catalog photos, which is possible, then my production system's off. I guess I have a better bead on "availability" than "production."
Clearly you will make an excellent addition to the Plomb Historian's club, Professor WWII.
I recollect one of the other long-time-pebble items (extending well into the Proto era) was/were the big ratchets, like the 3/4 and 1". But I would have to check that statement for accuracy.
The most commonly used name I've seen for the pebble-in-a-box wrenches are "PFPs," or Pebble Field Protos. Even that leaves some ambiguity, because there were also PFPPs, "Pebble Field Plomb/Protos," the notorious lawsuit tools.
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Just to further complicate the discussion, As clearly displayed in pic posted by Bart1. Some Plomb items are labeled with Made in USA and others Mfd USA.
My problem is I discovered that there are additional items that I am missing. A speed wrench, a 6 and 10 inch extension and a swivel. Since I now find an overwhelming desire to complete the set I have to be careful not to get items that read MFD since all mine are stamped made in USA. Is there any rhyme or reason to how they are stamped, or do I need to continue to stain my eyes on the items on Ebay when they show the logo. Since the 4 items will wind up costing me twice my current investment. I want to be sure I have a consistent look.
Just to further complicate the discussion, As clearly displayed in pic posted by Bart1. Some Plomb items are labeled with Made in USA and others Mfd USA.
My problem is I discovered that there are additional items that I am missing. A speed wrench, a 6 and 10 inch extension and a swivel. Since I now find an overwhelming desire to complete the set I have to be careful not to get items that read MFD since all mine are stamped made in USA. Is there any rhyme or reason to how they are stamped, or do I need to continue to stain my eyes on the items on Ebay when they show the logo. Since the 4 items will wind up costing me twice my current investment. I want to be sure I have a consistent look.
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
I think the "MFD USA" Plombs are later (newer) than the "Made in USA" Plombs, but that's just a guess based on the very few examples of the former that I have.
And thanks a lot. I never worried about it before, but now that you mentioned it, I guess I'm going to have to find one of the other markings for each of those to have matched sets:
Just be glad you're not trying to collect "Plomb Los Angeles" items with all the same date codes.
I've got a pebble "Proto Los Angeles" 3/4" ratchet.
I think the "MFD USA" Plombs are later (newer) than the "Made in USA" Plombs, but that's just a guess based on the very few examples of the former that I have.
And thanks a lot. I never worried about it before, but now that you mentioned it, I guess I'm going to have to find one of the other markings for each of those to have matched sets:
Just be glad you're not trying to collect "Plomb Los Angeles" items with all the same date codes.
I've got a pebble "Proto Los Angeles" 3/4" ratchet.
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Bolster
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Is the upper item "puffed" when you look at it side on? More rolly polly, more rounded? A brighter whiter chrome? Or is it pretty similar to the lower flatter item?
I know Plomb put out what I call a "puffy" version of some of their pebble items (rats and hinge handles), briefly, and it seems always to have a "whiter" chrome (if that makes sense).
I think the "MFD USA" Plombs are later (newer) than the "Made in USA" Plombs, but that's just a guess based on the very few examples of the former that I have.
Is the upper item "puffed" when you look at it side on? More rolly polly, more rounded? A brighter whiter chrome? Or is it pretty similar to the lower flatter item?
I know Plomb put out what I call a "puffy" version of some of their pebble items (rats and hinge handles), briefly, and it seems always to have a "whiter" chrome (if that makes sense).
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Yes, the upper (5466) handle is more "puffed" than the lower (5467). It's probably "whiter" too, but I polished it a little a few years ago, because it had a couple of rust spots.
I think "Puffy" was my dad's. I've mixed his Plomb and Proto stuff with mine over the years since he passed, so it's hard to remember for sure.
Yes, the upper (5466) handle is more "puffed" than the lower (5467). It's probably "whiter" too, but I polished it a little a few years ago, because it had a couple of rust spots.
I think "Puffy"
was my dad's. I've mixed his Plomb and Proto stuff with mine over the years since he passed, so it's hard to remember for sure.Ft.ValloniaStreaker
Well-known member
![6759748891_aefbfa10de_z[2].jpg](/forum/data/attachments/150/150410-10cabe5e80c83c04ffefadcbec3c71eb.jpg)
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
More great tools. Thanks for posting. Those Plomb flare wrenches are pretty sweet. I used mine the other day even though I have much newer ones. Just because I could.
More great tools. Thanks for posting. Those Plomb flare wrenches are pretty sweet. I used mine the other day even though I have much newer ones. Just because I could.
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DandDMachine
Well-known member
maddawg308
Banned
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
USN is US Navy. NAF is Naval Aircraft Factory. You have a couple Navy-contract wrenches. Very cool!
USN is US Navy. NAF is Naval Aircraft Factory. You have a couple Navy-contract wrenches. Very cool!
DandDMachine
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Thanks Maddawg. I thought that the USN was probably Navy but had no clue what the NAF was.
Thanks Maddawg. I thought that the USN was probably Navy but had no clue what the NAF was.
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
The rope-banded sockets make me take cold showers
The rope-banded sockets make me take cold showers
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r_olson_06
Well-known member
johnnybentwrench
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Plomb master tool chest NO. 9998-B found last year on CL it was wearing gray primer and is now alis chambers orange. The bottom is a pressweld identical to the pressteel and plomb tool mobile made by pressteel
Plomb master tool chest NO. 9998-B found last year on CL it was wearing gray primer and is now alis chambers orange. The bottom is a pressweld identical to the pressteel and plomb tool mobile made by pressteel
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JeremyManning
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Frank it looks like you need to make a deal with johnny to get all that plomb goodness into the proper box
Frank it looks like you need to make a deal with johnny to get all that plomb goodness into the proper box
johnnybentwrench
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
BIGGER is better I like the smaller boxes too. I would like a Snap On super chest. I really don't like the plumb sitting on the Rolla bench.
I will be selling the Top Box and most of the PLVMB PLOMB stuff too
BIGGER is better
I like the smaller boxes too. I would like a Snap On super chest. I really don't like the plumb sitting on the Rolla bench.I will be selling the Top Box and most of the PLVMB PLOMB stuff too
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Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
My socket sets
The 1/4 inch
My 3/8 Inch
The 1/2 Inch
The dang Ad I saw here on Garage Journal that made me realize I did not have a complete set and the wrong box.
Frank Lee was a help to me on a few of these items.
Currently trying to complete my short box end and my flares. Then the addiction will hopefully be over. Of course those dang Hinsdales have also been eating away at my retirement fund as well.
My socket sets
The 1/4 inch
My 3/8 Inch
The 1/2 Inch
The dang Ad I saw here on Garage Journal that made me realize I did not have a complete set and the wrong box.
Frank Lee was a help to me on a few of these items.
Currently trying to complete my short box end and my flares. Then the addiction will hopefully be over. Of course those dang Hinsdales have also been eating away at my retirement fund as well.
ARAMP1
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Just to keep this thread going, here are a few of my pebble wrenches.
Just to keep this thread going, here are a few of my pebble wrenches.
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
WOW!!!!!!!!! Nice stuff all of you. I have a top box like yours jwitt. Closest paint I could find is Rust-oleum MultiColor Textured 223526 Deep Forest. You guys have some way cool stuff.
WOW!!!!!!!!! Nice stuff all of you. I have a top box like yours jwitt. Closest paint I could find is Rust-oleum MultiColor Textured 223526 Deep Forest. You guys have some way cool stuff.
johnnybentwrench
Well-known member
Shortbed350
Active member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Here is my collection I just started collecting bout a month ago because I just found out what plomb was (I'm 19).
Here is my collection I just started collecting bout a month ago because I just found out what plomb was (I'm 19).
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TJx
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
My late father's 1/2" that I'm guessing from the mid 40's.
My late father's 1/2" that I'm guessing from the mid 40's.
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
My 3/4 needed a rebuild. Had to use the original screws as the kit I got from a friend was missing the screws, I guess he needed them at some point over the years.
My pebble set. I've rebuilt with Proto kits as I use them, original parts stored away.
Notice anything strange? The text is opposite on the 3/4 ratchet than on the others. The "Made in USA" script is on the drive side for the smaller ratchets and on the selector side for the 3/4 ratchet. At first I thought I had assembled the 3/4 incorrectly, but no, they are actually different. Any ideas vintage tool gurus?
My 3/4 needed a rebuild. Had to use the original screws as the kit I got from a friend was missing the screws, I guess he needed them at some point over the years.
My pebble set. I've rebuilt with Proto kits as I use them, original parts stored away.
Notice anything strange? The text is opposite on the 3/4 ratchet than on the others. The "Made in USA" script is on the drive side for the smaller ratchets and on the selector side for the 3/4 ratchet. At first I thought I had assembled the 3/4 incorrectly, but no, they are actually different. Any ideas vintage tool gurus?
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Plomb and Proto wrenches often have flip-flopped markings. I've never paid attention to it on their ratchets of that era, but it's really common to find it on their combo wrenches and flare-nut wrenches.
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rpenterics
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
This breaker bar has been around the farm for a long long time:
Plomb 5668 - 3/4" drive, 23" long
This breaker bar has been around the farm for a long long time:
Plomb 5668 - 3/4" drive, 23" long
DrivewayDave
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Here's my 5400 1/2 dr series collection start. Got along way to go but it starts with what you've got. Thanks 4 lookin'.
Here's my 5400 1/2 dr series collection start. Got along way to go but it starts with what you've got. Thanks 4 lookin'.
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zeet
Well-known member
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
Here are a couple photos of most of my set... (I've also got some I use for swapping and trading)
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Here are a couple photos of most of my set... (I've also got some I use for swapping and trading)
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chopper1
Member Emeritus
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
That's a very impressive collection, Zeet. And welcome to the GJ
That's a very impressive collection, Zeet. And welcome to the GJ