Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[Alfajuj]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Hey Carla, nice stuff.


The way you add a photo is:
1. right click to copy the URL of the link where the photo is located
2. click on the "insert photo" icon
3. paste the URL into the "insert photo" popup box (make sure you eliminate the annoying "http://" which is preset into the popup box. If you don't, it won't work)
4. click OK and you're ready to go.

 

[Carla]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

HOW MUCH?? I will take it

Hmmm........referring to my #9999 box?

I fear that we'd be at some sort of 'impasse', for, as I'd said earlier, I'd part with the #9999, plus some $ or some other Plomb tools as would make the trade fair, for a really, truly, nice original #9998 box.

However, the later style #9998 box would 'match' your Toolmobile, in vintage, so I couldn't imagine you having any motivation to turn loose of one, should you come across a really nice one.

So.......its an 'impasse'.....I suppose I should just be grateful for my 'dumb luck' in having found one of the old large Plomb boxes for myself, and shouldn't be 'picky' about specific model or 'vintage'....and I really should 'bestir myself', to make a proper job of finishing out the restoration of the one I have.

cheers

Carla

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Most of my stuff is prewar not post war

 

[Smokeshow69]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Man that 9999 box is really nice. I have seen it in drawings in the catalogue but never in an actual photo! Really nice collection. I always keep an eye out at pawn shops and usually find about 1 piece a week on average. Maybe my collection will be as nice one day.

 

[bart1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Thanks to GJ member Boiler, I now have some 3/4 drive plomb.

Wonder why the 3/4 has a removable drive plug.

A bit beefier than my little 1/4".

 

[Carla]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Most of my stuff is prewar not post war

I'm sure I may still have some pre-war Plomb stuff here, I'll have a look.

I did have quite a bunch of 20's and '30's Plomb widgets, which turned up at our local flea market, but I put most of that on ebay, back when ebay was new, in 1998 and '99,.....a collector from Louisiana got most of those.

I'm sure I put all...or nearly all, anyway.....of the '20's Plomb stuff on ebay, but may well have some of the '30's pre-war tools......if so, I'll trade them for some nice post-war Plombs, if you'd like. There are a few sizes of the 'pebble' wrenches I don't have, for example.

is it considered 'alright' to discuss 'trades' in a 'thread' such as this one, or must that only be done in the 'classified advert' area?

cheers

Carla

 

[vandezand]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

1/2 in sliding t bar
1/4 in sliding t bar with an extension
W-6 1/4 in ratchet.

 

[bart1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Last planned buy of plomb arrived and I took a pic of all my wrenches.

All my stuff fits nicely in this box.

 

[Alfajuj]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I just got this tool box for my 1/2 drive set from ebay. I haven't received it yet, but I'll show the ebay pics.
I'd been looking for one of these for years and this one seems to be in original paint.
(It seems a lot easier to find the 3/8 drive boxes than the 1/2 drive.)

 

[macgee]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Very nice

 

[chopper1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Bart, let's see the inside of that Plomb box. Does it have the lift out tray? Many have gone missing. Nice set of Plomb pebble wrenches!

 

[bart1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Bart, let's see the inside of that Plomb box. Does it have the lift out tray? Many have gone missing. Nice set of Plomb pebble wrenches!

Go back to the previous page and you can see the inside. So far all I have done is wiped a little junk out of the bottom, straightened some metal and lined everything with cork gasket material.

No, the tray was missing on mine. Just bought a rougher looking tray like alfajuj has and will make it work in the position. Dimensions are very close, but I think I'll have to fab a little piece to go under the small box.

 

[Alfajuj]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Do you guys think that my new case has been repainted? It has the sticker, but that could have been removed and restuck on.
The reason I say is because the crinkle effect of the paint finish looks very uneven on the inside.

 

[bart1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Do you guys think that my new case has been repainted? It has the sticker, but that could have been removed and restuck on.
The reason I say is because the crinkle effect of the paint finish looks very uneven on the inside.

Looks in one of this pics like it parbably was partially repainted (very well). I wouldn't sweat it - looks great. Remember, these things are 70 years old.

 

[chopper1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Bart I did remember seeing the inside of the box after I posted, sorry.

Carla those are some nice sets. I've been collecting Plomb for some time and don't remember seeing their tools with an industrial finished.

 

[Alfajuj]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Carla's black tools don't look like ordinary industrial finish. Looks more like cold bluing like they use on guns.

I've thought about doing parkerizing on some of my really ugly rusted tools...
But vinegar works wonders sometimes for derusting.

 

[Carla]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Carla's black tools don't look like ordinary industrial finish. Looks more like cold bluing like they use on guns.

I've thought about doing parkerizing on some of my really ugly rusted tools...
But vinegar works wonders sometimes for derusting.

Yes, exactly so........ : )

These old unplated Plomb tools are often found in basically excellent condition, unused or little-used and unworn, but with the tool-box grime of decades, little nicks and scars from handling, and light rust spots in places, from want of oiling.

I cleaned the old tools with a very gentle glass-blast, with 'ultra-fine' beads, which would remove any dirt and light rust spots, and polished some areas on some tools with 400 compound on a cotton buff.

I blacked them with Brownells 'Oxpho' a copper-selenium based 'cold gun blue', which is actually a black.

This material will provide a reasonably durable finish, and, whilst expensive, is much more convenient to use, and much safer to use, than the usual hot caustic tank system.

Interestingly, its possible to get blotched or streaked blue, purple, and sometimes reddish/yellowish colouring on some steels with this material, which will mimic colour case-hardening surprisingly well. This finish, of course, is purely decorative, and should be given a coat of clear lacquer or varnish for protection.

Another good refinish option for old tools which were left 'natural', i. e. unplated and oiled or varnished, is to do a very light grit-blast for a 'matte' finish, and Parkerise them, either grey or black.

Back when I was doing this, these were just 'high quality working tools' and not 'collectible'.

cheers

Carla

 

[PFSard]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Yes, exactly so........ : )

These old unplated Plomb tools ....

Carla

Carla

Those tools came out great. Thanks for sharing your process.

Paul

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Best 40.00 I have ever spent Thanks steve
new wheels and fresh paint went a long way. this box was involved in a hit and run once upon a time LOL

 

[Smokeshow69]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Best 40.00 I have ever spent Thanks steve
new wheels and fresh paint went a long way. this box was involved in a hit and run once upon a time LOL

This tool box is so rad!! If only I can find one to put in my garage I consider myself a pretty serious plvmb collector but my collection would not be complete without one of these!

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

This tool box is so rad!! If only I can find one to put in my garage I consider myself a pretty serious plvmb collector but my collection would not be complete without one of these!

They show up I have had two plomb tool mobiles two BIG top boxes and one 9989 top box. I forgot I found a serial number 1647 on my tool mobile 1947??


press weld is another brand tool box same as pre steel and plomb. I have a four drawer too

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

My latest haul for today and a large one at that. Being near LA usually means Plomb is found often but not like this

Pebble wrenches
Plomb Proto marked wrenches
Excellent looking 1/2" pebble ratchet
9 PC socket set with single deep and uni joint extension
2 extensions

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

The ratchet up close. It's gonna gleam when I get the surface rust off of it

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

The sockets. They need some love but I should be able to make a complete set with other spares I have around

The dual marked wrenches are hard to read but will clean up nicely

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here is the Plomb ratchet from last weekend. It cleaned up nice

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here are some of the wrenches after spending a few hours in some evaporust.

 

[drivesitfar]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

BC: nice looking wrenches and did you just set in a small container with evaporust and just wipe off? or evaporust and a power tool like a bench grinder with a wire wheel?

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

BC: nice looking wrenches and did you just set in a small container with evaporust and just wipe off? or evaporust and a power tool like a bench grinder with a wire wheel?

Evaporust for a few hours then a scrub with a brass bristle brush. Rinse under water and they come out clean. The ones pictures were lightly rusty and cleaned up very quickly.

For a tub I use a buffet warming tub/cooking prep tub that can be found at any cooking supply. It's long and narrow so it works great for wrenches and is stainless so it won't degrade. The flanged edge makes for easy carrying when full too. They sell for under 20 bucks and that should get you a large one

The bottom wtench wasn't cleaned and the crud around the lettering is dried grease.

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here is the underside shot of the ratchet. It didn't see much use

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I found the picture of the Proto/Plomb wrenches that spent a few hours in the evaporust cleaner.

They had moderate to light rust but it just about wiped away after a long soak

 

[drivesitfar]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

BC: thanks for the tips. also in case you need a few more of those trays Costco has carried them for around $8. They sell with plastic tops because they are serving trays and i think they are stainless steel.

if they are aluminum would the evaporust east at them?

don't those old Plvmb wrenches look great?

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

BC: thanks for the tips. also in case you need a few more of those trays Costco has carried them for around $8. They sell with plastic tops because they are serving trays and i think they are stainless steel.

if they are aluminum would the evaporust east at them?

don't those old Plvmb wrenches look great?

I don't know if aluminum is attacked by evaporust but be careful of your chrome as well. The drill that I worked on lost some plating on the chuck due to being in evaporust. There is a chance it was nickel but it literally just wiped away in small flakes and I soaked it for less then 1 hour

The Plomb stuff, or even the Mac ratchet I had sitting in there overnight did fine, so just keep an eye out.


As for the wrenches, they are gorgeous. I wish I could find ones like that every day. There wa a complete socket set that were late model, nearly transitional, that were in great shape that I'm using right not

Did you notice the 2 dark spots on each wrench? I think they were set in trays for chroming and the chrome never deposited on those 2 spots

 

[chopper1]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I found the picture of the Proto/Plomb wrenches that spent a few hours in the evaporust cleaner.

They had moderate to light rust but it just about wiped away after a long soak

That's a great haul. ENVY

 

[bigcaddy]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

That's a great haul. ENVY

I picked up one more for today. I rooted through tons of tools only to find one but at least it was an oldie

Plomb 2047 half moon wrench

 

[PWRstroke_smoke]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

 

[madison069]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Just curious have anyone seen a breaker bar with the little bar you can slide in the hole?

I got this one that has a indention ball inside the hole of the breaker bar that feels like a spring is behind it. SO when i placed the bar in it, the bar was holding tight in place.

I can't find another one like it on ebay or google so I was wondering if this was offered or someone just found a bar that fit the hole.

I will get some better pics as I;m just pasting time and this was the only pic I had of it with the bar through the hole.

 

[drivesitfar]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Madison: i think i have that wrench with the hole in it, but not sure i have that bar or lever you have. i'll take a look when i get some time and maybe post a few of my Plvmb stuff.

BC: i did see the raw spots on your two wrenches and your theory could be correct or a prior own sat them on a rusty small I beam for a while and it rusted away the chrome?

 

[madison069]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

If you look closely you will see the indention ball in the hole,

Pat Number 1380643 is on it

 

[Alfajuj]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Just curious have anyone seen a breaker bar with the little bar you can slide in the hole?

I got this one that has a indention ball inside the hole of the breaker bar that feels like a spring is behind it. SO when i placed the bar in it, the bar was holding tight in place.

I can't find another one like it on ebay or google so I was wondering if this was offered or someone just found a bar that fit the hole.

I will get some better pics as I;m just pasting time and this was the only pic I had of it with the bar through the hole.

Yes, Plomb made their breaker bars (they called them hinge handles) with the hole for the purpose of using a tommy bar through them. (Plomb called this bar a "pin handle." The part number was 5266PH and it was 5/16" x 7-1/2")

This pin handle was also used with extensions which had a hole.

I don't think I've ever seen one of these pin handles for sale on Ebay. Maybe people see them and think that they're a sliding Tee with its head missing?

A breaker bar plus a tommy bar makes for a very handy tool! I'm surprised that most breaker bars nowadays don't even have a hole.

 

[madison069]

Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here is my collection that I have so far from going to garage sales, fleamarket, and estate sales.

Couple of law suit wrenches are in there,

and also Proto Los Angeles that looks to be made right after the lawsuit wrenches,

This is the outside of the box.

And the inside cleaned up well!