To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Ratchet.

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
521
Location
Northwich England
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Those are much nicer looking than my pair!

They are in rather good shape :) the 1/2 drive one has some battle scars on the handle but nothing too bad.

Interesting that yours have 'MFD in USA' where mine say 'Made In' must be from different year i guess.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,500
Location
Northern California
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I believe that you're correct about the markings but it is surprising that there was a change at all. It is generally believed that pebble markings started postwar, perhaps late '45 and Plomb changed to Proto during/after the lawsuit in '48/'49. It seems a short span of time to change the markings!
-Don
 

rickhigginshtbr

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 7, 2012
Messages
1,551
Location
Lower Bucks, PA
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

So, I was thinking last night as I finished cleaning up a WF-7 1/4" breaker bar... is there a WF checklist at all? I've slowly been piecing together WF pieces, maybe have 12 now, but how many were made?
 

Smokeshow69

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
8,366
Location
Pacific Northwest
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

They are in rather good shape :) the 1/2 drive one has some battle scars on the handle but nothing too bad.

Interesting that yours have 'MFD in USA' where mine say 'Made In' must be from different year i guess.

Yes, those are really nice! My 5467 bar is bent due to some idiot using a cheater bar on it. It is not severely bent so I don't want to try to straighten it but every time I use it I want to punch them in the throat, whoever they are :mad:
 

Ratchet.

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
521
Location
Northwich England
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Yes, those are really nice! My 5467 bar is bent due to some idiot using a cheater bar on it. It is not severely bent so I don't want to try to straighten it but every time I use it I want to punch them in the throat, whoever they are :mad:

Thanks :) was using them for the first time today :) the shape and weight of the handles feel so nice in the hand :thumbup:

ugh yeah i hate that, not a Plomb tool but one of the previous owners of my '70s 1/2" drive Snap-on ratchet had been beating on the handle with a hammer, obviously didn't understand that you can get breaker bars.... I managed to carefully clean it up with files and some emery paper and re-blued it so its virtually unnoticeable at least, but some people really are animals :mad:
 

Lump

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 16, 2009
Messages
3,405
Location
Jamestown, Ohio
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Ok, I need some tool-guy understanding and support here...I'm having a personal crisis. :eek:

I've been collecting cool old USA-made and Euro-made quality tools for years and years. But as I keep buying bargains on these used tools one piece at a time at flea mkts, estate sales, etc, I have found it really tough to create complete sets. I have them sorted in bins by brand name....but there are LOTS of brand names, and every brand had changing styles, etc.

(following photo is several years old. I have MANY more tools sorted by brand now, overflowing these bins. PLUS I have the tools I work with day to day.)



Thus I recently decided to make a list of all my tools by brand name, and try to make sets out of my random collections by buying only tools that were missing from "sets" that I had. But the task was too large, and I found I simply could not get it done. So then I asked myself...how could I EVER hope to complete any "sets?" :eyecrazy:

After much agonizing, I realized that I could keep "treasure hunting" for cool old quality tools (my favorite hobby), but that I would have to make the decision to fill out sets of only a few brands for myself to keep.

All this is leading up to explaining my decision: I must fill out the sets of tools that I inherited from my Dad. He was my personal hero, and his tools are precious to me. To finance this, I MUST make the tough decision to sell off other tools that I really love. I'm going to create a classified ad on Garage Journal, and sell all the Plomb, Proto-Los Angeles, and Firestone tools that I have. :sad:

Don't hate me guys. I love these tools too. But I am determined to focus on only a few brands from now on. :sad: Following are 4 photos of my collection. Soon I will post classified ads, with better photos, from closer views of the tools. If they don't sell here, I will put them on flea-bay.







 

humber2

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2011
Messages
1,755
Location
Downunder

twertsy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
6,726
Location
Reedville, VA
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Ok, I need some tool-guy understanding and support here...I'm having a personal crisis. :eek:

I've been collecting cool old USA-made and Euro-made quality tools for years and years. But as I keep buying bargains on these used tools one piece at a time at flea mkts, estate sales, etc, I have found it really tough to create complete sets. I have them sorted in bins by brand name....but there are LOTS of brand names, and every brand had changing styles, etc.

(following photo is several years old. I have MANY more tools sorted by brand now, overflowing these bins. PLUS I have the tools I work with day to day.)



Thus I recently decided to make a list of all my tools by brand name, and try to make sets out of my random collections by buying only tools that were missing from "sets" that I had. But the task was too large, and I found I simply could not get it done. So then I asked myself...how could I EVER hope to complete any "sets?" :eyecrazy:

After much agonizing, I realized that I could keep "treasure hunting" for cool old quality tools (my favorite hobby), but that I would have to make the decision to fill out sets of only a few brands for myself to keep.

All this is leading up to explaining my decision: I must fill out the sets of tools that I inherited from my Dad. He was my personal hero, and his tools are precious to me. To finance this, I MUST make the tough decision to sell off other tools that I really love. I'm going to create a classified ad on Garage Journal, and sell all the Plomb, Proto-Los Angeles, and Firestone tools that I have. :sad:

Don't hate me guys. I love these tools too. But I am determined to focus on only a few brands from now on. :sad: Following are 4 photos of my collection. Soon I will post classified ads, with better photos, from closer views of the tools. If they don't sell here, I will put them on flea-bay.








LUMP!! You need to make the trek to my Tool Swap Day!! Here's the thread

So far, I have 15-20 "collector types" that have RSVP'd, plus a bunch of "wrencher types" that will also be parting with newer tools of which they have duplicates. It's only a 7 hour trip :bounce:
 

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,500
Location
Northern California
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Wow! That collection is intimidating. Here is my new (to me) pre-pebble 18" breaker bar.
-Don
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    95.7 KB · Views: 36

safariknut

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Messages
388
Location
Michigan
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Hello all: This is my first post after my intro so I hope I'm not being presumptious in posting a question about a tool I received today.

I have a good sized collection of vintage tools dating from pre-WWI through the 1940's.Nothing super special except maybe a set of early sockets from the Rex Wrench Co. in Boston. I will try and post some pics of those later on.

This tool is stamped," WF 21 S " which I so far have been able to determine was made from about 1942-1945 according to the Alloy Artifacts site.It is a 3/8ths inch female drive ratchet approximately 6 inches long with a hardwood spinner knob attached.

Assuming that it is a special tool (possibly due to the S designation) does anyone have an idea what it may have been used for and/or have you ever seen one similar to it? Any information would be greatly appreciated.
 

Attachments

  • PlombWF-21-5Wrench 001.jpg
    PlombWF-21-5Wrench 001.jpg
    116 KB · Views: 28
  • PlombWF-21-5Wrench 002.jpg
    PlombWF-21-5Wrench 002.jpg
    115 KB · Views: 25
  • PlombWF-21-5Wrench 003.jpg
    PlombWF-21-5Wrench 003.jpg
    107.8 KB · Views: 24
  • PlombWF-21-5Wrench 004.jpg
    PlombWF-21-5Wrench 004.jpg
    112.5 KB · Views: 21

3baygarage

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
11,928
Location
SW Florida/from Buffalo,NY
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Hello all: This is my first post after my intro so I hope I'm not being presumptious in posting a question about a tool I received today.

I have a good sized collection of vintage tools dating from pre-WWI through the 1940's.Nothing super special except maybe a set of early sockets from the Rex Wrench Co. in Boston. I will try and post some pics of those later on.

This tool is stamped," WF 21 S " which I so far have been able to determine was made from about 1942-1945 according to the Alloy Artifacts site.It is a 3/8ths inch female drive ratchet approximately 6 inches long with a hardwood spinner knob attached.

Assuming that it is a special tool (possibly due to the S designation) does anyone have an idea what it may have been used for and/or have you ever seen one similar to it? Any information would be greatly appreciated.

I believe that could be off a Bell System wire crimper. This one here has Proto LA ratchet attached. The ratchet is permanently attached and has a metal knob. Yours would be older, a Plomb with a wood handle and all. It's possible somebody removed that ratchet from the base and replaced the guts with a female gear on yours. I've seen them with a regular gear installed before.

It's is a variation of the regular WF-21 3/8" drive ratchet but not sure what the "S" stands for. Possibly stands for "special"?

OR,

Yours could have had a different use altogether.Who knows?
Nice find!


*Edit: From what I can find online I think the whole tool is called a sleeve roller*
 

Attachments

  • DSC06294.jpg
    DSC06294.jpg
    80.3 KB · Views: 43
Last edited:

bgarrett

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
4,393
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Welcome Groutsister! Please do post a picture. 1/4, 3/8 sounds interesting. Is that an open end? Does it say Los Angeles?
Here is todays Plomb from an estate sale. Its a 3/4" ratchet
 

Attachments

  • plomb1.jpg
    plomb1.jpg
    144.5 KB · Views: 19
  • plomb2.jpg
    plomb2.jpg
    146.6 KB · Views: 23
  • plomb3.jpg
    plomb3.jpg
    145.5 KB · Views: 19
  • plomb4.jpg
    plomb4.jpg
    147.7 KB · Views: 23
Last edited:

Project_shadow

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
677
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Found a plomb 11/16 today
Looks old and idk much about them
3e778b544f35f58433e812018eb4c720.jpg

8453534fc36b97173bc7edd481874aef.jpg
 

bgarrett

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
4,393
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

project shadow, it looks like a pebble and was made from 1945 to 1948
 

Project_shadow

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
677
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Ah, nifty I found a could proto out today too, wasn't sure about getting them, also a blue point offset box end wrench that was made almost out of tubing for the handle
 
OP
G

GRX

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 4, 2006
Messages
2,032
Location
MD
A pebble?
Idk anything about plomb at all lol
It refers to the rough pebble-like finish in the recessed area. One of the qualities we like about the old Plomb. Started some time in the 30's and continued until 1948 when they had to change the name to Proto to satisfy a trademark lawsuit.
 

Project_shadow

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
677
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I've got a long ways, but thanks to this forum I find myself finding these now and knowing a little about them helps
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Project_shadow

Well-known member
Joined
Jun 14, 2014
Messages
677
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

This is actually the very first one I've bought, seeing as I'm 20 I'm gonna have a long time to collect thanks to the forum lol
 

laurareymore

New member
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Messages
2
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I am better at tools than computers. It asks for the url of the photo and no idea how to do that. Normally I upload from my app on phone. I can normally figure it out eventually. Also on my wrench the V is an O. It looks handmade and early.
 

Smokeshow69

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
8,366
Location
Pacific Northwest
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

I just bought this wrench at a yard sale and cannot find much about it. I collect Plomb tools as they are excellent quality. Yes I'm a girl and I really dig nice tools and I know how to use them.☺ Not sure how to post pic but will explore. Happy I found this forum!!! Well if I screw up it is marked BB-1 A. PLOMB on one side with 1/4 and 3/8 and Calif-tool marked on other side. It appears pretty primitive. It is beautiful!!!

If your plvmb says California tool on it, then this tool is one of the earliest version of tools made by plvmb. They started in the early 1900's and their early tools are labeled with the term calif. tool. If you can figure out the picture posting thing it would be great to see some pictures!
 

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,500
Location
Northern California
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here is a very early cold chisel I found at an estate sale yesterday. It has a round O in the logo and no part number.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    140.1 KB · Views: 36

bgarrett

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 11, 2006
Messages
4,393
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

three small Plombs
I didnt see any information on alloyartifacts about the box end. When was it made? It is blank on the back, the front has 7/16 1122 Plomb 8A 3/8
 

Attachments

  • SMALLPLOMB.jpg
    SMALLPLOMB.jpg
    137.9 KB · Views: 28

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,500
Location
Northern California
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Your nice box end wrench was made in 1938. The 8 before the letter is the year code. I posted my 1938 extension up thread.
 

3baygarage

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 1, 2013
Messages
11,928
Location
SW Florida/from Buffalo,NY
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

3/4" and 1" drive Plomb ratchets basking in the sun on a cold afternoon:

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06365_zps9hbjybgh.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06363_zpsxpmemmev.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06366_zps3xnexsje.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06370_zpsopfm0q5h.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06369_zps7um0v0oq.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06371_zpszkgp2v6q.jpg.html] [/URL]

[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06368_zpsk65d0fag.jpg.html] [/URL]

Other than the stampings being located on the underside of one of the 3/4" handles, there is another slight difference. On one, a spring loaded stop button is located underneath the lever to prevent unwanted direction change. On the 1" ratchet as well . Does anyone know if the button was in earlier models or later?
[URL=http://s102.photobucket.com/user/nno16r/media/DSC06367_zps4vs7nkt4.jpg.html] [/URL]
 

Attachments

  • DSC06363.jpg
    DSC06363.jpg
    148.6 KB · Views: 11
  • DSC06365.jpg
    DSC06365.jpg
    151.5 KB · Views: 10
  • DSC06366.jpg
    DSC06366.jpg
    96.1 KB · Views: 10
  • DSC06368.jpg
    DSC06368.jpg
    123.8 KB · Views: 10
  • DSC06369.jpg
    DSC06369.jpg
    150 KB · Views: 10
  • DSC06370.jpg
    DSC06370.jpg
    96.2 KB · Views: 10
  • DSC06371.jpg
    DSC06371.jpg
    124.8 KB · Views: 10

emeraldcoupe

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
3,425
Location
spring hill, florida
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

picked this up at the flea market yesterday for $5. still works great. another member asked me to post it here, said it's not a very common rat.

proto_zpsdviliypa.jpg
 

emeraldcoupe

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 4, 2010
Messages
3,425
Location
spring hill, florida
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

ok so it was more than a minute. here's the other side.

most of the stuff that looks like rust isn't. don't know why it shows like that in the pics.

proto1_zps3papw1em.jpg
 

Ratchet.

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 30, 2011
Messages
521
Location
Northwich England
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Got this in the mail today, 3/8 drive ratchet, another ebay find, this one was in the UK already too for once.

I believe its a WF-21 model but oddly has no markings on it other than Plomb and made in USA, with no visible model number on the face plate (its possible that its been fitted the wrong way at some point)

going to clean it up tomorrow and see what it looks like under the grime hopefully i can find a replacement screw for it in my collection of parts,

This one is going to get a complete restoration however, as much as i like patina this one is a bit too rough for my liking.
 

Attachments

  • plomb ratchet.jpg
    plomb ratchet.jpg
    141.7 KB · Views: 21
  • plomb ratchet 1.jpg
    plomb ratchet 1.jpg
    141.3 KB · Views: 24

Smokeshow69

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 7, 2012
Messages
8,366
Location
Pacific Northwest
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

ok so it was more than a minute. here's the other side.

most of the stuff that looks like rust isn't. don't know why it shows like that in the pics.

proto1_zps3papw1em.jpg

This one looks like an unstamped firestone ratchet for sure. Anyone else have any ideas or have you ever seen one of these?
 

stormking

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 27, 2011
Messages
401
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

There has been a lot of activity in this thread since I was last on here. I'm glad Plomb is still popular and there is a dedicated vintage tool section.
 
Last edited:

d42jeep

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
16,500
Location
Northern California
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Here is a nice big pebble double box wrench I picked up on Saturday.
 

Attachments

  • image.jpg
    image.jpg
    127.2 KB · Views: 44

twertsy

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 5, 2014
Messages
6,726
Location
Reedville, VA
Re: ~ Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

Picked these DOEs up this weekend for $30 at an auction. Also 2 Plomb speeders. Snagged a 1/2" drive transition ratchet (4th from left) in a group off CL last week as well.
 

Attachments

  • PlombDOE.jpg
    PlombDOE.jpg
    152.2 KB · Views: 40
  • ratchets.jpg
    ratchets.jpg
    157.6 KB · Views: 57
  • transit.jpg
    transit.jpg
    139.3 KB · Views: 34
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom