Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[RubiconJK]

Here are my Plomb empire finds from yesterday’s Oakland estate sale.
They are to the left of my WW2 tool finds in the first picture.
Big screwdriver needing some help, 1-3-16” socket, plain finish 3/8” speeder and some rusty wrenches. The second and third pictures are the wrenches de-rusted.
An 1125, a WF81 and a P&C 2716.
-Don

Good haul!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Here are my Plomb empire finds from yesterday’s Oakland estate sale.

They are to the left of my WW2 tool finds in the first picture.

Big screwdriver needing some help, 1-3-16” socket, plain finish 3/8” speeder and some rusty wrenches. The second and third pictures are the wrenches de-rusted.

An 1125, a WF81 and a P&C 2716.

-Don

I am really liking the screwdriver and the entrenching tool, even if it is not plomb[emoji51] the socket is also a fairly rare size. I think I may have picked up the same screwdriver last weekend . What model number is the driver ?


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[d42jeep]

I removed the turquoise paint and glued up the crack in the handle. It’s in the garage with clamps all over it but I’ll check the number later today. The shovel and the cover were both marked 1944
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

The screwdriver was dry today so I removed the clamps and took a couple pictures. The part number is 9710.
-Don

 

[RagTopTA]

The screwdriver was dry today so I removed the clamps and took a couple pictures. The part number is 9710.
-Don

When you guys get an old wood-handled driver like that that's pretty rough or really greasy, do you like to leave it as is or try cleaning it up, sanding it a little? whats your clean up process like ?

 

[d42jeep]

On this particular screwdriver a previous owner had painted the handle plus the handle was cracked. I used some aerosol brake cleaner to get rid of some of the oil that saturated the wood. I then used a dental pick to scrape off the softened paint. I sprayed more brake cleaner in the crack and blew it out with compressed air. I filled the crack with carpenters wood glue and clamped it with some wood clamps. I cleaned off the glue that oozed out and let it dry overnight. I wire wheeled the shaft and used some medium steel wool on the ferrule. That’s pretty much it. It doesn’t look like new but it’s more presentable.
-Don

 

[DD T/A]

I've been a semi-regular swap meet guy for 3.5+ years now and I have only come across ONE stinkin' mangy wood plomb screw driver about a year and a half ago. And wouldn't you know it the metal ferule is loose, hard to read, the handle was soaked with grease and not in great shape; thing was horrible.

I figured what I'd end up doing was wrong, but what would I do? Destroy a disgusting old useless screwdriver I got for $1?

I used a spray gun of Purple Power and quickly wiped it off, twice; then a couple more times with water. The handle is dry, almost too dry, and what little paint was on it is easily falling off. It looks like someone painted it, or the stripe red, but the stripe looks to be originally blue.



It's in my shop and I use it regularly.

 

[RagTopTA]

On this particular screwdriver a previous owner had painted the handle plus the handle was cracked. I used some aerosol brake cleaner to get rid of some of the oil that saturated the wood. I then used a dental pick to scrape off the softened paint. I sprayed more brake cleaner in the crack and blew it out with compressed air. I filled the crack with carpenters wood glue and clamped it with some wood clamps. I cleaned off the glue that oozed out and let it dry overnight. I wire wheeled the shaft and used some medium steel wool on the ferrule. That’s pretty much it. It doesn’t look like new but it’s more presentable.
-Don

nice job on that one! I have tried a few different methods. Some come out great some not so great. but I have a thing for Plomb hammers and drivers atm...

I've been a semi-regular swap meet guy for 3.5+ years now and I have only come across ONE stinkin' mangy wood plomb screw driver about a year and a half ago. And wouldn't you know it the metal ferule is loose, hard to read, the handle was soaked with grease and not in great shape; thing was horrible.

I figured what I'd end up doing was wrong, but what would I do? Destroy a disgusting old useless screwdriver I got for $1?

I used a spray gun of Purple Power and quickly wiped it off, twice; then a couple more times with water. The handle is dry, almost too dry, and what little paint was on it is easily falling off. It looks like someone painted it, or the stripe red, but the stripe looks to be originally blue.



It's in my shop and I use it regularly.

Great you still use it! My Philips is got the blue stripe and slot red.

 

[RagTopTA]

Next day off Im going to get out all my drivers and take a group pic!

 

[Provincial]

I picked up a few Plomb wrenches recently. My first War Finish example is a 3/8 combo. Three DBE's, an 1120, an 1130, and a pebble 1134. The combo and the 1134 have the remains of red paint, probably identification of a prior owner.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

I don't think there is one formula on handle repair, it depends on the wood. My last one was a knife handle Danielson wrench. Start off with dish soapy water. Usually no prooblems, but may not cut the crud... in this case the wood just starts disintegrating.
3 coats of clear flooring urethane, and it looks shiny and good, yet unmistakably aged and vintage.

IMO clean and Linseed oil is the more for less approach. my personal philosophy is that it is legit to restore a tool clean enough for everyday use, and no safety hazards that were not part of the design, and this surely biases what I do.

 

[RubiconJK]

When you guys get an old wood-handled driver like that that's pretty rough or really greasy, do you like to leave it as is or try cleaning it up, sanding it a little? whats your clean up process like ?

I typically try to leave the wood alone unless there are cracks, loose ferrules etc.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Same. I have filled in gouges and gaps with a mixture of sawdust and shellac topped with BLO, which is a period correct trick I learned from my old man, minimally invasive, and holds well. I generally don't use vintage tools, so you may have different results if you plan to use them hard.

 

[d42jeep]

I agree. If the handles aren’t cracked I leave them alone.
-Don

 

[RagTopTA]

I have several of the older Plomb wood handled drivers, the ones with the steel cps and no color band of paint or notch. I want to work on those. they all seem to be just covered with grease and almost black. I think i can do some good and get a bunch of it off of them. We shall see. I did a HD Smith handle and it came out pretty good!

 

[RagTopTA]

Same. I have filled in gouges and gaps with a mixture of sawdust and shellac topped with BLO, which is a period correct trick I learned from my old man, minimally invasive, and holds well. I generally don't use vintage tools, so you may have different results if you plan to use them hard.

Thats a great trick! Ill have to save that thanks Lugs and Pop Lugs!!!

 

[3baygarage]

I thought of you guys today when I saw one of the old amber plastic import knockoffs.

 

[DD T/A]

I saw these punches at the swap this morning. They really look used up and don't know how much good they'll do me, but I will not use most of them very often anyways. The price wasn't great either, which didn't help. Got the lot for $15, which for their condition I think was a little high.

First two are Plomb, second two are Proto Los Angeles, last photo is Proto.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

De-musrooming is a normal operation on striking tools, and calking irons aren't really supposed to be sharp. maybe a bit neglected, but I wouldn't say bad shape.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You could defiantly save those

 

[DD T/A]

What exactly would these Plomb Caulking irons be used for? I did some basic searches and came up with wooden ship building, but I just can't imagine Plomb getting into the ship building tool business, what else would these possible be used for?

When I saw them at the swap, I assumed they were for bearings/races or something with a curve, but I don't really know.

And now that I see they may be woodworking tools, I am not interested in (further) ruining them by using them on metal projects...

 

[notlob]

Most of those are not punches. They are calkers or yarning irons used by plumbers back when they used oakum and molten lead to seal pipe joints.

Here's a video showing how they were used:

 

[DD T/A]

Thank you very much for that, completely got me up to speed. So essentially these tools are really only collectors items, not practical. heh

 

[LNKMK8]

Picked up a 3/4" Drive Breaker bar from the pebble handle period last week; I'll have to grab some pictures once I get it cleaned up.

 

[RagTopTA]

Here are my Plomb drivers so far. I think there's one Proto mixed in. Also some other goodies a Paschall hammer, Adapter and swivel Plomb LA, Combo Dual marked DOE, and a freebie Plomb LA ground on wrench. and an amber handle.

 

[RagTopTA]

Picked up a 3/4" Drive Breaker bar from the pebble handle period last week; I'll have to grab some pictures once I get it cleaned up.

Good score! I have one that things huge and heavy!!

 

[DD T/A]

Here are my Plomb drivers so far. I think there's one Proto mixed in. Also some other goodies a Paschall hammer, Adapter and swivel Plomb LA, Combo Dual marked DOE, and a freebie Plomb LA ground on wrench. and an amber handle.

That 9688 in the first picture has got to be one of y favorite Plomb tools I've ever seen, looks pristine.
I'd kill to find one in the wild like that. I just can't believe you have all of those plomb screwdrivers...I've only seen three in the wild in about 4 years!

 

[RagTopTA]

That 9688 in the first picture has got to be one of y favorite Plomb tools I've ever seen, looks pristine.
I'd kill to find one in the wild like that. I just can't believe you have all of those plomb screwdrivers...I've only seen three in the wild in about 4 years!

I have found most at flea markets and a couple at Estate sales. I got three of Flea bay, the One you like is the last one. Its like brand new condition!! I would love an entire set like that!!

 

[RubiconJK]

I have found most at flea markets and a couple at Estate sales. I got three of Flea bay, the One you like is the last one. Its like brand new condition!! I would love an entire set like that!!

Those are nice. Its especially rare to find them with some of the red paint still in the handle groove.

 

[ssdave]

Those are nice. Its especially rare to find them with some of the red paint still in the handle groove.

There's one in the junk bin at the local buy it sell shop, it's a 2 or 3" shorty. Still has some of the red paint in the groove. It has initials carved in it, though.

 

[RagTopTA]

There's one in the junk bin at the local buy it sell shop, it's a 2 or 3" shorty. Still has some of the red paint in the groove. It has initials carved in it, though.

RESCUE that poor driver!!!!

 

[ssdave]

RESCUE that poor driver!!!!

I have entirely too much unwanted stuff of my own already. I'm not going out of my way to bring home more!

But, I still do. I saw a sign on Sunday morning for an unadvertised estate sale. Went to it. Two kids from out of town cleaning up Mom's house. Dad has been gone for awhile, mom passed away and they have all the stuff their own houses can hold already. Told me they had hauled away 8 roll away's to the dump of stuff already that they had cleaned out. Detached garage and detached garage/workshop. I wasn't about to buy the snow blower, riding mower, generators, etc in the garage. The son had gone through the toolbox in the workshop and filled a 5 gallon bucket with the Snap-on stuff to keep for himself. There was a 30" craftsman top and bottom roll-away with Craftsman, Matco and Proto stuff, a lot of new yard tools. He sold it to me for $100 if I took it all. Of course, I couldn't help myself, so I spent a couple of hours Sunday sorting it all out and putting the part I wanted away in my stuff, and getting the rest sorted to resell or throw away or recycle. Now, I'll have to spend a few hours passing on the bulk of it that I didn't want, the trash and recycle has already been hauled away Monday.

If I was closer to some of the guys on here that are looking for tool boxes, I'd sure like to get the set out of the back of my pickup. Not a bad box, it's not the low end red/gray ones from the 70's and 80's, it's a heavier duty, wider one. I'm hoping the guy at the local buy and sell will give me a few dollars for it. He's not open Mondays so I didn't get rid of it yesterday. I'm not going to go through the circus of a CL ad.

Then, went back with my wife and bought the antique bedroom set, and spent another couple hours breaking it down, moving it, and re-assembling it in my house.

So, like I said, have enough to deal with already, don't need to go out of my way to bring home more..... It's a sickness. There was some nice Proto in that box, though. Along with some Snap-on he didn't take. And a fairly small number that went into the metal recycle, mostly it wasn't junk. Not much old stuff, some Blackhawk and P&C and Diamond. Mostly I wanted the yard tools; for some reason it was all new, and high quality, not your cheap discount store versions. Along with some industrial type pry bars that I was glad to get. Machinery positioning type bars.

 

[RagTopTA]

It is a sickness, but Plomb is my very favorite so its very hard for me to leave any behind.

 

[d42jeep]

It’s not my favorite but if I see it I grab it. Here are my Proto and Plomb wood handle drivers plus a little plastic Plomb. There were a couple I couldn’t find.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

It is a sickness, but Plomb is my very favorite so its very hard for me to leave any behind.

What is this sickness you speak of [emoji23]?

My plomb section

Proto la section

P&C section

If I find it in the wild and is reasonably priced it comes home with me! Most of the amber handled drivers and spinners are from habitat for humanity !


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[Rileysan]

If I find it in the wild and is reasonably priced it comes home with me! Most of the amber handled drivers and spinners are from habitat for humanity !


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Funny how that works - the old amber and wood handle screwdrivers get overlooked because they aren't bright & shiny!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Funny how that works - the old amber and wood handle screwdrivers get overlooked because they aren't bright & shiny!

I have trained my eyes to recognize finishes or shapes over bright and shiny[emoji51] I am to the point where I can tell you the make on a wrench without seeing the branding [emoji16] most people are diving for the shiny stuff while I am going for the aged finishes.


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[RubiconJK]

I have trained my eyes to recognize finishes or shapes over bright and shiny[emoji51] I am to the point where I can tell you the make on a wrench without seeing the branding [emoji16] most people are diving for the shiny stuff while I am going for the aged finishes.


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Lol, I'm the same way. Reminds me of a game we used to play with my dad when we were going down the road guessing the make of an oncoming car by just looking at the grill.

When I spot a Plomb tool at the flea market I have to force myself to not jump at it immediately for fear it might hurt my price negotiation!

 

[bmwrd0]

Bright and shiny means cheap chrome, and yes, I can spot good tools half a bucket deep!

(Bifocals don't hurt either!)

 

[Private Lugnutz]

One of the perks of being a WWII guy - no chrome whatsoever!!