oldmantaylor
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I have one.
Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!
- Thread starter GRX
- Start date
I have one.
oldmantaylor
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Not only do I not have one, I've never even seen one.
r_olson_06
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RagTopTA
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Man that things like brand new! Now I gotta find one!
First one I have seen also, I got the pebbled PC version while back and always wanted a Plomb. but wish it were Pebbled as well.
Catfishdan
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Wow. A shiny one, too! Very nice.
StinkinEngine
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Catfishdan
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RagTopTA
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Ty! I havent even had time to clean it up yet. off this week end though.
d42jeep
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Put some sockets in my new plomb challenger box today. I still need to find a nice chrome 7/16" and a knurled breaker bar to make it correct. On the hunt!
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Sorry, Dan. That’s a size I don’t have a spare of. I’ll keep an eye out though. The set is looking great!
-Don
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Catfishdan
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Thanks Don. 7/16" seem to be the 10mm of the SAE world; always missing.
bmwrd0
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Catfish, I have a spare 7/16" chrome if you want it, just shoot me a PM with an address.
Catfishdan
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Awesome! Thanks. Pm inbound.
Oldtuleguy
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Private Lugnutz
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I found a mess of universal joints and swivel sockets at my flea market on Friday. Among them were these, all 3/8-inch drive, all from the Plomb Empire, including without a doubt the "[S.R.]".
[S.R.] 5/8", [S.R.] 3/8", Plomb WF-72 (3/8") x 2, Plomb WF-73 (7/16"), and Plomb WF-75 (9/16").
Photo 1, 2 & 3: Plomb
Photo 4: [S.R.]
Photo 5: Group shot allaying any last doubts if there even was any that Plomb is the OEM for [S.R.]
[S.R.] 5/8", [S.R.] 3/8", Plomb WF-72 (3/8") x 2, Plomb WF-73 (7/16"), and Plomb WF-75 (9/16").
Photo 1, 2 & 3: Plomb
Photo 4: [S.R.]
Photo 5: Group shot allaying any last doubts if there even was any that Plomb is the OEM for [S.R.]
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dungeoncrawler
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Hi all, newly-minted Plomb/Proto collector joining in!
I only have a couple of things so far (have been looking for only a few months), but looking to get more.
I like the pebble stuff from Plomb, and LA stuff from Proto, so would love to get a few pieces combining the two with pebble that have "Los Angeles" on the handle like some of the ratchets and breaker bars.
Two 5430 with different size fonts, a 5224, 5255 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and 7/16 chisel
A few Proto LA combination wrenches
And a couple of Proto LA sockets, a 5414 and 5420-H (6 side socket code??)
The 5420 also has an unusual date code, looks like a Cyrillic(?) character
I only have a couple of things so far (have been looking for only a few months), but looking to get more.
I like the pebble stuff from Plomb, and LA stuff from Proto, so would love to get a few pieces combining the two with pebble that have "Los Angeles" on the handle like some of the ratchets and breaker bars.
Two 5430 with different size fonts, a 5224, 5255 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and 7/16 chisel
A few Proto LA combination wrenches
And a couple of Proto LA sockets, a 5414 and 5420-H (6 side socket code??)
The 5420 also has an unusual date code, looks like a Cyrillic(?) character
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twertsy
Well-known member
Hi all, newly-minted Plomb/Proto collector joining in!
I only have a couple of things so far (have been looking for only a few months), but looking to get more.
I like the pebble stuff from Plomb, and LA stuff from Proto, so would love to get a few pieces combining the two with pebble that have "Los Angeles" on the handle like some of the ratchets and breaker bars.
Two 5430 with different size fonts, a 5224, 5255 3/8 to 1/4 adapter and 7/16 chisel
A few Proto LA combination wrenches
And a couple of Proto LA sockets, a 5414 and 5420-H (6 side socket code??)
The 5420 also has an unusual date code, looks like a Cyrillic(?) character
Are you sure the 5420 is LA? Those codes were used in the 90's I believe.
dungeoncrawler
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Haha yep, it's the LA socket for sure.
Here is a better turnaround composite;
Here is a better turnaround composite;
r_olson_06
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Keep chipping away on the pebble list. Added this 1163 DBE last week.
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Sent from my XT1080 using The Garage Journal mobile app
twertsy
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Oh I see you're referring to the star. Not a date code. We're not sure what it is but it seems to always be struck where the detent hole should be.Haha yep, it's the LA socket for sure.
Here is a better turnaround composite;
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dungeoncrawler
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Star?? No, I mean the upside-down "L" next to 5/8. That's where a date code usually is, isn't it?
twertsy
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I honestly don't think I've ever seen that on Proto LA. There were no date codes during that era.
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dungeoncrawler
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I am no expert but it looks like it came this way from factory. Could it be some kind of rare mcGuffin?
What about the two 5430 Plombs, did they have a font change at some point? One uses much bigger typeface than the other.
What about the two 5430 Plombs, did they have a font change at some point? One uses much bigger typeface than the other.
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r_olson_06
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Plomb font size seems to change quite a bit from what I have seen. This is really common on the WF stuff.
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RagTopTA
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I always figured with 30 plants making the tools at one time, that's prob why the big variation in the fonts on a lot of the tools. just my thinking though.
Private Lugnutz
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Especially the 9/32-inch drive, I have noticed. And they often have different tiny letters (K, G, H, etc) that we think may indicate different plants.
It's good thinking. See above.
RagTopTA
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ahh ha!! And what about the Plomb bob logos being different directions on some things and not others.. And our Non-pebble, Pebble wrenches!! I need answers Lugz!! Oh... and S.R.
RagTopTA
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Here is my Weekend Plomb haul. I have 2 older guys actually that are doing the tool thing. I forgot about one I met. I talked with #2 today for a while after my hunting and he says you are the youngster I see at all the Estate sales after the Plomb stuff huh? I say yes sir. He says well good to meet you and I'll start grabbing the Plomb stuff and passing it on to you if you will watch for Diamond tools for me. No prob! Then he hands me a Wf20 and says $2, its what he paid for it. so now I have both my competitors looking for Plomb for me! Awesome! He mentioned a 1/4 set he was going to bring me he had and didn't care anything about. Will see what happens.
WF20 in great condition
WF22 T handle
WF8 with opposing Plombs
WF85
3018 DOE pebble
3047 DOE Pebble
Large Punch number is worn off it
Philips and slot sockets
WF20 in great condition
WF22 T handle
WF8 with opposing Plombs
WF85
3018 DOE pebble
3047 DOE Pebble
Large Punch number is worn off it
Philips and slot sockets
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dungeoncrawler
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That's a nice haul you got there! In my area I don't have a whole lot of tools come up other than on estate sales, and usually any good stuff is gone on Friday. Bah!
So Plomb/Proto had 30-something factories? I though up until later years they were working out of the one factory in LA? Were others in other states, what's the story here?
So Plomb/Proto had 30-something factories? I though up until later years they were working out of the one factory in LA? Were others in other states, what's the story here?
Private Lugnutz
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Did you see the 3/8-inch drive "[S.R.]" swivels I posted (#4418, bottom of last page)? IDENTICAL!
RagTopTA
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Yes during War production and Im guessing a little beyond they had many factories producing all the tools. Hence my speculation that's got a lot to do with little variations we see.
Did you see the 3/8-inch drive "[S.R.]" swivels I posted (#4418, bottom of last page)? IDENTICAL!
I did! Awesome! I asked both of the older gentlemen that tool hunt if they had any knowledge about the SR stuff. Neither had ever heard of it. They thought it funny as youngster was telling them about stuff.
dungeoncrawler
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Ah, I see. Were those factories all in LA or elsewhere though? I was under impression that their tools marked "Los Angeles" were made there, or is that more of "headquarters based in Los Angeles" type deal?
RagTopTA
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This is what I read on their brochures people have posted just a while back. and I know it was during ww2 but I have yet to find a list of those factories and their locations.
Ole Slewfoot
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I have a Proto 5422 with the star over the detent(no hole) and this r symbol. its a little deeper than even some slightly larger 1/2 drive other Proto sockets.The 5420 also has an unusual date code, looks like a Cyrillic(?) character
dungeoncrawler
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Sorry if this is the wrong thread for this but just wanted to share a curiosity;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173415014067
The price seems outrageous, but it's an unusual ratchet, says it a dual marked 3/4. I haven't seen one of these yet.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173415014067
The price seems outrageous, but it's an unusual ratchet, says it a dual marked 3/4. I haven't seen one of these yet.
twertsy
Well-known member
I have one. That price is a bit steep, unless all the pieces are dual marked.......Sorry if this is the wrong thread for this but just wanted to share a curiosity;
https://www.ebay.com/itm/173415014067
The price seems outrageous, but it's an unusual ratchet, says it a dual marked 3/4. I haven't seen one of these yet.
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dungeoncrawler
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The two sockets with markings shown in the photos are regular Plvmb so probably not.
I suppose the price is aimed more at working mechanic rather than a collector, new sets like these go for thousands apparently. Phew!
I suppose the price is aimed more at working mechanic rather than a collector, new sets like these go for thousands apparently. Phew!
Oldtuleguy
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That looks like a reasonable price. That is a very usable set of heavy duty American made tools.
dungeoncrawler
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So I did some digging and here is what I found;
For what it's worth, their catalog dating back to 1954 (found here http://bartlettstreet.com/toolcatalogs/ProtoC5428catalog.pdf) lists five locations on the back page - main factory and office in LA, and smaller factories in Portland, Chicago, Jamestown and Ontario (Proto Canada).
Ole Slewfoot
Well-known member
$ 565 for the new set that really isn't any different, aside from having no collector value, and I think the box is thinner.
https://www.zoro.com/proto-socket-wrench-set-sae-34-in-dr-20-pc-j55102/i/G2414054/
The 3/4 and 1" stuff has inherent work value, like a milling machine, it isn't rendered worthless by a few wear marks.
Me, I would have washed it if I were looking for that kind of money.
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Private Lugnutz
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Portland refers to P&C (acquired in 1941), Chicago refers to Cragin/Bog (acquired in 1940), and Jamestown refers to J.P. Danielson (acquired in 1946). But JPD (Jamestown) and Ontario came after the war. Rags was talking about the 40's. Plomb had nine (9) US Army Air Corps contracts, six (6) Navy contracts, two (2) US Army Ordnance Dept contracts, and two (2) Treasury Dept contracts. In those days, Treasury had the Federal Standard Stock Catalog and those tools could've went to any federal agency ordering tools by Federal Stock Number - this was the forerunner of todays GSA Schedule and NSN system. Almost all the contracts were overlapping from 1942 to 1945. Plomb wartime ads say they were using thirty-one (31) factories to fill those orders. Three (3) of those were undoubtedly L.A., the old Cragin/Bog plant in Chicago, and P&C (which also made WF- marked tools). It's the other twenty-eight (28) that Rags - and everyone else - wants to know who and where!
EDIT: See photo.
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