Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[Private Lugnutz]

So I thought I’d share what one screwdriver and you all on this site started

The entire collection is a tremendous achievement, Jammer, but that screwdriver drawer is extraordinarily special. Congrats!

 

[d42jeep]

The entire collection is a tremendous achievement, Jammer, but that screwdriver drawer is extraordinarily special. Congrats!

What Lugz said! Great screwdriver collection. Someday I hope to find a Plomb toolbox. I found a couple Plomb items at the Tahoe flea today. A screwdriver and a Wright Field 3/8” drive speeder.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Several years ago I came across a wood handled Plomb screwdriver at a yard sale. I thought it was the coolest tool I’d ever laid hands on. Researching it led me to GJ, and I’ve been hooked on seeking out all things Plomb ever since.

So I thought I’d share what one screwdriver and you all on this site started





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Very nice collection! Good luck continuing the slippery slope


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[Catfishdan]

Jeebus, you aren't kidding about the eBay prices. But, like after seeing many things on GJ, I had to have one...just won an auction, and might go for more. I need help. LOL.

EDIT: I went for more. Now have four of these (Proto branded) headed my way. I didn't know I needed them until now.

I know the feeling all to well!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a similar ailment. Impressive collection!

 

[d42jeep]

So I picked this up this weekend, filled with misc. tools

But what is the timeline place for red boxes? Are they after green, same time as green, before the war, pebble or before pebble? I have never looked into finding the proper time for a red, as I have only found green boxes before.

In the case of your box, I believe that it is postwar. It has the Made in USA on it and since Plomb seemed to have such a backlog of boxes, I think that the prewar red boxes would be marked LA and possibly even have round Os. Here are a couple of my examples.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Agreed, Don. Good catch. I jumped to my catalog color summary and didn't even take note of that.

 

[bmwrd0]

So, post-war would be pebble, I think I can put that together!

 

[d42jeep]

So, post-war would be pebble, I think I can put that together!

That’s what I’m doing with mine.
-Don

 

[Username already in use]

My postwar midget Plomb pebble set came as pictured. The red box was absent of any stamping.

 

[MR.X]

Guess someone at Plomb thought they needed to be specific about what kit this 3/8 drive extension belonged to. Main landing gear retraction gearbox?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Guess someone at Plomb thought they needed to be specific about what kit this 3/8 drive extension belonged to. Main landing gear retraction gearbox?

I'm thinking thats half the emergency driver to operate a damaged box from inside the plane...Not a good time to be fumbling or the correct tool, or discovering the mechanic mistakenly took it home in his box.

 

[DD T/A]

Several years ago I came across a wood handled Plomb screwdriver at a yard sale. I thought it was the coolest tool I’d ever laid hands on. Researching it led me to GJ, and I’ve been hooked on seeking out all things Plomb ever since.

So I thought I’d share what one screwdriver and you all on this site started

I don't understand why you gotta blame all of us, but ok.

 

[MR.X]

some of last weekend acquisitions....Looks like Plomb's P 111 matches Wright Aeronautical's W-111 designation for their outside hub nut propeller wrench.

 

[Smokeshow69]

some of last weekend acquisitions....Looks like Plomb's P 111 matches Wright Aeronautical's W-111 designation for their outside hub nut propeller wrench.

Is that a turret top picking hammer I see ? Nice rope braid !


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[MR.X]

Is that a turret top picking hammer I see ? Nice rope braid !


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here's a better shot of the early sockets (that 1 3/16 Los Angeles is no gimme either) and the markings on that hammer. I'm not a huge stickler (is that a word?) for original handles on body hammers but,....... c'mon, this 1429 has a sweet handle, can't believe it's not cracked.
BTW, the sellers forced me to buy their 9990 too.

 

[Catfishdan]

here's a better shot of the early sockets (that 1 3/16 Los Angeles is no gimme either) and the markings on that hammer. I'm not a huge stickler (is that a word?) for original handles on body hammers but,....... c'mon, this 1429 has a sweet handle, can't believe it's not cracked.
BTW, the sellers forced me to buy their 9990 too.

Nice early plomb goodness!

 

[tym]

Welp, because I decided I needed not just one but several, I just got my Proto keychain screwdrivers in the mail. Are the "Mfd. USA" ones the older ones?

I also received a nearly pristine "Proto Professional" marked one, which I gave to my Dad.

For the two keychains that have some wear on the screwdriver tip, I was thinking of dressing them to get a proper tip back. Thoughts?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

here's a better shot of the early sockets (that 1 3/16 Los Angeles is no gimme either) and the markings on that hammer. I'm not a huge stickler (is that a word?) for original handles on body hammers but,....... c'mon, this 1429 has a sweet handle, can't believe it's not cracked.
BTW, the sellers forced me to buy their 9990 too.

Ohhh, you must feel terrible having to buy that 9990

 

[MR.X]

Nice early plomb goodness!

Thanks Dan

Ohhh, you must feel terrible having to buy that 9990

still not over it.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

Summary (with my dating, which is explained in detail in my 'Pebble Plomb Production Dates' thread):

Catalog 17B (1939): Black and white, but described as "dark olive green"

Catalog 18A (8/40 - 10/41): shown and described as "brilliant Chinese Red"

Catalog 19 (42 - 3/43): shown and described as "brilliant Chinese Red", but almost certainly already OD green (this is the catalog with no WPB line-outs, restrictions markings. etc, but a Price List in the back with a War Production Board notice and restricted items missing from list)

Catalog 19A (4/43 - 1/44): all toolboxes shown in red, and described as "brilliant Chinese red", but this is the first catalog with WPB strikeouts and notices in the catalog itself, several reading: "All Toolboxes Finished in GREEN"

Catalog 19R REPRINT (2/44 - 10/46): Ditto

Catalog 19R FOURTH PRINTING (11/46 - 3/48): "brilliant Chinese Red"

Catalog 4820 (4/1948 - ?): "dark red baked enamel finish"

Three are also the light gray smooth painted boxes which may not have been in the public catalog

 

[drivesitfar]

Jammer: nice box and I agree that is quite a collection of old wood handled PLVMB screwdrivers.

sorry we all are responsible for you spending all your time and cash collecting such a mess of tools so if you'd like to exchange them for some PITTSBURGH brand ones i'm sure that one of us will be happily buy the PITTSBURGH ones to make that happen.

WELL DONE and thanks for the pics!!

ALL: sorry I haven't contributed much on this great thread, but I sure appreciate all the combined knowledge you all share while i'm catching up on my HONEY DO'S.

cheers

 

[Catfishdan]

Welp, because I decided I needed not just one but several, I just got my Proto keychain screwdrivers in the mail. Are the "Mfd. USA" ones the older ones?

I also received a nearly pristine "Proto Professional" marked one, which I gave to my Dad.

For the two keychains that have some wear on the screwdriver tip, I was thinking of dressing them to get a proper tip back. Thoughts?

I believe "Proto Los Angeles" is the oldest, then "MFD," then "Proto Proffesional." Nice collection. I like the Golden State Mutual one. I'd be stoked if my bank gave out tools. All I ever get from them is a pen.

 

[BMWBOB]

My wife is REALLY not going to like that I discovered this section of the garage.

I've been collecting hand planes for my brother for years, now he's got a whole bench full. For myself, I've been finding some old tools too: fold-up measuring tools, squares, hand drills etc. my idea is to put together a tool set like my granddad would have had back in the 30's.

I have a long way to go though!

 

[tym]

I believe "Proto Los Angeles" is the oldest, then "MFD," then "Proto Proffesional." Nice collection. I like the Golden State Mutual one. I'd be stoked if my bank gave out tools. All I ever get from them is a pen.

Thanks, Catfishdan. I did a little research and came to the same conclusion. That Golden State one looks like it was never used.

What are your thoughts about dressing the other two, which have some bungled tips. Sure, it reduces the "antique" value, but at least makes them usable as tools.

And I'm with you on banks only giving out chintzy pens these days.

 

[Catfishdan]

Thanks, Catfishdan. I did a little research and came to the same conclusion. That Golden State one looks like it was never used.

What are your thoughts about dressing the other two, which have some bungled tips. Sure, it reduces the "antique" value, but at least makes them usable as tools.

And I'm with you on banks only giving out chintzy pens these days.

I'd re-dress the tips if you're not worried about selling them. Might as well make them useful.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I would leave them alone. Can always dress em, but can't undo it

 

[ssdave]

Not Plomb, but a nice Proto acquisition today at an estate sale. Got two Proto boxes, the green one was a gimme at $30, the red one at $20 was almost overpriced, but I wanted it. For $50 for the pair, was a great deal. Bought a few other tools for another $25, kept the two boxes and a few Proto and Snap-on and miscellaneous, and sold the remnants to the local buy and sell place for $80. So, overall a good day!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice. I would have bought them.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Not Plomb, but a nice Proto acquisition today at an estate sale. Got two Proto boxes, the green one was a gimme at $30, the red one at $20 was almost overpriced, but I wanted it. For $50 for the pair, was a great deal. Bought a few other tools for another $25, kept the two boxes and a few Proto and Snap-on and miscellaneous, and sold the remnants to the local buy and sell place for $80. So, overall a good day!

That green box is in amazing condition! I have a few earlier curved corner ones and a square corner red one but not like that one and not with those drawer pulls. Pressteel made their earlier ones and Waterloo made their more modern 70’s red ones. Wonder if yours is pressteel? The pulls on my p&c top chest are very similar so I would say so


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[ssdave]

That green box is in amazing condition! I have a few earlier curved corner ones and a square corner red one but not like that one and not with those drawer pulls. Pressteel made their earlier ones and Waterloo made their more modern 70’s red ones. Wonder if yours is pressteel? The pulls on my p&c top chest are very similar so I would say so


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I was extremely pleased to find the green one in that condition. Only condition defect is the 3" roundish spot on the top, and a bit of chrome freckling on the handles that will remove with chrome polish.

It might be made by Duplex. It has some features in common with boxes Duplex made, and I know Duplex made boxes for Proto. The side handles are identical to Duplex, as is the box corner construction. The pulls are different than the Duplex ones I've had.

Here's a picture of a Duplex box that was posted on GJ in the past:

 

[Lookin4'67Galaxieconv]

Plomb Box I picked up earlier this year. IIRC it dates from 1938-40.

 

[tym]

I'd re-dress the tips if you're not worried about selling them. Might as well make them useful.

Well, I compromised and dressed only one, a duplicate. It's in the middle.

 

[d42jeep]

I found my Plomb keychain screwdriver the old fashioned way. I paid up for it on eBay. I gave up on ever finding one in the wild.
-Don

 

[ssdave]

Okay, new question about the tool box I posted above. I want to fill it with appropriate tools. Are LA era or MFG era the appropriate ones? Heres the picture again for reference:

 

[RagTopTA]

I haven't been on much last few weeks Had a lot going on but here are my Plomb goodies I have gotten in the last few weeks from all over. The torch wrench and the adjustable are both dual marked as well as 2 of the sockets. One of my fav finds from last weekend was the stubby Phillips driver in bottom of a box of random stuff. Took a chance because it had "the look" the marks were covered with crusty ****.

 

[d42jeep]

All of the toolboxes in the ‘54 catalog shown here
http://bartlettstreet.com/toolcatalogs/ProtoC5428catalog.pdf
look to be 100% red.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

I found my Plomb keychain screwdriver the old fashioned way. I paid up for it on eBay. I gave up on ever finding one in the wild.
-Don

Don with the funny! (And truth...)
I'm a bit surprised you have never found one in the wild, but as I've mentioned before I don't find Herbrand...

I have a Plomb key chain screwdriver that is black oxide, appears nos/unused, shelf wear. Plain obverse. I got it for $9.99 on the bay, believe I posted here. $9.99 starting bid no other bidders, listed as a plumb, poor pictures. Only like 3 or 4 views. Seller slow to respond. Took a chance and got rewarded. I rarely see Plomb but I have a few bits.

My dad has a plain one, very nicely chromed, no markings but looks identical to my Plomb.

As an aside, do these bend easily? They look like they do.

 

[tym]

^ One of the three in the lot I received had a bend in the tip from camming out, but the shanks all stayed straight.

I see relatively little Plomb or Proto in the wild here in the Northeast.

 

[Bill Ramsey]

WF-21 3/8-dr 24T ratchet, found at a Tulsa area garage sale for a buck. Works smoothly.

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