Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[bmwrd0]

Found this yesterday at the Restore

Its a Plomb 5482. Normally I wouldn't bother with another speeder, but there are a couple I am looking for so I checked the maker on it. When I saw the model number I was confused as it is 3/8" sized but with an anvil to take 1/2". Turns out it is used in only three sets, 5400K, 'R and 'V. The K set is different as it is in a 5295 case with just the sockets (no /32's) an 18' hinge handle, a pin handle and this speeder. I have everything to make that up, but I would have to break up some sets I have now. Or, I can keep hunting!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Found this yesterday at the Restore



Its a Plomb 5482. Normally I wouldn't bother with another speeder, but there are a couple I am looking for so I checked the maker on it. When I saw the model number I was confused as it is 3/8" sized but with an anvil to take 1/2". Turns out it is used in only three sets, 5400K, 'R and 'V. The K set is different as it is in a 5295 case with just the sockets (no /32's) an 18' hinge handle, a pin handle and this speeder. I have everything to make that up, but I would have to break up some sets I have now. Or, I can keep hunting!

Really nice speeder ! Those I believe are fairly rare ?


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[mustangSR70]

Just picked up these 4 tiny gems. I already have them, but not with the forged in Molybdenum-Alloy markings. There is a description of them, including the moly alloy in the '35 catalog.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Nice, Those markings really pop.

 

[DD T/A]

He’s an honest seller, funny and a great guy. He polished up a set of really ugly formerly painted and rusted Plomb sockets I had. Here is the before and after.
-Don

Do you know how he did that?

Man, most of my sockets already look better than your "before" shots, I bet I could really have a nice set!

 

[DD T/A]

I just want to make sure all of you gentlemen are aware of this set recently offered up:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Its-Plomb-...h=item286c866360:g:hxYAAOSwteFb285u:rk:1:pf:0

it's only up to $103.50 now, but there's three days to go yet on the auction.

great seller. one of the very few truly honest Ebay sellers I've dealt with.
here's the "feedback" he posted on my last purchase from him:

Just for future reference, posting some listed pictures of the auction.



Maybe I'm out of line here, but I was always under the impression that except for the open and box end "faces", these wrenches were NOT factory fully-polished.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Just for future reference, posting some listed pictures of the auction.







Maybe I'm out of line here, but I was always under the impression that except for the open and box end "faces", these wrenches were NOT factory fully-polished.

You are not out of line ! Plomb and a lot of proto combo wrenches are only polished on the ends as you stated. In my opinion those wrenches are over restored and not correct but they could have been so rough that he had no choice but fully polish the whole wrench. I am not casting any shade on the seller, just answering the question


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[Oldtuleguy]

Yes someone polished those

 

[d42jeep]

The eBay seller polished those. I would say that overpolishing is a matter of opinion. He recently had a 1/4” drive set polished up better than my sockets for sale with a repainted box. Here is a shot of my sockets in progress that he sent me. Plomb unplated sockets were polished from the factory.
-Don

 

[RagTopTA]

so, I may have snagged this of flea bay......
A. Plomb gasket Scrapper CalifTools

 

[d42jeep]

Cool find. I’ve had a couple of Calif Tools flare nut wrenches. Here is one next to an early Plomb DBE.
-Don

 

[RagTopTA]

Cool find. I’ve had a couple of Calif Tools flare nut wrenches. Here is one next to an early Plomb DBE.
-Don

I like the Calif Tool stuff . I have maybe three or four other pieces. Ones a bug bent looking specialty wrench... think it was 3/4 box end.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That A PLOMB gasket scraper is a nice snag, Rags! I have a collection of wood-handled gasket, carbon, and Babbitt scrapers - but none from any major mechanics tools mfgrs, who generally didn't make them. It's cool to have one with a Plomb connection!

 

[RagTopTA]

Thanks Lugz! Im getting in to the A.Plomb stuff. Only found one in the wild so far. But I think its neat to find the things he made after he went out on his own.

 

[r_olson_06]

What is the timeline between A Plomb and CalifTool? I have found 1 of each.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[twertsy]

What is the timeline between A Plomb and CalifTool? I have found 1 of each.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

Alphonse made tools for California Tool out of his garage with his son (as the stories go, and as my research indicates based on his job description in the U. S. Census). Calif. Tool lasted into the '70s at least, I have catalogs from the 60's and 70's. It's not clear that there was a distinction between the two, or if he started out making only A. Plomb, or if he made both at the same time. However, I have some tools that are the same tool, one marked A. Plomb and one Calif. Tool Co. so I'm guessing the latter.

 

[r_olson_06]

Alphonse made tools for California Tool out of his garage with his son (as the stories go, and as my research indicates based on his job description in the U. S. Census). Calif. Tool lasted into the '70s at least, I have catalogs from the 60's and 70's. It's not clear that there was a distinction between the two, or if he started out making only A. Plomb, or if he made both at the same time.

Thanks for that Todd.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Section 4 of the vannato to brothers website has the story on California tool co.http://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html

 

[RagTopTA]

Alphonse made tools for California Tool out of his garage with his son (as the stories go, and as my research indicates based on his job description in the U. S. Census). Calif. Tool lasted into the '70s at least, I have catalogs from the 60's and 70's. It's not clear that there was a distinction between the two, or if he started out making only A. Plomb, or if he made both at the same time. However, I have some tools that are the same tool, one marked A. Plomb and one Calif. Tool Co. so I'm guessing the latter.

This scrapper has both markings. One on each side. Im excited if this actually came out of his garage and was made by the man himself!

 

[mustangSR70]

Here in SoCal I come across the A. Plomb pre Calif Tool stuff now and then. I just picked up a double box end A.Plomb wrench a few weeks at the college swap meet, paid $3.
The wrenches look exactly like Plomb Tool wrenches, have a hand forged look even.

 

[RagTopTA]

Here in SoCal I come across the A. Plomb pre Calif Tool stuff now and then. I just picked up a double box end A.Plomb wrench a few weeks at the college swap meet, paid $3.
The wrenches look exactly like Plomb Tool wrenches, have a hand forged look even.

cool stuff, I hope to find more!

 

[twertsy]

Section 4 of the vannato to brothers website has the story on California tool co.http://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html

I've read that, but I'd like to know more about where they got it. First, there is absolutely no S. C. Miller I can find associated with any tool business, nor a Carl Miller. I find several California Tool Company listings, but one in the mid 1800's and another (parallel timeline with that stated for CTC by Vanatta) but located in Sacramento. The CTC we are concerned with doesn't start showing up in searches until the 1960's. Based on the tools, it obviously existed but I cannot find it anywhere.......business registrations, city directories, newspapers, ancestry, etc. I did find a few WWII draft cards where the draftees claim employment at CTC, even one with the last name Miller.

Further, Alphonse is listed as a "Tool Maker" or "Tool Manufacturer" in his voter registrations in 1924, 26, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44. The missing intermittent voter registration years absent in that list didn't record occupations. In the 1940 Census, he's listed as a "Tool Maker" "At Home." Meanwhile, his son Henry J. Plomb is listed throughout those years as either an "Assistant Tool Maker" or a "Tool Makers Helper" and always at the same address as his father. In 1930 the Census states he (Henry) is a Tool Mfg. in the Automotive industry and the 1930 voter reg. lists him as a machinist.

In 1913/14 LA City Directories, Alphonse appears to have his facility on his property (home) at 7674 Maie Ave. In those directories he's listed as a Tool Manufacturer at 7674 1/2 Maie Ave. I don't find anything at all prior to 1913. The earliest they show up in newspapers (search: "Plomb Tool" is July of 1915. Edit: I just found him as a tool maker in the 1910 (first appearance in the LA Directory) directory at 1658 Long Beach

Since we're on the topic, Jacob Weninger is also strange. He was born in 1891, which means Alphonse (at the age of 36, with a 6th grade education) and Charles went into business with a 16 yr. old, 8th grade educated kid? His naturalization papers do note his occupation as a tool maker. He's listed in voter records for 1922, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 44 as a Tool Maker. 1920 census: tool maker; 1930 census: Superintendent at "Tool Co"; 1940 census: Tool Maker "salaried private work" I also found Jacob listed in the 1910 LA Directory, also his first appearance as a tool maker. In 1909 he's listed as a "Wire Worker"

I don't know, but some stuff is not adding up.............

Edit: Weninger's Naturalization application is attached showing his age and occupation. Also, I tried to zoom in to see the tool manufacturer listed in Weninger's 1920 Census, and that screenshot is attached (Yellow Line is Weninger). It sure as hell doesn't look like "Plomb" though.....

 

[mustangSR70]

http://www.vehicleservicepros.com/in-the-bay/maintenance-service/press-release/10831784/california-tool-merges-operations-into-medco

Here is info about 85 year old California Tool based in Los Angeles, under the presidency of Steve Miller, merging with Medco.
This was in 2012, the article states California Tool is an 85 year old company, which puts it's beginning at 1927.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I've read that, but I'd like to know more about where they got it. First, there is absolutely no S. C. Miller I can find associated with any tool business, nor a Carl Miller. I find several California Tool Company listings, but one in the mid 1800's and another (parallel timeline with that stated for CTC by Vanatta) but located in Sacramento. The CTC we are concerned with doesn't start showing up in searches until the 1960's. Based on the tools, it obviously existed but I cannot find it anywhere.......business registrations, city directories, newspapers, ancestry, etc. I did find a few WWII draft cards where the draftees claim employment at CTC, even one with the last name Miller.

Further, Alphonse is listed as a "Tool Maker" or "Tool Manufacturer" in his voter registrations in 1924, 26, 36, 38, 40, 42, and 44. The missing intermittent voter registration years absent in that list didn't record occupations. In the 1940 Census, he's listed as a "Tool Maker" "At Home." Meanwhile, his son Henry J. Plomb is listed throughout those years as either an "Assistant Tool Maker" or a "Tool Makers Helper" and always at the same address as his father. In 1930 the Census states he (Henry) is a Tool Mfg. in the Automotive industry and the 1930 voter reg. lists him as a machinist.

In 1913/14 LA City Directories, Alphonse appears to have his facility on his property (home) at 7674 Maie Ave. In those directories he's listed as a Tool Manufacturer at 7674 1/2 Maie Ave. I don't find anything at all prior to 1913. The earliest they show up in newspapers (search: "Plomb Tool" is July of 1915. Edit: I just found him as a tool maker in the 1910 (first appearance in the LA Directory) directory at 1658 Long Beach

Since we're on the topic, Jacob Weninger is also strange. He was born in 1891, which means Alphonse (at the age of 36, with a 6th grade education) and Charles went into business with a 16 yr. old, 8th grade educated kid? His naturalization papers do note his occupation as a tool maker. He's listed in voter records for 1922, 24, 30, 36, 42 and 44 as a Tool Maker. 1920 census: tool maker; 1930 census: Superintendent at "Tool Co"; 1940 census: Tool Maker "salaried private work" I also found Jacob listed in the 1910 LA Directory, also his first appearance as a tool maker. In 1909 he's listed as a "Wire Worker"

I don't know, but some stuff is not adding up.............

Edit: Weninger's Naturalization application is attached showing his age and occupation. Also, I tried to zoom in to see the tool manufacturer listed in Weninger's 1920 Census, and that screenshot is attached (Yellow Line is Weninger). It sure as hell doesn't look like "Plomb" though.....

That is some really great detective work Todd ! Wonder how old the vantanna bros info is but it looks like you have some pretty good questions for the timeline ! Nice work and an interesting read !


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[RagTopTA]

That is some really great detective work Todd ! Wonder how old the vantanna bros info is but it looks like you have some pretty good questions for the timeline ! Nice work and an interesting read !


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soooo, Smoke.... now we have an address.... when are we meeting there with metal detectors..... ? : )

 

[Oldtuleguy]

They claim to have gotten info from a plomb history pamphlet sourced from an old plomb employee.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

They claim to have gotten info from a plomb history pamphlet sourced from an old plomb employee.

Only for the first section. Everything else is analysis. The entire page is from Ed Boudinot's old website, which dates back to at least the late 1990's, but there was a group of guys contributing. Note that GJ member OldManTaylor is one of them. Van Natta hosted it for Ed Boudinot in c. 2002 or thereabouts. Until Alloy Artifacts came along in 2005, it was the only public domain source for collectors.

Before I say any more and raise any of the unnecessary defensiveness that I got when I publicly challenged some of the data on Van Natta (as well as AA's data) pertaining to the Pebble production timeline on this thread linked here, let me emphasize that it was a terrific resource for its time (I don't know how many times I referred to the markings timeline and the WF list there before I just copied it into Excel and started maintaining one myself) and still holds up fairly well with much of the info. But I wouldn't trust everything as sacrosanct any more than I trust AA. The Van Natta page doesn't cite sources for much of its info, and although AA cites catalogs and ads in its reference library, not all of the references are public domain, so we can't see what is being used or how it's being interpreted, and, AA relies too heavily on catalogs and ads, and only on its own catalogs and ads, when other catalogs and ads as well as related industry and government sources would help refine and correct some of their conclusions.

 

[r_olson_06]

Only for the first section. Everything else is analysis. The entire page is from Ed Boudinot's old website, which dates back to at least the late 1990's, but there was a group of guys contributing. Note that GJ member OldManTaylor is one of them. Van Natta hosted it for Ed Boudinot in c. 2002 or thereabouts. Until Alloy Artifacts came along in 2005, it was the only public domain source for collectors.

Before I say any more and raise any of the unnecessary defensiveness that I got when I publicly challenged some of the data on Van Natta (as well as AA's data) pertaining to the Pebble production timeline on this thread linked here, let me emphasize that it was a terrific resource for its time (I don't know how many times I referred to the markings timeline and the WF list there before I just copied it into Excel and started maintaining one myself) and still holds up fairly well with much of the info. But I wouldn't trust everything as sacrosanct any more than I trust AA. The Van Natta page doesn't cite sources for much of its info, and although AA cites catalogs and ads in its reference library, not all of the references are public domain, so we can't see what is being used or how it's being interpreted, and, AA relies too heavily on catalogs and ads, and only on its own catalogs and ads, when other catalogs and ads as well as related industry and government sources would help refine and correct some of their conclusions.

Thanks for the information Lugz. I often refer to VanNatta escpically for the WF list. I seen an unknown WF made its way to eBay with the amazing early collection that is being sold off at the moment. You may have already seen this and have filled in a few gaps in the list. It would be good to compare lists if you are willing.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I didn't. I don't really shop on eBay unless someone points me to something they know I need or want etc, so thanks. It's my understanding that GJ'er Plombob is pretty much recognized as having the most up-to-date WF list, and, when TA comes back on-line, I think there's a good chance Plombob's work will be included.

 

[r_olson_06]

This guy has some very very early pieces I have never even heard of. Some interesting contract pieces as well.

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I saw that. He has a website, says he has 10,000 pieces.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I got this from him

 

[Smokeshow69]

I got this from him

Seriously, only one picture? You may be worse than mr x [emoji23]


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[tin medic]

And it's a fairly blurry picture.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I kind of like MR. X's backdrop though. Even though it's black and rubberized-looking, it's well-lit and works. Like the tools are in a hermetically sealed environmentally zeroized compartment in a spaceship headed for Planet Zoltron as artifacts from earth.

 

[d42jeep]

I got this from him

I got my toolbox from him too.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

I got this from him

Is that a 9/16 drive hex set and what website are you talking about?

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[oldmantaylor]

The large collection belonged to George (ROB) Robin. He lived in Bend, OR when he passed away. He was in his late 90's. His survivors wanted to sell the whole lot as a bundle, which was then bought by the people selling it on eBay.

 

[r_olson_06]

The large collection belonged to George (ROB) Robin. He lived in Bend, OR when he passed away. He was in his late 90's. His survivors wanted to sell the whole lot as a bundle, which was then bought by the people selling it on eBay.

Interesting do you have the website?

Looking for the following Plomb Pebbles Wrenches 3055, 3060, 3061, 3062, 3070

 

[d42jeep]

He told me that he was going to phase out the website and just sell on eBay. Here is his eBay homepage.
-Don