Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[RubiconJK]

Nice and interesting pieces guys.

Lugz, thanks. I appreciate your knowledgeable input as always. I was hoping you or someone would have an idea about those numbers.

I don’t consider the 2 non-Plombs ratchets (in fact I typically ignore Lowell stuff, although nothing against them!), but ratcheting wrenches as you said. In fact, the Green, Tweed is a 9/16” opening.

Rubicon, the 1/2” rat was in Florida. The large rat, had to do some real digging through past purchases until I found the seller. I believe it came out of Ohio. I was curious myself so I’m glad you asked that.

I've never seen those markings before, so I find it particularly cool that you could put two pieces together that were located that far apart. Gives me hope that there may be more out there hiding.

Here is my little mail present to myself:

The box was in better condition than I thought it would be, only issue there is a bit of delamination on the bottom. Nothing a little glue won't fix. The flare tools were a bit more rusty than I would like, but a night in evaporust did its job, and now they sit in a light oil rub. Between the box and the rarity, I couldn't pass them up after I saw what the hex sockets went for. They were also used in a trade I studied so I have that going for me. Which is nice.

Nice. I'm having wood box envy!

 

[r_olson_06]

Well Christmas came early. I finally have my hands an almost complete Y-C socket set (9/16" drive) from mid 20s that has been in the works for over 5 years when I picked up a set of 5 sockets tucked in an old ammo case at farm auction. Not knowing much about Plomb this was the starting point that launched me into Plomb collecting.

After some research on alloy artifacts I was convinced I had what was the original 7/8" drive Big Bertha socket set. After some plomb collectors pointed out that these were more likely the utility socket set. After some measurements it turned out to be true. I tried to source some drive tools which was uneventful up until a yearish ago when I ended up sourcing a 9/16" Y series ratchet from Jim and Marsha.

Well today was another big step in the right direction on complete the set with the addition of the drive handle, extension, speeder and an almost complete set of sockets (missing the brace bit and 7/16" socket). With only 3 pieces left to complete the catalog.

The last reference I could find of these is in the No 8. Catalog that would date circa 1928. The last pic includes the original 5 sockets from the farm estate auction.

Definitely a defining moment in my Plomb expedition.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[bmwrd0]

Niiiicce!

 

[RubiconJK]

Well Christmas came early. I finally have my hands an almost complete Y-C socket set (9/16" drive) from mid 20s that has been in the works for over 5 years when I picked up a set of 5 sockets tucked in an old ammo case at farm auction. Not knowing much about Plomb this was the starting point that launched me into Plomb collecting.

After some research on alloy artifacts I was convinced I had what was the original 7/8" drive Big Bertha socket set. After some plomb collectors pointed out that these were more likely the utility socket set. After some measurements it turned out to be true. I tried to source some drive tools which was uneventful up until a yearish ago when I ended up sourcing a 9/16" Y series ratchet from Jim and Marsha.

Well today was another big step in the right direction on complete the set with the addition of the drive handle, extension, speeder and an almost complete set of sockets (missing the brace bit and 7/16" socket). With only 3 pieces left to complete the catalog.

The last reference I could find of these is in the No 8. Catalog that would date circa 1928. The last pic includes the original 5 sockets from the farm estate auction.

Definitely a defining moment in my Plomb expedition.

Congrats Roy! What a unique set! Likely the only one this complete in captivity. Impressive.

 

[d42jeep]

Great stuff, Roy! With those and the wood box sets there is a lot of cool Plomb coming out of hiding lately.
-Don

 

[r_olson_06]

Great stuff, Roy! With those and the wood box sets there is a lot of cool Plomb coming out of hiding lately.
-Don

Thanks and I agree Don. I am glad I started selling some of the stuff that I don't need anymore to free up some funds this year for picking.
I have bought more Plomb in the last week than I have in any month prior.

Congrats Roy! What a unique set! Likely the only one this complete in captivity. Impressive.

Thank you. I know there is a few out there but I bet it is under 10.

Niiiicce!

Thank you.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Very nice. I have not been able to find that screwdriver bit either!

 

[r_olson_06]

Very nice. I have not been able to find that screwdriver bit either!

Do you have the 7/16" or 25/32"?

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I will check when I get home. I have one extra of one of the sizes.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have an extra 1" and am missing the 1/2". They are mostly stamped 7 (1927) except the extra 1" which I think is 31.

 

[r_olson_06]

I have an extra 1" and am missing the 1/2". They are mostly stamped 7 (1927) except the extra 1" which I think is 31.

Impressive set! I have to ask instead of assuming. Is that box Original to the set? I did not see a case for the set in any of the catalogs.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[RagTopTA]

Here is my little mail present to myself:




The box was in better condition than I thought it would be, only issue there is a bit of delamination on the bottom. Nothing a little glue won't fix. The flare tools were a bit more rusty than I would like, but a night in evaporust did its job, and now they sit in a light oil rub. Between the box and the rarity, I couldn't pass them up after I saw what the hex sockets went for. They were also used in a trade I studied so I have that going for me. Which is nice.

9400A? If so I got the same set about 2 months ago! Great find!

 

[rickhigginshtbr]

Found this on FB marketplace, paid more than I usually do for anything, but totally worth it.

Now I’m not sure if the box is original or not, but gonna was it and keep them in it.

The bottom 10 in the set, plus a random Fairmount! NOS, not a mark on them!

Gonna need a larger drawer for my Pebble wrenches, that’s not even all of them! The two to the right are marked Los Angeles, then there’s the larger Flare not included in the set too.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Impressive set! I have to ask instead of assuming. Is that box Original to the set? I did not see a case for the set in any of the catalogs.

All I can say is its old and came with the set

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Here is a little 9/32 ratchet marked wf8 I got in some stuff from england.

 

[r_olson_06]

Impressive set! I have to ask instead of assuming. Is that box Original to the set? I did not see a case for the set in any of the catalogs.

All I can say is its old and came with the set

Tough to tell. I talked with a Plomb collector and they made a metal tote to carry them.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[r_olson_06]

Here is a little 9/32 ratchet marked wf8 I got in some stuff from england.

Looks like the 1939-40 series ratchet. Must have been apart of the first contract production for them. Very nice piece.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[r_olson_06]

For some reason I cannot do a multi response in the app so sorry for the 3 posts in a row.

Picked up a 2011 Bendix wrench to complete the set of 2. Still looking for the 2005 piece to add to the brake kit wrenches.

Also made some progress on the insanely hard to find 35XX series engineer wrenches. Still have a long ways to go to a full set.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[d42jeep]

Looks like the 1939-40 series ratchet. Must have been apart of the first contract production for them. Very nice piece.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

Yeah. I think they only used the detent in 1939 and 1940. Looks like that one may have had a steel ball substituted for the original detent, which probably wasn’t uncommon since the detents were really only held in by the selector handle. Probably a lot of them fell out and were lost.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Picked up speedmaster box for my pennens era speedmaster stuff

 

[d42jeep]

Those tools look perfect in that box.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Thanks Don. Its a little rusty but I will just call that patina!

 

[Catfishdan]

Could someone who’s active on the plomb Facebook group please pm me? I have a gift for a member there but I don’t use the Facebook. I’m old timey that way I guess...

 

[Catfishdan]

Could someone who’s active on the plomb Facebook group please pm me? I have a gift for a member there but I don’t use the Facebook. I’m old timey that way I guess...

 

[RubiconJK]

Post 1 of 2. I'll likely cross post this one over on the "Chopped" thread. This is a recent online purchase and is a very well, user made flare nut or fuel line socket. It started off life as a run of the mill 5212 Plomb 3/8 drive, 3/8 12 pt socket until a skilled craftsman welded an extension (or something similar) into the working end and then part of a 13/16" 12 pt socket to the opposite end before finishing it off very nicely. Based on the comparison of the inside broaching of the 13/16 end I don't believe that end is Plomb. Cool unique piece that I'm happy to have.

 

[RubiconJK]

Post 2 of 2. Remainder of pics.

 

[r_olson_06]

Post 1 of 2. I'll likely cross post this one over on the "Chopped" thread. This is a recent online purchase and is a very well, user made flare nut or fuel line socket. It started off life as a run of the mill 5212 Plomb 3/8 drive, 3/8 12 pt socket until a skilled craftsman welded an extension (or something similar) into the working end and then part of a 13/16" 12 pt socket to the opposite end before finishing it off very nicely. Based on the comparison of the inside broaching of the 13/16 end I don't believe that end is Plomb. Cool unique piece that I'm happy to have.

I have a couple factory ones that look really close to that one. That is amazing how much time was put into that one.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[RubiconJK]

I have a couple factory ones that look really close to that one. That is amazing how much time was put into that one.

Roy, what brand are your factory ones? I've seen SO and Mac examples.

 

[r_olson_06]

Roy, what brand are your factory ones? I've seen SO and Mac examples.

I think one is Billings Spencer and the other is unmarked.

Looking for a Plomb 3061 Pebble Open End.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

That homemade flare nut/fuel line attachment is cool. But I don't understand why the guy who made it didn't just cut into an offset box end crowfoot. Most of the homemade socket drive flare nut/line wrench jobbies I see are made that way. He did an awful lot of work - nice work, but an awful lot of it, to end up with the same result.

 

[RubiconJK]

I think one is Billings Spencer and the other is unmarked.

Thanks.

That homemade flare nut/fuel line attachment is cool. But I don't understand why the guy who made it didn't just cut into an offset box end crowfoot. Most of the homemade socket drive flare nut/line wrench jobbies I see are made that way. He did an awful lot of work - nice work, but an awful lot of it, to end up with the same result.

Agreed. My only thought, as a former retiree and soon to be retiree again, is that the guy had lots of time on his hands and wanted a project! Lol.

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

That homemade flare nut/fuel line attachment is cool. But I don't understand why the guy who made it didn't just cut into an offset box end crowfoot. Most of the homemade socket drive flare nut/line wrench jobbies I see are made that way. He did an awful lot of work - nice work, but an awful lot of it, to end up with the same result.

His wrench will not slip down past the nut and damage the return lines.
Also much more common to have extra sockets and extensions laying around than crowfeet.

I wonder if it was the same guy after he warmed up putting a Snap -On tip on my Plomb speeder, it certainly isn't that good.

My sad paint story....this box had surface rust on the outside. I figured I'd drop it in evaporust. Maybe 2 hours later, I had a look, and all was well, but after a wash, there was one tiny spot of rust stuck to the corner. So I dropped it back in. Gave it an hour, and the spot was gone, but the paint was jelly. Most of it washed right off inside and out. No part of the inside was rusty at all....Maybe some kind of oxide primer or coating on the metal? Well here's how it looks now;

My WF-20 copprclad ~I swear that pic looks better on my phone

And My #4 big boy at #320

#600,starting to show some translucency

and #3K

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

The blade has a black japan or paint coating with a hint of a run in it, maybe from a a job or previous owners efforts, or maybe original. There doesnt seem to be any other coating, so Iwashed with WD40 and left it. I'd have to have spent a long time and gone quite a bit deeper for perfect, but its pretty nice for an ?80? year old screwdriver

Just picwhoring now...

another try

The SO tipped speeder with most of the drive tools that are not in my work truck.

 

[RubiconJK]

His wrench will not slip down past the nut and damage the return lines.
Also much more common to have extra sockets and extensions laying around than crowfeet.

I wonder if it was the same guy after he warmed up putting a Snap -On tip on my Plomb speeder, it certainly isn't that good.

My sad paint story....this box had surface rust on the outside. I figured I'd drop it in evaporust. Maybe 2 hours later, I had a look, and all was well, but after a wash, there was one tiny spot of rust stuck to the corner. So I dropped it back in. Gave it an hour, and the spot was gone, but the paint was jelly. Most of it washed right off inside and out. No part of the inside was rusty at all....Maybe some kind of oxide primer or coating on the metal? Well here's how it looks now;

My WF-23 copprclad ~I swear that pic looks better on my phone

I've done something very similar on one of those small Plomb boxes, lol. That copperclad WF-23 is cool.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

His wrench will not slip down past the nut and damage the return lines.

Interesting point. He did leave a ledge there.

Maybe some kind of oxide primer or coating on the metal?

Many vintage paints had oxide pigments, not just "reds". I won't leave anything painted in Evaporust longer than 15 minutes at a time without checking it. Even when it doesn't totally de-emulsify it, it can fade it.

 

[d42jeep]

I sprayed this 4795 box with a color named Signal Corps Green, Type 1. It comes from a company called Midwest Military.

https://store.midwestmilitary.com/Spray-Paint-Military-Vehicles-s/1966.htm

-Don

 

[RubiconJK]

I sprayed this 4795 box with a color named Signal Corps Green, Type 1. It comes from a company called Midwest Military.
-Don

I like that color Don.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

good match

 

[d42jeep]

It’s the closest color I’ve found. It’s good on early S-K boxes as well. Even though it’s not exactly like the original Walden color, this box came such a bad color I painted it too.
-Don

 

[tym]

^^ Interesting hinge placement on that SW box!