Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

[Smokeshow69]

Added some 8 point, carb and screwdriver bits to midget master set

That set is coming along quite nicely!

 

[MR.X]

So much cool stuff in this box! Can't be more than a handful of these probably left in the world. Beyond rare. Wonder who made the RR box ? Looks kinda like Mcleer?

I've just assumed that the box was made in the UK....the U.S. tools were issued with a roll that a lot of you have probably seen and someone tossed them into this box... maybe not long after receiving them.

 

[bmwrd0]

So, you are saying the owner was a ******?

 

[Catfishdan]

Added some 8 point, carb and screwdriver bits to midget master set

Nicely done. I’m jealous of the box. I’m still looking for a home for my big set.

 

[saukit]

Cleaned up some more Plomb today.

Top is a 1234 combo, 3430 tappet below that, does anyone know if the coating on this wrench is cadmium? Then there's a 1216 combo, 3026 DOE, a couple 5249 ratchets, WF-7 breaker, and 5449 ratchet. I believe the MFD ratchet is from 45-48, I assume the others are later but not sure of the time frame.



In this pic are a 5-3/4 chisel, 1/2 punch, well used 50-1/4 punch that's been ground to a point, a couple of 36-5/16 offset screwdrivers, and a 9524 easy out.



Lastly a few sockets. WF-130 3/8" drive, 4710, 4708, 4710L 1/4" drive, LA 5210, 5274 wobbler (3/8" I think). Below are a 5418, 5414, and 5419 1/2" drive.

 

[d42jeep]

Cleaned up some more Plomb today.

Top is a 1234 combo, 3430 tappet below that, does anyone know if the coating on this wrench is cadmium?

Without seeing it in person it’s hard to be sure, but I believe that it’s peeling chrome plating. The MADE IN ratchets are earlier than the postwar MFD.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Getting some drawer dividers payed out so I can cut them to duplicate the originals

 

[saukit]

Without seeing it in person it’s hard to be sure, but I believe that it’s peeling chrome plating. The MADE IN ratchets are earlier than the postwar MFD.
-Don

Thanks Don, I wondered if it was chrome plating, it definitely has that "crinkled" look on the edges where it's pulling up. It's not very shiny but that may just be due to age and abuse.

Also appreciate the info on the age of the ratchets, I'm a bit surprised that the Made in USA versions are older! They certainly have a much higher level of detail on them. Any idea of an age range for these?

 

[3baygarage]

Nice looking stuff guys. I also stopped in to say that I should have something really neat to add to the thread soon! Something old but refreshing for this collector, and hopefully enjoyable for all you Plombers!

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks Don, I wondered if it was chrome plating, it definitely has that "crinkled" look on the edges where it's pulling up. It's not very shiny but that may just be due to age and abuse.

Also appreciate the info on the age of the ratchets, I'm a bit surprised that the Made in USA versions are older! They certainly have a much higher level of detail on them. Any idea of an age range for these?

Lugz has done some research on the subject (surprise, surprise) and has determined that the first pebble ratchets came out before the end of WW2, debunking the theory that all pebbles were made postwar. The Made In USA ratchets are often plain steel.
A wrench arrived from an eBay seller today for the Plomb GMTK. It required a little refreshing. The first picture is from the eBay listing.
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

the first pebble ratchets came out before the end of WW2,

Pebble ratchets, hinge handles, flare nut wrenches, and pullers as early as Feb 1944. DOEs and DBEs are postwar, as early as March 1946. See 'Plomb Pebble timeline' thread in Sticky Index for more.

 

[saukit]

Thanks Don and Lugz! Much appreciated as always...

 

[Oldtuleguy]

So when did the handles get fatter?

 

[honza.vosalik]

This arrived in the mail today

 

[Ricky Joe]

So when did the handles get fatter?

I don’t know, but it happened to me after I turned 60….

 

[d42jeep]

So when did the handles get fatter?

The switch from Made to Mfd happened postwar and the handles were more rounded and less flat although there were some exceptions in 1/4” drive ratchets.
1/4“ drive ratchets had two styles of MFD, one more flat and the newer one rounder.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Been trying to figure out the exact paint match for the drawer dividers I made. I bought the signal corps color which is a darker color. This is a correct color for carry boxes but the original drawer divider color appears to be more yellow than this? I grabbed a cheap camo color just to spray out and it isn’t very close either. You guys have any luck with this green color ? Original color is on the right

 

[d42jeep]

I’ve experimented with lots of spray can colors. Most of the greens I’ve come across are variations on Olive Drab. The problem is that the finishes are flat rather than somewhat glossy like the original finishes. That is one of the reasons that the Midwest Military paint is my favorite since the finish isn’t flat. There are such a variety of original colors that if a perfect match is required it may be necessary to take a sample to a facility that has a computerized matching system.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

I’ve experimented with lots of spray can colors. Most of the greens I’ve come across are variations on Olive Drab. The problem is that the finishes are flat rather than somewhat glossy like the original finishes. That is one of the reasons that the Midwest Military paint is my favorite since the finish isn’t flat. There are such a variety of original colors that if a perfect match is required it may be necessary to take a sample to a facility that has a computerized matching system.
-Don

I was wondering about that… so many variances. Heck we have seen multiple variances even among the carry boxes/clam shells. I certainly wouldn’t be surprised if we could go back in time and see the shelves filled with boxes, all a little different in color. We certainly know plomb was not a stickler about certain details. Here is a shot of the underside of one of the drawer. I am just trying to figure out if I try to find the exact match or just use one of these colors and move on. I can get stuck on details which can assist in my collecting or can be a detriment as well

 

[Private Lugnutz]

You guys have any luck with this green color ? Original color is on the right

You are not going to match that with an OTS rattle can. It looks like 33070 or TM 9 Shade 8, which early jeep guys prefer. You've seen me talk about most OTS rattle cans not having enough yellow and the machinations I went through on the barn find thread, which wasn't just for wear and tear, but to try to get more yellow into the OD. Honestly, not even the Midwest SC green has enough yellow in it. But a little wax to bring the lustre up will make the distinction seem less. The only way to match that green is chip it, and that's expensive for toolboxes. I bet if you re-took the photo, removed that oregano green panel in the middle, and put the Midwest SC panel next to the original panel, it would look closer. And if you waxed it, it would look even closer still.

 

[Smokeshow69]

You are not going to match that with an OTS rattle can. It looks like 33070 or TM 9 Shade 8, which early jeep guys prefer. You've seen me talk about most OTS rattle cans not having enough yellow and the machinations I went through on the barn find thread, which wasn't just for wear and tear, but to try to get more yellow into the OD. Honestly, not even the Midwest SC green has enough yellow in it. But a little wax to bring the lustre up will make the distinction seem less. The only way to match that green is chip it, and that's expensive for toolboxes. I bet if you re-took the photo, removed that oregano green panel in the middle, and put the Midwest SC panel next to the original panel, it would look closer. And if you waxed it, it would look even closer still.

I like that answer. I remembered the issues that you went through on the barn find thread and how difficult that was. I will finish spraying these out and give them some wax and hopefully they will be closer. I sure like this Midwest sc color and am going to be using it on a carry box that I will be restoring.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Some 9/32 drive stuff I have been collecting. Painted the box with some camo paint I had laying around.

 

[saukit]

That paint job looks awesome OTG!

I've been making pretty good progress getting through the large pile of tools on the basement floor, here's a few more Plomb bits:

1230 MFD combo, 1140 Made in USA DBE, 3050 DOE, a couple flare nut wrenches with a Proto LA thrown in for good measure. WF-16 3/8" extension, 1125 DBE, 3021 and 3025 DOEs.



A couple 1/2" drive sockets as well, 2 5318 LA and a 5446 drag link.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Good plomb haul!

 

[Smokeshow69]

Some 9/32 drive stuff I have been collecting. Painted the box with some camo paint I had laying around.

Hey I recognize that camo color. Rustoleum camo paint?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

No some off brand. Still have can somewhere.

 

[honza.vosalik]

This is my Plomb so far.

I've had the chance to buy some pieces from other collectors and the combo set is starting to come together (I still miss the 1242 1-5/16").

I gotta say I'm pretty happy with this set!

 

[d42jeep]

The Plomb GMTK additions have slowed down a little but but today a package from Tin Medic came to the rescue.
-Don

Here are the 1/2” drive sockets. I’m expecting a wartime 15/16” socket soon.
and the shorty DBE wrenches.

 

[d42jeep]

While going through my 1/4” drive sets yesterday I took some pictures of the evolution of 1/4” drive pebble ratchet. I’m not sure why they made two different styles of MFD marked ratchets. Maybe the top ratchet being chrome plated and the second one being plain steel is significant.
-Don

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Tiny ones

 

[d42jeep]

Good progress was made on the Plomb based GMTK project yesterday. I received several items from a collector buddy in Tennessee and a DOE wrench from an eBay seller. Several of the sockets were upgrades so I added them. The DOE wrench replaced a Barcalo placeholder and the Speeder was a welcome addition.
-Don

 

[Outlawmws]

You know, you enablers are making it so I feel like I should get the list and see how close I can get to one... I don't think I have a GMTK box though.

 

[Arne73]

That sounds like a call for help

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You know, you enablers are making it so I feel like I should get the list and see how close I can get to one... I don't think I have a GMTK box though.

I have resisted this area of collecting. Don't need another rabbit hole!

 

[d42jeep]

You know, you enablers are making it so I feel like I should get the list and see how close I can get to one... I don't think I have a GMTK box though.

I have a box for you if you want to put together a GMTK.
-Don

I did a little rust removal on the speeder today.

 

[Outlawmws]

SEE! ENABLERS!!!

 

[AK4570]

I wonder if it would be possible to put a GMTK together using Wright Field labeled tools. I've got a WF-40 1/2 Speeder and a box of random WF's... Hmmm.

 

[d42jeep]

SEE! ENABLERS!!!

Here is a loaded syringe. The first one’s free!
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Just another Crack dealer!

 

[Arne73]

Yep, didn't take long..