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Plomb tool picture thread - show your stuff!

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MR.X

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Look pretty similar, maybe angle a bit different on Obstruction end
yeah I've got more than I need of the 32XX's , I guess because there's no big difference, I never noticed if my recessed examples were just the 33XX's..
 

Oldtuleguy

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To be honest I don't think I ever noticed any difference until now. They are very similar.
 

Private Lugnutz

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The Authentic Jersey Shore
Plomb's "Obstruction" is the classic 15* x 60* "Ignition" configuration that every other mfgr used, and the US Army configuration for ignition wrenches and sets from the 40s though the 60s. The 80* spec on the Plomb "Electrical" is pretty odd, and maybe unique. The configuration most other mfgrs used for electrical wrenches was 15* x 75*. At 80*, it's very close to being the 90* that other mfgrs used, ironically, for their "obstruction" wrenches.
 

RubiconJK

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Hoping to call on some wisdom of those that frequent this thread. I'm working on a 9900B veterans set from the pebble area and have run into a question regarding pebbled wrenches, specifically if the obstruction midget, and tappets wrenches came pebbled. Relevant # are: 3210, 3215, 3220, 3225 for the midget and 3425 and 3426 for the tappet. I have gone through many GJ threads and have found a single example of one of these wrenches in the "pebbled" style. Can anyone confirm that they weren't pebbled? If not, how would one identify them as the correct period? Would lack of date codes be the only way (like on pebble era sockets?)
I don't think I've ever seen a pebbled version of a Plomb tappet or any obstruction or electrical Plomb wrench. The recessed obstruction versions seem to be harder to find (at least here in TX). The two versions I own are either what I'll call a "flat" profile or a "slightly rounded" profile. I just looked through all my obstruction examples and only found one with a date code shown below. I've never researched this, but tend to group the two different profiles separately, but not sure which is older or if they were just made in different facilities.

Let me know which pieces you are still missing. I may be able to help you out.
 

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mritchie77

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I don't think I've ever seen a pebbled version of a Plomb tappet or any obstruction or electrical Plomb wrench. The recessed obstruction versions seem to be harder to find (at least here in TX). The two versions I own are either what I'll call a "flat" profile or a "slightly rounded" profile. I just looked through all my obstruction examples and only found one with a date code shown below. I've never researched this, but tend to group the two different profiles separately, but not sure which is older or if they were just made in different facilities.

Let me know which pieces you are still missing. I may be able to help you out.

Rubicon, thanks for the offer. I don't know where south you're at, but my Austin/Fredericksburg area has netting me zero Plomb. I did find one wrench in Boerne but that was it. Everything is is coming from GJ, eBay, FB, etc. If you have any to get rid of, I'm looking (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...100-veterans-master-tool-set-no-9900b.492517/)

It's interesting that you have both styles without date codes and with the Made in USA. Looking over A-A (with a grain of salt) the only "flat" example is listed as 1933-1939 with the L.A. markings.

1644294101291.png

Wartime is shown as "rounded" but no post-war (pebble era) examples are shown.

1644294160689.png
 
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Project 2501

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Los Alamitos
I always wondered how a detent ball could be fixed when the spring fails and the ball can no longer engage the sockets detent hole. When I pulled it out or the pile of sockets I couldnt identify what it was and I thought I had discovered a new tool. received_499780245098712.jpegreceived_663755201443961.jpegreceived_368436061354798.jpegreceived_491224442651309.jpeg
 

RubiconJK

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Rubicon, thanks for the offer. I don't know where south you're at, but my Austin/Fredericksburg area has netting me zero Plomb. I did fine one wrench in Boerne but that was it. Everything is is coming from GJ, eBay, FB, etc. If you have any to get rid of, I'm looking (https://www.garagejournal.com/forum...100-veterans-master-tool-set-no-9900b.492517/)
I'm over closer to Houston and it is slim picking here also. Probably for the best since I am trying to not accumulate as much and TRYING to stay focused (the struggle is real!) on just the remaining unicorns. I'll look through your list and my stuff and will PM you to follow up.
 

Smokeshow69

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Pacific Northwest
I always wondered how a detent ball could be fixed when the spring fails and the ball can no longer engage the sockets detent hole. When I pulled it out or the pile of sockets I couldnt identify what it was and I thought I had discovered a new tool. received_499780245098712.jpegreceived_663755201443961.jpegreceived_368436061354798.jpegreceived_491224442651309.jpeg
One of our members, ragtopta has an actual plomb ratchet/ detent ball repair kit complete with new springs, balls and the actual punch used to repair them. It is super cool and hopefully he will post it soon!
 

bmwrd0

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Beaver Fever Oregon
So, the Tool Mobile is in its home but still needs work.
51870501199_c029df6acf_c.jpg

51870502499_8f48466f9e_c.jpg

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A couple of thoughts: it's in great condition, considering it's 70ish years old. Someone welded a couple of lugs to place some sort of lock bar in the front, but it has the original lock. I will have to do some bodywork to straighten the louvers and whatnot. It doesn't say Plomb anywhere, but it clearly is a tool mobile, from the grey stripes to the perforated drawer bottoms. But, if you look at the transitional catalog, the TM's weren't marked, and by the '51 catalog they had different, chrome, handles. So, I am going to go with this being a transitional box and call it good until I get better info than a quick, online search of catalog drawings (HA!) The story I got from the seller was this, and two Heritage boxes came out of a farmer's barn and looked like they had been there since new. I believe it.

And, as I said earlier in this thread, they are starting to breed...
51870269733_c4e214a069_c.jpg
 

Smokeshow69

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So, the Tool Mobile is in its home but still needs work.
51870501199_c029df6acf_c.jpg

51870502499_8f48466f9e_c.jpg

51869223687_e38df78982_c.jpg

51869224317_bc919d1043_c.jpg

A couple of thoughts: it's in great condition, considering it's 70ish years old. Someone welded a couple of lugs to place some sort of lock bar in the front, but it has the original lock. I will have to do some bodywork to straighten the louvers and whatnot. It doesn't say Plomb anywhere, but it clearly is a tool mobile, from the grey stripes to the perforated drawer bottoms. But, if you look at the transitional catalog, the TM's weren't marked, and by the '51 catalog they had different, chrome, handles. So, I am going to go with this being a transitional box and call it good until I get better info than a quick, online search of catalog drawings (HA!) The story I got from the seller was this, and two Heritage boxes came out of a farmer's barn and looked like they had been there since new. I believe it.

And, as I said earlier in this thread, they are starting to breed...
51870269733_c4e214a069_c.jpg
The perforated drawers went away when they went to the painted logo like your other one. That’s an odd one for sure! Super cool regardless!
 
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c1504

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Wow! There is some cool stuff in that picture! Is that 5/8 hook shaped thing plomb?
 

MR.X

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Ok, what is all that? Looks like a roofer hatchet head, some sort of pick, packing remover and a punch and then the wood scraper thing in the upper left corner? More pictures please! And yeah, finding those is tougher than woodpecker lips!
Hey Smoke. The "punch" is just what you could see in that pic of A. Plomb / CT marked breaker bar. I think a scraper like this one sold not too long ago on the bay. This Stanley No. 282 lookalike one is marked Plomb on the metal and the wood.
 

RubiconJK

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I was out re-organizing the garage for some new racks and thought y'all might appreciate some of the recent "signage" I had made for my extra pegboard wall. Still looking for more cool catalog covers for ideas; next might be the 1931 Sears/Craftsman one.
Those look nice. Did you find someone local to do them? I've been looking at some online sources for these, but would rather use a local place if I can find one.
 

mritchie77

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Cottonwood Shores, TX
Those look nice. Did you find someone local to do them? I've been looking at some online sources for these, but would rather use a local place if I can find one.
Ended up using an Etsy vendor out of MN. I tried a couple local shops and they either 1) couldn't do it or 2) never returned my call. I can send you a link to the vendor if you want.
 

Smokeshow69

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Hey Smoke. The "punch" is just what you could see in that pic of A. Plomb / CT marked breaker bar. I think a scraper like this one sold not too long ago on the bay. This Stanley No. 282 lookalike one is marked Plomb on the metal and the wood.
That “punch” is really cool with that octagonal handle shape. Reminds me of the later speedmaster hinge handle made by pennens I have. The cabinet scraper on eBay eluded me. Seller said they would accept my $40 off and then didn’t tell me they put that option onto the auction and someone bid on it so that option went away 🙄😭. I hope to find one in the wild.
 

MR.X

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That “punch” is really cool with that octagonal handle shape. Reminds me of the later speedmaster hinge handle made by pennens I have. The cabinet scraper on eBay eluded me. Seller said they would accept my $40 off and then didn’t tell me they put that option onto the auction and someone bid on it so that option went away 🙄😭. I hope to find one in the wild.
looks like it's got a detent in the handle too.
 

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