Plomb tools

[impactims]

Been noticing that plomb stuff is hot product around here.

Why is that?

 

[buick215]

I don't really know why they are so collectable. Maybe it's because they haven't been made since 1947. After 1947 the company was forced to change it's name to Proto due to a copyright infringement lawsuit.

 

[impactims]

There has to be more to it than that.

Plenty of things have been made only up to a certain year, but not all of them are collectable.

 

[Outlawmws]

Plymb/Proto made and may still make top quality tools (Certainly until just a few years ago, not sure if they are still as good with the change in ownership...). Not as flashy as the highly polished chrome, but top quality. Even after 40-70 years, they generally still stand up to the standards of top quality.

 

[Walterchang]

I think the pebble style is cool looking. In fact I had to use my Plomb 1/2 breaker bar today.

 

[ajchien]

The few old Plomb tools I have are all have a great feel. They fit the hand very comfortably, and simply work without fuss or hassle. They've all got history behind them, and were made with attention to both function and style.

 

[Ed_EOD]

I have always liked the way they look. Can't really explain though. They just look like awesome old tools.

 

[impactims]

Were they ahead of their time?

Were there other companies making tools equal in quality and functionality at the same time as Plomb?

 

[Outlawmws]

I would say in terms of ratchet design, yes. Get an old pebble finish Plvmb or Proto ratchet and use it, then try a 1930's to early 1940's competitor. I don't think they were really surpassed until Snap-On finally came out with the handle design they still use today.

I know I always liked using my dad's old Protos over damn near anything else until I finally got a snappy flex head 3/8. I still like it when I need a 1/2 drive as my other 1/2's in a normal length is a RP CM...

 

[johnnybentwrench]

Were they ahead of their time?

Were there other companies making tools equal in quality and functionality at the same time as Plomb?

Yes, They were the first to make a combination wrench. The quality of steel in the 30's was great. PLOMB used old model T axles to make there tools.

 

[coldfusion21]

I just like the looks of the tools. The fact that they are still very functional 80-90 years later is constantly amazing to me (on the younger side).

Someday I dream of having full sets to use whenever I feel like it.

 

[oldjacks]

For one thing Plomb is a very old company starting out in 1908 I believe. They were originally they were a Blacksmith shop that moved into the automotive tool line. Their very early tools show the problems they had in entering that field as Snap-on held the patents for detachable sockets and ratchet designs.

The first system Plomb used had sockets with long male appendages on them to fit into female ratchets a very unique system. They made very high quality tools and for me being made in Los Angeles was the reason I started collecting them.

 

[spongerich]

To me, the old Plomb tools just have it all.

They're beautiful to look at and to use. Their ratchets are as smooth as anything you'll find and many of them still work as well today as when they were made 70+ years ago.

They have a great and interesting history... Plomb was a major supplier to the US military during WW2. I have a couple of Wright Field pieces... it's cool to think that those same tools were used to help us win the war. The trademark lawsuit and subsequent name change also add some intrigue.

The fact that they're no longer made also adds to their collectability.

 

[sk farmer]

the art deco styling of may of thier tools is a big reason. pebble line wrenches, pebble handled rathets , wrenchs and breakers, pebble field tools. along with many pebble handled specialty tools (think pickle fork). a unique style like noone else made. also the nostalgia of many wf (wright field) tools that were supplied to us troops and allies during wwII. a lot of art and history that most tool companies, snap-on included cannot come close to matching.

 

[Outlawmws]

There are other tool companies that get collected also. Snap-On, I'm partial to any of the "Long C" early Craftsman tools; so much so that I bought a "Long C" Craftsman DP I didn't really need last summer...

People collect, and it just takes something unique to set it off. I have more hand crank Drills than I will ever need...

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Extreme high quality as reflected in strength, smoooooothest ratchets known to man, one of the few older tool companies (along with Snap-on) whose ancient tools are not thick and clumsy because they used super-duper steel. Plus you can choose to sneer at Snap-on people, pretending that their tools are only margianally above Home Depot... not really true, but Plomb is at least as good as Snap-on and this is good clean fun...
Sort of like driving a Packard 180 and pointing out to Benz owners that their cars are regarded as excellent taxicabs in most of the world...

 

[Stuart in MN]

Why? Because they're pretty.

I only have three Plomb pebble wrenches, but they were only a couple bucks each at swap meets. They seem to be fairly rare in the midwest.

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Wartime ones went worldwide in vast numbers and were sold via little ads in the Popular Mechanics type mags after the war...
Pre and post war stuff is scarcer.

 

[Zrexxer]

Largely because they were produced during what many consider to be the golden age of American industry and manufacturing. American made by American workers, before it had ever occurred to anyone that there was any different way.

 

[Machobuck]

Great name, great logos, great adds and great looking designs.

Oh and quality.... I love my Plomb stuff

 

[Packard V8]

I always pick up Plomb when I see it and pass it along to those who collect it. The most recent was a WF partial set in 9/32" drive. The 70-year-old ratchet was every bit as smooth, strong and positive as my new Snap-on 1/4" drive.

jack vines

 

[justin10054]

I buy 'em to use, but they're so much fun to collect.
They're also fairly common and inexpensive at LA area swap meets.
I got started with just a breaker bar and a few sockets that I got from my grandfather. I love the design, quality, history, etc.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

One of the neat things about most Plomb ratchets is you can still get repair kits for them. Just find a Proto ratchet with the same model number as a Plomb and order a repair kit that fits both of them. Plomb was a big company and bought up many other companies over the years. They made tools for Wards, Sears and Firestone among others. One of my favorite companies they bought in 1941 was P&C in Oregon. Many Plomb and P & C tools are the same except for the name. P&C also had some pebble finish tools and also supplied some tools to the war effort. Go to Alloy Artifacts webste for more history on the Plomb / Proto empire.

Gort, collector of fine tools.

 

[Plombob]

....or to the Plomb Tools Website http://www.plombtools.com

All good responses, but everyone forgot one: Because we have to collect something.

 

[impactims]

One of the neat things about most Plomb ratchets is you can still get repair kits for them. Just find a Proto ratchet with the same model number as a Plomb and order a repair kit that fits both of them.

Repair kits available for ALL Plomb ratchets or just select Plomb ratchets? And whats the average cost of such a repair kit?

I am considering a 3/8 Plomb ratchet just to add some history to my tools set, but only if I can get it working like new.

 

[Gort the giant robot]

Repair kits are available for model 5449 ( 1/2 inch drive) model 5249 (3/8 inch drive ) model 4749 ( 1/4 inch drive ) and other models with the single side cover. Some internal parts may fit the dual side cover models like the pawls and conical springs. There is also Plomb / Proto clones out there that may have useable parts. This style of ratchet has been copied by many other companys here and overseas. kits for the 1/4 inch model start about $12.00 and go up from there. I have been buying mine from Restockit.com in Hollywood Fl. 954-967-1150
I keep buying all the used Plomb and Proto ratchets that i can find cheap. Some to rebuild and some for parts. I buy clones also. Home depot has a dual drive (1/4--3/8 )
ratchet for about $6.00 , but only the springs fit Plomb / Proto ratchets.
Gort