Proto Canada sockets

[Mikemac1]

Hi Folks,

Im a little torn on what to do.... I purchased some fill in sockets for one of my trays from a long long time tool dealer, in Saskatchewan Canada. A few of the sockets I received are not USA - rather 2 are marked Canada and have a strange texture, one does not have a COO and none have slot detents (just a hole for the ball). Anyways, I'm considering trying to exchange them. Has anyone seen sockets that look like they were made on a lathe? Three on the left are different than the two on the right which are USA Proto.

Opinions? I paid full retail.

Thanks
Mike.

 

[vssjim]

They are just very old NOS sockets they will be fine, look like my old US made sockets when they were owned by Ingersol-Rand and before that when they were original company. I would keep them same as older Proto that says Proto Los Angeles stamped on them because they are now special NOS. People collect Tool from Proto that are stamped Canada, Los Angeles and Mexico so you have something special that they actually pay extra for them. Proto discontinued tools made in Canada I think in the late seventies but sold the Mexico plant to locals that are now called Urrea and you see them around and on Ebay. To wrap it up you have something special and I would defiantly keep them same as I would any NOS Proto tool.

 

[Mikemac1]

Thank you very much for the insight. I know this dealer has been around for 30 or more years. I might see if they have any more of the vintage sockets

 

[The Fall]

In Canada, they used to make Proto tools.

 

[WittHay]

I had some Proto made in Canada impact sockets. Both the Snap-on and the Proto hand tool plants were shut down in Canada between 84 to 86. Something about the Mulroney years in Canada and free trade

I guess if depends if you like all your sockets to match or if you like collecting vintage tools.

The interesting part is say 1984 to 2019 is 35 years. Thats a long time for sockets to be sitting on a shelf

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Okay Mike spill the beans on your retail shop, don’t keep it all to yourself.

The Fall where in hell would you find that clip.

 

[The Fall]

I like outsider music. BJ Snowden is next level.

I'd be quite happy with Canadian Proto sockets. Hell, I just applied to the University of Calgary (Comm PhD program).

You can tell some of those sockets are old cuz they have the hole for the ratchet detent ball. That's old school.

I still use some Powr-Kraft, Bonney and Indestro tools. They're rock solid.

By the way, I love how she says "Saskatchewan!"

 

[Mikemac1]

Okay Mike spill the beans on your retail shop, don’t keep it all to yourself.

The Fall where in hell would you find that clip.

Cooper Tools & Equipment warehouse LTD, Regina 306-352-1756

 

[Professional Tool User]

If you paid full retail, you have a right to be picky. I would be annoyed at paying list price for something that has been in storage for 30 years. However, something even more annoying to me would be if one or more of the sockets is non surface drive now. I've got a used USA made Proto wrench set of the same vintage where all but one of the sizes is surface drive.

 

[Mikemac1]

If you paid full retail, you have a right to be picky. I would be annoyed at paying list price for something that has been in storage for 30 years. However, something even more annoying to me would be if one or more of the sockets is non surface drive now. I've got a used USA made Proto wrench set of the same vintage where all but one of the sizes is surface drive.

Interesting. It didn’t even occur to me to look at the corners being machined out as they would be from before all the manufacturers started after snap ons patent expired. I’ll take a couple photos of the drive side tomorrow.

I have a brand new snap on 1/4 drive master set - they are nice, but the chrome on the USA proto is nicer imho. I might talk to the dealer and see if I can work something out to have both. I like having a little history in the toolbox.


Sent from my iPhone using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[Downwindtracker 2]

When I've cracked sockets, it's at the point of the hex. One of the truths in machining, sharp corners concentrate stress. If you round the corners, that relieves it. But since the Canadian branch was smaller operation and under IR, the QC might have been better than the current production under Stanley. Proto sockets are almost as far from dainty as the old J.H. Williams ones were, you'll need a 12' snipe , no short 4' will do, if you want to try bust one.