PROTO LOS ANGELES Toolbox

[Straightgrain]

I decided to make this an original thread rather than include it in the Vintage Toolbox thread so that it would be easier to reference for those of us who collect vintage PROTO.

I picked the toolbox up from a Craigslist Los Angeles ad for $20. Although it was listed along with 3 other nondescript toolboxes (all for $20) I told the seller I was just interested in the PROTO LOS ANGELES box. Although I now live in Texas, I’m originally from Southern California, so I had my brother pick it up from a guy who lived in Lakewood. The box was clearly a working toolbox, and it required a lot of cleaning, a little unbending, and 3 spot welds.

With the exception of two PLOMB box end wrenches, PLOMB #227 & #240 pliers, two blue & red flying lady pouches, PROTO 3” 3/8 drive extension #WF-16, & a close quarter hacksaw that’s not marked but identical to the one listed in the PROTO LOS ANGELES catalogs, all tools are marked PLOMB LOS ANGELES/LA, PLVMB LOS ANGELES/LA, PROTO LOS ANGELES, or PLVMB TOOL CO./PROTO.

Enjoy!
Frank

 

[thehorse13]

You ****.

 

[twertsy]

I decided to make this an original thread rather than include it in the Vintage Toolbox thread so that it would be easier to reference for those of us who collect vintage PROTO.

I picked the toolbox up from a Craigslist Los Angeles ad for $20. Although it was listed along with 3 other nondescript toolboxes (all for $20) I told the seller I was just interested in the PROTO LOS ANGELES box. Although I now live in Texas, I’m originally from Southern California, so I had my brother pick it up from a guy who lived in Lakewood. The box was clearly a working toolbox, and it required a lot of cleaning, a little unbending, and 3 spot welds.

With the exception of two PLOMB box end wrenches, PLOMB #227 & #240 pliers, two blue & red flying lady pouches, PROTO 3” 3/8 drive extension #WF-16, & a close quarter hacksaw that’s not marked but identical to the one listed in the PROTO LOS ANGELES catalogs, all tools are marked PLOMB LOS ANGELES/LA, PLVMB LOS ANGELES/LA, PROTO LOS ANGELES, or PLVMB TOOL CO./PROTO.

Enjoy!
Frank

So did the tools come with it? Great score on the box alone for $20 but with the tools..............

 

[DuroChrome]

Super cool toolbox! Nice score.

 

[Rileysan]

Beautiful collection! Thank you for sharing.

Brian

 

[FJ 432]

Beautiful. Please send me a PM if you consider selling.

 

[Straightgrain]

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, the tools didn't come with the box, I picked them up over the years.

I still have a lot of holes to fill but that's OK with me, as the ancient Roman historian Pliny the Younger once said, "An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."

Frank

 

[twertsy]

Thanks for the responses. Unfortunately, the tools didn't come with the box, I picked them up over the years.

I still have a lot of holes to fill but that's OK with me, as the ancient Roman historian Pliny the Younger once said, "An object in possession seldom retains the same charm that it had in pursuit."

Frank

Ain't THAT the truth!

Anyway, that's a "you **** price" on the box.

 

[Jim C.]

I'm not a Proto collector, but I absolutely appreciate and applaude a nice working set of antique tools when I see one. I hope those tools are being put to good use on a similar vintage car. Great collection!!

Jim C.

 

[Straightgrain]

Thanks Jim.

 

[bluebolt]

Nice box and nice collection of early Proto!

 

[RM209]

That's a great collection. Even better to see it in a Proto toolbox.

RM209

 

[bonneyman]

My eyes, my eyes! Too much Proto goodness in one shot!

Great set!

 

[Plombob]

Love those tools and the Pliny quote! Let me know what you need. I have some Proto LA I can trade.

Just noticed the handle on that 1/4 rat. That's unusual. What is the number on it?

 

[Straightgrain]

Thanks all.

The 1/4 drive ratchet is a #4749 which is the regular catalog number for it. I have a 3/8 drive ratchet with a similar handle where the knurl stops a short distance from where it narrows to the head. I think the earlier PROTO LOS ANGELES ratchets, shortly after they changed from PLOMB, had this style before they began knurling the entire handle.

 

[lbgradwell]

What a wonderful collection of vintage cool. [emoji106]

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[Smokeshow69]

Well suckage on the box! I picked up a smaller one last year for $20 but my plvmb collection is way to big to fit in it Very nice collection of proto la!

 

[JAKE-THE-TOOL-MAN]

Beautiful collection of Proto, I love their tools. I also really like that top tray on your box!

 

[Garage&Beer]

Awesome!

 

[jvlyons99205]

Very nice find on the Proto box. Here is the one I found a few months ago for $25, but it had an hours worth of sticker removal. Dante would have added another leveled of hell if he had known about people who put a bunch of random stickers on old tool boxes.

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[Straightgrain]

That's another nice working toolbox JV. Whoever bought them originally no doubt got their money's worth out of them. Mine had grease and dirt that had seeped into the paint over the course of many years. It took a lot of sweat equity just to get it looking half way decent.

 

[jvlyons99205]

I still need to finish cleaning mine up, but am looking forward to keeping my Plomb and Proto finds in it. I'm hoping to not have to repaint it, but will probably need to put something on it to prevent it rusting in the future.

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[jvlyons99205]

I just remembered that I had this Proto hand drill tucked away in my office. I was surprised when I found it with the box.

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[Straightgrain]

That looks like NOS. I have one just like it (though not as nice) that I actually use when I need to drill small holes in small pieces of metal. There's something pure about using a hand cranked drill that you don't get from using a battery or electric powered one.

 

[jvlyons99205]

I always like the control of a hand powered drill, I've got an old Craftsman that I use for light metal drilling and several Yankee screwdrivers for drilling in wood.

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[Outlawmws]

Great finds on both of those boxes!

 

[bmwrd0]

Very nice sir! I am jelous, but am building up my Proto LA collection and users.

 

[Straightgrain]

Thanks bmw, there seems to be a lot more of it out on the west coast than there is here in Texas. Happy hunting!