Proto pebble wrench

[alton1911]

I found a single ended line nut wrench with a pebble handle like a Plomb. I am a fan of Proto. Even more so now.


Thanks
alton1911

 

[shanny19]

They are cool, and that one's a double keeper because a fair number of flare wrench sets over the years don't include a 13/16. Like Bonney grrrrr.

 

[thehorse13]

Cool find. If you want to torture yourself, go look at the Plomb tool thread. Plenty of pebble **** in there.

 

[humber2]

They are cool, and that one's a double keeper because a fair number of flare wrench sets over the years don't include a 13/16. Like Bonney grrrrr.

Bonney wrench RF57 is 1 1/16 and 13/16 flare

 

[Sunset_Z28]

I’ve got a few of those I’ve been collecting for a little while. Definitely a neat design.


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[alton1911]

I’ve got a few of those I’ve been collecting for a little while. Definitely a neat design.


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I saw the pebble design grip first from the reverse side, so I assumed it was a plomb wrench. Pleasantly surprised to see it was Proto.
Thanks
alton1911

 

[notlob]

I have a couple proto pebble ratchets, at least one proto pebble flare wrench, and I think a proto pebble breaker bar. It seems that for some items, Proto maintained the pebbled background for quite some time.

 

[alton1911]

What’s stranger to me than a Proto that looks like Plomb, is the Plomb wrenches that look like Proto professional. I have a couple that are flare nut on one side only. But they look more like Proto with smooth sides and standard markings.
I will look for an example when I get home.
Thanks
alton1911

 

[alton1911]

These two wrenches are both Plomb. One is typical, I think, squared edges, natural finish, typical high quality. The other is a Plomb that looks like a Proto... softer rounded edges and a chrome look finish that matches well with Proto professional or Challenger wrenches. It seems out of place with the evolution of Plomb, Proto. Maybe it’s not clear from my description, but pics might help.

Thanks
alton1911

 

[notlob]

It appears the wrench on the right is marked A. Plomb, which would have been made by either the A. Plomb or California Tool Co.

More info here:

http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers.html#calif-tool

 

[bonneyman]

I had an A. Plumb OE/flare combo some years back. Also had the Calif - Tool stamp on it. 7/16" IIRC.

Gave it to a buddy who used that size alot.

 

[alton1911]

Any other answers? This does say “A-PLOMB D 12 “ I learn something new every day.
Is A-PLOMB a separate company than PLOMB?
The reverse side of mine is blank. No California Tool logo.
Very interesting. A. A. about this exact thing.
Tried searching but all tool related searches lead me back to PLOMB.
Perhaps the confusion was intentional. Even better, to me, as it proves “life is stranger than fiction “
Thanks
alton1911

 

[PFSard]

Is A-PLOMB a separate company than PLOMB?

Maybe an early rendition of the tool name??

Proto
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto_(tools)

"Proto was founded in 1907 by Alphonse Plomb, Jacob Weninger, and Charles Williams as the Plomb Tool Company"

 

[d42jeep]

The A Plomb wrenches were from California tool, a separate company, probably in the '30s. I've had a couple of those.
-Don

 

[notlob]

The history as I understand it:

Alphonse Plomb (A Plomb) was one of the founders of Plomb Tool Company in 1907. He left Plomb Tool Company about 1917 and started his own tool company, the "A. Plomb Tool Company".

In about 1927, the "A. Plomb Tool Company" was sold and became California Tool, which marked tools with both A. Plomb and California Tool for a period of time.

http://alloy-artifacts.org/other-makers.html#calif-tool

 

[d42jeep]

Thanks, Notlob. That explains why some tools just have the A Plomb and some have dual markings. I'll have to keep my eyes open for one just marked A Plomb. I'm surprised that you are on the internet and not at the Walnut Creek estate sale this morning. That's where I would be if I wasn't doing Grandpa duty. Maybe I'll run into you tomorrow.
-Don

 

[notlob]

Hi Don -

Work/tax stuff has been interfering with estate saling lately.

I think I found the sale you referenced - maybe I can sneak out for just a bit....

"Liquidating huge estate of a gentleman who retired from Southern Pacific Railroad & went on to live to the age of 86, living in the home that originally belonged to his parents, so contents include two generations of belongings"

 

[Empty Pockets]

I have only seen one of the pebble wrenches in the wild, in my area. I'm a big fan of Plomb & Proto. I wish I could find some more

 

[d42jeep]

Here are my two Proto pebble flare nut wrenches.
-Don

 

[alton1911]

Very nice. I want more. Plomb, and Proto are very interesting stuff.

 

[DadsTools]

Here are my two Proto pebble flare nut wrenches.
-Don

Oh yeah. That's the stuff!