Proto Tool Comparison

[ssdave]

alot of older Urrea tools from mexico are clones of older Proto tools.

Not just clones, but real Proto. In the late 60's or early 70's, Proto decided to move into the international market, by taking the equipment from one of their facilities down south and making tools for export there. They partnered with Urrea, who was already well established in Mexico. They made similar quality tools, indentical in design (made on the same dies and molds) to their Proto. Originally they were dual marked Urrea-Proto, and Hecho en Mexico.

After a couple years Proto decided the idea wasn't right, and sold to Urrea, who continued making the tools, marked Urrea.

I've owned a few, and saw no difference in quality from similar era Proto tools.

 

[mmason7764]

In my opinion you can't go wrong with Proto, Williams, Wright, or SK. I consider them all top quality brands. SK seems to lean toward auto mechanics, the others to industrial and government customers. The only one of these 4 you can get off the shelf in my little town is Proto. The local tool shop sells to chemical plants, oil refinery, paper mill, etc, mainly for their maintenance departments. Been here for 29 years and never heard a bad thing about a Proto tool.

Personally, I shop all 4 brands. And coincidently, have bought items from all 4 just this week !!!!

Mark

 

[Hyster Gareth]

Proto make excellent tools. Most of mine are rebranded for CAT and they have stood up well. I would highly recommend them and prices are good.

As another poster mentioned during the years they were owned by Ingersoll Rand they were used by many Indy Cart teams. I also have a few bits of Proto from when they were produced in Canada.

 

[motorhead12]

Proto is definitely top shelf stuff. Besides, you can shop around online a lot because many sellers offer them. You're basically buying MAC tools for a lot less.

 

[DadsTools]

In my opinion you can't go wrong with Proto, Williams, Wright, or SK. I consider them all top quality brands. SK seems to lean toward auto mechanics, the others to industrial and government customers. The only one of these 4 you can get off the shelf in my little town is Proto. The local tool shop sells to chemical plants, oil refinery, paper mill, etc, mainly for their maintenance departments. Been here for 29 years and never heard a bad thing about a Proto tool.

I agree. Can't go wrong with any of them, though a given type of tool may excel in one make over another.

If I had to buy all new hard line tools for work, I'd get the satin Proto for all the wrenches and would probably lean toward SK for the sockets/ratchets. Some of this is personal preference, some is a little prejudicial based on the tool tradition my Dad passed on to me.

 

[crf450x]

I got a new proto gear puller in the mail today. Decided on that one because I've always been a proto fan and according to their catalog, it was made in the USA. (And snap on pullers are priced just flat out ridiculously.) When I got it, the box said "made in USA from global materials." I'm sure it's top notch quality but the way this tool was advertised was misleading to me. I expected it to be made from American steel.

Neither here nor there really but I thought this would be interesting to share.

 

[WittHay]

That "made in USA from global materials" is confusing, understand that in a cordless tool or even a tool box but a puller should be all USA. Bought OTC lifting brackets with that same saying on the box. Used them for lifting diesel motors, they didn't break or bend so maybe they had some Canadian steel in them. Can't see a Proto puller or OTC lifting brackets being made out of Chinese steel

The other thing is that Proto has a unique line of pullers different than Mac or OTC. Mac is mainly Taiwan made and states that on the box or plastic case.