Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

[d42jeep]

Nice grouping of ratchets! I found this Proto LA combination wrench on Monday.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Ok, who snaked me on the spinner handle?



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[leg17]

I have seen this on the interwebs somewhere, but I can't put my clicking finger on it.

What in the Sam Hill is this thing??

 

[r_olson_06]

I have seen this on the interwebs somewhere, but I can't put my clicking finger on it.

What in the Sam Hill is this thing??

Folding pocket wrench.

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[Smokeshow69]

Someone is selling some Proto la tool boards on eBay now but not at you **** prices! Also there is a rotomart display! It looks minty but it is $650 so not cheap


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[Snaparxon]

I have seen this on the interwebs somewhere, but I can't put my clicking finger on it.

What in the Sam Hill is this thing??

From the 1973 catalog

 

[leg17]

from the 1973 catalog

thanx !!

 

[ssdave]

From the 1973 catalog

Nice research, Jake!

 

[Smokeshow69]

I picked up this socket tray-set 5200M off eBay the other day. When I saw it I know it is not very common but I don’t know if it is rare?? Also the color is throwing me off... I know this is the original color as I have a 9989 top chest also this color. I can tell it is not very faded either. What years did they use this color? Also is this Proto la or Proto mfd era? I attached a catalog shot from my ‘62 catalog which lists it as a brilliant red and this is not brilliant. I have some brilliant red Proto trays so I know the difference. Also, I don’t have any vintage metric Proto sockets so if anyone has some, I would be interested in purchasing them






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[bmwrd0]

Nice find Smoke! Not too common, I have one and am still working on filling it. Early Proto metric is not common. But as for the color, I have a socket box from the period that is the same color. I think it was just from a different paint contract, but who knows.

 

[ssdave]

The boxes I have seen that color have been Proto LA. Like my little 1/4" box posted a page back.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Nice find Smoke! Not too common, I have one and am still working on filling it. Early Proto metric is not common. But as for the color, I have a socket box from the period that is the same color. I think it was just from a different paint contract, but who knows.

I think Twertsy has a very early Proto tool mobile this color so maybe this color was earlier? This does make me think they may have been offering both colors of red at the same time ? In terms of the sockets, I will have to find some but I was thinking they wouldn’t be easy to find


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[Smokeshow69]

The boxes I have seen that color have been Proto LA. Like my little 1/4" box posted a page back.

Dave- thanks. I was thinking it would be Proto la but needed you guys to chime in. I certainly like the bright red color better. I don’t know why they would have offered this since it is almost brown


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[Tireman]

Does anybody have any info on a proto set no. 5002b. Google isn’t showing me much


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[Smokeshow69]

Well guys , I met up with Rileysan and I did some horse trading yesterday. Not a true pick since it wasn’t in the wild but these days you can’t be picky [emoji15][emoji23] I scored these 2 -1/4 drive boxes but now need to fill them! Anyone have these sockets or extensions or ratchets they want to sell or trade? The boxes are nice enough to just need waxing and I will put some cork in them to protect the paint! The maroon 4795 box tools should be marked Proto la while the red 4700C box should be marked mfd??



Small box




Bigger 4700C box




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[ssdave]

Smoke, I've got both an MFD and an LA ratchet and can probably put together a set of MFD sockets. Not sure about the LA sockets. Don't think I have the extensions, spinner, or hinge handle.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smoke, I've got both an MFD and an LA ratchet and can probably put together a set of MFD sockets. Not sure about the LA sockets. Don't think I have the extensions, spinner, or hinge handle.

Dave- can you check on the mfd and la sockets and let me know? I would be interested in what you have


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[ssdave]

Have the sockets in MFD except for 5/16, which I have in 8 point. Have an 11/32 LA.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Have the sockets in MFD except for 5/16, which I have in 8 point. Have an 11/32 LA.

I am interested. How much would you need for everything pictured?


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[ssdave]

Smoke, my sincere apologies for leading you on, but I'm going to have to sort the sockets again and find what I have duplicates on.

I went to take pictures of my MFD boards and ask if you had any trades for the missing pieces. In doing so, I noticed I have a 47xx section that is entirely empty, I forgot to sort through the 1/4" drive box and fill it out.

I'll post up what I have left in sockets after I fill out my board with what I have. I do already have the ratchet on the board, so it and the LA one will definitely be available.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smoke, my sincere apologies for leading you on, but I'm going to have to sort the sockets again and find what I have duplicates on.



I went to take pictures of my MFD boards and ask if you had any trades for the missing pieces. In doing so, I noticed I have a 47xx section that is entirely empty, I forgot to sort through the 1/4" drive box and fill it out.



I'll post up what I have left in sockets after I fill out my board with what I have. I do already have the ratchet on the board, so it and the LA one will definitely be available.

Totally understand Dave! I have been there before! I found out I have 5 mfd sockets today so between yours and mine, hopefully we can get close [emoji23]


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[Smokeshow69]

I found this little 1/4 drive speed wrench for $9.99 shipped on eBay. I was all over it. I never see these in the wild. This one is interesting because it is labeled proto Los Angeles but is also marked mfd-USA. Also it appears to be a anodized finish or possibly cadium plated but not chrome? What era is this? Seems like an odd transitional one?





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[Oldtuleguy]

Any indication of a rebranding?

 

[r_olson_06]

I found this little 1/4 drive speed wrench for $9.99 shipped on eBay. I was all over it. I never see these in the wild. This one is interesting because it is labeled proto Los Angeles but is also marked mfd-USA. Also it appears to be a anodized finish or possibly cadium plated but not chrome? What era is this? Seems like an odd transitional one?





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It has to be early proto. Maybe left over bar stock from the war era?

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[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I found this little 1/4 drive speed wrench for $9.99 shipped on eBay. I was all over it. I never see these in the wild. This one is interesting because it is labeled proto Los Angeles but is also marked mfd-USA. Also it appears to be a anodized finish or possibly cadium plated but not chrome? What era is this? Seems like an odd transitional one?





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I have one just like that same writing just mine is chrome so it might be younger than this one pictured here.


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[Smokeshow69]

It has to be early proto. Maybe left over bar stock from the war era?

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

I would agree with that... here it is pictured next to my plomb 4780... this Proto shows no sign of any grind offs or name change at all.


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[Smokeshow69]

I bought some 1951 Proto ephemera off eBay today. I am excited to get my clean/grubby mitts on it! I will post pictures once it arrives


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[Simmonsii]

Those Proto tools are all real nice collections by everyone that showed pictures. This is my first message on this forum and I am also a huge Plomb/Proto tool collector.

 

[Smokeshow69]

These arrived in the mail today. 4 issues of a bi monthly mailer Proto was sending to their suppliers. eBay only listed 1 mailer but I saw 2... when it arrived there were 4 in the envelope. 2 of them have the envelope stuck to the cover but I think I can probably steam them off?







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[Smokeshow69]

More... this is just from the 2 I could get open







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[Catfishdan]

Awesome stuff. That last picture with all the tool boards is pretty darn impressive. Who’s going to be the first to replicate it in their own garage?

 

[Smokeshow69]

Awesome stuff. That last picture with all the tool boards is pretty darn impressive. Who’s going to be the first to replicate it in their own garage?

I have made a run at it... my boards are taller so not really full reproductions .... but yes, I have more than a wall devoted to my plomb/ Proto/ p&c collection. These photos are from when I was setting them up. They are much fuller now





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[Private Lugnutz]

As I've said before, I'm not much of a Proto collector, unless it's something special or really catches my eye. Frankly, I'd have a hard time leaving behind a pair of vintage combination slip-joint pliers THIS long (10" OAL) and THIS purdy (shown with a pair of black enameled wrenches I picked up in the same haul, just to demonstrate how black the finish is), regardless of the brand, but Proto LA MFD., made in the old J.P. Danielson plant, with the gorgeous J.P.D. herringbone grip pattern? Auto-friggin'-matic!

 

[JoCoSawdust]

Very cool Proto literature Smoke and I love the tool boards. Let's see what they look like now!

Lugz..beautiful grips on those Proto LA pliers.

 

[r_olson_06]

I have made a run at it... my boards are taller so not really full reproductions .... but yes, I have more than a wall devoted to my plomb/ Proto/ p&c collection. These photos are from when I was setting them up. They are much fuller now





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Looking good! Much better of a design than peg boards. It allows your to put a hook anywhere and much more sturdy.

As I've said before, I'm not much of a Proto collector, unless it's something special or really catches my eye. Frankly, I'd have a hard time leaving behind a pair of vintage combination slip-joint pliers THIS long (10" OAL) and THIS purdy (shown with a pair of black enameled wrenches I picked up in the same haul, just to demonstrate how black the finish is), regardless of the brand, but Proto LA MFD., made in the old J.P. Danielson plant, with the gorgeous J.P.D. herringbone grip pattern? Auto-friggin'-matic!

Odd the MPN is ground off those. Maybe a restamp on a 278?

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

 

[Smokeshow69]

Looking good! Much better of a design than peg boards. It allows your to put a hook anywhere and much more sturdy.Odd the MPN is ground off those. Maybe a restamp on a 278?

Looking for a Round Beam Plomb 1068 Double Box End Wrench

Thanks! I wanted them to be sturdy so I built it out of 3/4 plywood. I need to add more hangers to add new tools and then I will post more pictures!


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[Private Lugnutz]

Odd the MPN is ground off those. Maybe a restamp on a 278?

I was so mesmerized by the "gunmetal" finish that I hadn't even noticed that! 280 (10"), though. Not 278 (8").

 

[DD T/A]

Odd the MPN is ground off those. Maybe a restamp on a 278?

I was so mesmerized by the "gunmetal" finish that I hadn't even noticed that! 280 (10"), though. Not 278 (8").

I must have the 278 in the exact same setup/finish/whatever and it also lacks a part number which struck me as very odd, must have been a "thing".

Nothing is ground off, it just simply wasn't ever stamped.

 

[Provincial]

It looks like it was ground off the stamping die. Notice the outline to the right of the PROTO lettering.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It looks like it was ground off the stamping die. Notice the outline to the right of the PROTO lettering.

Yes, definitely a corner showing.

I must have the 278 in the exact same setup/finish/whatever and it also lacks a part number which struck me as very odd, must have been a "thing".

Yeah, but what? And why? I wonder if it had to do with the JPD acquisition. Does anyone have an example of early Proto combination slip-joint pliers with a part number? Any part number?

The funny thing is it has always bothered me that the figure of the 275-280 series of combination slip-joint pliers in the first 'Proto Tools by Plomb Tool Co' catalog, in early 1948, are clearly not JPD. Too thin and no grip pattern. This was well after they acquired them, an acquisition they had already boasted about in Catalog 19-R FOURTH PRINTING, which I date to at least November 1946. Is it possible they continued to source the 275-280 pliers from Utica or elsewhere and reserved a different part number for the JPD's as a higher quality and higher price point tool? Just fishing here in the absence of an explanation.