Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

[Oregon Dave]

I think about that at thrift store all the time. Especially at the ReStore, where there are bins and bins of screwdrivers, it seems like every single one is covered with paint and/or has the end banged up with a hammer. The nutdrivers have almost always had the helping hand from pliers of course.

In the used world, I've come to view those things as consumables and really not worth poking through. The tips are usually trashed in any case, and nutdrivers are never in sets. My only real find in bin o' handles was a nice Proto 1/4" spinner.

Interesting, I just picked up a Proto 4769 last Saturday; the spinner/extension for lack of a better name - has the female ¼” drive socket in the end. Put a ¼ to ⅜ adapter on it - instant multi-tool. Seems someone would have already made a ¼” spinner with a hollow handle to store the adapter & a couple sockets - been in a go figure mode on this for a long time!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think sk made something

 

[d42jeep]

Walden made one or two.
-Don

 

[Oregon Dave]

Thanks Oldtuleguy & d42jeep; this tool has always made sense to me, especially in light of all the driver & hex-bit drivers so designed. Want one for, if nothing else, the novelty & now have two directions to search - Thank-You both.

 

[username2]

Interesting, I just picked up a Proto 4769 last Saturday; the spinner/extension for lack of a better name - has the female ¼” drive socket in the end. Put a ¼ to ⅜ adapter on it - instant multi-tool. Seems someone would have already made a ¼” spinner with a hollow handle to store the adapter & a couple sockets - been in a go figure mode on this for a long time!

Not super vintage, but Litton Pocket Socket is somewhat related.

 

[easton65]

Old one, not sure how old. Might restore it one day.

 

[Etchase]

Old one, not sure how old. Might restore it one day.

It was made in the 50’s. The exact year it was forged is the last digit in the three segment code by the hanging hole that I can’t make out in the picture, but maybe you can in person. The month is the middle segment of the code.

 

[d42jeep]

I think sk made something

Here is my S-K version.
To get back on track, here is a little 3020 Mfd. DOE wrench found at a tool sale on Saturday.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

PROTO (SBD) 4714L 1/4" dr x 7/16" 6-pt deep-well socket
PROTO (SBD) 4714 1/4" dr x 7/16' 6-pt shallow socket

86A Proto Los Angeles 1/4" Cold Chisel
1218L Proto Los Angeles 9/16" Combination Wrench

 

[Snaparxon]

Sizes stamped on the wrong ends.

 

[Ayrhead]

A Proto 216 Brake Spring Pliers.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Picked up a few badly treated tools for $1 each. The saw will be for parts and the driver should hopefully clean up. Surprisingly the driver hasn’t been used as a pry bar.

 

[Bug_hunter]

First Post. my Proto Tools

I am looking for the "spider" for these universal sockets. Contacted Proto, but no luck.

 

[Beerhippie]

First Post. my Proto Tools

I am looking for the "spider" for these universal sockets. Contacted Proto, but no luck.

WTF?

 

[Bug_hunter]

WTF?

Found in a box labeled "Universal Socket Parts".

No idea where they came from, or what to do with them. Thinking of reassembly, but cannot find the missing part.

 

[four.cycle]

^ The "missing part" is a short section of square steel stock with holes cross-drilled in it at perpendicular angles to each other:

after machining, they would need to be hardened, and then you'd need some sort of a press set up with a jig to press the rollpin (or straight pin) into the assembly.

Just my lousy two cents, but it looks like you've got a lovely chrome-plated lot of scrap metal.

 

[four.cycle]

Just thought of something:

Medium flat-rate priority box: $21.05 shipping

Large flat-rate priority box: $29.95 shipping

Put the entire lot on ebay for $59.99 including shipping and cross your fingers.

(The ratchet components at top right might be of interest to one of the Proto collectors here.)

 

[Bug_hunter]

Just thought of something:

Medium flat-rate priority box: $21.05 shipping

Large flat-rate priority box: $29.95 shipping

Put the entire lot on ebay for $59.99 including shipping and cross your fingers.

(The ratchet components at top right might be of interest to one of the Proto collectors here.)

Unless I get some other insight, that may be the way to go. I'll pull the parts you referred to from the pile before I re-box things, and we saw see. Thanks for the thoughts!

 

[Etchase]

Found in a box labeled "Universal Socket Parts".

No idea where they came from, or what to do with them. Thinking of reassembly, but cannot find the missing part.

Where did you find the box?!?

 

[Bug_hunter]

Where did you find the box?!?

Box(es) came in the bottom of a crate I acquired from an old plant mechanic. Most of them look like new, so I have a hard time believing they came from busted tools. Most look like they were never assembled at the factory.

 

[Snaparxon]

First Post. my Proto Tools

I am looking for the "spider" for these universal sockets. Contacted Proto, but no luck.

Looks like the detent ball is missing on several of them

 

[INSP380]

Picked up both of these Proto boxes off FBM full of sockets. The Challenger box came with a full set of 3/8 drive Apex clutch drive sockets as a bonus. Diggin the patina on the larger box, it shows decades of hard work. Need a nice card for it….

Steve

 

[Bug_hunter]

Looks like the detent ball is missing on several of them

Pretty sure it is missing on all. Again, like they weren't completely assembled in the factory?

 

[Beerhippie]

Pretty sure it is missing on all. Again, like they weren't completely assembled in the factory?

Entirely possible.

In my mis-spent youth, myself and a friend--we lived in or near Milwaukie, OR--would pick the discard/scrap dumpster at the Proto Tools factory in the wee hours. We got tons of sockets and such--and only later found out that they were discarded before heat-treating.

 

[Ayrhead]

I have a Challenger tool box full of tools. Some Challenger, some Penens, some Plomb… but I think it’s all part of the Proto family. I could be wrong…

 

[Ayrhead]

I have a Challenger tool box full of tools. Some Challenger, some Penens, some Plomb… but I think it’s all part of the Proto family. I could be wrong…

There’s also wrenches, the Plomb ratchet with a couple of sockets, speed wrenches and extensions.

 

[d42jeep]

I recently did a project that was aided by the use of my Proto awl.
Other recent Proto finds. Clutch head driver
Although the markings are worn off, I’m pretty sure that this is a Proto 5/16” nut driver.
-Don

 

[d42jeep]

I found this Proto roll last Friday at a sale in Carson City, NV. I don’t know what it originally contained.
-Don

 

[Snaparxon]

I found this Proto roll last Friday at a sale in Carson City, NV. I don’t know what it originally contained.
-Don

For a screwdriver set.

Proto Tools : Catalog 6020 : Proto Tool Co. : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

92 p., illus., 27.2 cm, trade catalog

archive.org

 

[INSP380]

Gee, a couple of 276 G’s … Same but different. I do like the feel of both!

Steve

 

[Smokeshow69]

Scored this 3/4 drive flying lady box with a partial 3/4 drive set in it. Tools are Proto LA and the ratchet is a pass through plug style. Also got a lone Whitworth 3/8 drive socket as well

 

[INSP380]

Newly acquired 4749 1/4 drive Proto LA…Pictured with my Proto Pro for reference. This thing has gotten some use, but boy is it smooth.

Steve

 

[INSP380]

Going thru my “working” box tonight and cleaning up. Thought I’d share these. I inherited these from my Grandfather right around 1980. Been setting in my other Grandfathers Cornwell box I got in 1977. Been my go to ever since. Hope you guys enjoy them as much as I do..

Steve

 

[Smokeshow69]

I am getting close to being done cleaning up a bunch of my swap meet finds from the past few years...Been cleaning up Proto LA and MFD era tools of all types. Today it was screwdriver bin day. Guess I'm possibly set for the next lifetime or 2 on screwdrivers of all eras??

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Nice pile of screwdrivers! I see your working on a circle u board in the background....

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a #2 Phillips I picked up at an estate sale yesterday. I threw it in with the other extras in the Proto box.
-Don

 

[Smokeshow69]

Nice pile of screwdrivers! I see your working on a circle u board in the background....

Yeah good eye. It’s one I actually need to put up in the attic. Walls are currently covered in Proto tool panels but if I get on a craftsman kick, I just might put it up

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I ve been debating another toolboard but trying to decide on a brand.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

It’s one I actually need to put up in the attic.

I don't see any markings. Do you have a photo of one? or are you inventing the tools layout?

Ive been debating another toolboard but trying to decide on a brand.

You're living a charmed life.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

You don't seem to be doing bad! I think you could sell tickets to the lugzonian