Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

[bmwrd0]

Its Hammer Time!


Ball Peens go from 2oz to 16oz and no, I am not getting rid of any spare handles!

 

[Oregon rock crusher]

That's a nice row of hammers bmw. Always a good sign when you need two pics to fit them all in! Ed.

 

[Straightgrain]

More tools. Although I have a new punch & chisel roll, all my tools are stamped either "PLOMB LOS ANGELES" or "PROTO LOS ANGELES".

 

[DD T/A]

Found at swap this weekend.

Can anyone tell me what the Proto 1118 is for? The last photo is of a nicer example on ebay.

 

[DD T/A]

Better image of nicer tool.

 

[d42jeep]

Here is a Waterloo made in 7/77 Proto box I found at a Tahoe yard sale in 2017.
-Don

 

[ssdave]

That's a nice selection of hammers you have there bmwrd0. I have almost none, need to get enough to fill my board at least.

Straightgrain, you have a great collection of stuff there. I like how you just quietly slipped the filled 9999 box in great condition in there with the others! And, nice keychain screwdriver collection.

 

[B17E1943]

Excellent hammer lineup, Aaron.

No 1427?

 

[tym]

Better image of nicer tool.

Some kind of serpentine belt tool?

 

[DD T/A]

No © or other fancy stampings make me think this thing is 1950's or 1960's. Quite a while before serpentine was prevalent.
But I could be wrong. I'm hoping someone with a catalog can help out. Thanks Tym.

 

[Cooter Brown]

Better image of nicer tool.

That looks like it might be used on a valve of some sort. Plomb/Proto made plenty of special tools for specific companies and industries.

 

[d42jeep]

I looked through several catalogs and price sheets and didn’t see it.
I thought that I was done with Proto LA but they keep finding me. Here are some little adjustable wrenches.
-Don

 

[DD T/A]

Cooter I seem to agree with that. Maybe they are for some special valve nuts or something...

Don thank you for looking for me. I looked for Proto LA adjustables for a long time and finally when I found a 4", they had ground the fixed end to an angle...
Incidentally I use that ruined 4" more often than I use the 6 or even 8"... funny how that is.

 

[d42jeep]

While I was looking through the 1963 catalog supplement I noticed a tool that I had that I’d never researched. It seems to be a tool to aid in front end alignments.
-Don

 

[ssdave]

Was sorting out Proto LA pieces for the green box today, found three more chevron wrenches. And, got out belt sander and cleaned up Proto punches and chisels to integrate them into my user tools. Used a 3/4" cold chisel this weekend to cut off about 10 rivets, up to 1/2" diameter to break down scrap angle iron to use. Not a nick on the Proto edge. But, like to keep the ends dressed so they don't mushroom and produce shrapnel.

 

[notlob]

Doubt there are many of these around. From a circa 1970's IBM service tech's briefcase.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Better image of nicer tool.

The threaded top end of shock absorbers have that shape on the end, I have sockets for that. Maybe that tool was for that? Big shocks? To hold the post stationary while you tighten/loosen the nut..


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[RubiconJK]

May not quite qualify as "vintage" but here are a couple of my favorite Proto pieces. #221 Fisherman's pliers, one with leather sheath. I am an avid bass fisherman and so these cross over to at least two of my vices. Tools and tackle!

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

Eye Candy


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[RubiconJK]

While digging out my BOG style Plomb WF-38 to post on the Plomb thread, I went ahead and took some pics of my Proto WF-38 to post here.

 

[Straightgrain]

I like those Fisherman's Pliers rubicon, most of the ones you see are rusty from use but yours look to be in real nice shape.

 

[RubiconJK]

I like those Fisherman's Pliers rubicon, most of the ones you see are rusty from use but yours look to be in real nice shape.

Thank you. Both pair appear to not have been used very much. I'm on the lookout for another sheath for the second pair.

 

[Provincial]

Three new Proto Los Angeles wrenches yesterday:

1222 11/16" combo
1220 5/8 combo
3021 DOE 3/8 x 7/16

 

[Capt. Spaulding]

Picked up some Proto wrenches yesterday.




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[d42jeep]

Here are my few Proto finds from an estate sale on Sunday.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

Got these sockets over the weekend
5206-W, 3/16 Whitworth
5210-BS, 5/16 BS - 1/4 W
5212-BS, 3/8 BS - 5/16 W
5212-W, 3/8 Whitworth

5421, 21/32"

All shallow 12 pt sockets, Whitworth are 3/8 and 21/32 is 1/2. All Proto Mfd USA, all have single detent with asterisk except 5210-BS which has one detent hole drilled in the socket.

 

[RubiconJK]

A couple recently found Proto Los Angeles 1/2" drive sockets and an interesting (to me) 1/2" drive 9/16" 5418-H with a "-77" stenciled right after the 9/16. The stenciling looks factory and not like any PO marks I've ever seen. Anyone familiar with this mark?

 

[d42jeep]

Got these sockets over the weekend
5206-W, 3/16 Whitworth
5210-BS, 5/16 BS - 1/4 W
5212-BS, 3/8 BS - 5/16 W
5212-W, 3/8 Whitworth

5421, 21/32"

All shallow 12 pt sockets, Whitworth are 3/8 and 21/32 is 1/2. All Proto Mfd USA, all have single detent with asterisk except 5210-BS which has one detent hole drilled in the socket.

I recently passed along a set of Proto Whitworth sockets with some other Whitworth tools to another collector. It was difficult to take pictures that showed the markings on the sockets.
-Don

 

[davethorik]

Here is today's contribution. I'm not ******** Proto collector but I had never seen one of these before and it seems like a unique design.

Proto Los Angeles no. 4510 Power Stud Remover and Setter.
You turn the knob to change which direction the toothed, spring-loaded wedge faces. It is rated for airgun use but can be used with hand tools as well.

So weird and novel I couldn't say no.

 

[bmwrd0]

A couple recently found Proto Los Angeles 1/2" drive sockets and an interesting (to me) 1/2" drive 9/16" 5418-H with a "-77" stenciled right after the 9/16. The stenciling looks factory and not like any PO marks I've ever seen. Anyone familiar with this mark?

That looks more like a Pi symbol than a 77. But that might just be me.

 

[DD T/A]

That looks more like a Pi symbol than a 77. But that might just be me.

The funny thing about agreeing with you is it only digs us deeper in our hole of mystery and unknown.

 

[twertsy]

That looks more like a Pi symbol than a 77. But that might just be me.

Aaron is correct, that's a Pi symbol. I posted the MAC/PROTO date code sheet (post 1975) here, which does include alpha, beta & gamma, but no Pi. That said, my bet is it refers to a production location.

 

[RubiconJK]

Aaron is correct, that's a Pi symbol. I posted the MAC/PROTO date code sheet (post 1975) here, which does include alpha, beta & gamma, but no Pi. That said, my bet is it refers to a production location.

I see what you guys mean and agree. I don't remember seeing this before. Thanks.

 

[davethorik]

Here are some better pics of the Proto LA 4510 from above. The wedge is spring loaded to take various size studs.
Edit: forgot cat screenshot. I believe it's 62.

 

[3baygarage]

That thing is cool looking. Never ran into that model. You posted it elsewhere and my first thought was it must be new, but nope, Los Angeles!

 

[d42jeep]

Here are a pair of unusual pliers I found some time back.
-Don

 

[bushman66]

Came across these in my dad's old tools, brought them home. Someone suggested I post them here to learn more about them.

Any information on these?

Proto 12 pt line wrenches. Marked "MFD Los Angeles USA"

 

[ssdave]

Aaron is correct, that's a Pi symbol. I posted the MAC/PROTO date code sheet (post 1975) here, which does include alpha, beta & gamma, but no Pi. That said, my bet is it refers to a production location.

Here's a couple more mystery symbols. I have a few hundred or even over 1000 Proto sockets. I didn't look at them all, but grabbed a few here and there. Only found the symbols on the plain steel, unplated ones.

 

[DD T/A]

Came across these in my dad's old tools, brought them home. Someone suggested I post them here to learn more about them.

Any information on these?

Proto 12 pt line wrenches. Marked "MFD Los Angeles USA"

Its not often someone bought that whole set, so if that's how it was bought by your dad, then WOW. Very cool, not often to see a completed set like that.

If it says Proto Los Angeles, it is generally accepted that they were forged between 1951(?)-1957.

 

[bushman66]

Its not often someone bought that whole set, so if that's how it was bought by your dad, then WOW. Very cool, not often to see a completed set like that.

If it says Proto Los Angeles, it is generally accepted that they were forged between 1951(?)-1957.

Thanks DD T/A. The funny thing is, I can barely remember him ever turning a wrench in his life, so I have no idea why these would be in his toolbox, let alone a complete set. LOL I have them in my flare wrench drawer now, can't think of a reason I'd use these over a standard Snap-on 6pt flare, but neat to have.