Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

[Smokeshow69]

Yes it was, a Craftsman was sealed in the box and shipped by Palmgren back in the day ('60-70's?) to a Sears craftsman distribution center in LA. Again, off topic; sorry. At least pic of it is on a Proto box

Major suckage! I cant believe you got a New in Box Cman x/y vise.... I am most certainly jelous of your friend who now has that proto tool mobile! They are not very common.

 

[bmwrd0]

That is indeed a haul.

Well played Macgee.

 

[macgee]

Thanks bmwrd0 & Smokes,

One of my earlier and best hauls way before this one took several days of transporting back and forth to move the haul and over a month to just go through it, The previous owner use to work for Pratt & Whitney as an aviation engineer would buy the full roll away tool boxes from aviation workers who were retiring, he had three garages crammed full of these boxes (it was a candy store on crack).

It was during that haul where I was introduced to Plomb and Proto among other really cool american made tools that I had never heard of or seen before. It opened my eyes and it's funny because it also included a ton of nice Snap-On sets but now a days I reach way more for my pebble plomb combo wrenches before my S-O's in the same drawer and my to go tool kit is full of proto sets. Couldn't be happier with them.

Every year for the last seven years I text a different photo of one his dad's tools that I'm still using showing his dad's named engraved on it and thanking him for it.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks bmwrd0 & Smokes,

One of my earlier and best hauls way before this one took several days of transporting back and forth to move the haul and over a month to just go through it, The previous owner use to work for Pratt & Whitney as an aviation engineer would buy the full roll away tool boxes from aviation workers who were retiring, he had three garages crammed full of these boxes (it was a candy store on crack).

It was during that haul where I was introduced to Plomb and Proto among other really cool american made tools that I had never heard of or seen before. It opened my eyes and it's funny because it also included a ton of nice Snap-On sets but now a days I reach way more for my pebble plomb combo wrenches before my S-O's in the same drawer and my to go tool kit is full of proto sets. Couldn't be happier with them.

Every year for the last seven years I text a different photo of one his dad's tools that I'm still using showing his dad's named engraved on it and thanking him for it.

That is pretty cool of you to remember him like that.

 

[macgee]

I just noticed this, thinking that my 1/2" ratchet was a pebble Plomb and today noticed it was instead a Proto. I'm guessing late 40's during the change over?

 

[Smokeshow69]

I just noticed this, thinking that my 1/2" ratchet was a pebble Plomb and today noticed it was instead a Proto. I'm guessing late 40's during the change over?

Hello, its just after the change over... The dual marked pebble ratchets display both logos. I have a dual marked round handle with knurled round handle.

 

[macgee]

Hello, its just after the change over... The dual marked pebble ratchets display both logos. I have a dual marked round handle with knurled round handle.

Thanks, it was just one one of those things, assuming something it was when it's not. Everything else in my set/drawer is Plomb pebble including my 3/8 and 1/4 ratchets, been using it for years but never took notice that it actually said Proto.

Out of curiosity, What year do you think it was from?

 

[z28lsc]

My neighbor brought me a 3/4” pebble flare nut wrench yesterday which is a size that I didn’t have. Interestingly, it looks to be cad plated although I don’t know why it would be.
-Don

Those are nice.

 

[Provincial]

I picked up a 1951 Woodbury and Company industrial catalog today. Here it is in the top of photo #1. It seems to date from 1951, as noted at the bottom of the page in photo #2.

Photo #3 shows the page featuring Proto tool cabinets.
Photo #4 is a close-up of the Toolmobile
Photo #5 is a close-up of the Master #9990
Photo #6 is the page with the smaller Proto boxes and rolls

The title (headline) for each item seems to have been created by the printer, as they are consistent throughout the catalog, regardless of the vendor of the item. This is interesting in that illustrations would have been supplied to the printer by Proto, and it appears the text associated with them may or may not have also come from Proto. I say that because the text is consistent throughout the catalog, if font and size. The printer may have just set their type to match the vendor's description.

When I say that the vendor (Proto) provided the illustration, I base that on my childhood memory of seeing advertising illustration "cuts" that looked like rubber stamps that had been provided by vendors to my family's furniture store. These were used by the local newspaper when an ad was purchased. This was part of the "offset" printing process. They went away with the advent of modern "phototypeset" printing, which was introduced in 1949, but took some time to become widely used. If I remember correctly, the 3D "cut" was a reversed image, so it may have been used to cast a rubber plate for a rotary press.

Some of the illustrations lead me to believe that they used some older "cuts" for illustrations. The 3/4" drive socket illustration shows three grooves, and the 1/2" drive socket illustration shows no grooves on the 12-point version.

All this brings up questions about relying on printed information to date tools. It doesn't make it clearer, it just muddies the waters even more!

PS: I know a fellow who is an expert on the history of printing. I could confer with him if someone has questions about the printing process during the 20th Century.

 

[DD T/A]

That is pretty cool of you to remember him like that.

I can't underscore enough just how much I genuinely appreciate owners markings.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The title (headline) for each item seems to have been created by the printer, as they are consistent throughout the catalog, regardless of the vendor of the item. This is interesting in that illustrations would have been supplied to the printer by Proto, and it appears the text associated with them may or may not have also come from Proto. I say that because the text is consistent throughout the catalog, if font and size.

All of my old hardware store catalogs are like this, Jock, from 1886 (earliest I have) to 1957 (latest I have), including the massive PDF dumps of Walden and Indestro and a few others that four.cycle has made from raiding eBay sales ads over the years. It's how they take ownership of the items and market them in their terms, often much more categorically than the Woodbury is showing. For example, a page of long handle axes with multiple brands. Several pages of rollers, multiple brands, followed by several pages of carry boxes, multiple brands, etc. And all the text on the page, categories, titles, and descriptions, regardless of the brand, are in the hardware store's terminology. A "FORD TOOLS" section might have Mossberg, Walden, and Blackhawk, for example Only the images are from the OEM, and if it doesn't include a brand, then maybe a brand caption.

I wonder when that stopped. 70's?

Nice catalog!

 

[bmwrd0]

I have a catalog like that from a jobber down by where my grandfather's steelyard was, Stockton CA. But the catalog was printed in Chicago by the RR Donnelly company, a major printing company that when I worked for them as an account manager was known to do bibles on one side of the floor while doing... Adult... magazines on the other.

The point is that these were probably put together by a third party and printed by yet another company. Not too different than the brochures and line cards for a company like that today.

 

[Smokeshow69]

I have a catalog like that from a jobber down by where my grandfather's steelyard was, Stockton CA. But the catalog was printed in Chicago by the RR Donnelly company, a major printing company that when I worked for them as an account manager was known to do bibles on one side of the floor while doing... Adult... magazines on the other.

The point is that these were probably put together by a third party and printed by yet another company. Not too different than the brochures and line cards for a company like that today.

Holy Smokes RR Donnelly does printing ? I know them from the LTL world of freight .... that company is a jack of all trades apparently.

 

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, I was a logistics account manager for them so I knew all about the freight angle*, but they started as a printing company. In fact, I got a yearly bonus of a Lakeshore Press book as that is their imprint for inside stuff.

* I specialized in third-party logistics for pharmaceutical distribution, getting the product off the dock at a warehouse, sent out to six cross docks all over NorCal, and from their getting it on courier trucks to the various pharmacies. We shipped everything from crutches to pharmaceutical-grade cocaine. But I handled everything from stock prospectus' to brochures for my clients.

 

[dogwood]

Here's a nice Proto Professional wrench story for you.

My late wife and I spent our first Christmas together about thirty years ago. I found out for sure my new bride was the perfect wife when I opened a Christmas gift she surprised me with. It contained a new Proto Professional 3/4" drive socket wrench, with a number of Proto Professional 3/4 drive sockets, and other of their 3/4 drive accessories to go with those. She knew I loved quality tools and had taken the the trouble to go out to the garage and examine what I had hanging on the wall. That included a preponderance Proto Professional wrenches of all sorts, but certainly nothing beyond 1/2" drive in socket wrenches.

Now few of us are likely to often use sockets of that size more than occasionally which is what I have in fact done over the ensuing years. But I love having them, and they have been proudly displayed in my shop ever since. Since heart disease sadly took my lovely wife away from me three or so years ago I've taken the trouble to find the remaining Proto Professional 3/4" sockets to complete that set all the way up to 2-3/8". I'll never use them unless someone gives me a Boeing 727, or a locomotive, but they will always remind me of Jo-Ann whenever I'm out in the shop and what a lucky guy I was for all those years.

I only have left to find the Proto J5562, 1-15/16" socket to complete the set, which Proto apparently discontinued at some point not long ago. I was searching for it online when I stumbled across this great thread. By the way I noticed Proto isn't labeling their sockets as "Proto Professional" anymore. When did that stop?.

Mike

 

[macgee]

dogwood,

Welcome to the Forum and great first post!

Jo-ann sounds like she was a lovely woman and have to say I'm very envious that you were able to experience that. I cant say that I've experienced the same but if I did I would be totally shell shocked and probably wouldn't know how to respond but I would be one very, very, very happy man!

She sounds like she was a keeper and I too would proudly display that tool set. I'm sorry for your loss but hopefully someone here on GJ can help you find a J5562 to complete your set.

 

[drivesitfar]

Dogwood: that might have been the greatest and sadest post any member has posted for their first post. also I can see the smile on your face when you talk so proudly of your dream gal.

I doubt I have a shiny PROTO socket that will fit your missing one's spot or where it might be cause I do own more than a few tools, but if you stick around here and keep posting and adding pictures with your posts maybe you'll find it.

WELCOME TO GJ and we all love old tools so we won't ever replace your dream gal, but we can maybe fill a little gap and help make you smile.

cheers!!

 

[dogwood]

Thank you macgee and drivesitfar for your kind words.

Mike

 

[drivesitfar]

Dogwood: I hope to see you posting more around the forum when you have time and if you'd like to lend your wisdom to help me get ORGANIZED here's my DIY ORGANIZING thread you can follow and maybe help me cause I have more questions than most. AND maybe something that I learned in my 65 years above dirt might interest you too.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=381433

I saw a shiny big socket on top of one of my bins yesterday and noticed it was a PROTO PROFESSIONAL and 1 11/16ths and recalled you needed something like that so I snapped a few pics. if I happen to find the 1 15/16th's I'll let you know cause if I have one who knows maybe it's relative followed me home too. is this the correct vintage as your set?

 

[dogwood]

That does look like the ones I have drivesitfar. If you happened to find an extra 1-15/16" you'd be willing to part with, I 'd be more than obliged. I'll take a look at the thread you provided a link to right now. That particular socket could not have been discontinued by Proto very long ago as I saw it listed for sale brand new twice, but was "out of stock" when I inquired. None on ebay either. Thanks for taking a look and posting that picture of the 1-11/16" you have.

I just took a peek at your thread. That is a long one. It will take a few minutes to get through it. I saw you live in the Pacific NW. Same here throughout the '80's, a bit north of Seattle, before moving to Virginia and building a home here 1n 1990.

Mike

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

Here is this interesting Proto wrench I picked up at the pawn shop. Anyone know what it for? Can’t find a single thing about it online. The model number is 47-L-972-B


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[bmwrd0]

I think that is for the Bell System.

 

[drivesitfar]

I've got several wrenches with similar bends and some of my look like they were heated up and bent by a previous owner for a certain job.

DOGWOOD: I can't say I have your missing 1 15/16ths Proto Professional socket, but I'll keep looking as I go through more than a few of my old toolboxes.

also you don't need to read the entire thread of mine cause I posts on it pretty often just start reading the last few and I'd love to have you follow along and post a few good words.

without reading the entire thread does anybody know if the challenger less quality than a professional or was Proto just changing up their names and what years were they produced?

 

[d42jeep]

Proto Professional was the top of the line and priced accordingly. Challenger was a less expensive alternative. Whether there is actually any quality difference I don’t know.
-Don

 

[drivesitfar]

THANK YOU!! also I have some that are black and wondering if they were special?

 

[Provincial]

Black was Industrial Finish. It was not as durable as chrome, but much less expensive. Sort of a "hot bluing" finish.

 

[AK4570]

I’ve been working on replacing some G2 era Craftsman’s with my preferred “P” brands... Proto, Plvmb, P&C, etc.

We’ve been in Central SC for the last 6 weeks and I’ve managed too put these (incomplete) sets together.

SAE:




Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[AK4570]

Metric:



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[AK4570]

DBE:



Sent from my iPad using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[BlakeTheCarGuy]

I think that is for the Bell System.

What do you mean the Bell System? I’m not too familiar with anything called that.


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[Provincial]

bmw is showing his age! The Bell System was the telephone monopoly that the government allowed until 1982, when it agreed to be broken up. In 1899 ownership of the Bell System was transferred to AT&T, which was a subsidiary. You probably recognize AT&T, which still exists.

This all happened before cellular service and the internet.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

We have a Bell System thread if you want to see examples, mostly older, and usually marked Bell System. See the Index in the Sticky. I'm guessing Beemer recognizes the shape or the part number.

 

[drivesitfar]

When I was digging through my big bin yesterday I found this 18 inch Proto Professional that just needs the surface rust knocked off it and put back to work. it's got that blackish finish on it too so while I like it a bit better than my big chrome ones i'm guessing it was less expensive?

 

[d42jeep]

According to this 1950 price sheet there was a difference in price. Here is a little dark finish wrench I just received.
-Don

 

[drivesitfar]

I think the black finish on the Proto Professional wrenches i have are pretty nice actually and not rough cast like that one you posted. also i'm guessing mine are maybe 1970's or 80's and not 50's.

i'll take a few pics as I have time and let you decide.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Proto tool board question - Do we know the total amount of "panels" offered by proto ? I have these photos in proto mailers showing 21 "panels" or boards mounted on a wall and also this picture of the "Proto Merchandiser". While you cant see every side of the display, if we apply the logic of 4 boards/panels per side, this would be 32 panels in all... I have a 1/2 size panel that is numbered 106-B but i dont think there is over 100 panels, I think proto was including all their advertising panels, not just display boards. Anyone know this answer ?

**also, I was winning this 1/2 drive board until the last minute yesterday on the bay...which one of you jerks sniped me?

 

[macgee]

My daily 8 inch Proto professional.

Somewhere I have a 10 inch friction version

 

[c1504]

Smoke, this catalog shows a lot more than your mailer, but certainly not all of them. It doesn’t show any of the “b” variants. I have this 54b and a local antique shop has more than a dozen other b ones. Would it be reasonable that every number had a b version? This ad also shows that there were probably at least six of the half width ones.

Bummer on the one on ebay!


https://forum.toolsinaction.com/topic/11445-1954-proto-merchandiser-catalog-5445/

 

[Smokeshow69]

Smoke, this catalog shows a lot more than your mailer, but certainly not all of them. It doesn’t show any of the “b” variants. I have this 54b and a local antique shop has more than a dozen other b ones. Would it be reasonable that every number had a b version? This ad also shows that there were probably at least six of the half width ones.

Bummer on the one on ebay!


https://forum.toolsinaction.com/topic/11445-1954-proto-merchandiser-catalog-5445/

Interesting that a local place has 6 of them...are they anything good or is it all hacksaw and puller boards/panels ?

That catalog you posted is a great resource. I will spend some time going through it! I was wondering if the B panels were the 1/2 width ones but you just shot my theory down with your fantastic board! I have a line on 2 screw driver boards and an uncommon whitworth/metric board but I would love to find some of the more common ones like drive tools, combo wrenches, etc to display my collection on.

Thanks for the consolation on the one on the bay..I was winning until the last second when someone used sniping software to beat me... oh well , at least I have a line on those other 3 boards.

 

[d42jeep]

My daily 8 inch Proto professional.

Somewhere I have a 10 inch friction version

My professional doesn’t look as nice as yours. The difference in pricing between the various finishes continued in 1961. The last picture is of some pre-professional adjustables.
-Don