Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

[c1504]

Its a mix of good and not so good. There are wrench and socket boards as well as ones for more obscure things. Here are a few pictures i had taken a while back. They are not giving them away, but they are not priced as expensive as most of them you see on ebay. After looking at them for several months i think i might finally ask if i can get a better deal on the dbe board

 

[Smokeshow69]

Its a mix of good and not so good. There are wrench and socket boards as well as ones for more obscure things. Here are a few pictures i had taken a while back. They are not giving them away, but they are not priced as expensive as most of them you see on ebay. After looking at them for several months i think i might finally ask if i can get a better deal on the dbe board

PM Sent

 

[JjKk40]

Picked this up off of FB marketplace! Very cool set!

 

[drivesitfar]

JJ: you are not kidding that it's PRETTY COOL. i'd say pretty rare too cause I've never seen that set or those type before. also loving that box!!

 

[JjKk40]

I came up empty when I searched for another example too. Wonder if it was govt issue? The marking on the box says federal?

 

[c1504]

Cool set! One sold on ebay a month or so ago with the same markings on the box.

 

[d42jeep]

The FSN is a post WW2 military marking. Maybe if Lugz sees it he can shed more light on possible dating. Cool set.
-Don

 

[Oldtuleguy]

The older ones were labeled tubing appliance corporation (TAC). Proto/plomb bought them I think in 55 and later ones labeled proto.

 

[bmwrd0]

I have a couple of those sets. They are ratcheting flare nut wrenches, and work pretty well for that. Check page 28 in this catalog for more information
https://archive.org/details/ProtoToolsCatalog56291956

And they also show up on the cover!

 

[c1504]

I picked up two of the boards from the large group I posted a while ago. Here are a couple better pics and one with my other board.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a couple of those sets. They are ratcheting flare nut wrenches, and work pretty well for that. Check page 28 in this catalog for more information
https://archive.org/details/ProtoToolsCatalog56291956

And they also show up on the cover!

Nice. That is 56 catalog? Would make sense they would feature them after the acquisition.

 

[Stillgottimefor1]

I have a couple of those sets. They are ratcheting flare nut wrenches, and work pretty well for that. Check page 28 in this catalog for more information
https://archive.org/details/ProtoToolsCatalog56291956

And they also show up on the cover!

I can think of many situations where I needed those and didn’t know they existed! Very cool tools!


Sent from my iPhone using Garage Journal

 

[bmwrd0]

Yeah, I have pictures of them somewhere in this thread, but I can put more up after I get home tomorrow if needs be.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The FSN is a post WW2 military marking. Maybe if Lugz sees it he can shed more light on possible dating. Cool set.

11-digit numbers starting with "5120" (hand tools category), in groups, separated by hyphens, and not counting the hyphens, e.g., 5120-698-7964, are examples of a Federal Stock Number (FSN) dating from 1953 to 1961.

11-digit FSNs with a "DSA" prefix date from 1962 to 1974.

13-digit FSNs (adding "-00-" into the old FSN for a COO code placeholder) and a "DSA" (Defense Supply Agency) prefix date from 1974 to 1977.

13-digit numbers with or without a "DLA" (Defense Logistics Agency) prefix that are much more likely to have an actual country code (NATO, very contemporary, not vintage) instead of the "-00-" are NSNs from 1978 on.

I included this in the draft Sticky, but removed it, against my better judgement, based on comments about the Sticky being too long. I think I will put it back in. FSNs are very common, it would be helpful, and I could send people to the Sticky instead of re-posting it over and over again.

 

[piehammer]

Proto 5249 ratchet
5326 13/16 deep 1/2 drive
5241 #2 Phillips - Los Angeles MFG USA
1216 1/2 wrench

...and three ugly wrenches.

PM if interested in any of these. Thanks!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Jjkkj, Since proto labeled sets started 56 or so, yours would land in 56 to 61 date range according to lugz info on FSN numbers. Nice set!

 

[Chris321]

I am picking up this Proto cabinet today. It is missing locks. Why two lock holes? Was one for just the center drawer?

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I think one of the locks may be just for the whiskey drawer

 

[macgee]

I am picking up this Proto cabinet today. It is missing locks. Why two lock holes? Was one for just the center drawer?

I believe it was a company policy to need two keys to be turned at the same time by two people like a safety deposit box in order to open the whiskey drawer. never a good thing to be drinking alone

 

[JjKk40]

Yes OTG I saw that and thats awesome! I'm lucky to have found it in such nice shape too! Thanks for all the great info and links guys! I'll have to keep an eye out for one of those sweet 6 point socket sets!

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I believe it was a company policy to need two keys to be turned at the same time by two people like a safety deposit box in order to open the whiskey drawer. never a good thing to be drinking alone

Yes, before you resort to whiskey you have to have an accomplice!

 

[d42jeep]

Here are some Proto Professional 1/4” drive sockets I picked up a while back. Unfortunately, the original owner felt the need to autograph most of them. Cuts their value way down but doesn’t affect their usability.
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

 

[d42jeep]

Those are pretty!
-Don

 

[four.cycle]

That was a crazy deal for sure.
Seller had it listed dirt cheap + shipping. ($25 + $10 shipping) I hit "buy now" and completed the transaction.
Next morning I get a notice "Seller has cancelled this order due to an error in the listing."
I'm thinking "Yeah, the guy figured out what it's really worth!"
So I send a note and say "Hey, what's the story?"
He comes back with "Oh, there was a hole in the bottom of the box, so I cancelled the order."
I shot back "ALL PROTO boxes have holes in them. Probably there for drainage in case the owner gets water in the box."
I send him a photo.



He comes back with "Oh. Okay. Well, I'll let you have it for $10.00 + shipping."
"Okay, so how much is shipping?"
"$15.00. I'll re-list it."

True story.

That "Hayden" bicycle wrench up in the corner set me back more than that.

Go figure.

 

[Mintgrun]

I am listing this PROTO made wrench here instead of the Bechtel thread, because the stories in that thread (about the company disposing of tools) are too depressing!




Here is a link to that thread, in case you are interested; but you've been warned.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61637

Tom

 

[Oldtuleguy]

That was a crazy deal for sure.
Seller had it listed dirt cheap + shipping. ($25 + $10 shipping) I hit "buy now" and completed the transaction.
Next morning I get a notice "Seller has cancelled this order due to an error in the listing."
I'm thinking "Yeah, the guy figured out what it's really worth!"
So I send a note and say "Hey, what's the story?"
He comes back with "Oh, there was a hole in the bottom of the box, so I cancelled the order."
I shot back "ALL PROTO boxes have holes in them. Probably there for drainage in case the owner gets water in the box."
I send him a photo.



He comes back with "Oh. Okay. Well, I'll let you have it for $10.00 + shipping."
"Okay, so how much is shipping?"
"$15.00. I'll re-list it."

True story.

That "Hayden" bicycle wrench up in the corner set me back more than that.

Go figure.

Hey you saved 10$! That story has a happy ending

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I am listing this PROTO made wrench here instead of the Bechtel thread, because the stories in that thread (about the company disposing of tools) are too depressing!




Here is a link to that thread, in case you are interested; but you've been warned.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=61637

Tom

Wow that thread is incredible. Burying good tools

 

[Smokeshow69]

I picked up two of the boards from the large group I posted a while ago. Here are a couple better pics and one with my other board.

I am glad you bought those 2 boards! They were the best of the bunch. If you hadn't beemer and I would have.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Thanks to Member C1504 for posting up those tool boards for sale! Bmw bought one board and picked up this super cool body hammer board for me! I was beyond ecstatic to get it. I have a weird affinity for proto body hammers even though I dont have many. The basket is for holding body dollies. Now I need to find the rest of the hammers and the body dollies! BMW was nice enough to trade me a few other proto items that I will post up at a later date once I am done cleaning them up. I did create some extra space on the tool board wall...maybe I will find some more boards at some point. I would really like to find some drive tool and wrench boards.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Pretty slick boards. I like the tray for the dollies.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Pretty slick boards. I like the tray for the dollies.

Thanks! The boards keep the collection out and organized so they get used...just the other day i was using a couple of PROTO LA combos to tighten the nut on a spring compressor while installing struts on my wifes Honda. The compressor tool takes sae sizes

 

[bmwrd0]

Thanks! The boards keep the collection out and organized so they get used...just the other day i was using a couple of PROTO LA combos to tighten the nut on a spring compressor while installing struts on my wifes Honda. The compressor tool takes sae sizes

My first car was a Datsun Roadster, a '68 2000. It was half SAE and half metric, as the midsixties is when the Japanese switched over. If you look at the early sixties or fifties Japanese cars, they are all SAE.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

I have a 70 1600 roadster in shop now. Firewall cracked around master cylinder so we are fabricating a patch panel. Every thing around the master cylinder is sae.

 

[Smokeshow69]

My first car was a Datsun Roadster, a '68 2000. It was half SAE and half metric, as the midsixties is when the Japanese switched over. If you look at the early sixties or fifties Japanese cars, they are all SAE.

Interesting, I am knowledgeable about vintage japanese cars but didnt know that.

 

[d42jeep]

Probably because the Datsun 1600 & 2000 roadsters were close copies of British sports cars, apparently right down to the fastener threads. Here is a story about their earliest sports car effort, the Fairlady.

https://www.hagerty.com/media/car-profiles/early-datsun-fairlady-sports-car-legacy/

-Don

 

[bmwrd0]

That is a good article. If I remember correctly, there was also a 1500cc version. I used to spend a bit of time over in some vintage Datsun forums, and there was always a bit of talk around the early trucks and wagons, and how the 320s and early 410s were all SAE, while the later ones with the R and U series motors had metric motors and everything else SAE. The 510s and early Z were all metric.

My father's first pickup was a '67 520 with a 1200cc motor and was all SAE, but I think that was the last model to be so.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Well, I have upped my tool board count to 5 total... I bought these about 3 years ago of craigslist in Seattle but sold them to my friend rileysan immediately because I didn't have wall space for them to hang them. I regretted selling them as soon as they left my hands. I have been after them for years to get them back Luckily he found some other p&c tool boards and wanted to move these. He sold them back to me for the same price as what I sold them to him for...the deal also included these uncommon metric doe's in the pouch! They are not common and show little use. This is going to be difficult to fill in for sure, the whitworth even more so! But I am beyond ecstatic to get them back and have already put them up on my garage walls! I am actually amazed at how few proto la screw drivers I have... I actually have more plomb drivers than proto la. If anyone sees any holes that they have spare tools for , let me know!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...sold them to my friend rileysan immediately because I didn't have wall space for them to hang them...[ ]...He sold them back to me for the same price as what I sold them to him for...

Good dude. But where the heck is he?! Last activity (meaning, logged in...) 4 days ago, but last post Feb. 21. Please ask him to answer my PM's and emails!

Nice boards. I'll check my diminished stash.

 

[Smokeshow69]

Good dude. But where the heck is he?! Last activity (meaning, logged in...) 4 days ago, but last post Feb. 21. Please ask him to answer my PM's and emails!

Nice boards. I'll check my diminished stash.

Thanks! I appreciate you checking your stash for tools...I sent you a pm