Proto tools

[astrodoggie3000]

I have a chance to buy a 3/8 and 1/2inch socket set that are proto... for less than 100 dollars. What are your opinions of proto ratchets and sockets? I'm just starting out building a tool set for weekend tinkering... but i would like to start out buying really good tools. Any opinions would be welcome.

 

[Bull]

You are not going to regret buying Proto.

But maybe you could tell us more about your needs/wants, budget etc.

What are you looking for in your tools?

Make sure to search the archives here, too. There is plenty of info about Proto.

 

[Abbott]

Proto is good stuff.

 

[Davefr]

I have a chance to buy a 3/8 and 1/2inch socket set that are proto... for less than 100 dollars. What are your opinions of proto ratchets and sockets? I'm just starting out building a tool set for weekend tinkering... but i would like to start out buying really good tools. Any opinions would be welcome.

Proto is top shelf. Maybe not the finesse of SO but they're rugged and will serve you well.

 

[astrodoggie3000]

All i have so far are Facom pliers, Facom screwdrivers, and my electrician tools. I would like to keep it under 1500 if i could for now. I plan on doing oil changes and brakes for now. In the future i would like to do alot more. I guess i would pay alot if the tool would last a lifetime. Snap-on tools seem a little crazy for right now... i like the Facom tools i have alot so far.

 

[Davefr]

All i have so far are Facom pliers, Facom screwdrivers, and my electrician tools. I would like to keep it under 1500 if i could for now. I plan on doing oil changes and brakes for now. In the future i would like to do alot more. I guess i would pay alot if the tool would last a lifetime. Snap-on tools seem a little crazy for right now... i like the Facom tools i have alot so far.

Please keep your tool purchases conservative. $1500 will go quite a ways with quality used USA tools.

I hate to see newbies get brainwashed by peer pressure and truck tool dealers at the very start of their careers.

Once you're 100% committed to the wrenching profession then you can justify new truck dealer tools.

I'd suggest you check out the classifieds here. Maybe even post what you're looking for. Member have been known to cut newbies some slack with prices.

 

[blueflame6]

I purchased many Proto tools in the late 70's and early 80's through personal purchases where I used to work. I used to be a part of "World Wide Ingersoll Rand". Proto never failed me.

 

[TheGrooveking]

Proto is damn fine tools.

TheGrooveking

 

[dieseldodge01]

I don't think you can go wrong with Proto. They make some excellent tools, though they are geared towards the industrial sector than automotive. If you get those sets you will have to post them on here

 

[selohssa]

I have always liked Proto tools. They are great quality and very comfortable IMO. I think that you would be happy with those sets.

 

[cheap bastard]

Many of my tools are Proto. They are high quality tools. I cant speak for the warranty as none of them have broke. A couple have just plain wore out, but it's not right to expect the company to replace stuff that gave a full useful life.

 

[Stick Figure]

Amongst a lot of other Proto pieces i have are a set of double box wrenches that i bought from a high school shop teacher for $20 for the set. I love the feel of them, I always grab these first for doing anything that i think they will fit in. This means passing the all mighty Snap on wrench set and grabbing the Proto.

 

[iandh]

Please keep your tool purchases conservative. $1500 will go quite a ways with quality used USA tools.

I hate to see newbies get brainwashed by peer pressure and truck tool dealers at the very start of their careers.

Once you're 100% committed to the wrenching profession then you can justify new truck dealer tools.

I'd suggest you check out the classifieds here. Maybe even post what you're looking for. Member have been known to cut newbies some slack with prices.

Yeah, it's really a damned shame when you see some poor kid blow his whole month's pay and end up with a 7pc wrench set, two socket sets, a ratchet, and five screwdrivers, not even enough to fix a tricycle.

When you're starting out, especially with a budget like $1500, you need to go with something like Craftsman and get a nice complete working set. $1500 worth of snap-on at retail is a pretty skimpy tool set.

If you spend the money on cheaper tools at first, you'll be able to get a sense of what you really will or won't use, without spending a fortune. Then once you narrow down what are your most used tools, you can start adding in those particular pieces.

Also, since you already have the tools you need to get things done, you won't feel the pressure to fill your box, and you will be able to take your time finding great deals on high end pieces.

 

[Rickster]

If you can get both the 3/8 and 1/2 dr sets for under $100 grab them. Does that include the ratchets and extensions? I have a 1/2 dr set for sale in the classifieds with all the accutraments for more than that!

 

[Paladin]

I'm just a home wrench-turner, but I have many Proto tools. They are no BS, no frills and tough as any of the truck brand tools. They ain't pretty, but they are most certainly worthy of my meager collection!

 

[mooman]

Proto ftw!!!

 

[comedyman809]

i have warrantied a few proto items, and all were warranteed with 4 stars!!!1

proto roll cab, sent me a new cab,and never picked up old one.

3/4 female ratchet, sent rebuild kit 3 years ago, another is en route to me as of 2 days ago. all for free, even though the woman said im supposed to buy the rebuild kit.

i sent them a pair of long bent needle nose that the tip broke off , and they sent me back a brand new pair.

so far so good with warranty.
proto makes me very happy.

 

[comedyman809]

i have a lot of sk and proto, some snap on, knipex, channellock, and the proto stuff is my favorite.

however, i discovered that the armstrong adjustables i just bought are my favorite adjustables even compared to my snap ons.

 

[BB26]

I have both older and new Proto stuff; mainly ratchets, sockets and wrenches. Great tools, as good as anything out there.

 

[mwjarvis]

I have an old Proto 1/2" ratchet set, the kind where the ratchet head was female and all the extensions were double male ended. I've lost the short extension that allows me to fit a socket right up to the ratchet. (Takes the place of the male piece on most ratchets.) I need to buy a replacement. There are too many times when the 4" extension is just too long.

Mark Jarvis
[email protected]

 

[Bolster]

I'm an avowed Protonaut.

I consider it to be a "sleeper" brand because it's top-shelf functionality and quality, but doesn't win the chrome beauty-queen awards, and doesn't get advertised to consumers. People who don't know tools, sell it for cheap because it isn't one of the heavily advertised brands. People who do know tools, generally ask fancy prices for Proto because of its reputation and generally good warranty. In that respect, Proto is a bellweather tool for discerning seller sophistication!

Proto also has a very proud history. It was Proto tools (well, it was called Plomb, back then) that made the largest contribution to the WWII war effort. You can trace the Proto heritage all the way back to 1907 and a couple of German immigrants who started forging tools out of model T axles in a small shop in Los Angeles.

Proto watchers were/are nervous about the Stanley takeover in 1984, but most reports are that the quality has not suffered that much, if at all, so far (debatable of course). Still a proud made-in-USA brand (not sure if that can be said about EVERY tool, but most)...keeping our fingers crossed.

 

[beelsr]

I thought that was Cornwell....

You can trace the Proto heritage all the way back to 1907 and a couple of German immigrants who started forging tools out of model T axles in a small shop in Los Angeles.

 

[LincolnCont.]

Proto watchers were/are nervous about the Stanley takeover in 1984, but most reports are that the quality has not suffered much if at all, so far (debatable of course). Still a proud made-in-USA brand (not sure if that can be said about EVERY tool, but most)...keeping our fingers crossed.

As with anything these days not all of their tools are USA anymore I looked at a Proto feeler gauge set today still in the package and the Label said Assembled In USA with Global Components. Anyways we have alot of Proto Sockets, Wrenches,Torque Wrenches, and Ratchets in our tool crib and although I hate their rough bulky ratchets and the ******, clunky guts inside of them their prybars, alignment bars, sockets and wrenches are top notch. their sockets all have the anti slip aka flank drive and the anti slip wrenches are cool cuz the open end has anti slip design but no teeth to mare the fastener. I never used it on a shiny chome bolt but it appears to be the happy medium to those who want the Flank Drive Plus power but without the Teeth to leave marks. If you give me the part#'s I could look up the exact price in the Grainger Catalog and tell u if the price you were offered is a deal.

 

[gorilla]

IMHO you don't get better than Proto. I've used them for 30 years and never broke anything.

 

[astrodoggie3000]

There seems to be alot of proto love on these forums. I don't know how to get a picture yet... but i can tell you all the details. The 3/8 set comes with a pear head ratchet, (great shape) what i would guess would be a 3 and 6 inch exstensions, universial joint, and a full set of SAE and metric sockets. The metric also comes with deep well... all 12 point. The 1/2 set only came with the ratchet, a 1/2-3/8 adapter and a 6 inch exstension. I thought the 1/2 rachet was a full set, but i am still very happy for the price. They both came in proto metal boxes. All in all i am very pleased with what i got. Good to see there are so many positive responses.

 

[Bolster]

The metal boxes is a bonus. You OWE us a picture, young man!

 

[Bolster]

Assembled In USA with Global Components

Yeah. Maybe not 100% made in USA, but "USA-ish."

 

[Rickster]

I have a lot of extra Proto so let me know if you need any pieces to fill those sets.

 

[jerryW]

Just be sure and stay away from my Proto LA's!

My Protos are my go to tools. Even though I have a bunch of all brands I usually grab for the Protos 1st.


jerry

 

[astrodoggie3000]

They seem to be pretty nice and durable. As soon as the wife shows me how to use her digital camera... i'll post some pics. All the sockets are 12 point, so i don't know if that is good or bad. Got a Klein 5/8 deep well thrown in there maybe by accident.

 

[comedyman809]

goto grainger, tell em' comedyman809 sent ya!!!!

better not, they will charge you triple.

 

[comedyman809]

im intrigued about there new roll cabs with the latch drawers. i actually roll my cab around a plant, and if the drawers are not locked, a drawer or 2 will fly open if im not careful.

so the latch ones look like something i may be interested in.

 

[Coach James]

Just be sure and stay away from my Proto LA's!

My Protos are my go to tools. Even though I have a bunch of all brands I usually grab for the Protos 1st.


jerry

What are Proto LA's?


I have several Proto ratchets and they're great. I have a long handled 3/8 Big Dog that is terrific plus it doubles as a baseball bat or club if I'm ever attacked.

Coach

 

[comedyman809]

anyone have any idea on the retail pricing for the proto latched roll cabs?

 

[Bolster]

What are Proto LA's?

Mostly '50s and 60s vintage Protos, back when they were stamped Los Angeles. Since I live in LA, that's my collecting interest also...see my sig.

 

[johnny1290]

Proto is KA(that's kick ***)

When I worked in the oil field in the 80s that was the hot ticket, so I dig them out of nostalgia as well.

I like that they're under the radar as well, you have to be in the know. I think that may give me the upper hand when horsetrading for used ones. Hasn't happened yet, but I still have my fingers crossed ;-)

 

[mkirkpatrick]

Around here Proto is under the radar,an example is today was a really slow day for tools at the garage sales, so I went to a couple pawn shops. They had all the Snappy, Mac, Matco and even Craftsman behind the counter. But they had Proto in the junk socket bins. I dug out 4 1/2 drive proto and a indestro and the guy looks them over. Tells me that he had to make sure they weren't the good ones. I just smiled and paid him my dollar. It amazes me when people who should know better don't. But you can put together decent quality tools for a lot less because of that.

 

[terrancelee]

Lot's of Proto here in east TX, figure from the oilfields. Can find them in most any pawn shop. Picked up several sockets for .15 - .25 each, and wrenches for around a buck apiece recently.

 

[wafrederick]

Not a lot of selling Proto in my area.Only one so far is the nearest Carquest parts store in my area.Have a 12mm impact socket at work,broke twice and got it replaced with no problems.Proto is owned by the same company,Stanley which also owns Mac tools.

 

[Rickster]

I dug out 4 1/2 drive proto and a indestro and the guy looks them over. Tells me that he had to make sure they weren't the good ones. I just smiled and paid him my dollar. It amazes me when people who should know better don't.

Knowledge is power. I almost feel sorry for them sometimes, but with the internet all the information they need is just a few clicks away. But they're just too lazy to do thier homework.