Proto wrenches

[Doktor Schnell]

The other day my dad picked me up a set of proto professional sae wrenches at a garage sale for 15$! 1/2 is missing, and the guy replaced it with a snap on with owner marks. Would love to find the 1216 that fits the set. On one side it says proto mfd. USA, the other side just says professional S, with the S being sideways. Found a couple on eBay, but could anyone tell me what that S means? Any idea of dates?

 

[lbgradwell]

Photos please. Always photos...

 

[BajaBound]

The sideway s might be the stamp of what year it is.

 

[nine4gmc]

missed it by --->||<--- that much... I only the 1218 9/16"...

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Here's a pic, and thanks!

 

[lbgradwell]

Well that's an awesome set of wrenches for $15. You ****.

Sorry, but I don't know what that "S" mark signifies. I'm pretty sure it does not denote a year of manufacture though, as a quick search shows wrenches with or without the "S", but no other codes as one would expect for year codes...

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Just a thought....could the S mean set? These did come in a red plastic rollup pouch....By its condition I'd guess 1980-1990 ish. Anyone have a 1216 S for sale?

 

[bart1]

The S might mean "factory Second"? I have some Stahlwille marked like that.

Protos are very nice wrenches though, I would love that set.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Marked with with a "S" after Stanley bought Proto is what I have been told.

Bingo!

Right after Stanley bought Proto from Ingersoll-Rand in 1984, they were being really picky about warranty returns and were requiring receipts and mostly refusing to replace older pre-Stanley Proto tools. Really pissed-off a lot of long-time Proto users in the process, including me. I've hardly ever had to warranty Proto tools, but I needed 2 wrench replacements not long after the change of ownership. They loosened up later on, probably because of a lot of complaints.

I didn't pay any attention at the time, but I think they only used the sideways S for a little while. I've only got 1 S-marked Proto wrench out of over 100 Proto wrenches:

Top is early Stanley era with the sideways S; middle is later Stanley era without the S; bottom is early 80s Ingersoll-Rand era 1216 without the S, just for comparison.

 

[rusty65]

I think I have two I'll check later when I get home.

 

[RCStocker]

The S might mean "factory Second"? I have some Stahlwille marked like that.

Protos are very nice wrenches though, I would love that set.

they never stam seconds that I know of.

 

[RCStocker]

Nice set of wrenches. I think I have one in an extra box of wrenches. they are common.
I will look this week when I get back out to the farm. I am out of town this weekend.
If I have it I will give it to you. I am quite sure I have several of them.

My question is you are missing that one in the Proto set. I would look at it this way....I have a 1/2" Snap-on and now I need to look for the rest of the set. LOL

Just kidding. Nice dad. Great set of wrenches. I have been giving my sons tools for over 40 years. Make sure you give him a thanks.

 

[bart1]

My lone Proto wrench. New, no S. seems great quality. Love my other Plvmb and Proto stuff.

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I'll look in my random wrench can when I get back to work on Tuesday - I've probably got one.

 

[DandDMachine]

I have a Proto 1216 wrench. Its in good used condition no owner marks, no rust, does have a little bit of minor peeling chrome around the edges of the open end. $4 shipped to you if you want it.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Well that's an awesome set of wrenches for $15. You ****.

hehehe

I would look at it this way....I have a 1/2" Snap-on and now I need to look for the rest of the set. LOL

Just kidding. Nice dad. Great set of wrenches. I have been giving my sons tools for over 40 years. Make sure you give him a thanks.

Yep I called him up to thank him again. Dad's a great guy.

The S for Stanley mark makes most sense, thanks for the info! I'd believe the pouch they came in was from 1984-1985.

Thanks guys for the offers on the 1216. I'm interested if it is stamped with the S. Since this is a set, my OCD is kicking in full blast.

Appreciate the replies, you guys are great.

 

[WWIIjeep]

Well that's an awesome set of wrenches for $15. You ****.

hehehe

So....which "set" did you get? They offered several different ones.

You **** regardless, but I'm just wondering how much suckage.

Even the smallest 3/8" - 3/4" set gets a **** at $15 (B&D Dustbuster suckage), but you've got larger wrenches in the photo.

Did you get the 1/4" - 1" set (Dyson Ball suckage)

Or the 5/16" - 1-1/4" set (2-stage vacuum pump)
Or the 1/4" to 2" set (quantum vacuum)

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Hmmm, none of the above...
The smallest in the set was 7/16, up to 1". Including the snapon 1/2", there are 10. There doesn't seem to be room for the 3/8. But I suppose the number for that would be 1212 S?

 

[WWIIjeep]

Hmmm, none of the above...
The smallest in the set was 7/16, up to 1". Including the snapon 1/2", there are 10. There doesn't seem to be room for the 3/8. But I suppose the number for that would be 1212 S?

Yes, number for a 3/8" would be 1212. Technically (since you want to be **** about the sideways S) the "S" would be a mint mark, not part of the part number.

The sets I listed were just from looking at the ones I bought new back then (at a LOT more than $15).

Now looking in an 80s catalog, they also offered a 10-piece 7/16" - 1" set, which was a #1200G in a #2406 vinyl roll. So that's what you have, or roughly Dyson Ball suckage.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Wow, more great info, thanks WWIIJeep! I'm hoping to find the missing 1216 , maybe even the 1212 with S markings. If you or anyone has those please let me know! If not, I'll probably break down and buy one that looks close without the S.
Thanks again!

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Were any of you guys able to find a 1216 S?

 

[AZ_Catskinner]

I don't have a 1/2" - got 3 9/16" though!

 

[crankshaftdan II]

Not very good pictures of a 1/2" 1216 "S"--looks to be unused-new old stock condition-let me know if this is it!

 

[WWIIjeep]

Were any of you guys able to find a 1216 S?

No spare Proto 1216 wrenches. Only 1 "S" marked wrench in all 100+ of my Proto wrenches.

I've got a Craftsman 1/2" RP I'll trade you for the Snap-On though.

Be patient Doktor, an S or a plain 1216 will turn up somewhere.

 

[rusty65]

I checked my stash no luck ,but going to the pawn shop this Saturday and will keep a eagle eye out for one. The pawn shop has tons of tools filing cabinets filled so i might be able to find a good one.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Not very good pictures of a 1/2" 1216 "S"--looks to be unused-new old stock condition-let me know if this is it!

That certainly looks like it. PM coming your way...
-------


Thanks again for looking WWIIJeep.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

I checked my stash no luck ,but going to the pawn shop this Saturday and will keep a eagle eye out for one. The pawn shop has tons of tools filing cabinets filled so i might be able to find a good one.

thanks Rusty...still looking.

 

[wrenchr]

Good deal on those wrenches, price them thru grainger and you will be amazed!!!!!

 

[wrenchr]

I might have an extra 1/2 proto, let me look.

 

[sk farmer]

Not very good pictures of a 1/2" 1216 "S"--looks to be unused-new old stock condition-let me know if this is it!

i can vouch for cranky dan. he has piles of stuff. don't be afraid to deal with him.

 

[Doktor Schnell]

The 1216 S arrived today!

Thanks to crankshaftdan, my proto set is complete and I can finally sleep at night. I wanted to thank him for his great communication throughout the transaction.

Here she is with her brethren...

 

[Scout Driver]

Very nice set of wrenches.

Generous, helpful group here on the GJ. I've put together a couple sets of wrenches with help from members here and at another tool site.

Scott

 

[Doktor Schnell]

Generous, helpful group here on the GJ.
Scott

Absolutely!

 

[Jarhead0408]

Nice to see people helping other people out.

 

[Lomotil]

Interesting... I'd never seen the sideways "S" until I got a Proto 1264 in the other day.

 

[DadsTools]

I know this is an old thread, but i just came upon it, and I have the exact same issue with a Proto "S" set, except mine is missing the 1214 7/16". Any help out there?

 

[cherrybomb]

Yes,you are a lucky man,yes I'm envious,yes I have many Proto tools and I put my 2 cents in here for them as I enjoy taking pride in using and owning them.Any body else?