The New Proto J100

[Conductor562]

A couple years ago Exceller8 sent me some Proto items, among which was on of those J100 keyring screwdrivers. I got hooked on the little things and learned there were many different examples, so I had to have them all

They had been out of production since 2002, but Proto is getting ready to release a new J100 that is radically different than it predecessors. This article I wrote unveils the new one, but also covers the history behind them with pictures of all the Proto examples back to the 1930's as well as how to date them.

http://professional-power-tool-guide.com/2014/09/revival-of-the-proto-j100/

 

[Mohawk Dave]

That was a really cool read. Thanks. Maybe I missed it....but how do we buy/get the new one?

 

[Conductor562]

That was a really cool read. Thanks. Maybe I missed it....but how do we buy/get the new one?

Thanks Dave. They're in the "pre-release" phase right now. This was one of a sample shipment of 20 that Proto received for final approval. Should be popping up for distribution in the next couple months.

 

[woody 73]

In a funny way having seen tons and tons of tools over many years I was always hoping to pick up one of their key screwdrivers but as luck would have it (or in this case lack of luck) I have never seen any.

Maybe in other parts of the country they have piles of them on the ground, but not in central Ahia.

 

[Spudland_Dave]

Wow, way cool! Never seen nor heard of one...now of course I want one. I could use one of those on a daily basis in my line of work...
I like the asthetic design of the new one better but I'm thinking that I'll have clearance issues, the older "defined shank" design would be better for me...only one way to find out...gotta get myself a J100...

 

[ADSR]

I want!

 

[toolmutt]

I enjoyed the article. Thanks. I've always wanted one of those drivers but just never got one. Maybe I can get a new model. But I still want a vintage one also!

 

[Karl_B]

Are the new ones going to be forged and high quality steel like the old ones? The design makes me think they are re-enforcing it to make weaker steel work. I wouldn't mind a nice screwdriver on my key chain. I suppose I should be watching for them to come out.

 

[Youngguns]

I just recently discovered these on the screwdriver thread, glad to see new ones hitting the market!

 

[3baygarage]

Awesome, Conductor. Great write up and great collection. Never saw those carded before.

I've been lucky to find a few of the old Plombs around.

Frank, that's an interesting one.


Btw I like the new look of the J100.

 

[Conductor562]

Thanks guys! Glad you enjoyed it.

That's it Frank!

 

[Sam'sAutoParts]

I enjoyed the article, never knew about the Proto J100 before, thanks for sharing.

 

[shaggymutt1]

So how much is this worth?

 

[Conductor562]

So how much is this worth?

How much is what worth?

 

[KamiCrit]

Pretty awesome, great to hear Proto is bringing back there roots! Really too bad that the original die broke.

 

[Conductor562]

Pretty awesome, great to hear Proto is bringing back there roots! Really too bad that the original die broke.

According to Proto a new die that small was a pain to get produced. They ordered it like 2 years ago and just got it a month or so ago.

 

[KamiCrit]

According to Proto a new die that small was a pain to get produced. They ordered it like 2 years ago and just got it a month or so ago.

Makes you wonder how Plumb made the die 90 years ago?

 

[Conductor562]

Well, I'm happy to report I now have a 50th Anniversary edition in hard thanks to FrankLee.

Now if I can manage to find the 75th, I'll be shitting in tall cotton!

 

[3baygarage]

Well, I'm happy to report I now have a 50th Anniversary edition in hard thanks to FrankLee.

Now if I can manage to find the 75th, I'll be shitting in tall cotton!

Nice. It helps to have connections.

 

[Exceller8]

That new J100 is awesome!! I've got to have several when they come out.

Conductor, pm me your contact info (I can't remember this stuff) again and I'll send you a few more of the J100's that I have sitting around. I don't know if I have anything rare or not, but you're welcome to them.

 

[Biomed]

It has been a few months since the announcement for the new Proto J100's. Anyone seen one for sale yet?

 

[twertsy]

Says "currently unavailable" on the Stanley site as well as Grainger if you "google it."

 

[ncfh]

And people actually believe this will be made of something other than junk metal from China?

The design alone screams junk. It's amazing how just a minor deviation from a typical key shape can result in an awkward lump in your pocket. They got that 90 years ago.

But now its all about seperating nostalgic fools from their money via creative marketing.

The hook seems set pretty deep to me, but I'm sure someone will be along to remind me how honest and sentimental mega corporations are.

 

[Conductor562]

And people actually believe this will be made of something other than junk metal from China?

The design alone screams junk. It's amazing how just a minor deviation from a typical key shape can result in an awkward lump in your pocket. They got that 90 years ago.

But now its all about seperating nostalgic fools from their money via creative marketing.

The hook seems set pretty deep to me, but I'm sure someone will be along to remind me how honest and sentimental mega corporations are.

Yea, I hate those Chinese junk Proto tools

I'm sure SBD is under the impression that these little keychains will be their ticket to the promised land

 

[STINEY]

I've been carrying this little gem around since the '80's when my Grandfather gave it to me. Wouldn't be without it as it gets used nearly daily.

Took me a while to figure out who manufactured them, as mine has promotional stampings front and rear, both for local companies.

 

[3baygarage]

That's great.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

Has anyone gotten one of the new J100's? They have been out for several years now and I am considering trying to order one from one of the Proto distributors on town since I have never been able to find an older J100 in the wild.

 

[4xdog]

]

Fun to see that Landmark logo. We used to go there for bird feed and grass seed in the small town in Southeastern Ohio where I grew up. I always thought that logo looked like a Scotch tape dispenser as a little kid, and it took me a while to figure out exactly what the company was.