What do you find and where?

[bmwrd0]

When I lived in the bay area and before that Sacramento, I found a lot of Plomb and Proto. Not surprising given the number of Naval bases in the bay at one time, shipbuilding and oil refining. Sac had three air stations and a major railyard. And as the Proto empire started on the west coast it is logical to see a lot of it. Thorsen was originally from Oakland so I would see a fair bit of that. SK was pretty common, I guessing due to parts house distribution, but not sure. Craftsman was common, what with Sears stores and the mailorder. I almost never see vintage Wright, Snap-on a bit, Armstrong is pretty rare but William shows up often enough to get a handle on.

Here in Oregon, I find a lot of P&C, not surprising as it was made here, but also more than I expected of PowrKraft and Vlchek.

What do you see? and where? I am curious about the geographic nature of the various tool distribution. We know that WWII had a lot to due with this, but the regionalism of various distributions could be very facinating.

 

[Snaparxon]

On the east side of your state I see Plomb, Proto, P&C, Indestro, Craftsman, Vlchek, Snap on, SK. Rare to see Matco,Mac, Cornwell, Williams, Bonney, Armstrong and Wright. If I do see those it is usually a few sockets or wrenches.

 

[davethorik]

Lots of Wright and SK around here. Some truck brands but almost no Cornwell. The smaller Ohio mfrs like Vanadium and Herbrand are uncommon. Of course craftsman everywhere, and same with China. I have found quite a few plombs, lol but nothing ever too exciting.

 

[DD T/A]

Central CA, see basically everything but Cornwell and Williams; I see them but not much. Lots of SK, and obviously lots of Proto and enough Plomb. I have yet to see a Plomb adjustable in the wild though. P&C is common. Snap-on is only common with the collectors--they want good money for it typically. Not worth it.

 

[earthmover1980]

Being located halfway between Chicago and Detroit, I see many brands made close by, such as PowrKraft, Craftsman, SK, Cornwell, Williams, and Armstrong. Rarely see Proto, never ever see Plomb. The one that we see often here is Indestro. They were a Chicago based tool maker that made other names such as Wizard, and just generac made in USA no name wrenches. I am particularly interested in Indestro tools. They made some very nice quality wrenches that we're branded Indestro Super. I have one or two of those. It seems crazy how they just vanished. The story on alloy artifacts is interesting. We Still see alot of them here and sw Michigan has such a strong Chicago tourist draw, that those tools make there way to the Mitten state.

 

[r_olson_06]

Here in SD I see a lot of SK, Craftsman, Indestro, and older Snap On, Mac, Cornwell, and Husky. I find 1-2 5/8" drive Snap On socket sets a year never with the ratchet. What is really common is 1/2" drive. What is rare almost to the point of non existent is 1/4" drive. Since most of the business back then was farming related they must not have needed the small stuff. I also no 1950-60s Blackhawk stuff. See a lot of the older QD era and double dot stuff though.

Sent from my XT1080 using The Garage Journal mobile app

 

[shanny19]

Idaho, more than average Plomb, P&C, Proto, Thorsen. Way less than average Cornwell, Herbrand, Wright.

 

[bonneyman]

Being a military retirement town I see lots of everything here. People come from all over to retire where there's no 10 foot snowdrifts....and they bring all their good ole stuff. Estate sales are great.

 

[Packard V8]

First eBay and now craigslist has really cut down the good stuff I formerly saw at garage/estate/pawn sales. Today, most of the good stuff goes on line at a premium.

jack vines

 

[Davefr]

Here in the Portland area I see lots of SK, CM, some Proto/Plomb and occasionally some Bonney.

Cornwell and Wright are as rare as hen's teeth.

Sometimes MAC and Matco but most of the tool truck finds are SO. Most seller's separate out the SO stuff and sell elsewhere.

 

[Oldtuleguy]

Az has a smattering of everything. Mostly immigrants here from other states, so whatever they bring with them.