I am now 70 years old and I still use the Duro-Chrome socket set given to me by an older brother when I turned 16. He also gave me my first toolbox which I still use as a grab-and-go box if friends or family need help. Funny how you can form an attachment to a set of tools that have served you well for many years.
Plomb/Proto is great is also love JH Williams (pre snap on), Bonney, Herbrand, Duro/Indestro and New Britain which is probably my favorite of them all . When Plomb was sued by Plumb a company from Philadelphia that made hammers, all the suit mandated was that Plomb had to change their name but could continue operations the same. Plomb had a contest to change the name of the company and one of the secretaries that worked there won and the name she came up with was PROfessional TOols .
Bonney and Herbrand are so illusive! I have one Herbrand socket and one Bonney wrench (5/8x11/16) and it is the nicest wrench I have or have seen. I’ve got a 1/2” challengerxproto with an open end on one side and a twelve point socket on the other. That one is the most useful for sure but the quality of the Bonney is incredible
I use proto tools everyday if you would like for me to show you my collection of proto tools I will make a video I also use right and Martin tool but most times proto I buy a lot new and a lot off other union tradesman that are retiring. Proto history and quality is nuclear grade…I’m a millwright and millwright use proto wright Bonney a lot. Subscribe and I will post later
Fellow PNW fan of Plomb/Plvmb/ Proto, great video. I have full sets from the Pebble Plvmb to Proto w/pebble index to Proto/Challenger/Vlchek, Penens and one of my favorite wrenches is the cause of the infringement between in 1948 that has both Plvmb and Prvtv and being able to see a mid-century fight beak out and see the end of the Plomb as we know/knew it. The fun is the stories and how they all tie together at times and the advertising for tools during war time or seeing WF(war finish) on some, it’s like a steel penny you can use and handle and keep in use and taken care of looking like it’s young for another generation. Rust prevention is a side job in and of itself with the western Washington rainforest so I consider them pay2play tools 😂
@@thejunkyardnecromancer if you have specifics that you are looking for, let me know. I have a lot of extra that aren’t part of sets that may fit gaps you have in your collection.
Alphonso Plomb and his 2 partners started Plomb tool in 1907 in Los Angeles P&C tool in Milwaukie Oregon made very similar screwdrivers and were acquired by Proto/Plomb in 1941. Alloy Artifacts has all this information.
Just watched your video. Nice collection of tools you have. When you mentioned your goal to have an entire set of Plomb tools, I thought I would mention that they had some odd stuff that is pretty tough to get at nowadays. They made some military stuff in odd drives such as 5/16 and 5/8 drive. I have a couple ratchets in 5/16 but have not seen a socket in many years. The pacific northwest was a gold mine for this stuff in the late 80's and early 90's. I think that Plomb actually produced tools in Portland for a while. Anymore I think that a younger generation may have "scrapped" the larger majority in favor of newer metric versions of the basic hand tools. If I get a chance I may upload a short video of my Plomb stuff.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and I've had good luck finding things along the coast! So that would make sense. I have no idea they made those other drives. I've never even heard of those. If you upload a video, send it to me! I want to see it!
In my garage, I have all 3 brands of hand tools you mention, late 30's to 1940;s and even a couple with WF on them, war finish, they wore my father tools.
The WF marking was for Wright Field a military base. All WF marked tools were military contract tools during WW2. Civilian tools during WW2 were marked WAR FINISH due to no chrome plating due to shortages.
That is really cool information! Thanks! So, were the WF stamped tools used all across the US military, or just at Wright Field? Were they used in all branches, or was the contract only for a specific branch?
Snap on started out in 29. They invited the socket set (everything but the ratchet that came later) one tool to fit many sizes. They named the company Snap on because the tools "snap on" to each other. Snap on called their wrenches (which also came a short time later) blue point. In the late 40's the snap on name was bleeding over to the wrenches. Bluepoint eventually became a lower end snap on brand.
6:30.. non-sparking for hazardous conditions..like working around fuel vapor or other flammables 10:50... I actually have both of these I have a few Blue Point like this but mine weren't welded on and I have a few of those Ford wrenches also Back in the old days those Ford wrenches (small sets) were added with the purchase of the vehicle in the boot(trunk)
@@thejunkyardnecromancer If it's stamped BECU it's definitely Beryllium Copper alloy. They are not as strong as forged steel They are used in hazardous environments as they won't create sparks. The ones I used tended to break before bending. A lot of different types of tools are still made. Seeing that I don't work on oil well blowouts anymore I just keep mine as conversation pieces.
Western Forge was a tool manufacturing company that made it's own brand of wrenchs. It also made Craftsman screwdrivers, millions of them, they're marked with WF on th handle.
It’s interesting you say you’re in the PNW, almost all the people I see finding a lot of Plomb are west coast (makes sense with the LA and later Chicago factory). Here in the northeast, I’ve only come across 2 wrenches, but a fair number of hammers
I've noticed that as well. My brother lives in the Midwest and hasn't found any (asked him to look for me). I'm curious if they are really prevalent down in California.
I have a Ford double end wrench that looks like it came out of the same kit as that tire iron… I can’t remember the size off the top of my head but I will edit when I get home might have to reunite those two
Plomb had many big garages/ dealerships/ fleets in Los Angeles using their tools. We own about 100 pounds of them (big stuff) grandfather b 1906 MI was American Baking Co HQ Garage mgr he began about 1922 as a teen retired in late 60s. Even got a parting congrats Corp. document thank you for his >40 years.They paid them crap, we have pay stubs in his tool boxes and they still were able to buy homes and raise faMILY. He never got a months pay that ever even hit $900. His houses would demand a wage shy of 200K. Inflation much.? His favorite place was Santa Anita. Free windbreaker days, woooh hoo.
@@thejunkyardnecromancerberyllium copper wikipedia will give you more answers than you had questions. I recently bought a ($80 when new) 6" Crescent wrench. I thought it was just greasy/black until I started cleaning it. I googled the part #, Blew my mind: $80 for a little Crescent wrench? yup.
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Awesome video my friend, one other old school tool brand to check it at least for there sockets is Indestro (Also rebranded as Duro-Chrome and Wizard.) Also on that t/breaker bar the correct name is Anvil also acceptable is Drive Square.
If my getting bad memory serves, it was originally "invented" by the Crescent company. It was an improvement over the old time " monkey wrenches" from days gone by. I think I still have one made by Billings Manufacturing.
Kleenex, like Crescent is a brand, not a type, like Hoover in the UK for a vacuum cleaner! Also, recently learned a adjustable wrench is called a 'shifting spanner' in Australia. Thanks for the vid!.
If the arrows on either end of the plomb logo are facing opposite directions it means they are seconds or else possibly made during WW2. I have some old plomb tools. Wrenches, sockets.. I would be willing to sell you for a small price. I have maybe 10-15 items. No sets.
I have an old plomb 3/8 ratchet with the pebbled handle. The anvil is a bit wobbly and the innards from a new ratchet will fit it. But I can’t quite bring myself to swapping them out. Just seems wrong for some reason.
I love old Proto tools... except the fat head ratchets. Big and clumsy, course action, not super strong and impossible to keep the mechanism screws tight. I used to use longer screws and peen them over like a rivet. There were many styles of wrenches but they all had one thing in common... great steel. I don't know what the secret was but they weren't "springy", they didn't bend nor snap under extreme pressure. Strongest wrench I've ever used in my 45 years a HD Mechanic. We're talking wrenches up to 2". Modern Proto is a different kettle of fish. Since Stanley Tools acquired Proto and Mac it's become very expensive and kind of mediocre.
Those vintage Proto ratchets are still made now.....They are are still USA made as far as I know....I wouldn't replace them as they are better than anything on the market now as the current ratchets are all China and Taiwan.....Unless you get in the high priced category like Wright Tools,Snap-On,etc and oh yeah,Proto.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣..... Which you already have.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Hola amigo yo colecciono herramientas antiguas americanas y mexicanas, tengo algo a matraca y dados Plomb 1/4 también algo de Proto hecho en México, saludos cordiales. ,🙏
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I am now 70 years old and I still use the Duro-Chrome socket set given to me by an older brother when I turned 16. He also gave me my first toolbox which I still use as a grab-and-go box if friends or family need help. Funny how you can form an attachment to a set of tools that have served you well for many years.
That is awesome! I hope to still be using these tools when I am 70.
recently i got a bunch of random Sockets and was blown away by the Lettering on Plomb tools.
Now i want to get a full set of Plomb too. Soo exciting!
Super cool!!!
Plomb/Proto is great is also love JH Williams (pre snap on), Bonney, Herbrand, Duro/Indestro and New Britain which is probably my favorite of them all . When Plomb was sued by Plumb a company from Philadelphia that made hammers, all the suit mandated was that Plomb had to change their name but could continue operations the same. Plomb had a contest to change the name of the company and one of the secretaries that worked there won and the name she came up with was PROfessional TOols .
Those other brands are solid as well! And I did not know that about the history of why they changed their name to Proto! That's super cool! Thanks!
Bonney and Herbrand are so illusive! I have one Herbrand socket and one Bonney wrench (5/8x11/16) and it is the nicest wrench I have or have seen. I’ve got a 1/2” challengerxproto with an open end on one side and a twelve point socket on the other. That one is the most useful for sure but the quality of the Bonney is incredible
I love vintage tools! I want to start collecting them
You definitely should! It's fun to hunt for them at second hand stores.
Those tools know more than the operator using them. I definitely appreciate good old American steel. 🇺🇸💪🏼Now it’s recycled Chynesium metal mixtures.
Indeed!
Awesome old toolbox! And nice old tools. You have a nice collection going
Thank you!
Nice collection! I love Plomb & Proto stuff. There is nothing like that feeling you get from using vintage, well-made tools.
Yes! It's so hard to describe, but I'm glad you have experienced the same joy!
I love using these tools, and I'm always searching for more of them!
I use proto tools everyday if you would like for me to show you my collection of proto tools I will make a video I also use right and Martin tool but most times proto I buy a lot new and a lot off other union tradesman that are retiring. Proto history and quality is nuclear grade…I’m a millwright and millwright use proto wright Bonney a lot. Subscribe and I will post later
I'd love to see your tools! Definitely make that video!
Fellow PNW fan of Plomb/Plvmb/ Proto, great video. I have full sets from the Pebble Plvmb to Proto w/pebble index to Proto/Challenger/Vlchek, Penens and one of my favorite wrenches is the cause of the infringement between in 1948 that has both Plvmb and Prvtv and being able to see a mid-century fight beak out and see the end of the Plomb as we know/knew it. The fun is the stories and how they all tie together at times and the advertising for tools during war time or seeing WF(war finish) on some, it’s like a steel penny you can use and handle and keep in use and taken care of looking like it’s young for another generation. Rust prevention is a side job in and of itself with the western Washington rainforest so I consider them pay2play tools 😂
That is awesome! I hope to have full sets one day.
@@thejunkyardnecromancer if you have specifics that you are looking for, let me know. I have a lot of extra that aren’t part of sets that may fit gaps you have in your collection.
@@MeteorRiteA2B Oh nice! Shoot me an email: thejunkyardnecromancer@gmail.com
@@thejunkyardnecromancer sent 👍
I can totally understand your love for these old tools. That toolbox is amazing!
Thanks!
Alphonso Plomb and his 2 partners started Plomb tool in 1907 in Los Angeles
P&C tool in Milwaukie Oregon made very similar screwdrivers and were acquired by Proto/Plomb in 1941. Alloy Artifacts has all this information.
I'll have to read through everything on that website!
Just watched your video. Nice collection of tools you have. When you mentioned your goal to have an entire set of Plomb tools, I thought I would mention that they had some odd stuff that is pretty tough to get at nowadays. They made some military stuff in odd drives such as 5/16 and 5/8 drive. I have a couple ratchets in 5/16 but have not seen a socket in many years. The pacific northwest was a gold mine for this stuff in the late 80's and early 90's. I think that Plomb actually produced tools in Portland for a while. Anymore I think that a younger generation may have "scrapped" the larger majority in favor of newer metric versions of the basic hand tools. If I get a chance I may upload a short video of my Plomb stuff.
I live in the Pacific Northwest and I've had good luck finding things along the coast! So that would make sense. I have no idea they made those other drives. I've never even heard of those. If you upload a video, send it to me! I want to see it!
@@thejunkyardnecromancer not very savvy at the TH-cam thing. I uploaded a quick video from my phone. It depicts my two 5/16 inch ratchets.
In my garage, I have all 3 brands of hand tools you mention, late 30's to 1940;s and even a couple with WF on them, war finish, they wore my father tools.
Your father was a man of great taste, and so are you!
Snap on "m" for military. Black oxide
Thats really cool. Love learning tool company history
Thanks! I love learning about it too!
I'm a big fan of the Plomb tools as well.....especially the "pebble" tools......I try to snatch up all that I can.
Awesome! It's always good to meet other people with good taste in tools!
The WF marking was for Wright Field a military base. All WF marked tools were military contract tools during WW2. Civilian tools during WW2 were marked WAR FINISH due to no chrome plating due to shortages.
That is really cool information! Thanks! So, were the WF stamped tools used all across the US military, or just at Wright Field? Were they used in all branches, or was the contract only for a specific branch?
Snap on started out in 29. They invited the socket set (everything but the ratchet that came later) one tool to fit many sizes. They named the company Snap on because the tools "snap on" to each other. Snap on called their wrenches (which also came a short time later) blue point. In the late 40's the snap on name was bleeding over to the wrenches. Bluepoint eventually became a lower end snap on brand.
That's some cool history! I didn't know that!
Wait until he discovers Plomb tool chests...oh, and the flare nut wrenches.
What?! :o
6:30.. non-sparking for hazardous conditions..like working around fuel vapor or other flammables
10:50... I actually have both of these I have a few Blue Point like this but mine weren't welded on and I have a few of those Ford wrenches also
Back in the old days those Ford wrenches (small sets) were added with the purchase of the vehicle in the boot(trunk)
WF probably stands for Western Forge in Colorado.
The copper colored wrenchs may be Beryllium (non sparking )
Beryllium!? That's cool. Do you know the purpose for the coating? Was it for durability?
@@thejunkyardnecromancer
If it's stamped BECU it's definitely Beryllium Copper alloy. They are not as strong as forged steel
They are used in hazardous environments as they won't create sparks. The ones I used tended to break before bending. A lot of different types of tools are still made.
Seeing that I don't work on oil well blowouts anymore I just keep mine as conversation pieces.
Western Forge was a tool manufacturing company that made it's own brand of wrenchs. It also made Craftsman screwdrivers, millions of them, they're marked with WF on th handle.
@@mikefightmaster that's really cool! Didn't think of that, but it makes a lot of sense! Also didn't know all that about Western Forge! Cool history!
I have that same toolbox, they just don't make them like that anymore. Love the channel name. Happy Easter.
It's a great toolbox! Thanks, and happy Easter to you as well!
It’s interesting you say you’re in the PNW, almost all the people I see finding a lot of Plomb are west coast (makes sense with the LA and later Chicago factory).
Here in the northeast, I’ve only come across 2 wrenches, but a fair number of hammers
I've noticed that as well. My brother lives in the Midwest and hasn't found any (asked him to look for me). I'm curious if they are really prevalent down in California.
I have a Ford double end wrench that looks like it came out of the same kit as that tire iron… I can’t remember the size off the top of my head but I will edit when I get home might have to reunite those two
Definitely! Tag me in that video!
Plomb had many big garages/ dealerships/ fleets in Los Angeles using their tools. We own about 100 pounds of them (big stuff) grandfather b 1906 MI was American Baking Co HQ Garage mgr he began about 1922 as a teen retired in late 60s. Even got a parting congrats Corp. document thank you for his >40 years.They paid them crap, we have pay stubs in his tool boxes and they still were able to buy homes and raise faMILY. He never got a months pay that ever even hit $900. His houses would demand a wage shy of 200K. Inflation much.? His favorite place was Santa Anita. Free windbreaker days, woooh hoo.
Wow! That is impressive history! And inflation is crazy! Even since I was a kid until now things have gotten way more expensive.
WF I believe steed for Western Forge. They made screwdrivers for Sears/Craftsman.
Love your content. As far as the copper tint goes Ampco is the type of metal full 1/2"socket set $,$$$ widely used in the aircraft industry.
Thanks! Do you know why it's used in the aircraft industry? Is there some advantage to it, or is it just for looks?
@@thejunkyardnecromancerberyllium copper wikipedia will give you more answers than you had questions. I recently bought a ($80 when new) 6" Crescent wrench. I thought it was just greasy/black until I started cleaning it. I googled the part #, Blew my mind: $80 for a little Crescent wrench? yup.
AMPCO makes non sparking tools. The alloy is Aluminum Bronze. These alloys are for non-sparking characteristics, not for strength.
I’d have to say, some vintage Williams Super Wrench. With round shank
That ford wrench is a model T tool there should be a number on there too I’ve recently come across some too and found a web page full of info
I couldn't find the number, but I did figure out it was a Model T tool and then gave it to my buddy who owns a Model T haha
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I’ve seen brass wrenches for spark resistance in refineries and chemical plants but never copper
I don't think I've seen brass wrenches! That's pretty cool!
Plumb plvmg started making some of the best tools till 1948 modern days Proto tools..I have sets
Awesome video my friend, one other old school tool brand to check it at least for there sockets is Indestro (Also rebranded as Duro-Chrome and Wizard.) Also on that t/breaker bar the correct name is Anvil also acceptable is Drive Square.
Anvil! Yes I remember now! Thanks. And I have seen Indestro out there while looking for Plomb/Proto. Maybe I should start picking those up too.
I like these Plvmb hand tools also.
You have good taste in tools then!
I call mine an adjustable wrench, never heard it called a crescent wrench before. Like the old tool. Nice video.
I've heard it called an adjustable wrench as well. Thanks for watching!
If my getting bad memory serves, it was originally "invented" by the Crescent company. It was an improvement over the old time " monkey wrenches" from days gone by. I think I still have one made by Billings Manufacturing.
Kleenex, like Crescent is a brand, not a type, like Hoover in the UK for a vacuum cleaner! Also, recently learned a adjustable wrench is called a 'shifting spanner' in Australia. Thanks for the vid!.
I think that wrench is for a Ford model T. I don’t remember what the open end fit but the box end took off the rim and tire.
I actually did some research and found out the open end is for the spark plugs!
I definitely have some proto tools . Pretty sure I saw a few plumb too
I love them! Just picked up some more old Proto tools at a second hand store yesterday!
Look for Vulcan, it's JH Williams now since the late 70's.
If the arrows on either end of the plomb logo are facing opposite directions it means they are seconds or else possibly made during WW2. I have some old plomb tools. Wrenches, sockets.. I would be willing to sell you for a small price. I have maybe 10-15 items. No sets.
I might be interested in that! Hit me up via email. My email address is in the "about" section of my channel.
Love the old ford wrenchs
I got another one not too long ago! Fits a 1940's Ford! I guess now I need to get a 1940's Ford vehicle haha.
I mainly use Craftsman tools. Never heard of Plomb before.
I also have some Craftsman tools and they are great, but not as good as these in my opinion.
I have a couple wrenches and I think some sockets that's proto.i been having them for almost 30 years
That's awesome!
I have an old plomb 3/8 ratchet with the pebbled handle. The anvil is a bit wobbly and the innards from a new ratchet will fit it. But I can’t quite bring myself to swapping them out. Just seems wrong for some reason.
I know what you mean haha. Even though it's wobbly, it still works right?
@@thejunkyardnecromancer yep, all I did was clean out the old dried up grease and it works fine.
Plomb has magical metal. Flat head screwdrivers?; What are they please tell.
Yes! Very magical!
Plumb started it as P&C tool made in Oregon.
I have seen P&C tools before, but didn't know that!
Nice plvmb tools! You need to get the two leg puller. Best puller ever made
Is it a gear/pulley puller? I will have to keep an eye out for one!
@@thejunkyardnecromancer if you search 4011 puller, Proto plovb and others use same number.
CompNy was in Los Angeles
I love old Proto tools... except the fat head ratchets. Big and clumsy, course action, not super strong and impossible to keep the mechanism screws tight. I used to use longer screws and peen them over like a rivet.
There were many styles of wrenches but they all had one thing in common... great steel. I don't know what the secret was but they weren't "springy", they didn't bend nor snap under extreme pressure. Strongest wrench I've ever used in my 45 years a HD Mechanic. We're talking wrenches up to 2".
Modern Proto is a different kettle of fish. Since Stanley Tools acquired Proto and Mac it's become very expensive and kind of mediocre.
Those vintage Proto ratchets are still made now.....They are are still USA made as far as I know....I wouldn't replace them as they are better than anything on the market now as the current ratchets are all China and Taiwan.....Unless you get in the high priced category like Wright Tools,Snap-On,etc and oh yeah,Proto.🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣..... Which you already have.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Proto is now a Stanley tools company. They still make good tools in my opinion. What ever that is worth.
I have a lot of plumb tools where do you live in the north West
@@GuyFellows I live in Western Montana now. Are you in the PNW?
@@thejunkyardnecromancer yes Bandon Oregon
I have a lot of plumb tools got from my grand father and proto to
@@GuyFellows that is super cool!
Subscribed
Thank you!!
PL-OHM
Hola amigo yo colecciono herramientas antiguas americanas y mexicanas, tengo algo a matraca y dados Plomb 1/4 también algo de Proto hecho en México, saludos cordiales. ,🙏
Tu tienes de Proto hecho en México? No sé que Proto tools tambien se hecho en México! Eso es genial! Perdón mi español es malo. Haha.
Alloy Artifacts.
That's a great site! So much good information!
GREAT
I think you are dramatically over-estimating the age of some of these tools.
Good to see the passion though.
Possibly, but Plomb changed their name to Proto in 1947. So they are older than that for sure.
Plomb tools are hard to find
Indeed they are!
The Plum lawsuit was over a hammer made by plumb & lost the name of the company..
it's an Adjustable wrench...cresent is a brand like kleenex
I guess it's one of those things like when people call a jet ski a Sea-Doo or soda Coke.
you and me both
I've spent somewhere in the neighborhood of $20,000 on my plomb collection. WF stands for Wright Field not war finish.
Oh man! I would love to see some of your collection sometime! What is the significance of Wright Field? Were they manufactured there at some point?