Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

I came to Garage Journal originally because google searches brought me here when I was looking for Proto stuff. I'm more of a user than a collector, but have been accumulating Proto for a long time.

I post Proto stuff occcasionally in the Plomb thread, but it's really more focused on WWII militaria than on more general tools. So, I thought I'd start a thread devoted to pictures of Proto stuff, separate from the Plomb. Of course, I don't see a problem with posting other Proto empire stuff also.

I'll start with a piece I picked up at the end of the summer/fall at a garage sale for $35. I just got around to cleaning it up and waxing it today. Nearly 5 hours to remove the drawers and slides wash it, rub off the paint stains (really glad the big round one on top came off) derust the slides, derust the chrome, and wax it all. I'm pleased with the results.

Here's photo's as it was when I brought it home, derusting the slides, comparison pictures as I derusted the chrome.

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

A few more after photo's of the box. I believe it is a transition box, just after the Plomb lawsuit and name change. I'd guess about 1950.

I put the slides in the oven after derusting them. Heated to 170, and then melted paraffin on them thoroughly, and in the grooves. Will keep them from rusting again, and make them smooth.

Then, there's after pictures of the box, cleaned and waxed and re-assembled.

I need to figure out the correct wrenches to put in it. I'd like to do dual marked Plomb/Proto, but might take a long time to get a set of those. I'm leaning towards filling it with Proto LA. I have a good start on those for it now.

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

A few more photo's of the completed work.

And photo's of the smaller, newer box that I got along with this one for another $20. I haven't done anything with it yet.

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

Here's the first set of Proto I owned. I had some single pieces mixed in with my stuff, and bought this DBE set from an old guy selling his stuff to go into a rest home. I paid $10 in about 1985. The littlest one is Plomb, and one is chrome and the rest not so it's not a true set.

Then, a couple of dual marked pieces I picked up last summer.

And, a set of less seen saltus wrenches.

And, a puller in the box I picked up last summer at a yard sale.

Provincial · Mar 8, 2019

Nice! I like it that you have kept using your original tools. I have been doing that since 1964! Plomb, P&C, CeeTee, etc.

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

Here's some recent acquisitions that will be wall art in my new garage. Will fill them with Proto MFD era tools:

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2019

This seems like fun. I’ll start with some Proto that is newer than Proto LA but older than Proto Professional.
-Don

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2019

Here are some Proto Professional marked tools.
-Don

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2019

More random Proto pictures including screwdrivers and a grind off metric set. The last picture is some Whitworth sockets I recently sold
-Don

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2019

The last batch of random Proto pictures for tonight.
-Don

JoCoSawdust · Mar 8, 2019

ssdave: That Proto box of yours is in amazing shape! You've got your work cut out for you on those tools boards. I've got a space or two to fill in on this Rotomat myself.

Provincial · Mar 8, 2019

A couple of finds at an Estate sale today. Proto Los Angeles 9/16" DOE angle wrench and a Challenger magnetic insert screwdriver with bits in the handle.

notlob · Mar 8, 2019

Here are pics of some of my Proto LA pieces:

JoCoSawdust · Mar 8, 2019

Wow. 3 bins of some beautiful stuff there notlob

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2019

That is a LOT of Proto LA! Very impressive.
I found one little Proto pipe wrench at an estate sale today. I guess Challenger counts. I found a partial Challenger set today and loaded all of my random Challenger tools into it.
-Don

Catfishdan · Mar 8, 2019

Nice stuff so far guys! I, too, love me some proto. Here’s the stuff I have near at hand. I’ll do some more digging later.

All my go to ratchets are Proto. These are 1/2”-1/4”.

Here’s my adjustables. Haven’t run into a 6” proto Los Angeles yet.

A full set of metric 12pt sockets and a flaring kit in a cool box.

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Catfishdan · Mar 8, 2019

Here’s a couple of old catalogs, a dual marked 4” adjustable, and a bad photo of a drawer stuffed with proto stuff. I’m working on a full set of mfg. era combos and LA era 1/2”sockets.

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davethorik · Mar 8, 2019

I'm not exactly sure when this was made, guessing 90s, so my apologies if it does not qualify as vintage. It is kinda uncommon, though.

Idk if it's NOS but it is unused. Proto 5257L index head 3/8 hard handle ratchet. It can freely rotate a full 360°, pushing switch left lets it freewheel, to the right it locks into a number of detents.
Proto also made a dual flex head + index.

The mechanism is the 30 tooth Mac pear head design.

shanny19 · Mar 8, 2019

I adore Proto, and have more Proto than you can shake a Snap On truck at.
No way could i clutter this thread up with all of it.

My special affliction is the Chevrons.
Always looking for more....trade, buy, borrow,

DD T/A · Mar 8, 2019

I have a lot of respect for Proto and their prices at the swap just can't be beat for the quality of tool; so I decided to start advertising for them a little.

shanny19 · Mar 8, 2019

Bonus future project. What say you.....tap handle? gearshift?

Provincial · Mar 8, 2019

shanny19 said:
Bonus future project. What say you.....tap handle? gearshift?

Key fob?

shanny19 · Mar 8, 2019

If only I owned a Terex!

Catfishdan · Mar 8, 2019

shanny19 said:
Bonus future project. What say you.....tap handle? gearshift?

Looks big. I always wanted to make a Saftey razor handle out of a 1/4” ratchet.

Oldtuleguy · Mar 8, 2019

That would be cool

ssdave · Mar 8, 2019

shanny19 said:
Bonus future project. What say you.....tap handle? gearshift?

I'd bore it out and mate it to a Snap-on T72 ratchet, make the joint come out in one of the grooves and it would be invisible. For a 1/4", epoxy holding a tenon on the ratchet into a hole in the handle would be strong enough. Would be like an Indestro square handle ratchet, with a Snap-on fine tooth working end.

RubiconJK · Mar 9, 2019

shanny19 said:
Bonus future project. What say you.....tap handle? gearshift?

Tap handle would be way cool! :beer:

twertsy · Mar 9, 2019

Ok, I'm gonna play if you don't mind......first, the rotomat, retentively populated with Proto LA only.

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twertsy · Mar 9, 2019

Almost all my Proto, besides the tool board tools, reside in this roll cab.

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twertsy · Mar 9, 2019

Continued

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twertsy · Mar 9, 2019

And of course, boards......and a drawer of dupe socketry.

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shanny19 · Mar 9, 2019

Love the top five drawers on that roll cab, twertsy.
The modern fetish for nothing but full width drawers is gross.

tym · Mar 9, 2019

Posted these in the Plomb thread too...am slowly filling in the gaps.

bmwrd0 · Mar 9, 2019

Great idea for a thread! I like Plomb, but used Proto professionally and collect it.

My early top box:

The line wrench set I am working on

A 56 catolog

Deep metric 3/8 set

1/2" set

Another 1/2 set

That is all I have up on Flicker for easy showing. I will post more later.

Catfishdan · Mar 9, 2019

My lord, Twertsy, that’s just disgusting. Well done sir!

toolaholic · Mar 9, 2019

Here’s a few of mine. I also have a sae 3/8 and a sae 1/4 drive black hawk socket sets plus other proto. A proto black oxide 15 inch 24 ratchet, proto double box wrench, older proto 18 breaker , a 3/8 19, 1/4 15 and 5/8( nicest sockets I own- I have mostly craftsman kobalt and a 12 point sk 7-24mm 3/8 set), 12 point flare nut wrenches

fang123 · Mar 9, 2019

Some of mine. Will have to get more pics.

wrenchguy · Mar 9, 2019

twertsy said:
And of course, boards......and a drawer of dupe socketry.

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@ 70 and interested as far back i member, youd think i'd be tired of looking at this stuff! NOT! :thumbup:

Straightgrain · Mar 10, 2019

I went to a trade school back in the mid 70s to learn to be a mechanic and the school used Proto tools, I've had an attachment to them ever since.

fang123 · Mar 10, 2019

Some more Proto of mine.

Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

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