Proto Tools Picture Thread - Post Yours!

Private Lugnutz · Dec 30, 2025

Etchase said:
Google ai says Proto never had a tool called Big Dawg.

I am not a Proto collector, per se, have no interest and less knowledge about Plomb Tool Co or PTII (or I-R and Stanley) era Proto brand production particulars after the 50's, have no position whatsoever on this topic, and I am not sure what you mean by "Google ai," but, never missing an opportunity to test AI in this space, objectively, I asked ChatGPT and Copilot (Microsoft's AI-enabled chatbot).

ChatGPT:

Copilot:

four.cycle · Dec 30, 2025

okay, great... so... if the "other" AI bots know this, why doesn't Google's "AI" bot know it?

Private Lugnutz · Dec 30, 2025

four.cycle said:
...why doesn't Google's "AI" bot know it?

With the caveat that no AI actually "knows" anything, whether you're referring to Google's implicit search algorithms or Gemini, its more focused, professional AI chatbot, the answer has to be the data corpus it has access to for deductive, inferential, or associative "reasoning."

Etchase · Dec 30, 2025

I was speaking of the google AI summary at the beginning of the regular Google search results. It has now been updated to say Big Dawg tools did exist. Interestingly, GJ and AA seem to be a popular source materials for tool info. Google used eBay. And even YouTube. Pretty close to worthless. I’ve been using perplexity recently with slightly better results on tools. I don’t see ads in trade publications, nor catalogs being used as source material.

RubiconJK · Dec 31, 2025

Back in 2019 I posted on this thread about a couple of Proto 221 Fisherman's Pliers I own which I believe were only made a year or two in the 50's. One had the sheath and the other didn't. I finally found another sheath recently and noticed that one sheath had silver lettering and the other had gold lettering. I don't see too many of these around and am not sure if these might indicate different years they were sold or something else? I see a couple pair someone else has on eBay that both have gold lettering.
2019 Proto 221 post

four.cycle · Dec 31, 2025

^ are those fish on the handles?

we need a straight-on clear shot of that one!

RubiconJK · Dec 31, 2025

four.cycle said:
^ are those fish on the handles?

we need a straight-on clear shot of that one!

They are indeed fish! Here ya go.

four.cycle · Dec 31, 2025

excellent
thanks!

kams1973 · Jan 1, 2026

This unused 15pc SAE set has been in my tool box for several years.

Smokeshow69 · Jan 5, 2026

I added the bottom 3 drawers to my Proto tool mobile yesterday! Very simple install. Just put the rails into the slots and tap them to lock them down. Like a tool box peg board. I’m actually quite pleased with how easy it was. I still need to fix/install the cover but it’s coming along

mrcoffenkraker · Jan 7, 2026

Here are a couple 1/4" boxes i have. The shiny one is complete according to the 1961 catalog

d42jeep · Jan 8, 2026

This industrial finish Proto Professional 1/4” drive 3/8” 6 point socket looks to be useful as an impact socket. It came in a lot with some Plomb tools.

-Don

Smokeshow69 · Jan 10, 2026

mrcoffenkraker said:
Here are a couple 1/4" boxes i have. The shiny one is complete according to the 1961 catalog

Doesn't look like you will have them for too long since you now have one of these sets on eBay?

Smokeshow69 · Jan 10, 2026

I picked up this 1308 hammer off the bay for less than $20 shipped. The handle isn't great but it is the original octagonal handle and the head is pretty nice. It's a good place holder for my hammer panel until I find a nice one.

INSP380 · Jan 18, 2026

Picked up this Vintage Professional 3/8 6 point set today. Came in a nice 5299 box and had a bonus hex socket as well. Going to fit in my collection nicely!

Steve

Beerhippie · Jan 18, 2026

^Could they have made the head on that ratchet any bigger?

d42jeep · Jan 18, 2026

Here are a couple of recent screwdriver finds. I cleaned them up today and put a bit of BLO on the handles.

-Don

tcduncan45.70 · Feb 2, 2026

Been hunting proto’s automotive collection for years and I happened upon the original display panel! I had to share. Also my wife found me a 1429 on an original handle for Christmas. Pretty excited.

Smokeshow69 · Feb 2, 2026

tcduncan45.70 said:
Been hunting proto’s automotive collection for years and I happened upon the original display panel! I had to share. Also my wife found me a 1429 on an original handle for Christmas. Pretty excited.

Very Nice find! I have that exact panel and I probably get the most comments about that panel out of all of mine. You have some of the hammers that I'm missing and even have some dollies!

tcduncan45.70 · Feb 3, 2026

Smokeshow69 said:
Very Nice find! I have that exact panel and I probably get the most comments about that panel out of all of mine. You have some of the hammers that I'm missing and even have some dollies!

Which ones are you missing?

sacnfox85 · Feb 3, 2026

davethorik said:
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.

I want one!

Smokeshow69 · Feb 3, 2026

tcduncan45.70 said:
Which ones are you missing?

one of the upholstery hammers and any brass hammers. If you are looking for trades I've got tons of proto la and proto mfd.

Smokeshow69 · Feb 5, 2026

Scored this vintage late 40's Proto Los Angeles point of sale tool panel off the bay. These hung in auto parts stores and hardware stores and were used to market proto tools. I can fill most of it up with the correct tools. It's a mixture of drive tools for 3/8 and 1/2 sockets, ratchets and extensions. Look at those prices! Measures 12"x24". I have 17 total proto point of sale panels of various tool types and am always looking for more

genog · Feb 9, 2026

Went into my pliers drawer and pulled out a couple of Battery Terminal Pliers
I've got a Penens and Proto and a couple of others.....

stormking · Feb 12, 2026

It's a great day, I've been putting together a toolbox stack for my oldest grandson since he was 5. He's 20 now and It took almost that long to find all the pieces. He's been working at a high end car restoration shop for awhile now and finally needs a full box. No one else In my family cares about tools at all. Delivery day and got a tour around the shop. Priceless

DGersic · Feb 12, 2026

Smokeshow69 · Feb 12, 2026

stormking said:
It's a great day, I've been putting together a toolbox stack for my oldest grandson since he was 5. He's 20 now and It took almost that long to find all the pieces. He's been working at a high end car restoration shop for awhile now and finally needs a full box. No one else In my family cares about tools at all. Delivery day and got a tour around the shop. Priceless

Are you adopting?

Mintgrun · Feb 14, 2026

Just posted for FREE on FB MP in Everett, Wa. (too far away for me)

d42jeep · Feb 14, 2026

I found this Proto LA 1/4” drive ratchet at yesterday’s estate sale. It only worked one way so it got cleaned and lubed this morning. Works fine now.
Before

After.

-Don

3baygarage · Feb 15, 2026

Nice. That's an older one with the collar.

tcduncan45.70 · Mar 5, 2026

Smokeshow69 said:
one of the upholstery hammers and any brass hammers. If you are looking for trades I've got tons of proto la and proto mfd.

I have an extra 1419 and an extra 1338 on original handles.

d42jeep · Mar 6, 2026

I found this Proto ad on eBay yesterday.

-Don

Arne73 · Mar 8, 2026

704-S in like new condition.

d42jeep · Mar 8, 2026

Although I try not to accumulate these, I always figure that someone will need them. It started back when I was helping Twertsy fill up his round Proto LA display.

-Don

Snaparxon · Mar 9, 2026

Grabbed this 3/8" drive Whitworth socket set , complete, according to the 62-63 catalog.
At the same sale I grabbed this great Proto Flying Lady 4700C 1/4" dr set box with the sockets, the sockets have a big ugly engraving that says Texaco M.S. I added the rest of the tools from my extra's drawer.

HOF · Mar 10, 2026

I decided to clean and lubricate this Proto 4749 ratchet. One of the springs seemed stuck, so I grabbed the spring with my tweezers and the spring broke. I couldn't find any cheap donor ratchets or cheap rebuild kits to fix it.

Bonus: I broke down and bought a repair kit, and one of the springs looked odd. I grabbed an end of the spring and unscrewed it and it turned into 2 springs. The set had 3 springs! I fixed the ratchet and I still have a complete rebuild kit.