plvmb, i still use it, why hang it up

uniballer · Aug 8, 2012

I have found several plvmb sockets, rachets, breaker bars, and sockets in my shop. question is why everyone says hang them on the wall to look at. if you got a tool, use it(as long as it is usable). what do you think?
View media item 22610 :thumbup:

Steevo · Aug 8, 2012

I have a lot of vintage tools that I still use.
I am not a collector, I like to use tools.

uniballer · Aug 8, 2012

I also have a gtd(greenfield, mass) tap and die set from 1912 i still use. but things were made better back them! thats why they are still around.

Motor-Mechanic · Aug 8, 2012

I like tools, because i make my living using them, many i've had since i was an apprentice so they probably qualify as vintage now :dunno:

if they ever become unserviceable i'll bin 'em.

There's many things i can understand folks collecting, but tools ain't one of 'em, i'm not knockin' the folk that do collect 'em, i just don't understand it.

uniballer · Aug 8, 2012

I collect but use them also, all i work on these days is 331 caddy v8, straight eights and buicks! need the other specialty tools! but got carried away and buy everytning with in reason and anything free!

2oolhound · Aug 8, 2012

If you ever do this to that plvmb you will cry.

By all means, keep it your box, use it, but grab a newer replaceable tool to really torque with.

bigcaddy · Aug 8, 2012

I have a decent collection of Plvmb tools, considering i started collecting early this year. I think it had something to do with joining this site :beer:

My small truck toolbox, a Kennedy fliptop with cantilever shelf has a few Plvmb ratchets and a set of 3/8" drive Plvmb sockets that are used quite often.

My box at home is stuffed with all kinds of Plvmb tools and use them every weekend when i'm messing around with restoring a vise/outboard motor or whatever else i happen to drag into the garage.

I don't try to abuse them but since i buy all of them at estate/garage sales, i'm not out a lot of money if one breaks.

Outlawmws · Aug 8, 2012

Not sure where you got the idea they get hung on the wall. I use them regularly. You CAN collect and still use you know...

Now that that is cleared up; question for the OP: How do you liked the Channel lock Vise grips that are on the ground in the background of your pic?

garthg · May 6, 2013

2oolhound said:
If you ever do this to that plvmb you will cry.

By all means, keep it your box, use it, but grab a newer replaceable tool to really torque with.

That was tool abuse. That could get you reported to the SPCT. (Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Tools).

I'd say try an impact wrench or a chisel next time.

G_P · May 6, 2013

I use all my tools even antique ones. The only vintage tool I have on display is a 1930's Craftsman socket, and its only on display because Its cracked in 3 places. (I didn't break it I got it in a coffee can full of sockets at a garage sale)

Sent from my C5120 using Tapatalk 2

Plombob · May 7, 2013

If you never use them, you'll never know how wonderful the old iron is.

uniballer · May 7, 2013

Outlawmws said:
Not sure where you got the idea they get hung on the wall. I use them regularly. You CAN collect and still use you know...

Now that that is cleared up; question for the OP: How do you liked the Channel lock Vise grips that are on the ground in the background of your pic?

I've used them several times, takes two hand to adjust them before they close!
So they ****! Old as hell, but will damn sure hold grip but hard to set!

Exceller8 · May 7, 2013

I don't collect anything that I can't use, including tools. :thumbup:

kc-steve · May 7, 2013

I would say most older quality tools can be used without a problem. For resale though, condition is everything when it comes to price. I have recently sold some excellent NOS Thorsen and Bonney stuff that had never been used. Just sayin'.

None of us ever owns tools, we just borrow them for a few years or our lifetime while they live on.

Steve

B17E1943 · May 7, 2013

I finally acquired my first 5249 PLVMB ratchet the other day; it was in pretty sad shape. Buffed it up nice and oiled it with MMO, and I plan to use it. :thumbup:

5mall5nail5 · May 7, 2013

uniballer said:
question is why everyone says hang them on the wall to look at.

Everyone says that?

:willy_nil

Holt · May 7, 2013

When I first moved into my house all I had was a plvmb 3/8 ratchet that I bought at a yard sale for 10 cents. I used this for a while till I acquired more ratchets. Now it sits in a old kennedy box along with my other plvmb tools. It worked fine and was surprisingly smooth after all these years. There not my main tools but everyone in a while you have to use them. That why they where made right....?

rickhigginshtbr · May 7, 2013

I collect, but also use. My go to cutters are a 8" klein from '23, and my 3/8" and 1/2" go to ratchets are 50's proto... all the sockets I use with them are new, however.

uniballer · May 7, 2013

5mall5nail5 said:
Everyone says that?

I live in an area of collectors,antique dealers and such!
They say it, "dont break or use it, they wear!"
They think after ten years, put them up for display cause one day people will pay good money for them. I go to auctions for those tools and buy them cheaply cause noone looks at tools as expensive after ten years. Their double negative! Helps me get stuff cheap tho! :lol_hitti

chris142 · May 7, 2013

I have a 1/2 Plvmb breaker bar I use almost daily.

bigcaddy · May 7, 2013

I just picked up a small pile of Plomb tools today at the pawn shop. Some will be used to fill out sets i'm trying to complete and others will be used when i need them.

The only time I will stash away a few of them is when they are the earliest production models or in pristine condition. Out of 25 pieces I'll find, maybe 1 or 2 will be too nice for everyday work. I can beat the hell out of my Craftsman wrenches, besides, thats what they are for. :beer:

stormking · May 13, 2013

I use old Plomb when I work on old vehicles or antiques, it just seems right. The only ones I won't use are NOS.

Adam McLaughlin · May 13, 2013

I have about 75 pcs of plvmb, and I use them weekly
Don't have any metric plvmb though, were they never made or perhaps too small of a run?

Adam

fatfillup · May 13, 2013

bigcaddy said:
The only time I will stash away a few of them is when they are the earliest production models or in pristine condition. Out of 25 pieces I'll find, maybe 1 or 2 will be too nice for everyday work. I can beat the hell out of my Craftsman wrenches, besides, thats what they are for.

I think this sums it up nicely. For eventual resale, condition and rareity are everything, ifs its already used looking, use it.

I also agree with another poster who said not to use your old non replaceable tools in high torque applications.

That said, I really don't use many of my collectible tools as I stash them out of the shop area. One exception is an 18 inch dual marked Plvmb/Proto adjustable wrench that live on the pegboard on my bench. Oops, I also have many old vintage combo wrenches on the same begboard that get used. None of them are pristine though.

T56 Impala · May 13, 2013

I agree, use them if you have them! I have a major collection of Plomb WF series tools that don't get used. I'm piecing together this collection as a museum piece and want them in the condition I find them. All my old BE Craftsman, Bonaloy, Bonney Streamline, Vintage Wright (-42 and earlier) and Plomb pebble era tools get used as needed.

I don't think Plomb ever came in metric sizes. I know there were some Whitworth sizes producted. Not sure they were in Pebble though. If you want metric, I think you will have to go with the post Plomb Proto versions. I'm not sure what year they started producing them in metric.

DrivewayDave · May 16, 2013

Hi! I'm creating my 1ST post/reply. Just joined but have been reading posts for months. I've recently overhauled my tools & boxes & purchased some old 30's probably Plomb sockets. I look forward to buying some more in the future. I've got some old USA made wrenches & sockets I tried selling on CL's SFBay area site with no interest, any here? I've got some pics. I've been learning more about different brands & there histories which I find very interesting. I appreciate all the great pics & info. I hope to participate & be of some help too. Thanks, tightwad.

uniballer · May 16, 2013

Tightwad said:
Hi! I'm creating my 1ST post/reply. Just joined but have been reading posts for months. I've recently overhauled my tools & boxes & purchased some old 30's probably Plomb sockets. I look forward to buying some more in the future. I've got some old USA made wrenches & sockets I tried selling on CL's SFBay area site with no interest, any here? I've got some pics. I've been learning more about different brands & there histories which I find very interesting. I appreciate all the great pics & info. I hope to participate & be of some help too. Thanks, tightwad.

PICS? PLEASE~! :bowdown:

Adam McLaughlin · May 17, 2013

Where in NorCal are you?

Adam

DrivewayDave · May 17, 2013

Here's the pics I've got currently.

Also, here's the link to my SFBay area CL posting:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/tls/3810360767.html

The gray wood bottom cab. tool box I purchased for $10 at a local estate sale- supported it up with more screws, nails, wood supports under the front wheels. The wood machinist's top box was a free dumpster find. I lined them both with black foam drawer liner material from WalMart. All the tools have been cleaned & oiled. A list of brands are at the above included link.

Thanks.

Plombob · May 17, 2013

Adam McLaughlin said:
Don't have any metric plvmb though, were they never made or perhaps too small of a run?

Adam

Plomb didn't make metric tools.

DrivewayDave · May 17, 2013

Yountville Vet's Home in Yountville - abt. 13 mi. n. of Napa

DrivewayDave · May 17, 2013

I have most of a partial 5400 series Plomb socket set with most of the sockets & a couple of extensions & would like to fill in the set if I knew what to fill in? I've been through the Plomb Gallery History stuff but need to figure part no.s, what goes in the box, what catalog it was from, etc.

Any help would be appreciated.

ihateminimumwage · May 17, 2013

My Plvmb 1/2" breaker gets used in the diesel shop almost every day, never had an issue with it. Still made more solid than anything today.

chrenan · May 17, 2013

I've been using a 1/2 and 3/8 Plomb regularly for years and really like them. The 1/2 required a rebuild when I got it. I recently found a matching 1/4, so I figured it would be a good time to freshen my 3/8 and 1/4 for service, pictures below. I recently found a matching 3/4 version as well, I'll post up some pictures once its cleaned and I've gone through it. I keep all the original parts organized in zip lock bags in my tool box.

plvmb, i still use it, why hang it up

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