Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
-BWP
Show off your PROTO/PLOMB Pebble Grain
- Thread starter Blacknwhitepit
- Start date
-BWP
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Pebble grain Plomb! That is what got me started collecting some of the old stuff. My grandfather was a mechanic in the 30's-50's and had everything from Barcalo to Snap on. The most unusual, at least I thought, were the wrenches with the funny rough finish. I had thought the company was out of business until the internet came along and I found out otherwise.
The large wrench was my grandfathers. The small wrench is a 1/2.
A drawer full.
The chest is Herbrand but 95% of the tools are Plomb.
Pebble grain Plomb! That is what got me started collecting some of the old stuff. My grandfather was a mechanic in the 30's-50's and had everything from Barcalo to Snap on. The most unusual, at least I thought, were the wrenches with the funny rough finish. I had thought the company was out of business until the internet came along and I found out otherwise.
The large wrench was my grandfathers. The small wrench is a 1/2.
A drawer full.
The chest is Herbrand but 95% of the tools are Plomb.
billymade
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
That breaker bar in particular is really cool looking! I ran across some of those "crows feet" looking wrenches the other day at the flea market; Plomb/Proto old tool designs were really cool! Can someone say ART DECO!?!
That breaker bar in particular is really cool looking! I ran across some of those "crows feet" looking wrenches the other day at the flea market; Plomb/Proto old tool designs were really cool! Can someone say ART DECO!?!
Merkava_4
Banned
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I had to click on this thread to find out what "Pebble Grain" was.
I had to click on this thread to find out what "Pebble Grain" was.
old salvage
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Indeed. Even non-tool collectors have to acknowledge the beauty of those tools.
Indeed. Even non-tool collectors have to acknowledge the beauty of those tools.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I don't like teh pebble grain texture (just me), but the shape of those tools is very cool art-deco.
I don't like teh pebble grain texture (just me), but the shape of those tools is very cool art-deco.
Uncle Buck
Banned
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I need to remember this thread so I can post pis of my little pile of Plomb in a few days. Right now my home puter is out of commission and visiting the puter dr so I can only post during the day at work. When I get things back to normal at home I will add my pics to this thread.
I need to remember this thread so I can post pis of my little pile of Plomb in a few days. Right now my home puter is out of commission and visiting the puter dr so I can only post during the day at work. When I get things back to normal at home I will add my pics to this thread.
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Yes Merkava, there is another world beyond Snap-On.
I had to click on this thread to find out what "Pebble Grain" was.
Yes Merkava, there is another world beyond Snap-On.
eschoendorff
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Sounds like a good time to upgrade...
http://www.apple.com/imac/
Sounds like a good time to upgrade...
http://www.apple.com/imac/
Uncle Buck
Banned
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I got it covered, my buddy here at work that sold me the computer is mr IT for our agency, the great part is he will fix me up when it goes south so no worries here!
I got it covered, my buddy here at work that sold me the computer is mr IT for our agency, the great part is he will fix me up when it goes south so no worries here!
Uncle Buck
Banned
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Actually pebble grain tools are damn near the top of the heap in my opinion and virtually without equal. I would take my pebble handles over my SO end wrenches any day...............yup, I think they are just that good!
I had to click on this thread to find out what "Pebble Grain" was.
Actually pebble grain tools are damn near the top of the heap in my opinion and virtually without equal. I would take my pebble handles over my SO end wrenches any day...............yup, I think they are just that good!
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
To me when the name changed to Proto something was lost, The plomb seem more unique. Is it just me or does anyone else feel that way??
Actually pebble grain tools are damn near the top of the heap in my opinion and virtually without equal. I would take my pebble handles over my SO end wrenches any day...............yup, I think they are just that good!
To me when the name changed to Proto something was lost, The plomb seem more unique. Is it just me or does anyone else feel that way??
SocketDeviler
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
My one and only PLOMB ratchet from a thread I posted some months ago.
My one and only PLOMB ratchet from a thread I posted some months ago.
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
That's a handsome ratchet right there. It's hard to believe it is still made, despite the evolution in appearance over the years. I have an old Proto one, and though it is too coarse to be that useful, it is thin and light and pretty strong.
That's a handsome ratchet right there. It's hard to believe it is still made, despite the evolution in appearance over the years. I have an old Proto one, and though it is too coarse to be that useful, it is thin and light and pretty strong.
CAT_serviceman927
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Everything in that box and the box itself look so clean and in good shape. Maybe I am just not used to seeing stuff like that, but every time I ever see that stuff on ebay it looks like someone dug it up out of the mud.
Everything in that box and the box itself look so clean and in good shape. Maybe I am just not used to seeing stuff like that, but every time I ever see that stuff on ebay it looks like someone dug it up out of the mud.
SocketDeviler
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Thanks, it still works great and is much smoother than I expected prior to getting it.
Thanks, it still works great and is much smoother than I expected prior to getting it.
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
It is nice in broke in!!! The new proto's seem very coarse but these do not.
I guess the old saying "They don't build em like they use to" it very true!!
It is nice in broke in!!! The new proto's seem very coarse but these do not.
I guess the old saying "They don't build em like they use to" it very true!!
SocketDeviler
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Yeh, much like an old worn pair of well made jeans it feels right. None of the new Proto ratchets I've handled can compare. Like you said, they're "very coarse."
Yeh, much like an old worn pair of well made jeans it feels right. None of the new Proto ratchets I've handled can compare. Like you said, they're "very coarse."
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Yes, I have thought the same thing. I also think that Plomb Tool Co. really got the screws put to them with an unjust lawsuit. But, if all that hadn't happened then the Plomb tools might not hold the same charisma as they do to us now.
Yes, I have thought the same thing. I also think that Plomb Tool Co. really got the screws put to them with an unjust lawsuit. But, if all that hadn't happened then the Plomb tools might not hold the same charisma as they do to us now.
Papawswrench
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I really like the few Plomb wrenches I have.
I really like the few Plomb wrenches I have.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Filtered through a few Plomb threads.......decided to post pic's to this one of the Plomb tools I recently dug up from when I actively collected mechanic's tools back in the late 90's.
Here is a Plomb 3/8" drive metal socket set case:
Notice the handle and clasp are above the Plomb embossing. Also, notice the Plomb part #5295 (I presume?) for this metal case is embossed in it as well.
Contrast it with the Plomb case up next..............
Filtered through a few Plomb threads.......decided to post pic's to this one of the Plomb tools I recently dug up from when I actively collected mechanic's tools back in the late 90's.
Here is a Plomb 3/8" drive metal socket set case:
Notice the handle and clasp are above the Plomb embossing. Also, notice the Plomb part #5295 (I presume?) for this metal case is embossed in it as well.
Contrast it with the Plomb case up next..............
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
This is a Plomb 1/2" drive metal socket set case. Still recall when I bought it, surprised at the superb shape it was in. Sadly, the last owner put a piece of cardboard in one of the socket "wells", and it must have gotten wet at one point, as over time it gave the box some mostly light surface rust in that area. Also, someone wrote in magic marker on the outside of it, what appears to be an inventory marking of some type??:
Notice how the handle and clasp are at the "bottom"-most part of the case relative to the Plomb embossing, compared to the 3/8" drive case. Also, the 1/2" drive case does not have a Plomb part # embossed on it. There are other wording and script style differences as well.
This is a Plomb 1/2" drive metal socket set case. Still recall when I bought it, surprised at the superb shape it was in.
Sadly, the last owner put a piece of cardboard in one of the socket "wells", and it must have gotten wet at one point, as over time it gave the box some mostly light surface rust in that area. Also, someone wrote in magic marker on the outside of it, what appears to be an inventory marking of some type??:
Notice how the handle and clasp are at the "bottom"-most part of the case relative to the Plomb embossing, compared to the 3/8" drive case. Also, the 1/2" drive case does not have a Plomb part # embossed on it. There are other wording and script style differences as well.
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MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain Combination wrenches I could find, bought what I could when it was available, quality sometime not the best. Always seemed to be someone else around the flea market interested buying up the Plomb, even back then:
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain Combination wrenches I could find, bought what I could when it was available, quality sometime not the best. Always seemed to be someone else around the flea market interested buying up the Plomb, even back then:
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain Box-End wrenches I could find:
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain Box-End wrenches I could find:
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain ratchets and breaker bars I found:
Forgot to turn over 1 of the breaker bars, and the 1/4" drive ratchet for the "numbers side" pic.........ooops. The 1/4" drive ratchet has a Proto replacement kit in the ratchet head.
Here are the Plomb Pebble Grain ratchets and breaker bars I found:
Forgot to turn over 1 of the breaker bars, and the 1/4" drive ratchet for the "numbers side" pic.........ooops.
The 1/4" drive ratchet has a Proto replacement kit in the ratchet head.MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Here are some pic's of the Plomb Speeders i found. Sorry the second pic isn't better.
From top to bottom:
WF-23 3/8" Drive
5480 1/2" Drive
5469 1/2" Drive
5469 1/2" Drive
Really like how the flex-end on the 5469's allow the speeder to double as a breaker bar, a feature found on only a few speeders over the decades. Also like how Plomb put a detent ball inside the "U" of the flex-end, keeping tension on the drive part, so it would be less prone to flopping around.
Here are some pic's of the Plomb Speeders i found. Sorry the second pic isn't better.
From top to bottom:
WF-23 3/8" Drive
5480 1/2" Drive
5469 1/2" Drive
5469 1/2" Drive
Really like how the flex-end on the 5469's allow the speeder to double as a breaker bar, a feature found on only a few speeders over the decades. Also like how Plomb put a detent ball inside the "U" of the flex-end, keeping tension on the drive part, so it would be less prone to flopping around.
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MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Here are 5 of the Plomb NON-Pebble ratchets for comparison:
Notice how the 9/32nd drive ratchets cover is retained by a single screw.......too bad someone did a poor job of trying to grind down the drive part to allow 1/4" sockets to be used. Also it has 2 "nubs" on the back side to stop the reversing lever, versus the larger ratchets having screw heads (not counter-sunk, like most) to act as stops for the reversing lever.
Here are 5 of the Plomb NON-Pebble ratchets for comparison:
Notice how the 9/32nd drive ratchets cover is retained by a single screw.......too bad someone did a poor job of trying to grind down the drive part to allow 1/4" sockets to be used. Also it has 2 "nubs" on the back side to stop the reversing lever, versus the larger ratchets having screw heads (not counter-sunk, like most) to act as stops for the reversing lever.
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Wandering through the flea market one day years ago, and came across a Proto Professional 3/4" Socket Set sized box. Flipped the lid open, and was shocked
to find it full of vintage PLOMB, ratchet is a pebble grain. Sockets were mixed Plombs, some having 2 grooves, and some having 5 grooves. A small number of sockets were Proto (upper right of the photo):
Wandering through the flea market one day years ago, and came across a Proto Professional 3/4" Socket Set sized box. Flipped the lid open, and was shocked
to find it full of vintage PLOMB, ratchet is a pebble grain. Sockets were mixed Plombs, some having 2 grooves, and some having 5 grooves. A small number of sockets were Proto (upper right of the photo):
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MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Comparison pic of a 1-1/2 Proto, 1-1/2 Plomb, and a 1-1/2 "WF" Plomb.
The 2-1/8" socket in the pic weighs an unreal 4 lbs.........Plomb made some serious tools in their day.
Comparison pic of a 1-1/2 Proto, 1-1/2 Plomb, and a 1-1/2 "WF" Plomb.
The 2-1/8" socket in the pic weighs an unreal 4 lbs.........Plomb made some serious tools in their day.
krusty the clown
Member Emeritus
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
hound, i'm in awe..........have you considered a museum?
hound, i'm in awe..........have you considered a museum?
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
I picked up a Plomb pebble grain pickle fork 6545 at a swap a couple of weeks ago for $5.
Sorry but don't have picture posting skills yet.
I've also got the 5469 speeder along with alot of other stuff. I've only seen the speeder in person once, the one I've got.
jerry
I picked up a Plomb pebble grain pickle fork 6545 at a swap a couple of weeks ago for $5.
Sorry but don't have picture posting skills yet.
I've also got the 5469 speeder along with alot of other stuff. I've only seen the speeder in person once, the one I've got.
jerry
MOPARHOUND!
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Museum?........No.......... Insane Asylum?......Well...........
Also took some pic's of the old Snap-On stuff I could find over the weekend. It's not much compared to some collections, but glad to have what little there is on the shelves. They will be in an old Snap-On thread (think it is one Chad S started a few months back), once I get the pic's processed.
Museum?........No.......... Insane Asylum?......Well...........
Also took some pic's of the old Snap-On stuff I could find over the weekend. It's not much compared to some collections, but glad to have what little there is on the shelves. They will be in an old Snap-On thread (think it is one Chad S started a few months back), once I get the pic's processed.
Bolster
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Dang, these photos make me get all sweaty and breathe heavy.
There's some voluptuous Plomb goodness in this thread.
Dang, these photos make me get all sweaty and breathe heavy.
There's some voluptuous Plomb goodness in this thread.
davestlouis
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Yeah, I like it too...I was just getting out of a buying mode and you had to throw more pics up here.
Yeah, I like it too...I was just getting out of a buying mode and you had to throw more pics up here.
OP
Blacknwhitepit
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
That wrench is amazing. Would you sell it? Please PM me if you will.
-BWP
Elroy has exactly one Plomb and it's not even a "pebble".
That wrench is amazing. Would you sell it? Please PM me if you will.
-BWP
davestlouis
Well-known member
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Gawd Elroy, it's "war finish" so that makes it cool in its own right. Great historical piece.
Gawd Elroy, it's "war finish" so that makes it cool in its own right. Great historical piece.
Re: Show off your PROTO/PLUMB Pebble Grain
Looks like that War Finish has a new owner.
Congratulations. Elroy is going to miss it.
Looks like that War Finish has a new owner.
Congratulations. Elroy is going to miss it.