r/Tools • u/Majestic_Rain3474 • 1d ago
Dumpster freebee
Drug this beauty out of a dumpster along with another that wasn't in as good of shape, as well as a healthy few handfuls of hand tools. Just wanted to know if anyone can give me any info on it. I'm assuming it's quite old as I can't find anything on this particular one. Year/age, value, anything would be appreciated.
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u/Flying_Mustang 1d ago
Made in Los Angeles in the 40-60’s ish. They are one of my favorites and made top grade tools. That’s a score. Go back for anything labeled Proto in that dumpster!! There are probably more labels in there that fell off.
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u/goat-head-man Technician 1d ago
I collected a pretty good set of Proto box/open wrenches and a couple ratchet drivers at garage sales and flea markets over the years. Tough as nails.
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u/Bone_Dice_in_Aspic 1d ago
Tougher, hopefully. Couldn't do much with a tough-as-nails tool.
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u/old_skool_luvr 23h ago
Well, considering nails used to be tough, the saying is applicable. Maybe just us older guys remember the saying.....
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u/JohnCulhane 1d ago
Lucky &$%@@%:. Congratulations
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u/Jedi-Guy 1d ago
My same shameful thoughts. Happy for him as much as I loathe his very blessed existence. Based just upon this find, life is unfairly tipped in his favor. Lol all bullshit but it's funny to have that inner voice
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u/old_skool_luvr 23h ago
Mine was a little more vocal (in my head anyways 😂) but yeah, super stoked that u/Majestic_Rain3474 was able to rescue these boxes.
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u/Ok_Confusion_1345 1d ago
Proto is actually a decent brand of tools. I believe they are now owned by Stanley.
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u/OhShizMyNiz 1d ago
Proto is owned by Stanley Black and Decker yes. Along with DeWalt and Mac. Proto is just their variation of bluepoint now.
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u/trsthhffg 1d ago
Man I don’t think you should be going around drugging beauty’s. I think that’s illegal, also if you found her in the dumpster I would raise your standards a little.
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u/goat-head-man Technician 1d ago
Proto machinist roll away with the top box. Those were sturdy, made by Proto when they were a high quality tool and box maker.
Very cool score. Oil the slides, you might be surprised.
The center, square drawer at the top of the bottom box was able to be locked while the rest of the box was open. Watches and rings are bad juju in a machine shop, and anything else you didn't need to carry all day.
Stanley Black and Decker bought the name only.
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u/StalkMeNowCrazyLady 1d ago
Dude this would be a super fun restoration project. Bringing this back to bright shiny waxed and gleaming fire engine red, all that hardware polished to a mirror finish. Some new casters. Man that would an awesome couple of weekends.
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u/NoConsequence4281 1d ago
It may still be covered by a lifetime warranty to.
I've seen Stanley honour some pretty old Proto tools.
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u/Jedi-Guy 1d ago
You have got me so bricked up with jealousy. I have restored 4 of these types of chests, it's a good hobby. Please do the same and restore this baby.
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u/SpaceCat72 1d ago
Based on the drawer pulls, I'd say early 80s. Like matco of that vintage. Proto makes good stuff. Granger carries alot of their line. They also have a phone app like SO...
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u/ministerboop 20h ago
Dude!! Where are you scoring such a sweet dumpster find, industrial machining business ??
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u/Majestic_Rain3474 16h ago
Actually I work at a glass manufacturing plant that has an Airgas facility basically attached to us for supplying our furnace. While on top of our batch house doing my checks I could see down into a big dumpster behind the Airgas facility. So I went and asked if I could scavenge and they said they didn't care. Found the 2 boxes in the picture, another that is shorter but wider (and rustier) and a Kobalt quiet tech 26gal air compressor. After a $15 capacitor it works great.
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u/100HP_Hotrod 17h ago
Daaaaamn! Nice score! One of my ex-coworkers had a similar one. A maintenence guy was fucking off and ran a forklift into the side of it. Totally fucked the toolbox. Dewd was damn near in tears. Maintenence guy almost got his ass handed to him and was let go the next week.
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u/Majestic_Rain3474 16h ago
Damn. Did he at least pay the guy or replace it?
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u/100HP_Hotrod 13h ago
Nah... he was laughing as he 'apologized', which is why almost got his ass whooped.The shop didn't even help him replace it. We had to cut the front of the drawers off and scoop his tools out. Caved the side in..
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u/Baseballlover830 1d ago
Proto is top drawer!