[littlemama]

My Mom passed away and left me her tools. I was brought up the craftsman was the best! but going thru her stuff I have found some different branded wrench's. I was wondering if someone might be able to help me find out about these. Oxwall, Billings vitalloy, Indestro, Tiger, Tomahawk, Craftsman vanadium, WF-79 Plomb these are all stamped USA and I have one DIN 895 West Germany. They are all 15 years + old. If you have any ideas please let me know. Thanks

[1ownerT]

To find the most info. Google em.

[poncho62]

Never heard of any of those...Tomahawk rings a bell..............15 years isnt that old for tools, you should be able to research them quite easilly.

Most of my tools are 15+ years old.....some are 50+....from my dad.

[61bone]

Oxwall ,Indestro and Craftsman vanadium were commercial grade tools. tough, but not to pretty. Made for heavy use and cheap enough to throw away.
Incidently, I have tools I use that were made before the turn of the century. The last one, smart donkey

[powerrodsmike]

On an old "Plumb" wrench or tool the "U" is shaped somewhat like an "O".
Plumb is what later became Proto. Good old tools.

Billings vitaloy appear to me, ( I have some of them), to be Williams second line. Not bad stuff either.

Mikey

[jimfulco]

I have a few old Plomb and Indestro hand tools and I have had no problems with them at all. I find them more comfortable to use than any of my newer stuff (no sharp edges or slippery chrome plating).

[russlaferrera]

I have some Plumb ratchets . They remind me of the older Craftsman because they are built like a tank Billings and Indestro are great tools I also have some armstrong wrenches which are also good tools.

A co-worker worked part time at a bone yard and brought me tools people left in the cars when they were junked. I still have some that my son has not lost yet.
....russ

[ict55chevy]

I found in my stash of tools, a complete set of SK-Wayne, 33 piece 3/8 drive sockets and ratchet. I looked them up to see what they sell for and was shocked to find that they sell for $250.00. I bet I have had these things for more than 40 years. I think it's time to let them go to a new home where they will be used.


tc; love my old tools!

[russlaferrera]

Originally Posted by ict55chevy

I found in my stash of tools, a complete set of SK-Wayne, 33 piece 3/8 drive sockets and ratchet. I looked them up to see what they sell for and was shocked to find that they sell for $250.00. I bet I have had these things for more than 40 years. I think it's time to let them go to a new home where they will be used.


tc; love my old tools!

Heck I have some SK when they were Sherman Klove. Thats before Wane and Cooper tools bought them out.

The sad part, I bought then NEW I am glad they gar. them for life. As I do not know what to hope for. The tools are very well made and have outlasted me., or I am well made and have outlasted them!...russ

[ChevelleSS_LS6]

I have a new (couple months old) set of craftsman tools, I have no idea what the chrome finish does... they can keep the chrome for all I care, so long as they work, and work hard. I do like the laser-etched size... that way when I;m old and can't see some bolt I'm trying to remove I can at least see which size of socket I'm using.

[steve t]

some of my wrenches i paint red so i can find them easy in the draw for special jobs

[Henry Highrise]

Originally Posted by ChevelleSS_LS6

I have a new (couple months old) set of craftsman tools, I have no idea what the chrome finish does... they can keep the chrome for all I care, so long as they work, and work hard. I do like the laser-etched size... that way when I;m old and can't see some bolt I'm trying to remove I can at least see which size of socket I'm using.

Hey! Have you been out in the shop watching me? Ha Ha Ha

[sbchevfreak]

Originally Posted by ChevelleSS_LS6

I have a new (couple months old) set of craftsman tools, I have no idea what the chrome finish does... they can keep the chrome for all I care, so long as they work, and work hard. I do like the laser-etched size... that way when I;m old and can't see some bolt I'm trying to remove I can at least see which size of socket I'm using.

Unfortunatly, that laser etching actually wears off and is hard to see after a while. I have another brand of tools with the laser etched sizing, and the most commonly used wrenches are hard to read. If I didn't know what size they are by where they are in the drawer, i would have to look at them pretty hard to see the size. However, I use mine hard every day, all day, so they may see more use/abuse than some.

[poncho62]

Hate to have to say it.....But, a "Real Mechanic" doesn't need to read the sizes on his sockets.............He can tell by just looking at them.

Don't talk to me about metrics though.................

[Henry Highrise]

Originally Posted by poncho62

Hate to have to say it.....But, a "Real Mechanic" doesn't need to read the sizes on his sockets.............He can tell by just looking at them.

Don't talk to me about metrics though.................

I used to be able to do that...could look at a socket or a bolt either one and tell you the size....that was before my eyes went bad and I got these dadgummed bi-focals. I can still do it part of the time though if the lights good.