Tool Talk

General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: HeelSpur on July 12, 2014, 06:32:55 PM

Title: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: HeelSpur on July 12, 2014, 06:32:55 PM
Picked this up today because I've never seen one in my travels,
Anyone missing one in their collection?

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j368/wvabe/006-28.jpg)
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: EVILDR235 on July 12, 2014, 08:17:05 PM
All mine have the yellow handles or wooden ones. I do have 2 Proto style handle  screwdrivers that are marked BET-R-GRIP with clear handles with silver metal flake in them. Yours is the first ruby colored Proto driver I have seen. I do know about the BET-R GRIP connection to Proto. J.P.Danielson marketed tools with the name BET-R-GRIP and was related to Plomb/Proto tools.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: john k on July 12, 2014, 10:20:41 PM
One more thing I will have to hold up to the light and inspect!   Have not heard of Ruby line, before now.    My computer took so long to load that I was thinking it was the first time you ever saw a Crestoloy wrench. 
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: oldtools on July 13, 2014, 04:15:41 AM
What is that Vice-grip tool?
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: HeelSpur on July 13, 2014, 04:37:47 AM
Quote from: oldtools on July 13, 2014, 04:15:41 AM
What is that Vice-grip tool?
Not sure yet, haven't looked for any markings yet.
It worked smooth so I just picked it up and moved on.
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: OilyRascal on July 13, 2014, 07:20:36 AM
Heelspur - I've been on the hunt to build a set for while now.  I have a lone slotted Model 9326.   Nice find.
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: lbgradwell on July 13, 2014, 10:20:23 AM
A similar thread was started at GG just last week...

1954:


(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/Ruby-Line-1954.jpg)
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: lbgradwell on July 13, 2014, 10:24:06 AM
Quote from: HeelSpur on July 13, 2014, 04:37:47 AM
Quote from: oldtools on July 13, 2014, 04:15:41 AM
What is that Vice-grip tool?
Not sure yet, haven't looked for any markings yet.
It worked smooth so I just picked it up and moved on.


It's a BMC = "Botnick Motor Corporation".

I have an early NOS pair in the original box.


(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BMCWissHellerStanley1.jpg)

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BMC2.jpg)


I believe the company ceased operations in the 1960s.


An ad from 1946:


(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BMCLockingPliers1946.jpg)


And the literature that came in the box:


(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BMCLockingPliers1940s-60s.jpg)

(http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c180/lbgradwell/BMCLockingPliers1940s-60s2.jpg)
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: EVILDR235 on July 13, 2014, 04:06:56 PM
I do collect Proto yellow handle screwdrivers because they are easy to find. I will need to look closer at ruby colored screwdrivers in the future.

EvilDr235
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: OilyRascal on July 13, 2014, 06:57:03 PM
Here is the 9326

(http://i1154.photobucket.com/albums/p534/alphinde/Tools%20Talk/8e318c1a-72a2-444f-8fb1-93efba8c0179_zps73e80a35.jpg) (http://s1154.photobucket.com/user/alphinde/media/Tools%20Talk/8e318c1a-72a2-444f-8fb1-93efba8c0179_zps73e80a35.jpg.html)
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: HeelSpur on July 13, 2014, 07:35:36 PM
That's in really nice shape, I must of saw 50 screwdrivers that were Ruby colored today and checked each one to see if it was the ruby line, but not a one.
Guess it will be as tough as the blue&yellow handled craftsman to find.
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: HeelSpur on July 20, 2014, 02:54:11 PM
Found another pair today and I can read these.

(http://i1082.photobucket.com/albums/j368/wvabe/011-14.jpg)
Title: Re: Proto Ruby Line
Post by: john k on July 20, 2014, 09:34:02 PM
I have one of the BMC locking wrenches out in the old shop.  Dad said not to use it as it had a tendency to slip.   Later as I put on the band aids, I agreed with him.