Proto Ruby Line

[HeelSpur]

Picked this up today because I've never seen one in my travels,
Anyone missing one in their collection?

[EVILDR235]

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

[john k]

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. 

[oldtools]

What is that Vice-grip tool?

[HeelSpur]

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.

[OilyRascal]

Heelspur - I've been on the hunt to build a set for while now.  I have a lone slotted Model 9326.   Nice find.

[lbgradwell]

A similar thread was started at GG just last week...

1954:

[lbgradwell]

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.







I believe the company ceased operations in the 1960s.


An ad from 1946:





And the literature that came in the box:

[EVILDR235]

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

[OilyRascal]

Here is the 9326

[HeelSpur]

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.

[HeelSpur]

Found another pair today and I can read these.

[john k]

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.