Alloy Artifacts

Plomb WF (Wright Field) Series Tools

The WF series of tools were produced under a major government contract during the period from 1942 to 1945. These were basic utilitarian tools and were typically finished with a cadmium plating, or else left as unfinished steel.

The (known) WF model numbers range up to WF-137, but with some gaps in the numeric sequence. It's not known whether the gaps represent unassigned numbers, or simply that the tools have not yet been discovered. However, new WF tools are still being found, so it's entirely possible that someday all of the gaps will be filled.

WF-7 9/32-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 173. Plomb WF-7 Flex-Head Breaker Bar.

Fig. 173 shows a Plomb WF-7 flex-head breaker bar, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "D" code.

The overall length is 5.9 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The handle is equipped with a cross-bar hole with a detent ball.

This tool shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-8 9/32-Drive Ratchet

Fig. 174. Plomb 9/32-Drive WF-8 Ratchet, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 174 shows a Plomb 9/32-drive WF-8 ratchet, with the PLVMB logo in raised letters and "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 5.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

This ratchet displays an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-8 "S" 1/4-Drive Ratchet

The previous figure showed the WF-8 ratchet in its standard 9/32-drive configuration, but the ratchet was also produced in a rare 1/4-drive version.

Fig. 175. Plomb WF-8 "S" Ratchet in Rare 1/4-Drive.

Fig. 175 shows a Plomb WF-8 "S" ratchet in an unusual 1/4-drive size, marked "Made in U.S.A." with the PLVMB logo.

The overall length is 5.0 inches.

The WF-8 ratchet was normally made only in 9/32-drive, and all of its corresponding WF-series sockets are 9/32-drive. However, a small number of the WF-8 ratchets were made in 1/4-drive, and were stamped with an "S" to indicate the special production.

Fig. 176. Plomb WF-8 "S" Ratchet in Rare 1/4-Drive, Reverse Side.

Fig. 176 shows the reverse side of the ratchet.

WF-9 9/32-Drive Sliding Tee Handle

Fig. 177. Plomb WF-9 9/32-Drive Sliding Tee Handle.

Fig. 177 shows a Plomb WF-9 9/32-drive sliding Tee handle, marked with the PLVMB logo.

The overall length is 4.1 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

This tool displays an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-20 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar

Fig. 178. Plomb WF-20 3/8-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar, with Inset for End.

Fig. 178 shows a Plomb WF-20 3/8-drive flex-head breaker bar, marked with the PLVMB logo.

The overall length is 8.1 inches. The finish is cadmium plate.

The knurled handle has a broached opening for 3/8-drive, allowing the tool to be used as an extension if needed.

WF-22 3/8-Drive T-Slider Breaker Bar

Fig. 179. Plomb WF-22 3/8-Drive T-Slider Breaker Bar.

Fig. 179 shows another WF-series drive tool, a Plomb WF-22 3/8-drive T-slider breaker bar, marked with the PLVMB logo and a small "A" code. The overall length is 7.3 inches.

The finish is cadmium plate. This tool shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-34 1/2-Drive Extension

Fig. 180. Plomb WF-34 1/2-Drive Extension.

Fig. 180 shows a Plomb WF-34 1/2-drive extension, marked with the PLVMB logo. The overall length is 6.2 inches.

The finish is plain steel. The drive end has a small "hole-tite" hole, but no cross-bar hole.

This tool shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-37 1/2-Drive Breaker Bar

Fig. 181. Plomb WF-37 1/2-Drive Flex-Head Breaker Bar.

Fig. 181 shows a Plomb WF-37 1/2-drive flex-head breaker bar marked with the PLVMB logo. The handle is knurled, and the overall length is 12.6 inches.

This tool shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-38 1/2-Drive Ratchet

We've noted several times that the WF series were utilitarian tools with simple and inexpensive finishes, so this next example is unusual for its crisp forged logos and chrome finish.

Fig. 182. Plomb WF-38 1/2-Drive Ratchet, with Inset for Reverse.

Fig. 182 shows a Plomb WF-38 1/2-drive ratchet, marked with the PLVMB logo in bold raised letters, with "Made in U.S.A." on the reverse.

The overall length is 10.0 inches. The ratchet is finished in satin chrome plating, which is uncommon for the WF series tools.

More unusual is the nicely designed raised-letter PLVMB logo, with the height increasing as the handle becomes wider. The reverse side follows this motif as well, with the "Made in U.S.A." raised letters increasing in height, and the WF-38 model embedded in a larger font. This design would have required extra work to create the forging die, an unexpected luxury for a tool made under a wartime contract.

WF-50 1/2-Drive 7/8 Socket

Fig. 183. Plomb WF-50 1/2-Drive 7/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 183 shows a 1/2-drive Plomb WF-50 7/8 socket, marked with the PLVMB logo. The finish is cadmium plate.

The inset shows the socket broaching, which was done using the hot-broach method generally used by Plomb from 1943 on.

WF-55 1/2-Drive 1-3/16 Socket

Some of the Plomb WF series sockets have a different shape than the typical Plomb sockets, with a turned-down base instead of the typical straight cylindrical form.

Fig. 184. Plomb WF-55 1/2-Drive 1-3/16 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

Fig. 184 shows this form in a Plomb WF-55 1/2-drive 1-3/16 socket, marked with a "C" code to the right of the PLVMB logo. The finish is cadmium plating.

Other examples of sockets with this type of reduced base are known to have been made by P&C, one of the companies acquired by Plomb in the early 1940s. This suggests that the WF series sockets of this style were produced by the P&C factory.

The inset shows the construction for the socket, the early cold-broached style with a recess below the broaching. This construction would be a bit unusual for Plomb, as most of the WF sockets are found to be hot-broached, and the Plomb cold-broach method left a shelf of cut material. This lends further credence to the role of P&C as the maker of this socket.

WF-62 3/4-Drive 1-3/8 Socket

Fig. 185 shows another example of the reduced base form, this time in a Plomb WF-62 3/4-drive 1-3/8 socket, marked with a "C" code to the right of the PLVMB logo.

Fig. 185. Plomb WF-62 3/4-Drive 1-3/8 Socket, with Inset for Broaching.

The finish is polished steel with a thin cadmium plating, mostly worn off now.

The inset shows the construction for the socket, which again is the early cold-broached style with a recess below the broaching.

WF-79 Box-End Wrenches

Fig. 186. Plomb WF-79 5/16x3/8 Box-End Wrench, with Inset for Side View.

Fig. 186 shows a Plomb WF-79 5/16x3/8 box-end wrench, stamped "Made in U.S.A." with the PLVMB logo.

The overall length is 4.0 inches, and the finish is chrome plating with polished ends.

This chrome finish on this example is unusual for the WF-series tools, and may indicate that the wrench was made relatively early.

Fig. 187. Plomb WF-79 5/16x3/8 Box-End Wrench.

Fig. 187 shows a Plomb WF-79 5/16x3/8 box-end wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "Q" code. The overall length is 4.0 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

This wrench shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-81 Box-End Wrench

Fig. 188. Plomb WF-81 1/2x9/16 Box-End Wrench.

Fig. 188 shows a Plomb WF-81 1/2x9/16 box-end wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo. The overall length is 6.3 inches.

The finish is plain steel.

This wrench shows an unusual Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads on either side of the PLVMB logo, a recently noted marking oddity.

WF-83/1139 Dual-Marked Box-End Wrench

Fig. 189 shows a Plomb WF-83 3/4x7/8 box-end wrench marked with the PLVMB logo, and with an unusual second marking as a model 1139. Both the 1139 and WF-83 models have the same nominal sizes and are virtually identical in production anyway, but are usually marked as one or the other, not both. The overall length is 11.4 inches.

Fig. 189. Plomb WF-83 3/4x7/8 Box-End Wrench with Dual 1139 Marking, with Inset for Detail.

In addition to the dual marking, this wrench shows the odd Down/Up pattern in the arrowheads flanking the PLVMB logo.

WF-98 1/4 Open-End Ignition Wrench

The next several figures show ignition wrenches, small open-end wrenches with one opening at a sharp angle to work around obstructions.

Fig. 190. Plomb WF-98 1/4 Open-End Ignition Wrench.

Fig. 190 at the left shows a Plomb WF-98 1/4 open-end ignition wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "R" code.

The overall length is 3.1 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The meaning of the "R" code is not known, but may indicate a particular factory or contract maker.

WF-99 5/16 Open-End Ignition Wrench

Fig. 191. Plomb WF-99 5/16 Open-End Ignition Wrench.

Fig. 191 at the left shows a Plomb WF-99 5/16 open-end ignition wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "R" code.

The overall length is 3.5 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.

The meaning of the "R" code is not known, but may indicate a particular factory or contract maker.

WF-100 11/32 Open-End Ignition Wrench

Fig. 192. Plomb WF-100 11/32 Open-End Ignition Wrench.

Fig. 192 at the left shows a Plomb WF-100 11/32 open-end ignition wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "R" code.

The overall length is 4.0 inches, and the finish is plain steel.

The meaning of the "R" code is not known, but may indicate a particular factory or contract maker.

WF-102 7/16 Open-End Ignition Wrench

Fig. 193. Plomb WF-102 7/16 Open-End Ignition Wrench.

In Fig. 193 we see a Plomb WF-102 7/16 open-end ignition wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "Q" code.

The overall length is 4.5 inches.

The meaning of the "Q" code is not known, but may indicate a particular factory or contract maker.

WF-103 1/2 Open-End Ignition Wrench

Fig. 194. Plomb WF-103 1/2 Open-End Ignition Wrench.

Fig. 194 shows the very similar Plomb WF-103 1/2 open-end ignition wrench, marked with the PLVMB logo and a "Q" code.

The overall length is 4.5 inches.

WF-115 1-5/8 Flare-Nut Wrench

Although most of the WF series were very basic tools for general maintenance and repair, a few were designed for more specialized applications, as the following example illustrates.

Fig. 195. Plomb WF-115 1-5/8 Water Pump Wrench.

Fig. 195 shows a Plomb WF-115 1-5/8 flare-nut wrench, sometimes called a line wrench or "water pump" wrench. The wrench is stamped "Made in U.S.A." with a "0" code to the right.

The overall length is 8.0 inches. The finish appears to be polished chrome, which is unusual for the utilitarian WF tools.

Plomb is not known to have made this style of wrench either before or after the war, so this model may have been produced under contract. The WF series included a number of line wrenches in other sizes, ranging from the 1-1/16 WF-107 model to the 1-3/4 WF-116, with one gap at WF-109 for an undiscovered model.

The "water pump" wrench style was originated by Blue Point in 1927, when they licensed a patent (Gillett, #RE17,417) for the design. Some examples are available in our article on early Snap-On tools, such as the Blue Point 932 Waterpump Wrench.

J.H. Williams & Co. also produced wrenches of this type, which they referred to as "Water Pump Superrenches". Their equivalent to the WF-115 was a model 8952, and a similar example is the Williams 8938 Water Pump Wrench.

WF-12x 3/8-Drive Deep Sockets

Fig. 196. Plomb 3/8-Drive Deep Sockets, with Insets for Detail, from Left: WF-123 (9/16), WF-125 (11/16).

Fig. 196 shows two of the WF-series 3/8-drive 12-point deep sockets, a WF-123 9/16 socket on the left, and a WF-125 11/16 socket on the right.

The sockets are marked with the PLVMB logo, and the finish is a thin cadmium plating.

References and Resources

The photographs and observations of specific tools are from items in my personal collection.

The Proto website has recently expanded their historical information in conjunction with the 100th anniversary (1907-2007) of Plomb and Proto. This can be found as the Proto Tools 100th Anniversary Timeline, a presentation including text and photographs covering the history of Plomb and Proto. The presentation is generally well done and offers a lot of interesting information, but be forewarned, there are a number of errors in the text.

An excellent web page covering the Plomb Tool Company is available and is referred to as the "PTP" (Plomb Tools Page) in the text. However, as the maintainer of PTP prefers not to be linked, the reader should locate it with an internet search for "Plomb Tools". (If you're reading this page, you most likely already know about the PTP.)

Information regarding the Plumb trademark lawsuit is available in a brief article entitled "Plumb v. Plomb" in the Dec. 6, 1948 issue of Time magazine.

Catalog Coverage

Product information was obtained from a number of Plomb catalogs, as summarized in the table below.

Plomb tools were also carried by some industrial distributors, and the catalogs from these companies provide a valuable supplement to the Plomb catalogs.

• The 1924 catalog "F" from the Ducommun Corporation lists Plomb tools including open-end wrenches, chisels, punches, and bearing scrapers. The illustrations show the early "Plomb Tool Mfg. Co." marking.

• The 1926 catalog "G" from the Ducommun Corporation lists only a few Plomb tools, consisting of chisels, oil groovers, and a cotter pin puller. The illustration for a Plomb No. 508 chisel set shows a tool roll with the "Plomb Tool Mfg. Co." marking.

• The 1929 C.W. Marwedel catalog No. 12 lists a variety of Plomb tools scattered throughout the catalog. The listings include Plomb water pump wrenches in models from W20 (1-1/4) to W28 (1-3/4) (page 78), two pages of chisels (pages 166-167), several types of punches (page 171), and a model HB3 brass hammer (page 192).

Patents and Trademarks

Patent and trademark information was obtained from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) uspto.gov web site. Patent documents were obtained from independent web sites offering free downloads, notably freepatentsonline.com.

Feedback

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