Easco Wrench Set- Proto 258 Pliers- Finding Center

[@Resto-Rob]

Love those Proto pliers. 👍 In my last Job, contacted with the government, we had quite a bit of Easco wrenches and sockets. They were always good quality tools.

[@Resto-Rob]

We also had Proto tools in our inventory. I believe Proto stands for professional tools.

[@phillipjones1412]

Easco also made hammers etc. actually great quality like the USA craftsman. They’re definitely worth holding onto. Great video.

[@jris]

I have at least three sets easco wrenches. My grandfather worked for GM as a tool maker and I inherited them. Perhaps they were more known in certain trades. Thanks for posting sir.

[@alexstools]

You are so right about the Easco wrenches, they look real nice. Made me think about craftsman too right away. Thank you for the tips on finding center, I never saw that with the drillpress and that is really going to help some day! Thanks for another great episode, it is the highlight of my day!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Alex!!!! So glad that helped!

[@mrbenmall]

With its ability to hold round stock in the tip, I could see those pliers becoming a frequently used tool with the wire wheel. Great job.

[@mardeeda]

One of the most beautiful pliers I've seen. What a beautiful design.

[@Brian-Burke]

That's a great idea to bring the press to the twist drill. I love it.

[@robfahey1349]

Nice I never saw the easco branded wrenches by themselves but you beat me to it I was going to chime in and say they made wrenches for craftsman for awhile.

[@christopherlusk9385]

Great show. Nice job on the Proto pliers and the history of the Easco wrench was fascinating. They also made tools for KD. Finding center also had some good tips.

[@2dividedby3equals666]

Great tips and tricks!! Will definetly check Jesse's channel out, I love to watch flea market videos and when the guy has a thing for tools it's even better!! Those Easco's are nice!! I find surprising the ammount of different tool manufacturers that existed in the US!!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Jesse is out of control! (In a good way) LOL Thanks!!!!!!

[@mikepugh6483]

Nice wrenches. Thanks for the tip. Pliers are cool. Nice clean up. Beautiful restoration. Nice tutorial on finding centers for the lathe.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Mike!!!

[@tombob671]

Scout my dad bought me a set of Montgomery Ward tools in 1966. I was a poor Marine stationed at Marine Barracks Long Beach Ca. I had an old57 Chevy that I was constantly working on. The tools were Powrkraft brand made USA. Looked a lot like these. I still have some of them left. Semper Fi

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Tom! PowrKraft were great tools! They were really big in the mid west.. They are quite collectable today as many people loved the over-built designs they sold! Awesome stuff! Semper Fi!

[@stevef8993]

Those Easco wrenches are pretty nice, good score! Great tip on the drip press!! I really need to get one of those round stock center tools. I think my father made one of those years ago. I'll have to rummage through the basement to find it. Great mid-week video.👍

[@johnkelley9877]

Great episode. The pliers look great and your right, the detail on the hand grips look really good.

[@choppermike3329]

Hey ScoutCrafter, the local Auto Parts here use to sell Easco about 30 years ago. I've got a couple wrenches and a 1/2 inch ratchet. Used a lot and still in great shape. Good stuff.

[@joelmccoin9727]

Howdy, good ta see ya. I have a complete set Easco wrenches, in a canvas pouch, Got them at an auction about 15 yrs ago, love them. I fully understand about getting covered up with a collection. I started collecting tools in 1962, at age 7, they followed me home for my whole life. In 1998 I had a tool auction, sold lots of duplicates and a lot of old displays. I sold 825 pieces(enough to pay off my house) over 100 keen kutter(all new in box) Today, you could not tell I ever sold any. I like to meet new collectors, in the auction bizz I run into a few, Nothin like Tool Guys, great bunch. Thanks, good video.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Wow!!!! All from the hardware store? Joel, can you tell me how many wrenches are in the complete set? Thanks!!!!!!!!

[@joelmccoin9727]

@@ScoutCrafter All the Keen Kutter stuff was from my old store, had 3 deep in most stuff. My wrench set is a 9pc. 1/4 to 3/4.

[@allentrench]

Great video today John. I remember Esco my dad had a shot when I was a kid some years ago and I remember the quality was outstanding. Those pliers turned out awesome I am putting this on my tool list to find which is growing every time I watch one of your videos. I just refinished my Stanley 700 which I’m very proud of and can’t wait to use. Thank you for that tooltip even though I’ve been around for a few years Every time I watch one of your videos I learned a new trick and this will come in very handy since I just got a brand new drill press. Keep up the good work I’m so look forward to every video that you put out. I also want to give a shout out to all the first responders and vets on the date 9/11.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Allen! That 700 is such a gem of a vise!!!! I'm so glad you got one!

[@d.riprock1546]

Good video. I have a pair of 256?(small regular slip joint)Proto pliers in my Jeep. They're my favorite. They just feel right and the decoration/surface on the grips is pretty attractive.

[@leebrewer1190]

Great job on the plumber's pliers John. I am kicking myself b/c I was at a flea market last year, picked up a pair, got distracted, put them down, and forgot to go back for them! I wanted them for the exact feature you showed, the way the end is designed. I saw the Vamplier tool being advertised and to me it looks like these plumber's pliers will do the same thing. I'd rather have the old ones and restore them than the new pliers (or just use my Eifel Plierench some guy named Scoutcrafter introduced me to - they work just as well with their geared grip 😄).

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Lee! Yes! The Vampires are a great design!

[@NashRathbone]

Hi Scout. I have some Engineer Neji Saurus RX pliers that will handle round stock in the end of the jaws and the design and build quality are excellent, I would recommend getting a pair for the quality and design alone. I'll be keeping an look out for a set of the Proto pliers seen here. Another excellent video, thank you. 👍

[@stephenbridges2791]

Very interesting use of a drill press for finding center. Love it!

[@joeheilm]

I love those proto pliers. The centering tools were very interesting, i often overestimate the accuracy of my laser eyeball 🤣🤣🤣. Cheers

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL- I used to be really good at "eyeballing" stuff until I started wearing glasses! Now everything looks bent to me! =D

[@johnduff6436]

Clean up?? That pliers is jewelry! I have a few examples of Easco tools. Impressed with the quality and find them generally priced in the low range. Very informative as usual. Thank you.

[@brandonsizemore3619]

Also Easco made tools for Craftsman USA for a long time. Just wanted to share. Thanks Scout! Great video!

[@lordvengerx]

I have never seen those wrenches they look awesome. And those pliers are really neat. Don't see pliers like that anymore. Thanks Scout =D

[@HardKnocksForge]

I have a few sockets that are Easco. They’re good quality for sure. I don’t know if it was luck or not, but Easco was never sent offshore so their quality was never questionable. Sadly like Apex does with everything, they closed the USA manufacturing plants down and just killed off the brand name. Just like what they did to Allen and Armstrong last couple years. Love Proto anything! Always high quality. Those gas pliers are something I’ve been looking for just to compare them to the modern Engineer pliers.

[@patcb829]

Well said Knockers, so true about Allen and Armstrong.

[@ScoutCrafter]

HKF!!!!! You are spot on with APEX, a bunch of Globalizing suits only concerned with making $$$

[@mauserwaffen982]

Easco (later became K-D easco) made combo wrenches for Napa auto parts. Great find!

[@Traderjoe]

That Proto was a beauty! I’ll keep my eye out for one. I have a similar design pliers from Japan called the Vampliers. It’s awesome

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes! I have them too! Japan makes great tools!

[@13thworker45]

Nice restoration of the pliers. Thank you for the lesson on centering in the drill press. Thank You

[@bj383ss]

Another great video. I almost learn something from everyone of your videos. I would have never thought about the drill press trick.

[@805ROADKING]

More great tips Bud!! I'm surprised you never heard of Easco!! They were a big player back in the day, good quality stuff!!☺

[@ScoutCrafter]

I am too! You are from the North East too so if you heard of it they must have been popular! Surprised I am in the dark on this one! LOL =) Thanks King!

[@virginiagonzalez1138]

Great centering tip! That will definitely come in very handy.

[@lewiemcneely9143]

I don't think I have any Easco stuff but those pliers are a REAL fit-all! THanks CS! Looks like the shop is thinning out a bit!

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL Lewie! Thinning out!?? Only my hair! =D

[@lewiemcneely9143]

@@ScoutCrafter I thought you were moving and you got LOTS of hair compared to my poor old worn out noggin! Mine's worn out from the inside AND the outside!

[@BigPete7407]

Hi John, my Dad bought me a set of Easco open end wrenches back in the late 70's and I still use them all the time. If I get out to the shop I'll send you a pic. Thanks, Pete

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome!

[@OldSneelock]

The Proto pliers are great for the spring type hose clamps used on old washing machine hoses.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes! Pretty soon Washing machines are going to be unserviceable like everything else! They are getting more complicated every year. Like our cars...

[@Dominic.Minischetti]

I have a Easco 1/4 inch socket, smooth as silk and a beautiful little tool!

[@saigaking]

Great video John cool love the mid week ones they just seem to get me through to Friday ha ha The wrenches 🔧 are the early craftsman’s soon as I saw them a little light went off in my head Craftsman they might be collectible in a few years with the history an all. I just got a lot pliers ect And in the box was a really nice pair of blue bird batterie pliers really cool not a mark on them I love it when you find these little diamonds 💎 fantastic job on the pliers came out so sweet Great in the hand I bet , really good information on finding the centres also god bless thanks So much 🙏👍🛠🇺🇸👌

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Matt! Vintage Craftsman and Millers Falls are my two favorite tool names!

[@bobjoncas2814]

..very nice, right time, right place, right price...nice find...

[@texasj49]

I have a few Easco wrenches and sockets. Quality stuff. I think I picked all of mine up in pawn shops for pennies. ~Jeff

[@reynaldovalle1773]

Thank you for the great tip about the drill press and finding the center and for Jesse's a channel God bless you family and friends..

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks so much Reynaldo!

[@reynaldovalle1773]

@@ScoutCrafter 😁👍👍👍👍

[@reynaldovalle1773]

@@ScoutCrafter by the way I forgot to tell you I subscribe to this channel Jesse's thank you

[@tonylenge424]

Thanks again for Jessie’s channel and the video!

[@scotthaddad563]

I have an easco nut driver that I received with a radio controll boat hull that I purchased back in ‘84 or ‘85 the nut driver was just some swag included that made changing the glow plug on the motor much easier. I love the quality and bright blue color of that tool. I still have the boat as well!

[@carver3419]

I remember seeing an ad in Popular Mechanics announcing the introduction of Proto Tools.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Everything Proto made was high quality! =)

[@Mcphilsmith]

Brilliant trick with the drill press. Hadn't seen that before.

[@357magdad]

The pliers came out nice! Jesse has about three of everything! LOL

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL- Except Drill presses! He has about 6! =D

[@artsietopology]

That Proto gas fitter pliers looks like they could be very handy for anyone who occasionally needs a grip in some odd situation. Scout, I need to buff part of a fountain pen I repaired and wondered what would be the best compund to use with the buffing wheel on my Dremel. The part of the pen I want to polish on the pen is some sort of plastic. Thanks. - Kathie

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Kathie! I really love this product! It's not expensive and can be used on a lot of materials! www.meguiars.com/automotive/products/meguiars-plastx-clear-plastic-cleaner-polish-g12310-10-oz-liquid

[@RossTFarnsworth]

I have an Easco 15mm wrench I bought in Unity Maine at the Auto Supply store to work on my 80 Firebird in 1988 while I was in college. It is still my goto 15mm wrench when I am working on something, wish I had had money then to buy the whole set then, but broke is broke and I was fixing my car so I could drive it home that spring.

[@ScoutCrafter]

80 Firebird! My buddy had that same car! T-Tops! =) He was a huge Smokey and the bandit fan and would play that stereo so loud my earwax would chatter! LMAO! He got it brand new, a gift from his Father... Good times!

[@RossTFarnsworth]

@@ScoutCrafter I Won mine at my Highschool Graduation Party in 1987, It is my first car and I still own it. I have taken it apart and put it back together many times. I hope to start to restore it again when I succeed in getting my garage cleaned out and organized. ( I keep putting tools in it to restore, so slow going). and yes I loved Smokey and the Bandit.

[@ScoutCrafter]

@@RossTFarnsworth OMG! You won it! How awesome a brand new car at 18! Just like my friend! Sweet!

[@RossTFarnsworth]

@@ScoutCrafter LOL, it was 7 years old at the time, but new to me. Best of all, a great car to tinker on.

[@КошмарКошмар-й2б]

Hi Scout Crafter 👋👋👋good project 👍good collection 👍 very good restoration unusual pliers 👍👍👍

[@scuba-mo5ck]

Easco tools was a very nice tool sold them at our family auto parts store for a number of years lifetime warranty real quality didn't to warranty many have some kicking around still

[@jameskelly1680]

Clever! Love the metalworking hints.

[@ArmandoLoni]

I used to get caught out by not taking into consideration the thickness of a marking line 😂 I really only appreciated it when I started working from plans/building model boats 👍🏻

[@EVILDR235]

Easco use to make the round head / quick release Craftsman ratchet for Sears. They also made the ratchet using their name with a slightly different handle. I see the ratchets once in a while, but not to many of the wrenches. I do own a few of the wrenches and they seem well made.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Funny how here where I live you rarely see Easco stuff! However the wrenches are pretty! =)

[@EVILDR235]

How often do you see P&C brand tools ? I live in the Northwest about 20 minutes from the old P&C factory. I don't collect P&C tools but somehow I have over 400 of them. Yes the Easco are good looking tools. A lot of the tools I buy because of the way they look. I have a bunch of S&K round head ratchets, but very few of their other tools.

[@salchristiano6606]

love all the old label chemicals on your shelf...

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Sal! Remember the old time Marvel Mystery Oil containers!? =D

[@davidspinney2664]

Hi Scout Crafter there used to be a very big flea market where i live they had venders that sold the usual used stuff but they used to also have venders that had new stuff as well and the tool vender there had Easco tools they looked nice but i didn't need any at the time.

[@davidmandujano1824]

Love the Proto pliers. Got a small collection myself.

[@Trashmouth75]

On the Proto Pliers it looks like before you refurbish it, the date code on one of the arms is J 11 03. You can just make out the left edges of the 3 on the handle. After you sanded and polished it, it appears that 3 is no longer visible.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I didn't even see the "3"! I tried looking all over for the date codes but couldn't find them.. Not that it matters but I always like to know about when the tool was made... Thanks very much!!!!!

[@johnpatrickcryan9444]

I had a full set of Esco tools I got from Channel Lumber when I was an apprentice, my Da had a real big set of Hugh's tools plus a small set of Ford tools,( they came with grampas first car, model T), the hands off tools....

[@ScoutCrafter]

LOL The hands off tools! My Dad bought me my first set just so I would leave his alone! =D

[@pneumatic00]

You tend to find Easco tools in electronic service kits. Thus, they usually are not going to be found heavily greased and knocked up as if they were used to pull out transmissions and the like. I don't know if they are as strong or as durable as Craftsman, Proto, or Snap-On but they are likely just fine for all but the most rugged work. Good US mfr. I have a few Easco items, 1/4" socket extensions and the like. You don't expect to obliterate 1/4" socket pieces because they don't go onto bolts big enough to thrash them.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Awesome!

[@pneumatic00]

@@ScoutCrafter If you go back 20-25+ years and look at "Jensen Tools", they specialized in those suitcase type tool kits, mostly for electronics techs, the wrenches and sockets were usually Easco. Nowadays they could well be Chinese. Back then Chinese wrenches, etc; were not very good and did not look very good and were not well regarded. These days they are probably good enough for electronic work, so it wouldn't surprise me to find Husky (or other) tools in such a kit if you bought it today. You and I might not go out and buy such a kit, but such kits are typically offered on GSA contracts, so when the government enlists 350 new electronic techs for the Army or Air Force they buy 350 Jensen toolkits and there you go.

[@BestUserNameUK]

Cool video John, I always look forward to your uploads👍🏻

[@whatchacookin1096]

Thanks for the drill press tip, it will come in handy in the future.

[@brandonsizemore3619]

Also Easco made great tools for Napa for years. Identical, but stamped Napa instead of Easco. I have quite a few of their sockets and wrenches and they are great. Both aesthetically pleasing and hard working. Hate that they were absorbed into Taiwan.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes! I saw that wrench! Awesome! Thanks!

[@brunopeculio7015]

Great video, as always!! Thanks for sharing those tips!

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Bruno!

[@SolitaryMaverick]

Seen the Easco brand for many years.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Mike! It's funny, here in the NE we don't see much of it around! Thanks!

[@wayneo7307]

Hi Scout , Great Video ! I knew Those Wrenches Looked like Craftsman right off the Bat . As Far As Finding Center on Square or Round Stock I Use A Tape Measure After Being A Carpenter and Backyard Mechanic A Long Time . I Never heard of Easco . Looks like You're Missing 1/2 , 5/8 , 11/16 . That Would be Just like My 1st Craftsman Set I Had at 12 !

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Wayne! I too had the same Craftsman set around the same age! If we couldn't kill them then you know they were bulletproof!!!! =) Thanks!!!!!!!!

[@wayneo7307]

@@ScoutCrafter , I Found 1 Easco Adapter 1/4 to 3/8 didn't Know I had It . Bottom of old Craftsman Toolbox . Who Knows When I got That . 😂

[@namleets57]

I recently bought a rust bucket one of the items was a wire cutter that was marked Easco and Japan. When did they go offshore

[@ScoutCrafter]

During the 60's and 70's lots of companies were experimenting with re-branding tools... By the 80's almost everyone was doing it... What a shame!

[@redskool8498]

thanks john, good vid as always ... have a good weekend .. †

[@bigmikeh5827]

Easco is a brand that is used for government contracts. I have several sets 8mm-32mm combo. very common around military base pawn shops and flea markets.

[@TomGunnTools]

Yep, they were the metric sets needed to work on the Hummers. Good sets harder to find now and more expensive.

[@bigmikeh5827]

Tom Gunn I got my big set for 20.00 at an auction locally. Nobody was interested in them as they weren’t Craftsman. I just chuckled as I picked them up.

[@mariehov1]

I love the history of tools. If you are interested in a manufacturer that put quality before anything else. Check out the manufacturer E A Berg Eskilstuna Sweden history. They were bought in 1959 by Bacho, which was later bought by Sandvik who sold to Snap On1999. That included Lindström pliers. Eskilstuna was Sweden's equivalent of Solingen in Germany. They have a history that goes back to the early 19th century.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Yes! A quick eBay search showed a lot of chisels and some pliers... All pricy! They must be good!

[@RRINTHESHOP]

Great tips and well done on the pliers.

[@uktony1525]

Scoutcrafter, great tip with the drill press!. Just off to Jesse's channel and I will tell him you sent me.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Tony!!!!!!!!!

[@dustinlabat4566]

I have a bunch of easco. I have 1/2 ratchet, And breaker bar. I have the wrenches from the huge size 1 1/4 to the small 5/16 without any skips . Also have a set of half inch sockets

[@elsdp-4560]

THANK YOU...for sharing. Great tips on finding centers, very much enjoyed.

[@BenButler1]

Great pliers. I would guess that the J 11 0 on the pliers handles are die markings and not a date code.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Ben! I don't know- Klein always dated their pliers and so did any other manufacturers but I can't find any date code reference for Proto. =) Thanks!

[@norherman]

Excellent subjects again Thank you

[@OldSneelock]

Good job with the Recommendation to Jesse's channel at J.Madone. 26 subs this morning and 174 at 10:55 pm. 👍😎

[@MrHerbie76]

Yesterday I picked up an old vise, it's not to big but is has an interesting feature. It has lower jaws to hold pipe. I bought it for 15 bucks

[@ScoutCrafter]

You can't only have one vise! LOL =) Great stuff!

[@lotsabirds]

Always a GREAT Education!!!

[@stewforlunch]

Love your channel. Keep up the great work.

[@wmpaulminder5995]

Master mechanic made for true value

[@jmquez]

I have a bunch of easco!! Pliers, sockets etc, they are on my “to give away” pile lol

[@ScoutCrafter]

Wow! Here in the North East we hardly see those tools! Great stuff!

[@jmquez]

ScoutCrafter I went through my Wrenches and I found 2, one 3/8th and one 7/16! You have both haha. Do you have a PO Box where we can send you stuff? Also can you please please please come down to the PATINA tool show next year in MD? It would be so awesome to buy you a beverage

[@Erinnem]

I like when your tools have the model number so I can get the ones I really like I need a set of these pliers but I want one I can work on but being in California I can’t get the good east coast stuff good stuff is hard to find here

[@ScoutCrafter]

The funny thing Erin is some guy on Ebay a while back had 6 pair for $19 or something! =D LOL

[@blackbearhiker1420]

Easco was a major brand in the Navy circa 1980's

[@1970chevy07]

I have a few of them whrenches I got in yard sales seem pretty good quality

[@adude7050]

once again a great video

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Abe! =D

[@MarkH10]

AMAZING restore

[@mraamohamed]

Nice set of Pliers, never heard someone use the word purchase as you have at 850, have heard you use that before, must be a New Yorker thing hehe

[@bluemantom77]

I have seen them did not know they where the OEM for Craftsman nice find I cleaned up my late father's slip joint pliers I want to add Klein coat on the Handel i know they are drop forged Japan but in his memory I like to do it he been gone since 1998 I want to add them for grip and looks I love the patina they have now I need to hit up his vise grips and that's it I do not need the polish look just need it rust free cleaned up I am happy with it then I use em I do hit up my local flea market got older used tools some beat up some good the guys there every Sunday

[@sosrob8085]

Have many Easco wrenches and really like them. Great video!! Quality/quantity....the dilemma! Thank you

[@Ricopolico]

Dear God, Scout, talk about close-up. Did you buy an electron microscope at the last tool meet? I used to see Easco stuff in the tech tool catalogs (at some stiff prices) and in instrument calibration labs where the techs ordered tools from those catalogs using OPM (other people's money).

[@phillipjones1412]

State governments and even military used proto. Good quality tools.

[@upsidedowndog1256]

I like those Proto pliers! Vampliers before there was Vampliers. It wouldn't be difficult to modify a normal set into the parallel front teeth design. I will do just that.

[@trevorjowers9669]

Was sold at car quest for while in South Georgia

[@chulochops]

Good afternoon! I was just curious if you happened to see my reply on your eagle claw wrench video about your Bondhus T-handle Allen wrench dilemma.

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Mike! I will look now! =)

[@ScoutCrafter]

Thanks Mike! I answered the comment!!!!!

[@larrytomlinson2606]

I have a 1/4 " drive Metric socket set that is branded as Easco.

[@thunderstruck1078]

Is Jesse aware that we can see only last 2 weeks of his videos? I think it's because he only enabled the *Home* tab on his channel (and that one seems to show only a limited number of past uploads), instead of *Videos* tab.

[@ScoutCrafter]

I never knew that!!!! I guess you change that in the settings? I will let him know! Thanks so much!!!!!!!

[@thunderstruck1078]

@@ScoutCrafter Right, in channel settings. Glad to help :)

[@Traderjoe]

I will check out Jesse’s channel. I am looking for a socket set to keep in the trunk of my car.

[@benrowe2787]

I understand too well the power that is eBay! :D I found the drill press lesson really informative, thank you. I’ve got a Pillar Drill that my Grandad gave me so it’ll come in really handy knowing this. I was wondering if you have ever heard of Axminster Tools? Give them a google if you haven’t some interesting stuff. Great Video :)

[@williammcguire3rd]

Awesome tips.

[@leonardoferrada6926]

Saludos desde Chile..!!!!!👍

[@ScoutCrafter]

Chile!!!!!!!!

[@tooladdict7463]

The pliers is a good John remind me of vampire really clever design

[@ScoutCrafter]

Hi Ben! Yes! Those front grips really help a lot! =)