Ballinator Videos

In this video we go over the history of Proto Industrial Tools. From their beginnings in a blacksmith shop in Los Angelas as Plomb Tools, to their lawsuit with Plumb over hammers and the rebranding to Proto, to Protomex in Mexico, which spun off into Urrea Herramientas, to acquisitions by Ingersol Rand, and finally by Stanley, Proto has been making PROfessional TOols for over 100 years. Plomb company history: https://web.archive.org/web/20090422045844/http://plombtools.com/CompanyHistory.aspx http://alloy-artifacts.org/plomb-tool.html https://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html Plumb v Plomb lawsuit: https://web.archive.org/web/20070516013744/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,853600,00.html Proto Company history: http://alloy-artifacts.org/proto-empire.html Plomb Catalogs & "Anvil Chorus" Newsletters: https://archive.org/search?query=plomb+tools Proto Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=proto+tool Urrea: https://www.vannattabros.com/saw51.html https://urrea.com/informacion/corporativo Proto Brand Redesign: https://www.prioritydesigns.com/content/tool-brand-development-and-visual-brand-language/ Morris Pendleton Obitiary: https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1985-02-24-me-24573-story.html 00:00 Intro 00:17 The Birth of Plomb 01:01 The Hammer Issue pt 1 01:52 The Combination Wrench 02:15 1940's Expansion 03:28 The Hammer Issue pt 2 04:12 1950's Expansion 04:48 Urrea, Ingersol Rand & Stanley 05:40 Blackhawk Ressurection 06:30 Dat Flying Lady Tho

In this video I check out a vintage Pocket Probe pyrometer by Electronic Development Laboratories. This tool is unique as it doesn't use any batteries. We'll test it out and take a look inside, so I can attempt (and fail) at figuring out the passive circuitry that makes the instrument work. 00:00 Intro 00:47 Testing 01:36 Disassembly 02:14 What's Inside? 03:30 How the Probe Works 04:03 Reassembly

In this video I review the Performance Tool W2935 wire inserter, piercing tool. This tool is used to puncture firewall grommets on cars, and allow easy feeding of wires into the cab. It's a must have for automotive radio/stereo or auxiliary lighting installs. 00:00 Intro 00:39 Demonstration 02:00 Sizing 02:36 Pricing

In this review we look at the Trusty Cook TC43BP. This hammer is unique as it has a short handle, with a heavy head, ball-pien faces, AND it's a dead blow. Trusty Cook hammers are made in the USA, and they have a wide variety of both soft and metal faced deadblow hammers. 00:00 Intro 00:30 Dead Blow Hammers 01:06 The Ball End 01:31 The Mushroom Tip 01:55 Super Sledge 02:26 Pricing, Blems & OEMs 03:16 Outro Trusty Cook: https://www.trustycook.com/ Blemished Hammers: https://www.deadblowhammerdeals.com/

In this video we check out an unusual knife I picked up years ago. Someone made this themselves. It has a cast aluminum handle riveted to a steel blade. I suspect this tool was made by a kid in a high school metal shop class, back in the day, when the teacher wasn't around. 00:00 Overview 00:33 The Blade 01:26 The Handle 01:49 Who Made This?

In this video we look at another old timey woodworking tool, the Stanley Handyman H1214 manually operated hand drill. This particular model was made from 1961 through at least 1973. It's in pretty good shape, and still has the original Goldblatt's price sticker on it. Stanley tool guide 1952: https://archive.org/details/StanleyToolGuide1952 1961 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-tools-list-price-book-pl-61/page/28/mode/2up 1969 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-hand-tools-catalog-34-1969/Stanley%20Hand%20Tools%20Catalog%2034%201969/page/22/mode/2up 1973 Ad: https://archive.org/details/stanley-tools-broad-line-catalog-34-1973/page/18/mode/2up Goldblatt's post-card: https://www.sechicagohistory.org/archive/browse/goldblatt-bros-store/ 00:00 Parody Intro 00:27 How it Works 01:08 Testing 01:44 History 02:50 Outro

In this video we compare the Doyle Tweezer style needle-nose pliers from Harbor Freight, to the USA made Xuron. The small tweezer style head on these is great for electronics, wire bending, jewelry making, model kit building, etc. The Doyle is made in Taiwan, and the Xuron is made in the USA. We'll also try go guestimate who the OEM is for the Doyle in Taiwan. 00:00 Intro 00:38 Side by Side Compare 02:14 Tool Squad Parody 02:38 Who's the OEM? 03:02 Build Quality 03:31 Final Thoughts

In this video we look at the WorkPro, single bubble, 90 degree electrical conduit level. I kinda bought this on accident, not realizing it was made by GreatStar. Oh well, it can't be that bad. I actually kinda like it... 00:00 Intro/Unboxing 00:35 Overview 01:54 Conduit Bending Test 02:39 Magnet Test 03:05 Negatives 03:38 Pricing & Outro

In this video we check out a vintage Bell & Howell Nixie Tube digital volt meter. I'll do a demo of how the unit works. We'll go over what's inside a Nixietube, and take a peek inside the machine. This unit was made by Heath (aka Heathkit) model no: IMD-202-2, and appears to be a clone of Heath's IM-1212. Burroughs Catalogs: https://archive.org/details/Burroghs_Nixie_Tube_Catalog_B_W https://archive.org/details/TNM_Nixie_Tubes_Flyer Heathkit Catalogs: https://www.worldradiohistory.com/Archive-Catalogs/Heathkit-Catalogs 00:00 Intro 00:30 History & How they work 01:08 Demonstration 02:13 Heathkit 02:41 A Look Inside 03:24 Outro

Today we'll look at the LongAcre Oil Filter Cutter. This tool makes it easy to open up your automotive oil or fuel filters, so you can see what's going on inside. I'll demonstrate using the tool, on a couple of different filters. We'll go over some of the knock-off versions that are available on Amazon, and find out that the LongAcre is itself a knock-off, of a 1970's K-Line design. 00:00 Intro 00:21 Demo on Oil Filter 01:21 Filter Disassembly 02:09 Build Quality 02:50 Pricing & Knock-Offs 03:57 Outro

In this video we do a deep dive into the history of the L.S. Starrett Tool company, known for their precision measuring tools. From Laroy Starrett's beginnings with Athol Tool & Machine, to going public on the New York Stock Exchange, acquiring numerous other business and expanding to a worldwide company, to a failed hostile takeover attempt in 1964, and a raid by the FBI over allegations of fraud, Starrett has survived for over 100 years, and was recently acquired by MiddleGround Capital, a private investment firm. Free Starrett Literature: https://www.starrett.com/resources/catalogs More Starrett History: https://www.company-histories.com/LS-Starrett-Company-Company-History.html Starrett History Book: https://archive.org/details/the-starrett-story-1976 Merger Announcement: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240311078791/en/The-L.S.-Starrett-Company-Enters-Into-a-Merger-Agreement-With-MiddleGround-Capital-to-Become-Private-Company Starrett Patents: https://patents.google.com/?assignee=Starrett+L+S+Co&oq=assignee:(Starrett+L+S+Co) Old Starrett Catalogs: https://archive.org/search?query=creator%3A%22L.+S.+Starrett+Co.%22 1913 Athol Machine catalog: https://archive.org/details/AtholMachineCo1913 00:00 Intro 00:21 Early Days 01:41 Depression & WWII Era 02:28 Starrett Goes International 03:01 Hostile Takeover Attempt 03:53 70's & 80's 04:28 Raided by the FBI 05:28 Outsourcing & Factory Closures 06:03 MiddleGround Merger 08:07 My thoughts on Starrett Tools 09:05 Outro

In this video we'll compare two different types of automotive battery testers. An Autool electronic tester from Amazon. And a Chicago Electric carbon pile load tester from Harbor Freight. I'll go over the operation of both, and show some of the different tests they can do. 00:00 Zoomer Overview 00:35 Zoomer Test Setup 01:50 Zoomer Test Results 03:04 Starter & Alternator Tests 04:12 Boomer Overview 04:55 Boomer Tests 06:53 Outro

In this video we take apart the Auto intelliKey AIK5A9488 Spoiler alert: Allegedly a car remote key transmitter, these were a part of a direct mail campaign. There's nothing functional inside. No batteries, no switches. Completely worthless and a waste of resources. A borderline scammy marketing tactic to get you into a car dealership. 00:00 Intro 01:00 Teardown 01:44 Who Made These? 02:17 Marketing Tactics 03:14 LOL they're on eBay

In this video we review the Icon "Made in USA" in-line wire strippers (p/n: 59152) from Harbor Freight. I'll use my tool detective skills to try and figure out who makes these. Similar tools are also being sold by both Snap-On and Southwire. These are in-line wire strippers, so they have four front-holes which you can use to strip wire in an outlet box, where you have limited side access. However, these are limited to four size wires, neither of which is ideal for automotive or 120 volt work... Stride Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US10700500B2 00:00 Intro 00:55 Tool Squad Parody 01:26 Stride Tool 02:06 Testing Wire Strippers 02:35 Testing Screw Cutters 03:14 What are these for? 04:21 Fit in Outlet Boxes 04:50 Pricing & Final Thoughts

Xcelite was the first company to make a plastic handle screwdriver, and also the first to coin the term "nut driver". Their color coded nut drivers were frequently used by electronics technicians and hobbiests from the 1940's all the way to today. An Xcelite screwdriver is believed to have been used by Louis Slotin in the 1946 "Demon Core" incident, at the Los Alamos testing lab. In this video we go over the histroy of Xcelite. From Park Metalware in the 1920's to "Xcelite by Weller" and present day. Demon Core Incident: https://www.newyorker.com/tech/annals-of-technology/demon-core-the-strange-death-of-louis-slotin Park Metalware patents: https://patents.google.com/?assignee=PARK+METALWARE+Co+Inc https://patents.google.com/?inventor=Zilliox+John 1924 Wire Connector: https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Lineman_s_Handbook/w4xRAAAAMAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=park+metalware&pg=PA362&printsec=frontcover 1936 Catalog (screwdrivers): https://archive.org/details/park-metalware-co-1936 1960 Catalog: https://archive.org/details/XceliteCatalogNo160 1966 Catalog: https://archive.org/details/bitsavers_xcelite166_11888028 1982 Catalog: https://archive.org/details/XceliteCooper1982 Los Alamos cover: https://archive.org/details/los-alamos-project-y-book-viii-volume-2-technical-29-april-1947 00:00 Demon Core Incident 00:54 Park Metalware 01:44 The Nut Driver 02:22 Xcelite Innovations 03:40 The Cooper Era 04:02 The Apex Era 05:07 Outro 05:38 Moar Demon Core

In this video we'll restore a 1920's K-D Tools Model 99 Hack Saw. These saws could take blades from 12 inches down to 3 inches, for cutting around obstructions. Patented in 1920 by George Wilkins, this saw was made all the way up until 1946, when it was replaced with a new model with a quick change blade system. After the restoration, I'll attempt to dual wield this saw along with the later model version. 1920 Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US1382448A 00:00 Intro 00:30 History 00:44 Operation 00:53 Restoration Prep 01:24 Wire Wheeling 02:08 After Wire Wheeling 02:56 Dual Wield 03:45 Before/After Shots

This video is on the clamp-on pallet forks that I've been using on my Massey Ferguson GC1705 SCUT since 2017. Since then I've used them for a variety of things, unloading items from the back of my truck, hauling brush, lifting and moving logs, and even sometimes for actually carrying pallets. We'll go over how these work, some of the limitations, and the myths surrounding clamp on pallet forks. 00:00 Intro 00:22 Installation 00:32 Use with Pallets 01:38 Hauling Brush 01:53 Bending the Bucket? 02:56 Use with Ratchet Strap / Chains 03:34 2 by 4 slots 04:00 Outro

In this video we go over the Chicago Electric 130w hotknife tool, p/n: 60313. We'll test the warm up time and maximum temperature, test it out on a variety of materials: styrofoam, squishy foam, nylon webbing & nylon rope. Functionally the tool works fine, it just has a cheap build contruction. 00:00 Unboxing 00:42 Power Knob & Controls 01:22 Warm Up Time & Max Temp 02:21 Styrofoam Cutting Test 02:57 Squishy Foam Test 03:36 Nylon Webbing Test 04:01 Nylon Rope Test 04:26 Depth Guide 05:00 Build Quality 05:26 Pricing & Final Thoughts

In this video we look at a vintage Irwin model 900 Screw Starter. Sometimes referred to as a Gimlet, this is a simple device for creating a pilot hole for a screw, without using a drill. These were common tools for woodworking a long time ago, but have become less common as power tools have taken over. We'll compare the vintage Irwin to a modern Masterforce version, as well as using an awl and a push drill to make the pilot hole. 1968 Ad: https://books.google.com/books?id=FNQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA131&dq=screw+starter&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwinl4_VhLaEAxWl5ckDHZ0lAy8Q6AF6BAgEEAI#v=onepage&q=screw%20starter&f=false 1983 Army Tool Manual: https://www.google.com/books/edition/Use_and_Care_of_Hand_Tools_and_Measuring/neHvgZbUxSoC?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=screw+starter&pg=SA22-PA5&printsec=frontcover 00:00 Intro 01:18 Modern Version 01:36 Experiment 04:02 Hardwood Demo 04:27 Outro

In this video we go over the history of the short-lived Popular Mechanics tool brand. These tools were sold at WalMart from 1992 to 2001. Wal-Mart had secured a licensing agreement with Hearst Publications, to license the magazine's name as a tool brand. Hearst required WalMart to submit the tools for testing before they could put the Popular Mechanics name on them. 1992 Article: https://web.archive.org/web/20100204102315/http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3092/is_n10_v31/ai_12313265 Garage Journal Thread: https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/popular-mechanics-tools-warranty.90248/ 1993 ad: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_4eMDAAAAMBAJ/page/n33/mode/2up 1994 ad: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_huMDAAAAMBAJ/page/n15/mode/2up 2000 ad: https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_MxXlKb9wIe0C/page/n123/mode/2up 00:00 Parody Intro 00:42 Overview 01:05 Licensing the Brand 02:01 Testing Lab 02:28 The Tools 04:14 Present Day

This is the computer I set up for out in the workshop. I didn't want to build a full PC for out here, since it would likely get clogged up with dust and get damaged. With this Wyse R90LW Thinn Client, I can remote desktop into my main PC in the house. The Thinn Client doesn't have a fan, so no dust can get sucked into it. They're also under $50, so this is way cheaper than building a second PC. We'll also look at the TG3 mechanical keyboard, with integrated trackpad, that I use out here. 00:00 Overview 00:40 Boot Sequence 01:59 Keyboard 02:35 Thinn Clients

Tekton is bringing back the "L" handle. In both 3/8 and 1/2 inch drive. These feature a wobble end on the long end, and a knurled grip. Part numbers SLH10106 (3/8) and SLH20108 (1/2) Why would you use this in 2024 over a ratchet or a flex-head breaker bar? 00:00 Parody Intro 00:23 Overview 00:55 Square Drive End 01:12 Wobble Drive End 01:35 Maximum Torque 02:01 Outro

In this video we look at the eXtra Short ratchet extension set from Tekton. p/n: SHA99020. This is a three piece set of the shortest extensions, that can legally be referred to as extensions. 00:00 Comedy Intro 00:31 Overview 01:05 Size Comparisons 01:40 Pricing 02:20 Use Case Re-Enactment 02:57 Outro

In this video I make a short 3" blade for this vintage K-D Tools Convertible Model 99 Hacksaw. This saw was designed to use blades from 3 to 12 inches. The shorter blades allow it to cut around obstructions. Since the saw blade is made from hardened steel, we'll spot anneal it to avoid damaging the heat treatment on the cutting edge. 1920 Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US1382448A 1946 Patent: https://patents.google.com/patent/US2531135 1934 KD Catalog: https://archive.org/details/k-d-tools-catalog-no-16-1934/page/6/mode/2up 1948 KD Catalog: https://archive.org/details/k-d-tools-cat-no-24-1948/page/14/mode/2up 1969 KD Catalog: https://archive.org/details/k-d-tools-catalog-69/K-D%20Tools%20Catalog%2069/ 00:00 Intro 00:50 Making a Short Blade 02:35 Cutting Demo 03:11 Saw History 03:44 Other Design Features 04:25 Outro

Today we're looking at a set of Masterforce silicone tool trays from Menards. These appear to be a knock off of the Grypmat. Other than the color, it looks identical to the ones sold at Harbor Freight and the generic ones on Amazon. At under $20 for a set of three, these might be the cheapest knock-offs out there. 00:00 Intro 00:28 Unboxing 00:46 Large Tray 01:10 Slide Test 01:40 Medium Tray 01:53 Small Tray 02:19 Pricing Comparisons 02:48 Outro