Proto

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About Proto

For over a century, PROTO® has set the industrial standard with American-made, heat-forged tools that deliver uncompromising performance across 19 specialized categories—from Precision Torque and Fleet Maintenance to Tethered Tools and their Wrenches that helped build the Golden Gate Bridge and Apollo 11. Each PROTO product is carefully engineered, nickel-plated, and rigorously tested to withstand the most punishing worksite environments, from subzero temperatures to scorching factory floors, ensuring critical operations continue uninterrupted. Beyond tools, PROTO delivers peace of mind for professionals working in the world's most dangerous and harsh worksites—deep mines, remote oil rigs, and other construction sites where failure is not an option. Protos ergonomic designs that prevent slippage and reduce injury, making PROTO the trusted partner for industrial professionals who work around the clock in these extreme conditions. When professionals choose PROTO, they're not just buying tools; they're investing in industrial-strength reliability that has stood the test of time for those who keep global industries running when it matters most. Shop from allan wrench/hex keys, chisels, clamps, gauges, hammers and striking tools, inspection, knives, master sets, nippers, snips, scissors, pliers, pry bars, pullers and puller sets, screw drivers, sockets, strippers and cutters, wrenches.

Proto Air Tools: AIr Ratchets and Impact Wrenches

Proto Air Tools deliver professional-grade pneumatic solutions engineered for superior performance and user comfort. Their air ratchets feature lightweight titanium housing with low-profile heads for tight spaces, while their impact wrenches incorporate ergonomic handle-forward designs to reduce overall user fatigue.

All Proto Air Tools feature useful and user-friendly engineering like feather-start triggers for precise control, quick-release mechanisms for safety and efficency, and other technological innovative features including ambidextrous controls that can be operated with gloved hands. Trade professionals can also have the option for ProtoID™ RFID tracking capability to know where their tools are at all times. These air tools are ideal for demanding industrial applications where reliability, durability, and operator comfort are the top priority.

PROTO Tools: Built all trade industry professionals

When your workday takes you to places most people never see, your tools better be ready for whatever comes. That's where PROTO stands apart—creating professional-grade equipment that performs when everything else is against you.

American Industrial Strength: A Century of Safety and Reliability

PROTO tools earn their keep in America's toughest environments—from deep mines to offshore rigs to factory floors where downtime isn't an option. For over 100 years, these tools have built American landmarks like the Golden Gate Bridge, maintained classic engines, and even supported the Apollo 11 mission. This isn't just manufacturing heritage—it's a commitment to the professionals who stake their safety on having the right equipment when conditions turn dangerous.

Safety drives every Proto design decision, creating tools that reduce strain, prevent accidents, and protect workers in high-risk situations. The difference shows when you're tightening critical fasteners three miles underground or maintaining infrastructure in extreme weather. This century of refinement through real-world feedback means Proto tools deliver reliability that few manufacturers can match—because when your livelihood depends on your equipment, you need a partner that won't let you down when everything else is against you.

Built for Every Industry

PROTO tools are trusted across the full spectrum of America's essential industries. Aerospace technicians rely on PROTO's precise sockets and wrenches when working on components where there's zero margin for error. Automotive professionals depend on them for everything from engine assembly to fleet maintenance of electrical systems and chassis components.

In the electrical field, PROTO's cutting pliers, wire strippers, and insulated tools protect workers dealing with live systems, while government and military operations count on the same tools for equipment maintenance with national security implications. Mining crews face some of the harshest conditions on earth, and PROTO stands up to the punishment of maintaining drills, conveyors, and heavy machinery despite constant exposure to dust, moisture, and extreme temperatures.

Oil, gas, and power generation workers handle the unique challenges of energy infrastructure with PROTO's specialized torque wrenches and ratcheting systems designed specifically for flange work and critical applications. And when it comes to transportation, the industrial-grade sockets and wrenches keep America's trains moving by handling oversized fasteners and high-torque situations day after day without failure.

PROTO Striking Tools: When Force Matters

Proto Chisels

PROTO chisels are manufactured from hardened, shock-resistant steel that's built to withstand serious punishment. Each features a hand-ground cutting edge set at the precise angle for efficiently cutting through tough metals. The black oxide finish with machined taper doesn't just look professional—it adds durability and helps identify the right tool quickly.

Proto Hammers

What sets PROTO hammers apart is their patented anti-vibration technology that significantly reduces the shock transferred to your hands and arms. The molded textured rubber grip stays secure even when your hands are sweaty or oily, giving you better control when precision matters. For added safety, the rim-tempered striking surface provides extra durability exactly where hammers typically fail.

For heavier applications, PROTO sledge hammers combine striking power with control. Designed specifically for hitting metal, concrete, and stone, their fiberglass handles with cushioned grips reduce fatigue during extended use while maintaining the force needed to get results.

Proto Pry Bars

When you need leverage, PROTO pry bars give you the mechanical advantage without compromise. The impact-resistant, extruded Acetate handles feature a four-sided design with shallow flutes that prevent the tool from rolling away while providing a secure grip. These handles aren't just comfortable—they're also resistant to the harsh chemicals found in many industrial environments, including specialized hydraulic fluids used in aerospace applications.

The high-alloy steel shanks are heat-treated along their entire length and feature a black oxide treatment that adds strength and corrosion resistance. This attention to detail makes a noticeable difference when you're applying serious force to move heavy components or break loose seized fasteners.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between the J6062C, J6064C, J6014C, and J6006C ratchet head micrometer torque wrenches?

These Proto ratchet head micrometer torque wrenches differ in drive size and torque range:

  • J6062C: 1/4" drive, 40-200 in/lb range
  • J6064C: 3/8" drive, 40-200 in/lb range
  • J6006C: 3/8" drive, 16-80 ft/lb range
  • J6014C: 1/2" drive, 50-250 ft/lb range
  • J6020AB: 3/4" drive, 120-600 ft/lb range

What is a torque multiplier and when should I use one?

Torque multipliers like the J6202A and J6232 amplify input torque by a specific ratio, allowing the user to apply higher torque values with less input force. This all happens without changing its speed. They're ideal for high-torque applications where additional leverage is needed.

Are all PROTO tools covered by the lifetime warranty?

No. Several categories have specific limited-term warranties:

  • Die Grinders, Torque Wrenches, Torque Multipliers, and Torque Testers: 1-year warranty
  • Air Impact Tools: 2-year warranty
  • Torque tool calibration: 90-day warranty
  • Universal sockets, universal joints, thin-wall impact sockets, adapters, and retaining rings are not covered

For more information about Proto Warranties please visit Proto Tools Warranty Page.

What is the ProtoID™ Air Fitting system?

The ProtoID™ Air Fitting system incorporates RFID technology into air tool fittings, allowing for tool tracking, maintenance scheduling, and inventory management in professional and industrial environments.