Post your mystery tool.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Here's mine.

This thing is beautifully hand made and to me is an industrial sculpture. Unfortunately I have no idea what purpose it serves other than pressing something, therefore cannot confirm whether your guess is correct or not. It is vintage, both ends of the crank handle have an internal thread which I assume allows for the attachment of a knob(?), it came from Canada (if that helps), is VERY heavy and solid, and has no makers marks on it anywhere. Note the tin container in the picture for scale.

What is it?

[jx2mad]

Is there a picture???

[Bigbjorn]

A photo would be nice.

[gazk]

An Invisibility Cloak ?

[alittlebitconcerned]

Whimps. Ok, here's some pictures. Talk about taking the challenge out of it.

[Bigbjorn]

It is an arbor press. Mostly used in machine shops.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Well played Sir. A google image search indicates you are on the money.

Next?

[Bigbjorn]

I have three of them in various sizes. Yours is rare in that it has a hammer head ram not seen much these days. Nearly all have just the square end of the ram as the pusher.

For your next trick, give us a difficult one.

[p38arover]

It is an arbor press. Mostly used in machine shops.

And I have one in my garage. It has a round "pusher" end.

[harry]

oh gawd, i'm not showing you lot my tool.:eek:

or any that i have in the garage,,,,,,

[d2dave]

I have a couple. I'll start with this. I had to cover some writing as it was a dead give away.

Dave.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/img5738r.jpg/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/img5741h.jpg/)

[Blknight.aus]

I have a couple. I'll start with this. I had to cover some writing as it was a dead give away.

Dave.

http://img27.imageshack.us/img27/8500/img5738r.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/27/img5738r.jpg/)

http://img33.imageshack.us/img33/6127/img5741h.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/33/img5741h.jpg/)

wheel alignment tool.

[d2dave]

It wasn't that hard.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/img5743q.jpg/)

Now for a harder one.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/406/img5744s.jpg/)

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/img5745j.jpg/)

Dave.

[Blknight.aus]

hmmm custom made tools.....

its got an aircon fitting on one side and a flare receiver under the keyhole retainer plate...

opening guess...

Its a custom made tool to allow the fitment of a modern Vac unit to an old school refrigeration system.

[d2dave]

Nope.

Dave.

[landychris]

Could post a picture of a neighbour and his GQ:o He's a tool.:D
:wasntme: landychris

[clubagreenie]

Could post a picture of a GQ owner:o They're all tools.:D
:wasntme: landychris


Fixed.

[digger]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/825.jpg

:angel:

[northiam]

It wasn't that hard.

http://img94.imageshack.us/img94/6370/img5743q.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/94/img5743q.jpg/)

Now for a harder one.

http://img406.imageshack.us/img406/9836/img5744s.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/406/img5744s.jpg/)

http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/3959/img5745j.jpg (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/684/img5745j.jpg/)

Dave.
car airconditioning charging adaptor from 1/4 flare

[landychris]

Noooo clubagreenie :twisted: There you go, just like the press and screwing about with what I said. I am sure the majority of GQ owners are fine people. What I should of said was that my neighbours wife who has a GQ is a bit of a wrench..... I mean wench:D.
landychris

[clubagreenie]

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/825.jpg

My GQ is over there.

[easo]

This little bloke mostly gets used around home as a marlin spike but have a guess at what it really is for,

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/823.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/824.jpg

Easo

[Blknight.aus]

looks like a centering tool to me.

[alittlebitconcerned]

looks like a centering tool to me.

X 2

[easo]

Its a chamber wear gauge for a .303 Lee-Enfeild rifle. The more you shoot the more the chamber wears out, so when this gauge fits completely into the rifles chamber the chamber is worn out and the whole rifle barrel gets replaced.

Regards Easo

[Ratel10mm]

car airconditioning charging adaptor from 1/4 flare

Bit of a long-winded way to do it, it'd be a lot easier to just buy the fittings from wherever you bought the 1/4" schrader to adapt, wouldn't it?


Dave, other than Hitachi even old school refrigeration use schrader valves. If one's not fitted, like on a domestic fridge maybe, you'd use piercing pliers or a line tap valve to gain access.

In addition, the screws don't look long enough to ensure a good seal - if the part that fits under the plate is a male flare, then it'd need to be a pretty shallow fitting for the screws to hold, I think. It may fit a Hitachi valve, but the screws are on the wrong side for easy manipulation in that case.

If I'm wrong I'd love to see photos of it in operation. :)

This looks like it may be some sort of testing / comissioning rig, with the 1/4" conection for attatching a Nitrogen regulator to set up some form of switch or other pressure device prior to installation?

[Blknight.aus]

thats why I thought it was for vacing down. put an olive in the male flare, connect it up and then secure the flare under the keyway and vac away.

once youve vacced down close the service valve and your done.

spose on the other side of the bore tool its got .303 on the same line as the LB

[easo]

spose on the other side of the bore tool its got .303 on the same line as the LB

I found that in an antique shop in Henty for $2 as a kid. Have been using it for rope splicing ever since. Its was at the Sheperton gun show when I found out what it was for.

Easo

[d2dave]

I had leaking transmission cooling lines on my Disco. The hydraulics bloke sold me some rubber hose and the fittings to weld to the steel part of the line. When I installed them one of them leaked from my weld.

As they are a bit of a bugger of a job to remove them, I made this tool to pressure test them before refitting. I seal off the other end of the hose and then fit the opposite end into the tool. I can then use my fridge gauges to pressurize the hose and check for leaks.

In my next photo it is obvious what it is. The question is, what was it made from? My father had this made about 50 years ago.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/256/img5748d.jpg/)

Dave.

[clubagreenie]

I have no idea but I'm always confused by the 90 degree bars you see in older socket sets with a male socket square at each end.

[UncleHo]

You can use them like a "crow's foot" or similar to a swivel knuckle ;)

[easo]

I love the old tools because they are just so tough and you know they will out last any other modern tool and they generality have 50 years on the new ones to start. The very few wit-worth spanners I have are just the goods, solid and reliable. I even have a couple of 'stanly' hand drills, keep one in the deffer tool box all the time. Always reliable never goes flat.

[pfillery]

My great grandfather in the UK was a bit of an inventor of various tools, devices and other things. Between WW1 and WW2 when costs were high, things were expensive and everyone was trying to make ends meet (a bit like today) he came up with a really simple tool to sharpen the old gilette style double sided razor blades (the ones with the jagged looking slot in the middle and an edge on each side). Of course your old cut throat razors can be sharpened with a strop but the gilette blades were a disposable item good for one or 2 shaves. His tool, made using a piece of glass, jewellers rouge (very fine polishing compound) and a carrier that held the blade and was pulled across the glass using a string. Apparently it only took a couple of "pulls" to resharpen the blade and he could get many months out of one side, then switch to the other side of the blade. As with all good ideas, it was "aquired" by gilette after he died and disappeared.

Amongst his other "credits" that he never received acknowledgement for was the aircraft inclinometer (to indicate sideways tilt, a common cause of aircraft loss due to uncontollable spins) which was a simple mercury switch that lit up a light to show excess tilt - very simple but very effective. He never wanted any money for it, just recognition as the designer. He was told it was a stupid idea and within months they were being fitted to aircraft and hailed as a breakthrough.

Interestingly, he also used to have a shop that sold valves for old radios and sold some of these valves (but was never paid) to the man who invented the television.

Nothing like homemade tools.

[p38arover]

I love the old tools because they are just so tough and you know they will out last any other modern tool and they generality have 50 years on the new ones to start.

Yep, that's me. I try telling all the girls that. ;)

[harry]

I had leaking transmission cooling lines on my Disco. The hydraulics bloke sold me some rubber hose and the fittings to weld to the steel part of the line. When I installed them one of them leaked from my weld.

As they are a bit of a bugger of a job to remove them, I made this tool to pressure test them before refitting. I seal off the other end of the hose and then fit the opposite end into the tool. I can then use my fridge gauges to pressurize the hose and check for leaks.

In my next photo it is obvious what it is. The question is, what was it made from? My father had this made about 50 years ago.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/256/img5748d.jpg/)

Dave.

i guess it is made from an aircraft engine cylinder head stud,
not gypsy, maybe cirrus, more likely rolls royce merlin or suchlike.

[JDNSW]

I had leaking transmission cooling lines on my Disco. The hydraulics bloke sold me some rubber hose and the fittings to weld to the steel part of the line. When I installed them one of them leaked from my weld.

As they are a bit of a bugger of a job to remove them, I made this tool to pressure test them before refitting. I seal off the other end of the hose and then fit the opposite end into the tool. I can then use my fridge gauges to pressurize the hose and check for leaks.

In my next photo it is obvious what it is. The question is, what was it made from? My father had this made about 50 years ago.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/ (http://imageshack.us/photo/my-images/256/img5748d.jpg/)

Dave.

It is a Merlin head stud. I have a screwdriver made from one by my father when he worked for CAC in the 1940s.

John

[jimmymc]

i found one of these a few months ago

[bee utey]

i found one of these a few months ago

Valve spring compresser for side valve engines. I had one of those too! (not the side valve engine, the tool)

[roversmith]

i found one of these a few months ago


Ford side valve V8, valve spring compressor.

Cheers Greg

[Jeff]

I like this thread. I will have to go through both my grandfather's tools to find something like this. My Dad's dad was self taught, but had many inventions, some patented, others not. One was a steering damper for Indian motorcycles, my Dad has a letter from the NSW Police saying he will receive 2/6 for every one fitted to police bikes. He also invented a new type of headlight blackout cover, very useful in WW2, not so now, but he had it patented and received a small royalty from the manufacturer.

My Mum's father was a fitter machinist at Garden Island during WW2 and had a large collection of tools modified to do certain jobs, he also made many household tools such as carving knives from powersaw blades to a very high standard and despite being made in the 40's are still in regular use today.

Jeff

:rocket:

[LandyAndy]

Here you go,try guessing this one.
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/725.jpg
Andrew

[alittlebitconcerned]

A tough one.
My guess is it's some kind of ratcheting extracting tool.
A broad enough description that if it is even a little bit close I will bask in reflected glory further down the track when someone actually gets it right.

[LandyAndy]

A tough one.
My guess is it's some kind of ratcheting extracting tool.
A broad enough description that if it is even a little bit close I will bask in reflected glory further down the track when someone actually gets it right.

You are WARM,it does rachet in its operation and it is used to sort of extract things;););););)
Anybody who looks at it plays with it cannot guess what it does.
Andrew

[Don 130]

Tooth extractor for livestock?
Don.

[LandyAndy]

Tooth extractor for livestock?
Don.

Nope.
But WARMER,is used on livestock,a workmate found it on the side of the road,he had no idea what it is used for.Its fallen off a farmers ute.
Andrew

[DEFENDERZOOK]

its used for snipping livestock........

[d@rk51d3]

Nope.
But WARMER,is used on livestock,a workmate found it on the side of the road,he had no idea what it is used for.Its fallen off a farmers ute.
Andrew

Is my urge to cross my legs any indication?:D

[LandyAndy]

Yep.
Its used for removing bulls balls,BULLS not calves,the baby boys cop a rubber ring,this mutha uses jelly rubber:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
A very handy tool,have used them on micky bulls in the past,you want to see the way they hop skip and jump when released from the crush:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Callicrate Bander Kit cpt - Castration - Dairy Farm & Cattle Products | Buy Farm Supplies Online from The Farm Store Australia (http://www.thefarmstore.com.au/dairy-beef/castration/callicrate-bander-kit-cpt)
Must find a local cow cocky and exchange it for cartons,$900 for the kit:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Andrew

[d2dave]

It is a Merlin head stud. I have a screwdriver made from one by my father when he worked for CAC in the 1940s.

John

According to my Dad, it was made from the bolts that were used to hold the crates together that were used for shipping Rolls Royce aircraft engines.

Dave.

[Bigbjorn]

Yep.
Its used for removing bulls balls,BULLS not calves,the baby boys cop a rubber ring,this mutha uses jelly rubber:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
A very handy tool,have used them on micky bulls in the past,you want to see the way they hop skip and jump when released from the crush:eek::eek::eek::eek:
Callicrate Bander Kit cpt - Castration - Dairy Farm & Cattle Products | Buy Farm Supplies Online from The Farm Store Australia (http://www.thefarmstore.com.au/dairy-beef/castration/callicrate-bander-kit-cpt)
Must find a local cow cocky and exchange it for cartons,$900 for the kit:eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:
Andrew

Recently a member of this forum was contemplating the snip. Perhaps you could help him out and save him a few dollars.:D

[Bigbjorn]

It is a Merlin head stud. I have a screwdriver made from one by my father when he worked for CAC in the 1940s.

John

Being a bit pedantic here. The 14 long studs each side clamped the aluminium cylinder blocks and steel liners to the crankcase so are strictly speaking not head studs. The heads were clamped to the block/liner assembly by 24 short studs. The liners were in the coolant and sealed to the crankcase by two rubber rings. The long studs were in watertight tubes. The top of the liners spigoted direct into the heads.

[goingbush]

Ive seen one of these before but for the life of me can't think of what it is,
I was asked if I knew what it was, and I said "nope, but I'll find out"

when you squeeze the handle the wires at the top pull apart, a bit elaborate to be a clamp or a stress relief gadget.

so here 'tis
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/

[mick88]

Recently a member of this forum was contemplating the snip. Perhaps you could help him out and save him a few dollars.:D


Nah two bricks would do the job....and quench his thirst at the same time!


Cheers, Mick

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Recently a member of this forum was contemplating the snip. Perhaps you could help him out and save him a few dollars.:D
a mate's father used to use them on his bulls, and the cattle dogs used to get a free feed , they usually didn't have time to hit the ground before the dogs snaffled them

[It'sNotWorthComplaining!]

Here's mine.

This thing is beautifully hand made and to me is an industrial sculpture. Unfortunately I have no idea what purpose it serves other than pressing something, therefore cannot confirm whether your guess is correct or not. It is vintage, both ends of the crank handle have an internal thread which I assume allows for the attachment of a knob(?), it came from Canada (if that helps), is VERY heavy and solid, and has no makers marks on it anywhere. Note the tin container in the picture for scale.

What is it?
Looks like an arbor press to churn out hiclones from scap metal

[d@rk51d3]

Ive seen one of these before but for the life of me can't think of what it is,
I was asked if I knew what it was, and I said "nope, but I'll find out"

when you squeeze the handle the wires at the top pull apart, a bit elaborate to be a clamp or a stress relief gadget.

so here 'tis


Almost reminds me of an icecream scoop.

[LandyAndy]

Here is another one for you.
Can any of you pick the mysterious TOOL scratching around in the back of the D2:p:p:p:p:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/117.jpg
Andrew

[easo]

http://goingbush.com/landy/tool.jpg

I could give it to my missus so she can carry more bags of shopping in one go... ;)

Easo

[clubagreenie]

Looks like a paint roller scraper. To remove excess paint prior to cleaning.

[Barefoot Dave]

I have something similiar but smaller (1 handed). Was told it was a quick attach hand guide for fishing lines or such on a trawler.
Close?
Dave.

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Here is another one for you.
Can any of you pick the mysterious TOOL scratching around in the back of the D2:p:p:p:p:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/117.jpg
Andrew

Wouldn't have a clue...... :angel:


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[Blknight.aus]

Here is another one for you.
Can any of you pick the mysterious TOOL scratching around in the back of the D2:p:p:p:p:p
https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/12/117.jpg
Andrew

Cant quite make it out, but at the bottom right of the engles fridge box theres a red item that appear to be loose, could be a high lift or a red rover jack, just drill a couple of holes in the facia panel and secure it with a clip over elastic strap that'll stop it moving and scratching.

[p38arover]

Cant quite make it out, but at the bottom right of the engles fridge box theres a red item that appear to be loose, could be a high lift or a red rover jack, just drill a couple of holes in the facia panel and secure it with a clip over elastic strap that'll stop it moving and scratching.

I thought he was talking about the one on the rear step of the RH Disco.

[Blknight.aus]

thats not a tool, tools are useful.

[omnibus]

I could give it to my missus so she can carry more bags of shopping in one go... ;)

Easo

I used to work on long line fishing boats we used a similar thing just looks a little different for clips onto the long line for the bouys and snoodes for hooks 30mile line and clips every 8 secs every 8 baits a bouy every so often a radar bouy for tracking the line. and thinking about it we had a funking looking clip on the play line (piece of rope kept near sea door for clipping to snood line for fighting fish on so u have something to grip too. +

[p38arover]

thats not a tool, tools are useful.

A very good point, Dave! :D

[LOVEMYRANGIE]

Guess that proves I'm not a tool then! Onya Dave!!!


Using Capitals, the difference between helping your Uncle Jack off a horse or helping your uncle jack off a horse...

[p38arover]

Guess that proves I'm not a tool then! Onya Dave!!!

I thought it was LandyAndy! Had we but known it was you........we'd have been sure as we know you're not useful. :p

[87County]

OK - here's one that turned up in a box of misc old tools a while back

It's a Moore & Wright 'something?, or it has been modified from a Moore & Wright 'something?

It's like a short 3 sided file with no teeth

It has been carefully and well sharpened to a point that would give a forensic pathologist something to think about....

I have no idea of what it's intended use was so if anyone has any ideas about what it is and what it is designed to do (apart from the more obvious rude suggestions), I'd be interested to hear them :)

... anything possibly related to watchmaking or clock repair ?? ... although I was not aware that Moore & Wright made those sort of things

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/642.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/643.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/644.jpg

[p38arover]

Brian will know for sure but I think it's an engineer's triangular hand scraper for removing high spots on machined surfaces (used with engineer's blue).

Late edit: Here we are. See bottom of the page: http://www.handytools.co.uk/acatalog/Handytools_Catalogue_Engineers_Scrapers_273.html

[shorty943]

Exactly right p38arover.
Also known as a "bearing scraper". I've used them many times myself when fitting hand poured white metal bearings on board ships.
I still have my set in the shed in fact.

Certainly not for clock or watch repair 87County :( unless it's a damned big watch, IE Big Ben sized.

[p38arover]

Exactly right p38arover.
Also known as a "bearing scraper". I've used them many times myself when fitting hand poured white metal bearings on board ships.

Ah, of course. I'd forgotten about white metal bearings. I assume that bearing scraping is probably the most common use for a curved triangular scraper.

Thanks, Shorty.

Ron

[Bigbjorn]

Definitely a three cornered scraper. Used for "reducing a surface" as the apprenticeship exercise described the long standing exercise for first year fitters where we made small surface plates from rough iron castings.

"Reducing a surface by chipping, filing, and scraping". I still have one of the three little surface plates that resulted from this tedious exercise.

White metal bearings, Shorty. Modern engines!! I worked in ship repair on old coasters that still had up and downers with bearing brasses. Hated scraping bearings of any size.

Still got all my scrapers including some made from files.

[p38arover]

Still got all my scrapers including some made from files.

I think I have some of Dad's in the garage.

[shorty943]

:D Yep modern ships Brian, WW2 designed Majestic class carriers, Battle class destroyers and one WW2 Corvette, modern as all get out 60 bloody years ago ;)

[87County]

thanks guys for enlightening me - the funny thing was - it came with a heap of old watchmaker's tools (incl watchmaker's lathe etc) !

[Bushie]

I think I have some of Dad's in the garage.

Same here, pretty sure I have one the same as the pic as well.


Martyn

[Bigbjorn]

:D Yep modern ships Brian, WW2 designed Majestic class carriers, Battle class destroyers and one WW2 Corvette, modern as all get out 60 bloody years ago ;)

I worked in ship repair in the 60's. Some of those old coasters kept going by tight ass ship owners predated WW1. Coal burning up and downers.

In 1987 I was lead fitter on a major overhaul on a Mirlees main engine in a former RN ocean going tug launched in 1932. This was used around the Solomons to tow rafts of saw logs to Honiara.

The Majestics and Battles would have been oil fired steam turbines, positively state of the art technology compared to the old coasters. The corvette which was probably an up and downer.

[clubagreenie]

I went back to Tate a couple of years ago and they still make the 1st year fitting class cut a block of cast iron by chisel and scraper.

[123rover50]

What is this one? One of the few souvenirs of my childhood in the 50,s.
Keith.

[Bigbjorn]

Looks like a wad punch to me. Mostly used in the fitting trade for cutting holes in gasket material.

[123rover50]

Sorry. I should have scaled it. Those floor tiles are 300mm square.

[p38arover]

I'd have agreed with Brian but the size makes me wonder. I assumed the tool was made by original owner and not a commercial unit and that the hole in the side is to push out the cut wads.

[isuzutoo-eh]

I would have thought wad punch too..
Wild guess, when splitting big timber you drill a hole in the log, hammer your tool (ouch) into it, pour black powder in it, cap it, fuse out side, kaboom and the log is split.

[Bigbjorn]

I'd have agreed with Brian but the size makes me wonder. I assumed the tool was made by original owner and not a commercial unit and that the hole in the side is to push out the cut wads.

I have a set like that.

[mick88]

OK - here's one that turned up in a box of misc old tools a while back

It's a Moore & Wright 'something?, or it has been modified from a Moore & Wright 'something?

It's like a short 3 sided file with no teeth

It has been carefully and well sharpened to a point that would give a forensic pathologist something to think about....

I have no idea of what it's intended use was so if anyone has any ideas about what it is and what it is designed to do (apart from the more obvious rude suggestions), I'd be interested to hear them :)

... anything possibly related to watchmaking or clock repair ?? ... although I was not aware that Moore & Wright made those sort of things

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/642.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/643.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2012/01/644.jpg
I have an almost identical one that I made from a three corner file during my apprenticeship. It was made as an internal scraper, mainly for deburring or removing high spots etc. Old tradesmen I worked with who had done their time in the marine industry had spent days crawling through engine cylinders scraping the high spots from the cylinder bores, or from bearings whilst the ship was in dock taking on or dropping off cargo. And I thought standing on a duck board in front of lathe could be monotonous at times with repetitive work.

Cheers, Mick.

Cheers, Mick.

[123rover50]

I would have thought wad punch too..
Wild guess, when splitting big timber you drill a hole in the log, hammer your tool (ouch) into it, pour black powder in it, cap it, fuse out side, kaboom and the log is split.

Well that didnt take long ,isuzutoo got it.
Its a log splitter. I was going to say that it preceeded the Chinese ones but considering the Chinese had blackpowder well before us it is conceivable they used it for splitting too.
Grew up in Alexandra, Central Otago, NZ and the grounds of the Presbyterian church had this huge pine tree that came down. Early 50,s.
I was sent up the street to the store near Walls, garage to buy the blackpowder. A slow fuse was put in the hole, then filled with this coarse black, newspaper stuffed in and a big bloke with a sledge would wallop the gun into the centre of the log. An old cornsack was draped over the gun and the fuse touched off. Everyone ran off but was told too keep an eye on the cornsack. BANG and bits of pine flew everywhere, the gun and cornsack took off too to be retreived later.
Ah those were the days. My first smell of the black stuff and been smelling it ever since . I was eight at the time and it was a great town to grow up in.
Keith.

[isuzutoo-eh]

:banana::banana::banana:
I've read about them but never seen so much as a photo before. Thanks for sharing :D

[Ratel10mm]

That's a new one on me, man I'd LOVE to try it out! :D

[123rover50]

I dont think they would work too well on our twisted old hard woods. Even drilling a hole and banging it in I think would result in the splitter shooting off like a bullet leaving the log intact.
Funny thing is we sold our business and house on the Sunshine Coast to a NSW bloke who had just sold his property and wanted a seachange.
When he was unpacking he brought out one and asked if I knew what it was. He was most surprised when I told him.
They must have been available in OZ too.

[isuzutoo-eh]

I've heard of splitting guns used all along the east coast...from huon pine to mountain ash and that scrub they have in qld. Not sure about W.A. they had different technology to the eastern states, not a lot of logging in S.A. or N.T. so doubtful it was used there.

[tonic]

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=46145&stc=1&d=1335035769

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=46146&stc=1&d=1335035980

[123rover50]

Would it be for crushing rock samples and the powder comes out the little hole?

[tonic]

Would it be for crushing rock samples and the powder comes out the little hole?


No, sorry:)

[Mick_Marsh]

I have no idea what it is. Either does the owner, he's only guessing (if you read the label).
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=46147&stc=1&d=1335052984
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachment.php?attachmentid=46148&stc=1&d=1335053026

[Ratel10mm]

Tonic, that looks like some sort of post rammer or similar, except there's no handles.

[tonic]

Tonic, that looks like some sort of post rammer or similar, except there's no handles.


Not it either but it does ram.

[Blknight.aus]

IT looks almost like a shot ram....

fill it with black powder insert the rod add cannon fuse, place it light it and run.

[tonic]

IT looks almost like a shot ram....

fill it with black powder insert the rod add cannon fuse, place it light it and run.


I'll give you that one Dave.

It is a bit more potent though, it is a Jelly Gun. You used Jelly a Sump Det and Safety Fuse. It was used when men were men and OHS was not invented to remove stubborn bolts from Dozer Tracks that were being refurbished if a sledge hammer would not do the job.

Today they have an air gun like the one to kill catle or an air chisel.

[tonic]

IT looks almost like a shot ram....

fill it with black powder insert the rod add cannon fuse, place it light it and run.

Have you ever used one Dave? I saw this one at an historical place and had to ask what it was myself. Must have made one hell of a noise.

[Blknight.aus]

Sure have,,,, with black powder not jelly, quite a crump and the story I got with them were that they were used to split rocks/boulders where the unrestrained use of explosives was not permissible. At the demo it was being used to "reasonably" safely split chunks off of a slab of rock.

people who wanted to were allowed to (under supervision) pack the charge, insert the fuse, place the rod then the unit light it and run... (this was where I think I learnt the phrase "when doing this stand behind something big and heavy or someone you dont like)

[tonic]

Sure have,,,, with black powder not jelly, quite a crump and the story I got with them were that they were used to split rocks/boulders where the unrestrained use of explosives was not permissible. At the demo it was being used to "reasonably" safely split chunks off of a slab of rock.

people who wanted to were allowed to (under supervision) pack the charge, insert the fuse, place the rod then the unit light it and run... (this was where I think I learnt the phrase "when doing this stand behind something big and heavy or someone you dont like)
:Rolling::Rolling::Rolling::Rolling:

I have done a fair bit of that work but in quarries and in conjunction with a main blast to break up oversize that cant be sold. We drill holes in them with the rig after they have been moved under a shot by a loader.

We put a small amount of anfo, a small booster and det and stem. We then tie it into the main shot to go off just in front of the main shot then the main shot falls on top of the rocks.

The other option today is expanding cement. It has a high lime content so heats up and expands. You drill a hole in the rocks, but in the cement and come back in the morning to a broken mess. Have to get the mix right or you end up with a heap of litle volcanoes.

[Blknight.aus]

If memory serves.....

the intended use (where I got to play with it) was for cracking off dangerous bits on rock walls on railway cuttings or roadways.

Id love to take one into work and calmly start setting it up to take off a stubborn or stripped out bolt. Fairly certain there wouldn't be too heavy an application of the "less is more" mantra.

[centy]

no some sort of old track pin remover?
Ive seen similar 22 powered devices used for killing sheep.
cows get shot pigs get electrocuted with a big pair or tongs and sheep get a round rod fired into the skull.

[goingbush]

Black Powder Wood Splitter - YouTube

[tonic]

If memory serves.....

the intended use (where I got to play with it) was for cracking off dangerous bits on rock walls on railway cuttings or roadways.

Id love to take one into work and calmly start setting it up to take off a stubborn or stripped out bolt. Fairly certain there wouldn't be too heavy an application of the "less is more" mantra.


This one was used for pin/bolt removal on tracks, showed my mate that I work for and he said he used to have one. It used to be part of his business up until the 70's to go around and take out pins/bolts in tracks.

Be more fun to just start making one in the corner of the workshop on the lathe and ignore all the "what's that's". Once it was finished set it up and yell, firing in 5 4 3 2

[Bigbjorn]

This one was used for pin/bolt removal on tracks, showed my mate that I work for and he said he used to have one. It used to be part of his business up until the 70's to go around and take out pins/bolts in tracks.

Be more fun to just start making one in the corner of the workshop on the lathe and ignore all the "what's that's". Once it was finished set it up and yell, firing in 5 4 3 2

Pretty well all tracked plant sold in the last 25 years or so has SALT track chains (Sealed and Lubricated Track) other than specialist applications like sand operation. I can't remember when I last saw explosive charges used to pull track pins but it would have been before 1980, I think. Hydraulic twin portable track presses took over.

How difficult is it to buy explosives these days? I remember when pretty well any country hardware store or rural supplier had a case of gelly or blasting powder behind the counter. If you had a Miner's Right one could buy explosives no other questions asked. You got a Miner's Right at the police station for the asking and a small fee. Two mates of mine used to go fishing in the Bribie Passage with explosives. Hardly a soul lived up there then, 1960's, before the bridge to the island was built.

[tonic]

The short answer is you can't buy them. Those who can must have approval to buy them and also where they can be used from the mines dept. My mate was asked to train the army eng recently, they had to come to one of our jobs because the qld mines dep would not give them approval in time, that's how hard it is. You even have to get certified every 3 years.

[isuzutoo-eh]

You can buy incy wincy explosives at hobby shops, up to about a kilogram if you have the right bit of paper. They are called rocket motors :D
Black powder in a cardboard tube. The RAAF is our biggest customer for the big motors...

[alittlebitconcerned]

Ok. I'm stumped.
No makers marks or amy gauge marks anywhere on them.
They look to be a pair or part of a set.
Sprung so they open when you release the sliding ring.
What the heck are they for?

[alittlebitconcerned]

More photos. I'm clueless as to how to get all the photos on the one page.

[alittlebitconcerned]

One more...

[digger]

More photos. I'm clueless as to how to get all the photos on the one page.

wire stripper?

[roversmith]

Possibly leather workers or saddlers tools

[Blknight.aus]

clamps and tensioners for making holes in heavy material (leather/canvas) prior to stitching.

[wrinklearthur]

crimp tool, for attaching a ferule to rope.
.

[dawsey]

I think it might be a older version of these tools..If so I know what it is..Probably wrong though. both the tools here do the same thing ..




More photos. I'm clueless as to how to get all the photos on the one page.

[alittlebitconcerned]

Looks same same but different.

[alittlebitconcerned]

So far there have been some thoughtful suggestions, although I'm not sure any have hit the mark, especially when taking into account certain aspects of the design that make no sense.

This can't be the first tool(s) to stump the collective knowledge of a site that certainly knows its tools.

Any more suggestions? Keep them coming.

[bee utey]

1. They're very small. Not much leverage.

2. They're unbranded. Made in small quantities.

3. The tool with all the holes looks like the holes are graduated in size.

My guess is part of a tool set for wannabe jewellers making ornamental wire work with silver or copper wire, possibly to set a particular style/brand of ferrules, rivets and crimp joints. The sort of thing you'd find in a mail order kit back in the 1920s perhaps.

[B.S.F.]

A guide /template to notch the bridge on stringed instruments? The holes to measure the string gauge?

[isuzutoo-eh]

The tool with the sliding collar looks like it is from the same stable as a tool I have,-size, shape, spring, even the handle ends are the same- it is marked as being made in France by 'LAUGONIOT-TISSOT'. The business end is different, my set are to clamp something round around 2.5mm dia, and also has a lengthways slot used for driving a pin or needle into material.
I inherited them from my grandfather, who was a watchmaker. I suspect they are for making leather watch bands, after what others have said. Can post a photo tomorrow of my version of the tool.
I'm not sure about the holey tool, but from my grandfather's tools were a couple of what I call draw plates, for resizing/drawing wire down to a smaller size. The holes in these plates are graduated too, but there the similarity ends.

[superquag]

I think it might be a older version of these tools..If so I know what it is..Probably wrong though. both the tools here do the same thing ..

The pliars with the wide serrated edge and the square bit on one side is an upholstery tool. Idea is to grip fabric (or the straps) and tension them over/around a wooden edge, using that lump to lever against it. Your other hand hammers in some tacks or staples.

[superquag]

I think it might be a older version of these tools..If so I know what it is..Probably wrong though. both the tools here do the same thing ..

Actually, both of these are upholstering tools. The one with slot and rod is specifially for webbing, whereas the 'grips' can be used for fabric as well as straps. Easier to use, but can't be home-made like the wooden thingy..

http://www.upholsterysupplier.co.uk/upholstery-tools-stretchers

[austastar]

Hi,
this is not a LR tool, but can you guess what it is, and what it might be used for.

Brownie points for brand names or model numbers.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/1194.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/1195.jpg

cheers

[slug_burner]

Is it a spanner to do castellated nuts with?

[Jeff]

BMW motorcycle exhaust spanner? Air cooled boxer twin.

Jeff

:rocket:

[Dopey]

BMW motorcycle exhaust spanner? Air cooled boxer twin.

Jeff

:rocket:

Yep, it's the OEM BMW factory tool 180 600 model(as the writing on it says),
I've got a version like it made by Luftmeister.
Mike.

[austastar]

Hi,
well I thought I might have got a few wild guesses on this one, but no.

Yep, spot on. Collect many brownie points.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/1188.jpg

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/03/1189.jpg

I'll have to hunt in the shed for something really obscure.

cheers

[UncleHo]

Aah! I love your Cradle Crash Bars, I need to repair/replace mine for the R51/3 :)

[Phil HH]

Got rid of the crash bars on my R75/5, they inhibited cornering clearance too much. Could have used one of those exhaust nut tools, though.