??? Whatzit Tool Challenge ???

[Mows4three 826]

I recently bought a box full of blacksmithing tools from a fellow.   The tool below was in the box.  I have never seen one before and I doubt that it was used by a blacksmith.   

 

Without using Google Image Search, who knows what the heck this tool is?

 

It is about 8" overall.   It has a four sided bit that can chuck up in a brace and the bit rotates freely inside of the center of the tool.   When the threaded center rotates, it causes a small pin to mesh with the tiny cog wheel/sprocket on the side of the tool, turning or advancing the collar by a very slight amount.  The sash chain is heavier than any I've ever seen and it is 22" long.  

 

I have already ruled out it being an unnecessarily complex pencil sharpener.   My wife thinks it was used to carve the Declaration of Independence on a cherry pit.  My son thinks it's an early nose hair trimmer.  Anyone care to offer a serious or not so serious guess?   

 

Have at it...!

 

Cheers!

 

Dave

 

 

[formariz 11,987]

Brace chain drill. Chuck is missing on that one. One would wrap chain around item being drilled so no pressure or little pressure had to be exerted on brace. Usually used on drilling metal. That one looks like the Millers Falls version. Pressure is exerted by threading chain holder upwards while chain is wrapped around material being drilled.

Edited April 8, 2019 by formariz

[Ed Kennell 38,028]

   This old dog is still learning.    

[formariz 11,987]

For those of you that never used a brace, it is usually used on wood. Bits for it almost always have a screw point center to aid bit digging into the wood as it is turned along with user applied pressure. Without that aid, specially drilling into a hard material like metal, between having to apply a fair amount of continuous pressure ,coupled with the unbalanced motion of turning the brace makes it extremely hard and frustrating to drill such a hole, not to mention how inaccurate it would be since one cannot keep drill going straight. That device automatically exerts the correct amount of pressure as drill goes deeper into material being drilled. Actually where i found it it to be most useful is when one drills over head, straight up. Nearly impossible to apply pressure that way. As long as one can wrap the chain around what is drilled it works great.

There are literally hundreds of weird different devices such as this one to be used with a brace.

Edited April 8, 2019 by formariz

[bc.gold 3,403]

36 minutes ago, formariz said:

Brace chain drill. Chuck is missing on that one. One would wrap chain around item being drilled so no pressure or little pressure had to be exerted on brace. Usually used on drilling metal. That one looks like the Millers Falls version. Pressure is exerted by threading chain holder upwards while chain is wrapped around material being drilled.

 

[formariz 11,987]

@bcgold

LOL. Just reminds me of how much a pain in the behind it can be. A picture is worth a thousand words. In the video he switches to a short sweep brace which  is a lot easier to balance. He also does not realize that he is missing the chuck from it and that is why the bit not only falls off but it will also wobble.

[Razorback 1,035]

The things you can learn here......!

[ebinmaine 67,309]

Dave it looks like you've got your first piece of wall art for the next pole barn.

@formariz well done caz...

[Mows4three 826]

Wow!   You guys are good!   And I thought this was only a forum to discuss the correct choice between detergent and non-detergent oil or the color of Rustoleum paint that the Pond family used on their tractors!!!

 

I am impressed that someone not only knew what it was, but had actually used one.   Then, for a video to surface!?!?   That's doubling down, right there!

 

OK formariz and bcgold, you are my new heros!   Great job and thank you for the explanations and video.  

 

Eric:  I'll probably give this a good cleaning, hit it with some boiled linseed oil and it WILL find its way to a spot on my "wall of fame" in the new shop.

 

Cheers everyone!  I'll have another Whatzit Challenge for you in a few days. 

 

Dave

Edited April 8, 2019 by Mows4three
Spelling

[The Tuul Crib 7,336]

7 hours ago, formariz said:

For those of you that never used a brace, it is usually used on wood. Bits for it almost always have a screw point center to aid bit digging into the wood as it is turned along with user applied pressure. Without that aid, specially drilling into a hard material like metal, between having to apply a fair amount of continuous pressure ,coupled with the unbalanced motion of turning the brace makes it extremely hard and frustrating to drill such a hole, not to mention how inaccurate it would be since one cannot keep drill going straight. That device automatically exerts the correct amount of pressure as drill goes deeper into material being drilled. Actually where i found it it to be most useful is when one drills over head, straight up. Nearly impossible to apply pressure that way. As long as one can wrap the chain around what is drilled it works great.

There are literally hundreds of weird different devices such as this one to be used with a brace.

 I still have the brace and bit set that I grew up with on the farm. 

[Mows4three 826]

6 minutes ago, The Tool Crib said:

 I still have the brace and bit set that I grew up with on the farm. 

 

That's neat.  I still have a lot of my grandfather's tools and my dad is slowly giving me and my son his tools.  

 

Cheers!

 

Dave

[formariz 11,987]

8 hours ago, Mows4three said:

And I thought this was only a forum to discuss the correct choice between detergent and non-detergent oil or the color of Rustoleum paint that the Pond family used on their tractors!!!

The good thing is that this discussion is not subject to personal opinions or even different interpretations. It is what it is and no doubts about it.

Although I have learned everything I know about tractors , engines and other related matters mainly from this site, there are countless other countless subjects that I learned much from being a member here. The diversity of individuals with all kinds of different skills, talents and also their geographical diversity is indeed a seldom found treasure of information and talent.We share our knowledge and experience, and respect our differences in personal and cultural areas. That of course is also done with the help of great vigilant moderation which is essential when something gets out of track. I encourage everyone with young children or grandchildren to expose them to much of what goes on here. Much of the talent and knowledge present here unfortunately may just be lost in another generation or so if the younger generation does not take an interest in it.

 

Sometimes it takes just a little glance at some nut building stuff out of toothpicks to inspire a youngster into a life of not only rewarding talent for self and others, but also in the very least to appreciate it and those who possess it.

Edited April 8, 2019 by formariz

[roadapples 6,983]

That tool takes more patients than I ever had..

[WHX?? 48,795]

Cool thanks Mows... I bet they were used a lot in real old skool barn building. What's the name of that  type of construction where they used mortise and tenons and held them together with big dowels?? The term escapes me.

[ebinmaine 67,309]

1 minute ago, WHX22 said:

Cool thanks Mows... I bet they were used a lot in real old skool barn building. What's the name of that  type of construction where they used mortise and tenons and held them together with big dowels?? The term escapes me.

We just call em post and beam around here

[formariz 11,987]

2 hours ago, roadapples said:

That tool takes more patients than I ever had..

LOL. Its really not that bad. The problem really is that it is one of those things that one does not use very often so every time it is used it is a learning experience all over again. Like anything else in any trade there are a few little tricks to make it easier to set up and use.

3 minutes ago, WHX22 said:

Cool thanks Mows... I bet they were used a lot in real old skool barn building. What's the name of that  type of construction where they used mortise and tenons and held them together with big dowels?? The term escapes me.

Timber Framing.

[Mows4three 826]

Hope everyone is doing well.   We have been lucky and have all stayed healthy during the global pandemic.  Primarily because we don’t go anywhere!  

 

So, let’s get on to the show.....Time to resurrect this thread, boys and girls...!  

 

I was shown this tool and two of its accessories at a museum site that my son and dad visited with me.  It’s in Rice’s Landing, PA and one of the best preserved old time working machine shops that I’ve ever seen.  I’ll post some photos after I post the Whatzit that I ran across.  

 

Here you go....   and I’ll give you one hint.  The large tool was used first, then one of the tools on top was used to finish the job.  

 

Good luck!

 

Dave

[ebinmaine 67,309]

Looks like the top pieces have been hit like a chisel. 

[Mows4three 826]

The tools on top were definitely struck with a hammer.   

 

Hint #2:   Overall length of the big tool is 15”.

 

Dave

[WHX?? 48,795]

Reminds me of a swaging tool we used to use for putting ferrules on milk pipelines in barns. The pieces on top 

If the shaft with the nut on is tapered and the barrel with the roller on it moves gotta be some sort of swaging tool. 

Edited March 17, 2021 by WHX24

[Mows4three 826]

Jim,   

 

You are honing in on it.   It is a swaging tool.   Not for use with milk pipelines.  

 

Care to hazard a guess what kind of apparatus this was used on?   

 

Dave

Edited March 17, 2021 by Mows4three

[stolmar 35]

It's for rolling and flanging boiler tubes on old locomotives, I think.

[WHX?? 48,795]

Or any kind of fire tube boiler. The other tools were used to roll the edge over to the fire wall.