Mickwhitt 4,642 #1 Posted May 12, 2021 Hi all. Another tool puzzle for you to unravel. I found these on ebay but the seller didn't know anything about them. Made by MOLE this is the English version of Vice grip type locking pliers. But what were they used for? There is a very specific and possibly very rare use for them. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,912 #2 Posted May 12, 2021 How about a view 90 degrees from that? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
posifour11 723 #3 Posted May 12, 2021 (edited) Ear notcher for hogs? Edit- looked them up. Probably not. I lose. Edited May 12, 2021 by posifour11 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
8ntruck 7,016 #4 Posted May 13, 2021 Is that a rubber insert in the left jaw? Looks like a tool for making blends, or putting 'set' in saw blade teeth. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #5 Posted May 13, 2021 OK a few more views of the business end of the tool. Yes the black part is rubber. No its not for bending or forming. Mick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #6 Posted May 13, 2021 I guess the rubber piece is to stop it marking. Are they from farming? only other thing I can think is tyre changing - many people still use a pair to stop the levers sliding out. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #7 Posted May 13, 2021 Nothing farm or livestock related. I only found one reference to them online and that was from another guy who didn't know what they were for. I have written to The Hawley Collection to see if they would like them donating. http://www.hawleytoolcollection.com/ Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #8 Posted May 13, 2021 I've seen similar pliers for precision snapping glass, but the distance between the anvils and odd curved in the anvil, as well as the locking grip mechanism dont match that. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #9 Posted May 13, 2021 Unless it was used to handle tube shaped glass while forming the other end. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #10 Posted May 13, 2021 Not manufacturing or fabrication. Servicing and repair is a decent clue. Mick Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #11 Posted May 13, 2021 lol well i fixin another guess at something to do with bottle capping lol, but that wouldn't be service and repair lol Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Crazyredhorse 295 #12 Posted May 13, 2021 looks like a corner tool or tie rod remover but the rubber hmmm Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #13 Posted May 13, 2021 gotta be for grabbing something like a pipe shape at the very edge, anvil outside and hammer inside, but durn if i can figure what! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
meadowfield 2,570 #14 Posted May 13, 2021 looks like it would press and hold a bung or fitting? maybe fit over something like a radiator or fuel tank opening? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #15 Posted May 13, 2021 Ooh we are getting very warm now Mr Meadowfield. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Pullstart 62,912 #16 Posted May 13, 2021 I wonder what the semi-circle indent is for... or is it just a manufacturing mark? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #17 Posted May 13, 2021 looks like the rubber portion gets very close there when the pliers are closed, so that indent may be just to be sure it clears? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
formariz 11,987 #18 Posted May 13, 2021 It seems to be designed to go under something like a filler neck flange, obviously sort of funnel shaped and to press some sort of cap into it . Item being pressed obviously can not be damaged hence the rubber cap. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #19 Posted May 13, 2021 (edited) my head was thinking milk bottle capper for the old cardboard inserted caps, but that dont match the clues lol Edited May 13, 2021 by Wheel Horse 3D Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Handy Don 12,237 #20 Posted May 13, 2021 Needing the locking tells me it has to temporarily hold against pressure but be released easily. The rubber bung is to seal off an opening (flat business end), I believe. If it wasn't for the angle of the jaws which seem to indicate it has to attach endwise, not in the middle of a long pipe, I'd say its a way to temporarily stop a steam or water leak in piping. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #21 Posted May 13, 2021 exactly, and if it was to be used on a neck of some sort, why have the square jaw, you would think the anvil would be "U" shaped. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #22 Posted May 13, 2021 Ooh we are so close! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Wheel Horse 3D 3,795 #23 Posted May 13, 2021 I don't think they open far enough, and are angled wrong for radiator cap pliers Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mickwhitt 4,642 #24 Posted May 13, 2021 Not automotive tools Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Maxwell-8 4,277 #25 Posted May 13, 2021 7 minutes ago, Mickwhitt said: Not automotive tools You got us all hanging hahaha Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
