GD85 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Good evening, Purchased a tool this weekend (for a buck!) that looks identical to this thing posted on a current eBay auction. My thought was it is some sort of swage or texture making die for round stock. Not good detailed photo on the eBay pic I am posting, but mine has what looks like vine texture carved into the troughs. Can anyone enlighten a newbie? Thank you, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lanchie76 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 looks like a swaging tool to me, looks like you can turn around the other way for the double swage for eyelets and that way for single Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nelson Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 It also looks a bit like a flaring tool for copper tubing...nelson Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brian.pierson Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 My guess it is a linesman tool for crimping collars around wire cable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Nakkela Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Well, If you need to wind up wire to make a splice, there are many grooves you can use for different sizes of wire. There is this loop on the ends of the reins to keep the jaws closed as you wind up the splice and keep the right amount of drag on the wire. I have one of them around the farm. (if I could find it) Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
easilyconfused Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 I have one too and never used it either. Could you elaborate more warren? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Warren Nakkela Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Well you see the double hinge. This is so you can flop it either way to have a wide selection of sizes to match your wire that you are wrepping that is , winding up around the standing (straight) leg. Just open the tool and close it around the wire using the appropriate size and hole and start wrapping the wire around itself. This is for making a splice. I don't believe that this type of splice is used anymore in the utility trades. It looks that the too has double grooves (holes) for a double wrap. Perhaps for making a Western Union splice. Warren Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keykeeper Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 My guess it is a linesman tool for crimping collars around wire cable. You got it right. That is exactly what it is. Back in the day before fiber-optic, there were many different wires running all the information-telegraph, telephone, etc. I've seen many of these tools in different configurations. Some have "jaws" for just a few types of collar, some have many (like this one.) I think there were many different types, as different companies each had their own proprietary ones that they, and only they used in the construction/repair of their lines. Nice tool, by the way, but really not used much nowadays. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Leppo Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Still, I think this could be used for various smithing aplications, if it's tough enough. like this: BP1016 Leg Vise Tool | Blueprints 1000 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martensite Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 Use mine as a heading tool, diferent sizes easy to get rivets out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bentiron1946 Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 My uncle has one and he used it in the mines for laying wire for explosive charges, crimping them together to bring to the detonator. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steve Sells Posted April 23, 2009 Share Posted April 23, 2009 as a smith I would keep it and use as a collar swege. As an Electrician I have tools like this for crimping wire splices. the double is for a side tap splice. Want to triple your Money? I will send you $3 for it and pay the postage.:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoleDoc Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 My guess it is a linesman tool for crimping collars around wire cable. Exactly right. My Dad was a lineman for Western Electric in the 50's and I have seen this tool in his old kit. Ted:D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sawyer04 Posted April 24, 2009 Share Posted April 24, 2009 (edited) GD85, I am glad you posted this as I have one of these also. I just cleaned it off and put it up. I got it with a few of old tongs. Sounds as though they may be fairly common. Thanks, next time I find something like this I'll ask the people who know like you did. Edited April 24, 2009 by sawyer04 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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