Identify this tool

[D2Cat]

Found this in a barn we purchased a few years ago and just came across it again.

 

[GoWyo]

Found this in a barn we purchased a few years ago and just came across it again.

Looks like a "Thingamajig" to me.

 

[Rancher]

it's a "whatshamitecallit" seriously blacksmith tool while forging iron and steel

 

[puzzled in oregon]

Found this in a barn we purchased a few years ago and just came across it again.

Vise grip with accessories

 

[D2Cat]

Yes, it's not an old as in antique tool. It's galvanized and not been used much by the condition of it. There is apparently an attachment that can have the angle adjusted by the spurs on one end.

 

[SBMF 2015]

Found this in a barn we purchased a few years ago and just came across it again.

It's a customized vise grip. Like all farmers when they couldn't find the tool they needed they built one.

 

[Brute 23]

The original multi-tool.

 

[sstterry]

My father taught Ag/Shop. We have tons of things like that at the barn. Some of them pretty clever and some not so much. He did invent this though which is now marketed world wide (after his patent expired) .

 

[D2Cat]

I think it a factory made tool. I can't tell by the picture, so I'd have to go out to look, but I think it's made by vice grip co.

I'd guess it has something with work pulling wiring.

 

[Silver]

Looks related to this. For split bolts and parallel clamps. Power line type stuff.

 

[Nesikep]

it's a hammer.. everything's a hammer!

 

[D2Cat]

Looks related to this. For split bolts and parallel clamps. Power line type stuff.

View attachment 11832

Do you have a link showing any details of how it's used, what attaches to it, cost?

 

[Silver]

Do you have a link showing any details of how it's used, what attaches to it, cost?

I found those here: https://linestar.ca/hot-line-tools/hot-stick-accessories/tool-heads/hastings-universal-vice-grips/

But I couldn't find anything on how it is used, although I did try.

 

[greybeard]

I found those here: https://linestar.ca/hot-line-tools/hot-stick-accessories/tool-heads/hastings-universal-vice-grips/

But I couldn't find anything on how it is used, although I did try.

You probably won't but they are used with these:


The tool in the opening post didn't originally come that way. The 2 open end wrench looking parts each do the same thing, but one may be a different size than the other and one was welded to the vice grips by someone (look close and you can see the weld) and the other came with the tool.. They held the bolt part of the split nut and a regular wrench was used to fit the nut. They were commonly used to tighten 3 bolt terminal splices.

The threaded part on the bottom of the handle is used to separate the top type clamp in the picture and, to spread apart a split bolt a little once the nut is tightened down on the electric conductor. They used to do that to help prevent the nut from backing off.
Linemen used them more than commercial electricians.
The loop on the end was for tightening pole steps.


Look around in the same barn. You may find one of these. They were used for the same purpose.

 

[D2Cat]

Thanks guys. The man who owned the property's son work as a linemen for KCP&L, he's retired now but I'm going to see if I can find him and ask for his explanation.

 

[Robert Jubela]

Looks like a "Thingamajig" to me.

That's what it is for certain. Someone handy with a welder added some features to a standard vise-grip wrench.

 

[D2Cat]

That's what it is for certain. Someone handy with a welder added some features to a standard vise-grip wrench.

And then sent it in to be galvanized!