Sunday, January 1, 2012

A Modified 'Ignition' Wrench

It's 5/16" open end by 11/32" box end. It's a cheap, stamped wrench. It's been bent nearly to ninety degrees by the open end, to get at an awkwardly situated fastener, presumably.

I've long wondered why small wrenches are called 'ignition wrenches'. I can't seem to find an explanation for it. I suspect that it's a holdover from early days in the automobile industry, when ignition systems were far from the maintenance-free, solid state wonders we have these days. Early ignition systems were no doubt quite intricate electro-mechanical systems, with many small fasteners.

I'll hammer this wrench straight, and stash it in the drawer where I keep little specialized wrenches.

# # #


# # #

A Pair of Scissors

The brand is "CACTUS", from Germany.

They've had the most remarkable repair done to them. Here's a close-up of it.












It appears that the bow handle[1] had broken off, and been skilfully reattached. There's a tiny plate on either side with two tiny rivets installed through the assemblage and peened. There's a filler material that may be silver solder. It's a stunning bit of repair work. The lay/alignment of the reattached bow handle is exactly as it ought to be -- as it no doubt was before it broke off. Whoever did it was no tinker -- he[2] was exceptionally skilful.

The repair tells us something about what the value of manufactured goods must have been at the time it was done; it must have been quite high, unlike today. There are those who say that such conditions are about to return. We'll see.

Anyway, I need to make or find space for spare pairs of scissors somewhere; there are more to come.

- - -

Notes:

[1] Scissors this size typically have a longer, large handle for two fingers, and a small handle for a thumb. The large handle is the 'bow' handle; the small handle is the 'ring' handle.

[2] Ok. I know it was sexist of me to write "he", rather than "he or she", but let's get real here, shall we? What's the likelihood that the repair was done by a woman? -- slim to nil? I rest my case. Spare me political correctness. Spare me a whole lot of bleeping 'modernity', for that matter.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

A Hacksaw

The maker's name is "SIGNAL", of Sheffield, England. I can find no mention of the firm on the internet.

The frame is currently set up for a 12" long blade, the longest it can accept. The frame has a quick length-adjustment feature with 1/2" increments; loosen and remove a blade, and no tool is required to collapse the frame down to as short as 8".

My hacksaws rack up on a ceiling joist has capacity enough for one more saw. This one can go at the back of the rack -- it's not that great a saw-frame, and I don't care for the handle.

# # #


# # #

Three Putty Knives

The middle one is 1 1/4", and very well constructed. I can't make out a name on it.

The lower and upper ones are 1 1/8" and 2" respectively, both made by Richard, a Quebec-based toolmaking firm. The lower one looks to be very old.

They could stand some cleaning up. The small one needs a bit of attention; the blade is a bit loose in its handle. Apart from that, they're perfectly good. They can go in the toolbox where I have similar items.

# # #


# # #

A 1/2" Gasket Punch

There's evidence of there having been a manufacturer's name or logo, but it's been mostly obliterated.

This is quite a nice punch -- much better than the one I have. This can go next to it.

# # #


# # #

A Black-Handled (No. 3) Robertson Screwdriver

This looks like an old-timer. There's no manufacturer's name on it. It's beautifully made and in excellent condition. It can go in my spare screwdrivers drawer.

- - -

Following is a list of all the Robertson handle colours, size numbers and corresponding screw sizes.


Orange, No. 00; 1 & 2 screws.

Yellow, No. 0; 3 & 4 screws.

Green, No. 1; 5, 6 & 7 screws.

Red, No. 2; 8, 9 & 10 screws.

Black, No. 3; 12 & 14 screws.

There's one more larger size that also has a black handle. I've never encountered it, but apparently it does exist; it's the No. 4 size for 16 and larger screws.

# # #


# # #

A Conveyer Belt Punch

It's a Flexco No. 2 punch (11/32" diameter). It seems these are a conveyer belt installation tool.

In use, the punched slugs 'climb' up the hollow end of the tool and emerge at the open channel in the side.

I'll put this with my gasket punches.

# # #


# # #