Whitcher Lasting Pliers

I was able to learn that this is a boot and shoe maker's tool, and that was about all I was able to learn.

The thing leaves me somewhat mystified as to how it would be used. Given what I know about boot and shoe making, that should surprise no one.

I'll clean it up on the wire wheel machine, and stash it in my spare tools drawer.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

Sargent & Co. Parallel Action Pliers

This is an item I've never felt the need for, but it's been a successful design, so somebody must find them useful. Maybe if I keep them near at hand, I'll find uses for them, and come to appreciate the parallel action.

Sargent is still a going concern, and they appear to still be making these things.

I think what I should do is hang these on a toolboard, and keep them in mind. Perhaps then I'll come to understand their virtues.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

Something A Little Different

It appears to be a purpose-made wrench of some sort. Here's a close-up view of the business end.

That's a bent-over No. 3 (black) Robertson screw. So, what we appear to have here is a four-point socket wrench for turning something of No. 3 Robertson size. What on earth the application might have been eludes me.

I'll stash this in my spare tools drawer.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

A Combination Spanner

There's no maker's name on it. It looks like something that was purpose-made to go with something, but I have no idea what.

The thickness is 3.5mm. Measuring the openings, it's not entirely clear to me whether the thing is inch or metric; it may even be a mix. I'll list the opening dimensions (as best as I can determine them) in whichever system seems the most suitable for any given opening.

 From left-to-right, the openings are:

• 3/4" open end.
• 11/16" hex box.
• 10mm x 15mm oblong box.
• 3/8" square box.
• 13mm hex box.
• 5/8" open end.

Hmmm. It's surely the oddest, clumsiest looking combination spanner I've ever seen. I'll stash it in my spare tools drawer.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

Sears Mystery Tool -- U.S. Patent No. 2743046

Here's a curious bit of gear.

The left side end is a paint can opener. (It's identified as such on the inner, concave surface of the tool.)

The right side end looks to me like a bottle opener.

But the tabs/notches at the upper centre had me mystified.

On the inner, concave surface of the tool there's a patent number -- 2743046. I looked up that number and discovered that this is a device for carrying two big cans of paint by their bails simultaneously, like so.

The cans remain level while supported by the device, so they can even be carried when open.

Here's a link to the patent document.

I doubt that I would ever have figured the thing out on my own.

I'll hang this on a nail over by my paint bench.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

A 24" Folding Rule

Here's another real old-timer. It has no maker's name on it, and it's in pretty rough condition. It was broken off once at about the 21 3/4" point, then repaired. The hinging is still in sound condition.

I wonder if anyone still uses these -- they've long been obsoleted by steel tape measures. I imagine that in my grandfather's day, there was plenty of perfectly accurate work done with these.

Anyway, I'm unlikely to ever make use of this rule. I'll stash it in the back of my spare tools drawer.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #

A Pair Of Forceps/Tweezers Of Some Sort

There's no maker's name on them, and they look cheaply constructed. The pivot is a bit sloppy, and the tips align poorly.

With a bit of work, I could improve the thing, and possibly have a useful tool for something-or-other.

I'll stash these in my spare tools drawer against the day that I feel like getting after them.

# # #

FEEDBACK

# # #