Hoping for a "What is This Tool?" Thread for newbies like myself.

[LowOiL]

Hello, Yeah I am new here, but seemed like a bunch of nice folks here and I thought I would take a chance asking a few questions on some tools I don't quite understand (so will be an ongoing thread probable)... I don't sell them, but mostly just knock the rust off them and try to sort them where they can be found later if needed. Anyway I have two tools that I can generally surmise as some sort of load tie down tool for a truck (???) and one odd socket in a star shape. The can of snuff is for size comparison. The socket has nothing wrote on it, not a size or anything, has large 1" drive I think. Don't know exactly what it is used for, never seen a bolt star shaped that big. The other is pretty rusted and I can only make out a few details on it... First is "Longview Texas USA" on the handle... "Drop Forged" and "Heat Treated or Tested"... "T Model A-1" <--- hard to read, may be wrong...
Buddy says "It is used on truck tie-downs" with either chain or straps.

 

[ecotec]

The 8 point socket is for square nuts and bolts and pipe plugs.

 

[LowOiL]

Never thought about a star-shaped 8 point being able to fit Square Nuts ... I like that. Thanks Ecotec.

 

[ararat]

Chain binder

 

[The Cobbler]

the other item is a load binder. binds chains tight for tie downs

 

[LowOiL]

Thanks Ararat and The Cobbler.... I will head off to YouTube and look how to use it now I have a term to search.

 

[cvairwerks]

Arm breaker chain binder, aka: boomer....Most truckers are moving away from them for safety reasons.

 

[LowOiL]

Arm breaker chain binder, aka: boomer....Most truckers are moving away from them for safety reasons.

I am seeing that, fast quick but with a "Snap" when released that can knock your teeth out and one needs to wrap the arm to keep it from accidentally popping loose in transport. Also seeing some use a cheater bar to get that last bit of "umph" in the initial pull making the spring release even more dramatic.


Thanks gang for the education...

 

[5ubtle]

Welcome to the forum. I think that you need an Avatar. I think that this one would be good for you.

 

[charbar]

Arm breaker chain binder, aka: boomer....Most truckers are moving away from them for safety reasons.

I bought all new ratcheting style binders and hid my lever style ones solely because my dad isn't near as strong or safety conscious as he used to be and I didn't want him busting his teeth out.

Takes a few seconds longer but they are definitely safer and I like the adjustability of them.


Funny story I have about the lever style binders.....years ago we were in the process of trading one of our tractors for a new one. Came from a smaller dealership and the owner of the dealer actually delivered the tractor himself along with his 15 or so years old son. Guy drives our old tractor on the trailer and tells his son to chain it down. Son is struggling to get the binder flipped over so Dad ask "Why don't you grab the cheater pipe?". Son replies "Well I thought about it but I was scared I might break the chain!". We all got a chuckle out of that one (keep in mind this was 3/8" chain lol).

We then proceeded to watch the son launch the cheater pipe right through the back window of the tractor!!! The Dad was NOT impressed. I on the other hand was laughing so hard I about pissed myself.

 

[LowOiL]

Welcome to the forum. I think that you need an Avatar. I think that this one would be good for you.

I like the idea.... going to go a little more retro with it... thanks for the suggestion !

 

[nadogail]

Welcome Aboard the Forum, some of us have been beaten up by load binders like the one in the picture.

 

[Zewnten]

I bought all new ratcheting style binders and hid my lever style ones solely because my dad isn't near as strong or safety conscious as he used to be and I didn't want him busting his teeth out.

Takes a few seconds longer but they are definitely safer and I like the adjustability of them.


Funny story I have about the lever style binders.....years ago we were in the process of trading one of our tractors for a new one. Came from a smaller dealership and the owner of the dealer actually delivered the tractor himself along with his 15 or so years old son. Guy drives our old tractor on the trailer and tells his son to chain it down. Son is struggling to get the binder flipped over so Dad ask "Why don't you grab the cheater pipe?". Son replies "Well I thought about it but I was scared I might break the chain!". We all got a chuckle out of that one (keep in mind this was 3/8" chain lol).

We then proceeded to watch the son launch the cheater pipe right through the back window of the tractor!!! The Dad was NOT impressed. I on the other hand was laughing so hard I about pissed myself.

Guy comes by with a trailer to buy something from me and had his chains across the deck using these types of binders. Popped it loose and it shot across the trailer and several feet farther. No idea how he got it that tight or how it didn't snag on the chain but it would have sucked to get hit by.

 

[Retired dozer fixer]

Looks like a railroad joint bar bolt socket