What is this tool?

[The Rusty Gear]

Found in the bottom of a garage sale box . . . No idea what it is. Looks like something may be missing . .

Part of a T-handle for something???

 

[PistolWhip]

Looks like an Allen key of some sort. I'd venture to say that a tubular piece was fit into that hole in order to turn the key. It appears that it was probably fit down into a hollow shaft that had the allen head at the bottom of it. The marks in the shaft part look like they could be lubrication trails if not just wear from use. I know allot of the bushings I use have cuts in them that look very similar to what that has and they are designed like that for lubrication.

 

[eborcim]

Is it brass or just rusty/dirty? Looks like a spark-proof allen socket that needs a t-handle.

 

[X1 Mike]

My guess is it's part of a ratcheting tap handle. I would agree about the grease grooves.

 

[The Rusty Gear]

Is it brass or just rusty/dirty? Looks like a spark-proof allen socket that needs a t-handle.

Just rusty and dusty I think. I'll take a magnet to it to see for sure.

 

[rsanter]

I am not sure those are grease grooves
I think that is part of an old set where you had several heads that went with one handle.
I think the spiral grooves are from the manufacturing process when they retracted the tool

bob

 

[G1K]

It looks to me like a lathe chuck key, missing the handle.

R

 

[The Rusty Gear]

It looks to me like a lathe chuck key, missing the handle.

R

That it does, but it would be a very small chuck. I should have included something in the picture for scale. Maybe a quarter inch across the flats.

 

[rsanter]

most of the lathe chuck keys I have seen were square drive

bob

 

[G1K]

That it does, but it would be a very small chuck. I should have included something in the picture for scale. Maybe a quarter inch across the flats.

1/4 is right for a smaller chuck.

most of the lathe chuck keys I have seen were square drive

bob

You're right, I just noticed the pictures shows a 6 sided shape, not 4. I saw 4 when I first glanced at it. My bad...

R

 

[jpparker]

it is indeed a chuck key i have one just the same for a pratt bernard 4" 4 jaw

 

[JackOfAllTradesRuss]

Lathe chuck wrench,missing the T-handle bar. Some chucks use Square (4 pt.) and some use Hex. (6pt.) chuck wrench. RUSS

 

[ps junkslinger]

Yep my lathe has a chuck that accepts a nearly identical key......

 

[The Rusty Gear]

Lathe chuck wrench,missing the T-handle bar. Some chucks use Square (4 pt.) and some use Hex. (6pt.) chuck wrench. RUSS

Cool.

Now all I need to do is find the lathe to go with the key