265C contact cleaner?

[Mintgrun]

I pulled this little tool out of the bottom of the scrap metal bin and am wondering what it is used for. There are no maker's marks, just 265C stamped in the side, plus QEL 6 scratched on the cap.



At first, I thought it was a feeler gauge holder, but I believe the thin strips are diamond impregnated. There is a second strip stored inside the body, as well as some tiny ball-end pins that also fit in the vise end. I think they might be abrasive as well. What would they be for?




(I edited the title to include 265C and removed 'diamond abrasive')

Tom

 

[RTM]

Found this title on an eBay sale.. means we can probably dig it up from that list in the Bell Systems thread.

Rare Telephone Contact Burnishing Tool 265C With Extra Parts​

RARE TELEPHONE CONTACT BURNISHING TOOL 265C WITH EXTRA PARTS | eBay

Condition is "Used".

www.ebay.com

 

[RTM]

See if something here clicks with what you have

https://www.telecomarchive.com/docs/bsp-archive/074/074-000-000_I6.pdf

And a description

Relay Burnishers

Relay Burnishers

www.classicrotaryphones.com

 

[RTM]

Oooh, check this out, multiple references on how to use it too, search for 265c in here

Bell System Coin Service Manual : Bell Telephone Company : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive

Bell System Coin Service Manual. This manual is a selected compilation of sections concerning installation and maintenance of coin stations including booths...

archive.org

 

[Marsim]

I used something like that when I was repairing em pinball machines and older juke boxes. Quick swipe (like using your debit card, not scraping or filing) between contacts and switches. Handy little tool.

 

[Leviton]

Thanks for posting this, and RTM, thanks for figuring it out. I found one of these in a mostly empty toolbox I bought 2 years ago. Never could figure out what it was.

 

[Nutria]

Very cool. I rebuild a fair number of old switches, and one of those would be handy. I'm going to keep an eye out.

 

[Mintgrun]

Thank you RTM, for solving the mystery. You've sure got a knack for digging up information and are very generous with your time.

Apparently I was wrong about the diamond abrasives aspect, as one description says it is non-abrasive. Maybe it's just 'textured'. The ball end on the pocket clip makes it seem older than the examples in the links, me thinks.

I got called a gleaner as I was scrounging around in the scrap bin. This is most of what I pulled out that day. Their per-pound pricing is a little high, compared to other places, but I'm fine with the $4 purchase.

 

[Leviton]

Mintgrun, thanks again for posting this. Here is mine.

What would the needle like tips be used for as opposed to the flat tips?

 

[bonneyman]

You know, I've got a few pen-looking things with round knurled tips on them. Figured they were for working on balsa wood models. Guess I was wrong!

And as I recall, in the thread about tiny multi-bit drivers I came across several hollow tools with various file bits in them.

 

[Mintgrun]

The working end could hold a very small blade, I suppose. It's tempting to skinny-up a thin double-edged razor-blade.

I was googling-up cleaning ignition points yesterday and found myself on the McMaster Carr site and this was at the bottom of the page. Now we know what the little rods are for.

Pocket-Size Electrical Contact Files​

A pen-shaped holder stores six files. Use to clean contacts on electrical components such as spark plugs, switches, relays, and ignition points.
Rods are used for cleaning pits on contacts.

.

Number of Files	Lg.	Wd.	Thick.	Lg.	Material	Abrasive Material	Includes		Each		Each		Each
Files
	File	Handle			For Fine Finish (220 Grit)	Replacement Files	Replacement Rods
6	1 1/2"	3/16"	0.0035"	4 1/2"	Plastic	Steel	Six 1 1/4" Length × 0.02" Diameter Rods	4575A73	$47.00	4575A86	$1.19	4575A87	$1.41
6	1 1/2"	3/16"	0.007"	4 1/2"	Plastic	Steel	__	4575A71	38.00	4575A85	1.20	______	__

 

[Leviton]

The working end could hold a very small blade, I suppose. It's tempting to skinny-up a thin double-edged razor-blade.

I was googling-up cleaning ignition points yesterday and found myself on the McMaster Carr site and this was at the bottom of the page. Now we know what the little rods are for.

Pocket-Size Electrical Contact Files​

A pen-shaped holder stores six files. Use to clean contacts on electrical components such as spark plugs, switches, relays, and ignition points.
Rods are used for cleaning pits on contacts.

.

	File	Handle			For Fine Finish (220 Grit)	Replacement Files	Replacement Rods
Files
Number of Files	Lg.	Wd.	Thick.	Lg.	Material	Abrasive Material	Includes		Each		Each		Each
6	1 1/2"	3/16"	0.0035"	4 1/2"	Plastic	Steel	Six 1 1/4" Length × 0.02" Diameter Rods	4575A73	$47.00	4575A86	$1.19	4575A87	$1.41
6	1 1/2"	3/16"	0.007"	4 1/2"	Plastic	Steel	__	4575A71	38.00	4575A85	1.20	______	__

You made a successful trip down the rabbit hole. Nice sleuthing!

McMaster Carr really does have everything.