Couple of cool pieces
- Thread starter Jnmario
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Oldtuleguy
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Any markings on that one in first pic?
disston
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We had a thread on those pliers awhile ago. Forget what they are called or who made them but they are not like Vise Grips even tho they seem to be.
I owned a pair of those years ago. Don't have them anymore.
I owned a pair of those years ago. Don't have them anymore.
Indeed. Marked on both sides "Knu Vise" and "R-400".
Nice. Yeah they pivot outward, not inward.
cvairwerks
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The first photo is of an adjustable clamp. We had thousands of them from 2” throats to 12” and capacities to 5” of material in our production areas.
Oldtuleguy
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Nice. Looks handy
Private Lugnutz
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The tool in Pics 2, 3, 4, and 5 are Botnick Motor Corporation (BMC) Model No. 7 "Precision-Locking Pliers". As disston alluded to, if you search on BMC or Botnick you will find several threads here on GJ. They have an incredible and incredibly GJ-ish history. Saul Botnick, the inventor, owned a prominent Chevy car dealership in Binghamton, NY in the 1920's. (Last time I checked, it was still in operation.) He started a little parts fab/tooling shop in the dealership, to support vehicle maintenance. Unsatisfied with the capability of commercial tools (including the lack of precision in Petersen Vise-Grips), he invented his own locking pliers and then decided to produce them for sale. They are not rare, but they're not too common, either. That's a nice find.
That's awesome. I appreciate you taking the time to let me know those details. And that is interesting because I am from Syracuse, NY, an hour north of Binghamton. They definitely have "No.7" stamped on them. About the only marking I can make out. I purchase a tool chest yesterday and there was a couple buckets of hand tools with it. This was one of the pieces. Thanks again!
You might notice that one of the great features of the BMC is that the jaws remain parallel when you close them around something. It's an unusual feature, and one that I've needed a few times.
I'm not sure how to word this right, but another feature is that they don't have to be adjusted so precisely to grip an object correctly. There's a wide range of travel when the handles are pulled together.
My understanding is that they were made for only a few years (1944-47 ?), but the number that still survive indicate they sold a ton of them. The company then moved to making....pedal cars.
I'm not sure how to word this right, but another feature is that they don't have to be adjusted so precisely to grip an object correctly. There's a wide range of travel when the handles are pulled together.
My understanding is that they were made for only a few years (1944-47 ?), but the number that still survive indicate they sold a ton of them. The company then moved to making....pedal cars.
That's awesome. They almost remind me of Craftsman Robogrips haha.
The little wheel is stuck on mine. I assume that adjusts the jaws. I've tried PB Blaster, heat, etc with no luck. They aren't really in too bad of shape to where this can't be fixed, I'm just having no luck with it.
Detroit Stamping Co (De-Sta-Co) made a lot of the style of welding/fabrication clamp shown in OP's first pic
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Lot-3-DE-STA-CO-Welding-Aviation-Toggle-Hand-Squeeze-Pliers-Clamps-441-424-/153013157839?oid=223014742573
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vtg-Lot-3-DE-STA-CO-Welding-Aviation-Toggle-Hand-Squeeze-Pliers-Clamps-441-424-/153013157839?oid=223014742573
They seem pretty handy. First set I ever have had. Actually got another pair of them today, a larger set. I'm a welder and from what I understand they are a welder's tool.
freudianfloyd
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I have used them for hose clamps in the past. They work good for that because you can tighten them just enough to close off the tube, and they have smooth faces so they dont sig into the surface.
Cool, sounds like a good idea!
h~moto
Well-known member
I can't say for sure but it sounded familiar when you said that the wheel is stuck on yours. If I remember right, one of my BMC pliers had a stuck wheel when I bought it. I think I used a pair of locking pliers with curved jaws to clamp the wheel. The curved jaws provided enough room to be able to turn the wheel a small bit. Then reclamped the wheel to allow it to be moved a bit more. Keep reclamping and moving until it frees up. A penetrating fluid was used in the operation of course.
I appreciate you sharing that. I am going to try that for sure. I'm sure I'll get it. Thanks!I can't say for sure but it sounded familiar when you said that the wheel is stuck on yours. If I remember right, one of my BMC pliers had a stuck wheel when I bought it. I think I used a pair of locking pliers with curved jaws to clamp the wheel. The curved jaws provided enough room to be able to turn the wheel a small bit. Then reclamped the wheel to allow it to be moved a bit more. Keep reclamping and moving until it frees up. A penetrating fluid was used in the operation of course.
I had a set of these in the 70's that I kept in my motorcycle tool kit. I liked them because of the square jaws. I lost those somewhere over the years but have picked up a few others of late. I was surprised to see these big 11" No. 11's. I've also run across different colors of them. I think it was a turquoise color but don't remember now for sure. Anyone seen different colored BMC grips?
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h~moto
Well-known member
I have three BMC grips. No.5, No.9 and No.11.
Interesting to notice that each tool is a slightly different design. My guess it is due to age differences.
Interesting to notice that each tool is a slightly different design. My guess it is due to age differences.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
That's a very nice collection you have going, and I concur on the design differences.
Fixed it for you
I guess I need to keep looking, I hadn't realized they made other sizes. I've only ever seen the #7 and #11.
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