Gas & Burner Pliers

[kanpappy]

I enjoy learning about companies and their History and although the following pair of Gas & Burner pliers are indeed vintage and made by the well known company of Utica, I thought perhaps some of the GJ members might like to get a better understanding of what they are use for.

Even though Utica made my two examples and you can read all about their History on the AA web-site, you must keep in mind two things (1) Other companies made them and (2) you can still buy them brand new today; They have stood the test of time so to speak.

Over these many years on the GJ someone will show a picture of these pliers that they picked up in a junk tool box sale and ask the question..."What are these strange pliers"?

So to answer that question Gas & Burner pliers were popular among plumbers for light duty work, they could get into tight spaces when working on burners and gas pipe fittings.

I will give you a few links along with some pictures of the two pliers that I own, so next time you find these odd pliers you too will know what they are used for.

http://www.imagesupplyservice.com/item104678.ctlg

http://datamp.org/patents/displayPatent.php?id=31803

http://www.cementexusa.com/pdf/GasPliers.pdf

http://stoves-parts-tools.info/products/gas-burner-pliers

http://home.comcast.net/~alloy-artifacts/utica-tool.html#gas-burner

Where to buy modern ones?

 

[rlitman]

The closest moden equivalent would be something like Vampliers, Engineer Screw Removal Pliers, or the Knipex Twingrip.

 

[kanpappy]

My Dad had a pair of these, red, cushioned handles, best gripping pliers ever, lost my pair somewhere, took me years to figure what they were really called. He just called them pipe pliers, I finally found a pair on eBay called wire twisting pliers, what a wild goose chase! The Utica pliers I've seen all have bare metal handles.

 

[four.cycle]

Where to buy modern ones?

As noted by @rlitman:

The closest moden equivalent would be something like Vampliers, Engineer Screw Removal Pliers,

But they're not really exactly the same, nor were they intended to be used in the same manner, although an old pair of "gas pliers" would most certainly work to grab ahold of some buggered-up fasteners - I bought a pair for that very purpose.
They do okay if you've got a lot to grab onto, but if it's a little oval-head Phillips screw that's all mangled, the gas pliers aren't going to get it - you'll want the Vampliers.

You can find all kinds of "gas pliers" on ebay - used - for under $20 bucks. Check photos and make sure you get a pair with good sharp teeth at the business end.