Help identify mystery pliers

[Solaris]

Help identify mystery pliers [SOLVED!]

I've never seen a tool like this. No markings, no numbers. Made of stamped steel. They feel sturdy, show signs of use, but keep original shape and condition. The ratcheting works well.

I picked these for a dollar. With the ratcheting I will be using them to compress brake caliper pistons.

Does anyone know what these pliers were originally made for? Thank you in advance.

 

[didit]

Those are valve spring compressors. I had some of those years ago. You just slip them over the coils, squeeze and then you can remove the keepers.

 

[pugglewuggle]

I've never seen a tool like this. No markings, no numbers. Made of stamped steel. They feel sturdy, show signs of use, but keep original shape and condition. The ratcheting works well.



I picked these for a dollar. With the ratcheting I will be using them to compress brake caliper pistons.



Does anyone know what these pliers were originally made for? Thank you in advance.

They don’t look like valve spring compressors to me. Pretty sure they’re made to pull small hoses off of bubbled lines by spreading the ends. Wish I had a pair. Lisle makes a pair, P/N 47900. These look nicer.


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[Solaris]

Thank you Didit! That was quick.

 

[Solaris]

Thank you Pugglewuggle!

I'm googling images of "valve spring compressor pliers" and these and fancy variations of these come up.

 

[ssdave]

........

 

[Solaris]

Look like spring stretchers to me, to remove pull type coil springs, the kind with a hook at each end. The opposite of a spring compressor. That's why the little ratcheting lock to hold them open.

Thanks SS Dave! Good point. The ratcheting lock prevents the pliers from closing, not from opening.

Perhaps they were made for some rare one of a kind application?

I'm going to keep them and use for brakes change to push back the brake caliper piston. Place them between two old pads and then expand click by click.

 

[bob15]

They are KD valve spring compressor # 900.

Here is a box showing how they work: https://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-KAYDEE-K-D-NO-900-ADJUSTABLE-JAW-VALVE-LIFTER-TOOL-MADE-IN-USA/333820402623?hash=item4db93f1bbf:g:NycAAOSwiS9fSGST

 

[belvedere]

another vote for valve spring compressor

 

[alcorelli]

If you look at the pliers that the OP is showing, you will see that when you squeeze the handles the jaws move further apart, not closer together.
So in fact they are spreaders not squeezers.

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[Mechanical Noise]

That tool is a spring compressor for side valve engines. One jaw goes against the valve spring retainer, the other goes against the engine block. It compresses the spring by putting pressure against the retainer and the engine block.

 

[Old Man Roger]

That tool is a spring compressor for side valve engines. One jaw goes against the valve spring retainer, the other goes against the engine block. It compresses the spring by putting pressure against the retainer and the engine block.

That makes it easier to understand. Now the picture on the box posted earlier makes sense too..lol

 

[WisJim]

I used mine when I overhauled my Ford 9N tractor.

 

[Solaris]

Mystery solved. It is a "valve spring lifter" then rather than a compressor. It compresses the spring by lifting it against the block. Thank you gentlemen, Bob15 and Mechanical Noise!

It's pretty amazing that the original box survived in that ebay posting.

I also found a version of the same tool by Vlchek with one swivel jaw, with the following description:

Fig. 10 shows a later Vlchek [No. 600] "Fitz-All" valve spring lifter constructed of stamped sheet metal, marked with "Vlchek" and "Patent Pending" on the top. Although not marked with a model number, this tool is listed as a No. 600 Fitz-All Valve Lifter in the No. 13 and A-2 catalogs from the early 1930s. The overall length is 10.0 inches, and the finish is cadmium plating.