Miller's Falls Whatsit

[kxxr]

Excuse my 'artist's rendition' of this tool. I missed out at a yard sale today as the ol' boy next to me was a little quicker on the draw. He didn't know what it was either. We both agreed that for 25 cents, it was a must have. It looks like it may be made for making a hole in something that would fit into the jaw. The 'table' of the jaw has a hole receptacle that receives the end of the threaded rod as you turn it clockwise. The whole thing is about dollar bill size. The black part is just a cast loop and the handle says Miller's Falls.
What is it for?

Here are some other goodies from the same sale. A cool little W.Rose leather knife, old skool twin Channellocks, Klein Linesman pliers with the 'Guy Up a Pole' logo, some no name duck bill long nose pliers and a Mossberg socket and a SuperWrench. All for $4.25.

I'm hoping the usa vice and bench grinder survive until tomorrow's 1/2 price sale.

 

[Michiganskibum]

Would look like it could be a chain break for taking apart roller chain. Or possibly something for driving rivets out of cutter bars on combines and mowing machines.

 

[kxxr]

Chain breaker sounds right. It would push the pin out of the masterlink? Makes perfect sense. Thanks!

 

[Mickey O]

It's a hole puncher.

 

[kxxr]

It's a hole puncher.

I should have looked closer at the end of the threaded part. I didn't get a second look, once the other guy picked it up, to see how the distal end was shaped; round or sharp. Seems like a lot of fuss for something that could only punch a single sized hole. Is it for a special purpose hole, or just general all around the house hole making?

 

[Jallred]

They are used to punch holes in thin saw blades such as butcher saws. At least thats what I use mine for. I also have an Atkins branded one and have seen several others with different name on them.

 

[2oolhound]

OK, if that's a hole punch it would also explain what this is:

 

[demographic]

OK, if that's a hole punch it would also explain what this is:

That looks like a chain breaker to me.

 

[2oolhound]

Most of the chain breakers I've used have the pin but the other receiver part is a fork with a round inner shape that the roller fits into and the forks support the top link. Like these:

 

[kxxr]

They are used to punch holes in thin saw blades such as butcher saws. At least thats what I use mine for. I also have an Atkins branded one and have seen several others with different name on them.

Ok, 'nother dumb question then. Why would the task of making a hole in a saw be so commonly done as to have a tool made just for the purpose? How come you make holes in your thin saw blades?

 

[2oolhound]

Hey kxxr, I don't mean to hi-jack your thread but it seems your question has been answered and while we have all the geniuses in the room I thought I'd try to solve this other identity quiz. This looks like a gasket punch possibly but then the surface the convex tipped bolt contacts is so rough it doesn't look like a cutting edge should touch it. It should also be brass or softer metal so as not to dull the cutting edge. Anyone know what these are?

 

[KCarGuy]

Steel Beam Clamps

 

[kxxr]

It's a hole puncher.

That's it. My mechanical drawing was uh,.... well, the original artwork is for sale for any of you serious hole puncher collectors

 

[2oolhound]

Steel Beam Clamps

Can you explain their use in a little more detail KCarGuy? It's not sinking in what benefit clamping these onto steel beams would be. Why the other threaded hole? Why the convex end on the threaded bolt?

 

[kxxr]

Those were put there to make 2oolhounds ask questions.
No, I have no idea either. Still wondering why making holes in saw blades is done though.

 

[Mickey O]

Can you explain their use in a little more detail KCarGuy? It's not sinking in what benefit clamping these onto steel beams would be. Why the other threaded hole? Why the convex end on the threaded bolt?

Beam clamps are used to hang pipe, conduit, duct work, etc., from beams.

 

[Mickey O]

That's it. My mechanical drawing was uh,.... well, the original artwork is for sale for any of you serious hole puncher collectors

You may not believe this but I'm cleaning out my garage and ran across that last evening (haven't seen it in a long time), but it's true, I even punched a hole in a cardboard box with it. What are the odds of someone mentioning that exact tool today.

 

[kxxr]

I should have bought the damn thing for 25 cents, then we'd both have one. Do you concur that it was made so that you could punch a hole in a saw blade? It seems like it would only make a dent.

 

[s.a.steel]

Can you explain their use in a little more detail KCarGuy? It's not sinking in what benefit clamping these onto steel beams would be. Why the other threaded hole? Why the convex end on the threaded bolt?

The convex end helps "dig into" the steel beam, and the other hole is for threading all thread rod into for hanging pipe, duct, etc. We use tons of those in the plumbing/HVAC trades.

 

[Mickey O]

Do you concur that it was made so that you could punch a hole in a saw blade?

That was it's intended purpose.

I should have bought the damn thing for 25 cents, then we'd both have one.

If you knew what they were worth you'd be kicking yourself for not buying it.

 

[kxxr]

I get it. Saw blade material comes in rolls, cut to fit and make holes for mounting in frame/handle or whatever. Nifty. So, go ahead, tell what they are worth. (wow, you even have the box!) Quick google says in catalog #42, in 1938, they sold for $1.10 each.
A conversation almost identical to this one took place on a woodworkers forum back in 2003. They started out with the idea it was a chain breaker and ended up with the correct identification. Small world indeed. Even internet history repeats.
http://www.woodworking-online.com/f...&start=0&sid=c24347ed4303daaf944cc2cbdd4db77d

 

[Mickey O]

Nifty. So, go ahead, tell what they are worth. (wow, you even have the box!) Quick google says in catalog #42, in 1938, they sold for $1.38.

The one in the last picture isn't mine, nice shape with the box they sell for $60 +, not sure how much without the box but at least $20 + which could be converted into tools you want/use.

 

[kxxr]

Thanks for the tip, but I know what to do with $20.
I had it in my mits and I handed it to the guy next to me to look at and he walked off with it. Yard sale party foul.

 

[kxxr]

Yup, I missed the boat. Check out ebay item # 350473039913