Old Pinch tool? What’s this for?

[MRL83]

Just bought this on eBay recently, mostly just because it looked old and interesting. Can anyone tell me exactly what it is, what it was used for? It was listed as a Vintage Pinch Screw Clamp, cost me a whopping $20. I’ve never seen one before and couldn’t find a single one like it online. (Probably because I don’t know what it’s actually called).

 

[Farmer J.]

I think it's one of those clamps for spreading the leaves of multi-leaf springs apart so you can slather grease between them. Useful tool, reducing the inter leaf friction gives a better ride.
Sometimes people say grit sticks to the grease and you shouldn't do it, but the proper way was to bandage wrap the spring after greasing it to keep it clean inside.

VINTAGE AUTO LEAF SPRING LUBRICATION TOOL FORD MODEL T | #45987062

For auction I have a VINTAGE AUTO CAR LEAF SPRING LUBRICATION TOOL FORD MODEL T ERA! Interesting tool was used to spread vintage automobile leaf springs for lubrication. Tool is approx. 5 long. Reads

www.worthpoint.com

 

[slowtwitch73]

I could see that being handy for all manner of jobs.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I think it's one of those clamps for spreading the leaves of multi-leaf springs apart so you can slather grease between them. Useful tool, reducing the inter leaf friction gives a better ride.
Sometimes people say grit sticks to the grease and you shouldn't do it, but the proper way was to bandage wrap the spring after greasing it to keep it clean inside.

VINTAGE AUTO LEAF SPRING LUBRICATION TOOL FORD MODEL T | #45987062

For auction I have a VINTAGE AUTO CAR LEAF SPRING LUBRICATION TOOL FORD MODEL T ERA! Interesting tool was used to spread vintage automobile leaf springs for lubrication. Tool is approx. 5 long. Reads

www.worthpoint.com

Not all cars required the bandage wrap. Buick did, and had a special tool to lubricate the spring. Ford did not, as neither did many others.

 

[Farmer J.]

Not all cars required the bandage wrap. Buick did, and had a special tool to lubricate the spring. Ford did not, as neither did many others.

That's interesting. I only know of doing it as an aftermarket thing, and hadn't heard it was be done or recommended by manufacturers.
I have some experience of it on old Land Rovers, some army surplus ones had wrapped springs when sold off. By the time I saw them the bandage was all rotted and torn and the spring covered in rust, grit, and hardened grease and so stiff that it was a hard ride!
I will look up some old manuals see if I can find anything about wrapping springs.

 

[humber2]

Google Spring gaiters.......

 

[Ricky Joe]

That's interesting. I only know of doing it as an aftermarket thing, and hadn't heard it was be done or recommended by manufacturers.
I have some experience of it on old Land Rovers, some army surplus ones had wrapped springs when sold off. By the time I saw them the bandage was all rotted and torn and the spring covered in rust, grit, and hardened grease and so stiff that it was a hard ride!
I will look up some old manuals see if I can find anything about wrapping springs.

From 1934 Buick factory service manual:

 

[Ricky Joe]

Here is the illustration of the grease tool.

 

[Farmer J.]

Here is the illustration of the grease tool.

Thanks, those shop manual instructions show it very clearly. I've not seen those before.
I haven't yet been able to find the Land Rover reference, but it's nothing as elaborate as that. I think it's in a supplement of general instructions for operating in Africa, and just says something like 'grease the spring leaves and wrap strips of canvas around them as a bandage'.
Not got to it yet, in the back of a shipping container in a file of old literature beneath hundreds of other books, a pile of chairs, and Great Grandmother's kitchen table!

 

[Farmer J.]

Google Spring gaiters.......

Thanks humber. That kept me amused for a while.. There are also some truly amazing items of ladies clothing i never could imagine existed..

 

[Ricky Joe]

Thanks, those shop manual instructions show it very clearly. I've not seen those before.
I haven't yet been able to find the Land Rover reference, but it's nothing as elaborate as that. I think it's in a supplement of general instructions for operating in Africa, and just says something like 'grease the spring leaves and wrap strips of canvas around them as a bandage'.
Not got to it yet, in the back of a shipping container in a file of old literature beneath hundreds of other books, a pile of chairs, and Great Grandmother's kitchen table!

I actually have a 1934 Buick running gear in my shed. When it warms up, I’ll dig it out and add pictures.

 

[nadogail]

Old Guy tool for an old car. That must have survived several Estate Sales.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I checked several of my manuals. Oldsmobile was still wrapping the spring in 1938, but not by 1953. That may help date the tool, although tools were made for a while after the manufacturers developed newer systems.

 

[wrenchguy]

Looks identical to a "W" in a diamond nickleplated Williams I have.

 

[Farmer J.]

I got out to my barn yesterday and had a look under the 1935 Oldsmobile F-35 stored in there, it's an 'original' (unmodified) car with 10,000 miles but has no wrap on the springs so likely someone took it off over the years, and they should be wrapped for it to be correct as original. The springs are hardly worn it's not even really run in. Here's a pic of the car sorry I'm not crawling underneath it today for a close up of the rear springs! It has coils on the front of course.

 

[Ricky Joe]

I got out to my barn yesterday and had a look under the 1935 Oldsmobile F-35 stored in there, it's an 'original' (unmodified) car with 10,000 miles but has no wrap on the springs so likely someone took it off over the years, and they should be wrapped for it to be correct as original. The springs are hardly worn it's not even really run in. Here's a pic of the car sorry I'm not crawling underneath it today for a close up of the rear springs! It has coils on the front of course.

It is possible that the 1935 Olds did not have wraps. The 1934 Buick did, and the 1938 Olds did, but that doesn’t mean the 1935 Olds did. Is yours a six or an eight, and I want it!

 

[Farmer J.]

It is possible that the 1935 Olds did not have wraps. The 1934 Buick did, and the 1938 Olds did, but that doesn’t mean the 1935 Olds did. Is yours a six or an eight, and I want it!

Thanks Ricky, so the springs will remain 'unwrapped'. The Olds belongs to family, and it has a thirsty 6 cylinder engine. I will keep you in mind if it gets moved along but not likely any time soon, it's hardly been anywhere out of storage since the beginning of WW2.

 

[RAS61]

I'm 60 and into classic cars, and have never heard of greasing and/or wrapping springs before - I guess you really are never too old to learn something new!

 

[Ricky Joe]

Thanks Ricky, so the springs will remain 'unwrapped'. The Olds belongs to family, and it has a thirsty 6 cylinder engine. I will keep you in mind if it gets moved along but not likely any time soon, it's hardly been anywhere out of storage since the beginning of WW2.

Somewhere I have the 1936 Olds manual. I can’t find it, as anyone who has been in my garage can believe. When I do, I’ll check it and report. Still has no bearing on the ‘35.