Pliers; How Many Is Too Many?

[whitesco]

I almost always reach for the Channellock 526s, the Olympia pair at the bottom is nice and tight but the S-K set has gotten a little play in them… now that y’all made me get them out I should try to tighten them up a little!

 

[RTM]

They turned out to be marked Sears 3079 with a WF code. Made in Japan. Had I known, I might have left them behind but they seem to be decent, quality wise.

I have a pair somewhere, they seemed decent, so I grabbed them.

 

[isb cornbinder]

Pliers are easy to dismiss and misplace. Eventually you need one. Or find another one at that sale . . .
Craftsman Water Pump Pliers, Non-Slip

I would never be critical of you. I have about 250 pair of Pedersen Vice grips.

 

[bb29510]

anything over three is too many. truck, shop,house

 

[Outlawmws]

A pair of PESCO (Peck, Stow, & Wilcox) or PS&W CoPliers, from this past weekend.

I know someone else recently hit a pair -but if in this thread, I missed them

 

[oldpliers1]

I found these paint covered lineman’s pliers at a Sunday garage sale. It wasn’t possible to tell who made them until I spent a couple of hours cleaning off the stubborn paint. They turned out to be marked Sears 3079 with a WF code. Made in Japan. Had I known, I might have left them behind but they seem to be decent, quality wise.



-Don

KIEBA ? The maker for sears

 

[d42jeep]

This is copied from Lauver‘s Craftsman manufacturer list from several years ago. The WF was a typo on my part.
BF = probably Daido, possibly KTC, Japanese made, ca 1969 - 1987
-Don

 

[MisterEd]

Crescent Tool Crestoloy 940-6 Short Nose Diagonal Cutting Pliers "U S"

 

[d42jeep]

Crescent Tool Crestoloy 940-6 Short Nose Diagonal Cutting Pliers "U S"

Those are very popular among GMTK collectors with the US marking.
-Don

 

[oldpliers1]

Those are very popular among GMTK collectors with the US marking.
-Don

What year did the cross hatching on the 1950s end ?
and when are we going to get our heads together to put a book on crescent 1907 -2013 written . Regards Andy

 

[LesserSon]

Before LesserSon[…]inundates this thread[…]
-Don

I held back from posting the majority of my Utica pliers, as they have been shown individually and in retail display case elsewhere.
But today I finally hung up a pegboard display I made from leftovers from other projects. I was going to put FSP/Snap-on pliers on it, but a box of Utica (54 plus 2 Mephisto) and a bucket of Bonney (34) were a lot closer.

 

[LesserSon]

Purchased this morning at Jake’s Flea Market: Lloyds 11-6” / England diagonal cutter. There are four added notes - VAH8, AF, VA14-5, P/P C1 - none of which mean anything to me yet.

 

[Outlawmws]

There are four added notes - VAH8, AF, VA14-5, P/P C1 - none of which mean anything to me yet.

Looks like shop added markings to me. "VA" Veterans Administration? When was the VA started?

 

[oldpliers1]

Purchased this morning at Jake’s Flea Market: Lloyds 11-6” / England diagonal cutter. There are four added notes - VAH8, AF, VA14-5, P/P C1 - none of which mean anything to me yet.

I would take a guess and say they are of RAF tool board , the VA being plane identifier number it is only a guess. ( commonwealth airforces are very careful and stringent with each crews tool board , part of their safety protocols)

 

[Farmer J.]

Maybe these have something to do with the markings?

VAH-8 to VAH-123 Heavy Attack Squadrons US Navy

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-1/pdfs/Chapter3.pdf

AF...Air Force ?

VA-145 Attack Squadron 145, US Navy

VA-145 Swordsmen attack squadron ATKRON - US Navy

C1

C-1A (TF-1) Trader

www.history.navy.mil

I haven't found any history for 'Lloyds England' but it could be what's now 'Lloyd and Jones'

History - Lloyd Jones

It is very unlikely that, when he set up his own horse-cab and transport business in 1883, Arnold Birch had any idea he was founding a dynasty that has provided an ongoing service to Liverpool’s industries, tradesmen and residents right up to the present day. But that is exactly what has...

www.lloyd-jones.com

 

[oldpliers1]

Maybe these have something to do with the markings?

VAH-8 to VAH-123 Heavy Attack Squadrons US Navy

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/research/histories/naval-aviation/dictionary-of-american-naval-aviation-squadrons-volume-1/pdfs/Chapter3.pdf

AF...Air Force ?

VA-145 Attack Squadron 145, US Navy

VA-145 Swordsmen attack squadron ATKRON - US Navy

C1

C-1A (TF-1) Trader

www.history.navy.mil

I haven't found any history for 'Lloyds England' but it could be what's now 'Lloyd and Jones'

History - Lloyd Jones

It is very unlikely that, when he set up his own horse-cab and transport business in 1883, Arnold Birch had any idea he was founding a dynasty that has provided an ongoing service to Liverpool’s industries, tradesmen and residents right up to the present day. But that is exactly what has...

www.lloyd-jones.com

Living in the antipodes I have never seen Lloyds tools a lot of English tools here though, I like your opinion. Regards

 

[LesserSon]

On eBay, I see both “Lloyds England” and “Lloyd England” variations. Most currently shipping from NE USA (in fact, a few are shipping from within half an hours drive). But a pair in California, Virginia, and a pair in UK.

 

[Farmer J.]

On eBay, I see both “Lloyds England” and “Lloyd England” variations. Most currently shipping from NE USA (in fact, a few are shipping from within half an hours drive). But a pair in California, Virginia, and a pair in UK.

I see various ones on eBay too, but unfortunately haven't found any good information about the maker. Internet searches using the name are swamped by Lloyds Bank and Lloyd's of London insurance..
But, this is odd:
-Almost all the Lloyds pliers for sale on eBay are located in USA.
-Assuming yours were supplied to US Navy (as per the markings on them) wouldn't the US Navy be buying US made pliers?
So, could it be that the 'Lloyds England' on the examples seen is a branding by some US maker?
I wonder if Private Lugnutz would be able to look up who supplied the pliers to thse US Navy VA Heavy Attack Squadrons?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Added these very early MoToR KiT pliers to the slip-joint collection this morning. More photos on Don's 'More than just adjustables' thread here.

 

[MisterEd]

Unbranded made in Germany End Nipper.

 

[MisterEd]

Unbranded Made in Italy 5978 End Nipper/Nail Remover.

 

[RTM]

Unbranded made in Germany End Nipper.

Unbranded Made in Italy 5978 End Nipper/Nail Remover.

Funny, going against stereotypes here, the German one is the more stylish, the Italian purely functional.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Picked up these 1950's era lineman's type side-cutters with an interesting connector-crimper at the flea this morning.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

The assignor, of Ideal Industries, of the common commutator/stripper fiefdom, owns the utility patent for the connector and the pliers to crimp them, as well as the design patent for the pliers.

 

[oldpliers1]

The assignor, of Ideal Industries, of the common commutator/stripper fiefdom, owns the utility patent for the connector and the pliers to crimp them, as well as the design patent for the pliers.

Thank you, great information , the first pair I saw with a crimper was in 1981 produced by Marvel of Japan. It took crescent until 1987 on the 3800-8CT, to add the crimper and Channellock 1992 on the 3248 (export) the pliers shown on the patent look great do you have a pair with the grips ?

 

[Private Lugnutz]

...the pliers shown on the patent look great do you have a pair with the grips ?

The pair I found that I am showing in post #303 had what was left of the grips. I cut them off.

 

[oldpliers1]

The pair I found that I am showing in post #303 had what was left of the grips. I cut them off.

They are well worn, Ideal made after market grips for them they were 35-006 , 7,8 a copy of the crescent grips different colour. I have to laugh thinking these were latest in 81, and they Promoted them as a newly designed, and the other makers copied the copyists. I give you full marks to me this is the best post I have seen on the site. Regards

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I give you full marks to me this is the best post I have seen on the site.

 

[d42jeep]

Added these very early MoToR KiT pliers to the slip-joint collection this morning. More photos on Don's 'More than just adjustables' thread here.

Don’t see that Crescent logo very often. I found these pliers yesterday and cleaned them up this morning. I’m not sure if the plating is nickel or chrome.
Before
After
At the same sale on Saturday, I found these rusty 10” Cee Tee pliers.
Before
After
-Don

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Don’t see that Crescent logo very often.

I think it's the only one in my collection.

I’m not sure if the plating is nickel or chrome.

I see what you mean. The Evaporust 'shined up' the dullness we usually attribute to nickel vs. chrome. But I think nickel with the early CTC monograph. If you look through ads in the early 20's or the 1926 Crescent catalog, when these logos were most prominent, nickel finishes predominate. There are some nickel-copper. No mention of chrome.

 

[GarageHobbyist]

Just cleaned these up. Still a little work to do on the inside, and smooth a few parts on the jaws.

 

[Outlawmws]

I’m not sure if the plating is nickel or chrome.

I see what you mean. The Evaporust 'shined up' the dullness we usually attribute to nickel vs. chrome. But I think nickel with the early CTC monograph. If you look through ads in the early 20's or the 1926 Crescent catalog, when these logos were most prominent, nickel finishes predominate. There are some nickel-copper. No mention of chrome.

I agree, nickel; based on appearance and how it wore. very typical for niclel, and atypical for chrome.

 

[d42jeep]

As our experts have stated, the finish of the pliers is certainly nickel plating. Here is some period documentation available on the internet.



The 6” Crescent wrench is quite early as well. Based on the Patent Pending markings probably made in 1915 during the patent process.
-Don

 

[Skyman]

These arrived today. I don't know their age, but they're in quite good condition.

 

[Skyman]

This beauty arrived today. Appears to be truly virgin. I'm almost hesitant to use it. If anybody can date it, or the two in post #314, I'm all ears. Or all eyes, as it were. A minor gripe is the lack of deburring of the end of the fastener. It's a major meat hook, and I'll remove it.

 

[LesserSon]

Crescent is not in my wheelhouse, so I’m just looking on Alloy Artifacts for company history, combined with a general impression of tool industry marking trends.
Just as a starting point, “Crescent Tool Company” (post 314) sounds like the family-run business that ended in 1960. In the catalogs on Internet Archive, the stamp in the illustration does not change through the forties and fifties, so that’s the range I’d expect for the pliers in post 314.
I don’t see a more modern catalog to compare.
Without such resource, I would expect a “Crescent-Niagra” stamp 1960-68.
“Crescent(R) Brand” (post 315) sounds like a tool line within a conglomerate, so Cooper (1968). With an actual stamp and no laser-etch, I’d guess your “virgin” pliers are from the early end of the 1970s-1990s.
Apex since 2010, so maybe what’s shown online now is typical. Current slipjoints are offered with dipped handles and have a modern CTC-circle logo stamp. The bare chrome-handled slipjoints are laser-etched with “CeeTee by Crescent”.

 

[Skyman]

Thanks much for the insights. I had figured the Crescent(R) Brand to be a more recent vintage, but had no idea roughly when any of these were manufactured.

 

[Beerhippie]

These aren't all that old, but they're quickly becoming some of my favorite tools:



Found at two consecutive yard sales on two consecutive days. 8" M. Klein & Sons, 10" Kuh-nipex.

I've owned a lot of dikes over the years and these two work better than any of them. I've been using a pair of 6" Channellocks for the last few years, which are not bad, but many of the cheapo dikes I've had the displeasure to use struggle to cut a zip tie.

Now to find a nice pair of flush-cutters for a buck.

 

[ecotec]

I “know” that I have too many pairs of pliers… but I read this thread and found a few pairs that I would love to find at an estate sale or flea market…

I have culled about twenty pairs of pliers over the last year or so. I gave a couple pairs to apprentices and donated the rest.

This is about 70% of my pliers. The rest are in my cart, on my workbench, in my work toolbox, and scattered throughout my house.

 

[oldpliers1]

Crescent is not in my wheelhouse, so I’m just looking on Alloy Artifacts for company history, combined with a general impression of tool industry marking trends.
Just as a starting point, “Crescent Tool Company” (post 314) sounds like the family-run business that ended in 1960. In the catalogs on Internet Archive, the stamp in the illustration does not change through the forties and fifties, so that’s the range I’d expect for the pliers in post 314.
I don’t see a more modern catalog to compare.
Without such resource, I would expect a “Crescent-Niagra” stamp 1960-68.
“Crescent(R) Brand” (post 315) sounds like a tool line within a conglomerate, so Cooper (1968). With an actual stamp and no laser-etch, I’d guess your “virgin” pliers are from the early end of the 1970s-1990s.
Apex since 2010, so maybe what’s shown online now is typical. Current slipjoints are offered with dipped handles and have a modern CTC-circle logo stamp. The bare chrome-handled slipjoints are laser-etched with “CeeTee by Crescent”.

I gather there was never a Niagara stamp and the style of stamping changed when the plant was moved circa 1968 from Net York state to North Carolina production ,the 68 -77 stamp is a well defined change. Stamping ceased late 77 and etching was introduced ( which i do not like ) there are other markings mostly pre war I will take a few photos and post them. I have put up the most common post war markings the black gripped 1950-8 being late 1950s , the yellow set were from 68-77 North Carolina production, the carded 3800-8 were purchased January 1980 , the 50-7 ,and 50,7Tenite grips and the 3800-8I are all 68-77. You have raised another matter , with the Niagara buy out their was a rebranding and Logo change and new boxes were made but a lot of stuff I have bought boxed in particular dipped handle items have come in the pre Niagara boxes with additional labels like cushion grips ( using up old stock obviously) this must of been for a number of years.