The WTF are these pliers for? Thread

[Outlawmws]

I've been getting more oddball pliers lately (Along with other odd stuff...), I'd guess someone with old time Bell System phone service experience may be able to ID at least a couple of these:

(Everyone Feel free to post your own odd ball pliers into the thread as well)

First up these came home today. The set with green handles are made by Crescent, and are marked "Bell System". they start out more or less a std. width (about 3/8") then have been ground narrower (about 1/8"), and have a shallow notch about .350 wide, on one jaw.

These are not orphans, as I picked up a similar pair made by Utica (but without any Bell System markings), a few weeks ago.

The Pair with Yellow grips are a sort of Bull nose duck bill pliers, and have cutters built in, but the jaws have a machined in gap with smooth parallel jaws about 3/16" wide... These are Kleins, and are also marked "Warning not insulated - Will not protect against Electric shock"

Crescents:

Uticas:

Lastly there is a pair of Klein Dykes marked Bell System, that have some double notches in the outer jaw edges on one side, I was guessing these would be for stripping 24 ga phone wire, but when I tried it on some, it didn't work.

These also appear to have some sort of crimpers in the gap nearest the handles close to the jaw pivot point.

Any former Bell System people in the crowd?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Well since I do telephone and computer work I would love them in my collection and will also try and explain their uses! I have a few pairs of various Utica and Crescent myself and use them frequently.
The long nose are nice for stripping and looping phone wire, squeezing together 'sprung' 66 block clips, etc. The diagonal cutters are as you described, the notches can be used to skin the wire...but I prefer to use the notches on my electricians snips. I am guessing the back was also used for crimping b-connectors in a pinch.
The yellow Klein pair with the notch is for crimping scotchlok UR and UY connectors. A regular pair of pliers 'works' but that tool is the proper one.
If you want to sell them, PM me

 

[bigcaddy]

I just recently sold a Stanley Sweetheart No. 1001 Screwdriver with BELL SYSTEM stamped on the metal collar around the handle. Its strange that i've never seen Bell System stamped on tools before until i get on here and they start showing up.

I attached the pics so you can see it for yourselves

 

[davesnothere]

One of my first pairs of pliers, courtesy of my dad, are bell system klein needlenose. They are, to this day, my go to needlenose pliers, and never leave me hanging.

 

[tjmonsen5]

my grandpa worked for Bell Systems, and he has all sorts of Bell pliers. I think most are utica. They are the smoothest needle noses I have held before.

 

[Danglerb]

Doing phone work I suspect somebody might do hundreds of crimps in a day, and that would make a rock smooth.

BTW I almost understand what Jeff is describing, but a picture or two would sure help.

 

[98TJ]

WTF are these pliers for?

It was you that helped me with my Uticas.

I haven't looked, but maybe the link you provided me with will help.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133934&highlight=utica

 

[mtkst19]

wouldnt the slight gap at the jaw point be used for pulling a fish tape?

 

[tesla's ennui]

the yellow handled pliers are for crimping round connectors kinda like scotch-locks

 

[Outlawmws]

It was you that helped me with my Uticas.

I haven't looked, but maybe the link you provided me with will help.

http://garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=133934&highlight=utica

Unfortunately, while AA is quite good for dating a tool, it less useful for IDing the purpose of a specialized tool

 

[Outlawmws]

wouldnt the slight gap at the jaw point be used for pulling a fish tape?

Phone wires are not often fished through conduit, unless in underground tunnels, and I can't say I have ever needed piers to pull one anyway. Plus, if it is the needle nose you are talking about, the notch is very shallow so unlikely to fit.

I was thinking that notch might be for forming a flat piece or copper something tab or possibly gripping a tab for removal/installation.

 

[Outlawmws]

Doing phone work I suspect somebody might do hundreds of crimps in a day, and that would make a rock smooth.

BTW I almost understand what Jeff is describing, but a picture or two would sure help.

He did provide a link, here is the pic:

 

[jeffmoss26]

Give me a few minutes and I will take a picture of the pliers in use

 

[jeffmoss26]

Here you go. First picture is the spring loaded scotchlok crimpers. No brand marking is visible but they work well. Second is a pair of Crescent pliers I purchased new from eBay that have a notch for crimping the same connectors. Third is a newer variation made by Fluke. It has a similar crimp notch, hole for skinning wires, and a cutter. Lastly is a pair of Utica long nose wire crushing/skinning pliers. These were found abandoned in a telephone closet.

 

[Alchymist]

More odd ones:

 

[jeffmoss26]

I think the top left yellow handled ones would also be for telephone/wiring work.

 

[Alchymist]

I think the top left yellow handled ones would also be for telephone/wiring work.

The yellow ones are for 30 ga. wire wrap wire - note the tiny ridge in the groove across the tip. It nicks the wire and allows it to be stripped easily. Stuff strips hard otherwise because of the teflon insulation and small diameter with thin insulation.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I have notches like that for 22 and 24 gauge in the pliers I posted above. I've also got a J shaped stripper/cutter for wire wrapping.

 

[Danglerb]

Jeff thanks, the pictures are worth the standard 1000 words each.

What about the pliers with the thin needle nose and narrow slot? I didn't follow the looping and 66 block part (but I do know what a punch down block is).

Some of those other pliers look like coax ring crimpers, other maybe a pin crimper or puller?

 

[jeffmoss26]

Many times the metal pins of a 66 block will get bent/spring open, and the narrow jaws fit well to squeeze them back together. Likewise when installing phone jacks with screw terminals, especially wall phone jacks where space is tight, they make forming loops in the small wire fairly easy.

 

[vintagefan]

These were found abandoned in a telephone closet.

LOL "Pay it Forward" Phone guy style?

 

[larryq]

Nice explanations and photos Jeff. Thanks.

 

[jeffmoss26]

I would not want the pliers to sit and rust for all of eternity so I gave them a proper home haha

 

[Outlawmws]

Great info Jeff!

Any clue what the notch in these is for? Or did I miss something in your explanations?

I used a feeler gauge and the gap when closed is about .014 or .015

 

[jeffmoss26]

Most likely just crushing or skinning wire. I'll post a pic on the phone system forum where we have several retired at&t guys as members.

 

[jeffmoss26]

According to one of my phone guy buddies:
"Those are frame pliers, used to crush the insulation on the frame wire to make it easier to strip."

 

[Bruce Lancaster]

Telephone tools are great sources of entertainment for the inveterate scrounger... they are typically used by a guy 20 feet up a pole and things get dropped!
When I'm waliking dogs, I stop at all the poles that have the foot pegs and junction box on them and kick through the surrounding grass and leaves...it's astounding how often there's a pair of pliers, normal or weird, or a screwdriver down there in the weeds, and the supply of light gauge wire is endless.
I found one of those Scotch-Lock pliers, and bunches of new Scotch locks, at the bottom of a pole...I was deeply puzzled by the pliers, and it took me years before my archaeological brain centers kicked in and told me that part A looked like it would fit right in to tool B!

 

[Outlawmws]

OK, I can see that. the gap would certainly support doing that for std phone wire. How is "frame wire" any different than ordinary single strand phone wire? not familiar with the term...

 

[Outlawmws]

Telephone tools are great sources of entertainment for the inveterate scrounger... they are typically used by a guy 20 feet up a pole and things get dropped!
When I'm waliking dogs, I stop at all the poles that have the foot pegs and junction box on them and kick through the surrounding grass and leaves...it's astounding how often there's a pair of pliers, normal or weird, or a screwdriver down there in the weeds, and the supply of light gauge wire is endless.
I found one of those Scotch-Lock pliers, and bunches of new Scotch locks, at the bottom of a pole...I was deeply puzzled by the pliers, and it took me years before my archaeological brain centers kicked in and told me that part A looked like it would fit right in to tool B!

Hmmm looking up to look down, I'll have to remember that one!

I was always the kid that came home with my pockets loaded with my "finds". Mom hated washing my pants...

 

[jeffmoss26]

I am guessing it's just 22 or 24 gauge twisted pair wire, might have different insulation than standard phone wire. I've only been in a Central Office once.
Here is a PDF...
http://www.spsx.com/uploadedFiles/C...Office_Copper/distributing_frame_wire_dfw.pdf