Tool ID help - What is it?

[w1im]

I came across this sliding bar clamp in an estate of a friend who passed away. It has a W inside a diamond, and a patent date of June 81 on it. No other markings. It is made of aluminum and looks like it was made for a very special purpose.

The jaws are about 1/4 inch wide, and pointed, and the screw is not long enough to allow the jaws to close to less than about an inch between them.

Can anyone tell me what these were used for?

Thanks

 

[Mohawk Dave]

IDK...but W inside diamond was used by WILLIAMS...that's all i got for now.

 

[w1im]

Thanks.

A manufacturer is a start, but I still wasn't able to find any more online about it.

 

[3baygarage]

I've seen your tool before.
There's another one on Ebay too. The seller is calling it "weird pincher thingy" They must think it's a chain puller and that's a good guess I say.

If not, my guess would be for pulling two small flanges together by the holes.

I can't find it in my old Williams catalog.

Here's the ebay link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lot-of-5-Clamps-Mac-408-Williams-406-Armstrong-402-Hand-vise-/201012714890?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2ecd4a9d8a

 

[schor]

Some type of adjustable spanner wrench?

 

[The FIB]

Don't know, but it looks like its used to align and clamp at the same time. Maybe something for an industrial chain drive?

 

[mtnkrake]

I have one too. Id like to know.

 

[Steven67fr]

Used to separate leaf springs in a stack to apply lubrication?

 

[zkling]

WAG, but I'm going to say a type of separator, a brake tool, or possibly a really crude way clamp. In for info.

 

[mtnkrake]

oops

 

[chrisa7164]

second... the leaf spring lubricator.

 

[wrenchguy]

Used to separate leaf springs in a stack to apply lubrication?

correct, used back in the day (30's 40's) when car springs squeaked alot.

 

[theknurl]

my vote;
to pull roller chain 1 link back on both ends to install the master link.....for sure that's what I'd use it for

a job that normally takes 3 hands

not a leaf spring tool.....aluminum and June '81?

 

[ken w.]

My truck could use that right now.

 

[zkling]

Had some time to look into it, here we go.

http://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/118802/122693.html

BTW, what is up with this 30sec wait posting time it is really puttin' a hitch in my giddyup.

 

[3baygarage]

Nice job guys. I've wondered what those were for a while. Thanks OP for bringing it up.
Good looks on the link zkling.

 

[Mohawk Dave]

zkling, your Google-Fu is strong once again.

And yea...gotta wait 30secs to edit!!!

 

[JamieK]

How do you explain the patent date of June 81?

 

[reddevildemo]

How do you explain the patent date of June 81?

I see June 8th 1915 as the patent date.

 

[Chaznsc]

finger pincher

 

[signcrafter]

I've never seen one of these before, heard about them but never seen them. Are these not used anymore? Did you have to grease the older leaf springs but not the ones on newer vehicles?

 

[wrenchguy]

I've never seen one of these before, heard about them but never seen them. Are these not used anymore? Did you have to grease the older leaf springs but not the ones on newer vehicles?

newer vehicles have a permanent coatings, plastic strips etc. between leafs now.

 

[oldgoaly]

here is an ad from the late teens or early twenties



tried to post yesterday but got an error message

 

[signcrafter]

newer vehicles have a permanent coatings, plastic strips etc. between leafs now.

Alright thanks. Figured something had to of changed that I don't see these anymore.