Vintage GM Speedometer Cable Tool

[Scott0023]

I was going through some old tools and came across this one. It was made by AC (like AC/Delco) and was used to put the square end on bulk spiral speedometer cables. You lift up the slide and place the cable on top of the square shaped anvil and whack it with a hammer. I used it quite a few times way back when and it was old then.

I'm not sure what to do with it but thought there would be interest here.

 

[4xdog]

Interesting. Could you shoot some detail of the anvil portion?

(I've had to replace Smiths speedo/tach cables on my TR3 when that squared-off end failed.)

 

[3baygarage]

Very cool piece.
Snap On sells one of those but it is for crimping battery cables.

I'd mount it to the bench because it looks cool!


https://store.snapon.com/Terminal-Tools-Crimper-Battery-Terminal-P635755.aspx

 

[Scott0023]

Interesting. Could you shoot some detail of the anvil portion?

(I've had to replace Smiths speedo/tach cables on my TR3 when that squared-off end failed.)

The anvil section on the right in the photo is the one I used. The photo is taken from the LH side of the tool. I would hold the speedo cable in my left hand, lower the anvil so it rested on the cable, then smack the top with the hammer in my right hand. The far RH side can be used for cutting the cable although side cutters did a cleaner job.

I never used the larger LH portion of the anvil. I think it is used to crimp the cable end onto the bare speedo cable housing.

 

[Scott0023]

Very cool piece.
Snap On sells one of those but it is for crimping battery cables.

I'd mount it to the bench because it looks cool!


https://store.snapon.com/Terminal-Tools-Crimper-Battery-Terminal-P635755.aspx

Electrical supply stores sell something similar for crimping lugs onto larger cables. I didn't know SnapOn sold those.

 

[bonneyman]

I use a little tool for cleaning out cooler distributors that's basically a speedo cable with a driver handle.
I'd bet one could make a similar tool with that jig to clean condensate drains or P-trap restrictions. Just a guess.

Very neat tool in any case.

 

[woody 73]

Very nice thanks for sharing.