What is this tool?

[Shelbylex]

What is this tool? Resolved: Can Wrench, original 216B design.

What is this tool and what is it used for?

It had screwdriver bits inside on the opposite sides. They are directed in the same way and rotate in same direction via the shaft.

Just a random find among motherload of tools I obtained long time ago...

 

[PelicanPines]

screw starter... sleeve slides out and holds the screw...

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

Could it be an old style telco can wrench? We had ones similar to the pic shown. The ends were simply sockets for 3/8” and 7/16” hex nuts. When yours is extended are the ends different sized sockets? When not extended were the screw drivers maybe slotted and Phillips? What exactly is the third pic?

 

[Richard Cranium]

I agree with Pines, I used to have a screw starter just like the one pictured.

 

[bmwrd0]

Its a very early 216, commonly called a can wrench. It is used in telco, Pontiancs has a pic of a modern version. The old ends slide as there a screwdriver at the bottom for double duty use. Those ends also lock in place so the hex is usable.

 

[Shelbylex]

It’s the same on both sides and hole is hexagonal. I wonder why it is double sided. When the sleeve goes over it locks. I wonder if it was designed to be used with a wrench.

 

[bmwrd0]

One side is 3/8 and the other is 7/16 - those are the two sizes for about 99% of all telco work. On that can wrench they are spring loaded and pull out and twist to unlock the wrench part to use as a screwdriver. They are had used, no wrench. Believe me, this is normal Telco use, older equipment.

Edit- the screwdriver part is special, it is, if I remember used to work on MPOEs specifically.

 

[Shelbylex]

Thank you, gentlemen!

Based on the information I found this site: Can wrench created by Bell Labs
http://blog.jonard.com/a-can-wrench-history-lesson/

Upon closer inspection, there is 216B stamped on it

Miss the Pontiacs, thank you for your picture - you probably have 216C (next generation) based on my readings.

Insterestingly enough, I did not find a simple example on e-bay: either they are obsolete or rare because they were common, then obsolete and everybody threw them away.

... Will update the name of the post.

P.S. If anybody is collecting these, please let me know - I can exchange it for some other tool/socket/etc as I am not collecting these.