What'cha'ma'callit?

[M3rl3n]

Hi All,

Normally I know my tools. I've had some very good teachers (grandfathers, dad, etc). My maternal grandfather drove semi for a number of years, then he repaired them and when he retired he worked out of his garage repairing anything with a small engine. From the state of his garage when my brother in law and I went to clean it out after he passed on, he did everything from new bearings in mower decks to complete engine rebuilds.

After I got all of the tools home and started cleaning off the 50 to 60 years worth of grime, I came upon this tool. I have no idea what it is or what it was used for so I decided to post some pictures in the hopes that someone out there in GJ land might know.

The tool has two ears on either side that look like they would go into a slot, then the middle part that when "armed", aligns with the two tabs. When the tool is "released" the middle part snaps down and rotates about 1/8th of a turn. It's almost like you would "arm" it, then push it into something slotted and push on it to rotate either an outer ring or an inner portion. But why only 1/8th of a turn would be useful is beyond me.

The tool says "DELEGARD TOOL CO, LICENSED UNDER, PATENT NO (I can make out a 23384.... I think)"

Any ideas?

Thanks for your help.
Dan


This is the retaining pin when in the "Armed" position.
View media item 30856

This is the central tab's position when "Armed"
View media item 30855

This is the central tab's position when "snapped"
View media item 30854
View media item 30853
View media item 30852
View media item 30851

 

[Roju1985]

Its for holding a flat head screw. The cam hold the screw in place, then you can start it with out it falling off the tip.

As seen here

 

[jeffk14]

Its for holding slotted screws so they can be started in hard to reach places.

Haha, beat me to it

 

[Hafen_Kafer]

I want one.

 

[Delray]

I always had one with my tune up tools for changing points and condensers. They also make one for Phillips screws.

 

[captain14]

Craftsman sells a set that includes 2 screw starters , inspection mirror, pick and magnet pick up tool in the auto tools for about $16-17. Use it once, you will never know how you lived without that kit along with a extending pickup tool.

 

[M3rl3n]

OH MAN!!! That's friggin ingenious!!! I had never seen one like that. That WILL be going into my "most used" drawer. I have a dune buggy with a '74 VW engine and that will come in handy for doing a tune - condenser replacement.

Thanks all for your speedy answers.

I may have to find that phillips version too.

 

[Roju1985]

OH MAN!!! That's friggin ingenious!!! I had never seen one like that. That WILL be going into my "most used" drawer. I have a dune buggy with a '74 VW engine and that will come in handy for doing a tune - condenser replacement.

Thanks all for your speedy answers.

I may have to find that phillips version too.

Phillips version:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001L01GAG/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[otis66]

They make them for philps screws too. I have one of each, very handy.

 

[larry_g]

http://www.quickwedge.com/default.htm

Above is another variety of screw starter that I prefer most of the time. The spring loaded style in the OP seem drop to many for me. The wedge style you can increase the holding force to a certain extent by pushing harder on the slide.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[bonneyman]

I always had one with my tune up tools for changing points and condensers. They also make one for Phillips screws.

Oh yeah, the Phillips version is sweet!
I've found a few of the standard tip screw starters, but only one Phillips.