What's this used for?

[cag]

It's 7 " long x 13 oz. No markings whatsoever. I was looking for Bernards, Sargent or Schollhorn...nothing.
I came across an old Bernards catalog, but it wasn't listed and so, here I am.

Thank you fellas

 

[Old Man Roger]

If it's for crimping it doesn't look like it crimps very deep.

 

[driftpin]

Looks-like a primary wire crimping tool for spark plug leads, and distributor cap leads.

 

[cag]

It's 1/4" radius or a 1/2" round hole.

 

[ssdave]

.....

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I was looking for Bernards, Sargent or Schollhorn...nothing

I can see why! It really looks like a Bernard compound spring pattern. Knockoff, I'm guessing. Or contract perhaps, but they weren't known for that.

 

[cag]

Anyone know the proper name for them?

 

[NoahG]

For closing the cord restraint grommets that go through chassis penetrations. I'd have loved to have that tool many times!

They do look reminiscent of Heyco strain relief pliers but the jaw is much thicker.

 

[RTM]

I can see why! It really looks like a Bernard compound spring pattern. Knockoff, I'm guessing. Or contract perhaps, but they weren't known for that.

I think they were known for that, one of the catalogs says we will make any tool custom for you. Bottom half

https://archive.org/details/BernardToolsCatalog29/page/n4/mode/1up

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Their older catalogs also have a similar statement, RTM. But I don't think of custom orders and contract production as synonymous. There's no reason to suspect that pliers made to customer spec wouldn't be branded just like the pliers they were furnishing as standard stock. Third party or contract production usually means the opposite to me. Where an OEM is making pliers for a different business entity to sell as their own, either stamping them or branding the packaging. Let me put it this way - when is the last time you have seen pliers that looked like Bernard pliers but weren't marked Bernard? I have never seen them. If they were doing that on a regular basis, I would think we'd see more of them. As always, I could be wrong.

 

[RTM]

I’ve seen a few Bernard looking tools with weird jaws in them, assumed they were made for use in a factory environment, or supplied with a machine of some nature. Never marked Bernard or Schollhorn tho. Lemme see if I can dig up photos.

Here’s a reference, without pictures
http://swingleydev.com/ot/get/160261/thread/#160261

 

[Private Lugnutz]

I’ve seen a few Bernard looking tools with weird jaws in them, assumed they were made for use in a factory environment, or supplied with a machine of some nature. Never marked Bernard or Schollhorn tho. Lemme see if I can dig up photos.

Thanks. I'll take your word for it. And since that is the case, I would be very inclined to think they were Bernard. They are eerily identical.

 

[Old Man Roger]

For closing the cord restraint grommets that go through chassis penetrations. I'd have loved to have that tool many times!

I see where you're coming from, and you may very well be right, but like Noah mentions below, they seem pretty heavy duty for that type of use.

Another thing is, it would be somewhat difficult to fish the wires through.

They do look reminiscent of Heyco strain relief pliers but the jaw is much thicker.

 

[ssdave]

......

 

[Old Man Roger]

I would use a tool like that to set the plug over the wire in the grommet assembly, and then use a jaw plier like the one posted to hold it while you insert it. The inserting is easy, but the cord has to be crimped into a "M" bend under the plug. That's hard to do with regular pliers, and I end up splitting or deforming the strain relief grommet a lot of the time trying. With it fully supported in the round jaw, it would work perfectly. Not absolutely sure that's what it's for, but the size and configuration is exactly right.

If you've ever done one of these without a tool, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Incidentally, the Heyco tool is pictured backwards, you'd hold it from the collar end, and insert the small end into the hole in the chassis.

Ok so you're saying the wire fills the grommet so much that you need to crush it a little with the insert? I could see that being a pain with the lighter duty pliers.

 

[Farmer J.]

If you've ever done one of these without a tool, you'll know what I'm talking about.

Ah, yes, I know. I have only once come across those strain relief grommets, in the battery charger for the electric wheelchair of a friend. Despite the grommet the cable had been pulled out and broken the connections.. It was very awkward to re fit but eventually I prevailed and he was charged up and mobile again!

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Here’s a reference, without pictures
http://swingleydev.com/ot/get/160261/thread/#160261

I went to your older other forum discussion, but didn't see any reference to unmarked Bernard pliers.

 

[RTM]

Yeah, only turned up that one so far, and it didn’t have pix. Was hoping the poster would see this and rise to the bait, he posted a pic of about 20 pairs of Bernard elsewhere.

He said: I really have no idea how many dozens of variations on the pliers were made--I suspect that some weren't shown in catalogs as they may have been specific adaptations for a single task in one industry.

Unfortunately, work threw a brick my way, and it’s dragging me down.

 

[humber2]

I reckon it is to crimp a ferrule to a small bore hose pipe fitting.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

He said: I really have no idea how many dozens of variations on the pliers were made--I suspect that some weren't shown in catalogs as they may have been specific adaptations for a single task in one industry.

I read that, RTM, and I am well aware of the variability of the first basic Bernard patent (it's how and why he has over 20 to his name), but to go back to and reiterate the distinction in our positions, I don't think that products they made that aren't shown in catalogs proves that they weren't branded. For me that is two different subjects. Again, I see a difference between custom production (making special pliers with special jaws for certain customers on spec), which has no reason to not be branded, and contract production, making pliers for another entity to sell, which are often unbranded. That's why I didn't understand why you linked the offboard conversation you linked.

When work cools off for you, I look forward to the possibility of you finding your examples.

 

[Private Lugnutz]

Part of the problem is a paucity of Wm. Schollhorn catalogs, of course. IA has a complete 1902, partial from 1917, and a complete 1942. That leaves several wide gaps between 1870 and 1950, when Sargent bought them out. So it's not surprising that collectors have models that cannot be found in catalogs. I'm still not sure the pliers that were referenced as unidentifiable in catalogs in the other older forum conversation you linked were unbranded, but here are two examples of branded pliers I can't find in any of the public domain Schollhorn catalogs or partial catalogs. The model on top in Pic 1, on the right in Pic 2, has jaws not meant to close completely, the other model is noteworthy only because they are made of forged steel and I have never seen Bernard pliers that weren't made of pressed crucible steel.

 

[NoahG]

Incidentally, the Heyco tool is pictured backwards, you'd hold it from the collar end, and insert the small end into the hole in the chassis.

Ha, you're totally right, I didn't even notice that.

Trying to do a Heyco without the proper pliers is a total pain in the rear.

 

[cag]

Hmmm?
I started thinking typewriter repair pliers, but haven't found them here either.
https://munk.org/typecast/2016/09/06/typewriter-repair-tools-reference-1960-ames-catalog/
Jeez this is so frustrating!!