Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: Snaparxon on February 18, 2012, 08:34:52 PM

Title: California No1 pliers
Post by: Snaparxon on February 18, 2012, 08:34:52 PM
Found these at the local thrift shop. All they have for markings are "California" and "No.1" They are about 5-1/2" long, have a 5/32" hole in the jaws, one handle is pointed and the other has a 1/8" hole near the end of one handle. The appear to be well made.

Are these pliers made by Plomb and what was there purpose?
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: Branson on February 19, 2012, 12:24:37 PM
Very interesting.  Especially to a Californiac like me.
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: Snaparxon on February 19, 2012, 02:16:39 PM
So far this is all I can find that may be a possible link. In section 4

http://www.vannattabros.com/plomb/plombtool.html
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: wvtools on February 19, 2012, 10:04:22 PM
What do the jaws look like?  Do they have a groove in them?  They remind me of small upholsterer's ring pliers.  They kind of remind me of pliers used for opening and closing split shots or swivel rings.
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: Snaparxon on February 19, 2012, 10:44:58 PM
What do the jaws look like?  Do they have a groove in them?  They remind me of small upholsterer's ring pliers.  They kind of remind me of pliers used for opening and closing split shots or swivel rings.

No groove or grooves in the jaws. Just a 5/32" hole
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: RWalters on February 20, 2012, 09:58:18 AM
It's a blasting cap crimper. The hole in the jaws is for crimping the cap onto a fuse. The pointed  handle is for making a hole in a stick of dynamite to insert the cap. The "No. 1" refers to a No. 1 blasting cap.
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: rusty on February 20, 2012, 04:23:46 PM

That would make sense, 1901ish, the California Powder Works of San Francisco was the largest dynamite manufacturer in the world....
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: OilyRascal on February 20, 2012, 05:26:39 PM
Yall are good!  I sure enjoy watching and learning.
Title: Re: California No1 pliers
Post by: Snaparxon on February 20, 2012, 08:37:42 PM
Thanks for the information. Seems they are quite valuable to some people.