Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: burakzilla on April 29, 2012, 11:17:42 AM

Title: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: burakzilla on April 29, 2012, 11:17:42 AM: Hi all,

New to this site and thank you for having me.

We found this rather odd roller in the crawl space of a house that my friend is renovating. I could venture a couple of guesses to what it is used for, but I thought this looked like a perfect forum to get a real answer.

We thought that it might be some type of roller tamper or a concrete tool.

One pic of the handle with the "oak leaf" logo and the other overall pic.

Any and all thoughts are appreciated.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: 1930 on April 29, 2012, 12:08:18 PM: I was wondering where I put that meat tenderizer :)
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Billman49 on April 29, 2012, 12:10:49 PM: For putting indentations in to concrete to create a non slip surface...
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: BruceS on April 29, 2012, 12:17:05 PM: I'm thinking meat tenderizer.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: burakzilla on April 29, 2012, 01:43:32 PM: Thanks Billman49. That would make a lot of sense, like a rotary stamp. Good to hear we weren't too far off the mark.

Although, you could probably tenderize a side of beef with that thing. lol. real heavy.

Thanks again.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: BruceS on April 29, 2012, 02:06:28 PM: OK, We all could be right.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/antique-CAST-WROUGHT-IRON-tool-TEXTURIZER-ROLLER-architecture-cooking-TENDERIZER-/310356340887

Wish I had a time machine to find out for sure. ;-)
Though it does look like there maybe some mortar encrusted on it.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: OilyRascal on April 29, 2012, 02:11:13 PM: Pricey little fellow - it sure looks crude for a household kitchen utensil - maybe it was more a commercial "meat house" model.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: john k on April 29, 2012, 02:36:18 PM: I've seen old sidewalks with those marks, now I know how they did it. I have a few tools with "Oakleaf" markings. It turns out the name was the brand of tools a chain of hardware stores offered, usually rebranded by major brand manufacturers.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Papaw on April 29, 2012, 03:54:27 PM: I was going to guess it was for spreading wallpaper glue, but perhaps not.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: 1930 on April 29, 2012, 04:47:12 PM: Though it does look like there maybe some mortar encrusted on it.
[/quote]

Thats animal fat :)
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: geneg on April 29, 2012, 06:53:32 PM: Not enough clearance or diameter for a concrete tool. No matter how much oil or release agent placed on it, it would still load up. It would be a long slow job to do much area with that. Most of the tactile concrete surfaces are stamped with a sheet. Also, the imprint is opposite (sticks up in lieu of recessed). Recessed on concrete would fill up with dirt. I vote for the tenderizer.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: keykeeper on April 29, 2012, 09:34:24 PM: It looks a lot like a dough docker I used for a while when I worked in the pizza business.

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/american-metalcraft/ddch7755/p382691.aspx
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: rudeawakening55 on April 29, 2012, 09:41:04 PM: Vintage meat tenderizer...........I have one of these....is a neat old kitchen item.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Aunt Phil on April 30, 2012, 12:38:29 AM: Actually, you're all wrong.
That is the tool Clem Birdseye used to put dents in his first frozen waffles.

Clem was quite proud of the accomplishment because his frozen pancake business was headed down the dumper. All the recalled pancakes got rolled into waffles, repackaged and the damn things sold like hotcakes because the butter didn't roll off.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: 1930 on April 30, 2012, 05:33:58 AM: Quote from: keykeeper on April 29, 2012, 09:34:24 PM
It looks a lot like a dough docker I used for a while when I worked in the pizza business.

http://www.foodservicewarehouse.com/american-metalcraft/ddch7755/p382691.aspx

Too heavy for dough, runs right thru it
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: wvtools on April 30, 2012, 01:16:41 PM: I have a Bonney concrete tools catalog that shows some of those. I will try to post some pics sometime later this week.

JMH
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Bus on April 30, 2012, 09:59:31 PM: Sellens' Dictionary of American Hand Tools" shows a similar tool on page 118. His illustrations come from old hardware catalogs and the one like yours is labeled "Dot Roller" and described as "Cement Tool, Roller. Also called Indentaion Roller and Sidewalk Roller. A roller uesd to provide a non slip survace to a sidewalk or similar concrete area. Size is 6 to 12 inches long. Available in bronze or iron."

What are the measurement on yours? It seems like the handle is shorter than the ones pictured in Sellens? The picture of your tool seems to be too small for a sidewalk roller.

Oak Leaf was a registered brand of the E. C. Simmons Hardware Co of St. Louis, MO. I have several Simmons catalogs will see if I can find one with the roller.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Bus on May 01, 2012, 07:29:02 AM: Here the listing for Oak Leaf Cement Rollers from a 1918 Simmons Catalog.

(http://i222.photobucket.com/albums/dd3/buswrench/message-board/cement-rollers-oak-leaf.jpg)
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Billman49 on May 01, 2012, 04:36:55 PM: Quote from: geneg on April 29, 2012, 06:53:32 PM
Not enough clearance or diameter for a concrete tool. No matter how much oil or release agent placed on it, it would still load up. It would be a long slow job to do much area with that. Most of the tactile concrete surfaces are stamped with a sheet. Also, the imprint is opposite (sticks up in lieu of recessed). Recessed on concrete would fill up with dirt. I vote for the tenderizer.

Having used one often I can confirm there is little problem with pick-up of concrete - the secret is getting the degree of set right - not too wet, not too dry. These rollers are typically 3" dia x 8" long and made from brass or bronze but usually have a longer handle... To tenderise steak it was usual to bash it... Web search for images of a concrete indentation roller will show the modern version - ditto for steak tenderiser uuaully shows a hammer with a chequered end, or even a blunt axe type tool
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: benjy on May 02, 2012, 01:27:17 PM: my first ever post on tooltalk (the old one) was for info on some heavy hand held brass rollers, Bus found a similar one in steel,but no conclusive guesses,,guesses ranged from pizza rollers to toffee rollers,,but concrete rollers were in the mix,if you guys dont mind i will dig them out and post pics,,i would love to get them sold to someone who could use them instead of dumped in the back of my shed.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: rusty on May 02, 2012, 05:21:16 PM: Revisiting the roller thing a bit, I found an article (1905) that mentioned that the best concrete rollers were made by A. Gilchrist of Glasgow (UK) and were Brass......

So, the Brits at least were making brass ones...

http://books.google.com/books?id=iOVZAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA553
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: burakzilla on May 03, 2012, 07:06:24 AM: The actual handle for it appears to be missing. it looks like you would use a long wooden handle with it, like a shovel.

The main roller is roughly 10 inches long. we were investigating around the concrete last night and we found some faint patterns on the back steps that look like they were rolled with it. I think the mystery is solved.

Thanks bus for that catalog picture, that is awesome and thanks to every one who chimed in. Quite entertaining responses.

Waffle maker, lol, i a still cracking up over that one.

Benjy, post those pics, i would be interested to see them.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: benjy on May 03, 2012, 10:54:04 AM: Quote from: rusty on May 02, 2012, 05:21:16 PM

Revisiting the roller thing a bit, I found an article (1905) that mentioned that the best concrete rollers were made by A. Gilchrist of Glasgow (UK) and were Brass......

So, the Brits at least were making brass ones...

Rusty RUSTY Rusty,,,,where were you the first time i showed these,,i have hunted high and low for answers to this one,,including contacting scottish museums,the national trust,,and parading them around various drinking holes i frequent.... mine are by A Gilchrist of glasgow...couldnt find mention of him anywhere.
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: Billman49 on May 03, 2012, 02:29:52 PM: David Stanley Tool Auctions (UK) list them as concrete rollers: http://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/a-small,-unused-brass-concrete-roller-by-gilchris-1-c-zrdeh8lhla and another http://www.artfact.com/auction-lot/a-solid-brass-patterned-concrete-roller-by-a.gil-1-c-3q5l28mxyk

and if you want to buy a new indent roller for concrete: http://www.speedcrete.co.uk/indent-roller-i49.html
Title: Re: Found odd roller in crawl space
Post by: burakzilla on May 06, 2012, 09:06:43 AM: I spoke to my friend who is the owner of the tool about what was found and shared on the site and it blew him away. I am kind of blown away myself by the fact of how many people replied to my post, even if they are just a funny post. Not too many forums out there today like this one.

I asked him if he would consider selling it now that he knows what it is and it's relative value. He said no, it is way to interesting to part with. I think he many be planning to display it in his garage when he is finished remodeling it.

I am surprised by what they are asking for a new one. 155GBP = ~250USD and it is made of what appears to be plastic and aluminum. Good find Billman.

The pictures that you put up are nice benjy and now you know what they are. That is two birds with one topic if i ever saw.