Old Pipe fitting ratchet ?

[junk250]

Old ratchet, pipe fitting?

[Bill Houghton]

Does the part extending up from the hub in your photos have jaws like a brace (as in, for auger bits)?  If so, this was designed to bore large holes by being braced against something*, with the ratchet unthreading from the opposite side - that is, the tool getting longer as the ratchet worked.  I am presently blanking on the term for the tool.  Still in use in the early 20th century, before drill motors became powerful and affordable enough to replace them.

If that's what it is, and you're not interested, I might be if we can figure out cheap enough shipping and a reasonable price.

*Mechanics would set up a 4x4 or larger, supported properly, to brace the tool against.  The 4x4 was known as an "old man," implying that old men are good for nothing but standing around.  If I ever become an old man, instead of being a large child of 66, I might be insulted.

[Papaw]

I think that is a scaffolding ratchet.

[jimwrench]

           maybe a boiler ratchet. see Sellens page 83

[junk250]

Thanks for the reply's !

I will get some better pics up asap, I had trouble because of the picture size limitation here but I think I have it figured out now.

The knurled part of the ratchet will screw all the way off, and it does NOT have jaws like a drill bit head.

There is a slot at the inside bottom of the knurled part that looks like an old hand drill type bit, a slot like a screwdriver the bit would go in through the other open side .

The knurled part is closed on the end with a weird tip that looks like a glass breaker LOL.

At the end of the handle is a cap to reverse it.

I really appreciate your help with this, I thought I was a tool guy that had seen it all but I think this is way before my time !

[junk250]

Does the part extending up from the hub in your photos have jaws like a brace (as in, for auger bits)?  If so, this was designed to bore large holes by being braced against something*, with the ratchet unthreading from the opposite side - that is, the tool getting longer as the ratchet worked.  I am presently blanking on the term for the tool.  Still in use in the early 20th century, before drill motors became powerful and affordable enough to replace them.

If that's what it is, and you're not interested, I might be if we can figure out cheap enough shipping and a reasonable price.

*Mechanics would set up a 4x4 or larger, supported properly, to brace the tool against.  The 4x4 was known as an "old man," implying that old men are good for nothing but standing around.  If I ever become an old man, instead of being a large child of 66, I might be insulted.

***************

Bill that might make sense, the knurled part is threaded full length bolt on the inside, and the bit would fit in the other side.

[junk250]

I think that is a scaffolding ratchet.

PAPAW ,

Thanks for the great forum.

 I'm going to look at scaffolding ratchets right now, how old do you think it is?

I thought is was very unusual that it doesn't have any maker or brand name or patent info on it ?

I mean old tools are usually patented or pat. pend. from early on (1880's or so) I wonder why no maker marks ?

Thanks for your reply

[oldtools]

What does the end views look like, only see side views... 
must have some type of hex or slot to drive something?
unless it is that hex nut that goes into something...

[junk250]

What does the end views look like, only see side views... 
must have some type of hex or slot to drive something?
unless it is that hex nut that goes into something...

Yes it has a slot at the base of the open end,  opposite the knurled part.

I'll get some better pics soon.

Thanks

[junk250]

More pics,

[junk250]

new pics

[junk250]

new pics

The internals of the knurled part reminds me of self adjusting brake calipers.

After looking again, I think it is some type of self adjusting ratchet, but for what use?

[junk250]

one more pic

[junk250]

new pics

The internals of the knurled part reminds me of self adjusting brake calipers.

After looking again, I think it is some type of self adjusting ratchet, the alignment tip is coming to me now, it centers on one end, then would lift pretty much lift anything.

[oldtools]

I think Bill had it!  a drill driver. The back part was wedge with a clamp assembly, or lever or 2x4 (old man) to apply pressure when drilling by turning the knurled, the drill bit has a flat that fits into the driver..