Questions: Blackhawk torque wrench and Bell System scissors; and a gloat

[Bill Houghton]

Some finds in my travels this month, with some questions:

Early in the month, I found this 1/2" drive Blackhawk torque wrench, #49860, range 30-250 foot pounds (a range that coordinates nicely with my existing torque wrench), for all of $10:

The ratchet moves smoothly.  I haven't figured out what already-tightened bolt to test the "click-torque" function on, but I'm hoping it works.  Stanley/Proto says that, for a "nominal" fee, they'll calibrate it at any of their repair facilities.  I also haven't asked what they consider "nominal," but am wondering
(here's Question #1) whether, for the home shop, I really need to get it calibrated.  Since it came from an estate sale service, I have no idea of its past life/abuse history.

Mid-month, on a free pile, I found these little scissors, marked "Wiss/Bell System."

They're nice and sharp, and a useful size for cutting paper and the like in the shop.  But
here's Question #2: Am I correct in thinking that Ma Bell determined that scissors were better than cutting pliers for cutting the fine wires used in hooking up telephones to a system?  There are some little notches apparently intended for stripping fine gauge wire.

This was, it seems, Blackhawk month for me.  At an estate sale yesterday, for about 50 cents each, I found this 1/4" ratchet (#24991) and flex handle (#24999):

That's just the pure gloat part of this post.  My only real question is how these survived the Friday purchase rush at the sale.

[lptools]

Hello, Bill. Nice finds!!!!  Regards, Lou

[mikeswrenches]

Bill, a friend of mine gave me a pair of those along with a blunt tip knife, that came in a nice leather belt sheath. He was a cable splicer for GTE and he used the scissors for both cutting and stripping the wires. Mine are Wiss also and marked 175E. They have no notches for stripping.

Mike

[Yadda]

Great finds!  BlackHawk month indeed!