Author Topic: What is this?  (Read 2242 times)

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Offline Jeff

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What is this?
« on: July 15, 2012, 10:57:35 AM »
I have this funny lookin wrench and I have no clue at all what the other two things are. Im thinkin the wrench is to some sort of tractor maybe. But can someone please tell me what the other two things are!!!

Offline lbgradwell

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Re: What is this?
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2012, 12:28:35 PM »
But can someone please tell me what the other two things are!!!

Bung hole reamers?

Welcome, by the way!

Kijiji King

Offline Neals

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Re: What is this?
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2012, 12:47:19 PM »
There is another thread on here somewhere that I couldn't find about the 2 items. If I remember right the consensus was they are for working with lead plumbing.
Any marks on the old wrench?

Offline john k

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Re: What is this?
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2012, 06:33:30 PM »
A 1920s book on plumbing lists it as a hole reamer for lead pipe.   It seems lead pipe did not come with elbows, unions or joints, one made what they needed on site.  Then the pieces were joined and soldered, or (wiped) to seal.  Also called a lead pipe reamer in the Antique Tools and Machinery book by HC Wendell.  The wrench with multi openings/jaws sure looks like early farm machinery or tractor, there are hundreds of variations and makers. 
Member of PHARTS - Perfect Handle Admiration, Restoration and Torturing Society

Offline Branson

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Re: What is this?
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2012, 09:10:31 AM »
There is another thread on here somewhere that I couldn't find about the 2 items. If I remember right the consensus was they are for working with lead plumbing.

The thread started because some eBay seller insisted they were dibbles.  (That seller had to re-list that one and still called it a dibble.)  By the end of that thread, somebody posted a page from a catalog that showed two such tools.  One was longer and not so steeply angled: it was called the New York pattern.  The other was like these two.  I forget what pattern it was named.  But both were boring holes for lead pipes.

Offline Jeff

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Re: What is this?
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2012, 02:34:00 PM »
Thanks a lot for the info..I really appreciate it!!!!