Author Topic: Need help identifying this tool (Read 3078 times)

MoMo · « **on:** October 31, 2015, 08:41:26 PM »

I recently bought an old Snap On tool box from an old time auto mechanic at an auction. I think he had been in business since the late 50s. Anyhow, inside the box were a half dozen of these. Anyone have any idea what the use would be? I think something to do with brakes $:-\$

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #1 on:** October 31, 2015, 09:07:06 PM »

Yeah..agree with you Mo-Mo..

Probably brake spring retainers..used to hold brake springs compressed (on drum/shoe brakes) while installing springs on opposite side where slave cylinder clevis' is attached. After whole brake assembly is installed..those clips were removed.

We used to use brake-spring-pliers mainly..to hold springs during shoe-brake assembly..but seem to remember some mechanics using those clips..which would reduce fumbling..need for a "second pair of hands"

Ichi

MoMo · « **Reply #2 on:** October 31, 2015, 09:17:16 PM »

Kind of what I thought but I never did brakes on a car. They are quite heavy as they are cast iron. Also in the box were a couple dozen old Snap On carburetor gauges(probably for Holley, Rochester and Carter carbs). Thanks for the feedback Ichi...Larry

calj737 · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2015, 04:39:32 AM »

I differ than Ichi. Given their length, that does not seem viable (6" brake springs?). As well, you need to first compress the springs, then install these "hooks" to use them as they don't operate in any way. Certainly appear to be some type of restraint, but I'll be damned if I've got a clue.

MoMo · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2015, 05:03:38 AM »

thanks for chiming in cal, couldn't truck springs be that long? Just asking as I've never seen inside a truck brake drum. thanks...

calj737 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2015, 05:17:59 AM »

I guess, heavy equipment brakes can be huge. But I don't see the utility in them if they are static. Surely you'd use pliers to contract then release the springs? As I said, I don't have a clue, just postulating notions.

They are most likely some very unique type of restraint for a specific application no longer in use. Given they're cast iron, consider the time period of when they were made, and they vehicle/equipment of that era, and you get closer. Cast iron tools left us by the early 70s, so I'd venture a guess they belong to the 50s/60s or earlier.

MoMo · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2015, 05:27:21 AM »

Pretty sure from the 50s as the lot of Snap On Carb gauges in the box dates to that era. Just trying to find closure, hopefully someone will know for sure. Guess I need an older than me car mechanic...Larry

calj737 · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2015, 05:31:59 AM »

Quote from: MoMo on November 01, 2015, 05:27:21 AM

Pretty sure from the 50s as the lot of Snap On Carb gauges in the box dates to that era. Just trying to find closure, hopefully someone will know for sure. Guess I need an older than me car mechanic...Larry

May have to dig up Karl Benz...

754 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2015, 09:51:22 AM »

I cant see brakes either. It looks like they are set at 5 and 5 1/2 inches in length, but not machined...so not super precise..could be a setting guage or to space something while welding. , the fact they are cast, makes it seem they made lots of them. Hmmmmm..? ?

MoMo · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2015, 02:58:37 PM »

Quote from: 754 on November 01, 2015, 09:51:22 AM

I cant see brakes either. It looks like they are set at 5 and 5 1/2 inches in length, but not machined...so not super precise..could be a setting guage or to space something while welding. , the fact they are cast, makes it seem they made lots of them. Hmmmmm..? ?

Thanks Frank, I have 7 total so I'm sure you're correct that lots were made

chewbacca5000 · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2015, 03:23:09 PM »

So they are not Australian chopsticks? Looks like something Dave would use for Kangaroo chop suey when he is not pushing starting his bike or drinking one of those giant Aussie beers.

Man I miss seeing that dude around. Heard he was taking a break. Can't wait until he returns with words of enlightenment, "Kickstarter real men don't need a freaking kicker".

333 · « **Reply #11 on:** November 02, 2015, 09:25:26 AM »

Are there any markings at all?

mrbreeze · « **Reply #12 on:** November 02, 2015, 04:00:36 PM »

Could they be parts for a gear puller?

faux fiddy · « **Reply #13 on:** November 02, 2015, 06:22:36 PM »

Quote from: chewbacca5000 on November 01, 2015, 03:23:09 PM

"Kickstarter real men don't need a freaking kicker".

Unless I want to ride?

Not sure I've ever seen anything like that laying around a shop, but are there any suspension springs that size?

scottly · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2015, 06:29:12 PM »

How many different sizes are there? It looks familiar, but I can't place it. I'm thinking they may be parts, not tools? They look like something that would be used to connect two cables with loops on the ends, or maybe clutch linkage parts?

MoMo · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2015, 07:51:02 PM »

Quote from: 333 on November 02, 2015, 09:25:26 AM

Are there any markings at all?

shorter one has 3200327 2, longer 3020328 1

eigenvector · « **Reply #16 on:** November 03, 2015, 04:49:28 PM »

Could those be part of a strut puller?

mrbreeze · « **Reply #17 on:** November 03, 2015, 07:02:37 PM »

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______"

When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (

?)

MoMo · « **Reply #18 on:** November 03, 2015, 08:49:47 PM »

Quote from: mrbreeze on November 03, 2015, 07:02:37 PM

My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______" When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use. Not sure if he was surmising of being positive. Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box

....Larry

Ichiban 4 · « **Reply #19 on:** November 04, 2015, 03:31:32 PM »

Quote from: MoMo on November 03, 2015, 08:49:47 PM

Quote from: mrbreeze on November 03, 2015, 07:02:37 PM
My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______" When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use. Not sure if he was surmising of being positive. Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box ....Larry

_____________________________________________________________________________________
MoMo..

Yeah..I do remember seeing those in use in the 1960's..when brake shops were installing new brake shoes.
They would fasten the hook ends to the shoes to keep them in-place as they installed the brake springs. The pistons in the brake slave cylinders would pop out if there wasn't pressure on them as the shoes were being changed out. Otherwise it took two mechanics to hold things in position as the old shoes were being removed..and new ones installed.

After thinking about my previous post..I realized that those hooks weren't to compress the brake springs particularly..but to hold the shoes in position so the springs could be attached. Sorry about that. Had to think back over 50 years LOL!

Ichi

333 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 04, 2015, 04:21:07 PM »

Having done many drum brake jobs, I don't see how something like these could be used. What would they attach to? Pistons don't pop out unless someone pushes the pedal.

mrbreeze · « **Reply #21 on:** November 04, 2015, 04:42:22 PM »

Quote from: Ichiban 4 on November 04, 2015, 03:31:32 PM

Quote from: MoMo on November 03, 2015, 08:49:47 PM
Quote from: mrbreeze on November 03, 2015, 07:02:37 PM
My curiosity got me on this matter last night so I started trying to find an answer. I looked at Snap-On sites, googled unidentified tools and maybe a few other things and ended up still baffled. If it is something automotive or tool related I couldn't find anything so may just have to wait for the right person to see it and say "Oh yeah...that's a ___________. We used those for ______" When we find that guy......it will probably make perfect sense. They still look like something to hold something to me.....like I said...for a gear puller to keep the jaws from spreading (?)

It seems that Ichi knew what it was, maybe he could verify that he had actually seen it in use. Not sure if he was surmising of being positive. Meanwhile I sold the lot of old Snap On carb gauges for $22-half of what I paid for the tool box ....Larry
_____________________________________________________________________________________
MoMo..

Yeah..I do remember seeing those in use in the 1960's..when brake shops were installing new brake shoes.
They would fasten the hook ends to the shoes to keep them in-place as they installed the brake springs. The pistons in the brake slave cylinders would pop out if there wasn't pressure on them as the shoes were being changed out. Otherwise it took two mechanics to hold things in position as the old shoes were being removed..and new ones installed.

After thinking about my previous post..I realized that those hooks weren't to compress the brake springs particularly..but to hold the shoes in position so the springs could be attached. Sorry about that. Had to think back over 50 years LOL!

Ichi

OK. I can see that. I have done hundreds of brake jobs over the years. Although I've never seen or used those pieces I can see how they would be useful. I've always done my own brakes and started working on cars professionally around 1990. I didn't see as many drum brakes as a 1950's tech would have but I know enough about them to say they're more of a PITA to work on than disc brakes. Sometimes you need 6 or 7 hands to get things put together.

754 · « **Reply #22 on:** November 04, 2015, 05:08:27 PM »

I need. A diagram...napkin drawing... Just. Not seeing it in my head..

calj737 · « **Reply #23 on:** November 04, 2015, 05:11:16 PM »

Quote from: 754 on November 04, 2015, 05:08:27 PM

I need. A diagram...napkin drawing... Just. Not seeing it in my head..

Send me a copy too please. I'll provide a SASE as a courtesy.

Stev-o · « **Reply #24 on:** November 04, 2015, 05:14:46 PM »

Quote from: calj737 on November 04, 2015, 05:11:16 PM

Quote from: 754 on November 04, 2015, 05:08:27 PM
I need. A diagram...napkin drawing... Just. Not seeing it in my head..
Send me a copy too please. I'll provide a SASE as a courtesy.

Prefer a CAD, and plz send in PDF plz...

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Author Topic: Need help identifying this tool (Read 3078 times)