Tool Talk

Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Classic Auto and Motorcycle Tools => Topic started by: jimwrench on July 25, 2011, 08:07:31 PM

Title: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: jimwrench on July 25, 2011, 08:07:31 PM
  Heres a locking plier made by (STATITE CORP). Stamped Statite Corp Lockmatic pat pend. Don't know when they were made or if patent was issued but they were interesting enough to gain a place on my basement wall. Any information about them would be appreciated.
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: rusty on July 25, 2011, 08:19:18 PM

Wow, there's a design you don't see every day, doggable handles....

Yep, that would get a place on my wall too...

[Pop Sci - 1957]
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: jimwrench on July 25, 2011, 09:22:40 PM
  Thanks Rusty Thats what I neeed;the actual maker. Sarvie Tool Co patent 2539865
                                                                                                               Jim
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: rudeawakening55 on August 09, 2011, 05:36:14 PM
  Thanks for the post, I didn't have the patent no. for my Lockmatic plier.  Just aquired it recently.
                   rudeawakening55
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: Fins/413 on August 10, 2011, 09:24:42 AM
Cool looking but I wonder how useful it actually was?
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: jimwrench on August 10, 2011, 09:49:58 AM
 Probably not too useful;but definately more useful than these pseudo visegrips. Don't ask why I have three pair. Sloooow learner may come to mind.
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: Fins/413 on August 10, 2011, 12:38:39 PM
How do those release?
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: jimwrench on August 10, 2011, 12:55:27 PM
 I don't use them,they just provide a place for dust to accumulate in a spare tool box. Release is by pulling handles apart. My main objection is the little knurled screw to adjust the pressure doesn't fit my normal sized fingers.
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: 1930 on August 10, 2011, 05:19:09 PM
I inherited a pair of those from my father and ended up breaking them not long ago, not the best design and I saw little advantage to them over regular pair of vice grips
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: ron darner on August 22, 2014, 09:03:18 PM
I was at a swap meet last weekend, at Baraboo, Wisconsin.  I found a pair of pliers of this type, but with a different name on them, and got them for $3.  They were missing the spring that tensions the lock/release tab, and had a dot of weld spatter, but were otherwise decent.  Later, I came across another pair, this time with the Sta/Tite name & logo, also patent pending like those in this thread.  [I thought] I took a photo of the Stat/Tites, which were marked $45, but discovered that I'd used up my external memory on a digital camera, so don't have it.  Here is a photo of mine, with a quick-&-dirty replacement spring.  Side-by-side, the two pliers appeared identical in tooling.  However, mine are stamped "JAPAN" on one handle, and laser-marked "GIBBSVILLE CHEESE CO.  Bob & Lee Van Tatenhove" on the other.
The latching system seems to permit a very tight grip, though not like Vise-Grips (tm) with their toggle-locking action, of course.  The release tab works easily and positively.  The spring can be lost while changing pivot points (they're slip-joint in that regard), but otherwise, they seem to be very well designed and made.
The Gibbsville Cheese Company exists: see http://gibbsvillecheese.com/about-gibbsville-cheese/ (http://gibbsvillecheese.com/about-gibbsville-cheese/).  I'll try to find out the story behind these custom pliers.
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: toolmaker on February 03, 2018, 05:26:54 PM
I'm replying to an old topic because i can clear up some of the mystery on these. i knew Walt Sarvie and his son richard in person, and they were fine people.
I worked  for lockmatic part time in about 1965 or 6 when he had his company in maple plain mn.

I helped to build the compound hot stamp diss that made the 3 pliars on the left. the 3 on the right were forged ,and were earlier models, the one in the single photo was the first made and showed pat. pend. and alexandria mn. on it-------  the  forged models were made before i knew the sarvie's------------- i  also worked as an apprentice diemaker  for huot mfg. in st. paul in 1950-3  i still have one of the very first metal machinist boxes they made .---------- gene
Title: Re: Statite Corp Lockmatic plier
Post by: Yadda on February 04, 2018, 11:09:47 AM
Who bought these?  What principle use?