Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: oldgoaly on March 24, 2015, 11:07:20 AM

Title: special pliers?
Post by: oldgoaly on March 24, 2015, 11:07:20 AM
here are a odd / special pliers I've had for many years.
What is their purpose? about 6" long the working end is about 3/4" long
no name I have found, look factory, look pre-WW2
Title: Re: special pliers?
Post by: oldgoaly on March 24, 2015, 11:09:58 AM
The anvil they are setting on is a 1903 Fisher with a 3/4" thick tool steel top.
I milled it in the Bridgeport, super nice anvil!
Title: Re: special pliers?
Post by: Chillylulu on March 24, 2015, 12:13:04 PM
The bottom are "bow closing" pliers. Useful to bring ends together for soldering.
I bought a new pair 2 or 3 years ago. More than $50 new for a good pair.

Top look like "duckbill" pliers. Good for lots of stuff,  I prefer the smooth faced type. I use them like  a 1/2" wide metal brake.

Chilly
Title: Re: special pliers?
Post by: oldgoaly on March 24, 2015, 08:47:27 PM
Thanks Chilly
I've been using it like a tucking tool,  make small V's or crimps along the edge of sheet metal part, then hammering them so the metal thickens thus shrinking the surface area. They work but not real efficient.
Title: Re: special pliers?
Post by: Bill Houghton on March 25, 2015, 10:54:34 AM
Another vote on the top pliers being duckbill pliers.  I thought this design was redundant, since, after all, there are needle nose pliers, until I picked some up at a yard sale.  The wider tip on duckbill pliers will let you twist things with far more authority than needle nose pliers will.  I've actually had the tips on my old Craftsman needle nose pliers twist almost 90 degrees to normal when trying to, say, twist a pair of stiff wires together (fortunately, the old Craftsman stuff is good quality; they straighten out again).
Title: Re: special pliers?
Post by: oldgoaly on March 25, 2015, 01:04:58 PM
I use the duckies to start or straighten flanges on sheet metal, they work well for light gauge stuff. For wired edges the linesman's pliers are better, they have the wire cutter built in.