Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: bigslicktux on July 21, 2015, 07:20:43 PM

Title: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: bigslicktux on July 21, 2015, 07:20:43 PM
My great uncle had this in his shop. I'm not sure what its purpose is. I'm thinking it cuts slots in tin. Your help is appreciated. Thanks.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: Bus on July 21, 2015, 08:14:23 PM
Looks kinda like a stove pipe crimper but I have never seen another one like it?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: oldgoaly on July 21, 2015, 08:25:05 PM
don't look like it can cut?
the step teeth going the wrong way for a stove pipe crimper.
might be a crimper for banding / strap iron?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: turnnut on July 21, 2015, 08:46:15 PM
I also was thinking steel banding sleeve crimper.

the grooves would make the sleeve harder to slide loose.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: Nolatoolguy on July 22, 2015, 06:00:53 PM
I don't think it's for cutting either.

My best guess would be some sort of crimping tool.

Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: bigslicktux on July 22, 2015, 06:49:58 PM
Thanks for the replies everyone. The reason I think it's for cutting is the teeth move all the way through that opening.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: turnnut on July 22, 2015, 09:26:03 PM
is there any name or numbers on that tool ?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: gibsontool on July 22, 2015, 10:13:24 PM
Gotta be a nut cracker.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: Aunt Phil on July 23, 2015, 01:38:01 AM
What are the general dimensions, and what's the clearance on the side of the blade to the socket as the tool is closed?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: oldtools on July 23, 2015, 06:25:19 PM
did you test it on some sheet metal? does it cut or crimp?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: anglesmith on July 24, 2015, 01:32:40 AM
I believe it is a medical instrument for cutting plaster casts.http://www.medezine.co.uk/product-range/stille-cast-shear/
Graeme
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: bigslicktux on July 24, 2015, 06:00:48 AM
Sorry it took so long to get back to you. Thanks again everyone. I would say it's roughly 2 feet long and there is no clearance.  No, I have not tried cutting any sheet metal. WOW! That cast cutting tool has to be it. It's identical.  I have no idea why that would be in his shop. LOL!
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: bigslicktux on July 27, 2015, 12:20:11 PM
Just bumping the post again. This is not a cast cutting tool. Even though it looks identical. I have noticed upon closer review of the pictures of the cast cutting tool that it has more of a blade jaw. This tool looks more like it punches these slots out of it. Any more thoughts?
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: anglesmith on July 27, 2015, 10:55:48 PM
bigslicktux, I still think it is a plaster cutter. Finish and style definitely put in the medical instrument field, this type of cutter has probably been made for a 100 plus years by a large number of medical instrument makers so exact details and ideas would have varied greatly. I have very large number of trade tool catalogues and nothing like your tool is to be found in them.  Here is a scan from the ONE medical catalogue that I have!?
Graeme
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: PFSchaffner on July 28, 2015, 08:34:03 AM
I for one am convinced by the medical interpretation. It is clearly a 'nibbler' of some kind, and the teeth suggest that it is designed to nibble through something crunchy and friable (like plaster) rather than something that cuts cleanly (like sheet metal).  I do find myself wishing I had more medical device catalogs, however: I've desired them ever since I had to catalog a set of Civil-War-era surgical instruments 20 years ago, but they tend to be quite pricey. GoogleBooks/HathiTrust have come through with a few over the past few years, which helps.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: amecks on July 28, 2015, 12:33:14 PM
I noticed a very similar plaster cast cutter in images on Bing.com.  There does seem to be TWO types - one is a shear and the other, like yours, is a cutter, where the teeth are surrounded .
The image search led to this site; kmsurgico.com; scroll down about 2/3 thru the page -watch for those big handles:
http://kmsurgico.com/products.php?IDZ=0-0-0-115-1 (http://kmsurgico.com/products.php?IDZ=0-0-0-115-1)
Al
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: bigslicktux on July 28, 2015, 04:35:12 PM
Thank you again for all of the replies. Very good to know this information.
Title: Re: Some type of tin cutter???
Post by: Billman49 on August 06, 2015, 03:37:25 AM
PFSchaffner - there is a at least one on line reproduction of a Victorian era surgical tool catalogue - it may be French - I cannot remember where I saw it, it may have been on the Outils Anciens site...

Just done a quick search, and found this one: https://archive.org/details/catalogueofsurgi00down