Tool Talk

Wrench Forum => Wrench Forum => Topic started by: FrankLee on October 28, 2011, 11:33:54 AM

Title: Eifel Plierench
Post by: FrankLee on October 28, 2011, 11:33:54 AM
I just picked up this wrench at an estate sale at lunch today. A Joseph Eifel Geared Plierench. This thing is cool and in amazing condition. It has a wire cutter, a flat screwdriver on the handle end and four interchangeable jaws; flat, round nose, pipe wrench, and pipe cutter. It even has the original pouch. There is a clip labeled "plierench V-clip", but I'm not sure yet of it's purpose or how it attaches.

The patent does not show the pipe cutter or the clip.
http://www.google.com/patents?id=HRRHAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=1862817&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

I paid $10.00 for a whole box of stuff with this in it. I looked through about ten boxes of junk and found the extra jaws in a different box than the wrench.

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6222/6289307372_c40964bcbb_z.jpg)

(http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6237/6289307508_77f261be9a_z.jpg)
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: amertrac on October 28, 2011, 11:47:02 AM
WOW  what a find good hunting  if you ever decide to have a need to give it a good home let me know.  lol
damn this not being to go to sales unless they are in a handicap accessable building    bob w.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: FrankLee on October 28, 2011, 12:19:32 PM
Thanks.
I think I need to go back to the sale after work. While googling, I found an ad in May 1954 Popular Science magazine that shows a long jaw and other accessories.  Still looking for the purpose of that v-clip.
http://books.google.com/books?id=oN0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA303&lpg=PA303&dq=eiffel+geared+plierench&source=bl&ots=VAC3z_5ZDQ&sig=meeCy_86BX7i4cpiBo3slq9AVNc&hl=en&ei=IeGqTsbJLcTlsQLl_KXaDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCEQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q&f=false
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: FrankLee on October 28, 2011, 12:52:15 PM
I found the missing link and more info here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99183
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: BRwrench on October 28, 2011, 02:46:52 PM
I have several of these plierenches but have never seen that V-clip.  I bet not too many of them (V-clips) ever survived.

Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: Papaw on October 28, 2011, 04:21:02 PM
Found in a $10 box of "stuff"!

OK, you are now the latest winner of the "You Suck" award!

(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_p9w0LijCF48/SMiMi_2lE8I/AAAAAAAACBk/J3LdmhxBO0w/s400/bill+murray+you+suck.jpg)
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: anglesmith on October 28, 2011, 05:47:06 PM
Beautiful tool,never seen the price stamped into a tool before!! I'll bet $6.00 wasn't cheap in 1954!
Graeme
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: fliffy42 on October 28, 2011, 05:58:48 PM
if anyone is looking I have a couple extra jaws hanging around... in the first photo.... the one to the left and the one in the center. pm me
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: john k on October 28, 2011, 07:26:04 PM
When I see these in the antique malls, with the extra jaws, the price is generally $50-$75 and sometimes up.   I just think they're a pretty unique looking tool, still be handy today. 
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: lbgradwell on October 28, 2011, 09:31:03 PM
I'll bet $6.00 wasn't cheap in 1954!

$48.70 today...
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: lbgradwell on October 28, 2011, 09:40:54 PM
I just think they're a pretty unique looking tool, still be handy today.

Still made today!

It has been in continuous production since Joseph Eifel started manufacturing the things in 1921.

Vaco acquired the rights to the tool from the Masterform Tool Company (also Chicago-based) after Joseph's widow sold the rights after his death.

In 1980, the rights were acquired by Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. who make them still.

Until very recently, Nopak had a page on their site with a history of the Plierench, but it seems to no longer be there...

Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: bird on October 28, 2011, 10:05:07 PM
I've got one that looks like yours, it reads:
eifel geared plier wrench
8 1/2  -463-   10-1 $5,00\
forged
PATS. N.O.S.  118165 - 1862817 
MADE IN USA BY --
MER.PLIERENCH  CORP'N
Chicago, ILL

This one I have looks brand new... I' have some of the jaws to it... but am missing some. Anyho, glad to hear about any info...
cheers, bird.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: fliffy42 on October 29, 2011, 06:07:16 PM
Hey Bird (or anyone else for that matter) if you need either of these let me know...
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: amertrac on November 05, 2011, 03:56:12 PM
I just received this plierwrench tonight the little clip goes on the stationary jaw when the pipe cutter jaw is used . I am really surprised in the condition of this wrench .I just have to find a way to display also cliff  pm sent   bob w
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: amertrac on November 10, 2011, 06:52:03 AM
recieved the spare jaws last night  thanks Cliff.  I am looking to mount the whole shebang on a board and then find a spot to hang it     bob w.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: FrankLee on November 10, 2011, 08:14:42 AM
I am looking to mount the whole shebang on a board and then find a spot to hang it

Bob, I'm going to spoil the surprise somewhat, but I sent you a little gift to go with the wrench.
Before you layout the display board, wait for my package to arrive. You may want to include a small part of it on your display. I believe I sent it on Monday, so it should arrive soon.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: wvtools on November 10, 2011, 11:20:44 AM
I have a couple of small flat steel screwdrivers that are marked Eifel Plierench, about the size of a car key.  Does anyone know if they had a purpose to use with the tool or were they just an accesory do-dad to put on your keyring?  If I ever get set up in the new house to easily take/upload pictures, I will post pics of them.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: FrankLee on November 10, 2011, 11:29:41 AM
That screw driver was probably free with an order for a plierench. Does it look like the one in the link below?

http://books.google.com/books?id=nNgDAAAAMBAJ&pg=RA1-PA183&dq=eiffel+geared+plierench&hl=en&ei=Ygm8TpKYBsrk0QGTopTfCQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=4&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAw#v=onepage&q&f=false
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: amertrac on November 10, 2011, 02:56:21 PM
the mailmen just left . thanks, now you realy have sparked the interested.   bob w.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: KeepinOldBolts on November 15, 2011, 07:52:46 PM
Did someone say they had extra jaws for these?

Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: fliffy42 on November 16, 2011, 06:15:54 PM
I did have some but the went to NY to Bob W.
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: bird on November 17, 2011, 03:20:35 PM
I just received this plierwrench tonight the little clip goes on the stationary jaw when the pipe cutter jaw is used . I am really surprised in the condition of this wrench .I just have to find a way to display also cliff  pm sent   bob w

Mine is also in incredible shape.... looks like it was never used.  It is a pretty wrench, if I do say so myself (which, I just did... never quite understood that phrase!)
I think someone said their wrench said 6 dollars on it?  Mine says five--- an earlier version?
cheers
bird
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: petros on August 18, 2012, 11:58:39 AM
A little FYI!

My dad always had a pair of these with all the additional jaws in his tool pouch.  I bought my first set when I was 14 years old some 50 years ago and still have most of that set.  The whole set at that time cost me $12.  I have over that period of time had occasion to buy several more when I changed jobs and had to leave the "company" tools there.  The price for the set has gone up considerably over the years.  Little has changed with them from the original other than changing the angle of the gear cut.  Not all the jaws will interchange between the original and the units that are made today.  It is still one of the best all-a-round tools for the tool box.  I have not ever had the pipe cutter jaw and would be interested if anyone had a spare as well as the previously mentioned screwdriver but would sure like to get one for my tool collection. 

About 15years ago, a coworker was going through some of his granddad's tools that he had inherited and ran across a "Plierench" that was a couple inches shorter, had just the standard straight jaw, it was chrome-plated with a stamped price of $5 on it.  He asked if I wanted them.  I replied, "Does the Pope poop in the woods?  Is the bear a Catholic?" I contacted the current Plierench company a few years ago to see if by any chance that size was still in production .  They claim that it was never made in that size and they had never heard of a chrome plated pair.   I will argue with them to the death and believe I must have a real collectors item. 
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: Branson on August 19, 2012, 07:11:27 AM
Bird, my plierench says $5 also.  I've also seen $4.50 as well as $6.

And Petros, that's some great info you shared with us.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: Branson on August 19, 2012, 07:17:42 AM
There's one on eBay right now stamped $7

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200806331571?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648
Title: Re: Eifel Plierench
Post by: amertrac on August 23, 2012, 08:34:42 AM
There's one on eBay right now stamped $7

http://www.ebay.com/itm/200806331571?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2648
with most of the jaws missing warn out teeth and a brocken screwsriver , still brought $21.50