Is this for straightening radiator or A/C fins?
All the fin straighteners I have a plastic, from the mid 1970's.
That looks like much older? 1950's?
Hello, Papaw. I can't help with your question, but that is a great example of a seldom seen tool.Thanks for sharing!!! Regards, Lou
Cute. Found the following ad in the Google books search for Popular Mechanics Nov. 1924....
Nice item. I've heard about these but never seen one. Very cool.
Gotta be an old tool, I can't see modern coils thin aluminum fins responding well to that thing.
All of my A/C fin combs are plastic, so they are softer than the fins and take all the wear. Have a whole set of 'em, with various FPI (fins per inch) that snap into a composite handle so you can tailor the tool to each individual coil.
Like this:
https://mainsupplies.com/coil-fin-combs/
Up until auto radiators got "hid" behind grilles of one kind or another the fins would have taken a beating.
I'm thinking the honeycomb style radiator was common in to the 1920's, when did the straight finned ones take over? also in the 20's?If I can remember to ask the radiator guru on facebook I'll find out.