Tool Talk

What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: coolford on February 23, 2020, 03:40:08 PM

Title: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 23, 2020, 03:40:08 PM
Bought at an estate auction yesterday.  It is mostly bronze or brass, does not clean up much with Brasso.  It is 9 1/2 inches long and weights 1 3/4 pounds.  The wheel is magnetic as is as area where the bottom handle joins. It has a partial mark, first is LG24,  then a date 1886, then JDFLL & Sons. and lastly _EV____KETIA.  I checked DATEMP for all the 1896 patents, no match and I figured that as I think it is British.  The way I think it works is you open the two larger handles, put something in it and then close the handles and then rotate the wheel handle to ???  I hope you are not stumped as I am.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: skipskip on February 23, 2020, 05:30:54 PM
tubing cutter?
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: amecks on February 23, 2020, 06:57:39 PM
Yeah, or for cutting wire insulation?
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: Lostmind on February 23, 2020, 07:38:39 PM
A really elaborate cigar cutter
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: Northwoods on February 23, 2020, 07:55:14 PM
A really elaborate cigar cutter
Heck, yeah.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: bill300d on February 23, 2020, 07:56:44 PM
Have no idea but that means it's probably a nut cracker.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: gibsontool on February 23, 2020, 08:48:25 PM
I agree with Bill, gotta be a nutcracker.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 24, 2020, 06:37:44 AM
You-all don't have all the information if you think the wheel is a cutter, It is not sharp, it is more like a grindstone and nearly 5/16" across the flat. It also rolls along on the flat surface of the lower handle.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: geneg on February 24, 2020, 07:53:18 AM
What is the working diameter of the large opening?  It could be a lock seam roller for small cans or bottles.  Place the lid on, grip it & then roll the wheel around it.  Think opposite of a can opener.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: mvwcnews on February 24, 2020, 09:59:44 AM
I'm trying to figure out the geometry of the thing.  The roller part is pulled 'away' from the gripping area of the "pincers" portion the way it looks to me.  As for DATAMP -- the only patents in there are ones entered by the data stewards.  Which is a very small segment of the millions of patents granted by the U.S., Canada, etc.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 24, 2020, 10:09:42 AM
Once you bring the "something" together between the gripers you then roll it with the top lever.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: mvwcnews on February 24, 2020, 11:33:18 AM
So it takes two hands to operate the tool?  That means whatever it is working on is firmly attached, or being held in a vise or whatever.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: oldgoaly on February 24, 2020, 01:50:37 PM
Combination saw set, nut cracker. thingamabob. and doomaajiggy!
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: leg17 on February 24, 2020, 01:51:43 PM
If it's not a nutcracker, it must be a sawset.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: leg17 on February 24, 2020, 01:52:20 PM
Combination saw set, nut cracker. thingamabob. and doomaajiggy!
OG you beat me while I was yet typing!
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 24, 2020, 03:39:33 PM
I don't think anyone is close yet, here are some more pictures.  The first one shows the width and flatness of the roller.  The second one is from the bottom, shows the width of the slot the bottom curve goes into when the handles are closed and then the roller follows the curve.  The third one shows the shape of the curve that when closed the roller follows.  There is space between both sides of the top handle and the curve when closed.  Playing around with it I put a piece of thin aluminum between the top and bottom and closed it---it cut the aluminum and I rolled out a thin piece of aluminum.  Don't know if that means anything.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: lptools on February 24, 2020, 06:04:09 PM
Hello Coolford. Is the curved edge sharp enough to be the cutter? I like Al's idea of wire insulation cutter, or something similar. It looks like it would go around something, and the cutting would take place at the curved edge. What I am thinking is cutting the seal around the neck of a wine bottle, (or similar), or maybe that's because I just cut the seal on a wine bottle!!! Sharp enough to cut lead pipe?? Maybe a re-loading tool?? Just my 2 cents (hic), Lou
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 25, 2020, 10:44:05 AM
The curved edge appears to never have been sharp, and one side or it is rounded off.  None of this tool makes sense to me.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: oldgoaly on February 25, 2020, 12:25:32 PM
The roller to me would indicate it rolls along a edge or material to do what it does several times per sheet. Being brass it would indicate a soft material like cloth or paper. So what does that mean, I haven't a clue!!
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on February 25, 2020, 03:10:49 PM
The wheel is not brass, it is steel, the rest of it is brass except for reinforcement of the lower handle.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: Plyerman on February 29, 2020, 08:30:23 PM
It has a partial mark, first is LG24,  then a date 1886, then JDFLL & Sons. and lastly _EV____KETIA. 

I haven't found anything similar online yet. Still searching though. Could you post a close-up photograph of the markings please?
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on March 01, 2020, 07:27:26 AM
Sorry, I have tried and the markings just do not show.  They are faint to begin with and the camera flash does away with them.  I have revised the marking however, after looking again and again.  What I thought was a J is probably a scratch.  So, I now think it is Dell & Sons.  The 1886 is the best viewed mark.  Lastly, the bottom line may be EV____KETIA, the KETIA part is easy to see.  Poking around on e-bay I found a chisel for sale with a C. Dell & Sons mark and have emailed the seller who is in England.---Thanks for trying.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: Northwoods on March 01, 2020, 08:29:22 AM
Stick with it.  This is really a stumper.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on March 01, 2020, 09:04:14 AM
Got a reply from the guy in England, firstly he says there is almost no information on Dell & Sons as the company didn't last long.  He has never seen this particular tool, but he feels it was used in either leather work or upholstery or both.  Says I was lucky to come across the Dell & Sons name at all.  Oh well!!!
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: amecks on March 01, 2020, 11:23:31 AM
How about closing metal staples in leather machinery belts?  These Dell guys were from the era of belt powered mills and factories.  Quite a lot of mentions of Dell & Sons in Grace's Guide but didn't find anything specific to this tool.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: oldgoaly on March 01, 2020, 04:30:23 PM
I have heard the term "belt clipper " used for belt ends.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: lptools on March 01, 2020, 05:00:38 PM
Hello, Coolford. How many letters are missing between the EV and the Ketia??
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on March 01, 2020, 05:13:31 PM
Looks like four letters.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: lptools on March 01, 2020, 05:31:39 PM
Thanks! So that brings it up to 11 letters, I will try some word searches.
Title: Re: Cannot figure this one out.
Post by: coolford on March 01, 2020, 06:48:38 PM
Maybe you could pass something through it such as leather and press some type of ornament into the leather.  Or maybe it could be a leather belt and something pressed into it?????????????