Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: fflintstone on April 17, 2013, 08:26:57 PM
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I picked this up in an antiques store decades ago and it has been the handiest $2 tool I ever bought.
What is it called? What is its original purpose? Are there other sizes? Anyone still making them? I want another for my son.
(http://imageshack.us/a/img823/221/pry1q.jpg)
(http://imageshack.us/a/img832/3456/pry2.jpg)
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I believe it is called an offset yarning iron used for installing leaded joints on pipes. An old plumbing tool...
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I don't think so, the tip is too small. This would be a better tool for that.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/P-C-Tools-No-109-Offset-Calker-Caulker-Vintage-Plumbing-Plumbers-Tool-/151028488780?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2329ffda4c
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OK, here is one called that
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Plumbing-Offset-Yarning-Iron-or-Chisel-NYCSALLOY-w-H-in-a-Sheild-Hall-/220994454432?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33744bc3a0
I am now guessing it may be for removing the lead caulk, prying it apart without destroying the mating pipe.
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I have a 1968 Delaware catalog. The number 24 is the narrowest size (5/8 inch) of gasket iron - yarner listed. I am guessing it is for inserting the gasket prior to pouring the lead seal. Has anyone on here used one? Was the gasket oakum or hemp or something like that?
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Was the gasket oakum or hemp or something like that?
I've never used one, but my grandfather had such tools & used oakum.
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My father used oakum, but I don't remember if he had tools like that to install it.
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nice tool, I think I have one like it, maybe smaller. What size is yours?
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we used those caulking irons[as we called them]for iron pipe joints using hemp.
hemp first lead poured in then hammered in with the iron.ah the good old days!!
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For smaller cast iron joint packing bob w.
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I have a 1968 Delaware catalog. The number 24 is the narrowest size (5/8 inch) of gasket iron - yarner listed. I am guessing it is for inserting the gasket prior to pouring the lead seal. Has anyone on here used one? Was the gasket oakum or hemp or something like that?
can you PLEASE make a PDF of the page?
I did a little more research on this after posting I didn’t find much other that they were called may different things. My usage is for prying mating things apart.
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On basement wall penetrations we used rope oakum packed in by driving in with the butt of a cedar shingle, then lead wool same packing, a quick pass with a torch, then more lead wool hammered in. As far as I know, none of them have ever leaked. We didn't have those fancy tools back in the 60's. We did some cast iron soil pipe installations the same way. I now have a complete set of packing & pouring tools and have never used them. My brother-in-law said that the Ohio plumbing license test included knowledge of the lead & packing methods, however, most people today just use good caulking.
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I do not have a scanner, and I do not know how to make a .PDF file. You will have to point me in the direction of a tutorial if you need a .PDF file. I took pictures of the pages with my digital camera. I will post a thread in the Catalog board page with them. If you need any of the actual .JPG files, then PM me with your email address.
John
WVTools
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The smell of the "oakum packing" is pungent when the liquid lead is poured onto the packing.
I have never forgotten it.
A lit blow torch was held by me and the lead pourer stepped to the side with the ladle as I swept the flame over the joint, and backed away till the lead cooled.
Then and only then, did I turn off the blowtorch.
This technique was taught to me at a very young age.
Also, this waste discharge pipe was on the outside of the houses that I worked on.
You had to be very skillful so NOT to burn the wooden house siding with the torch!
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mrchuck did you use a running collar for horizontal joints?i recall these wrapped around
the pipe and bolted together at the top with a opening to pour in the lead.
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The device was made in 2 parts hinged, where the oakum packing was placed first and the pour-in opening was positioned at the highest point. This was difficult to pour in heated liquid lead with the ladle in the first joint, as it was the highest and VERY close to the floor above you, but the more you did it,,,,the less you spilled.
The older plumbers hated this job,, and after I grew up I saw the scars on their arms.
I didn't mind it, as I could do something the others shunned from.
That was quite an "ego" builder for a young boy.
I would never do this today!!!
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Here's some of my dad's old stuff. I remember tending the lead pot from a very young age.
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/moreoldtools004.jpg)
Here's a couple of those collars for horizontal joints:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/moreoldtools006.jpg)
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great tools pritch,and well looked after.last time i used one of those collars
was 1960,the building is still standing.i think i did every soil pipe joint.
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FWIW, I went down state this weekend for the N.A.M.E.S. expo I had posted.
I hit a flea market and spent more time looking thru the rusty crap I normally overlook or glance thru. My diligence paid off as I netted another “yarner”. I was happy that it was only $2. It is not in as nice of shape but I ground off the mushroom and it is getting a vinegar bath. I will post up a picture when clean.
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great tools pritch,and well looked after.last time i used one of those collars
was 1960,the building is still standing.i think i did every soil pipe joint.
Thanks, Tucker. Well looked after now, well used back then. I think my dad was the last guy to quit with the lead & oakum LOL. I got a little scar on my arm where I spilled some hot lead on me once. Here's another one you might remember. It's a little out of focus, sorry:
(http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y55/gpritch/tools/moreoldtools008.jpg)
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Shut off or faucet seat reamer.
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Callled a 'pipe caulking tool' in the UK (similar process used for caulking seams on wooden boats). Lead wool was often used instead of oakum.... see: http://www.nuclead.com/leadcaulkapps.html
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mrchuck did you use a running collar for horizontal joints?i recall these wrapped around
the pipe and bolted together at the top with a opening to pour in the lead.
r an asbestos collar with a clamp bob w.
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thats right bob,did you use lead pipe over there.wiping joints with cloths made of moleskin
i think,many burnt fingers!!.
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Lead & asbestos...
It's a wonder any old plumbers lived beyond 50!
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I still haven’t gotten a picture of my “new” “yarner” but it looks like it might say “Anderson Detroit”
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Yes, we had (still have) lead pipes in the UK - old ones are being replaced, but many old properties still have underground service pipe in lead - in this area with hard water (i.e. chalky) thet inside is covered with a layer of calcium carbonate, so preventing poisoning - in soft water (acidic) areas such as Yorkshire it was a problem.... Back in the 1970's I leant to solder lead pipes, but was not very good at wiping - solder pot, splash stick, blacklead, tallow and moleskin are still in the shed somewhere
Plumbers also got deformed hands from holding the old fashioned soldering iron (heated to red heat) - the handle was wrapped in a wet cloth - the combination of steam and hot iron caused tendons to shrink - it was possible in the 18th century to recognise a plumber from his clawed right hand....
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billman.remember making up valley gutters from zinc using a soldering iron.
very painstaking job.even repairing some on roofs.wiping lead joints must be a dying art.as is
leadburning for upstands in lead.