Tool Talk
What's-It Forum => What's-It Forum => Topic started by: amecks on October 25, 2013, 03:18:08 PM
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Here is a small adjuster of some sort. Maybe an ignition points tool? The only markings are a nice stamping that says StevenS New York.
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/tamalecks/Tools023_01_zps8dedd6ee.jpg)
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Looks like a spoke key....
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Google search for "Stevens Spoke Key" finds:
STEVENS NY / PERFECT - - 3.5" spoke (or nipple) wrench. Excellent. (S110L)
link: http://www.wrenchingnews.com/nail-auction-2007/catalog.html
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Like many of the early automobile guys, Stevens started out with Bicycles....
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Looks like you found the right company but the slots are too small for spoke nipples. The link Billman posted has a Stevens NY wrench but it is a very different (interesting adjustable) style. I'll check it later tomorrow against a small size spoke but I don't think it will go.
Thanks. Al.
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Bicycle wheel spokes, not motor cycle wheels????
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I got out to the garage last night - (sorry I was away part of the weekend) - and measured the "wrench" opening. They are both the same at 0.081" (just over 5/64" or 2mm"). It does not fit any size bicycle spoke nipple, it barely fits over the narrowest spoke itself. I know, you know there's motorbikes in my garage, so you thought I might have been thinking motorcycle wheels but there's also a truckload of old bicycle wheels and parts upstairs.
I think it may be for bending/straightening/adjusting electrical contacts like auto breaker points or magneto points. Both ends are at the same angle so it wouldn't matter which end you used. I'll try and check into this more later. Thanks. Al.
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Some of the old voltage regulators were adjusted by bending also...
odd tool, odder that it has no number, most of the speedup tools had part numbers on them...
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OK I searched voltage regulator - nothing. I have found that Stevens NY made a lot of special Ford tools for Model T's. Alloy Artifacts says Stevens merged with Walden-Worcester in 1926 so the tool can't be much newer than the Model T era.
I've tried a number of different search terms including tool, adjuster, Ford, Model T, auto, voltage regulator, magneto, contact breaker, ignition, etc, etc, with and without Stevens or Stevens New York. Lots of Stevens tools - mostly Model T - but nothing at all like this tool.
I'll try to post a photo on some Ford and T forums.
Al.
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Since the STEVENS "SPINTITES" were marketed to the radio industry, could this have been an adjustment tool for some mechanical aspect of early radio devices?
Google / books is not much help as all the pertinent print materials are post 1923 & "snippet view only" rather than being full text online which would allow one to browse.
Living in rural Nebraska I can't do a day trip to a library that might have the originals. Oh to be in Chicago or Detroit when questions like this arise.
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The offset head is typical of usage as a spanner or wrench, but curious that both ends are the same size.... I'd still go for some sort of wrench, rather than a bending tool (which would be better if the slot was at 90o to the axis)
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We have two chances to find out the application. Stan is going to post it in the Missouri Valley Wrench Club Newsletter. It will also be posted in the newsletter of the National Ford Tool Collectors by Steve Thompson. Thanks.
I think I will send it to Rob Hartmann who does the "What Is It?" blog.
Al.
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CAB TIRE WRENCH TWISTER - Thanks to Rob Hartmann of the "What Is It?" blog http://55tools.blogspot.com/ (http://55tools.blogspot.com/) - a friend of his recognized this as a Cab Tire Wrench Twister. Used to twist and tighten the wire used to hold bicycle and other small tires on the rim, in the times before pneumatic tires. The solid rubber tire material had a hole formed thru the center. Wire ran thru and when mounted on the rim was twisted until the tire seam was pulled together and tight.
Here is a link to company that sells tire material, describing the mounting and including a link to a page showing how it's done:
http://www.tricyclefetish.com/extruded-rope-type-tricycle-replacement-tire-inch-wire-tied-wheelsets-p-1498.html (http://www.tricyclefetish.com/extruded-rope-type-tricycle-replacement-tire-inch-wire-tied-wheelsets-p-1498.html)
Rob sent me this picture: - 25 cents! -
(http://i136.photobucket.com/albums/q177/tamalecks/1aIMG_2859_zps8d92a580.jpg)
Billman and rusty were on the right track when they were suggesting a bicycle tool.
Al.
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Great job! I've followed his blog for a long time. He has shown one or two of our What's-Its before.
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Well I'm glad that is settled. Who would have thought a Cab Tire Wrench Twister? No me.
But, that said, it's one cool looking wrench. I gotta find me one... I'll find something else it can do.
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Who's got cab tire replacement rubber, etc. Many an old tricycle and coaster wagon could be revived with new rubber for the wheels.
Great solve & reminder of how stuff was made to last & to be repaired not so very long ago.
(rant ) Now we spend big bucks for stuff designed to be thrown away (rip proof garbage bags ) & spend more for throw-away containers than for the "food" within. (end rant).
The Dec. MVWC newsletter is filling up fast -- thanks to papawswrench & other great sources.
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Stan, there's a link in my "solved" reply - www.tricyclefetish.com sells "rope rubber" for tricycle tires. That page has additional links that explain how they do it. They use a heavy wire and weld or solder it in place. I did not find any info on actual antique bicycle tires being held on with wire that could be twisted with the wrench.
Al
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See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wg_pDvoMWmE
This chap silver solders/brazes the two end of the wire together. Ordinary bicycles date from about 1870, before the days of gas torches/oxy acetylene welding. The modern vaporising blowlamp, dates from about 1882, so for at least ten years some other form of joining the wire would have been required...
The only method would have been to twist the wires together - some form of linesman's splice, where each end is wrapped around the other wire. The 'solid' tyre's heyday was shortlived as Dunlop developed the pneumatic tyre c 1888, and the safety bicycle superceded the old 'bone shakers'...
Doing this in a very confined space between the jaws of the tensioner would require a specialised tool - probably a pair of them....
See also: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GrCegT6aPxw
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I found a tool similar to the Stevens tool from this thread today. Marked Midwestern Tool Co, Chicago. Is this the same animal, or something different?
Jim
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Midwestern Tool Co, Chicago, Inc 1922, took over failed Ajax tool co.
At the time, listed as making hobs, milling cutters,tools,fixtures, and automobile pistons...
Old enough perhaps, but just barely....
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Thanks Rusty. I didn't really figure it was that old, it just looked similar to the Steven tool.
Jim