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.

I believe it is called an offset yarning iron used for installing leaded joints on pipes. An old plumbing tool...

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

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.

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?

Quote from: wvtools on April 17, 2013, 10:16:23 PM
Was the gasket oakum or hemp or something like that?

I've never used one, but my grandfather had such tools & used oakum.

My father used oakum, but I don't remember if he had tools like that to install it.

nice tool, I think I have one like it, maybe smaller. What size is yours?

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!!

For smaller cast iron joint packing  bob w.

Quote from: wvtools on April 17, 2013, 10:16:23 PM
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.

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. 

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

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!

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.