Steeldraulic Pliers...a very strange shape

[mikeswrenches]

These are interesting pliers not withstanding the odd shape.  They were made for adjusting the Steedraulic brakes on cars built in the 20's and'30's.  If you Google Steeldraulic brakes you'll learn more than you ever wanted to know about them.  They were made by several manufacturer's back in the day.  The Cornwell's I found at a local flea market for $5.00...so they followed me home.  Then about a week or two later I found the VaccumGrip pair at another flea market...these also followed me home.  They are the only two I've ever seen in quite a few years of haunting flea markets, auctions, and garage sales.

I lifted this from the AA site.  "In the late 1920s and early 1930s several makes of automobiles (e.g. Hupmobile, Auburn) were equipped with Steeldraulic brakes, a brand of mechanical brakes with an odd adjusting mechanism. Special pliers were required for making adjustments to these brakes, and not surprisingly the pliers came to be known as Steeldraulic pliers."

Mike

[Papaw]

I have one pair, very interesting shape and story.

[john k]

Used to be a pair of those around here, and now I know their use, thanks. 

[rusty]

I have a Bonney pair somewhere, never seen a Cornwell one before.

NB: The patent date  on the Vacuum Grip is for the Vacuum Grip handle pattern , not the plier function (Design D57252)

[hmboo]

Found a Made in Germany from BECRO

[mikeswrenches]

Since posting this back in 2012, I have found 3 more pairs. One each by Herbrand, Utica and Bonney.

Mike

[stanley62]

I think I have bought every pair I have had a chance at.  I know I have a couple Williams, a Utica, and a Vacuum grip.  Maybe more, but there are so small they go into hiding in the garage...

Jim

[Bill Houghton]

I think I have bought every pair I have had a chance at.  I know I have a couple Williams, a Utica, and a Vacuum grip.  Maybe more, but there are so small they go into hiding in the garage...

Jim

I assume so you can adjust the brakes on your Hupmobile.

Hupmobile pictures here for no good reason, except they're pretty cars.  These were built within a year of each other, according to Wikipedia; pretty radical styling change from 1933 to 1934.

[mikeswrenches]

I like the '33 better, kind of reminds me of a Rolls Royce. Wish I had one to go with the pliers.

Mike