cable-splicing tool incorporating Plomb ratchet

[PFSchaffner]

I believe that this is a hand-held device for butt-splicing electric wires by dint of squeeze-forming a metal tube around their ends. Bell System markings. Leather carrying strap. Patents 1896512 and 2010651, from the thirties. Incorporates a Plomb WF21 ratchet. Was the entire thing made by Plomb?

[EVILDR235]

It may have been made by Plomb. Plomb tools with the WF  part numbers were WWII military contact tools. The WF stands for Wright Field. After WWII there was many surplus items around and some company may have bought a bunch of ratchets and used them to make their own lines of tools or maybe it was a military tool to begin with.

EvilDr235

[stanley62]

I have that ratchet minus the knob and the bell systems thingie it drives. 

  Jim

[EVILDR235]

The Garage Gazette had a thread on this tool. There was also a Proto ratchet version from this type of tool. The Proto ratchet was also marked WF21 and Los Angeles. WF marked Proto marked tools are not real common. I believe i have a WF21 ratchet with a hole in the handle. The hole appears to be punched and not drilled.

EvilDr235

[Aunt Phil]

Can we get a sharp picture of the rollers showing how they index?

Do the 2 stamped halves rotate when the silver button at the 8:30 position is pushed or pulled?

Do the rollers separate in any manner?

[international3414]

its a grease fitting,i had the same tool,but could not find a buyer...finally took it apart and sold it as project tool.

[PFSchaffner]

The closest thing I have on my camera's memory card at the moment follows below. Won't be home with the tool for a few hours, and won't be reonnected to internet for a day or so....

[Twertsy]

Here are some pics of mine.

[Twertsy]

Another pic.

[J.A.F.E.]

That is pretty cool.