Eifel Plierench

[FrankLee]

I just picked up this wrench at an estate sale at lunch today. A Joseph Eifel Geared Plierench. This thing is cool and in amazing condition. It has a wire cutter, a flat screwdriver on the handle end and four interchangeable jaws; flat, round nose, pipe wrench, and pipe cutter. It even has the original pouch. There is a clip labeled "plierench V-clip", but I'm not sure yet of it's purpose or how it attaches.

The patent does not show the pipe cutter or the clip.
http://www.google.com/patents?id=HRRHAAAAEBAJ&pg=PA1&dq=1862817&source=gbs_selected_pages&cad=2#v=onepage&q&f=false

I paid $10.00 for a whole box of stuff with this in it. I looked through about ten boxes of junk and found the extra jaws in a different box than the wrench.

[amertrac]

WOW  what a find good hunting  if you ever decide to have a need to give it a good home let me know.  lol
damn this not being to go to sales unless they are in a handicap accessable building    bob w.

[FrankLee]

Thanks.
I think I need to go back to the sale after work. While googling, I found an ad in May 1954 Popular Science magazine that shows a long jaw and other accessories.  Still looking for the purpose of that v-clip.
http://books.google.com/books?id=oN0DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA303&lpg=PA303&dq=eiffel+geared+plierench&source=bl&ots=VAC3z_5ZDQ&sig=meeCy_86BX7i4cpiBo3slq9AVNc&hl=en&ei=IeGqTsbJLcTlsQLl_KXaDg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=2&ved=0CCEQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q&f=false

[FrankLee]

I found the missing link and more info here:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=99183

[BRwrench]

I have several of these plierenches but have never seen that V-clip.  I bet not too many of them (V-clips) ever survived.

[Papaw]

Found in a $10 box of "stuff"!

OK, you are now the latest winner of the "You Suck" award!

[anglesmith]

Beautiful tool,never seen the price stamped into a tool before!! I'll bet $6.00 wasn't cheap in 1954!
Graeme

[fliffy42]

if anyone is looking I have a couple extra jaws hanging around... in the first photo.... the one to the left and the one in the center. pm me

[john k]

When I see these in the antique malls, with the extra jaws, the price is generally $50-$75 and sometimes up.   I just think they're a pretty unique looking tool, still be handy today. 

[lbgradwell]

I'll bet $6.00 wasn't cheap in 1954!

$48.70 today...

[lbgradwell]

I just think they're a pretty unique looking tool, still be handy today.

Still made today!

It has been in continuous production since Joseph Eifel started manufacturing the things in 1921.

Vaco acquired the rights to the tool from the Masterform Tool Company (also Chicago-based) after Joseph's widow sold the rights after his death.

In 1980, the rights were acquired by Galland Henning Nopak, Inc. who make them still.

Until very recently, Nopak had a page on their site with a history of the Plierench, but it seems to no longer be there...

[bird]

I've got one that looks like yours, it reads:
eifel geared plier wrench
8 1/2  -463-   10-1 $5,00\
forged
PATS. N.O.S.  118165 - 1862817 
MADE IN USA BY --
MER.PLIERENCH  CORP'N
Chicago, ILL

This one I have looks brand new... I' have some of the jaws to it... but am missing some. Anyho, glad to hear about any info...
cheers, bird.

[fliffy42]

Hey Bird (or anyone else for that matter) if you need either of these let me know...

[amertrac]

I just received this plierwrench tonight the little clip goes on the stationary jaw when the pipe cutter jaw is used . I am really surprised in the condition of this wrench .I just have to find a way to display also cliff  pm sent   bob w

[amertrac]

recieved the spare jaws last night  thanks Cliff.  I am looking to mount the whole shebang on a board and then find a spot to hang it     bob w.