Malco C-1 USA strange tool

[coolford]

This plier-type tool has five blade like surfaces that appear to crimp or bend something, but what?  The edges are not sharp and just under 1/16 inch wide.  Part of a box lot.

[oldgoaly]

pipe crimper for duct work

[lptools]

What oldgoaly said; pipe crimper for duct work. Here is a link to the current model. I believe they also make a 3 blade crimper.  https://www.malcoproducts.com/product/5-blade-sheet-metal-crimper/

[coolford]

I appreciate the input, figured it would crimp something and now I know.  Thanks!

[Bill Houghton]

Interesting.  I only ever used a single-gang crimper.  I would think that would flatten out the pipe (make it not round), at least in residential sizes, even if it would be faster.

[mvwcnews]

For what it is worth, MALCO started out making specialty tools for the HVAC trades -- they've slowly expanded the range of tools they produce.

[Bill Houghton]

For what it is worth, MALCO started out making specialty tools for the HVAC trades -- they've slowly expanded the range of tools they produce.

Nice little history on their website: https://www.malcoproducts.com/about-us/.  While they're offering other specialty products, it's clear that their heart is still in the sheet metal trades.  I'm tickled by this one:

for marking commonly used lines on sheet metal.  In my brief life as a tinbender, I was taught to cut one from 16 ga. metal.  It was, indeed, handy; I may still have it somewhere.

[oldgoaly]

Back in the last century if you had bought one they would have cursed you, fired you, then laughed about you! I still make my own.
Don't ever show me your yellow handled aviation snip!  A part time journeyman had pair in his box and they never let up on him, he got it as a present from his wife. Funny now, all those guys have passed on, scary thought.
Oh everybody who worked there had their 3' or 4' steel rule checked against the shop foreman's steel rule. It was the shop standard, and they checked your work for accuracy! Bought a couple of magnetic flex rules 1st thing I did was check them against the 4' Malco steel rule, "my shop standard"  Yes they are off an 1/8" per 2', got some 3' s/s rules from menards on rebate (free) checkd them too they are spot on.

[international3414]

used em on smoke pipe,for oil burners

[lptools]

Hello, I have the 3 & 5 blade crimpers, most often used for dryer vent hook-ups, bathroom exhaust, ( both systems hard pipe). The tools also come in handy for gutter work, downspouts  & leaders. Regards, Lou

[bonneyman]

For what it is worth, MALCO started out making specialty tools for the HVAC trades -- they've slowly expanded the range of tools they produce.

Nice little history on their website: https://www.malcoproducts.com/about-us/.  While they're offering other specialty products, it's clear that their heart is still in the sheet metal trades.  I'm tickled by this one:

for marking commonly used lines on sheet metal.  In my brief life as a tinbender, I was taught to cut one from 16 ga. metal.  It was, indeed, handy; I may still have it somewhere.

Here's the one I made, with 3 sizes on it. Made out of stainless steel sheet.

Their best tool was their screwdrivers. Pukey orange handle, made out of polycarbonate. Indestructible! But they were discontinued around 2012, due to not being able to compete with the Chinese on price. (Then MALCO went Chinese with their screwdrivers)!   
Whenever you find these orange babies grab 'em. Here's my oldest one - 20+ years - next to a NOS one. And yes - it originally started out that bright orange color! lol