Williams Pipe Tong Die

OilyRascal · March 28, 2012, 06:33:09 PM

I've been seeing these hanging on the wall in the shop and I've been trying (in my spare time) to figure out what they were. I had asked around the family and the most rational explanation given was a reamer for rebuilding heads on larger old Continental engines. I ran across several tools today that I knew well (pipe tongs), and recognized the die on the tool as the die on the wall right away.

If you didn't already know - this what a pipe tong die looks like.

Lewill2 · March 28, 2012, 06:49:38 PM

They are the jaws for a large chain style pipe wrench. Long handle with a chain on the end. The chain wraps around the pipe and catches in between the jaws. To tighten the chain twist/turn the handle and the teeth dig into the pipe.

Lewill2 · March 28, 2012, 07:04:39 PM

One of my salesman sample sized chain wrench.

rusty · March 28, 2012, 07:07:49 PM

You are both talking about the same tool...LOL

For the oil field folks pipe tongs *are* chain wrenches ;P

PS: Lewel, I needed that to fix my sink last week ;P

OilyRascal · March 28, 2012, 07:46:58 PM

I found 5 set today cleaning up at the shop. I'll get pictures tomorrow when my camera isn't exhausted.

OilyRascal · March 28, 2012, 07:58:23 PM

close-up of the die

rusty · March 28, 2012, 08:13:16 PM

Ahh...yes...a Vulcan chain wrench by Williams :)

They made a double ended version also....

OilyRascal · March 28, 2012, 08:19:04 PM

For $130 you can have a "bi-jaw" set today

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Vulcan-No-38-44-Bi-Jaw-Chain-Pipe-Wrench-/120838437864?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c22883be8#ht_710wt_952

OilyRascal · March 29, 2012, 04:55:26 PM

A picture of those found in the shop

OilyRascal · March 29, 2012, 04:56:44 PM

and another found late today

OilyRascal · April 11, 2012, 09:13:46 PM

Quote from: Lewill2 on March 28, 2012, 07:04:39 PM
One of my salesman sample sized chain wrench.

Nice Chain Wrench, Lewill2

I figure it would be a lot handier for me than those 60" things.

amertrac · April 12, 2012, 07:10:23 AM

Quote from: Lewill2 on March 28, 2012, 07:04:39 PM
One of my salesman sample sized chain wrench.

WOW talk about falling in love at first sight that wrench is beautiful.
how long is it?
manufacturer?
correct name?
bob w.

Lewill2 · April 12, 2012, 08:35:44 AM

The miniature/salesman samples were made by the manufactures of the big ones, Williams mostly. They made several different ones, Agrippa & Vulcan that I know of. Trimont MFG Co made one, Trimo Bull Dog and so did Greene Tweed & Co, New Champion Chain Pipe Wrench. I have 8 in my collection, they vary in size from about 6 inches long to about 7 inches long, handle length not including the chain, several are duplicates. One of mine has the leatherette case with the flat link chain, round link non-marring chain and the cheater pipe. This is the only one that I have ever seen with both chains. I'll try and get a group picture up in the next few days. I also have one of the Williams salesman sample bench top pipe vises.

johnsironsanctuary · April 12, 2012, 09:54:04 AM

Oily,
Here is the 1963 catalog page.

Lewill2 · April 12, 2012, 09:59:34 AM

The pipe vise has a piece of 3/8 copper in it. Left to Right, 3 Williams Vulcan, one on Left has the round link non-marring chain. The case, cheater pipe and flat link chain are on the side. Case is actually leather after all. Next New Champion, Vulcan Superior, Trimo Bull Dog, Vulcan Superior and Agrippa. According to Cope, J. H. Williams made chain pipe wrenches under about 20 different patents.

Click on the picture to enlarge it so you can see the details better.

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Williams Pipe Tong Die