What is this called?

[mrchuck]

The device was made in 2 parts hinged, where the oakum packing was placed first and the pour-in opening was positioned at the highest point. This was difficult to pour in heated liquid lead with the ladle in the first joint, as it was the highest and VERY close to the floor above you, but the more you did it,,,,the less you spilled.
The older plumbers hated this job,, and after I grew up I saw the scars on their arms.
I didn't mind it, as I could do something the others shunned from.
That was quite an "ego" builder for a young boy.
I would never do this today!!!

[pritch]

Here's some of my dad's old stuff. I remember tending the lead pot from a very young age.


Here's a couple of those collars for horizontal joints:

[tucker]

great tools pritch,and well looked after.last time i used one of those collars
was 1960,the building is still standing.i think i did every soil pipe joint.

[fflintstone]

FWIW, I went down state this weekend for the N.A.M.E.S. expo I had posted.

I hit a flea market and spent more time looking thru the rusty crap I normally overlook or glance thru. My diligence paid off as I netted another "yarner". I was happy that it was only $2. It is not in as nice of shape but I ground off the mushroom and it is getting a vinegar bath. I will post up a picture when clean.

[pritch]

great tools pritch,and well looked after.last time i used one of those collars
was 1960,the building is still standing.i think i did every soil pipe joint.

Thanks, Tucker. Well looked after now, well used back then. I think my dad was the last guy to quit with the lead & oakum LOL. I got a little scar on my arm where I spilled some hot lead on me once. Here's another one you might remember. It's a little out of focus, sorry:

[geneg]

Shut off or faucet seat reamer.

[Billman49]

Callled a 'pipe caulking tool' in the UK (similar process used for caulking seams on wooden boats). Lead wool was often used instead of oakum.... see: http://www.nuclead.com/leadcaulkapps.html

[amertrac]

mrchuck did you use a running collar for horizontal joints?i recall these wrapped around
the pipe and bolted together at the top with a opening to pour in the lead.

r an asbestos collar with a clamp  bob w.

[tucker]

thats right bob,did you use lead pipe over there.wiping joints with cloths made of moleskin
i think,many burnt fingers!!.

[lbgradwell]

Lead & asbestos...

It's a wonder any old plumbers lived beyond 50!

[fflintstone]

I still haven't gotten a picture of my "new" "yarner" but it looks like it might say "Anderson Detroit"

[Billman49]

Yes, we had (still have) lead pipes in the UK - old ones are being replaced, but many old properties still have underground service pipe in lead - in this area with hard water (i.e. chalky) thet inside is covered with a layer of calcium carbonate, so preventing poisoning - in soft water (acidic) areas such as Yorkshire it was a problem.... Back in the 1970's I leant to solder lead pipes, but was not very good at wiping  - solder pot, splash stick, blacklead, tallow and moleskin are still in the shed somewhere

Plumbers also got deformed hands from holding the old fashioned soldering iron (heated to red heat) - the handle was wrapped in a wet cloth - the combination of steam and hot iron caused tendons to shrink - it was possible in the 18th century to recognise a plumber from his clawed right hand....

[tucker]

billman.remember making up valley gutters from zinc using a soldering iron.
very painstaking job.even repairing some on roofs.wiping lead joints must be a dying art.as is
leadburning for upstands in lead.