Can anyone identify these old clamps please: Found these old clamps in one of the many boxes in my grandfathers barn and can't figure out what on earth they were used for. Someone said...

Lorima Loc: Colorado

Found these old clamps in one of the many boxes in my grandfathers barn and can't figure out what on earth they were used for. Someone said they may be used on some type of jack. They are about 17 inches long. Looks like they date from the 1950s. Any ideas?
Thank you.

(Download)

xFltRN Loc: Richmond, VA

According to Google Patents, the number 2,818,986 was a patent issued for a snatch pipe connector. I did not look at the second patent number; so I assume these tools have a purpose in the plumbing/pipe world.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

They are the wrench handles for thread dies. Larger dies of probably 1/2” and up steel pipe or round bar. The die drops into the round part and the ratchet controlled the direction. I guess you did not find any of the actual dies.

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

They are the wrench handles for thread dies. Larger dies of probably 1/2” and up steel pipe or round bar. The die drops into the round part and the ratchet controlled the direction. I guess you did not find any of the actual dies.

erickter Loc: Dallas,TX

They look like tourqe wrenches of some kind. Might have been used for equipment that had cylindrical parts. Definitely made in USA.

Lorima Loc: Colorado

xFltRN wrote:

According to Google Patents, the number 2,818,986 was a patent issued for a snatch pipe connector. I did not look at the second patent number; so I assume these tools have a purpose in the plumbing/pipe world.

Thank you.

Lorima Loc: Colorado

Dave327 wrote:

They are the wrench handles for thread dies. Larger dies of probably 1/2” and up steel pipe or round bar. The die drops into the round part and the ratchet controlled the direction. I guess you did not find any of the actual dies.

Thanks Dave, I was curious as I cannot any photos of these online at all. I need to rummage through more boxes to see if I can find any dies.

Lorima Loc: Colorado

erickter wrote:

They look like tourqe wrenches of some kind. Might have been used for equipment that had cylindrical parts. Definitely made in USA.

Thank you.

newtoyou Loc: Eastport

Lorima wrote:

Found these old clamps in one of the many boxes in my grandfathers barn and can't figure out what on earth they were used for. Someone said they may be used on some type of jack. They are about 17 inches long. Looks like they date from the 1950s. Any ideas?
Thank you.

There are many of us that would love to see what you find. I dealt old tools for many years and it was facinating. Your plumbing tools are from the days of iron pipe, they would be called "die wrenches". The "die"does the cutting of threads. Usually found in a greasy, oily fitted wooden box. Or dumped in a tool box. Enjoy.
Bill

Dave327 Loc: Duluth, GA. USA

Here is a picture of a modern day Rigid wrench and die. Hope it gives you an idea of about what you may find. They will be pretty large.

(Download)

Lorima Loc: Colorado

newtoyou wrote:

There are many of us that would love to see what you find. I dealt old tools for many years and it was facinating. Your plumbing tools are from the days of iron pipe, they would be called "die wrenches". The "die"does the cutting of threads. Usually found in a greasy, oily fitted wooden box. Or dumped in a tool box. Enjoy.
Bill

Thanks so much Bill, at least I know what they are now.

Lorima Loc: Colorado

Dave327 wrote:

Here is a picture of a modern day Rigid wrench and die. Hope it gives you an idea of about what you may find. They will be pretty large.

Thanks for that Dave.

bwana Loc: Bergen, Alberta, Canada

Dave327 wrote:

They are the wrench handles for thread dies. Larger dies of probably 1/2” and up steel pipe or round bar. The die drops into the round part and the ratchet controlled the direction. I guess you did not find any of the actual dies.

Yup, I have a couple of the same 'handles'; however, I also inherited a complete set of dies with the handles... The set also came with a two handled 'holder'.

bwa

G Brown Loc: Sunny Bognor Regis West Sussex UK

Lorima wrote:

Thank you.

To add to this - The large pipework that you find as hand rails is now jointed by angle sockets fixed with an allen key or bolt, Originally these pipes were bent, threaded and screwed together. The wrench was used to 'lock on' to the pipe and screw it tight so that kids couldn't nick them.

Manglesphoto Loc: 70 miles south of St.Louis

Lorima wrote:

Found these old clamps in one of the many boxes in my grandfathers barn and can't figure out what on earth they were used for. Someone said they may be used on some type of jack. They are about 17 inches long. Looks like they date from the 1950s. Any ideas?
Thank you.

Lorima:
What you have here looks like broken open end ratcheting fitting/flare nut wrenches. My father had a set of them in the early fifties, he used the in working on refridgeration units.They were made to just barely slide around the tubing and drop on to the flare nut as I recall Dad used a lot of four letter words when he had to use one of them.
Frank