Pliers; How Many Is Too Many?
- Thread starter MisterEd
- Start date
Merit USA (Sears) 6” linesmen’s, cad-plated. They were frozen, but a soak in deruster, some repeated whacking with a copper mallet, and WD40 therapy limbered them up. A pair of Merit slipjoints is waiting attention.
The MERIT slipjoints (marked A/C) are side-cutter, with a recessed screw held on with an extra-flat hexnut. When I went to put away the two new guys, there was a battery pliers (marked BT) already in the drawer.
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four.cycle
Well-known member
Lauver's list shows "AC" as being J.P. Danielson, and "BT" as Vlchek. Something rather odd about that Merit side-cutter.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Never mind...
EXTENSIVELY EDITED since first posted:
Here are two pairs of unbranded slipjoints - one standard and one thin-nosed. Both have depressed diamonds grips without bracketing bars. Both have “DROP FORGED” on the inside flats near the pivot.
Barcalo?
The nonbranded slipjoints I posted a few pages back have the same “DROP FORGED” as the Merit slipjoints
The Merit linemen’s sure look like the example of Barcalo on AA. And really, so do the two unbranded slips, too.
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I’m not seeing AC, much less seeing it attributed to Danielson.
What, specifically, is odd about the side-cutter? (Assuming you mean the slipjoints and not the linemens.) The pattern is not popular, but I have Craftsman, FSP, Bonney examples with recessed head screws, and Utica, Danielson examples with cap head screws that are pretty similar.
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I’m going to have to do some digging to find these Craftsman, to see what grip pattern they have. The profile of the head makes me think Utica, but the handles don’t.
I have just two pair Utica-branded.
EDIT - that turned out to be a lie; I have four pairs. Here are recently-exhumed pairs.
Bonney:
Top three are Bonney-branded Utica-mfd. Then two Bonney branded, Danielson-mfd, and a “UTEE-CO” Danielson-mfd at bottom.
The rest that I can lay hands on are all Forged Steel Products / VacuumGrip.
I think someone posted a pair of slip-joint diagonal cutters recently. I’ve picked them up to look at, but don’t see the practicality of them, or these. If I had to cut something thick enough to need the wider jaw position, I’d prefer a bigger tool with longer handles for the leverage.
They remain a mystery to me, but both of Danielson’s grip patterns are represented.
(If I collected Kraeuter) I would expect to find examples of sidecutter slipjoints, based on the illustration on the design patent (for grip pattern) I posted upthread.
Previously posted examples of sidecutter slipjoints.
So not one, but two pairs of Craftsman sidecutter slipjoints, both with nested diamonds grip pattern. Finding them was tricky, but worthwhile, because I put away a wayward pair of same-era dikes that had been laying around.
four.cycle
Well-known member
Well, yes, there always is that possibility. Unfortunately he hasn't been around for a while.
odd... it's on MY copy (attached)
When Lauver was still active, I was downloading that list every time I saw him to an update.
The notepad *.txt file has the most recent updates at the top - below you will find earlier versions.
I'm referring to the pair of "MERIT" pliers in the center of the photos in post #1603 - I was just remarking on it's somewhat odd design - kind of "slip joint meets European combination pliers" (Kombizangen - like Your Mansco model)
d42jeep
Well-known member
I don’t know either but this Fuller’s screwdriver I found yesterday is definitely not offshore.
-Don
four.cycle
Well-known member
Fuller / Fuller Tool Co., Inc., 3522 Webster Ave., New York, NY / est. 1937 / see also Kyoto / "Blue Ox" screwdriver / http://alloy-artifacts.org/fuller-tool-company.html / https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/fuller-tools.221469/ /
^ looks like Fuller was originally a U.S. made product until the owner started importing stuff from offshore.
^ looks like Fuller was originally a U.S. made product until the owner started importing stuff from offshore.
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
^ I see what you mean.
My bet, for the record, is still on these pliers being made by an outfit such as Harrold, and the "Mc.D" referring not to an OEM or retailer but an outfit such as A.Y. McDonald Mfg Co, who made pumps and valves, just for example.
My bet, for the record, is still on these pliers being made by an outfit such as Harrold, and the "Mc.D" referring not to an OEM or retailer but an outfit such as A.Y. McDonald Mfg Co, who made pumps and valves, just for example.
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Haven't seen any Heathkit mechanical hand tools posted on Garage Journal. I found a pair of 6" Heathkit-marked long nose pliers. They are stamped: "Heathkit Made In U.S.A.". (There are no markings on the back.)
The pliers are well made. I'm not positive who the manufacturer was, but there is a Klein manufactured side-cutter on ebay stamped both Klein and Heathkit. And in a 1961 Heathkit catalog they mentioned that the larger size toolkit (GH-10) had: “Midget Longnose Pliers with plastic-covered handles by Klein”. Mine are not midget size, but the catalog caption is another datapoint showing Klein did make made pliers for Heathkit.
The pliers are well made. I'm not positive who the manufacturer was, but there is a Klein manufactured side-cutter on ebay stamped both Klein and Heathkit. And in a 1961 Heathkit catalog they mentioned that the larger size toolkit (GH-10) had: “Midget Longnose Pliers with plastic-covered handles by Klein”. Mine are not midget size, but the catalog caption is another datapoint showing Klein did make made pliers for Heathkit.
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Nice find! And an even cooler, thoughtful presentation of them with your powered up -1202!
Private Lugnutz
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I don't recall any, either. Their multimeters and other equipment are popular topics in this thread, though...
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four.cycle
Well-known member
R JENNING FORGED STEEL
I’ve spotted this a few times at flea market(s), and finally bought it today.
On eBay, I see five examples of “R. Jenning”, one probable “R. Jennings (top center), and one definite “R. Jennings” (below). Some are also stamped Germany, so maybe a New York importer or retail hardware shop.
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d42jeep
Well-known member
I found these at a garage sale yesterday. No indication of the manufacturer. 
I spent a few minutes and removed the paint.
-Don
I spent a few minutes and removed the paint.
-Don
Private Lugnutz
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cody1325
Well-known member
After almost two years, my Harbor Freight finally had some of the Talon Grip clones on the shelf. Gotta admit, I like 'em.
However, I do wish they'd chosen to go with the smaller sizes; as these are pretty bulky compared to my other like what, ten pairs of needlenose?
And another, much smaller addition from Tractor Supply--Crescent flush cuts and mini needlenose pliers.
These cut filament and support material really well. The pliers are basically tweezers with a handle.
However, I do wish they'd chosen to go with the smaller sizes; as these are pretty bulky compared to my other like what, ten pairs of needlenose?
And another, much smaller addition from Tractor Supply--Crescent flush cuts and mini needlenose pliers.
These cut filament and support material really well. The pliers are basically tweezers with a handle.
RTM
Well-known member
Here is another pair of "forged steel USA in a triangle" pliers. The triangle is a bit rounded on this one. Tips are not damaged other than a bit of rust. Still trying to decide if the first pivot has markings around the perimeter, or just rust marks, but pretty sure rust. Do I add these to the Harrold thread, or no?
d42jeep
Well-known member
I put mine in the vicinity but not exactly with the marked Harrold.
-Don
-Don
cody1325
Well-known member
This box-jointed Elliott-Lucas came home with me today. A bit over 5” (I suppose I should find my metric rule and measure it proper-like).
“GPO” and “1967”…hmm
General Post Office, I believe. At the time, under nationalization, they handled the telephone systems in Britain. So, of a British "Bell System" in a way.
In my ongoing casual accumulation of other-branded Crescent checkerdot slipjoints, I picked up a pair of Stowe Supply KS MO model 30B. Stowe went through a few name changes, which may narrow production date.
Early MoToR Kit CTCo shown in a scan of c1924 No30 Stowe Supply CO KS MO catalog. Plausibly, they reprinted manufacturers’ cuts, so their own name wasn’t on the illustration. Or they negotiated to have their name stamped on pliers at a later date.
Outlawmws
Well-known member
A couple I got a week ot two back
"Snap lock" pliers by Seymore Smith & Son - I liked the blued finish and the swivel jaw:
And a pair of small H+M "StraightLine" 3 position slip joint small water pump pliers - these have the "steel cable" grip pattern? I need to do a comparison...
"Snap lock" pliers by Seymore Smith & Son - I liked the blued finish and the swivel jaw:
And a pair of small H+M "StraightLine" 3 position slip joint small water pump pliers - these have the "steel cable" grip pattern? I need to do a comparison...
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
I posted some patent and other info on a Seymour
Seymour Smith Snap-Lock Pliers
I've not had much luck in my search for information on these. Alloy Artifacts doesn't have an an entry for this Mfg. What do you folks know about Seymour Smith Snap-Lock pliers?
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Outlawmws
Well-known member
Thx Lugz!
Outlawmws
Well-known member
Agreed I just did a physical side by side, and the grip pattern is definitely the same, and even the inside handle stampings of "Alloy Steel" match.
On the Seymore grips, mine are Patents pending and don't have the release lever.
These riveted Ford script slipjoints came home rusty, with chipping blue-painted handles. Now I’m wondering at the manufacturer. Rough but patternless grips, and small forge marks: B-in-an-oval, 11, and either a 12 or just a 2.
d42jeep
Well-known member
They look similar to mine.
These riveted Ford script slipjoints came home rusty, with chipping blue-painted handles. Now I’m wondering at the manufacturer. Rough but patternless grips, and small forge marks: B-in-an-oval, 11, and either a 12 or just a 2.
The B in an oval shows up on my Barcalo Auto wrench as well as a Ford script auto wrench. They are shown in the Model T thread.
-Don
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Has anyone ever come across pliers with X4 or Z8 forge marks?
I found this pair of 6-inch slip-joint combination pliers and those were the only markings. Just looking for a clue about the manufacturer.
(The sides of the handles were plain - no grip patterns.)
I found this pair of 6-inch slip-joint combination pliers and those were the only markings. Just looking for a clue about the manufacturer.
(The sides of the handles were plain - no grip patterns.)
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Private Lugnutz
Well-known member
Unbranded "these might come in handy one day" flea find, with smooth, small tube/pipette shaped jaws. Oddly enough, that "319B" model number shows up on GJ, but they are mystery Utica short chain-nose pliers that @LesserSon owns, nothing like this.
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Skyman
Well-known member
I like ‘em.
Private Lugnutz
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^ Thanks, LS.
Ksem89
Well-known member
Anybody recognize these? H on the handles.
