Another what is it

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Came across this recently. What is it? Nut cracker for cracking two nuts at a time? It would work as an adjustable spanner but the second pair of jaws would likely get in the way. It has a left hand thread for the lower jaws so the wooden handle had to be fitted after the rest was assembled.

Any ideas?

Overall legnth is about 8 in.

Russell

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

[mechman48Participant @mechman48]

AHA! the original left handed ambidextrous monkey wrench…

George.

[LambtonParticipant @lambton]

Russell,

It is a crude type of adjustable wrench little used in this country but were once popular on the Continent.

A German engineer I once worked with contemptuously referred to it as "a Frenchman" – which says it all really!

Eric

[peak4Participant @peak4]

I think you get a glimpse of one in this video;

Bill

[Neil WyattModerator @neilwyatt]

If I recall correctly the idea is that you can place a spare nut on the opposing side of the spanner to keep the jaws parallel and tighten it right up.

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Posted by Neil Wyatt on 31/10/2018 19:45:38:

If I recall correctly the idea is that you can place a spare nut on the opposing side of the spanner to keep the jaws parallel and tighten it right up.

.

Seems a good use for the first nut

[the one that you rounded off by using it without a spacer]

MichaelG.

[Roger BParticipant @rogerb61624]

Posted by Lambton on 31/10/2018 11:22:11:

A German engineer I once worked with contemptuously referred to it as "a Frenchman" – which says it all really

Here, Switzerland, an adjustable spanner is known as an" Englander"

Best regards

Roger

[jann westParticipant @jannwest71382]

Notsure if everyone is making a joke or if it is actually an adjustable wrench

[Bob StevensonParticipant @bobstevenson13909]

I've no direct experience but have always assumed that these are some kind of spring clamp……

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

This is a wagon wrench, we find lots of them in France but there are several early American makers also which crop up over here.

Used for general agricultural work and handle the larger old style square nuts quite well.

Ususally heavily abused but nice condition ones with a good makers name can do quite well especially USA ones

I normally have to replace the wooden handle because of worm or damage, only do it on the really nice ones.

Cheers, Martin

[Martin King 2Participant @martinking2]

Can't really see from the pic but if the handle is octagonal, then could be a good 'un!. Perhaps look carefully for a makers make under all the grime, might be a nice surprise?

If French the wood will be cormier, quite distinctive when cleaned.

Martin

[Guy LambParticipant @guylamb68056]

Posted by peak4 on 31/10/2018 19:24:58:

I think you get a glimpse of one in this video;

Bill

What a delight to watch, a true collector and has added something to the history of engineering in the process.

Guy

[Eric CoxParticipant @ericcox50497]

It's a duel size adjustable spanner. One side is imperial the other side is metric

Edited By Eric Cox on 01/11/2018 09:42:10

[Russell EberhardtParticipant @russelleberhardt48058]

Thanks Martin. I think you must get the prize. I am in France and the object was found here. Yes, the wooden handle is octagonal. Not sure what the wood is. I've never come across cormier wood. No maker's name visible.

Russell

P.S.  Just discovered that the French call it a "clé anglaise", (english spanner!)

Edited By Russell Eberhardt on 01/11/2018 09:59:08

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

One more for the experts. Recently bought these 'cos they are MT2 driven (for the Myford) The seller didn't know what they were for – and neither do I!!! Back spot facing large diameters, perhaps? Any thoughts, please, anyone?

rgds

Bill

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

Spot facing, counterbores, yes, that seems right to me. Make sure that the blade is in the right way round and the right way up – the hollowed-out area must lead, with the sharper corner doing the cutting. Ie the lower of the two complete tools is set up for facing the back of a hole, and should rotate 'backwards' (counterclockwise) looking from the MT end.

Cheers, Tim

[MeunierParticipant @meunier]

Russell/MartinKing2, I also did not recognise cormier but wiki/fr recognised it cormier=Sorbus Domestica which wiki/en gave as Service Tree or Sorb tree. New one on me and no mention of timber utilisation.

**LINK**

DaveD

[Cornish JackParticipant @cornishjack]

Thank you, Tim. It does, however, mean that it requires tail stock running centre support to prevent the taper being extracted ?

rgds

Bill

[peak4Participant @peak4]

If the small end is threaded, I assume a draw bar to hold it in the morse socket

Bill

[Tim StevensParticipant @timstevens64731]

My guess is that a bush was used to support the bar in the hole being faced. That would stop it all from waggling about, and would reduce the need for a draw bar.

Cheers, Tim

[HacksawParticipant @hacksaw]

Charity shop find for a £1 …Answers on a postcard !

C

[JasonBModerator @jasonb]

Last Photo. The "L" shaped blade is for a Router Plane. The boxed set are for a plough plane.

There is also a tool makers clamp and small watchmakers lathe

[Brian HParticipant @brianh50089]

Watchmakers turns, like a small lathe would be my guess. Nice find.

Brian

[Michael GilliganParticipant @michaelgilligan61133]

Well … The brass device is a 'Watchmakers Turns' and I think the blades are from a plough plane.

Sorry, no postcard to hand

MiichaelG.

.

Too slow  … wasted time looking for that postcard.

 

 

Edited By Michael Gilligan on 20/11/2018 15:12:37

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