Unknown item with T-handle and screw thread

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

Any ideas what the item in the photo might be used for?

About five or six inches long, the screw thread has flats that prevent the bar next to the wing-nut from rotating, but the other two parts can rotate. Previous owner was a plumber, but that could be a complete red-herring as he collected all sorts of stuff.

Rob

[peter1972Participant @peter1972]

There is a very similar one here:

https://www.taths.org.uk/tools-trades/older-queries/219-any-thoughts-anyone-it-looks-engineering-to-me

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

I’ve done a Google image search and found an identical one, but nobody knew what it was – however, the two inner plates were reversed, which actually looks a better fit to me. See https://www.taths.org.uk/tools-trades/older-queries/219-any-thoughts-anyone-it-looks-engineering-to-me

Rob

Edit – Thanks Peter, you type faster than me!

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

With its two loose plates facing outwards, raising wondering which is right!

No idea but I would suggest a special tool for making some specific type of crimped joint, though I can’t imagine what because the central screw would obstruct any tube or cable from crossing it either sideways or fore-&-aft. The angled notches add to the puzzle.

It might not be a mechanical or electrical engineering tool, but from some other trade.

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

The annoying thing is I think I’ve seen one before, but can’t recall where or what it was being used for.

Rob

[Howard LewisParticipant @howardlewis46836]

Don’t know either, but, in addition to the two loose plates (Look like intended to grip tube,) there are cut outs in the upper and lower bodies which suggests that they were intended to accept tube.

Intended to hold tubes at right angles for brazing / welding?

The mystery deepens!

Howard

[Nigel Graham 2]

On Nigel Graham 2 Said:

With its two loose plates facing outwards, raising wondering which is right!

In that one, the radius on the ends of the sheet metal items seems to match the radius of the tee handle and the shorter cross piece at the base.

The direction in which the sheet metal items have been deformed though use (overtightening?) is probably significant.

It would be good to see the proper shape of the slots in the top and bottom. It is not clear if they are straight or curved, and both items seem to be splayed/angled relative the the axis of the screw.

The length of the screw is also significant. A manufacturer would not make a great long screw if the tool is only to accommodate something at the 1/2″ scale. That gives a rough size range over which the tool could be used (zero to maybe 4″).

[noel shelleyParticipant @noelshelley55608]

I fancy it is for holding tube in position whilst some other operation is carried out. The cutout in the handle and lower part seem to indicate a specific size. The 2 V middle parts also would grip/hold a tube.  Noel.

[Nigel Graham 2Participant @nigelgraham2]

Holding tubes occurred to mne as well but that bloomin’ great screw right through the centre stops anything being held right across it, or opposing work-pieces being brought end-to-end.

What though if we put the two pronged parts such that they face the slotted components? Could they then hold two somethings parallel?

Or is the notion of holding two parts for assembly, wrong? Might it work as some sort of stretcher or former – perhaps in the fabrics or leather-working trade?

It is even complete in itself or really part of some larger tool?

 

I do enjoy these mystery tool puzzles!

[Grindstone CowboyParticipant @grindstonecowboy]

ChatGPT suggests it is a saw-setting tool, but I’m not convinced.

Rob

[John HaineParticipant @johnhaine32865]

Given it’s trained on text why on earth would Chatgpt have a clue?

[John Haine]

On John Haine Said:

Given it’s trained on text why on earth would Chatgpt have a clue?

I don’t know! I showed it to a friend who uses it (I never have) and that’s what it came back with.

Rob

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