Hot Rods Anyone know what this tool is for?

My little town of 1500 people had a blacksmith shop until he died in 1991. It was a one hundred year old family business, now it’s a museum and the old fellows hat still hangs where he put it the hast time he hung it up.

 

I say Chuck it up in a vice and stick some kind of metal rod in there and see if you can bend it into something.

 

you really need to post well lit clear up close pics.
it most likely bends something.

 

drum bung wrench?

 

There is a wide range of Drum/Bung wrench's, this is just one example, so confidence is high, that the piece we are trying to identify, isn't a bung wrench.

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Usually we can get a solid answer in 2 post or less but this one seems to be stumping everyone. Honestly only on the HAMB can you ask a question about a tool and get an education on bolts.
On a side note…..I still want a couple of those rascals so I can say I have one

 

With respect to the carriage bolts vs elevator bolts you need only to look closely at any overhead garage door rail, commonly used to secure the support to the rail yet permit the rollers to pass without hanging up.---and oh yes, I'll admit using them on a 32 front crossmember to frame rail mimicking the original rivet application.

 

Maybe it makes fencing staples. secure it in a vise like swade41 said and bend a few 10 or 16 penny nails. I would think fencing staples were in high demand back then.

 

Try the Garage Journal. Lots of tool junkies over there.

www.garagejournal.com

 

Along the lines of 'oldiron 440's contribution, Walnut Iowa has a blacksmith who was in the banking business & opted for a career change, also have a neighbor that comes from a long line of family member blacksmiths primarily in the Texas ranch country.

 

We’re fortunate to have one locally. Almost took one of his courses years back.

https://www.kinghorn.ca/

 

Austin A series engine calibration tool.

Kidding. It's a chain link tool.

 

Two pin spanner wrench. Used for stuffing plugs or collars. Except for pins being on the nut, collar that it is being used on. Square pins are less likely to jump or pop over than round. Ribs on the handle are like ribs on a pipe wrench handle. The handle can be adjusted for angle, note the small hole in the base next to the two ribs. Ribs are for reinforcement so the angle adjustment lugs don't spring apart. Adjustable angle for where the wrench is placed on the two pins. Getting the correct angle in and turn. I've seen a tool like this used on steam engines.

Well that's my story.

 

Hey @C&M Auto Supply
Just to be clear, this is a two pin spanner wrench.
If at all possible, see if you can post a picture of what you describe, actually being used on a steam locomotive.
( This should be interesting to say the least )
Thanks from Dennis.

 

Correct that is a two pin wrench. BUT the pins do not have to be round. I have seen packing nuts, even on old water pump shafts where the packing nut has two pins out rather than two holes in. In old machining of nuts, the easiest way to cut is first on a lathe turn round, then in a mill face cut the end. Easiest to cut two square "pins" by just mill cutting. The term is " steam packing nut ". And the graphite cotton cord is called " stem nut packing " and is still sold under that name. But we just called it water pump packing. Look how odd the original Model A water pump packing nut wrench is.

• 
  A "steam packing nut" refers to the nut-shaped component of a valve or fitting used to seal steam or other high-pressure fluids. It's typically found on valves with a stuffing box, used to create a seal between the valve stem and the valve body.
  Here's a more detailed explanation:
  • Purpose:
    The packing nut's primary function is to compress the packing material (like rubber or graphite) around the valve stem. This compression creates a tight seal, preventing leaks of steam or other fluids.
• 
  
• Materials:
  Packing materials are chosen based on the fluid, temperature, and pressure involved. Common materials include rubber, graphite, and other heat-resistant materials.
• 
  
• Location:
  Packing nuts are commonly found on valves, especially those used in steam applications or where high-pressure sealing is required.
• 
  
• Maintenance:
  The packing nut needs to be tightened occasionally to maintain a proper seal as the packing material wears or changes due to heat and pressure.
  

There was an old game show where the guests had to guess what an item is. Do I get the $50 ? Who really knows what it is anyway ?

 

I have seen them in use all over elevators.

Grain elevators.

Especially on conveyor belts.

 

Back to the flat top bolts named "elevator bolts" by some. These are used on metal furniture (shelve cabinets, desks, etc) legs to raise the item into a level position. They are first screwed most of the way into the leg and then an open end wrench is used to lower the bolt to a level position. Especially useful when the floor is not perfectly plumb or flat.

 

Since we are beating "elevator bolts" to death, here is my input.

These 1/4"-20 x 1" elevator bolts were used to replace the top (roof) plywood in a 1952 Bell Telephone System service bed. Also note the 1/4"-20 Kep Nut with Lock Washer (no fumbling with lock washers when working up-side-down...)..

And links to where I bought them:
https://www.millsupply.com/search.php?k=elevator+bolts&submit=go
https://www.millsupply.com/kep-nut-lock-washer-bt-m1576.php?p=320532


This is what the service bed looked like when it arrived from the auction.
Sorry, pictures of the off-topic result will get deleted...

Russ

 

That service bed is awesome!

 

Hey @C&M Auto Supply
Tenacity is the fuel of progress!
These are just illustration's from one of my engineering books, simply to illustrate to those that may not be aware of what a packing gland/nut or a stuffing box may be.

I have gone through page after page of images of vintage tools that are related to such items as steam locomotives, and other categories of packing gland wrenches, its an endless rabbit hole to be drawn into to say the least.
So far, not one of those collections of incredible tools, have shown any wrenches that look like what is displayed here, as the item to be correctly identified.

Don't get me wrong here Amigo, I don't doubt your experience and what you have seen, but so far, I have not seen one valve, that has two pins ( even square pins ) on the packing nut, that are sticking up rather than two holes, that the two pins on the wrench would fit into, to loosen or tighten the packing nut.

So with all good intentions, the gauntlet has been tossed down, for you to try to show the rest of the
H.A.M.B. Universe, an illustration of a picture of a packing gland/nut that has the two vertical square pins, that may potentially be what this mystery wrench applies to!
Until then, then, the issue at hand, hasn't been satisfied! ( Cheshire grin )

Your results may vary greatly.
Thanks from Dennis.

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At 14" long that is a robust tool whatever its used for. The circular insert in 1 of 2 square holes looks like a adaption for a non original use perhaps a way of using a smaller diameter round insert over a square insert.