Got this in a bucket of stuff at a yardsale and can't figure out what it is or does. Obviously some kind of clamp- it's about 4" wide and 3" high. No markings anywhere( not even "Made in China") I'm sure I'll get some interesting answers from this crew. Have fun.
I have used these on many bicycle tubes. The patch is rubber mounted to a tin tray filled with a substance that burns like a fuse. Scuff the tube, clamp the patch, strike a match to it and it vulcanizes right on.
And to think, someone was gonna throw this valuable piece of equipment away! Thankyou , gentlemen. I'll put it in the Model "A" tool collection.
One of the first time I new what it was. I would put a hole in my bike tire just so I could use one of those patches. It looked like fire ants going across the patch pan.
Another of those "joy of old cars" tools that so many of the younger guys never used - having never used tube-type tires. Good to see this one rescued. And yeah, I remember that you set the glue on fire to burn off the (obviously non-EPA) fumes and make it ready for the patch. Another "lost technology".
The Jalopy Journal
