Vintage hand tool - What is it? - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:05:04 am
content: A friend came across this hand tool and we can't figure out what it's for. Any ideas what it is?

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:09:37 am
content: Nutcracker.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:15:17 am
content: Ouch, yes I agree, it looks like it would do the proper business on walnuts and the like.

author: tautech
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:21:25 am
content: Quote from: Muttley Snickers on January 14, 2017, 04:15:17 amI was thinking harder ones like Macadamias, those you have to so much pressure on it makes your eyes water.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:29:26 am
content: Both faces are beveled and the base has a hole in the center.It would be too small to put a walnut in it.

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 04:53:48 am
content: A walnut (or any other nut for that matter) wouldn't have to "fit" in the hole - they would just need to have some part of their geometry locate at that point which will prevent the nut from slipping out the side. Same deal as there would be in the bevelled piece at the end of the thread.

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:00:03 am
content: What I'm saying is that it is too shallow to get all but very small nuts deep enough to keep them from popping out. Anything bigger than 1/2 inch diameter would not stay in to be cracked. I don't believe it has anything to do with cracking nuts.

author: mtdoc
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:39:28 am
content: Thumbscrew?

author: neil t
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:42:21 am
content: I have boxes of copper rivets(ex father inlaws shed stock, he was a motor rewinder) that would fit in that quite nicely.

author: DimitriP
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:46:33 am
content: Advertized as "Vintage Metal Nutcracker - T Bar Screw Style - Handcrank Vice - Cupped Handheld"https://www.etsy.com/listing/204702416/vintage-metal-nutcracker-t-bar-screw

author: MarkF
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 06:03:11 am
content: That's it.I never would have thought..Thanks

author: Brumby
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 06:49:24 am
content: Quote from: MarkF on January 14, 2017, 05:00:03 amThey don't need to get "Deep" at all. Just the slightest curve or irregularity that will sit below the perimeter of the hole will be enough. Add some pressure and the metal edge will begin to deform the shell and create a more positive retention mechanism. It does not take much for a pretty firm grip.

author: amyk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 05:51:20 pm
content: It says it's a nutcracker but I'm reminded of the various special tools used to service mechanical equipment like automotive engines, transmissions, and the like.

author: NottheDan
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 06:32:44 pm
content: Quote from: MarkF on January 14, 2017, 05:00:03 amHazelnuts then.

author: onesixright
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 08:41:44 pm
content: Something to push a shaft out of a ball-bearing?

author: HwAoRrDk
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 09:56:44 pm
content: Pretty sure it's a nutcracker. My grandparents used to have one fairly similar. You put the nut in and cup it with one hand, then use the other hand to screw down and break the shell.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: January 14, 2017, 10:56:31 pm
content: CIA standard equipment, issued to interrogators working at Abu Ghraib, Guantanamo Bay etc.Codename: "Nutcracker"