Anyone know what this is

[BeezFun]

Found this tool in an old barn on my neighbor's property before they tore it down. This was always farmland, so it's likely something to do with farming. It's brass or bronze, the handle is spring loaded, and that half round ball is made of very hard rubber, similar to a kitchen faucet seal.

 

[Fuddy1952]

Speculum
Hope you washed your hands.

 

[MossRoad]

Some kind of electrical clamp? :confused3:

 

[Gary Fowler]

I have been around and seen a lot of old farm tools, but I have no idea what that is used for.

 

[BeezFun]

I have been around and seen a lot of old farm tools, but I have no idea what that is used for.

There were also a few railroad tools in there, like the long handled prybar they use to get an uncoupled train car rolling on the track. So it's possible it's not a farm thing, but maybe a railroad thing. There was also an old small fire engine that someone intended to restore at some point, so this tool really could be anything. I tried google image search but no luck.

 

[BeezFun]

Some kind of electrical clamp? :confused3:

It's very much like the ground clamp that comes on welders, so that's a pretty good guess.

 

[MossRoad]

It's very much like the ground clamp that comes on welders, so that's a pretty good guess.

That's exactly what I was leaning towards.

 

[mrmikey]

It's very much like the ground clamp that comes on welders, so that's a pretty good guess.

I'd third that motion . The button should be on the inside and I would presume there's enough of the stud left to fasten the cable to..............Mike

 

[BeezFun]

I'd third that motion . The button should be on the inside and I would presume there's enough of the stud left to fasten the cable to..............Mike

The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is why there would be a piece made out of rubber on a welding clamp. That thing will get melted from touching something hot. Also those two little wings seem like a lot of extra work and money for just a clamp.

 

[MossRoad]

The only thing that doesn't make sense to me is why there would be a piece made out of rubber on a welding clamp. That thing will get melted from touching something hot. Also those two little wings seem like a lot of extra work and money for just a clamp.

The ground clamp shouldn't be getting hot when welding.

 

[BeezFun]

The ground clamp shouldn't be getting hot when welding.

I meant when slag drops on it, or welding close to the ground clamp. Usually anything hot finds its way down the inside of my gym shoe.

 

[yomax4]

I Vote Ground Clamp. 60's? Look up the old original Tweco Tong ground clamp. Very similar.

 

[Gordon Gould]

Check the first answer - You might find out what it is when you get your first colonoscopy

If it were a ground clamp where to do connect the cable ??

gg

 

[Khornick]

Fire sprinkler clamp.

 

[widefat]

Fire sprinkler clamp.

For the Win!!

 

[ch1ch2]

Second sentence of op was a little misleading.

And it still only took 14 post to win.
And the win is from a newbie!

Khornick WELCOME TO TBN

 

[BeezFun]

Fire sprinkler clamp.

Great! I found an exact image of the one I have, there is a small part that is missing that makes it clear how it works. It also makes sense because one of the many things in the old barn was a small old fire engine that the guy must have had dreams of restoring.

 

[Gary Fowler]

The ground clamp shouldn't be getting hot when welding.

It shouldn't be, but often does when a bad ground starts arcing. Also a welder might want to attach the ground to a hot piece of metal. I don't think that clamp has anything to do with welding.

 

[Gordon Gould]

I had to look it up. Had no idea what a fire sprinkler clamp was. Now that I saw a little video on how they work I am educated but I swear my doctor has one of those he uses.

gg

 

[MossRoad]

It shouldn't be, but often does when a bad ground starts arcing. Also a welder might want to attach the ground to a hot piece of metal. I don't think that clamp has anything to do with welding.

Ya think? :laughing: