UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Powered By Google Custom Search Vintage Radio and TV Service Data

Go Back   UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum > Specific Vintage Equipment > Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment

Notices

Vintage Test Gear and Workshop Equipment For discussions about vintage test gear and workshop equipment such as coil winders.

Closed Thread
 
Thread Tools
Old 9th Jun 2018, 4:58 pm   #1
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Mystery tool

Hi.

Please see attached pics.
I have had this unusual hand tool for a few years which was in a box of electronic junk.
My guess is it's some kind of marking out tool. The right-angled knuckle would appear to fit around a circular section bar. The knuckle, which is spring-loaded, slides along to presumably allow the bar to be inserted. There's a small blade in the chuck which rotates when the round button is pressed.
The little label says "Made in Malta for AB Engineering Co."
I've never come across this type of tool before despite using many different workshop tools and equipment. I know someone will recognise it.

Regards
Symon.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7491.jpg
Views:	259
Size:	59.1 KB
ID:	164304   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7492.jpg
Views:	244
Size:	49.9 KB
ID:	164305   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7493.jpg
Views:	270
Size:	35.5 KB
ID:	164306   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7494.jpg
Views:	258
Size:	39.0 KB
ID:	164307   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7495.jpg
Views:	209
Size:	79.8 KB
ID:	164308  

Philips210 is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:10 pm   #2
barrymagrec
Octode
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Morden, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 1,552
Default Re: Mystery tool

It`s for removing the sheath from cables.

https://uk.rs-online.com/web/p/cable-strippers/5417015/
barrymagrec is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:12 pm   #3
Cobaltblue
Moderator
 
Cobaltblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,823
Default Re: Mystery tool

It's a cable stripping knife.

Mine is by Jokari

Cheers

Mike T
__________________
Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to
Mike T BVWS member.
www.cossor.co.uk
Cobaltblue is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:12 pm   #4
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Ah, that's interesting. Thanks, I'll have a look at trying that out.

Regards
Symon.
Philips210 is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:15 pm   #5
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi

Out of interest, what type of cables/wire would you use this tool for stripping the insulation?

Regards
Symon.

EDIT: Just seen link from Barry
Philips210 is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:53 pm   #6
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi

It looks to be very useful for round 3-core mains cables and coax cables of course.
Thanks for clearing the mystery, the Forum very helpful as usual.

Regards
Symon.
Philips210 is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 5:59 pm   #7
Cobaltblue
Moderator
 
Cobaltblue's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Exeter, Devon and Poole, Dorset UK.
Posts: 6,823
Default Re: Mystery tool

We mostly use ours to strip the inner sheaths of armoured multicore pvc cables

Cheers Mike T
__________________
Invisible airwaves crackle with life or at least they used to
Mike T BVWS member.
www.cossor.co.uk
Cobaltblue is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 6:24 pm   #8
G6Tanuki
Dekatron
 
G6Tanuki's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 13,953
Default Re: Mystery tool

It's for quickly denuding coax of its outer sheath. Fit over the cable, do a single turn to cut the circumference of the sheath, turn the knob through 90 degrees and pull along the length of the coax, the blade then doing a longitudinal slit so the stripped piece of sheath is easy to peel off.

[In the dim mists of time I had a big one for doing 100-pair telco cables too]
G6Tanuki is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 6:25 pm   #9
Refugee
Dekatron
 
Refugee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Worksop, Nottinghamshire, UK.
Posts: 5,549
Default Re: Mystery tool

I worked at a place that had one.
We used it for stripping the outer insulation of all PVC multicore cables.
It did quite a neat job.
Refugee is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 6:38 pm   #10
kellys_eye
Octode
 
Join Date: Jan 2014
Location: Oban, Scotland, UK.
Posts: 1,118
Default Re: Mystery tool

Quote:
Originally Posted by G6Tanuki View Post
It's for quickly denuding coax of its outer sheath. Fit over the cable, do a single turn to cut the circumference of the sheath, turn the knob through 90 degrees and pull along the length of the coax, the blade then doing a longitudinal slit so the stripped piece of sheath is easy to peel off.

[In the dim mists of time I had a big one for doing 100-pair telco cables too]
ISTR you just 'push the big button' to make the blade turn 90 degrees and allow you to pull it along the cable.

I used to wire up ships in boat yards (fit the electronics) and used one for years. Still got it!
kellys_eye is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 10:18 pm   #11
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi.

Well, I tried this tool out on some 3-core 6A mains lead and didn't get very far. I can see how it works though, but the problem in my case is that the blade is as blunt as old Harry. The tool is well made and I've dismantled it to reveal the blade itself. Hopefully I'll be able to obtain a replacement.

Regards
Symon
Philips210 is offline  
Old 9th Jun 2018, 11:48 pm   #12
Biggles
Rest in Peace
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Hexham, Northumberland, UK.
Posts: 2,234
Default Re: Mystery tool

Common tool in the U/G telephone cable trade. We have them at work but to be honest although I have dutifully carried one in my work vehicle for a number of years, I prefer to use a stanley knife to strip the outer insulation from armoured cable, run a junior hacksaw round the armoured strands, break them off by working them backwards and forwards, then back to the stanley knife to remove the inner insulation covering the pairs. You have less chance of damaging the pairs in my opinion, although there will no doubt be P.O. engineers on here who will disagree.
Alan.
Biggles is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 9:19 am   #13
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi.

I've just seen it being demonstrated here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1YdgNiRBos

What I like about this tool is you can cut out a section of outer insulation with relative ease.
I didn't know about the flick hook which comes out of the base of the tool, which is shown in the demo.
I looked at the replacement blades but they seem quite pricey. I might try redressing the existing blade first.

Regards
Symon.
Philips210 is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 10:33 am   #14
Herald1360
Dekatron
 
Herald1360's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
Default Re: Mystery tool

They're great for coax/screened cable outers, not so sure about multicore with only a few conductors- too easy to nick the inners. Practice on an offcut first to get the depth setting just right!
__________________
....__________
....|____||__|__\_____
.=.| _---\__|__|_---_|.
.........O..Chris....O
Herald1360 is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 10:57 am   #15
barrymagrec
Octode
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: Morden, Surrey, UK.
Posts: 1,552
Default Re: Mystery tool

I`ve been using mine for over 30 years on coax / multicore screened / unscreened / mains / cat 5 - just about anything that's round. It's done many thousands of ends, one of the best tools I ever bought.
barrymagrec is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 12:37 pm   #16
Philips210
Nonode
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Redruth, Cornwall, UK.
Posts: 2,562
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi

A few pics attached showing the dismantled tool.

The first pic shows the blade holder/adjuster after first undoing the pozidriv screw.

The second pic shows the flick hook which can be used to unscrew the blade holder from the plastic housing. Note the indented 'hole' in the metal shank.

The third pic shows the various parts including the cranked blade.

The last pic is of the blade.

Regards
Symon.
Attached Thumbnails
Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7496.jpg
Views:	73
Size:	84.0 KB
ID:	164347   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7498.jpg
Views:	74
Size:	59.8 KB
ID:	164348   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7500.jpg
Views:	74
Size:	79.0 KB
ID:	164349   Click image for larger version

Name:	IMGP7501.jpg
Views:	80
Size:	53.5 KB
ID:	164350  
Philips210 is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 2:03 pm   #17
karesz*
Heptode
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
Posts: 538
Default Re: Mystery tool

Hi Simon,
you can can sharpen your blade with moisty (water or oil) whetstone or moisty fine sandpaper too (ie 500 and after that1000 and 2000)...
rgds, Karl
karesz* is offline  
Old 10th Jun 2018, 3:13 pm   #18
duncanlowe
Nonode
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Stafford, Staffs. UK.
Posts: 2,529
Default Re: Mystery tool

Yes, recognised it straight away. You can set the depth of cut to just take the sheath and leave the braid alone, or cut the braid as well. I have one somewhere but so rarely do coax I'm not even sure where it is.
duncanlowe is offline  
Old 11th Jun 2018, 11:16 pm   #19
Tim
Dekatron
 
Tim's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire, UK.
Posts: 3,301
Default Re: Mystery tool

Yes a cable sheath stripper. Have a very similar one in my toolbox. Used for stripping multicore telecom cables( 10-50 pair) etc.
__________________
"Nothing is as dangerous as being too modern;one is apt to grow old fashioned quite suddenly."
Tim is offline  
Old 13th Jun 2018, 12:04 am   #20
Herald1360
Dekatron
 
Herald1360's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Leominster, Herefordshire, UK.
Posts: 16,527
Default Re: Mystery tool

Quote:
Originally Posted by karesz* View Post
Hi Simon,
you can can sharpen your blade with moisty (water or oil) whetstone or moisty fine sandpaper too (ie 500 and after that1000 and 2000)...
rgds, Karl
Not sure that what we know as "sandpaper" this side of the pond would be much good.

"Wet'n'dry" paper with silicon carbide grit looks like what is being suggested and would certainly do the deed.
__________________
....__________
....|____||__|__\_____
.=.| _---\__|__|_---_|.
.........O..Chris....O
Herald1360 is offline  
Closed Thread

Thread Tools



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 2:08 am.


All information and advice on this forum is subject to the WARNING AND DISCLAIMER located at https://www.vintage-radio.net/rules.html.
Failure to heed this warning may result in death or serious injury to yourself and/or others.


Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright ©2002 - 2023, Paul Stenning.