Unusual item

[akuram1]

What is this?

[RogerEvans]

It is a key for removing some kind of security device that instead of having a screwdriver slot just had two holes that engage with the two prongs of your key. In the radio context, I have seen epicyclic ball drives that need this type of tool for easy dismantling.

Regards,

Roger

[akuram1]

Thanks, wonder what for.

[Refugee]

I wonder if those prongs are the correct spacing for the slots on a Plessey MK4 connector insert ring?

[AC/HL]

Pretty sure I've seen smaller ones used for battery covers in hand portables.

[Station X]

Yes. Used on the intrinsically safe version of Pye Pocketfone PF1's.

[D.Finney]

I seem to recall something like that for removing lens adapter rings on SLR cameras.

[broadgage]

Also used for opening some types of miners safety lamp. The key was kept in the above ground lamp room thereby deterring opening of a lamp below ground.

UK miners lamps were often opened by an electromagnet, fitted to a work bench and controlled by a foot pedal.

Overseas a key such as that illustrated was common.

Applicable to both oil and electric safety lamps.

[mark2collection]

I have a very similar device sat in a drawer, it's used for tightening the collar on panel mounted potentiometers (the kind of mountings with a slot either side of the hole), as opposed to the usual nut.

It saves damaging the finish of an otherwise nice/expensive bit of kit.

Mark

[G6Tanuki]

They're used for all sorts of things - as mentioned, for the battery-packs on Pye IS radios (I remember them on the PF"-series), and I've got a very similar thing designed to tighten 'collet knobs' onto their spindles.

[Dan Payne]

Looks like a spike installation key for golf shoes.

[duncanlowe]

Although not exactly the same, a similar tool is required for a particular type of security fixing. Equivalent of a flat blade screwdriver with the centre part of the blade ground away to give a similar looking tool.

I needed to order some longer ones that the standard but kits come with (the screws are down deep holes) but what to search for. Apparently called spanner bits. Yep new to me too.

[McMurdo]

My vote's on the golf gadget

https://www.golfspikesdirect.co.uk/i...product_id=875

[akuram1]

The lady who asked to find out what this was reckons that this is what it was as her late husband was a golfer.
Thanks to everyone.

[Pilot Mariner]

My mate at work's got one, its for those collar type ring nuts that are used to secure a device to a panel. They have an indentations 180° apart, for example a DIN connector or a switch.

[Joe_Lorenz]

Although my vote is for the golf gadget, too, I would like to add that there were similar tools (but smaller with "J" shape pins for pulling up a telescopic car antenna of the 60s.

Regards,
Joe

[duncanlowe]

Originally Posted by Joe_Lorenz

Although my vote is for the golf gadget, too, I would like to add that there were similar tools (but smaller with "J" shape pins for pulling up a telescopic car antenna of the 60s.

Regards,
Joe

Oh yes, though you are right it isn't one of these. Car aerials had a variety of things including forks like this and even circular types. But the all had a hole so you could add them to your car's keyring.