Thread: Thought I knew now I'm not sure...

They look like they are used to grip galvanized vent pipe. (Usually 100mm in diameter or larger) Normally intended for venting combustion gases from a gas burning furnace or water heater.

The purpose of these pliers it to crimp or wrinkle the end of the galvanized pipe so that it can be fitted into an adjoining piece. The user crimps may wrinkles around the circumference or the pipe.

The good news is that now you can install your own dust collection system using galvanized vent pipe.

Thanx rrich but I'm a bit perplexed. I thought this tool was for engine repair and I don't see where it could be used for crimping as you say. The two forked ends tell me "spring compression" to me.

To make things clearer, I originally thought it was a valve spring compressor. The small lever at the handle end is a ratchet where the handles can be compressed and locked into place allowing handsfree access elsewhere. But this tool does not allow the valve head to be held down in it's seat; hence my confusion. The whole thing is about 11" long.

How about a valve spring compressor for side valve engines.

Which way do the jaws move when you operate the tool; ie do they close up or open when you squeeze the handles?

WRT your Makita planer, I think I have a side fence for one of those kicking about in the garage if you're interested!

Hi ,
If 1927 is a date of manufacture then side valved engines would have been the automotive norm, I cut my teeth on them. I'm not ruling out aviation at this point as radial and even inline, opposed and vee engines were largely overhead I believe. But I don't think it would make any difference, side or overhead, the valve still needs to be at or nearly in it's seat for re-assembly and this tool does not allow for that.

Hi Chief,
Imagine your arms outstretched in front of you and hands together, palms facing outwards, then move hands slightly apart. The jaws open about 2" when the handles are squeezed together. Although some pressure can be applied to them and the ratchet hold them in place, I'm thinking the leverage is not enough for some of the valve springs I have worked on in the past.

Nipped out into the shed and took some photos with the phone including the cause of all this, the planer. Although it has a T wrench, it has no accessories and the front knob has been broken. It has been a chore to realign newly bought blades for it without the setting jig. I have already enquired about accessories and whilst possible to get, I fear they may be out of economical reason.

Well, I'm other than a side valve spring compressor as suggested I haven't got a clue.

As for the fence, I've enclosed a couple of pics of it; the part number cast into one side is "1100 1670462 2". I received it packed in with the accessories for a makita router I bought a couple of years ago and as such it is no use to me so it's yours if you want it.

Are you sure you are looking at them the right way around? Just joking. Appears to me they are for stretching , not compressing. Dean

Chief Tiff,
Thank you. Will be sending you a PM soon.

Oldneweng,
Yes, if the object is placed between the two claws then it will be stretched but I had always imagined the spring would be to the outside of one of the claws whilst the other rested up against summin' else.

Poolaijelo huh? Had an uncle who ran the Langkoop store in another lifetime and good friends near Gringegalgona. I lived my first 20 odd yrs or so a few k's north east of Bahgallah, you'll know where.

Robbos on the money

Regards Mike

Robbos on the money

I reckon, looks like one I have.

Ok that's IT!

Now I gotta get me an old side-valver from somewhere ter try it out on and put you blokes at ease.

Trust me. I used one often enough in my apprenticeship. In a side valve engine you don't hold the valve down to compress the spring. Its own weight will generally hold it.

The spring is compressed against the block and the collets inserted. Oh, what fun. Generally used bearing grease on the valve stem to hold the collets in the groove, if you were lucky.

4131 T&E Tools Side Valve Spring Compressor

Briggs & Stratton Service & Repair Tools and Manuals Near bottom of page.

Side Valve Spring Compressor

Oh what fun indeed. I can't imagine how we did it with screwdrivers, and that little bit of grease too, but we did.

...Respectfully bows head & silently reverses out of thread. Grateful.

Thank you.