Author Topic: What is it?  (Read 3235 times)

Offline Robert Hornby

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What is it?
« on: July 15, 2017, 08:04:37 AM »
A fellow Men's Shed member brought this "thing" in to see if anyone knew what it was or used for. None of us did. So I pass it onto greater minds that ours. It is made from tool steel as it is stamped on the other side from where the photo is taken. What appears to be cutting jaws have no cutting edge on them and they don't completely close. it is about 60mm long and has a 0 (zero) stamped on it suggesting there may be other sizes.
Robert




PS I managed to get the photos on via Photobucket.  :cartwheel:
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill

Offline Jasonb

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #1 on: July 15, 2017, 08:20:39 AM »
Looks like it is for cleaning a taper, poke it into the hole and as the Tee bar goes in it will expand the two cutting edges and then you turn by the tee bar.

You can see that one edge of the outer "cutters" is rounded and the other ground so works in one direction.

Could it be for pipes of the smoking variety?

EDIT Google images confirms it is for cleaning out your pipe, try searching "pipe reamer cleaner"
« Last Edit: July 15, 2017, 08:23:52 AM by Jasonb »

Online Vixen

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #2 on: July 15, 2017, 08:28:35 AM »
Spot on Jason, this is a tobacco pipe reamer, used to clear out the burned ash and clinkers from the bowl. I used one for years, back in the days when pipe smoking was still acceptable.

Mike
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Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Online Jo

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #3 on: July 15, 2017, 08:32:27 AM »
I used one for years, back in the days when pipe smoking was still acceptable.

Yes, I have vague memories of my youth with you walking round the office with your pipe ;)

Jo
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Offline Jasonb

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #4 on: July 15, 2017, 08:49:34 AM »
I also have vauge memories of my Grandad (sorry Mike) scraping out his pipe but don't remember what he actually used.

I do remember that he grew his own tobacco and hung it in the garage to dry.

Online Vixen

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #5 on: July 15, 2017, 08:50:33 AM »
Yes, I have vague memories of my youth with you walking round the office with your pipe ;)

That pipe of mine was always a dependable old friend. Always there to give comfort when times were difficult.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline Robert Hornby

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #6 on: July 15, 2017, 09:40:06 AM »
Thank you gentlemen and Jo, I just knew it would be solved.
Robert
Age and treachery will always overcome youth and skill

Offline Gas_mantle

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #7 on: July 15, 2017, 02:20:29 PM »
Spot on Jason, this is a tobacco pipe reamer, used to clear out the burned ash and clinkers from the bowl.

Mike

I love that description - makes it sound like you are cleaning out a full size railway engine  ;D

Online Vixen

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #8 on: July 15, 2017, 02:39:44 PM »
I love that description - makes it sound like you are cleaning out a full size railway engine  ;D

Well, there are certain similarities              and afterwards, either way, you can sit contentedly in the center of an aromatic cloud of blue smoke.

Mike
It is the journey that matters, not the destination

Sometimes, it can be a long and winding road

Offline b.lindsey

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Re: What is it?
« Reply #9 on: July 16, 2017, 12:58:36 AM »
Late to the party but I recognized it from the first picture. Ideally, you build up a layer of carbon in the bowl of a smoking pipe. This type of reamer helps to keep the thickness even throughout. Since the carbon is soft, no cutting edge is needed, its more of a scraping action.

Bill

 

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