While most of my toolbox is filled with generic stuff, I do have a couple/few beautiful tools that stand out. For example, I have this interesting spoke wrench:



Don't know where I got it or who makes it, but it sure looks different than any spoke wrench I've ever seen.

And these cool tools made by [MENTION=29368]rootboy[/MENTION] to facilitate re-pinning NR/SR rear derailleurs:



What have you got for beautiful/special tools?

DD

No, alas. But I do have my favorites. I still mourn the loss of my small 8-10mm wrench.

I scored this from a very old paint shop that closed. ~ 4 ounce hammer used for sealing paint cans after shaking. A delicate hardwood shaft turned to a bulbous end so it sits flat on a surface,at the ready. Perfect to tap delicate parts into position.

I have a couple old nail sets I inherited from my dad. I'll dig them out tomorrow.

That's what I'm talking about! Niiiice

DD

[QUOTE=clubman;18634719]I scored this from a very old paint shop that closed. ~ 4 ounce hammer used for sealing paint cans after shaking. A delicate hardwood shaft turned to a bulbous end so it sits flat on a surface,at the ready. Perfect to tap delicate parts into position.
[/QUOT
This is called a chasing hammer. It is used in conjunction wih different punches to "emboss" three dimensional forms in non ferrous metal sheets. The sheets are supported in a steel bowl filled with a rubbery shelac called Pitch. The technique is known as "Chasing and Repousee". The rose flowers and decorative elements on a silver serving tray are made with this technique.

Cool! Thank you.

I once had a roofing hammer from my grandfather. Hammer on one side, hatchet on the other. He came over from Austria in the 1880's. The hammer had what was then a good luck symbol carved into the handle, which, today would be considered improper.

I still have a bunch of his other tools, a brace and bit, and some very old sheet metal shears. Probably more it I were to look around.

My wife was raised on a farm in central Connecticut. There's a lot of stuff we have from there, most notably, and useful is a Parker Bros vise, made by the same Parker of shotgun fame.

I have to tell you, Clubman, that that is the most beautiful chasing hammer I've ever seen. The handle in particular, is just fantastic. If you do some searching you'll see why the bulbous end on the handle, and how it's used. Is there any stamp or mark on the head?

I like old hammers. I must have about 40 or 50 hammers. Why? I dunno. Just like old tools. And will post some pics here, sooner or later.

Thanks for the mention, D. D., even though my little punch and anvil set turned out to be pretty much useless for the purpose it was designed for. At least, for me.
And that is one very beautiful spoke wrench! I wonder if the "H" is for Hozan?

Wow, quite the selection of hammers out there. Unfortunately, no makers mark (Tissot would be nice!). My handle is unusual though, I can't find another like it. It's a very strong closed grain wood, I'm thinking boxwood. Couple of CU's showing small splatters from the years of smacking paint cans.


Back to bike tools, these are also in my tool chest, The VAR wrench I use all the time. The Renolds and Perry (vice mount) chain tools are nice but don't perform well on modern chains. The small Snap-on pliers are incredibly useful for getting a grip on small things when nothing else will do and finally the old lockring wrench also does a good job on those old english single-notch lock rings.

Don't think so: the Hozan wrench I'm familiar with is the common multi-slot "ring" style, like Campy and dozens of others, but (like Campy) more precisely machined than most.
I like that wrench and this thread...have to come up with a couple of my own "precious beauties"

If that symbol to which you refer was prominent in the late-30s/early 40s in Germany, yeah, I guess so!

The hammer: sounds like something similar to the tool Harrison Ford is using at the end of "Presumed Innocent".

DD

I figured out of everyone here you'd be along to share a few pics - I've seen your setup and you've got some incredible tools (not necessarily just for bikes). I still love my "pin setting" set, even tho in practice...well, you know

I think Hozan is a good guess. Maybe I'll take a look on Ebay and see. Too bad it doesn't get any use (I'm notoriously gun-shy when it comes to wrenching on spokes), but it is pretty.

DD

Interesting to read this. A few days ago some of us locals got together for a ride/wrench day and we had the devil of a time punching the pin on a modern 8-speed KMX chain with a typical Park chain tool. Really weird - it took a huge amount of pressure to drive the pin out. Crazy...

Those two examples are nice!

DD

[QUOTE=elcraft;18634825]This little baby is right on my workbench. I've always presumed it was a light sheet metal / ornament hammer. This one has a homemade replacement handle. It is among a number of tools for small hands that were among my grandmother's favorites. My wife absconded with most of the others.

Yes, it is a symbol similar to that, but during my grandfather's era, had a totally different meaning, or interpretation.

I often have a hard time with Parks. The (replaceable) pins tend to deform more easily than they used to. My go to is the Cyclo Rivoli these days.
The Renolds can apply big pressure with it's long handle but without the second support shoulder, modern links just bend. Maybe the pin is too large. Older heavy gauge 1/8" chains like Renolds Coventry/Elite, Sachs, Union etc were made of sterner stuff. It's a pleasure to use these breakers on the old gear.

[QUOTE=LeicaLad;18636072]Very cool. I see a lot of jewellers use these as well.

Next time you bust the handle, maybe flip the head 180. Functionally it probably doesn't matter.

The hammer/axe combo is for cedar shingles, so you can split a shingle to the correct size and nail it in place without changing tools.

There is something very compelling about old tools that show the wear and patina of a lifetime of serious use (not abuse). If you are into that sort of thing and haven't seen this film, take a look. It also demonstrates just how freaking cool water power is, in this case powering a wood shop.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=l2KJbRHO76s

And now for something different.
This belonged to my maternal grandfather, whose father was born Amish. Brass details, rosewood handle--made for generations to use. it has his initials stamped into the wood.
The only 3rd hand tool I've ever used.
These came from my dad, and likely from his grandfather.
1980 Craftsman router. I'm using it today, to cut mortises.

I have that same router, bought it at a yard sale in 1981. It's sounding a little funny but it still works.

The punch on the right - note the 'flaring'. You want that OFF as that tends to split off and fly in unwanted directions, possibly doing bad things. Take a grinder to it!

My favorites are the Abbey Tools Crombie and chain whip.



They're also very functional.

[QUOTE=elcraft;18634825]this is also known as a "planishing hammer" when used for beating and shaping panels, silversmithing or jewelry work. The same term is applied to big industrial power hammers used for auto body work, too, so it's confusing if you don't know the context.

Speaking of....some of mine.
various hammers and some dollys for body work on my classic cars.
Regards, Ben