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| | | Forums66 Topics128,032 Posts1,055,438 Members48,422 | | Most Online14,466 Apr 26th, 2026 | | AD Chevy Trucks Over 6,000 pictures Brad Allen has an awesome collection of Chevrolet factory pictures that he has set up from film strips. Check them out!
Lots of work on Brad's part ... pure enjoyment (and references) for you!
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on the Internet for over 30 years! and not clogged down with Ads! Again, thanks! | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Any pipe fitters out there that might know what these are for??? http://www.pbase.com/dennygraham/image/161993749 I picked a whole set of them up at a sale about 30 years ago because I thought I might find a use for them…….I haven’t yet! I thought they might be some sort of swedging tool for tubing or pipe since they are stamped “Reed Manufacturing, C9 Erie, PA”. So far the only use I’ve found for them is as paper weights. So…..any old pipe fitters recognize what they are????? Denny Graham Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 | Look like feet for different size pipe? Why do you think they are pipe fitting parts? Did you research the company?
1947 GMC Truck 5 window, Long Bed 2008 Corvette Roadster 2008 Harley Davidson FXDL 2011 F150 Ecoboost 4X4 2015 Subaru Outback AWD "only the strong survive"
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I sent them an email message earlier today, asking about the tools that Mark shows.
I sent them a copy of your photo, Denny | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Yep, made it to the same place as Mark did Bruce. (You forgot your copper). I thought the same thing Mark when I spotted those earlier this morning. Thought they might just a later version of what I've got here. Like to see the tool that those are used on/in.
Hey, thanks Tim. I thought about doing the same thing but, let the dog out, let the dog in, let the dog out, let the dog in, etc., etc., etc., got in the way.
dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | "I double checked with our Engineer and these are not Reed Parts. If you can tell me what kind a tools they are and/or what you are using them for?
I can help you with anything that we carry that may do the job for you.
Joyce"
Can you post a photo with company name and part number, Denny? | | | | | Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2014 Posts: 924 | Uh-oh.
Tell her paperweights & see what the engineer says.
Brad Wrench Fetcher, PhD | | | | | Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Sep 2013 Posts: 93 | COPPER,,,,, Dang, your right Denny. Just another reason to get together!!
1947 GMC Truck 5 window, Long Bed 2008 Corvette Roadster 2008 Harley Davidson FXDL 2011 F150 Ecoboost 4X4 2015 Subaru Outback AWD "only the strong survive"
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,004 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,004 | They have too steep an angle to be flare or swage tools. When I worked plumbing about 50 years ago, we had a couple of swages to extend copper tubing for drains (p-trap material). They had a real gradual increase in diameter so you could hammer them into the tube and create a socket to slip another piece of tubing into and solder together.
You mentioned a set of them. What sizes are they? Your photo looks like it has part numbers stamped around the rim. Maybe if you gave them the numbers they could come up with a description. What's the bottom of the smaller one look like?
You've got my curiosity up for sure.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | I sent the new photo to them. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | Something tells me I should know what these are. I want to say tube flaring dies but you would think that they would have a smoother finish for that. I'll think on it all day and see what I can remember. Maybe take a survey from my technicians. | | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | | | | | | Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 Moderator | | Moderator Joined: Aug 2001 Posts: 3,588 | 1967 GMC 9500 Fire Ladder Truck"The Flag Pole"In the Stovebolt Gallery1946 2-Ton grain truck 1946 3/4-ton pickup, 1953 1-ton pickup 1957 1-ton flatbed dually, 1954 Pontiac Straight Eight Of all the things I've lost in my life, I miss my mind the most! | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,271 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,271 | Regardless of what they actually are, there is one thing that is certain. DG is a hoarder. Unless of course, he offers them for sale. Then he is merely an inventory manager. Carl
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | 45°. Not sure what the cross hole would be used for, if they are indeed hammer flare tools. Never saw any copper tubing that large that needed a flare. By the time you get that big I would think it would be time for solder or brazed joints.
dg
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 Bubba - Curmudgeon | | Bubba - Curmudgeon Joined: Sep 2001 Posts: 29,269 | 45°. Not sure what the cross hole would be used for, if they are indeed hammer flare tools. Never saw any copper tubing that large that needed a flare. By the time you get that big I would think it would be time for solder or brazed joints.
dg There are many things I have never seen, such as: From Copper Fittings Standards: "Flared Copper Fittings
COLD WATER SERVICE
Flared fittings for use with flared copper tube for cold water applications with a maximum water pressure of 175 psig are manufactured to the requirements of ANSI/ASME B16.26 - Cast Copper Alloy Fittings for Flared Copper Tubes.
These fittings shall be produced to meet the general requirements of ASTM B 62, Alloy C83600 or the chemical and tensile requirements of ASTM B 584, alloys C83800 or C84400. Essentially, the elemental make-up of these cast brass fittings is approximately but not exactly equal to 85% Copper (Cu), 5% Tin (Sn), 5% Lead (Pb) and 5% Zinc (Zn). ( Although other elements may be part of the Alloy structure, more detailed analysis of the Alloys can be obtained from Copper Development Association Inc from their Plumbing Section).
These flared fittings are limited in size from 3/8" nominal to 2" nominal as designated by ASTM B88 for Seamless Copper Water Tube.
Marking of these fittings is limited to the manufacturer's name or trademark and that identification may be omitted form fittings less than ½" nominal size.
(These flared fittings are normally limited to use in underground water service lines and in some rare cases above ground water distribution piping and should not be mistaken for 45° flared fittings manufactured for higher pressure applications.)
NOTE: As additional information for flared fittings for copper tube applications it should be understood that forged or machined brass flared fittings for pressure applications are manufactured to the dimensions and configurations of SAE standards. The flare dimension and configuration for a 45 degree single flare is to be in accordance with the specifications of SAE J533" | | | | | Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 . | | . Joined: May 2005 Posts: 8,878 | Could be these are interchangeable ends pinned onto another piece intended to whack with a hammer. Do you have a piece like that? | | | | | Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! | | "Hey! I sound like Darth Vader!! Joined: Oct 2005 Posts: 4,249 | My subforeman seems to agree. Tubing flaring tools. | | | | | Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Oct 2006 Posts: 9,671 | Thanks for doin' the leg work for me Tim, I do appreciate that. Looks like they did use flare's for large diameter copper.
No Grigg, the set of heads were all that was in the box and there seems to be a few sizes in between that were missing and maybe a couple of larger ones if they went up to 2".
I would think that there had to be some sort of vice that clamped the tube being flared. Got them at a sale and there was no other info with them.
Well thanks guys, I'm bout 75% convinced as to their purpose now. Was just hoping there might be an old fitter around that knew exactly what they were.
Denny Graham aka: the hoarder, in Sandwich, IL
Denny G Sandwich, IL
| | | | | Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Nov 2008 Posts: 465 | don't feel bad, my wife is always telling people about the parts I have for cars and trucks I no longer own.
Also,tools that have no current use,some are scary
my treasures | | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,004 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,004 | Much better pictures. I agree now with the other guys, they're hammer-in flare tools for soft temper (type K) copper. The hole in the longer end is just to keep them together on the clip. That end would go into the end of the tube and hammer on the other end. I would think the 45 degree taper would be a bit smoother, as one of the other guys mentioned.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | |
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