This is for nipping off spokes that are too long on a built wheel. The face offset further from the axis engages the nipple, the one offset inward engages the spoke end itself. It just snaps off the end of the spoke.
Joe
At 10:34 PM 12/11/00 -0500, Harvey M Sachs wrote:
>Trying to figure out the use of an ELDI tool I found recently. Closely
>resembles the classic ELDI or VAR pliers-type chassis, two iron beam about
>7" - 8" long, with pivot bolt located to give high leverage/small jaw
>opening. Flat-wound spring between the handles to hold it open. The Jaws
>are the puzzling part:
>
>1) don't open but maybe a cm or so (1/2")
>2) Working ends are replacable little cylinders, with concave faces and
>fairly sharp lips.
>3) When closed, the faces are offset front-to-back from each other instead
>of lining up. Buck-tooth by a mm or two.
>
>Well, it works for clamping aluminum ferrules on cables to prevent fraying,
>but it's way to heavy-duty for that. I'm not sure that it would open wide
>enough to do the initial push to set chain pin, or why I'd want the offset
>faces for that. Wouldn't be for making lead shot, since the concave faces
>aren't as deep as hemispheres -- and they are offset.
>
>Couldn't find it in Third Hand -- but sure was fun looking.
>
>harvey sachs
>mclean va