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Edison tools
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 7:06 am
by briankeith
I have been collecting anything "Thomas Edison" since 1971. I have about 10 of these old T-Handle tools stamped "Thomas A. EDison, Inc." One I bought bought last year at a flea market actually had a metal ring tag attached to it that said "phonograph dept". I just purchased another very small one on EBay which makes 11 total - all different sizes - some with very long 12" handles, this being the smallest at 4" long. Does anyone know what these were actually used for? Another collector told me they were used at Edison's Storage Battery Division next door to his Lab complex in West Orange New Jersey, but one has that metal tag stating phonograph dept. Hand tools? Interesting.
Re: Edison tools
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:16 am
by larryh
I really don't know for sure what it was designed for.. I have a number of these of course without the Edison names on them. Most I have are old square nut shaped wrenches. Are these perhaps the size of the square bolts that are used on the lifting rod to adjust the heights of the horn and lifting handle? Or they may just have fit the bolts on some other types of machines which I do not collect.
Larry
Re: Edison tools
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:38 am
by bobsled48
Larry and Brian , interesting tools, I wonder if they were used by machinist on lathes or milling machines in the manufacturing process, I have never seen a pair of spring pliers,do you have some in your collection ? Regards , Bob Smock
Re: Edison tools
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 3:37 pm
by larryh
We don't have a photo of the working end to know what the configuration is. I am just going by the tools I have made like it for old square headed bolts.
Larry
Re: Edison tools
Posted: Wed Sep 19, 2012 8:03 pm
by briankeith
All my T-handle tools that are actually stamped Thomas A. Edison, Inc. are of the 6-point socket variety. The largest is ¾ with aprox. a foot long handle. These may have been used at his Storage Battery plant although as I stated previously, one has a very worn red metal phonograph dept. tag with the number 101. Maybe he had a tool room and had all the tools stamped with the companies name? Remember when this country actually manufactured things like radios, televisions, cameras, and yes phonographs? Brian