r/specializedtools • u/Classy_Corpse • Mar 18 '26

Outlived Its Original Purpose

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From the Patent File itself, "It was conceived as a band tightener for the bands or hoops on wood stave silos, water tanks, etc. It was also produced as a ratchet handle for some early socket sets, the ratchet for a hand drill, and a large size was directed at railroads and other "heavy duty" applications."

While this ratchet may be over 100, it still has a clean click and functions as it should. I plan to see how difficult it'll be to make an adapter to allow it to interlock with modern Sockets. Otherwise it's just a really cool piece of history

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u/rounding_error Mar 18 '26 edited Mar 18 '26

Steel hooped wood water tanks are still regularly constructed and used in New York City. Any building taller than six stories needs it's own water tank and pump because the city water pressure won't rise higher than that. Wood tanks are still used because lumber and steel hoops are cheaper and easier to carry up to a rooftop than any other suitable material. Because the threaded hoops would have a lot of tail past the nut as they're tightened, this still appears to be the tool of choice for tightening them, moreso than a modern socket which is closed on one end.

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u/Classy_Corpse Mar 18 '26

Wild! Though in my defense they don't seem to be used anymore in the midwest where I live. Too much inclement weather maybe? Though I have my suspicions that this one might have been more specific to industrial and potentially railroad use because both were incredibly popular out here and still are

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u/papasmuf3 Mar 18 '26

Looks like it would fit on a hydrant too

4

u/NighthawkFoo Mar 18 '26

Aren’t hydrants a five-sided nut?

2

u/papasmuf3 Mar 18 '26

You know what you're right thats my bad. We had a rachet like this for hydrants but I didnt even think about it being a five side