What is it

While sorting out a box of tools I found this which I have had for a number of years. I think I know what it was used for but am not sure, I will not divulge what I think it is for yet.

Is it a [slightly] flexible drive for a screwdriver ?

MichaelG.

Valve-guide de-coker.

It’s for gripping a strip of abrasive cloth.

I hate to say it, but I know I have several somewhere, BUT cannot for the life of me remember what I used to use them for. I think they are in with my cylinder head porting/valve grinding bits, so Kiwi Bloke may well be correct and so may Sam (holding emery cloth to polish ports on cylinder head).

Colin

A strip of abrasive cloth inserted between the wires is then wrapped around to form an abrasive 'cylinder'.

Thus equipped, the device is held in a powered drill or similar, and can be used to polish and otherwise improve the bore of (as suggested by Kiwi Bloke) valve guides, etc. etc.

A hint about the size might help. I have some reservations about valve guide de-coking, it's mainly the stem immediately under the valve head that gathers coke.
Depending on size, is it possible it would be used for cleaning out a gun / rifle barrel.

Bob D

Agreed Bob,

A bit big for valve guides. There's a clue in the direction of wire twist. In use, they tighten around the cloth.

Sam

I'm with Kiwi bloke

Yes, there was one on eBay just like it with the original box.

OK I do know what it is(Not as I stated that I thought) as I was a Plant mechanic for over 25years and I use to use it on mainly diesel engine valve guides when doing a head overall

Derek,

Sorry to be labouring the point but ...

I’ve no idea what they are called or their prime/original use. However, they were (perhaps are with the right name) available in a range of diameters and lengths.

Between experimental trials, technicians in our plastics laboratory used them for cleaning out extruder barrels. They would insert steel wool and other slightly less abrasive materials than emery cloth.

Perhaps they were originally designed for gun barrel cleaning as Bob suggested. I'd be concerned about altering the bore size.

An alternative practice I've used before (nothing new here) was to saw down the length of a rod into which the end of a strip of emery could be inserted. Same principle, less complex.

Sam

I've a similar tool (which I can’t find to photograph), which is for honing brake cylinders. Mine has what look like tiny beads on the wires.

I used it a lot on old style brake cylinders for drum brakes when replacing the seals.

Only vehicles I encounter now with drum brakes have cables rather than hydraulic so won’t be needing to find mine anytime soon.

It is a Valve seat cutter/grinder spindle, the wire cage is to take up the size of the valve seat guide. Nothing to do with gun barrel cleaning or wrapping abrasive cloth around. You get a set of them with the valve grinding machine and various valve grinding hobs to fit tye size of valve you are cutting.

I found it illustrated in the Vintage Motorcyclists Workshop - it would appear to be for cleaning valve guides and could be had as part of a set of wire brushes.

I also maintain it's a valve guide tool for removing carbon without damaging the bore. No abrasives are used.

If you used this as a pilot whilst cutting a seat, the cutter would follow the seat and not be rigidly and accurately centred to the guide bore.

Kiwi Bloke gets the money ! There valve guide cleaners, often to be found in the B&D valve grinding kit ! Noel.

As others have said they are valve guide cleaners.

Similar to these

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/4-PIECE-VALVE-GUIDE-CLEANER-SET-/154657718534?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=710-127635-2958-0

What it was intended for, what it was sold for, and what it was used for may be three different things entirely. But these tools are very handy for use on an oily, smoky engine, which has sticking valves because of burnt-on oil in the guides. As I'm sure Kiwi-bloke remembered.

Cheers, Tim

Thanks for your input and link djswain1.

Thanks Clive for making me think.

I now admit to having egg on my face as to their correct function.

It seems likely that what I observed with a high degree of ignorance, was either complete misuse or ‘clever’ re-purposing.

With some relief Tim, you might have got me off the hook!

Keep safe,

Sam

Edited By Sam Stones on 05/11/2021 19:09:12